NinaThe heat is unbearable. It’s like a fire under my skin, something primal, and no matter how hard I try to ignore it, it’s always there, pulsing and demanding. Being an Alpha female means the heat hits stronger than it would for others. My body craves something I refuse to give in to. I’m more pheromonal than ever, and it’s like every single person around me can sense it. I can’t think straight. My wolf is restless, pushing at the edges of my control, and no matter how hard I try to shove her back down, she’s clawing her way out.This isn’t just some ordinary desire. It’s instinct. A need to mate. It’s biological, wired into me. And for Alpha females like me, it’s overwhelming. Every scent, every brush of air feels intensified, and my mind keeps drifting back to Jaxon. Damn him.I walk into the meeting room, doing my best to keep my head straight. My father is already there, looking over a stack of papers. I sit down, trying to breathe normally, to act like nothing’s wrong, but th
NinaIt’s too late in the night for me to be doing this.I hate that I am even doing this.I’m barely breathing as I stand outside Jaxon’s office door, my heart racing so fast it feels like it might explode. This is a mistake. A massive, stupid, reckless mistake. But I can’t stop myself. My body’s on fire, my wolf clawing at the surface, and I know I’m too far gone to turn back now.The heat is unbearable, my skin alight with need I don’t want to admit. Every nerve in my body is screaming for him, and no matter how much I tell myself to turn back, my legs keep carrying me forward. I shouldn’t be here.But I am.I knock on the door, my fist hitting harder than I mean to, as if trying to burn off the frustration clawing at me. A part of me hopes he won’t answer, but that hope dies the second the door swings open.Jaxon leans against the doorframe, shirtless, his jeans hanging low on his hips, a cocky smirk tugging at his lips. That stupid, infuriating smirk.“Nina,” he drawls, his voice
Nina“Jaxon,” I whimper.His grip tightens, and for a brief moment, I think he might hesitate. But then he pulls back, only to thrust forward again, deeper this time, and I can’t stop the moan that spills from my lips. He curses under his breath, his control snapping as he sets a brutal pace, each movement pushing me further into the wall.“This what you wanted?” he growls, his voice rough and edged with desperation. “For me to ruin you?”I can’t answer, can’t think. All I can do is feel—his hands gripping me like I might disappear, the heat of his body against mine, the way he moves inside me like he owns me. My nails scrape against the wall, my head falling forward as the pressure builds, coiling tighter and tighter until it’s unbearable.“Say it,” he demands, his voice a sharp contrast to the steady rhythm of his hips. “Say you wanted this, Nina. Say you wanted me.”I shake my head, stubborn even now, but the plea that escapes my lips betrays me. “Jaxon—”“Say it,” he snaps, his ha
JaxonI’m smirking as I leave my office, my mind still buzzing with the memory of Nina, her scent lingering in the air like a fucking drug. I can still feel the way her body trembled under my hands, the way she begged for me, needed me. There’s a certain satisfaction in knowing I’ve still got that effect on her, even after everything.I pull my keys from my pocket, ready to get out of here, when my phone rings. Groaning, I glance at the screen.Mom.Of course.I hit answer, already knowing this is going to be a headache.“What’s up?” I say, trying to keep the irritation out of my voice. It’s late, and the last thing I need right now is one of her lectures.“Jaxon,” she says, her tone already dripping with that motherly disapproval I know too well. “What’s happening? Scarlett’s upset.”I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Mom, why the hell are you calling me this late? I’m not dealing with this right now.”“Well, I was just at Scarlett’s house for dinner,” she continues, ignoring me like al
NinaI wake up with a jolt, my skin flushed, my heart racing. Jaxon’s face lingers in my mind, his hands on my body, his voice in my ear. Fuck. It’s like my subconscious is torturing me with every memory, every touch. I close my eyes for a second, trying to calm the mess inside my head.And then whack—I’m smacked in the head.“What the hell!” I shoot up, blinking, and find Callie standing over me with her arms crossed, looking way too smug for someone who just assaulted me.“Oh good, you’re awake,” she says, totally unbothered by the fact she nearly gave me a heart attack.“Callie, what the fuck?” I rub my temple, still trying to shake off the dream and the unexpected wake-up call.She tilts her head, narrowing her eyes at me. “You were making some interesting noises. Dreaming about your ex-husband, maybe?”I scoff, quickly pulling the sheets up over my chest, suddenly self-conscious. “Hell no,” I lie, knowing full well she can probably smell the embarrassment all over me.Callie rais
NinaCallie and I head to the smoothie shop, both of us still a bit breathless from the run. The city is just waking up, and the shop is already buzzing with people. The scent of fresh fruit and protein powder hits me as soon as we walk through the door.“I’m getting something with acai,” Callie says, practically bouncing on her toes as she scans the menu. “I need all the antioxidants I can get after that workout.”I roll my eyes. “You’re so dramatic. I’ll just take the beetroot and ginger smoothie. I need a detox after... everything.”We make our way to the counter, and I pull out my wallet, ready to pay. But just as I’m about to hand the cashier my card, a hand stops me. I freeze, my heart stuttering in my chest, and when I turn around, I’m staring into the familiar face of someone I haven’t seen in years.“Elijah?” I blink, trying to process it. Elijah Drake.The boy I knew from years ago is long gone, and in his place is... well, a grown-ass man. He’s in running gear, looking fit
JaxonI hang up the phone with Max, my CFO. “Just hire whoever you think is best,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady. “We can’t afford to tank right now. Not with everything at stake.”I lean back in my chair, rubbing my temples. My head’s spinning with numbers, reports, and the shitshow that is my life. Just when I think I can catch a break, the door swings open, and my mother walks in, wearing that look. You know the one.“Hey, Mom.” I manage a tight smile.“Jaxon,” she replies, voice bright, but her eyes have that calculating gleam. “How’s everything going?”“Just peachy,” I mutter, barely making eye contact. “What were you doing getting dinner with Scarlett?”She flops down in the chair opposite me, a small smile playing on her lips. “Oh, we were just catching up. You know how it is.”“Yeah, well, I don’t want to hear about it.” I cross my arms, feeling the heat rising. “What’s the deal with you two?”“She’s a good candidate to be your Luna.” Mom’s tone is all business now.“S
NinaI’m in the living room with Dominic and Lucas, trying to hash out this deal with Ashwood. My brothers are huddled around the coffee table, frowning like someone just shat in their cereal.“Look, we need to be strategic here,” I say, tapping the papers scattered in front of me. “Thorne isn’t going to roll over just because we asked nicely.”Dominic crosses his arms. “That asshole only cares about power. We can’t trust him.”Lucas nods. “We should keep our guard up. He’ll stab us in the back.”“Yeah, I get that,” I snap, “but we can’t afford to be dicks about this. We need to play nice for now.”Suddenly, a loud commotion erupts at the main gate. My brothers exchange worried glances.“What the hell was that?” I ask, straining to hear over the noise.Dominic stands up. “Stay inside, Nina. We’ll check it out.”“Don’t you dare—”But they’re already rushing out the door, leaving me standing here like an idiot.I wait, pacing back and forth. The noise escalates, and I’m about to scream
Nina’s POVI stir awake to the warm press of Jaxon’s body behind me, his arm draped over my waist. His breaths are slow and steady, his chest rising and falling against my back. For a moment, I let myself linger in the stillness, the kind that’s familiar these days.The room smells faintly of cedar and lavender—Jaxon’s scent mingling with mine, comforting in a way I didn’t expect after everything we’ve been through. I glance at the window; the pale hint of morning sunlight filters in through the curtains, softening the sharp edges of the world outside.“Are you awake?” Jaxon’s voice is husky, laced with sleep.“Barely,” I murmur, tilting my head back to catch his gaze.His lips curve into a lazy smile, and before I can say anything else, he rolls me onto my back, his body pressing over mine. “Good,” he mutters. “Because I’m not done with you yet.”I laugh, the sound muffled as his mouth captures mine. It’s soft at first, a whisper of a kiss, but it quickly deepens, his hand tangling i
NinaThe house is quieter than I expected for a morning like this. The kind of quiet that wraps around you, soothing and heavy at the same time. I lean against the kitchen counter, watching the sun spill through the windows, painting the room in gold.Jaxon’s voice filters in from the living room, a low hum of conversation with Dominic. They’ve been working on some kind of strategy for the pack, a way to integrate the remaining members of the Silver Crescent seamlessly. Hearing him talk like that, so sure and steady, sends a warmth through me I didn’t think I’d ever get back.“Morning,” Callie says, slipping into the kitchen with a grin, her hair still damp from a shower.“Morning,” I reply, pouring her a cup of coffee. “You’re up early.”She shrugs, taking the mug with a small smile. “Couldn’t sleep. Thought I’d check on Griffin before breakfast.”“How is he?” I ask, even though I already know the answer. I saw him last night, and he was fine—better than fine, really, but I still nee
JaxonThe air is thick with tension, every breath I take tasting like the promise of blood and chaos. I stand at the edge of the tree line, staring at Elijah’s stronghold. It’s a fortress, tall and imposing, and every instinct I have tells me we’re walking into a trap. Doesn’t matter. We don’t have another choice.It is only three days since he last gave us the slip, but Nina and I agreed that the longer we wait, the more he reinforces. This is the right time to hit again.I glance at Nina beside me. She’s all sharp lines and cold determination, her jaw set, her hand gripping the syringe so tightly I’m worried it might snap.“Ready?” I ask, my voice rough.Her eyes flick to me, and for a second, the mask slips. I see the fear there, the weight of everything riding on this moment. “Ready,” she says, her voice steady despite it all.Rylan steps forward, his usual cocky grin replaced with something grim. “We’ve got this,” he says, his eyes scanning the treeline behind us. “They don’t sta
NinaJaxon moves to my side, his hand on my shoulder. “We’ll figure this out,” he says, his voice steady.I nod, but inside, I’m falling apart. Elijah’s right about one thing: time is running out.The smug bastard had slipped through our fingers like smoke, leaving behind nothing but chaos and a threat that sticks in my mind like a thorn.Jaxon sits across from me, his shirt ripped and bloodied. His knuckles are bruised, and there’s a cut across his jaw that’s still bleeding. He leans back in his chair, eyes shut, breathing heavily. For a moment, he looks like he might pass out.“Let me see that,” I mutter, grabbing the first aid kit from the table.He opens one eye, his lips quirking into something that might have been a smirk if he weren’t so exhausted. “You’re bossier than usual.”“Shut up and sit still.”I dab at the cut, my movements harsher than they need to be. He hisses but doesn’t pull away. “You don’t have to take it out on me.”“I’m not.” My voice shakes. Damn it. “I’m just
NinaThe tension in the air is so thick, it feels like we’re moving through molasses. The SUV stops just short of the perimeter of Elijah’s territory, and everyone’s quiet. Dominic’s hands grip the wheel tightly, his jaw clenched. Lucas is in the backseat, checking the weapons one more time, his movements too sharp. Rylan is silent, his gaze fixed out the window, as if willing himself into a different headspace.Jaxon’s beside me, close enough that I can feel his warmth. He leans in slightly, his voice low. “You good?”I nod, my throat dry. “Yeah.”He doesn’t look convinced, but he doesn’t push. “Stick close to me,” he murmurs. “If something goes south—”“It won’t.” I cut him off, sharper than I mean to. “We’ve got a plan.”He stares at me for a second before nodding. “Alright. Let’s stick to it, then.”Dominic kills the engine, and the darkness around us feels alive. It’s like the trees themselves are holding their breath, waiting. We step out, weapons in hand, moving silently. Elija
JaxonI’m not sure what I expected when we came together tonight. Maybe a few more words, more arguing about how stupid this whole thing is. But it’s just the two of us, sitting in the quiet of Nina’s room, and I can feel the tension hanging between us. She’s not ready to forgive me. I know that. But right now, I don’t care. We’ve got bigger shit to deal with.“Jaxon.” Her voice is quiet, like she’s trying to keep everything in. I can tell she’s thinking a million things, but she won’t say any of it. She never does when she’s worried.I turn to face her, shifting on the bed to face her fully. “What’s going on in that head of yours?”She hesitates for a moment before looking me in the eye. “I’m scared. You know that, right?”I nod slowly. “Yeah. I can tell. Hell, I’m scared too.”She rubs her eyes, looking worn. I wish I could take all the weight off her shoulders, but I know I can’t. Not now. Not with Elijah breathing down our necks. “I’m not afraid of the fight,” she says, her voice
NinaLucas raises an eyebrow, his skepticism written all over his face. “What happens if it doesn’t go according to plan? Because let’s face it, Griffin is still in danger. He’s not out of the woods.”I swallow hard, the weight of his words sinking into my chest. “If it doesn’t go as we hope... then we adapt. We fight. We fight for Parker. We fight for Griffin. And we fight for everyone else Elijah’s hurt.”The room quiets, the tension settling in. It’s a lot to ask, but I need them to understand. We’re all in this together, whether we like it or not.“And I need to know something,” I add, my voice sharper now, but still steady. “If you’re going to fight by my side, you need to know that fighting with me means declaring war with Elijah. I’m not forcing anyone. If you’re here because you think you can back out when things get tough, then now’s the time to say it. I need warriors who are ready to stand without fear. No second-guessing.”A low murmur ripples through the crowd. Some of th
Nina“You heard him, Dominic,” I snap, my voice sharper than I intended. “I need a minute. To think. This is too much.”Lucas steps forward, his face a mask of frustration. “But Nina, we can’t keep delaying this. We need to act now. He’s already trying to manipulate the entire pack.”“I know,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady. “But I need a second. Just a second to process everything that’s been thrown at me. I can’t make a decision when my head’s spinning like this.”There’s a beat of silence, and I can feel the council members’ eyes boring into me. I’m their Alpha now. They’re waiting for me to lead. But right now, all I want to do is scream.“Fine,” Dominic says, his voice low, a mix of concern and frustration. “But we can’t wait too long.”“I’m not waiting,” I reply, my voice finally softening. “I just need to think. Please.” I push my chair back, standing up, feeling the weight of it all settling on my shoulders.The meeting dissolves in murmurs as I walk toward the door. I
NinaThe council room is tense. The air feels heavy, like a storm is brewing. My family fills one side of the long wooden table—Dominic, my father, and Lucas. They’re all focused, their eyes scanning the room, waiting for what comes next. No sign of Jaxon. No Callie. It’s just us—here to figure out the next steps, the next move for our pack.My mind is heavy, burdened with the weight of everything happening. Griffin’s barely holding on. My ex-husband is human, weak, but still the man I loved. And Elijah... Elijah’s out there, somewhere, probably planning his next move. I don’t trust him, but I have no choice. The council needs answers, and I need to make sure we don’t lose control.“Dominic,” I begin, my voice steady but the nerves creeping in. “What’s the plan?”He gives me a quick glance, his eyes serious. “We need to call a council meeting, figure out how we’re moving forward. We’re at a tipping point, Nina. We can’t afford to keep guessing.”“Agreed,” I say, nodding.As the room q