EVA’S POV“Yes,” I moaned softly, squirming as his tongue flicked into my ear. It was ironic how he asked for permission now when he’d never done so before.He pushed me against his large desk, and I spread my legs to make room for him. I smirked as he slid my skirt and panties down, his eyes darkening as he took in the sight of me.“Damn,” he muttered, biting his lip. “So pretty.”Elijah bolted the door, and I chuckled, excitement surging through me. When he returned, he knelt between my legs, nibbling and kissing up my thighs, hitting all the spots he knew would make me tremble.His finger slid between my already wet folds, and I shivered as he tasted me. Then, without hesitation, he slid a finger inside me, his movements confident and deliberate. My eyes fluttered closed as I surrendered to the pleasure of his touch.It didn’t take him long to find my G-spot. With deliberate pressure, he had me gasping and grabbing my legs, spreading them wider for him. My walls clenched around his
ANDREW’S POVThe night wrapped around us like a velvet cloak—cool and fragrant. The sweet scent of blooming wildflowers lingered in the air, carried by a gentle breeze that rustled the edges of the woods.Crickets chirped in harmonious rhythm, and in the distance, a lone wolf’s mournful howl echoed faintly. Every sound seemed amplified in the quiet, every step deliberate as we emerged from the pack’s outskirts, where we had gone for a walk.I glanced at Lily, her face softly illuminated by the silvery glow of the moon. Her auburn hair shimmered like molten fire under the moonlight, and her serene expression sent my heart into overdrive. My stomach churned with a mixture of nerves and hope.“Lily?” I murmured, breaking the silence, my voice barely above a whisper.“Yeah?” she replied, her voice as gentle as the breeze.“Can I ask you something?” I asked, my heart racing with anticipation.“Anything,” she said, her eyes sparkling with curiosity—like stars shining brightly in the night s
ANDREW/LILY POVLily’s cheeks flushed a deep crimson, her voice trembling with a mix of shyness and determination. “I liked him too, Luna. A lot.” Her words hung in the air, fragile yet undeniable, as her eyes flickered down to the dirt beneath her shoes. It was as though admitting the truth had stolen her strength.Hannah’s grin was instant—bright and mischievous. She clapped her hands together, her delight spilling over like a bubbling stream. “Well, that settles it then! You should go with him, Lily. No point hanging around here when you could be... you know.” She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.“Wait, are you serious?” Lily’s brows pulled together in a small frown, her gaze darting between Hannah and me. “We still have—there’s stuff we haven’t finished—”“It’s fine,” Hannah interrupted, her tone light and airy but with a layer of knowing beneath it. She leaned closer, her voice dropping conspiratorially. “Go, Lily. Don’t overthink it. I’ll take care of the rest.”I stepped forw
LILY’S POVThe first lick of creamy vanilla hit my tongue like a sweet, delicate promise, and I couldn’t stop the grin spreading across my face. The richness, the perfect balance—it was heaven in a cone.Andrew’s smirk grew as he watched me, his brown eyes sparkling with amusement. “Tastes good, huh?” His voice carried a playful lilt, one brow quirking as he raised his chocolate cone, waiting for my response.“It’s better than good,” I said, licking the side where it threatened to drip. “This is what vanilla dreams are made of.”He chuckled, a low sound that rumbled through the lazy summer air. “Vanilla dreams? Alright, let me one-up you,” he said, taking a deliberate, exaggerated lick of his chocolate. He closed his eyes, humming as though he’d just uncovered the secret to life itself. “This, my dear Lily, is chocolate nirvana.”I rolled my eyes, laughing. “You’re ridiculous.”“Ridiculously right,” he shot back, his grin widening.We strolled along the park path, the afternoon sun ca
LILY’S POVThe familiar sight of the pack house greeted us as Andrew’s car rolled to a stop in front of my place. Andrew turned off the engine, his fingers lingering on the key for a moment longer than necessary. He exhaled softly—a sound that felt like the release of a weight neither of us wanted to name.“I had a great time today,” I said, turning to look at him. My voice was light, but my chest tightened, betraying how much I meant it.His eyes, warm and steady, found mine. A smile tugged at his lips—soft but earnest. “I did too, Lily. More than you know.”A blush crept up my cheeks, and I looked down briefly, tucking a stray lock of hair behind my ear. “We should do this again,” I ventured, the words leaving my mouth before I could second-guess them.Andrew’s smile deepened, his gaze never wavering. “Definitely.”The quiet that followed wasn’t awkward. It was charged, filled with the kind of unspoken tension that makes you hyper-aware of every detail—the soft tick of the cooling e
Xavier’s POVThe mid-morning sun hung heavy over the training grounds, its relentless heat beating down on warriors locked in combat. The air brimmed with the tang of sweat and the steady rhythm of fists striking practice dummies. Every movement, every grunt, reverberated with purpose.Across from me, Beta Kas tightened his grip on my hand as we squared off. His sharp eyes bore into mine, a flicker of challenge igniting within them. We began circling, our boots digging into the wet earth.“Ready to lose?” Kas teased, his smirk sly and his voice edged with anticipation.I cracked my neck, matching his grin. “You wish.”Kas chuckled, the sound low and deliberate, before lunging forward.The fight erupted into a whirlwind of motion. Kas moved with the precision of a predator, each strike calculated and fierce. But I was ready.His fists were fast, his jabs sharp, but my blocks met him with equal force. A particularly strong punch grazed my forearm, sending jolts of pain up my arm. I grit
XAVIER’S POVAs I stepped into our home, the tension in my shoulders unraveled like a frayed rope, the familiar warmth of the living room washing over me. My gaze landed on the two anchors of my world.Hannah sat cross-legged on the couch, her hair tumbling loosely over her shoulders, a strand curling near her cheek as she scrolled through her tablet. She looked up as the door clicked shut, her sapphire eyes crinkling into a quiet smile.Across from her, Jackson was sprawled on the carpet, his tiny hands working diligently to stack colorful blocks. He furrowed his brows in exaggerated concentration, his tongue peeking out from the corner of his mouth.When one of the blocks tipped over, his high-pitched giggle lit up the room—a sound so pure it eased the last vestiges of tension from my body.“Dada!” Jackson’s voice rang out as soon as he spotted me, his face lighting up like the blocks he’d abandoned. Without hesitation, he scrambled to his feet and bolted toward me, almost tumbling
HANNAH’S POVAs Xavier hurried upstairs to shower, his footsteps faded, leaving the room still and quiet. The silence felt weighty, thick with unspoken thoughts.I adjusted Jackson in my arms, his soft coos a soothing contrast to the tension. Cecilia’s gaze lingered on him, her expression a mixture of curiosity and tenderness that caught me off guard.Clearing my throat, I forced a smile. “Mom, this is Jackson, my son,” I said, keeping my tone steady despite the flutter in my chest.Her eyes widened, and a soft gasp escaped her lips. “Oh my goodness,” she murmured, stepping closer. Her clasped hands trembled slightly. “He’s... beautiful. Look at those little fingers.”She hesitated before reaching out, her fingers lightly brushing his cheek. Jackson giggled, his chubby hands instinctively grasping at hers. Cecilia let out a small laugh, her face lighting up with a warmth that momentarily eased the knot in my stomach.“Would you like to hold him?” I asked, careful to keep my voice invi
XAVIER’S POVAs soon as the meeting wrapped up, I finally felt like I could breathe after holding it in for hours. The tension that had knotted my shoulders slowly eased, leaving behind a strange, weightless feeling. Freedom.No more sterile hotel rooms with their faint bleachy tang. No more forced smiles in stifling conference rooms. I was done. Done and heading back to where I belonged—to them. To Hannah and my mate, Jackson.Packing was mechanical, almost too easy. How much does a man really need when his heart is somewhere else? My clothes were just placeholders, things to keep me functioning while I was away.The thought of home filled me with restless energy. My flight wasn’t for hours, but I was already counting the minutes. Should I call Hannah? Tell her I’d be back early? My fingers hovered over the phone.No.I wanted the surprise. I wanted to see that look she gave me—the one that made every long day and every ache worth it. A text to Kas would do instead.“Pick me up from
Coby’s POVShe sat at the edge of the table, smoothing Jackson’s messy hair with tender, rhythmic strokes. Her touch was so soft, so unguarded, it felt like catching a glimpse of something fragile—a rare treasure she kept hidden from me. She didn’t look my way, but I could feel it: the invisible wall between us.It was my wall. My doing. Every lie, every moment I’d turned away instead of toward her, had laid another brick. Now, it towered between us, solid and unyielding.If I could take it all back—every selfish choice—I would. But regrets don’t rewrite the past. They only carve heavier lines into the present. And so, I sat there, a silent guest in her world, trying not to shatter the thin peace she’d allowed me.I wanted to say something, anything. But words felt like stones, clumsy and heavy, with no good place to land. Instead, I stayed quiet, watching as the morning played out around me.Breakfast ended in a soft chaos—sticky plates smeared with syrup, Jackson’s half-eaten pancak
COBY’S POVI leaned against the counter, arms folded, the cool edge pressing into my back as I stood there, silent. My eyes stayed on them—Hannah, her arms wrapped tight around Jackson, his head tucked under her chin like it was where he belonged.Her face was hidden, buried in his messy curls, and for a moment, I couldn’t tell if she was smiling or holding back tears. Either way, I wasn’t part of it.Jackson’s laughter cut through the heavy silence like sunlight piercing storm clouds. It was bright, full, and innocent in a way that made my throat tighten.The sound pulled a smile from me despite everything, but it was fleeting. The joy in his laugh felt like a reminder of everything I wasn’t—everything I’d lost.“Can I have pancakes?” he asked, his small, hopeful voice breaking the quiet.“Pancakes?” Hannah repeated, tilting her head to look down at him with a teasing glint in her eye. “Hmm… what about broccoli pancakes instead? So healthy. So delicious.” Her voice was playful, soft—
HANNAH’S POVOnce inside, I led Coby to the dining table and gestured for him to sit. He sank into the chair heavily, as though gravity had claimed a special hold on him.Without a word, I poured him a cup of coffee. The kettle hissed softly, and the bitter scent of the brew filled the air. I placed the mug in front of him, the faint clink against the table the only sound between us. “Here,” I said simply.“Thanks,” he muttered, his voice rough and small. He wrapped both hands around the mug, his fingers trembling slightly. He sipped, his shoulders slumping further, as if the heat in the cup could thaw the cold inside him.I sat across from him, my gaze sharp and unwavering. He avoided it, staring into the dark liquid like it held answers he was too afraid to speak aloud.The Coby I remembered wasn’t this… diminished. He used to carry himself with a sharp-edged arrogance, always ready to cut someone down if it suited him. Now, that sharpness was gone, dulled to something that looked u
HANNAH’S POVI woke to the soft, rhythmic sound of Jackson’s breathing beside me, his little chest rising and falling with such perfect innocence that it made my heart ache. The pale sunlight seeped through the curtains, painting his face in a golden glow. For a moment, I didn’t move, just watched him—the curve of his cheeks, the flutter of his lashes.He looked so peaceful, and in that stillness, I found a fleeting sense of calm. Leaning down, I pressed a gentle kiss to his warm cheek, my lips lingering for a heartbeat.Slipping from the bed, I tightened my robe around me and padded silently to the bathroom. The cool splash of water on my face was like a reset button, wiping away the remnants of sleep. As I dried my face, the thought of pancakes floated to mind—unbidden but welcome. Jackson loved pancakes, especially with a swirl of honey.Back in the bedroom, I changed into Xavier shorts and leggings before pulling my hair into a loose bun.Humming softly, I headed to the kitchen, t
EVA’S POVThe sharp knock at the door tore through my sleep like a blade, yanking me from a fragile dream. I groaned, rolling onto my stomach and pressing my face into the pillow, hoping whoever it was would take the hint and leave.The knocking came again, harder this time, rattling the thin door. “Whoever it is, go away!” I shouted, my voice thick with sleep and irritation.“Eva! It’s me—please, open up!”Vivian? Her voice cracked, raw and unfamiliar, and an uneasy prickle shot through me. I dragged myself out of bed, my head foggy as I stumbled across the room.She never sounded like that—not Vivian, not the girl who could chew someone out without breaking a sweat.When I pulled the door open, whatever I was about to say died in my throat. She stood there, trembling, barely holding herself upright.Her hair stuck to her forehead in damp strands, and her oversized shirt—definitely not hers—hung awkwardly off one shoulder. But it was her eyes that hit me the hardest. They were swolle
VIVIAN’S POVThe night was alive with tension, each breath of wind carrying the weight of my choices. The six guards surrounded me in a loose circle, their postures sharp, hands resting near weapons that might as well have been unsheathed.Their eyes burned with the kind of suspicion that came only from long, hard training. Predators. My wolf stirred beneath my skin—a coiled spring of instinct and fury. I swallowed it down with a low growl, a sound that straddled the line between warning and restraint.This wasn’t the time. Not yet.I pulled air into my lungs, slow and deliberate, willing my wolf to retreat. The shift back to human form hit like a vice tightening around every bone in my body, each joint snapping into place with brutal finality.When it was over, I stood there bare and trembling, the cool night air a sharp reminder of how fragile this form could feel. My breaths came unsteady, but I forced my voice to remain calm. Steady.“I’m Luna Vivian, wife of Alpha Coby of the Cri
VIVIAN’S POVThe taillights vanished into the yawning dark, swallowed by the endless stretch of road. A lump rose in my throat—sharp and suffocating—and for a moment, I couldn’t breathe.My chest hitched as I choked down a sob that threatened to claw its way free. He’d done it. Coby had really left me—abandoned me—without a second glance, without a shred of hesitation.The cold pressed against my skin like icy needles, but even that was nothing compared to the hollow ache churning inside me.The forest loomed beyond the crumbling pack house, its gnarled branches clawing at the moonlit sky like skeletal fingers. Shadows pooled beneath the trees—dark, alive—and my gut twisted.Rogues could be out there, lurking, watching, waiting. I shivered, but not from the cold. The fear pressed down on me, heavy and relentless, making my pulse race and my breaths come shallow.“Get a grip,” I whispered, though my voice barely broke the silence. My legs felt leaden as I forced them to move, each step
COBY’S POVThe car hurtled down the desolate road, the growl of the engine loud but not loud enough. The chaos in my mind was deafening. My fingers clamped around the steering wheel, nails biting into the leather. My jaw ached from clenching so hard.I had done it. Finally. I had walked away from her for good.But her voice—raw, broken—clung to me like a ghost. “Coby, please! Don’t go! Don’t leave me like this!”Her scream had shattered something inside me, something I wasn’t sure I’d ever get back. Even now, the memory of it tightened around my chest like a vice. But I couldn’t stop. Not after what she’d done.The name came unbidden: that damn Elijah.Just thinking his name made my blood boil. How could she? After everything we had been through, after everything I had sacrificed for her, how could she betray me like this? I slammed my hand against the wheel, the sharp pain in my palm doing nothing to ease the rage burning through me.She had stood there, tears streaming down her face