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
These words came down on me like some physical blow; my knees bent, and everything around seemed to move on uneven ground. I fell on the ground with my head spinning as I tried understanding this most terrible thing. Kaiser was crying hard, breathing through his tiny torso in gasps and hiccups. I had to be strong for Kaiser and Kyla. I shouldn't be an emotional mess, how else was I supposed to comfort them if I couldn't get my act right?Kaiser was sobbing, his small body racked with sobs. I reached out to him, pulling him into my arms, offering what little comfort I could. “It’s okay, Kaiser,” I whispered, my voice trembling. “It’s okay.” He must have been scared seeing his sister in such a terrible state. He was in such a traumatising situation and yet he was able to respond appropriately - he was a lot stronger than most adults.A while later, the doctor came out of the room with a serious face. “She’s stabilised for now,” he said in a soft voice. “But she is unconscious;
Chapter 67 Alicia's POV The fact that my meticulously made plans were falling apart was a tough pill to swallow. Noah’s paternity test had brought abut the hitch in my carefully laid strategy. If he were to know anything about Hazel or the kids, the illusion I had created for myself would come down like a pack of cards. Desperation consumed me. I needed something drastic, something to hold onto Noah’s life tighter and make him unbeatable. An undercover meeting with Alpha Drake; devious and unrelenting leader of the neighboring pack was arranged shortly thereafter. Our discussions did not take more than the necessary time period as I had briefed them on the subject matter at hand. Now I needed some type of drug which would leave no trace but would make Noah unconscious for a particular time period. Drake handed me a little vial having a predator’s gleam in his eyes. “This will do the trick,” he said, his voice low with menace. “But be warned, it’s very potent. One drop is enough