I don't know how long I sit on the floor, my body wracked with sobs, but by the time I finally muster the strength to pick up my phone and silence, it's incessant ringing; my eyes are bloodshot, and my voice is raspy from crying. I try my best to compose myself as I answer Luna Marely's call, not wanting to burden her with the depth of my pain.
"Hey, Hannah, we saw the news. Don't worry, we are doing everything we can to take it down immediately," Luna Marely says, her words shocking me to the core. I had steeled myself for a barrage of curses and warnings like the ones my parents had hurled at me, but never did I expect such unwavering support.
"Hannah, are you there?" Luna Marely's gentle voice pulls me back from my thoughts.
"Yes, I'm here," I manage to croak out, my throat tight with emotion.
"You sound horrible, child. Please don't cry. We know you didn't cheat on Alex, so don't worry about what others say. The most important thing now is to find Ale
The door creaks open, but I don't bother checking who it is, assuming it's just my brothers returning. Big mistake. The next thing I know, a shock of icy water hits me square in the face, jolting me out of my misery."What the fuck!" I roar, leaping to my feet, ready to make the person regret, but then I see who's standing there, empty glass in hand, and my heart stops."Hannah," I breathe. Water trickles down my face and chest, soaking my shirt, but I barely feel it. All I can focus on is her, here, in front of me. "Is it really you?"I reach out to cup her face, desperate to feel the silk of her skin beneath my fingers, to confirm she's not just a cruel mirage. But she steps back, holding up a hand to halt my advance. The rejection stings like a slap."We need to talk," she says, her voice cool and businesslike. "There's a problem at the company that requires your attention."O
The following morning, I find myself at the airport with Hannah, waiting to pick up Alpha Collins. It's all part of our elaborate plan to show the world that we're on good terms and that the scandalous article holds no truth. At first, Collins didn't agree to deceive the public, but after I gathered evidence proving he was behind the article and threatened to sue him for it, he had no choice but to cooperate.As we step out of the car, I slide my arm around Hannah's waist, pulling her flush against me. She looks up at me, her eyes questioning my sudden display of possessiveness.? The answer is simple: I need to stake my claim to show that smug bastard Collins exactly who Hannah belongs to. She's mine, now and forever, and no amount of underhanded scheming will change that.Holding her possessively, I lead us to the base of the aircraft stairs and wait, my jaw clenched so tightly it aches. It doesn't take long before Collins emerges, his expensive shoes clicking against
ALICEI watch Alex’s broad shoulders as he walks back to the pack house, my vision blurring with hot tears that threaten to spill down my cheeks. A suffocating tightness grips my chest - I can't believe Alex just spoke to me like that, with such cold finality in his deep voice. After our magical dates, I really thought I could convince him to be mine again, to rekindle the passionate love we once shared. But I was so wrong. The painful memory of him refusing to even take me to the hospital once the three days were up flashes through my mind, sending a fresh wave of anguish washing over me. Could Alex truly no longer be mine? The devastating thought finally unleashes the tears, sending them cascading down my face in salty rivers.I run past him, my feet carrying me blindly toward one of my mates' rooms as sobs wrack my body. Bursting through Lorenzo's door, I'm greeted by the warm, familiar smell of his scent. Soft light from the floor lamp in the corner casts a warm glow over the roo
I take a deep breath as I stand outside, savoring the momentary peace and quiet. But my solitude is short-lived as a familiar voice calls out my name, causing me to turn around in surprise. My eyes widen as I realize who it is - the last person I expected to see after the events of yesterday."Alpha Collins," I greet him."Just Collins is fine," he replies, chuckling as he walks towards me. "I can't believe I never corrected you on that."I can tell he's trying to lighten the mood, but I'm not in the frame of mind for his charm. "What can I do for you?" I ask, forcing a smile onto my face.After Alex accused Collins of being responsible for leaking those damning photos to the press, I initially dismissed it as a baseless accusation fueled by jealousy. But as I thought ab
Taking a deep, steadying breath, I channel my focus on the reassuring weight of Alex’s hand against my back, allowing his familiar scent to wash over me and calm my frayed nerves. The press conference didn't rattle me nearly as much as tonight's high-stakes event. Any misstep here could cost Alex his future as Alpha, a consequence I desperately want to avoid. While his accusations of cheating infuriated me, I never wished for him to be stripped of his rightful position in such a humiliating manner.As we step through the grand doors of the ballroom, every eye turns towards us, the weight of their scrutiny palpable. It's hardly surprising, given that we've become the subject of intense gossip in both the human and werewolf worlds. I plaster a polite smile on my face, nodding in recognition at the familiar faces from our engagement ceremony. Their reciprocated greetings are a promising sign - no one is
The following day, I accompany Alex to the groundbreaking ceremony for the new hotel, my stomach churning with a mix of anticipation and dread. His mother insisted that my presence would be good for the press, but I can't shake the feeling that something is bound to go wrong.As we arrive at the site, I plaster a smile on my face, determined to play my part. Alex and Collins pose for the cameras, cutting the ribbon, holding shovels, and digging into the earth together. To the untrained eye, they look like the perfect business partners, but I can sense the tension simmering beneath the surface.Collins takes the microphone, his voice smooth and confident as he expresses his enthusiasm for their continued partnership. I try to focus on his words, but my mind is reeling, wondering when the other shoe will drop.Suddenl
ALICEI've been holed up in this hotel room for days, ignoring the incessant calls and texts from Cameron and Lorenzo. I'm still too angry with them to face going home, where everything reminds me of that bitch Hannah and all she's stolen from me. It's bad enough she took Alex, but now the two people who were always on my side have turned against me, too. I feel like I have nowhere left to turn.Flipping on the TV, I hope to find something mind-numbing to watch, but instead, I'm confronted with images of Alex and Hannah, his eyes shining with sickening adoration for her. White-hot rage boils in my veins as I watch, my knuckles turning white from gripping the cigarette too tightly. It should be me by his side, not that conniving whore. "Fuck!" The scream tears from my throat, echoing off the walls.
ALICEI burst into the pack house, my blood still boiling from the botched attempt at enlisting Collins to help me tear Alex and Hannah apart. As I storm through the halls, I can feel everyone's eyes on me, their whispers following me like a swarm of buzzing insects. They think I can't hear them, but they forget we're werewolves - no amount of hushed gossip can escape our heightened senses."She looks like hell," they murmur, wrinkling their noses at my disheveled appearance and the stench of stale alcohol and cigarette smoke clinging to my skin. "Hasn't bathed in days from the smell of it."They're not wrong. I've been drowning my sorrows in a haze of booze and nicotine, letting myself wallow in the filth of my own misery. But today, I made an effort to clean myself up, to put on a brave face for the
Six years laterThe sky hangs heavy with gray clouds, casting a somber pallor over the cemetery. A steady, cold rain patters against the black canopy of our umbrella, each drop echoing the ache in our hearts. The chill in the air seeps into our bones, an unwelcome reminder that even as spring struggles to emerge, grief knows no season. The wind sighs through the skeletal trees, carrying with it the earthy scent of damp soil and the delicate perfume of early blossoms. As we stand at the wrought-iron gates, the weight of sorrow presses down upon us, suffocating in its intensity.Alex grips my hand tightly, our fingers intertwining, as our five-year-old daughter, Arabella, nestles between us beneath the shelter of the umbrella. Her small hand clutches a posy of wildflowers, their vibrant petals a stark contrast to the monochrome landscape. She gazes up at me, her wide, gray eyes—so like her father’s—brimming with questions she’s still too young to articulate. In the soft curve of her che
I blink, and she’s gone like a wisp of smoke. A heartbeat later, my bedroom door explodes inward with a thunderous crash. Alice strides in, an aura of dark power radiating from her very being. I stare, transfixed by the haunting metamorphosis she has undergone, barely recognizing the woman before me as my sister.“What happened to you?” I whisper, my voice laced with disbelief and dread as if addressing a vengeful spirit.Alice ignores my question, her eyes burning with a sinister light. “Do you know I have dreamt of this moment a million times?” She takes slow, deliberate steps towards me, each footfall reverberating through the floorboards. An ominous energy crackles around her, suffocating the very air.I instinctively step back, putting distance between us as dread coils in my stomach. “Is that so?” I keep my tone even, masking the frantic pounding of my heart. My mind races, scanning for exits, assessing potential weapons - anything to buy me time against this twisted version of
I shake my head vigorously, trying to dislodge the memory of that fateful day from my mind. So many lives were lost, so much pain and suffering inflicted. Too many people are still counting on me, relying on my strength to make sure that doesn’t repeat itself.Seeking a distraction from the thoughts swirling in my head, I decide to check on Mila. Perhaps her company will provide a much-needed respite. I make my way down the corridor, my footsteps echoing hollowly, and knock gently on her door. No response. A tendril of concern winds its way through me as I call out, “Mila? Are you here?”Only silence answers me. Taking a deep breath, I slowly push open the door and step inside, my eyes widening in shock at the sight that greets me. Mila and Cameron are tangled together on the bed, bodies intertwined, clothes scattered haphazardly across the floor. They are so lost in having sex that they remain oblivious to my presence. Heat rushes to my cheeks as a wave of embarrassment washes over
The golden sun hangs high in the clear morning sky, its warm rays filtering through the lush canopy and casting dappled shadows across the forest clearing where Mom and I train. The earthy scent of pine needles and rich soil fills my nostrils as I inhale deeply, relishing the crisp autumn air. For the past month, she’s been patiently guiding me, helping me harness and master the powers that course through my veins - the same awe-inspiring abilities as my aunt, the power to shield and protect my fellow werewolves.In our sleek wolf forms, we move with fluid grace and agility, our glossy black fur shimmering like obsidian in the honeyed light. Though I didn’t inherit my father’s russet coat, I wear my own with pride. It feels exhilarating and freeing to embrace my wolf side again after so long, my muscles rippling beneath my fur as we dance through our rigorous training session. Jane stands in the open field with us, her presence crucial for the training. The soft susurration of the bre
Mom finishes the story, her voice quivering as she recalls how fiercely I resisted when they tried to lock my memories. She confesses she was initially reluctant to take Alice because of the immense risk involved, but her parents’ insistence and her desperation to keep me safe forced her hand.“Wow, I had my reservations about the Alpha and Luna of the Bloodmoon Pack, but finding out they offered Alice despite knowing the risks leaves me utterly speechless,” Alex says, his eyes wide with astonishment.“Me too,” Mom replies, her voice heavy with disdain. “They were so power-hungry. They saw Alice as a means to gain a more powerful daughter.”“Yeah, but their plan backfired since my memories were locked away with the power,” I say, and Mom nods in agreement, her expression somber.“How about Kevin? How did he end up with you after being presumed dead?” Alex asks, leaning forward with curiosity.“He discovered what his parents did and was furious. All this time, he believed Alice was wit
HANNAHAlex’s car screeches to a halt, and we tumble out onto the bloodstained grounds of the Sky pack territory. I gasp in horror, my eyes widening as I take in the carnage surrounding us. Broken bodies litter the earth - men, women, even children, their limbs contorted at grotesque angles. Pools of crimson spread outward, staining the grass a deep, violent red. My stomach lurches as I spot disembodied hearts ripped from chests and discarded like refuse. The metallic stench of death clogs my nostrils, dredging up memories of the brutal attack on the Silver wolf pack years ago. But this...this is so much worse. More savage, more merciless, a massacre of innocents.“Alex!” A familiar voice cuts through the eerie silence. I whip around to see Luna Marley staggering towards us, her clothes and skin drenched in scarlet from head to toe. She looks like she has crawled straight out of a slaughterhouse.“Mom!” Alex rushes forward, frantic hands roving over her, checking for injuries.“It’s
ALICEThe night air is thick with tension as Henriette and I teleport to the borders of the Sky Pack territory. This is the moment I have been waiting for - a chance to get Alex back, no matter the cost. Hen dark eyes narrow, nostrils flaring as she scents the air like a predator catching the scent of prey. “Stinking Dogs,” she snarls, lips curling back over her teeth in a feral sneer.I stay close beside her, my heart pounding in my chest. Collins had learned of our plans that morning, but one withering glare from Hen silenced any protest due to him keeping Hannah’s identity secret.Hen strides forward, her boots crunching on the gravel path leading to the packhouse. A young wolf spots us, and his eyes go wide with shock and fear. “Dark witch!” he yells in warning, his voice cracking with panic.In an instant, wolves begin emerging from the shadows, surrounding us in a loose circle of bared fangs and growls. “Quickly, inform the alpha!” another shouts. Hen throws back her head an
My tiny hand grips Mummy tightly, her palm enveloping mine as we approach the towering castle gates. I’ve never laid eyes on such grandeur before, and a sense of wonder washes over me. The sun glistens off the polished stone, beckoning us into its warm embrace. I never want to leave this magical place, a stark contrast to the damp, musty caves where Mummy and I have been taking shelter these past few nights. Those dismal hideaways could never replicate the radiant beauty and inviting warmth that seemed to emanate from the very walls of this enchanting castle. A flicker of hope ignites within me—perhaps Mummy will let me stay in this beautiful castle forever.My reverie is abruptly shattered by a strangled gasp. “Your highness...” A man’s voice trembles with disbelief as his eyes fall upon Mummy. His ashen complexion betrays the shock coursing through his veins as if he’s witnessed a specter materialize before him. My brow furrows in confusion. Why are they looking at mummy like they’v
HANNAHThe sounds of frantic voices calling my name stir me from unconsciousness, their tones laced with concern. I slowly peel open my heavy eyelids, and they widen in shock as I take in the sight before me – an older woman bearing an uncanny resemblance to myself, her features mirroring my own. Beside her stands Alex, his brow furrowed with worry."You're awake," Alex breathes, relief washing over his face as he helps me sit upright on the bed, his strong arms encircling me in a protective embrace."Are you okay?" the woman asks, her voice trembling with a mixture of hope and trepidation as she reaches out to touch my arm. Instinctively, I recoil from her touch, my body tensing with a visceral wariness that courses through my veins like liquid fire."Stay away from me," I warn, my tone sharp and uncompromising as I level an icy glare at her, my heart pounding against my ribcage."Aura, I'm–" she begins, but I cut her off with a dismissive wave of my hand, my anger simmering just ben