Rohan's POVI trudged through the forest, my heart heavy with shame. Valerie's rejection still stung. Coming home was supposed to be a refuge, but Diana's cold shoulder made it feel like a prison.My mate, the one person who should comfort me, ignored my every move. Every step. She didn't even spare me a glance. It was disturbing.But I knew better than to beg her. I was the Alpha. I begged no one. Superiors don't beg.Yet, the silence between us gnawed at me. Diana's disdain was palpable, a constant reminder of my failure.I approached our den, my eyes scanning the area. Diana sat by the fire, her back to me."Rohan," she said, her voice flat."Diana," I replied, my tone neutral.The silence stretched out like an abyss.I knew I'd hurt her, pursuing Valerie despite our bond. But I couldn't help myself. Valerie had been my obsession.Now, I faced the consequences.Diana's indifference cut deeper than any rejection.I sat beside her, my eyes locked on the flames."We need to talk," I s
Rohan's POVI sat at my desk, staring blankly at the papers in front of me. As Alpha, there was always work to be done, but my mind kept drifting back to Valerie. How could she choose Diavolo over me? Even Helios would have been a better choice. The thought stung, reminding me of the pain I felt watching her leave with my children. Just left.The door opened, and Alex, my Beta, entered. "Rohan, the pack's stability and welfare reports are in," he said, breaking the silence. I nodded, forcing my attention to the task at hand."Proceed," I said, trying to focus. Alex began, "Everything's in order. Hunting parties are successful, and our borders are secure." I listened intently, my mind still wandering."Rohan, is everything okay?" Alex asked, concern etched on his face. I hesitated, unsure how to answer. "It's Valerie," I muttered, her name barely audible.Alex's expression softened. "I know it's tough, but you have Diana," he said gently. I sighed, feeling guilty. "Diana deserves bette
Diana's POVIt's nice when someone says they love you, but words are hollow without action. I don't want romance or sweet nothings; I want to feel love. Real, genuine love. And Rohan can't give me that. Not now, maybe not ever.As I stand here, looking at him, I see the ghosts of Valerie's memory haunting his eyes. She's gone, in another city, with another pack, and my heart aches knowing she has what I desire most - Rohan's children.Life must be getting better for her, while mine is crumbling. And whose fault is that? Mine. Mine for not being able to bear a child.Rohan says he loves me, but it's tainted by his longing for Valerie. I see it in the way he looks at me, the way he hesitates when we're together. His heart belongs to her, and I'm just a substitute."Why can't you love me fully?" I ask myself.Rohan's words echo in my mind: "You're enough, Diana. Just as you are." But I know it's a lie. I'm not enough. If I were, he wouldn't still be pining for Valerie.I feel trapped, st
Diana's POVI stood tall, surveying the bustling pack grounds as Alpha Queen. My duties kept me occupied, but my mind wandered to Rohan. He'd been distant lately, lost in his thoughts."Your Majesty?" My beta, Rachel, approached with a stack of documents.I forced a smile. "Yes, Rachel?""Sign-offs for the upcoming trade negotiations," she explained.I nodded, focusing on the task.As I worked, my thoughts drifted back to Rohan. I longed to see him, but doubts crept in. Did he want to see me? Or would my presence only remind him of his pain?The memory of our last argument lingered. His eyes, once bright with affection, now seemed to hold a mixture of guilt and longing – for Valerie.My heart ached, but I pushed on, tackling each task with determination."Alpha Queen?" A young pack member approached."Yes?""There's a dispute between the eastern and western factions. They request your presence."I nodded. "I'll settle this."As I walked toward the disputed area, Ashanti's "Foolish" hu
Helios's POVI lay on my bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. My mind wandered, consumed by thoughts of Valerie.What was she doing right now? Was she fine? Did she ever think of me?The questions swirled in my head like a vortex, pulling me under. I couldn't shake the longing that had taken up residence in my chest.Would she ever come back? Was she happy wherever she was? Did she miss me?My thoughts drifted further, lost in wonderland. It was almost laughable – here I was, pining for someone who should be beside me, but wasn't.Valerie had left an aching void in my heart. I wished she'd return, fill that emptiness.Just come to me, I silently pleaded.My gaze fell on the empty space beside me, a constant reminder of her absence.Why did she have to leave? Why did she have to take my heart with her?The silence surrounding me seemed oppressive, heavy with unspoken words.I sighed, my thoughts looping back to Valerie.When would I see her again? Would she ever love me the way I loved
Tasha's POVI gazed at Helios, his words washing over me like a soothing melody. But my focus wasn't on his words – it was on his face.Those piercing eyes, the sharp jawline, and those lips... Oh, those lips.As he spoke, I found myself staring at his mouth, mesmerized by the movement of his lips. They curved upward slightly, a gentle smile playing on his features.Everything he said entered my left ear and exited the right, lost in the haze of my infatuation.He's so beautiful.My heart skipped a beat as his eyes locked onto mine, sparkling with warmth.I forced myself to nod, pretending to follow his conversation."Uh-huh," I murmured, my voice barely audible.Helios didn't seem to notice my distraction. He continued talking, sharing his thoughts and feelings.I listened, or rather, pretended to. My attention remained fixed on his face, drinking in every feature.The way his hair curled slightly at the nape of his neck.The gentle laugh lines etched around his eyes.Those lips.My
Helios's POVI lay on the bed, Tasha still on top of me, her eyes locked onto mine. The kiss still lingered on my lips, its impact reverberating through my entire being. Disappointment washed over me - all this in one night? Tasha, my friend, my confidante, had crossed a line. Friends don't kiss, not like that.But... Tasha. She was different. She should stop this, I thought. She should stop making me feel this way. I wished she would. Yet, a part of me didn't. I wanted to explore this newfound tension between us.Tasha's gaze remained fixed on mine, her expression unreadable. Were we still friends? Or something more? I couldn't tell. All I knew was that nothing would ever be the same again."Tasha..." I whispered, unsure what to say. My voice was laced with uncertainty, with a mix of emotions I couldn't quite process. She smiled softly, her eyes sparkling. And in that moment, I knew I was lost.Lost in the depths of her eyes. Lost in the uncertainty of our relationship. Lost in the d
Tasha's POVI stared blankly at my bedroom ceiling, replaying the events of the night. Helios's rejection stung more than I cared to admit. I thought it would work. I really thought it would. How could he dismiss me so easily? Didn't he feel the spark between us? His words echoed in my mind: "We're just friends." Just friends.Frustration brewed inside me, and I tossed and turned, unable to shake off the feeling of disappointment. Tomorrow, I needed advice. Tracy would know what to do. I made a mental note to meet her at the café at 2 pm. With a plan forming, I threw off the covers and walked to the window.The night air caressed my skin as I sighed, my eyes drifting toward the trees. And then, I saw him. A wolf perched on a branch, staring directly at my room. At first, its eyes glowed red in the darkness, sending a shiver down my spine. But as I gazed deeper, they transformed into a piercing yellow.Who was this creature? Its eyes seemed to hold a deep intensity, as if watching me w
Tasha's POVI fidgeted with my phone, Helios's text still burning in my mind. "Stuck in Alpha's congress meeting. Miss you."My gaze drifted to Alex, chatting with Tracy. Why wasn't he jealous? Didn't he care that I was practically swooning over Helios?I seethed inwardly. How dare he make me jealous and then act nonchalant?That's exactly why I was flaunting Helios's attention – to provoke Alex. I wanted him to crave me, to desire me as much as I desired him.And Helios. Oh, Helios. My love for him ran deep, but my attraction to Alex refused to fade.Why choose between them? I wanted both.That's why I'd instructed Tracy to act reserved and calm around Alex. It was all part of the plan."Tracy, darling, don't flirt with Alex," I'd said earlier. "Let's see how he reacts."Tracy had raised an eyebrow but agreed.Now, watching Alex and Tracy's polite conversation, I smiled to myself. This was perfect.Amber's sudden arrival ruined my fun. She draped herself over Alex, flirting shameless
Alex's POVAs Tasha disappeared into the crowd, Tracy turned to me with a warm smile. "So, Beta Alex, what do you like to do in your free time?"I appreciated her effort to distract me from Tasha's departure. "I enjoy reading, mostly historical fiction. How about you?"Tracy's eyes sparkled. "I'm a fan of mystery novels. I love solving puzzles."Our conversation flowed effortlessly, covering everything from books to music. Tracy was easy to talk to, her thoughts engaging.As we spoke, I couldn't help but notice the subtle differences between Tracy and Tasha. Tracy's calm demeanor, her sharp wit, and introspective nature drew me in, but my heart still belonged to Tasha.Tracy seemed to sense my distraction, her gaze piercing. "You care deeply for Tasha, don't you?"I hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. But Tracy's kind expression put me at ease. "Yes, I do."Tracy's nod was understanding. "She's lucky to have you as a friend, Beta Alex. You're loyal and kind."Her words warmed me, bu
Alex's POVI navigated through the crowd, my mind still reeling from the emotions that threatened to surface earlier. Visiting Tasha seemed like a good distraction, despite the ache it brought. We were friends, after all. I'd long accepted her love for Helios, even if it hurt.I approached Tasha's gathering, her bright smile greeted me. "Beta Alex!" she exclaimed, rushing to hug me."I'm happy to see you too, Tasha," I replied, returning the hug with a calm, reserved nature.Tasha's enthusiasm was infectious, but her friend caught my attention. The curly-haired girl beside her radiated a different energy – poised, confident, and captivating."Tracy, this is Beta Alex," Tasha said, gesturing to her friend.Tracy's eyes sparkled as she extended her hand. "Nice to meet you, Beta Alex.""Nice to meet you, Tracy," I replied, shaking her hand. Her firm grip and direct gaze impressed me.Tasha bubbled over with excitement, recounting stories of her adventures with Helios. I listened attentiv
Rohan's POVI took Diana's hand, and together we stepped onto the raised platform, surveying the sea of faces before us. The crowd quieted, anticipating our announcement."My dear friends and fellow Alphas and pack members" I began, my voice carrying across the gathering. "Tonight, we gather to celebrate a momentous occasion."Diana's smile sparkled beside me."Councilor Evelyn has found her mate," I continued, "and we're honored to witness their union."The crowd erupted into applause, cheers, and whistles."But that's not all," Diana said, her voice melodious. "We're also celebrating new life."She placed a hand on her belly, and I wrapped mine around hers."I'm thrilled to announce that our pack will soon welcome a new addition," I declared.The crowd's cheers intensified, congratulatory shouts filling the air."Diana, our beloved queen, is expecting," I said, beaming with pride.As the crowd's enthusiasm reached a fever pitch, we announced, "Let the celebrations begin!"With our w
Rohan's POVI stood on the training grounds, observing our pack's warriors prepare for the upcoming Pack Riot. Alex stood beside me, his eyes scanning the action as we watched our pack members clash in a flurry of punches and kicks. Amber was unstoppable, taking down her opponent with ease."Amber's a force to be reckoned with," Alex said, nodding toward the skilled fighter."Unsurprisingly," I replied, watching Amber land a flawless kick. Alex chimed in, offering words of encouragement and strategic advice to the trainees."Remember, use your surroundings to your advantage!" he called out. "Keep your movements fluid, anticipate their attacks!" His input was invaluable, and I was grateful for his expertise.As the training session concluded, I called out, "Gather around!" The pack converged, eager for my next words. "Tonight's full moon marks a special occasion – a blissful party for our kind." Cheers erupted, and I continued, "We'll host neighboring packs, and our lands will resound
Helios's POVAs I walked Tasha to her room, I sensed her unease. Despite her attempts to hide it, her tension was palpable. I knew better than to pry, but I couldn't help feeling concerned.We approached the living room, and Tracy came into view. She sat on the armchair, legs crossed, clipping her nails with precision. Her eyes sparkled as she noticed us."Hey, girl!" Tracy exclaimed, dropping her nail clippers and rushing over to Tasha.The two friends embraced, their girly squeals filling the room. Tracy bounced up and down, her blonde ponytail bobbing."Tasha, darling! I've missed you!" Tracy gushed.Tasha forced a smile, but it didn't reach her eyes.Tracy didn't seem to notice, chattering on about her day. However, as she pulled back to examine Tasha's face, her expression turned serious."Hey, what's wrong?" Tracy asked.Tasha shrugged. "Later, girl. I have to rest."With that, she turned and headed upstairs.Tracy's eyes met mine, both of us disappointed."Is everything okay?"
Diana's POVI sank into the plush bed, resting my weary head on the soft pillows. My temples throbbed with a dull ache, a constant reminder of the stress eating away at me. Pregnancy wasn't supposed to be this exhausting. Every day felt like a battle, my body wrestling with fatigue and anxiety.Thoughts swirled in my mind like a vortex. Rohan's Alpha Council meeting dragged on, and I couldn't shake the feeling of unease. What if something happened to him? What if he got hurt?I rubbed my swollen belly, trying to soothe my racing thoughts. Our little one kicked and squirmed, sensing my tension. I took a deep breath, focusing on the gentle movements.But my mind refused to quiet. Alex's behavior worried me. His distant attitude, the mysterious phone calls... Rohan assured me everything was fine, but I knew better. Alex was hiding something.The door creaked open, and Rohan walked in, his expression tired but reassuring."Hey," he said softly, dropping onto the bed beside me.I smiled we
Tasha's POVI excused myself from the gathering, seeking refuge in the quiet hallway. I pulled out my phone and dialed Tracy's number."Hey girl!" Tracy answered on the first ring."Hey!" I replied, relieved to hear her cheerful voice."How's the party?" Tracy asked."It's...complicated," I said, hesitating.But before I could dive into the drama, Tracy squealed, "Oh, guess what? Julian took me to the cutest Italian place last night! He's totally the one!"I laughed, happy for my friend. "That sounds amazing! How's Julian?"Tracy gushed about Julian's charms, and I listened, momentarily forgetting my own worries.When Tracy finally paused for breath, I filled her in on the evening's events – Alex, the blonde woman, and Rohan."Whoa, slow down!" Tracy exclaimed. "A blonde woman? With Alex?"I nodded, even though she couldn't see me. "Yeah, and she's gorgeous. They seem close."Tracy's tone turned serious. "Tasha, be careful. You don't know what's going on between them.""I know," I adm
Tasha's POVI wove through the crowd, determination guiding me toward Helios. His piercing gaze locked onto mine as I approached, the intensity making my pulse quicken."Where have you been?" Helios asked, his deep voice laced with concern and a hint of possessiveness. "I've been searching everywhere. I thought something happened to you.""I was just looking for you," I replied, evading the truth, trying to sound nonchalant despite the turmoil brewing inside.Helios' eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing. "I saw you coming out of a secluded area," he stated, his tone firm but laced with a hint of jealousy. "Who was with you? Was it that Alex guy?"My heart skipped a beat. How did he know? And why did he assume Alex guy?"Let's dance," I suggested, attempting to divert the topic, hoping the music and movement would diffuse the tension.But Helios wasn't having it. His grip on my elbow tightened, his fingers wrapping around me like a vice."Tell me, Tasha," he pressed, his voice low and urge