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
Elaine"W-What did you say?" The moment Trevor scooped me up from the ground, my heart started pounding so loudly that I was sure Trevor could hear it. My insides knotted feeling his arms around me. I should probably say something by now or do something, especially when he began to move. But words felt stuck in my throat. Everything about this moment tangled up with excitement and nerves.We moved through the hall toward his bedroom, and I held my breath in response. My mind spun with a million questions of “what ifs” and “will he?” and yet nothing seemed to have answered it. My pulse raced erratically, but I did nothing to stop him. Deep down, I knew I was more excited than I could ever admit. Whatever he was about to do, I was more than ready to do it too.Trevor nudged the door open with his shoulder and as we entered the room, he lowered me gently onto the bed. I felt the mattress beneath me as he placed me down with such care. When he looked down at me, I couldn't read anything
ElaineThe next day, I woke up wrapped in Trevor’s arms. I shifted slightly, and his sleeping face came into view. I couldn’t help but study every detail. My eyes traced each feature, admiring the person lying beside me. I never expected he would look so vulnerable like this. He was like a baby sleeping peacefully in his crib. It was as if he hadn’t truly slept for days. The thought that he could finally find rest with me made my heart swell.Slowly, I lifted his arm from around my waist, careful not to wake him. I slipped out of bed and tiptoed across his apartment. I grabbed the stray pieces of clothing and items strewn around. Well, I couldn't leave him in this messy place. So, I found myself straightening his space. After tidying up, I took a quick bath. I let the warmth of the water shake off any lingering drowsiness. I pulled out a simple white shirt and shorts from his dresser. I was sure he wouldn’t mind me borrowing them, as I hadn’t brought any spare clothes from yesterday.
ElaineI took a deep breath as I stood in front of the mirror, examining my reflection. My hair was swept up neatly. And the dress I’d chosen, simple but elegant, felt both like armor and an invitation to embrace the night. I was grateful Mr. Smith had sent me home two hours early to prepare. Initially, I’d protested, telling him that I had no problem working until my shift ended. But he’d insisted. He pointed out that I’d never once missed work or asked for time off since I’d been hired. “Elaine, you deserve some time for yourself. Go, enjoy the party,” he said with a smile.So, here I was, looking at myself in a way I hadn’t in a long time. The party was formal, yes, but it was more than that for me. This was a rare opportunity to reconnect with my past and bridge the gaps in my memory with the familiar faces and voices from the orphanage. This was exactly the reason why I decided not to invite Trevor. I wanted to have this time for myself and find the missing piece of life that
ElaineThe spotlight remained focused on us as Tristan inched closer to me. Everyone in the crowd was clapping. In their eyes, you could see how much excitement they were feeling to see us together. Lily made quite an expression by her introduction yet I knew that those words were far from the truth. I kept a small, polite smile on my face, trying to look calm. But inside, I was a mess. I came here to this event to reconnect with my forgotten past. However, Tristan was not part of it. My hands were sweaty, and I clenched them into fists to hide how nervous I was. My nails dug into my palms, just enough to help me stay steady. Part of me wanted to walk off the stage. I wanted to run away from all the eyes watching us that I felt was suffocating me. But I couldn’t move. My whole body felt stiff, and I could feel a chill down my back as if I was stuck in place. I felt trapped.I took a deep breath, trying to push down the uncomfortable feeling in my stomach. Everything felt wrong. This
ElaineI froze. My fingers tightened on my purse. I turned around and glared at him. I didn’t hide my annoyance. “The party’s over, Tristan. I don’t have to pretend to like you anymore,” I scoffed. But instead of stepping back, he smiled. No, he smirked, making my blood boil. He didn’t seem to get what I was trying to say. Instead, his eyes glinted with the same arrogance he kept on showing to me. I stayed still as he stepped closer. I looked away and crossed my arms, determined not to let him pull me back in. I let him sense my irritation just by looking at him."You think this is over?" he said, his voice low and condescending. "You think you can just walk away like nothing happened? We’ve been through too much for you to act like this."I almost laughed. The audacity. "You’ve been through too much? What about me, huh? What about what you did to me?" I could feel the anger bubbling up, but I held it in, keeping my voice steady. "You don’t get to make this about you anymore. I am w
ElaineLiz didn’t say anything. Her mouth opened a little, yet no words came out of it. The usual brightness in her hazel eyes turned into something uncertain She glanced down at the floor, then back at me. The pink color in her cheeks earlier was gone. Now, her face looked pale. The happy look she had when she arrived was replaced by sadness. Her lips pressed together tightly as if she was trying to hold back her feelings.“I’m sorry,” she finally said. “I didn’t mean to ruin the mood. I should have kept quiet instead of sharing—”“Stop,” I said gently as I cut her off. I reached out and took her hand. I held her warm hand firmly to let her know what I really felt inside. “You don’t have to say sorry, Liz. You were just telling me something about your life. And I’m happy you did. That’s what best friends are for.”Her brow furrowed. "Yeah. But I don’t want to make things harder for you. I didn't even know what you were going through. What kind of best friend am I?”"It's my fault a
ElaineTrevor and I were sitting on the sofa. We do not talk much but feel relaxed in each other’s presence. This was how we normally spent the rest of the night before going to bed. Then, we heard a knock at the door. Trevor gave me a quick nod before telling me to stay while he got up to check. My heart was pounding inside my chest. Eventually, I reminded myself to stay calm and don’t let my overthinking get the best of me. The door opened, and Liz rushed in before Trevor could say a word. She was so full of energy and was like she was bringing the sunshine into the room. In one hand, she held a paper bag that smelled amazing. In the other, she carried a pile of colorful board games that wobbled as she moved. Her smile was so big, it made me smile too. “Hope you’re both hungry!” Liz said, setting the bag on the coffee table. The smell of sesame chicken and fried rice filled the room right away. Expectedly, it made my stomach rumble.“I’m in the mood to play some games tonight. Wh
Elaine“Hmm…”The kitchen was filled with the warm aroma of coffee brewing and the faint sizzle of something cooking on the stove. Trevor stood at the counter with his sleeves rolled up. He was too focused on chopping vegetables with such precision that seemed almost out of place in such a casual setting. I leaned against the counter opposite him as I watched his hands move.“You’re really good at that,” I teased to break the silence. “Where did you learn to cook like this?”He glanced up at me. A playful smile appeared at the corners of his lips. “A man’s gotta eat, Elaine. Besides, you’d be surprised what a few cooking shows can teach you.”I laughed softly. And it sounded light and free. Something I hadn’t felt in days. It amazed me how easily Trevor could make me forget the heaviness that seemed to cling to me lately.“Do you want to help? Or are you just going to stand there admiring me?” he teased before tossing a piece of chopped carrot in my direction.I caught it mid-air and
MeganI was knee-deep in paperwork. My desk was full of piled files and documents demanding attention. The sound of the clock ticking faintly in the background was the only company I had in the silence of my office. I barely glanced up when Marie entered. But she sounded like something was urgent which made me pause.“Miss Megan, the peacekeepers are here. They said it’s about Elaine Scott,” she announced.Elaine Scott. My hand froze mid-signature. I looked up sharply and masked my unease with a calm smile. “Send them in.”Marie nodded. Then she stepped aside to let them enter. Two officers walked in. Their presence was shouting authority. I gestured toward the chairs opposite my desk. “Please, have a seat.""Thank you," They uttered before settling in. I put down the pen I was holding and smiled at them before asking, "How can I help you, officers?”One of the officers, a tall man with a stern expression, got straight to the point. “We’re investigating an incident involving Miss Ela
TristanI had not planned to follow them. It wasn’t something I’d intended to do, but the moment I saw them leaving Elaine’s apartment together, curiosity turned into an uncontrollable pull. Trevor’s car disappeared into the distance. And I found myself trailing them. I couldn't resist it. The mere sight of Elaine beside him stirred a storm within me. I noticed how she smiled at him so easily. My blood was boiling as I realized that it seemed to belong to that bastard now. It was hard to believe that she would easily give it to another wolf just like that. It felt like all the moments we shared had disappeared. It felt like those were replaced by something I couldn’t reach.“As if you shared something wonderful with Elaine. You’re not fooling anyone, Tristan,” My wolf uttered sarcastically inside my head which I chose to ignore.Even if I walked a few distances away from them, they didn’t seem to notice me. They were too engrossed in their world. Trevor’s hand guided Elaine protecti
ElaineThe drive to my apartment was quiet. Trevor was driving beside me, and his calm presence made me feel safer. That was something I was so grateful for.Earlier, Trevor said something that stuck in my mind. He told me I couldn’t let my fear control me. He was right. If I stayed afraid forever, I would lose who I was. I've come so far to claim my life back from my failed marriage and I couldn’t let all those efforts go to waste simply because I was afraid to die.As we arrived at the apartment complex, Trevor parked near the entrance. He looked at me and smiled. “I’ll wait here,” he said gently. “Take your time. I’m not going anywhere.”His words made me feel a little braver. “Thank you,” I said softly before stepping out of the car.Walking into the building, I felt a mysterious chill. Everything looked the same, but it didn’t feel the same. My heart started beating faster as I opened the door to my apartment. Suddenly, the memory of that awful box flashed in my mind. I stood
ElaineI couldn’t shake the heavy feeling brewing inside me. It stayed like a shadow, always following me wherever I went. The thought just wouldn’t leave me alone.Someone wanted me dead, and I couldn’t stop thinking about it.Even when I tried to feel safe, my mind kept overthinking. I was even afraid to close my eyes, feeling that, at any moment, someone might barge through the door and kill me. Despite Trevor being here to accompany me, it did nothing to ease my fear. Not because I doubted his ability to protect me, but because I was afraid he would get hurt because of me again.My concerns were valid, right?Trevor must have noticed my distance. He always did. I heard his soft footsteps walking toward me and soon, he was sitting next to me. He didn’t have his usual smile. Instead, he looked worried.“You’ve been quiet all day,” he said gently, “I am not used to you being like this.”I let out a shaky breath and held the edge of the chair tightly. “How can I not be? Someone out t
TristanMy room felt like a prison. The walls were cold and suffocating. I was a free wolf, but I obviously didn’t feel like one.I smirked at my own thoughts. As an Alpha, I shouldn’t have felt this way. Mom and Dad had given me a little kingdom of my own to rule. I had money to spend on anything and servants willing to do all my bidding.But none of that mattered. My mind wouldn’t stop racing. No matter how much I tried to distract myself, every thought dragged me back to the same place.After the council meeting earlier, I felt like even my birthright as Alpha could be taken away from me at any moment, just because they weren’t satisfied with my rule anymore.Pathetic, wasn’t it?I felt alone. Truly alone. I had no one to turn to. Nothing to quiet my thoughts or provide comfort when I needed it. For the first time in years, I felt the burden of being alone.My parents were long gone.My best friend, Shawn, had died years ago.Aunt Melina had lost her mind to the point where I could
Elaine“Yes, Mr. Smith. It’s been… a challenging few days. I appreciate your understanding.”Mr. Smith’s voice echoed through the receiver. “Elaine, you don’t have to explain. Take the time you need. You’ve earned it. In fact, take as long as necessary.”I sighed. I was touched by his generosity but shook my head instinctively. Even though he couldn’t see me, I knew that the message would be clear. “A week will be enough,” I replied. “I just need a little time to clear my head and settle things. If I need more, I promise I’ll call.”“Good,” he replied after a pause. “But remember, the offer stands. Call me if you need an extension. We’ll manage, Don’t worry.”“Thank you,” I murmured, feeling a swell of gratitude. “I’ll keep you updated.” With that, I ended the call and set my phone down on the coffee table.A quiet moment passed before Trevor appeared. A steaming cup of tea was in his hands. He offered it to me with a small and warm smile. “Here. I thought you could use this.”I too