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 Gloria knew what had happened that day." Rachel’s eyes darted over to Eric for a moment, before continuing. "Gloria 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 towar
"Mr.... No. 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 doors. It
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
Eloise practically ran home. She slammed the door to her dorm room behind her and leaned against it, trying to steady her breath. Her heart was hammering in her chest, a fierce ache in the pit of her stomach.Her face had been pale, like a ghost. Lucian had heard Serah's words, his expression unreadable, but the look in his eyes... That look still lingers. She'd thought she could ignore the pain. I’m stronger than this, she had told herself. But now, it all felt like a tidal wave crashing over her.Her thoughts spiraled. No. No, I can’t do this.There was a huge line between her and Lucian. In the eyes of the world, she was nothing more than a prostitute, a product to be bought and sold. Lucian was a successful CEO, a man with power and respect. In the eyes of the werewolves, she was a wolfless rouge, an outcast. Lucian was the powerful Alpha of the Blood Moon Pack.She tried to push the thoughts away, but the reality of it all dug deep into her heart, making her chest feel tight. He
After Lucian finished speaking, he took a sharp turn on his motorcycle and pulled up in front of a towering wall of blooming roses. Eloise blinked, momentarily disoriented by the beauty of the scene. Without waiting for her to speak, Lucian nimbly dismounted from the motorcycle, his movements fluid and effortless.“We’re here,” he said, gesturing to the entrance with a subtle smirk. “This is the back door. Normally, I enter through the front.”Eloise hesitated. Something about the hidden entrance made her feel uneasy. A back door? What kind of place is this?Lucian raised an eyebrow, catching her reluctance. “Get off. Staying on the bike won’t change anything.”Eloise crossed her arms, defiantly refusing to move. “No,” she said with a stubborn little blink. Her grip tightened on the seat beneath her.Lucian smirked, clearly amused by her childish resistance. “Are you sure about that?”“I’m not hungry,” Eloise replied quickly, her mind racing for any excuse to avoid going inside.“But
"Rachael, I'm fine. I'm just a little tired. Can I take the day off?" Eloise said, her voice sounding unusually content.Rachael's tone softened, a hint of concern mixed with relief. "Sure. I’m glad you’re finally listening to your body. Take the day off, Eloise. You deserve it. Don’t worry about a thing here." With that, the line went quiet as Rachael hung up.Eloise stared at the phone for a moment, a slight smile tugging at her lips. She had made it through the morning without a major crisis, and now she had an entire day to herself. Her thoughts felt unusually clear as she stood up, stretching her stiff limbs. She wandered over to the small wooden table by the bedroom window, sat down, and opened the drawer, retrieving her well-worn notebook.It had become her one true companion over the years, the place where her thoughts roamed freely.I should write. I always feel better when I write.The last time she wrote anything was years ago. Her fingers flicked through the pages until sh
"Eloise, you don’t need to do anything. Just stay where you are, and I’ll come to you. I’ll hug you. You can leave everything to me. How will you know what happiness feels like if you don’t even try? I promise I won’t make you cry again, or... well, I’ll try my best not to, at least.”Lucian’s words hung in the air like he was trying to win an Oscar for “Most Heartfelt Speech.” It was almost working.But then, like an unwanted pop-up ad in her brain, Ainsley’s voice appeared.“Eloise, do you actually believe you deserve happiness?”Oh, great, thought Eloise, now I have the soundtracks of two people echoing in my head at the same time.Lucian’s offer of sunshine and rainbows was drowned out by Ainsley’s snarky voice. Happiness? Eloise thought, clutching her head. Who has time for that? Happiness doesn’t even fit into my schedule right now.It’s not that she didn’t want it. Who wouldn’t want happiness? But... I’m a mess. Rain died because of me. Because of ME! She winced at the thought.
Eloise's silence pressed down on Lucian like a weight he couldn't shake off. Her stillness seemed to say everything that her words had not. For a moment, he stood there, unsure whether to push forward or retreat. He gathered every ounce of his courage and spoke, his voice tentative yet sincere."Eloise," he began, his eyes searching hers. "You deserve a chance at happiness. Don’t shut me out so quickly. Even if you can’t be my mate right now, I want you to know you have every right to be happy. You can live a life filled with joy; I believe that."Eloise felt a flicker of warmth stir within her, his words brushing against the edges of the cold, distant walls she had built around herself. But then, as quickly as it came, the warmth was smothered. She wanted to say yes, to allow herself to hope again, but her heart fought back with a harsh, impenetrable truth.Lucian continued, undeterred by the quiet between them. His words, so genuine, cut through the heavy air like a knife."You can'
"Yes, I’m waiting for you, my lady," Lucian said briskly, his voice filled with quiet determination. "Eloise, you still haven’t answered me. The last time we spoke, I asked if you could be my mate. So, what do you think now?"Eloise froze, her heart pounding wildly in her chest. The words, so direct and unexpected, sent a rush of emotions through her. Her mind scrambled, trying to piece together her thoughts. She had rejected him before, hadn't she? But now... now he was standing there, so close, with that same intensity in his eyes. What is he really asking me?Her breath caught in her throat, her heart accelerating at the thought. Lucian was looking at her with such intensity, like she was the only person in the world. How can I say yes after everything? She blinked, suddenly lost in the storm of emotions."I was in the UK for a while," Lucian continued, his voice now softer, filled with something almost... pleading. "But the moment I returned to Metrocity, I came straight here. I k
"If I were you, I’d send her away," Eric’s voice sliced through the heavy silence of the room. His gaze held no warmth as he thought back to Ainsley "She had a lot to do with Aura’s death, you know. And you, Alpha Ainsley... You’re just shocked by how much Eloise has changed. After all, the two grew up together. You’re just shocked by what she’s become. That’s all."The words struck Ainsley like a punch in the gut, yet he said nothing for a moment. His chest tightened, but he couldn’t bring himself to argue. He simply murmured, “Let me think about it.” His voice sounded hollow to his own ears.As the Alpha of the Litha Night Walker Pack, Ainsley had been conditioned from childhood to believe that mates were unnecessary distractions, that emotions were weaknesses. He’d grown up to be a leader, not a lover, and for the longest time, he hadn’t even questioned it. But now... Now, the walls that had kept him distant from everyone, from her, were crumbling. Eloise, the very woman he had onc
Ainsley slouched back in his chair like it was his throne, the weight of his thoughts pressing down on him like a lead blanket. The flickering light from his desk lamp cast shadows across the room, but none of them could match the dark cloud hanging over his mood. Eric broke the silence, his question hanging in the air like a stubborn fly."Ainsley, it’s not because of her, is it?" Eric asked, his finger tapping out a beat on the desk. The rhythm was annoyingly steady, like a metronome ticking down to his doom.Ainsley didn’t budge. He didn’t even flinch. His gaze was as cold as a freezer in Antarctica. Jacob, on the other hand, was practically vibrating with curiosity. He leaned in, practically licking his lips. "For her? Who? Spill it, man. Who are we talking about?"Eric’s stare never wavered, but Jacob’s playful smirk was the real problem here. "Alpha Ainsley, have you found your mate? Who’s the lucky lady? What pack does she belong to? When can we meet your future Luna? Are we ta
The night air was thick with tension as Gary’s car came to a stop, the wheels grinding to a halt next to Alex. The distance between them felt like miles, the silence hanging heavy, but Alex didn’t move. He stood rooted to the ground, watching as Gary hesitated before getting into the car.Gary’s eyes flickered briefly towards Alex, his face filled with guilt and something like regret. With a deep sigh, he finally spoke, his voice heavy with an emotion Alex couldn’t place. “Beta Alex,” he said, looking at him through the windshield. “We failed to raise that girl right. Everything that happened to Aura... was all her fault. I’m sorry. I’m truly sorry.”The words were like a cold slap, but they didn’t sting as much as they should have.If Eloise were here, she would be devastated too, Alex thought, the anger churning in his chest. But she wasn’t here. She hadn’t confessed her own sins, and yet, her father stood there, offering up apologies for her. How many times has he been asked to tak