Archer gently released me and stepped back, scanning the room as if expecting the shadows to move again. “Did you see anyone?”“No,” I whispered, my voice trembling. “I just heard the knocking. It was so real. I swear, it wasn’t my imagination.”He nodded, his expression thoughtful. “I believe you. But we need to figure out what happened,” he paused and squinted his eyes. “I’ll ask you again, Katrina. Are you alright?”Archer’s voice cut through my fear like a knife.“Yeah, I’m fine. I just need to inform the security personnel—”“Give me that.” He reached over, snatching the telephone from my already shaking hand with a firm yet gentle grip. “Someone tried attacking a female worker inside her office! Where the hell were you?! Isn’t someone monitoring the CCTV cameras?!” His voice was a mix of fury and urgency as he barked into the receiver. He slammed the phone back into its cradle and turned to me, his eyes softened with concern. “Let’s go check the camera.”Nodding, I followed him
Archer.I hurried Katrina onto the bike, her eyes wide with lingering terror. “Get on!” I urged, my voice sharper than I intended. We couldn’t stay here. Not with that thing lurking.She climbed on, clutching me tightly as I revved the engine and took off. The roar of the bike drowned out the pounding of my heart, but I couldn’t shake the image of that creature from my mind. My eyes flicked to the side mirror, catching a glimpse of it shifting into a shadowy figure that seemed to melt into the darkness.“Archer, what was that thing?” Katrina’s voice was a mix of fear and confusion, her grip tightening around my waist.“I don’t know,” I admitted, keeping my eyes on the road. “But we’re not sticking around to find out.”We sped down the deserted streets, the wind whipping past us. I felt her trembling against my back, and I wished I could offer more reassurance. But the truth was, I had no idea what we were up against.“Where are we going?” she asked, her voice muffled by the wind and h
KatrinaI’ve been avoiding my parents more than usual lately, but it’s not like they’ve noticed. They’re probably relieved that I’ve stopped going to the site, away from Archer. The gym became my sanctuary, a place where I could drown out the noise in my head with the rhythm of my heartbeat. But during the day, I stayed in the library, surrounded by books that didn’t ask questions or offer unsolicited advice.As I was flipping through the pages of yet another novel, my phone buzzed beside me. Daphne’s name flashed on the screen. Again. I stared at it, debating whether to answer, but let it ring out like I had so many times before. A moment later, it buzzed again with a message.Daphne: If you won’t go to this party tonight, consider our friendship as dead!I groaned, dropping the book onto the table. “Is that a threat?” I muttered, shaking my head. Daphne had always been dramatic, but this felt like a new level. I couldn’t keep avoiding her forever.With a sigh, I shelved the book
My heart pounded in my chest, drowning out the party’s music. Damien’s gaze bore into me, his eyes pleading for an answer I wasn’t ready to give. Caleb’s smirk only fueled my anger, his words like gasoline on a fire that was already burning out of control.“Katrina,” Damien’s voice was quieter now, almost desperate. “Is it true?”I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms as I tried to hold onto whatever composure I had left. The truth was a heavy weight on my tongue, one that I wasn’t sure I could swallow anymore.“What if it is?” I finally said, my voice cold, distant. I watched as Damien’s face crumpled, the pain in his eyes slicing through me like a knife.“So, you were with him?” His voice cracked, the hurt unmistakable.I didn’t answer right away, my mind racing through every memory, every moment I’d tried to bury. The late-night rides, the way Archer’s presence had become a comfort I couldn’t deny. But admitting it now, in front of everyone, felt like ripping open a wo
ArcherEven from across the room, I heard his voice clear as night sky, cutting through the noise like a knife. “Is it him? Archer Ellington, your fated mate?” His words were tinged with desperation.I pushed through the crowd, barely noticing the people around me as I honed in on her.“Dude, let’s get out of here!” Leon tried to grab my arm, sensing the tension in my movements, but I shook him off.“Back off, man!” “Archer, wait! Listen to me!” He grabs my collar and made me look at him. I clenched my jaw hard, looking at him angrily. He said, “This is a fight between rich kids! You’re not fucking going there or else you’ll be as good as dead!” I had to get to her, my mate. “I said… back off,” I barked at Leon, in which he immediately pull his hand off me.And then I saw him—Damien. He was standing too close to Katrina, his posture aggressive, his eyes wild with something that made my blood boil.“That’s enough!” I barked, my voice rough with anger as I stepped between them. My
Katrina.I wanted to crush that girl Megan’s skull in my hand, but I managed to rein myself in. This wasn’t my den—it was theirs, and I wasn’t about to make problems for Archer. Not tonight, anyway.“Come, Kat…” Archer grabbed my arm, his touch firm yet comforting as we wove through the crowd. The club was alive with noise—laughter, clinking glasses, and music that thrummed through the floor. The moment we approached a table, a group of people instantly recognized Archer, wrapping him in tight hugs and backslaps.“Wow, Archer! You’re here… and with a girl…” A middle-aged man staggered toward me, his beer sloshing as he swayed on unsteady feet. His eyes, glazed and slightly unfocused, lit up when they landed on me. “Oh, it’s a pretty girl! Miss, can I hold your hand?”“Lawrence!” Archer’s voice held a warning, but the man just laughed, a deep, belly-shaking sound.“Don’t be so tense, Arch! I’m just going to read her palm! It’s palm reading night!” he announced, and suddenly, the whol
After our staring contest, I looked away from Archer. My cheeks flushed because of embarrassment and being shy with what I had just done! What the hell was I thinking?Did I just let him kiss me? Again! I needed to get away from this awkwardness. He cleared his throat and said, “Well, that was, uh, unexpected from you. I didn’t know you could really dance.”“Yeah,” I exhaled a breath. “I didn’t know it too until tonight…” The idea sinks in my mind, but I couldn’t stop thinking about the passionate kiss we shared a minute ago! “Look, it’s Lawrence!” I pointed his friend who did palm reading to me to divert the topic. The room buzzed with energy as I spotted Lawrence and a group of guys gathered around a table, their cheers and shouts catching my attention. They were in the middle of an arm-wrestling match, and it looked like Archer was up next because his friends were already calling him.“Come here, you dickhead!” Leon said, grabbing his hand and made him sit across from a bearde
"Urgh! You dumbass bitch! Why did you do that?" I shrieked, the frustration echoing off the walls of my room. I stood in front of the mirror, glaring at my reflection, as if the girl staring back at me was someone else—someone who deserved all the blame."What were you thinking?" I muttered, my voice dripping with self-reproach. The memory of what I’d done to Archer replayed in my mind like a broken record.I tore my gaze away from the mirror, my eyes scanning the chaotic mess that was my wardrobe. Clothes were strewn everywhere—silk blouses crumpled over designer skirts, heels tossed haphazardly on the floor. I needed to clear my head, and I knew exactly how to do it."Gosh, I need to get out of here," I mumbled, rifling through the racks of clothes in search of something that screamed power and confidence. What better way to erase the memory of my embarrassment than with a shopping spree? Retail therapy always worked wonders, didn’t it?Sighing, I glanced at my reflection in the fu
Katrina.“They wouldn’t just leave. They wouldn’t…” Archer’s voice was barely audible, as if he couldn’t quite believe the words himself. His eyes were fixed ahead, lost in thoughts I couldn’t reach.I stepped closer, trying to offer some comfort, but he moved away, the distance between us growing. “I need to go and see our house,” he muttered, his voice strained.“I’ll go with you,” I said softly, knowing he didn’t have to face this alone.The drive to the Madsun Pack was heavy with silence. Archer sat beside me, stiff, his gaze locked on the passing trees but seeing none of them. I wanted to say something, but the weight of his past hung too thick between us.When we arrived, the house looked like it had been forgotten by time. Rusted metal lined the once-sturdy fence, and weeds choked the front yard. The windows, now dark and cracked, seemed to stare at us like empty eyes. I felt a chill crawl up my spine. Archer’s steps faltered as we approached, his breath coming in short, uneve
The thumbs-up from Katrina made me feel like I could breathe again, even in a place like this. It was such a small thing, really, but damn, it was like she was telling me without words, "You've got this." I smiled—couldn’t help it—and gave her a quick nod before the guards led me back inside. The sound of the doors slamming shut behind me was usually like nails in my brain, but today? Today, it didn’t feel as heavy.The cafeteria was its usual mess of noise and clattering trays. I grabbed my food—if you could call it that—and found a seat. Barely a minute in, and Lucifer leaned over, grinning like he’d just won the lottery.“Wow, your lawyer looks young and she’s good at handling your case! I’m so envious of you!”I chuckled, shaking my head, but before I could say anything, another guy, Damon, piped up.“I heard she’s the one who paid off the rest of your fees too. Must be nice, huh?”“Yeah, guess I got lucky.” I tried to sound casual, but it was more than luck. That girl really c
Archer.Years rotting in prison had changed me. The first week tasted like hell. I’d heard the rumors—living with real criminals wouldn’t be easy, and they were right. The moment they found out my sentence had been reduced to ten years, it became a game of survival.They didn’t like it. They didn’t like me.I was always trapped in some dark, secluded corner. The punches came in waves, followed by bruises so deep they felt permanent. My body almost gave out after my regular trips in and out of the prison clinic. That was the first few weeks, though—back when I still cared about my fate.But now? Now they treated me like a king. After I killed their Alpha in a duel, no one dared to touch me. Respect came swift, like blood flowing from a fresh wound.No one visited me, though. Not once. Trial after trial, I waited, hoping—maybe—Alpha Steven or Damien would come, give me a chance to break their faces, even for a moment. Just once.So when the guard stopped by, face hidden under his robe
“Let me explain myself, Katrina!” I stared at Damien, my chest tight with anger, disbelief swirling in my head. He was kneeling in front of me, like that would fix everything. Like his regret would magically erase the hell he put Archer through.“It was my fault!" Damien's voice cracked. "I let my father do it because it’s for my welfare! I know it was selfish to put Archer in prison instead of me.”My heart pounded. He looked at me like he was about to shatter, but I didn’t care. My blood boiled. Archer had suffered because of this—because of him."I took advantage of our similar face and body!" he confessed, his words spilling out in desperation. "But you know what’s more fucked up?! That fucking bastard is my brother! He’s my father’s missing biological son, Katrina. We’re twins!”I froze. My brain couldn’t process what he was saying fast enough. "What...?" My voice barely came out as a whisper. "Archer is... what?"“Alpha Steven’s son. My twin,” he repeated, his head hanging low
“This is insane! How are you not in prison?!” My voice trembled, but I shoved down the fear, stepping forward, eyes narrowing. “I know Alpha Steven can pull strings, but I saw you on the TV. There’s no way you walked out of that. What did you do, hire a doppelganger?!”Damien’s smirk was infuriating. He leaned in closer, too close, his breath hot against my face. His eyes gleamed, wild and untethered, like a man unraveling at the seams. “You were right,” he said, his voice dripping with smug satisfaction.My heart pounded, and my fists clenched at my sides. His presence felt suffocating, but I held my ground. The air between us crackled with tension. He knew exactly how to push me, how to make me question everything. But I wasn’t going to let him win.“Fuck you!” I spat, voice rising. “You don’t feel any shame? No guilt for what you did?”"You think I haven’t felt guilt?" His voice cracked, an edge of hysteria creeping in. "Since I’ve been hiding in the U.S., I haven't slept right! Ev
Katrina.“We’re officially bad blood with the Smiths family,” my father’s voice boomed through the room, the words chilling me to my core. “Anyone caught dealing with them... will be punished by me.”I stood at the back, arms crossed, trying to ignore the heavy tension swirling around the mansion. My father’s fury was palpable, his eyes still dark with rage from the attack. The memory of him lying there, blood pooling on the ground after being struck in the head, was still too fresh. And for what? For helping Archer.The Smiths wouldn’t get away with this. Not anymore.I gripped my phone tighter, pacing the length of my room, my mind racing. Damien and Daphne. They had to be behind this. My gut screamed at me that Archer was with them—whether he wanted to be or not.I pressed the call button again, my hands shaking with a mix of fear and frustration. Ring. Ring. Straight to voicemail. Again.“Come on, Daphne. Pick up.” My voice cracked, and I cursed under my breath.I needed answers.
To hear that I am Alpha Steven’s biological son is insane.I don’t fucking believe him. Damien is my brother? No way. He’s a murderer. He insisted on joining a fucking illegal street race, and it killed an innocent woman. She had a baby in her cart. I didn’t know who they were, but I felt sorry for her family.And now I’m the one paying for his crime.I had no choice. I had to act like Damien in prison. It was the only way to keep the pack from falling apart, but it felt like I was the one falling to pieces. He held me captive, threw me into this secluded room with nothing but white walls. They’d already forced me into an orange jumpsuit, marking me as a prisoner. And slowly, I was losing it.“This is fucking crazy. Come on, Arch. Think about something!” I muttered, pacing back and forth. The room felt like it was closing in, my footsteps echoing off the walls like a taunt.Then the door creaked open, and there he stood. Damien.My pulse spiked. All the anger, the frustration, the g
Archer.I woke up to the taste of iron in my mouth, blinking against the glare of a single bare bulb hanging overhead. My wrists were tied tight behind me, cutting into my skin as the chair creaked beneath my weight. I was abducted. It has been seven days already after our supposed date with Katrina. These men only gave me food and water. I didn’t know what they want. Escaping wasn’t the best option either because I want to know who’s their fucking leader.“Well, well, look who decided to join us.” It didn’t take long for me to recognize one of the voices in the background. The leader stepped into the light. He yanked off his ski mask, revealing a face I’d punched more times than I cared to count. The same guy from the convenience store—one of the drunk idiots who thought they could hurt Katrina. He smiled like he was on top of the world.“You think you’re a fucking Alpha now, huh?” He leaned in, his breath hot and rancid. “You couldn’t beat us then, and you sure as hell can’t now.
It had been a week since Archer ditched our date night. For the first three days, I was furious—angry even. But as the days passed, and still no texts or calls from him, my anger shifted into something else—worry.My thoughts were preoccupied with what happened with Damien, too. Every channel, every article—it was all about Damien. His name plastered on the screen, tied to an illegal street car race. My heart dropped when I read about the crash. An innocent woman and her child... gone. I was angry at him, furious for putting himself in that situation. For making that choice.The case was still ongoing. Alpha Steven hadn’t held a press conference yet, and everything just felt... off.I was sitting in the living room, my eyes glued to the TV as the reporter droned on about the details. My mother, clearly tired of it, grabbed the remote and turned the screen off with a click.“If anyone asks if you’re involved with Damien, tell them you’ve cut him off,” she said sharply, not looking at m