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
"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 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
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
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 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's feet were already aching, and it was only noon on the first day of her wedding shopping spree. With just five days left until she would become Mrs. Lockwood, the pressure was mounting. New York City spread before her like a shopper's paradise, each glittering storefront promising the perfect addition to what would undoubtedly be the most important day of her life."I think we need to establish some kind of system," Miranda suggested, pulling out her phone and opening her notes app. "We've got two days to get everything, and the list is pretty extensive."Taylor nodded in agreement, adjusting her sunglasses as they stood on the corner of Fifth Avenue. "Let's divide and conquer. What's first on the list?"Isla pulled out her own meticulously crafted wedding checklist. The column of unchecked boxes seemed to stretch endlessly. "Shoes, jewelry, lingerie, makeup, hair accessories, and of course, the dress." She took a deep breath. "Maybe we should start with the smaller items and e
With renewed energy, they set off again, this time heading for the flagship stores of some of New York's most prestigious designers. The afternoon passed in a blur of luxury boutiques, attentive salespeople, and increasingly promising options.It was in the third designer store that Isla found it—not a wedding dress at all, but a stunning floor-length gown in the window display. It was ivory rather than pure white, with a flowing silhouette that would move beautifully as she walked down the aisle. The bodice was intricately structured, strapless with a sweetheart neckline that would showcase her collarbones and the delicate gold necklace Liam had given her for her birthday last year."That's it," Isla breathed, pointing to the window. "That's my dress."The saleswoman smiled. "An excellent choice. That's from our newest collection. Would you like to try it on?"The next twenty minutes were a flurry of activity. Taylor and Miranda were ushered to a plush seating area, complete with cha
The dawn broke over the private island, illuminating a landscape transformed by battle. The pristine white sands were now marked with the evidence of war—scorched earth, scattered debris, and the lingering scent of mystic energy that hung in the air like an invisible fog. Pack members moved about with purpose, tending to the wounded, accounting for their numbers, and beginning the process of rebuilding what had been broken.Isla stood at the shoreline, her toes digging into the cool sand as she watched the waves wash away traces of blood. The sea seemed determined to cleanse the beach, to restore it to its former beauty. Nature healing itself—a fitting metaphor for what was happening among the pack."Twenty-seven wounded," Miranda reported, appearing at Isla's side. Her usual playful character was subdued, but there was a glint of relief in her eyes. "Eight critical, but they'll make it.""And the fallen?" Isla asked quietly, bracing herself for the answer.Miranda's expression tight
Liam was the first to transform back to human form, standing tall. The others followed suit, the transformation allowing them to handle the artifacts with greater precision."It's over, Darius," Liam said, his voice carrying the authority of generations of Alpha blood. "Your projections are failing. Your army is being decimated. And now we have the means to end your reign of terror once and for all."Isla stepped forward, her hand clutching the Moonstone Dagger. The transformation had left her feeling strangely invigorated rather than drained as it once had. Selena's presence within her was strong, unified with her own consciousness in a way that felt more complete than even before their separation.They moved with practiced precision, each knowing their role without needing instruction. Ken placed the Binding Stones in a circle around Darius, who found himself suddenly unable to step beyond their perimeter. Miranda held up the Verity Mirror, which shimmered with an inner light as it
"It's time," Isla said, clutching the artifacts close to her chest. Their weight seemed to increase with each passing moment, as if they recognized their impending purpose.Miranda nodded, her usually playful demeanor replaced by steely determination. "You sure you're ready for this? First transformation since..." She didn't need to finish the sentence."Since I lost her," Isla completed, a small smile playing on her lips. "I'm more than ready."Ken and Taylor moved to flank the doorway, their senses heightened for any approaching danger. Ken's muscular frame tensed as he sniffed the air. "Their numbers are growing. Liam and Maximilian are holding the eastern perimeter, but they need those artifacts now."Isla closed her eyes, feeling the familiar yet long-forgotten sensation of her wolf stirring within. For years, that space had been empty—a hollow cavern where Selena had once resided. Now, the warmth of her presence flooded Isla's veins once more."Selena," she whispered, not as a s
Isla could feel the missing piece of her soul slowly sliding back into place, like a puzzle finding its perfect fit after years of searching.Her wolf was back. And nothing would ever be the same again.The moment Selena fully materialized, Isla felt a surge of emotions so intense it threatened to overwhelm her. Years of absence, of feeling incomplete, of living with a gaping spiritual wound - all of it dissolved in an instant. "Selena," she whispered, her voice cracking with emotion. "I missed you. I missed you so much. You didn't have to do that that day."The memories came flooding back - that fateful day when she was 17, battling rouge wolves in a fight that seemed impossible to survive. She had been severely injured, blood pooling around her, death's cold fingers already beginning to grip her. And then Selena had done the unthinkable.In that moment of near-death, Selena had used every ounce of her spiritual energy, every drop of her essence to keep Isla alive. "Live, Isla. Liv
Ken intruppted Isla and said, "Stay here! I'll deliver the artifacts."Of course! Like they would let Isla to get out of the protected Beach house suit. Ken took the artifacts and tied to get out of the suit's door, but all of a sudden, he came flying back, falling on the floor. The tension was thick in the air as Ken stood trapped, the magical barriers preventing him from leaving Isla's side. The artifacts he was meant to deliver to Liam in his hands. The magic that bound him was intricate and powerful, a web of protection that kept him tethered to Isla, rendering him immobile.Isla paced the room, her mind racing. She understood now that the key to their freedom, to ending the war, lay in awakening her wolf Selena. For years, Selena had been dormant, a spirit locked away since that fateful day when Isla was 17. The wolf's absence had been more than just a physical loss; it was a spiritual wound that had haunted her for years.Miranda watched her carefully, concern etched across h
The battle raged on the beach, a chaotic dance of supernatural violence that seemed to defy logic. Each time Liam or one of the Lockwood alphas appeared to defeat a version of Darius, another would materialize, laughing with that bone-chilling, omnipresent sound that seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at once."He's not just creating illusions," Liam's thoughts crashed into Isla's mind. "These are fully corporeal duplicates. Each can fight, each can bleed."Isla gripped the balcony edge, watching her mate and his parents fight with increasing desperation. The pack's initial advantage had evaporated, replaced by confusion and mounting exhaustion. Wolves that had been fierce and coordinated were now reactive, constantly shifting to defend against attacks that could come from any direction."We can't win like this," Isla muttered.Taylor and Miranda exchanged a look—the kind of silent communication that spoke of years of shared experience. "We need to find another way," Taylor sa
The first wave of Darius's forces crashed against the Lockwood pack's defenses like a storm surge. From her vantage point, Isla watched in awe as the beach transformed into a battlefield of supernatural fury.Liam moved like living lightning in his wolf form. His strawberry-blonde fur gleamed with an almost metallic sheen as he launched into the attack, a blur of speed and devastating power.Where other wolves might tear and rip, Liam struck with surgical precision—each movement calculated to maximum effect. Rivals fell before him like wheat before a scythe, his massive wolf form cutting through the enemy ranks with terrifying efficiency.*"This is why they call him the most powerful Alpha-to-be,"* Taylor murmured beside Isla, her voice a mixture of pride and reverence.Angelina fought with a completely different style. Where Liam was a thunderstorm, she was a silent predator. Her silver-blonde wolf moved with cat-like grace, almost dancing between opponents. Each strike was elegant,
Isla leaned against the railing again, her attention drawn back to the beach below where a transformation was taking place. Pack members had begun to shift, their human forms dissolving in ripples of magic as wolf forms emerged in their place. The sight still fascinated her—the fluid transition between shapes that seemed both impossible and entirely natural.Her breath caught as she spotted Liam in the front line, his wolf form magnificent and commanding. His fur gleamed strawberry blonde in the strengthening dawn light, thick and lustrous. Even in this form, she would have recognized him anywhere. Beside him padded Maximilian, his wolf a deep, rich red that seemed to burn like living flame against the pale sand. And completing the leadership triad was Angelina, her silver-blonde fur shimmering with an almost ethereal quality.The three of them stood as a united front, facing the eastern horizon where Darius's forces would soon appear. Behind them, arranged in precise formation, were
The first hints of dawn had begun to streak the eastern sky, painting wispy clouds in delicate shades of pink and gold. Isla stood at the open-air balcony of the beach house suite, her hands resting on the silver railing as she watched the hypnotic rhythm of waves washing against the shore. The ocean stretched endlessly before her, its surface glittering with the dying moonlight, deceptively peaceful despite the approaching conflict.From this elevated vantage point, she had a perfect view of the expansive beach below, where the Lockwood pack had assembled in battle formation. The suite itself was nestled into the cliffside overlooking the bay—the pack's most defensible structure on the island and the designated safe house for those who would not participate in the coming fight.The wind carried the scent of salt and tension up to her, along with fragments of commands being issued below. Isla's senses, already heightened from the mating ceremony, seemed even more acute this morning.