The grand corridors of Lucian’s mansion were eerily quiet, except for the muffled sound of hurried footsteps and whispered breaths as Lily, Lucian, Lexa, Lucas, Liam, and Maya made their way toward the source of the scream. The flickering lights positioned on the walls cast long, wavering shadows, and the tension in the air was almost suffocating.“I’m just saying,” Lucas began, breaking the silence with a low mutter, “we don’t even know what we’re walking into. Maybe we should be more careful.”“I agree,” Liam added, his voice slightly sharp. “Charging into the unknown isn’t a smart move.”Lucian glanced over his shoulder, his expression calm but commanding. “No one is charging anywhere. We’re moving with purpose.”“That’s easy for you to say,” Liam retorted, his tone biting. “You’re not the one responsible for keeping Lily safe.”Lily groaned audibly, rolling her eyes. “Would you two stop already? I’m perfectly capable of keeping myself safe.”Lucas frowned. “It’s not about you
The room was quiet except for the faint hum of the moonlight coming in through the curtains casting a beautiful glow around the space that made it look more elegant. Lily sat cross-legged on her bed, her phone pressed to her ear as she spoke with Maya. Her voice was low, tinged with frustration and worry. The recent activities of the past couple of days has been very tiring for her and it was beginning to take it's toll on her. She needed a way to escape the reality that her life was now being threatened by Alex and talking to Maya was one of those escapes she craved. “I just don’t understand how someone can be so... obsessed,” Lily murmured, her fingers idly twisting the corner of her bedsheet. “It’s like he’s in my head, and no matter what I do, I can’t shake the feeling that he’s always watching.” Maya’s voice came through the phone, soothing but firm. “He’s not in your head, Lily. He’s just good at making you think he is. That’s how people like Alex work. They prey on your f
The soft rays of the morning sun filtered through the curtains of Lily’s room, painting the walls in colors of gold and amber. She stirred under the covers, her body still warm from the cocoon of her blanket. As her eyes fluttered open, the memories of the previous night came rushing back like a flood. She remembered how Lucas had gripped her waist as she straddled him and the way Liam's eyes turned into some other color when he entered her with such ease that a gasp escaped her lips.Last night had been magical and she wouldn't have traded it for anything. Her lips curled into a small, blissful smile as she sat up, the sheets pooling around her waist. The memory of Lucas and Liam’s kisses, the way their touches had sent shivers down her spine, and the way they had looked at her with unguarded affection—all of it made her heart skip a beat. It had been so long since she’d felt this happy, this complete. But as the joy settled in, a shadow of anger crept in as well. Alex. His obse
The trip to the hospital was filled with quiet anticipation. The weight of their thoughts silenced any casual conversation among Lily, Lucas, and Liam. The three of them sat close together in the car, the hum of the engine the only sound breaking the stillness as they navigated the early morning streets. When they arrived, the hospital loomed ahead, its sterile walls and clinical atmosphere emanating a strange mix of hope and dread. They made their way to Graham’s room with hurried steps, their hearts pounding with a mix of excitement and nervousness. Lucas was the first to push open the door. Inside, Graham lay in the bed, propped up against pillows, his dark hair tousled and his sharp blue eyes alive with alertness. He turned his head toward them, and a small smile broke across his face. “You’re here,” Graham said, his voice hoarse but steady. Liam couldn’t contain himself. He rushed forward and threw his arms around him, careful not to disturb the wires and monitors connected
The school courtyard basked in the golden light of the mid-morning sun. Students bustled around, some seated at benches, others strolling along the winding paths. Lily and Maya sat together in a shaded corner under a sprawling oak tree, its leaves offering a protection from the heat. A spread of notebooks, fabric choices, and printouts lay scattered on the table between them. “This is a disaster,” Lily muttered, staring at a list she had written the previous night. Her handwriting was neat, but the sheer number of tasks made the page look chaotic. “I can’t do this, Maya. I’ve never planned a ball before. What if it’s a complete flop?” Maya leaned back, a grin playing on her lips. “Relax, Lily. You’re overthinking it. Balls are just big parties with fancier clothes and prettier decorations.” Lily shot her a look. “Easy for you to say. You’re not the one everyone’s expecting to impress. I’m the new Luna. They’ll be scrutinizing every little detail.” Maya reached across the table
The great ballroom of the mansion sparkled like a dream, lit by cascading chandeliers that seemed to dance with the elegance of a thousand twinkling stars. Guests moved gracefully across the polished marble floor, their laughter and conversation blending harmoniously with the soft strains of classical music played by the live orchestra. Lily stood near the towering double doors, her palms lightly damp as she welcomed each guest with Lucas and Liam on either side of her, Alpha Dean and Luna Ariel just a few steps away. The weight of her position bore down on her like never before. Her dress, a flowing emerald-green gown that perfectly complemented her luminous skin, felt heavier than it had earlier, as if the expectations of the night were stitched into the fabric. “Welcome, Alpha Drake,” she said warmly, her voice steady despite the nerves knotting in her stomach. “We’re so honored to have you here tonight.” The broad-shouldered alpha nodded politely, his mate giving her an appr
The air in the kitchen felt heavy, as if the tension had entered into the very walls. Lily’s breaths came fast and shallow, her pulse racing as Alex’s dark presence loomed. The maids who had been diligently assisting her moments ago now stood frozen, their eyes darting nervously between Alex and Lily. “Leave us,” Alex commanded, his tone smooth but laced with steel. The maids exchanged anxious glances, clearly torn between obeying him and staying to protect Lily. One of them, a small woman named Breca, stepped forward, her hands trembling but her chin lifted defiantly. “No, sir,” Breca said, her voice quivering but resolute. “We can’t leave Luna Lily alone with you.” Alex’s expression remained calm, but the flicker of menace in his eyes was unmistakable. “I won’t repeat myself" Alex said, his voice stern and his eyes filled with power. Lily placed a gentle hand on Breca’s arm, drawing her attention. “Breca, it’s okay,” she said softly, trying to keep her voice steady despite
The ball was in full swing, a dazzling display of grandeur and elegance. Chandeliers sparkled above the crowd in the great ballroom, their light catching on the sequins and jewels of gowns and tuxedos. Music swirled in the air, an enchanting melody that made everyone feel like they were in a fairy tale. Maya stood at the edge of the room, her breath catching as she took it all in. This was the first time she was invited to a ball such as grand as this and she was enjoying the experience. She couldn’t help but admire the sheer beauty and meticulous planning that had gone into the event. From the intricately arranged floral centerpieces to the perfectly curated music, it was clear Lily had outdone herself. She was so proud that her best friend was able to pull off an event that would surely be the talk of the pack and she couldn't help but smile as the feelings of admiration came over her. “This is... stunning,” Maya whispered, smiling at a passing couple. She couldn’t wait to fi
The late afternoon sun cast a golden glow over the neighborhood as Lily made her way to Maya's house. The beautiful cream-colored home stood nestled between two sprawling maple trees, their leaves rustling softly in the breeze. She admired the charming flower boxes under the windows, each bursting with bright colours and a magnetic scent, a testament to Maya's mother's love for gardening.When Lily knocked on the door, it opened almost immediately, revealing Maya’s mother, Mrs. Hudson. She was a warm, cheerful woman in her mid-forties, with kind eyes and an apron tied snugly around her waist. The scent of freshly baked cookies moved from inside the house and Lily was happy she had come.“Lily, dear! It’s so good to see you,” Mrs. Hudson greeted with a bright smile. “Come in, come in. Maya’s upstairs in her room.”“Thank you, Mrs. Hudson,” Lily said, stepping inside. The inside of the house was as cozy as the way it suggested on the outside, with soft lighting and family photos li
The school courtyard buzzed with life as students moved to and fro, chatting in groups or heading to their classes. Lily and Maya walked side by side, their voices low as they went into the startling revelation Lucian—or rather, Alpha Derek—had made the previous night.“I still can’t believe it,” Maya said, her voice filled with disbelief as she clutched her books tightly against her chest. “Lucian, or Derek, or whatever we’re calling him now, was Alex’s Alpha? And Alex nearly killed him?” She shook her head. “It’s like something out of a bad soap opera.”Lily sighed, her expression thoughtful. “I know. It’s a lot to take in. The fact that he lied to us about his identity all this time—it’s hard to just accept his story at face value. What if there’s more he’s not telling us?”Maya nodded, her brows furrowed. “Exactly. If he lied about something as big as his name and his history, who’s to say he’s not lying about other things? I mean, he could be hiding even more secrets.”Lily st
The air in the room was suffocating, filled with disbelief, tension, and an almost audible crackle of shock. Everyone stared at Lucian as if waiting for him to say he had been joking, that Alex’s accusations were just a cruel manipulation. But Lucian remained composed, his face unreadable, as his confession settled heavily among them.Lexa stood motionless beside him, her lips pressed into a tight line. The silence stretched unbearably until Lucas finally broke it.“What the hell do you mean, Alex wasn’t lying?” Lucas growled, his fists clenched at his sides. “What game are you playing, Lucian? What have you been holding back?”Lucian’s eyes flickered, but he maintained his calm demeanor. “It’s not a game, Lucas. It’s the truth. And you deserve to hear it" Lucian said as his eyes moved from Lucas and moved around to the sea of faces that were watching him.Maya crossed her arms, her brows furrowed. “So start talking. Because right now, none of us trust you.”“Nor should you,” Liam
The air was tense as the car sped down the darkened road leading to Lucian’s mansion. Lily sat between Lucas and Liam in the backseat, her hands clutched tightly in her lap. Maya sat in the passenger seat, her face illuminated by the faint glow of her phone screen as she absentmindedly scrolled, though it was clear her mind was elsewhere.No one had spoken much since they decided to confront Lucian and Lexa. The weight of Alex’s cryptic warning about Lucian’s true identity hung heavy over them, thickening the silence in the car.They didn’t trust his words, but they had a feeling that if they don’t find out the truth, they might regret it later. Lucas finally broke the quiet. “Are we sure this is the right move? Confronting Lucian like this?”“We don’t have a choice,” Liam replied, his hands tightening on the steering wheel. “If Alex knows something we don’t, we can’t just sit back and do nothing. We need answers.”“But what if we’re walking into something we’re not prepared for?”
The ball had ended in a glittering success, much to Lily’s relief. The grand ballroom was now empty, the laughter, clinking glasses, and lively music just a memory lingering in the air. Lily felt the exhaustion of the night settling into her bones as she went up the stairs to her room, Maya by her side. Despite the calm exterior of the night, her mind was anything but peaceful.“Thank the stars no one noticed Alex’s arrival,” Lily murmured, breaking the silence as they reached her door. “I was terrified something would go wrong, but it seems the guests were none the wiser.”“Except us,” Maya replied, her tone dark with unspoken concern. “And that’s bad enough.”Lily nodded, unlocking the door and stepping into her room. It was dimly lit, with soft, golden light emanating from the bedside lamps. Maya followed her in, closing the door behind them.Lily sank onto the edge of her bed, kicking off her heels and rubbing her temples. “What does Alex want, Maya? Why now? He’s always been..
The grand ballroom was alive with the murmur of conversations, laughter, and the soft strains of music floating from the live orchestra. Lucas and Liam stood near the center of the room, deep in conversation with a group of dignified guests, their expressions polite but distracted. Though they were putting on the facade of charm and engagement, their thoughts were elsewhere—mainly on Lily and how she was managing the ball. Liam leaned slightly toward Lucas as another guest began a lengthy anecdote about her pack’s historical alliances. “She’s doing great, isn’t she?” he murmured under his breath, his eyes scanning the room. Lucas nodded, his jaw tightening. “She is, but she shouldn’t have to worry about this alone. We should be with her” Lucas said. Before Liam could respond, Breca appeared, her face pale and eyes wide with alarm. She hesitated only for a second before stepping forward and whispering urgently, “Alpha Lucas, Alpha Liam, there’s a problem. Alex... he’s in the ki
The ball was in full swing, a dazzling display of grandeur and elegance. Chandeliers sparkled above the crowd in the great ballroom, their light catching on the sequins and jewels of gowns and tuxedos. Music swirled in the air, an enchanting melody that made everyone feel like they were in a fairy tale. Maya stood at the edge of the room, her breath catching as she took it all in. This was the first time she was invited to a ball such as grand as this and she was enjoying the experience. She couldn’t help but admire the sheer beauty and meticulous planning that had gone into the event. From the intricately arranged floral centerpieces to the perfectly curated music, it was clear Lily had outdone herself. She was so proud that her best friend was able to pull off an event that would surely be the talk of the pack and she couldn't help but smile as the feelings of admiration came over her. “This is... stunning,” Maya whispered, smiling at a passing couple. She couldn’t wait to fi
The air in the kitchen felt heavy, as if the tension had entered into the very walls. Lily’s breaths came fast and shallow, her pulse racing as Alex’s dark presence loomed. The maids who had been diligently assisting her moments ago now stood frozen, their eyes darting nervously between Alex and Lily. “Leave us,” Alex commanded, his tone smooth but laced with steel. The maids exchanged anxious glances, clearly torn between obeying him and staying to protect Lily. One of them, a small woman named Breca, stepped forward, her hands trembling but her chin lifted defiantly. “No, sir,” Breca said, her voice quivering but resolute. “We can’t leave Luna Lily alone with you.” Alex’s expression remained calm, but the flicker of menace in his eyes was unmistakable. “I won’t repeat myself" Alex said, his voice stern and his eyes filled with power. Lily placed a gentle hand on Breca’s arm, drawing her attention. “Breca, it’s okay,” she said softly, trying to keep her voice steady despite
The great ballroom of the mansion sparkled like a dream, lit by cascading chandeliers that seemed to dance with the elegance of a thousand twinkling stars. Guests moved gracefully across the polished marble floor, their laughter and conversation blending harmoniously with the soft strains of classical music played by the live orchestra. Lily stood near the towering double doors, her palms lightly damp as she welcomed each guest with Lucas and Liam on either side of her, Alpha Dean and Luna Ariel just a few steps away. The weight of her position bore down on her like never before. Her dress, a flowing emerald-green gown that perfectly complemented her luminous skin, felt heavier than it had earlier, as if the expectations of the night were stitched into the fabric. “Welcome, Alpha Drake,” she said warmly, her voice steady despite the nerves knotting in her stomach. “We’re so honored to have you here tonight.” The broad-shouldered alpha nodded politely, his mate giving her an appr