Rachel wasn’t sure about Ainsley’s attitude, so she decided to simply recount the situation calmly. She took a deep breath and began speaking in a clear, steady tone."At first, only Amelia, her client, and Eloise knew what had happened that day." Rachel’s eyes darted over to Eric for a moment, before continuing. "Eloise bore all the pain in silence, unwilling to reveal a thing. In fact, it was Amelia who casually mentioned it as a joke to the others at the Scarlet Heart Club. That’s how I found out."Eric's expression shifted, and his eyes widened in surprise. He leaned forward slightly. "Amelia’s not a werewolf," he said, his voice laced with disbelief. "But she’s more vicious than any beast I’ve ever seen."Ainsley’s face darkened at the mention of Amelia. His lips tightened into a thin line, and his cold gaze sharpened as he looked at Rachel.Without another word, he nodded towards her. "Bring me Amelia. I’ll wait for you in Room 1."With a fluid motion, he turned and walked toward
"Alpha... No. Ainsley Williams, I know you're the Alpha of the Litha Night Walker Pack, but that doesn't mean you can insult me at will," Gold said, her voice sharp with defiance. She stood tall, almost arrogantly, as she addressed him. "You're in the Scarlet Heart Club now. No matter who you are, you must follow the rules here."The room fell silent as her words echoed, the weight of them hanging in the air. Almost everyone in the Scarlet Heart Club knew Ainsley was an influential figure in this small but highly respected establishment, but few knew he was its owner. To most, he was just another mysterious face among the club's powerful members. But Gold’s challenge was reckless, considering Ainsley was known for his volatile temperament and power, especially when it came to matters of disrespect.The Scarlet Heart Club may have appeared to be a humble establishment, but beneath its polished exterior, it was a place of secrets, where power, wealth, and influence mingled behind closed
Mavis felt an unsettling tension in the air as soon as she entered the room, but she couldn’t quite place the cause. She glanced around, trying to understand why it felt so different today. Something wasn’t right. Then, she turned to Vanessa, her friend, and asked quietly, “Vanessa, what happened?”Vanessa hesitated for a moment. She glanced at the others in the room, her gaze dropping as if she were unsure how to speak. Her fingers nervously twisted a napkin in her hands. Mavis was her closest friend, and though she knew she should warn her, something inside her told her it wasn’t the right time. Still, she had to say something.“Mavis, in fact, Amelia...” she started, but before she could finish, she was cut off.“Vanessa. Room 3 needs to be cleaned,” a voice interrupted sharply. The tone was clipped and demanding, and before Mavis could react, everyone in the room stood up, as if on cue. The shift in the room’s atmosphere was sudden, like a veil had been pulled over the scene. The
"Alpha Michael, I didn’t think you would fall for a woman in the club. I always thought you didn’t like women." Michael’s friend’s voice broke the silence, his words accompanied by laughter from the others.The room filled with amusement, ignoring the presence of the human waitresses in the corner. Many of the customers at Club Scarlet Heart were wolves, and although not all the employees knew about the supernatural, most had grown used to the oddities over time. The club, close to the forest, offered the perfect cover for werewolves to hide in plain sight, blending seamlessly into human society. The wolves in Metrocity were safe. Their identities were legal, protected by laws that made them nearly untouchable, even by hunters.But Michael didn’t care about the taunts. He was used to them. His mind was elsewhere, focused on the woman beside him. Eloise. He barely registered his friend's words as he led her away from the noisy group, his hand on her back guiding her toward a quieter pl
Eloise unconsciously reached out and pulled Michael into a tight hug, the same way her brother had done when she was young. It was an instinctive gesture, one born of a time when life had been simpler, before the weight of fear and pain had tainted her existence.Michael froze in her arms. His heart thudded in his chest, and for a fleeting moment, he forgot where he was. He heard Eloise’s voice, soft and fragile, whispering words that seemed to cut through the air with a strange familiarity.“She would be happy if she knew you loved her,” Eloise murmured.The words felt like a whisper from the past, from someone long gone. Michael’s breath hitched as the name slipped from his lips, almost without his consent. “I’m sorry, Melissa. I love you, Melissa.” The words felt hollow, but at the same time, they echoed with a pain he hadn’t fully acknowledged until now.Eloise’s chest tightened. She had heard those words before, in another context. She realized then that both she and the woman Mi
After a while, the elevator doors opened.Ainsley wasn’t surprised when Eric stepped out, dragging another boy along with him. It was typical for Eric to invite others into their business, but this time, something felt off. Ainsley’s eyes narrowed as he looked over at Jacob, who appeared nervous. Ainsley held his gaze as Eric gestured for him to move forward.“Ainsley,” Eric greeted him, his voice casual, but there was something in his eyes that suggested a deeper curiosity.Jacob who was standing next Eric looked around, his eyes flitting between Ainsley and the woman on the bed, he seemed to be trying to process the situation, though it was clear he wasn’t prepared for what he was about to witness.“Where is the woman?” Jacob asked, his voice wavering as he stepped further into the room. His eyes scanned the surroundings, his discomfort obvious.Ainsley didn’t react immediately. He simply gave a soft, cold smile. “This is Club Scarlet Heart, and there are plenty of women downstairs.
Eloise was disturbed by Ainsley's presence. She didn’t understand how he had found out about Rain, a secret she kept buried deep within her heart, something she never wanted to share with anyone, especially not Ainsley. Rain represented a part of her life that she preferred to keep hidden, even from those who were close to her. But now, Ainsley's gaze revealed that he knew more than he should, which increased Eloise's anxiety. She felt exposed, vulnerable, and terribly small under his knowing eyes.As Ainsley seemed to lose control, his words echoed in Eloise's mind: “Eloise, take care of yourself and remember who you are.”His voice was calm yet dangerous, and Eloise’s face paled at the intensity of the situation. She had never seen Ainsley like this before. His words had a profound impact on her, more overwhelming than any previous insult or threat. They weren’t just words, they felt like a command, as if he were reminding her of something she had forgotten, something painful, somet
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
With a heavy heart, Alex walked silently over to the sleeping woman and stood by the bench, his resentful eyes fixed on Eloise’s face.After staring at her for a long time, he finally spoke. “Wake up.”Eloise 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 Aura’s brother?Apologize? But why should she? She was the one who had been deceived. Why should she bear the weight of someone else’s sins?Slowly, Eloise lowered her head and remained silent.Alex’s sharp gaze bore into her. He had waited three years for this moment, for whatever excuse she might give him.“Miss Anthony, don’t you have anything to tell me?”Eloise parted her lips, but no words came out.She could easily offer a meaningless “I’m sorry” to anyone, to ease their anger, to lessen her burden. But Alex… Alex was different. He was Aura’s brother. A
The car drove toward the Iron Gate, and the Alpha’s villa of the Litha Night Walker Pack stood as organized and pristine as Eloise remembered it.She couldn’t 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.“Our mate is suffering. Why can’t you make her happy?” Adrian's voice thundered in Ainsley’s 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.“Alpha 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 wasn’t 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.She’s trembling! She’s afraid of us.Ainsley could feel his wolf’s anguish twist through his mind like a blade. Adrian ached for Eloise in a way that Ainsley didn’t fully understand.Why does she always flinch away? Adrian’s voice was pained. Why does she fear me when all I want is to protect her?Ainsley’s grip on Eloise tightened. His lips pressed against hers, not just with punishment, but desperation, possession, obsession.Eloise, don’t do this. Don’t make us villains.Adrian’s pain merged with Ainsley’s fury. He had gone mad the moment he found out that she had gotten a new driver’s license. She
Ainsley yanked the car door open, slid into the driver’s seat, and sped off without a second glance.“Fuck” 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, suddenly… screech!Ainsley slammed on the brakes in front of a building, tires screeching against the pavement.Hank watched as he stormed inside.“Miss Anthony, here is your new driver’s license.”“Thank you…”Before Eloise could finish speaking, a strong hand snatched the license away.She turned sharply, ready to protest… then froze.Ainsley Williams!Her lips turned deathly pale.“Why are you here?” she whispered, her voice barely audible.His icy gaze locked onto hers. “Are you trying to run away from me?”“No, I’m not,” she denied, but her voice wavered.“No?”Ainsley lifted the license between his fingers, his smirk razor-sharp. “Then tell me, Eloise… what’s this for?”Eloise’s stomach dropped.He wasn’t 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, “I was wrong to think that Aura was Ainsley’s weak point. Behind her angelic face, she was actually an evil woman. No wonder Ainsley didn’t do anything about Aura’s 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, “Got it, Ainsley has already accepted Eloise as his mate.”As 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 Aura’s address book wasn’t 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 moment’s hesitation, Alex pulled out his phone and scrolled through his contacts. His thumb hovered over a name he hadn’t called in years. With a deep breath, he pressed dial.The line rang twice before a voice dripping with sarcasm answered. “Well, well, Beta Alex. It’s been a long time since we last spoke.”Alex’s frown deepened, but he ignored the other man’s mocking tone. He didn’t have time for games. “Elijah just searched the warehouse and took Aura’s address book. That was strange. Do me a favor and find out what he’s up to.”A low chuckle echoed through the phone. “Beta Alex, you know better than anyone who Elijah works for. He’
Ainsley’s 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 Rachael’s 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, “Come in.”The 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 there’s anything we missed about what happened three years ago."Elijah’s brows furrowed in confusion. "You mean about Aura?" His voice wavered slightly as if he wasn’t sure he had heard correctly. "Alpha, I thought that matter was resolved already. Why reopen old wounds?"Ainsley’s 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, let’s 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 didn’t 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 Eloise’s words. What did she mean? Why didn’t she fight back after I insulted her? Why doesn’t she hate me?“She said I was her light! How ridiculous!” Lucian said to himself, his voice choking. Tears spilled
"Lucian, you said I lied to you. "That I hid my past from you," Eloise’s voice wavered, rough from unshed tears. "I’ll 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 wasn’t 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 café 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, that’s the truth. And now…" her voice steadied, cold and final, "I don’t owe you anything."She didn’t wait for a reaction. She shoved him, her hands trembling against his solid chest.Lucian barely staggered, but it wasn’t 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. She’s okay wit