EllaThe streets had settled into that dusky, purplish hue that heralded the onset of evening when I recognized the low purr of an engine behind me. The sleek black car pulled up to the curb, and from it emerged Logan, his tall frame poised with that unmistakable confident swagger.“You’ve gotta be kidding me,” I whispered to myself, whipping around and picking up my pace.“Ella!” Logan called, followed by the sound of his footsteps pounding on the pavement as he jogged after me.Without so much as giving him a glance, I quickened my steps, hoping to put distance between us.But, with each step I took, I heard the rhythmic footfalls of Logan's shoes against the pavement growing louder. He jogged after me, his long-legged strides easily bridging the gap I had worked so hard to put between us.“Did you get my flowers?” he asked.I had to resist the urge to growl. “Yes,” I replied, not looking at him, “and I threw them away.”“Threw them away? I thought you would like them, or are you no
EllaThe brisk evening air sent shivers down my spine as I approached the entrance to my apartment building. The echo of my heels on the pavement seemed louder in the silence, a rhythmic pulse of my own agitated heartbeat.“You were rather tough on him just now,” a deep voice murmured within my mind. My wolf. Her presence was a gentle hum in the background, a second consciousness that had always been a part of me.Ever since I could remember, she had been there. We were flip sides of the same coin, often bickering, but always there for each other.“He had it coming,” I shot back, pushing open the main door. The lobby was dimly lit, casting soft amber glows across the polished marble floor.“Look, I’m still wary, too. But he was trying to make amends, Ella. It was evident in his actions, in the very way he looked at you.”I rolled my eyes. “I don’t need a lecture from you. It’s not just about today. It’s the principle of it all. He said he wanted to move away from illegal dealings, and
EllaThe crimson hue that painted my cheeks felt hotter than the finest wine.“Dance?” I echoed, a mix of incredulity and apprehension dripping from the word. Logan’s smirk only deepened, his gaze roving over me in a manner that was equally taunting and enticing.“Wine just has a way of making me want to move,” he said, taking a step closer, his body swaying lightly to the gentle rhythm of the song playing in the background. “Especially to a song like this. Don’t you feel it?”Biting my lip, I fidgeted on the spot and took a step back. “I... I don't really know how to dance,” I admitted, though it felt more like a weak excuse to get out of having to get close to him.He raised a brow in surprise.“You? Ella Morgan, heir to the Morgan legacy, doesn’t know how to dance? Weren’t there galas, balls, and all sorts of fancy parties where dancing was practically a requirement?”Rubbing the back of my neck sheepishly, I nodded. “They did make me take lessons. Loads of them. But,” I paused, se
EllaThe soft rays of dawn filtered through the curtains as I stretched, pulling myself from the depths of sleep. After climbing out of bed and slipping my robe around my shoulders, I tentatively cracked open my bedroom door, expecting to see Logan there.I glanced around, my eyes falling on the crumpled blanket on the couch. There was no sign of Logan. Instead, on my coffee table, lay a neat note, written in his sprawling handwriting.“Ella,” it began, “Thanks for a memorable evening. Apologies for overstepping. - Logan.”I sighed, folding the note and tucking it into my pocket. Regardless of the emotions last night had brought, it was a new day, and I had a routine to stick to. Quickly, I changed into my hiking gear — a pair of durable leggings, a lightweight shirt, and sturdy boots. Pulling my hair into a ponytail, I grabbed a bottle of water and headed out, intending to lose myself in nature.The park’s hiking trails were my favorite Saturday morning getaway, a place where I could
EllaThe forest’s lingering scent still clung to me as I made my way back home. My feet moved over the familiar asphalt path, my mind still replaying the events of the day.The feeling of freedom and serenity from my hike, followed by the shock of the attempted mugging and then the mysterious young man’s timely intervention, made for an interesting concoction of experiences that day. I was a bit roughed up after the experience, but also intrigued.As I returned to the hustle and bustle of the city, the familiar sounds were almost a relief after my experience in the quiet woods. I imagined Moana scolding me for not bringing my pepper spray, and my father having a full-blown mental breakdown over it.It was things like these that I decided to keep from my parents. Not because I wanted to hide anything, but because I didn’t want them to worry. If they knew about half of the dangerous things I dealt with in this city, they would be at my doorstep in an instant, demanding me to come home.
Logan“Ready to go?” I finished clasping the necklace onto Ella’s delicate neck, taking note of how my hands threatened to shake just from our close proximity.Ella nodded, grabbing a small purse. She followed me out the door and down the steps of her apartment building, her heels clicking in the quiet atmosphere of the building’s hallways.“So,” I said as we descended through the narrow stairwell, “that dress looks lovely on you, just as it did when you bought it.”Ella blushed slightly. “Thanks. And thank you for the necklace.”I shrugged. “It’s nothing, really. Consider it an… apology.”“An apology?” Ella chuckled wryly as we walked down the stairs. It was an oddly charming sound that I had gotten all too familiar with over the past weeks, ever since I met her. The Alpha Princess had a sarcastic air about her that was honestly a nice reprieve from all of the giggling and useless conversation I had become used to with the sort of women who were interested in me.“Yes, an apology,” I
EllaThe restaurant loomed ahead, a tall edifice much like the first place Logan and I first officially ‘met’—after our initial alleyway meeting, back when he thought I was a ‘peasant’.The building’s height mirrored its reputation. It stood out distinctly against the city skyline, with its harsh gray reliefs and facades. It was a cold metal obelisk, much unlike the beautifully ornate buildings I had grown up surrounded by while growing up, but it had its own brutalist charm as well.Behind the glass facade, I could see a sea of figures moving around. The street was lined with expensive sports cars, and men and women dressed in even more expensive dresses, tuxedos, watches, and jewelry were stepping out of them.My heart raced as Logan and I stepped out of the car and joined them. The thumping of my heels against the pavement reminded me of the beats of a war drum, resonating with my rising anxiety.Growing up, I had become used to events like this. The red carpet was no stranger to m
EllaInside the grandiose ballroom of the restaurant, with its dimly lit chandeliers and expensive-looking wall hangings, Logan began mingling. A sudden sense of isolation swept over me as I clung to his arm, the only anchor amidst a sea of unknown faces.“Do you think this is how Moana feels at the events with Edrick?” Ema asked, feeling just as cautious as I did.I imperceptibly shook my head. “No. My dad always cares for her at their events, and it’s not nearly as dangerous. Although, I do remember her telling me how people looked down on her back before she was the Golden Wolf. So maybe this is a little like how she felt back that. But just a little.”As we approached groups of men in tailored suits, discussing what I presumed were deals and underworld business, Logan would pause to introduce me.“This is Dahlia,” he would say smoothly, each time keeping his promise to use my pseudonym.As we continued to navigate through the crowd, my senses became more acute to the conversations
EllaThe reception was in full swing, the air filled with the soft sound of music, the clinking of cutlery and champagne glasses, and the pleasant murmur of guests. It was the perfect night, too; the sun had set, and the air outside had cooled to a pleasant temperature as the crickets and cicadas sang.Walking hand in hand with Logan, we approached the multi-tiered wedding cake. It was unbelievably tall, adorned with carefully piped flowers and leaves. There were two little figures at th
EllaThe reception hall was filled with the soft, warm glow of hundreds of candles, and the sound of gentle music filled the space. It really was everything that we had wanted. The wedding planner had outdone herself.“What do you think?” Logan asked, holding my hand as we meandered around the room. “Quite the party, huh?”
EllaThe doors to the chapel opened, and the soft sound of orchestral music filled my ears. This was it; this was the moment. Everything felt like it was moving so fast, and yet somehow it felt as though time was standing completely still at the same moment.I watched as the wedding planner gestured from the sidelines for the bridesmaids and groomsmen to pair up and walk through the doors, preceded by the flower girl—a family friend’s daughter, who looked absolutely precious
Ella“Are you nervous, Ella?” the makeup artist, Jenna, asked as she selected a palette of soft, natural colors that complemented my skin tone.Nervous would have been an understatement. It was the morning of my wedding; the day had finally come, after what had somehow felt like both an eternity and no time at all at the same time.
LoganI sat on the edge of my bed, staring at the little silver key in the palm of my hand.“I should just go and do it,” I whispered, more to myself than to my wolf. “Get it over with, right?”“What’s the worst that could happen?” my wolf added. “It’s
EllaAs I walked into the bridal boutique with my entourage, the little bell on the door chimed and I was immediately greeted with the scent of lavender and the smile of a bridal assistant.Daisy, Moana, Clara, and Sarah were with me; it was just a couple of days after the housewarming party, and our new house felt full to the brim with my family and Clara staying for a while. Not that I minded, though. It was fun having them here, and I was glad to have them all by my side as I tried on
LoganI was enjoying the party, watching with a smile on my face as Clara, Ella, and Sarah exchanged stories, when the sound of my phone ringing suddenly cut through the lively atmosphere.Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I felt my heart lurch in my chest. It was Hartman; I hadn’t heard from him in months. After Marina and Harry had taken off and Devon had been caught, I had paid Hartman for his help—even though our plan wound up being foiled—and that was the end of t
EllaThe months following Logan’s and my engagement was a whirlwind of change. We sold Logan’s mansion to a wealthy family from out of the area, and before I knew it, we were moving into our new home.It was a 1920s Spanish-style home, with warm stucco walls and breezy windows. The first floor was open concept, and I could already picture all of the wonderful parties we could have here. I fell in love with it immediately.
Ella“Sit down. Both of you.”Sarah and I exchanged wary glances. Her face was just as pale as mine probably was, and I felt a wrench in my stomach.“But Mr. Henderson, Sarah never—”