“I don’t like to be your little project, Alpha Zane. I want to be able to stand on my own two feet, without needing your help or being seen as somebody’s trailing shadow.” I crossed my arms over my chest and“You’re wrong.” Zane’s voice softened as genuine concern etched his features. I couldn’t help but think about how handsome he was. Oh goddess! Why oh why was I having these thoughts. I felt safe with the alpha by my side, despite the fact he had a terrible reputation for being a playboy who only cared about his next bed notch. I swallowed hard, the urge to touch his lips was getting to much for me.“I am not giving you help because I feel that you need it or because I feel sorry for you. I am here because you matter to me.” The sincerity in his words made my heart flutter. He was the alpha and could have anyone he wanted.“I want you, Avery Woods. I see potential in you and want you by my side.” He stated as if reading my mind. I shook my head in disbelief. Was I dreaming this?He
The sterile room, draped in shades of pale cream and stark white, felt both comforting and suffocating. I blinked against the harsh fluorescent lights overhead, the soft beeping of machines providing an odd sense of calm in an otherwise tumultuous existence. My mind was still reeling from the whirlwind of events that brought me to this point—a chaotic storm of grief, betrayal, and the crushing weight of loss.With a slow, heavy exhale, I sank deeper into the hospital bed's pillows, closing my eyes as I tried to block out the memories swirling around me. I could still see Craig's face, hear his laughter echoing in my mind—a sound that had once been a melody of happiness but now felt like an ominous ghost haunting every thought.The quiet stillness was abruptly broken by the soft click of the door opening. I opened my eyes to see Alpha Zane step through, his tall frame instantly bathing the room in an air of warmth and strength. His presence alone was enough to draw my attention away fr
“I just wish everything would go back to normal,” I confessed, feeling the weight of my emotions press down on me. “I didn’t ask for any of this to happen.”Zane nodded, his expression thoughtful. “None of us did, but this is now part of your story. How you handle it defines you, Avery.”“Intense words for a playboy Alpha,” I teased lightly, a smile breaking through my despair as I recalled his reputation.He chuckled, a deep, warm sound that reverberated through the air. “Believe it or not, there’s more to me than just my reputation. I’ve had my share of struggles.”“What kind of struggles?” I ventured, curiously peeking into the man behind the title.Zane’s eyes took on a distant look as he reflected. “I’ve faced my own tragedies and losses. Learning what’s really important requires time. I failed to cherish someone dear to me, thinking I had all the time in the world.”“Is that why you…never seemed to settle down?” I asked tentatively. “Because you were afraid?”“Perhaps. It can be
The dim light filtering through the tall windows of the pack hall did little to cast out the oppressive atmosphere inside. It felt as if the very walls were holding their breaths, waiting for the inevitable collision of fates about to unfold. The murmur of low conversations filled the room as pack members assembled, their faces a mixture of curiosity, suspicion, and judgment.I sat in a makeshift chair that felt far too small for the weight pressing down on my chest. Zane was by my side, a solid presence radiating strength and resolve. His fingers brushed against mine, grounding me in a sea of uncertainty. I couldn’t believe we had reached this moment, where my reality would be questioned openly, the stakes higher than I had ever imagined.As the room began to quiet, the towering figure of the Alpha stepped forward, commanding attention without even needing to raise his voice. His presence dominated the space, and the weight of his authority wrapped around me like a protective cloak.
His words echoed around the hall, followed by gasps, and mouths slackened in disbelief. I could barely process the whirlwind of emotions that crashed over me. Shock, elation, and fear all blended into a dizzy haze that threatened to drown me. “Your mate?” Caroline’s voice sliced through the air, bringing my eyes to rest on her. “Alpha, with all due respect, you cannot be serious?” Her eyes flashed with a mixture of jealousy and fury, revealing her venomous core beneath. “Do not forget who Alpha is here,” Alpha Zane reminded her as she sat back down and tried to make sense of it all. But Alpha Zane has shown nothing but disrespect to our beloved Beta. If you choose her, will it be a betrayal to his name?” Her words dripped with disdain as if I were nothing but filth. “Avery has shown nothing but respect for our pack. I will not allow a false narrative to destroy her; that’s an order,” Alpha Zane spoke calmly. I felt the warmth of his declaration wrap around me like a thick blanket,
Caroline paced down the corridor, her hands firmly resting on her side and her lips pressed together as she reviewed the words from Alpha Zane. She could barely believe that he would take Avery as his mate. How dare he? Was Craig not worth more than such a betrayal?"You better watch yourself, Avery Woods. I am coming for you, and you will be sorry," Her voice was a low, deadly whisper that sent a shiver down her spine. She felt a thrill of anticipation at the prospect of confrontation, of facing the one person who had caused her such pain. She momentarily forgot about the pack and the rules and traditions governing their lives. All that mattered was her desire for justice, for Avery to know the hurt he had caused, to feel the shame of his betrayal. "Oh, Congratulations, Alpha Zane!" Shrieks of excitement followed by continuous clapping reached her ears. Caroline growled as she finally forced herself away from the noise of laughter and excitement that echoed after her. She stalked aw
Carolina’s POV "Craig? Beta Craig?" “Yep. Hello Carolina. It's good to see you, but you look like you've seen a ghost,” he chuckled, and I shook my head in disbelief. I felt like I was going to faint. Was I dreaming? How could this be real? We had only buried Beta Craig, and now I was staring at what? His ghost? I pinched myself and tried to wake up from whatever was happening in my chaotic mind. I knew it had been a lot to take in the last few days, but this? My mind was playing stupid tricks on me. "You're not dreaming, and I faked it. I did not die." He crossed his arms over his chest and looked at me with a smirk. I blinked a few times before raising a hand to slap him hard across the cheek. I didn't realise what I had done at first. My hand stung a little, and the look of shock on his face made me realise that this wasn't a dream. It was reality. Craig wasn't dead. "What the hell are you doing? You're supposed to be dead! How sick are you to do such a stupid and cowa
The following day, I woke to bright sunlight streaming through the open window and one of the maids entering the room with a tray of delicious-smelling breakfasts. I blinked a couple of times before I realised that I was not in my own bedroom. I was in Alpha Zane's bedroom, and everything suddenly flooded back to me."What am I doing in here? In the Alpha's room?" I gasped out loud, causing the maid to look up with concern. My eyes widened in disbelief as I pulled the covers over me, suddenly feeling embarrassed. Zane was nowhere to be seen. Why had he left me alone in his bedroom, and what was the maid doing here? Had she even knocked on the door?"Miss, forgive me. I did not mean to startle you. Alpha insisted that I bring this to you since he had an important meeting to attend this morning. He told me to inform you that he would return shortly. Is there anything I can do for you?" The maid bowed her head to me, and it felt awfully strange. "No, thank you. Juliet." I noticed the na
Avery's POVThe truth hung in the air, thick and heavy, as the reality of Kendra’s words crashed over us. I was pregnant. The phrase echoed in my mind, a blend of disbelief and a rush of emotions that felt almost overwhelming. Joy, fear, excitement, and anxiety erupted within me, a chaotic storm swirling in my chest.Zane’s arm tightened around my shoulders, grounding me as my thoughts spiraled. He captured my gaze, his eyes shimmering with a mixture of emotions that mirrored my own. In that moment, the world outside lost its significance, and all that mattered was us—what we had created together. “I—” I struggled to articulate my thoughts, words tumbling over one another in my mind. “What do we do now?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, as I searched his expression for answers.“We figure it out together,” Zane replied, his voice steady but laced with emotion. “We take it one step at a time.” There wasn’t a hint of doubt in his demeanor, and as the gravity of my situation sa
Avery’s POV A heavy silence settled around us, punctuated only by the ticking clock on the wall and the soft rustle of packaging as Kendra set up the pregnancy test. Time felt suspended, each second stretching into eternity. My heart raced, caught between fear and anticipation, while my mind churned with unanswered questions. Zane’s presence was a steadying force beside me. His hand remained entwined with mine, his thumb tracing soothing circles on my palm. I wanted to focus on the comfort of his touch, but the enormity of what was about to happen loomed large in my thoughts. “What if I’m not ready for this?” I repeated, more to myself than to him, the thought echoing like a haunting melody. “Avery, nobody is ever fully ready,” Zane replied, his voice a low rumble of support. “But we’ll figure it out together. Whatever this result is, we’ll tackle it as a team." His unwavering confidence was soothing, yet my own doubts antagonized me. I didn’t want to let fear dictate my life, bu
Craig’s POV As Delilah led the way through the thicket, I kept a vigilant eye on our surroundings, scanning for any signs of danger the moment we stepped away from the safety of our temporary haven. I could feel my pulse pounding in my ears, each beat echoing the urgency of our situation.“Where exactly are we going?” I whispered to Delilah as we navigated the dense undergrowth, branches snagging at my clothes as if they were trying to hold me back from the path ahead.“To the old hunting lodge,” she answered quickly, darting glances behind us. “It’s abandoned, but it should be worn enough that no one is likely to search it.”“We can’t stay there long,” I warned, my gut twisted with the knowledge that time was not on our side. “What if they track us?”“They might, but the longer we stay away from Alpha Zane’s territory, the better. They’ll be searching for you, no doubt. We need to throw them off your trail.” That thought should have reassured me, but instead, fear twisted tighter i
Zane’s grip on my hand tightened as he considered my question, his brow furrowing under the weight of uncertainty. “Then we take it one step at a time, just like Kendra said,” he replied softly, his voice steady despite the turmoil in the air. “We’ll talk about it. We’ll figure it out together. No matter what.”His confidence was both comforting and terrifying. I opened my eyes and met his gaze, searching for reassurance amidst the chaos of my thoughts. “But what if I’m not ready for this, Zane?” My voice trembled as I spoke, fear and vulnerability tumbling forth like a flood. “What if I can’t be the person that a baby needs?”Zane’s expression softened, compassion radiating from him. “Avery, none of us are ever fully ready for things like this. Life throws us challenges, and we just adapt. You’re strong; I've seen you face things that would break others. Plus, you wouldn’t be doing this alone.” I felt a spark of warmth at his words, but doubt still lingered. “And what about you? Are
Avery's POV As I gazed into Zane’s eyes, a warm afterglow surrounded us, melting away the remnants of our earlier conflict. But as that sense of connection enveloped me, I felt a sudden wave of nausea crash over me. A bead of cold sweat trickled down my back as I pulled away from Zane, the world around me beginning to spin.“Um, I—” I stammered, my voice faltering. “I think I need to sit down for a—”Before I could finish my sentence, the room tilted precariously, and I stumbled, clutching my stomach. Panic surged through me as I rushed to the side, barely making it to the bathroom just in time. I barely managed to turn on the light before the contents of my stomach surged forth, heaving violently as dry heaves followed. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, more from the shock than the physical discomfort.“Avery!” Zane called out, his voice echoing with alarm just outside the door. I could hear his footsteps rushing in my direction.The door swung open, and I looked up to see hi
Avery's POV“I understand more than you think,” I said, matching his intensity with my own. “But I refuse to let that weight crush my spirit—or my ability to fight for it.”“For once, can’t you just trust that I know what’s best?” he demanded, his voice thick with emotion. “Trust goes both ways, Zane,” I countered, my heart pounding in my chest. “If I can’t trust you to hear me out, if I can’t have a say in our direction, then I might as well be standing alone in this fight.”“Fine then!” Zane thundered, his frustration spilling over as he turned away from me, fuming under the pressure of our conversation. “If you want to defy me, I will take actions necessary to ensure you’re safe, even if it means locking you in here.”My breath hitched in my throat, anger flaring once again. “Are you really willing to go that far? To actually isolate me from everything and everyone?”“Maybe I need to!” he snapped, but his voice faltered as he saw my expression. “Avery, I don’t want to—but you leav
Avery's POV“I think you're being ridiculous now.” I told my mate crossly. I had had enough of being treated like a child. Did he forget he was my mate not my parent? Zane’s face darkened with determination, and I could see the internal struggle playing out in his eyes. “I’m not compromising your safety for the sake of freedom, Avery,” he said, voice low but laced with urgency. “The last thing I want is for something to happen to you because I wasn’t vigilant.”“Vigilant?” I echoed incredulously, feeling the heat rise in my chest. “This isn’t vigilance; it’s imprisonment! You can’t just decide to lock me away because you think it’s for my own good.”His expression hardened, frustration flickering just beneath the surface. “You think it’s easy for me to do this? You’re not seeing the whole picture! If that rogue is a genuine threat, I won’t allow you to put yourself in harm’s way.”“And what do you think you’re doing by ordering me around?” I countered, every word coated with convicti
Craig’s POV My heart dropped, and for a moment, I couldn’t speak. It was someone I thought I’d never see again—a relic of my past that threatened to unravel everything I’d fought to leave behind. “Its me.” I said. She stepped closer and gasped in disbelief. “I can't believe its you. Where have you been?” I stared at the girl in front of me. “I can't talk about it right now. Does anyone know you are here?” I prayed she was alone. She shook her head. “Nobody is with me, but I'm sure they will soon. They will know about your secret, before long they will. Believe me, Craig.” Delilah. She was an old friend from the pack. She had disappeared out of the blue and nobody had mentioned her since. I thought she was dead! “They are coming.” she whispered. A chill ran down my spine at her words. “What do you mean? Who’s coming?” I searched her face for answers, but all I found was a mixture of concern and urgency. “There are rogues within the pack borders. They haven't gone in on Alpha Zan
Craig’s POV “Craig, maybe we should call it a day and just go back home. To the pack?” my eyes snapped to Carolina’s in dismay. Had i heard her correctly? She wanted to return to the one place that I was running from. “You think I am stupid enough to go back to that place?” I shook my head as we walked together. My fathers shouts still echoed in my head. Carolina's expression hardened, the resolute fire in her gaze clashing with the anxiety gnawing at my insides. “I know, but we can’t stay here with Terrance lurking around. He knows how to get to us now. We need protection, and Alpha Zane can offer that.” Cady was silent, her eyes darting between us as she seemed to process everything. The weight of Terrance's revelation hung heavily over us, and I realized how unprepared we truly were for the storm looming ahead. “Protection?” I echoed, disbelief coloring my voice. “You really think Zane would provide that? He believes I’m dead, and he won’t take kindly to what’s essentiall