Today, during a particularly important meeting with other pack leaders, I find myself distracted. The conversation revolves around alliances and trade agreements, but my mind keeps drifting to Abby and the challenges she’s facing. I try to refocus, but it’s a struggle. One of the busines
Abby I can’t believe what I’m seeing. The footage from Mr. Caldwell’s gallery security cameras clearly shows a hooded figure walking toward the side door of my restaurant on the night of the Alpha party. But on my own CCTV footage, at the exact same time, the figure just keeps walking down t
“No problem,” Colin says. With a new sense of determination, I head out of the store and begin hurrying down the street, straight toward the nearest police station. I have to show them the footage; surely they’ll be able to do something, right? As I’m walking, my phone rings, and I hesitate
Abby I can’t believe I’m back at the police station again. It feels like deja vu, but I’m here on something new this time. Rather than a potential arson, I’m here because someone may have poisoned the food at the Alpha gathering and framed me. Although, perhaps those two events are related.
I think, furrowing my brow. “No,” I say, shaking my head at first. “There isn’t anyone.” Officer Martinez raises an eyebrow. “Are you sure?” For a few more moments, I just think, my eyes fixed on my lap. But then, it finally occurs to me. Gianna and Daniel. I take a deep breath, meet
Karl Before I know it, several days have passed since my brother suggested an election. The outcome of this election will determine who will be the Alpha. It’s not what I expected, but in a strange way, it’s invigorating. The past few days have been filled with early preparations: setting da
I shake my head, incredulous. “You don’t understand, Ethan. Gianna can’t be trusted. She has a history of manipulation and deceit. I’m still trying to wrap my head around the fact that you’re dating her, let alone hiring her to handle your campaign.” Ethan’s expression tightens, and he shoots ba
Abby It’s been two days since I submitted my statement about the footage to the police, and nothing has happened. The health department is taking their sweet time testing my food samples, and there’s nothing more that I can do other than wait. Sleep has become a rare luxury, and my appetite
Abby Intrigued, I let Karl take my hand and lead me discreetly away from the reception, weaving through the tables and out a back door into the gardens. A mischievous grin plays on his lips as we giggle like teenagers, ducking behind hedges and scurrying across the lush green lawns. “Where are w
As the music shifts to a slow ballad, I feel a familiar pair of strong arms circle my waist from behind. “There’s my beautiful wife,” Karl’s deep voice rumbles in my ear, sending shivers down my spine. He spins me around to face him, our bodies swaying in time to the soft music. I gaze up at him
Abby The reception hall is cast in a warm, romantic glow, with twinkling lights and the warm flickering of candles on every table. Soft music plays as Karl and I make our entrance, hand-in-hand to raucous applause and cheers from our guests. I can’t stop smiling as we wave to our loved ones gather
Abby The afternoon sun streaming in through the tall windows of the chapel casts the stones in a warm golden light, giving everything a sort of ethereal energy. I stand in the hallway, my arm linked with Anton’s, as the wedding coordinator prepares everyone to walk down the aisle. “Are you ready
Abby As I sit in front of the vanity mirror with the hair and makeup artist circling around me, I meet my friends’ gazes in the reflection; Chloe, Leah, Daisy, and even Elsie are here as my bridesmaids, each of them looking more beautiful than the last. “The seamstress really did do a great job
Abby With a gasp of excitement, I pull the wedding gown out of its box and hold it up in the light. Everything is perfect; the way the beadwork catches the light, the silky texture, the shape. I can’t wait to try it on now that it’s been altered to fit my body. Quickly, I slip out of my clothe
Abby “Abby, why don’t you sit down?” Karl looks up at me from where he’s sitting on the sofa, a look of concern on his face. He pats the spot next to him, but I shake my head. “I can’t,” I say, continuing to pace back and forth in our living room. “I won’t sit down until I hear back about that
Abby As I chop, stir, melt, and saute, the others stand around me, watching intently. The pasta simmers on the stove, the air smelling like warm butter and spices. It’s enough to make anyone’s mouth water. But my focus isn’t on the rumbling in my belly, nor is it even on the lingering pain in my
As we continue searching, I keep thinking back on our last harrowing hunt for black truffles; those poachers nearly shot us. Even now, I can still remember the sound of the bullets whizzing past my head, and the thuds they made when they careened into trees. “We got really lucky,” I say. “If we ha