Eloise’s POV:The drive on the way was quiet. Too quiet. Dexter hadn’t said a thing to me in the past hour since we got in the car. Before getting in, however, my eyes wandered to the forest. For a moment, I thought I could make a run for it, but Dex was already watching me.“Don’t even think about it, El.” He says, his sharp gaze piercing into me, and I had no choice but to climb in without complaint.I thought about it, but I also knew what I would be risking. I drop my eyes to my stomach which is getting bigger and rounder by the day. After that punch, I was worried and felt that I needed to consult an obstetrician, yet I couldn’t bring myself to ask him. Maybe later, I will.Glancing at him, his eyes are on the road as he hums the same tune. A melody I have grown to hate. It was that tune I recall him singing the night of the scandal, and I knew it would haunt me forever.Each time I glance at him, I couldn’t help but stare. He seems happy, energetic even, yet everything he had do
Kaden’s POV:Each fucking day, it comes and goes. The pain. The most brutal, intolerable pain that rips your heart from inside out. Suddenly, you couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t see the world around you because everything has faded to dark. And each fucking time, I hated her more. So much more.‘We have to find her.’ Rictus speaks out.‘Yeah. No shit.’ I cuss, making my wolf growl.‘What the fuck is the problem with you?’ he barks at me. How I wanted to see my wolf face to face for the opportunity of punching him right in the muzzle. For once, I actually worried my wolf might be stupid.‘Look at you, desperate to find her.’ ‘Of course I’m fucking desperate, she’s our mate!’ he growled.‘Mate or not, I decide what to do with her once we find her.’‘What do you mean? You’re not…”I could feel his fear. I wanted to laugh. ‘She betrayed us.’ I growl. Nothing, not even my wolf, would make me think otherwise.‘You don’t know that,’ he growls back. It’s the first time my wolf and I ever had a d
Kaden’s POV:Once her scent hits me, I force back my control and ran straight to it. The only building around, and it looked worse than it did on the outside. The sign I passed by says it’s a clinic. Why the fuck would she come here out of all places?Rictus’ worry immediately rushed through me and his panic. ‘Something’s wrong.’ He says just as the metallic scent of blood so pungent it punches me in the face, I recoil. What the—Our senses are on high alert, and I was already preparing myself for what I was about to see. My wolf whimpers, and I knew instantly what caused his fear.Death. It loomed in the air like the blood it gives off so strongly. The moment we stepped foot into the building, I caught sight of a lone head sitting on the floor.My heart raced, Rictus’ panic was getting the better of me as I shook my head.‘It’s not her.’ He suddenly says, and for some reason I felt relief. I shook my head. ‘So you are worried about her.’ Rictus chuckles. I resist the urge to roll
Eloise’s POV:A shiver shoots up to my spine as the wind blew straight to my face where I laid in bed, staring out the window. It was still bright outside. Nevertheless, neither did it stop the cold from entering nor the gloom from invading the house. Everything I touch makes a shiver run down my spine. Being naked also doesn’t help me from keeping warm, as Dexter demanded I walk around the house in a leash right where he wanted me. And each time, he carried around that damn camera. I could feel it following me around everywhere I go, no matter where it turns to, I see it. Watching me.I blinked back a tear threatening to escape me. It’s no use. The tears started since he killed that poor old man. In his eyes, I knew he wanted to help. But of course, Dexter saw that just as quickly as the hope the hope that sparked through the old man’s eyes, and that he also killed all too quickly.A shaky breath leaves my trembling, chapped lips. Closing my eyes, I recall all the events that happe
Eloise's POV:I did as I was told. When he released me from the handcuffs, I let out a sigh of relief, smoothing my hands around my wrists to ease the pain. I don't know how long he kept me like this, but I'm glad some sense was actually knocked into him enough to uncuff me.Then I got up to shower. I have spent thirty long minutes in there, trying to get his scent off me. My skin crawled, and I even broke down a few moments as the water cascaded down my body. Looking down, I rub my bulging stomach gently. "I promise I won't let anything happen to you." I whisper to them, just when I felt one kick, making me smile. Feeling them now makes me feel less alone. That I have reason to fight and hope to escape from this hellhole.Pulling my shit together, I washed the rest of my body. When I reach my most delicate parts, I let out a whimper. I hang my head and look down, but I can't see a thing over my huge belly. I groan and mutter under my nose, yet I know it is aching. I bet it's red
Eloise's POV:Dad is going to flip. Again. I skipped school today, wanting to spend the day carefree without having to worry about Professor Dumberose breathing down my neck because of those missing papers again. I don't even know why my father sends me to school when he practically homeschools me everyday, teaching me everything I need to know before I even get to class. And yes, the classes are all about pack laws, rules, and obligations of everyone in the hierarchy. All the boring stuff my father drilled into my head since the day I could walk.But I know it's worth it. Today, I am determined to make a new friend. All the girls at school are terrified of me because of my status, and all the boys are afraid because of my father. Well, being the alpha he made it clear on the first day he doesn't want any one of them coming near me. I shake my head, trying to rid myself of the thoughts since it's my birthday. I do not want to worry about the pressures being an alpha's daughter would
37 -Eloise's POV:PRESENT.A couple weeks later, he insisted his name to be changed from Devon to Dexter. He was so happy as he came to me with the news, telling me that he officially changed his name, wanting to start a new life with a new identity. And I supported him. I wanted nothing more than to see a man so broken, to rise from the ashes he was buried in.We quickly hit it off after that, though I don't know exactly when my father began disliking him. For some reason, he always shows his disapproval to my friendship with him, yet he was also unable to give me any reasons as to why I should break up my relationship other than his usual "I feel it in my gut" banter almost every other day. After a while, he gave up. Yet he also made sure to keep a close eye on me. My father helped him like he'd do with any other rogue, but I knew there was more. He had a pack. The Nightfall Pack.The Nightfall Pack is one of the closest pack to ours, Heaven Moon Pack. They are long-time allies wh
38 -Eloise's POV:ONE MONTH LATEREverything is going well between me and Dexter. Just in case, I took the crowbar without him seeing and settled it under my bed where it is easily within my reach.Since he took me to that attic, he only took me once after that. I gave in while blinking back tears of shame and disgust overwhelming me, but it was over as quickly as it started.Now that my belly is getting even more huge, he wouldn't be able to lay a finger on me until after I give birth.He thinks he can fuck me whenever he wants once they are out.He's wrong. My father was right. He was right about him all along. He had not an ounce of gratitude after everything my father did for him.Taking him in, giving him his own house, car, and everything else is something. But sharing his pack and family, and to hear him tell me he didn't give a fuck made me realize how fucked up his brain was.So once I give birth in a hospital, I'll make sure we get the help we need. After that, I do not wa
Eloise’s POV:My heart clenched with worry, and my stomach sank. Mum? Adeline whimpered too.Mum and I managed to get into contact with each other three years ago. I told her about the rogues and the pack that consisted only of women. She also informed me that Dexter was arrested somewhere, but she wasn’t sure by which pack and for what charges. I was able to let out a sigh of relief once I found out about his arrest. But one morning, around the time she used to call me and see the pups, my phone didn’t ring.I thought she was busy, but the next week she never rang. Then, a week passed still nothing. Two weeks later, I can’t get through to her cell. She never rang after that.“What happened to her?” I ask, my voice laced with worry.Dread fills me at the thought of something happening to my mum, the one person who didn’t turn her back on me when the whole world did.My father clenched his jaw, and I could see he’s hesitating to tell me.“What aren’t you telling me?”My father looks aw
Eloise’s POV:“Eloise.” He calls out.I groan, turning and walking past him just as he comes forward to see me.“I’m busy.” I murmur, using him as a distraction to get away from Kaden.“I’ll wait.” I hear him say, but I pay him no attention.Instead, I walk to my trainees who were waiting for me outside.The amount of testosterone and battle of dominance in the pack training grounds was immense. Yet it was nothing compared to where I was sandwiched between the wall and his hardcore body.And those rock-hard, thick muscles bulging through his—Focus! I mentally slap myself. This is no time to be eye-fucking anybody. I have to focus if I wanted to go home before he could even blink.I force my gaze forward, refusing to acknowledge the way my pulse is still racing. If I let myself spiral for even a second, I’d be stuck there, replaying the moment where he was too damn close, where I almost forgot why I should hate him.I step into the center of the training grounds, my trainees already l
Eloise’s POV:I furrow my brows just as he stops in front of me.Crossing my arms against my chest, I prepare myself for another glare-off with him when he does the next thing I did not see coming.He grabs my arm, dragging me to goddess-knows-where. At first, I recoil but his grip was firm and there was no escaping his hand wrapped around my wrist like handcuffs.“What are you doing? Let me go!” I growl, furious he would do this in front of my trainees. They all looked on at what was happening and glanced at one another, not having any clue as to why this giant, handsome dork is pulling my arm in the middle of training.My cheeks redden in anger and embarrassment, and I yank my arm away when he growls, turning to face me.“What in goddess’ name do you think you’re doing?” I hiss, demanding to know what the hell has gotten into his head to whisk me away at such an inappropriate time.‘You mean to say he should only when it’s appropriate, then?’ Adeline teased, clearly enjoying his att
Eloise’s POV:Kaden’s little visit last night kept me awake, tossing and turning for hours as his voice filled my head.“Face it, Eloise. You are mine. No matter where you run, no matter who you go to, you will always belong to me.” He growled in a deep and husky voice that would make any woman swoon by his feet. Not me, though.“See that mark on your neck?’ his eyes lower, and I instinctively clutched my robe pulling it closer to cover my neck.I look away, but the intensity of his gaze still managed to spread fire through my neck.I hear him chuckle. His voice coming out in a possessive growl.“The reason why it never faded…” he inches closer, and I gulp, “was because you still acknowledge the bond.”Then, sparks rush through my skin when he slowly, seductively slide his calloused hand down my arm, grazing my nipple through the silk fabric of my nightwear. I held my breath. I refuse to react to his provocations because of some invisible string tying us together.He slows down, traci
Kaden’s POV:That night, I find myself outside her room.Again.I don’t knock.I don’t need to.Because the second she opens the door, she stops short. Her eyes narrowing, pulse spiking.She knew I’d come. And she’s waiting.For what, I don’t know.But I’m damn well going to find out.Eloise’s POV:I should slam the door in his face.I should.But I don’t.Because the way Kaden stands there, arms braced against the doorframe like he owns the whole damn world, makes something sharp and dangerous coil in my stomach.My grip tightens on the door handle, “You really don’t know when to quit, do you?”His golden eyes gleam under the dim hallway light.“Not when it comes to you.”My heart does something stupid.I ignore it.Instead, I cross my arms, making sure he sees the irritation on my face.“Do you need something, or are you just here to breathe in my direction like some stalker?”Kaden smirks. Lazy and lethal.“Depends. Will you let me in?”I scoff, “Not in this lifetime.”His smirk wi
Eloise’s POV:I roll out the tension in my shoulders as I stalk across the training grounds, ignoring the way every pair of eyes follows my every move.The air is thick with disbelief and shock that a woman just put one of their top warriors on his ass without breaking a sweat.Good.Maybe now they’ll take me seriously.I can still feel Kaden watching me. His presence is like a second skin, pressing in, invading my space even from across the field. It should bother me.It does.But not for the reason I wish it did.“Back on your feet,” I bark at Aiden, who’s still rubbing his ribs.“You’re my sparring partner now.”His lips part slightly, like he wanted to argue. But one glance at my expression and he thinks better of it.Smart choice.He shifts into a fighting stance, “No holding back, right?”I smirk, “Not even a little.”A split second later, he lunges at me with striking speed.He’s fast—I’ll give him that. But I’m faster.I sidestep his strike with ease, ducking under his arm and
Eloise’s POV:My hands grip the steering wheel tighter than necessary as I pull into the training grounds, my knuckles turning white. I can still feel Kaden’s presence lingering on my skin, like a touch I can’t scrub away.Damn him.Damn the way his words coil around my throat, the way his voice slithers into my mind long after he’s gone.I don’t belong to him.I never will.Abbie shifts beside me, stretching her arms over her head. “You look like you’re about to murder someone.”I exhale sharply, forcing my hands to relax.“Not someone. Just one particular asshole.”She snorts, “You mean the very large, very territorial, very obsessed asshole who followed us here?”My stomach drops.“What?”She jerks her chin toward the rearview mirror.I glance up just in time to see a familiar black pick-up truck rolling to a stop a few yards away.Kaden.Of course it’s Kaden.Because this bastard doesn’t know when to back the hell off.A low growl vibrates in my chest as I shove the car door open
Eloise’s POV:The tension in the air is suffocating.Even after training ends, I can feel Kaden’s eyes burning into me from across the field. Watching. Stalking. Waiting.For what?For me to run?For me to crumble?I won’t.I refuse.Abbie smirks beside me as we gather our things. “You really put them in their place.”I roll my eyes, grabbing my water bottle and taking a long sip. “They needed to learn a lesson.”She snorts. “Oh, they did. But I don’t think the warriors are the only ones who got schooled today.”I follow her gaze, already knowing what—or who—I’m about to see.Kaden stands a few feet away, arms crossed, his massive frame tense. His sharp, dark eyes pin me in place, like he’s daring me to look away first.I don’t.That would be submission. Weakness.And I am not weak. Not anymore.Abbie leans in, lowering her voice. “He looks like he wants to throw you over his shoulder and lock you away somewhere.”I don’t dignify that with a response, but my wolf, Adeline, purrs in am
Kaden’s POV:I lift my head, my voice barely controlled. “Care to explain why my name isn’t on any of these?”Eloise doesn’t answer right away. She watches me carefully, as if preparing for a storm.Then, with a smirk that doesn’t reach her eyes, she says, “Because you were never supposed to know about them.”The ground beneath me might as well have shattered.For the first time in my life, I have no words.And Eloise?She takes a step back.Then another.Then she turns on her heel and walks away, leaving me standing there, gripping the proof of my stolen years.I scoff, shoving the birth certificates into my back pocket before taking another step toward her. My patience is already stretched thin, and the smug way she tilts her head, completely unaffected by my presence, is only making it worse."You think this is a joke?" I grit out, my voice a low growl.Eloise simply arches a brow. "No, I think it's a waste of time standing around when we have work to do." She turns to Abbie, compl