Ella POV Hazel led Alexander and me up the stairs to a large bedroom. It contained a four-poster bed, a sturdy dresser, and a plush recliner with a quilt thrown over the back. The furniture was heavy, hand-carved wood, radiating an air of craftsmanship. The room itself, however, was sparsely dec
I eagerly stepped in, letting the water wash over my weary body. The tension from the long day melted away as the warmth soothed my muscles and cleared my mind. It didn't take long for my mind to wander. Sleeping in the same bed with Alexander shouldn’t have been a big deal, and yet the thought al
Ella POV “What happened? Why did I hear a scream?” Diana asked as she knocked on the door. I opened my mouth to speak but no words came out. My heart pounded harder, and for a moment, I was completely frozen. Alexander, however, didn’t seem fazed. Straightening up, he turned toward the door, h
“I don’t know what you mean,” I replied, but the knowing look he gave me made it clear he saw through my denial. “Go ahead and ask your questions,” he said, his tone calm. “There’s no reason to be hesitant with me. You want to know about my relationship with my mother.” I hesitated, unsure if I
Alexander POV Ella lay quiet and still beside me, her breathing steady but her body tense. Despite her insistence that this arrangement was fine, I knew she was uncomfortable. I couldn’t blame her—this situation was awkward, to say the least. As I lay there, the memory of that night crept into m
Listening for the sound of his footsteps returning. Hoping to feel the mattress shift under his weight again. But the room remained quiet, and he never came back. I drifted in and out of the awkward space between sleep and wakefulness, only opening my eyes when I heard birds chirping outside t
Third Person POV Diana stared at Ella in disbelief. Diana had never expected such confidence from such a young girl. Most of what she had heard about Ella Rowan was from a few months ago. It all led her to believe she was timid, innocent, and too nervous to stand her ground. But seeing her now
“Let me know about that dress shopping trip,” she said. “I’m really looking forward to meeting your mother.” “I’ll speak to her when I get home and let you know the details,” I replied, though the idea of spending the afternoon with Diana and my mother seemed far less appealing now. Still, I was d
“Let me know about that dress shopping trip,” she said. “I’m really looking forward to meeting your mother.” “I’ll speak to her when I get home and let you know the details,” I replied, though the idea of spending the afternoon with Diana and my mother seemed far less appealing now. Still, I was d
Third Person POV Diana stared at Ella in disbelief. Diana had never expected such confidence from such a young girl. Most of what she had heard about Ella Rowan was from a few months ago. It all led her to believe she was timid, innocent, and too nervous to stand her ground. But seeing her now
Listening for the sound of his footsteps returning. Hoping to feel the mattress shift under his weight again. But the room remained quiet, and he never came back. I drifted in and out of the awkward space between sleep and wakefulness, only opening my eyes when I heard birds chirping outside t
Alexander POV Ella lay quiet and still beside me, her breathing steady but her body tense. Despite her insistence that this arrangement was fine, I knew she was uncomfortable. I couldn’t blame her—this situation was awkward, to say the least. As I lay there, the memory of that night crept into m
“I don’t know what you mean,” I replied, but the knowing look he gave me made it clear he saw through my denial. “Go ahead and ask your questions,” he said, his tone calm. “There’s no reason to be hesitant with me. You want to know about my relationship with my mother.” I hesitated, unsure if I
Ella POV “What happened? Why did I hear a scream?” Diana asked as she knocked on the door. I opened my mouth to speak but no words came out. My heart pounded harder, and for a moment, I was completely frozen. Alexander, however, didn’t seem fazed. Straightening up, he turned toward the door, h
I eagerly stepped in, letting the water wash over my weary body. The tension from the long day melted away as the warmth soothed my muscles and cleared my mind. It didn't take long for my mind to wander. Sleeping in the same bed with Alexander shouldn’t have been a big deal, and yet the thought al
Ella POV Hazel led Alexander and me up the stairs to a large bedroom. It contained a four-poster bed, a sturdy dresser, and a plush recliner with a quilt thrown over the back. The furniture was heavy, hand-carved wood, radiating an air of craftsmanship. The room itself, however, was sparsely dec
Whatever the case, Michael’s curiosity was obvious, and it struck me as unfair. He deserved the chance to explore the world beyond his pack’s borders. “How old are you?” I asked, tilting my head slightly. Michael looked so young, but he had to be close to my age. “Eighteen,” he answered, his ton