Rachel couldn’t explain why she was so drawn to Eloise. There was something about the girl that stirred emotions Rachel had long buried, emotions that felt both foreign and familiar at the same time. Eloise appeared to have nothing, a girl with no real future, no home to call her own, and yet Rachel’s concern for her was overwhelming.Deep down, Rachel understood why. It was the kind of understanding that echoed in the deepest part of her soul, but it was too painful to admit. Eloise reminded Rachel of the girl she once was, young, vulnerable, and lost. A part of her wanted to protect Eloise, to shield her from the same struggles Rachel had faced in her youth. Perhaps in some strange, unexplainable way, Eloise offered Rachel a chance to rewrite her own past, to undo the mistakes, the pain, and the loneliness."No need. I’ll eat at the club cafeteria," Eloise said, her voice calm yet distant. Her attempt to dismiss the offer was clear, but Rachel could see through it. There was a kind
Lucian slowly turned his head, his sharp gaze following the path Eloise had taken. As his eyes shifted to the stairs, they landed on Mavis, who had been watching him intently.Lucian didn’t need to rely on his werewolf abilities to sense the feelings of those around him. It was clear from the subtle shift in Mavis’s expression, her eyes narrowed with a mixture of jealousy and disdain towards Eloise. Lucian paused for a moment, considering the girl before him. Mavis, like many others he had encountered, seemed to be a product of arrogance and ignorance, traits he was all too familiar with.Yet as he looked at her more closely, he couldn’t ignore the youthful energy she exuded. Her long brown hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her fair skin had a glow to it that would make any man take notice. She was undeniably attractive, but to Lucian’s trained eye, she seemed like a shallow reflection compared to the depth he saw in Eloise.Lucian's thoughts briefly returned to the two kisses he'
In the afternoon, as the workday came to a close, a light drizzle began to fall over Metrocity. Eloise, carrying the weight of exhaustion in her bones, walked slowly in the rain, her movements sluggish as the pain in her waist intensified with each step. She passed by the towering buildings of the city, the cool rain against her skin doing little to alleviate the aching in her body.Eloise reached a convenience store near Club Scarlet Heart, its bright lights a welcome contrast to the overcast sky. She stepped inside, the warmth of the store wrapping around her like a blanket. The employee at the counter greeted her with a polite smile."Miss, that's six dollars and forty cents total," the employee said as Eloise placed the cheap, flimsy umbrella on the counter.Eloise glanced at the umbrella, noting how it was the least expensive option in the store. Her fingers lingered on the handle for a moment, as if the weight of the decision to buy it were too much to bear. She looked at her pu
Mavis’s voice sliced through the silence, sharp and impatient, as she interrupted Eloise’s thoughts.“I told you, I closed the door by accident. It wasn’t on purpose! What do you want from me?”Her words were laced with anger, a hint of defiance that Eloise could feel deep in her chest. Mavis was certain Eloise was accusing her of something she had not done. Ever since Mavis had witnessed the kiss between Eloise and Lucian on the staircase, she had harbored a simmering resentment towards her. But despite that, Mavis believed she had done everything right. She had explained herself, hadn’t she? Eloise should be grateful, not playing the weak victim.Mavis glanced at Eloise, who stood with a pale face, her shoulders tense and her body rigid. At that moment, the sight of her made Mavis feel an uncomfortable tightening in her chest. The memory of Lucian coming to her aid when she had been humiliated by Ainsley at the Scarlet Heart Club surfaced again. She could never forget how Lucian had
Eloise was lost in her own thoughts, her mind floating in an endless fog. She didn’t hear Mavis’s sharp voice cutting through the silence, demanding a response."Eloise, you scolded me for being rude just now, and now you're pretending you don’t know what’s happening?"Mavis’s words struck the air like a whip, but Eloise couldn’t focus. She felt detached, as if her mind was too far gone to engage in the reality unfolding around her. But Mavis’s high-pitched voice grew louder, mixing with the frantic panic that bubbled inside Eloise, pulling her back to the moment.A loud bang echoed through the room, the noise so jarring that it caused Eloise to flinch. Her body collided with the doorknob, and a searing pain shot through her forehead, blurring her vision. She crumpled to the ground, disoriented and stunned, unable to make sense of what had just happened.Blood trickled down her forehead, staining her skin, her world becoming a haze of red. She gasped, trying to regain her bearings, bu
Rachel’s smile faded as the manager’s words hit her like a slap. The warmth in her eyes disappeared, and a chill settled on her expression. She stood there, silently processing the gravity of the situation, her mind racing back to the past.She stared intently at the manager, her thoughts drifting to a time long ago. Rachel had once been a rebellious young woman, lost and reckless in her own world. It was Ainsley who had pulled her from the brink, offering her a lifeline when she had nothing left. He had taken her in and introduced her to the Litha Night Walker Pack, a world she’d never imagined she could be a part of.When Ainsley discovered the Alpha blood flowing through her veins, he had welcomed her into a new chapter of her life. He had even invited her to help manage the Scarlet Heart Club, a place that now felt like home. But the manager of the Public Relations Department, while still part of the Litha Night Walker Pack, lacked the Alpha blood. And it was that very blood, that
Eloise became quieter as Mavis’s words continued to echo in her mind. She didn’t dwell on the apology; she just wanted to be respected, something she had almost forgotten how to expect from others.Ainsley, the powerful Alpha, had destroyed everything. He destroyed Eloise.Pain and regret twisted inside her as she recalled the past. She had once believed she could rise, that she could demand respect. But those hopes had been shattered long ago. She had learned that it was foolish to expect too much from anyone, foolish to expect respect when she was treated as little more than a stepping stone.The harsh words from Mavis stung deeply. Eloise could feel the weight of the cruel accusation: "You crawled on the ground and barked like a dog for money."She clenched her fists, trying to suppress the burning ache in her chest. Mavis’s words reverberated in her mind as she lay still in the sterile hospital room.Mavis had followed her tirade with a cruel smirk. "If you want to tell others tha
With Eloise's words, Mavis became even more frightened. The tension in her chest tightened as her anxiety grew. Mavis was afraid of Rachel, Eloise's association with her, her connection to that powerful figure was something Mavis had no interest in challenging. Yet, as Eloise walked away, her resolve hardened, and Mavis's hatred simmered beneath the surface.Little by little, Eloise began to change. What had once been a humiliated, submissive woman, now displayed a quiet strength. With each step, Eloise moved further from the fragility that had once defined her. Mavis, too consumed by her own bitterness, failed to notice. She remained blind to the subtle shift in Eloise's demeanor, to the newfound poise that radiated from her.Unaware of the transformation, Mavis failed to see the man who stood in the hallway, leaning lazily against the door frame. His eyes briefly met Eloise's, and for a fleeting moment, their gazes locked before she disappeared into the elevator. The man, who had be
Mavis felt Ainsley’s disdain like a cold blade slicing through her heart. His voice, dripping with venom towards Lucian, made her stomach churn. Every insult, every cruel word about the man she loved, felt like a personal wound. But she couldn’t speak, couldn’t defend him. Fear held her tongue in place.How dare he say that about Lucian? Her mind screamed, but the words couldn’t escape her lips. Her gaze flitted between Ainsley’s cold face and the floor beneath her, desperate for the strength to speak, to challenge him, but the courage failed to materialize. She knew the danger of antagonizing him, the fear of what he could do. He wasn’t just any man; Ainsley was the Alpha of the Litha Night Walker Pack, ruthless, calculating, and untouchable.Her heart ached for Lucian, the man she admired with every fiber of her being. Lucian deserves more than this. He deserves respect, she thought bitterly. But there was nothing she could do at that moment. Her hands, clenched into fists by her si
After the cloth was removed, Mavis immediately relaxed. She had been gagged for so long that she couldn't help but cough, her face turning red from the strain. Her vision blurred for a moment, but when it cleared, Ainsley's feet appeared in her line of sight. For a brief second, Mavis paused, the overwhelming emotions of fear and frustration almost drowning her. Suddenly, she felt a harsh grip on her chin, pulling her head up sharply. The force was enough to make her eyes widen in shock. She saw Ainsley's eyes dangerous and full of malice."I'm in a bad mood right now. I don't have much patience. You better answer whatever I ask you..." His voice was cold, each word dripping with icy authority.Mavis's heart skipped a beat, and a chill ran down her spine. Ainsley's grip tightened, and she felt the pressure digging into her jaw. It hurt, and tears welled up in her eyes, but she dared not show weakness. The pain was overwhelming, but she fought to stay composed. Ainsley's hand, gloved i
When Eric heard Ainsley's words, he was filled with a mix of frustration and disbelief. Typically, tasks like this were left to the pack’s doctors, but now he found himself being summoned to take on a job that seemed beneath him. He couldn’t help but feel resentful as he moved forward, preparing the IV.“Eric, wait a second, do you know how to do this?” Ainsley’s voice cut through the air, dripping with doubt.Eric’s hand trembled as he tried to find the right vein, but in his haste, he struck the wrong one. Ainsley’s expression soured immediately, his gaze growing colder with each failed attempt. “If you can’t, I’ll get someone else to do the job. Don’t force yourself.”Eric, who had always prided himself on his skills, clenched his jaw. His face tightened in determination. “Keep still,” he snapped. “If I don’t get her on a drip, I’ll write you a letter of resignation tomorrow and go home to help my father gather herbs.”Ainsley’s jaw tightened. He didn’t have time for games, but Eri
“Well, since you love your job so much, work hard for it.” Ainsley’s voice was cold, his eyes hard as stone. “In one month, transfer a million dollars to my card, and I’ll let you go. Otherwise, it won’t matter where you run. You’ll never be free.”Eloise felt the blood drain from her face, but she didn’t flinch. She couldn’t. She had no choice but to accept it. A million dollars in a month? Her mind raced, trying to find a way out, but she knew there was none. Not now.“Alpha Williams, you’re right,” she said, her voice steady, though her heart was a chaotic mess inside her. “I still owe you a million dollars. You ordered me to pay it back within a month.”She didn’t fight him. She couldn’t afford to. She had nothing left. Eloise had long ago learned to swallow her pride and accept whatever came her way. She had no other option. Her debts, emotional and financial, were far too great.“Very well,” she continued, taking a slow, controlled breath. “I’ll be going to work now.”Ainsley’s
“What’s wrong?” Ainsley asked, setting aside the document he had been studying. His gaze shifted to Eloise, a subtle arch in his brow that spoke volumes of his curiosity.Eloise hesitated before asking, her voice laced with a quiet concern, “Is Mavis okay?”At the sound of her question, a sharp edge darkened Ainsley’s mood. The gentleness that had once lingered around him evaporated in an instant.Eloise, how dare you ask about her? Ainsley thought bitterly. How can you even pretend to care about someone else, when you’re drowning in your own mess?Eloise’s lips tightened, but she didn’t falter. She pressed on, her tone unwavering. “Alpha Williams, you were wrong to do what you did to her. I want to beg you to spare her life. As for the rest, you can do whatever you want…”Ainsley scoffed, his face twisting in disbelief. “I didn’t know you were such a hypocrite,” he sneered, his voice dripping with mockery. “You can be friends with people who’ve hurt you so deeply?”Eloise, despite th
Ainsley watched Eloise with a strange, almost obsessive gaze. His thoughts, tangled in a web of confusion, betrayed the feelings he couldn’t quite understand. How had it come to this? She was just a woman, an important one, yes, but nothing out of the ordinary. Yet, the more time passed, the deeper the pull grew, and he couldn’t shake the feeling that something in him had awakened.What the hell is going on? Ainsley demanded, his voice sharp and uncertain, spoken not aloud but in the privacy of his mind.His wolf, Adrian, answered instantly, his tone firm and unyielding. She’s our mate.Ainsley’s heart thundered in his chest as the word echoed in his thoughts. Mate. The concept had always been something distant for him, something he hadn’t truly believed in. But Adrian was insistent. We werewolves need to be with our mates. That bond... it’s what keeps us whole. It’s what keeps us happy.Ainsley said nothing in response. The silence between them hung heavy, thick with confusion. He tr
Suddenly, Eric recalled what he had said to Eloise earlier. He had told her she had disappointed him, blamed her for changing. Now, as he thought about it, he was filled with regret. It wasn’t him who had been suffering all these years.Eric continued, “When I checked on her earlier, she wasn’t in a serious condition. I don’t know why she fainted again, but I suggest you take her to the hospital now. She’s been through a lot, drowning, running a fever, and fainting. Even healthy werewolves couldn’t handle that, let alone her. Werewolf herbs might alleviate the symptoms, but it’s our strong resistance that helps us recover. Eloise doesn’t have her wolf anymore. She may be more vulnerable than humans.”“Okay. I’ll take her to the hospital now,” Ainsley responded.“Okay. See you there,” Eric replied before hanging up.Ainsley stood by the bed, looking down at Eloise. Eric’s words echoed in his mind: “Don’t you know that your attitude towards Eloise and the disposition you show have deter
Ainsley stood over Eloise’s unconscious form, his eyes scanning her prone body. His mind was in turmoil, but his focus was sharp. He didn’t break the mental link. His gaze was locked on Eloise as she lay motionless on the bed.He moved closer, his hands trembling with a mixture of frustration and confusion. He pushed her aside gently and, with a steady breath, lifted her shirt.As her shirt slowly moved upward, his eyes fell on her waist.What he saw stopped him cold.A gruesome, jagged scar marred the skin on her left side. Ainsley’s pupils constricted, his heart thundering painfully in his chest. The breath caught in his throat.Our mate... Adrian’s voice was pained, distant. I can’t feel her... not properly. The words cut through Ainsley’s mind like ice. There was only the faintest breath, the shallow pulse beneath her skin, and that was all that marked her as his mate.“Who did this?” Ainsley’s voice was icy, his tone as cold as a blizzard, his words sharp with the promise of wrat
Eloise’s thoughts were heavy, weighing down her every step. I know what it is to owe someone your life, and it’s a debt I can never repay. No matter how hard I work, no matter how many hours I toil away, Rain will never see my efforts. She paused for a moment, letting the sting of truth settle in. But I don’t care about Mavis. She felt an odd indifference towards the woman. It’s not that I hate her, nor that I like her. She’s selfish, and often insolent, crossing boundaries without a second thought. But I don’t care enough to involve myself in her matters. I didn’t come here to beg for her.Her breath caught as the weight of her decision sank deeper. I just... I just don’t want to owe anyone anything. Not a single person. Whether they’re kind or cruel, whether they matter to me or not, it’s the principle. I don’t want to owe anyone, not again. She exhaled sharply. That's why I came here, despite every ounce of resistance in my body. I can’t stand this feeling of indebtedness.Ainsley