Marissa I groaned inwardly the moment the words left my mouth. A fake boyfriend? Really? Of all the excuses I could have come up with, that was the one I chose? Now, I was trapped in a ridiculous lie that I'd have to back up with an actual person. I rubbed my temple, already dreading the consequences. Justine was going to be a problem. Would Justin even care? I didn’t like this. Not at all. --- Employees trickled into the conference room, filling the seats around the oak table. A projector screen displayed the weekly milestones. I couldn’t concentrate. My foot kept tapping beneath my chair. Hector, my ex-boyfriend's best friend who knew about the cheating and now wanted to be friends again—sat diagonally across from me. He kept trying to get my attention, but I ignored him, nodding absently at the conversation. I kept my gaze fixed on my notepad, scribbling unnecessary bullet points to distract myself. At one point, Hector sent me a text. You okay? I read it and didn't resp
JustinAnger was mild compared to the fierce rage consuming me. Sean was mocking me, knowing that I could only fight in my human form. He wanted me to shift—to humiliate myself.My chest heaved, and my heartbeat threaded wildly in my ears. My fist throbbed from the impact, but it wasn’t enough—not even close. The smug bastard deserved worse. He was always undermining me, always waiting for any crack to push me—just like now. I wanted more blood. I swung, again and again. The amusement in his eyes vanished, replaced by raw hate, His first strike landed in my stomach. My muscles coiled, and my hand lifted, but before I could follow through, a blur of movements stopped me. Marissa’s hand shot out, blocking the space between us. Her eyes pleaded desperately.“Justin, stop. Please!"My fingers curled into a tight fist. She thought this was her fault."The only reason you've been allowed to run your mouth and act like you matter is because my father lets you. Nothing else," I said,
Marissa I hadn't expected Hector to take the fake dating thing so seriously. In fact, I regretted ever bringing it up.He showed up everywhere. He acted like my boyfriend. It was suffocating.First, there was yesterday morning. We had barely stepped into the office when Hector strolled in with two cups of coffee, casually handing one to me like it was our new thing."For my girl," he said with a teasing wink, ignoring how I rolled my eyes. I had accepted it out of courtesy, but was uncomfortable.He walked me to the break room. He reminded me to act like a couple. He was enjoying it too much.And an hour ago, he had pushed it even further, suggesting we do a movie night."I'll order some pizza and come by your room," he said.That was the last straw.I didn’t want to see anybody, so with my jacket snug around my shoulders, I stepped into the hallway, keeping my steps light. My room was too close to Hector’s, and the last thing I wanted was for him to hear me and come knocking, asking
MarissaThat familiar pull tightened sharply in my chest the moment Justin stepped closer. A sensation burned low, curling inside me and demanding acknowledgment.The bond always became known no matter how much I tried to suppress it.It was maddening.It pressed against my senses. The air grew heavier and made my skin prickle. Every cell in my body attuned itself to his presence.I hated how easily he could command my attention without even trying.Every damn time.I fixed my eyes on the screen, pretending I wasn’t hyper-aware of his approach.But my body reacted before my mind could stop it. My pulse spiked when he stood beside me, and my skin burned with the electricity that always came with his presence.Don’t look at him. Don’t give him the satisfaction.But he was looking at me.And against my better judgment, I looked back.Our eyes met.It wasn’t anything dramatic. Just a simple glance.Yet, in that second, something shifted.His gaze was unreadable as if he were searching for
Marissa My words lingered in the air, more of an accusation than anything else. He didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he just stared at me. Something intense flashed in his hazel eyes before his lips curled into a dangerous smirk."Why are you turning the tables on me?" he asked, leaning closer.I swear I felt my soul leaving my body.Breathing became nearly impossible, but I forced myself to try. "What are you talking about?"His eyes gleamed with something knowing. "You act like you don’t want me."Uh-oh.I took a swig of my drink, crossing my arms over my chest. "If I wanted you, I would have agreed to your advances."He chuckled darkly. "Even when you think I don’t notice, you always gaw at me."My heart skipped a beat, but I refused to look away. Then, he reached out, pulled my hoodie down, and twirled a finger around my hair.The act seemed harmless. But it wasn’t.It felt better than anything I had ever experienced."You’re blushing," he murmured, grinning as he lowered his
MarissaMy fingers tightened around the glass as I made my way back to Wendy. I wasn’t in the mood for any more nonsense, but fate clearly had other plans.Justine was with her.Great. Just great.She watched me with that familiar desire in her eyes, grinning as if suppressing a sigh. I extended the drink to Wendy.Her manicured fingers brushed against mine deliberately, and she examined the glass as if expecting me to have poisoned it.I had no energy to engage in whatever power play Wendy was trying to set up. Both Wendy and Justine were looking at me like I was a particularly fascinating specimen under a microscope.Unlike Wendy, who thrived on being condescending, Justine seemed intrigued."Anything else?" I asked Wendy, hoping to extract myself from the situation."If it isn’t my favorite assistant," Justine said, leaning against my table with a relaxed smile playing on her lips. "How’s your day going?""It’s been eventful," I said, keeping my voice polite. "You?"She shrugged. "
MarissaThe bus slowed to a halt at the general bus stop near the central district. The moment the doors hissed open, I stepped down and had barely taken in my surroundings before spotting my brother leaning against his car, a lazy grin stretched across his face."Look who finally decided to grace us with her presence," he called out, pushing off the car and opening his arms wide.I laughed, already hurrying toward him, and crashed into his chest."Hello, little brother," I said, showering his face with kisses. He grimaced as if irritated, but deep down, I knew he liked it."I’ll show you how not so little I am," he said, lifting me off the ground. I yelped, swatting at his shoulders."Put me down, you overgrown puppy!"After having his fun, he finally obeyed, setting me back on solid ground. I rolled my eyes and wiped the sweat off my forehead.A few of the werewolves who had descended from the bus laughed at our exchange, giving Brian respectful nods. Some of the males even shook hi
Marissa A heavy silence settled in the room.Stunned, Brian sat frozen. His blank stare shifted as he realized what I was talking about. "I don’t understand.""That makes two of us," I muttered . "I found out at the festival. The moment I saw him, the bond slammed into me. I felt everything. But something is wrong."He leaned closer. "What do you mean?" "He refuses to acknowledge it," I sighed, frustrated. "He won't reject me either. It’s like the bond doesn't exist for him.”Brian’s fists crashed against the table, rattling the dishes. A glass nearly tipped over. He shoved back his chair, pacing like a caged wolf, barely keeping his anger contained."Why the hell didn’t you say something sooner?" he snapped."Because I needed to be sure!" I shot back. "And because I didn’t want to humiliate myself! Can you imagine if I confronted him and he dismissed me? That would be worse than rejection."He stopped pacing for a moment, exhaling sharply, as if forcing himself to think."But now
It was getting harder and harder to stay private with Justin. Our relationship had somehow become the kingdom’s favorite soap opera. Inside the castle walls, everyone had a theory, a rumor, or a “trusted source.” And outside the gates? The paparazzi were practically part of the royal staff.Everywhere we went, someone was snapping photos or asking invasive questions. It was exhausting. I hadn’t realized how many people tracked your every step when you were bonded to a Lycan prince. Now even my outfit, the way I walked, or how I blinked seemed to matter. I found myself second-guessing every detail—was my lipstick smudged? Did my heels click too loud?Justin held my hand as we approached the pizza spot I’d been craving for all week. As expected, the moment we stepped out of the car, the flash of cameras started. A few paparazzi who had been pretending to “just be around” suddenly appeared from all angles, walking backward to keep pace with us.“Prince Justin, is it true you're planning
Marissa The Queen’s rage came with thunder. It wasn’t the typical raised voice or shaking hands kind of anger. It was primal, bone-deep, and terrifyingly loud. Her voice bounced off the ancient stone walls of the royal study like a storm crashing into a cliff. If Sean had been anywhere near her at that moment, she would’ve carved his name off the family tree with her bare hands.I stood still. A part of me was stunned, but the other part missed my own mother. I wondered how she might’ve defended me if she were still alive and if she would’ve gone to war for me too. Maybe it’s just something about mothers. No one quite loves the way they do."Well, I think you're going too far to be taken seriously," Justine muttered with her usual sarcastic flair, sipping casually from her glass.The Queen's head whipped around. Her eyes flared wide and wild. My heart genuinely skipped.“Too far?” she echoed, rising from her seat like storm-given legs. “Hell no. I haven't even started.”Justine bli
MarissaGoing back to work for Justin felt like willingly stepping into a lion’s den. The moment I walked into the building, all eyes were on me and whispers followed me like perfume.Justin and Wendy’s separation wasn’t just public knowledge. It had become entertainment. And now that Justine’s mate was revealed to be a werewolf, people were foaming at the mouth, looking for scraps to gossip about.Everyone had something to say.Some were convinced I was a gold digger, clinging to Justin for luxury and status. Others swore I must’ve used some dark spell to trigger the mate bond. “No way the future king would bond with a mere werewolf,” they said. “Especially not one from a crumbling pack.”If I hadn’t already earned my stripes in heartbreak and humiliation, I might’ve cracked under it all. Even Justin and Justine were beginning to ask if I was okay. I always brushed it off."Trust me," I told Justine two days ago while she was getting her hair done, “you don’t know what survival looks
SeanMy hatred for Justin grew like firewood stacked daily on a flame. Every time I heard his name, felt his presence in a conversation or headline, my blood ran hot. He was my target. I didn’t care that we shared the same blood. I was obsessed over this revenge. Over victory.Everyone thought I’d taken the loss like a man. Calm. Graceful. Accepting. But they had no idea I’d only swallowed my pride to buy time to burn him from the inside out.I would smile, shake hands, laugh when I had to. All while tightening the noose around Justin’s perfect little neck. One step at a time. One move after another.I didn't care whose blood got spilled in the process. Collateral damage meant nothing when I was playing for the crown.He didn’t deserve the throne. I did. I’d worked for it. Bled for it. But life had handed it to him like it was owed. The cursed golden boy with the name, the wolf, the face. While I stood in the shadows, planning how to take it all away.I parked a block away from the sa
Justin “Justin,” Marissa hissed under her breath, her hand tightening on mine. “I don’t trust you. What the hell are you up to?”I handed her the simple plastic bag with the black satin dress I’d picked out, keeping my expression neutral even though I was fighting a grin.“There’s only one way to find out,” I said, tugging playfully at the edge of her tank top. “But I promise, it’s not a kidnapping. Yet.”She squinted at me, not amused. “I swear, if this ends in something ridiculous—”“Shh,” I interrupted, slipping behind her and sliding my arms around her waist. I kissed the soft skin just below her neck, right over the mark I’d given her. She shivered. Jackpot.“If you could read my mind right now,” I whispered against her ear, “you’d be blushing so hard, you’d need aloe vera.”Her reflection in the mirror gave her away. She was flushed. Trying not to smirk. Pretending to be above it, but I knew better.I spun her gently to face the glass and let my hand rest low on her hip. “You
Marissa We were just about done with lunch when the sound of heels echoed down the corridor.Justine paused mid-chew. “Shit… that’s Wendy.”I wasn’t afraid of Wendy, but a sour feeling stirred in my gut. Guilt. Heavy and cold. The kind that clung to your skin and settled in your spine. I hadn’t planned to fall in love with someone else's fiancé. But here I was, sitting next to him at the royal table. The same royal table that the world had assumed she’d own soon.Every magazine had painted their fairytale wedding. The Future Queen. Elegant. Regal. Loved. I’d seen the headlines, the edited spreads of her trying on designer gowns, the speculated venues, the flower arrangements, and the wild guesses about their future pups. She was meant to be Justin’s forever. And now I was the shadow stepping into her spotlight.Wendy stormed into the dining room like a queen without a throne. Her fiery red dress clung to her like armor, and her eyes scanned the room until they landed on me. I dropp
Marissa My eyes widened, and my mouth dropped open the moment Justin blurted out his father’s secret family, right there in front of the Queen and Justine. The air shifted. Cold. Heavy. Like something sacred had just been desecrated. I couldn't dare glance at the Queen. Time slowed. Why the hell couldn’t Justin have kept that to himself?“Justin, this isn’t even funny,” Justine said, her voice sharp as a blade. She shot her brother a glare. “You can joke about a lot of things—but not this. This is too heavy.”“It’s true,” Justin said flatly, eyes fixed on his mother. “I’ve seen the woman. I dare him to deny it.”My hand trembled as I reached for him, trying to get him to stop before this turned into a wildfire. The Queen’s head stayed bowed. Sean looked mortified, and Justine actually stepped back like she’d been pushed.“My dear, it’s not how—” the King started, lifting his hand, “—Justin’s just trying to twist everything to suit his selfish narrative.”The Queen slowly raised her
Justin A soft smile played on my lips as I adjusted the torchlight, lowering the beam so it wouldn’t wake her. I traced the curve of Marissa’s cheek with the back of my knuckle, memorizing the peaceful rise and fall of her chest. I’d never felt this kind of calm before, not once in my life, and I didn’t want it to end. She was the anchor I never saw coming, the balm to everything broken in me.Watching her sleep, I tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. Who would’ve thought I’d ever feel normal again? It still didn’t seem real. It felt like I’d stepped into someone else’s life—a simulation too good to be mine. Like at any moment I’d wake up, cursed and hollow, back to being the joke of the royal house.But when I curled my fingers around hers and felt her warmth against my skin, I knew this wasn’t some delusion. This was real. It was here to stay. The pain, the pressure, the doubts… none of it mattered anymore. I felt overwhelmed in the best way—like I could fall to my knees
Marissa The constellation overhead scattered like glitter, and the sound of the ocean made the night feel magical. Nothing looked more beautiful than the sea at night—dark, open, endless. The air buzzed with life, soft birdsong blending with the hush of waves. I helped spread out the blankets while Justin turned on the battery-powered lamp, casting a warm glow around us. We were all alone. And happy.The wind played in my hair as I watched him, and when he reached for me, I didn’t hesitate. Hand in hand, we walked down to the water, dipped our fingers in the ocean, and stared at each other like nothing else mattered.“Are you ready?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.“Never been ready my whole life,” he said.“I love you, Marissa,” he added, voice steady, eyes locked on mine. “There’s no problem, no curse, no system that’s going to come between us. Not in this world, and definitely not in the next.”“Please,” I smirked. “I wouldn’t want to come back here again anyway. I thin