Hannah’s POVXavier carried me up the stairs and back to our room before lowering me onto the bed. He climbed onto the bed above me and looked down at me. Lust smoldered in his eyes. I lay beneath him, panting with desire.He reached for my shirt and paused midway, waiting for my permission. When I didn’t stop him, he proceeded to pull it apart, then lowered his mouth to my breast, taking my hard nipple between his lips, flicking at it with his hot tongue and sucking it gently.I arched my back and put one hand on the back of his head, pulling him against my sensitive, puckered flesh. My other hand stroked his hard chest and stomach until I found the shaft of his penis and fondled it lovingly.He let out a groan as I stroked his length, and he sucked my nipple with more force as his desire grew. This rough treatment of my sensitive nipples made me moan and wriggle beneath him.Xavier directed his kisses down over the swell of my soft belly to the juncture between my thighs. I panted
COBY’S POVI walked down the driveway as quickly as I could, my head down, my heart pounding in my chest. I didn’t dare look back at the house.What was the point? Xavier was home now, and I was nothing more than an unwelcome ghost lingering in his space. The cold air stung my face, but it couldn’t chase away the heat of embarrassment burning under my skin.When I reached my car, parked just outside the gate, I leaned against it, letting out a long, shaky breath. My hands fumbled for the keys in my pocket, trembling slightly.“What the hell were you thinking, Coby?” I muttered to myself, slamming the car door shut once I climbed inside.I gripped the steering wheel tightly, staring at the road ahead but not really seeing it. I wasn’t mad at Xavier. Or at Hannah. If anything, I was furious with myself.Showing up at their house was never supposed to go that far. Last night, when I parked outside their gate, I didn’t have a plan. I just needed to feel like I wasn’t completely alone.Han
COBY’S POV“No,” I said flatly, gripping the edge of the door. My fingers tightened instinctively, and I leaned into it, already planning to slam it shut in her face.Her smile faltered for a split second before she recovered. “Please, just listen—”“I don’t have time for your games, Eva,” I snapped, hissing the words through clenched teeth. “Go away.”I began to push the door closed, but she moved quickly, slipping her foot between the door and the frame. Her eyes locked onto mine—sharp and determined.“Wait,” she said, her voice firmer now. “You’ll want to hear what I have to say. It’s for your own good.”I hesitated, my stomach twisting at the thought of what she had come to say. The last thing I wanted was to deal with this right now, but she wasn’t backing down. Her expression was oddly serious, and despite everything, curiosity stirred in me.I exhaled sharply, stepping back just enough to let her in. “Two minutes,” I said coldly. “That’s all you get.”Eva slipped inside, her he
ANDREW’S POVThe day began with a weight on my chest that I couldn’t shake. I couldn’t stop thinking about Coby and Vivian. It wasn’t like them to go silent like this. I hadn’t heard a word from either of them, and the longer the silence stretched, the more my worry grew.I kept imagining the worst. What if Coby had done something reckless? He had a tendency to let his emotions get the better of him, especially when things got heated.I sighed and stared down at the coffee cup in my hand. It was empty, but I couldn’t even remember finishing it. “This can’t go on,” I muttered to myself.Shoving my chair back, I stood, grabbed my jacket, and headed for the door. I had already tried checking on him yesterday, but this time felt different.I needed answers, even if it meant knocking on his door until my knuckles bled.Just as I reached for the doorknob, the door swung open, and there he was.“Coby?” My voice came out sharper than I intended, surprise mixed with relief. But as I took a goo
ANDREW’S POVCoby tilted the whiskey bottle back as if it owed him everything, draining it to the last reluctant drop. When it was empty, he slammed it onto the table with a force that seemed to shake the room.His hand wavered as he leaned forward, bloodshot eyes narrowing on me. “Andrew,” he drawled, the word sliding out of his mouth like a dare, “another bottle. Now.”His voice was jagged, a mix of command and plea, but I’d heard it too many times to falter. I held my ground, meeting his gaze with a steadiness I didn’t entirely feel.“No,” I said, firm but not unkind. “You’ve had enough. Go home, Coby. Sleep this off before you regret it.”A laugh tore from his throat—harsh and empty. “Regret it?” He slapped the table, his movements as erratic as his tone. “I’m already there, Andrew. Regret’s a goddamn river, and I’m drowning in it.”He leaned back, dragging a hand through his disheveled hair, his fingers trembling. “This?” He gestured vaguely at the bottle. “This just keeps me afl
EVA’S POVI slammed the door behind me, the echo shaking the walls. My chest heaved with uneven breaths, and my hands trembled, still buzzing with adrenaline. My throat ached—his grip had been so tight I could still feel the ghost of it pressing against my skin. How close had I come to dying? Too close, all because of her.Shoes cluttered the entryway, and I kicked them out of the way, stumbling forward. The air in the house felt suffocating—hot, like I couldn’t escape fast enough. Before I could even catch my breath, Vivian appeared in the hallway, her face a storm of concern.“Eva! Thank God you’re back. How did it go with Coby? Did you—”“Don’t.” My voice sliced through the air, sharper than I intended but not sharp enough to cut through my anger. “Don’t talk to me about Coby.”She stopped mid-step, blinking as if I’d slapped her. “What? What happened? Did—did something go wrong?”A bitter laugh forced its way out of me—raw and jagged. “Go wrong?” My hand shot up, raking through my
EVA’S POVI stood in the kitchen for a moment, gripping the edge of the counter, trying to steady my breathing. My hands trembled—not from fear but from sheer frustration. How had things spiraled so far out of control?I could hear Vivian moving around in the living room, her steps light but erratic, like she couldn’t decide what to do next. Part of me wanted to go back in there, to say something to reassure her, but what could I say? I was drained.Her voice broke through the silence.“Eva,” she called out softly, her tone hesitant.I didn’t answer right away. I wasn’t ready to have another conversation. But the desperation in her voice tugged at something in me. I sighed, forcing myself to push off the counter and walk back into the room.Vivian sat on the edge of the couch, her hands twisting nervously in her lap. She looked up at me, her eyes glassy with unshed tears.“I don’t know what to do,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. “I didn’t mean for any of this to happen
VIVIAN’S POVI followed Eva’s advice and summoned the courage to go home and confront Coby. Maybe, just maybe, I could beg him, and we could work things out. Yes, I had slept with Elder Elijah, but I didn’t love him. It was Coby I loved, and that had to count for something, didn’t it?As I approached the quarters we shared, my heart pounded with a mix of fear and anticipation. I knocked softly on the door, waiting for Coby to answer.I was met with silence. There was no response. Still, I knew he was inside—the faint flicker of light through the window and the low hum of the old fan gave it away.Figuring he might be asleep, I turned the doorknob and found it wasn’t locked. I pushed the door open cautiously and stepped inside. The living room was dim, and there he was, sprawled on the couch, fast asleep.I hesitated, watching him for a moment. His shirt was wrinkled, his face unshaven, and the sour scent of alcohol filled the air, an obvious sign that he has been drinking.My heart cl
HANNAH’S POVWith a quiet hum, I stepped into our bedroom, feeling something I hadn’t in days—lightness. It was fragile, tentative, like the first glimpse of sunlight after a storm, but it was there. A welcome change from the heaviness that had settled in my chest for too long.Laughter floated up from downstairs—Jackson’s high-pitched giggles mixing with Xavier’s deep, teasing voice. I could picture them perfectly: Jackson, all wide eyes and determination, his little legs pumping as he ran, Xavier deliberately holding back just enough to let our son think he was winning.A soft smile pulled at my lips. These moments—these stolen, ordinary joys—were the ones that mattered. They were the anchor when everything else threatened to drift too far.Sighing, I raked my fingers through my hair and decided I had time for a quick shower before joining them. My body ached for the warmth, the release. I grabbed a fresh set of clothes from the dresser and made my way to the bathroom, nudging the d
HANNAH’S POVThe first thing I noticed when I stirred awake was the absence of warmth beside me. My fingers reached out instinctively, brushing over cool, empty sheets where Xavier should have been. My brows pulled together as I blinked against the lingering haze of sleep.He was always the last to leave our bed, keeping me tucked against him until I was fully awake—like he couldn’t stand the thought of letting me go too soon. But lately, he barely slept in.I parted my lips, about to call for him, when a deep, rumbling laugh echoed through the house. It wasn’t just a sound; it was a presence—rich and full—vibrating through the walls and settling in my chest like a heartbeat I had come to rely on.Then came a burst of high-pitched giggles—wild, unrestrained, and utterly contagious.Jackson.A slow warmth unfurled inside me, wrapping around my ribs like a gentle embrace. Shaking off the remnants of sleep, I pushed back the covers and stepped onto the cool wooden floor, drawn to the sou
XAVIER'S POVEventually, I forced myself to shut off the water. Drying off quickly, I pulled on a pair of pajama pants, the fabric cool against my damp skin.When I stepped into the bedroom, Hannah was already curled up on the bed, her soft breathing the only sound in the quiet room. She looked up, sleep heavy in her gaze, and offered a tired smile.I climbed in beside her without hesitation, wrapping her in my arms. She nestled against me with a sigh, her warmth seeping into me, grounding me. Her scent—wildflowers and something unmistakably her—wrapped around me like a lullaby. My wolf rumbled in satisfaction, his restless energy finally easing.She pressed a lazy kiss to my chest. “You okay now?”I tightened my hold, burying my face in her hair. “I am now.”Her fingers traced idle patterns on my skin—a silent comfort, a silent promise.“Then sleep,” she whispered.For the first time in hours, maybe even days, I let my eyes close. The world outside was still spinning, still filled wi
Xavier's POVThe moment I stepped through the door, exhaustion didn’t just hit me—it crashed into me like a wrecking ball, rattling every bone, dragging at every muscle. The weight of the day had settled deep, turning my limbs sluggish, my thoughts heavier than stone. But then I saw her.Hannah.She stood in the living room, her arms loosely crossed, her fingers tracing absent patterns along her sleeve. The second her eyes met mine, something in them shifted—worry, relief, love—all colliding in that single, unguarded moment. And just like that, the crushing weight on my chest lightened. Not gone. But lighter.Her arms tightened around me, like she was holding me together. “You’re late,” she murmured against my shoulder, her voice laced with concern.“I know.” My voice was rough, barely above a whisper. “I’m sorry.”She pulled back just enough to look at me, her hands resting lightly on my chest. Her touch was warm, grounding. “You look like hell.”I let out a breathless chuckle, but i
Eva's POVThe gown tore apart in his hands, the delicate silk splitting with a sound that was both sharp and soft—like a secret being revealed. It fell to the floor, pooling around my feet, leaving me bare under his hungry gaze. His eyes burned as they traveled over my body, lingering on my breasts, which rose and fell with each shaky breath I took.My nipples hardened under his stare, aching for his touch, and a shiver of vulnerability ran through me. But then his hands were on me, rough and demanding, and that vulnerability turned into something hotter—something desperate.His fingers dug into my breasts, squeezing hard enough to make me gasp. He rolled my nipples between his fingers, twisting them just enough to send sharp, delicious waves of pleasure through me.I moaned, my head falling back, my body arching into his touch. "Fuck, yes," I whispered, my voice trembling. The ache between my legs grew unbearable; my clit throbbed with every tug of his fingers.I reached for his shir
EVA’S POVSomething flickered across his face—satisfaction, maybe. Victory. Whatever it was, it sent a cold shiver down my spine.His smirk widened as he stepped aside. “Smart girl.”I stepped past him, my pulse hammering. The door clicked shut behind me, sealing me inside. A weight settled over me like a second skin. Had I just made a deal with the devil?The air inside was thick—warm, slightly humid, carrying the scent of cologne, whiskey, and something else. Something dangerous. Coby took a slow step toward me, his gaze never leaving my face.“You made the right choice, Eva.” His voice had softened, smooth now, coaxing.I forced a small, tight smile. “I figured.”He tilted his head, eyes narrowing as if he were peeling back my layers, searching for hesitation. I didn’t give him any.Then, abruptly, he clapped his hands together, the sound sharp in the quiet room.“Well, that calls for a celebration, doesn’t it?”I blinked. “A celebration?”A low chuckle rumbled from his throat. “Of
EVA'S POVThe door clicked shut with a quiet finality, but I stood frozen, staring at it as if Coby might walk back through any second. My breath hitched, my chest tight. My hands trembled—damn it.I clenched them into fists, pressing my palms hard against the cool, chipped counter. The kitchen felt smaller, like the walls were closing in, trapping me in the echo of his words."Then you’d better hope Elijah never talks."His voice played over and over in my mind—calm, certain—like he already knew how this would end. And maybe he did. Because if Elijah talked—if he told Xavier everything—my name would come up.I wasn’t innocent.I never told Vivian to poison Jackson, but I knew who gave the order. I knew what she planned to do, and I let it happen. I let her get caught. And I told myself it wasn’t my problem.But now? Now it was my problem.I squeezed my eyes shut, fingers digging into my temples. Think. I needed to think. If I went to Xavier and told him Elijah gave the order, Elijah
COBY'S POV“You really think he won’t throw you to the wolves?” I pressed. “Now that he’s backed into a corner? If naming you buys him even a second of freedom, do you honestly believe he won’t do it?”Her throat bobbed with a swallow. “I didn’t do anything.”“Doesn’t matter.” I tilted my head, watching her carefully. “All that matters is what Xavier believes. And right now? You’re one loose end away from being tied up.”Eva raked a hand through her hair, her breaths uneven. Her sharp, guarded eyes met mine with something dangerously close to desperation. “And what do you get out of this?”I held her gaze. “Justice.”She scoffed. “Bullshit. You want Elijah gone, and you’re using me to make it happen.”I didn’t deny it. I didn’t have to.A long, heavy silence stretched between us. The weight of her choices settled over her like a storm cloud—thick and suffocating.“And if I say no?” she finally whispered.I let a slow, knowing smile creep onto my face. “Then you’d better pray Elijah ne
Coby's POVI walked out of Xavier’s office with measured steps, my face a mask of calm. But the moment I turned the corner, my entire body seized with a violent tremor. My fists clenched so hard my nails bit into my palms—sharp and grounding.Damn it all to hell.He knew. Xavier fucking knew the truth. But how?The way he looked at me... No, it was not a vague suspicion. Xavier had looked at me like a blade pressing against flesh—slow, precise, cutting deeper with every second. His voice had been steady, but his words carried weight—deliberate and heavy with unspoken certainty. He wasn’t just fishing. He was baiting me.I forced a slow breath through my nose, but the walls of the packhouse seemed to inch closer, pressing against me, suffocating. The air felt thick, charged with something unseen. I could still feel the weight of his stare on my back, branding me long after I’d left his office.I needed to think. Fast.Shoving open the door to my quarters, I shut it behind me with a sha