Ashley's POVI tossed and turned in bed again, frustration building up until my head smacked against the bedside table."Ouch," I winced, clutching my forehead. "This can only mean bad luck..."I sat up slowly, the darkness of the room feeling heavier with every second. My thoughts drifted to the one person who had been haunting my mind."Why is my life like this? And why is Mr. Jaden making it even more complicated? He's not really Leon, right? No, he can’t be Leon. My Leon... he was kind, gentle. This man is nothing like him.""Are you trying to wake up the entire building?" Mabel's voice rang out, pulling me from my thoughts as she entered my room with her usual bluntness."I'm sorry, Mabel," I muttered, rubbing my tired eyes. "I just couldn't sleep. Every time I manage to doze off, I keep dreaming of him. Of Leon. The last time I saw him.""And why on Earth are you suddenly dreaming about your long-lost childhood sweetheart?" Mabel asked, crossing her arms with a raised brow."I do
Ashley's POVI broke into uncontrollable laughter, and Steven’s intense stare only seemed to fuel my amusement. His cold eyes bore into mine, making my giggles grow louder."I’m… I’m sorry," I gasped between bursts of laughter. "It’s just… it’s just so funny to think of you magically healing my mom and then forcing me to marry you in three days."The moment I said the words, his face darkened. A low, rumbling growl echoed from deep within him, and the sound sent a chill down my spine. My laughter instantly died, replaced by a deep, uneasy silence. I slowly looked up at him, and what I saw made my blood run cold.In an instant, Steven’s form shifted before my very eyes. His body rippled, muscles growing and shifting unnaturally. His face twisted as his teeth elongated, and soon, a terrifying beast stood before me—a hairy, towering figure with glowing, predatory eyes and fangs that seemed to gleam like daggers under the dim light. "Ahhh!" I screamed, stumbling backward in a panic, my b
Steven's POVFlashback"I’ve completed the mission, Alpha," Williams’s voice cut through the quiet of my office, his presence a ghost in the room. His steps were soundless, but his words carried weight."So, you’ve found out everything about Ashley?" I asked, not bothering to look up from the stack of documents in front of me. "Yes, Alpha. I’ve even installed cameras in her house, just to make sure we didn’t miss anything," Williams added, the cold satisfaction in his voice clear."Good job," I muttered, a smirk curling on my lips. *I always know how to stay ten steps ahead.*Flashback EndsThe weight of the memory hung in the air as I sat in my office, the sky outside darkening to a deep shade of purple. I stared out the window, but my mind wasn’t on the view—it was on the hunt. The one who had killed my betas. Whoever it was, they couldn’t hide forever. I will find you. You won’t get away from me.My fists clenched involuntarily, my rage simmering beneath the surface, threatening t
Ashley’s POVThe moment I stepped into my room, my heart was already racing from Steven's abrupt message. His words held a power over me that left me feeling small and exposed, yet somehow... captivated. I quickly slipped on the first dress I saw, not bothering to check the mirror. As I took a deep breath, I couldn’t shake the strange pull he had on me—an irresistible mix of danger and attraction. It was a feeling I couldn’t explain, and it scared me.Outside, I froze at the sight of a sleek black car parked by the curb, guarded by two men. They were tall, broad-shouldered, and wore casual clothes with dark sunglasses, almost like movie stars. I felt my heart skip as I walked toward them, my nerves mixing with curiosity.Then, one of them turned. He slowly lowered his shades, revealing a familiar pair of intense eyes.“Steven!” I blurted out, my voice sounding more eager than I intended.His lips curled into a knowing smirk. “Staring, are we? Surprised?”I quickly looked down, feeling
Ashley’s POVThe cab finally pulled up in front of the fashion house, and I barely caught my breath before rushing inside. I was late, and the thought of Steven's reaction made my heart pound harder.A woman near the entrance spotted me instantly. “Are you Miss Ashley Green?”“Yes, that’s me,” I panted, trying to compose myself.She nodded. “You’re expected on the fourth floor.”I muttered a quick thank you and hurried to the elevator. My palms were clammy as I rode up, my heart racing with dread.When the doors opened, there he was: Steven, seated on a leather couch, looking calm but with a dangerous edge. Liam stood beside him. Steven glanced at his watch, raising a single eyebrow as he met my gaze.“Right on time,” he said flatly, his voice slicing through the air like a knife.I glared at him, almost daring him to say something more. But before he could, Liam’s soft voice broke the tension. “I hope you had no trouble finding the place?”“No, not really,” I replied, forcing a smile
Steven's POV"She's not my mate yet, so she’s not part of the family," I declared, my voice leaving no room for argument."But she will be soon," Freya replied, a knowing look in her eyes."By tomorrow night, she’ll be your mate, Steven. You need to start accepting that she's part of the family now," Freja added, her tone both gentle and unyielding.I watched them, Freya and Freja, laughing with Ashley. They were chatting, their joy echoing through the house. But instead of feeling at ease, a strange discomfort twisted inside me. Without another word, I turned and headed upstairs, hoping to escape the tension building in my chest."Where are you going, Steven?" Freja called out, but I didn’t respond.In my room, I sank onto the couch, staring blankly at the wall. This was really happening. Ashley was becoming part of my life. The weight of it all pressed down, tightening around me like a vice.Moments later, Liam knocked softly, then entered, closing the door behind him."You alright,
Ashley's POVFreja’s phone rang, the sharp sound slicing through the tension in the room. She glanced at the screen and answered quickly. "Was that Liam?" Bella asked, her voice tight with concern as Freja ended the call. Freja nodded, her face unreadable, her usual calm demeanor replaced by something darker."Steven’s furious with Liam," Freja said quietly, her voice tinged with unease. "He let us leave without permission. Now Liam’s probably out there somewhere, trying to find us, bring us back to the Mansion."Bella’s frustration was palpable. She huffed and shook her head. "We’re not children, Freja. We can go wherever we want. Why’s Liam so scared of Steven?"Freja sighed deeply, leaning back in her chair, her eyes distant as if seeing something far beyond the room. "Everyone’s scared of Steven. You don’t see it because he’s more relaxed around us, but trust me, Bella, it’s different when you’re not in his inner circle. Liam… Liam’s the only one who can stand up to him. The only
Ashley’s POVI lay in bed, wide awake, staring at the ceiling as the hours ticked by. My mind was a storm, churning with thoughts and fears. The wedding was set for tonight. And there was no escape.Marrying a man as ruthless as Steven felt like plunging into darkness. The kind of darkness you don’t come back from. I hadn’t told anyone—not even Mabel, my best friend. Keeping it all hidden felt like carrying a weight too heavy to bear.The door creaked open, and Mabel’s face appeared in the dim light. "Still awake?" she asked, slipping inside without waiting for an answer.I nodded, shifting to sit up. "Yeah... seems sleep doesn’t want to visit me tonight."She sighed, moving to sit beside me. “I get it. Tonight’s... a lot to handle, Ash.” Her voice softened. "I still don’t understand why you’re doing this. But I’m here. I trust you."Her words pierced through the fear, leaving a bittersweet ache. I wanted to tell her everything, but I couldn’t. Not now. Maybe not ever. “Thank you, M