Loraine’s POV “I do like that dress.” Preston says, leaning in the open door of my room—which I am sure I closed and locked before starting to change. His face is split into a wide, glinting smile, his white tunic unbuttoned to the deep carve of his sternum. I grip the sides of the gown before it falls to my ankles. “How the hell did you get in here?” Preston blinks, eyes wide with innocence. He shrugs, striding deeper into the room until he’s standing a breath away from me. “You look like you need help.” Rolling my eyes, I scowl down at the fabric, which is a beautiful change after the red dress I wore to the party. It is a sapphire blue satin with an open-backed bodice that laces up around my ribs. Without D, I can't—for the life of me—figure out how to put it on. I turn to Preston. “If you can work out how to attach this thing to me, I will drop the question about the lock.” In a heartbeat, Preston’s arms wrap around my waist as his scent fills my lungs. My wolf growls, pu
Loraine’s POV The world is a blur. There is a loud ringing noise in my ear, which I’m sure will melt my brains. I groan, wincing as my entire body is lit with fire. Pain. Its painful. I need to shift. That’s the only way I can heal and stay alive, but I don’t even have the strength to pull my wolf. “Loraine!” arms shake me, Killian’s grey eyes level with mine as he crouches on the floor, to which I’ve somehow slid. “Look at me. Are you okay?” “Hunter.” I manage to say, my mouth dry as I blink away the tears that are rolling down my face. Terror and pain washed over me, causing my breath to catch in my chest. “Hunter, is he—is he okay?” “He is fine.” Kris says from behind him, pulling both Killian and me to our feet. Behind Kris, Hunter walks stiffly but without assistance. His shirt is soaked in blood, and I gasp. “Most of it isn’t mine, little wolf.” He says, spitting out a phlem of blood. “But you are hurt, right?” Shooting me a worried look, Preston moves forward, pullin
Loraine’s POV I wake up surrounded by delicious Alpha scents, my nose buried in warm skin and arms tight around my waist. I’m naked from the waist up, and so is Alpha Hunter, where we are pressed tightly together, though there is a warm blanket thrown over my shoulders to cover me up and my legs are wrapped around his waist. I sigh, totally content with how I’ve found myself that my brain is taking time to process why the fuck I’m half naked. Alpha Hunter’s arms tighten around me. “Go back to sleep, little wolf. Your body is tired.” Goosebumps explode over my skin, and I shiver, my nipples tightening until they are pebbled where they’re pressed into his chest, and his hand drops back down to grip my thigh, pulling me in closer to his body. My wolf purrs in my chest, humming with pleasure at having him desperate to keep me close. I try not to think about the last twenty-four hours. The gnawing fear that had attacked my chest that moment when I felt I was about to lose Hunter. The
Loraine’s POV My eyes flutter open at the sound of running shower, and Alpha Hunter’s arms tense around me as he readjusts his hold to stick his hand under the stream of water, checking the temperature. I’m back to wearing Killian’s sweater, which I remember taking off before, but my pants have been stripped off, leaving me in nothing but underwear. I clear my throat as my face heats up. “I’m awake, Alpha Hunter. Please, put me down.” Either Alpha Hunter did not hear me—impossible—or chooses to ignore me as he fully steps into the shower stall, sitting down on the marble bench that runs along the walls, holding me close to his chest. My face is buried in his shoulder, and we are in a fucking shower stall together. I feel lightheaded at what is happening right now, even though I have no fucking idea what it is. I clear my throat again, and he chooses that moment to speak, “Do you need something to drink? Do you feel hungry? During all of this, you’ve not had the chance to eat.”
Loraine’s POV It has been days since the attack, and surprisingly, things are beginning to settle—not going back to how they were—but the agitation and anxiety are still there. Killian has tripled security, better preparing us for more surprise attacks, but our enemies proved to be clever, if not elusive. Still, we knew nothing much about them except they were attacking Alphas without provocation or any clear motives. Our packs were not the only ones attacked. More than ten packs—not including ours—hhave been attacked in the last month, and we knew nothing about them except for the one thing we were sure of. They killed en masse and left a lot of dead bodies in their wake. They took nothing—except if you are counting lives—and were yet to state any clear reason for their attacks. For us here—me and my mates—things might never go back to how they were for us. Every one of them was busy. Alpha Hunter was busy attending meetings for him and all of his brothers because, apart from
Loraine’s POV “What do you mean we take the fight to them? We don’t know them.” Preston’s face breaks into a triumphant smile. “Do we not? Well, we do now. I was able to break through some of the men we captured and piece A and B together. So far, I’ve been able to find out where they are hiding out for the time being, but their motives are still speculative.” I smile, but before I can respond, another man speaks up. “Besides, it might be a trap. Why would they break now and give us their hideout? We’ve captured them in the past. They were always unbreakable and would rather die than snitch.” Slowly, Preston stands, keeping his cool smile on. I think it is quite amusing to see him like this. “Maybe we have other methods of interrogation, but I don’t think that is what matters. What matters now is that we know where they are, and for once, we have the upper hand.” “Plus, waiting too long will give them time to plan an attack, Kris says, pulling his hair into a high bun as if pr
Loraine’s POV His face is a study in smooth strength and intoxicating control. Goddess, take me. I know I’m supposed to be upset at him and his brothers, but that was out there in the hall. In here, in my room, it is too difficult to wall off my emotions. I wrap my arms around myself and meet Alpha Hunter’s eyes, my chin up. “If you have come to give me more reasons why I cannot go, or to...” Alpha Hunter takes a step forward, grasping my hips. “I have never for once seen you as weak, Loraine.” He murmurs into my ear, his soft, rumbling voice making my skin blaze so hot it’s a wonder the room doesn’t catch fire. Alpha Hunter chuckles before reining in his voice. I don’t miss the fact that he called me by name or how sweet it sounded rolling off his tongue like that. “Actually, I am here to tell you that you are somewhat right.” “I—wait, what?” “You are strong, Loraine, maybe even stronger than fifty of Killian’s best men put together.” He shrugs. “You are the best of us, Lora
Loraine’s POV I woke to the scents of clean sheets mixed with pine and citrus scents that wrapped around me as tightly as the duvet. Blinking against the harsh glare of light in the room, I found Alpha Hunter sprawled on the bed beside me, his eyes trained on my face. His heavy arm was a solid weight on my waist. “Where—how long did I sleep?” Alpha Hunter brushed down my hair. “Not long. We still have some hours till evening.” His face was tight, and the pain behind his eyes was as palpable as my own. “Tomorrow, I get to see your wolf, Loraine. I really cannot wait to meet her, but then it is getting harder and harder to restrain myself from claiming you. You are close to your heat, and being close like this is dangerous if you are not going to choose all of us.” Despite his words, he reached out and pulled me against him, burying my face in his shoulder while his arms encircled me tightly. The sound of his roaring heartbeat echoed through my flesh, spurring my own. “It is not
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
Loraine’s POV If I thought the drama at breakfast was the worst that could happen, I soon realized that I was very, very wrong. By afternoon, things were even worse. Hunter had called for a meeting so we could look over how the security measures were holding up. And the word awkward couldn’t even begin to describe how the atmosphere was anytime Mabel and the boys entered the same room. The tension in the room was suffocating as we all gathered in the sitting area. Hunter stood at the center, his presence commanding as usual, but even he looked like he wanted to be anywhere else. The boys were scattered—Kris leaning against the wall, arms crossed; Preston sprawled in the armchair with a scowl; and Killian standing rigidly near the door, his cold stare fixed on Mabel. Mabel sat at the far end of the couch, her hands twisting nervously in her lap. Her eyes darted between the boys, a mix of hope and dread in her expression. It didn’t help that none of them had acknowledged her pres
Loraine’s POV Hiding from the attackers yesterday had knocked me out so much that I had fallen asleep on the couch, and I wasn’t even aware when Killian picked me up and carried me to his room. He let me sleep in today because the morning light had already filtered through the dining room windows when I took a seat at the long dining table. Preston was already pouring himself a cup of coffee, Kris was buttering a slice of toast, and Hunter and Killian were deep in a discussion about the patrol schedule for the day. The mood was calm, almost normal, and I found myself relaxing for the first time since yesterday’s shitfest. “Sleep well?” Hunter asked me, his tone warm. I nodded, giving him a small smile. “Better than I expected. Thanks for checking on me last night.” Killian had told me that Hunter kept coming to check that I was safe. “Of course,” he said, his gaze softening. Preston slid a plate of fruit toward me. “Eat. You need to keep your strength up.” “Oh goddess Presto