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
TristanSteam curled from the mug in my hand as I sat in my office, the smell of coffee filling the air. I took a slow sip, enjoying the quiet before the day began. It was a usual day for me, with a lot of things to get done. But before starting, I wanted to enjoy a little bit of solitude with my cup of coffee.As always. Suddenly, a sharp knock echoed through my office door.“Come in!” I put down my coffee, its warmth still lingering in the air. An omega entered the room afterward. She curtsied before speaking.“Good morning, Alpha Tristan. Sorry to disturb your wonderful morning, but a sudden visitor came.”I wondered who it was. An early morning visit sounded very unusual. No one would visit me at this hour. Curious, I asked, “Who is it?”“A lady from Moon Valley Orphanage,” the omega replied calmly while still bowing her head.Upon hearing this, my eyebrows furrowed. I stood up abruptly and exclaimed, “I’ve never heard of that place.”The omega, who seemed confused, responded, “T
Memories flooded inside me as I heard her mention that fateful day. How could I ever forget it? It was the time I lost my best friend Shawn because Elaine manipulated my parents into stealing Shawn’s life-saving heart costing him his life. I would never forgive her for doing that. Meanwhile, Lily continued to tell me her version of the events. "I knew about your wife's need for a heart transplant a few years ago. I met her during a visit to the hospital where some of our supporters were working. I learned about her relentless search to uncover the identity of her donor, who was only known to her as an orphan wolf. To honor this donor, Elaine decided to support our orphanage as a way to give back to her lifesaver."I locked eyes with Lily. Frozen in my seat, I stared at her with a shocked expression. Lily noticed my unusual demeanor and asked, “Are you okay, Alpha?”I blinked once, realizing her concern. Shaking my head, I asked, “Is it okay if you tell me more about this incident?”L
Tristan I paced back and forth in my room, the wooden floor creaking under my feet. The soft glow of the evening sun filtered through the curtains, casting long shadows on the walls. My mind was a whirlwind of doubts and questions. My conversation with Lily about Elaine had shaken the foundation of my beliefs. Was everything I thought Elaine did wrong? Could she really be innocent of Shawn’s death? The questions gnawed at me, each one more persistent than the last.“Pacing back and forth won’t help, Tristan,” Ceres, my spirit wolf, growled inside my mind.I stopped mid-step, looking out the window at the setting sun, frustration boiling over. “Then what should I do, Ceres? How do I find the truth?”“You’re being stupid,” Ceres snapped. “Investigate where it all started.”I paused, thinking. “Where it all started...”“Lycan Hills Hospital,” Ceres said, his voice echoing in my mind. It was where Shawn died and Elaine received her transplant.Desperate to find the truth, I grabbed my key
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