LEILA MILLERThe moonlight trickled through the slightly parted curtains, casting pale shadows across the room. I lay beside Matt, my body still warm from our time together, but my mind buzzed with restless thoughts.I should have felt content, wrapped in the embrace of the man I’d loved for two years. Yet, a familiar ache stirred within me, one I couldn’t shake no matter how hard I tried.I might not have a fated mate, but I had Matt, a man who made me feel like having a mate was more than just about fate.I wasn't a member of this pack 2 years ago when I was attacked by rogues at the pack border. But I was luckily saved by Matt. I remember vividly when I slowly opened my eyes after being injured and unconscious, I saw that Matt smiled at me, offering his hand to me. I grabbed it and he pulled me up so hard, I almost fell forward.At the first sight of him I was awestruck by him and couldn't help but fall in love with him.I am the only daughter of the Alpha of Nightfall pack. But w
Back in the beginning, it had been all about convincing the pack to accept my rogue status. But lately, it was all about his uncle. Matt had mentioned him before, and I tried to understand, but recently, he spoke of him more and more, as though his Uncle Sebastian were a lofty figure suddenly within reach.Alpha Sebastian, from what I knew, was Matt’s mother’s brother, and he controlled territories larger than those of our New Moon Pack. I’d heard of him even back then; the stories painted him as ruthless and fearsome. At the time, I hadn’t given him much thought. But with Matt’s recent obsession, it was becoming too much.Matt kept mentioning how he wanted to prove himself to Sebastian—not just for himself, but for the Alpha of our pack as well. Alpha Sebastian’s power and territory grew alongside his company, and our—or rather, their—New Moon Pack wanted to form an alliance with him, hoping to climb higher up the ladder.Since Alpha Ferris, New Moon’s Alpha, couldn’t secure the deal
All I know was that my heart was in pain, immense pain that I had no recollection of how I went back to my room, or how I managed to make it through the night. By the time morning came, the sun filtered through the slightly opened curtains, peeping in soft golden lights across the room, a huge contrast to what my heart was feeling. The spot beside me on the bed, where Matt should have been, was cold and empty. I felt none of the warmth I’d once enjoyed waking up beside him.He hadn’t returned early last night, and even when he finally did, I couldn’t find peace, couldn’t sleep. His words from when he left echoed in my mind, his flimsy excuses taunting me.He had told me his great uncle, Sebastian Salvatore, would be in town soon to expand his business. In Matt’s world, that meant he needed to be on his best behavior to get on the man’s good side. He mentioned needing to ensure everything was perfect for the meeting.But after what I’d discovered, I knew it was a lie. He left to see h
As Gracie and I had agreed, I was dressed and ready for a night out by 6 p.m., ready to let loose. I’d chosen a slinky black halter dress that hugged my body and accentuated my curves, reminding me of the confident, bold woman I used to be before I met Matt.The reflection staring back at me in the mirror looked like a stranger—a bold, beautiful woman I hadn’t seen in a long time. Matt had preferred a more subdued version of me, so I’d molded myself to fit that image. I’d become the perfect, timid mate, trying to be everything he wanted. I should have known I’d never be enough.A car honk sounded outside, signaling Gracie’s arrival. I grabbed my purse and phone, adjusted the straps on my heels, and headed for the front door. I didn’t bother leaving a message for Matt. He hadn’t been home all day, and frankly, I didn’t care whether he came back or not. All I cared about was getting out.I spotted Gracie’s car parked outside and made a beeline for it. She rolled down the window, waving
The pounding music of the nightclub vibrated through my body, yet I found hard to focus on anything but the dizziness swirling in my head.I didn’t know how I’d ended up here. Oh, right. I was trying to drown out thoughts of Matt—his lies, his excuses, his betrayals. Out working for his uncle or trying to expand his business? Pfft. I was sure he’d spent the day with her. The thought alone drove me to down more alcohol than I usually would. Was he screwing her right now? Probably.Determined to push him out of my mind, I followed Gracie onto the dance floor. We lost ourselves in the crowd, letting the beat carry us, the problems fading in the rhythm and the moment. I felt free, like my old self.After a while, I excused myself and made my way to the restroom, still feeling woozy from the drinks. On my way back to Gracie and the dancefloor, I crashed into a solid, muscular body and stumbled back a few steps. Thankfully, I caught myself before I fell. But damn, that was a hard wall of a
The air in the room is heavy with the scent of our bodies merged together, the tension between us so thick and suffocating it filled every space of the room. His hands wee every where, sliding over the bare skin of my thighs and pushing the hem of my dress as his lips became more intense, kissing me deeply, and his scent overwhelming me as a whole, stealing every bit of rational sense left in me.I was left with no thought but that of him in that very moment, his body on mine, his intoxicating sense that drowned me in him. His lips moving on mine were rough, insistent, and I let myself drown in it…in him too.I am not sure how we ended up in one of the rooms at the club, a vip room I supposed but my brain was too much of a mess and a haze for me to recall exactly how the events escalated. One minute we were kissing in the hallway, and the next, my back was hitting the bed as he hovered above me, his entire being taking me away to nirvana. Most of the alcohol was out of my system by t
The vibration of the device was relentless without a halt, pulling me back to reality as the pool of messages came.I blinked, trying to focus as the fog of lust lifted for just that split second. I turned my head around, glancing at the night stand where my phone lit up with a notification that came through, and my heart lurched as I saw the name that appeared on the screen.Matt. His messages poured in without a stop, as if he was typing all his emotions out in single strands of messages rather than just one message as a whole.Matt: Where are you?Matt: I just came back home early.Matt: Where did you go to?Matt: Why are you not at home?Matt: Why are you out this late, Leila.Matt: Reply me immediately you see my messages.Matt: I mean it, Leila.If I was not in my right senses up until a while ago, and I am not, the messages cleared the entire fog of lust on me. My stomach twisted in uncomfortable knots, and the surge of desire vanished as cold clarity dawned on me on what I was
LEILA MILLER The morning might filtered through the opened windows as I stepped into my house with Matt of two years. Except today, the usual enthusiasm and affection I had for this place I had poured my all into making it my home is no longer there, and in it's stead, the weight of everything from last night weighed me down as well as everything that has happened in the past few days as well. My head is throbbing, a full reminder of the mistake I had almost made last night. I had not gotten a wink of sleep last night entirely, simply tossing and turning in Gracie's Bed where I had seemed shelter the night before, not wanting to return to this place with my thoughts scattered all over like that. Despite Matt's message, I could not stand to look at him or seal with anything that has to do with him in any form last night really, especially not while still under the influence of alcohol. Now though, as I walked into the room, something within me has shifted, more like a fierce de
SEBASTIAN SALVATORE DE LUCA. I stared at the CCTV recording from the night before with my hands clenching by the side. My eyes narrowed at the screen of my laptop, despite knowing the real culprit is merely a figure in the video and not actually standing in front of me in real life. As the video ended and I got my answer, I was seething. Sure enough I was right when I thought someone must have orchestrated Leila’s elevator accident, and I was right. My company does not make such silly mistakes. So somehow must have done it, and I have just figured out who. A knock came on my door, interrupting my train of thoughts. “Come in.” I grumbled out, my gaze flicking in the direction of the entrance where Leon trudged in, having gotten his permission. He came to stand in front of me, his expression stern and professional. “Sir, your nephew, Matt is here with his partner again, demanding to see you. Should I send them away as usual?” He asked, already knowing how to handle Matt’s whiny a
SEBASTIAN SALVATORE DE LUCA. I think I got the wrong impression of Leila from the very beginning. And I admit, I am at fault for how we ended up. But truthfully, I had no idea what Matt was doing to her. I have met a number of women that have all been after me, my influence, and my money that I thought Leila, my own mate was the same. I wanted to believe otherwise, I really did. But after seeing her with Matt, any doubts I had were thrown out the window. How was i supposed to accept that my mate, whom i was with the night before is involved with my nephew? What other explanation could there be other than the fact that she is two timing us both, using him to climb the ladder and get to me? I will also admit that I have regretted my decision over the past few months. I tried not to mull over it, but it is difficult when even my own wolf has been craving for his mate. I have always kept my desires to myself, knowing when to handle it and indulge others, but since finding Leila, even t
LEILA MILLERI cleared my throat, releasing a few shaky breaths before tapping the answer button and then bringing the phone to my ear. "Hel--" I parted my lips to speak, but Dylan's voice came immediately, cutting me off before i could even utter the first word."Leila?" Dylan's voice came, rushed, almost as if he was starting to become really worried, or maybe he already is. "Leila?"I swallowed down a lump, then forced a smile on my face despite knowing he can not see it. "Yes, Dylan. It is I." I am surprised my tone came out calm when deep down, i am nervous as to how he would react.I heard him release a deep sigh of relief from the other end. "Thank goodness, Leila!" His tone tehn turned scolding, "Where have you been? I have been texting, and calling you all day. It has been hours since you went to that meeting and I have heard nothing from you. Did something happen?"I hesitated, weighing the options in my head before coming to a conclusion that there is no reason to tell Dyla
LEILA MILLER.I had zero idea what happened.The next time my eyes flicked open, a dull headache welcomed me. I closed my eyes, waited a few seconds for the headache to subside before peeling them open again. Confusion settled in my mind as i took in the unfamiliar room, my lips tugged downwards into a deep frown. The memories of what happened leading to me passing out flooded my mind, down to the last thing I remember before passing out.Sebastian. He saved me.I found myself sitting up, the duvet that was covering me falling to my laps as i looked around the lavish room that screamed anything but a hospital room. And if its simple extravagance did not confirm so, then the scent of him everywhere around confirmed the thought.I am not in his house...am I?Needing to confirm for myself, I pushed the duvet off me, and got out of the bed. There was a pink flip flop waiting, which i slipped my feet into before making my way towards the door in sight. Except, instead of the exit i was hop
LEILA MILLER.As my meeting with Sebastian came to an end, he asked his assistant Leon to see me out, and that he will schedule our next appointment. I thanked him, and left with Leon leading the way out. I still felt Sebastian's gaze on me until i was out of the room, but i did not turn around, not in the slightest. But it was not just Sebastian with his lingering gaze, but that of his workers as well. The moment Leon and I walked out of Sebastian's office, the stares came once again. I could not help but wonder why they are staring at me like I just crossed some line that is not meant to be crossed.I got my answer when Leon, upon noticing the stares as well, offered me a soft smile and then said. "It is just that Mr. Salvatore never had a meeting with any woman in his office, at least, never alone." He explained.My brows drew in, lips tugged into a slight frown. I hummed, "Really?" I do not know why i found that hard to believe. Maybe because Sebastian looks like someone that wou
LEILA MILLER.I was suddenly nervous, and I do not know why. The moment he walked in, his eyes found mine, and i could swear the air shifted as we held each other's gaze. His expression did not give anything away. It was guarded as always as he closed the door behind him, and then walked further into the office in my direction. There was this aura that accompanied him, something in the way he carried himself that made the air in the room shift, his eyes never leaving mine. I swallowed down a discreet lump, and then pushed myself on my feet as he reached where I am. My own expression mirrored his as he came to stand in front of me, and I found myself stretching my hand out. "Mr. Salvatore," I said, surprised by how calm my voice sounded despite my heart fluttering. Sebastian's hand took a hold of mine firmly, its size enclosing mine with its warmth as he shook it."Miss Reed," He acknowledged, his voice deeper than i remembered it--his eyes never leaving mine.A second longer passed
LEILA MILLER.The surprised look that took over thier features all was priceless, I wish I had a picture of it so i can look at later on and laugh.But, I do not, and having Leon here to save me from having to go through interacting with the other is more than enough for me.I smiled, glad to have him here. "Thank you, Leon."He offered me a smile back, "It is my pleasure, Miss Reed. I apologize for the delay you encountered." His smile disappeared when he turned his head and focused his gaze on the receptionists who, instantly looked down. "Which one of you stopped Miss Reed?" He asked, his voice turning cold.The one that i did not speak to instantly pointed a finger at the one i was conversing with, eager to escape Leon's wrath. The culprit looked up, her eyes wide, almost pleading before her voice came. "Mr. Leon, i am really sorry. I did not know she was Mr. Salvatore's guest...I really did not...""I am not the one you should apologize to," He said, his voice as cold as his expr
LEILA MILLER.My interaction with Matt left me not wanting to spend another minute in the event, I could not stomach the thought of it. But, I am well aware of its importance to Dylan, so I did not say a thing about it, and instead tried to mask my annoyance as I made my way back to the hall, instantly plastering a tight lipped smile on my face.Upon returning to Dylan's side, his eyes met mine, and his brows drew in, as if he could tell there is something wrong with me. His hand reached out, resting on the small of my back as he leaned down to whisper in my ear, "Are you okay?"I forced the smile on my face. "Yeah, I am fine." Dylan gave me a pointed look, one that showed he does not quite believe me, but he did not press it. Instead, he gave me a nod, and focused his attention back on teh current agenda that was being dicussed. Sebastian returned shortly after, but i did not look at him despite feeling his gaze on me. I kept my eyes fixed on the speaker, and ignored his looks. But,
LEILA MILLER."What the hell do you think you are doing?" I hissed as Matt closed the door behind us, before pushing me into the nearest wall. I snatched my hand from his hold, or at least attempted to do so but his grip was firm, refusing to let go.He held my gaze, his eyes flaring with anger as he stepped closer to me so he was crowding my inner space, his jaw clenched. "The hell, Leila?" He gritted back, his voice octaves lower, the anger in it evident. There was this sadistic, almost possesive but beyond look in his eyes, almost like an obsession. His gaze dropped as he gave me a onceover, and i have never felt as disgusted by his look as i did in that moment. His eyes found mine again, and then he said, "So this was your plan all along huh?"My eyes narrowed, my hands clenched into a fist despite being in his tight grip. "What plan?""Do not make a fool of me, Leila," He chuckled, though there was nothing amusing about it. The chuckle died as soon as it came, and the same crazed