Ella - POV Hana had prepared a lovely breakfast spread, but my attention was drawn towards my father's closed door. Sensing my concern, Hana spoke up. "Before I woke you, I spoke with your father. He said he wasn't hungry and wished to be left alone," Hana shared. Her words exacerbated my worry. I approached my father's door, knocked, and pleaded, "Dad, please let me talk to you; let me tell you everything." There was no response, and a wave of despair washed over me. I returned to the breakfast table, my appetite gone. "Thank you for the delightful breakfast, Hana," I forced a smile, noticing her meticulous attire. "Are you going back to work today?" "I can't sit idly wallowing in sorrow; it's better to distract myself with work," Hana responded, nibbling on breakfast. "Just be careful not to overdo it, Hana. You tend to overwork when you're stressed," I warned. Hana looked taken aback by my comment, but her phone rang before she could respond. She answered and held a one-sided c
Ella - POV "I trust you've coordinated everything for Avery's Farewell party?" Mr. Miller swiftly pivots from the personal to the professional, redirecting our conversation. "The arrangements are all set, Mr. Miller. I also wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for bringing Hana on board." I manage a reply as I near the door, my gaze meeting Mr. Miller's curt nod of acknowledgement before he immerses himself back in his work. "Ella, have you informed your fiancé about working with me? I've been wondering if that conversation has been had." The unexpected question makes me pause in my tracks. Narrowing my gaze, I stride back towards him, the heat of fury flushing my face. "Darcus, listen carefully. That is none of your business. You've already torn apart my relationship with my father. The day I agreed to be your girlfriend was a low point in my life. I wish I could turn back the clock to my college days and simply erase you from my past to save myself this heartache." The pe
Ella - POV "Hana, calm down. Even if I file a complaint, it may not work out. Darcus has a knack for turning situations to his advantage. I even tried to resign, but he managed to trap me with a three-year contract that stipulates a large sum as a penalty if I were to leave." I explained dejectedly, which made Hana's eyes widen in disbelief. "Ella, this isn't like you. You've always been a fighter. Are you giving up because you still have feelings for Darcus?" Hana challenged, hands on hips, her gaze filled with suspicion. Instead of answering, I held Hana's hand and walked her towards the office building. My silence was a confirmation, and I could tell Hana knew it too. With time running out, she didn't press further. Once we reached the office, we quickly got ready for the club meeting, slipping into our attire and applying makeup. I let down my mid-length brown hair, stepped into a black dress that clung to my curves, and stopped at my knees. As per Mr. Miller's instructions, Ha
Ella - POV Mr. Miller's hands grazed my knees, and I found myself ensnared in his intense hazel gaze. My heart raced within my chest as he drew closer, but thoughts of James flooded my mind, causing the charged atmosphere to dissipate. I pulled back, glaring at Mr. Miller. "I apologize for being late, Mr. Miller. Unfortunately, the manager fell ill, so I had to drop her off at home before attending the meeting," Hana interjected, diffusing the tension. I distanced myself from Mr. Miller, who had shifted into his professional demeanor. "It's alright, Ms. Lee. We're waiting for a client who is running behind schedule. Please take a seat," Mr. Miller replied, gesturing for Hana to join me. Soon after, the client arrived, striding in with a team of bodyguards. He exuded a charismatic aura, with piercing grey eyes and a chiseled jawline. As he ran a hand through his blonde hair, Hana seemed captivated by his appearance. "I'm Archer Taylor, CEO of Software Tech. My apologies for the del
Ella - POV It was a long weekend and a day off from work. So, when I woke up, I immediately checked my phone for any messages from James. Unfortunately, I found a text stating that he had already left California. Hana sighed heavily at breakfast, and Dad chided me for my obsessive phone-checking. "Please, no sighing out loud," I mumbled between bites of scrambled eggs while intermittently checking my phone. "It seems you might be more preoccupied with your phone than being aware of the people around you," Dad observed. "Give her a break, Uncle. Ella's completely smitten by James, and she even forgot she was supposed to take me to my doctor's appointment today," Hana grumbled. Her comment jolted my memory about my previous night's commitment. "Hana, I remember that I promised to take you to your doctor's appointment," I retorted, though I could see from Hana's eye roll that she didn't believe me. "Sure, Ella," she said, sighing. "You don't have to accompany me, though. Luke has a
Ella - POV "This beautifully decorated dinner setting... I'm speechless," I expressed in surprise, while the wind and rooftop view amplified the atmosphere. James nestled his head on my neck, giving me a kiss. His warm breath against my skin was intoxicating, making me inhale deeply. "To compensate for all the time we were apart, I want to lavish you with affection," James whispered into my ear, causing goosebumps to prickle my skin. I knew I had to maintain some distance, or we'd end up tangled in bed for hours. As I gently eased his grip on my waist, I couldn't help but smile, trying not to let my guilt consume me. "James, I have a small gift for you. It's not expensive, but I hope you'll like it." "When you gift me something, Ella, don't compare its value with its price tag. For me, its worth is immeasurable," he replied, warming my heart. "You're such a hopeless romantic, James. You leave me speechless all the time," I remarked, causing him to smirk. I smiled back, reaching in
Darcus Miller - POV "Why did you involve James? You weren't supposed to interfere in Ella's personal matters. That was our agreement." My voice held a snarl that made Aisha sigh. Driving this woman back was infuriating. "Don't be such a complainer, Darcus. Your mother asked me to intervene to keep Ella at bay. You should be grateful; after all, we're set to marry." I tightened my grip on the steering wheel, trying to keep my temper in check. "You're not my concern, Aisha. You're not my mate. Remember your place before you find yourself begging for mercy." Aisha stiffened at my words, her gaze focused on the road ahead. "I... I sincerely apologize, Your Majesty. I shouldn't have said what I did." Aisha's voice was quiet, apprehensive of the danger I posed. "That's better, Aisha. This last warning." Aisha nodded, tears brimming in her eyes. She bit her lower lip and looked out the window as the car sped along. I didn't care for Aisha; my thoughts were filled with Ella. But why was m
James - POV Ella slept peacefully beside me, her calm presence soothing my restlessness. Each time I contemplated revealing my true identity as a warlock to her, my heart ached. Would she accept me, or would she recoil in rejection? I feared losing her because of my profound love for her. But there was no question - I could spend the rest of my life in this blissful state, holding Ella's delicate figure close, basking in our shared tranquility. An unexpected surge of energy roused me from my slumber. My watch showed 03:00 a.m. Carefully, I removed my arm under Ella, gently placing her hand on the sheets before rising from the bed. A feeling of being observed stirred within me. I dressed quickly, moving to the balcony to investigate. As a warlock, I could sense other energies rapidly. This one felt akin to a shapeshifter, specifically a dragon. What business could a dragon have with me? I knew that a horde of warlocks and witches sought me, coveting my magic and thirsting for my demi
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