Eloise’s expression was heavy, her words sharp like a dagger. “My biggest mistake was falling in love with you.” The seriousness in her voice, the coldness in her eyes, sent a shiver through Ainsley. It was the same Eloise he had once known, the one who had stood before him, time and again, passionately declaring they were destined by the Moon Goddess. She had insisted that they were mates, meant to be together forever.But now, the same woman who had once clung to him with unwavering belief, was telling him she was wrong. That she had made a mistake. What did that even mean? Ainsley thought, his chest tightening as confusion and pain coursed through him. She was going to correct her mistake? She had spent so much time convincing him that they were everything to each other, only to now tell him it was all a lie?He didn't understand. His heart twisted painfully, an ache that seemed to come out of nowhere. It was as if something inside him was unraveling, and he couldn't stop it. But o
Eloise's heart was heavy with an overwhelming sense of defeat. The fight within her seemed to vanish, drained away by a force beyond her control. Why resist? She thought, as her shoulders slumped in resignation. Let him pull me along, like a puppet on a string. When he’s finally had enough of me, when he doesn't even want to look at me anymore, I’ll quietly slip away.The thought of leaving, of finding some peace, was almost a comfort. At least it would be on her terms, and not at the whim of someone who had never truly cared for her, someone who believed she was just another possession to be discarded when no longer needed.But then, Ainsley’s voice shattered her dark thoughts. "Eloise, stop cursing Aura. She’s dead, and you’re still alive. Don't you think it's pathetic to be consumed with hatred for someone who isn’t even here anymore? It’s not worth it."His words were an unexpected blow. For a brief moment, Eloise felt a flicker of something. Did he care? How could that be? How co
Pamela was shoved to the ground, but instead of anger, she felt an unsettling stillness. She didn’t move, only stared up at Gary, her heart heavy but resolute.“Gary, calm down,” she said softly, her voice steady despite the tremor in her chest. “Listen to what Eloise has to say. You shouldn’t have hit her. No matter what happened, she didn’t deserve that.”Eloise stood there, pale as a ghost, her body frozen with shock. She reached down to help Pamela, but before she could, someone grabbed her wrist. The grip was firm and harsh.“Don’t touch my Luna with your filthy hands!” Gary’s voice was sharp, cutting through the tension in the room like a blade.Eloise stood frozen, filthy hands? She shook her head slowly, unable to respond with words, her body trembling as the words hit her like a slap. How could he say that to her? She was his daughter, his flesh and blood, yet she was nothing but dirt in his eyes.With a hollow laugh, she spoke through clenched teeth. “Alpha Gary... I agree w
Pamela bent down, her trembling hands reaching for Eloise, who had collapsed to the floor. Eloise didn’t resist; her body sagged beneath the weight of the years she’d carried. She slowly lifted her head, her eyes hollow with a coldness that seemed foreign to the mother who once held her in her arms.Eloise tried to speak but only a broken, hoarse sound came out. She winced, her throat raw, but even at that moment of pain, she knew she could not hide the damage in her voice. It was a voice ruined by years of neglect, imprisonment, and hardship. A voice no parent should have to hear.Pamela hesitated, then placed her hand on Eloise’s shoulder. But her touch wasn’t comforting; it felt like a cold reminder of how disconnected they had become. Eloise raised her head fully, her gaze locking with her mother's, her breath coming in shallow gasps.She stopped trying to hide the cracked, broken sound of her voice. She realized something: they weren’t here to show concern for her at all. No one
Gary couldn’t believe what he was hearing. The words hit him like a freight train. Did Eloise just say that Ainsley owns Club Scarlet Heart? Ainsley? The Alpha of the Litha Night Walker Pack?Gary, the Alpha of the Golden Moon Pack, couldn’t process this fast enough. He was used to being in control, to commanding the situation. But this… this left him scrambling. He quickly tried to gather his thoughts. But as the pieces fell into place, his face twisted with rage. He growled, "Bitch! You’ve crossed paths with Alpha Ainsley again?"Eloise felt the bitter sting of his words. Her chest tightened with disappointment. Is this really how he reacts? Is this really the first thing he thinks of when he hears Ainsley’s name?She couldn’t believe it. He wasn’t concerned about her. About what she had been through. He wasn’t even concerned that his daughter had been imprisoned. No, what bothered him was Ainsley. Is that all that matters to you?Eloise fought to swallow the lump in her throat, try
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
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
"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
"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
Gary couldn’t believe what he was hearing. The words hit him like a freight train. Did Eloise just say that Ainsley owns Club Scarlet Heart? Ainsley? The Alpha of the Litha Night Walker Pack?Gary, the Alpha of the Golden Moon Pack, couldn’t process this fast enough. He was used to being in control, to commanding the situation. But this… this left him scrambling. He quickly tried to gather his thoughts. But as the pieces fell into place, his face twisted with rage. He growled, "Bitch! You’ve crossed paths with Alpha Ainsley again?"Eloise felt the bitter sting of his words. Her chest tightened with disappointment. Is this really how he reacts? Is this really the first thing he thinks of when he hears Ainsley’s name?She couldn’t believe it. He wasn’t concerned about her. About what she had been through. He wasn’t even concerned that his daughter had been imprisoned. No, what bothered him was Ainsley. Is that all that matters to you?Eloise fought to swallow the lump in her throat, try
Pamela bent down, her trembling hands reaching for Eloise, who had collapsed to the floor. Eloise didn’t resist; her body sagged beneath the weight of the years she’d carried. She slowly lifted her head, her eyes hollow with a coldness that seemed foreign to the mother who once held her in her arms.Eloise tried to speak but only a broken, hoarse sound came out. She winced, her throat raw, but even at that moment of pain, she knew she could not hide the damage in her voice. It was a voice ruined by years of neglect, imprisonment, and hardship. A voice no parent should have to hear.Pamela hesitated, then placed her hand on Eloise’s shoulder. But her touch wasn’t comforting; it felt like a cold reminder of how disconnected they had become. Eloise raised her head fully, her gaze locking with her mother's, her breath coming in shallow gasps.She stopped trying to hide the cracked, broken sound of her voice. She realized something: they weren’t here to show concern for her at all. No one
Pamela was shoved to the ground, but instead of anger, she felt an unsettling stillness. She didn’t move, only stared up at Gary, her heart heavy but resolute.“Gary, calm down,” she said softly, her voice steady despite the tremor in her chest. “Listen to what Eloise has to say. You shouldn’t have hit her. No matter what happened, she didn’t deserve that.”Eloise stood there, pale as a ghost, her body frozen with shock. She reached down to help Pamela, but before she could, someone grabbed her wrist. The grip was firm and harsh.“Don’t touch my Luna with your filthy hands!” Gary’s voice was sharp, cutting through the tension in the room like a blade.Eloise stood frozen, filthy hands? She shook her head slowly, unable to respond with words, her body trembling as the words hit her like a slap. How could he say that to her? She was his daughter, his flesh and blood, yet she was nothing but dirt in his eyes.With a hollow laugh, she spoke through clenched teeth. “Alpha Gary... I agree w
Eloise's heart was heavy with an overwhelming sense of defeat. The fight within her seemed to vanish, drained away by a force beyond her control. Why resist? She thought, as her shoulders slumped in resignation. Let him pull me along, like a puppet on a string. When he’s finally had enough of me, when he doesn't even want to look at me anymore, I’ll quietly slip away.The thought of leaving, of finding some peace, was almost a comfort. At least it would be on her terms, and not at the whim of someone who had never truly cared for her, someone who believed she was just another possession to be discarded when no longer needed.But then, Ainsley’s voice shattered her dark thoughts. "Eloise, stop cursing Aura. She’s dead, and you’re still alive. Don't you think it's pathetic to be consumed with hatred for someone who isn’t even here anymore? It’s not worth it."His words were an unexpected blow. For a brief moment, Eloise felt a flicker of something. Did he care? How could that be? How co
Eloise’s expression was heavy, her words sharp like a dagger. “My biggest mistake was falling in love with you.” The seriousness in her voice, the coldness in her eyes, sent a shiver through Ainsley. It was the same Eloise he had once known, the one who had stood before him, time and again, passionately declaring they were destined by the Moon Goddess. She had insisted that they were mates, meant to be together forever.But now, the same woman who had once clung to him with unwavering belief, was telling him she was wrong. That she had made a mistake. What did that even mean? Ainsley thought, his chest tightening as confusion and pain coursed through him. She was going to correct her mistake? She had spent so much time convincing him that they were everything to each other, only to now tell him it was all a lie?He didn't understand. His heart twisted painfully, an ache that seemed to come out of nowhere. It was as if something inside him was unraveling, and he couldn't stop it. But o
Ainsley stood over Eloise, his gaze fixed on her still form lying on the bed. His eyes burned with an intense, aching regret, the sight of blood staining the corner of her mouth eating away at him.What have you done, Ainsleyy, can you hear her? She said she regretted loving us. If she hates us, we’ll be weak. Talk nicely to her, Adrian roared angrily at Ainsley and, for the first time, he didn’t snap at Adrian, he didn’t tell him to shut up. It was as though the weight of everything had finally come crashing down.Aura’s face, once so vivid in his memory, was now nothing but a blur. But Eloise, Eloise was different. For three long years, he had never been able to shake her from his thoughts.She’s not the same. Why is she like this?Eloise, so fierce and proud, had never been one to speak ill of others. But now… now she lay there, a shadow of the woman he once knew, and it broke something deep inside him."I can't bear to see you like this..." he murmured, his voice cracking with uns