EDWARD’S POV I shouldn’t have allowed her to stay here. The thought kept ringing in my head continuously, almost driving me insane. I sighed, leaning back in my chair, and hearing my own heartbeat in the silence of my study. Of course, when I saw Serena, I was displeased to see her here. Her voice, her mannerism, everything reminded me of the time I’d been so desperate to get over everything. Or maybe someone. In college, life had been so unbearable. And my parents' solution had been a relationship since I hadn’t introduced a mate to them. Forced to be the perfect son, I found someone desperate. Someone head over heels for me. And that led me to Serena. Our relationship was short, I hated it but she didn’t seem to notice. Neither did she accept that I never liked her or tried to. Perhaps one of the reasons I allowed her to stay here. I just never considered her a challenge between me and Clara. But I was wrong. Clara was disappointed in me. Not angry. She ju
CLARA’S POV I tried to move back but my spine was pressed against the desk, my chest rising and falling. Why was he suddenly so close? Trapped in the corner, his body caging me in, I had nowhere to run. My heartbeat thundered in my ears, and I was sure he could hear it too. Distractingly so. This had started as an argument, but now it was morphing into something else entirely. A declaration. A confession. “…why I’ve always monitored you all these years.” His voice echoed in my mind as I stared at him, my throat suddenly dry. What was he trying to say? Or do? He should be apologizing to me for bringing that woman in. For letting me walk in on that irritating sight in his study. “There’s no space left for anyone else…” I’d heard him say that when I reached his study, thinking it was some sort of rejection toward Serena. When I walked in and saw that sight, my heart shattered initially. But the tears staining Serena’s face and her clenched fist told me she had ac
EDWARD’S POV FLASHBACK—MANY YEARS AGO I glanced at the gift bag in my hand, hiding a grin. It was her eighteenth year birthday and I had picked the perfect gift. I knew she would love it and couldn’t wait to give it to her. I stood behind the large cedar tree a little away from school, watching her as she approached, my heart pounding in my eardrums like it always did whenever I saw her. “Clara,” I called out as she got closer to where I stood, and she turned, a little surprised. “Edward!” She exclaimed, her face lighting up instantly. And then for a moment, the world paused before us, her smile all I could see. “What are you doing behind the tree?” My wolf suddenly started thrashing inside me, making me almost stutter before her. And that’s when I knew. “Ughh… “ He groaned satisfactorily. “She’s such a beauty. Perfect for us. A perfect mate.” My eyes widened slightly and I just stood, watching her. Could it really be possible? “Let me out to claim her!” My wol
CLARA’S POV Many years ago. I moved through Elite Mall in scrubs and an apron, mopping floors, wiping glass windows, hauling trash—anything that needed cleaning. The work was exhausting, my lower back aching with every movement, but I whistled a tune to distract myself from the pain. This was just one of the many side hustles I juggled to make ends meet and help my family. It drained me, stole my time, and pulled me away from my academics, but I did it anyway. Because I had to. My father couldn’t afford a lot of things. An extra job like this went a long way to help my parents. I was already grateful that they had the little money to put a roof over my head. This was the least I could do. As I dragged the mop across the floor, my gaze landed on a mannequin in the far corner. A beautiful dress clung to its frame, shimmering under the store lights. I stopped, staring at it for far too long, picturing how it would look on me. I’d seen that dress before, on my classmates, e
Clara’s POV I stood at the lobby with a glass of wine held loosely between my fingers, staring at Serena as she exited the building with her baggage. A mixed feeling of triumph and something else settling warm and cozy in my chest. For some reason, her arrival had sort of caused and sparked up things between Edward and I. Things that had only existed in my wild imagination, in the last. I burn for you… his words from that passionate night replayed in my head, causing a familiar stir in my chest. My gaze followed the car as it drove out of the gates, observing Serena who sat with a sullen expression at the back seat, and after a while, I shifted my gaze to Edward and a few of his men that stood to the side, watching the car leave too with peeved expressions, his fingers jammed into his pockets. To my surprise, he hadn’t let the dawn crack properly before going to the guest wing of the house and asking Serena to leave, as he was not interested in her father’s business pr
Nate’s POV I sat behind my desk, smirking as I perused the report from my latest visit to the orphanage. The smirk expanded further, my insides jumping around in a dance of victory as I saw from the report that my plans had actually worked out just perfect. The photos of me visiting those children had sold off like valued stocks, scattered across the news in praise of my good heart. I scoffed, shaking my head at just how good I’d been at acting. The way I even looked in the pictures…like I gave a damn about these children. Whereas I gaze zero. I hummed a happy tone, flipping through the pages of the report. The major thing was that I wasn’t losing investors anymore, and hopefully, I could launch my new mobile design soon. A knock sounded on the door, then, and a second later, Michael stepped into the office. “Sir, there’s a visitor out there insisting to see you without a prior appointment,” he announced, his hands crossed behind his back. An unscheduled visitor? Who
Nate’s POV I stepped into the familiar comfort of my home, Serena following closely behind me. “Welcome to my home,” I said to her, throwing my coat against the armrest of the plush sofa, and Serena smiled stiffly, looking around the house. “Thank you,” she murmured in response, and just then, Isla came flying down the stairs, her boobs dancing in the transparent robe she had on. “Nate!” She started to call, a bubbly excitement staining her features, but as her eyes rested on the sophisticated woman standing next to me, she faltered visibly, the excitement dying down. I watched with a frown, not missing the resemblance in the look, as the same one that had been on Clara’s face the first day I brought Isla home. “You’re home,” she said, eyeing Serena cautiously as she slowed to a halt in front of me. I nodded, moving past her. “This is Serena,” I introduced, nodding over at her, “and she’ll be staying over for a few days,” I added with a note of finality, turning around
Nate’s POV Many years ago. I sat behind my desk in my office, going over some files, when a knock sounded on the door. A second later, my secretary, Veronica, breezed in carrying a mug of coffee on a small tray. “Your coffee, sir,” she said, dropping it on the desk, and I nodded. “Thanks,” I muttered, “you can leave now.” As she walked away, her hips swaying from side to side, my eyes followed the jiggly movements, mesmerized by the beauty of it. My groin hardened the longer I looked, my dick starting to crawl around in my pants, and when she was almost at the door, I gave into the temptation and called out to her. “Veronica.” She turned, her brows cocked. “Sir?” “Why don’t you come a little closer?” I asked, beckoning on her with a finger, and although a fleeting look of surprise crossed her features, she came towards the desk slowly. “Come over here,” I pressed, directing her to move around the desk to where I sat, and after she obeyed a little reluctantly, I n
CLARA’S POV “Hi.” A small woman with freckles and round glasses perched on her nose walked up to me, a polite smile on her face and her hand outstretched. Before she could get too close, two guards stepped in, blocking her path. They squared their shoulders, clearly on alert. I studied her for a moment. She wore a white short-sleeved shirt with a stiff tie and held a black bag tightly in one hand. I raised a brow, curious. Who was she? She noticed and swallowed nervously, adjusting her glasses. “I—I’m Samantha,” she said, voice a little shaky. “Samantha Winters. The journalist.” Ah. She swallowed again but lifted her chin. “It’s truly an honor to work with you, Luna. Thank you for the opportunity.” I kept my eyes on her and gave a small nod. “Yeah, so…” It was true—I asked Lydia to find a journalist to cover the company launch and help spread our goal to every part of the pack. I motioned to the guards to let her through. They stepped back reluctantly. Her smil
CLARA’S POV I leaned back in the hammock, eyes fixed on the clear sky, gently rubbing my stomach. I used to wonder how women could carry life inside them and still manage to do so much. But now, I understood. Ever since I felt my wolf, since the night Edward marked me, I’d felt like a completely different person. Healthier. Stronger. More alive. “Here are the documents you asked for, Luna Clara,” Lydia’s voice broke into my thoughts. I looked up and saw her standing beside me, holding out a few papers. “Everything about the company launch is in here,” she added as I took them from her hand. “I’m really glad we’re moving forward with the plans, Luna,” she said, her grin wide and excited. I forced a small smile, nodding as my fingers brushed over the papers. But inside, I felt a sense of unease. No matter how far I tried to move forward, the fear still clung to me. Maybe it was just paranoia. Maybe not. I hated the way my chest tightened every time the memories c
Nate’s POV Getting a bit suffocated inside the car, despite the blasting cold air-conditioner, I pressed the button in the arm of the door, the window rolling downwards. I inhaled sharply as the wind hit me in the face, natural and soothing. More like it… The car radio static cackled then, a female voice drifting through. “…Luna of the territory has been found and rescued, following her kidnap that happened a few days ago.” “Turn that up,” I quickly instructed, and the driver leaned forward and turned up the volume of the radio. “She was found in good shape and health, despite a few injuries,” the broadcaster continued, “and the perpetrator is still at large, no traces of them found.” I scoffed, shaking my head. So she’d survived, after all. That was quite disheartening, because for a while, I’d really thought this would be her end. But somehow, she keeps surviving. My jaw ticking, I lifted my fingers and pushed them through my hair, a bit unsettled by this informa
CLARA’S POV A rush of adrenaline coursed through my veins. My eyes flew open, and I could feel something stirring deep inside me: a soft, steady thumping. Was that… my wolf? Lying against Edward’s chest, I lifted my fingers to my neck, gently caressing the bite mark. Then my hand drifted to my chest, pausing over my heart, feeling the pulse beneath my skin. Yes… that was truly my wolf. “Clara…” A faint, almost whispering voice called to me, and I jolted upright, clutching my chest as my heart hammered wildly. Was that her voice? Edward stirred beside me, his gaze sharp and cautious as he watched me. “Is everything okay?” I nodded shakily, rubbing my palms against my chest to steady myself. “Yeah, I… I think I just heard my wolf’s voice.” My words were breathless, disbelief still clinging to them. Edward’s eyes widened, and he quickly propped himself up. His hand gently covered mine, his touch warm and comforting. “And I think I can feel her too,” I added, my voice barely
CLARA’S POV I woke up with a pounding headache, like a hammer was slamming between my eyes. I sighed, not in the best mood. I wasn’t just sick—I was sad, angry, and overwhelmed. Everything with Edward had taken its toll on me. We hadn’t really spoken since the outburst, when I told him I’d be leaving once the contract was over, and after I gave him his baby. It wasn’t like he hadn’t been trying to talk to me. The problem was me. I didn’t give him a chance. The night before, he’d come into my room, trying to get me to open up, but I ignored him. Every time he touched me, I shoved his hands away. Eventually, he’d left, his shoulders slumped in defeat. Sighing, I forced myself up and shuffled toward the bathroom. Just as I was about to push the door open, a knock came at the main door. “Who is it?” “We’re here with breakfast, Luna,” a female voice called. I rolled my eyes. Breakfast already? I just woke up. “Come in!” I called out, slamming the bathroom door shut an
Clara’s POV Henry and I stared at each other for what felt like forever, my eyes burning with anger, his full of something else. Maybe surprise that I wanted to see him. Finally, he sighed, leaning back with a shrug. “Fine. I’ll tell you, since you’re so desperate to know.” I couldn’t help the small sigh of satisfaction that slipped from me as I leaned back in my seat, folding my arms. “I’m all ears.” “But first,” he said, smiling, “Why are you so covered up?” He raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Let me guess, you don’t want to be seen with me?” I shot him a glare, my lips pressing into a tight line. “That’s not important right now.” He shrugged again, biting back a laugh. He signaled the waitress, ordering an iced coffee and a bagel, then leaned forward, clasping his hands on the desk. I watched him, trying to decide if I could trust anything that came from the mouth of someone so… off. There was something unsettling about him with each
Clara’s POV I tossed and turned on my bed, my mind heavy with thoughts and frustration. I’d been thinking for nearly an hour, and I still couldn’t understand why Edward would do this to me. Why had he kept something so vital from me? If he’d told me we were mates long ago, when he first found out, I wouldn’t have had to suffer so much. Maybe I could’ve avoided the tragic turn my life took after marrying Nate. If only Edward had been honest with me… Sighing, I couldn’t shake the thoughts that plagued my mind. I threw the sheets off my body in a fit of frustration and stormed toward the door. As I unlocked it, I found Lydia standing there, looking worn and concerned. “Luna Clara,” she said softly, her hands clasped in front of her. “Are you still angry?” Ignoring her question, I cut to the chase. “I need you to do something for me.” She blinked, the hurt in her eyes fleeting before she nodded. “What is it, Luna?” “You saw the man with Edward, right?” Her brows fu
CLARA’S POV I turned slowly, pressing my back against the pillar as my heart pounded in my chest. What did I just hear? I was Edward’s mate? What kind of joke was that? I stole a glance at the two men, my gaze locking onto Henry’s face. His lips curled into a smirk, but his eyes were deadly serious. He wasn’t bluffing. He wasn’t joking. Edward was my mate. But how? And why was I only finding out now? I shifted my focus to Edward whose back was still turned to me. He wasn’t denying it, just stood facing Henry, his jaw fingers clenched. Why wasn’t he saying anything? Why wasn’t he telling this man that he was lying? “What happens in my family is none of your business, Henry,” Edward finally said, stepping closer, his voice low with warning. “So leave. While I’m still asking nicely.” Henry cocked a brow. “Is that what you think? That I’m not family? That’s ridiculous, Edward. Telling me to leave won’t change the fact that you’ve been keeping this from her for G
CLARA’S POV Edward stood at the foot of my bed, his face tense with frustration. I had insisted on carrying this baby, no matter what. He wasn’t happy about it, he wanted to keep me safe, but I wasn’t changing my mind. Lydia walked in, carrying a bowl of water. Edward glanced at her. “Make sure she’s looked after at all times,” he said, his jaw tight. “I want more maids assigned to her, and she isn’t to lift a finger. Understood?” Lydia set the bowl down on the bedside table and curtsied. “Yes, Alpha.” Edward sighed, then leaned down, cupping my cheek. “Get some rest, okay? I’ll check on you later.” I nodded, giving him a weak smile. He returned it before heading for the door. But just before leaving, he paused and turned back to Lydia. “Make sure she doesn’t strain herself,” he added, his voice laced with worry. “No single task. Nothing strenuous.” Lydia nodded, and he slipped out, closing the door softly behind him. I pulled the sheets up to my chin, staring ou