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 ballroom dazzled, and it wasn't just because of the opulent chandeliers dripping with crystals or the intricately patterned marble floors. It was the undercurrents of power and danger, the whispered exchanges and sidelong glances. Every single person seemed important in ways I didn't understand, and every conversation felt weightier than it should.Logan led me around the room, his charm a palpable force. I couldn't help but watch him, part in awe and part in apprehension, as he interacted effortlessly with those around him.As we weaved through the crowd, a loud, boisterous voice pulled us into an unwanted spotlight.“Logan!” A tall man with an ostentatious suit grinned widely, slapping Logan’s back with a hearty laugh. “Who's this stunner you've got with you? Another fleeting diversion?”Logan’s face tightened for just a split second before he responded, his voice dripping with controlled authority. “This is Dahlia. My girl.”A peculiar warmth flooded my cheeks, and I felt
EllaThe dim light of the restroom cast shadows that danced eerily across the ornate walls. I stood there, staring blankly at the face reflected back at me from the gilded mirror. The hushed whispers of the escorts in the adjacent stalls echoed painfully in my mind, punctuated by the occasional muted giggle from the ballroom outside.A world of stark contrasts.My heart thudded painfully, each beat screaming a desperate question. What could I, Ella, do in a world of opulence, where beneath the surface, darkness thrived?“Ella.” The soft, husky voice in my mind was familiar, comforting. Ema always seemed to speak up when I was in turmoil, a constant friend and source of reason. “These women… they need our help.”I closed my eyes, trying to still the tumultuous emotions raging within. “It’s not our world, Ema. Interfering might bring danger to us and them.”There was a pause, and when Ema spoke, there was a gentle conviction in her tone. “We are strong, Ella. We are wolf and woman. Thes