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
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
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
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
Dear Arda, I know that you have no idea who this is but at the nearest possible time, you will. I wish you a happy twenty-first birthday and hope that you like the present attached to this note. PS: If any male asks you out, tell him that you’re already taken because you belong to me and I will mate you at the right time. I am The Alpha you will soon get to know. Having finished reading the handwritten note, Arda was at first filled with fear and uncertainty. The handwriting was clear, cursive, and written with dark ink on a plain sheet of white paper. She could not make much sense of the note. Alpha? Mate? What did that even mean? And why would the anonymous man say that she belonged to him? She was a human being. She belonged to no one. You cannot just own someone. Why was she even letting the message bother her? It could be a prank. Resting on that thought, she rolled her eyes and cast an amused gaze upon the note, believing that it was probably a prank from one of her fri
Arda stirred awake to the persistent beeping of her alarm clock. Without needing to glance, she knew it was 7:00 AM; she had set it precisely the night before to give herself ample time to prepare for the day ahead. The curtains were drawn tight, but a soft glow seeped through the fabric, hinting at the daylight outside. Bright beams of sunlight slipped through the slightly parted sliding window curtains, illuminating the room. Frowning at the alarm clock, Arda felt a twinge of annoyance, even though it was merely doing its job. She had a meeting with her project supervisor at 9:00 AM. Yet, there was a silver lining: she would be meeting Luke for lunch. This was their first date as a couple, and the thought sent a flutter of excitement through her. But then, she couldn’t shake off the memory of the strange note and the unexpected gift she had received the night before. While she hated to admit it, the expensive gift made it hard to dismiss the message as a simple prank. Arda s
It took Arda a few seconds to make her decision, leaving the jewelry exactly where it was. She wasn’t sure whether it was a prank or something deeper, but wearing it seemed unwise. Arda left the bedroom and walked down the corridor. All the doors to the other rooms were closed, a quiet stillness filling the house. As she entered the living room, she found Jacob seated at the dining table, his attention absorbed in the morning paper. A cup of coffee steamed in front of him. Fresh from a shower, Jacob wore loose pajamas, and when he saw her, he smiled. Arda, however, met his smile with a pout. “You promised to make me breakfast,” she reminded him, folding her arms. “You promised.” Jacob chuckled, putting down his newspaper. “Calm down. You didn’t even say hi.” “I’ll say hi when I see my breakfast,” she teased, stepping closer to the table. “And here I thought living with you girls would be a breeze,” he groaned in mock despair. “People envy me, but if only they knew.” “Drama king.
“You’re the only student I’ve ever asked out,” Ray said, his tone suggesting that this fact alone should sway her decision. Arda met his gaze, knowing he was probably telling the truth. Most students were careful around him, treating him like a walking minefield. “I’m not interested in that kind of arrangement,” she replied, keeping her voice firm. “If you change your mind, let me know,” Ray responded calmly. “I won’t,” Arda said quietly, and she doubted she’d ever reconsider. Still, she was worried he might victimize her for refusing him. But she told herself she would cross that bridge if she ever got there. He smiled, unfazed by her rejection. “Refusing me won’t affect your grades or my commitment to helping you with your project.” “Thank you,” she said, relieved that he wasn’t pushing it further. Ray pulled out her file, stamped “Approved” on her project topic, and handed her a copy. He slid the original back into the folder. “Let’s go over what I expect from your first cha
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