BLAISE I pulled Lila into the room, inadvertently pushing her with more force than intended, causing her to nearly lose her balance. With a swift motion, I closed the door behind us and turned to face her. "What now?" she challenged, lifting her chin defiantly. Though fear flickered in her eyes, I knew Lila was never one to shy away from confrontation. "Are you planning to hit me as well? You were the one who proposed an open marriage, Bla—" "He's my fucking brother, Lila," I interjected, frustration evident in my voice. How could she even bring that up now? "Do you understand how that looks? You get jealous at the slightest hint of another woman glancing my way, yet you expect me to remain composed when I catch you kissing my own flesh and blood? What if it had been someone else who stumbled upon you? Is that why you abruptly left the party? Tell me." "You're free to think whatever you want," she retorted sharply, making a move to depart. I had never in
BLAISE "What in the world is happening!" I exclaimed, frustration lacing my words as the call abruptly ended. Lila's violent bout of vomiting blood had subsided, but her complexion had turned ghostly pale. It was clear that without immediate intervention, she wouldn't make it. It almost felt as though some unseen force was conspiring against her survival. Richard, who had been absent from the festival due to an emergency surgery, had initially seemed like our saving grace when I reached him, and he said he was just finishing from surgery. However, his journey to the pack house was marred by a sudden tire blowout, delaying his arrival. As I scanned my surroundings, I realized that all my own tires were mysteriously flat, except for one vehicle that happened to be out of fuel. Something was terribly amiss. Without hesitation, I instructed Richard to return to the clinic. Cradling Lila in my arms, I sprinted all the way towards the pack clinic, but Richard was nowhere to be
BLAISE Ace and I tumbled across the grass until we finally halted, pressed against the rugged base of a massive rock. Naturally, I knew that in a fair fight, I could easily overpower Ace I could beat him to a stupor. After all, he was merely human, while I was a werewolf—stronger and larger. However, I believed I deserved this punishment, so I allowed him to land his punches. I suppressed the urge of Jasper, my inner wolf, to defend me as Ace's fists rained down on me, causing blood to flow from my nostrils and mouth. His fury had blinded him to reason. I didn't care about the pain. At this point, death seemed like a preferable option, for I no longer felt any worth in my continued existence. It almost felt comforting that there was no one around to rescue me from Ace's wrath. "I knew you never truly loved her," Ace shouted in anger, his accusation sharp and bitter. I managed a grim smile despite the blows. "My dear brother, I'm proud to see how you've grown in str
Dear Readers,I am thrilled to announce the completion of the rewritten version of my book. The journey has been exhilarating, and I am equally excited for you to dive into this new story. My greatest hope is that you find as much joy in reading it as I did in writing it. Please, remember this book is participating in a contest and I am counting on you guys to emerge as a winner. If you enjoy this book please don't forget to vote and comment. Thank you.Wishing you all a Merry Christmas in advance and a Prosperous New Year!
LILA A dull ache tugged in my throat, gradually stirring me from my slumber. I groaned as my eyes flickered open, I found myself momentarily disoriented, unable to discern where I was. The room was bathed in soft, diffused light and was tranquil. "Luna? Are you awake?" I blinked twice, attempting to clear the fog from my mind. That was Leo's voice. Why was I in the same room as Leo? I turned my head towards him, my face contorted in pain. Ace also appeared in my line of vision. Both of them stared at me as if I had just emerged from another realm. "What happened?" I asked. My voice wavered as I attempted to sit up. Ace lent me a hand, arranging the pillows behind me for support. My eyes darted around the sterile hospital room, and I wondered why I was in a hospital room with Ace and Leo. Where was Blaise? "What's going on? Where is Blaise?" I inquired. "You're truly alive," Leo exhaled, his voice tinged with unmistakable relief and gratitude. "
BLAISE "So, what are you going to do?" Ace inquired, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon as if seeking answers from it. We sat on the balcony, cradling mugs of freshly brewed coffee. Leo had left the hospital to meet with some business partners arriving today. Lila remained in her hospital room surrounded by a protective circle of friends from the vineyard, seemingly unwilling to leave her side out of fear she might be harmed again. Tired of the noisy atmosphere, I had snuck out to find some solitude and had instead found Ace, who graciously offered me coffee. "I intend to send you back to Italy, exile you, just like Father did," I replied. Ace turned to face me, his expression serious. "When you put it that way, it sounds like the truth. Are you deceiving yourself, Blaise? Have years of self-deception made you believe it's the truth?" I turned to face him squarely. "Do you really want to discuss that now?" "Yes," Ace asserted firmly. "I also want to make i
LILA The room became steeped in an uneasy silence as I regarded Leo, my gaze heavy with a mix of apprehension and curiosity. His countenance was grave, and he avoided meeting my eyes, as if eye contact might crumble the walls he had built around his words. With a sigh, I shifted my eyes away from him. "Go ahead," I urged, my voice like a sharp knife in the stillness. Leo's head hung low as he began, his voice tinged with remorse. "I've been wrong about you. For years, I've misjudged you and I deeply regret it. I've said things to you I wish I could chew back and swallow forever. Seeing you in that state last night awakened something within me." His eyes finally found mine, holding a sea of unspoken apologies. "I've come to realise that you are a genuinely good and kind person. Look at the turmoil you caused among the pack members when you fell ill from that poison. Such concern and well-wishes can only be reserved for someone of inherent goodness. What I want to convey is
LILA I stirred and slowly opened my eyes. The first sight that greeted me was Blaise, his figure emerging from the closet, his muscles subtly defined beneath the snug fit of workout shorts and a t-shirt. Sunlight streamed in through the window, outlining his frame in a soft glow that seemed to pulse with the rhythm of his strides. "Oh, great, you're awake," Blaise chirped, striding up to the bed and taking a seat by the edge, the mattress dipping slightly under his weight. It had been five days since I was discharged from the hospital, and I felt vibrant and ready for anything. However, Blaise wouldn't allow me to leave the bed, let alone the room. He treated me like royalty, but it felt like I was helpless. He brought me breakfast in bed, helped me into the shower, although he left the room while I showered, and even selected my daily attire. The only time he permitted me to venture outside was for our evening garden walks. Despite my protests of feeling fine and strong, I cher
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