Startled, I opened my eyes and turned to see Rhys standing beside me. In his hand was a plate, and on it was a slice of cake that looked rich and decadent.He gave me a sheepish smile. “I thought you might need some dessert,” he said, holding the plate out to me.I blinked, surprised by the gesture. “Thank you,” I said softly, taking the plate from him.Rhys nodded and gestured to the bench. “Mind if I sit?”I shook my head quickly. “No, not at all. Please.”He sat down beside me, leaning back and stretching his legs out in front of him. I focused on the cake, taking a small bite. The sweetness melted on my tongue, and for the first time that evening, I felt a small spark of joy.We sat in silence for a while, the only sound being the faint rustle of leaves in the breeze. I wasn’t sure what to say, and it seemed Rhys was gathering his thoughts too. Finally, he broke the quiet.“I’m sorry about what happened in there,” he said, his voice low but sincere.I glanced at him, surprised by
“Well,” he began, scratching the back of his neck, “there are ranks. You’ve got warriors, who protect the pack and handle fights. Then there are the Omegas, who take care of the more domestic stuff, like cooking and cleaning. Everyone has a role to play.”“What else do you want to know?” he asked, his tone gentle now.I looked at Rhys, his easy smile making me feel a little braver. “Okay, so… do werewolves really have super strength and heightened senses? Or is that just a myth?”Rhys laughed lightly. “Oh, that’s definitely true. We’re faster, stronger, and our senses—sight, hearing, smell—are way sharper than humans’. It’s how we hunt, protect ourselves, and keep the pack safe. I mean, I could hear you and Mer chatting all the way from the training grounds earlier.”My eyes widened. “You could hear us?”He smirked and nodded. “Every word.”I groaned, covering my face with my hands. “Oh, God. That’s so embarrassing. Did everyone hear?”He chuckled. “Nah, don’t worry. Most people were
It had been a week since I started living in the mansion, and I was slowly getting used to the way things worked around here. Breakfast was always served in my room, which gave me some peace in the mornings. Dinner, however, was another story. I had to face Zara’s cruel remarks every evening. But after a few days of her snide comments, I had learned to ignore her. I no longer ran away or let her get under my skin.On a positive note, there was something that made me smile every day—my baby. My belly was growing so fast that it felt unreal. Though I was only about four weeks pregnant, I already looked like I was three months along. At first, this had terrified me.I remembered the day I stood in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection with wide eyes. My hands rested on my slightly rounded belly as a flood of emotions washed over me—excitement, fear, and a hint of doubt.“Is this normal?” I had asked Rhys in a panicked voice one afternoon.He had laughed softly, leaning against t
I swallowed hard, my resolve wavering. His scent—earthy and intoxicating—was messing with my head. For a brief moment, all I could think about was burying my face in his chest and losing myself in his warmth. But before I could act on the ridiculous thought, he stepped back, putting space between us.Rhys cleared his throat, breaking the tension. “Kai, it’s not a big deal. I offered to take her since she wanted to make sure everything’s fine.”Kai turned his sharp gaze on Rhys. “You’re not taking her. I’ll handle it.”Rhys raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed by Kai’s tone. “She asked me, Kai. Maybe you should’ve been around more if you wanted to be included.”Kai ignored him and looked back at me. “Go get in the car. I’ll take you,” he said firmly, leaving no room for argument.I hesitated, glancing at Rhys. He gave me a reassuring nod, his smile still in place. “It’s fine. You’ll be okay,” he said softly.I wished he had more insisted on coming along, but he simply nodded and walk
When we got to the hospital, the smell of disinfectant hit me immediately. It was clean, but the sharp scent made my stomach twist a little. A nurse greeted us at the front desk and led us down a quiet hallway. She opened the door to one of the private rooms and gestured for us to go inside.“The doctor will be with you shortly,” she said with a polite smile before shutting the door behind her.The room was small but cozy. There was a bed with crisp white sheets in the center, a chair in the corner, and a window overlooking the hospital garden. I sat on the edge of the bed, my hands resting on my lap, but I couldn’t stop fidgeting. My nerves were getting the better of me, and I didn’t know how to calm myself down.Kai stood by the window with his arms crossed, his gaze focused on something outside. His expression was unreadable, but his presence was intimidating as always. He hadn’t said much since we arrived, which only made the room feel more tense. Zara, on the other hand, made her
Zara tilted her head, as if considering my words, but the smirk never left her face. “Your baby,” she repeated mockingly. “Do you really think anyone wants that thing? You’re nothing more than a distraction. A liability.”She pressed the scalpel a little harder, not enough to cut, but enough to make her point. “Remember this,” she said in a low, threatening voice. “I could hurt you anytime I wanted. And no one—no one—would stop me.”I swallowed back a sob, feeling completely helpless. The weight of her words and the cold steel against my skin made my hands shake."Please," I begged again, my voice barely above a whisper.The scalpel pressed harder against my skin, sharp enough to make me wince, but before she could do anything more, the sound of the door creaking open made her freeze. My head shot up, my breath catching in my throat.The doctor stepped into the room, followed closely by Kai. Relief flooded through me so strongly that I almost burst into tears. Zara immediately stepped
I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms as I tried to keep my emotions in check. “I can handle it,” I said softly, though my voice trembled slightly.Kai finally spoke, his voice low and commanding. “Zara, that’s enough.”Her smirk faltered for a split second, but she quickly recovered, shrugging nonchalantly. “I’m just saying,” she muttered, looking away.Kai ignored her and turned to me. “You’ll do what the doctor says,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. “If there’s anything you need, you let me know.”I nodded, still avoiding his gaze. “Okay,” I whispered.The doctor smiled reassuringly at me. “You’re doing well so far. Just follow the advice, and everything should be fine.”“Thank you, doctor,” I said, my voice barely audible.As the doctor gathered his things, Zara rolled her eyes dramatically. “Are we done here? This has been... enlightening,” she said sarcastically.Kai shot her a warning look. “We’re leaving,” he said curtly, his tone making it clear
The mansion was alive with activity. I could hear faint music playing from outside and the buzz of voices drifting through the halls. Kai, Zara, and Rhys were waiting at the bottom of the stairs. As I slowly made my way down, I noticed Kai’s eyes were locked on me. It was like he was studying every step I took. He looked as effortlessly handsome as ever, dressed in a fitted black dress shirt and matching black slacks. His presence seemed to demand attention without him even trying.Zara stood next to him in a stunning red dress that hugged her figure perfectly. Her hair was styled to perfection, and she looked like she had stepped straight out of a magazine. She was gorgeous, and she knew it. Then there was Rhys, casual as always, wearing a white button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled up and dark jeans. His easy smile lit up his face as he glanced up at me.I tried to steady myself as I descended, one hand holding the railing while the other rested on my belly. Rhys started moving t
I finally calmed down after what felt like forever. My breathing slowly evened out, though my chest still ached and my head was pounding. My throat burned from crying and yelling so much. I felt weak—physically, emotionally… just completely worn out. Like all the fight in me had been drained away. Kai was quiet the whole time. He didn’t say anything, didn’t ask if I was okay. He just stayed there, kneeling beside me on the side of the road, his hand moving in slow circles across my back. His touch was light, careful. It wasn’t like earlier when he had stormed into the shop all angry and wild. This Kai felt different—more… human. Like he was actually worried.When I finally lifted my head, Kai met my eyes. He didn’t speak. He just nodded, like he was asking silently if I was ready to leave. I gave the tiniest nod back. He stood up and helped me gently to my feet. I was still shaky, and he held onto me like he was scared I’d fall again. He walked me back to the car, opened the door for
“Shit,” Kai muttered under his breath, and the car swerved slightly as he pulled over to the side of the road. The engine cut off, and in an instant, Kai was unbuckling his seatbelt and reaching for me. “Hey, hey, look at me,” he said softly, his voice urgent but gentle. He cupped my face in his hands, forcing me to meet his gaze. “Breathe with me, okay? Just focus on me. In and out. You’re safe. I’m right here.” I tried to concentrate on his words, but it felt like I was trapped in my own head, my thoughts spiraling out of control. Tears streamed down my cheeks, and I struggled to match his breathing. He pressed his forehead against mine, his thumbs brushing away my tears. “You’re okay,” he whispered, his voice softer than I’d ever heard it. “I’ve got you. Just breathe. Slow, like this.” I focused on the warmth of his hands, the steady rhythm of his breathing, and slowly, gradually, I felt the tightness in my chest ease. I matched his breaths, inhaling deeply and exhaling slowly.
My heart jumped into my throat, and I quickly pulled back from Elliot, turning to see who had spoken. My blood ran cold when I saw Kai standing just a few feet away.He looked more terrifying than I had ever seen him before. His usual silver eyes were pitch black, completely devoid of any light or warmth. His expression was dark and furious, his jaw clenched so tight I thought his teeth might shatter. He was dressed in a black shirt that clung to his broad shoulders and black slacks, looking like a shadow given human form.Elliot immediately stepped back, his eyes wide with fear. “Alpha, I—”Kai didn’t acknowledge his words, didn’t even glance at me. His entire focus was on Elliot, and I could feel the air around us growing heavy with his anger. My heart pounded as I noticed his hands—the nails had elongated into sharp, deadly claws, and his chest rose and fell with barely restrained rage.My heart pounded, and fear twisted in my stomach. I knew t
For a moment, I let myself just exist—no worries, no stress, no overwhelming thoughts—just the soft rustling of leaves from the potted plants by the window and the faint hum of the radio playing a soothing melody in the background. The shop was like a little haven, filled with vibrant colors and the earthy, floral scent that wrapped around me like a comforting blanket.I glanced around, my eyes drawn to the different flower arrangements that Elliot had set on the counter. Each bouquet seemed to tell a story—the elegant roses paired with delicate baby’s breath, the wild assortment of sunflowers mixed with daisies, and a more subtle blend of lavender and white lilies. I reached out to trace the petals of a daisy, my fingertip brushing the soft, velvety texture. The simple beauty of it made my heart feel lighter, even just a bit.I couldn’t help but let my mind wander, thinking of how I usually played it safe, always trying to make the right decisions. Maybe it was time to do something a
I looked down at the lily in my hand, turning it gently between my fingers. The petals felt so soft, almost like silk, and the delicate fragrance wrapped around me, calming my frayed nerves. I couldn’t help but smile a little. It was such a small, simple thing, but it made me feel a bit lighter, almost like I could breathe easier. For the first time that day, I felt like I wasn’t drowning in my thoughts.Lost in the softness of the petals, I barely noticed when Elliot moved closer until his warm hand gently covered mine, stilling my fingers. His touch was comforting—steady and gentle. I looked up, meeting his calm, reassuring gaze.“Hey,” he said softly, his voice soothing, like a balm to my wounded heart. He gave my hand a gentle squeeze, his thumb brushing over my knuckles. “Everything’s going to be alright. I promise. You don’t have to carry it all on your own.”His words were simple, but they carried a weight that made my chest feel a little less tight. I didn’t trust myself to sp
I jumped a little, startled, and turned around quickly. There stood Elliot, holding a single white lily in his hand, his lips curled into a warm, easygoing smile. My heartbeat quickened, but not in the anxious way it did with Kai. Instead, it was a comforting, gentle flutter, almost like a reminder that not everything was as heavy as it seemed. “Oh! I didn’t hear you come up,” I admitted, trying to hide my embarrassment. He chuckled, the sound light and pleasant. “Sorry, didn’t mean to sneak up on you,” he said, offering me the lily. His fingers brushed mine briefly, and I couldn’t help but notice how soft his touch was. “This one reminded me of you—beautiful and delicate.” My cheeks flushed, and I couldn’t help but smile as I took the flower from him. “Thank you. It’s really pretty.” Elliot’s curls were a little messy, probably from a busy morning moving flowers around. He looked effortlessly charming in a simple white top that hugged his toned frame just right, paired with s
Pushing open the door, I was immediately greeted by the warm, fragrant scent of flowers. It was almost overwhelming at first, like stepping into a garden that had been bottled up and released all at once. The air was thick with the sweet, earthy smell of roses, the crisp freshness of lilies, and something sugary that I couldn’t quite place. It reminded me of spring mornings, where everything felt hopeful and alive.The shop itself was cozy and inviting, with sunlight streaming through the large windows, casting soft patterns on the wooden floor. Bouquets of flowers filled nearly every available space, arranged in tall glass vases and wrapped in brown paper tied with twine. The colors were almost too much to take in at once—bright red roses with their velvety petals, soft pastel pink peonies, sunny yellow sunflowers, and delicate white lilies. Even the shelves were decorated with smaller potted plants, succulents, and cacti, their deep green hues providing a nice contrast to the more v
I decided to call Elliot to see if we could meet now. My fingers felt a little shaky as I pulled my phone out and dialed his number. I wasn’t sure why I was nervous—maybe because I hadn’t really made any new friends lately, and he seemed like such a nice guy. I took a deep breath as the phone rang, trying to calm myself down.After a few rings, Elliot picked up. “Hello?” His voice sounded cheerful, and I couldn’t help but feel a little relieved.“Hey, Elliot, it’s me,” I said, trying to sound upbeat. “I was just wondering if we could meet now to check out the flower designs?”“Oh, absolutely!” he replied, sounding genuinely happy to hear from me. “I’ve got the arrangements ready for you to take a look at. Are you free now?”“Yeah, I’m already in town,” I answered. “Just tell me where your flower shop is, and I’ll head over.”“Great! It’s called ‘Bloom & Bliss,’ on Maple Street. You can’t miss it—the sign’s painted bright yellow, and there’s a big display of sunflowers outside,” he exp
Finally, he stepped aside, and I hurried past him, not daring to look back. I needed to get as far away from him as possible before I completely broke down. My chest felt tight, and my eyes stung, but I refused to cry in front of him.As I walked down the path leading away from the house, I forced myself to take deep, calming breaths. The morning air was cool against my skin, and the soft rustling of leaves overhead was almost comforting. I needed this moment of peace, away from the tension and the ache in my chest. I tried to focus on the steady rhythm of my footsteps, one after the other, moving me farther from the mansion and all the confusion that came with it.My thoughts kept drifting back to Kai, no matter how hard I tried to push them away. I couldn’t get the image of him and Zara out of my head. The way he kissed her with so much passion made my heart ache. I bit my lip to stop the tears that threatened to fall. I didn’t want to cry anymore. I was tired of feeling hurt and co