Everything Ainsley did seemed to push Eloise closer to her breaking point. He didn’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 partner, 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 b
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, mon
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 pushe
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
Eloise felt the weight of a thought settle into her mind a thought as cold and suffocating as a fog rolling in. Death. It loomed over her, a shadow that threatened to swallow her whole. For a moment, she almost gave in, letting it embrace her. But then, as if a light cut through the darkness, a name appeared. Rain.Rain, the girl who had been a flicker of hope in the bleakness of Eloise's life. The girl who had cared for her, who had shown her that kindness was still possible. The thought of Rain pierced through the haze, and in that moment, Eloise’s mind snapped back to consciousness.She couldn’t die like this. Not yet. Not when there was still a promise she hadn’t kept. Rain’s wish, she had to fulfill it. Eloise took a slow breath, and with all the energy she could muster, she opened her eyes.The room around her was as harsh and bright as it always was. The sterile walls, the harsh lighting everything about the place was unwelcoming. She slowly lifted her head, the ache in her bod
“Racheal, we were just joking around while we were resting,” Gold said, her tone casual, as if nothing had happened. “Why make such a big deal out of it?”Racheal’s eyes flashed with anger, and she took a step forward, her voice cold and menacing. “Is this how you entertain yourselves? By bullying someone weaker than you?”The other girls who had been standing nearby looked uncertain, exchanging quick glances. They had never seen Racheal this angry. One of them, a taller girl who had been standing too close to Gold, tugged at her arm, a silent plea to calm down.But Gold wasn’t done. She looked down at Eloise, her eyes narrowed with disdain.“Are you talking about her?” Gold scoffed, her lips curling into a sneer. “She’s just a useless little bitch, isn’t she? She doesn’t even know her place.”Before anyone could react, Racheal moved faster than anyone could have anticipated. She raised her hand, and with one swift motion, slapped Gold hard across the face. The sound of the slap echoe
Eloise clenched her fists, holding back the tears that threatened to spill. She wanted to tell them no, to walk out of the room, but she couldn’t. This was her life. If they asked her to sing, she would. She had no choice.“Her voice is so unpleasant,” the man said, looking skeptical. “Are you sure you want to hear her sing?”Amelia’s smile widened, clearly enjoying the discomfort she was causing Eloise. “That’s exactly why I want her to sing,” she said, her eyes glittering with amusement. “I’m curious how unbearable it’ll be.”The mocking tone in Amelia’s voice cut deep into Eloise’s heart. How had her life come to this? To be a subject of entertainment, something to be laughed at, to be humiliated for the amusement of men like Mr. White.“Mr. White, what do you say?” Amelia asked sweetly, her hand resting on his arm, as if she owned the moment, owned him.The man’s eyes lingered on Amelia for a moment before turning to Eloise. His expression was one of indifference, but there was a
Eloise wasn’t mocking her or trying to start an argument; it was just a fact, stated plainly. Her tone carried no judgment, but it hit Mavis like a sharp slap.Mavis’s face flushed with embarrassment at first, her anger boiling over. "I…" she stammered, trying to gather her thoughts. Then, in an instant, her frustration bubbled over. "I came to Club Scarlet Heart to be a waitress. You know my family's situation. I needed money to pay for my studies and living expenses."She paused for a moment, trying to collect herself. Eloise said nothing, simply watching her. The silence between them felt heavy, thick with unspoken words.Mavis’s eyes narrowed as she glared at Eloise, her voice suddenly cold. "I'm not like you! I won't do anything just for money. Unlike you, I have limits!"The words stung. They were meant to make Eloise feel inferior. To paint her as someone with no dignity, no self-respect. But Eloise just smiled softly. Mavis could say whatever she wanted, but the truth remained
"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
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