Loraine’s POV Waking up in Hunter’s room— Sorry—our room now felt surreal. The warmth of the four men surrounding me was overwhelming but comforting. Hunter’s arm was slung over my waist, his face buried in the crook of my neck. Preston was curled against my back, his fingers resting lightly on my hip. Killian and Kris lay sprawled on either side, their breathing deep and steady. I hadn’t thought it would be possible to share a bed with all four of them, but somehow, it worked. Their presence was grounding, and the ache of being alone for so many years seemed to fade overnight. The morning light shimmered in through the curtains, bathing the room in a giddy glow. I shifted slightly, trying not to wake anyone, but as if they had a sixth sense for me moving away, Hunter groaned softly. “Morning already?” He mumbled, his lips brushing against my shoulder. “Barely,” I whispered, running a hand through his messy hair. “Good,” Preston murmured sleepily from behind me. “It me
Loraine’s POV After the disastrous scene in the dining room earlier, I knew I had to make things right. It wasn’t just about the boys chastising me or Mabel’s dramatic tears—it was about doing what was right. So, with my pride swallowed and nerves bundled tightly in my stomach, I found myself standing outside Mabel’s room. I took a deep breath and knocked. “Come in,” Mabel called softly, her voice full of hesitation. I pushed the door open to find her sitting on the bed, her eyes puffy from earlier. The sight of her made guilt gnaw at me again. “Mabel,” I started, stepping closer. “I came to apologize. I shouldn’t have snapped at you earlier. It was uncalled for.” Her lips parted in surprise, but then she offered me a small, gracious smile. “Oh, Loraine, you don’t need to apologize. I understand. You’ve been under so much stress lately—planning the wedding, managing the pack, juggling… well, everything.” I nodded slowly, grateful that she was letting me off the hook so easily.
Loraine’s POV That night, I paced my room, clutching my phone in my hand. The day had been a fucking disaster. Sasha, Chloe, the boys—even I couldn’t deny how I’d let my emotions get the better of me. Mabel, that two-timing bitch, had everyone fooled, and here I was, playing right into her hands. The only person who seemed immune to her charm was Chloe. I tapped her name in my contacts, the phone ringing only twice before she picked up. “Loraine? It’s late. What’s going on?” Chloe’s voice was sharp, but there was concern underneath. “I... I need to talk to you,” I said, my voice trembling despite my best effort to stay calm. “You’re the only one who hasn’t… fallen for Mabel’s act.” Chloe let out a low laugh. “That’s because I know her type. Spill it: what happened to make you change your mind now?” I didn’t hold back, recounting everything. How Mabel had twisted the narrative, the boys’ disappointment, Sasha and Mabel drifting closer together, and my growing isolation. I ended
Loraine’s POV I put on a war cry alarm to wake me gently the next day. Today was my chance to make things right. I had stayed up late planning a buffet and games, something lighthearted and fun to bring us all together. I needed to show Killian, Preston, Kris, Hunter, and even Mabel that I could put the past behind me and move forward with grace…. Or at least, that’s what I was PRETENDING to do. By the time I finished setting up the dining hall, I was exhausted but proud. The tables were arranged beautifully with plates of roasted meats, colorful salads, an array of desserts, and even a drink station. On the far side of the room, I set up games, everything from ring toss to trivia. It was perfect—a way to distract everyone from the mess I’d caused. When the Alphas walked in, their reactions made it all worth it. “Loraine, this is incredible,” Hunter said, his eyes wide as he took in the setup. Preston grinned, clapping me on the shoulder. “You’ve outdone yourself. Is this all f
Loraine’s POV The loud crash jolted me awake, followed by shouts echoing through the hall. My heart jumped in my chest as I scrambled to sit up. For a moment, I wondered if I was dreaming, but when I heard Mabel’s frantic scream pierce the air, I knew something was seriously wrong. I threw on a robe and ran out of my room, almost colliding with Killian and Preston as they sprinted past me toward Mabel’s quarters. Kris and Hunter weren’t far behind, their expressions a mix of rage and determination. “What’s happening?” I called out, struggling to keep up. “We are under attack, Mabel's room again.” Hunter growled without looking back. I skidded to a stop, stunned. Under attack? That had to be one of her elaborate stunts to get attention. But as I hurried to her room, the sounds of a scuffle proved otherwise. When I stepped inside, chaos greeted me. Four masked figures were fighting viciously against the boys. Mabel cowered in the corner, clutching a blanket, her face streaked wit
Loraine’s POV The next morning was unbearable. The packhouse, which usually buzzed with warmth and energy, felt cold and distant. My mates—Killian, Hunter, Kris, and Preston—were avoiding me, and it was eating away at my patience. I sat at the breakfast table, absently stirring my coffee. The boys had joined me in the kitchen but kept their distance, murmuring among themselves like I wasn’t even there. Hunter, who usually greeted me with a kiss on my forehead, barely glanced my way. “Good morning,” I said, trying to break the ice. “Morning,” Killian replied curtly, not even looking up from his plate. I clenched my jaw, setting my cup down a little too loudly. “Really? That’s all I get? Morning?” Preston sighed but didn’t meet my gaze. “It’s not like that, Loraine. We’re just trying to process everything.” “Process?” I scoffed. “There’s nothing to process because I didn’t do anything!” Hunter turned, his jaw tight. “We know that, but this situation is bigger than us now. Gideon
Loraine’s POV The atmosphere in the room was really freaking heavy with tension as I sat on the oversized leather couch, staring at the crackling fire in the hearth Hunter had recently installed when he realized I liked the ambiance. The flames danced, casting flickering shadows on the walls, but even their warmth couldn’t ease the chill that had settled deep in my chest. Tomorrow was the Lycan court hearing, and I felt like I was standing on the edge of a cliff, about to fall into the unknown where bloodsucking sharks would love to swallow me for sure. Killian, Preston, Hunter, Kris, and Prince Gideon sat around me with their faces serious. Their usual playful looks had vanished and were replaced with concern for me, and it made my heart ache to see them so burdened. Hunter leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Loraine, I need you to understand something. The Lycan court is not like pack councils. They’re ruthless and efficient, and they don’t tolerate weakness or de
Loraine’s POV That night, the brothers insisted on spending time with me to ease my nerves. We retreated to Killian’s spacious room, which was warm and inviting with its dark wood furniture and soft golden lighting. “I thought we could use a distraction,” Killian said, holding up a deck of cards. “Cards?” I asked, raising an eyebrow. “Don’t underestimate the power of a good game night,” Kris said with a grin, grabbing a seat beside me. Hunter and Preston joined in, and soon we were deep in a heated game of poker. Laughter filled the room as I surprisingly managed to win a few rounds. “I think you’re hustling us, Loraine,” Preston teased, narrowing his eyes at me. “Me? Hustling? Never,” I said with a mock gasp. “Right,” Hunter drawled, leaning back in his chair. “You’re just naturally good at this.” “Exactly,” I said, flashing him a cheeky grin. The lighthearted atmosphere was exactly what I needed. For a few hours, I forgot about the looming court hearing and the weight of
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