ElaineI never thought i would be in this situation but at that point, I waited for death to knock on my door.My breath hitched and my body tensed as I braced for the inevitable explosion. Every nerve in my body screamed for it to happen for I no longer want to stress about it. I just want to get it over and done with. But the seconds ticked by, and nothing came. No loud explosion that was supposed to shake the earthNo burning heat that was supposed to toast my flesh. Nothing. I dared to open my eyes as confusion swirled with my lingering fear. Trevor was suddenly there. He dropped to his knees beside me. Then he gripped my shoulders.“Oh, god! I thought I lost you," he uttered while still feeling extremely worried. I could also see the desperation in his eyes as he held me. "Are you okay?" “I…” My voice faltered because my mind was still catching up to what had happened. Slowly, I pushed myself up. My gaze fell on the grenade that had landed inches away from where I stood. It
TristanI sat in the dim light of my office as I stared blankly at the half-empty glass of whiskey in front of me. My mind swirled with thoughts I couldn’t seem to escape. Everything was spiraling out of control. And no matter how much I tried, I couldn’t stop thinking about Elaine. I couldn’t stop thinking about what she meant to me, what I’d done to push her away, and whether there was even a chance to fix it.Maybe… maybe it was time to step back.The thought felt like a knife to the chest. But it was becoming harder to ignore. Elaine had made her choice. And it wasn’t me. She deserved happiness. And if that happiness was with Trevor, who was I to stand in the way? Still, the thought of giving up made my wolf stir uneasily.“Fix yourself first,” my wolf growled. “Stop chasing her and fix the mess you’ve made.”I leaned back in my chair. Then I closed my eyes. Maybe he was right. If I focused on myself, on fixing everything I’d broken, maybe Elaine would finally see that I was wor
MeganMy heart raced as I adjusted the hem of my dress for what felt like the hundredth time. This wasn’t just any dress. It was my favorite. It was the one that always made me feel confident and beautiful. The deep emerald green brought out the hazel in my eyes. And the way it hugged my curves just made me feel like tonight could be the start of something new. Something I’d been waiting for.I’d spent hours getting ready and perfecting every detail. My makeup was flawless. My hair fell in soft waves around my shoulders. And the heels I’d chosen gave me just enough height to feel elegant but not overdone. Tonight was the first time Tristan had ever asked me out for dinner. A real dinner. Not a casual fuck or a brief meetup. But a proper and planned evening at an upscale restaurant. A fucking intimate dinner for two. For us. I checked my reflection one last time and I couldn’t help but smile. This had to mean something. Maybe Tristan was finally starting to see me. To really see me
ElaineI couldn’t stop pacing back and forth in the living room. My mind was spinning and my nerves were already frayed. Trevor and Liz sat on the couch. Their eyes followed my every move as I wrung my hands together. The phone sat on the coffee table, mocking me with its silence.“You’re going to wear a hole in the carpet,” Liz teased, but her voice lacked its usual edge of humor. “It’s just a phone call, Elaine. Relax.”I stopped mid-step and turned to her. My frustration was already bubbling to the surface. “It’s not just a phone call,” I snapped. But I immediately regretted my tone after seeing her flushed in embarrassment. I sighed as I ran a hand through my hair. “Sorry, Liz. It's just that... I tried so hard to get away from Tristan’s grip. And now, here I am, about to ask him for help. I literally ran away from him only to come back to get some assistance? It feels like I’m undoing everything I fought for.”Liz’s expression softened. She opened her mouth to reply, but Trevor
TristanA sense of purpose settled over me as I dabbed some cologne on my wrist. I adjusted my sleeves and made sure my grey tie was perfectly in place. And then, smiled at my reflection. It had been a while since I felt this way…to be eager for the day ahead. I had made the extra effort to choose something special from my collection of clothes as I wanted to look my best for her. I didn’t want Elaine to see me in anything less than impressive.I stared at the mirror and then caught myself thinking. Maybe this time, she’ll finally see I’m here for her no matter what.I’d always known she was hesitant to trust me again, and she had all the reasons to think that way. But after everything that happened, I still wanted to be the one she could count on.Then came the phone call.It felt like everything shifted at that moment. My plans were starting to align with what I truly wanted. After all the rejection, I could finally show Elaine that I had something valuable to offer. I just wanted h
ElaineThe cars passed by in the opposite direction. Their headlights brushed across my face. Nervousness followed me throughout the journey. I fidgeted anxiously with my fingers, thinking about what might happen today. I didn’t know our exact location, but surprisingly, despite it being almost winter, the air was warm. Beads of sweat formed on my forehead and trickled down my skin. I wiped them with my arm and reached for the AC in front of me.Trevor was driving silently as I adjusted the airflow and tried to make the car more comfortable for my troubled body. After a long stretch of silence, Trevor’s voice broke through. His words echoed in my ears.“Relax, darling...”I had no idea how to respond. I knew Trevor was trying to comfort me, but how could I stay calm when every fiber of my being was bracing for what I was about to face?Trevor had already driven us to a secluded area. I scanned my surroundings and realized we were at Marine’s Bay. The road was eerily quiet. No other ca
Elaine“Melina Lewitt?”I couldn't even recall encountering someone by that name. I hadn’t heard it before. I tried delving into my memories and searched for anyone who might have had the same name. But nothing came to mind.As I sat in silence and focused on remembering. Trevor tapped my shoulder. He leaned in and asked, “Do you know this woman?”I shook my head at his question and turned to Tristan, hoping he could shed some light on who she was.“I don’t know any Melina. Who is she?”Tristan picked up a glass from the tray and poured some water into it. He took a deep breath before sipping. Finally, he said,“I figured you wouldn’t know. She’s Shawn’s mother.”Hearing that name was like a jolt of electricity. My eyes widened, and I nearly jumped off the couch.“YOU MEAN SHAWN LEWITT? YOUR OMEGA BEST FRIEND?”Tristan locked eyes with me and nodded. Memories of Shawn came flooding back. He and Tristan had been inseparable. They were like brothers. Wherever Tristan went, Shawn follow
ElaineDays passed quickly. I stood beside Trevor as we both watched Tristan serve as a witness against Melina’s schemes. We were in the process of filing a report against her. Tristan eagerly presented facts about Melina’s capabilities. The peacekeeping committee listened intently to his every statement. Everyone paid close attention to his account as he narrated the events from the very beginning up to the present.Trevor remained silent as he held my hand. It was probably his way of reassuring me that everything was going well and I didn’t need to worry too much.Once Tristan finished speaking with one of the officers, he approached us and said, “We’re done here. The chief officer assured me that no one would dare to harm Elaine under their watch.”He turned and nodded at the officer, who was preparing to leave the office. Then he added, “I’m positive Megan is involved in this. She’s secretly working with Aunt Melina. But, of course, Megan will deny everything, so we’ll need soli
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
Elaine"How could this be possible?” I whispered to myself. My hand trembled as it covered my mouth. “It can’t be.”Tears spilled from my eyes and streamed relentlessly down my cheeks. I took a shaky step closer and my hand fell away from my lips.Is this real? I asked myself. Another step forward would confirm my fear. As I looked again, my lips quivered uncontrollably.“Why does it have to be you!?”My mind resisted the truth. I already rejected the idea of someone’s soul being tied to mine. Let alone, to be tied with him. I forced myself to take another step. I inhaled deeply and closed my eyes. I pulled the air around me into my lungs. My instincts confirmed it. I couldn’t lie to myself any longer.Seeing the wolf in front of me, there was no denying it anymore.I broke down, collapsing to my knees as sobs wracked my body. I didn’t understand. I refused to understand. Of all the werewolves on this continent, why did it have to be him? Why did destiny insist on binding us like an i