Eloise's POV:Before I could answer for myself, Kaden’s muscular build moved in front of me, blocking me protectively from Alpha John’s heated glare.“She is here for the same reasons you are, John, she’s an Alpha staying at my pack territory. You will treat her with the respect her rank demands," Kaden growled, his voice carrying the authority of a true Alpha. His stance was rigid, his shoulders squared as he shielded me from John’s unwarranted hostility.My eyes fell on Alpha John who looked past Kaden towards me, a permanent sneer etched on his face.John scoffed, his lip curling in disdain."Are you f*cking serious, Kaden? You invite this rogue wannabe Alpha into such an important meeting, and expect us to give her respect?” he barked back, allowing his own aura to spread throughout the chamber in his anger.Adeline growled at the condescending tone and the rudeness of this man who calls himself Alpha.I raised my brow at him, amused.“What’s so funny?” he gritted, shooting me a s
Eloise’s POV:He is fuming. Adeline pointed out, peeking at his reddened face through my own eyes.You got to admit, he’s more handsome when he’s mad. My wolf chuckled shamelessly and I rolled my eyes at her.I’m not trying to make him jealous. I defended myself. Adeline clapped back with a scoff.You know you can never lie to me, El. We’re basically one and the same. She prodded.This time, I did not pay my wolf any attention as I glued my eyes to Kaden’s face. His features, I noticed, had gotten sharper and darker.He did not even try to hide the fact he was angry with me for choosing a seat far from his side.“Hello,” the silky-smooth voice eased into my mind, and I raised my eyes.He extended his palm to me, “I’m Caleb, by the way,” he smiled, the man with light blonde hair who invited me to this seat.His eyes twinkled brightly and his smile reached his ears. It was contagious, I admit, and to think he was actually more handsome up close. There are specks of sky blue that surroun
113Eloise’s POV:Alpha John kept his mouth shut during the meeting.Adeline scoffed in my head.He made the right choice. She commented.I giggled, knowing she is right.Kaden gave him deadly stares the entire time, even when it was not his turn to speak. I found it amusing that the dark Alpha could influence the other alphas into submission. Well, despite the huge age difference. From what I heard, Alpha John is already over his forties. I won’t lie though, he still looked good. He would be more handsome if he wasn’t such a prick.Adeline snorted.Yeah, right. What are the chances for that?I shook my head when Kaden’s voice tuned into my mind.“In conclusion, training for the females will begin as early as tomorrow.” He announced. Then his eyes scanned the crowd, landing on mine. The moment our eyes locked, my heart stopped.“Any other questions?”The crowd fell silent. Just as I thought nobody was going to speak, the handsome bloke beside me cleared his throat.We all turned to h
Eloise's POV:The run to my old home went by without a hitch. My senses on high alert, and I’m sure I would have picked up something if I felt something is odd.With my clothes between my teeth, I shift back into my naked form and quickly pull on my clothes. It is gloomy outside, and as I scanned the forest, I didn’t feel any presence. The track I have left was mine and mine alone, which meant nobody could have followed me all the way back.On my way here, I took a shortcut that only I knew without being spotted by the guards around my father’s territory. It’s a secret he taught me ever since I was a child, saying that if I ever needed an escape or emergency entrance to the house, I should use it.I did not use it to get in or out when I was banished, I didn’t feel the need to. Nor did I want to. It was clear he wanted nothing to do with me anymore, which stopped me every time the thought occurred.With a shake of my head, I knocked on the door.While waiting, I noticed that some of t
Eloise’s POV:Turning around, Dad marches back into the kitchen before he rummages every drawer. He’s avoiding me, that much was obvious.With a deep sigh, I step further inside the kitchen. My eyes following his jittery moves when he finally stops. He grabs something from the pantry and spins around.“Aha, there’s cereal. A good chunk, too. It’s not much, but…” he shrugs, and proceeds to rotate to snatch a bowl as I walked forward.I pick up the box of cereal he placed on the dusty island bar and scanned it for its expiration date. A frown easily fell on my lips.“This expired over a year ago, Dad,” I sigh, and he stops whatever he was doing to turn around to face me.His pale face turned whiter than a sheet of paper. His eyes looked defeated, and he slumps down on the stool beside him.“I’m sorry, El…” he croaks and hangs his head.He rubs both his hands down his rugged face, and I was able to glimpse at the tiny beads of tears that slid down the sides of his face from the corner of
Eloise's POV:The man practically tried to kill you, El. Adeline hissed, but at this point, I’m not so sure anymore. I’m not sure because when I look into his eyes, all I see is the pain he’s hiding inside.There’s something more that he isn’t telling me. I can feel it. He’s hiding something, but I am yet to figure out what.He pulls down his sleeves, tucking it away and off of my sight as if thinking it would disgust me. But it don’t.“What can I do?” I choke, staring blankly at his covered sleeve.Then, determination surged through me as I glanced at the basement door where my Mum is locked. A weak thumping sound can be heard behind the door as if she was asking to be let out.Dad glances in the same direction, when something dawned over me.“I can help,” I whisper, staring off into the locked door of the basement.All my life, I never thought Mum would end up at such a place. Forced into a cage in our own basement… I shudder, feeling my heart tighten in my chest. So much so, I coul
Eloise’s POV:“Run! Don’t stop, don’t look back, run!”Dad’s voice boomed in my head just as I clamped my eyes shut, anticipating the closet doors to be yanked open when I felt cold breeze rustle through my hair instead.When I open my eyes, I blink. Once, twice, until I finally came to a conclusion that what I am seeing is real.I stood frozen at the forest just outside of my father’s house, my heart thumping harder than I remember as it threatened to explode in my chest.Panting, I look around and back at the house as questions filled the back of my mind.What the h*ll just happened there?And how did I even get out of the house before I could bat an eye?I don’t understand…It seems we were teleported here. Adeline finally spoke, however the words she just said was the last thing on my mind.Teleported? You’re not making any sense… I say to Adeline, who immediately fell silent.When it takes a while for her to respond, I turned my gaze back to the house and squint at the largest wi
Eloise’s POV:No.No, no, no, no.I’m not going to ask for his help.Why not? My wolf grumbled.He’s our only chance.I shook my head.There is another way. You know what Dad said. If he finds out Mom turned into a vampire because I told him about this, he’ll kill her. Hell, maybe he’ll even conspire with the other alphas to kill us all, for protecting a vampire.I could feel Adeline’s hesitance, but thankfully she didn’t add anything more to it and retreated back into the depth of my subconscious.I groan, willing my heart to stop thundering like crazy in my chest.Anyone, anyone but him. Kaden Kyson is known for his mercilessness and power unmatched by anyone. Surely, he would not spare a turned vampire. Not even if she’s the mother of his mate.I tossed and turned all night, unable to forget everything that transpired from the black and blue bruises I saw on Dad’s arms and the mysterious guys who sauntered into the house like it’s their own.My father didn’t look like he was about
I hear Kaden chuckle, but I ignore him. Thankfully, he does not say anything as we make our way to our table."Alpha, luna," an omega whose name I recall would be Vera, stepped toward us. Her head bowed in full submission.I resist the urge to roll my eyes. How many times do I have to say it?"I am not your luna, I'm--""Alpha Eloise," Kaden continues, looking at the omega with a firm gaze. The omega freezes and looks at me furrowing her brows."From now on, you will address her with the proper title. Do you understand?" His voice thundered across the hall."And that goes for every single one of you." He echoed, before a collective roar of 'Yes, Alpha' reverberated through the walls."I'm sorry, Alpha Eloise. It won't happen again," Vera cranes her neck, baring it to me in submission.I nod to her, "It's alright. You may go."When she left, I catch her glance back at me. But I was already looking at Kaden, mesmerized."Thank you," I tell him, and he smiles."You are an alpha first, th
Eloise’s POV:“Let’s go.” I look at his hand, then take it, allowing him to lift me to my feet before we walk out the door, side by side. My heart felt light and warm with his hand wrapped tightly around mine.“Where are we going?” I ask him, and a smile curls on his lip.“Don’t you want to see your friend?”My eyes lit up at the mention of Abbie. I have been worried about her, and the conditions she is in when Kaden opens a door just to my right.Kaden gestures me to enter so I did, and the moment I reach a few steps my eyes caught sight of Abbie.“Abbie!” My breath caught in my throat as I practically make a beeline straight towards her on the bed. To my surprise when I walked in, she’d been squinting at the huge TV, in her hand a remote and had been switching the channels with a deep frown on her face.“Oof,” she blew out a breath as our chests collided. “Eloise, you’re squishing me,” she grunts, and I immediately let go of her before looking her up and down, checking for any kind
153Eloise’s POV:Kaden promised to let me see Abbie, on one condition. I have to meet with my father and get him to let me see Mum.“How do I know you won’t hurt her?” I ask, searching his eyes. I want to know.Kaden pins me with his dark gaze, and slowly he lifts my chin to meet his orbs. They had turned pitch-black which means his wolf has surfaced.“He won’t.” a deeper, huskier voice rasps, making me gasp. It was his wolf speaking.Dark, dangerous eyes peers into me, leaving a burning sensation down my spine. A familiar feeling.“What’s your name?” I ask, looking at his wolf. I have barely seen him in action, and my wolf’s growing curiosity at what he looked like was killing her inside.“Rictus,” he says his name was, as he looks at me like he wants to devour me whole.‘Gladly. Hell, I’ll even offer myself up to him,’ Adeline snorts, and I roll my eyes at her comment. Horny-ass wolf.“I promise you, my human may appear all tough and stubborn, but he’s kind and wants to protect you
Kaden’s POV:I wipe the tears from her eyes. The hurt flashing across them tells me I may not be the only one who feels regret. We both made mistakes. But now, all I want is to gain her full trust. I want to show her I can be her mate, to support her, protect her, and love her all the days of my life. I want to give my life to her and our pups if that means keeping them safe.“I will protect you, protect our pups.” I say with determination and promise, “That is,” I lean down and move closer until our foreheads press together, “If you let me?”Eloise slowly lifts her head, staring up at me and searching for even the slightest hesitation in my eyes. But I could feel her own fade away as she bit her lip, and damn, did I want to crash mine against hers.“Okay,” she finally says.One word. Soft. Fragile. But it shatters me inside out like a damn grenade.I exhale shakily, pressing my forehead harder against hers, memorizing this moment because I know it’s everything. It’s Eloise, my Eloise
151Eloise’s POV:The sight of him being vulnerable, losing control beside me makes my heart clench. As I watch his lower lip tremble, I couldn’t help but feel guilty. It felt like stealing a part of his life. One I can never give back.A lump forms in my throat. I swallow, instantly feeling the dryness of it in my tongue as I drown in my own guilt.“They’re beautiful,” he says finally, his voice hoarse. “F*cking beautiful,” he chuckles, wiping the tears off his face as if to get a grip.I nod, “They are,”Kaden takes his eyes off the screen for a minute and looks at me. I bite the inside of my cheeks, holding his gaze. There is an intensity in it that made knots in my stomach. For a moment, I forgot how to breathe.Until he rips his gaze away and I let out a breath.“Are there more?” he asks, in a gut-wrenchingly polite way. His eyes move between our triplets back and forth.I press my lips in a line, and we both focus on the screen before I show him other pictures of them growing up
Eloise’s POV:We make our way back to the grounds. I’m relieved Kaden at least saw through the wolf for who he is. A man, and for years, he’d been lost after losing his mate and unborn pup. I couldn’t even begin to imagine how he felt that day, when the rogues clamped their teeth around her belly and ripped it out of her. Even now, outside that memory, I can see it. All the blood, and his hands covered in Maya’s blood and his unborn pup’s, makes my heart break.I couldn’t imagine my life without my pups. They are everything, and I would give my last breath for them in a blink.Still, the anguish and excruciating pain he felt was devastating. He lost everything, and I couldn’t help but feel, in some way, how it must have felt for Kaden.I glance at Kaden walking by my side. He had been awful silent for a while ever since Walter shifted. I noted the shock on his face, but his lips had been sealed shut.Logan left to run some errands, but before he left he winked at me and smiled, earnin
Kaden’s POV:Eloise’s body is flush against mine. I could feel Logan’s piercing gaze glare holes into the back of my head, but he’s the last thing I should worry about right now. I’ve just witnessed my mate search through a rogue’s memory, which is near to impossible, unheard of. I can tell by the way her eyes rolled to the back of her head. Also by the way the wolf whimpered and his eyes flicker like his life had flashed before him. And also because Rictus told me.But how could this be? Even Rictus have no idea. But something else stirs inside me, unsettled.Eloise sobs into my chest. Her body shaking uncontrollably.I lift her chin with my finger, whispering sweet nothings into her ear before she lifts her eyes, locking onto mine.“Tell me,” I rasp, “What did you see?”Her bottom lip quivers before she finally speaks, and proceeds to tell me everything. Apparently, this wolf right here is beta to some unknown pack. And her pregnant mate was attacked by rogues who had the unquenchab
Eloise's POV:Kaden slits his eyes and looks at me, "Eloise," "No." I glue my feet to the ground, letting him know I am not going anywhere until he listens.Why does he want me to leave so bad?"You have to listen,"Kaden moves his gaze between me and Logan who tosses a knowing smirk my way.Kaden sighs, "Fine." He grunts.Logan gives me a nod, and I turn back to the wolf, Walter.I extend my hand, slipping it between the bars which inevitably elicits a growl from Kaden. I shoot him a glare and he does not move, but his eyes are glued to my hand, preparing for the worst.Before I can place my hand on the wolf's fur, he leaned forward, pushing his forehead onto my hand instead. The moment my fingertips brushed his fur, my eyes roll to the back of my head as I am transported to a place where my feet is rooted to the grass. I felt my soul leave my body as visions began to flash before my eyes in nanoseconds, but I feel as if I am right there.I blink, opening my eyes slowly. When I look
Eloise’s POV:The cells is probably the filthiest place in the pack house. While everything above these old cages are filled with luxurious pieces from floor to the damn ceiling, everything down here gathers dust and filth. What’s more, I feel like the prisoners here were plucked and tossed into the pit of the abyss, never to be seen or heard from again. And it reeks of blood and feces that can never be seen clearly as not a single ray of sunlight touches these dark cells.Is this what the rumors were all about when they labeled Kaden as the notorious, merciless alpha ever known?I can’t believe this. I can’t believe him.I step towards the cell Logan has brought me to see, and I duck my head to see the same wolf who took my side unexpectedly that day I was attacked in the forest.“Hello,” I speak out, trying to reach him. He was still in wolf form, curled up facing the far wall.“Can I talk to you just for a second?” As my eyes focus on his form, I furrow my brows when I see blood co