ElaineI hurried down the dimly lit corridor, my footsteps echoing on the shiny marble floors. The air carried the scent of fresh coffee and a hint of lemon from the janitor's recent cleaning. Clutching a thin folder tightly against my chest, I made my way to Nancy’s office.Approaching my destination, my heart started racing. I paused, took a deep breath, and tried to calm myself. It wasn’t that I was afraid of her, but I dreaded interacting with Nancy. Whenever she was around, she imposed her authority and intimidated me. It had reached the point where she would humiliate me in front of others. The situation had become so toxic that I tried to avoid her as much as possible. Thankfully, Marie was always there to support me. Despite this, I couldn’t completely avoid Nancy, knowing she was our department head.The office door, made of dark wood, seemed more imposing than usual. Nancy’s nameplate gleamed in the artificial light. I knew what awaited me beyond that door, so I approached wi
ElaineWait, what? Me? What the hell is she talking about? I began to panic as all eyes were turned on me. My heart skipped a beat as shock surged inside. I hadn’t been informed about presenting today so I came unprepared. What was this all about?I gripped my folder tightly, trying to hide the tremble in my hands. Judging by the way Nancy smirked, I knew this was something she planned to humiliate me. Perhaps sensing my discomfort, Marie leaned towards me, attempting to intervene. “I think Elaine—”“Let Elaine give the update, Marie. It’s her task isn’t it?” Nancy declared firmly. Her voice left no room for argument, silencing Marie as she sat again. At that point, I knew there was nothing I could do to avoid this. So, I was forced to suck everything up and straightened up. I wouldn’t let her bully me like this without a fight. Gathering my courage, I took my folder and stood up.Desperation clawed at me, my legs feeling unsteady under the weight of everyone’s expectant gazes. I co
ElaineTwo days after that fateful meeting, everything went back to normal. And so, I thought.My workspace was a corner in the open-plan office, surrounded by the gentle hum of the busy office setup. Papers and folders lay scattered across my desk, a vivid testament to the day's overwhelming workload. I was deeply engrossed in updating a crucial report. A soft knock on the divider snapped me out of my concentration, jolting me from my swamp of work. I looked up to see Marie, smiling warmly at me."Elaine?" Marie's voice held a hint of urgency."Hi, Marie. What's up?" I replied, momentarily setting aside my work and adjusting my glasses."I just came out of Nancy’s office. She asked me to instruct you to see her in her office," Marie said. Although her expression remained smiling, I could see the hint of curiosity in her eyes"Oh, okay. Thanks for letting me know," I replied. Marie nodded and departed, leaving me to ponder Nancy's sudden request. Since the tense board meeting two days
ElaineI sat in a cozy corner of the bustling coffee shop, nursing my morning coffee. The rich aroma of freshly brewed beans filled the air, but my mind was elsewhere. I had just two days to secure a meeting with Everett Innovations. How the hell would I be able to do that?The thought alone made my temples throb. This Elite Five lived up to its name. Imagine being a discreet group of highly successful companies across different fields of business but still managing to keep a highly secretive profile. I remembered what Trevor had told me: this company only opened its doors to potential partners. They would only reach out if they were interested in partnering with you. If not, you won’t get any information from them. They would contact you to collaborate, not the other way around. Perhaps that was why they hadn’t answered any of our emails or calls. With this reality hovering above me, how would I get them to meet with us at Roma Aesthetics?I sighed and massaged my forehead, trying to
Elaine I followed Leo as he led me down the street. My mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. I should have been at the office of Everett Innovations, trying to schedule an appointment for Roma Aesthetics. Instead, here I was, trailing after this poor kid. I had offered to walk him home, thinking it wouldn’t take long, but now I was starting to worry. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was making a mistake and poor judgment call. My concern for Leo's safety battled with my worry about the difficult task assigned to me by Nancy.Feeling defeated, I sighed and tried to reassure myself. "Making sure this kid is safe won’t take much time. I can get back to work soon." After a few minutes, we turned a corner. There, I saw a small house made of cardboard, held together with tape and string, next to an old trash bin. It was tiny, with a worn-out blanket for a door and newspapers on the floor. Leo stopped and turned to me with a small smile. "Welcome to my home, Aunt Elaine," he said. My h
ElaineI turned my head, recognizing the voice instantly."Well, well, who do we have here?" Megan's tone was dripping with sarcasm. She stood there, a smug smile playing on her lips. Her eyes glittered with a predatory gleam, and her posture was as sharp and poised as ever. She was with another wolf, a man dressed in corporate wear, clearly indicating they were on some business errand together. I stood up and dusted myself off, determined to face this unexpected encounter with dignity."What are you doing here, Elaine?" Megan asked, her eyes scanning me with a mix of curiosity and disdain, her lips curling into a smirk. I could feel her trying to assert dominance, trying to make me feel small. I didn't want to give her the satisfaction of knowing the details, so I simply said, "It's work-related."Megan's eyes widened in shock, her expression quickly morphing into one of false pity. "Elaine, the previous Luna of Wolfsilver Pack, working as an employee?" Her words dripped with thinly v
ElaineI was taken aback when I realized the wolf I had bumped into was Trevor. I had been lost in my thoughts, not expecting to see a familiar face in this place.“Elaine?” Trevor said, his surprise evident. He looked just the same, with his bright eyes and easy smile.Feeling awkward, I managed a small smile. “Hi,” I said, my voice a bit shaky.Trevor’s curiosity got the better of him. “What are you doing here? No work today?”I shook my head, my stomach growling audibly. “Actually, I’m here because of work,” I admitted, feeling a blush creep up my cheeks.Trevor’s smile widened. “It’s lunchtime already. How about we grab something to eat? There’s a diner nearby.”“Hmmm…”“Don’t think about it, come on. You might be thinking to say no but your stomach is saying otherwise.”I felt my cheeks heat remembering the embarrassing encounter. With that, I nodded and followed Trevor as he led me to Whimsy Diner. The diner had a cozy, nostalgic feel, with checkered tablecloths and the smell of
ElaineFlashback…The moonlight bathed the clearing in a soft, silvery glow, its gentle touch highlighting the tears streaming down my cheeks. I stood there, silently weeping, while Trevor paced back and forth beside me, clearly unsettled. The tension between us hung heavy in the cool night air.“Why him? Why must you marry the Alpha’s son?” Trevor’s voice held a mix of frustration and hurt.“It’s what the Alpha and the Luna have decided,” I replied, my voice trembling with emotion. “It’s their way of thanking me for saving the Luna.”“But how is it a reward if you’re marrying because they told you to? Shouldn’t marriage be about love? Did they force you to agree?”“No! They didn’t—”“Then, why? Why did you agree to this arrangement? It doesn’t make sense—”“Because I love Tristan!” I shouted, my tears flowing more freely now. “I’ve loved him since we were little. I thought it was just a simple crush, but eventually, as I was given access to his world through his parents, I found mysel
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