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
Arda jolted awake, startled by the firm hand on her shoulder. Her eyes flew open to see Gillow beside her, dressed in pajamas, his tousled hair framing his sharp features. She blinked in confusion. She had gone to bed alone the night before—when had he returned? "What is it? You're having a bad dream?" he asked, his voice low but laced with concern. "No, I was just startled," she murmured, her heartbeat slowing. "Hmm. Anyway, it's morning," he said. Arda rubbed her eyes, still disoriented. She hadn’t realized she’d slept so long. Sunlight was streaming faintly through the curtains. "I didn’t see you come in," she said, her voice soft. "I know. You were sleeping like a baby," Gillow replied, his lips curling into a slight smile. "But it’s already 7:30, and you’re still sleeping. I couldn’t resist waking you up." Before she could protest, he was already helping her sit upright, his hands steady but firm. “I need to head out early today,” he continued, watching her closely, “but
Arda stiffened for a fleeting second, wary of his beast surfacing but then something shifted. The heat of his kiss, the firm yet unyielding way he held her, and the sheer intensity of his presence melted the last traces of resistance within her. Her wariness also disappeared. She believed he would always protect her. He had come dangerously close to feeding on her on different occasions but somehow, he controlled his urges. This foundation was her hope.A soft sigh escaped her lips as she gave in, pressing closer, her fingers gripping his shoulders for balance. She wasn’t sure when she had risen onto her toes, but now she leaned into him completely, matching his passion with a hunger of her own.Gillow’s grip tightened, his hands splaying across her back, pulling her flush against him. He had wanted this—her surrender, her willingness to accept him, not out of obligation but because she truly desired him. And now, feeling her melt into him, responding with just as much need, a deep s
Arda responded to Gillow’s kiss, hesitant at first but gaining confidence with each passing second. A strange warmth settled in her chest, pushing aside the remnants of her earlier encounter with Luke. It surprised her how easily she let go of that unpleasant moment, as though Gillow’s presence had rewritten the weight of her past.Her heartbeat quickened when their lips parted, and for a moment, they simply stared at each other. There was something unspoken between them—something neither of them dared to put into words just yet.Gillow exhaled, then cast a glance at their table. Their plates were empty, the conversation complete. "I think we're done here," he said, his voice carrying an undertone of finality.Arda nodded, not trusting herself to speak.He pushed his chair back and stood, extending his hand. "Shall we?"She slipped her hand into his, relishing the warmth of his palm. "Sure."He led her toward the exit, his touch light yet commanding.A gentle breeze swept through the
Meanwhile, in the corridor, Luke stepped in front of Arda, blocking her path."Come on, I waited for you for three years," he said, voice thick with frustration. "Surely, I deserve answers or at least ...one more try."Arda’s expression hardened. "What do you want from me, Luke? It’s over.""I know. But I think it's fair if all I want to see right now is if you’re really a witch."Her eyes flashed with disbelief. "Step aside, Luke. I have nothing to say to you anymore. My boyfriend is waiting for me. And I’m sure your girlfriend is waiting for you."His jaw clenched. "Who do you think you are, huh?" His voice rose, frustration giving way to something uglier. "I waited three years for you, and yeah, I might’ve made a mistake, but now you’re just parading around with that guy. What is it? Because he’s rich? Because he’s so gorgeous you can’t keep your legs closed?"Arda stiffened, nostrils flaring. "What?" she bit out. "I’ve had enough of your insults."Luke surged forward, closing the
For three years, he had waited for her, believed in her. Then, just like that, she had moved on—to this stranger who now kissed her like he had always owned her.But wait, he thought.Had she lied to him?Had she already been seeing this man behind his back? So all this while she had a secret boyfriend and was pretending? The thought made his blood boil.He had convinced himself that rejecting her was the right thing to do, that she was nothing but a witch, someone who looked innocent but in reality, was evil. But now, watching her like this, he wasn’t so sure. Maybe he made a mistake. Perhaps he shouldn't have rejected her like that. At least not in such an embarrassing manner. He must have made a huge mistake.Because she looked happy.Genuinely, effortlessly happy.And the man she was with didn’t just claim her—he cherished her.Luke couldn’t stand it.“Babe?”His girlfriend’s voice pulled him back to the present.He realized then that he had been staring at Arda for too long, co
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