Loraine’s POV I am still upset with him, and after his half-hearted apology, I considered storming out, but that might only appear childish. Besides, I love running. I breathe in the cool air as we both stand facing the edge of the forest that is just behind the prison yard. We have not said anything to each other beyond his grunt of approval to my question, but there is no awkwardness around us, although I want there to be. I am still slightly embarrassed by the stunt he pulled, but I don’t know how to hold a grudge. I take another deep breath in before I start pulling my clothes off one after the other until I am completely naked. Alpha Hunter does the same, then folds them neatly and stores them in a shoulder bag that he slings over a tree branch. With a nod to him, I shift into my wolf form and run into the forest. The leaves crunch beneath my feet, and the shrubs are a blur as I race past, leaping over logs and skirting around trunks. I run for the sheer love of it, but t
Loraine's POV We arrive at the mansion to discover that the guys are planning a barbecue. Since the weather is unseasonably warm, an outdoor meal was deemed just the thing to celebrate the guys victory in battle. Sasha is the cook for the day, thankfully, and is already in super hostess mode. Potatoes are already on the grill baking and steaks marinating. A girl named Chloe is working on the pies for dessert, and after freshening up, I move to the kitchen to help them with the little I can. Unlike what Alpha Hunter gave us to eat the other day, today's meal is a success and quite big because all the betas are in attendance. Kris is yet to appoint a beta, but I know soon we will be seeing him around. It turns out Chloe is Jack’s chosen mate. The news is that he found his mate some years ago but rejected her. I did not have the entire story, and honestly, I did not think it was any of my business. As long as he was happy. Chloe seems like a nice person, a little shy, but the two
Loraine’s POV It has been three days since that day in the forest with Alpha Hunter, and to say I’m enjoying myself would be an understatement. Everything between the Alphas and me is going smoothly. Even Killian seems to be paying me more attention, although he is still very reserved. At least he says hi every now and then. That’s a start. For now, the only thing that eats me up is the return of their former mate. For some reason, the Alphas, even Killian, are wary and anxious about her return, and it is affecting me as well. I don’t know what kind of woman she is or what she might have done to the Alphas—judging what Killian told me one night, she had done some bad things to them, although he did not say what—I was wondering if five years was enough to change her. Every day, for the past two days, I was anticipating her return. I had no idea how she would return, where she lives, or if she would still pay the Alphas any mind, but the thought of her around is still unsettling.
Loraine’s POV The noise at the camping site is the only thing that drowns away my thoughts. She is here. the woman that makes my Alphas feel uneasy and now me too. I try to recall what it was like in her presence, and I don’t even have to think hard enough. The feeling is still there. Cold. Cold.. It is only a few weeks to the ball, and then I will have to choose between the brothers. Somehow, I have a feeling that this time, they’ll be nothing to delay it any further. I will have to choose, and after I do, will any of them think of a life with her? The thought makes me shudder and my stomach clench uneasily. The thought of them being with her—with another woman—does not sit right with me, but then, what can I do? What will I do with all the memories we shared? I shake my head. I have tried ignoring that thought for as long as I can, but with Mabelline being here... I wonder what the guys will be like around her. What was her relationship with the guys like before her exile? Do
Loraine’s POVI tossed and turned on my bed later that night, staring up at the ceiling.Why couldn’t I sleep? I tried counting sheep, counting backwards, anything to stop the restless feeling gnawing at me. But all I could hear was Sasha’s warning from earlier today: “Don’t let your guard down around Mabel.”I sighed and turned over, clutching my pillow tighter. I trusted Sasha. She rarely said things without a reason. So why did her warning about her own sister make me feel... so freaking uneasy? It wasn’t like I didn’t know about Mabel.She’d been the former lover of the four men, and I’d heard stories about her—stories that painted her as beautiful, captivating, and a bit... calculating. But hearing all that was one thing. Seeing her? Seeing her standing there, looking so flawless, so unbothered, brought a new twist of nerves I hadn’t anticipated.I knew Killian had reassured me—he'd said Mabel’s return didn’t change anything between us. He’d looked me right in the eyes and said i
Loraine’s POVAfter that tense encounter at the boutique, I could tell that none of us were in the mood for more shopping, so we decided to head back to the manor.Sasha was unusually quiet as we walked inside, and I could feel curiosity bubbling up inside me. I wanted to understand more, especially after seeing Mabel’s smirk and the intense way she’d looked at us in the lingerie shop, especially how she looked at me.I decided to ask her, “Sasha, is there... anything else I should know about your sister?”She froze, and I watched as her expression became guarded as she looked at me. “Loraine, I’m really not the person who should be telling you anything about her anymore. As I said earlier, our relationship was not the best, but maybe I’m just being biased about her character.” She said it softly but firmly. “If you need to know more about who Mabel really is, then you should ask the Alphas. They’re the ones who... well, she was their mate and first love after all.”Her words stung mo
Loraine’s POV“Loraine! Wait!” I heard Alpha Hunter yell at me, but fuck him!I didn’t stop running until I reached the pond tucked away behind the manor.The water was so still, reflecting the sky like glass. Wildflowers dotted the bank, a soft fragrance in the air.I finally stood there, my heart still pounding from the argument, from the fear eating at me. This pond had always been a place of peace, a place where I could go to calm down and collect myself. But today, even the beauty of the water wasn’t enough to soothe my problems.“It’s just one argument,” I whispered to myself. “One misunderstanding. It doesn’t mean he’ll betray me... It doesn’t mean…”But then Alpha Hunter’s cold words echoed in my mind, and a shiver ran through me. Why had he been so dismissive of me over his ex?Why couldn’t he just talk to me about Mabel? I tried to remind myself that Hunter cared about me—that I was his mate now. But the fear remained—that awful, sinking fear that maybe, just maybe, he would
Loraine’s POVThe fuck did he just say to me??I could feel my anger boiling over as Hunter’s dumb silence filled the room. Again. He just kept dodging my questions about Mabel, like I didn’t have the right to know anything. Like I wasn’t worthy of an answer.“Fine,” I snapped, spinning on my heel. “If you’re not going to be honest with me, I’ll just go talk to someone who is.”He looked up sharply, his gaze narrowing. “Where exactly are you going?”I didn’t hesitate, meeting his eyes head-on. “I’m going to find Prince Gideon,” I said coldly. “At least he promised he wouldn’t try to hide anything from me or make me feel like an afterthought.”The flash of fury in Hunter’s eyes was instant, and he took a quick step forward, blocking my path. “Loraine, you’re not going anywhere,” he said, his voice low and dangerous.I crossed my arms and raised mychin defiantly. “I’ll go wherever I want to. You don’t get to control me, Hunter. And if you decide that I’m more important than some fucking
Loraine’s POV The afternoon sun cast a golden glow across the packhouse, filling the living room with a sense of warmth and calm. It was one of those rare lazy days where nothing urgent needed our attention. Hunter lounged on the couch, flipping through a book, while Killian and Preston sat on the floor, arguing over some board game rules. Mabel and I were curled up on a nearby armchair, sipping iced tea and chatting about absolutely nothing. It was nice—a peaceful, ordinary moment that felt like a small slice of heaven. It was my much-deserved rest after all of Gordon’s foolishness lately. This is how I wanted things: no drama, no problems, just peace. And then the door opened. Prince Gideon strolled in, his presence immediately shattering the calm. He was dressed in a crisp white shirt and dark trousers that clung to him in all the right ways. His golden hair caught the sunlight, and his piercing blue eyes locked on mine, a teasing smile playing on his lips. “Good afternoon,
Loraine’s POV The morning sun streamed through the windows of the packhouse, casting a golden glow across the living room where chaos reigned. Killian and Preston were sprawled across the couch, arguing over the remote, while Hunter sat cross-legged on the floor, engrossed in a board game with Mabel. “I’m just saying,” Killian grumbled, yanking the remote out of Preston’s hand, “we’ve already watched your dumb action movie twice. It’s my turn to pick something.” “Dumb?” Preston scoffed, lunging for the remote. “It’s a classic!” I watched the two of them wrestle like overgrown children, biting back a laugh. “Careful, boys. If you break that remote, you’re both cooking dinner tonight.” Killian immediately let go, raising his hands in surrender. “Fine, but we’re not eating Preston’s cooking.” “Hey!” Preston shot me a wounded look. “I’m not that bad.” Hunter snorted, not looking up from the game. “Last time you cooked, the fire alarm went off, and we had to order pizza.” Preston c
Loraine’s POV The moment Alpha Gordon’s dark eyes locked onto mine, I felt my stomach churn. His gaze was the same as it had always been: intense, domineering, and calculating. I turned to Mabel, hoping to steer us into another store and avoid him altogether, but it was too late. He was already weaving through the crowd, his towering figure cutting through the bustling shoppers with purpose. “Loraine,” his deep voice called out as he stopped in front of me, blocking my path. I froze. The sound of his voice brought back a flood of memories—none of them good. Mabel looked between us, her brows furrowing in confusion. “Gordon,” I said stiffly, my voice void of warmth. “What the fuck do you want now?” His lips curled into a half-smile, the kind that once made me weak in the knees but now only made my blood boil. “We need to talk.” “I think we said all we needed to say weeks ago,” I snapped, stepping around him, but he grabbed my wrist gently—not enough to hurt, but enough to make me
Loraine’s POV That evening, as we wrapped up dinner, I could feel the tension simmering between the boys. It had been an exhausting day, and I was looking forward to finally getting some sleep. Just as I stood to leave the dining area, Preston called out, his voice softer than usual. “Loraine,” he began, a hint of hesitation in his tone, “would you mind staying in my room tonight? I’d like to spend some time with you.” Before I could respond, Killian’s chair scraped against the floor as he stood abruptly. “Why should she stay with you, Preston? She stayed with you last week,” Killian said, his voice edged with irritation. Hunter chimed in, his arms crossed over his chest. “I don’t see why she shouldn’t stay in my room. It’s been a while, and I think it’s only fair.” Kris, leaning casually against the doorway, gave a lazy smirk. “You’re all ridiculous. If anyone gets her company tonight, it’s me. I think I deserve it after me being shot by wolfsbane and everything.” Their bickeri
Loraine’s POV After an awkward hour, I excused myself to the restroom to compose myself and came back. When I stepped back into the game room, the atmosphere was electric with laughter and playful teasing. Everyone seemed so carefree, sprawled across couches or lounging on the floor. Mabel was sitting cross-legged next to Kris, a small smile tugging at her lips as he joked about something. I hesitated in the doorway, letting the moment wash over me. I had to fix things, not just for her but for myself. “Loraine!” Hunter’s booming voice broke through my thoughts. He pushed off the wall where he’d been leaning, his grin widening. “You’re just in time. We’re about to up the stakes.” “Oh no,” Chloe groaned, though she was smiling. “This better not be another one of your ridiculous games.” Hunter smirked. “Come on, my games are legendary.” “They’re legendary for getting people in trouble,” Sasha pointed out, narrowing her eyes. “Exactly!” Hunter shot back. “Now, shut up and
Loraine’s POV It started as a normal morning. Kris had insisted on dragging himself out of bed, despite the doctor’s warnings to rest, and was now lingering in the living room, watching everyone bustle around. The others were preparing to head out after breakfast, and I was forced to stay behind, nursing a lingering sense of unease. Mabel was there too, sitting across from me with her usual air of quiet confidence. She didn’t say much, but somehow, her presence always felt larger than life. I tried to ignore the pang in my chest every time she flashed her perfect smile or casually caught someone’s attention. It wasn’t that I disliked her—at least, not consciously. But lately, it seemed like she was everywhere, always shining brighter, always winning over everyone in ways I couldn’t seem to match. Kris caught my eye, his brows furrowing slightly as he studied my face. “You okay?” he asked, his voice low enough that only I could hear. “I’m fine,” I replied quickly, forcing a smile.
Loraine’s POV Hunter was on the phone, pacing the room like a caged animal as Kris groaned in frustration. The doctor Hunter had called had just finished applying a thick, pungent salve to his arm, explaining it would neutralize the wolfsbane poisoning. But the second the doctor started to wrap the wound, Kris squirmed, loosening the bandage with an irritated huff. “Kris, stop fucking moving,” I said, trying to keep my voice calm. “It itches,” Kris snapped, glaring at his arm. “This stuff is torture.” Hunter put his phone down with a sigh. “Doctor, is this normal? He’s acting like you dipped his ass in acid.” “It’s perfectly normal,” the doctor said with a chuckle. “The medication is designed to draw out toxins, which can make the area tender and itchy. But it’s crucial that it stays on all night if he wants to heal properly.” “All night? Are you fucking kidding?!” Kris groaned, rolling his eyes. “You mean I’m stuck like this?” “Someone needs to stay with him,” Killian interj
Loraine’s POV The sun was beginning to set, painting the sky in hues of gold and pink as Sasha and Chloe gathered their things. The day had gone better than I expected—no major fights, no icy glares (from Sasha, at least), and plenty of laughter. It felt… normal. Something I hadn’t realized I missed until now. “I had a really great time,” Sasha said, giving Mabel a tentative smile. “I’m… glad we did this. I look forward to spending more time together.” Mabel’s eyes lit up with relief, and she nodded. “Me too. Thanks for giving me a chance, Sasha.” I felt warmth bloom in my chest. This was exactly what I’d hoped for. “That’s wonderful,” I said, smiling at both of them. But Chloe, standing slightly behind Sasha, caught my eye. She shot me a pointed, cautious look that sent a clear message: Don’t fuck this up. The moment passed quickly, and Chloe stepped forward. “Alright, time to go, Sasha. Let’s not overstay our welcome.” Sasha rolled her eyes but didn’t argue, turning to Mabel
Loraine’s POV Waking up in Killian’s room wasn’t something I planned to make a habit of, but here I was again because a certain somebody refused to share me with his brothers. And when I say a certain somebody, I mean the big sulky oaf called Killian, who was currently hugging me tightly like he was scared I would disappear if he relaxed. I could feel the thick bulge of his cock pressing against me through his pants, but I already knew he wouldn’t let me help him out, so I let it go. But no matter my grumble, I actually enjoyed waking up like this. His scent wrapped around me, warm and intoxicating, making it harder to get up than it should’ve been. I sighed, slipping out from under the blankets and trying to fix my hair in the faint morning light. The last thing I needed was for Killian to wake up and catch me sneaking out of bed. He’d drag me right back into bed! I opened the door quietly, only for my clumsy ass to bump straight into Mabel. “Oh!” she exclaimed, her hands sh