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 I stormed out of Hunter’s room, barely containing the anger bubbling in my chest. I just needed to get out, to breathe, and I didn’t care where I ended up. I wandered aimlessly, my feet carrying me far from the manor, down trails and past quiet streams. I didn’t even bother to keep track of time. I just needed to be alone. Now and then, I felt the gentle prodding of Sasha and Chloe’s voices through the mind link, searching for me. I knew they were worried, but I couldn’t let them find me. They’d only tell Hunter where I was, and he was the last person I wanted to see. I shut them out, blocking their attempts to reach me. A few hours passed, and I could feel the last bit of my frustration start to fade. And with that, guilt began to settle in. I knew my words to Hunter had cut deep. I had implied that I wouldn’t choose him. I remembered seeing the hurt flash in his eyes—and there was a part of me that regretted saying it, even if he had pushed me to that breaking poi
Loraine’s POVI froze, unable to believe what I was seeing. Maids hurried in and out, arms loaded with what looked like... broken pieces of my furniture? My heart pounded as I took in the scene, my shock mounting. My bedframe was snapped, my bedside table smashed to splinters, and clothes were scattered across the floor like a whirlwind had blown through. It looked as if someone had completely lost control.Sasha and Chloe exchanged a nervous glance, as if debating how to explain.“What exactly happened here?” My voice trembled.Sasha bit her lip, not meeting my eyes. "Loraine, as we told you before, we think Alpha Hunter... he was the one who did this. Last night.”I felt a lump in my throat. Hunter had done this? Out of anger? It didn’t make sense. He’d been upset, yes, but to destroy my room like this? The idea unsettled me, sparking a mixture of emotions—shock, confusion, and an aching sadness.Before I could fully process it, I sensed another presence nearby. Turning, I saw Princ
Loraine’s POV The implication stung, and I could feel the bitterness twisting in my gut. “So what am I supposed to do, Gideon? Just stand by and accept it." My voice was sharper than I expected. Gideon reached out, his hand resting gently on my shoulder. “No,” he said softly. “You deserve someone who’ll be open with you, who’ll make you feel secure... someone who won’t let jealousy and the past get in the way.” I looked up at him, feeling the weight of his words sink in. He wasn’t just talking about Hunter—he was talking about himself, about the part of him that was willing to be the steady, supportive presence I needed. But even as the thought tempted me, the guilt gnawed at me, a reminder that my heart was torn between two people. As if reading my hesitation, Gideon’s gaze hardened slightly. “You know, I would never make you question your place in my life, Loraine,” he murmured. “If I were given a chance, I would put you first. Always.” A small spark of anger ignited inside me,
I stood in the middle of my room, trying to take in the mess left behind.There were shards of glass littered on the floor, the sheets were ripped off the bed, and a few of my belongings were scattered and broken across the room.Seeing my room like this made my heart sink, and I swallowed hard, trying to ignore the sting of hurt that came with it. How mad at me would someone have to be to do this?Preston stood beside me, helping me sort through the mess. He looked around with a deep frown, his jaw tight. "Loraine," he said quietly, kneeling down to pick up one of my broken picture frames. “This wasn’t an accident or some random vandalism. Whoever did this was angry. Very, very angry. It was intentional.”I bit my lip, feeling a knot of worry form in my stomach. "But... who could be that angry at me? I don’t understand." I ran my fingers over the splintered edges of a jewelry box my mother had given me, feeling a wave of sadness wash over me.Whoever did this hadn’t just broken into
Loraine’s POV Gideon moved into the manor that same day, a fact none of the boys seemed remotely happy about. The air in the house was thick with tension, each of them on edge as they snapped at each other over the smallest of things. Hunter barked at Killian for leaving his shoes by the door. Preston growled at Kris for taking the last soda. And Gideon? He was strolling around with his infuriating smirk, enjoying the chaos he’d clearly caused while all the boys gritted their teeth at his smug face. It was obvious that it was him they all wanted to hurt, but since he was supposed to be protecting us, they didn’t want to bite the finger that fed them. “You know, this hostility is really bad for your health,” Gideon drawled as he leaned casually against the kitchen counter. “Maybe you all need yoga or something.” “Maybe you need to shut the fuck up,” Hunter muttered, slamming a cabinet door harder than necessary. “Oh Hunter, my friend, always so charming,” Gideon replied with a
Loraine’s POV The night was totally amazing at first, the faint hum of crickets and the soft rustle of the wind the only sounds breaking the silence. After my toe-curling orgasm, I lay nestled between Killian and Preston, their steady breathing lulling me closer to sleep. Hunter and Kris had fallen asleep on the couches nearby, the room steeped in the kind of calm that only came after an emotionally draining day. But then it all suddenly shattered. A piercing scream tore through the quiet, the words chilling me to my core. “HELP! We’re under attack!” I jolted upright, my heart pounding. The boys were already awake, their sharp instincts kicking in before I could process what was happening. “That’s Mabel!” I gasped, scrambling to untangle myself from the blankets. Hunter was already halfway to the door, his face pale but determined. “Stay here, Loraine,” he barked, but I was right on his heels, fear driving me. “Like hell I’m staying behind!” The chaos in the hallway was imm
Loraine’s POV The air in Hunter’s room felt charged with hungry looks in their eyes. They looked like they wanted to devour me. “I mean it, Loraine,” Hunter said as he pulled me closer, his voice low and hoarse. “We’re terrified of losing you.” Killian stepped closer, brushing his knuckles against my cheek. “We don’t care what we have to do… We’ll fight for you.” Preston’s hands settled on my shoulders from behind, his thumbs massaging small circles into my tense muscles. “We just need you to know how much you mean to us. Not just as our Luna, but as... everything.” Their words melted the last of my frustration, and I reached out to cup Hunter’s face. “You’ll never lose me,” I promised, my voice trembling with emotion. “I’m here for all of you. Always. But you have to trust me too.” I felt Preston’s breath ghost over my neck as he leaned in closer, his lips grazing the shell of my ear. “Show us,” he murmured, his voice like silk, sending a shiver down my spine. Killian’s lips
Loraine’s POV It had been a week since Prince Gideon’s visit, and the tension in the manor was thicker than ever. The boys—Preston, Killian, Hunter, and Kris—had been avoiding the topic of his offer like the plague. Any time I brought it up, they either grunted in response or changed the subject entirely. It was infuriating. I couldn’t take it anymore. This wasn’t just about their jealousy or insecurities; this was about the future of our pack. We were all in the living room after lunch, sprawled out in various spots. I stood up, brushing imaginary dust off my pants to mask my irritation. “Alright, enough is enough. We need to talk about Prince Gideon’s offer.” Killian groaned, leaning back on the couch. “Dear goddess, not this again.” “Yes, this again,” I snapped, crossing my arms. “You’ve all been ignoring it for a week, but we can’t afford to let an opportunity like this slip by.” Hunter’s jaw tightened, his blue eyes narrowing. “We’re not ignoring it. We’ve already decided—
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