TristanI raised my hand, signaling the bartender to pour me another glass of tequila.The bartender heaved a sigh. “But sir, you seem like you've had enough,” he said, looking unsure.I slammed my glass down and gave him a nasty look. “I’M GONNA PAY YOU DOUBLE. JUST SHUT YOUR MOUTH AND POUR ME ANOTHER ONE.”A few people in the bar turned to look at me, and they began to gossip about me. This made me become so irritable. What the hell was wrong with them? Was this the first time they saw a drunken wolf?So, I scoffed.“Now, what? Get the hell out of here if you don’t want to see someone drunk. This is a bar, you dummies.”They paused, unsure how to react to my bold actions. I leaned back in my seat, projecting confidence and superiority. What they thought of me didn’t matter much; they were like background characters in the story of my life.The bartender glanced at me warily, but I dismissed his worry with a wave of my hand. His thoughts held little importance to me. After all, I am
Elaine“So, Miss Elaine… Do you like it?” Beth, the real estate agent, asked me.I smiled widely as I walked around the living room. “It’s lovely!”The apartment wasn't too small or too big. It felt like everything was within my reach. The vibrant color of the curtain and the cozy look of the light brown couch caught my attention. The mini plant in the corner of the huge glass window pleased my heart.I sighed and whispered to myself, “This is what a real home feels like.”The unit was ready for occupancy. Everything inside was carefully selected, and the color scheme was thoughtfully chosen. It pleased the eyes of any occupant. I didn’t need to stress about buying things for the house.“I guess it did save me a lot of time,” I thought, smiling. I approached Beth and expressed my happiness. “This is more than what I had in mind. Anybody would take this place in a heartbeat.”Beth smiled warmly and walked closer to me, her eyes sparkling.“To be honest, this apartment suits your perso
ElaineMy mood lightens more upon hearing this from Liz. “Oh really?!” Liz chuckled. “Yes, really! Good thing he was available. He was pretty in demand these days.” I smiled, feeling grateful for how reliable Liz was. A flashback played out vividly in my head as I thought of the scene that led me to this.Flashback…I called my close friend Liz to rant about the upcoming humiliation awaiting me at the Alpha Conference. As expected, Liz was livid. I took a deep breath and dropped the bomb I had been thinking about since I got out of the hospital. “I am planning to divorce Tristan soon.” Liz turned silent for a while as the tension hovered above us. She let go of a deep sigh before speaking again. “I really hate Tristan for what he did to you. Believe me, I will support you on this up to the end. But you have to think this through. Once you choose this route, you have to stand by it. At your state, are you ready to face the consequences?” Liz asked softly, her concern palpable.I
Elaine“Are you ready?” Liz asked as she rolled down the car window. I smiled and nodded, opening the car door and settling into the passenger seat. “Absolutely, Bestie. Let’s go.”Liz chuckled and started driving us to the meeting place. Finally, Monday had come—a day I'd been eagerly anticipating. Today, I would meet the brave wolf willing to stand up for me and help me reclaim my freedom from my shitty marriage. “I can’t wait to meet this gentleman…” I murmured, feeling a rush of excitement. The thought of seeing Lucian Fox and knowing that I could soon be free from Tristan's grasp filled my heart with joy.“You seem to be in a very good mood, bestie,” Liz commented, glancing at me as I applied my lipstick using the rearview mirror.“Hmmm… probably because you saved me a lot of time by picking me up from home. Thanks, Bestie,” I replied with a chuckle.Liz smiled and responded jokingly, “Anything for you, baby.”Liz and I both laughed at how she said it with a manly voice, but t
ElaineI was startled for a second by her sudden touch. It seemed like she had read my mind. I hated to admit it, but I felt jealous of his wife for having such a devoted husband. My forgotten memories led me to ask if Tristan had treated me in a similar way before.Did he?Nah, I guess not. Tristan was a jerk, and Liz’s testimony and his current actions proved that. Perhaps if he had, this divorce would never have happened or even been considered in the first place. I mean, who in the right mind would divorce a husband who his wife well?Liz didn’t let go of my arm while driving. She showed her support in such a loving way, and I appreciated it in my heart so much. After a few moments, Liz suddenly asked, “What’s the plan after the divorce? Anything in mind?”I paused for a moment, thinking about the future. “I’m not entirely sure yet. I just want to find myself again, you know? Maybe travel, focus on my career, or pick up a hobby I’ve always wanted to try. But mostly, I just want t
ElaineUgh! Give me a break! I crossed my arms, feeling annoyed. Meanwhile, the smile on Liz’s face disappeared as she spoke. “Fancy meeting you here, Megan."Megan didn’t seem bothered. She leaned in for a kiss on Liz's cheeks, but Liz stepped back, causing Megan to pause and chuckle. Despite her laughter, I could see the hurt in Megan's eyes from Liz's rejection. I was about to interject, but Megan spoke first.“I guess time really changes everything. It’s like those times we laughed together never really existed. Isn’t it, Liz?”Liz scoffed and rolled her eyes, clearly not wanting to engage. Megan then turned to me with a fake smile. "Good to see you, Elaine."Liz scoffed again and moved closer, clearly upset by Megan's appearance, particularly her thick makeup. I couldn't help but smirk, knowing Liz was about to let loose.“Sorry, but I don’t keep snakes in my life,” Liz said, her tone cutting.Megan pretended to be hurt. “Me? A snake? What did I do to you, Liz? I don’t remember
ElaineFinally, Wednesday came. I kept checking my watch. “Don’t you think we’re too early?”Liz swallowed the cake she was eating before responding. “An hour early isn’t bad. Remember, this lawyer isn’t just any lawyer you can get. And besides, I’m here to entertain you!”I took a sip from my latte, trying to calm my nerves. Today was the day I would meet the wolf who would stand with me in this battle. I poked Liz's arm to get her attention and asked, "Tell me, bestie, how did you find this guy?"Liz poured out the details while checking her phone. "Gamma Lucian became our family lawyer when my mom decided to get divorced. He’s the one who led my mom through everything. He’s a respected man and a perfect fit for the job. You’ll see once you talk to him."I took another sip from my latte. "Is that so..."I was about to ask another question when a deep, old voice came from behind. "Greetings, Liz."Startled, I turned around. "I apologize for that. Mind if I sit here?" the man asked.I
ElaineGamma Lucian went back to writing, and a moment of silence settled between us. I observed him closely as he worked, noticing how seriously he took his job. Despite his serious demeanor, the passion in his eyes was burning, and I could feel it. Every question he asked wasn’t just about gathering details; he genuinely cared about my case. I was sensitive enough to know that.Unknowingly, my thoughts came out of my mouth. Leaning towards the table, I asked, “Gamma Lucian, would you tolerate a question not related to my case?”Lucian stopped writing and slowly lifted his chin to make eye contact with me. “Sure.”I sighed and told him, “It’s a bit of a personal question, so I hope you don’t mind.”The Gamma nodded and waited.“You know, in our society, divorce is not yet accepted. But why do you still choose this profession? What makes you pursue this unusual dream?”Gamma Lucian looked out the window and sighed. “Ahh... that question again...”I was a bit surprised to hear that fro
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