Lucas' POV "My proposal is simple. Our company has a solid, constructive working relationship with Alpha Kyle of the Moonhowlers Pack. They are currently handling futures, options, and derivatives for us. Why don't you start with a program with them? They're working on the refurbishment of the old Trafold Hippodrome and they're having an unsealed bid right now. If you get this project done, I'm sure everyone on the board will be happy to welcome a new VP to our company." Ava had a look on her face as if she was doing me a big favor. "OK. I'll certainly look into that," I replied. Alpha Kyle was the Chairman of the Derby Committee. I met him on Derby Day. I didn't like the way he looked at me. "I'll have all the needed documents sent to you in a minute," Ava said and tapped on the table with the knuckle of her index finger. "Good luck with the project and I hope everything went well, Lewyn," she added. "Oh, come on, Miss Dinara, you know you can call me by my first name," I said.
Leah's POV "Put your hands off Leah right now, Finn," Troy said in a cold, stern voice. Finn didn't let go of me. His hands were holding my arms so tightly that my skin started to turn red. "Leave Leah alone right now, Finn, or I'll have to cut off your hands," Troy warned in a threatening voice. I placed my hand gently on Finn's hand and said in a tranquilizing voice despite the pain from his grip, "It's OK, Finn. I know what you mean. Why don't we go into the restaurant and find a nice, quiet cubicle, so we can talk about it." Finn let go of my arm and walked out of the car with me. He was following me like a little terrified puppy, which was heart throbbing. I had never met someone that made me feel the same way as I felt when I was with Finn. It was like... Whenever I thought about him, my heart would bleed. He was able to touch the tenderest part of my soul even without doing anything. After we took our seats, the restaurant owner, Tony Soprano, showed up with a giant smile
Leah's POV "Please! Please don't hurt me! I'll tell you everything! Please!" The short man shouted as the soldiers shoved him into the car. "Jalin, don't hurt him..." I walked out of the restaurant with Jalin and said. "Go back and enjoy some pizza with your lover boy, Leah. Don't let this minor incident ruin your lunch date." Jalin said. He was smiling, but there wasn't a slight hint of happiness in his eyes. Our conversation was cut short because of the short man's desperate pleading, "A man gave me 300 bucks to jam your car. I swear to the Moon Goddess! I didn't lie! I have never met that man and I don't know who he is! I'm working at Mechanic World on 10th Street!" "Shut up and get into the car!" A soldier pressed his head into the car and said. "Let him talk," I said. "Leah, this doesn't concern you," Jalin said. "If someone wants to kill me, I would like to know who he is," I said. "Let him talk!" Jalin took a glance at the soldiers and nodded slightly. They immediately
Leah's POV I looked up and saw Lucas walking toward us, looking cross. He was wearing a white silk shirt and a pair of jeans. I had never ever seen him wearing casual clothes before. He was either wearing suits or, well, wearing nothing in bed with me. The shirt hugged his broad shoulders and chest, emphasizing his muscular physique. And the denim of his jeans clung to his long, strong legs, hinting at the power within. As he walked, the faded denim whispered softly against the floor, the sound of a confident man moving with anger. As he walked across the restaurant, heads turned and women whispered to each other in admiration. He was a man who commanded attention without even trying, a natural magnet for all those around him. Yes, my ex-mate and ex-husband-wanna-be seemed at home in the world, and it was impossible not to be drawn to him. Finn instinctively held me behind his back and blocked me from Lucas, which I felt so flattered. Lucas' facial expression quickly changed from
Leah’s POV Tears were streaming down my face, and I stretched out my arms to push Lucas away from me, but he wouldn't let me. "Lucas, that's why I came here to talk to you. The thing is, I've already got a second chance. It's Finn..." I whispered. My voice was barely audible over the sound of my beating heart. "Leah, are you trying to say something like this to hurt me? Is this what you want to do?" Lucas took a deep breath in an attempt to control his emotions. "No, Lucas. I'm telling you the truth. Finn is my second chance. He's my new mate..." Lucas' lips pressed together tightly. He looked visibly crossed, with a tense and rigid posture. I knew he was trying to compose himself before reacting. Despite his efforts, his voice trembled slightly as he spoke, revealing the depth of his hurt and anger - "This is enough, Leah. Stop hanging out with that male whore. Do you know who he is and what he has done in his life?" "As a matter of fact, I don't, and I certainly don't care abo
Leah's POV "Darren, help me! Lucas is dying!" I grabbed his arms like I was grabbing the last straw of hope. Darren took a look at Lucas, who was lying in the backseat and bleeding. Finn was holding him, placing his head on his lap. Darren sighed, got into the car, and closed the door. "Drive, Leah. I'll take care of him," he said. I started the car immediately. "Why are you here?" I asked Darren, glancing at him from the rear mirror. "I woke up this morning and had a craving for pizza," Darren replied and checked on Lucas' wood. "The cut is deep. We need to stop his bleeding right now. He's losing too much blood." Then, he looked around and laid his eyes on Finn. "Take off your clothes," Darren said. Finn looked puzzled and instinctively flinched a bit. "Darren, this isn't funny," I frowned and said. I rolled down the window to get some fresh air. This car was packed with too many hot men. I couldn't breathe. "He's the only one who's wearing a cotton shirt," Darren said.
Leah's POV "You can't be with Finn for a considerably long time, but he won't be your life companion." Dr. Monk said. "You're a werewolf. And a werewolf needs to be mated. The only reason that you're not getting weak like your husband is that you have Lycan blood in your veins. But after a certain amount of time, you will get weaker and weaker. If by that time, you still haven't been mated, you will wither and die, Miss Lewyn." My world crumbled around me as I stood there, rooted to the spot. The words Dr. Monk had just said were like a punch to my gut, leaving me gasping for air. "How... How about Finn? Is he already mated?" I asked. The thought of losing Finn to another woman terrified me. "Yes, he has been mated before. But it seemed that this mating bond has been cut off." Dr. Monk said. "Cut off?! What do you mean?" "He has rejected his mate, or his mate has rejected him. I don't know. I can't get anything useful out of his mouth. He's afraid of people wearing a doctor's coa
Leah's POV "Yeah," Darren replied and took the empty glass away from me. "Fiona is a lovely girl. She's also my favorite cousin." "So you're not mated," I mumbled. "You're still young." "Don't talk like you're a hundred years old, Leah," Darren said. I drew myself closer to him and said, "So, you don't have a mate. Do you have a fuck buddy or something? Is that why you're following me around? To see if you can make me your fuck buddy? I mean, I remember you wanted to take me upstairs and fuck me the first time you saw me." "Yeah," Darren touched his nose awkwardly. "That was on my mind at that time. I had too much wine and I was totally out of the line." "So, is your offer still valid? I've got a lot of rooms upstairs, you know." I looked into his eyes and said, leaning forward. Darren held my arms and pushed me back. He said, "Miss Lewyn, with all due respect, I am overwhelmed and flattered. But I have to tell you that the thought has already been kicked out of my system." "W
Darren's POVJosephine's stern gaze pierced through me. I clenched my fists, feeling the weight of the decision I had to make. The life of Leah's unborn baby was in my hands. If I gave the go-ahead, the baby wouldn't survive, and Leah would never forgive me. But if I didn't, Leah would die.“Continue,” I instructed the doctor, my voice steady.“Are you sure...?” he questioned, hesitant.Josephine covered her mouth to stifle a scream. “Do it. Now,” I repeated firmly."I can't watch this," Josephine said, her voice breaking as she stormed out of the room.I was left alone to face the grim reality. Dr. Jafar bent back over Leah, resuming the delicate operation. After what felt like an eternity, he finally removed the last fragment and collapsed into a chair, utterly spent."Is she going to be okay?" I asked, desperation creeping into my voice."She's in critical condition. I’ve done everything I can. The
Darren's POV"What's happening...? What the hell?!" Josephine gasped, her eyes widening as she saw Leah cradled in my arms."Leah's in danger. We need a doctor," I murmured, laying Leah gently on the sofa."If you need a doctor, you’ll have to go to a clinic! Not to me!" Josephine snapped."I can't take her there. There are soldiers everywhere," I replied urgently. "She's dying, Jo. The blood won't stop."Josephine's face twisted with hysteria. "What do you expect me to do? We can't help her! Didn't you see those soldiers on the street? They're hunting for her! If they find her, we're both dead!"Ignoring her, I tore through the linen closet, grabbing anything that could help staunch Leah's wound. Josephine tried to pull me back."Darren! Are you listening to me?!""I hear you, Jo," I said softly, but firmly. "But I have to save Leah. She took a bullet meant for me. If it weren’t for her, I’d be the one bleeding out."
Leah's POV"What's the hurry?" A voice echoed from the doorway.Mick Toussaint?!What on earth was he doing here?"Ah, we've crossed paths again, Miss Lewyn." Mick's gaze locked onto mine, his eyes narrowing with intent. "Allow me to introduce you to my Luna and wife. I assure you, this reunion will be nothing short of spectacular."Clara's face materialized next to his.It was as though my worst nightmare had clawed its way into reality. They stood together, each an abomination that had finally found its twisted match."Leah, you conniving wench! At last!" Her lips curled into a cold, vindictive smirk as she slammed the door shut. "We're going to have such a delightful time.""Get out of my room!" I shouted, desperation hitching my voice. My legs were numb, unwilling to obey, while I knew exactly what this deranged pair had in mind."You look like one of the Swanson boys." Clara purred, flicking her gaze to Darren. "The Swansons have always been so... delectable. Care to join us?"D
Leah's POVI reached for the phone on my nightstand and dialed Darren's number. It rang for a while before going to voicemail. I paused, formulating my thoughts, then said, "Darren, it's me..."Suddenly, the phone was answered. "Leah?" Darren's voice sounded shaky."Yes, Darren. It's me."He let out a sigh of relief. "Oh, thank goodness. Where have you been? I was so worried...""What's going
Leah's POVWhen I woke up, I was enveloped in warmth. Blinking against the light, I realized Lucas was holding me from behind. I cherished moments like this, moments that never happened when we were married. My head still felt foggy, and the tubes in my arms itched, making me impulsively pull them out. The machine beside me erupted in beeps, and a flustered nurse rushed in, her hand flying to her mouth in shock. Lucas sprang off the bed."I'm sorry, Sir. You can't be in here," she insisted, staring at him."I just want to be with my wife," Lucas shrugged,
Leah's POVI lowered my head and saw black blood trickling down my face, dripping onto the floor. I tried to stand, but my limbs felt leaden, and my head was growing heavy."What... what have you done?!" I screamed, struggling to rise, only to collapse back onto the cold ground."It's wolfsbane, Leah..." the old king hacked, black blood spewing from his mouth as he smirked wickedly. "I hid it in my nails...""Father!" Lucian shifted rapidly into his human form, rushing forwa
Leah's POVI didn't answer his question."What have I done to make you hate me so much, Leah?" he murmured. "All I've ever done is follow the Moon Goddess's will and protect you.""You learned from the Moon Goddess that I was the chosen one, destined to bring an end to your reign. But the only person you care about in this world is your son, Lucian! So you encouraged me to marry Lucas to send me away. Every misfortune in my life was orchestrated by you. You sacrificed my Batair for your sick enhancement project. You want to sacrifice me, just like you sacr
Leah's POVMy father’s bedroom was located on the top floor of the castle, offering a commanding view of the entire Court. I had never been summoned to his bedroom before, but I once sneaked in when I was little. To my astonishment, it was relatively small. Mr. Carson found me there. He scooped me up in his arms and gently admonished me for wandering into such a restricted area."Why is Father’s bedroom so small?" I asked curiously.Mr. Carson replied, "A Lycan King never sleeps well in giant rooms."At the time, I didn't understand what he meant, but now, I began to grasp his meaning.My father sat upright in his bed, supported by a pile of pillows. The air in the room was thick with the grim scent of decay, a telltale sign of the cancer that had relentlessly gnawed away at his once-powerful body. It pained me deeply to see my father, a man who had once exuded immense strength and unshakable will, now lying frail against the pillows. His hair had turned a ghostly grey, with thin, wis
Leah's POVTaking a deep breath, I walked over to Lucian, my footsteps echoing in the silence. Kneeling beside his chair, I forced myself to stay composed."Lucian, you’ve always been like a father to me. I look up to you, I admire you. That’s why it hurts so deeply to have my loyalty questioned by you. I should be able to show you my unwavering loyalty, but how can I prove it to my own brother?"Lucian looked down and gently placed his hand on my head, stroking my hair.