Kara jolted awake to the sharp ringing of her phone, her breath hitching as she reached for the vibrating device on the nightstand. "Hello," she mumbled without checking the caller ID. "Hey, how are you?" That voice. Her body tensed as she pulled the phone away, staring at the screen in disbelief before bringing it back to her ear. "Are you there?" Dylan’s voice came again, smooth yet edged with something unreadable. "Uh—yeah, I’m here. I'm... fine," she answered hastily, her voice still thick with sleep. "I wanted to check on you," he said, his tone unreadable. "You're my employee now, which makes you my responsibility." Kara scoffed, rolling her eyes. "I appreciate your concern, but I’m fine, sir." A low growl rumbled through the phone. "Do not call me that," he said through gritted teeth. "At least not when we're outside the office." A slow smirk played on her lips. "Oh? So you want me to call you by your name, sir?" She bit her lip to stifle a giggle. "Fuck
The ride back home was silent, each of them lost in their own thoughts. Kara stared out the window, her mind in a frenzy of emotions. "You're home," Rodrigo’s voice pulled her back to the present. She blinked, realizing the car had stopped. Without a word, she pushed the door open and stepped out, but before she could walk away, Rodrigo called after her. "Sweet Kara, you are strong. You will overcome this storm ahead of you. I believe in you." Something in his voice made her chest tighten. She turned to him, her throat dry. "Thank you, Rodrigo. For everything," she whispered. She knew it now—her life was in danger. ASA wanted her eliminated. They would stop at nothing to silence her. At least she was safe here, for now. The apartment given to her by her new employers was deep within New Age Pack’s territory. They wouldn’t dare touch her here. After a hot shower, she collapsed onto her bed, naked, the heat of the water still clinging to her skin. Her body was exhausted, but
KARA I barely made it to the bathroom before my stomach lurched, emptying everything I had inside me. My belly churned violently, and I gagged, throwing up again, my throat burning. I gripped the cold edges of the sink, my body trembling as I forced myself to rinse my mouth, splashing water on my face. My eyes were red, swollen, furious. The nerve he had—kissing me like he fucking meant it, only to have his *fiancée* on her knees for him in his office moments later. I squeezed my eyes shut, but it was useless. The image was burned into my skull, playing in my mind like a curse. His head tilted back, her hands gripping his thighs, *his* groan of pleasure—disgust clawed at my chest, bile rising in my throat again. My wolf whimpered, retreating into the depths of my mind, wounded. And I hated myself for feeling that pain. I should’ve known. I *did* know. Dylan Gasper was playing with me—making me believe I mattered. And I fell for it like a goddamn fool. Pathetic, Kara.I wa
"What the hell just happened? And why would Neotides attack my house?“I demanded answers the second we stepped into Rodrigo’s house, my voice sharp, my chest still heaving from the adrenaline. Rodrigo barely glanced at me before steering me toward the stairs. “Relax, Kara. Go take a shower, and I promise to explain everything.” There was no room for protest. His hand on my back was firm, pushing me up the stairs like a father sending a reckless child to bed. I bit back a retort, my heart still racing. The attack had been brutal, unexpected. The fear in Kelly’s eyes haunted me. Stepping into my old room, I found her sprawled across the bed, her chest rising and falling in steady rhythm. Her limbs were flung carelessly, as if sleep had taken her hostage before she could find a comfortable position. My fingers traced the soft curve of her cheek. She had seen me shift. And she had looked at me like I was a monster. A heavy sigh left my lips. I'd have to face her when she woke
The next morning, Kara arrived at work to find everything as it had been—quiet, routine, almost unsettlingly normal. But Dylan was nowhere to be found. Murphy, one of her coworkers, shook his head when she asked. “Boss hasn’t been in for two days. No calls, no messages. Nothing.” Kara only nodded, though something cold twisted in her gut. She buried herself in paperwork, pushing past the exhaustion clawing at her bones. Despite everything—the attacks, the shifting, the secrets—she still managed to keep herself together. Then the office phone rang, slicing through the silence. She barely had time to answer before a deep, familiar voice sent a shiver down her spine. “Kara, are you okay?” She froze. His voice was like a switch, flipping something inside her she didn’t want to acknowledge. It poured over her like warm honey, thick and consuming, dragging her mind back to *him.* “Kara?” The concern in his tone was unmistakable. “Are you there?” She gripped the receiver ti
DYLAN’S POVThe execution of my plan was supposed to begin today. Or so I thought. But as the hours passed, I realized how much I had underestimated the weight of it all. The tension coiled in my gut, suffocating, unbearable. I could barely function under its grip. The thought of her—of how she would react—consumed me. Would she accept the truth? Would she accept me? We had barely spoken about how she was turned, and a small, reckless part of me clung to the hope that it might mean she wouldn’t resist. That she might already feel the pull toward me, even if she refused to acknowledge it. I kept telling myself this was for the best. That claiming her, binding her to me, was the only way forward. But my hands still shook with anticipation. The car came to a stop, jerking me back to the present. I exhaled sharply, pushing open the door and stepping out. My gaze lifted to the towering glass building before me—a place that had once been my refuge. After my mother died, I had buried
Kara’s POVI took a deep breath, but it did nothing to calm the storm inside me. "Dylan, I won’t deny what I feel. But it terrifies me—all that comes with it. How do you expect a mere human, bitten and thrown into this world, to suddenly stand beside you as Luna? To rule over thousands of werewolves when I barely understand this life?"The words felt like razor blades on my tongue, sharp, painful, but necessary. Dylan’s golden eyes burned into mine, intense and unyielding. His expression was unreadable, but I could feel the tension rolling off him. "So what are you saying, huh?" His voice was rough, guttural. "That we ignore this? Pretend what we have means nothing?"His jaw clenched. "Because that’s not happening. I’m not letting you go."The finality in his tone sent a shiver through me. I swallowed hard, the lump in my throat growing. "You don’t understand," I whispered. "My life is a mess, Dylan. I don’t know what might happen next. I could die—" My voice cracked, my ches
Kara's POV"The CEO himself is involved… wow, I must be of great importance then." Rodrigo’s jaw tightened, his expression grim. "We believe it’s because you know something—some secret about ASA. That’s why they want you dead at all costs." Kara scoffed, folding her arms. "But I know nothing. We were just pawns—paid to be on the field, risking our lives while they sat back, issuing commands like gods playing chess. It has to be something else." Her voice dripped with frustration, the sting of betrayal still fresh. Rodrigo exhaled, his sharp eyes assessing her. "There’s only one way to find out." The room fell silent, heads turning toward her. Kara lifted her chin. "We attack Dave Benson tomorrow night. Abduct him. Break him until he talks." The air grew heavy, thick with tension. For a long beat, no one spoke. Then— "You’re joking, right?" Gigi’s voice cracked the silence, but her wide eyes said she already knew the answer. Rodrigo smirked. "I don’t think she is." "T
Dylan guided me out into the garden, our footsteps crunching lightly over a stone path lined with dew-soaked grass. The early sun bathed the garden in a soft, golden hue, but the energy around him was anything but calm. His grip on my hand was firm, his aura simmering with restrained anger. I felt it pulsing off him, thick in the air.We stopped before an old, ivy-covered wooden door nestled between two arching hedges. Without a word, he pushed it open, gently tugging me inside. The scent of earth and jasmine wrapped around us like a welcome home.The moment I stepped in, my breath caught.“Dylan…” My voice was a hushed gasp. “This is… this is stunning.”A glass greenhouse stretched before me, bathed in natural light. Hanging planters overflowed with delicate vines, orchids danced along the corners, and rose bushes bloomed in neat rows along the stone path that wound through the center. Soft music, like wind chimes and rustling leaves, seemed to echo off the walls. “It belonged to m
Finally, the car slowed to a stop, the low hum of the engine fading into silence. We had arrived.Despite Dylan’s comforting presence beside me, my stomach coiled with nerves. The last time I stepped foot on this estate, it was for an engagement party—an event that had ended in humiliation and whispers. I guessed the wedding was officially off now.Dylan’s hand found mine, his grip firm and grounding. He didn’t say a word—he didn’t have to. We stepped out into the chilled evening, and the sight of the mansion came into view. A sprawling estate of stone and glass, its windows glowed with warm light, casting soft shadows across the manicured hedges and marble columns. The scent of roses and pine drifted through the crisp air, mixing with the faint aroma of wood smoke from the distant chimneys.Before we reached the grand oak doors, they opened for us. A young woman in a crisp black-and-white maid uniform stood there, her eyes lowered in respect.“Welcome, Alpha. Welcome, Luna.”Luna?
Seconds seemed like hours as I awaited my mate's explanation of what was going on. Eventually, he spoke up, and the audacity he had—to smirk at me— “I called Harriet over so she could get your make-over done. She is the best in her field and also a friend I trust,” he made clear, yet I am still muddled.“Why would I need a make-over in the first place?” I ask the first question that comes to my mind. “Because we are going to the New Age Pack house for dinner,” he mutters, staring at me. And in that moment—I am stumped. He drops the bomb right on me. “You can not be serious…..” I manage to retort, as tension gradually begins to rise in the room, regardless of the hard expression on his face. “You know damn well I'm not good with jokes.” “But Dylan… I… I don't think I'm ready to meet them yet. I need more time,” my voice trembles, fragile with dread. “It is time, Kara. I do not wish to proceed with this concealment. I need my Luna by my side.” “What about how I feel, uh?
Kara’s POVThe next day, I decided to wake up early and make breakfast myself. Of course, he had people for everything—but I’d given them the day off. I wanted to do this for him. I made most of his favorite meals. Cooking wasn’t something I did often, and definitely not for just anyone. It was something sacred to me. A gesture, a soft confession. If I cooked for you, it meant I held you dear. It was my way of showing care when words didn’t quite cut it.Dylan’s kitchen was massive—luxurious and modern, yet oddly untouched. His fridge was stocked with everything: cans, raw meats, fruits, ingredients I hadn’t seen in ages. Everything I needed was there, and before long, I had breakfast ready. Warm. Personal. Made with love.I was still setting the table when I heard the sharp sound of heels clicking against the tile. Footsteps. My heart skipped. With my back to the door, I imagined it was him, my mate—maybe about to sneak up behind me and wrap those strong arms around my wais
Kara's povThe sweet sensation crammed through my body, scattering goosebumps across my skin and dragging me out of slumber. Warm hands roamed my skin, exploring like they’d missed me, and then—a kiss. Soft lips pressed against mine, coaxing my eyes to flutter open. And there he was. The most handsome man I'd ever laid eyes on. Those cute, sleepy puppy eyes blinked at me, and I couldn’t stop the smile that tugged at my lips. “Good morning, baby…” his voice was seductive, rough like gravel soaked in honey. He captured my lips again in a sizzling kiss, sucking gently, tenderly, with so much care it made me moan softly into his mouth. My body responded with need, alive under his touch. “Good morning to you too, boss,” I whispered, breathless when we broke apart. Dylan growled low at the word, making me laugh. “I hate it when you call me that,” he grumbled, voice thick with mock annoyance. “I think I’ll have to punish you whenever you do.” “I think I’d love to taste your p
The old lady began her story as the entire group listened carefully.“Marjorie was only eighteen when she met Freddy back in college. She was the brightest person I have ever known—so full of life, with a beautiful soul. Though her father was filthy rich, she never let that get to her head and treated everyone with respect. When Freddy came into the picture, she decided to hide their relationship from her family and also the public. Well, except me—I was the only one who knew of their relationship.”“In no time, she became overwhelmed with the love he showered on her, and had given not just her heart but also her body to Freddy. They were both lucky to conceal the relationship until after college without being caught… until Freddy proposed to Marjorie.”“What happened next?” Kara asked.“Marjorie finally introduced him to her parents. However, her father—who had known of their relationship all along—was against their marriage that instant, causing his daughter pain. The old man tried
Kara sobbed uncontrollably in the arms of her mate, her body trembling as the weight of truth tore old wounds wide open. The room had gone still, heavy with silence. Every person seated was frozen in shock, the gravity of Bryson’s words sinking like stones in their chests.“I remember just like yesterday the day she died,” Kara choked through her sobs, her voice fragile. “I was at school when the accident happened. Both my parents died… their bodies couldn’t be found because of the fire.”Rodrigo leaned forward, disbelief etched across his face. “If what you say is true, then why didn’t Marjorie’s family search for Kara all these years? And how did ASA end up in the hands of that lunatic Dave?”Bryson exhaled slowly, the tension pressing into his shoulders. “After Marjorie lost her father, she got news that her mother wanted to see her. But her husband, Freddy, refused to let her go back. So, her longtime friend and cousin met with her in secret. They talked… and she decided to sign
Kara's POVIn the heart of a breathtaking garden, I stood—alone. Vibrant blooms of every shape and color surrounded me, swaying gently beneath a sky painted in shades of cerulean. The air was fragrant with life. My gaze drifted until it caught on a cluster of roses, their petals blushing red, stretching proudly across the garden floor like a sea of velvet. But as I stepped closer, unease bloomed in my chest. *Where am I?*Then, a voice—familiar and strange all at once—cut through the quiet. I turned, and there he was.Dylan.He stood just a few steps away, arms outstretched, his expression soft, inviting. And without even thinking, I ran to him. My body collided with his, and warmth enveloped me in a way that felt real—painfully, desperately real.But it didn’t last.A sudden rift tore through the earth between us, yanking us apart. The winds shrieked with violence, ripping the petals from their stems. The sky, once a perfect blue, darkened into something wicked and heavy. Dylan f
DYLAN'S POVWe ran. As fast as our legs could carry us, driven by the piercing, heart-shattering scream echoing down the hallway. My heart pounded, skipping beats with each sound of her agony. My Wolf thrashed within me—wild, desperate, terrified for our mate. As we reached the door, Craig, Bryson, a few others—and Gigi—were already there. Bryson stood frozen, eyes wide. The second my gaze fell on her, goosebumps flooded my skin. She was on the ground. Curled up like a child cowering from thunder. Her screams tore at my soul.“Don’t come close! Please—don’t hurt me!” she cried again and again, her voice ragged and raw.The fear in her eyes was unlike anything I’d ever seen—dense, broken, haunted. Without thinking, my feet moved. I rushed to her, aching to touch her, to calm her, to bring her back—but she flinched and snarled at me.“Leave me alone! I’m begging you—please stop! It hurts! Don’t come close!”My world shattered.My mate didn’t recognize me.“Baby, it’s me… it’s Dylan.