Eloise stood in front of the mirror, staring at her reflection like it was a crime scene. She could almost hear her conscience whispering, "You are truly a walking disaster, Eloise." The shame gnawed at her insides, and honestly, she couldn’t blame it. She had considered asking Lucian for help, begging him to buy her way out of the Scarlet Heart Club and free her from this nightmare. But the words? Yeah, they just refused to leave her mouth. Her throat felt like a desert."Do you want to say something?" Lucian’s voice sliced through the awkward tension. Just as he turned to leave her at the door of the club, he caught her attention. She could feel him sizing her up, probably trying to figure out if she had something dramatic to say."No. Nothing," Eloise managed, her voice dry enough to make a sandpaper commercial. He felt like she was lying, and not just lying to him, but lying to herself, too.Lucian paused, looking at her for a second longer, but then he just shrugged and walked of
Ainsley opened his eyes in the darkness, the silence heavy around him. His body ached from the weight of exhaustion, but he couldn’t stop himself from turning to look at Eloise. She was still sleeping, curled in his arms, her soft breathing the only sound in the room. His gaze fell to her neck, where he could still see the marks he had left, the angry, purple hickeys scattered across her delicate skin.To Ainsley's surprise, Eloise left so many bloody bite marks on his shoulder.He didn't understand. Why did he let her do it? And why did he kiss every part of her body so madly?His hand instinctively brushed the edge of her neck, but as soon as his fingers touched hers, he quickly pulled them away. His mind was swirling with thoughts he couldn’t control.With a sigh, Ainsley closed his eyes again, trying to push the thoughts from his mind. He could feel the warmth of her body against his, could smell the sweet scent of her hair. And yet, his instincts urged him to do more, to pull her
In the Ocean Moon Pack, Michael stared at Jack across the room, his expression hardening as he noticed the smug smile on Jack’s face. The atmosphere in the office, thick with tension, made the air feel suffocating. Jack was lounging casually on the couch, but Michael could see the flicker of something darker behind his eyes."You seem to be in a good mood these days," Michael commented, his voice cool but laced with something that could almost be concern.Jack's smile widened, and he leaned back further, his arms resting comfortably behind his head. "Why wouldn't I be?" he replied nonchalantly. "I've stumbled upon some very interesting prey."Michael set the document he had been reading aside, narrowing his eyes as he studied Jack. "Jack," he said, his tone turning serious. "Stop, there's nothing funny about this."Jack chuckled softly, the sound carrying a hint of arrogance. "Michael, you're an Alpha. Don't you know that hunting is a very elegant sport?" He winked as if this were som
Jack didn't care about her attitude. "The wounds must be treated. Leaving them untreated will only make them worse."Eloise stared at him coldly, her expression hardening. Why does he always feel the need to control everything?"It's none of your business," she said with a chill in her voice. Then she remembered that she had just received 20 thousand dollars from Jack, and her mood shifted slightly. She adjusted her tone, trying to be more civil, and continued, "Alpha Jack, please don't kiss me on the forehead again."Jack, however, didn't seem to be deterred by her coldness. He looked at her with a knowing smirk, his eyes glinting mischievously. "So, can I kiss you?" he asked, his voice soft but laced with a challenge.Before Eloise could even process his words, Jack closed the distance between them and quickly kissed her on the lips. Eloise’s gaze dropped to the floor, a flash of disgust crossing her face.She forced a smile. "Alpha Jack, the kiss is included in the money, right?" s
Eloise returned to the Public Relations Department office and sat at her desk, the sterile surroundings offering her little comfort. She was the only one there. Time seemed to slow down as she stared at the empty room. There were no calls from her colleagues or supervisors. Soon, the clock ticked past the hour, and it was time to go home.Just like the day before, and the day before that, she hadn’t received any work at all.She sighed and stood up from her desk, gathering her things before heading out the door. She left the Scarlet Heart Club behind, and made her way back to her dorm.The walk back was uneventful, and the stairs creaked under her feet as she ascended to her apartment floor. Just like yesterday, as she reached the landing, she saw Jack standing by her door, his figure as imposing as ever.This time, Eloise didn’t ask anything. The previous days of questioning, of wondering, had led her nowhere. She simply pulled out her key in front of Jack and opened the door. Her mo
"Alpha, Jack, I never said that the meal I cooked was worth a hundred thousand dollars. You gave it to me because you thought it was worth it. I was short of money, so I accepted it. Why did I accept it, even though I knew it wasn't an equal exchange? Perhaps you've forgotten that I'm a woman who will do anything for money. I'm a company girl, not a socialite. I need money. I need a million dollars. It means the world to me. If I don't get this money by the deadline, I'm going to lose something very important," she said frankly.Jack was silent, his face expressionless. He didn’t care about anyone else, least of all her problems.He raised his hand, looking at his watch. "I've already wasted enough time. Miss Anthony, I've bothered you for too long. There's no need for us to meet again in the future.""I thought that too. That's why I accompanied you downstairs," Eloise replied thoughtfully. She paused, and added, "Alpha, Jack, thank you. Also, you were wrong about one thing. We're ju
Pa!The sound of a loud slap echoed through the quiet hallway, its sharpness breaking the stillness of the night.Eloise stood there, her hand still trembling after delivering the blow. Jack’s face turned to the side from the force of the slap. After a long pause, he slowly raised his hand to touch his cheek, his fingers tracing the spot where the sting still lingered."That was a good slap," Jack remarked, his voice surprisingly calm, though his eyes sparkled with something darker, something that looked like both anger and intrigue. Eloise could feel her own heart racing with a mix of adrenaline and satisfaction. There was a strange, twisted pleasure in delivering the slap, something that made her feel empowered.She stared at him, her eyes burning with a quiet fury. "Alpha. Jack, you so enjoy rubbing salt on other people's wounds. Now you know. It hurts," she said, her voice low and steady.Turning on her heel, she walked away, her back straight and her steps firm, as if nothing had
Jack stood up, turned his head to look at the watchful woman and asked, "Aren't you going to accompany me?""No, Alpha. Jack, close the door when you leave," Eloise said."Isn't it a basic requirement of your job to escort people? Or, Ms. Anthony, do you think I'm no longer a guest to you since you're off duty and in your dorm now? Ms. Anthony, perhaps I should go to Club Scarlet Heart, the place where you work, to see you tomorrow. What do you think?" Jack said casually.Eloise thought. Seriously? Are you threatening me again? How despicable!Eloise gritted her teeth. Every time, Jack always managed to make her gnash her teeth in hatred.She said, "Alpha. Jack, you are right. I should not neglect my guests, just because I am off duty. Alpha. Jack, let me accompany you."As she spoke, she walked forward, looking at the man beside her even more vigilantly.Who knows what's wrong with him? He likes to kiss my wound so much, and he has the nerve to claim that it's healing.Thinking about
At that moment, the sound of the hairdryer still buzzed in Eloise’s ears. It was a dull, mechanical hum, one that had accompanied her every night, just like the heavy weight in her chest.Like always, she sat on the edge of the bed, her damp hair clinging to her skin. She lowered her gaze, staring at the delicate fabric of her nightgown. The new nightgown… Ainsley bought for her.Behind her, he held the hairdryer, its warmth brushing against her scalp. The fabric in her lap was soft, expensive & exquisitely made.But why does he think I like pink?A bitter smile tugged at her lips.It’s funny how I don’t even have the right to choose what I wear, let alone the color I prefer.The warm air ghosted over her shoulders, but it did nothing to chase away the chill beneath her skin. The hum of the hairdryer filled the silence between them, stretching, suffocating.Her fingers clenched around the silky fabric.Then suddenly, a silent, lifeless smile appeared on her lips. Tears glistened in he
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