When we got out of the hospital and into the car, I wasted no time pulling out my phone and calling Meredith. The moment she picked up, I could hear the excitement in her voice.“Lily! What’s up?”I couldn’t stop the huge grin that spread across my face as I clutched the small envelope containing the ultrasound pictures. “Mer, I just had my ultrasound! I heard the baby’s heartbeat!”There was a brief silence before she let out a high-pitched squeal so loud I had to pull the phone away from my ear. “Oh my god! That’s amazing! What did it sound like?”“Like a little drum,” I said, still in awe. “Fast and strong. It was… surreal.”“I can’t believe it! Did you get pictures?”I nodded, even though she couldn’t see me. “Yes! I’ll show you when I get back.”From the driver’s seat, Kai glanced at me, and when our eyes met, he gave me a small smile. It wasn’t his usual smirk or the teasing grin he sometimes wore—it was softer, more genuine. My heart did a little flip.“I can’t wait to see them
The next morning, after finishing my breakfast, I couldn’t stop thinking about the woman they found in the woods. The thought of her had kept me up most of the night. Who was she? Why was she out there, injured and alone? I needed to know more.So, after rinsing my plate, I decided to go to Kai’s office. I figured he would have some answers, or at least an update.As I walked through the halls, I greeted a few pack members who bowed respectfully. It still felt strange, people treating me like someone important. I wasn’t used to it, but I was slowly learning to accept it.When I reached Kai’s office, I knocked lightly before pushing the door open. He was sitting behind his large wooden desk, going through some documents. His dark hair was slightly tousled, probably from running his fingers through it, and his sharp eyes lifted to meet mine the second I walked in.Heat pooled in my belly. He looked so effortlessly handsome, and I hated how easily he affected me.A slow smile tugged at h
She was Selina’s daughter? I couldn’t believe it.Selina had told me her daughter left the pack years ago and never returned. She never spoke much about her, but I could tell it hurt her deeply. I had always sensed a sadness in her whenever the topic of family came up, but I never imagined this. Now, here was Sophia—bruised, exhausted, and clearly terrified.I glanced at Kai and Darren. They looked just as shocked as I felt. Darren’s brows were furrowed, his lips pressed into a hard line, while Kai’s expression was unreadable. But I knew him well enough to see the tension in his body, the way his hands curled into fists at his sides. He was deep in thought, trying to piece everything together.Kai took a slow step toward Sophia’s bedside, keeping his voice steady. “How did you get to the forest?” he asked. “And what happened to you?”Sophia flinched slightly, like the question alone brought back painful memories. She gripped the thin blanket in her hands, her knuckles turning white. F
Selina stood frozen at the doorway, her breath caught in her throat as she stared at the daughter she had thought was lost forever. Her hands trembled at her sides, her lips parted as if she wanted to say something, but no words came out.Sophia clutched the blanket draped over her lap, her fingers gripping the fabric so tightly her knuckles turned white. Her eyes were filled with hesitation, fear, and something fragile—hope.For a long moment, neither of them moved. The air in the room felt thick with emotions that neither of them could quite put into words. Then, with a strangled sob, Selina rushed forward.“Sophia?” Her voice cracked as she dropped to her knees beside the bed, reaching for her daughter as though she still couldn’t believe she was real. Her fingers brushed over Sophia’s arms, her shoulders, her face—like she was trying to convince herself this wasn’t just a dream. “Oh, my sweet girl…”Sophia let out a shaky breath, her body trembling. “Mom?” Her voice was barely mor
Kai looked at Selina and her family, seeing how emotional they were. He decided to give them some privacy, letting them have this moment together. He reached for my hand, his fingers wrapping around mine warmly."Come on," he said softly.I nodded, letting him lead me out of the room. As we stepped into the hallway, Darren was already waiting outside. Kai stopped and turned to him, his expression serious."I want security doubled," Kai ordered. "Border patrols need to be increased immediately. We don’t know who took Sophia, and we can’t risk them coming back."Darren nodded, already pulling out his phone to make the necessary arrangements. "I’ll handle it right away, Alpha."Kai gave him a curt nod, then turned back to me. His grip on my hand tightened just a little, as if he needed the contact."Let’s go," he said, leading me towards the exit.We reached the car, and Kai opened the door for me. He held my hand as I got in, making sure I was comfortable before closing the door. Then,
The moment I stepped inside my room, everything felt normal. But as I took a few steps toward my bed, my heart nearly jumped out of my chest.I froze. My breath caught in my throat.Then, I screamed.My bed was covered in tiny, torn-up pieces of paper. My hands trembled as I stepped closer, and that’s when I realized what it was—my ultrasound photo. The picture of my baby. The one the doctor had given me. It had been ripped into shreds and scattered all over my bed like confetti.But that wasn’t the worst part.Right in the middle of the bed, lying in a pool of dark, sticky blood, was a dead animal. My stomach twisted in horror as I took in the sight. It was a rabbit. Its small body had been completely ripped open, its insides spilling out onto my blankets. The metallic scent of blood filled my nose, making me gag.A sharp, choked sob escaped my lips as I staggered backward, my entire body trembling. My hands clutched my stomach instinctively, as if I could somehow shield my baby from
I clung to Kai, my fingers digging into his shirt as I buried my face against him, inhaling his scent. It should have comforted me, but nothing could erase what I had just seen.Behind us, Rhys walked with heavy, deliberate steps, his energy radiating barely contained rage."I’ll handle the cleanup," Rhys muttered. "And I’ll tighten security."Kai didn’t answer immediately. He kept walking, his jaw tight, his grip on me firm but gentle.When we reached his bedroom, he pushed the door open with one hand and stepped inside. The moment we were in, he kicked the door shut behind him. He didn’t set me down right away. Instead, he walked straight to the bed and sat down, keeping me cradled in his lap.I curled into him instinctively, my entire body still trembling."Take a deep breath," he murmured, his voice softer now. "Slow and steady, Lily. I’ve got you."I tried, I really did, but the panic wouldn’t let go of me
Kai stood up from the bed and told me he would be right back. I nodded, watching as he left the room and closed the door behind him. Now that I was alone, I took a deep breath and looked around. This was only the second time I had been in his room, and I hadn’t really paid attention to it before. It was spacious, with dark wooden furniture and large windows covered with heavy curtains. The bed was massive, covered in dark sheets, and smelled just like him—strong, warm, and comforting. I slowly stood up and wandered around the room, my eyes landing on the door to his walk-in closet. Curiosity got the best of me, and before I could stop myself, I walked over and pushed it open. The moment I stepped inside, Kai’s scent completely surrounded me. It was even stronger here—his cologne mixed with something uniquely him. I closed my eyes for a second, just breathing it in, feeling comforted in a way I couldn’t explain. I ran my fingers over the neatly hung clothes, feeling the soft fabric
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
When I got to Kai’s room, I hesitated at the door for a moment. I wasn’t sure what I was expecting—maybe to find him there, waiting to talk, or maybe still asleep. But when I pushed the door open, the room was empty. A strange mix of relief and disappointment washed over me. I let out a small sigh and stepped inside, gently closing the door behind me.The room looked just as I had left it earlier. The bed was still a bit messy, the sheets rumpled from where I had been lying down. The faint scent of Kai lingered in the air—a comforting, familiar smell that made my chest tighten. I didn’t want to think about him right now, but it was hard not to when everything in this room reminded me of him.I walked over to the window, pushing the curtains aside to let the sunlight in. The morning light spilled across the floor, brightening up the space. I glanced out at the view of the garden below, watching the breeze make the flowers sway. It was peaceful—too peaceful compared to the storm of emot
We continued walking along the path, taking our time. The sun was climbing higher in the sky, warming the cool morning air, and the smell of pine and wildflowers filled the breeze. I couldn’t help but feel a bit lighter after talking to Mer, even though the ache in my chest was still there. Just having her by my side made things a little more bearable.The sound of birds singing softly in the trees seemed to match the rhythm of our steps. I noticed how the sunlight filtered through the branches, casting dappled patterns on the ground. Mer and I walked in comfortable silence for a while, both of us just soaking in the calm of the morning.Then my phone buzzed, startling me out of my thoughts. I pulled it out of my pocket, glancing at the screen. The name "Elliot" flashed across it, and I hesitated for a second before answering.“Hello?” I greeted, trying to keep my voice steady despite the unexpected call.“Hey, Lily! It’s Elliot,” came his cheerful, upbeat voice. I could almost pictur
Lily’s POV But then I had seen him kissing Zara. My heart had shattered right there in his office, and I couldn’t shake the image from my mind. It hurt so much. I felt embarrassed, stupid even, for letting myself hope that Kai might choose me over her.Mer was still looking at me, her eyes full of concern. I bit my lip and shook my head slowly. “It’s nothing,” I whispered, but the crack in my voice gave me away.Mer’s expression softened, and she pulled me into a tight hug, not saying anything. I closed my eyes, leaning into her, grateful for the comfort even if I couldn’t tell her the whole truth.It was too much. I felt like such a fool for thinking Kai could ever put me first. Of course, he still loved Zara. She was everything I wasn’t—beautiful, confident, and most of all, someone Kai had always protected. I was just... there.I couldn’t help the small sob that escaped, and Mer rubbed my back soothingly. “It’s okay,” she murmured. “You don’t have to talk about it if you’re not re