Suddenly, Eric recalled what he had said to Eloise earlier. He had told her she had disappointed him, blamed her for changing. Now, as he thought about it, he was filled with regret. It wasn’t him who had been suffering all these years.Eric continued, “When I checked on her earlier, she wasn’t in a serious condition. I don’t know why she fainted again, but I suggest you take her to the hospital now. She’s been through a lot, drowning, running a fever, and fainting. Even healthy werewolves couldn’t handle that, let alone her. Werewolf herbs might alleviate the symptoms, but it’s our strong resistance that helps us recover. Eloise doesn’t have her wolf anymore. She may be more vulnerable than humans.”“Okay. I’ll take her to the hospital now,” Ainsley responded.“Okay. See you there,” Eric replied before hanging up.Ainsley stood by the bed, looking down at Eloise. Eric’s words echoed in his mind: “Don’t you know that your attitude towards Eloise and the disposition you show have deter
Ainsley watched Eloise with a strange, almost obsessive gaze. His thoughts, tangled in a web of confusion, betrayed the feelings he couldn’t quite understand. How had it come to this? She was just a woman, an important one, yes, but nothing out of the ordinary. Yet, the more time passed, the deeper the pull grew, and he couldn’t shake the feeling that something in him had awakened.What the hell is going on? Ainsley demanded, his voice sharp and uncertain, spoken not aloud but in the privacy of his mind.His wolf, Adrian, answered instantly, his tone firm and unyielding. She’s our mate.Ainsley’s heart thundered in his chest as the word echoed in his thoughts. Mate. The concept had always been something distant for him, something he hadn’t truly believed in. But Adrian was insistent. We werewolves need to be with our mates. That bond... it’s what keeps us whole. It’s what keeps us happy.Ainsley said nothing in response. The silence between them hung heavy, thick with confusion. He tr
“What’s wrong?” Ainsley asked, setting aside the document he had been studying. His gaze shifted to Eloise, a subtle arch in his brow that spoke volumes of his curiosity.Eloise hesitated before asking, her voice laced with a quiet concern, “Is Mavis okay?”At the sound of her question, a sharp edge darkened Ainsley’s mood. The gentleness that had once lingered around him evaporated in an instant.Eloise, how dare you ask about her? Ainsley thought bitterly. How can you even pretend to care about someone else, when you’re drowning in your own mess?Eloise’s lips tightened, but she didn’t falter. She pressed on, her tone unwavering. “Alpha Williams, you were wrong to do what you did to her. I want to beg you to spare her life. As for the rest, you can do whatever you want…”Ainsley scoffed, his face twisting in disbelief. “I didn’t know you were such a hypocrite,” he sneered, his voice dripping with mockery. “You can be friends with people who’ve hurt you so deeply?”Eloise, despite th
“Well, since you love your job so much, work hard for it.” Ainsley’s voice was cold, his eyes hard as stone. “In one month, transfer a million dollars to my card, and I’ll let you go. Otherwise, it won’t matter where you run. You’ll never be free.”Eloise felt the blood drain from her face, but she didn’t flinch. She couldn’t. She had no choice but to accept it. A million dollars in a month? Her mind raced, trying to find a way out, but she knew there was none. Not now.“Alpha Williams, you’re right,” she said, her voice steady, though her heart was a chaotic mess inside her. “I still owe you a million dollars. You ordered me to pay it back within a month.”She didn’t fight him. She couldn’t afford to. She had nothing left. Eloise had long ago learned to swallow her pride and accept whatever came her way. She had no other option. Her debts, emotional and financial, were far too great.“Very well,” she continued, taking a slow, controlled breath. “I’ll be going to work now.”Ainsley’s
When Eric heard Ainsley's words, he was filled with a mix of frustration and disbelief. Typically, tasks like this were left to the pack’s doctors, but now he found himself being summoned to take on a job that seemed beneath him. He couldn’t help but feel resentful as he moved forward, preparing the IV.“Eric, wait a second, do you know how to do this?” Ainsley’s voice cut through the air, dripping with doubt.Eric’s hand trembled as he tried to find the right vein, but in his haste, he struck the wrong one. Ainsley’s expression soured immediately, his gaze growing colder with each failed attempt. “If you can’t, I’ll get someone else to do the job. Don’t force yourself.”Eric, who had always prided himself on his skills, clenched his jaw. His face tightened in determination. “Keep still,” he snapped. “If I don’t get her on a drip, I’ll write you a letter of resignation tomorrow and go home to help my father gather herbs.”Ainsley’s jaw tightened. He didn’t have time for games, but Eri
After the cloth was removed, Mavis immediately relaxed. She had been gagged for so long that she couldn't help but cough, her face turning red from the strain. Her vision blurred for a moment, but when it cleared, Ainsley's feet appeared in her line of sight. For a brief second, Mavis paused, the overwhelming emotions of fear and frustration almost drowning her. Suddenly, she felt a harsh grip on her chin, pulling her head up sharply. The force was enough to make her eyes widen in shock. She saw Ainsley's eyes dangerous and full of malice."I'm in a bad mood right now. I don't have much patience. You better answer whatever I ask you..." His voice was cold, each word dripping with icy authority.Mavis's heart skipped a beat, and a chill ran down her spine. Ainsley's grip tightened, and she felt the pressure digging into her jaw. It hurt, and tears welled up in her eyes, but she dared not show weakness. The pain was overwhelming, but she fought to stay composed. Ainsley's hand, gloved i
Mavis felt Ainsley’s disdain like a cold blade slicing through her heart. His voice, dripping with venom towards Lucian, made her stomach churn. Every insult, every cruel word about the man she loved, felt like a personal wound. But she couldn’t speak, couldn’t defend him. Fear held her tongue in place.How dare he say that about Lucian? Her mind screamed, but the words couldn’t escape her lips. Her gaze flitted between Ainsley’s cold face and the floor beneath her, desperate for the strength to speak, to challenge him, but the courage failed to materialize. She knew the danger of antagonizing him, the fear of what he could do. He wasn’t just any man; Ainsley was the Alpha of the Litha Night Walker Pack, ruthless, calculating, and untouchable.Her heart ached for Lucian, the man she admired with every fiber of her being. Lucian deserves more than this. He deserves respect, she thought bitterly. But there was nothing she could do at that moment. Her hands, clenched into fists by her si
“I know she works at Club Scarlet Heart. She's your employee...”After a brief moment of silence, Lucian’s mind started to piece things together. Could I have offended Ainsley’s employee? He wondered. Given Ainsley’s domineering nature, he could see how any action could lead to conflict.Lucian hesitated, then spoke, his voice uncertain, "So... she's okay, right? She's not dead?" Lucian's voice faltered as he spoke. It wasn't so much a question as an attempt to convince himself.Mavis, struggling for control, could barely keep her body upright. Every fibber of her being ached as she knelt on the cold ground. She was drained, emotionally and physically, she couldn't even find the strength to lift her head. All she could hear were the harsh, chaotic sounds of her breath, her own desperation suffocating her.What have I done? She thought, the realization like a weight pressing down on her chest. The raw, bitter truth tore through her mind. Lucian. He had played her, used her, and now she
Eloise practically ran home. She slammed the door to her dorm room behind her and leaned against it, trying to steady her breath. Her heart was hammering in her chest, a fierce ache in the pit of her stomach.Her face had been pale, like a ghost. Lucian had heard Serah's words, his expression unreadable, but the look in his eyes... That look still lingers. She'd thought she could ignore the pain. I’m stronger than this, she had told herself. But now, it all felt like a tidal wave crashing over her.Her thoughts spiraled. No. No, I can’t do this.There was a huge line between her and Lucian. In the eyes of the world, she was nothing more than a prostitute, a product to be bought and sold. Lucian was a successful CEO, a man with power and respect. In the eyes of the werewolves, she was a wolfless rouge, an outcast. Lucian was the powerful Alpha of the Blood Moon Pack.She tried to push the thoughts away, but the reality of it all dug deep into her heart, making her chest feel tight. He
After Lucian finished speaking, he took a sharp turn on his motorcycle and pulled up in front of a towering wall of blooming roses. Eloise blinked, momentarily disoriented by the beauty of the scene. Without waiting for her to speak, Lucian nimbly dismounted from the motorcycle, his movements fluid and effortless.“We’re here,” he said, gesturing to the entrance with a subtle smirk. “This is the back door. Normally, I enter through the front.”Eloise hesitated. Something about the hidden entrance made her feel uneasy. A back door? What kind of place is this?Lucian raised an eyebrow, catching her reluctance. “Get off. Staying on the bike won’t change anything.”Eloise crossed her arms, defiantly refusing to move. “No,” she said with a stubborn little blink. Her grip tightened on the seat beneath her.Lucian smirked, clearly amused by her childish resistance. “Are you sure about that?”“I’m not hungry,” Eloise replied quickly, her mind racing for any excuse to avoid going inside.“But
"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