TristanThe tires hummed softly on the road as Megan drove. I looked at her. The streetlights lit her face for a moment as we passed them. Her hands held the wheel gently like this was just any other drive. She didn’t blink much or show any feeling. Her calm made my chest feel tight like something wasn’t right.I didn’t like not knowing where I was going. Normally, I’d never allow myself to be taken to an unfamiliar location without assessing the risks first. Yet, Megan had insisted, practically demanded, that I trust her. She rarely overstepped like that, which was enough to intrigue me.Still, I stayed alert. I rested my fingers lightly on the hilt of the blade concealed in my jacket pocket. I wasn’t taking any chances, even with Megan. Trust was a luxury I couldn’t afford anymore.The car slowed as we pulled off the main road, winding through a secluded, forested area. My jaw tightened as unease clawed at the edges of my thoughts. Finally, Megan stopped in front of a modest yet sh
ElaineThe room fell silent after those words came out of Aunt Melina’s mouth. I blinked, unsure if I’d heard her correctly.Kill Elaine? The idea was absurd. Sure, I had no complaints about making Elaine suffer and reminding her of her place, but killing her? That was a step too far even for me.“Is that really necessary?” I asked as I sat on the nearby chair. I tightened my fingers around the armrests, though I forced an indifferent expression on my face.Megan’s head snapped toward me. “Are you serious, Tristan? You, of all people, are questioning this? After everything she did to Shawn?” She looked shocked and disgusted. I met her glare with a raised brow, showing that I was unimpressed with her remarks.Megan always had a flair for dramatics, but this was overkill. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” I said coldly. “What exactly did Elaine do, Megan? Enlighten me.”Her jaw clenched. Then I saw her hands balled into fists at her sides. “She’s the reason Shawn is dead!” Megan s
TristanHearing her words, I took a step forward. My fists clenched tightly. This was the first time I had to exchange some heated words with her. "So what? Do you want Elaine to pay for something she had no control over? Blame my parents, not her."“I don’t care,” she added. “Whether Elaine convinced your parents or not, the truth remains. Shawn is dead. The heart that was meant to save my son was given to her unjustly. If not her, whom should I go after to seek justice for my son?”She wasn’t shouting, but the raw emotion in her voice made every syllable hit harder. “As long as Elaine Scott is breathing, I will be reminded of my son’s misery. She’s the sole reminder of everything we endured because of our lowly status. I will never move on while she’s alive. NEVER.”My eyes were fixed on her. At first, I didn't say anything as I was letting her words sink in. I could feel her everlasting grief at Shawn's departure. We all did. But still, killing Elaine wouldn't change anything. Tha
ElaineI unbuckled my seatbelt then I glanced at Trevor as he leaned back casually in the driver’s seat. His face was glowing with that boyish charm that always seemed to catch me off guard. I smiled softly. “Thanks for taking me to the office,” I said.Trevor grinned. His eyes crinkled at the corners. “As your boyfriend,” he said in a playful voice, “it’s my job to take you to and from your office. Mandatory boyfriend duties, you know.”I couldn’t help but laugh and shake my head at his antics. Trevor had a way of making even the most mundane moments feel special. I reached for the door handle, ready to step out, when he stopped me.“Wait!” Then he reached into the backseat. He turned back to me. He was now holding out a small and neatly packed lunch box. “I made this for you,” he proudly stated.I froze as I stared at the box in his hands. I suddenly couldn’t move or speak. My eyes shifted from the lunch box to his face. I searched for some hidden agenda or some clue that this was
ElaineThe day passed by swiftly. However, my thoughts remained fixated on the envelope that my colleague had given me. I took a deep breath thinking about it. Before, the mating ritual wasn’t something I ever needed to worry about. After all, I already accepted that I was one of the few unlucky ones who would not be able to participate in it ever. Without a wolf spirit, I was exempt from it. I was free from the divine pull that others spoke of in hushed tones. But now, everything has changed. Knowing that my wolf, Neeya, had only been dormant all this time, I had to participate no matter what. I tried to focus on work but my mind kept wandering back to what the mating ritual could mean to me and my present life. I had heard stories about this divine bond that only exists in our kind. The mate bond was something that we took seriously. It wasn’t just about falling in love or choosing a partner. It was something far deeper and more binding, a divine connection as they called it. A bo
ElaineI couldn’t help but smirk at the sight of Tristan standing before me. His face was etched with what looked like genuine concern. But concern wasn’t something I’d ever associate with him. Not after everything I’d been through because of him. I may have lost my memory, but through some unexplainable phenomenon, my heart still remembers.A bunch of lies, gaslighting, and manipulation had cemented him as someone whose words I could no longer believe. Whatever this was about, it wasn’t my problem anymore. I’m done with him, so done with anything related or connected to him no longer interests me. So, I just rolled my eyes at him and was about to walk away. “Elaine, wait!” he shouted.“Now what?” I uttered irritatingly. Tristan’s lips pressed into a thin line. Then he took a step closer. “Please listen to me. This is serious. You’re in great danger.”“Danger?” I repeated sarcastically with my brow raised. “From what, exactly? Your temper tantrums? Your inflated ego?”“Elaine—” he
TristanElaine turned around. And her expression softened instantly as her gaze fell on Trevor. He moved toward her. His movements looked annoyingly effortless. He was acting like the hero again. Boo hoo! Before I could say a word, he wrapped his arms around her shoulders and kissed her forehead. His gesture was so disgustingly tender that it made my stomach turn.“Are you okay?” Trevor turned to Elaine and she nodded in return. His hand was now cupping the side of her face while Elaine smiled lovingly at him. The scene made my blood boil. In the past months, Elaine never showed me this tenderness. She was always sarcastic and cold to me. She was like a wild animal who was ready to snap and attack me every time I got near her.But with this bastard? Fuck! Then she smiled up at him with the kind of affection I hadn’t seen from her since the accident. Her stare was almost magical, focused entirely upon Trevor as if he were the only wolf alive. And in that moment, I hated him more tha
ElaineThe soft hum of the car’s engine filled the air as I leaned back in my seat. I was enjoying this rare moment of peace. Trevor glanced at me curiously. His presence always seemed to put me at ease, no matter how chaotic my thoughts had been throughout the day. It was like he was always there to give me some sort of a break. And I love that moment with him every time. “Busy day?” he asked. “Or did Nancy give you a hard time again?”I chuckled at his question. It felt good to laugh after the long day I’d had. “Believe it or not,” I responded as I shook my head, “Nancy’s been nice to me lately.”Trevor raised an eyebrow. I could see a playful grin was now tugging at his lips. “Nancy? Nice? Are we talking about the same person?”“I know, right?” I laughed, then shrugged my shoulders. “I’m shocked too. She barely even uses sarcasm with me anymore. It’s like she’s a completely different person. The office has been… well, peaceful.”Trevor let out a mock gasp. “Peaceful? Are you sur
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