Eloise’s POV:I woke up groggily, clutching my head. I had been swimming in the most amazing scent and didn’t think I would fall asleep.I snapped. Wasn’t it Kaden’s scent I was nuzzling just now?My eyes popped wide open and I looked around. A breath of relief left my mouth seeing that I am back in the hotel. I clutched my hair, yawning, and froze when I realized something else.How on earth did I get here?“Nice of you to finally wake up.” Someone murmured.My head snapped to a scrutinizing Abbie sitting across my bed all ready in her training shorts and sports bra. I furrowed my brows, raised my head to look at the time.“sh*t!”I’m late!I jumped out of bed and practically bolted for the shower.Abbie’s hard glare burned into my back, but if she wanted to say anything before I departed she chose to keep her mouth shut.I took a quick shower, grabbed a towel, and threw on the first pair of training clothes I had stored in the closet.When I turned to put on my daily mascara and lip
92Eloise’s POV:“Good morning, Alpha!”Pack members greeted him as he glided over to me. Everyone bowed their heads to him in submission, and to show respect, they did not raise their heads unless told to do so.“Raise your heads.” His gruff voice rang through the high walls surrounding the training area.I rolled my eyes.Show off.I refused to meet his gaze even though, until now, he did not take his eyes off me. Not for a second. He stood beside me, his scalding gaze burning into my skin.The moment I saw him look away and face the pack members from my peripheral, relief flooded me.“As you all are aware, Alpha Eloise will be leading you all to training today,” he spoke with full authority, making me glance at him, “For now, you are to treat her as your alpha,”My eyes widened as I ignored the immediate murmurs that spread across the whole crowd.“I expect you all to follow her command smoothly.” And with that, Kaden stepped back and gestured to me as if he wanted me to take the st
Eloise's POV: In the middle of break. Grinding my teeth, I pulled out my phone and texted Dad. An unknown number called earlier, saying it was him. I saved it just in case. I meant to visit the house to see how he and Mum are doing starting today. I know he's been doing it for a year, but leaving Dad alone with a wolf-turned-vampire did not sit well with me. After all, he is my dad. I worry about him. Me: Text me if anything goes wrong. Alpha Kaden insisted pack dinner, and I have to attend. Him: Sure, El. Your mother will be fine. She's sedated. Reading his message, I felt a pang in my heart. More than anything, I wanted to be there for her right now. If only Alpha Kaden weren't being such a prick. I thought to myself for a moment. I started typing, hesitating for a few seconds before pressing send. Me: You're not coming? It took him a while to respond. In a few moments, his text notification popped up. Him: I don't attend pack dinners anymore, El. He doesn't? My brows fur
Eloise’s POV:We walked together to the dining hall.Apart from the training grounds, I practically don’t know my way around here.Logan and I made small talk.In about five minutes, I found out that he left the pack when he was 16, sent off by his father to live abroad. His uncle died recently, hence why he decided to return to the pack.I still can’t help my eyes from wandering as I took in his scar. It was huge.“It happened when I was 16,” he suddenly said, making me look up at him.“Huh?”What were we talking about again? I asked Adeline.If she was listening to our conversation, she chose not to answer and gave me the silent treatment. She’s still pissed I shoved her back.Logan pointed to his huge scar.“Oh,” He must have noticed me staring.“You don’t have to, I mean, if it’s not okay.”He shook his head, “No, I actually kind of like it.”I blinked, shocked.“We were just kids, Kaden and I,” he began, and I already assumed the worst.“He did not do that to you, did he?”Logan
95Eloise’s POV:“Everyone, out!” he growled in a low, deadly tone that had everyone in the dinner hall scrambling off and away from us.His alpha command pierced everyone who is a pack member of the Blood Hounds Pack. Everyone but me.Although none of them were finished with dinner, their faces drained of blood as well as appetite the moment his commanding aura rushed out.“Need back up?” Logan suddenly whispered, leaning against me. I blinked at him, wondering why the command didn’t compel him to tuck tail and run. But I remember his relation to Kaden. I guess it had something to do with their blood ties. Maybe he is of Alpha blood?His action though was enough to trigger another growl from Kaden, who shot me a look, daring me to utter a word.“I can stay if you want?” Logan offered.“She doesn’t fucking need anything, not from you,” Kaden snarled, turning his glare to Logan.I folded my arms against my hardened breasts.“I can speak for myself. Thank you, Alpha.” I reacted sarcasti
Eloise’s POV:“Kaden!” I squealed as I started banging my fists on his sturdy back. This would be so much easier if he wasn’t so goddamn rock hard.I gritted my teeth.I thrashed and thrashed against him. Yet, none of my efforts to get off of him worked the magic they were supposed to. Usually, I would have easily maneuvered my body in the right position to kick him right where it hurts, in his giant pair of balls, but my attempts were futile as he had me hauled over his back every time I dared to move.A frustrated grunt left my lips before I hear the sound of doors slam open.Panic swept through me. Something about the feeling of restraint and being forced into a room triggered a sense of rebellion that had me looking desperately, for a way out.All I could see is his perfectly-shaped ass as I hung over his masculine body.Kaden grunted and I felt him move, perhaps to throw me between the pillows and pin me against the mattress. I refused to let my mind linger on the actions he is a
Eloise’s POV: Kaden smirked at my challenge. Everyone knew the Dark Alpha rarely gets any, but when he does, he makes sure nobody challenged him again.Least that’s what the rumors say.For years, I haven’t heard a single rumor about him back home. Alexandra run a silent and very private pack. For five years, we lived a pretty simple life. The only thing that set us apart from the other packs was that we trained hard. Every single day.Even now, I could see Kaden have yet to truly acknowledge the fact that I am an Alpha, a warrior among others.Let’s just prove it to him again, then. Adeline mused.My wolf isn’t afraid of anything. In fact, she was extremely thrilled to wipe the floor with her mate. I could tell she missed the wolf inside him.Rictus. Adeline spoke.His wolf’s name. She beamed. She sounded as if she just heard the name of her favorite food.You are speaking to him? I raised my brow at Adeline who simply nodded much too enthusiastically.He reached out to me first. H
Eloise's POV:It was dark outside and everyone seemed to have gone to their respective houses after a dinner cut short by their arrogant Alpha. When I passed by the main hall, my eyes subconsciously darted to a table. It was empty and plates of food had scattered on the floor. I felt my face heat and my body ache as if it remembered how the arrogant prick pinned us on that very surface, before I snapped out of it. Suddenly, a vile image that involved Kaden and I smashing more plates across the floor flew into my mind like a boomerang. My face turned even hotter as I willed my body and mind to stop collaborating with each other to makes things even more difficult than it is.Then, I stormed away from the dining hall and headed straight for the exit, only for a gush of wind to blow right into my face. Yet, I was grateful for it. It's as if the universe took it upon itself to slap me across the face when I couldn't.Within a minute, I stood out the porch with my eyes closed, instea
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