The next morning…I woke up early and found myself in Noel’s arms. The dawn light speared through the gaps in the curtains, painting stripes across his chest. Memories of the night before washed over me, hot and insistent, making my cheeks burn. I couldn't help but smile, a secret, bashful feeling blooming in my chest.Carefully, I untangled myself from his sleep-warmed embrace, the sheets whispering against my skin. I entered the bathroom and splashed water on my face, yet the intimate moments of last night replayed on a loop in my mind.His touch, the way his breath danced across my skin – everything felt vivid, charged. The pull I felt towards him was stronger than ever. How could I bear to leave him in six months? A desperate wish welled up, a fantasy of being his wife forever. But reality was a cold slap. He’d find his fated mate soon, and I’d be left with nothing but memories.A dull ache settled in my heart. He wasn't mine, he belonged to someone else. My hand dropped to my sto
I took her to the Civil Affairs Bureau but faced a problem with getting the marriage certificate. We'd gone through the entire application process, only to be met with a blank screen when my information was pulled up. No record of me existed. Since I was a werewolf, the government didn’t register any information regarding my identity in their system.It was strange. I was not aware of it.The news hit me like a cold splash. I thought we were finally integrating, and becoming part of human society. But this? It was a slap in the face. Anger, hot and primal, coiled in my gut."Mayor," I muttered, jaw clenching. I had put too much faith in that old coot, it seemed.I immediately dialed his number."Mr. Wilkinson," he answered, his voice breezy. “How did you remember me this early morning?”"Why isn't my information in your government database?" I growled, barely holding back a roar. "I helped you, invested heavily in your damn campaign – for what? To be treated like a ghost? Are you mess
The information overload hit me like a rogue wave, leaving me stunned and bewildered. The notion that werewolves were abducting and killing humans, despite the peace treaty, sent a chill down my spine. It shattered the illusion of safety and coexistence that I had naively believed in.My head spun as I stammered, "Why? According to the peace treaty, they can’t attack humans,” I countered. “Why this violence then?”“As I said,” the mayor leaned in closer, his tone grave, “they are very possessive about their mates.”I gawked at him. His words hung in the air like a heavy cloud, suffocating me with their implications. “You mean, humans can be their mates!” I exclaimed, my mind reeling at the thought.He gave a curt nod. "Indeed. That's why they take them to the packs. But humans can’t live with supernatural creatures. Some of them tried to come back but never succeeded.” His voice softened with a hint of pity. "They either end up dead or worse."Dread coiled in my gut, squeezing the air
I could see her fear. I ached for a way to soothe it, to spin a comforting lie. But unfortunately, I couldn't bring myself to sugarcoat the truth. With a solemn nod, I confirmed her worst fears. "If they find someone roaming around the woods, they attack because they feel threatened."“Oh, God.” A strangled gasp escaped her lips. Her hands flew to her mouth, the color draining from her face. Panic flickered in her wide eyes.“Hey, Adel.” I went to her side and sat down on the sofa beside her. "Don't be afraid, okay?" My arm wrapped around her shoulders. “We are monitoring everything. Trust me. All this arbitrary killing in the woods will be stopped soon.”She pulled away slightly, looking into my eyes. "They can't just kill somebody because they are in the woods," she protested. "The humans are weak as compared to the werewolves. How can we humans pose threats to your kind?"Her words were a stark reminder of the chasm that separated our worlds. I squeezed her shoulder reassuringly. "
Adelynn’s POV…My stomach churned beneath the sterile white desk I was forced to occupy, my gaze fixed on the opaque glass wall of the CEO’s office. The shades were drawn, blocking my view of the scene unfolding within.My mind raced with thoughts of what might be happening inside. My heart pounded in my chest as I wondered if Tina was going to reveal my deepest secret to Noel - the fact that I was carrying his child.Noel's revelations earlier had shed light on the significance of the child growing within me. This baby could solve all his problems. It held the key to his aspirations, his dreams of becoming the Alpha king.My fingers trembled with nervous energy as I grappled with conflicting emotions. On one hand, I understood the potential benefits of Noel knowing about the baby. But on the other, I couldn't bear the thought of him taking my child away from me, especially when I knew our relationship was temporary.The thought of losing my child filled me with a sense of dread and d
Days turned into a week, and Tina's friendly gestures toward me gradually dissolved my initial reservations. Our budding friendship blossomed with each passing day as we shared meals and enjoyed breaks together. As we chatted more and more, I gradually began to trust her.One afternoon, we decided to have lunch at a nearby restaurant. As we sat down and began eating, an inexplicable aversion to the smell of fried chicken washed over me, causing my stomach to churn unpleasantly."Excuse me," I murmured hastily, rising from my seat and hurrying towards the restroom, my hand pressed over my mouth."Adel?" Tina's concerned voice trailed after me, but I couldn't stop to respond. I needed to escape the overwhelming sensation of nausea.Once inside the restroom, I barely made it to the nearest stall before the waves of sickness overtook me. I doubled over, retching into the toilet until there was nothing left but the dry heaves.As the ordeal subsided, I leaned against the cool wall, feeling
I stared at the screen, my mouth agape. Noel just commanded me to go back. But I was still weak, and I didn’t want to face him. I didn’t have the energy and mood to answer his never-ending question.‘What am I supposed to do now?’“Why did you lie to him?” Lily's voice, sharp and accusatory, shattered the silence, breaking my trance.I flinched, heart hammering against my ribs, as I tore my gaze away from the phone. Her accusatory glare sent a fresh wave of panic crashing over me.“He is your baby’s father for God’s sake,” she continued. “You should tell him everything- about the baby and Tina’s manipulation.”"I can't," I choked out.“Why? He is successful and wealthy – everything you could ever ask for. He can take care of you and your baby. He is perfect for you. Why do you want to leave him?” Her words, laced with harsh logic, scraped at the raw vulnerability beneath my carefully constructed facade.Tears welled up, blurring my vision. "You don't understand," I whispered. "You hav
This potion!The sight of it filled me with a mixture of shock and anger. My mind raced with a torrent of emotions as I confronted Adelynn. "Where did you get it?" I demanded sharply, my tone tinged with accusation. The implications that such a potion was with her gnawed at my mind, leaving me unsettled. “It’s not an ordinary potion. Who gave it to you? And more importantly," I pressed, my voice dropping to a low growl, "are you taking it?" My eyes darted down to her stomach, a chilling dread settling in my gut.“This… T-Tina gave me,” she stuttered."Tina?" I spat. "Tina gave you this?" My jaw clenched, frustration warring with a blooming worry. "Do you even know what it's for?" I roared, my grip tightening on her arms.She flinched under my touch, a choked sob escaping her lips. Tears streamed down her face.My heart hammered against my ribs, a frantic drumbeat echoing the turmoil within me. "Are you pregnant?" I barked, the question a harsh accusation ripping from my throat. The ra
Meanwhile, Adelynn entered. “Noel!”“Come here.” I beckoned her. “Richard is… dying. Talk to him for the last time.”Her eyes, glistening with unshed tears, darted between me and Richard. Hesitantly, she approached the bed.Richard stirred slightly as she neared. A weak smile, tinged with regret, flickered across his lips. “Adel, I am sorry,” he whispered and then coughed. “I-I wanted to reject you properly, to sever the mate bond completely.”“Don’t talk,” she said. “You will be fine. Noel… why are the doctors not treating him?” Her gaze flicked to me, a question brimming in her tear-filled eyes.“He was poisoned,” I replied. “It’s too late.”“What?”“You still feel bad for me even though I hurt you so badly,” Richard chimed in, a bitter smile tugging at his lips. “I don’t deserve it, Adel… Now…” He coughed. “I, Richard Gray, reject you, Adelynn… Have a happy life… with Alpha Noel…”With that final declaration, a long sigh escaped his lips, his eyes fluttering closed. The faint rise
Upon arrival to the pack, we sent Richard for treatment. Adelynn materialized at my side. Her eyes were clouded with worry. Before I could say a word, she wrapped her arms around me, holding me tight.“I saw the news,” she murmured. “The attack was brutal. So many casualties. I was terrified… terrified the witch would hurt you."Holding her close, I inhaled the comforting scent of lavender that clung to her hair. "I'm alright, my love," I murmured, stroking her back gently.“Are you hurt?” She pulled back slightly, scrutinizing my face. Her concern intensified as her gaze lingered on the faint line of dried blood near my chest. Her fingers brushed the injury with a feather-light touch, sending a jolt of electricity sparking through me.“Are you seducing me?” I asked, grinning mischievously.She looked at me with her wide eyes and my heart thumped. At this moment, I could only think about pulling her into the bedroom and claiming her.“How mean?” She pushed me away, jolting me back to
Noel’s POV…Two days passed, and we were still looking for the pregnant human ladies who had been taken away. But we found no clue. We had been keeping tabs on the Black Hounds Pack also, but nothing suspicious was noted. Instead, Tina had been helping us in the investigation, which was a stark contrast to the suspicion in my mind.On the other hand, human representatives were happy with us for rescuing the abducted people. We also presented evidence of witches transforming those rogues to attack the humans. While they acknowledged the explanation, the growing public outcry demanded a formal clarification. To quell the rising anxiety, they conducted a press conference.I was invited to the press conference. With all the evidence, I was ready to face the inquisitive reporters.The conference hall buzzed with anticipation. The mayor, with a reassuring smile, took the stage. He began by welcoming the assembled crowd. He announced that the kidnapped people had been rescued. He reassured t
My initial apprehension morphed into a cautious scrutiny. She was a mess. A worn-out white gown, once elegant, now hung on her frame in tatters, revealing glimpses of dirt-smudged skin. Her face, pale and gaunt, reflected a hardship that went beyond simple neglect. The stench that hit me then confirmed that she had not taken a bath for a long time.I was shocked. How did someone end up like this within the pack? My gaze drifted to the exposed skin on her arms and neck, marred by livid bruises and angry red welts. It was clear that she was abused. Who could have done this to her?Taking a deep breath, I forced my voice into a neutral tone. "Who are you?" I demanded. “What were you doing there?”She dropped to her knees and cried. “Please don’t hurt me. I didn't mean to… I didn't mean to hurt anyone here."“Who are you?” I asked again.“Ava,” she replied, her voice trembling. “Please don’t hurt me.”The fear in her posture, the raw vulnerability in her plea, chipped away at my initial a
I confirmed with a nod."Are you serious?" he breathed, disbelief coloring his voice. "The baby… It's mine? I am the biological father of your baby!” A flicker of a smile, hesitant yet hopeful, played on his lips. “That means… my infertility issue… Why did you lie to me? How could you be so cruel?” He barked, glaring at me. The pain in his eyes ached my heart."I'm so sorry," I whispered, regret gnawing at me. "I… I thought you didn't love me. That you just needed a temporary wife to solve some pack issue." Shame burned in my cheeks. "I-I was afraid," I stammered, tears stinging my eyes. "Afraid you'd take the baby away from me if you knew the truth."“What?” Hurt flickered across his face, morphing into a grimace of frustration. "Take the baby? What are you even talking about?" He shook his head. "So, you planned on leaving me… with the baby? That's why you were so eager to break the contract. Why wouldn't you trust me, Adelynn? I promised to take care of you both. Didn't that mean a
Ivy’s words caught me off guard.Second chance mate? The revelation slammed into me with the force of a rogue wave. She'd already found her fated mate? So that was it. The realization dawned upon me. Ivy had returned because her mate had been kidnapped.Who could have done this and for why? Why did Ivy approach me? What did she want from me?Several questions rushed into my mind, increasing my confusion.“Tell me clearly,” I demanded.Her eyes, red-rimmed and pleading, met mine. "I'll tell you everything," she choked out. “When I met Jack abroad, I realized Mood goddess had blessed me with a second chance mate. I immediately fell in love with him despite him being a human. We thought we would have a happy life together.”She choked back a sob, her voice cracking. "Then everything changed. We learned that a werewolf had kidnapped his sister. We rushed back, hoping to find her, to help. But we were wrong. So wrong."Her eyes welled up with tears, and she chomped with emotion. She regain
Adelynn’s POV…When I regained consciousness, I found myself in the familiar bedroom nestled in the warm bed. Relief washed over me, followed by a wave of dizziness. I blinked, trying to focus on the figure sitting beside the bed."Hey, sweetheart, you're awake." Noel's voice, gentle and warm, filled my ears. His smiling face stirred conflicting emotions in my heart.Gratitude warred with resentment. Yes, he had saved me once again. If he had not appeared on time, I would have been killed. But I couldn’t forget the fact that he had ignored my calls."Why did you come for me?" I blurted out, the anger laced with a tremor I couldn't quite control. "Shouldn't you have been with Ivy?"His smile faltered, a flicker of pain crossing his features. "I know you're upset," he said slowly, “but it’s all Ivy’s doing to make you jealous. She invited me to dinner, but I declined the invitation. I had an important meeting to attend to. She knew about it.”Noel explained everything to me.After heari
With a dismissive wave, I signaled for Caleb to leave. When he walked out, I answered the call.“Hello?”"Noel... Did I disturb you?" Ivy's voice, usually dripping with sweetness, came through the receiver. It used to sound endearing, almost playful. Now, it grated on my nerves like nails on a chalkboard."You already did," I replied flatly. "What is it, Ivy? Get to the point."A hesitant pause followed before she spoke again. "Don't be rude," she whined, the playful facade slipping slightly. "I just wanted to thank you for letting me stay at your place. I called you to invite you to dinner. Look, don't say no right away! I already invited Adelynn, and she said she'd come. It’s a treat from my side. Please, Noel… come.”I couldn't help but feel a surge of annoyance at Ivy's persistent attempts to insert herself into my life. I rubbed my brow, hesitating for a moment.I had an important meeting that I could not postpone. But the prospect of Adelynn alone with Ivy made me anxious. I did
Consumed by unease, I mechanically ate small portions of food whilst grappling with increasing turmoil within. I couldn’t shake off the feeling that Noel was in trouble.Suddenly, she broke through my reverie, probing gently, "Is something wrong with the dish?"Swallowing the lump forming in my throat, I muttered half-heartedly, "No, it isn't that. I just... don’t feel like eating.”“Oh, are you okay? You don’t look good.” She squinted at me inquisitively.“It’s normal for a pregnant woman to feel revulsion to certain food,” I replied nonchalantly and took some more bites.The next few minutes passed in a blur. Ivy resumed eating, eventually finishing her meal. However, I scarcely touched my plate, rendered unable to focus on anything other than Noel.Eventually, Ivy turned her attention back to me. “You must be thinking why Noel has not answered your calls. Isn’t it obvious that you mean nothing to him? As soon as I returned, his suppressed love for me emerged. He will soon break up