~Axel’s POV:I had just concluded a meeting with the pack elders when Ivy stormed through the front door, looking like she had cried for three hours straight. Her eyes were swollen, her nose red and mascara stained her face, leaving rails of the tears she had shed. Seeing her this way tore at my heart and in seconds, I rushed to her. “My love, what happened? Did you encounter trouble? Talk to me?” I gently rubbed her back as I pulled her into my arms.She sniffled and I held her tight, allowing her to cry and sob into my chest, not caring if her tears stained my white shirt.After a while, she pulled away and I noticed the rage in her eyes.“Who did this to you, baby?”“It was her,” She hiccupped. “Cana,”My fingers froze in place, halting the comforting motion they had been rubbing on Ivy’s back. My eyes narrowed and I felt anger rise within me. “Cana did this? She made you cry?”Ivy nodded. “She humiliated me, Axel. Just because of a simple mistake, she…she had me humiliated and
~Zane’s POV:“Alpha De Luca?” There was a gentle knock on the door of my office, followed by the voice of my assistant. “Are you there, Alpha?”“Come in,” I responded, putting aside the file I had been reading. The door opened and in walked Sheila, my assistant, carrying her usual tablet close to her chest. She bowed to greet and I nodded in acknowledgment before asking “Is there something wrong?”“Um, yes,” She walked towards me. “Ms. Vivian called and asked that I inform you that Ms. Cana had quit her position at the restaurant.”My brows creased upon hearing the announcement. “What?”“She said she found a better offer elsewhere.”Lies, I could tell, after all, Cana herself had admitted to being new in this city, there was no way she could have gotten a better offer overnight. Then, did that mean she quit because she didn’t want to be near me?The thought made my heart heavy and out of habit, I took off my reading glasses and pinched the bridge of my nose. Why was Cana trying so
~Axel's POV:I was as angry as a bull when I got back home. How dare those two treat me like I wasn't the alpha of the Manhattan pack. I hadn't expected much from Cana, but Zane, everything about what he did today hit me like a truck. Our packs had been in a no-violence treaty for years. We cooperated and existed like neighboring villages, but now, he had broken that treaty. The bastard had the guts to lay his hand on me and it was all because of Cana. I wasn't sure what type of sorcery she had used on Zane, but I'd be an idiot to sit on my butt and watch her caddy about her wicked plan. "We have to expose her evil deeds and bring her in front of both packs to apologize, only then would she have atoned for the disgrace she caused us today.' My wolf growled and I agreed. That is the best way to handle this situation, I thought as I climbed up the stairs and scoffed as I remembered Zane's words. Yeah right, no Alpha in his right mind would ever accept a mate as useless and weak a
~Cana’s POV:“Alright, now I know I agreed to go along with you, but first, we have to lay down some ground rules,” Pulling out a white piece of paper and grabbing a pen, I took a seat opposite Zane and placed the writing materials on the coffee table in between us. “Ground rules?” He arched his brows and stared at me like I had just said something he never expected to hear from me. “Like what?”“Firstly,” I picked up the pen as I began. “I shall not be forced to do, say, or wear things I am not comfortable with, nor want to do.”After scribbling that down, I paused and glanced in his direction. He nodded once, indicating that he was listening and agreed to my first set of rules. “Secondly,” I resumed writing. “We are not, in any way, shape or form, mates. You’re still betroth, which means whatever it is we have, is just an arrangement. Is that clear?”Zane’s eyes flickered with uncertainty, but he nodded once.“Good. Next, I want a room, preferably the one farthest away from yours
“You!” Callahan hissed and in seconds, I was yanked off the floor by my upper arm. I winced in pain, but Callahan paid no heed and continued.“Who let you in here? How dare you have the guts to step foot in here, huh?”“Let go!” I struggled to free myself, but his grip was firm.“Not until you answer my questions,” He glared down into my eyes with uncalled-for anger and my eyes narrowed. Ever since the first day, I never could understand why he hated me. He saw me for a few seconds and ultimately decided I was a threat to his pack. Now, threat or not, I did not appreciate the way I was being treated. So, ignoring the urge to fight my way out of his grasp like a rogue, I politely asked. “Let go of me, sir. This is highly inappropriate.”Callahan didn’t let go. He only increased the pressure, causing me to cry out in pain, and said the pain was slowly turning into anger, anger that would burst forth at any moment. “Uncle!”Thankfully, Zane’s voice sounded out before that could happ
Cana’s POV: I slept over Zane’s words as he had suggested. Sun down the following day, I made my way towards his room and gently knocked on the door. It only took a few seconds before the door swung open, revealing Zane in a black robe that barely covered his chest and reading glasses. He regarded me for a second, before asking. “Is everything okay?”I quickly averted my gaze from his exposed chest, twiddling with my fingers “Yeah, everything’s fine. I uh…thought about your offer.”“Ah, I see,” Opening his door wider, an obvious invitation into his room, Zane turned around and walked further Into his room. “Come in, let’s discuss more if you want.”I hesitated for a few seconds, before finally following behind him. The scent of his pheromones was stronger, lingering in the air like perfume sprayed fervently. I gulped and felt the pit in my stomach knot funnily, but I decided to ignore it. “So,” He sat opposite me once I had taken my seat, placing his arms on his knees and intertw
Cana’s POV:“A welcoming party?” Zane arched a brow at the new information I had just given him, which had just been given to me by Penelope. I nodded, gathering the files I was meant to turn into H.R.’s office. “Penelope said it’s a ritual, throwing parties for newbies.” I didn’t allow it to show on my face, but the idea of attending a party made me feel excited. I was finally starting a life free of worry, free of the mocking stares of my pack members, and most importantly, free of the fear that haunted me each time I doubted Axel’s love. I breathed out in relief at the thought. God, that type of life sounded blissful and that was the type of life I was going to live starting now. “I’ve never heard of it,” Zane’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I paused and tilted my head in a questioning manner. Was that a joke? Zane had never heard of a party being thrown at his own company. Was he engrossed in his work? Shaking my head, I asked. “What a boss you are.”“So, you’re goin
~Zane’s POV:I stared at the last message Cana had sent. Seated in the driver seat of my car, I glanced up at the location Ashley had sent me, the location where Cana’s party was happening, and wondered if I needed to come here.She seemed to have been having fun, or at least her message said so. So, there wasn’t any danger and any need to be here. Silently, I breathed out a sigh of relief, ready to return home and await Cana’s arrival. But the action was cut short when the sound of the back door, one which I happened to be parked in front of, flew open. It banged against the wall with such force that it instantly grabbed my attention and I was thankful because if it hadn't happened that way, I never would have seen that bastard carrying Cana’s unconscious body out. My heart skipped a beat and anger erupted in the depths of my stomach like blooming flowers. “Hey!” I called out as I stepped out of the car, not even caring to slam the door behind me.Jason, that bastard, froze and
The air was thick with tension as Cana reluctantly made her way to Axel’s private suite as usual. But tonight was different; she didn’t leave Zane's house by 3 am his time each step she took felt heavier than the last, and the weight of Axel’s control pressed down on her. The blackmail hung over her like a dark cloud, and though she despised being summoned, she had no choice but to comply.Axel had requested her presence to “celebrate,” but Cana knew better than to trust his motivations. She clutched the straps of her bag tightly, her mind racing with strategies to deflect his probing questions and maintain her composure.When she arrived, the door was slightly ajar. She knocked gently before stepping in.“Ah, Cana,” Axel’s voice was warm and inviting, but she could see the calculating glint in his eyes. He gestured toward a table laden with expensive wine and delicacies. “Join me. Tonight, we celebrate new beginnings.”Cana forced a small smile and moved cautiously to take a seat acr
Zane sat alone on the edge of the master bed, his eyes fixed on the glow of the bedside lamp. The shadows danced on the walls as his thoughts went back to Axel. Every time he tried to bury the past, every time he tried to forget, the memory of Axel attacking Cana while he was at the diner was still fresh in his mind; well, at least, that was what he believed from Cana. That moment had made his hatred wor and cemented his plan to destroy Axel piece by piece.But patience was key. The shares he secretly held were more than just a financial asset; they were leverage. Selling them now would give him the funds he needed to launch his next move without exposing himself. Axel had no idea who the real shareholder was, and Zane intended to keep it that way.A sharp knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.“Come in,” Zane called out, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside.Mart stepped in, his face a mix of weariness and curiosity. He had been running errands for Zane all day and had th
Axel’s POVThe dim light of the early morning entered through the curtains as I laid back against the plush pillows, my eyes fixed on Cana. She moved quietly around the room, gathering her things, avoiding even the slightest glance in my direction. I could still feel the lingering warmth of her presence, and I couldn’t help but smirk at the thought of how conflicted she must feel.“Enjoyed yourself tonight?” I asked, my tone dripping with mockery.Her shoulders stiffened at the sound of my voice, but she didn’t bother to turn around. She continued dressing as if I wasn’t even there.“Don’t contact me ever again,” she muttered coldly, picking up her belongings and heading toward the door.I chuckled softly as I propped myself up on one elbow, watching her walk away.“I’ve told you this so many times; your words don’t match what you showed me tonight, Cana,” I said, more to myself than to her.She slammed the door behind her without another word, leaving me alone in the luxurious pentho
Lionel leaned back in his chair, his fingers drumming on the polished surface of the conference table. The quiet hum of the room was broken only by the occasional rustle of paper from Larz and Akam, his two closest allies. Both sat opposite him, their postures tense and their eyes expectant. Lionel exhaled slowly.“That’s the plan for now,” Lionel said, his voice low but filled with determination.Larz, the larger of the two, leaned forward, his brow furrowed. “So we just wait? Until she’s... pregnant?”Lionel’s lips twisted into a smirk. “Unfortunately, yes. That’s Axel’s focus right now.”Akam shook his head, his fingers tapping impatiently on the table. “And what about Zane? We all know Axel doesn’t care about him. He’s leaving him to rot, but Zane’s still a problem—for you”Lionel’s smirk widened. “Zane is no longer a problem. He’s a pawn. Broken, desperate, clinging to what little he has left. Axel may not care, but I do. Zane’s pack will be mine soon enough.”Larz raised an eyeb
The sunlight passed through the hospital room windows, casting a soft glow on the e walls. Cana sat on the edge of her bed, the hospital sheets tangled at her feet. She was fully healed, her supernatural abilities healing the wounds overnight. Yet, the bruises on her soul felt raw and unrelenting.Zane’s voice drifted from the hallway as he spoke to the doctor. She strained to catch their conversation, hoping to discern whether her story from the night before had been convincing.“She’s recovering well,” the doctor said. There was a pause, and Cana’s heart raced as if it sensed trouble.“What concerns me,” the doctor continued, “is that her injuries... they appear to be self-inflicted. The cuts, the angles—it’s highly unusual. You may want to speak with her about—”“That’s enough,” Zane interrupted sharply.Cana’s stomach twisted. She couldn’t see his face, but his tone betrayed his unease.Moments later, Zane entered the room, his expression guarded. “Ready to go home?” he asked, his
Zane’s absence was already gnawing at her nerves, but Cana held steady. She could handle Axel; she had faced greater dangers and come out alive. Yet, as soon as the door opened, and Axel stepped into the house, Cana felt her pulse quicken with an unease that she hadn’t anticipated. Cana tried to reach Zane telepathically, stretching her senses to find any trace of his energy. Nothing. It was as if a thick, impenetrable fog blocked her mind. Panic began to claw its way up her spine as Axel took a step closer, his presence filling the room with a predatory calm.With a deep breath, she let her claws emerge. “Axel,” she warned, her voice low and firm. “Get out.”Instead of reacting, Axel smiled, a calm, almost indulgent smile that sent chills racing down her spine. Just before she lunged at him, he let out an invisible wave of Alpha pheromones. The scent hit Cana instantly, disarming her defenses and clouding her mind. She stopped in her tracks, caught off guard by the intoxicating arom
Zane had never felt this powerless. Each day that passed, the emptiness of his bank accounts and the silence from his contacts made the reality hit harder: everything he had built was gone. The wealth, influence, and respect he had taken for granted had been stolen in an instant, leaving him with nothing but the remnants of his former life. No matter how many times he replayed it in his mind, the betrayal by Leno gnawed at him, a deep, festering wound. He knew Leno was the only one who could’ve orchestrated such a calculated attack, but without solid evidence linking him to the transfer, Zane’s hands were tied. Cana tried to offer comfort, but her efforts were bittersweet. She’d offered financial help, and while Zane appreciated her kindness, the thought of depending on her chipped away at his pride. Cana wasn’t just his partner; she was his equal, and he didn’t want her to feel burdened by his downfall. He felt a huge guilt each time she reassured him, knowing that she, too, was af
Cana woke in the morning light, feeling the comforting warmth of Zane’s presence beside her. For a fleeting moment, everything felt normal. She looked over at him, his face softened by sleep, his hand still loosely holding hers. The memories of the previous night lingered—a shared sense of belonging that had finally brought them both some peace. She allowed herself a small, contented smile, savoring the memory of his touch and the quiet they had found together. Reluctantly, she slipped out of bed, careful not to disturb him, and walked to the kitchen. After the chaos of recent days, she wanted to do something simple, something grounding, like cooking breakfast. But as she opened the fridge, a twinge of disappointment set in. It was nearly empty, save for a lonely jug of milk and a few eggs. She checked the cabinets—mostly bare. It was clear that, in the midst of everything with Axel, Zane hadn’t had the chance to stock up. The sound of footsteps stirred her from her thoughts. She lo
Lionel stumbled into the shadowed warehouse, each step scraping along the concrete as blood dripped steadily from his wounds. He reached for his neck, hissing in pain, and then sank into the nearest chair. The memory of Cana’s fierce power—the blackened eyes, the crawling darkness in her veins, and her merciless strength—was burned into his mind. What had happened to her? She was supposed to be weakened, practically broken. Instead, he had narrowly escaped with his life.As he breathed heavily, two hellhounds approached from the far end of the room. Akam’s gaze assessed him with an amused, unimpressed expression, while Larz stood quietly beside him, hands folded as he observed Lionel’s injuries.“Well, well,” Akam said, folding his arms and letting his voice cut through the silence. “You look like you’ve been through hell.”Lionel glared up at him, biting back his retort, though the pain in his body made it hard to keep his calm. “It’s not funny.”Akam shrugged, giving Larz a sidelong