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? 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 amusement. Kaden finally moves, his
Eloise’s POV: The next morning, 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. Abbie had been babbling away about something Colton said but I did not give a damn as I was distracted with his voice flitting through my head every now and again. 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
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 un
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 l
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
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:“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: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:"Beta Colton," the brown wolf tilted his head in submission as soon as he shifted into his human form.The gray wolf whose eyes had been filled with lust lowered his head as he turned to face a fuming Colton stomping over towards us. His nostrils flared and fists clenched into balls by his sides."What do you think you're doing?" He questioned the gray wolf as he stopped before him.The wolf's fur stood abruptly in fright, its body trembled despite his large size."W-We thought they were trespassers, Sir," he stuttered, I heard only because we shared a mindlink.Beta Colton growled, allowing some of his livid aura onto the scared wolf."I will deal with you later." He growled lowly before he turned his gaze back to me."Luna?"I turned my back to him, showing him Abbie's weakened body that hugged my back.The moment his eyes landed on her, his eyes widened and he rushed over, shoving the two wolves aggressively aside in the process."What happened to her?" He spat in the
Eloise’s POV:Home. I had to go home.If it’s true… then I’ll have to see it for myself.My wolf’s paws landed on the ground after I shifted, my back elongating as fur sprouted all over my skin, my full face morphing to Adeline’s true form.I didn’t need to tell her what to do. She knew my thoughts as much as I knew hers. And back there, we had the exact same thought.This couldn’t be just a coincidence. I told myself, feeling Adeline’s silent nod in agreement.Adeline kicked her legs, paws thudding against leaves and branches scattered along the ground. Our clothes tucked between her sharp canines. We made sure we wouldn’t end up naked when we arrive home.“We’re getting close. Hang tight.” Adeline said, making me tuck into myself closer knowing full well the meaning behind those words.She was going to run at full speed. Adeline may not be the largest wolf out there, but she sure run fast.Over time, our strength improved, too.And I hoped that would be enough to face what lurked be
Eloise’s POV:His jaw ticked, and I saw his hands clench into fists at his sides. He should have expected this. He knew. He was going to take them away the moment we are found, and I would have lost the only thing that was keeping me alive, away from the brink of insanity I would have fallen deeply into a long time ago.I glared up at him, not backing down.He won’t take my kids away from me, I assured myself as my chest was beginning to rise and fall in rapid motion. They’re safe. Out and away from this wretched city where all the devils reside.The only thing keeping me from giving in to my anxiety was the fact that they are safe.Thick, heavy silence fell in the air between us. It was almost suffocating.“I want to meet them,” he said after a moment, voice low but demanding. I could feel his aura circling me as if he was prepared to shove me with it.My teeth gritted as I glared up at him.“No.” I said fiercely in a dismissive tone.My decision was final.He is not going to take th
Eloise’s POV:I pursed my lips thinly, meeting his glare but when I saw the sheer determination and even pain in his eyes, I eventually gave in.I sighed, “Kaeron, Kai, and Kiara,”He raised a brow.“All started with K?”I smirked, “Don’t get me wrong, I just had them all prepared,”Kaden pulled his lips into frown, going silent for a few moments before he let out a sigh of his own.“Can I at least see a picture?”His question knocked me off of my breath. It can’t be helped. Adeline muttered. She’s like the conscience whispering to me every time I had to make a choice. I groan.What if he sees them, and he wants to take them away? I shudder at the thought as I stare up at the man who I saw as nothing more than the sperm donor of my pups. I let him ruin my life once. I won’t let him do it again when he takes them away from me.He wouldn’t. Not under my f*cking watch. Adeline hissed. Her determination is brewing quietly like a storm in the distance, I could feel it. Adeline is much mor
Eloise’s POV:I couldn’t even begin to visualize what my wolf thrust into my headspace.I never saw it. Not even after the one time he knocked me up. I was drunk!My legs shook dramatically, threatening to give out from under me. I must admit, the only thing holding me in place was Kaden, pressing me up against the lockers.His large, calloused hand went back to clench my thigh. His touch wasn’t rough but firm, and enough to send electrifying sparks all over my body while continuing to rub circles around my sensitive cl*t.I was panting, breathless. The only sound that could be heard in the locker room was my pants as well as his rugged breaths, husky and so damn attractive.My arousal still tinged the air and I scrunched up my nose. The scent remained and I feared it would stay here up until a week. Wolves’ senses are incredibly strong, but not without a downside. All the males will probably be smelling my arousal for a period and they can even tell who the scent came from.So what?
Eloise's POV:CL? Who the hell is CL? My wolf growled, racking my brain for any clues behind the initials.I stared at the note blankly for a few seconds.Shaking my head, I stripped off my bra and leggings, and rummaged for fresh clothes with the note still in my hand before the sound of the door unlocking had me straighten as I thrust the note into my locker.Kaden Kyson walked in with a dark look looming over his face, his eyes scanning the room before falling on me and my near-naked body. His dark eyes took in my undressed state, and I grit my teeth as I shoot glares at him.I had no choice but to wrap my arm around nipples, preventing Kaden to notice how they became hard in less than a minute when he stepped into the locker room. I shifted in my barefeet.He likes what he sees… Adeline giggled at the back of my mind, making me shush her and roll my eyes.“If you haven’t heard, training is over.” I declared, shooting daggers at him.He clenched his jaw as he walked over to me, ign
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
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: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