And now, so did Elijah. I was impressed that he had taken the time to look at my paper and he’d even asked me about the research itself, and I’d pointed to some academic texts I had used for the research, which he’d pored over in preparation for this discussion as well.Elijah’s gaze sharpened, and
The respect I had long been denied finally started flowing my way, and I absorbed Elijah’s lesson deeply. The whispers of doubt, the cruel judgments, all the rumors that had once circled around me—now, they were crumbling, like ash blown away by the wind.People who had barely acknowledged my existe
Clara’s face twisted in disgust as she tried to argue, "But Alpha Elijah, she’s wolfless and had a child out of wedlock with some nameless wolf. She’s a disgrace!” I felt the heat rise in my chest, the humiliation threatening to boil over. How could she still look at me like that after everything
Agnes The phone felt like ice in my hand as I stood in the secluded clearing, my heart hammering against my chest. The words from the DNA testing center still echoed in my ears, but they didn’t make any sense. Thea isn’t your child. There is no biological connection between you. I wanted to sc
AgnesAs soon as Olivia’s lips touched Elijah’s, my heart clenched, and I turned away. I couldn’t watch. It wasn’t like I hadn’t known this was coming—their bond, as fated mates, was unbreakable.I knew that from the beginning. It was a harsh reality I couldn’t avoid. But knowing didn’t make it hurt
I was stunned. Today is my birthday?I hadn’t celebrated my birthday in years—five, to be exact. So much of my life had been swallowed by a relentless pursuit of survival—working to pay off debts, searching endlessly for my stolen baby—that I had forgotten what it felt like to have a day just for m
His other hand slid up, fingers curling around the nape of my neck, pulling me even closer until there was no space between us.I heard it then, a low growl rumbling from his chest, vibrating against my skin. His lips hovered over mine for a brief, tantalizing second before he whispered, his voice r
Just as I was about to give in completely, to let myself fall into whatever this was, I glanced at Elijah’s neck and saw his mate bond mark.The mark. Barely visible on the side of his neck, a constant reminder of the bond he shared with Olivia.The image of Olivia flashed in my mind. Her kiss, the
After a pause, he asked, “Are you happy?” Happy. The word sat heavily in my mind, especially after everything I’d just witnessed with Elijah and Olivia. Happiness seemed like a mirage, close enough to glimpse but always out of reach. “I have moments of happiness,” I admitted, choosing my words c
The moment I stepped into the design studio, I knew this was going to be a confrontation I couldn’t avoid. Ava stood by the workstation, her arms crossed and a self-satisfied smirk on her face as she blocked the approval process for the collection yet again. “Ava, I need those designs approved tod
The announcement hit like a slap across the face. I’d been savoring a rare moment of peace with my morning coffee when I saw the headline: Silvermoon’s Muse Olivia to Launch Her Own High-End Fashion Line. The article was filled with praise for Olivia’s upcoming luxury designs, and she’d thrown
I exhaled, the tension in my shoulders easing. “She’s never going to stop, is she?” Elijah’s hand brushed lightly against mine—a subtle but reassuring gesture. “I’ll make sure she doesn’t get in your way.” His promise comforted me, but also made my heart skip a beat. Elijah was protective, a
Returning from vacation felt surreal. The memory of Elijah’s touch, his lips close to mine, and the charged moment at the casino replayed in my mind, making me blush just thinking about it. The media hadn’t held back, either. Photos of our kiss spread like wildfire, sparking a whirlwind of specula
Agnes The casino lights pulsed around me, an endless blur of color and sound, but all I could focus on was the knot of tension coiled in my chest. My encounter with Olivia and Noah left me feeling trapped, an unwilling player caught in the crossfire of their games. For a moment, it was overwhelmin
“Relax,” Noah chuckled, holding his hands up in a mock gesture of surrender. “It’s all in good fun. Just a friendly word of advice.” His gaze drifted to Agnes, and I didn’t like the way he looked at her—like she was some kind of prize. My wolf stirred, a deep growl building in the back of my mind
Elijah The steady roar of waves echoed behind us as I led Agnes back to the shore, Thea darting ahead with boundless energy. We had come to the beach to escape the endless comments and criticisms on social media, the sneering responses to Agnes’s ideas and our relationship. Yet here, amidst the ca
Elijah's voice was calm, reassuring as he looked at me with that steady, unwavering gaze that seemed to anchor everything. “Don’t let it get to you,” he said gently, the edges of a quiet smile softening his face. “Time will reveal the truth, Agnes. Just remember—victory belongs to the prepared.”