Draven's POVI have always heard about people 'losing it' but I got to experience it firsthand today. When I saw Alexander near Emma, I experienced a turbulence of emotions I never knew existed.I was not the kind of man who would ever reduce myself to choosing physical violence over petty things, but today I did.I wanted to break his jaw for even taking her name. You can estimate the blood boiling within my veins when I saw him touch her.That asshole would have been dead if not for Emma and Roger stopping us. I hardly got a scratch while he was bleeding but did it make me feel better? No, it did not!I raised my eyes to steal glances at Emma every now and then and found her either talking to him or looking at him with concern.Those eyes…She used to look at me with that same damn look every time I came back home injured from war. I thought she only had that kind of care for me. Why was she looking at another man like that?My chest was starting to tighten with anger. Even Knox w
Draven's POVI was waiting outside of the room with Asher, this was the first time when I saw the kid worried. I asked, "Does she have a medical history?""No, but she has a weak immune system. She was born weak and had to be kept under observation for a whole week." He said, looking at the closed door of her room with impatience. "It's okay, she will be alright." I tried to pull him in a hug but he warned me against it, "Don't even think about it.""Sorry." And with that, we went back to being strangers again.The doctor came out of the room only to repeat what Asher had told me. I asked, "Is there any way to treat this permanently?""I am afraid not, Alpha. She can always eat healthy and increase her immunity but curing it completely is not possible.""Okay, thank you."He left a few antibiotics before leaving and I went in to check on her with Asher. She was lying down all alone on the king-sized bed, looking petite wrapped in a gigantic blanket. The nanny was trying to feed her t
Emma's POVI noticed that Ashel's body temperature was unusually high. I asked, "Do you have a fever?"Draven answered the question for her, "Yes. We already called the doctor, there is nothing to worry about."I looked up at him and asked, "Why are you here?"Draven put his hands inside his pocket and said, "Ashel was missing you. She wanted to meet you so I brought them here.""What is taking so long?" Natalie came out, grabbing her stomach. She was being casual thinking that it was just the delivery guy but when she saw Draven standing at the door, she immediately straightened up like an army soldier. "Alpha!" She greeted him respectfully."What are you doing here?" He asked her.She said, "I just came here to eat dinner with Emma, Alpha. "Is your father aware of this little plan?""I… No! It's best if he doesn't find out." She said, forcing a smile. "Mmm. Then leave as soon as you are done with dinner.""Yes, Alpha." The kids followed Natalie inside and once they were gone, I a
Emma’s POVDraven raised the bowl to his lips and chugged down the rest of the soup, not leaving a single drop behind. Me and Natalie looked at each other in confusion.The man kept the bowl down and wiped the corner of his lips with the tissue like a gentleman. Asher smirked, “Looks like the Alpha loved it.”“Yes, it was alright.”“Don’t lie, Alpha. You were only supposed to take a bite but did not even leave any for mommy.” He highlightedDraven looked at me as soon as the kid’s words fell. Our eyes met and my cheeks started to burn; I turned my gaze towards Asher and said, “Shush, eat your food.”“But, mommy. That was ‘your’ bowl of Ramen. What are you going to do now?”“It’s ok. I will have some from the takeout.”I was desperate to escape this awkward situation and luckily, Draven left the table because he had to take an important call.After he left, I asked Asher, "Why are you addressing him as 'Alpha'?" "He is our Alpha. What else should I call him?" He looked at me seriously
Emma's POVEmma’s POVI stood there, too dumbstruck to say anything. I did not know what I was supposed to be more concerned about, Ashel’s attachment to her father or the Alpha listening to the little girl without an objection.This bond was terrifying!“Okay, let’s get you both changed.” Draven took the kids to the room and I followed them. The Alpha stopped at the door and turned around, “Where do you think you are going?”“...” I looked at him confused and said, “To the kids.”“No need.” He objected sternly, “There is only one bed.”“So?”“So I will be occupying it.”“What is that supposed to mean? Where do you think I am supposed to sleep?” I inquired.“Anywhere. Do I look like I care?” He said“Draven, don’t be ridiculous. This is my house.”“And this is my pack. I can do whatever I want.” He took a step towards me, intimidating me with his Alpha aura. I glared at him and pulled my lips in a straight line. Right now, I am deeply condemning the werewolf system. Why can’t we choo
Draven's POVArguing with Emma and winning the argument gave me peace. Just take what went down now as an example.Was I gonna fit in that small bed? No.Was I seriously interested in sleeping with the kids?No.I just wanted to be petty.I did not bring a change of clothes, thank goodness I did not leave the house in formal clothes and opted for sweatpants and t-shirts. They were not the best but it was just a matter of one night.I lay down on the bed and scrolled through my emails to find out about my schedule for tomorrow. Out of nowhere, Asher said, "Can you turn off your phone?""Why?" I looked down at the guy lying down next to me.He said, "It is disturbing my sleep.""..." The phone was at the lowest brightness and it wasn't even directed at him. I sighed and kept my phone aside, this kid was difficult to be around.I rested my head on the pillow and watched as the two kids drifted off to sleep.Ashel was long lost in the dreamland, hugging her teddy bear. She reminded me a
Emma’s POV“What are you doing here?” He asked, making me halt at the door. My eyes first went to the cigarette in his hand and then to the dark circles underneath his eyes. Of course, I did not stare at him for too long and diverted my eyes. I said, “Since when did you start smoking so much?”“None of your business.”I took a deep breath and told myself that it was useless to try to have a normal conversation. In fact, why was I even trying to have a normal conversation with him?"Suit yourself." I shrugged my shoulders helplessly and turned around to go back to the couch.Draven spoke up, "You must be upset about the kids.""What do you mean?" I asked.He said, "You did not even want them to know about my existence but now not only they like me, they are going to be with me forever. It must be bothering you."I smirked, "Why does this matter to you? Don't tell me you have stooped down to the level of breaking families for your sheer joy."The man chuckled and lightly tapped his cig
Emma's POV"You can't do that!" "I can. Stella is far better than you, I am sure she will love the kids more than you ever can.""Draven, why are you so cruel?" I touched the bridge of my nose and repeatedly told myself not to lose my mind. I looked up at him and said, "Okay, you can try whatever you want and I will do what I want. No need to fight."I laid down on the couch and did not even bother to look at what he was doing. I was so exhausted that I fell asleep as soon as I laid down.The couch was small but it did accommodate my frame, it was not as bad as I thought it would be.By the time I woke up, the sun was already painting the sky red. I stretched and got out to the balcony to see Draven sitting on the chair. The floor around him was covered with half-burnt cigarettes of different sizes.He was talking to someone on a video call. I turned around to leave, thinking that it must be some pack-related stuff but when I heard him call out 'Stella', I stopped.Stella said, "Drav
Emma's POVMy composure crumbled. “Draven,” I choked out, “I don’t know what’s happening to me. I am hallucinating. I think I am losing my mind.”“Hey, hey. Breathe. Tell me what happened.”I swallowed hard, my fingers trembling as I sent him my location, “Please, hurry.”“I AM on my wa.,” he assured me. “Stay put.”Just as I hung up, movement caught my eye. A figure stood in the middle of the road, draped in a black robe.My pulse spiked. My instincts screamed at me to drive, to leave, but something held me in place. Slowly, I rolled down my window. “Do you need help?”No response.My phone chimed again. I glanced at the message from Draven—Almost there.When I lifted my gaze, the figure was gone.A shiver ran down my spine. I scanned the area, my breath catching when I turned to my side—The figure stood right next to my window.I barely had time to gasp. My heart slammed against my ribs, my chest tightening with panic. The woman’s hood cast deep shadows over her face, but I could f
Emma's POVJust when I thought that I was hearing things, I heard her again, “Mom… Can you hear me?”The voice was faint, distant, but unmistakable. My heart leaped into my throat and I gasped, my breath hitching as I heard the familiar voice echo through my head.“Ashel?” I called, my eyes darting frantically around the dimly lit space. But there was no one there, just the cold walls and the flickering bulb above me.My heart pounded against my ribs and I was dying to just hear her voice one more time. “Ashel!” I yelled again, desperation creeping into my voice.“Mom, please save me. I am scared.” Her unmistakable voice spoke to me.“I am here. I will get you, sweetie. Don’t be scared.” I pressed my ear against the door to see if anyone was there and heard the faint mutters of the housekeepers talking to themselves. I started pounding on the door with clenched fists, “Let me out!”The initial chatter stopped dramatically and there was dead silence now.A sharp wave of panic surged th
The air was thick with tension as I watched Traces disappear into the hallway, his silhouette fading into the distance of the Pack house. My heart twisted with unease. The children. Where were they? Were they safe? Every second that passed felt like an eternity, the weight of uncertainty pressing down on my chest like an iron hand.And then, out of nowhere, a sudden wave of dizziness washed over me. The ground beneath me tilted, my vision blurring at the edges. A soft gasp escaped my lips as my knees buckled. I tried to stabilize myself and grab something to help me from falling but alas, it was too late. I didn't even have time to prepare or understand what was going on, I just felt my body fall towards the ground.I closed my eyes, preparing for the impact but before I could hit the ground, a pair of strong arms caught me mid-fall. The scent of embers and something unmistakably him enveloped me, steadying me even as my head spun."Emma!" Draven’s voice was sharp with concern, his gr
Emma's POVThe air was thick with tension as I watched Traces disappear into the hallway, his silhouette fading into the distance of the Pack house. My heart twisted with unease. The children. Where were they? Were they safe? Every second that passed felt like an eternity, the weight of uncertainty pressing down on my chest like an iron hand.And then, out of nowhere, a sudden wave of dizziness washed over me. The ground beneath me tilted, my vision blurring at the edges. A soft gasp escaped my lips as my knees buckled. I tried to stabilize myself and grab something to help me from falling but alas, it was too late. I didn't even have time to prepare or understand what was going on, I just felt my body fall towards the ground.I closed my eyes, preparing for the impact but before I could hit the ground, a pair of strong arms caught me mid-fall. The scent of embers and something unmistakably him enveloped me, steadying me even as my head spun."Emma!" Draven’s voice was sharp with conc
Emma's POVMy fingers curled around the armrest as the plane finally touched down. The turbulence had been mild, but my exhaustion made everything feel heavier, the vibrations of the landing rumbling through my already tense body. More than twenty-four hours had passed since I last slept, but fatigue had yet to claim me. Restlessness coiled tight in my chest, refusing to let go.I stole a glance at Draven beside me. He was checking his phone, his sharp features set in a mask of unreadable focus. The moment the aircraft doors opened and we stepped into the terminal, his phone rang. The distinct vibration pattern told me it was Robin. Draven did not even waste a second and picked up the call immediately.“What is it?” His voice was low and controlled, but I could sense the undercurrent of tension.I stayed close as he listened, his expression darkening with every second. By the time he hung up, his jaw was clenched so tight I thought it might crack.He asked, “Are you sure you have the
Alex's POVDesiree froze on her spot and looked at me and Robin simultaneously, “What? Was I not supposed to say that out loud?”I narrowed my eyes as I gestured toward the tattoo on the grainy surveillance photo, “Do you even know what this means?”Desiree scoffed, a smirk playing at the corners of her lips as she crossed her arms, “Of course I do. I spent the majority of my life in Italy, Alex. You think I wouldn’t know about the underworld?”“Desiree, I swear on the Moon Goddess I will send you back to the pack on the very next flight if you are playing around with me.”“I don’t need to, Mr Frost. I am already bored here, I won’t give you a useless puzzle to solve so that you spend more time here investigating. Honestly, I just want to get out of here.”Robin and I exchanged glances, not sure how to react to this new information that was revealed to us. The girl looked too confident in what she was saying, there was no way she could be messing with us. But still, we could not blind
Alex's POVI stood near the edge of the tarmac, arms crossed, watching as Draven and Emma disappeared into the terminal. I could not shake Emma’s worried face off my head, Ashel and Asher were her whole life, and losing them was putting her in a spiral. I exhaled sharply, pushing away the gnawing feeling of unease that settled in my gut. For some reason, I felt like this was happening all because of me. I was the one who bought them here, I was the one who was responsible for their safety. I should have looked after them, but instead, I slacked off and now not only Emma’s family but the entire pack was in shambles.I have to find the kids, no matter what! And I had no time to waste, the time was ticking fast and I had to be quick.Just as I turned on my heel, ready to leave, a slow, deliberate smirk caught my attention. Desiree.She stood a few feet away, her arms lazily draped across her chest, eyes gleaming with a knowing amusement that instantly put me on edge. My jaw clenched seei
Emma's POVThe hum of the airport was a blur in my ears as my focus remained on Desiree’s face.“Desiree?” I involuntarily called out her name, causing her to look up. The usual haughty confidence that had been always there in Desiree’s eyes were replaced by flickers of shock when she us.She came to a halt right in front of us, staring at our faces as if we had caught her red handed or something.I barely had time to process her presence before Draven’s voice sliced through the tension. “What are you doing here?” Draven’s tone was sharp, authority laced in every syllable. Desiree tilted her head, an infuriating smile playing on her lips, “What does it look like? I mean, why do people even come to Hawaii? I am here for a mini vacation.” “I thought I made it very clear—no one leaves the pack.” Draven said, his voice dropping to a dangerous tone.Desiree shrugged nonchalantly, “Oh, I saw your little decree, Alpha. I just chose to ignore it.” I glanced at Draven, his jaw clenched
Emma's POVThe security room was a cramped, dimly lit space filled with monitors and buzzing equipment. The owner fumbled with the controls, his hands shaking as he brought up the footage from the day of the kidnapping. I stood to the side, my arms wrapped tightly around myself as I watched the grainy footage play out on the screens. Her mind raced with a whirlwind of emotions—fear, hope, anger, and an overwhelming gratitude for Draven. I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye. He stood tall and unyielding, his sharp features illuminated by the flickering screens. There was something about him that made me feel safe, even in the face of the chaos surrounding us. “Here.” Draven said, pointing to one of the screens. The footage showed the children playing near the entrance of the restaurant, their laughter faint but audible. The grainy footage played on repeat, the flickering image of Asher and Ashel being dragged away at gunpoint seared into my mind. Three men—faceless, thei