Alex hesitated, then nodded. “Aura told me once. She said she only wanted to threaten Eloise and take some photos to scare her away from Ainsley. She swore she would never let the bandits touch her. She just… wanted Eloise to leave. I thought she was joking. Aura was always so shy.”Elijah closed his eyes, his hands curling into fists. With a sharp exhale, he tossed the document in front of Alex. “Remember this, I’m not doing this for you. I’m doing it for Aura’s reputation and how she will be remembered in Alpha Ainsley’s heart. I won’t mention what I saw tonight.”Then he turned on his heel and walked away. But his face was pale. The storm in his heart was unbearable. As he descended the stairs, voices drifted toward him. His breath hitched. His foot slipped slightly on the step, but he caught himself before falling.Eloise had her back to him. At the noise, she turned, locking eyes with him. Elijah’s heart skipped a beat. A strange, unexpected guilt twisted inside him.He forced hi
They arrived at the Golden Moon Pack and entered the Alpha’s villa.Eloise got out of the car and leaned over to say, “Rachael, go. I’m going to talk to Pamela.”Rachael turned her head, her eyes locked onto Eloise’s face. She smiled. “No. If you’re left alone in the Golden Moon Pack, I won’t be able to explain it to Alpha Ainsley.”Eloise’s heart tightened. “Rachael…”“I’ll go with you.” Rachael calmly closed the car door and walked toward Eloise. She reached out, gripping Eloise’s shoulder, and whispered, “Don’t worry. I’ve been Alpha Ainsley’s subordinate for a long time. I can handle it. Besides, I’m a member of the Litha Night Walker Pack. They won’t dare to do anything to me.”With that, Rachael walked forward, her arm still around Eloise’s shoulder.Pamela emerged from the house, smiling. “Eloise, you’re here! "Why is Rachael here?”Eloise didn’t bother explaining. She stepped inside and asked sharply, “Where is what I want?”Pamela blinked in surprise. “What do you mean?”Eloi
Pamela trembled, her fingers tightening around Gary’s wrist, the veins on the back of her pale hand visibly strained. Her eyes held a flicker of reluctance. In a trembling voice, she whispered, "Gary, are we really going to do this? Eloise is our daughter!""Do you think I want to do this?" Gary raked his fingers through his hair in frustration, his voice rising in an impatient roar. "What else can I do, Pamela? Eloise is my daughter too! But if I had any other choice, do you think I’d be this ruthless?""But..." Pamela's hesitation lingered."Pamela, remember, everything we do is for the Golden Moon Pack!" Gary's voice turned cold, his jaw tightening."People might see us as strong, but you know our real situation. Do you want to watch our pack decline? I refuse to let Richard inherit a ruined Golden Moon Pack! And Eloise… what kind of life does she even have? She doesn’t have a wolf. What future is there for her? In a way, we’re helping her end her suffering."Meanwhile, Ethan led R
Ainsley's eyes grew colder. "I don't have time to waste with you. Listen! Eloise is my mate. As long as I'm Alpha, she's the only Luna in the Litha Night Walker Pack! If I ever hear you not call her Luna again, I'll have you thrown out of this house, no matter what my grandfather says!"Without another word, he took a step forward, his aura suffocating.“Tell me, where is Eloise now?” Ainsley demanded, his voice laced with fury.Since the day Rachael joined the Litha Night Walker Pack, she had never lost her mind link with him. Yet now, nothing but silence.And Eloise. Eloise hadn't called to tell him she was going to the Golden Moon Pack today. She went behind his back. Not only that, but she and Rachael had both gone completely off the grid.If Old Williams hadn't suddenly collapsed and been rushed to the emergency room… If Ainsley hadn’t caught on to his grandfather’s fake illness… He might never have put two and two together.Now, it was too much of a coincidence to ignore.Eloise
While Ainsley confronted Gary, Eloise was jolted awake by a sudden, biting splash of cold water. The shock sent shivers down her spine, her body convulsing against the freezing sensation.A dim, flickering lamp swung overhead, its weak light casting distorted shadows on the cracked concrete walls. The air smelled of damp wood, rust, and rotten.Eloise's vision blurred as she blinked away, the water stinging her eyes. She instinctively tried to lift her hand to shield herself from the harsh light, but the sharp pull of ropes biting into her wrists stopped her. Her hands were bound tightly behind her back, her ankles secured to the legs of a wooden chair.A slow, mocking voice cut through the silence.“You’ve finally woken up.”Eloise turned her head and met a pair of furious eyes. Then, she laughed.It wasn’t a soft chuckle or an amused giggle. It was hollow. Cold. Almost cruel.Alex’s expression darkened instantly. “How the fuck are you still laughing?!” he snapped, his voice filled w
Eloise thought nothing could shock her anymore. But she was wrong. Today, Alex stood before her, his eyes dark with cruelty, and said without a trace of remorse.“I killed my sister and then framed you.”The words hit her like a blade to the chest.Three years of suffering. Three years of being accused, imprisoned, hated. She had endured it all, but now, now she needed to know why.Alex wouldn’t have done this just to frame her. That made no sense.“Why?” she repeated, searching his face.Alex smirked, a wicked, soulless grin. “Ask the Moon Goddess after you die.”Eloise’s stomach twisted. That look in his eyes, he was going to kill her.“Wait!” she shouted, her voice rough, edged with desperation. “Alex, whatever you want to do, wait a moment." I’ll tell you Aura’s secret. In exchange, tell me why you killed her.”Her mind was racing. She knew she wouldn't leave this place alive. But she refuses to die without knowing the truth.Alex paused. His expression flickered with interest.He
Eloise had grown up with her grandfather, while Harry preferred to stay with his parents.Once, her grandfather gave her a ruby. She was delighted, she loved shiny things. Holding the gem up to the sunlight, she admired the way it glowed. But before she could fully enjoy it, Harry tried to snatch it away. Reflexively, she pushed him back. She hadn’t used much force, yet he still fell to the ground.A maid witnessed the scene and immediately scolded her.“You spoiled little girl with no parents! How could you push Harry like that?”Eloise was stunned. The words stung, but more than that, she didn’t understand.She looked up at the maid and asked, “I have a father and a mother. Why would you say that?”The maid seemed just as startled by her own words. She pursed her lips before hurriedly responding, “You’ve always been with your grandfather. You’re not close to Alpha Gary and Luna Pamela. I was just worried when I saw Harry fall and said something foolish. Eloise, don’t tell your grand
Although they were prepared, Eloise and Rachael were scared and closed their eyes unconsciously.Time seemed to stand still. Eloise felt no pain. She felt something warm dripping on her face, and she opened her eyes in confusion.The next second, her eyes widened in horror.“The dagger is made of silver. "Don’t you feel pain?” Eloise stared at the hand blocking Alex’s dagger. Ainsley’s blood dripped down her face.Ainsley's face was ashen. He pursed his lips tightly and stared at Eloise for a long moment. Only when he confirmed that she was safe did he feel his heart start beating again.Ainsley held back Adrian, who was about to go crazy.She turned around and glared at Alex, whose face was pale. Before she could say anything, Alex had fallen to the ground.Alex's lips were bloodless. He said quietly, "I want to avenge Aura! Aura died because of you. Why is Eloise still alive?"Alex's voice grew louder as he stared at Eloise, who was lying on the ground with hatred in her eyes.Racha
Suddenly, Ellison stood up and pushed Ainsley hard. He said, “Let her go. You’re so selfish! Didn’t you hear her? Eloise has no intention of going with you!”Ainsley, caught off guard, stumbled backward. His usually fierce and commanding presence, like a true Alpha, was broken at an unexpected moment. He collapsed to the ground with a heavy thud.Gasps echoed through the crowd, the people’s eyes widened in shock. Even the air seemed to stand still.Jacob’s face darkened. Without hesitation, he rushed forward and knelt beside Ainsley. “Ainsley, are you okay?” His voice cracked with concern as he reached to cradle his head. But his palm came out wet. Jacob looked down and froze. His fingers were stained red.“What is this?” he whispered, stunned.Blood!A sharp silence followed. Ellison, noticing the shift, stepped forward instinctively, but Hank had already rushed past him, panic flashing in his eyes. “Alpha Ainsley?”Eloise’s eyes widened. Her body stiffened, and for a moment, she see
Ellison stood frozen on the stairs, halfway down, his hands clenched tightly on the railing. He’d come down to stop Ainsley, to intervene, but when he saw the fire in Eloise’s eyes, the way she held herself back from launching another object, he couldn't move. Not yet.Ainsley’s cold voice echoed through the tension-filled room. “What else do you want to throw at me? I’ll get it for you.”Ellison stepped forward, breaking the thick silence. “No need to bother you, Ainsley. I’m free right now, and I’ll help her.”Hank took a step, ready to intervene, but Kelly subtly blocked him with a glance.As Ellison reached the floor, he picked up a broom lying nearby. The scrape of the handle against the tiled floor felt too loud in the quiet. He offered it to her with a calm face, but sarcasm glinted in his eyes.“Ma’am, here you go.”Eloise looked at the broom, then at him, her brows furrowed in confusion. “A broom?”He nodded once, the corner of his lips lifting in a crooked smile.“Ma'am, flu
Lucian, unfazed, threw his jacket to the ground in front of Ainsley. “Fine. Let’s see what happens,” he said before he turned and left.Ainsley stayed where he was, watching Lucian’s departure with steely eyes. The tension still hung in the air, thick and unresolved.“We’re going to Waikiki Beach this afternoon,” Ainsley said after a long pause. “I’m sure she’s there. I need to find her.”Meanwhile, on the other side of the island, Eloise paced restlessly in her room, her nerves fraying with each passing moment. Her thoughts spiraled. She had been hiding, but it was all falling apart now. Ainsley was coming for her.No, she told herself. I can’t let him find me. Not again.Then, just as the wind picked up, a familiar warmth brushed against her.Her body stiffened, her breath caught in her throat. She didn’t have to turn to know he was there. The scent of him, so unmistakable, overwhelmed her senses.Ainsley stood behind her, his presence enveloping her. His arms wrapped around her alm
In the car, Ainsley gripped the steering wheel, his knuckles white as he sped toward the airport. His mind was spinning. Without thinking, he reached out to Jacob through their mind link. His voice was sharp, his words clipped with urgency.“Do you know Remmy?” Ainsley asked, his tone barely contained as anxiety surged through him.Jacob’s voice crackled through the link, his confusion evident. “Why are you looking for her?” He didn’t fully understand the gravity of the situation.Ainsley’s voice hardened, desperation creeping into his words. “She knows where Eloise is.”Jacob didn’t hesitate. “Understood,” he said, his voice steady despite the tense situation. “I’ll handle it. Do you need me to book you a flight?”“No need,” Ainsley replied immediately, his tone resolute. “I’m heading to the airport now.”As Ainsley disconnected the link, he pushed the accelerator harder, the engine roaring as he raced back home to grab his ID. Every second felt like an eternity, the pressure mountin
“Ellison! "I don’t want to bet anymore!” Eloise shouted at the stage, her voice rough and hoarse, like a desperate cry.“It’s too late,” Ellison’s lips moved, his words like ice. He’d made a decision. Instead of leaving, he wanted to win the bet. More than that, he wanted her.Memories flooded Eloise’s mind, sharp and vivid. In her eyes, Ellison at that moment seemed just like her in the past, lost, defiant, and broken.But Ellison didn’t deserve it! Not after everything.She walked toward the center of the stage, her steps deliberate, her heart pounding with emotion. She bent down and picked up the white shirt from the floor. Her fingers brushed against the fabric, and then she reached for Ellison’s hand, which rested on the zipper of his suit pants. Her voice was low but commanding, “Come with me.”Ellison stood frozen, stunned by the sudden seriousness of her expression. His heart skipped a beat.The audience below the stage began to murmur, their annoyance growing louder. “Who are
In the stillness of the night, Eloise made her way to the most secluded house on the property. Her face was cold, but her eyes portrayed a deep simmering sadness.“I’ve come to see you,” she whispered hoarsely, though the house was empty except for her.The room was cloaked in darkness, but she knew every inch of it as if it were part of her. She navigated through the familiar surroundings with ease, her hands brushing over the table until they found a candle. With a flick of her fingers, the small flame sputtered to life, casting a warm glow over the photo resting on the table.It was a portrait of a young girl, smiling brightly. Eloise stared at it, a lump forming in her throat. "Rain, I miss you so much," she murmured, her voice barely audible.The portrait was a gift from a traveling artist she had met on Waikiki Beach, who had captured Rain’s likeness based on Eloise's memory. She didn’t own any other pictures of Rain; this was all she had left.Her fists clenched as nausea rose
After driving for a while, Ellison stopped at a remote store.“Look around. "If you can’t find your favorite mug here, we’ll go to another store.” Then Eloise sat down in a recliner.Ellison pretended to concentrate on choosing a cup, but he kept glancing at Eloise, unable to stop himself. She looked so relaxed, almost untouchable, yet that sarcastic edge in her voice lingered in his mind.“Do you like something?” Eloise noticed Ellison looking at her, raising an eyebrow as her lips curled into a half-smile.“Yes,” Ellison pointed and said, “I want this game.” His voice was a little too quick, a little too loud, clearly a deflection. But it made her snort.After leaving the store, Ellison discovered that the red marks on the back of his hand had disappeared. He rubbed that area vigorously with his back to Eloise. He looked at the bruise and felt much more satisfied, as if something had been lifted off of him.Eloise walked ahead. She asked, “What kind of recliner do you want?”“I thin
Eric copied the video clips from the USB drive to his laptop. Just as Eric was about to open it, Jacob touched the back of Eric's hand and gave him a warning."It might be hard to see, so be prepared," Jacob said, his voice low and grim, a shadow clouding his face.Eric didn’t take it seriously at first. His lips curled slightly in mild skepticism. But then, his eyes widened. He jerked back, his mouth falling open as the first frame of the video flashed across the screen.“What the hell!” he exclaimed, his voice shaking with disbelief.He pointed to the video that was playing, unable to tear his eyes away from the disturbing scene unfolding.“This is just the beginning,” Jacob said nonchalantly, almost too casually, as if he had already grown numb from seeing it over and over again. But there was a bitterness to his tone, a fury buried deep beneath his calm.Eric fell silent. The room seemed consumed by silence, thick and suffocating like a dense fog. Time passed slowly, agonizingly s
Eloise mocked herself in her heart. Maybe my life has become too simple… so my mind has become slower. Maybe I’ve become numb. Maybe too much silence turns even the sharpest mind dull.Ellison looked at Eloise's faded face with a kind of quiet appreciation, his eyes tracing the faint outlines of what was once a bright, wild smile from a distant childhood memory. His gaze lingered, as if hoping to pull her past self into the present. But the longer he looked, the more his eyes flickered with regret. It was as though the smiling Eloise, the girl full of spark and mischief, had been buried beneath years of pain and dust. And now, she was gone.What did they do to you…? What kind of monster do you have to become to survive what you went through? Ellison’s chest tightened with an emotion he couldn’t name. He wanted to blame Ainsley, he wanted to blame the system. But the truth was, he had his chances. He could’ve helped her back then. But he didn’t.“The coffee tastes superb,” Ellison said