Loraine’s POV After Preston had intervened to keep Hunter from entering my room, he and Kris seemed to have doubled down on their protectiveness. Both of them were now acting as if they were my own personal security details. Ok, so to be honest, I couldn’t deny that it felt good to be cared for like this, but the constant hovering was starting to wear me out. I mean, it wasn’t practical at all! No one could live like this! First of all, that morning, they refused to let me lift a finger to do anything. They didn’t let any of the maids do anything for me either; they said they only trusted themselves. Kris had even taken it upon himself to make breakfast, with Preston helping to bring the plates over and set everything up. “Here, try this.” Kris grinned, handing me a plate piled high with fruit, eggs, and toast. “You’ve got to keep your energy up.” Kris said as he picked up a fork and tried to hand-feed me. I laughed, but I could sense they were serious. “You guys know I can fe
Loraine POV As Kris, Preston, and I were puzzling over who could’ve destroyed my room since Hunter—thank the goddess—was ruled out, Killian crossed his arms and looked at us all seriously. "This only means one thing," he said, his eyes flickering with a lot more intensity than even before. "We might have a dangerous enemy right here in the pack, or goddess forbid it, the Manor. Loraine, I want you to know that we’re going to do everything we can to keep you safe. But we also have to investigate this quickly and carefully." Preston and Kris exchanged tense glances, nodding, their expressions hardening with rage at the thought of someone harming me. Preston stepped forward; his usual playful look of earlier was now replaced with a look of urgency. "You’re right, Killian," Preston said. "But if we want to watch her properly while also investigating quickly, we’re going to need more help, at least if we’re going to find out who did this as quickly as possible." Kris glanced at m
Loraine's POV Killian’s hand on my arm was firm but gentle as he guided me down the hallway. I glanced up at him, noting the tension in his clenched jaw. He wasn’t happy about this. And honestly, neither was I. “This is probably a bad idea; I think we shouldn’t be asking him to help protect me when he might still want his ex.” I muttered, but Killian didn’t stop. His eyes, a deep blue, flicked toward me, narrowed slightly. “Maybe,” he said flatly, “but it’s necessary; we need to keep you safe, and we need all the help we can get.” It was necessary. That word carried so much weight, didn’t it? My stomach twisted in knots as we approached the door. I hadn’t seen Hunter since last morning when I turned away from him, and the thought of facing him now, under these circumstances, was… unsettling. Killian hesitated for a brief second before pushing open the door without knocking. I took a deep breath and followed him inside. Hunter was seated on the edge of his bed, head bent, stari
Loraine’s POV It felt strange to be alone with Hunter after so much time apart, like rediscovering something I’d once held close but had nearly forgotten. All this shit that happened in the last few days fucked us up badly. Sitting across from him, I noticed how his familiar features softened as he watched me; his eyes had a look of guilt, regret mingled with the warmth I remembered. “So my love… How have you been these last few days without me?” Hunter asked, breaking the silence with a small, hesitant smile. I sighed, running my hand through my hair. “It’s been… complicated,” I said, not wanting to dive into every worry. “But I’m managing.” Hunter reached across the table, his fingers brushing mine. “I’m sorry, Loraine. I wish things could be different.” I looked down at our hands, a swirl of emotions bubbling up. “I know. I do too.” The warmth of his hand, his touch… It brought back memories that I’d buried, times we’d shared that were as comforting as they were painful to
Loraine’s POV I took a deep breath, already anticipating the tension that would arise once Preston and Kris returned and found out the new plan. They weren’t going to like this. And who could blame them? They were about to be forced to live with their ex that they clearly didn’t like. That shit would suck for anyone! But after the note, the attack, and Hunter’s insistence that Mabel had been in danger too, I couldn’t shake the thought that maybe, just maybe, just maybe that psychotic bitch was telling the truth. The door opened, and in walked Preston and Kris, both looking exhausted. Kris immediately spotted the rest of us huddled around in the sitting area and gave me a quick nod, but his face stayed serious. “We went over every piece of footage from that night, checked with the guards, and even asked some of the staff if they’d seen anyone strange around,” Kris reported, looking more and more frustrated. “Nothing, Loraine. No one saw a thing.” Preston ran a hand through his h
Loraine’s POV After we hung up, I sat back, feeling the mixture of emotions settling within me. I knew bringing Mabel into the manor was the right choice for safety, but it was clear this decision would complicate things in more ways than one. I woke up to the soft light of dawn filtering through Killian’s curtains and the sound of murmured voices outside the room. His arm was still draped around me, and for a moment, I let myself enjoy the warmth and security. But as I shifted, his eyes fluttered open, and he pulled me closer. “Good morning,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to my temple. “Good morning,” I replied softly. “What’s going on outside?” He sighed, reluctantly letting me go and sitting up. “We’ve got workers fortifying the place—installing more cameras and repositioning the guards.” I blinked, surprised. “That’s happening already?” Killian nodded, stretching before grabbing a shirt from the edge of the bed. “We can’t afford to waste time. Whoever tried to hurt you—and M
Loraine’s POV I can’t believe I actually managed to convince Hunter to let me leave the house with Gideon as our escort. It wasn’t easy—he was fuming and still glaring daggers at the prince as we walked out—but I wasn’t about to spend another day cooped up. Sasha and Chloe met me outside, and despite the heavy presence of guards trailing us, I felt a sliver of freedom. “I still can’t believe you’re letting Hunter’s brothers pick out your guards,” Sasha teased as we climbed into the sleek black SUV. “They’re all basically clones of him.” “I didn’t have much of a choice,” I muttered, glancing back at the four bulky men squeezed into the back seats. “At least Gideon is coming with us. I’d rather have him babysit than deal with Hunter’s over-the-top paranoia.” Gideon, sitting up front with the driver, turned and shot me a playful grin. “I do make for excellent company, don’t I?” Chloe snickered. “You’re just saying that because half the women in town can’t stop gawking at you.” Gid
Loraine’s POV Gideon didn’t waste a second once the attackers fled. His hand found mine, gripping it tightly as he led me out of the café. “We’re leaving. Now,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. “What about Sasha and Chloe?” I asked, glancing back at my friends, who were still shaken but otherwise unharmed. “I’ve already called their mates,” he replied, scanning the street for any signs of lingering danger. “They’ll be here in a few minutes. My job is to get you back home safely.” I wanted to argue, to tell him I wasn’t some helpless damsel, but the tremble in my hands betrayed me. My brain still reeled from the attack, my heart pounding as I processed how close we’d come to real harm. Sasha hugged me quickly before Gideon ushered me toward the waiting SUV. “Text us as soon as you’re safe,” she said, her voice shaky but firm. “I will,” I promised, my voice quieter than I intended. The ride back home was tense. Gideon kept glancing at me between navigating the str
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