"You’re really dragging me out here at dawn?" Jake grumbled, sliding into the passenger seat of Lucas’s car. "You do know normal people are still in bed, right?" Lucas glanced at him, his expression unreadable but his grip on the steering wheel firm. "Normal people don’t have their mate vanish into thin air." "Fair point," Jake muttered, rubbing his face. He leaned back in the seat, still groggy but unwilling to leave Lucas to face this alone. The early-morning mist clung to the ground as the car hummed down the highway. Silence settled between them, broken only by the steady rhythm of the tires on asphalt. ---"You think we’ll find anything at her pack?" Jake finally asked, turning to Lucas. "I don’t know," Lucas admitted. "But it’s the only lead we have. If she’s not there, maybe someone will know where she went." Jake raised an eyebrow. "You think her pack would help us? Especially if she doesn’t want to be found?" "If they don’t, we’ll figure out another way," Lucas
"Lawrence’s a ghost, I’m telling you," Jake said, leaning back in his seat and drumming his fingers on the armrest. "Whoever this guy is, he’s been playing the system for years. No one’s ever been able to pin him down." Lucas kept his eyes on the road, his jaw tight. "And you think Lila knows him?" "Think about it," Jake replied, his tone serious despite the casual posture. "She’s sharp, she’s secretive, and she’s clearly got her own agenda. If anyone could have ties to a guy like Lawrence, it’s her." Lucas didn’t respond right away. His thoughts were already tangled with questions about Lila—where she was, what she was hiding, and whether she’d ever willingly come back to him. Adding a rogue hacker into the mix only complicated things further. "It makes sense, doesn’t it?" Jake pressed. "I mean, how else could she stay off the radar like this? If Lawrence’s helping her, she’s got access to resources we can’t even imagine." "It doesn’t change anything," Lucas said finally, hi
Lucas POV "We’re going back," I said, my voice firm as I gripped the steering wheel. Jake raised an eyebrow, slouched in the passenger seat with his feet propped up on the dash. "To Moon Creek? You think the alpha's magically going to have a change of heart overnight?" "We didn’t ask the right questions last time," I replied, trying to mask the edge of desperation in my tone. "And we didn’t talk to the Alpha directly. That old woman barely knew anything." Jake sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "You know, you’re starting to sound obsessed. What makes you think they’ll even let us in after the way things ended?" "Because they’ll have to," I snapped, my voice harsher than I intended. "I need answers, Jake. We’re not leaving until I get them." "Alright, alright," he said, raising his hands in mock surrender. "But don’t go shifting and tearing up the place if they don’t tell you what you want to hear. We need to keep this civil." "I’m not making any promises," I muttered,
Lucas POV "You really think she’s working with Lawrence?" I asked, gripping the steering wheel tighter as I maneuvered through the quiet streets. Jake leaned back in his seat, one foot propped on the dashboard. "Think about it, Lucas. All the signs point to her being more than just some mysterious woman with a vendetta." "She’s not just 'some woman,' Jake," I snapped, my wolf bristling at the dismissive tone. "Relax," he said, hands raised in mock surrender. "I’m not saying she isn’t important to you. But you can’t deny the coincidences. Her fake background? The timing of Lawrence's hacks? It’s all too convenient." "It doesn’t mean she’s working with him," I argued, though doubt gnawed at me. "She might not even know who Lawrence is." Jake gave me a pointed look. "You really believe that? Someone who can create a fabricated identity that even our cyber team can’t crack doesn’t have connections? Come on, Lucas. She’s either working with Lawrence or she’s his next target."
"You think this meeting will give us answers?" Jake asked, his voice cutting through the tension as we walked toward the conference room. "It has to," I replied, my tone sharper than I intended. "We can’t keep chasing shadows." Jake smirked, shoving his hands into his jacket pockets. "You know shadows are kind of Lawrence’s specialty, right? That guy thrives on being invisible." "Not for long," I growled, my wolf stirring at the thought of Lawrence—or anyone—manipulating us. "Easy, big brother," Jake said with mock caution. "We’ll get to him. But let’s focus on the cyber team first. They might already have a lead." ---The tension between us simmered as we entered the conference room. Loren and her team were already there, their screens glowing with lines of code and analytical data. Fidel sat in the corner, his arms crossed and his expression unreadable. "Let’s get started," I said, taking a seat at the head of the table. Loren didn’t waste time. "We’ve managed to trace
Jake POV "You think she’s laughing at us right now?" Lucas muttered, slamming the car door shut as we stepped out into the crisp night air. "Oh, she’s not just laughing," I replied, tightening my jacket against the cold. "She’s probably pouring champagne and toasting her genius." Lucas shot me a glare. "Not helpful, Jake." "Hey, you asked," I said, holding up my hands in mock surrender. "But seriously, Lawrence isn’t just playing games anymore. Freezing our offshore account? That’s a power move. She wants us cornered." "Well, it’s working," Lucas growled. I glanced at him as we walked into the hotel lobby. His usual composed demeanor had been slipping ever since Lila vanished, and now, with Lawrence upping the stakes, he looked ready to snap. ---Back in our suite, Loren was already set up at her makeshift command center, her fingers flying over the keyboard. "Good timing," she said without looking up. "I just finished decrypting the federal reports." "And?" Lucas dem
"What do you mean that’s all you know?" I leaned against the edge of the conference table, arms crossed as I stared down Fidel. He shifted in his chair, looking uncomfortable. "I already told you, Jake. I didn’t know her that well. We only met a couple of times." "And that didn’t raise any red flags?" I pressed, my voice sharpening. "A woman you barely know just happens to waltz into our lives, only for everything to blow up?" "I didn’t think it was my place to question her," Fidel shot back, his tone defensive. "She was charming, and honestly, I thought she was harmless. If I’d known this would happen, I—" "Save it," I snapped, cutting him off. "You should’ve been more cautious. Now we’re in the middle of a mess, and you’re telling me you don’t have anything useful?" Fidel sighed, running a hand over his face. "I didn’t say that. I still have her phone number. Maybe that’ll help." ---I straightened, the tension in my chest easing slightly. "You still have her number?"
"Are you seriously going to keep pacing all night?" Lucas’s voice cut through the silence, his tone laced with equal parts irritation and exhaustion. "You act like you don’t know me by now," I shot back, not breaking stride. The worn carpet beneath my boots had probably seen better days, but it was a casualty I was willing to accept. Lucas sighed, leaning back against the couch in our hotel room. "Jake, we’ve done all we can for now. Let it go." "Let it go?" I stopped mid-stride and turned to face him. "How can you sit there so calm when the one person who might have all the answers is still out there, and we’re just waiting?" "Because driving myself insane won’t bring her closer," he replied, his voice heavy with resignation. "You think I don’t know that?" I snapped, rubbing a hand over my face. "But waiting feels like a death sentence. Every second we waste, she could be slipping further away." "And calling her will fix everything?" Lucas’s eyebrows rose, his voice sharp
"Where is Jake?" Lila’s voice cut through the morning stillness, sharp with unease. She barely touched her breakfast, the plate in front of her nearly untouched. Lucas, sitting across from her, stirred his coffee with deliberate calm, seemingly unaffected by the tension crackling between them. "Handling something important," Lucas answered vaguely. Lila’s fingers curled into fists. "Something important? That’s not an answer, Lucas." His gaze flickered up to meet hers, steady and unreadable. "It’s not something you need to worry about." Her stomach churned. "Not something I need to worry about? My servers are missing, Lucas. Do you even understand what’s on them?" Lucas set his cup down with a quiet clink. "Yes, I do." "Then tell me why you’re acting like this is nothing!" Her frustration boiled over, her voice rising. "Do you have any idea how much damage could be done if that data falls into the wrong hands?" Lucas sighed, rubbing his temples. "We’re looking into it."
Lucas's hold tightened slightly, his warmth grounding me in ways I hadn’t expected. "You don’t have to figure everything out right now. Just… let us in."I wanted to. More than anything. But the walls I had spent years building weren’t so easily torn down. Every time I let myself believe in this—in them—a whisper of doubt crept in, reminding me of all the reasons I shouldn’t.Jake sighed, almost as if he could hear my thoughts. "You overthink everything."Lucas smirked faintly, his gaze softening. "It’s what she does best."I let out a shaky laugh, and something shifted in their expressions—like a weight lifting, even if only slightly."Better," Jake murmured, his thumb brushing against my jaw. "I like it when you laugh."My throat tightened. "I don’t know how to let go."Lucas’s grip never wavered. "Then don’t," he said simply. "Just lean on us instead."That was the real fear, wasn’t it? Letting go felt like losing control, but leaning on them… That was different. That was trust.Ja
Lucas leaned in, pressing his forehead against mine. His warmth seeped into me, soothing the tension I hadn’t even realized I was holding. "Are you okay?" he asked, his thumb tracing soft circles against my cheek. His expression was open, vulnerable in a way that sent my heart racing."Yes," I breathed. "I want this—I want us."Jake let out a slow breath, as if he’d been holding it in, waiting for those words. His hand brushed against my shoulder, grounding me, steadying me in a way I hadn't expected."You don’t have to be afraid," he murmured. "We’re not going anywhere."Lucas’s fingers tightened slightly around mine, a silent reassurance. "It’s okay to be scared," he admitted. "But you don’t have to carry it alone."I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of their words settle deep in my chest. No one had ever told me that before. No one had ever wanted to carry anything with me. I had spent so long convincing myself I had to be strong, that I had to keep everything locked away—but now
He smirked. “You eat, don’t you?” She stared at him. “I—of course, but…” She hesitated. “What are you making?” Asher opened the fridge and pulled out a pack of ground meat. “yambeef.” Elena blinked again. The powerful Alpha—the man who had just silenced an entire pack with a single growl—was now casually talking about yambeef. She wasn’t sure whether to laugh or be more confused. Still, something about the abrupt change in mood made her relax. At least a little. She folded her arms, tilting her head. “You cook?” Asher glanced at her. “Do I look like someone who doesn’t?” Elena hesitated. “…Honestly?” One brow arched. “Careful, Elena.” A small, unexpected smile tugged at her lips. For a moment, the weight of the day lifted, and she allowed herself to simply watch him move around the kitchen. The way he effortlessly grabbed ingredients, the way he seemed completely at ease in his own space. Her gaze drifted across the room again—the wooden beams, the large
"Sit," Asher’s deep voice commanded. Elena hesitated, hovering near the doorway of his home. Her eyes flickered over the elegant black couches, the wooden table, the fireplace flickering with golden embers. The place was beautiful. It suited him. Dark. Refined. Commanding. But she—she didn’t belong in a place like this. Still, Asher was watching her, waiting. Slowly, she moved forward and sank into a seat at the kitchen island, her fingers gripping the cool marble counter. Asher walked past her, opening the fridge. The sound of the door creaking open, the soft clink of glass against metal—it all felt too normal. Too mundane, given the chaos of earlier. Elena swallowed hard. The tension in her shoulders refused to ease, even as Asher casually pulled out a plate of food. His presence was the only thing grounding her—the warmth of his body as he moved past her, the occasional brush of his fingers against her skin. The firm, steady weight of his hand resting
...The moment hung in the air, thick with anticipation, the prelude to the complete and utter claiming that was about to unfold. A hush fell over the room, broken only by the sound of Lila’s ragged breaths. Lucas, his eyes locked on hers, moved with a slow, deliberate grace. He positioned himself behind her, the tip of his cock pressing against her slick entrance. The anticipation was almost unbearable, a delicious tension that coiled tight in Lila’s belly. With a deep breath, he began to push forward, the slow, gradual entry stretching her, filling her with his heat.Lila gasped, a sharp intake of air as she felt him slide inside her. The initial stretch was intense, a sensation that teetered on the edge of pain, yet was quickly overtaken by a burgeoning pleasure. She clenched her muscles around him, instinctively pulling him deeper, craving the fullness of his presence. A low moan escaped her lips, a mixture of surrender and anticipation.Jake's voice, a low rumble in her ear, soot
The air in the room thrummed with unspoken fears, a palpable tension that clung to Lila like a second skin. Her eyes, usually vibrant and full of life, were shadowed with a deep, primal anxiety. "Don't... don't leave me," she whispered, her voice barely audible, a raw plea against the phantom of abandonment. Her fingers, trembling, clutched at the soft fabric of Lucas's shirt, her knuckles white. "I can't... I can't lose you. Either of you." The words were a fragile confession of her deepest vulnerability, a desperate attempt to anchor herself to the two men who had irrevocably claimed her heart.Lucas's hand, warm and reassuring, covered hers, his strong fingers intertwining with her own. "Lila," he murmured, his voice a low, soothing rumble, "we're not going anywhere. We're yours, completely and utterly. There is no 'losing' us. We're bound to you, heart and soul." His gaze, intense and unwavering, held hers, promising a loyalty that transcended mere words. Jake, standing beside hi
She buried her face in her hands, breathing in shakily. “For so long, my purpose was revenge. I let it consume me. I spent years chasing ghosts, believing that if I avenged my father, I could somehow make sense of his death.”Jake's expression darkened. “And now?”She let out a humorless laugh, leaning against the headboard. “And now? I don’t know who I am anymore.”Lucas took a step forward. “Then figure it out. But don’t let the past define you.”Lila sighed, fingers tracing the jagged scar along her forearm. “You think I don’t know that? But the Moon Goddess didn’t make it easy. She gave me you two. The very men I was supposed to hate.”Jake’s lips pressed into a thin line. “And when you denied the bond, what happened?”Lila's throat tightened. The memory of fire, of screaming, of pain so unbearable it nearly broke her came rushing back.“The explosion.” Her voice was hollow. “The moment I turned my back on fate, I was punished. I lost my arm. I lost everything.”Lucas' gaze soften
“I hate you!”Lila's voice rang through the dimly lit hotel room, raw and filled with a fury that left the air crackling with tension. Her chest heaved, fists clenched at her sides as she glared at Lucas, her entire body trembling with emotion. The words had escaped before she could stop them, before she could swallow down the storm that had been brewing within her since the moment he had spoken those words—*Do you want to have sex with the man who killed your father?*Lucas stood unmoving, his gaze unreadable, his expression impassive. But Lila saw it—the flicker of something behind his cold exterior. Guilt? Regret? Maybe both. Yet it wasn’t enough.The hotel door swung open.Jake stepped in, his brows furrowed as he took in the scene before him. His gaze bounced between them, his usual easy-going demeanor vanishing in an instant. “What the hell is going on?”Lila sucked in a shaky breath, her mind spinning. She turned sharply to Jake, the intensity of her emotions still gripping her