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
For some unfathomable reason, Gillow's admission began to stir a deep, primal fear within Arda.The sensation grew as he traced a finger along her jawline, his touch deceptively light."Yeah, I am a monster," he murmured, his voice low and threatening. "I can easily kill threats around me—tear them apart, shred them to pieces. And that includes any male who dares to show interest in you or who you show interest in. They won’t just be in trouble. They’ll be dead." His words turned darker as his eyes held hers, unrelenting. "So, you better remember, Arda—your Alpha is a monster. If you let anyone touch you, I won’t just punish you. That won’t be enough. There will be hell."Arda's breath hitched, and her misty eyes shut tightly in terror. She couldn’t bear the weight of his threat any longer."Please, stop," she whispered, her voice trembling.But he didn’t stop. His tone grew colder, his words sharper."As for the unfortunate guy, I’ll take him apart—limb by limb.""Please," she whisper
Arda shut her eyes, resigned to her fate. The sharp points of Sue’s fangs pressed against her skin, their sting a chilling reminder of what was to come. Sue’s breaths, raw and animalistic, mingled with Arda’s trembling gasps. Any second now, the fangs would pierce through. Each passing moment dragged like eternity. The fangs pushed deeper, enough to cause discomfort, though not yet to draw blood. Sue was slow, hesitant, as if something—or someone—was holding her back. Arda heard a low growl. It wasn’t Sue. This sound was darker, commanding, and laced with undeniable authority. Her eyes flew open. She already knew who it was before she saw him. Gillow stood crouched low, his intense gaze locked onto Sue’s wild, predatory eyes. His teeth were bared in a snarl, his breaths coming in sharp pants. “Sue,” he growled, his voice a blend of control and challenge. “You’re stronger than this. Control your want—control your need. You’re in charge. Always.” Sue’s feral growls softened. Her g
Outside, the sun was lurking in the background as Arda rode beside Gillow in his car with Asher driving. They were seated in the back seat. She avoided Gillow by playing a game on her phone. He was mostly on the phone, speaking with someone in a foreign ancient-sounding language. When he was done, he looked at her. "Ignoring me now, are we?" She didn't respond. She continued playing her game. Without warning, he snatched her phone off her hands and focused ahead of him, ignoring her. "Give it back." She demanded, spreading out one palm before him. Laid back, his eyes met hers, fell on her held-out palm, and focused on the road. "I said give it back." She demanded. "And I want it now." He returned his gaze to hers. "Then ask politely." She folded her arms and stayed mute. He ignored her and silence in the car reigned until they reached the airport and Asher parked the car in the parking lot. She looked at him expectantly, opening her palm once more to receive the phone, but he
Karina lingered outside Ray’s office, her arms crossed as she waited for Arda. Inside, Arda faced Ray, who was seated behind his desk, his eyes cold and unwelcoming. “Good morning, sir,” she greeted, her voice steady despite his penetrating gaze. Ray didn’t bother with formalities. “Let’s dispense with the pleasantries, Arda. Since this isn’t our scheduled thesis meeting, I assume you have something important to tell me. So, get to it.” “The answer is no,” she said flatly. His eyebrows arched. “What?” “I said, the answer is no.” Ray rose from his seat and walked slowly toward her, his expression darkening with each step. “Is that your final answer?” he asked, his voice low and menacing. “Yes.” “Then prepare to fail—and lose your last scholarship payment.” Arda met his gaze, unflinching. “I know what you are,” she said suddenly. Ray froze, his composure faltering for the briefest moment. “What did you say?” “I know what you are,” she repeated, her tone firm. “And what exa
"I am in school, remember?" Arda told him. "I know. I'm just confirming." "Okay." "Call me as soon as you're home." "Okay." "Enjoy your day. And let me know if your professor gives you any issues." "He did not." "I see. Okay. That is a good one. I will call you soon." "Okay." The call ended, and she looked at Karina. "That was not so bad," she commented. "I guess he would have been suspicious if you didn't take the call," Karina replied. "Yeah." Back in the car, Arda began questioning herself about the escape plan. Doubts crept in, especially since it seemed like all the Alphas were against Gillow. The only potential ally Gillow had, and it wasn’t confirmed, was the Alpha of the East. As the car swerved out of the school gates, Arda turned to Karina and Chester. "Are you sure we’re doing the right thing?" "What are your fears?" Chester asked, prompting Arda to reveal the source of her doubts. "You have nothing to worry about," Chester reassured her. "I’ll say the same,
Following Karina’s haste, Arda was back inside the car where Chester sat waiting, tapping the steering wheel impatiently. “You guys took forever,” he muttered as they climbed in. He started the car but cast a glance their way. “And you both look like you’ve seen a ghost.” “Not a ghost,” Karina replied, her tone sharp. “A werewolf. Her professor, to be exact.” Chester’s head snapped toward her. “What? What pack is he from? And what happened?” Karina waved him off. “We’ll explain later. Please just get us out of here.” Chester frowned but said nothing, focusing on the road. The car sped down the winding path, sunlight filtering through the trees, casting eerie shadows across the dashboard. After a tense silence, he tried again. “Are you going to tell me now?” Arda exhaled, her voice tight. “Professor Ray has been asking me out. I refused. He didn’t take it well and started threatening my grades—and my scholarship.” Chester’s grip on the wheel tightened. “That’s messed up.” “It g
Arda had stopped struggling by the time she was brought into the room. The fire of her protests had died, leaving only soft sniffling in its wake. Tears streamed down her flushed cheeks, her body trembling—not just from the alcohol wreaking havoc inside her but from something deeper, something raw.Gillow was already there, waiting. His sharp eyes took in the wrecked state she was in, and beneath the surface of his calm, his fury burned. Not at her—no, never at her—but at those who had let this happen. Yet he forced himself to swallow the rage. She needed care, not wrath.At his direction, they placed her gently onto the couch, close to the bed. The moment they stepped back, he moved forward, crouching beside her, his presence a solid force against her frailty.He carried the tea he had prepared. It wasn’t the best remedy, but it was something, and right now, something was better than nothing. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her into his warmth, his fingers brushing ag
Ignoring Arda's slurred curses, they lifted her into the car with little care for her protests. Her reluctance to return was irrelevant. What mattered was Gillow’s disapproval—a force far more terrifying than her drunken defiance.They secured her in the backseat, and the moment Chester and Karina took their places in the front, Arda lunged for the door handle. But Chester had anticipated this—he’d locked it. The soft click of her failed attempt was followed by a frustrated groan.With a smirk of defiance, she slumped back and declared, “I hate you both.” Then, inexplicably, she started to laugh—a drunken, eerie laughter that sent a chill up Karina’s spine.Neither Chester nor Karina responded. They simply exchanged glances, uneasy."Chester, what did you mean back there? That it’s just you?” Karina finally asked.“I, uh... kinda took the blame.”Karina whipped her head toward him. “What?”“You looked so happy, Karina. And you’ve been in so much trouble lately. I thought... maybe you
Chester hesitated, his pulse hammering against his ribs. If the Alpha was calling in this tone, it could only mean one thing—Arda had lied.His gaze darted toward her. She was blissfully unaware of the storm brewing on the other end of the call. A drink in her hand, laughter spilling from her lips, she swayed to the music with Karina, completely lost in the moment. She had no idea what she had just set into motion."I'm listening," Gillow's voice was sharp, the restrained fury evident in every syllable.Chester swallowed hard. His mind raced, torn between protecting Arda and Karina or saving himself."Alpha, I... I—" His voice faltered. What was the right move here? Take the blame and hope to minimize the damage? But then his eyes flicked back to Karina—her face alight with rare joy. She had suffered enough in recent times. And Arda... that reckless little minx. What had she been thinking? Dragging them into this mess? But then he recalled the way she had pleaded earlier—her voice thi
Arda watched the phone vibrate in her hand, Gillow’s name flashing across the screen. A small part of her knew she should answer, but she couldn't bring herself to. She let it ring.Karina and Chester noticed.“Who is it?” Karina asked from the passenger seat.“Alpha?” Chester added, glancing at her through the rearview mirror.Arda shrugged. “Yeah.”“Then why aren’t you answering?” Chester’s brows furrowed.“I’ll call him back when we get to the club,” she said, feigning nonchalance.Neither Karina nor Chester looked convinced, but they let it go. The car rolled smoothly through the city streets, neon lights reflecting against the windshield.Then Karina’s phone lit up.Gillow Rain.She turned in her seat, flashing the screen toward Arda. “It’s him. And I know it’s because you’re not picking up.”Arda’s stomach twisted. Her fingers clenched into the soft fabric of her dress. “Oh,” she said, forcing a casual tone. “I’ll call him back when we get there, I promise. Don’t answer.”Karina
The mall was alive with movement—bright, noisy, filled with a sea of people weaving through aisles stacked with gleaming devices. Arda barely noticed the chatter, the hum of conversations blending with the distant sound of a child whining for a toy. She moved through the tech section, her fingers grazing the sleek surfaces of high-end phones as an attendant hovered nearby, ready to assist. Chester and Karina flanked her, their watchful eyes darting around, wary of external threats. Finally, she chose. A phone with a crisp camera, vast memory, and a lightning-fast processor. It was perfect—not just for its features, but for what it represented. A semblance of independence. Control. The purchase was made. The device, hers. And with it, a shift in the air. Outside, the sky had deepened to a dusky blue, streaked with the dying embers of sunlight. The city hummed with its usual rhythm—car horns blaring in irritation, the distant wail of a siren, vendors calling out their last
Arda woke up to the cold absence of Gillow. The bed felt too large without him, the sheets still carrying the ghost of his warmth. The memory of last night burned in her skin—his hands, his lips, the way he had worshiped and restrained himself in equal measure. He had left her breathless, aching, and unfulfilled.She sat up, scanning the room, her heart sinking. Was he still here?Slipping out of bed, she padded barefoot toward the door and pulled it open. The guard stationed outside straightened at her sudden appearance."Where is he?" she asked, her voice softer than she intended."The Alpha left before dawn, along with his chosen pack members," the guard reported.Arda swallowed the bitter disappointment that curled inside her. He hadn’t even said goodbye?But before the frustration could settle, the guard reached into his pocket. "This is for you, from the Alpha."A note.Relief washed over her, though she barely kept it from showing. She took the folded paper from his outstretche
Arda lay on the bed, her body still humming from Gillow’s touch. The sheets felt cool against her overheated skin, but nothing could calm the ache inside her. The place where his lips had been—where his hands had traced—still burned. But he was gone now.His whispered words echoed in her ears. “I cannot trust myself to keep my hands off you tonight. Trust me, it’s better for you and I.” She had nodded, understanding. Now, in the quiet, her fingers clenched the sheets. She hated how empty the bed felt without him. She hated how her body still craved his warmth, his weight pressing into her. She curled into herself, trying to push away the frustration, the confusion. Eventually, sleep claimed her. --- In his own room, Gillow stood under an icy shower, his fists braced against the cold tile. The water wasn’t enough to cool the fire raging inside him. His mate. His Arda. She had finally surrendered. Finally spoken the words he had longed to hear. "Yes, Alpha." A low growl rumble
Arda’s breath hitched as Gillow’s countdown continued, his voice a dark promise of both pleasure and discipline. "...three...four..." Her fingers twitched against her skin, every muscle in her body screaming to move, to clutch onto him, to anchor herself against the storm he was unraveling inside her. At thesame time, she wanted to protect herself from his sight because she was shy and self conscious at that moment. But then he had threatened to punish her and she didn't want to test him. Arda let out a shaky breath, forcing herself to obey as she let her hands fall to her sides. "Five." Said Gillow, his eyes narrowing at her. Her breath caught in her throat. "Too late." He said. "Turn over. I'm going to spank you for wasting time." "No, please." Her voice was soft. "I took my hands off." She caught a small smile on his face and knew he was now teasing her. Gillow’s approval was instant, a slow, satisfied smile curving his lips. “I know, Mate. I'm just playing with you. Y
When she relaxed around him, Gillow accepted her surrender. He celebrated it with kiss of thanksgiving, his lips claiming hers gently. "That's it, mate." He murmured encouragingly, his voice coaxing, comforting, oddly commanding even in a sensual state. It further raised her new found desire to completely give in, to trust him without reservations. Arda’s breath came in shallow waves as Gillow’s lips moved against hers, slow and unhurried, as if he had all the time in the world to explore her. His hands, warm and firm, skimmed down her sides, memorizing every curve, every delicate tremor that ran through her body. His weight was a comforting presence above her, not trapping but anchoring her in a way that made her feel safe. She had never known touch like this—gentle, reverent, yet laced with a hunger that sent shivers cascading through her skin. “Relax, mate,” he whispered against her lips, his voice deep, coaxing again. “Let me show you what it means to be mine.” A part of her