KAIThe subtle rise and fall of her chest told me she was still fast asleep, her little snores being overshadowed by the beeping sound of the hospital equipment.I gently lifted her head, rearranging her pillow, letting her head softly fall back.Stray strands of hair had escaped her loose ponytail and littered her face, scrunching it up ever so lightly as the hair danced on the tip of her nose.I tucked it behind her ear, taking a moment to admire the beauty- her beauty.His breath caught in his throat as her eyes fluttered open ever so briefly, the white hospital light reflecting off the blue of them.She turned in the large bed and was fast asleep again, her chest still maintaining its rhythm.I stood up, arranging my slacks and smoothening my shirt as I lowered myself, gently pressing a kiss to her forehead–which faintly tasted of lavender– and trailing it down to the tip of her nose.I cradled her petite face i
BELLAMy body was healed—no more bruises, no more gashes—but the scars on my pride and the questions swirling in my mind remained. The yacht sabotage wasn’t an accident. Someone had tried to kill me, and every instinct screamed one name: Layla.I knew she had something to do with it. She always hated me and every single time we met, she managed to prove that. The conviction drummed in my heart. She had to be the one. But if she was, how could she manage it on her own?She was the only one that had something to gain the most from my death so her motives weren't a problem. It was how.Her smugness, her hostility, her constant presence near Luna Olive—it all pointed to her involvement. Today, I would get the answers I needed, no matter what.The hotel where my mother was staying stood like a gleaming fortress, its pristine marble walls and gold accents reflecting the morning light. I entered the lobby, my boots clicking softly against the polished floors, ignoring the curious glances fro
Kai’s room was dimly lit, the heavy curtains drawn against the afternoon sun. I paced the floor as I recounted my confrontation with Layla to him, the adrenaline from the exchange still coursing through me.My hands clenched and unclenched at my sides as I replayed every word, every insult she had thrown at me, and her subtle slip about the speed boat.She was behind it or had something to do with it, I was sure.Kai listened intently, his sharp amber eyes following my movements. His presence was steady and grounding, even as the storm inside me raged. When I finally finished, he leaned back in his chair, his brow furrowed in thought.“She knew too much,” I said, my voice tight. “There’s no other explanation. Layla was involved. But how? How could she have tampered with the speed boat?” Evil people could always achieve anything, especially someone like Layla.Kai steepled his fingers, his expression grave. “She couldn’t have done it alone. Sabotaging something as complex as a sipped b
Max.I sat on the edge of my bed, staring blankly at the wall as the memories flooded my mind. Bella. My Bella. The one who got away.Why didn't I take her as my mate when I had the chance? Why did I let Layla deceive me?I thought back to the day I met Bella. Her sparkling eyes, her bright smile, her infectious laugh. I was drawn to her like a magnet. But I was young, foolish, and blinded by my own ego.Layla, with her cunning words and seductive charm, had manipulated me into believing Bella wasn't the rightful heir to our family's legacy. She convinced me that Bella was inferior, that she didn't deserve to be part of my family.But the truth was far from it. Bella was the one the quadruplets loved and cherished more. They saw something in her that I didn't - her kindness, her compassion, her strength.I remembered the way the quadruplets would gather around Bella, listening to her stories, playing with her hair. They adored her, and she l
BELLAAs I settled into the familiar comfort of our home, surrounded by my brothers, I finally felt a sense of ease wash over me. The tension of the past few days began to unravel, and my mind wandered back to the confrontation with Max.His question still lingered in my mind: "Why did you reject me?" I closed my eyes, and suddenly I was back in that moment.I remembered the way Max's eyes had locked onto mine, the way his voice had dripped with entitlement. And then, in an instant, Kai’s fist had connected with Max's face.The sound of the punch still echoed in my mind – a sharp crack that had made me flinch. I recalled the way Kai’s eyes had blazed with anger, the way he'd stood tall, his chest heaving with rage."It's none of your business," Kai had snarled, his voice low and menacing. "You've done enough for her already."The memory of Kai's words, his actions brought a surge of gratitude to my chest. He'd always been m
BELLARuby, the owner of the boutique, held me at arm's length, examining me with a critical eye. "I'm so glad you're here, Bella," she said. "I've been dying to get started on your wedding dress. You're going to be the perfect muse for my new collection."I smiled, feeling a sense of excitement. Ruby and I had met online through social media, and we had quickly become close friends. She was a talented designer, and I had fallen in love with her designs. I had already decided to wear one of her special creations for my wedding."I'm so glad to be here, Ruby," I said. "But actually, I just came to get Kai's measurements for his suit. I've already decided on my dress."Ruby's face lit up with excitement. "Oh, wonderful! I'll get my best tailor to take Kai's measurements. And of course, we'll make sure his suit is perfect for the big day."As Ruby called over her tailor, I couldn't help but notice the blonde woman who had been rude to me earlier. She was watching us with a mixture of sho
BELLAThe soft glow of moonlight spilled through the gossamer curtains as Kai and I stumbled into his bedroom, our laughter filling the quiet night. Kai’s strong arms encircled me, pulling me close as our lips met in a kiss that was both gentle and fervent. The taste of him was familiar yet intoxicating like the finest wine savored anew. My fingers found the line of his jaw, tracing it before sliding into his dark, unruly hair, pulling him even closer.Our kisses deepened, growing more urgent as they crossed the threshold into the bedroom. My back met the cool softness of the bed, and I felt Kai’s weight as he lowered himself beside me, his hands gliding along the curve of my waist. Each touch felt like a vow, a promise of his devotion, and in his arms, I felt the kind of love poets wrote about but rarely captured in words.The room was filled with the murmurs of our love, our intimacy a quiet storm that swirled around us, wrapping us in warmth. Later, when the passion ebbed, we lay e
BELLAThe sound of Mabel’s voice sliced through the air like a dagger, halting the ceremony in its tracks. All the warmth, the joy, the elation of the moment evaporated, leaving an icy tension behind.“I object!” she had said, her voice ringing with authority and venom.At first, I couldn’t even process it. My head turned instinctively, searching for her face in the crowd. And there she was, standing in the grand doorway of the hall, her figure backlit by the fading afternoon sun. The train of her crimson gown swept the floor like a river of blood, but it wasn’t her dramatic entrance that held me captive. It was the boy standing at her side.He was small, maybe five or six years old, his dark curls wild and unkempt. But it was his eyes that made my breath catch in my throat—storm-gray eyes, the exact shade as Kai.I didn't get what was happening. What was she doing her? My throat constricted.Whispers rippled through the crowd like a wave. My chest constricted, a crushing weight press
BELLAI walked back into the pack house, my mind still reeling from the conversation I'd just had with Ralph. We'd been discussing everything that had been happening lately - the attacks, the strange occurrences, my son Ollie's kidnapping... Ralph had tried to reassure me that we'd get through it, that we'd emerge victorious in the end. But I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had been growing inside me.Just as I was starting to process my emotions, my phone rang, shrill in the silence. I glanced at the screen and my heart skipped a beat. It was a video call from Kai."I'm sorry, Ralph," I said, already moving away. "I need to take this."Ralph nodded, his expression understanding. "Go ahead, Bella. We'll talk later."I nodded and answered the call, my heart racing with anticipation. Kai's face appeared on the screen, his eyes locked on mine with an intensity that made my breath catch.Was something wrong?I couldn't shake off
KAII leaned against the stone wall, my arms crossed as I listened to Alpha Luther's concerns about the recent attacks. "We need to increase our patrols and gather more intel on the enemy's movements," Luther said, his voice firm.Lennon nodded in agreement. "I've been thinking the same thing, Alpha. We can't keep reacting to these attacks. We need to take the initiative.""I agree," I said, pushing off the wall. "But we also need to consider the possibility that these attacks are just a diversion. Harper’s smart; she wouldn't launch a full-scale attack without a strategy."Alpha Luther's eyes narrowed. "What are you suggesting, Kai?""I'm saying we need to look deeper," I replied. "What's Harper’s endgame? What's she trying to achieve with these attacks?"Lennon frowned. "You think she's after something specific?""I do," I said. "And I think we need to figure out what that is if we're going to stop her."Alpha Luther rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I see what you're getting at, Kai.
BELLAThe forest stood before me like a black maw, its dense trees weaving a near-impenetrable canopy that blocked out the moonlight. The Ruins Forest. Even saying the name aloud was enough to send shivers down the spine of most wolves.Abandoned for a century, it had become forbidden ground-a cursed reminder of the blood spilled during the pack wars.I stared into its depths, the diary clutched tightly in my hands. Ollie's notes had been clear: this was the first location to investigate. Still, a voice in the back of my mind whispered, Evelynn wouldn't put her base in such an obvious place.My wolf stirred uneasily. You don't have to do this alone.I shook my head, setting the diary into my pack. I'll be fine. Shifting into my wolf form, I padded forward, ears perked and senses on high alert.The stench hit me immediately--a vile mix of decay and something sour, chemical almost. I paused, my hackles rising as the air grew heavy around me.Every step deeper into the forest felt like e
BELLAThe room was filled with the heavy scent of oak, leather, and tension. The round table in the center was surrounded by the most powerful Alphas in the region, each exuding their own brand of authority. Their voices rose and fell in heated arguments, the weight of their distrust hanging in the air like a thundercloud.Kai and I stood at the head of the table, flanked by Ralph, whose usually calm demeanor had slipped into something more rigid. I could feel Kai’s energy beside me, coiled and ready to strike, and I knew it wouldn’t take much to set him off.“This is ridiculous!” snapped Alpha Conrad, a burly man with graying hair and a perpetual sneer. “You expect us to believe this nonsense about witches and ancient werewolves? Sounds like a convenient excuse to expand your influence, Kai.”“Agreed,” chimed in Alpha Leona, her voice sharp enough to cut. She leaned back in her chair, her arms crossed, her dark eyes fixed on us with open suspicion. “Why should we risk our warriors on
KAIThe tires hummed against the asphalt, their low rumble filling the cabin of the black SUV as we sped down the highway. The road stretched ahead in a seemingly endless ribbon, flanked by dense pine forests on either side. The sunlight filtered through the trees, casting fleeting patterns of light and shadow on the windshield.Lennon was in the passenger seat, fiddling with the GPS like it was a puzzle he couldn’t quite solve. His dark, chestnut hair was a little disheveled from the rush to leave, and his expression hovered between amused and annoyed as he jabbed at the touchscreen.“Tell me again why you’re driving and not letting me?” he asked, finally giving up on the GPS.“Because I have control issues,” I said flatly, glancing at him. “And because the last time you drove according to your sister, you nearly ran the car into a ditch trying to avoid a raccoon.”“That raccoon had a death wish,” Lennon shot back, smirking. “I saved its furry little life.”“And nearly ended ours in
BELLAThe house was unnervingly quiet when Kai and I stepped inside. I couldn’t shake the eerie sense that something vital had been ripped away. The air, usually alive with Ollie’s laughter or the faint strains of his humming, felt cold and stagnant. My heart tightened as I glanced at the small table near the door where he always left his shoes in a messy heap. Empty.Kai’s hand brushed mine as he closed the door behind us, the faint click of the lock echoing through the silence. “The beta said he disappeared during our meeting with Ralph and Amelia,” he murmured, his voice strained, low. I could hear the tight control in his tone, but his fists clenched by his sides told me how much he was holding back. He blamed himself just like I did.After everything Ollie had been through, after knowing he could have everything it was all just snatched away from him like it didn't matter. Like he didn't matter and I…. I just couldn't bear it. I couldn't lose him…. This. Us. What we could have be
BELLAThe morning air was crisp, the kind of cold that bit at your skin and seeped into your bones. The sky was painted in muted grays, heavy clouds hinting at a storm that hadn’t yet arrived. Kai and I walked side by side through the quiet packhouse courtyard, the frost-covered ground crunching softly under our boots.The calmness and trust between us was unspoken but palpable. After last night’s conversation with Ralph and my father and Kai’s help, I managed to slept. My thoughts that had been consumed by Harper, the ancient bloodline, and the vague, looming threat of her growing powe washed away because of him.But now, everything started becoming louder in my head.Kai’s hand brushed against mine, a subtle grounding gesture that reminded me he was there. I gave him a small, grateful glance before refocusing on the task ahead.Ralph and his mate, Luna Amelia, were waiting for us in the main hall. The pack’s alpha an
BELLAThe room felt smaller than usual, the air thick as if the walls themselves were closing in. I sat on the edge of the bed, legs crossed, fingers twisting the hem of my sweater until the fabric was stretched and wrinkled. My chest felt heavy, like a weight was pressing down, making it hard to breathe.Kai stood near the door, leaning against the frame with his arms crossed over his chest. His sharp gaze pinned me in place, silently urging me to speak, but he didn’t push. He never did. That made it harder somehow.“It’s not just the bond,” I murmured, barely able to force the words past the lump in my throat. My voice sounded brittle, as if it might shatter under the strain. “It’s me—what I am.”Kai’s posture softened, his shoulders relaxing as he straightened and took a step toward me. He didn’t rush, but I could feel the concern rolling off him like waves. When he finally sat down beside me,
LAYLA"What are you doing here?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. Fear crept up my spine as Harper's eyes locked onto mine."I heard your wish, Layla," Harper said, their voice low and mysterious. "I heard you wanted to collaborate with the witches, just like Mabel did. And I'm here to grant your wish."My fear began to dissipate, replaced by a spark of hope. Revenge, I thought, my heart racing with anticipation. I wanted revenge against Max, against the pack that had rejected me."Do you really want revenge, Layla?" Harper asked, her eyes glinting in the dim light.I nodded, my voice firm. "Yes, I want revenge."Harper's face broke into a wide smile. She walked over to the bed, placing a hand on my shoulder. A strange sensation washed over me, like I was being sucked into something.And then, everything went dark.When I opened my eyes again, I found myself in a dimly lit room. Fire torches flickered on the walls, cas