Eloise’s POV:“Have a seat,” Abbie said, smiling up at me.I took my seat across them on the sofa in the living room. My heart thudding in my chest. Are they going to kick us out? Because if that happens, I don’t know where to go. I don’t even know if it’s safe to contact my mom. If Alpha Kaden was indeed adamant to find me, no doubt he’d try to track anyone close to me. But if it comes down to it, where would we live?“We wanted to talk to you about something,” I snapped my eyes up at Abbie who spoke. I nodded then swallowed my anxiety. Instead, went to say something, anything that will keep us from getting kicked out.“Wait, please. I ask that you let me stay here for a month… No, a week! A week will do. I will try to contact my mother somehow, then we can leave, then you can—”“Woah, stop right there.” Abbie stopped me, and I shut my mouth before I felt tears surround my eyes.Nora came to my side, placing her hand on top of mine. She smiled at me.“We are not going to kick you out
Kaden’s POV:“Any news?” I asked my beta, sitting on the couch in my office. Colton looked at me, and shook his head. I sighed heavily and slumped my shoulders, sitting back.A few have tried, insisting they saw her or something and demand they be rewarded their prize. Yet, no other evidence was presented to me except their words. Useless. All of them are useless.“What are you going to do now?” Colton asked, raising a brow at me and assessing my position, slumped in this damn chair.I buried my face into my hands, groaning. “I have to find her.” A growl accompanied my voice, “I have to find my pups.”“Tough. But I don’t think she’ll even want to come back.” His words had me snapping up and shooting him an ominous glare.Colton held both hands up, “I’m just saying… You rejected her!” he pointed. My canines slipped over my lips as I growled.As much as I wanted to rip my beta’s head off where he stood, he had a point.“Even worse, grabbed my mate and made the public think you’ve chos
Eloise’s POV:Ten hours later, we arrived at our destination. I have no idea where. Only thing I knew is that anywhere far away from him, would be a great start. A smile graced my lips as the flight attendant prepared us all to leave. Unexpectedly, a sleek, black limo was waiting outside. My jaw dropped to the ground when Nora ushered me to get in.“This… this is ours?” I asked her, just to be sure. She chuckled at me and nodded with a smile.Without another word, we jumped into the car. Nora helped me with the pups, and I was glad we were here with her. If it weren’t for her and Abbie, goddess knows what Dexter had done to us by now.A large gate opened, and we entered. However, I could sense precisely four wolves following our car into the new territory. Usually in packs, this presence I feel would belong to wolves in patrol, guarding the territory. Strange, nobody showed up. Perhaps it was because they already recognized the limo, and Abbie did tell me their leader is already expe
Kaden’s POV:FIVE YEARS LATERWork.I had buried myself in tremendous paperwork, again. Only when I glanced at the clock did I realize it is already 7 in the fucking morning. I barely slept. Hell, I can’t even remember the last time I slept well. Probably the time I dreamt of her face as she slept peacefully in my bed. The only thing I regret is waking up the next morning to find it was nothing but a dream. Rising to my feet, I headed out and walked into my room when my eyes squinted. A woman with straight blonde hair laid like a starfish butt-naked on my bed. Her saliva leaked onto my pillow, and my skin crawled instantly in disgust.Those pillows need to be changed immediately. I heaved out a deep sigh. “Why am I not surprised?” I muttered to myself, knowing there’s only one person who had the cheek to disobey me like this.‘Colton!’ I growled into the pack link.‘Yes, your highness?’ he answered in a sarcastic tone.I rolled my eyes. ‘Get the fuck in here. Now!’ ‘As you wish,’ h
Eloise’s POV:“In exchange of Lady Warrior Pack’s independence and to officially recognize them under the Supernatural Werewolf Council, you are hereby mandated to send your top elite warriors to the seven packs and train them. Is that clear?” Anderson, the most respected elder in the council, looked at me with a knowing smirk on his lips.I gritted my teeth. This man is trying to get into my nerves. However, I’m left with no choice.So I plastered on a pained, fake smile on my face. “Of course. You have my word, Anderson.”He studied my face for any sign of malice. Then his lips pulled up into a sneer.“Very well, Alpha.”I smiled. The first time I hear someone address me since it was made official.The drive back from the council chambers took me about an hour to get home. Pulling up into our newly renovated pack-house, I looked up at it. My hand gripped the envelope Anderson handed to me, and sucked in a deep breath.This is it.“Welcome back, Alpha.” My headwhipped to Abbie, who s
Kaden’s POV:I was sitting in my office. Buried in a tremendous load of paperwork once again. I would have had Colton to help me with them, but I needed this more. All members of my pack were warned of this day. Everybody left me alone, undisturbed, knowing damn well what will happen if they so much as speak to me. Today marks the fifth year my mate and pups vanished under my nose. I had done everything, used all my connections to find them. Still, nothing. All my efforts have been futile, and soon other packs just stopped gathering information. Some alphas even sent me their condolences, thinking they are dead. But I knew otherwise. Despite the fact she accepted my rejection, causing our bond to shatter and ultimately vanish into dust, I can feel her. As if she never left, as if some part of the bond remained intact for some reason. I couldn’t determine why, but I can’t shake off the feeling she’s out there. I just know it.Meanwhile, Colton is still busy cleaning up the mess he mad
Eloise’s POV:“Do you really have to go?” Kiara’s innocent face looked up at me, perhaps waiting for a negative answer. Not wanting to disappoint her, I sighed and shook my head.“Yes, sweetie. I have to go.” I saw how disappointment crossed her features, making my heart twist and tie in knots deep inside me.I really don’t want to leave them. They are my world. Leaving without them would mean leaving my life behind. I sighed, deeply.“Nora will be here with you. We will video call,” I said, hoping that would cheer her up. She blinked her doe eyes up at me, and it seemed to work because she is smiling.“Promise?” she held out her pinky, making me smile. I extended my own and locked it with hers. “Promise.”I gave her one last hug before pulling away.“Take care of your brothers,” Leaning down, I kissed her cheek. Once I was finished with her room, I walked into the boys’. They are both still asleep.Kael had his sleeping mask on, as usual. He laid straight as a pencil on his bed.
Eloise’s POV:I could feel how my breath hitched in my throat. Slowly, I turned around. The relief in my face was visible when I saw the beta instead of the one person I was desperate to avoid.“Fuck me…” he cursed under his breath as he stepped closer. His eyes looked me up and down, “You’re back!” He said as if he’s still in disbelief.Taking a deep breath, I turned to face him.“Yes, I am. I’m not here for reunions. The council sent me.” I informed him, since none of them seems aware of the memo. How could their alpha be this negligent? “Forgive me. Let them through,” he nodded to the guards who immediately got to their feet and opened the gates.“Thank you.” I slid back into the car. I could see the wolves through the rearview mirror, speaking amongst themselves, staring after our car while the beta followed us closely behind.It took another five minutes before we reached their pack house. It was huge, even bigger than ours. That was to be expected, however, as their pack is th
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