Henri’s POVThe water drummed against the tiles, a steady rhythm that matched the beat of my thoughts. I stood beneath the streaming warmth, feeling it trickle down my body, carrying away the weight of the past few weeks. As droplets slid along my skin, disappearing into the swirling vortex of the drain, I couldn't shake the surrealness of it all. Going back to work seemed like a distant reality, almost too implausible to grasp.I attempted to push the thought away, yet I couldn't shake this strange feeling. It was as if I had become a different person in this place, and the idea of returning to my usual reality was deeply unsettling, tearing me apart from within.I shook my head, trying to dispel the negative thoughts creeping in. These past weeks had been a whirlwind of fun and adventure, a departure from my usual routine. I had been carefree, stepping far beyond my comfort zone, something I never thought I'd do.Most of all, I cherished the time with Karyna. She was an enigmatic b
Julian’s POV“I found this realistic face mask shop when I was traveling back here. I wanted to stop by to get one, but it was already getting late, and I was in a hurry to get back,” I shrugged, turning to wink at Karyna.Henri gave me a deadpan stare. “A skin mask,” he asked dully.“Yeah, that. You know exactly what I’m talking about,” I confirmed, snapping my fingers. “I’m pretty sure I can get a good one easily,”Henri sighed. “How would you get there? If you don’t remember, we share the same face, and one of us is supposed to be dead. So how do you explain the two of us out in the open at different places?”I frowned when I realized he wasn't in support of my idea. “What? Do you think I don’t have a plan for that?” I scoffed, and Henri gave me a silent pointed look, which caused me to glare at him.Karyna giggled at the exchange, and even I couldn’t stop the corners of my lips lifting up in a smile.“Fuck you,” I cursed and he shrugged briefly. “I’ll put on the ghost mask, of cour
Karyna’s POVAs soon as I entered the classroom, my eyes instantly darted around, unconsciously searching for Sophia. However, amidst the multitude of people, I couldn't spot her anywhere.The crowd seemed to be standing in clumps, making it even more difficult to see. Deciding to let it go for the moment, I grabbed Julian's hand and led him towards two empty seats before they could be taken.“Whoa, this is giving me major flashbacks,” Julian leaned over, whispering in my ear.I glanced at him, feeling amused. Despite the new face, his muscular build made him appear more mature than the typical college student. No one would ever suspect, of course, but it was amusing to see him seem so out of place here, considering he had completed his education years ago.The murmuring and the sounds of chattering slowly fizzled out as soon as Henri walked into the class. There was a brief spark of excitement humming around the room, but I was guessing that it was because Henri hadn’t been around fo
Karyna’s POV“He is nobody.” I answered, frowning at her.“He’s somebody, Karyna. I can see the way you look at him.” She insisted, pulling me along with her.“I am not attending your class,” I refused the moment I realized her actions.“Your Man just ditched you. Join me, we have a lot to catch on.” Sophia asserted, and I rolled my eyes.“He’s not my Man.” “Whatever,” She tugged me with her and we rushed to the Hall, where she was having her next class.We basically stumbled out of the Hall when we were done. Everyone was in such a hurry to get out that they kept on jostling and pushing us and it annoyed both Sophia and I.“Fucking pricks,” Sophia muttered under her breath, straightening her denim skirt in annoyance.“Right?” I agreed with her, shooting daggers with my eyes as we walked down the hallway, away from the crowd. We began to chat idly, catching up to what we’d missed so far, when we stumbled upon Henri.Without a second thought, I called after him, with Sophia following
Julian’s POVI was currently in Henri’s office, pacing around the room restlessly, with my phone pressed to my ear. Henri was sitting behind his desk, but he kept his eyes trained on me, following my every movement.“Fuck!” I growled, nearly tossing my phone away, when I heard the automated voice of her mailbox again, instead of connecting to her.I didn't know what was going on at all! Karyna seemed to have been crying the moment I called her, and before I could even find out what was wrong, she snapped at me, breaking off our little arrangement without a word.I was still at the campus when I heard that, and I had to go back, looking for her, but I couldn’t find her anywhere. I knew that she went to race, but there were a lot of race tracks in Greenwich Village alone, and before I went through each one, it would take several days!Instead of wasting my time doing that, I had to come over here to put our heads together.We kept calling, and texting Karyna’s phone to no avail. She see
Henri's POVThe clock read 7 pm, yet I found myself still stuck in my office. I had never felt as frazzled as I did at that moment. My chest ached with a heaviness that I couldn't ignore, despite my attempts to pretend that everything was fine.I let out a heavy sigh and ran my fingers through my hair in frustration. I was sure it must look messy by now, considering how long I'd been idly doing this.My gaze fell upon the vibrator remote sitting on my table. I could have easily tucked it away in a drawer, out of sight. Instead, I left it there, a visible reminder of my own foolishness.The thought of going home was unbearable, knowing that Karyna's absence would haunt every corner. And facing my brother's disappointed and angry expression again? It would be a blow that I wasn't sure I could handle. It might just crush me from the inside out.Julian said she broke things with him, and I didn't understand why she would do that. I was the one who she had a problem with, not him. Why woul
Karyna’s POVI was caught in a daze, my mind drifting through a fog of confusion. I desperately wanted to open my eyes, but it felt like an impossible task, no matter how hard I tried.It was as if I was experiencing a disconnected state of consciousness. Despite being unconscious, I was acutely aware of external sensations. I could feel the vague touches and distant sounds, yet I remained unable to fully awaken from this hazy state.There was this…strong, pungent smell in the air as well, that flooded my nose. It smelled oddly like antiseptic, but also a mix of chemicals as well, I wasn’t sure.It sounded like there was a bunch of people gathered together, talking amongst and over each other. And there was this…drawn beeping sound again.It was very hard for me to understand what they were saying clearly, but as I tuned in properly, and focused all to my hearing, it all started to come back to me.I had been driving…no, rather, I was at a race, and I had an accident! That realization
Karyna’s POVThe thought alone made my stomach churn. I quickly glanced around, searching for my cell phone to inform Julian about my suspicions. However, to my dismay, I realized that my phone wasn't anywhere around me. Panic started to set in as I frantically checked the surrounding area, but it was nowhere to be found.Was it stolen? I didn’t have any proof of that. Maybe Sophia had dropped the device somewhere. “Has anyone seen my phone?” I yelled out, my voice bouncing off the walls. A frown crept on my face immediately after straining my voice. I didn't know why I screamed, but it was very embarrassing. However, there was no one to transfer my message here. I could hardly move too, and I had nothing to communicate with. Screaming was by far my best choice.Thankfully and unfortunately for me, I didn’t have to wait any further, as my father who returned, heard my outburst. My frown turned into a scowl of displeasure as he walked in, shutting the door behind him. What was he
Julian’s POV “Don’t kill him yet. I want to return all the ten slaps he gave me.” Karyna’s words rang in my ears and I felt a dark cloud of rage enveloped me. I shot forward but she grasped my hand, restraining me as I fumed. “Release my hand,” I ordered her, breathing heavily. Karyna shook her head stubbornly. “No. You promised me not to kill him if Henri didn't.” She whispered, her hand squeezing my clenched fist. I wasn't aware he hit her 10 times before I made that oath. No one can stop Venar from dying today. “I can't keep this promise, Karyna. Only his death can dispel the anger rooted in my chest.” I growled, my whole body convulsing with fury. I released my Alpha aura, thinking the overwhelming energy would push her away but she remained steadfast, unwilling to leave my side. Any sensible werewolf would have kept their distance from a raging Alpha, knowing that the raw power could easily crush them, and they would never be able to shift again. But of course, my Kary
Henri’s POV I had made a vow to kill Venar with my own hands, just like I did his father, Venom. Why? Because both of them are nuisances. That son of a gun kidnapped my Karyna and nearly slapped her to death. “Fucking bastard!” I growled, my hands clenched tightly on the steering wheel as I trailed after Venar. I wanted to go after him that morning, but Karyna was badly injured, and I feared we might lose the surviving baby in her womb, so I let him escape. I placed the highest fucking bounty on his head, but none of the hitmen found find him. I had a feeling he had been lurking in the shadows like a rat scuttling away from the light, and I was right. “You think you can hide forever, don’t you?" I muttered under my breath, a venomous smirk lifting my face. “I’ll make you regret every choice you’ve made. You’ll wish you never crossed me, just like your father did. When I finally catch up with him, I will make sure you taste what it felt like to be slapped to death.” Th
Karyna’s POV The short skirt I wore did nothing to conceal the wetness trickling down my thighs. I could even catch a whiff of my own arousal in the air, and I was sure Julian and Henri could sense it too. “Jules, please,” I let out a desperate plea when he wouldn’t slip his fingers inside me. Julian had been tormenting me; using his middle finger to rub my clit in circles, lightly pressing kisses against my neck. He growled lowly, that deep sound sending explosive waves of arousal down my spine. “What are you begging me for, my love?” Julian whispered in the shell of my ear, and it suddenly felt like we were the only ones in the car. The sensation in my lower stomach was too consuming. I could feel my pussy throbbing painfully as my heart pounded under my chest. The intensity of the moment was almost too much to bear, so I just looked into his green eyes, hoping he’d understand just how much I craved him at that moment. “Alpha. I don’t think your fingers can d
Karyna’s POVAs we made our way to Henri’s car, a whirlwind of emotions washed over me. I couldn't bring myself to accept that my abusive father was truly gone. I was still in shock. I could feel the overwhelming amount of fear I had for Thomas Vegas dissipating with each assurance that he was indeed dead. He was killed by Julian. I was caught between feeling relieved that he could no longer harm me, or force me to do his vile wishes and the nagging question of whether I should feel sorrowful for his death.I’d known that cruel man all my life, and I’d always thought he was invincible, so it was crazy to believe that he was dead, just like that. He had been wealthy and influential during his life, but now he wouldn’t have a final resting place because Julien had killed him to avenge me, and his body would remain lost forever.When we got in front of the car, Julian pulled the back seat door for me, and I slid in. I could feel the sizzling heat coming from his body as he sat beside
Julian’s POV I was anticipating kissing Karyna until she was lost for words again when an iPhone ringing echoed in my ears. “Who's fucking phone is that? Fuck, it’s mine.” I groaned inwardly and went to pick it up, licking my lips to savor the pancake I had just eaten. When I saw that it was Leah who was calling me, my suppressed anger returned. I didn't want this woman calling me. But I was still using the same phone I was using when I was wearing the skin mask that was similar to Onyx’s face. Jeremy deserves his phone and number. I made a mental note to sort that out today before turning to Henri and Karyna. “It’s Leah,” I revealed, bitterness coating my voice like poison. I felt Karyna’s worry surge, even without her saying a word. She looked at me with those baby-blue eyes, her gaze filled with concern and thoughts of another threat. Another threat from my family. I clenched my jaw at that. I contemplated whether I should step outside to answer her. Leah knew I acce
Karyna’s POV I'd been eavesdropping on Julian and Henri's conversation after Henri entered. I heard Henri's laughter and Julian's question of what was funny. Henri's response of “everything” was followed by Julian's shocking revelation that made me blink in disbelief. Besides the fox he killed, he had also attempted to harm one of them. Did he see killing as a normal thing? “I was simply bullying her back for you,” Julian stated, walking over to retrieve the bowl of pancakes in my hand. My eyes widened in astonishment. I couldn't fathom his nonchalant attitude towards serious actions like this. I paused my lips, my heart sinking as I gazed back and forth between the Alphas I had fallen hopeless for. I didn't want to think that I had judged them wrongly or I had underestimated their animalistic nature. “I understand where you're coming from, Julian. But you can't go around ending lives or torturing animals just to defend me from bullies or make me accessories,” “I alre
Henri’s POV As I dashed after Karyna, my heart pounded with worry. How could she be so reckless, especially after yesterday's events? The arsonist might still be out there, and here she was, venturing off alone because she was pissed about the death of a fox. Her blind courage angers me and it fills me with worry. Why couldn't she be more concerned about her safety? I finally caught up to her just before she reached the guards who were stationed in front of the house. Without hesitation, I grasped her arm firmly and stopped her in her tracks. “Karyna, stop!” I urged, my voice thick with concern and frustration. “This is just our way of life. It's normal for werewolves to hunt and kill other animals. Hunting and killing are what we do. There's no need to get upset,” I deadpanned. Karyna turned to shoot me an angry glare, her baby-blue eyes revealing bitterness and confusion. “Normal? Are you freaking serious right now?” Her voice trembled as she spoke. “Just because
Julian’s POV The snow poured heavily on me, stinging like a thousand icy needles, yet I refused to halt my sprint. What was supposed to be a simple 15-minute early morning run turned into a relentless sprint fueled by my escalating anger. It wasn't just Henri's continuous provocation to abandon the Pack that fueled my fury. It was the unsettling realization that his reasons were valid, and I might be forced to confront a truth I wasn't ready to face. I was certain he'd only come back to safeguard Karyna and our child. Yet, deep down, I clung to a foolish wish that his return would reignite the memories of the beautiful life we once shared here and he would want to protect the pack, but as I said, it was a foolish wish. It hurt like crazy to admit that he didn't see this Pack estate as home but as a refuge camp, where he could hide from his enemies, and leave at any slight inconvenience. “Do you really think they want me back as their Alpha? All they want is a pack to b
Karyna’s POV In my dreams, Julian and Henri were having a heated argument. Julian was clearly upset, warning Henri never to mention abandoning the Pack, but Henri insisted it was necessary for our survival. I thought it was all just a dream until a loud door slam woke me up, and there was Julian storming off in frustration. “Henri,” I called out, my voice filled with surprise. I saw the worry etched on his face as he locked eyes with me, and I felt a pang in my heart. Did he insist on abandoning the pack because he was triggered by my mention of needing a break from the chaos surrounding us? Henri sighed softly and walked closer, he climbed on the bed and pressed a kiss to my forehead. “Morning, sweetheart,” he greeted, his voice above a whisper. Though his tone seemed light, the somber look in his green eyes and the shadow of regret on his face showed he was sad about the argument he just had with Julian. “Did you really believe we will be safe if we abandon the Pack?” I