Not wanting to be late meeting Derek, I made my way to the hotel that would host the guests, stepping into the grand hall. It was impressive—high ceilings adorned with intricate chandeliers and polished marble floors. The scent of fresh-cut roses and crisp linen filled the air, a sign that preparati
DEREKI stared at the file in front of me, flipping through the neatly arranged pages with growing astonishment. Elena had compiled an incredibly detailed plan for the Alpha Ball—everything from the venue layout to the sequence of events was accounted for. The seating arrangements were particularly
DEREKThe amphitheater was already beginning to take shape for the Alpha Ball. The grand arches, adorned with the first strands of elegant floral arrangements, framed the vast open space, where pack leaders and their honored guests would soon gather. The event planning team bustled about, making adj
ELENAThere was terrible art on the walls—beige and pastel expressionist reproductions that were meant to soothe. I did not find them soothing. I sat stiffly in the reclining chair, the soft hum of the lights above us barely registering in my ears.Another session. Another attempt to unlock the past
Mason’s sympathy quickly turned to fury. Like any Alpha, he was fiercely protective of his pack. “As soon as the Alpha Ball is over,” he hissed, “you don’t have to have any contact with that man. I’ll see to it myself.”Aiden, quiet as a mouse, had stalked up to Mason’s elbow and looked beseechingly
ELENAMy pulse quickened as I turned slightly, catching sight of her standing just a few feet away, her back to me. Caroline was with her, nodding along.I remained still, my heart thudding in my chest. Whatever Cassandra was scheming, I needed to be ready.I should have left.I should have taken a
I exhaled slowly, keeping my expression cool despite the fire crackling beneath my skin. “That’s unfortunate for you, then. Because this dress is mine.” I said, turning my gaze to the Vanessa. “I love it, thank you.”Cassandra’s face darkened. “You’re still trying to provoke me, aren’t you?”I tilte
ELENAThe night air was crisp as Logan guided Aiden and me to his car. The tension still crackled in the air, a lingering reminder of the chaos back at the boutique. My fingers trembled slightly as I adjusted Aiden’s seatbelt, my mind replaying Derek’s accusations over and over.“You were already ch
What the hell?A rustle of silk signaled my mother’s approach. She held a flute of sparkling wine and wore an amused expression.“He’s taken to Aiden, hasn’t he?” my mother asked, her tone deceptively casual as she sipped from her glass. She nodded discreetly toward Derek.We stood slightly apart fr
DEREKThe phone buzzed on the desk beside me, cutting through the quiet of my office. I reached for it absently, expecting Joe or maybe Brock with an update. But the name on the screen made me sit up straighter.Aiden.I answered immediately. “Hey, bud.”“Hi!” His voice was bright, bubbling with ene
My parents had pulled out all the stops. White-gloved servers, silver candelabras, a string quartet in the corner playing soft music. It was the kind of dinner that only happened when my mother was trying to impress—or intimidate.I spotted the way Erin's eyes flicked over the crystal glasses, the w
ELENAThe soft hum of Dr. Voss’s voice was like a current running under my skin—steady, focused, grounding. I let myself sink into it, the earthy scent of burning herbs drifting from the brass bowl on the table beside me. My hands were clenched in my lap, but my breathing had evened out, and my mind
For the first time, I didn’t follow her.Didn’t chase.Didn’t apologize.But I didn’t forget, either.And some part of me always carried that moment—like a shard of glass pressed into the soft part of my palm.***I found Cassandra in the solarium, stretched out on the chaise in a pale silk robe tha
DEREKI remember the exact moment my father died.Not when I found out—when it happened. I didn’t know then, of course, but looking back, there was a sudden weight that settled in the air that day, like the wind itself knew something had shifted.Something in the bond between us snapped.We were out
Still, watching Aiden throw his head back in joy as he sped around the rose bushes, hair flying behind him and helmet finally strapped tight—I couldn’t deny the truth of what I’d said.Derek had done something for him today that I never could have.And it mattered.Derek stayed quiet, the gravity of
ELENAI hadn’t expected it to hit me like that.Watching Derek teach Aiden to ride his bike… I don’t know. It gutted me in a way I wasn’t prepared for. Not because it hurt, but because it was right. The way Aiden beamed up at him.The way Derek knelt beside him, patient and calm, catching him every
Still nothing.“A good friend of mine was hurt. She saved my life a long time ago, and I thought she needed me.”I paused.“But even if that’s true… I didn’t handle it right. And I want you to know—I get it. I let you down.”Aiden was quiet for a long time.Then, softly: “I think the meatballs weren