BLAISE I lay in bed, gazing at the ceiling throughout the night. The entire pack was quiet and dark. The absence of the moon denied our pack members the usual lunar transformation and basking under the moonlight. Yet, it wasn't the moonless night that kept me awake; it was the woman residing in one of the rooms in my mansion. She had found a way to infiltrate my thoughts, stubbornly clinging like a parasite, living rent-free within my mind and depriving me of sleep. I attempted to push her thoughts to the back of my mind, but somehow, she remained the sole occupant of my thoughts. She ignited a dangerous emotion within me that I did not like, yet I couldn't end it. I wanted to kill her as badly as I wanted to own her. I was faced with the arduous task of eliminating my mate, yet I couldn't muster the will to harm her. With a sigh, I shifted to lie on my side, reaching out to the empty space beside me where Aurora used to grace. I wanted to dwell on memories of Aurora, but Lila's th
WARNING: This chapter contains contents that may trigger some readers. AUTHOUR'S P.O.V. Blaise was seething with anger and was horny after Lila had refused him sex. He stormed into his study as soon as he left the room, utterly frustrated. How someone as small as Lila could provoke such intense frustration baffled him. How could he be losing control to a rogue, the bloodline of an enemy who had murdered his happiness and hope? He slumped into his chair, shutting his eyes in exasperation, hoping his body would calm down. Yet, the swell between his thighs refused to yield. His cock was stiff and demanded release, and he couldn't recall the last time he had resorted to eating his own flesh, but every fibre of his being craved that release. Grabbing his leather jacket and hat, he left the study and drove out of the pack house without informing anyone. Within minutes, he parked his car in front of a club, observing the bustling nightlife scene and people trooping in and out
BLAISE My eyes snapped open at the sound of a knock on my door. I blinked twice to clear the haze from my eyes. The knock came again, and the scent of Agatha filled my nostrils. With a sigh, I threw off the blanket and rose from the bed. My feet met the cold marble floor, and I nudged an empty vodka bottle aside, wiping my eyes with the back of my palm. Last night had been torturous, and I had drowned myself in alcohol to be able to find sleep. It was surprising that I only had a mild hangover after emptying a bottle of vodka the previous night. "Come in," I croaked, walking towards the closet for a shirt to wear. The door swung open, and Agatha entered, her arms folded across her chest. Her eyes scanned my dishevelled appearance, but I paid her no mind as I put on the shirt. "What happened to your body? Who did this?" she asked, concern clouding her face as she took a few steps closer. I quickly wore my shirt to conceal the whip marks Sasha had given me last night. I was not
LILA Another day to fight with Blaise had arrived, and I found myself at a loss for what to do. Meeting him today was unusually early, and I couldn't help but wonder about the reason behind it. I followed the guards quietly, assessing my own resolve. Blaise was like a god in terms of his looks; why did he have to be so attractive? When we reached his chamber, the guard knocked gently on the door and waited. "Come in," his voice boomed from inside. The guard gestured with his head for me to enter. I pushed the door open slowly and stepped inside. The sight that met my eyes almost made me cry out. Cassie sat in a chair with sealed lips, tears streaming down her face, while Blaise circled her with a shimmering sword. I took a cautious step forward, but he swiftly aimed the sword at me, halting my steps. "Please," the word escaped my lips before I knew it. "I should make you feel as much heartache as you have caused me," he murmured, weighing the sword. "Your brother attempted to
LILA Breathing deeply, I sank back onto the bed. Draped in a single, thin piece of cloth wrapped around my body, completely naked underneath, my skin tingled with vulnerability. Each footstep beyond the door sent my heart plummeting further into my stomach. As I glanced at the clock, I realised that the night was still young—too young for the ordeal that awaited me. Blaise is a bastard, and I hated him with everything in me, even though he was physically attractive. "Gosh," I whispered, rising and covering my face with my hands. "I am so messed up right now and am not supposed to think like this." I gripped the dressing table for support as my legs wobbled at the thought of losing my virginity to Blaise in such a way. Nausea bubbled up my throat, leaving a bitter taste in my mouth. Footsteps approached again, tightening the knot in my chest, and I opened my mouth to gasp for air since my nostrils were not letting in enough air. Relief washed over me when I recognised the
BLAISE I stormed into my study, shrouded in a robe that one of my men had provided, my anger blazing like wildfire. Leo and the other warriors trailed silently behind me and stood with their hands clutched behind their backs. It was unthinkable that my pack had been attacked tonight. Who had the audacity to penetrate my pack and launch an assault? My frustration was not only directed to the intruders, but it extended to the warriors for letting their guard down and allowing the security system to be breached. My only consolation was that we had pursued the rogues to the borders, chasing them until they disappeared into the distance. But we managed to capture one of them, who would soon reveal the identity of their leader. Frustration coursed through me, and I repeatedly pounded my fist on the table, cursing. The men in the room trembled under the weight of my anger, as I paced back and forth in front of my desk, my thoughts racing. "How was the security system compromised
LILA Blaise fought with inner demons that remained elusive to my understanding. One moment, he was calm and collected like a placid lake, the next, he erupts into a raging river. For two long years, I had carried the relentless desire for death, but a glimmer of hope had pierced through my darkness when Erick told me that my brother had uncovered a secret about the late Luna that led to her false accusations against him. It was this tiny shard of hope that kindled a determination in me. My brother Markus had committed the grave mistake of killing the Luna and her pup. I wasn't avenging his death, but I wanted to cleanse my family's name from the mud of accusations. My mission was to prove that Markus was not a rapist, and for that, I had decided to live. I had decided to do whatever Blaise wanted, but my will to live was not only for myself but also fuelled by Cassie's plight. Cassie had been thrown back into prison because they found out she was the daughter of the former rogue l
LILA I couldn't believe it. Of all people, I was destined to be mated to Blaise—a man I was forbidden to even associate with. How was this even possible? It all made sense to me now. The connection I feel towards him. How did the moon goddess even orchestrate such cruel irony? Out of all the women in Crescent Hill Pack, why did it have to be me? He was the very reason I was orphaned, the root cause of my grief. This mating was an abomination that couldn't be allowed to happen. I was sure he didn't want me either. A shiver crawled up my spine as thunder rumbled in the distance, and lightning flashed across the sky. I gazed up at the darkening clouds, knowing I couldn't stay here when the rain came. I easily caught a cold when drenched in rain, and it was always a terrible ordeal. My skin tensed as I felt the first few drops of drizzle tap against my forehead. I squirmed against the tree, but Blaise had tied me securely to it. As the drizzle continued, I searched for him in panic.
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