At dawn, Eloise closed her eyes on purpose and pretended to be asleep. "Wake up, Eloise." Ainsley pushed her gently.She rolled over, her voice drowsy. "Let me sleep a little longer."Ainsley chuckled. It was rare to see Eloise act cute like this, and something about it softened him. "Okay," he said indulgently. "I'll have Kevin prepare breakfast." Get up and eat later.""It's okay," Eloise murmured, pulling the blanket over half of her face.Ainsley’s eyes gleamed with tenderness. He reached out, brushing her hair back. "Be good." The bed shifted as he got up, and moments later, the sound of the door clicking shut echoed through the room.Eloise remained motionless, listening intently. She waited. Then, the faint hum of an engine drifted up from outside. She threw the blanket aside and stood by the window, watching the car disappear beyond the villa gates, her expression turning ice-cold.A soft knock interrupted the silence. It was cautious, hesitant.
Pamela hesitated but finally answered, “It's Chloe. She’s from the Darkmoon Pack.”A bitter chuckle escaped Eloise’s lips. Of course, Chloe was the youngest daughter of the Darkmoon Pack Alpha, a pampered girl, shielded by her family. It makes sense now why her name has never surfaced. The Darkmoon Pack had gone to great lengths to keep her out of it.Eloise turned back to Pamela, her voice like steel. “You said she saw the crime scene and claimed I framed Aura?”Pamela nodded. “That’s what she told us.”Eloise’s laugh was hollow. “Pamela, I want to know exactly what Chloe saw.”Pamela’s lips parted, but no words came out.Eloise’s patience snapped. “Did Chloe actually witness the crime?” Her voice rose, her chest heaving with suppressed fury. “Or did she just hear something and assume?”Pamela swallowed hard. “Hasn’t Alpha Ainsley told you about this?”Eloise’s lips curled into a smirk. Pamela already knew the answer. If Ainsley had told her, why would she be asking?Seeing Eloise’s
A few days later, Eloise spoke to Ainsley about her trip to the Golden Moon Pack.“I have to go away for a few days. "When I get back, I’ll take you there,” Ainsley said.“Ask Rachael to stay here with me. I’m bored at home and, since Alpha Gary and Luna, Pamela wanted to make up for their mistakes…” Eloise lowered her gaze, her voice calm as she helped Ainsley pack his luggage. “Anyway, Rachael will go with me, and I’m only going for a little while.”Ainsley looked at her, his gaze softening. “Okay then. I’ll call Rachael and ask her to come with you tomorrow.”The next day, before leaving, Ainsley instructed his people to take good care of Eloise.Eloise stood at the door, watching him. “Take care and come back soon.”They looked like an ordinary mated pair. No one would have guessed how many unspoken conflicts lay between them. As Ainsley’s car disappeared into the distance, Rachael hooked her arm through Eloise’s, smirking. “Come on, you don’t need to pretend anymore.” Eloise tu
Ainsley took Eric with him.They weren’t familiar with the pack they would be cooperating with this time. If an accident occurred, Eric, as a doctor, would be able to treat it immediately.“These guys are hard to deal with,” Eric muttered, his frustration evident after meeting the pack members. Ainsley checked his watch, his face unreadable. “Let’s go have lunch first.” They entered a nearby restaurant and sat down. Ainsley casually crooked a finger behind him, summoning Elijah."Keep an eye on Parker. "See who he runs into," Ainsley instructed. The moment the words left Ainsley’s mouth, realization struck Eric like a bolt of lightning. His eyes widened. “You mean someone in our pack is a mole?”
"Every time we had sex, she took birth-control pills. "She told me they were vitamin pills." Ainsley laughed bitterly. "She didn’t know that the pills in the bottles were no longer contraceptives. I replaced them with vitamin pills of the same size and flavor."It was as if Ainsley could no longer contain the pain in his heart. He said as if in a trance, “Even though I changed the medicine, I still felt unspeakable pain every time I saw her take a pill out of the bottle and take it.” Ainsley lightly punched his left chest with his fist. There were tears in his eyes.Eric was stunned when Ainsley raised his head. He said in surprise, “Ainsley?” “Eric, you don’t have a mate yet. "The bond between mates can’t be broken.” Ainsley hit his chest again.Eric's thin lips twitched slightly, but he didn't know what to say. Comforting words seemed useless in the face of such crazy affection. Eric reached out and tapped Ainsley on the shoulder. He said, “Back then, when you rejected Eloise and
Ainsley threw her onto the bed like a madman and penetrated her again and again. It seemed that only in this way could he feel that she was still by his side and that she would not abandon him.Neither of them enjoyed this wild sex. Eloise was like a broken doll, lying weakly on the bed. And Ainsley was like a beast, panting heavily. She didn't want to look at him, so she stared at the ceiling in a daze.Ainsley moved and got off her. Standing on the floor barefoot, he opened the drawer and took out the bottle. He walked over to the bed and extended his arm. “Don’t you need the pills?” “What do you mean?” Eloise looked puzzled.Ainsley scoffed. “Are those really vitamin pills?” He unscrewed the cap, his deep eyes fixed on Eloise. He poured a handful of the pills into his palm and popped them all into his mouth. He swallowed them in front of her.Eloise’s face changed. Without much thought, she instinctively lunged at Ainsley and grabbed his arm, screaming, “You can’t take them!” “
"Eloise, why are you crying?" Ainsley sat up and reached out to hug her.Eloise subconsciously pushed him away. Realizing her reaction, she quickly explained, "I had a nightmare."Ainsley sighed in relief and said, "Don’t be afraid. I’m here."He pulled the blanket over her and held her close. She fell asleep again in his arms.Maybe it was exhaustion, or pain. But for the first time in days, she slept beside Ainsley.Ainsley’s deep gaze flicked to the fruit knife in the corner. He stared at it for a long time, then looked down.He turned off the light, lay back down, and held Eloise even tighter.Three things demanded his attention:The first was uncovering the truth about Aura’s death.The second, securing a child to keep Eloise by his side.The third, the villa was locked down under strict security. Yet somehow, someone had given Eloise those birth control pills. And why? What was their motive?............."Go away," Ainsley said to Alex, his voice devoid of emotion.Alex frowned
Old Williams suddenly collapsed.The news hit Ainsley like a blade, slicing through his thoughts. He narrowed his eyes, suspicion flickering beneath the surface. But Alex was aging, his body growing frailer with each passing year. The old wolf had been plagued with ailments, one after another.Maybe… maybe it wasn’t a trick.“Drive faster.” Ainsley’s voice was ice from the back seat.Hank tightened his grip on the wheel, his forehead slick with sweat. The car roared down the road, tires screeching as they cut through the night like a predator on the hunt.Then….BAM!.....the car jerked to a sudden halt.“Alpha Ainsley, we’re here,” Hank announced breathlessly.Before the words fully left his mouth, Ainsley had already thrown the door open and stepped out. His strides were sharp, purposeful, carving a path toward the emergency room like a storm tearing through the city.“Alpha Ainsley, you’ve finally arrived,” a voice called out.Ainsley’s gaze swept over the crowd, locking onto Richard
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