Ella POVThe rest of the tasting passed in quiet tension, though I didn’t think Alexander was mad at me. We eventually agreed on a red and a white wine. Alexander filled out the form and handed it to the employee as we made our way out.When we reached the car, he opened the door for me, placing a g
Ella POVJust as I was beginning to lose myself in the kiss, the front door burst open. My mother’s surprised gasp cut through the moment, and I quickly pulled away from Alexander, heat rushing to my face in mortified embarrassment.Alexander laughed under his breath—a soft, warm sound—and when I lo
“Who did it?” my mother pressed, her composure razor-sharp.My father hesitated, his eyes flicking to me for a brief moment before returning to my mother. “We’re confirming the identity, but we believe it was Dr. Brianna McIntyre.”For a moment, my mind refused to process the name. Then it hit me. D
Ella POV“She’s on the run,” I said, hugging my knees to my chest as I stared into the camera on my phone. “It seems she had an escape plan ready in case she was discovered.”“Naturally,” Alexander replied, his expression thoughtful. “She’d have been a fool not to. Clearly, she’s no fool if she’s ma
She sighed, her expression gentle yet firm. “I could tell you it’s not that serious, but I understand how you feel. It does seem like it’s just one thing after another.” She held out a steaming mug. “Here, have some tea. It’ll help settle your nerves.”“Thank you,” I said, accepting the mug. The war
Ella POVAt some point, I managed to fall asleep, though far too late. When my mother knocked on the door to wake me for the rehearsal dinner, I was beyond exhausted. It took several attempts for me to stir, let alone keep my eyes open long enough to respond.Somehow, I forced myself out of bed and
The voice of the man that had commanded our release was low, measured, and simmering with restrained fury. Even now, it sent a chill down my spine. At the time, the authority in those words had been inexplicable.But now, I knew.The realization struck me like a sudden bolt, leaving me momentarily b
Ella POV Alexander’s kiss was unlike any we had shared before. There was a heat, a sense of urgency in the way he held me, pulling me impossibly close against him as if letting go wasn’t an option. Somewhere near the door, I vaguely registered Michael’s startled voice, an exclamation of surprise
“You’re not killing anyone today!” Ella shouted suddenly, drawing both of our attention.I looked at her in shock, intending to stop her but then our eyes met. She glanced at the knife, like she could read my mind.She was giving me a distraction. If I could act fast enough…Ironfang turned to her f
Alexander POV“It’s already over, pup.”The words echoed in my head, but my thoughts were sluggish, my limbs heavy. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong, something deeper than just the bleeding wound in my side.Ironfang stared at me, his voice low and almost affectionate as he took
I saw the tears in Alexander’s eyes, but he refused to let them fall. He tore his gaze from me, looking fully at Ironfang.“I’m not his puppet anymore,” he said firmly. “And I never will be again.”“Which is why you have to die,” he replied.I took advantage of the distraction and surged forward, my
Ella POV“Do you think this changes anything?” Diana asked as she moved towards me, forcing me to back towards Alexander.My fists were clenched so tightly that my nails cut into my palms. The heat of anger coursed through me as my wolf began to surface, barely restrained."You're so weak, Ella," Di
As I stepped away from her, I glanced to Sabrina. Diana’s jacket was discarded on the ground. Sabrina was bent over with a key ring in her hand, frantically checking each one in the lock around Lexie’s leg."What does that mean?" I demanded, my voice rising, sharper now. My fists were trembling, my
Ella POV“When you finally realize the truth, it will be too late.”My chest tightened as Diana’s words sank in. The words rattled around inside me, burrowing deep into my heart, a cruel echo of the self-doubt I had tried so hard to bury.But I wasn’t going to let it affect me. Not now. Not when eve
“Don’t you dare talk about me like that,” I snarled, my voice low and dangerous.I moved forward quickly, sending a jab into her stomach. She stumbled back on her heels, taking a sharp breath as the blow forced the air from her.“It may have started as a sham, but I am his family. I am the one he ca
Alexander POVWithout thinking, I stepped forward, placing myself between Ella and Ironfang, my body a shield in front of her.My eyes met Ironfang’s, and I knew that he could see the fear there and that he knew the cause of it.The silence between us was thick with tension, and in that moment, the
Ella POVI stood frozen, my mind racing with a thousand questions. I could feel the tension in the air, thick and suffocating, wrapping around my chest like a tightening vice.An image of August’s tear-streaked face flashed through my mind. He tried to warn me about this. Now, I understood his fear.