Isla stirred awake, the soft sheets enveloping her like a cloud. For a moment, she lay still, blinking against the sunlight streaming through the large windows. The room was bathed in a warm glow, and the luxurious decor around her felt surreal. She rubbed her eyes, half-expecting to wake up in her small apartment, the familiar sounds of the city filtering through the thin walls. But as she took in the opulence surrounding her, a sense of disbelief washed over her.Was this real? Or was she still dreaming?The last time she had been in a room close to being lavish was when her parents had taken her and her sister to a luxury hotel for a weekend getaway when she was twelve. That trip had been sponsored by her father’s company, a reward for his hard work. She remembered the way the chandeliers sparkled, the plush carpets that felt like walking on clouds, and the way her mother had beamed with pride as they explored the hotel’s amenities. But that was a lifetime ago, a fleeting moment of
Isla stood in front of the closet, her heart racing as she picked up a soft pink dress that seemed to glow in the morning light. The fabric was light and airy, perfect for the breakfast she was about to attend. She slipped it on, feeling the delicate material drape over her body, and for the first time, she felt a flicker of confidence. The dress made her feel beautiful, and she couldn’t help but smile at her reflection.With a final glance in the mirror, she took a deep breath and stepped out of the room, ready to face whatever awaited her downstairs. The mansion was a labyrinth of opulence, and as she wandered through the hallways, she found herself captivated by the intricate details of the architecture. The walls were adorned with rich tapestries, and the floors gleamed with polished marble. But as she turned corner after corner, the excitement began to fade, replaced by a growing sense of confusion.“Where is the dining area?” she muttered to herself, glancing around at the endle
The room fell silent for a moment, all eyes drawn to him as he stepped inside. Liam was dressed in a fitted navy blue t-shirt that hugged his muscular frame, accentuating his broad shoulders and well-defined arms. The sleeves of the shirt were slightly rolled up, showcasing his toned biceps, which seemed to ripple with every movement. He paired the shirt with dark jeans that fit him perfectly, neither too tight nor too loose, allowing for ease of movement while still looking effortlessly stylish. As he entered, Liam exuded a relaxed confidence. His casual attire did not diminish his commanding presence; instead, it highlighted his athletic build and the natural charisma that drew people in. His posture was relaxed yet assertive, with his arms occasionally crossing over his chest, further emphasizing his muscular arms. He wore a casual watch on his wrist, adding a touch of sophistication to his laid-back look. A slight smile played on his sensual lips, and his intense gaze scanned t
Miranda’s eyes sparkled with determination as she leaned forward, her expression shifting to one of earnestness. “I’m Miranda, and I’ve been part of this pack since beginning - as this is my family. I'm cousin to Liam Lockwood. But it hasn’t always been easy for me either,” Miranda continued, her tone growing somber. “I lost my brother in a rogue attack a few years back. He was my best friend, my confidant. Losing him felt like losing a part of myself.”Isla’s heart ached for Miranda, the pain in her voice echoing the struggles she had faced in her own life. “I thought I would never recover from that. But then I met my mate Andy and things changed,” Miranda said, her voice trembling slightly. “And this pack helped me heal. They became my support system, my family. I realized that even in the darkest times, there’s always a light to guide you, and for me, that light was all of them.” She gestured to the group around the table, her eyes shining with gratitude.Isla felt a lump form in
Isla lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling as the afternoon sun streamed through the window. She had the entire afternoon to herself, a rare luxury in this bustling mansion filled with pack members. But instead of feeling relaxed, her mind was racing. She couldn’t shake the memory of Liam’s touch, the way his fingers had brushed against hers during their training session. A shiver ran down her spine, and she cringed at the thought.What was she doing? She shouldn’t be getting this close to him, this tempter who had turned her world upside down. The chemistry between them was undeniable, but it was also dangerous. She had to keep her distance, to remind herself that she was here for a reason, and it wasn’t to get swept away by a handsome Alpha.Just as she was lost in her thoughts, her phone buzzed on the nightstand, pulling her from her reverie. She reached for it, her heart skipping a beat when she saw it was a message from Liam.“Come down to the garden for a stroll??” the text rea
In the party, Isla found herself surrounded by a crowd of elegantly dressed individuals. She was already at the event with Miranda, Taylor, and Ken, but she felt out of place. Liam walked beside her, but she maintained a distance, acutely aware of the elite atmosphere that surrounded them.The room was filled with laughter and chatter, the clinking of glasses echoing in the air. Isla’s heart raced as she took in the posh surroundings, the lavish decorations, and the well-dressed guests mingling effortlessly. She felt a wave of self-doubt wash over her.“I shouldn’t have come here,” she thought, her stomach twisting.“Just relax and come with me,” Miranda said, sensing Isla’s discomfort. She took Isla’s hand and led her deeper into the crowd, with Taylor and Ken following closely behind.As they moved through the throng of people, Isla caught glimpses of elite girls chatting animatedly, their laughter ringing like music. Miranda approached a couple of them, and Isla felt a pang of envy
The laughter and chatter of the party faded into a dull roar, and all she could hear was the pounding of her own heart.“Regina, stop it,” Marvi said, his tone suddenly defensive, but it lacked any real conviction. He stood there, a cowardly spectator to the scene unfolding before him.Isla’s hands trembled at her sides, and she fought to keep her composure. “You don’t know anything about me,” she said, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside. “You don’t get to judge me.”Regina stepped closer, her eyes glinting with malice. “Oh, but I do. You’re the one who’s pathetic, clinging to a past that doesn’t want you. You think you can just waltz into this world and be accepted? You wolf-less bitch.”Isla felt the heat of anger rise within her, but she forced herself to breathe. She wouldn’t let Regina get the best of her. “I’m not clinging to anything,” she shot back, her voice rising. “I’ve moved on. You’re the one who seems obsessed with me.”Regina laughed, a sharp, mocking sound tha
As Isla stood her ground against Regina, her heart racing with a mix of anger and determination. Just as she thought the confrontation couldn’t escalate further, a group of men in black suits appeared, their imposing figures cutting through the crowd like a knife. They moved with purpose, their expressions serious as they approached the scene.“What’s going on here?” one of the men asked, his voice deep and authoritative.Regina, sensing an opportunity to shift the narrative, immediately turned on the charm, her demeanor shifting from aggressive to victimized in an instant. “Thank goodness you’re here! This man,” she pointed at Liam, “has assaulted me! He pushed me, and I demand that you take him away!”Isla’s jaw dropped in disbelief. “Regina, you’re lying!” she shouted, her voice rising in frustration. “You’re the one who started this whole thing!”But Regina wasn’t finished. “And this one,” she gestured toward Isla, “is a dangerous prostitute! She’s been following me and trying to
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 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
As the hall filled with anticipation, Isla stood at the podium, her heart racing with a mix of excitement and nerves. The atmosphere was charged with energy, and she could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on her. The priest, an elder of the pack, stood beside her, holding the Moon Goddess’s holy book, its pages worn and filled with wisdom passed down through generations. The flickering candlelight cast soft shadows on the walls, creating an almost ethereal ambiance that heightened the significance of the occasion.“Today, we gather to witness the oath of our new Luna,” the priest announced, his voice resonating through the hall. “Isla, daughter of the Lockwood legacy, will take her place as the leader of our pack, standing alongside her mate, Liam.”Isla took a deep breath, her heart swelling with pride and determination. This was the moment she had been preparing for, yet it felt surreal. The weight of her responsibilities loomed large, but she was ready to embrace them. T
Isla felt a surge of frustration mixed with fear. She had been carrying the burden of Liam’s secret alone, and the thought of sharing it made her stomach churn. But as she looked into their earnest faces, she realized that they were right. They deserved the truth, but revealing it was against the promise she made for her father-in-law.“Isla, we know you’re hiding something,” Miranda said again, her voice steady but laced with concern. “You’ve been acting strange ever since Liam was taken. We need to know what’s going on.”Taylor crossed her arms, her brow furrowed. “You can’t keep this to yourself. We’re your friends, and we want to help you. But we can’t do that if you won’t let us in.”“I can’t,” she finally said, her voice barely above a whisper. “You don’t understand what’s at stake.”Miranda stepped closer, her expression softening. “Then help us understand. We’re worried about you, Isla. You’re not just Liam’s mate; you’re the Luna of the Lockwood pack. You have to be strong fo
The next few days were a blur for Isla. Each morning, she woke up in the grand Lockwood mansion, the sunlight streaming through the tall windows, illuminating the opulence that surrounded her. But the beauty of her surroundings felt hollow without Liam by her side. The weight of his absence pressed heavily on her heart, and every moment was a reminder of the uncertainty that loomed over them.With Liam captured, Isla had taken on the mantle of responsibility for the mansion and the pack. Miranda and her mate, Andy, stepped in to manage the pack duties, but Isla felt the burden of leadership resting squarely on her shoulders. She knew that soon she would be introduced as the Luna of the pack, a title that felt both empowering and terrifying. Despite not having a wolf of her own, she was expected to lead, to inspire, and to unite the pack in Liam’s absence.As the days passed, Isla found herself retreating to her room more often, seeking solace in the quiet. She would sit at the ornate
Isla sat in the plush leather seat of Maximilian’s private plane, the hum of the engines a constant reminder of the distance they were putting between themselves and the chaos that had unfolded. The cabin was luxurious, but the opulence did little to ease the turmoil in her heart. She gazed out the window, watching the clouds drift by, her mind racing with thoughts of Liam and the uncertainty of their future.Maximilian sat across from her, his expression serious as he reviewed documents on a tablet. The weight of leadership hung heavily on his shoulders, and Isla could sense the tension radiating from him. After a moment, he looked up, meeting her gaze with a steady intensity.“Isla,” he began, his voice calm yet firm, “we’re almost back in New York. You need to prepare yourself for what’s ahead.”Isla turned to him, her heart sinking. “I really don’t think I can do this,” she admitted, her voice trembling slightly. “Without Liam, I feel lost. I’m still wolfless. I can’t take charge
Isla’s hands trembled as she reached for her phone, her heart racing with urgency. She scrolled through her contacts until she found the name that felt both familiar and distant—Maximilian Lockwood. Taking a deep breath, she pressed the call button, her mind racing with thoughts of Liam and the danger he was in.The phone rang, each tone echoing her anxiety. When the call connected, she could hear the calm, authoritative voice of Liam’s father on the other end. “Maximilian Lockwood.”“Mr. Lockwood,” Isla said, her voice shaking as she struggled to keep her composure. “It’s Isla. I… I need your help. Liam has been captured.”There was a brief silence on the other end, and Isla could almost hear the gears turning in Maximilian’s mind. “What do you mean, captured?” he asked, his tone shifting to one of concern.Isla swallowed hard, her heart pounding in her chest. “A group of mutts attacked us. They overpowered him, and I couldn’t do anything to stop it. They took him away, and I don’t k
Isla’s heart raced as she felt the presence of more than just the intruder. The door creaked open, and a group of pale creatures stepped into the room, their movements fluid and eerily graceful.They were unlike any beings Isla had ever encountered. Their skin was a ghostly white, almost luminescent in the dim light, and their features were sharp and angular, giving them an otherworldly beauty that was both captivating and terrifying. Long, slender limbs ended in delicate fingers, and their eyes glowed with an unnatural light—somewhere between the deep crimson of a vampire’s thirst and the piercing gold of a wolf’s gaze.Among them stood their leader, a striking figure with long, flowing blonde hair that cascaded down his back like a waterfall of silk. He exuded an aura of authority, his presence commanding the attention of everyone in the room. His eyes, a chilling shade of silver, locked onto Liam with an intensity that sent a shiver down Isla’s spine.Isla’s breath caught in her th
The moon hung high in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the icy cold waters of Nysoria. The gentle sound of waves lapping against the shore created a soothing melody that filled the air, mingling with the soft rustle of palm leaves swaying in the night breeze. Inside the luxurious four-poster bed suite, Isla lay nestled against Liam, the warmth of his body enveloping her like a protective cocoon.After a long day filled with exploration and playful intimacy, Isla felt utterly exhausted. The events of the evening had left her both exhilarated and spent, her body pleasantly weary from the connection they had shared. She had never imagined that she could feel so alive, so in tune with another person, and the memories of their time together danced in her mind like fireflies in the night.As she shifted slightly, the soft sheets caressed her skin, and she sighed contentedly. Liam was beside her, his strong arm draped protectively over her waist, his breathing deep and steady. She turned