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:It had been a gruesome 36 hours of labor. The fact that I’m pushing out three babies made everything extremely difficult. Besides it’s my first time. But in the end, it was all worth it. The nurses were kind enough to support me the entire time I was in labor, and when they gave me each of my babies, a single tear crept from my eyes. Each time I look at them, the pain becomes less. Soon the pain gradually dissipated, replaced by an overwhelming sense of joy from seeing my pups.The nurses soon came in to take them away. The notion had my eyes widening and I snap my eyes to the nurse still in her bloody gown.“Where are you taking them?” I ask, my grip tightening around them, afraid that if I let any of them go, I’ll never again see them once they go past the doors of this room. My babies cry out loudly, a sweet sound I would soon get used to.“Relax, hun. I will just take them for a bath and some clothes,” she reassures me, and although she wore a mask, I could tell sh
Eloise’s POV: Hearing the door close behind her, she snaps her gaze to me. She was an older woman. Not that old, around five or six years older, and she has a gentle smile on her face that makes you want to cry on her shoulder. She seems very nice, and I contemplated telling her about my situation, yet I doubt I had a chance with Dexter standing within earshot. He could be anywhere. He might be on the way to see my babies. Fear engulfs me at the thought. I do not want him anywhere near my children, but his threat made me fear for their lives. What am I going to do now? “My name is Abigail, by the way. I am the doctor who delivered your triplets,” she says, a smile on her freckled face. The woman is stunning, and pretty young to be a doctor, too. "Of course, doc," "Call me Abbie." She shrugs, sitting on the edge of the bed across from me. I furrow my brows, wondering why the small talk. It's as if she wants to get close to me. Nonetheless, I meet her eyes with a smile of
Dexter's POV:Stepping outside that damn forsaken room, I could still feel that bloody doctor's eyes glaring daggers into me. What the fuck is her deal?Her scrutinizing eyes make me want to beat the fuck out of her. She thinks she knows something, but she should know. Curiosity killed the cat. I will fucking kill her and anyone who stands in my way when it comes to my El. They can fucking have those ugly fucking babies for all I care. I just want El and I to get out of here right the fuck now. But that nosy ass doctor won't let us. If I had it my way, I'd rip her fucking head right where she stood. If only she wasn't fucking hot, making me want to fuck her against those doors until she screams, begging for more. My wolf chuckles, the sound grating my fucking ears. "Oh yeah? Then do it," he taunts me like he always does since the moment he popped in my head and in my life. Half of the reasons I screw up, was because of him. Well, most of it.'You can't do shit,' he cackles loud in m
Eloise’s POV:The sound of my beating heart echoed in my ears, pounding fast and hard I was afraid my body couldn’t keep up. Everything I thought I knew suddenly shatters before me. Everything…How did this happen? How could this happen?All this time I thought they had moved on without me.I should have been there.For her. And as much as I didn’t want to admit it, for Dad, too. Regardless of what he did to me, I can’t say I don’t love him enough to forgive him.I can’t imagine what he suffered all these years. Losing the pack, his name, me, and now, Mum. It was a miracle no one else found out about her, until my father decided to show me himself.Adeline stirs. She can feel my frustration and guilt as I navigated my way into the woods and the darkness. I was determined to make my way back, but I hadn’t thought of using a form of transportation with the chaos surrounding my mind. I look forward, my chest heaving as the thought of shifting consumes me.‘Are you ready?’ my wolf asks.S
Eloise’s POV:Staring at the door, I could still hear her. Could still hear her silent cries and small whimpers, and the faint sound of her voice calling out my name.It breaks my heart to know she’s suffered like this. All these years…No wonder she has never reached out to me. She can’t.And the part of me that was angry at her for not trying to get into contact, vanishes.“Eloise, I—” my father speaks reaching out for my arm, but I yank it off and step back, away from his reach.“Does anyone else know about this?” I ask.“No, just me,” he answers, “And now you.”“Why did you bring me here?” I whisper.Removing my gaze from the door, I look at him.“This is the reason you gave up being Alpha,” I say, realization slamming into me.Dad looks at me, surprised. “How did you know?”I heard one of the warriors talking about it on one of their breaks. When I heard my father’s name, I can’t help but listen.“Doesn’t matter how I found out.” I say.Dad sighs, “I brought you here because I th
Eloise’s POV:She hisses and giggles, yet the bloodlust oozing off her was unmistakable.“When… How…” I glance at my father.“She was attacked,” my father says gruffly, his gaze on the floor. “Months after you were gone, we had a fight… That day, she was going to find you, but I restricted her from looking for you since news that rogue vampires are on the loose. She escaped,” he croaked, and I turn to see my father looking utterly defeated. So unlike the man I always knew as my father. Strong-willed, determined. Now he can’t even look at Mum.My heart broke and my eyes move to my mother.“She turned the day Kaden created that law.”“What law?”“Kaden,”“He ordered that any wolf turned vampire is to be executed. No exceptions.”The air in my lungs vanishes.“You’re going to kill her?” My voice shakes.“I don’t have a choice,” he murmurs, guilt wrapped in his voice.I whip around to face him, rage and desperation colliding inside me.“You had a choice when you locked her in a fucking ca
Eloise's POV:I should have known something was off when my father drove past the hospital. My hands grip the edge of the seat as I stare out at him, my pulse quickening with the serious look in his face.“Dad,” I say, my voice laced with suspicion.“This isn’t the hospital?”He doesn’t answer. His knuckles tighten on the door, his jaw locked in a tense line.“Dad.” My voice hardens this time.“You’ll see,” he mutters.Against my better judgement, I slip out of the car and face the house. The sight of it sends a wave of nostalgia crashing over me. But the comfort of familiarity is drowned by the unease twisting in my gut.Dad looks at me and turns on his heel. I hesitate before following him up the steps, my boots heavy against the wooden porch.“Why are we here?” I ask again, but my father is already unlocking the door. He doesn’t meet my eyes as he steps inside.“Come in, Eloise.”Every instinct screams at me to turn around. To run. But I don’t. Instead, I step inside. If he tries a
Kaden’s POV:Colton taps my shoulder, which is the only way I was able to snap out of my trance.“What’s going on, man? You tapped out,” he chuckles. I shake my head. When I turn, Viktor’s car had already driven off past the pack’s gates. I grit my teeth.“Want me to go after them?” Colton offers.I shake my head, “No. She’ll be back.”At least I hoped so.The look in her eyes when she told me about the rejection was so intense it left me speechless. Even my wolf was caught off guard.“Then I can keep watch on her little friend, Abbie. Her moves are pretty interesting,” My beta hums to himself and turns, practically eye-fucking my mate’s innocent friend. The little lady had no idea we were watching her as she moves to take over Eloise’s batch.Reminding me once again how she walked out on me with her father.I roll my eyes, “You mean how you’ve been watching her ass in every demo?” I scoff. Colton shrugs.“Maybe.”I shake my head. Still, Viktor mentioned Eloise’s mother.I didn’t know
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