ElaineI kept checking my wristwatch. Thirty minutes had passed, and Tristan was still nowhere to be seen. I couldn’t help but feel frustrated. He was never late on anything yet here I was waiting for him to come. Where the hell is that jerk?The thought bounced around my mind, only making my frustration grow. Every time I looked at my watch, I felt like I was being slapped. It was another reminder of how Tristan treated me in his life, how he was constantly making me feel I was nothing but a dirty doormat he could step on anytime. Then, the waiter came over again, his polite smile starting to add pressure on me. He had checked on me many times, and I could tell he was becoming impatient with me.Worried that I might get kicked out, I decided to order. “I’ll have the Salade Niçoise and sparkling water,” I said with a smile. The waiter nodded and left, but I could still feel his eyes on me. He probably wondered why I was still sitting here after waiting too long. I tapped my fingers
ElaineTristan stared at the paper in front of him. His brows furrowed as he scanned the details. "Is this for real?" His jaw clenched as he caught on to something. “Wait a minute. You’re saying I can’t come within a hundred feet of you? And you’ve specified that I can’t contact you or be with you at the same place? That’s absurd! I’m your fucking husband, Elaine. You can’t just lock me out of my own life.”I smirked, leaning back in my chair. “After what happened when you barged into my apartment without consent, I figured this was the best way to go.”His expression darkened, fury brewing in his eyes. “Do you really think the pack will allow this? They won’t stand by while their Alpha is treated like this.” He leaned closer, voice low and menacing. “This order undermines my authority. As your husband, I have every right to be with you. This is just plain stupid.”“Oh, did you miss the part where I’m filing for divorce? The moment I walked away from your beloved Silverwolf Pack and y
ElaineThe mall buzzed with noise. The mixture of voices and footsteps echoed around me and yet, I felt I was all alone. It was like I was there in that place yet my mind was wandering elsewhere. “Hey! Watch where you’re going!”The frown expression of the woman I bumped returned me to my senses. Quickly, I bowed at her and apologized. The woman sneered and rolled her eyes before going on her way. I heaved a sigh as soon as she passed by. I continued strolling the busy hallway. Wolves rushed by around me. I tried to slip between groups of mall goers and dodged their strollers. I almost regretted going out of the apartment as today is the weekend and the mall was filled with werewolves but it’s too late to get back to my apartment now. It had only been two days since I slapped Tristan with the restraining order but I already felt lighter. Since the incident inside the French bistro, Tristan hadn’t shown up his face to me. He hadn’t trespassed my apartment again nor appeared at Roma
ElaineI pointed to myself hesitantly. “Are you talking to me?”The woman’s smile widened. “Of course, I am, you silly girl!”I was caught off guard. I tried to think hard about how could she possibly know me but all I could do was to show an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry… but I don’t recognize you.”She nodded. Instead of saying she could have made some honest mistake, I saw acknowledgment and understanding in her eyes. “Liz mentioned about your selective amnesia after your accident. I’m so sorry to hear about what happened.”Silence hovered in the air. I was sure she genuinely knew me judging by how she knew about my best friend Liz but I was still embarrassed from the inevitable awkwardness of not remembering her. The woman broke the quietness between us. “Would you mind if I joined you?”“O-Of course,” I replied hesitantly, then gestured to the empty seat across from me.As she settled in, I couldn’t help but feel an odd familiarity in her presence. The woman reached her hand aft
TrevorI stared down at Elaine’s previous messages. [Hi! How are you?][You seemed busy these days. I hope you are well, though.][I’ve got a lot of things to update you about. I hope to see you when you’re available.]The messages were so straightforward yet it made my chest tighten. I knew I should’ve replied the moment I saw them but instead, I just sat there with my phone in my hand unable to type a single word back. What the fuck was wrong with me?My wolf, Dillon, spoke up inside my mind. “How long are you planning to keep ignoring her?”His voice only added to my frustration. In the end, I chose not to answer him. I just picked up my wine glass and took a long drink, hoping it would dull my pent-up emotions. But Dillon wasn’t about to let this go. He’d been at me ever that night… pushing… trying to get me to forget about what happened that night.“You’re making a mistake, Trevor,” Dillon added. “You should go to Elaine. I have a feeling that Elaine needs us. She’s reaching ou
Elaine"Home at last!"My feet dragged as I stepped inside and quietly shut the door. I double-checked each lock I’d installed and made sure everything was secure. The last thing I wanted was to face another intruder and end up in a dangerous situation again.I let my bag drop to the floor lazily before sinking into the couch. The cushions wrapped around me, providing some comfort I needed at the moment. A deep sigh slipped from my lips. Somehow, I’d thought a day at the mall would help me relax and clear my head but I was wrong. Because now, I felt even more exhausted than when I’d left earlier and I didn’t even know why. I shook my head and I almost laughed at myself. Emotional exhaustion.That was the only way to describe it. It was like there was a heavy, invisible weight that suffocated me. Unfortunately, no amount of shopping or casual distractions could lift it. Dang! How did I end up in such a miserable state? I brought my hand to my temple to massage it a bit. The pleasur
ElaineMy heart skipped a beat. I felt my pulse quicken when I heard how husky his voice was. A fluttering warmth filled my chest. Standing there in a plain white shirt and shorts, Trevor looked effortlessly cute. Every little detail about him just pulled me in more and more. “Elaine? What's wrong?” he called my attention again. Our eyes locked. And we both lingered in the moment. There was something in his eyes that mirrored what I felt. It was a blend of surprise, curiosity, and maybe... longing.The thought was enough to make my cheeks flush. I swallowed, finding it harder than I expected to break the silence. Trevor and I were so close to each other. I could pick up the faint scent of his cologne mixed with the fresh and clean aroma of his shirt. And though his hair was slightly messy, it didn't make him less handsome in my eyes.Finally, I had the courage to speak. “Can I… come in?” He blinked as if coming out of a trance. he then smiled and I could have sworn it was enough to
ElaineThe world seemed to spin as I stood there. My heart was pounding so hard that I could feel it echo in my ears. For a moment, I thought it might explode.Everything felt surreal. It was like a dream I never wanted to wake from.Trevor’s lips were still pressed against mine, leaving me both paralyzed and speechless. I kept asking myself if any of this was real. I clenched my fists at my sides until my nails dug into my palms, just to check if I was dreaming. The slight sting reassured me I was awake. His lips moved softly at first, exploring, questioning, as if he wasn’t quite sure this was real. But then, the kiss gradually changed. His kiss deepened, and I could immediately feel his longing. His hand slid to my back, pulling me closer. At that moment, all my reservations vanished. The next thing I knew, I melted into him, tangling my fingers in his hair to savor every second.Dear goddess, how could a simple kiss be this life-changing?My knees shook, and if not for his suppor
ElaineMy eyes remained shut. I was afraid to look at him, as the expression I might see on his face could haunt me. I didn’t think I could handle witnessing his pain upon hearing the truth.But the silence was unbearable. My ears strained to catch his words. But moments passed, and Trevor was still silent. Slowly, I opened my eyes. I lifted my head and tried to steal a glance at him. My heart sank at the sight of the sadness on his face. There was an obvious disappointment in his eyes and the way his jaw had dropped at what I’d said.Then, he spoke.“Does this mean you’re still not rejecting your mate?” My vision blurred as tears threatened to fall, blurring the devastated expression on Trevor’s face.“Y-yes,” I answered weakly.Trevor’s delighted mood vanished in an instant. The sweet smile he’d been giving me disappeared without a word. Even in his silence, I could feel how deeply I’d hurt him. Overwhelmed with guilt, I grabbed his arms tightly and began to explain.“I don’t want
ElaineI spent the whole day happily with Trevor. There was nothing more fulfilling than having him by my side. His presence brought me so much joy and a reason to fight. His love became a new hope for me. How could I let anything destroy us? We spent our time watching a movie, being cozy under a thick blanket and snacks he personally made. I feel like the world belongs to us.But there was one thing that I couldn’t get rid of my head.That was the reality of me being fated to another and I couldn't seem to do anything about it.At least, for now.“Are you okay?” Trevor asked as he wrapped his other arm around my shoulders. “Yeah. Why do you ask?” I responded calmly, not hinting that something was off with me. “You’re more quiet than usual.” Trevor worriedly stated. He paused the movie we were watching and focused his attention on me. I tried to let him know what happened at the mating ritual. But seeing his sweet smile made me unable to express my words. How could I let myself br
TristanEver since the mating ritual, Elaine had taken over my thoughts like a parasite.Each day, my instincts became stronger. I couldn’t stop thinking about her, no matter how hard I tried not to. I couldn’t think of anything else except for her. It felt impossible to live my life while holding back these feelings. I never knew being away from my mate could be this difficult.Every second that passed made me want her even more.“What is she doing now? Is she with Trevor? Does she think about me the way I think about her?” I whispered to myself in the office.After the ritual, I could never feel calm again. Sitting still without her near me was impossible. Whenever I thought of Elaine, my mind felt broken. I couldn’t focus. I couldn’t act right. The bond between us was so strong it controlled everything I did.I wanted to be with Elaine so badly that I would do anything to make it happen. I gritted my teeth as frustration filled me. I had no ideas left to win her over. And the thou
Elaine“You must be starving now. I made you breakfast,” Trevor said as he placed the tray on the empty nightstand.I greeted him with a smile and warmed by his kind gesture. He sat on the bedside and revealed the food he had prepared. The tray held freshly made pancakes drizzled with honey syrup, a pile of crispy bacon, and two sunny-side-up eggs. To pair with the meal, Trevor had included a glass of orange juice and water.“That’s too much, Trevor,” I said with a smile as I looked at the spread he had made.Trevor shook his head lightly.“Looks just right to me,” he replied with a playful tone. “Anyway… how are you feeling?” His warm hand covered mine as he gently stroked it, waiting for my response.“I feel better now,” I replied, though my mind was still preoccupied with a strange dream I had earlier. Suddenly, panic shot through my body as a thought hit me.“What time is it?”Trevor glanced at his wristwatch. “It’s 9:30,” he answered.I leaped out of bed in a flurry of panic and
ElaineWalking down the aisle toward the man of my dreams, I couldn’t imagine this day being any more perfect. The eyes of the lovely guests were all on me. Their bright smiles lit up their faces. The joy of this day radiated through everyone in the garden.I still couldn’t fully grasp the reality. I was finally going to marry the man of my dreams. As they say, things are sweeter the second time around. It would be my second marriage but this time, I would be married out of love.Happiness enveloped me as I reached the end of the red carpet. At that moment, I knew all the sacrifices had been worth it. I had finally reached the peak of life. I could hardly wait.But then, something strange caught my attention and made me restless. Trevor wasn’t facing me. Perhaps he was crying and didn’t want to show it to everyone. The thought made me smile.I was about to call out his name when he turned around. My jaw dropped, and my lips trembled as I saw a different face. My body’s immediate react
TrevorTwo hours had passed, but still, there were no signs of Elaine and Liz. The mating ritual didn’t usually take this long. It was just a matter of moments to see who your fated mate was. Two hours had been more than enough time for a lot to happen. Deep down, I couldn’t help but feel anxious about the outcome.My body couldn’t stay still. I paced back and forth inside our apartment, waiting for them to tell me I could fetch them. I constantly glanced and hoped to see a message from Elaine or Liz coming out of the screen.But as the seconds passed, there was still none. I pulled out my phone and checked for missed calls or messages, but the empty inbox only added to my frustration. I heaved a deep sigh. I had waited long enough to expect at least an update, but I heard nothing from either.“Should I follow her?” I asked my wolf, almost ready to drive into the place myself.“Don’t be impatient. Relax, Trevor,” he responded calmly.My heart raced, my instincts screaming that someth
Elaine“What do you mean?” Holding my tightened chest, I could barely manage to ask. Neeya’s words made no sense. My head spun as I tried to understand her. But when I looked down, I saw blood dripping from my mouth and pooling on the floor. I coughed hard, more blood coming out, and fear filled my mind.This couldn’t be real. My chest hurt more, and my breathing became faster. I needed answers, and I needed them now.“How can a simple rejection spiel kill?” I added. Neeya took a deep breath before answering. “It will, if your wolf power is like mine.”Her words were calm and sounded convincing. Yet still, it was still hard to process. Wolf power like hers? What did she mean?My head spun as none of her words made sense. I placed my fingers on the side of my head and massaged it. I wanted to ask more questions, but the tightening in my chest and the stabbing pain that came out of nowhere held me back. Perhaps sensing my weakened state, Neeya continued to shed some light.“I am not a
ElaineWhat I thought was the end between Tristan and me turned out to be the start of my own misery. Seeing Tristan standing right in front of me made me believe that the moon goddess was treating me unfairly. It felt like she was playing favorites, and I was the one she cared for the least.Why else would she make me cross paths with him again? Why would she tie us together for the rest of our lives? It was as if she wanted to see me suffer, to remind me that no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t escape his grasp. My heart felt heavy, and the pain was impossible to ignore.Tristan was silently watching me cry. No words could express how furious I was at every living creature. Life hadn’t been kind, and now they had dealt me the final blow. I was falling apart in front of Tristan. Perhaps that was enough to make him stay rooted in place.“I can never accept this, Neeya. Not now, not in the future, not any day of my life.”I wiped the tears that kept pouring down like a stream. Sinc
TristanI despised myself for setting foot in this boring place. Why had I let my foolish inner thoughts take over? And wouldn’t it have been insane if someone caught me there, knowing I had a wife?Until now, I didn’t even know what I was doing here. In fact, I had my means not to participate. Everyone knew I wasn’t a bachelor Alpha. That means my body wouldn’t be as receptive to the effects of the mate bond as long us I would keep the council informed. And yet, here I was. It was like I was put in a trance that convinced me that something good would happen tonight.As if I cared. I didn’t understand why I allowed this part of me to win and dragged me to a place I knee I didn’t even enjoy. The polished floor reflected my image at me, and I couldn’t believe how much effort I’d put into witnessing such nonsense. My plain black suit and red necktie mocked me in the reflection. It did nothing but remind me how low I had sunk tonight.“SHALL WE START?” a loud voice rose above the murmurs