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 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
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 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