He guided her along the winding stone path that meandered through the garden, leading them past a rocky pool. The water spilled endlessly from a cluster of stones, cascading in gentle streams before splashing softly into the clear basin below. Her gaze lingered on the tranquil scene. She could almost picture herself perched on one of the smooth rocks, scribbling notes for her thesis while soaking in the peaceful atmosphere. But that was just a dream. She didn’t belong there. No matter how inviting it seemed, she would find a way to escape. "It's beautiful, isn't it?" he asked, noticing how her eyes lingered on the surreal beauty of the pool. He often admired it himself. "Yes," she replied softly. "It's not man-made. It was already there. Some touches were added. "Wow. It looks awesome" she said, genuinely impressed. "I'm glad you like it." Too bad I’m not staying, she thought. But almost immediately, she pushed the thought aside and decided to steer the conversation toward conv
Arda hated the confidence Gillow had—in himself and his pack. It grated on her nerves, especially since they seemed so comfortable just because the enemy packs feared them. She let her gaze sweep across the group. “That doesn’t mean the enemy packs aren’t planning something,” she said, unable to stop herself despite the unease curling in her stomach. She was afraid of them all. They weren’t human. And she was the only human among them. “She is wise,” the Elder remarked, his voice carrying a note of approval. “Sure,” Gillow agreed, his sharp eyes fixed on Arda’s face. “Fate has chosen well.” Arda quickly looked away, doing her best to avoid his gaze. Her eyes darted everywhere else, but it didn’t stop her from feeling the weight of his stare. “Now there’s just one person missing to complete this fearless pack,” Gillow announced, his voice cutting through the tension and drawing her eyes back to him. “Who?” Arda asked cautiously. “There’s someone else in the pack, but the one I’m
Arda peeked through the bedroom curtains. From there, she could see the pack still seated around the long meeting table in the garden. Gillow dominated the ruler’s seat with effortless authority. Felicia leaned toward him, explaining something with fluid confidence. He sat poised, listening intently. Even from this distance, his presence felt intimidating. Arda wondered why Felicia wasn’t afraid of him. Then she remembered—Felicia had been his mate once. That was their word for it. She still felt the sting of Gillow’s quiet confession earlier: “Just so you know, we’ve been together before.” Arda had decided to familiarize herself with the strange terms and dynamics of this world. She figured it would help her plan an escape. Watching Felicia now, Arda felt a pang of envy. It wasn’t just her closeness to Gillow—it was her confidence, her ease, the way she carried herself like she belonged. She wondered what they were discussing and couldn’t help but recall Gillow’s abrupt dism
Troubled by the professor’s call, Arda poured herself into her thesis that evening. Seated at the table in the Alpha’s bedroom, she tried to focus on writing the first chapter of her work. With her research materials finally at hand, it should have been easier—or so she thought. But the looming threat of enemy packs hung over her like a storm cloud, dark and oppressive. After several failed attempts to concentrate, she pushed her chair back with a sigh. Maybe a stroll through the garden would clear her head. A glance at the clock told her it was nearly 7:00 p.m. She rose and headed for the door. But just as her hand touched the handle, it turned from the other side. She stepped back as Gillow strode in. He wore casual slacks and a fitted shirt that stretched over his toned arms and broad chest. His dark hair was tied in a loose ponytail, and despite herself, her heart skipped a beat. Whether it was fear—or something far more dangerous—she couldn’t tell. He stopped in front of her,
Gillow didn’t waste time delivering the truth. “Elder is three centuries old.” Arda’s eyes widened. “Oh my God.” Her face paled, but Gillow pressed on. “Sue is 125 years old. Karina is 140—same age as Chester. Felicia is 130, and Asher is 131.” As the words sank in, Arda felt her body go cold. The room spun, and before she could process another thought, everything went black. *** When she came to, Gillow was sitting beside her on the bed. A damp cloth glided across her forehead, and her gaze slowly adjusted to the dim light of the room. He dipped the towel in a bowl of water, wrung it out, and gently patted her face again. His knuckles brushed her cheek in a soft caress. Her heart fluttered, but the sensation was quickly overshadowed by the lingering weight of what she’d heard before passing out. Realizing she was back in his bedroom, she tried to sit up. “What happened?” Her voice was faint, but he caught it. “You passed out,” he said, his tone calm yet laced with concern.
The following morning, Arda woke up feeling better. She found herself alone in bed and immediately wondered where Gillow was. Slipping out from under the covers, she spotted him seated at the desk, typing intently on the computer. He wore a casual outfit, his long hair cascading over his shoulders. Her eyes fell on her project materials spread out before him. Judging by the sheer volume of work he had already done, he must have been at it for a while. She stood there, stunned. Gillow paused, his fingers stilling on the keyboard as he turned to her with a sly smile. “Second and third chapters—done, sleepyhead,” he said, the corners of his lips tugging upward. Her jaw dropped. “I know you said you’re old, but how did you know what to write?” He leaned back in the chair, his smirk deepening. “I got supporting materials from the library. Besides, I’ve attended more weddings from different cultures than you can imagine. I have firsthand experience.” “Wow.” Curiosity sparked in her
After breakfast, Gillow escorted Arda to the car, preparing to drive her to school. "Since you barely have time, you'll need to study the notes in the car. At least get a brief idea of what I've written down." "Okay." She read through his presentation during the ride, impressed by his intelligence and the depth of his research. At school, she noticed students gawking at Gillow and his sleek ride as he dropped her off, leaning against the car outside, waiting for her. She overheard girls swooning and making remarks about his ethereal beauty. She didn't blame them. He was handsome. If only they knew he was old enough to be their great-grandfather. If only they knew who he really was. On her way to the professor's office, she received a text from Jacob: "The insider will come to you by evening and intimate you on the escape plan." She deleted the message for safety purposes before meeting her supervisor in his office. The moment she entered, he demanded to know why she had been
Gillow ignored her shocked expression. The scent was unmistakable—someone had touched her intimately, and he needed to know who it was.“Who touched you?” he repeated, his voice low and forceful.“No one,” Arda whined, her voice trembling. “No one touched me.”Gillow’s eyes narrowed, his sharp gaze locking onto hers. “I can smell it,” he said, his tone dark and unrelenting. “It’s a distinct scent. Someone touched you—closely. Who was it?”Panic swelled in Arda’s chest. She didn’t want trouble, especially not the kind Gillow could bring if he decided to go after her professor. Her mind raced, trying to piece together an explanation that wouldn’t provoke him further.Maybe Gillow had picked up the professor’s scent because he wasn’t human. The others in his pack had the ability to sense things like this. But then she remembered—her professor had also sniffed her paper.Were human scents different from werewolves? She didn’t know.“Don’t make me ask you again.” Gillow’s voice cut through
They were laughing—so lost in their own world that they hadn’t noticed her yet. Luke’s arm was slung casually around the girl’s shoulders, his grip possessive, his smile smug. They looked… happy. Completely at ease with each other.Something twisted inside Arda.It wasn’t jealousy.Not even regret.Just… the bitter aftertaste of a memory that had once stung like an open wound.And then it happened.Luke looked up.His laughter faltered.His eyes locked onto hers.For a fraction of a second, time seemed to stand still.The recognition in his gaze was swift, followed by something else—something unreadable. Surprise? Confusion? Annoyance?Then his gaze shifted.To Gillow.A new kind of tension rippled through the air, almost tangible.Luke’s expression hardened as he made the connection. He had seen Gillow before—on that very same day. The mysterious man who had stolen Arda’s attention the moment he’d walked into the restaurant.Now, that man was sitting across from her. Holding her hand
Chapter Title: A New PathArda caught a glimpse of her newly manicured nails and smiled. She liked the way they looked, but the sight also brought back a memory—Gillow’s earlier refusal to let her fix them in the first place.“Alpha,” she said quietly.“Yes, mate?”“About my nails… Did you tell Karina to discourage me from fixing them?”Gillow didn’t even pretend to feign ignorance. “Sure.”Of course, he wouldn’t deny it. That was just how Gillow was.“She mentioned you were entertaining the idea during one of her sessions, so I told her if you tried it, I would have her head.”Arda’s heart skipped a beat. “But it wouldn’t have been her fault if she couldn’t stop me.”“True. But I didn’t care.”“That was mean, Alpha.”He chuckled. “I know. But… with my understanding today, you have my permission to do it. No more than twice every quarter of the year.”“Is it negotiable, considering I have the right to—”“Let’s not talk about rights now, mate. Let’s enjoy the moment and visit rights la
As the car rolled to a stop in the park’s parking lot, Arda took in the lively fast-approaching evening scene outside. People were scattered across the grounds, some walking, others lounging on benches, while children ran about, their laughter mingling with the rustling of the evening breeze. The atmosphere was warm, inviting—yet for her, this place held memories she wasn’t sure she wanted to relive.She reached for the door handle, but before she could push it open, Gillow's hand gently stopped her.“Allow me,” he said smoothly, a teasing glint in his eyes. “I want to be the perfect gentleman tonight.”She couldn’t help but smile at his playful tone. With that, he stepped out, walking around to her side. True to his word, he opened the door for her and extended his hand. She took it, feeling the strength in his grip as he helped her out.As he shut the door behind her, she noticed Gillow’s men discreetly taking strategic positions throughout the park. It was subtle but unmistakable—h
When Arda's nails were done, she admired the result, turning her hands under the light with a pleased smile. The polished, glossy sheen made the short length artificial fingers look elegant, and she felt an undeniable satisfaction. Gillow, watching her, chuckled softly. “They look perfect.”She grinned. “I agree. Thanks.”The beautician beamed when Gillow tipped her generously. “Thank you so much, sir!” she gushed, her gratitude evident.Gillow nodded in acknowledgment before guiding Arda out of the salon. As they settled into the car, she continued admiring her nails, twisting her fingers and tilting them at different angles. She had truly enjoyed the day so far.Gillow stole a glance at her, amused by her fascination. It pleased him that she was happy.Arda, however, soon realized she had no idea where they were heading. Lowering her hands, she turned to him.“Where are we going now?” she asked curiously.He smirked, eyes still on the road. “Has someone forgotten something?”“What?
Gillow held her close, whispering words of encouragement into her ear. His voice was low, warm, and steady, a grounding presence against the storm of emotions she was struggling to control."It's okay, princess, everything will be fine," he murmured. Then, with a teasing lilt, he added, "Don't cry, or I will join you."The thought of Gillow crying was so absurd that a small chuckle escaped her, breaking through the lump in her throat. He liked that—her laughter, however faint—and pressed a kiss to her forehead, his lips lingering for a moment as if sealing the comfort between them.She was beginning to compose herself, and with a handkerchief from his pocket, he lightly dabbed her face, wiping away the traces of her earlier distress.Then, taking her hand in his firm yet gentle grasp, he led her toward the section for pedicures. The soft hum of music played in the background, blending with the quiet conversations and the rhythmic sound of water bubbling in foot spa basins. Without h
As the car rolled out of the school premises, Arda turned to Gillow, curiosity in her eyes. “Where are we going now?”“To transform your hair,” he said, a hint of amusement in his tone. “Did you think I was joking?”She perked up, excited. “Really? I like that. Thanks.” She gave him the address of the small salon where she usually got her hair done. It wasn’t fancy—just a low-end place with no air conditioning, but the stylists knew their craft, and they always gave her a discount.Gillow arched a brow. “We’ll be going somewhere else.”Arda frowned. “But I’ve been going there for years. They know me, and I always get a discount.”He smirked, clearly amused. “You’ll like the new place. Now that cost is no longer a problem, let’s do it right.”Arda liked the idea but felt a pang of guilt at ditching the people who had been doing her hair for years just because Gillow was paying better. She bit her lip, debating whether to protest further, but when they arrived at the salon, her argument
The professor’s voice finally broke through, thin and shaky. “B-but you’re so…young. I don’t under—” His eyes widened as a deeper realization struck. He stumbled back, his face ashen. “You’re a…vampire…” His trembling worsened. “Please…please don’t kill me, sir. I have a wife…children…two daughters and two sons”"And if a lecturer harrases your girls, would you like it?""I'm sorry, Sir. It...it won't happen again."Gillow’s voice was ice. “You’re fired, professor. You have until tomorrow to clear your office and vacate these premises.”The professor fell to his knees, desperation overtaking him. “Please, sir! This is the highest-paid university. My family depends on this job. I swear, I promise, it will never happen again!”Gillow didn’t flinch. His voice was cold as steel. “Direct your apologies to her.”The professor turned immediately to Arda, crawling toward her on his knees. “Madam, please, I am deeply sorry. It will never happen again. I swear it.”Gillow moved with lightning s
Arda trailed far behind Gillow, her legs struggling to keep up with his long, determined strides. The bright corridor of the administration building seemed to stretch endlessly before her, sunlight streaming through the tall windows, illuminating the polished floors. People passed by on their own errands, their chatter and footsteps filling the space, but all Arda could focus on was Gillow’s imposing figure moving steadily ahead.His shoulders were taut, his fists clenched at his sides, radiating a fury she didn’t dare interrupt. She wanted to call out to him, to ask him to slow down, but she swallowed the words. The thought of drawing the attention of the people around them, of exposing whatever this was in public, made her hesitate. Instead, she hurried as best as she could, her breaths coming in short, anxious gasps.By the time she reached the professor’s office, Gillow had already disappeared inside. The door was ajar, and she paused just outside, gripping the edge of the frame a
Gillow reluctantly ended the kiss, his lips lingering near hers for a moment before he pulled back, a small smirk on his face. “We don’t want you being late for school, mate,” he said, his tone calm but teasing.Arda nodded, her fingers brushing her lips briefly as she followed him to the car. When she saw him heading for the driver’s side, her brows lifted in mild surprise, though she didn’t comment.He opened the door for her, gesturing to the passenger seat. “Your throne, for now.”She slid in, a small but genuine smile pulling at her lips. This time, it was different—no other passengers, no Sue’s mate at the wheel. Just them.As they hit the road, Gillow glanced at her, catching the subtle but pleased look on her face. “You look content,” he remarked, smirking.She tilted her head slightly, feigning innocence. “Do I?”“You do,” he replied, a knowing glint in his eyes. “And I think I know why.”Her lips curved faintly, but she didn’t say anything, letting him take the bait.“You li