Ella - POV In a whirl of emotions, I hailed a cab and hurried home. I didn't want to disturb Hana, who was clearly enjoying her time with Drake. A man she mentioned was keen on dating her. I opted to text her that I was unwell and had decided to leave the party early. Upon arrival, I noticed Dad's absence, indicating he was still at his friend's place. My heart pounded relentlessly as I retreated to the solitude of my room, surrendering to sobs as I agonized over the undeniable attraction I felt toward Darcus. The fact that I'd kissed him back suggested lingering feelings for him. But what about James? How would I explain this to him? The truth would undoubtedly shatter him, but I couldn't proceed with our engagement under such circumstances. James deserved a loving, loyal woman, not a cheat like me. Changing into my pajamas, I made a cup of chamomile tea to calm my frayed nerves, but peace eluded me. Restless, I paced my room, thoughts a whirlwind in my mind. I spotted a message fr
Ella - POV Waking up to the familiar sight of my bedroom ceiling, I found myself in my bed, a dull ache pulsating in my head. I had reached out to Darcus, planning to go to the hospital. So why was I here, not in a sterile hospital room? The unsettling discomfort of last night had felt like the brink of death, and desperate for clarity, I checked the time on my phone. It was just 7:00 a.m. Perplexed, I scrolled through my call logs, wondering if my interaction with Darcus had been a figment of my imagination. To my surprise, there were no calls to Darcus recorded. Perhaps everything that had transpired last night was just a sinister dream, an imagination fuelled by my unwell state. But it had felt so real. After freshening up with a quick shower, I joined my dad and Hana at the breakfast table, where a spread was already laid out. "Ella, how are you feeling today?" Hana inquired, reminding me of the text I'd sent her last night about my ill health. Dad's gaze echoed her concern, awa
Ella - POV "We need to drive to the airport. Our meeting in Minnesota awaits us, and we'll take the private jet," Darcus informed me. I remembered the scheduled trip to Minnesota, realizing we wouldn't return until late evening. As I had promised, this dashed my hopes of visiting Hana early in the evening. "I apologize, Mr. Miller. I had forgotten about our crucial meeting," I confessed. He simply nodded, opening the car door for me to slide in. "Why did you need to pick me up, Mr. Miller? You could've sent the driver instead." "The driver has the day off, and your apartment is on the way to the airport," Darcus answered, his tone as emotionless as always. I'd grown accustomed to this colder side of Darcus, so it didn't phase me. Still, when I looked into his eyes, something stirred in me. I abruptly halted that train of thought, haunted by the previous night's memories. "Did I call you last night? Saying I was feeling unwell?" I blurted out the question without much thought. Sinc
Darcus - POV "Ms. Hart, it seems you put much effort into this strategy." Archer smiled at her, and she smiled back. Ella's smile caught my attention, and a pang of jealousy surged through me. She rarely smiled at me, but here she was, smiling at Archer. "So, Mr. Taylor, what do you think? Should we proceed with this strategy or not?" My words directed their attention to Archer's secretary, who looked at me with evident desire. "Hmmm... I think I'd like to proceed with this strategy. Ms. Hart, could you resend the agreement? I'll consult with the team to explore options for increasing the profit margins. Brenton had a great idea," Archer replied, his gaze lingering on Ella with an amused expression. Ella nodded and averted her eyes, focusing on her work behind the laptop. "If we're done, we should take our leave." Ella looked up from her laptop and nodded in agreement. "Mr. Miller and Ms. Hart, why don't you join me in celebrating our company's 50th anniversary? It would be an off
Ella - POV "You're not well, Darcus. Let me call the doctor immediately," I insisted, concerned about his sudden illness. However, Darcus grabbed my hand tightly and sat on the bed, preventing me from leaving the room. The atmosphere in the room changed, and I felt a strange sensation taking hold of my body. I couldn't take my eyes off Darcus, who had unbuttoned his shirt, revealing his muscular chest. My heart raced as I looked up to meet his intense gaze. What was happening to me? Why was I feeling this overwhelming desire? "Darcus, I..." I started to speak, my voice trembling, but he interrupted me. "Ella, please don't look at me like that... If you don't want me to kiss you again, please step back," he struggled to get the words out, his voice filled with desire and restraint. I was torn between wanting him to kiss me and the confusion of the situation. My body was aching for his touch, and I couldn't deny my attraction towards him. Conflicting emotions swirled within me as I s
Ella - POV Darcus was writhing in pain, his condition worsening by the minute. Worried, I immediately called the doctors, who arrived promptly to assess his situation. However, despite their expertise, they couldn't pinpoint the cause of his suffering. They administered medication and an injection to alleviate his symptoms and advised me to take him to the hospital for further tests, suspecting an underlying issue. Sitting by Darcus's bedside, I watched him sleep peacefully in the dimly lit room. The weight of uncertainty pressed upon me as I contemplated the following action. Should I leave him alone and attend the party that awaited me, or should I stay by his side, offering comfort and support during this challenging time? It was still early in the afternoon, and a part of me yearned for a temporary escape from the worry that consumed me. With a sigh, I decided to seize a momentary respite from the situation. The tailoring team provided me with comfortable attire for the party, a
Ella - POV I dressed in a stunning red gown that shimmered like a gown from the Met Gala. Mr. Taylor's team insisted on doing my makeup and hairstyling, which I initially wanted to decline, finding it excessive. However, after two hours of preparation, I found myself exhausted yet ready for the event. As I stepped out of the room, my eyes fell upon Darcus, dressed impeccably in an expensive tuxedo. His black suit and perfectly styled black hair left me momentarily breathless. He glanced at me, and I instinctively looked away. When I dared to steal another glance, I saw him standing there, momentarily speechless, with a slight parting of his lips. A smile tugged at my own lips, witnessing his reaction. As I walked towards him, he swiftly regained his composure. "I despise gatherings," Darcus chuckled, teasing me as he took my hand. The weight of my gown required me to seek balance, and holding Darcus's hand provided the necessary support. "Why did you agree to come when I suggested
James - POV Darcus led us to a secluded room away from the bustling party. I saw Ella cast a perplexed glance at him. "What's on your mind, Darcus?" Ella asked as we stepped inside. "It's time we acknowledged what transpired between us. I accept that I'm at fault here, not Ella." Darcus confessed, his tone heavy. I turned to Ella, whose face had turned ashen at his words. I shot Darcus a stern look. "James," Darcus began, "I don't want Ella to shoulder the burden alone when I tell you the truth." "I share the blame, too," Ella admitted, her voice laden with sadness. "You don't need to intervene, Mr. Miller. I'm capable of speaking for myself." "I've had enough," I grumbled, "Ella, enlighten me." Ella's eyes welled up at my harsh tone. She clenched her fists, trying to muster courage. "Darcus and I kissed at Avery's farewell party, and not only then, but Darcus also kissed me in the office," Ella admitted, her voice barely a whisper. I was at a loss, my gaze shifting between Ella
Lavina –POVSix Month LaterDressed in a pink gown and wearing my best jewelry, I checked my makeup and hair one last time. Archer's mom entered, looking stunning in a beautiful light green gown, while Gunther, in his little tux, cooed and clapped his hands with a smile upon seeing me. "Gunther, you look so handsome," I said, lifting him into my arms and kissing his cheeks."Ready for Leo's wedding?" Archer asked, pausing to take in my appearance from head to toe. "Wow, Lavina, you look radiant," he whispered. At that moment, Archer's mom coughed, reminding us of her presence."Mom, you look beautiful too," Archer quickly added. She offered a smile in return."There's no need for fake compliments, Archer. I'm just happy to see you two lovebirds so happy," Archer's mom said, her voice filled with warmth. "I'll take Gunther to the party. Lavina, could you check on Leena? She was calling for you." I nodded in agreement.As Archer's mom left with Gunther, Archer moved closer to me, his ga
Lavina – POVLeo was anxious. "Ms. Leena isn't getting better with our treatments. If she doesn't recover, it's going to be bad for her health," the doctor explained."Why isn't she improving?" Leo asked, clearly upset. "You're supposed to be good at healing." In his frustration, Leo grabbed the doctor by the collar."Leo, give me a chance to heal her," I said, stepping forward. Leo looked at me with a mixture of anger and hope, then released the doctor.I approached Leena, noticing her injuries and the paleness of her skin. "Ryu, I need your strength," I whispered, connecting with my dragon. As Ryu shared his energy with me, my hands began to glow with a powerful light.Leena's wolf form was weak, but because of my unique bond with an archer, I was able to share my strength with her. This bond is special because it allows me to heal and understand wolves, something I could usually only do with dragons. With my hands glowing and filled with Ryu's power, I focused on transferring energ
Lavina – POVArcher and I couldn't go on a honeymoon because we had to deal with Natalie, who was causing trouble. We hurried back to the Wolf realm and pretended that we were still preparing for the wedding. We even hid our mate marks to make it seem like we weren't married yet, and I didn't tell anyone that I was already the queen of wolves."I never imagined Natalie would come up with such plans," Archer's mom said, joining me after she had looked over the wedding venue. "To everyone, she seemed like a sweet girl, always acting as if she wouldn't hurt a fly. But she was good at pretending."Feeling a bit awkward, I asked, "I'm sorry to bring this up, but why did Brandon become so evil?" The question made Archer's mom look sad."Brandon always wanted to be the best; he couldn't stand coming in second. He was very competitive. Archer, on the other hand, wanted freedom. He never had any interest in being the Alpha. He dreamed of traveling the world, exploring new places, and had no de
Lavina–POVA week laterJust finished putting Gunther to sleep and tucked him in with a blanket. Archer came up beside me, and we both admired our son sleeping peacefully. Sharing a content smile, we left the room together. I felt a wave of relief—it's quite a task to get a little one to bed.Back in our room, Archer suggested, "Lavi, put your feet on my lap.""Why?" I asked, laying down while Archer took my feet into his lap, starting to massage my sore legs gently. I couldn't help but moan, feeling the tension release."I love hearing you moan," Archer teased with a chuckle, adding a flirtatious hint. "Especially when I'm close to you."Something seemed off, so I asked, "Archer, what's on your mind?" I withdrew my feet from his lap, meeting his eyes directly."Leo and I have beefed up security," he shared, concern evident in his voice."Are you worried about an attack?" I probed. He nodded. Sitting up, I pondered how to alleviate his fears."Let's use our new abilities to scout for
Leo- POVIt's been three months since Leena and I started our smooth-sailing relationship. During this time, I successfully dismantled a gang that was deceiving she-wolves under the guise of a dating site. These criminals would lure the she-wolves, drug their food, and then use them as blood banks for vampires or as playthings. Together with Archer, we tracked down this nefarious group and eliminated everyone involved, ensuring they could no longer harm anyone.I was eagerly awaiting Leena's arrival at my house; she had expressed her desire to move in with me, following the traditional practice of she-wolves living with their mates once they found each other. I had taken great care to prepare her room according to her preferences, as I wanted her to feel comfortable and at home, not just a guest sharing my space. Before her arrival, movers and packers had already delivered and arranged Leena's belongings in her new room.When there was a knock at the door, I quickly opened it, greeted
Lavina–POVThree months laterArcher presented me with my favourite lasagna, catering to my late-night cravings. He had just come from the kitchen, ready to serve me this delicious meal."You can cook?" I asked, surprised."I've been taking cooking classes with my mom. I wanted to make delicious food for you and take care of you," Archer replied, smiling. I gazed at him with affection, feeling fortunate. Archer had always been there for me, addressing my whims, insecurities, and pain from my past relationship with Keenan, which still troubled me.After we finished eating, Archer placed his hand on my belly, and the baby kicked in response to his voice. "Daddy can't wait to meet you," he said.Archer's mom, waking up early at dawn, inquired, "How are the wedding preparations coming along?""I'm working on it with Alice and Ella's help," I replied. "Juggling work too, it's quite hectic."Archer chimed in, "I suggested letting the new secretary handle your work.""She's still learning ho
Leo–POVI saw photos of Archer proposing to Lavina and felt happy seeing them together because they both deserve joy and are perfect for each other. I waited for Leena to get ready, making sure the team had set up the date in Leena's spacious backyard. I found out Leena's parents weren't home from their servant, who informed me. They wanted to give Leena and me some privacy. I was glad that Leena's parents liked me and didn't object to me dating Leena before we considered taking our relationship to the next level.A voice interrupted my thoughts. "Nervous?" I looked up to see Leena wearing a beautiful, elegant dress, looking stunning."Are you nervous?" I echoed her question."Yes," she whispered."Me too," I admitted honestly, and she smiled beautifully at my confession. I pulled out a chair for her, and she sat down at the beautifully set table, illuminated and adorned with white shimmering cloth, creating an elegant atmosphere arranged by the team."It's a beautiful setup you've do
Lavina–POVThe baby is healthy, and we have a new doctor who is taking care of both my health and Alice's. Ella, who was watching over us, felt worried. It was after we learned that Dr. Yasmin, our previous doctor, was involved with the KCA. However, I reassured her by saying, "Ella, don't worry. The KCA isn't a concern anymore."Ella insisted, "It's better to be safe and take precautions."The doctor confirmed, "Both of you and the baby are healthy." He then advised us to continue taking our medicine and monitoring our vitals to maintain our health. After receiving a positive update from the doctor, we left the clinic.Once we were outside, Alice remarked, "It's been so long since the three of us had a girls' night out.""You know how protective our partners can be. They hardly let us go anywhere without them." Alice said. I recalled a recent incident where my Archer wanted to accompany me everywhere, even after I insisted he didn't have to. "He kept pestering me all night," I shared
Leo – POVStanding at the given address, my heart raced as the familiar scent of lilies surrounded me. The door opened to reveal a middle-aged woman. "I'm Leo Taylor," I introduced myself. "I'm here for Leena.""What business do you have with my daughter?" she asked cautiously."She's my mate," I explained. She looked surprised but stepped aside to let me into my relief."Leena is resting in her room," her mother informed me. "I can't wake her; she needs her rest."While talking, a man approached and asked, "Who was at the door, Mina?" He fell silent as Leena's mother explained who I was and introduced me to her husband."Why didn't you let Leena stay in the infirmary?" I couldn't help but ask, curious about their decision. Her parents exchanged a look, suggesting there was more to the story."After we found out Leena had been found, we requested the doctors to allow us to bring her home for treatment. We wanted our daughter to be with us, at home, not far away. We've been without her