The thought of giving in, of betraying her trust, made me sick. But if the formula was the only way to secure my position and protect the Packs, could I afford not to? *** I clenched my fists, pacing back and forth, unable to shake the gnawing jealousy from hearing about Olivia’s visit to the ho
Olivia's POV The woods at the edge of my Thorne Ridge lands were quiet, save for the occasional rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze. I walked the narrow trail alone, hoping the solitude would clear my mind. The fresh air usually helps, but so far today, I was still tense. I paused, inhaling de
Aiden’s words circled like vultures, picking at every insecurity I had. You’re the placeholder. He’d said it with such smug certainty. I clenched my fists, hating how those words lingered despite my resolve to dismiss them. As I rounded the side of the house, I spotted Amelia sitting on a low ston
Ethan's POV The meeting with Marlus had been productive, though the Alpha Council vote loomed heavily over us. As we crossed the threshold into the Pack House grounds, I caught a familiar scent. Isabella. She stood near the edge of the courtyard, silhouetted by the setting sun. As soon as her
My loyalty had to be to Olivia now, whether or not I could give her what she thought she wanted. *** The sun had dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow across the Pack grounds as Marlus and I walked from the training room back toward the Pack house. As much as I didn’t want it to, my
Ethan's POV The restless energy in my wolf had reached a boiling point, its agitation clawing at me with every passing moment. It was no longer just a growl in the back of my mind, it was a roar. And he demanded action; he demanded Olivia. You’re waiting too long, he snarled, pacing within me li
My fingers curled against the edge of his desk, the wood groaning under the pressure. "She’s not turning to anyone else," I said, my voice low, taut with barely contained fury. Derek raised an eyebrow, his smirk deepening. "Is that so? How well do you truly know your Luna? Do you understand what d
Olivia's POV The aroma of freshly brewed coffee wrapped around me like a comforting blanket as I pushed open the door to Witches’ Brew Café. It was one of my favorite escapes, a place where I could decompress, surrounded by the hum of quiet conversations and the faint clatter of cups. I stepped
Olivia's POV The sunlight filtered softly through the nursery window, casting a golden glow over the room. I sat in the oversized rocking chair, holding one of the twins – our daughter, Marley – close to my chest. Her tiny fingers curled around mine, her soft coos a melody that calmed my heart.
My heart raced, but not from fear. This was it, the moment I’d been bracing for, waiting for, and dreading in equal measure. “Breathe, Luna,” Maren’s soft voice instructed. I tried, but it was impossible to focus with the mix of emotions swirling inside me. Anticipation. Pain. Joy. Panic. The
Ethan's POV I sat at my desk, staring at the reports of final integration for the Pack merger. The words blurred together as my thoughts wandered to Olivia. My wolf stirred, not with restlessness but with quiet contentment. A smile tugged at my lips as I ran a hand through my hair. If someone ha
As Kelvin left with his warriors, I turned to Olivia, her expression contemplative. “You’ve built something incredible,” I said softly. “And now, it’s going to make a difference far beyond what we imagined.” She smiled, the tension easing from her shoulders. “We’ve built it,” she corrected. The
Ethan's POV Alpha Kelvin’s arrival was as unexpected as it was intriguing. I stood on the porch of the Pack House as his car pulled into the driveway, flanked by two of his warriors. His presence here wasn’t entirely surprising; Kelvin had been a consistent ally, but the timing piqued my curiosity
He shook his head, stepping forward. “No, thank you. I won’t stay long.” His voice was confident as ever, but lacking the usual edge. We led him to the sitting area, the warmth of the fire casting shadows across his face. He sat stiffly, hands clasped in front of him, and for a moment, I could see
Ethan's POV I stood at the edge of the newly built meeting hall. Inside, the chatter of Stone Haven and Thorne Ridge Pack members blended into a hum of anticipation. The final steps of the merger were unfolding, and for the first time, everything felt... right. I glanced across the room where
Ethan stepped closer, his presence grounding me in a way no one else could. "You’ve been handling it flawlessly, though. Everyone’s captivated by you tonight." I tilted my head, raising an eyebrow. "Captivated? That’s a strong word." He smirked, his voice dropping into a softer, more teasing ton
Olivia's POV Crystal chandeliers cast shimmering reflections across the floor of the Lunera Beauty gala, the elegance of the venue matched only by the energy buzzing through the room. Dressed in a sleek gown that hugged my frame, I stood at the edge of the crowd, watching as Council members, Alp