Loraine’s POV My stomach dropped, and I glanced at Mabel again. She caught my eye and smirked, a smug expression that made my blood boil. “Why didn’t you tell me this the second you saw him?” I demanded through the link. “Because we didn’t want to worry you,” Killian admitted. “But it doesn’t change anything. We’re still on your side.” I clenched my fists, struggling to keep my emotions in check. Mabel had been manipulative from the start, and now it seemed she had an ally in one of the most powerful figures in the court. When the proceedings began, I immediately had the feeling that the odds were stacked against me. But one thing was certain: I wasn’t going down without a fight. The Lycan court was silent, save for the faint rustling of papers as Elder Arnold took his seat at the center of the platform. His sharp, calculating eyes scanned the room, and when they landed on me, I felt a chill run down my spine. He was everything I feared he’d be—commanding, authoritative, and u
Loraine’s POV The room seemed to close in on me as Elder Arnold paced the platform with the self-assured demeanor of someone who believed he’d already won. His sharp gaze swept over the courtroom, landing squarely on me. “Alpha Gordon, please can you step forward to the witness stand?” he announced, his voice heavy with authority. Gordon strode confidently to the stand, his smug expression setting my teeth on edge. “Loraine,” Elder Arnold began, “do you deny your association with Alpha Gordon?” I raised my chin, trying to keep my voice steady. “I’ve rejected Alpha Gordon’s advances time and time again. I want nothing to do with him.” Gordon’s lips twisted into a grin. “Is that so, Loraine? Then how do you explain these?” He pulled out a folder, flipping it open to reveal photographs of me standing outside my house, accepting a bouquet of flowers from him. My stomach dropped. “That’s not what it looks like!” I burst out. “He brought those uninvited, and I threw them out right
Loraine’s POV The crazy and almost unbelievable courtroom drama was actually still very much floating in my mind as we walked toward the car. My relief was mixed with exhaustion, but I was so very grateful the hearing hadn’t gone entirely against us. My champions—the boys—had and were still surrounding me protectively, with their sharp gazes scanning every inch of our surroundings as if ready to pounce on the first sign of trouble. It’s like they almost expected a fallback or a retaliation for the fact that we managed to prove my innocence after all. A punishment for being innocent Now wasn’t that the most ironic shit you had heard today? “Well, that was a close one,” Hunter muttered, his voice low but tense. “Elder Arnold isn’t going to back off easily. We need to tighten security and—” “—get rid of that mole, Mabel,” Preston interjected, his tone harsher than usual. I stopped walking, turning to face them. “What?” “Mabel,” he repeated, his eyes narrowing. “She has to go. T
Loraine’s POV After the court, we arrived at a quaint little ice cream parlor just outside of town. The building was painted in cheerful pastel colors, with string lights glowing warmly in the windows. It was the kind of place I’d never thought I’d find myself in with four powerful, intimidating Alphas like mine. Yet here we were, stepping inside like a normal group out for a treat. Kris held the door open for me, grinning. “After the day you’ve had, you deserve something sweet.” “I’d say she deserves everything sweet for being a sweetheart,” Preston chimed in, his voice teasing as he placed a hand on the small of my back to guide me inside. I laughed softly, feeling the tension from the day slowly melting away. “Ice cream is a good start, though.” Hunter leaned over the counter, scanning the long list of flavors. “All right, what’ll it be, Loraine? Name your poison.” The sheer variety was overwhelming. “Uh, maybe vanilla?” Kris groaned dramatically. “Vanilla? Really? Come on
Loraine’s POV The smell of the morning air wafted through the slightly cracked window as sunlight peeked into the room. I woke up feeling warm, safe, and entirely surrounded by love. Fuck! This was the life I was supposed to live. Thank the goddess for giving me this. The boys were still fast asleep, their steady breaths filling the room. Killian’s arm was draped lazily over my waist, and Preston was nestled close, his hand barely brushing mine. Kris and Hunter sprawled out on either side, peaceful and unguarded. They were perfect and all mine. I smiled, my heart swelling with gratitude. After everything yesterday, they had gone out of their way to make me feel cherished. The least I could do was return the favor. Quietly, I slipped out of bed, careful not to wake them, and tiptoed out of the room. The kitchen was my destination, but halfway there, I nearly ran into someone. Mabel. Ah shit! Guess the world won’t be all roses and sunshine today. She was standing in the hall
Mabel’s POV The chill of the night bit at my skin as I slipped out of my borrowed room in the brothers’ sprawling manor. The house was silent, save for the soft creaks of the old floors under my feet. Wrapping my coat tighter around myself, I stepped into the waiting car, its sleek black interior swallowing me whole. “Where to, Miss Mabel?” the driver asked, his voice even, unbothered by the lateness of the hour. “Elder Arnold’s estate,” I said sharply, avoiding his gaze. “He said grandmother needed to see me this night.” I lied unnecessarily. This was the fucking driver who could never dare to hurt or even expose me, but something in me just enjoyed telling these lies to make everyone pity me. I didn’t even have a grandmother! She died before I met her, but I didn’t care; I just enjoyed my stories. The car rolled into motion, and I leaned back against the seat, trying to steady my thoughts. My uncle’s summons had been brief and cryptic, but I knew what it was about. It was al
Kris’s POV The house was still quiet when I walked into the kitchen, the faint scent of breakfast lingering in the air from earlier. The other guys were scattered throughout the manor—Hunter poring over reports in his office, Killian likely plotting strategies, and Preston… probably trying to charm Loraine into sneaking off somewhere for a private moment. And Loraine? My Luna? Well, she was upstairs, reading. Her soft laughter had floated down earlier when Preston said something ridiculous. I leaned against the counter, pouring myself a cup of coffee, and let myself enjoy the moment. We were finally finding balance. I never thought it would work, sharing her after how Mabel played us against each other in the past. We had decided that it’s not in a wolf’s nature to share his mate, so we vowed not to… but somehow, it worked for us again. The bond we all had with her was not at all like the corrupted bond we had with Mabel before; this one felt right—natural, even. We could have h
Killian’s POV The morning was chaotic, as usual, in our kitchen. Loraine had been up early to make breakfast for everyone—a sweet thank-you for all the support we’d been giving her lately. But between Preston stealing food off everyone’s plates and Hunter barking orders about the day’s plans, the kitchen was less of a peaceful sanctuary and more of a battlefield. I leaned against the counter, sipping coffee, and watched the madness unfold. “Preston, I swear if you touch my bacon again—” Hunter growled, but Preston just grinned and popped the strip into his mouth. Loraine laughed from her spot by the stove, shaking her head at them. “You’re all worse than children.” In the middle of it all, Kris sat at the far end of the table, quietly eating his eggs like the chaos didn’t even touch him. He looked calm, almost serene, but I knew better. I’d watched him long enough to know that Kris’s calm exterior was a mask. He was always the most composed of us—our resident peacemaker—but when
Loraine’s POV One year later Warm sunlight streamed through the curtains, waking me from the most peaceful sleep I could remember. I stretched lazily, my smile growing as I realized I wasn’t alone. Soft lips trailed along my shoulder, followed by a whisper. “Good morning, my love,” Hunter’s voice was low and husky, his breath tickling my ear. I turned my head, meeting his dark, playful eyes. “Morning,” I murmured, still groggy but already melting under his gaze. Before I could say more, I felt another hand slide across my waist. Preston’s familiar laugh filled the room. “You’re hogging her, Hunter. Move over.” I rolled over, finding him smirking at me, his blond hair adorably tousled. “Is this how every morning is going to start from now on?” I teased. “Only the best for our Luna,” Killian chimed in, leaning against the doorframe with a tray of coffee and pastries. “Breakfast in bed?” Kris appeared behind him, shaking his head. “You’re all going to spoil her.” Hunter smirked
Loraine’s POV The beeping of machines was the first thing I heard when I woke up. My body felt heavy, and every inch of me ached. I opened my eyes slowly, blinking against the harsh hospital lights. Familiar voices reached my ears, filled with worry and relief. “She’s waking up!” Preston’s voice cracked. I turned my head slightly to see him standing by my side, his eyes rimmed red as if he hadn’t slept in days. “Loraine,” Hunter whispered, his hand reaching out to gently touch mine. His usual confident demeanor was replaced by raw emotion. “You’re okay. You’re safe now.” Tears welled up in my eyes as I saw all four of them—Hunter, Preston, Killian, and Kris—hovering around me like protective sentinels. “What… what happened?” I croaked, my voice raspy. Killian knelt down beside me, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “You were kidnapped. The warriors that have been investigating it say that Gordon and Jennifer…” His jaw tightened, but he took a deep breath. “We found you ju
Hunter’s POV The abandoned warehouse the tracker led us to was ahead; its huge structure was sharp and terrifying against the night sky. The air was thick with tension, and my pulse roared in my ears as we pulled up to a screeching halt. Preston was the first to leap out, phone in hand, tracking Loraine’s location. “The signal ends here,” Preston said, his voice tight with worry. He turned the screen toward us. “She’s inside somewhere.” Kris gritted his teeth. “Let’s spread out. She could be hurt.” I grabbed his arm. “No one goes alone. If something happens, we’re stronger together, and I need every one of you alive, or else Loraine will kill me.” Gideon nodded in agreement, his face grim. “Hunter’s right. Split into pairs. Shout if you find anything.” We crept through the warehouse, every creak of the floorboards putting us on edge. I stuck close to Killian, my hand gripping the handle of my blade. The place reeked of rust and damp, but there was another smell too—blood. My st
Hunter’s POV The excitement we all felt was electric. The Lycan ball wasn’t just any event; it was monumental. This was the night that our pack would become an official capital for the Lycans. Tonight, we—Preston, Kris, Killian, and I—would also make our first public appearance as Loraine’s fiancés. And, if everything went as planned, this ball would pave the way for our wedding, set to happen immediately after. I tightened my cufflinks that had Lorraine's name on them and turned to Kris, who was fixing his tie in front of the mirror. “Do you think they’ll announce us as Loraine’s mates? Or do we just, you know, casually stroll in and let the stares do the work?” Kris smirked at my reflection. “Why stroll when you can strut? Let them talk. This is our moment.” Killian popped his head into the room, his shirt still unbuttoned, revealing a chiseled chest. “You’re all overthinking it. Loraine will steal the show the moment she walks in. We’re just accessories tonight.” “Speak for
Loraine’s POV The air buzzed with excitement as I stood in front of my vanity, smoothing my hands over the soft fabric of my gown. Tonight was the Lycans’ grand ball, an event so prestigious that even Sasha, who normally didn’t care for formalities, was squealing with excitement. Sasha burst into my room with Chloe trailing behind her, both carrying armfuls of dresses. “Loraine!” Sasha exclaimed, her eyes bright. “You have to help us pick! Chloe and I are determined to make an impression tonight.” Chloe giggled, holding up a shimmering silver gown against her small frame. “I heard the Lycan King himself might be there. Imagine if he notices one of us!” I chuckled, turning away from the mirror. “You two are acting like teenagers. What’s gotten into you?” Sasha placed her hands on her hips, mock glaring at me. “Excuse me, but this is a once-in-a-lifetime event. Lycans, Loraine. Lycans! Do you know how rare it is to even see one in person, let alone meet their king?” Chloe nodded
3rd POV The tension between Alpha Gordon and Jennifer crackled in the air like a brewing storm. The two stood in the dense forest near the treeline, their voices echoing through the trees, harsh and biting. “You fucking bitch! You ruined everything!” Gordon snarled, his fists clenched tightly at his sides. His sharp, gray eyes glinted dangerously, a mix of fury and frustration. Jennifer folded her arms across her chest, her stance defiant. “First of all, watch your fucking mouth. I’m not your doormat. I ruined everything?” She shot back, her voice rising. “You’re the one who couldn’t let go of your ridiculous obsession with Loraine. If anything, I saved us from disaster by getting Mabel arrested.” “Mabel was our leverage, Jennifer!” Gordon growled, taking a threatening step forward. “She was the key to forcing Loraine back into my life. And now she’s rotting in a cell because of your betrayal!” Jennifer didn’t flinch. Instead, she took a step closer, her chin tilted upward in de
Loraine’s POV This is the first time in what felt like years that my life didn't seem like a world-ending storm I had to constantly brace myself against. The past few weeks had been a whirlwind of emotions—betrayal, accusations, and finally, vindication. But now, as I sat in the sprawling living room of our shared home, surrounded by my mates—Preston, Hunter, Kris, and Killian—I felt something I hadn’t in a long time. Peace. Preston lounged on the couch next to me, one arm draped lazily across my shoulders. Hunter was sprawled out on the floor with a pile of papers he claimed were “strategic plans,” though he was doodling more than writing. Kris was in the kitchen, preparing what smelled like something delicious, while Killian sat across from me, polishing his sword like the ever-serious warrior he was. “So,” Hunter said, breaking the comfortable silence, “have we all agreed that the Lycan ball will be our moment to show off the fact that Loraine is officially ours?” I rolled my
Loraine’s POV I had never felt more powerless in my entire fucking life. The moment the crowd gathered around Mabel’s bleeding, sobbing form, their accusatory glares locked on me, it was over. My protests, my explanations—they were drowned out by her dramatic cries and the murmurs of the onlookers. The bitch had planned this very, very well. I was arrested on the spot. My four mates—Preston, Hunter, Kris, and Killian—could do nothing but watch as I was dragged away. Their eyes were full of desperation, but they knew as well as I did that they couldn’t interfere. The Lycan laws were absolute, and once the Council was involved, even Alphas had to comply. I sat in the dark, cold cell for what felt like an eternity, the walls closing in around me as I replayed the events in my mind. Mabel had outplayed me, and now I was being hauled to Lycan court, the very heart of justice for our kind, where Mabel’s uncle, Lord Arnold, presided. Of-fucking-course! He was a smug, greedy man who th
Loraine’s POV I had gotten used to the crazy-ass chaos that now surrounded me, but recently, there was a strange stillness in the air. Freaking Firstly, our supposed psychopath, Mabel, the woman who had made my life unbearable, was quiet. Too quiet. It felt like the calm before a storm, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was coming. Her absence from my life—no pranks, no insults, no sudden confrontations—was unsettling. Every time I caught a glimpse of her, I noticed how distant she had become. She no longer tried to provoke me; instead, she seemed to be going about her life, almost as though she had forgotten about our past. I didn’t know what was worse—the fact that she had stopped tormenting me or the fact that I couldn’t figure out her angle. It was late in the evening when my phone buzzed, the screen lighting up with a message from Mabel. My heart skipped a beat as I read her words: “We need to talk. Meet me at the old barn, north of the pack. I have informatio