LILA "Alpha Blaise Calloway, you are under arrest for the sale of poisonous wine, which resulted in five deaths nationwide and harmed seven others who are currently receiving treatment." I stood there, utterly stunned. What on earth was happening? Five lives lost and seven more hanging in the balance? Blaise appeared just as shocked as I was, his usually impassive face etched with disbelief. However, the police officers refrained from handcuffing him. Tim instinctively moved forward, but Blaise gestured for him to stay put. "You can't take him," The words tumbled out of my mouth before I could stop them. My initial plan to humiliate Blaise had taken a backseat to the shock of the situation. My heart grew heavy, and I couldn't bear to watch Blaise being led into that police van. “You don’t have any evidence!” The cop handed me a printout. "This is a doctor's report, clearly stating that the cause of death was poisonous wine." "Still, you cannot take him," panic crept into my voi
LILA The courtroom was heavy with anticipation as the judge's words echoed through the air. "... based on the evidence and the law, I find the defendant, Callo Wines, not guilty of the charges levelled against them..." A wave of relief washed over me, mirrored in the expressions of everyone around me. As the judge delivered his verdict, it felt as though a tremendous weight had been lifted. The judge, his tone imbued with a sense of dignity, continued, "While this verdict lifts the legal burden from the winery, it is my hope that ongoing investigations will uncover the saboteurs to ensure that such an unfortunate incident is not repeated. This court is adjourned." Nate, Sasha and I exchanged triumphant glances as we were instructed to stand. Sasha had simplified everything for us by providing other witnesses from other countries who stood in for us in court. We kept their identities secret until the court appearance to protect them from potential harm and
AUTHOR'S P.O.V. Agatha made her way toward the quarters where the warriors convened, a woven basket concealed behind her flowing gown. Her keen eyes darted from one gathering of warriors to the next, with a determined search for Erick. Puzzlement etched her features as she silently questioned why he had not visited her chamber this morning. Her thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the sight of Erick. He was a striking figure in a crisply ironed grey button-down shirt paired with immaculate black trousers—a stark contrast to his usual casual attire of a sleeveless black vest and rugged jeans. He halted when he saw her. This unexpected change in his appearance only deepened Agatha's curiosity and she frowned. "Are you going somewhere?" Agatha inquired, her tone betraying both curiosity and concern. Erick, ever the mysterious warrior, retorted with a question of his own, his gaze unwavering as it locked onto Agatha. "What are you doing here?" Agatha's features con
LILA The coming Full Moon Festival had the entire werewolf community buzzing with anticipation and excitement. The full moon festival was the biggest werewolf celebration and people always got new things, just like humans at Christmas time. Blaise, always one to indulge in opulence, had already informed me that I would be going to shop for some new dresses for the festivities. I couldn't help but ponder why I needed new dresses when there were perfectly good ones in my closet, unworn. But then, a man like Blaise would like any means to show off his wealth. In the warmth of the kitchen, I shared a coffee with Cassie, absorbing her tales about Agatha. Despite Agatha's apparent distaste for Cassie, she still desired her presence at night. The lingering shadows of the harassment incident from two weeks prior seemed to haunt Agatha still. Cassie confessed that Agatha's bed was a far cry from the cold floor and stiff mattress she was used to. The matter of bedding was now on my list
LILA The drive to the clothing store was unusually silent. Blaise totally ignored me, gazing out of the window, his brows slightly furrowed. I wasn't blind or oblivious to the fact that a lot had been transpiring within our pack recently, and it weighed heavily on him. The recent ordeal involving his winery had taken a toll on him and discovering that someone from his inner circle was betraying him only added to the devastation. On top of that, he faced threats from unknown adversaries. I pondered over the possible culprits, but all the men within the pack had shown unwavering loyalty. Accusing anyone seemed impossible. If one observed closely, they could see the hollows beneath his eyes, evidence of sleepless nights, and the roughness of his stubble. He was worrying too much, and I questioned whether my decision to give him a hard time was the right one. I pitied him and wanted to help in any way I could, but Blaise was not even letting me in. My heart ached to comfort h
LILA Blaise hurriedly caught up with me, blocking my path and holding my ruined heels in his hand. "What was the stunt you just pulled back there?" he inquired. I couldn't help but roll my eyes. "One of your many mistresses decided to disrespect me, and you're here questioning my actions?" Tim emerged from the mall, carefully passing around us with silent grace, choosing to steer clear of his master's personal drama. He made his way to the car and waited, wise enough not to meddle in his master's affairs. "So much for the so-called mutual respect," I continued. "If you want me to respect you in public, the least you could do is not allow other women to demean me in your presence." Blaise sighed, trying to defend his stance. "I was addressing her when you chose to take matters into your own hands." "Which is the best way! She should know her place," I fired back. To my astonishment, a broad grin spread across Blaise's face. I eyed him suspiciously, confused by
BLAISE It was getting extremely difficult to restrain what I feel for Lila anymore. She was a woman with purpose and her stubborn annoying nature only added to her allure. She was the kind that makes something out of what little you give her, and those qualities had drawn me to her the most. She was also mysterious, like a ball of onion that you could peel layer by layer. With any other person, I would have known if she wanted my downfall or if she was with me, but with Lila, it felt difficult. That same way I felt when I first met her. For several days, I had resorted to giving her the cold shoulder treatment, fearing that my burgeoning emotions and the mysterious mate bond would cloud my judgment. Jasper continually assured me that she is my true mate, and would never wish harm upon us, yet I harboured doubts. Being merely human, Lila might not experience the mate bond as intensely as I did and would not hold back the way I did. I could only make her fall for me if I hoped
Dear Gentle readers, I want to thank you all, first, for your support and dedication. It is with a heavy heart that I write this. I have been sick for a while now, hence the slow updates. I will be going for surgery at the end of this month and will take a month's break from the first of August to recover fully. I will not do a daily update, but I will try as much as I can to complete my other book. I hope you understand and bear with me, please. Thank you for your understanding and I hope you keep enjoying my stories.
BLAISE I burst into the dimly lit room where Richard was tied up around a chair. I had not physically tormented him, but he looked exhausted. I couldn't help but wonder if it was the weight of guilt that had drained him so. It was incomprehensible that Richard, of all people, would become entangled in the web of those seeking to bring about my downfall. But I heeded Lila's counsel and resolved to approach this encounter with the grace of composure and hear him out. I gestured for a chair and signalled the guards to leave us alone. "Keep vigilant watch over Mrs. Pierce and her son," I instructed them, to which they replied in unified affirmation. My focus returned to Richard, who had steadfastly avoided meeting my gaze. Delicately, I retrieved my penknife, its blade shimmering menacingly as I flicked it open. "Listen closely, Richard. I'm giving you a final opportunity for redemption. Should you withhold what I seek, I shall not hesitate to strip your very skin from your
AUTHOR'S P.O.V. Dr Richard concealed himself beneath the inky depths of a black hoodie and robe, his movements quick as he vacated the hotel room. He stood still at the garage, his ears straining for even the faintest of sounds, but all remained eerily silent. His eyes darted thoroughly surveying his surroundings, but no discernible presence lurked nearby. Satisfied, he slipped into his car, ignited the engine, and eased out of the hotel's garage. Meanwhile, within a dimly lit room, two men hunched before their computer screens, their eyes tracking Dr. Richard's car as it exited from the garage. One of them, with a finger pressed to an earpiece, relayed a terse message. "He is on the move." Dr Richard accelerated, his foot heavy on the gas pedal, as the monotonous road stretched endlessly before him, bereft of other vehicles. The moon had chosen to withhold its luminous presence that night, yet his headlights carved a luminous path through the obscurity. An ho
BLAISE In a frenzy, I scoured my office, turning over papers and rifling through drawers in a desperate search for my signet ring. Its absence was a growing concern – the documents I had just approved were sitting on my desk, demanding the ring's unique imprint. The deadline was near; they needed to be submitted by tomorrow morning. Finding nothing, I ventured into our bedroom, combing through every corner with equal fervour. Yet, the ring remained elusive. I stood, defeated, in the middle of the room, eyes closed, straining my memory for the last time I had used it. But my thoughts were a tangled mess, muddled by the whirlwind of recent events. Lila's sudden interest in Aurora's family had left me puzzled. I had secretly set a trap for Drax, a plan I had shared with no one, not even Lila. The recent revelation about Hart potentially being the elusive 'Ghost'. further fuelled my frustration. Why would he target me? I bore no responsibility for his sister's tragic death, and
AUTHOR'S P.OV. In the stillness of the night, Amanda's sleep was abruptly interrupted by the insistent buzzing of her phone. Groggily lifting her head, she glanced at the glowing screen with an annoyed sigh, deciding to ignore the call and nestling back into her pillow. "I would answer if I were you," a deep, male voice resonated through the room. At first, the intrusion didn't fully register in Amanda's sleep-fogged brain, her drowsy state clouded her comprehension. She groaned, turning over to bury her face in her pillow, her desire for rest overpowering her curiosity. Then, the startling reality hit her like a cold wave: she was supposed to be alone. Her eyes flew open, her brow furrowing in confusion and fear. A man had spoken to her within the sanctuary of her bedroom. Panic surged through her, and she abruptly sat up in bed, reaching for the bedside lamp. In its soft glow, a figure materialized, concealed within dark robes and a hood that veiled their ident
LILA Blaise stormed into our room. "You keep giving me reasons not to trust you!" he barked, his voice echoing with a mixture of anger and betrayal. I followed Blaise into the room. We had just returned from the hospital where Tim was admitted. He was unconscious and in a bad shape, but he was still alive, which was a glimmer hope for me. "I'm sorry, Blaise, but—" "But what?" He spun around, his gaze piercing into mine. The muscles in his jaw twitched in barely contained frustration. "You made me promise to tell you everything going on, but you went ahead to do this on your own." His fingers raked through his hair, a gesture of sheer exasperation. He turned away momentarily, as if gathering his thoughts, then faced me again. His voice softened, tinged with worry, yet the undercurrent of irritation was unmistakable. "Lila, what if you were in that car? What if this tragedy had struck while you were returning from the Autumn Pack?" "I'm sorry." My words were a
AUTHOR'S P.O.V. Tim, dressed in the shadows with his all-black attire, stealthily navigated through the dense underbrush, determined not to alert the ever-watchful Mrs. Green. Fortunately, the moon had chosen to hide its luminous face that night, shrouding him in obscurity. His silent footsteps led him closer to the backyard of the house, which lay veiled in profound darkness, with only a faint glimmer from a lantern casting feeble light into the hallway. With deft carefulness, Tim picked the lock of the kitchen door, and within moments, the door yielded to his skilled touch. As he entered, he closed the door with painstaking care, but it let out a faint, protesting creak. A sudden crack from within the house prompted him to hide himself, holding his breath. Moments later, Mrs. Green emerged, gripping a shotgun, and sweeping it vigilantly from one corner of the house to the next. Tim knew that her senses were keen, and she could recognise his scent in an instant. Drawing
LILA As Tim drove me home in the dimming twilight, my mind swirled with thoughts of my earlier discussion with Mrs. Green. She had been evasive with her words, and it was evident that she possessed knowledge she wasn't willing to divulge. The only way I saw forward was using illegal means to obtain information, so, I contemplated enlisting Tim's help to infiltrate her abode, scouring for hidden secrets, while I confronted Dr. Richard regarding his involvement with Hart, who was from a pack two hours away from his own. "Tim," I began, my voice firm yet tinged with apprehension, "I need you to visit Mrs. Green's apartment tomorrow, discreetly, when she's absent. Search diligently for any trace of evidence—photographs, letters, tapes, whatever you can find." "Roger that, Luna," Tim acknowledged with determination, stepping down on the accelerator. Upon reaching home, I was greeted by Blaise, who was on the porch, waiting. His slung arm and sombre countenance hinted at
LILA The following day found me once more standing before Mrs. Green's doorstep, this time alone and imploring. Tim, my bodyguard, was not with me today. I thought that perhaps presenting myself alone would engender a greater sense of comfort and empathy from the woman. "Hello, Mrs. Green," I greeted, infusing my voice with a touch of desperation and plea. "Could you spare a moment to listen to me?" As she remained silent and motionless, I decided to appeal to her conscience. "Mrs Green, please understand that I'm a mother, and I've been separated from my two-year-old since yesterday. If you could kindly grant me access to complete my job and return to my waiting child, I would be immensely grateful. I cannot leave until the task is done—." Before I could complete my plea, the door swung open abruptly, revealing Mrs. Green's stern countenance. I met her gaze, silently pleading for entry. She scanned her surroundings before stepping aside, permitting me to enter. Initially
LILA Blaise had received strict instructions from Dr. Richard to rest until he fully recovered. However, I knew Blaise all too well to believe he would heed that advice. He was keen on dealing with his enemies and so was I to unmask them. Following a thorough sweep of the entire packhouse, we discovered concealed listening devices in both Blaise's study and the room he had allocated to me. Leo proposed that these bugs might have been the tools intruders employed to siphon information from the pack. Yet, I harboured doubts. I sensed that the truth lay beneath the surface, and I prayed that my solitary quest to unmask the mysterious 'Ghost' wouldn't lead me astray. My only wish was that my plan would unfold seamlessly. With unwavering determination, I informed Blaise that I intended to visit Randolph and Teresa at the vineyard. In truth, I had a different destination in mind. My true objective was the Water Side neighbouring pack, where I aimed to meet with a woman known to Teres