Loraine’s POV Sasha and I spent about two hours in the pastry shop, after which Sasha decided she had been away from her husband for too long and decided to return to the infirmary. Maddox is still unconscious, but that did not stop me from dropping his get well soon gift. “Thanks for coming, Loraine,” Sasha says, giving me a side hug. “I’ll see you. When?” “I’ll come by often,” I assure her. “Maybe next time when I come, we can try that diner and maybe a spa?” She smiles and takes my hand, walking me back to the car. “Take care of yourself,” I say, drawing her close to me when we reach the car. “Don’t just take care of him and forget all about yourself. Your health is also important.” “Yes, mum.” Gently, she nudges me to the car, and Kris climbs in after me after giving her an affectionate hug and what I assume to be words of encouragement since I cannot hear a word of what they’re saying through the tinted glasses. By the time we get to the mansion, it's already past 10 p.
Loraine’s POV It hurts that as much as I want to give into the bond, I can’t. I can’t and do not want to lose my sh*t around the brothers again. I’ve lost it too much already, and every day I wake up, I regret giving in even though I love it just as much. Carefully, I untangle myself from him and paddle softly to his bathroom to wash my face and get ready for the hard morning. For the first time in days, I had a good night's rest, and it's showing. My face is giving an otherworldly glow, and maybe it’s just me digging into this intimacy thing, but if this is how it's going to be, then I might just get used to it. It’s just how Sasha said it. “Good morning, little wolf.” I glance up at Kris’ dishevelled appearance, moving out of the way as he stumbles into the bathroom. “Good morning.” I answer. “Looks like you slept well.” “No, I didn’t. I stayed awake through the night just so I could watch you sleep. You look like an angel when you sleep.” Heat travels to my cheek and re
Loraine’s POV By the time we return home, I feel like I’ve been run over by a truck, and I probably look like it too. I head to my room first to take a shower and change into simpler clothes. Although I spent my whole day trying not to think about the fact that this is Alpha Hunter’s night, it’s all I’ve thought about. I am well aware of the fact that we’ve not had any intimate moments between us except for that first time in his office when we kissed. I bring my fingers to my lips as though it would remind me of that day. The feelings that had been awakened inside of me since that very faithful day. I know I should probably be moving, willing my feet to take me to Alpha Hunter’s door, where I’ll be spending my night, but I can’t. Instead, I’m sitting on my bed having a mini-panic attack because who’s to say Alpha Hunter will be like Kris and not overpower me with his emotions? Urgh… I feel like pulling out my hair. The soft knock that sounds on my door stops me from doing t
Loraine’s POV Alpha Hunter and I fell asleep with the TV on, tangled up in each other with his face so close to mine that I feel him like an ache in my chest. I slept like the dead. My wolf is satisfied that he’s mine. Ours. The only thing more torturous than waking up with a man wrapped around you that you’re not sure you can be with, waking on top of a man you’re on your way to being in love with, but you know deep down that you can’t have him. Aren’t the two the same? Maybe. One of his hands is clutching my hip while the other curves around my ass to pull me tight. My face is pressed into his chest, with his thigh pressing between mine and his dickens hard against my belly. I swear, I never want to move. “Good morning, little wolf.” Alpha Hunter mumbles into my hair, causing me to stiffen. Inside my head, I am debating whether to pretend I’m still sleeping or sleep again for another two hours. Warning bells go off in my head for the seventh time, but I just don’t care.
Loraine’s POV After putting the last finishing touches on the day, Preston heads out with a quick kiss to my cheek, and Kris drives me over to the infirmary. I can’t stop thinking about Preston. Shortly after Kris’ arrival, he had become distracted by something on his phone and went from looking, well, like Preston, to looking nervous and finally angry. And then he had rushed out of there like someone was chasing him? Did he not say he would take care of me all day today? I knew Preston was not the type to go back on his word or bail when things became too hot, so I knew that something must have come up. I glance at Kris, who’s too busy trying not to murder us. I wonder why he did not bring his chauffeur. “Did they find the people who took Beta Maddox?” He turns to me sharply, then back at the road. Kris is a shitty driver. “No. I’m not sure. If they did, Hunter would have mind linked me.” I nod. Before I can think more on the subject, Kris pulls up in front of the in
Loraine’s POV Preston is looking at me like I’ve done the worst thing. Maybe I have. But they are all giving me that look, and I’m beginning to feel that maybe barging into Alpha Hunter’s office might have been a mistake. I can’t turn back time now. I also can’t move any part of my body. I simply stand frozen in the doorway, unable to do more than stare at them. My brain is all sorts of mushy because I have to push them. Figure out what’s really going on and wat the fuck they were talking about because I’m already broken in half by what I heard. The moment passes, and I soon begin to find some semblance of control. “What are you talking about? What do you mean by Gordon might be involved in my parents’ deaths?” Alpha Hunter jumps to his feet. The shock of me barging in slides of his face, but he doesn’t appear upset. “Loraine… it’s –” “Just tell me, goddammit.” I screech. “I need to know because this concerns me more than any of you. Does Alpha Gordon have a hand in my parent
Loraine’s POV I was wrong. I did sleep, albeit not peacefully. Sometime after midnight, I wake to see one of my friends climbing into the bed behind me, but I’m too drowsy to know who it is. I see two other figures: one dropping into the armchair and the other balancing himself on the other chair. My brain does not register what is happening, so I lie back down and resume my restless sleep. Hours later, I wake to find Preston furiously whispering, “What the hell are you all doing in here? It’s my damn night.” I grunt a little, rubbing a hand over my face, and Kris’ hand tightens around me protectively. Wait. Kris? I glance around the room, and to my surprise, I see Killian and Alpha Hunter as well. What are they all doing here? Killian looks exhausted, and there’s blood on his shirt. My wolf soars inside me, eager to go over and heal him with our bond. “Are you hurt?” I ask, panic, then jump from the bed, but Kris and Preston pull me back down at the same time. Killian's e
Loraine’s POV By the time we return to the mansion, it's dark, and I am dead tired. We did a lot of work today. By doing a lot of work, I mean following Killian around—he even took us to practice and forced Kris and me to work out. So, you must know how my bones feel right now. It's been so long since I did anything other than walk, run, and jump. The moment our chauffeur opens the car door, I jump out, catapulting myself inside. I hear Kris running after me, but I don’t slow down or stop till I get to the elevator. It's only when the elevator starts moving that I notice Killian’s absence. I glance at Kris questioningly, wondering where the hell his brother disappeared to. “I’ll walk you to your room; maybe we can even spend a little time together before you go to bed. Killian has something to do before he joins you.” Shit. I totally forgot it was Killian’s night. I’m sure I remembered sometime during the day, but it hadn’t registered. Fuck. We have not really talked or sp
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
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.