“I never pegged you as the type to drink tea over coffee,” Lila said, leaning casually against the counter, her eyes scanning Fidel’s movements.“And I never pegged you as someone who’d admit to judging people by their drinks,” Fidel replied, a teasing grin playing at his lips as he set the kettle on the stove.“I’m not judging, just observing,” Lila shot back with a playful smirk. “It’s what I do.”“Oh? And what exactly have you observed about me so far?” Fidel asked, crossing his arms and leaning against the counter across from her.Lila tilted her head, pretending to consider. “Well, let’s see... You’re confident, charming, and far too smooth for your own good. Definitely trouble.”Fidel laughed, the sound warm and inviting. “Trouble? That’s a bold assumption for someone who just met me this morning.”She shrugged. “Call it a sixth sense. Besides, you’re not exactly subtle.”“What gave me away?”“Everything,” Lila said, chuckling softly. She couldn’t help but notice the way his gri
Lila POV The next day, we ran into each other again. I wanted to shove away and watch him from afar to see what he has on his sleeves but he already saw me from afar and calling for my attention."Wow, wow, so we meet again. Okay, thank God. I was thinking of calling you," Fidel said, flashing that overly confident grin. "You said you were just passing through, didn’t you?" I asked, keeping my tone light as I set down my drink. Fidel nodded, leaning back in his chair like he owned the place. “That’s right. A quick stop on my way south.” “South?” I repeated, raising an eyebrow. “Funny, you don’t strike me as someone familiar with these parts. Most travelers don’t start conversations by asking about pack territories.” His grin faltered—just for a second—before he masked it with a shrug. “What can I say? Old habits die hard. I like to know who’s around. It’s not every day you find yourself in the middle of a warzone, after all.” “A warzone?” I echoed, tilting my head like the i
“Is that him?” I whispered to myself, leaning closer to the monitor, my voice sharp with curiosity. I folded my arms, studying the grainy footage. Lucas King stood in the hotel lobby, commanding attention without a single word. His dark eyes swept the room with calculated precision, and his tall, muscular frame exuded power. “Impressive? Please.” I rolled my eyes, scoffing at my own thoughts. “Just another overconfident Alpha with too much swagger and not enough humility.” Still, I couldn’t deny the magnetic pull of his presence. There was something about the way he moved—deliberate and controlled—that made my wolf stir uneasily. It annoyed me to no end. “Why’s he here?” I muttered under my breath, narrowing my eyes at the screen. My chest tightened slightly as the answer formed in my mind. He’s looking for me. That much was obvious. The timing, the precision of his movements—it wasn’t a coincidence. Lucas King didn’t strike me as the type to leave anything to chance. “Let
“Fancy seeing you here,” Fidel said, his smooth voice cutting through the gentle hum of waves crashing against the shore. I glanced up from my cup of coffee, feigning surprise. “Fidel,” I said, letting a smile play on my lips. “This is starting to feel like fate.” He chuckled, sliding into the chair across from me without an invitation. “If it is, I’m not complaining.” I tilted my head, studying him as though I hadn’t already analyzed every move he’d made during our last meeting. His posture was relaxed, but his dark eyes betrayed something more—a mix of interest and calculation. It amused me to no end that he thought he was in control. “Is this your favorite spot?” he asked, gesturing to the café’s open terrace overlooking the sea. “It’s peaceful,” I said with a shrug, swirling the coffee in my cup. “Good for thinking.” “Thinking about what?” “Oh, you know,” I said airily, leaning back in my chair. “Life. Choices. The usual existential stuff.” Fidel smirked, leaning f
Lucas POV Where is he? I muttered under my breath, my voice edged with irritation as I glanced at the clock mounted on the lavish wall of the private lounge. “Late, as usual,” my wolf grumbled. “Fidel doesn’t respect your time.” I exhaled sharply, my jaw tightening. Delays grated on me, especially when Fidel was involved. The man could be efficient when it suited him, but his tendency to indulge often led to a lack of punctuality—a trait I had little patience for. “Fidel will show,” I said aloud, more to reassure myself than my wolf. Even as the words left my mouth, doubt lingered in my mind. My goal is for us to capture this intruder and deal with her without mercy.“We should be out there, not wasting time at this circus,” my wolf growled. “This party is beneath us.” “I know,” I muttered, rubbing the back of my neck. The atmosphere of the gathering grated on my nerves. The room buzzed with idle chatter, laughter, and the clinking of glasses, but none of it resonated with m
“You’re really going through with this?” I asked myself aloud, glancing at my reflection in the café’s window. The question carried a mix of amusement and skepticism. “Why not?” I answered myself with a smirk. “It’s just a party. A chance to have a little fun, shake things up, and maybe learn something useful.” “Or make a spectacle of yourself,” I countered in a dry tone. “Hardly,” I said with a flick of my hair, my voice dropping to a confident whisper. “I don’t make mistakes.” My wolf stirred at the edge of my consciousness, her energy sparking like static electricity. She wasn’t speaking, but her restlessness was enough to catch my attention. “Don’t start,” I muttered under my breath. “I don’t need your commentary right now.” Her response was a soft growl, more inquisitive than combative, like she was teasing me for my flippancy. I sighed, straightening my posture and brushing imaginary lint from my jacket. “Fine, fine. I’ll admit it—tonight is… important.” ---Toni
Lucas POV I forgot I had a goal and a mission to catch up with when I saw Lila; even the thought of confronting Fidel faded away.“She’s not like the others,” I murmured to myself, my voice low and gruff, nearly drowned out by the hum of the crowded bar.“What are you talking about?” my wolf replied, its deep voice echoing in my mind.I leaned back in my seat, my sharp gaze fixed on the woman at the far end of the room. “Her,” I said simply. “The one with Fidel.”My wolf growled in response, a sound both possessive and intrigued. “She’s ours.”“Don’t,” I muttered, my jaw tightening. “We don’t know anything about her.”“I know enough.”The claim in my wolf’s voice sent a shiver through me. I shifted uncomfortably, unwilling to acknowledge the truth behind the statement. My instincts were screaming, a primal recognition surging through me the moment I saw her.But I wasn’t ready to accept it.From my vantage point in the dimly lit corner, I could see everything. The way her laughter li
The next day was another day like the previous day, having fun out with Fidel.“Is this really the best use of our time?” Lila muttered to herself, her fingers absently tracing the rim of her coffee cup as she sat across from Fidel at the café.“You’re wasting energy on trivialities,” her wolf growled, its voice distant and strained, as though speaking through layers of static.“What’s your problem?” Lila hissed back under her breath, her frustration mounting.“You’re not listening,” her wolf snapped. “Something’s wrong.”“You’ve been saying that all morning,” Lila replied sharply. “Care to be more specific?”Silence.Lila sighed, gripping her cup tightly. Her wolf’s unusual behavior had thrown her off balance. Normally, the creature was a steady presence in her mind, guiding her with clarity and purpose. But today, it felt erratic, agitated—almost disconnected.“Lila?” Fidel’s voice broke through her thoughts, pulling her back to the present.She looked up to find him watching her wi
Lila set the dagger back on the table, narrowing her eyes at the mess of blueprints and scattered wires. "This place looks like a bomb went off," she muttered. Jake smirked. "It’s organized chaos." She shot him a skeptical look. "That’s just something people say when they don’t want to admit they live in a disaster zone." He chuckled. "Maybe. But it works for me." Lila wasn’t sure what she had expected from Jake’s personal space, but this… it was something entirely different. It wasn’t just a collection of weapons or tech—it was a reflection of him. A mix of precision and unpredictability. Her gaze flickered back to the empty space where a bed should be. "You seriously don’t sleep?" she asked again, this time more curious than before. Jake leaned against the desk, crossing his arms. "Not much." "Why?" He hesitated for a second, then shrugged. "Too much to do." Lila frowned. That wasn’t the whole truth. "You mean too much to think about," she guessed. Jake’s s
The house was bigger than she expected. Warm lighting. Large windows. A fire crackling in the living room. It felt… lived in. Jake carried her bag upstairs, stopping in front of a door. "This is yours." Lila stepped inside without a word. The room was simple. A bed. A dresser. A window overlooking the forest. It was nice. Too nice. She hated it. She turned to face Jake. "How long do I have to stay?" Jake hesitated. "As long as it takes." "For what?" "For you to heal." Her chest tightened. "And after that?" Jake’s expression darkened, but before he could answer, Lucas spoke from the doorway. "You’ll leave," he said, voice unreadable. Lila turned to him, startled by his presence. He was leaning against the frame, arms crossed, watching her with that same guarded expression. Something sharp twisted in her stomach. Lucas held her gaze. "If that’s what you want." She should have felt relieved. She should have felt something like victory, like freedom w
"I want to leave." Lila’s voice was quiet but firm, cutting through the sterile silence of the hospital room. Jake, who had been adjusting the blanket around her, stilled. His eyes met hers, searching. "You’re not ready." "I don’t care." Her hands trembled as she gripped the sheet, but she refused to let the weakness show. "I can’t stay here." Jake sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. "Lila—" "I feel like I’m suffocating," she interrupted. "The beeping machines, the doctors poking at me, the way they look at me—like I’m broken. I can’t take it anymore." Jake hesitated, and for a moment, she thought he would argue. Then, after a long pause, he spoke. "You’re being discharged tomorrow." Relief crashed into her so hard she nearly choked on it. "Tomorrow?" He nodded. "Lucas and I arranged it." Her stomach twisted at the mention of his name. "Lucas," she repeated, voice flat. Jake watched her carefully. "You’ll be coming with us." The relief died instantly. Lila’
“You’re not even listening.”Lucas blinked, forcing his mind back to the present. Across the desk, Caleb—the pack’s beta—was watching him with barely concealed irritation.“I heard you,” Lucas said, though he wasn’t sure that was true.Caleb exhaled sharply. “Alright. What did I just say?”Lucas stared at the documents scattered before him. Reports on pack affairs, financial records, and the latest updates on the false money laundering accusations. Important things. Things he should be focusing on.But all he could think about was her.“Lucas.” Caleb’s voice cut through his thoughts again.Lucas sighed and ran a hand down his face. “The accounts are still frozen. We’re being investigated. Lawrence left a mess.” He gestured vaguely at the papers. “Did I miss anything?”Caleb crossed his arms. “Only the part where we need a plan.”A plan. Right.Lucas tried to concentrate, but his mind kept drifting. A month. It had been over a month since the explosion. Over a month since Lila had been
“You’re beautiful.” Lila’s breath caught. She turned sharply to look at Jake, expecting to see amusement or sarcasm in his expression. Instead, he was watching her with a look so raw it sent a shiver down her spine. A bitter laugh escaped her lips. “I look like hell.” Jake’s eyes didn’t waver. “You don’t.” She scoffed, lifting her metal arm. The artificial fingers curled and uncurled, the movement eerily smooth. “You see this?” She tapped the metal plating, the sound hollow. “This isn’t beautiful. This is ruin.” His jaw tightened. “You’re not ruined, Lila.” She turned away, unable to look at him. How could he say that? Her skin was pale, her lips cracked, her face swollen from the weeks of unconsciousness. And now—this thing attached to her body, a constant reminder of everything she had lost. Jake reached out, but she shifted away before he could touch her. “I don’t need your pity.” “It’s not pity,” he said softly. “It’s the truth.” She clenched her jaw. H
“Lila? Can you hear me?”The voice was deep, steady—one she should recognize.She tried to open her eyes, but her body felt impossibly heavy, like she was sinking into an ocean with no way to reach the surface. Everything around her blurred between reality and dreams.A hand brushed her hair back gently. The touch sent warmth through her, a sensation she didn’t expect.“It’s okay,” the voice murmured. “Just rest.”She wanted to fight it. To demand answers. But exhaustion pulled her back into the dark.The next time she woke, the light was dim, but the air in the room was thick with something—something familiar.She shifted slightly, wincing at the dull ache in her body. Her senses sharpened just enough to notice the presence beside her.Jake.His head was lowered, his breathing even, but she knew he wasn’t asleep. He was waiting. Watching.Her throat was dry when she spoke. “You’re always here.”His head lifted immediately, his blue eyes locking onto hers.“You finally noticed?” he sa
"Lila, breathe." The voice was steady, but she barely heard it over the pounding in her ears. Her heart raced, the erratic beeping of the monitor beside her growing louder with every second. She stared at them—both of them. Lucas. Jake. My mates. Her mind struggled to piece it together, to make sense of why the two men she had vowed to hate stood on either side of her bed, watching her like she was something fragile. This couldn’t be real. "Lila," Jake said her name softly, stepping closer. Something inside her reacted—a rush of warmth, a pull so deep it made her breath hitch. Her wolf. Her traitorous wolf, who had spent years snarling in anger at the mention of them, was now purring at their presence. No. No, no, no. Her breathing quickened. The beeping of the monitor spiked again. Jake's expression darkened with concern, and then—before she could stop him—his hand was on her face. The second his skin touched hers, everything inside her exploded. ---
Waking into Pain:"She moved."The voice was distant, yet urgent.Lila felt as if she were trapped under something heavy, her entire body aching in ways she couldn’t understand. A dull, throbbing pain pulsed in her head, and her limbs felt too weak to move. It was like waking up from a terrible dream, but the nightmare hadn’t ended—it had followed her into reality.A sharp sting burned her throat when she tried to swallow. Her lips felt dry, cracked, and raw. She attempted to lift her arm, but it wouldn’t respond. Her fingers twitched, but even that small movement sent a wave of agony through her."Lila?"The voice was closer now, deep and rough with emotion.She tried to turn her head toward the sound, but her body refused. Every part of her felt disconnected, like she was floating between pain and exhaustion.Something warm wrapped around her hand. A touch. Familiar. Safe."Can you hear me?"Lila wanted to answer, to let whoever was speaking know that she was here, but all that came
"I won't let him get away with this," Jake said, his voice thick with anger. His eyes were fixed on Lila, who lay motionless in the bed, her once lively presence now replaced by a quiet stillness that seemed unnatural. Lucas stood by her side, gripping her good hand with a tenderness that betrayed the depth of his feelings. His gaze never left her face, even though the sight was almost too much to bear."I know," Lucas replied, his voice strained but resolute. "But we need to focus on her right now. We can’t do anything if she’s not okay." Jake’s jaw tightened. “I’ve never felt this helpless. Watching her like this, it feels like a nightmare I can’t wake up from.”He took a step closer, his anger simmering beneath the surface, threatening to explode. His fists were clenched at his sides, but he did nothing with them. Instead, he let the rage build. "Lawrence is going to pay. For this. For everything. He won't get away with hurting her like this."Lucas turned his head slowly, meetin