/-Lucas-/She was heartbroken. In the last ten minutes, I had been leaning again the door frame, watching her stare absentmindedly at her daughter. After the blood transfusion, I assumed Amelia would be fine or show some signs of improvement at least. But she only became worse. I didn't know if the drugs were helping or not. The doctor said they will make her feel better, but weakness, lack of appetite and bloody vomit didn't exactly count as recovery.I pushed myself off the door frame, deciding that she'd been sulking long enough. She needed comfort and I was here to offer that. “Hazel,” I placed a hand on her shoulder and she flinched. I was right. She was lost in thoughts. “Lucas,” she dried her eyes quickly, pushing forward a smile that failed to reach her eyes. “I didn't hear you come in.”“I know. I have been watching you for the last ten minutes,” I shrugged. “What are you thinking about?”The answer was obvious but I wanted her to talk to me. I needed to understand her t
/-Drake-/I walked into the building with a sullen mood. As usual, I found myself glancing at her desk, hoping for the sake of my sanity that she came in today but reality slapped me in the face. Her desk was empty. She didn't come in. With my mood ruined, I sank into my chair, trying to distract myself with the office files but I found my mind drifting to her once again.Her gorgeous smile haunted me. Even as I stared at the documents, I could see nothing. All I could think about was her and how she clouded my senses effortlessly. I understood why Noah couldn't let her go. Hazel was everything and more. I shut the files, unable to fool myself any further and released my tie. I poured myself a drink but the whiskey tasted nothing like the relief I needed. I had to see her, else I was confident I would lose my mind. Dropping the glass, I got off the seat and walked out of my office. As I entered my car, I took a deep breath and tried to give it a second thought.What was I even
Alicia's POV Infiltrating the pack as Dr. Alice Miller, a seasoned physician with a fabricated resume boasting experience with rare neurological conditions, was exhilarating. It felt like I was playing a high-stakes game of chess, constantly two moves ahead. Every stolen glance at Noah during his ‘examinations’ fueled my determination. There was something undeniably captivating about him, an aura of shadowed intensity that hinted at a depth of emotions beneath the surface. It reminded me daily of why I fell for him. My days were a whirlwind of consultations, concocting harmless placebos, and enduring Liam’s thinly veiled suspicion. Noah’s ever-present beta was a bulldog of a man, built like a tank and with a perpetually furrowed brow. He distrusted me from the moment I stepped into the pack’s territory. One evening, after a particularly grueling session mimicking a neurological workup, Liam cornered me in the empty infirmary.“You’re playing a dangerous game, Doc,” h
Lucian’s POV The afternoon sun bled through the beautifully leaded windows of my study, casting a warm glow on the leather armchair I occupied. Papers sprawled across the dark-brown desk before me, testaments to the never-ending work that weighed down a pack leader. Yet, even with the weight of responsibility pressing down on me, a sliver of hope flickered within. Max, my ever-reliable beta, barged into the room, his usual confused outlook replaced by an uncharacteristic grin. " Alpha Lucian," he boomed, his voice echoing, "I think I've found the answer." I straightened in my chair, intrigued. Max wasn't exactly the type to play games but neither was he so serious either. "The answer to what exactly?" "Your sister's situation," he clarified, his grin widening. "We have a contender." Hazel. The mere mention of her name sent a throb through my chest. Years of searching had finally led me to her, but a cruel twist of fate—security reasons stemming from a past
Lucas's POVLaughter filled the air, a welcome sound that chased away the usual tension that clung to our dinner table like a cobweb ever since Kyla fell sick.Hazel, across from me, tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, her smile as warm as the candlelight flickering in the centerpiece. It had been a good day, a quiet day spent at home, a clear contrast to the usual fast pace of life."So," I began, reaching for her hand across the table, "you mentioned not being too thrilled about your job at Drake's company.”She squeezed my hand briefly. "It wasn't a bad job, Lucas, but…" Her voice trailed off, and I could sense the unspoken words hanging in the air. " You know about Kyla’s health and how Alpha Drake was stressing me.”Relief washed over me. The thought of her working under Drake, a man who clearly had designs on her, pissed me. "Well," I boomed, trying to mask my eagerness, "let's find you something new then. Somewhere closer to home, maybe and less stressful if that's ok
Lucas's POV The venom in Amelia's words echoed in the night air, each syllable a fresh blow. My world had tilted on its axis, the carefully constructed facade of my life with Hazel crumbling around me. Adrenaline surged through my veins, a primal urge to chase after Amelia and undo the damage she'd inflicted.But a more pressing concern clawed at me – Hazel. The raw pain in her eyes, the flicker of betrayal that replaced the warmth that had been there just moments ago, sent a jolt of terror through me. I had to find her, to explain, to somehow salvage this mess.With a muttered curse, I slammed the door shut, the sound a hollow punctuation mark to the scene that had just unfolded. My gaze scanned the backyard, frantic and searching. Relief washed over me as I spotted her silhouette on the swing set, a solitary figure bathed in the pale moonlight.She sat with her back to me, arms wrapped around her knees, a picture of utter desolation. My heart hammered a frantic rhythm against
Hazel's POV Relief washed over me like a tidal wave as I drove away from Lucas's house, the rearview mirror filled with the image of his retreating figure on the porch. But despite the lightness in my chest, guilt gnawed at the edges of my conscience. My anger, the way I lashed out… it felt unjustified.The truth was, Lucas hadn't cheated. We weren't in a relationship, not officially. My mixed signals, the way I kept him at arm's length while clinging to the ghost of a past love… it all led to this mess. He craved clarity, commitment, and I, well, I was a walking contradiction. Part of me resented myself for being such a jerk. He genuinely cared, that much was evident. Yet, the thought of staying, of trying to rebuild trust… it felt like navigating a minefield. We were both tangled in a web of unresolved issues, and untangling them together seemed daunting at best, impossible at worst. A choked sob escaped my lips. This wasn't about pride. It was about survival, about pro
Hazel's POV Walking into the supermarket, Kaiser seemed more excited than I had expected. It had been a while since I took him shopping. The items on display came in various shades which made the shelves look more appealing. The Kaiser who I knew was very excited, still stood besides me without making demands. “ Kaiser, you can pick out five items you really want. You don't have to hold back,” I crouched down and patted his head. “ Really? Is that really alright?” He looked at me with sparkling eyes. “ Sure, feel free,” I chuckled before giving him a reassuring smile. “ Thank you, mommy,” he flashed the broadest smile I had seen him put on before. Kaiser has always been mature and it wasn't surprising that he was aware of our financial standing. We weren't poor or things like that, we were simply in a position where priorities were more important. My bills kept multiplying which meant that luxuries had to be put aside and the one who suffers from it most is Kaiser. “ Don