Adelynn’s POV…Richard's fiery gaze held me captive, pinning me to the spot as his calculated steps advanced. I tried to swallow, but my throat had gone as dry as the dust clinging to the fire escape behind me."Richard," my voice emerged shaky, barely above a whisper. Each step he took echoed in my skull, the fear a vise tightening around my heart. His smile, sharp and predatory, sent chills down my spine."What's wrong, darling?" he purred, his words dripping with mock concern. "Why the scared little rabbit act?""Richard, why are you here?" I forced myself to sound confident, but the tremor in my voice betrayed me. He could sniff it out – my fear, my desperation.He chuckled, a low, guttural sound that caused me to tremble. "Just checking in. Seems my little bird wants to fly the coop."My breath hitched. Panic gnawed at the edges of my mind, threatening to unravel the fragile control I held.“You are not welcome here.”“Really?” He scoffed condescendingly. “Why? Because you found
Consciousness trickled back in, slow and disoriented. The world around me was blurry at first, then swam into focus, revealing an unfamiliar room. Panic clawed at my throat, sharp and immediate.As I stirred, I felt a stinging pain in my neck. Wincing, I reached up and felt the rough texture of gauze against my neck.Memories of the previous night flooded back, each one a fresh wave of terror. Richard's enraged face, the searing pain of his claws, the blessed oblivion of darkness...Horror crawled up my arms. The prospect that I was again in danger prompted me to sit up. A gasp escaped my lips as I met a pair of dark eyes. I scooted back as far as the bed allowed.It was Noel, seated on a sofa beside the bed. His intense gaze fixed on me.'What is he doing here?' My mind raced with questions. 'What happened to Richard?'I looked around in awe at the room I was in. The opulent surroundings did little to calm my frantic nerves. High ceilings, ornate furniture, and the scent of something
“What am I going to do now?” I muttered, pacing left and right in my room.My life, already a tangled mess weaving between Richard and Noel, had just taken a nosedive into the pit of the unknown.A werewolf baby.Was that even possible? And how in the world did I, a decidedly average human, end up carrying one? What would happen to me?“Come on, Adel, think something,” I mumbled, biting my thumb.For years, I had longed for a child with Richard, dreaming of the joy and fulfillment that parenthood would bring. But now that the reality of my pregnancy had set in, I found myself consumed not by elation, but by fear and apprehension.Noel was not a normal werewolf. He was powerful, the Alpha of his pack. And I was a mere weak human. What would this child be? Strong and fierce like Noel? Or would the baby inherit some semblance of my human fragility?Fear of uncertainty loomed over me. I thought I would research human-wolf children. I sat with my laptop and went into the werewolf-human for
The shock hit me like a physical blow, my jaw slack in disbelief. Soon, the disbelief curdled into fury. How could he? How dare he? The audacity of his words hit me like a slap in the face.Pushing myself up from my seat, I towered over him, eyes narrowed into slits of pure disdain. Every muscle in my body tensed, ready to lash out at this insufferable man who had the gall to insult me so blatantly."You are humiliating me," I spat. My hands clenched into fists at my sides, nails digging into my palms as I struggled to contain the storm raging within me. But his sneer only fueled the flames, his arrogance stoking the fire of my fury. How could he stand there, smug and self-assured, while tearing me down with his cruel words?“I am telling the truth. You are smelly. Don’t you take a bath?” He smirked. With each word he said, my indignation grew, fueled by the injustice of his accusations. How insensible he was to talk to a woman like that.I had been working overtime these days, pourin
Shock and embarrassment gripped me like icy tendrils as I stood frozen, my eyes locked on the delicate fabric of my underwear clutched in Noel's hand. How had it come to this? My mind raced, trying to piece together the events that had led to this mortifying moment.A gradual realization crept over me, sending a jolt of panic through my veins. My toes curled in discomfort as I registered the absence of my undergarments beneath my clothes. I must have forgotten to put them on in my rush to leave his office early this morning.‘Shit,’ I cursed under my breath, berating myself for my carelessness. How could I have been so reckless? What would Noel think of me now?Heat flooded my cheeks as self-consciousness washed over me, making it difficult to meet his gaze. I swallowed hard, trying to gather my thoughts.Noel waggled the underwear and smirked, “Miss Adelynn, I didn’t know you were so bold. You left it in my office!”“I-um…” I stumbled over my words, struggling to find a coherent resp
Noel’s POV…As I strode back to my cabin after the meeting, a tantalizingly familiar scent snagged my attention. It was intoxicating, sending a primal thrill through my wolfish side. My wolf stirred within me, its primal instincts awakening at the intoxicating aroma that filled the air.Instinctively, I followed the scent, my senses heightened as I sought out its source. And there, on the sofa, lay a delicate, silky garment—the unmistakable scent of Adelynn lingering upon it like a seductive invitation.I was momentarily stunned. I picked it up and examined it dumbfoundedly. Did she leave it here intentionally, or was it merely an innocent oversight?Adelynn pretended that she was not interested in me, but she did such a thing. I curled my lips slyly."Miss Adelynn," I murmured, the name rolling off my tongue with newfound meaning, "you are something else."Without hesitation, I reached for my phone, my fingers dancing across the screen as I dialed her number. My wolf growled restless
I arrived at the restaurant and sat down at the table that was reserved for me. The sound of clinking silverware and muted chatter filled the air as I scanned the room for my blind date. A hint of frustration simmered within me as I checked my wristwatch.Time was a currency I valued greatly, and her tardiness didn't sit well with my punctual nature. She was supposed to come at 7 pm, but she didn’t show up yet.Adjusting my tie, I glanced around, thinking to wait for another ten minutes. If she didn’t show up within that time frame, I would leave.The clock was ticking away, and with each passing minute, my impatience grew. I squirmed in my place to find a suitable position; then a figure caught my attention. Tall and striking, she glided towards me, clad in a form-fitting red gown that accentuated her curves. Yet, despite her physical allure, an instinctual unease settled within me. There was something about her presence that set off alarms in my mind, a silent warning urging me to r
Adelynn’s POV…The office walls seemed to close in on me. Every tap on the keyboard and every phone call echoed in the silence left by my racing thoughts. I couldn't focus, my mind replaying the scene from earlier. I was afraid Noel would find out about my pregnancy. Restless and desperate to escape, I packed my things and left early.Even within the familiar walls of my own apartment, the unease wouldn't dissipate. It hung heavy in the air. Dread lingered in my mind like a heavy cloud. I desperately needed a distraction. An outing or maybe spending time with friends could help me calm my mind.Grabbing my phone, I dialed Lily's number.“Hey, Lily. What are you doing tonight?” I asked.“Nothing; same boring life,” Lily huffed, sounding deflected.“How about we go out to dinner?” I suggested.“Dinner?” Lily exclaimed excitedly. “Yes, yes, I’d love to go out with you. But why are you so generous to me all of a sudden?” she asked with a touch of mischief."I wanted to thank you again for
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