Jack and Brianna were finally checked out from the hospital after a few days of recovery. The checkout process was surprisingly smooth, perhaps due to Dr. Lash being Jack's uncle and the hospital having the Burkley connection. Jack turned to Brianna, who was sitting on the edge of the hospital bed. "Are you ready to leave now?" he asked with a warm smile.Brianna nodded, returning the smile. "Sure, I'm ready," she said as they walked out of the room.As they made their way down the hospital corridor, they spotted Dr. Lash engaged in conversation with a nurse. Jack approached his uncle, offering a polite greeting. "Hey, Uncle Lash, how's it going?"Dr. Lash glanced at Jack and Brianna, acknowledging them. "Good to see you both. The recovery seems to be progressing well."Jack nodded. "Yeah, the check-up process was surprisingly efficient."Dr. Lash's expression turned serious. "I'm glad to hear that. But, Jack, I need you to be careful. The curse is a dangerous thing. Don't underestima
Gary poured himself a glass of liquor and one for Jack, who, in turn, passed it to Daniel. The subtle frown on Daniel's face did not go unnoticed. With a smirk, Jack motioned for him to drink, silently urging him to loosen up.As they settled into a more secluded part of the bar, Gary leaned against the counter, a sly smile playing on his lips. "So, what do you want to know about him? His abusive fiancée, perhaps? Or something else?"Jack glanced at Daniel, silently communicating that they were here for the real dirt on Michael. “We… Just want to know about Michael, as a person. Like what makes you think that he is a suspicious mysterious person, and maybe, you can also tell us about his abusive fiance too?” Jack asked, and Gary seemed to catch the hint and chuckled. “Ah…So you want to know everything about him? Well, that’s kinda straight to the point but that’s okay, I like that. Well, let me think about the suspicious part..."He took a sip from his glass, savoring the taste befo
Midnight hung in the air as Jack parked his black Mercedes with a sense of urgency. The city was quieter now, a stark contrast to the lively chaos of the bar they had just left.Jack groaned slightly, his mind weighed down by the enigma that was Michael and the dangerous warning from Gary. As he entered the house, he was greeted by Leah, the housemaid."Welcome back, Mr. Burkley. It's quite late. Can I get you something?" she asked, not forgetting to bow to the Alpha.Jack rubbed his temples, the weight of the night's revelations pressing on him. "Just a strong cup of coffee, Leah. It's been a long night, and there's much to process."Leah nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "Right away, sir."While Leah prepared the coffee, Jack took a moment to gather his thoughts. The information from Gary about Michael's predatory nature and the warning about the dangerous territories they might tread had left a lingering unease. The mysterious fiancée with connections to a powerfu
The next morning, sunlight streamed through the windows, casting a warm glow across the room. Brianna stirred from her slumber, her mind foggy with sleep. She blinked a few times, trying to recall how she had ended up in her nest instead of the dining room where she had fallen asleep.But soon, she decided to give up as she saw how late it was for breakfast. Deciding to focus on the present, the Omega slowly woke up, mindful with her swollen belly as she slowly walked out from the room.As she made her way out of the room, Brianna went straight to the dining room due to feeling hungry, and as she entered the dining room, the aroma of freshly prepared breakfast greeted her, and she found Leah bustling around, setting the table."Good morning, Brianna," Leah greeted with a warm smile. "How did you sleep?"Brianna returned the smile, taking a seat at the table. "Good morning, Leah. I slept well, thank you. How about you?"Leah chuckled softly. "Oh, you know, same old, same old. Just anot
Brianna blinked, caught off guard by Jack's inquiry about Celicia's fiancé. She shook her head slowly, her mind trying to recall any mention Celicia might have made about her impending engagement."I... I don't know," Brianna admitted, a furrow forming between her brows. "Celicia hasn't really mentioned much about him. We haven't spoken much lately."Jack nodded, his expression thoughtful. "I see," he said simply, though Brianna sensed there was more behind his question."Why do you suddenly ask about Celicia's fiancé?" Brianna couldn't help but ask, curiosity getting the better of her.Jack hesitated for a moment before shrugging nonchalantly. "Oh, it's nothing important. Just idle curiosity," he replied, though Brianna could tell there was a hint of tension in his voice.Brianna regarded him for a moment, uncertainty flickering in her gaze. She wasn't convinced by his casual dismissal, but she didn't press further. Instead, she offered a small smile and excused herself from the room
Brianna walked briskly down the street, her eyes fixed on her phone as she continued to ponder where Celicia’s house is. She muttered to herself, her thoughts swirling with confusion and concern."The house should be around here somewhere," she mused, glancing around the unfamiliar street.As she continued her search, Brianna couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled over her. Something didn't feel right, and she couldn't help but worry about her cousin's well-being.Lost in her thoughts, Brianna almost didn't notice the figure approaching her. Startled, she looked up to see a man standing before her, his expression curious."What are you doing out here?" he asked, his voice tinged with suspicion.Brianna hesitated for a moment, caught off guard by the stranger's question. "I, uh, I'm looking for my cousin's house," she replied, her voice tinged with uncertainty.The man's eyebrows furrowed as he studied her. "Your cousin's house? Which one?" he asked, his tone cautious.B
Jack scowled as he looked across the street, frustration mounting as he realized he had lost sight of Brianna. His mind raced with worry as he cursed under his breath."Darn it, Daniel," he muttered, his voice tinged with irritation. "Why did you have to call at that moment?"He blamed Daniel for distracting him with the call, causing him to lose track of Brianna's whereabouts. But there was no time to dwell on it now. He needed to find her before it was too late.With determination fueling his steps, Jack decided to step out from his car, and crossed the street, approaching a group of people gathered nearby. They looked like locals, and Jack hoped they might have seen Brianna."Excuse me," Jack said, his voice urgent. "Did any of you happen to see a young woman around here? She has long red hair and was wearing a blue jacket. She’s pregnant too"The group exchanged glances before one of them spoke up, a middle-aged woman with kind eyes."Yes, I saw her," she said, nodding in the dire
Brianna nodded, appreciating Jack's consideration for her well-being. Despite her initial reluctance to leave the search for Celicia, she couldn't deny the fatigue weighing heavily on her shoulders, especially with the added strain of her pregnancy."Thank you, Jack," she murmured softly, offering him a tired smile as she unbuckled her own seatbelt. "I could really use some rest."Jack returned her smile, his eyes reflecting genuine concern. "Of course, Brianna. Your health and safety are the most important things right now," he said earnestly, opening the car door for her.Together, they made their way up the path to Brianna's front door, the quiet of the night enveloping them in a sense of peace. The warm glow of the porch light welcomed them home, casting a soft illumination on the familiar surroundings.As they reached the door, Jack turned to Brianna with a gentle expression. "Do you need any help getting inside?" he asked, his tone filled with sincerity.Brianna shook her head,
Jack's father took a deep, shuddering breath, his tear-streaked face a stark contrast to the composed facade he usually wore. "It all started when I first met your mother," he began, his voice thick with emotion. "She was... she was perfect. The perfect mate, the perfect fate. I knew from the moment I laid eyes on her that she was the one I wanted to spend the rest of my life with."Jack clenched his jaw, trying to push down the surge of emotion threatening to overwhelm him. "To the point, Father," he interjected, his voice steely with determination. "I don't need the sentimental details."His father nodded, wiping away his tears with a shaky hand. "Of course, Jack," he said, his voice more composed now. "After we were married, we were happy. Happier than I had ever been before. And when you came along, it was like... it was like all of my dreams had come true."Jack's heart clenched at the mention of his mother, a pang of longing shooting through him like a bolt of lightning. But he
Jack's hands tightened around the steering wheel as he approached the imposing gates of the Burkley household. It had been months since he had last set foot on the grounds, months since he had introduced Brianna to his family. And now, as he stared up at the sprawling mansion before him, he couldn't help but feel a sense of dread creeping over him.Parking his car in a secluded spot near the edge of the property, Jack took a moment to compose himself. He knew that confronting his father would not be easy, that it would dredge up painful memories and long-buried emotions. But he also knew that he couldn't continue living in the dark, that he needed answers—no matter how difficult they might be to hear.As he made his way towards the front door, Jack was greeted by the sight of an old servant waiting to receive him. The man's eyes widened in surprise at Jack's cold demeanor, clearly taken aback by the intensity of his anger."Master Jack," the servant stammered, bowing slightly. "I... I
As Brianna lay in her hospital bed, the events of the past few days weighed heavily on her mind. She tried to sleep, to escape from the turmoil that churned inside her, but sleep eluded her. Instead, she tossed and turned, her thoughts consumed by the darkness that threatened to engulf her.She couldn't shake the memory of Michael's taunts, his cruel laughter echoing in her ears. The realization that he had orchestrated the entire ordeal, that he had manipulated her into believing his lies, filled her with a sense of betrayal so profound it was almost suffocating. How could she have been so blind, so naive?And then, there was the truth—the truth about Jack's involvement, about the choices he had made that had led them to this point. It was a truth she wasn't sure she could bear, a truth that shattered the fragile illusion of love and trust she had built around him.A single tear slipped down her cheek as she lay in the darkness, her heart heavy with sorrow. She had wanted so desperat
The lighthouse door swung open, and there he was—Jack, her beacon of hope in the darkness. His voice carried a mixture of fear and relief as he called out to her, his presence flooding her with a sense of comfort she hadn't realized she'd been craving.But before Brianna could fully process Jack's arrival, Michael's sneer cut through the air like a knife. He tightened his grip on her arm, his voice dripping with contempt as he addressed Jack."So now Romeo is finally here, huh?" Michael scoffed, his eyes glittering with malice. "Well, that's classic. Never knew it would happen in real life too. And I never knew that I would be the villain. I always used to wish to be a Romeo."Jack huffed heavily, his chest heaving as he took in the scene before him. He had rushed up the stairs in a blur of desperation, fueled by the need to reach Brianna, to ensure her safety. Now, as he regained his composure, he stepped forward, his gaze fixed on Michael."Let go of her, Michael," Jack demanded, hi
As Jack stood outside, frustration gnawing at him, he heard the door open behind him. Turning, he saw Daniel emerging from the room, accompanied by Nina and a few others. Jack's brow furrowed in anticipation as he waited for Daniel to speak.Daniel approached Jack with a solemn expression, his gaze meeting Jack's with a sense of urgency. "Jack, we've made some progress," he began, his voice steady but grave. "Nina has confirmed that Sam and Michael have been seeking each other out a lot lately."Jack's frustration only deepened at the confirmation of his suspicions. "And what else did she say?" he pressed, his voice tight with tension.Daniel hesitated for a moment before continuing. "Nina didn't know the motive behind their meetings, but I believe it's clear that Sam was involved in this to elevate Nina's career by assisting Michael," he explained, his tone laced with conviction. "The timing of Brianna's disappearance and Nina's sudden rise to prominence is too much of a coincidence.
As Brianna sat sandwiched between Michael and Sam in the jeep, her heart pounded with fear and anger. She couldn't believe that Sam, the man who had been a fatherly figure to her, was involved in this betrayal. She shot him a glare, her eyes filled with accusation and disbelief."What are you doing here, Sam?" she demanded, her voice laced with anger. "And why are you doing this to me?"Sam lowered his head, unable to meet Brianna's gaze. The weight of his betrayal hung heavily upon him, his heart heavy with regret. But before he could respond, Michael's chilling voice cut through the tense silence."Sam is here because he knows where his loyalties lie," Michael replied, his tone cold and unforgiving. "And you, Brianna, are simply collateral in our plans."Brianna's eyes widened in shock at Michael's callous words. She couldn't believe that he saw her as nothing more than a pawn in his twisted game. Anger bubbled within her, but she suppressed it, knowing that any outward defiance wou
Jack stood amidst the chaos, his frustration mounting as he surveyed the scene before him. The police officers worked diligently, examining every inch of the room for clues to unravel the mystery of the Fosters' escape.His eyes fixated on the gaping hole in the wall, a knot forming in his stomach as he tried to comprehend how the Fosters had managed to pull off such a daring escape."How in the hell did they–" Jack began, his voice trailing off as he struggled to find the words to articulate his frustration.DRAP! DRAP! DRAP!"We found one of the Foster bodies! It lies not far from the ruins!"The news only served to deepen Jack's frustration as he watched the officers work tirelessly to retrieve the fallen body.His gaze shifted to an object lying nearby, the very object that had been used to explode the wall. Jack scowled as he studied it, unable to fathom how the Fosters had acquired such a device, let alone how they had managed to keep it hidden from prying eyes."Why didn't we k
Jack's fury erupted like a tempest within the interrogation room, his rage boiling over at the sight of Derek Foster, the man who had caused so much pain and suffering. With a primal roar of anger, Jack slammed his fist against the table, the force of his blow sending a resounding crack reverberating through the room. "How could you?" Jack seethed, his voice filled with a potent mixture of disbelief and contempt. "How could you do that to her?" Derek recoiled in terror, his eyes wide with fear as he cowered against the bed. "I-I didn't mean to—" he stammered, his voice trembling with fear. But Jack's rage was unrelenting, his eyes burning with a fierce intensity as he advanced on Derek, his every step echoing like thunder in the cramped confines of the room. "You didn't mean to?" he spat, his voice dripping with scorn. "You raped her, Derek. You violated her trust, her body, her very soul. And for what? To satisfy your own sick desires?" Sophia, Daniel, and the surrounding police o
As the car rumbled down the dimly lit streets, Daniel's focus was unwavering, his mind already anticipating the upcoming interrogation. Sophia sat beside him, her gaze drifting between the passing scenery and her companions, a faint furrow marring her brow.Sophia's voice broke the silence, her tone hesitant yet concerned. "Do you think it's wise to leave Brianna and Celicia alone?" she asked, her eyes flicking towards Jack in the rearview mirror. "Couldn't they come with us? Maybe they could wait in the reception area while we conduct the interrogation."Daniel glanced at Jack, waiting for his response, before turning back to Sophia. "It's too risky," he replied evenly, his tone serious. "We can't afford to compromise their safety, especially considering the volatile nature of our situation."Sophia nodded in understanding, though a flicker of worry danced in her eyes. "I suppose you're right," she conceded, her voice tinged with reluctance. "I just can't shake this feeling of unease