Lucian stood at the entrance of the hotel room, his eyes moving between Ainsley and the woman standing behind him.Both led powerful packs in Metrocity, and as rivals? Yes, but there was an unspoken bond between them as well. They were enemies, and yet, at times, they were also reluctant allies.His gaze shifted to Eloise, standing stiffly behind Ainsley. To his surprise, her ears were bright red, a clear sign of embarrassment.So, it’s her first kiss, Lucian thought with a sly grin. Interesting.“Hey,” Lucian teased, breaking the silence, “was that your first kiss?”Eloise’s face flushed a deeper shade of crimson. She didn’t answer, but her downcast eyes and the way she nervously shifted her feet were enough to confirm his guess.Lucian couldn’t help but smile, feeling a small, satisfied thrill. There was something amusing about catching her in such an awkward moment, but before he could continue his teasing, he turned his attention back to Ainsley.Ainsley’s cold gaze lingered on Luc
For a moment, Eloise thought she was already dead. The world around her was a blur, the air thick with the scent of earth and blood.Her body felt weightless, like it wasn’t her own. And then, the grief hit her a sharp, suffocating wave that made her chest tighten, her throat close. She couldn’t even pinpoint why she felt this way, but it was overwhelming.Maybe it was the loss of her wolf. Maybe it was the years of running, always running. Maybe it was the realization that there was no place in the world for someone like her.She tried to shake it off, but the heaviness lingered.Slowly, Eloise opened her eyes. The ground beneath her felt cool and soft grass.It took a few moments to register where she was. The sharp pain shooting through her body quickly brought her back to reality. Her ankle throbbed, and the blood soaking into her shirt made her stomach turn.You’re alive girl. That’s what matters.She took a deep breath, trying to clear her mind. Her wolf was gone. But somehow, it
Ainsley’s gaze remained fixed on Eloise, who was struggling weakly against his grip. Her trembling form, once filled with strength and defiance, now appeared fragile, shattered in a way that made his heart twist with something he couldn’t quite name. Satisfaction? Resentment? A mix of both, maybe."That’s right," Ainsley murmured with a cold smile, his voice laced with mockery. "A toy should act like one."He stepped closer, his hand tightening around her wrist as he pulled her toward him, feeling her stiffen beneath his touch. He exhaled a final puff of smoke from his cigarette, flicking it to the ground without sparing a glance. One of his men quickly took the cigarette from his hand, wordlessly.Eloise winced as Ainsley’s other hand moved to her chin, his fingers sharp as they tilted her face upward. She felt a jolt of pain as he moved her head back and forth, studying her expression. The cruel amusement in his eyes made her want to look away, but she forced herself to meet his gaze
Eloise could feel the weight of Ainsley’s words crushing her. "Do you still remember that you're a werewolf?" The cruel question hung in the air, a stark reminder of everything she had lost."You looked so cowardly when you were begging for mercy, which disgusts me." His voice was colder than she remembered, every syllable laced with contempt.She could barely breathe, let alone speak. His words cut deeper than any physical wound ever could. “If the members of the Golden Moon Pack knew that their Alpha’s daughter was so weak and incompetent, what would they think?” The disgust in his voice was palpable, and Eloise felt the sting of it settle deep in her chest.Her body swayed on its own, barely able to hold itself up. Her mind swirled in confusion and shame. She had hoped, in some corner of her heart, that Ainsley might show her some kindness. Some recognition of what they had once shared, but that hope was now shattered.The Golden Moon Pack. She could barely bring herself to think of
Everything Ainsley did seemed to push Eloise closer to her breaking point. He hasn't yet realize it, but buried deep inside him, despite the anger, despite the cruelty, he loved the proud, defiant Eloise.Once, when his bond with Aura had been a promise, she had warned him, “If Aura becomes your mate, I’ll abandon you!” But now, Eloise was a shadow of that woman, broken, humiliated, and desperate. She begged for mercy even when she had done nothing wrong.Ainsley, blinded by his emotions, didn’t understand the truth: he was the one who had changed her. He was the one who had broken her spirit, and yet, he wasn’t ready to face that reality. Not yet.In his mind, the humiliation was justified. He had every right to torment her. She had killed Aura. That was the reason. He could convince himself of that, at least. It made the darkness inside him easier to handle. But somewhere deep inside, another, more dangerous truth gnawed at him.What if it wasn’t just about revenge? What if the bitte
Eloise PovI winced as I tugged my shirt down, trying to hide the deep, jagged wound on my waist. It looked as if something or someone had savaged me, leaving a mark that resembled the bite of a wild beast. The wound was large and raw, a constant reminder of my tortured past.Racheal, who had seen her share of wounds as a fellow werewolf, immediately understood what this meant. The shape, the severity, it wasn’t just a normal injury.“You’re a werewolf?” Racheal asked, her voice filled with confusion and surprise. “Why can’t I sense it?”I didn’t flinch at her question, my eyes distant, lost in a place darker than any of them could imagine. I had been bitten by a wolf, and while werewolves had incredible healing abilities, able to heal from broken bones or nearly any wound we were also tied to our wolf counterparts. A werewolf’s healing was as much about the bond with their wolf as it was about the strength of their body.But my wound wasn’t healing as it should. Weeks had passed, mont
Racheal stepped out of her office; her eyes quickly falling on Eloise, who was standing at the doorway, her posture slumped from exhaustion. The sight of her made Racheal’s heart tighten. There was something about Eloise’s defeated demeanor that made Racheal want to reach out and comfort her."Come in, Eloise," Racheal said gently, her voice softer than usual. "Change into something more comfortable. There's a private bathroom here. You should shower and rest.""Thank you, Racheal," Eloise whispered, her voice tired. She didn’t refuse. She needed rest more than anything else. Her body ached from the constant pressure and humiliation she’d endured. Without another word, she entered the office, and Racheal turned to head back to the private room where Ainsley and Felix were.As she walked down the hallway, she could already hear the raised voices of Felix and the members of the Purple moon Pack. The tension in the room was palpable, and Racheal felt a knot form in her stomach.She pushed
Ainsley moved closer to Eloise, his imposing presence filling the small space between them. “Oh, Eloise, there are so many things I want from you. But for now, I simply want you to remember who is in charge here.”Eloise swallowed, feeling the pressure of Ainsley's proximity. She knew he was in control, and she also knew she couldn't let Ainsley see her give in to him.Eloise's body stiffened at his words, her mind filling with panic.Suddenly, she felt a warm body pressing against her back, and her heart began to pound in her chest. Ainsley's firm hand closed around her waist, sending a shiver down her spine.Eloise squeezed her eyes shut, feeling Ainsley's breath on her neck as she fought to contain the fear that washed over her.Meanwhile, Ainsley struggled internally with the fight between his human and wolf selves, each fighting to take control. Eloise's closeness intoxicated him with her scent, confusing him even further.His hands, guided by a desire he couldn't control, began t
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