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
Mavis felt Ainsleyâs 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 couldnât speak, couldnât defend him. Fear held her tongue in place.How dare he say that about Lucian? Her mind screamed, but the words couldnât escape her lips. Her gaze flitted between Ainsleyâs 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 wasnât 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
âI know she works at Club Scarlet Heart. She's your employee...âAfter a brief moment of silence, Lucianâs mind started to piece things together. Could I have offended Ainsleyâs employee? He wondered. Given Ainsleyâs domineering nature, he could see how any action could lead to conflict.Lucian hesitated, then spoke, his voice uncertain, "So... she's okay, right? She's not dead?" Lucian's voice faltered as he spoke. It wasn't so much a question as an attempt to convince himself.Mavis, struggling for control, could barely keep her body upright. Every fibber of her being ached as she knelt on the cold ground. She was drained, emotionally and physically, she couldn't even find the strength to lift her head. All she could hear were the harsh, chaotic sounds of her breath, her own desperation suffocating her.What have I done? She thought, the realization like a weight pressing down on her chest. The raw, bitter truth tore through her mind. Lucian. He had played her, used her, and now she
In the dimly lit room, Eloiseâs eyelids fluttered open. The weight of the silence in the air settled heavily upon her. Her sharp, fearful gaze darted around the unfamiliar space, trying to grasp where she was. The cold room made her feel trapped, as if the darkness itself were closing in on her. She lay motionless in the bed, her long, tangled hair splayed around her like a dark halo, a mess of exhaustion and dread.Eloiseâs heartbeat quickened as she took in her surroundings. The atmosphere was tense, thick with the kind of tension only secrets could breed. Ainsley stood by her side, his presence imposing. He was watching her, waiting, as though he had been standing there for an eternity, his eyes burning with the weight of a question that needed to be answered. His rigid posture betrayed his impatience, but his eyes, those deep, calculating eyes, betrayed something darker, something closer to suspicion.The air between them seemed to crackle with unsaid words, and the tension threat
His pulse raced as the wolf inside him howled with hunger. Every instinct screamed at him to claim her. He stepped closer, his breath shallow. She trembled beneath his touch, her eyes wide.She felt herself melting against him, her own emotions tangled with his. Despite everything, the connection between them, however strained, was undeniable. The bond they shared, the one that had once felt like a curse, now pulled her in deeper. I hate this, she thought, but I need this. I need him.Her body responded instinctively, the pull of the bond stronger than her thoughts."Mark her now," Adrian growled, his voice thick with urgency. "You feel it too, the bond, the pull. Sheâs yours, and every moment you wait, someone else could claim her. Donât let doubt steal whatâs already yours. Mark her, before itâs too late."With Adrian urging him, his heart was pounding. He gently cupped her face, pulling her closer, his breath warm on her skin. With a deep growl, he was about sinking his teeth into
Mavis stood there, her body stiff with shock, as the weight of Lucianâs words hit her like a punch to the gut. Her breath caught in her throat, her mind spinning. Why? Why does everyone want to see me broken? The anger and confusion clawed at her from the inside, and her eyes, wide with disbelief, burned with resentment. She couldnât understand how everything had gone so horribly wrong.Lucianâs eyes, cold and unfeeling, watched her with a detached amusement, as though her pain was little more than an inconvenience. His expression, impervious to the emotional turmoil brewing inside Mavis, betrayed no surprise. Of course, sheâs acting like this. She always is selfish, ignorant, and blind to the consequences of her actions.Does she really think she can fool everyone with her lies? Lucian thought angrily. She has the nerve to claim Eloise is pretending to be hurt. She thinks I would fall for that? His gaze darkened as he thought of Eloise, her quiet dignity, her strength hidden beneath
"Lucian," she whispered, her voice cracking, breaking under the strain of her emotions, "Please, just... tell me what I did wrong. I... I can fix it. Iâll change. Iâll be whatever you want." Her words came out in a desperate, pleading rush, but there was no softening in his gaze, no flicker of the man she had once known.Instead, Lucianâs lips curved into a cruel, humorless smile, and he stood up, the movement cold and precise, like a predator closing in on its prey.âYouâve already done enough, Mavis. What you donât understand is that your mistakes were made long before today. You thought you could manipulate me, control me... but you never had that power. And now, itâs too late.â His voice was ice, the finality of his words sinking in.Mavisâs knees gave out, and she collapsed onto the floor, her mind reeling, her body shaking uncontrollably as tears threatened to spill. She had no idea how to respond to that. The weight of Lucianâs rejection was suffocating, and her heart felt as if
Eloise returned to Club Scarlet Heart, her body healed, but her mind was in turmoil. She had recovered completely, and at first, it felt like life was slipping back into its usual rhythm. Yet, everything seemed different, hollow.She wandered through the halls, her footsteps echoing against the walls. The same faces, the same glitz and glamour, but there was an undeniable void in her life. It was as though she had become invisible. No work assignments, no calls from clients. She was left to wander aimlessly, a ghost among the living.Flora had not even bothered to assign her anything, and Rachael would never, ever go against Ainsleyâs orders.Eloise found herself alone in the lounge of the Public Relations Department. She sat on the couch, staring at the flickering lights above her, as the hours dragged on. The surrounding chatter grew louder, but it only amplified her isolation. It felt like she was watching life unfold from the other side of a glass wall, unable to touch it, let alo
With a heavy heart, Alex walked silently over to the sleeping woman and stood by the bench, his resentful eyes fixed on Eloiseâs face.After staring at her for a long time, he finally spoke. âWake up.âEloise stirred at the sound, pulled from the depths of her sleep.As soon as she opened her eyes, she saw Alex standing beside her. Instantly, her drowsiness vanished.She opened her mouth but hesitated. What could she even say to Auraâs brother?Apologize? But why should she? She was the one who had been deceived. Why should she bear the weight of someone elseâs sins?Slowly, Eloise lowered her head and remained silent.Alexâs sharp gaze bore into her. He had waited three years for this moment, for whatever excuse she might give him.âMiss Anthony, donât you have anything to tell me?âEloise parted her lips, but no words came out.She could easily offer a meaningless âIâm sorryâ to anyone, to ease their anger, to lessen her burden. But AlexâĶ Alex was different. He was Auraâs brother. A
The car drove toward the Iron Gate, and the Alphaâs villa of the Litha Night Walker Pack stood as organized and pristine as Eloise remembered it.She couldnât help but glance over her shoulder. Through the back window, she watched the black Iron Gate slowly close behind her.From today on, I'm just a caged bird.She closed her eyes, forcing back the tears that threatened to spill. When she opened them again, she was obedient Eloise once more.Ainsley caught every flicker of emotion on her face, and for a fleeting moment, guilt flashed through his eyes.I'm sorry, Eloise, but I just don't know how to keep you around. I want you to love me like you did three years ago.âOur mate is suffering. Why canât you make her happy?â Adrian's voice thundered in Ainsleyâs mind.Ainsley clenched his jaw. Because I love her. I'll never let her go.His grip on the steering wheel tightened, his knuckles whitening. He felt himself slipping; drowning in an obsession he could no longer control.âAlpha Ain
Their lips fused together. Eloise couldn't move her jaw at all, so she could only let saliva drip from the corner of her mouth.This wasnât a kiss. It was punishment.Torture.Eloise shut her eyes, forcing herself not to shed a single tear. She had long since realized her pain meant nothing to the man in front of her. Or rather, the beast in front of her.Inside Ainsley, Adrian stirred.Sheâs trembling! Sheâs afraid of us.Ainsley could feel his wolfâs anguish twist through his mind like a blade. Adrian ached for Eloise in a way that Ainsley didnât fully understand.Why does she always flinch away? Adrianâs voice was pained. Why does she fear me when all I want is to protect her?Ainsleyâs grip on Eloise tightened. His lips pressed against hers, not just with punishment, but desperation, possession, obsession.Eloise, donât do this. Donât make us villains.Adrianâs pain merged with Ainsleyâs fury. He had gone mad the moment he found out that she had gotten a new driverâs license. She
Ainsley yanked the car door open, slid into the driverâs seat, and sped off without a second glance.âFuckâ Hank cursed under his breath, jumping into another car to follow.But Ainsley was driving like a madman, his rage fueling his speed. Hank could barely keep up.Then, suddenlyâĶ screech!Ainsley slammed on the brakes in front of a building, tires screeching against the pavement.Hank watched as he stormed inside.âMiss Anthony, here is your new driverâs license.ââThank youâĶâBefore Eloise could finish speaking, a strong hand snatched the license away.She turned sharply, ready to protestâĶ then froze.Ainsley Williams!Her lips turned deathly pale.âWhy are you here?â she whispered, her voice barely audible.His icy gaze locked onto hers. âAre you trying to run away from me?ââNo, Iâm not,â she denied, but her voice wavered.âNo?âAinsley lifted the license between his fingers, his smirk razor-sharp. âThen tell me, EloiseâĶ whatâs this for?âEloiseâs stomach dropped.He wasnât stup
Ellison smirked and thought, Ainsley, it turns out you can't say no to the Moon Goddess' arrangements either. If you had known this was going to happen, would you have been so cruel?Ellison was very shrewd. He had deduced from Elijah's behavior that Ainsley had changed his attitude toward Eloise.He muttered to himself, âI was wrong to think that Aura was Ainsleyâs weak point. Behind her angelic face, she was actually an evil woman. No wonder Ainsley didnât do anything about Auraâs terrible death." His eyes were shining with excitement, and he was eager for the next challenge.Ellison dialed a number immediately. With a sly grin on his face, he told Alex, âGot it, Ainsley has already accepted Eloise as his mate.âAs soon as he finished speaking, he heard the sound of something falling to the ground through the phone.Alex, who was on the other end of the line, lost his grip on his phone, and it fell to the ground.After a while, he trembled, bent down to pick up his phone, and said,
Alex walked into his room and locked the door behind him. His hands were clenched into fists, and his mind raced with unease. Elijah searching the warehouse and taking Auraâs address book wasnât just unusual, it was suspicious. Something was happening behind the scenes, and he had no intention of sitting back and waiting to find out secondhand.After a momentâs hesitation, Alex pulled out his phone and scrolled through his contacts. His thumb hovered over a name he hadnât called in years. With a deep breath, he pressed dial.The line rang twice before a voice dripping with sarcasm answered. âWell, well, Beta Alex. Itâs been a long time since we last spoke.âAlexâs frown deepened, but he ignored the other manâs mocking tone. He didnât have time for games. âElijah just searched the warehouse and took Auraâs address book. That was strange. Do me a favor and find out what heâs up to.âA low chuckle echoed through the phone. âBeta Alex, you know better than anyone who Elijah works for. Heâ
Ainsleyâs eyes were filled with pride. Seeing Eloise like this made his heart beat faster. It was as if he was seeing the Eloise from three years ago, the strong & confident woman who never backed down. He had never realized how much he missed that version of her until now.Nightfall Rachaelâs Office at Club Scarlet Heart.Rachael had just finished giving a report to Ainsley when a knock on the door interrupted them.Ainsley barely looked up as he said, âCome in.âThe door swung open, and Elijah stepped inside, his posture straight, his expression unreadable. "Alpha Ainsley, you want to see me?"Ainsley leaned back in his chair and studied Elijah for a moment before speaking. "I want you to find out if thereâs anything we missed about what happened three years ago."Elijahâs brows furrowed in confusion. "You mean about Aura?" His voice wavered slightly as if he wasnât sure he had heard correctly. "Alpha, I thought that matter was resolved already. Why reopen old wounds?"Ainsleyâs ga
Eloise spoke very slowly. Then, she turned firmly and walked toward Ainsley.She looked at Ainsley standing in front of her. From the moment she knew he was her mate, they were destined to be entangled for life.No one else could interfere in what was going on between her and Ainsley."Alpha Williams, letâs go to the Moonlight Group," Eloise lowered her head and whispered.She felt a hand on her shoulder, and the next second, the world turned upside down. By the time she could see her surroundings again, she found herself being carried by Ainsley. Bowing her head, she didnât resist and let him pull her out without a fight.Lucian stood there stiffly. After Ainsley and Eloise disappeared, he suddenly staggered and leaned against the wall behind him.He couldn't stop thinking about Eloiseâs words. What did she mean? Why didnât she fight back after I insulted her? Why doesnât she hate me?âShe said I was her light! How ridiculous!â Lucian said to himself, his voice choking. Tears spilled
"Lucian, you said I lied to you. "That I hid my past from you," Eloiseâs voice wavered, rough from unshed tears. "Iâll say it one last time; I never meant to hurt Aura. I never asked anyone to ra*e her. Her death was self-inflicted, it wasnât my fault."Her throat burned, her chest tightened, but she held his gaze, she had to.Lucian stood like a statue, the dim lighting of the cafÃĐ casting jagged shadows over his sharp features. His expression was unreadable, but the storm in his eyes told her everything: rage, disbelief, betrayal.Eloise swallowed back the lump in her throat. "Believe it or not, thatâs the truth. And nowâĶ" her voice steadied, cold and final, "I donât owe you anything."She didnât wait for a reaction. She shoved him, her hands trembling against his solid chest.Lucian barely staggered, but it wasnât the force of her push that knocked the air out of him, it was her words.No. She rejected me.The thought struck like lightning, searing through his veins. Sheâs okay wit