I tried my best to keep my emotions in check, standing beside Elijah. I could see the discomfort in his eyes, though he was trying to mask it. I wanted to do something, anything, to ease the tension that hung between him and Dalton, but it seemed like I was in way over my head."If you want, I can clear up the misunderstanding with King Dalton," I offered, my voice quiet but sincere. "It was I who kept you busy with my silly stuff." I wasn’t sure why I was offering, but the air between Elijah and Dalton was thick with discomfort, and it made me feel like I had to do something.Elijah shook his head, a soft but firm smile playing on his lips. "There’s no need for that, really. It’s okay. I know Cal thinks well of me, and he has the right to be angry with me."I hesitated, unsure if I should push further. "Are you sure?""Yeah, you're getting too worked up," he reassured me, his tone light. But there was a sadness in his eyes that I couldn't ignore. I wanted to help him, but all I could
I stood there, frozen, my mind racing as I watched Dalton turn and start walking toward the car. For a brief moment, I was unsure of what was happening. “Huh?” I muttered under my breath, my confusion lingering in the air between us. But Dalton didn’t wait for me to catch up. Without so much as a glance back, he slid into the driver’s seat of the car that the driver had already brought out, as though expecting me to follow. I hesitated for a moment, trying to process everything that had just occurred. My thoughts were a blur, but something inside me urged me to move. I quickly descended the small flight of stairs, my heart pounding as I jogged to catch up with him. My feet felt unsteady, and I couldn’t help but notice the sleek, expensive cars parked in Dalton’s garage, each one shining under the dim light like a piece of art I had never once dreamed of owning. I arrived at the car, and Dalton didn’t even glance at me as he opened the door and slid into the driver’s seat. The silenc
I forced a smile as I tried to ignore the discomfort that gnawed at me while Dalton stood near the counter, absorbed in his own world. The awkwardness between us was palpable. The girls at the shop were still staring at him, their gazes full of admiration as though he were some untouchable prize, and it made me feel like an outsider. I couldn’t help but wonder if they saw me as nothing more than someone beneath him.“Please, if you need anything else, you can give me a call, and I will personally deliver whatever you want,” the shop owner said, her smile too sweet, too flirtatious.Dalton didn’t even spare her a glance. He was already walking away, as if he had no time for anyone but himself. He climbed into the car without a word, and I followed, hesitantly placing the gift-wrapped box onto my lap. This time, I didn’t want to risk another rough drive, so I decided to put my seatbelt on first. But as I fumbled with it, trying to lock it in place, it got stuck. Frustration bubbled up i
I’ve always loved the wilderness. There’s something about the solitude, the way the trees seem to whisper and the scent of fresh air that wraps around you like a comforting blanket. For years, I’d taken long walks, often choosing the longest route from school to the packhouse just to escape, to breathe, to be alone. It wasn’t just about the peace of nature—it was my way of avoiding Sid and his friends. Alone, I could hear my thoughts without the constant interruption of their voices.But walking with Dalton was different. As I trudged along beside him, something heavy settled in my chest. It was like he had this massive, invisible wall around him, and I was stuck on the other side. His presence was so imposing, so… distant, and I couldn’t shake the feeling of being more isolated than ever. My legs were already starting to ache. I had run a lot earlier that morning, and Dalton hadn’t given me a chance to rest before dragging me out into the woods. My muscles burned with exhaustion, bu
I’ve always loved the wilderness. There’s something about the solitude, the way the trees seem to whisper and the scent of fresh air that wraps around you like a comforting blanket. For years, I’d taken long walks, often choosing the longest route from school to the packhouse just to escape, to breathe, to be alone. It wasn’t just about the peace of nature—it was my way of avoiding Sid and his friends. Alone, I could hear my thoughts without the constant interruption of their voices.But walking with Dalton was different. As I trudged along beside him, something heavy settled in my chest. It was like he had this massive, invisible wall around him, and I was stuck on the other side. His presence was so imposing, so… distant, and I couldn’t shake the feeling of being more isolated than ever. My legs were already starting to ache. I had run a lot earlier that morning, and Dalton hadn’t given me a chance to rest before dragging me out into the woods. My muscles burned with exhaustion, bu
I'd always admired Elijah's easygoing nature. He was so different from Dalton in so many ways. Where Dalton embodied power and intensity—his muscular build and rugged, intimidating persona—Elijah was softer, almost disarming. He reminded me of the boy next door, someone you could trust without thinking twice. Elijah wasn’t imposing in the slightest, but there was something in the way he spoke to me, made me laugh, and went out of his way to make me feel at ease that made me want to be around him more. As we sat there, talking, a constant ache gnawed at my chest. I had come here to learn about myself—to understand my wolf, how to shift, how to control the power that still seemed so foreign to me. It was the most important thing now. Everything else had to come second. But despite the determination in my mind, there was something about Elijah’s presence that made everything feel a little less heavy. His easy charm, the way he smiled at me—it was enough to make my heart swell in ways I
I couldn't help but giggle as Harry slipped his warm hand into mine, guiding me toward the entrance of the bar. The excitement bubbling inside me was hard to suppress. I had never been to a bar before, and though I wasn’t sure why Harry had brought me here, the energy of the place immediately intrigued me. People were chatting and laughing, the bass-heavy music reverberating through the walls, and I felt myself loosen up, just a little.As we approached the door, two large men stood guard—clearly the bouncers of the establishment. Harry leaned in, his voice barely a whisper as he mouthed, "Bouncers," and then pulled a mask from his jacket, handing it to me. I raised an eyebrow, unsure of the sudden necessity."I don't have one," I said, but Harry only grinned and slipped the pink mask into my hands."I've got you covered."I hesitated for a moment, but then smiled and put the mask on, stepping into the bar beside him. The moment I entered, I was struck by the electric atmosphere—the f
My heart was hammering in my chest as I returned to the corner where I had been standing earlier. I tried to shake off the disorienting thoughts of Dalton and Cynthia, but the image of them kissing was burned into my mind. I could still see it vividly, feel the jealousy and confusion twisting inside me. "Hey, where did you disappear to?" Harry’s voice was full of concern, pulling me out of my head. "I even tried calling you, but you didn’t pick up."I avoided his gaze, not wanting to think about the scene I had just witnessed. "I... I thought I saw someone I knew," I mumbled, offering him only half of the truth.Harry's eyes narrowed, and a flicker of curiosity crossed his features. "You did? Who was it? Where are they?"I shook my head, brushing it off. "It wasn’t who I thought it was. Let’s just forget about it."He gave me a scrutinizing look, but eventually shrugged it off. "Well, as long as you're okay. I don't mind."His gaze dropped to the untouched glass in my hand. "You've b
The warmth of his lips vanished too soon, leaving my skin cold and aching in their absence. My heart hammered against my ribs, protesting the sudden loss. One second, I was lost in the heat of Dalton’s touch, melting under the pressure of his mouth. The next, he pulled away, his focus shifting elsewhere.I should have been used to his unpredictability by now. But stopping—in the middle of this—was a new level of frustrating.I had barely caught my breath when his hands seized my waist, lifting me effortlessly. A startled gasp left my lips as he pulled me up, settling me onto his lap with ease. My bare skin pressed against him, but he didn’t resume kissing me. He didn’t even move.I tried twisting to see what had caught his attention, but his palm came down lightly on my thigh—a silent order to stay put.A shiver ran down my spine. Obediently, I propped myself up on my elbows, my chest pressing against the damp ground, waiting.His thumb ghosted over the sensitive skin of my mark, send
For a split second, my heart stopped.Did he just say that?I felt my stomach twist, heat creeping up my neck. He knew.Of course, he did. He could smell it. My arousal.I had forgotten that was even a thing.But shouldn’t the water have masked it? Shouldn’t it have dulled the intensity?Panic clawed at my chest, urging me to run, to disappear into the shadows before I embarrassed myself even further. First, I had foolishly admitted my crush, and now my body was betraying me in the worst way.I swallowed hard, trying to ignore the way my thighs pressed together beneath the water. My dress clung to me, torn and ragged, the delicate sleeves hanging uselessly at my sides.I must look desperate. Hungry.Weak.I turned, intending to take a step back, to put some distance between us, but Dalton moved too fast.I froze.His presence was a force, surrounding me, owning the space between us. I dropped my gaze, unable to meet his piercing stare.“Zee.” His voice was softer than I expected, but
“I… I felt something,” I whispered, gripping Dalton’s wrist without realizing it. He let me, his body steady and unmoving as I nearly stumbled into his chest.His lips curved slightly. “That’s good. Close your eyes and try again. Focus on that feeling—let it guide you.”Encouraged by his words, I nodded and squeezed my eyes shut. My breath was slow and measured as I searched for that pull—the strange tug deep in my stomach, like an invisible thread connecting me to something unknown.But nothing happened.The sensation had vanished, leaving behind an empty void.Panic surged through me. My eyes flew open, desperation lacing my voice. “It’s gone. I can’t feel anything—I can’t—”A firm finger pressed against my lips, cutting off my anxious rambling.“Shh.” Dalton’s voice was calm, his touch light but commanding.A shudder ran down my spine. It wasn’t just his words; it was the way he looked at me, unwavering and composed, as if he truly believed I could do this.“It will come to you,” h
The ride to the lake felt agonizingly slow, stretched thin by the heavy silence between us. The small space of the car seemed to shrink, making it impossible to escape the tension that had taken root in the air.Dalton was focused on the road, his hands gripping the steering wheel so tightly that his knuckles turned pale. His sharp jaw was clenched, the veins in his throat subtly protruding as if he were restraining something—anger, frustration, or something else entirely.I fidgeted with my fingers, my mind still replaying my foolish confession from earlier. I had blurted out my fascination with him so thoughtlessly, without a drop of alcohol to blame for my lack of restraint. What had I been thinking?If he was merely toying with me, leading me to a dead end where my feelings would be left shattered and bleeding, I had nowhere else to turn.Would he do that?The question burned in my chest, but I forced myself to look away, my gaze drifting outside the car window. The night was deep
I had spent too long suppressing my emotions, tangled in my own confusion. But tonight, there was no running from the truth. No more pretending.The ache that had settled deep in my chest, gnawing at my very soul every time he wasn’t around, had become unbearable. I had tried to ignore it, push it aside, convince myself it was nothing. But the moment Dalton was near, my resolve shattered like fragile glass. The pull toward him was undeniable. My body craved his touch, my lips yearned for his kiss.And tonight, I would awaken my wolf. I could feel it in my bones, humming beneath my skin, restless and impatient.There was no one else I wanted by my side but him.Dalton had been my guide, my tormentor, my salvation—training me relentlessly, pushing me past my limits, never letting me give up even when I wanted to. He had never treated me as weak, never doubted my potential. And tonight, I wanted to thank him. In the most intimate way possible.I wanted his eyes on me, only me. Those gold
Oliver was going to be the death of me.Every time I tried to distance myself, something inside me rebelled. It wasn’t just my body—my heart ached for her in a way I couldn’t control.She was too pure, too naive, and too damn brave for her own good. The day I brought her home, I had only intended to make amends for my past sins, not entangle her in the darkness that surrounded me.But she stayed. Even when I was cold, even when I tried to shove her away, she never left. And I hated how much that relieved me.I could feel the weight of her gaze now, studying me, waiting—always waiting for something more. I should have ignored it. Should have walked away. Instead, words slipped past my lips before I could stop them.Oliver frowned. "What did you just say?"Damn it."Nothing," I exhaled sharply, dragging a hand through my hair.She took a step forward, unrelenting. "No, you said something. Tell me."I should lie. I should say anything to make her drop it. But the way she was looking at m
A few minutes ago, I had been happy. Genuinely happy.Today was supposed to be one of the most important days of my life. The day everything changed.For over a month, I had trained relentlessly. I had followed every order Dalton had given me, endured every grueling challenge, and pushed my body beyond its limits. All of it was for this night—the night of the full moon, the night my wolf would awaken.For the first time in my life, I had dared to dream.I had even dressed up for the occasion.Sure, I had worn elegant gowns before—at the ball, at that party with Harry—but this was different. This wasn’t about impressing others. This was about me. About reclaiming my worth.I had imagined walking among the alphas with my head held high. No longer an outcast, no longer a weakling—just a strong, capable woman worthy of respect.But reality had a cruel way of reminding me who I was.I hadn’t even planned to attend this meeting. My only intention was to pray—to offer a silent plea to the Mo
The grand doors creaked open, and the room fell into an eerie silence. Every conversation, every whispered discussion about rogue attacks and war strategies came to an abrupt halt. And it was because of her.Oliver stepped inside with slow, deliberate steps, her head held high even as her hands clenched at her sides. The confidence she tried to portray didn’t fully mask the nervous energy radiating from her, but that didn’t matter—not when she looked like that.My breath stalled in my throat as my gaze traced her figure from head to toe.The dark blue gown she wore clung to her body like a second skin, accentuating every curve in a way that had my jaw tightening. A slit ran up one side, stopping just high enough to tempt, to make my fingers twitch with the desire to reach out and feel the warmth of her skin beneath my touch.I had seen Oliver in all sorts of clothing—loose dresses, gym wear, simple pajamas. The only time she had worn something even remotely revealing was that night by
Dread settled in my bones, growing heavier with every breath. The thought of finally meeting my wolf—of standing before all those powerful Alphas—sent a wave of anxiety crashing through me.What if my wolf never awakened?What if I stood there, waiting, only to be met with silence?I wouldn’t be able to show my face after that. It would be the ultimate humiliation. The whispers would start, the judgmental stares would follow, and the realization that I was nothing—just a girl without a wolf—would suffocate me.I would rather lock myself in my room forever than endure that shame.Drusilla sat across from me, watching me with an unreadable expression. I could tell she was hesitating, weighing her words before speaking. That only made me more nervous.Finally, she sighed. “I just hope your wolf awakens soon.”My heart clenched at her words.“I do too,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. “But that’s not all you wanted to say, is it? You’re hiding something.”Drusilla pressed her