MORNING AFTER.The next morning I sat by Bree's side on the bed. She really looked a whole lot better than last night.She still has a few bruises and scars here and there but they weren't really obvious.“I am really sorry about last night,” I told her as I used my palm to smooth the bandage on her hands.“It's okay. Why do you keep apologizing, nobody knew , " she said, trying to sound like her usual cheerful self but failing woefully.But you really liked him”. I said pouting“Yes I did, now drop the topic.” She said,I guess she was right. I was being so insensitive.“But Briana, what were you two doing in that room alon…. Did you?” I asked shocked. I really hoped I was wrong.Bree kept quiet not answering me and she even began avoiding my eyes.“You did?” I asked.“Yes katherina, i did. I had sex with him, he took my virginity and..” her voice cracked midway.“Oh my gracious, I'm really sorry Bree. I truly am” i said pulling her in a hugI immediately felt her body stiffen. I pul
HEALING SCARS.I took slow and steady steps towards him and he stood there watching me as I came closer.I reached out my hand to touch his face but he flinched, turning away and avoiding my touch.I still reached out and touched his face.The feel of his skin against my hand was rough.“I look like the beast you see me as, don't i?” he whispered.“No, it's beautiful.” I said and he scoffed, turning away.His skin was hairy. It was a kind of golden sun color. His eyes were deep red.“Is this why you are hiding away?” I asked him.He laughed and shook his head.“No, that's not it. As much as i hate to say this, i am weak so my werewolf side is taking dominance. Partially though.” He said. He stood, resting his hand on the dressing table for balance.I went over to him to help me stand properly so I could walk him back to his bed, but he put his hand up stopping me from taking a step closer to him.“Why?” I asked.“You've seen me, I'm alive, leave” he said coldly.“I can heal you, let
TALE AS OLD AS TIMEI met Jade when i was really young, i was about six years and she was two. Her mom was working for my parents at that time, so she was always around. My father paid for her schooling, so we wemt to school together and returned together. With time we grew up more and i began to like her. She was my first crush, my first love and luckily for me she liked me back” he said. I sat there as I listened to him, trying to imagine a young and innocent Roman.“She was liked by even my parents, well that was mostly because they saw how much i liked her, i even told everyone that she was going to be my mate and at that point of my life i meant it.We grew up that way always almost joined at the hip. Whenever or wherever you saw her, i was always at most ten foot away.I was a complete fool for her.When i turned eight some really terrible happened. The house we lived in caught fire and i caused it.” He said.I held his hand rubbing it gently as i comforted him.“It's not your f
TALE AS OLD AS TIME 2.“How did it end with you and Jade? Or rather why did it end?” I asked him.He began laughing and massaging his forehead with his left index.I wasn't really sure why he was laughing, I wasn't sure what the laughter meant.“What's funny?” I asked.“What's funny is that I do not know myself,” he answered.He stopped laughing and began speaking.“Jade was a very sweet person, she was one of the few people I allowed entrance into my cold and high wall. She changed, she was just so greedy, wanting more and when you gave it to her, she wanted even more…” he paused when he heard my stomach make a grumbling sound.I bit my lips, I was really ashamed. Of all times, it was now my stomach chose to embarrass me.“Do you maybe want to eat? I can always continue later” he said.I shook my head. No way I was going to let this moment pass. He might not want to talk about this again.“I will tell you whenever,” he said, assuring me.“Am I that readable?” I asked.“Yes, very,” he
DOWN AT THE BASEMENT.Weeks had passed since Roman told me about his past. Thing has been really goodbetween us. We haven't had our banters since that day.He has been busy with some things in the pack and at work but he still came back earlier to be with me.I sat by my window waiting to see his car. I have been eager for him to come back home recently.“Are you still waiting for him?” I heard Bree ask as she sat on the chair of my dressing table.“No I am not” I denied.“Yes you are,” Bree teased.I was so happy that she had gotten better and had started laughing again like before.She was really sad after everything that happened with Dave.I have also been so curious as to what became of Dave.That night when Caspian came with some men to drag him away was the last time i saw himI hope I will remember to ask Roman when he gets back.“Believe whatever you want,” I said.I heard a horn and I looked back out the window and saw Roman driving in.I felt really happy knowing he was ba
ROMAN'S POV.Roses and i have had s smooth relationship as of recent. Things have been really great between us and the more I spent time with her, the more stories she told me both the serious and ridiculous part of her live back in San Francisco the more fond i grew of her. I remember she once told me about a day she and her friend when into a boutique acting high and classy and took all the jelly gum in the jar of the store and walked out without buying anything.I loved the way she threw her head back when she was laughing and the cute way she brings out the tip of her tongue when she smiles.The smell of her hair and the feel of her little hand in mine, though it doesn't happen as often as i wish it would.She had become the best part of my everyday.I havd had some business at work that has been keeping me late but i always made sure to get back early.I knew she would be waiting as usual at the window. She doesn't know i see her each time at the window. Well, that's because she
BONDING. This guy was really pushing it. “you trying to provoke me, wouldn't work “ i heard Rose say firmly. “Your ever positive behavior is the one thing i loved about you. I could have had my way with you but you know pregnant woman aren't my thing” Dave said and i was so furious and took a step forward to get at him but Rose stopped me, holding my hand back. Dave started laughing once again. It took everything in me not to remove Rose's hand and do what i wanted to do. “Thankfully, Briana was a bit sufficient. That night there was a lot of blood . Did you know she was a virgin?” He asked Rose and continued laughing in the same sickly manner im which he had been laughing. I couldn't take it anymore i step forward but then i felt Rose release my hand and her hands went forward pushing Dave hard and sending him flying. “You are really an animal” Rose spat out angrily. I was so surprised by what just happened the room was quiet the only sounds were from the chains used to bind
A VOICE FROM THE SHADOWS. “Katherina, katherina” I heard a voice call waking me from my sleep. I fluttered my eyes open, I was still in Roman's arms. I saw him look down at me. “What's wrong?” He said in a croaky voice. “Did you call my name?” I asked him. He looked confused as to what I was saying. “Yes, my name, did you call it?” I asked again. “No, I did not, why?” He asked me. I was so sure I heard my name, it was like the person calling out to me was right next to me. “I heard my name,” I told Roman. His expression turned serious as he sat up on the bed. “Just your name? Did you hear anything else?” He asked. “No, i..i, look I don't know. It's probably all in my head i guess” i said brushing it off. I didn't want to turn this into a big deal that it wasn't. Roman didn't look convinced “If you say so, let me know if it happens again” he said and I nodded. I spent the rest of the night wide awake, i kept replaying the voice in my head and trying to tell whether or not
Happily Ever AfterHayley's POVThe morning sun shone through the windows as I stared at the garden below, savoring the beautiful view of it. It was like a gentle whisper of hope, soft and tentative, whispering through my ears. My fingers traced the windowsill, exploring the smooth, weathered wood beneath my touch - each groove and grain a tactile memory of our tumultuous journey. Two days. Just two days since Roman had returned from a battle that had threatened to unravel everything we knew, a conflict that had hovered on the razor's edge of total destruction.Memories cascaded through my mind like fragmented scenes from a nightmare. The metallic scent of blood. The paralysis of fear. That horrifying moment when time seemed to stop, and I believed I might lose everything I had come to love.But not today.Today was different.Today was about healing.About redemption.About hope rekindled.Downstairs, the kitchen was a symphony of preparation. We had hired more cooks for the celeb
A Promising Future Roman's POV I opened my eyes to the soft morning light coming through the windows. The pain in my chest was less now, thanks to the healing I got last night. Rose sat next to me on our bed, her hand gentle on my arm. She looked tired but happy."How are you feeling?" she asked softly, her fingers threading through my hair with such tenderness it made my heart ache. Dark circles circled her eyes, evidence of her exhaustion from last night, but her smile held all the warmth of the morning sun.I caught her hand in mine, pressing my lips to her knuckles, breathing in the familiar scent of her skin. "Better. The healing worked better than I expected." Every word was true – the piercing pain that had threatened to tear me apart was now just a memory."That's good." Her smile wavered slightly, worry dancing in the depths of her green eyes like shadows in still water. "The twins are still sleeping now. But they gave me a hard time sleeping last night. It's like they c
A New Dawn Hayley's POV I paced the hospital corridor as we waited for Dad to wake up. The fluorescent lights shone too bright even though it was already night, making the white walls seem even more clinical. I sat down in an uncomfortable plastic chair and shifted numerous times, my muscles protesting after hours of sitting. Next to me, Viola kept checking her phone, her fingers drumming an anxious rhythm on her thigh. Bree had gone home to rest about an hour ago, practically falling asleep on her feet. I'd insisted she get some proper sleep, promising to call if anything changed. The twins were with Dora, and even though I trusted her completely, my thoughts kept drifting to them. It was the longest I'd been away since they were born. "Family of Lucien Merchetti?" A doctor's voice drew my attention to the doorway. She was young, probably in her early thirties, with kind eyes that crinkled at the corners when she smiled. "You can go in and see him now, but just for a litt
The Final Battle Roman's POVThe private jet touched down in San Francisco just as the sun began its descent behind the horizon. My muscles were tense from the flight, but my mind was sharp, focused on the hunt ahead.Beside me, Caspian checked his phone for the hundredth time, his usual playful demeanor replaced by cold determination."Our tracking team is already working on Scarlett's location," I told him as we climbed into the waiting SUV. "They'll have coordinates for us within minutes." I informed him."Good." Caspian's voice was clipped. "The sooner we end this, the better." He added.As we drove to my wolves' team here in San Francisco, I pulled out my phone to hear from Rose back in New York. My fingers hovered over Rose's number for a moment before I pressed call. She answered on the first ring, her voice tight with worry."Roman? Did you find them?" She asked me.Just hearing her voice made my wolf whine. "We're close. The tracking team is working on it now." I leaned aga
Escape Before DawnRoman's POV We sat at the back of the garden, and the late afternoon shone across the immaculately beautiful lawn. My wolf paced restlessly beneath my skin as I watched Scarlett and Stephan exchange their vows, not fooled by the serene facade of this wedding. Everything about them looked fake – the forced smiles, the tension crackling in the air, the way my guards tried to blend into the background while keeping their eyes fixed on Melissa.Rose was beside me, her hand warm in mine, her emerald dress making her skin glow in the fading light. She was trying to keep her composure, but I could feel the slight tremor in her fingers. I found myself thinking about our own future wedding, the one we'd have once all this mess was over. It would be different – filled with joy instead of suspicion, love instead of hatred."You may kiss the bride," the officiant announced, his voice carrying across the hushed garden.I leaned closer to Rose, my lips brushing her ear as I wh
Scarlett's Wedding Hayley's POV I stood before the full-length mirror in our bedroom, pulling down the hem of my emerald green dress for the hundredth time now. I felt nervous.The silk material mused against my skin as I stretched it, but even its luxurious touch couldn't calm my nerves. Today was my sister's wedding—if you could call someone who'd tried to kill you a sister."Stop fidgeting, Rose." Roman's deep voice called from the doorway. I didn't have to turn because I saw his reflection in the mirror before me, and my breath hitched in my throat. He looked devastatingly handsome in his charcoal suit, his dark hair slightly tousled as if he'd been running his fingers through it. His eyes, those piercing amber orbs that never failed to see right through me, held mine in the mirror."I can't help it," I mumbled, smoothing my hands over my stomach. The twins' birth had left its marks, but Bree had chosen this dress perfectly—it hugged in all the right places while still being ap
Three Days of GraceRoman's POVIt was three days before Scarlett's wedding. I was pacing my study in the early morning, thinking. Dawn hadn't yet broken when Caspian arrived and joined me in the study. I had called him earlier. I'd been up for hours now, my wolf restless beneath my skin. The weight of leadership had never felt heavier than in these moments, when every decision could mean life or death for those I loved."Three days," Caspian said, leaning back in his chair. Dark circles under his eyes suggested he'd been up all night too. "Are we really going through with getting Melissa out for the wedding?" He asked me.I paused my pacing to rub my temples, where a headache had been building since midnight. I turned to walk to the window, watching as the sun shone down in the garden looking too peaceful for the turmoil in my mind."I don't know," I admitted, my voice rough from lack of sleep. The thought of letting Melissa out made my wolf snarl with protective rage. "With ever
Betrayal in Plain SightRoman's POVThis morning I woke up with new determination. I rubbed my tired eyes, determined to review more surveillance footage. Yesterday's run with Rose had helped clear my mind, made the bitterness and pain more manageable. I didn't expect to find anything new in the recordings, but I had to try. I had barely started hearing the recordings in my study.Then I heard it.Scarlett's voice came through the speakers, trembling slightly. "I don't know what to do. He's going to banish me from New York. I have nowhere to go." She cried.I leaned forward, turning up the volume. A female voice responded, making my anger spike."Come to San Francisco. We need to stick together now more than ever," the voice said. "It's time we dealt with Roman and Hayley once and for all." She told her. Wait. That voice sounds familiar.My fingers gripped the edge of my desk. That voice... I knew that voice."Are you sure?" Scarlett asked, hope creeping into her tone."Yes. Just co
Comfort in ChaosHayley's POVMy heart ached as I watched Roman storm upstairs to his study, his shoulders rigid with tension. The sound of his footsteps echoed through the foyer, each step heavy with the weight of yesterday's revelations. Viola's eyes followed his retreating form, and concern appeared on her elegant features."Kate, darling," Viola said softly, reaching across the table to squeeze my hand. "I've never seen him this tense, even for Roman. What has happened?" She asked me.I sighed, running my fingers through my hair. The morning sunlight streaming through the windows suddenly felt too bright, too cheerful for the heaviness in my chest. "He visited his mother in the dungeon yesterday," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "She told him... she told him Victor might be his real father."The silence that followed was deafening. Bree's coffee cup clattered against its saucer, the sound sharp in the quiet room."Oh my God," Bree breathed, her blue eyes wide. "Are you