The days that followed Liam’s escape were filled with a sense of relief and anticipation for Isla. She felt lighter, buoyed by the knowledge that he was out there, fighting for their future. The pack had rallied around her, and she continued to navigate her duties as Luna with growing confidence. However, the tranquility was abruptly shattered one fateful afternoon.Isla was in her study, reviewing some pack documents, when Miranda burst through the door, her face pale and eyes wide with urgency. “Isla! We have a situation,” she said, breathless.“What’s wrong?” Isla asked, her heart racing as she set the papers aside.“Some rogues have broken into the mansion. Andy, Ken, and Taylor are handling it, but it’s getting intense. You need to stay safe in your room,” Miranda urged, her voice laced with concern.Isla’s stomach dropped at the news. “Rogues? Here? What do you mean?” she asked, panic rising within her. The thought of intruders in her home sent a chill down her spine.“There’s n
Isla gripped the silver gun tightly in her hand, her heart racing as she faced the chaos of the garden. The adrenaline coursed through her veins, and she felt a fierce determination to protect her pack. She had never imagined herself in a situation like this, but the instinct to fight for those she loved surged within her.“Get away from him!” she shouted, her voice ringing with urgency as she aimed the gun at the nearest rogue. The wolf snarled, its eyes glinting with malice as it lunged toward her. Isla squeezed the trigger, the sharp crack of the gun echoing in the air. The bullet struck the rogue, causing it to yelp in pain, but it was only momentarily distracted.Just as she thought she might have a chance, another rogue came barreling toward her from the side. Isla barely had time to react before the wolf slammed into her, knocking her off her feet. She fell hard to the ground, the breath knocked out of her lungs. For a moment, everything went dark as she struggled to regain her
The chaos of the battle had finally subsided, and the garden was now a scene of quiet aftermath. The air was thick with the scent of earth and adrenaline, but Isla’s heart raced for an entirely different reason. She had witnessed Liam’s strength and prowess as he fought off the rogues, and now, all she wanted was to be close to him.After the pack had regrouped and ensured the area was secure, Isla found herself drawn to Liam’s room in the mansion. She needed to see him, to feel the warmth of his presence after the harrowing events of the day. As she approached the door, her heart fluttered with anticipation and relief. She knocked softly, and the door swung open to reveal Liam, still in his wolf form, his fur glistening under the soft light of the room.The moment their eyes met, a wave of emotion washed over Isla. She stepped inside, and before she could say a word, Liam shifted back to his human form, his expression a mix of exhaustion and relief. He looked at her, and in that inst
"I want to take you, Isla," Liam's deep voice rumbled, his eyes darkening with passion. "You are my Queen. I want to fuck you hard, make you feel every inch of my desire."Isla's breath hitched at his words. She had been craving this moment, longing for his touch and the surrender she experienced in his arms. With a nod of agreement, she began to undress, her movements graceful and sensual. She let her silk robe slide off her shoulders, revealing her flawless, pale skin and the lacy black lingerie that accentuated her curves. Her full breasts strained against the delicate fabric, and her nipples hardened in anticipation.Liam's eyes devoured her, his hunger palpable. He stepped closer, his powerful presence filling the space between them. "You're exquisite, my Queen. I want to mark every inch of this perfect body as mine."Isla's breath quickened as she reveled in his admiration. She loved the way he looked at her, as if she were the most desirable woman in the world. As she stood bef
As the night progressed, Liam had something special planned for his beloved Luna, a treat that would indulge her in the ancient traditions of their werewolf heritage.In the dimly lit bedroom, Isla lay on the bed, her heart racing with anticipation. The previous round had been a blur of pleasure and discovery, and she couldn't wait to see what Liam had in store for her next. Her body still bore the marks of their passionate lovemaking—tender nipples, sensitive from his teasing, and a pussy that ached with desire.Liam entered the room, his tall, muscular frame filling the doorway. His ocean-blue eyes sparkled with mischief as he locked gazes with Isla. He was dressed in a simple black robe, tied loosely around his waist, revealing a hint of his sculpted chest. His hair tousled from their previous passionate encounter, fell perfectly around his face, emphasizing his strong jawline.Isla couldn't understand why got dressed up - they could have sex naked too. "My beautiful Luna," he pur
Isla lay nestled against Liam, the warmth of his body enveloping her like a comforting cocoon. The aftermath of their passionate encounter lingered her senses, a heady mix of satisfaction and intimacy that made her feel utterly content. She was half asleep, her mind drifting in and out of consciousness, lulled by the rhythmic sound of Liam’s breathing.As she shifted slightly, feeling the softness of the sheets against her skin, she felt Liam stir beside her. His arm tightened around her, pulling her closer, and she smiled to herself, relishing the feeling of being so intimately connected to him. It was a blissful moment, one that felt like a dream come true.“Let’s get married and mated to the world,” Liam murmured, his voice low and husky, breaking the peaceful silence of the room.Isla’s eyes flew open, and she blinked in surprise, her heart racing at his words. “What?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. She turned to face him, propping herself up on one elbow to look in
Isla sat at her desk, a blank white sheet of paper in front of her, the pen poised in her hand. The title at the top read “My Wedding Guest List,” but the page remained mostly empty. She had written down the name of her friend Maria, but as she stared at the paper, she felt a wave of uncertainty wash over her. Who else could she invite? The thought of her wedding filled her with excitement, but her social circle was very little.She sighed, leaning back in her chair, the weight of the moment pressing down on her. It was hard to believe that she was about to marry Liam Lockwood, the strongest Alpha in New York City, yet here she was, struggling to come up with a guest list. The thought of her family loomed large in her mind, and she couldn’t shake the feeling of inadequacy that had followed her for so long.Just then, the door swung open, and Miranda stepped inside, her expression bright and cheerful. “Hey, Isla! How’s the guest list writing going?” she asked, her eyes sparkling with e
As Isla stood outside her childhood home, a wave of mixed emotions washed over her. The familiar sight of the house loomed before her, its once welcoming facade now feeling like a prison. The memories flooded back, each one a reminder of the struggles she had faced growing up as the youngest child in a family that had never quite understood her.She took a deep breath, steeling herself for what lay ahead. It was never easy for her with her family. From a young age, she had been ridiculed for even the smallest things. Her parents had always held her to a standard that felt impossibly high, and her sister, the golden child, had set the bar even higher. Isla had watched as her sister excelled in academics and showcased her werewolf strength, while she felt like she was constantly falling short.“Lazy,” her parents had called her, the word echoing in her mind like a haunting refrain. It was a label that had stuck with her, one that she had fought against for years. No matter how hard she
The drive to the hotel was short, though it felt longer with her family's incessant commentary on every landmark they passed. Clara, in particular, seemed determined to demonstrate her worldliness by sharing "facts" about Paris that Isla suspected were either completely fabricated or gleaned from a tourist pamphlet.Le Grand Hôtel lived up to its name, its imposing façade and ornate Belle Époque architecture a testament to old-world luxury. They were escorted through the magnificent lobby with its crystal chandeliers and marble columns to the restaurant, where a table overlooking the Palais Garnier awaited them.A sommelier appeared almost immediately to present the wine list to Liam, who selected a vintage that made the man's eyebrows rise in respect. Menus were distributed, bound in leather and embossed with gold."Everything looks incredible," Clara murmured, scanning the offerings with furrowed brows. "How does one choose?""Take your time," Liam suggested, closing his own menu
Isla maintained a carefully neutral expression as the shopping spree continued. Her family moved from boutique to boutique along Avenue Montaigne like conquering heroes, leaving a trail of empty champagne flutes and enthusiastic salespeople in their wake. She had positioned herself slightly apart from them, standing beside Liam as a silent observer to the spectacle."Do you think this scarf complements this purse?" her mother called out, holding up a silk Hermès scarf against a Chanel handbag.Before Isla could respond—not that her opinion had ever mattered—Clara stepped in. "The colors clash, Mother. Try the blue one instead." Her sister's tone carried the same authoritative certainty that had dominated Isla's childhood, the same assumption that her judgment was inherently superior.Isla bit the inside of her cheek and said nothing. What was there to say? That this entire excursion felt like a bizarre fever dream? That watching her family eagerly accumulate luxury goods they had prev
The flight to Paris passed in much the same manner—her family consuming expensive food and drinks, making false statements about places they'd never been, and peppering Liam with questions about his business and personal wealth. Isla retreated further into silence, responding only when directly addressed, her discomfort growing with each passing hour.By the time they landed at Le Bourget Airport, Isla felt emotionally drained. A sleek black limousine awaited them on the tarmac, another display of Lockwood luxury that her family exclaimed over with unrestrained enthusiasm."We'll be going directly to Avenue Montaigne," Liam informed them as they settled into the vehicle. "It's home to some of the world's most exclusive boutiques.""Oh, I've read about it in magazines," her mother gushed. "Dior, Chanel, Louis Vuitton—all the finest brands!""Indeed," Liam agreed. "And today, you're welcome to explore them all."The drive through Paris was a blur of elegant architecture and tree-lined
The sleek private jet gleamed in the morning sunlight as Isla reluctantly made her way up the stairs. Behind her, her family's excited chatter grated on her nerves like sandpaper. They had barely contained their elation since Liam's unexpected invitation, and now, faced with the reality of the Lockwood family's private aircraft, they made no attempt to hide their awe."This is absolutely magnificent," her mother exclaimed, running her manicured fingers along the polished wooden paneling inside the cabin. "I am flying private to Paris for lunch! Who would have thought?"Isla winced at her mother's theatrical tone. The woman who had once told her that dreams were for people who couldn't face reality was now behaving like a child in a candy store.Her father wasted no time claiming one of the plush leather seats, immediately testing its reclining function and the various buttons on the armrest. "Now this is how travel should be," he declared, as if he'd been flying private jets his entir
"Isla!" Her mother's voice cut through her thoughts, high and delighted in a way Isla had never heard directed at her before. "Darling, there you are!"All conversation at the table ceased as every head turned toward the doorway. Isla felt Liam's hand press reassuringly against her lower back, grounding her as seven pairs of eyes fixed on them."Good morning," Liam's deep voice filled the room, commanding attention without effort—the natural authority of an Alpha. "I trust everyone slept well?""Exceptionally," her father answered, rising from his seat with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Your hospitality is unmatched, Alpha Lockwood."Alpha Lockwood. Not Liam. The formality wasn't lost on Isla, nor was the respect—bordering on obsequiousness—in her father's tone. This was the same man who had once dismissed her dreams of finding her fated mate as "unrealistic given her limitations as a wolf-less.""Please, join us," her mother urged, gesturing to the two empty seats at the
The Lockwood jet touched down on the private airstrip just as dawn was breaking over the horizon. Isla stirred from her dreamless sleep, her body feeling more rested than it had in weeks. Without her wolf constantly prowling beneath her skin, sleep came easier now—deeper and more peaceful. She blinked away the remnants of slumber and gazed out the window as the mansion came into view, its grand silhouette outlined against the pale morning sky."Sleep well?" Liam's voice was a warm rumble beside her.Isla turned to find him looking refreshed despite not having slept at all during their trip back from Montreal. Being a werewolf—a powerful Alpha at that—meant Liam could go days without proper rest if needed. His supernatural stamina was yet another reminder of the wolf she no longer possessed."Better than I have in a long time," she admitted, stretching her arms above her head. "I didn't even realize I'd fallen asleep until we were halfway back."Liam's fingers traced the curve of her
The take-off was smooth, the powerful engines pushing them back into their seats as the jet climbed rapidly into the night sky. Below them, New York City spread out like a constellation of earthbound stars, a mirror to the actual stars above them."It's beautiful," Isla whispered, pressing her palm against the cool window.Liam leaned over, his breath warm against her ear. "Not as beautiful as you."She turned to him, ready to playfully accuse him of being cheesy, but the sincerity in his ocean eyes stopped her. There was something profound in his gaze, something that transcended romantic platitudes."When I saw you wake up like that," he said quietly, "terrified, haunted... it broke something in me. I would fly you to the moon for hot chocolate if it would chase away that look in your eyes."Isla's heart swelled, emotion clogging her throat. She reached out, tracing the strong line of his jaw with her fingertips. "My fierce, protective wolf," she murmured."Always," he promised.The
The silence between them faded now, less.Isla's breathing had steadied, though her mind still raced with the implications of what she had seen about Selena. It was just a dream. Pull yourself together!She looked up at Liam, her eyes searching his. "You said you'd help me forget," she whispered. "How are you planning to do that?"A slow smile spread across Liam's face, the kind that always made her heart skip a beat. It was mischievous, tender, and utterly disarming all at once."Well," he said, reaching for his phone on the nightstand, "first things first." He pressed a button, and the device lit up, illuminating his face in a soft blue glow. He scrolled through his contacts and pressed call.Isla watched, puzzled, as he waited for someone to answer. At this hour? Who could he possibly be calling?"Marcus," Liam's voice was authoritative yet casual. "I need hot chocolate sent up to the master suite. The good kind, with the whipped cream and those little marshmallows Isla likes."
The bedroom was lit up in night lamps, soft and silver.. Isla lay nestled against Liam, her body curved perfectly into the protective arc of his embrace. Their breathing synchronized. Her slumber began softly, peacefully. The warmth of Liam's body, the steady rise and fall of his chest, the faint scent of cedar and pine that always surrounded him—these were her anchors, her safety.And then the dream began.At first, it was pure joy. Isla found herself running—no, bounding—through a moonlit forest. But this was different. This was her wolf form. Selena. Her long-lost wolf that she thought had died years ago.Golden blonde fur gleamed under the moonlight, each muscle moving with a fluid grace she had forgotten was possible. The ground beneath her paws felt alive, vibrating with ancient energy. Moss-covered earth, fallen pine needles, the soft give of forest floor—sensations she had been denied for so long rushed back to her.Freedom. Pure, unbridled freedom.Her wolf form was magn