Leena’s POVThe battlefield was silent except for the soft rustle of the wind. I stood in the center, my fists clenched so tightly that my nails bit into my palms. My body ached from the earlier fight, a dull pain radiating from my ribs, but I couldn’t afford to falter. Across from me stood Alpha Alvin, his sharp features carved with confidence, his posture relaxed as though this was nothing but a game to him. He circled me like a predator, his smirk sending chills down my spine.“Why don’t you just give up, Leena?” he taunted, his voice smooth yet laced with arrogance. “You know I’ll win. Don’t make me hurt you more than I already have to.”I glared at him, my breathing labored but my resolve unbroken. “Don’t be so cocky, Alvin,” I spat, wiping the sweat from my brow. “I might be smaller than you, but that doesn’t mean I’m weaker. And I’ll never submit to this marriage!”His smirk deepened, and in an instant, he lunged forward. I barely had time to dodge, his fist grazing past my arm
Leena’s POVThe aftermath of the fight with Alpha Alvin felt surreal, as if I had woken up in someone else’s nightmare. My cheeks still stung from the tears I had shed, and the bitter reality of my impending marriage weighed heavily on me. The elders had decided, and the verdict was final—I was to marry the man who killed my father. It didn’t matter what I wanted. It didn’t matter how much I hated him. It was for the "good of the pack," or so they said.Miriam appeared by my side, her expression a mix of concern and guilt. She knelt beside me, gently helping me off the cold, hard ground where I had collapsed after the fight. “Come on, Leena,” she said softly, her voice almost soothing. “Let me help you to the courtroom.”My legs felt like jelly, but I leaned on Miriam for support. Her touch was firm yet comforting. As we walked, a nagging thought scratched at the back of my mind. Something wasn’t right. Something about the fight… about Miriam… but I couldn’t piece it together. The mem
Leena’s POV My anger was at its peak, a raging storm inside me that refused to calm, the moment Sarah stormed toward me. The nerve! If not for the lingering weakness I felt after my fight, I swear I’d have shown her exactly why I am not to be trifled with. Yes, I might not be the strongest Luna, but I am the daughter of an Alpha—a title that holds weight, power, and dignity, whether she likes it or not. Her audacity to call me names, to belittle me in front of others, was an insult I could barely stomach. I could feel my fists clench tightly at my sides as she spewed venom, accusing me of stealing Alvin, the man she claimed to be her fated mate. For a brief moment, her words echoed in my mind, whispering doubts. What if Alvin truly did kill my father? What if she’s telling the truth? But then the reality of my situation slammed into me—this wasn’t a matter of choice. I was being forced into this marriage for the sake of unity, a decision made by the council and not my heart. Her
Leena's PovI stood there like a statue, frozen in place. My eyes locked with his, and it felt as though the room itself had stopped breathing. My chest tightened, my pulse racing. It wasn’t just his piercing gaze that unsettled me—it was the smirk playing at the corner of his lips, like he was amused by my helplessness. He sipped his wine with a deliberate calmness that only made my unease grow. His half-open shirt revealed a toned chest adorned with intricate tattoos, each one seeming to tell a story of battle and bloodshed. His muscles flexed subtly as he leaned back, every movement calculated and unnervingly perfect.I swallowed hard, hating the way my throat tightened. My heart betrayed me, pounding louder with every second. Why am I noticing this? I reminded myself, furiously. He’s my enemy. He’s the man who destroyed everything I loved.I clenched my fists at my sides, forcing my thoughts back to why I had come. My eyes fluttered shut for a brief second, and when I reopened the
Leena’s POVThe air was thick, suffocating, and laced with the poisonous stench of wolfsbane. My chest heaved uncontrollably as I struggled to draw in even the faintest trace of oxygen. My legs felt like jelly beneath me, trembling as if they could give out at any moment. A cough ripped from my throat, harsh and raw, leaving a searing ache in its wake.The door. The damn door. It was locked. Panic clawed at me as I remembered walking in moments ago—the door had been wide open. My hands shook as I tried to grab the handle, yanking and twisting with every ounce of strength I could muster. Nothing.Alvin’s voice broke through the haze. "It’s wolfsbane!" he growled, his tone laced with both frustration and urgency. His deep voice was steady, but I could see it—the slight tremble in his hands, the tension in his jaw. Even he wasn’t immune.“I can’t shift,” I wheezed, gripping my chest as the poison coursed through my veins.“It’s blocking us,” Alvin muttered through gritted teeth. “It’s in
Leena’s POVThe fresh air hit my lungs like a shockwave as Alvin carried me out of the suffocating room. Each breath was painful but exhilarating, and I clung to his warmth, feeling the thrum of his pulse beneath my fingertips. It was a lifeline in the chaos, a reminder that we were still alive.But relief was fleeting.The moment my feet touched the ground, Alvin's posture shifted, his shoulders stiffening as his sharp eyes scanned the dimly lit hallway. A growl rumbled low in his throat, primal and dangerous, as his grip on my waist tightened protectively.“Come on,” he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper but filled with urgency.I didn’t argue. My legs felt like they could give out at any moment, but I forced myself to stay upright, to match his pace as we descended the stairs. Each step sent a dull ache through my limbs, but the tension in the air outweighed any physical pain.The house was eerily silent, save for the faint sound of footsteps. My heart leapt. Someone was he
Leena's POVThe air was thick with tension, a mix of uncertainty and fear that I could almost taste. It hadn't been long since I arrived at this pack for the so-called Guardian Wolf Mission, and yet, it already felt like my life was teetering on the edge of a blade. Someone wanted me dead. No, us—Alpha Alvin and me. But who? And why?As I paced back and forth in the dimly lit hallway, the events of the day replayed in my mind. The attack in the woods had been swift and merciless. A flurry of smoke bombs, the sound of footsteps crashing through the underbrush, and the metallic jingle of keys—these things haunted my thoughts. My heart raced at the memory, my fists clenching. I knew I needed to be careful now, more than ever. Whoever had orchestrated the attack had a purpose. The question that burned in my mind was whether they wanted Alvin dead, me dead, or both of us.Alvin and I had tried to track the attackers, but their scent vanished as quickly as it had appeared. Frustrated and on
Leena's POVThe tension in the air was suffocating, and I knew Alvin would catch my scent any second. I could already feel the weight of his piercing gaze searching for me. His voice was sharp and commanding when it came. “Come here, Leena. I know you’re there.”I froze for a moment, my pulse hammering in my chest. My instincts screamed at me to run, but where could I go? I was already trapped in this mess, bound to him by fate or force—it didn’t matter anymore. With a deep breath, I stepped into the room, trying to mask my nerves with a confident stride.Alvin’s eyes met mine, a dark glint of amusement playing in them. He was standing tall and unyielding, his presence filling every inch of the room. Mario, his loyal guard, was still there, and his gaze flickered between us. My throat felt dry, but I didn’t let it show.“I wasn’t spying,” I began, lifting my chin defiantly. “But if you want to have private conversations, you should at least take them to the bedroom. Not here.” My voic
Kira looked up from the pastry counter, her brows furrowed in confusion as the man who just walked in addressed Cooper as "Mr. Delarosa." The name rolled off the stranger’s tongue like he’d practiced it, but it was wrong. She tilted her head slightly, her lips parting to say something, but Cooper beat her to it. “Ah, you must be new here,” Cooper said with a relaxed chuckle, his sharp suit somehow making the moment feel less awkward. He clasped a hand on the man’s shoulder, his charming grin never faltering. “It’s Cooper. Always Cooper.” Kira’s gaze flickered between the two men, trying to piece together the odd exchange. Her stomach twisted uneasily, a quiet warning she couldn’t ignore. She wiped her flour-dusted hands on her apron, her voice wavering as she interrupted their conversation. “Um, excuse me. I think I need to close up the shop for the day. My partner isn’t here, and, well, with all the commotion earlier…” Her voice trailed off, and she glanced at Cooper nervously.
Kira was still talking with Cooper when he offered to help her. His voice was calm, but there was an unmistakable firmness in his tone when he said, “I’d like to invest in your bakery.” Kira hesitated, a flicker of surprise crossing her face. Her lips parted as though to respond, but she closed them again, frowning slightly. “I appreciate the offer, but… I can’t accept it,” she said, her voice soft yet resolute. “Why not?” Cooper asked, tilting his head slightly, his piercing gaze fixed on her. “It’s not because I disregard your kindness,” she said quickly, her hands fidgeting with the hem of her apron. “But my shop—it’s not worth it. I can’t let you waste your money on something so… small.” Her voice cracked slightly, betraying the vulnerability she was trying to hide. Cooper smiled faintly, leaning forward. “Small? Kira, your bakery is more than just a shop. It’s a reflection of your hard work and passion. That makes it more than worth it.” Kira’s eyes softened, and for a
Kira’s mind was still spinning from the revelation that this man, Cooper McDonald, was willing to invest such a large sum in her struggling bakery. He had insisted on helping her, pushing a check for $100,000 into her hands, but she had rejected it. She couldn’t bring herself to accept something so overwhelming, especially from a man she didn’t know well enough to trust.“Please, you don’t have to do this,” she had said, her voice a mix of gratitude and discomfort. “I’m sure if I sold everything in my shop right now, it wouldn’t even come close to half of this amount. I can’t—”Cooper had interrupted her, smiling that confident, reassuring smile of his. “I’m an investor. And I’m officially investing in your business.”She had hesitated for a moment, trying to find some logic in his offer. But there was something unsettling about him. The way he spoke about it, as if it was the most natural thing in the world to hand over such a sum of money to a
Kira’s mind spun as she watched the man standing before her. His movements were fluid, his strikes precise, yet there was something unsettlingly ruthless about the way he fought. Every punch, every calculated step, exuded raw power. Yet his voice... it carried a soothing warmth that made her question everything she thought she knew about him. He adjusted his glasses as if shielding something, but Kira couldn’t shake the feeling that behind those lenses lay secrets—ones she desperately wanted to uncover. She stood frozen, clutching the edge of the counter at her small bakery, her heart thudding against her ribcage. For the first time in years, someone had fought for her. Her mind drifted back to Eva, her only friend, who had abandoned her months ago. Their broken friendship left Kira lonelier than ever, her introverted nature making it hard to form new connections. And yet, this man—a stranger—had stepped in, defending her with a ferocity that took her breath away. When the fight
Immediately as the men entered, Cooper's sharp eyes fixed on them. Their familiar swagger and threatening aura gave them away—they were Diego’s men. His jaw tightened. *What business do they have here?* he wondered. Turning his gaze to Kira, who was arranging cupcakes in the display, he frowned. She was just a baker, an innocent woman. *Why would Diego’s men target someone like her?* The men, clad in dark leather jackets with scowls plastered on their faces, began harassing Kira. Their voices were loud and cruel, their words slicing through the once-cozy atmosphere of the shop. Kira’s hands trembled as she tried to keep calm, but the fear in her wide brown eyes betrayed her brave facade. Cooper sat quietly, observing, his fists clenched under the table. He was willing to stay out of it—until they crossed the line. One of the men grabbed Kira’s arm roughly, yanking her away from the counter. “Listen, lady, you better pay up, or this little bakery of yours won’t last another week.”
Kira had always found herself caught in the crossfire of her friend Eva’s harsh words, but today, they felt different. Eva’s comment stung deeply, digging into a wound that had already been there for years. The words, though almost a daily occurrence, still held a weight that Kira couldn’t shake off. "I barely finished high school, and look at you," Eva’s voice echoed in her mind, "you’ve got this stupid bakery, but you’re not even a graduate. What are you doing with your life, Kira?"She could still hear Eva’s mocking tone, the sharpness behind her words, as if Eva was somehow superior just because of her degree. Kira didn’t let things like this get to her, not usually. She was the type to let things slide for the sake of her friendship, even though deep down she knew it was unfair. Eva was always so quick to remind her of what she didn’t have, what Kira was lacking. But today, Eva’s words had made Kira’s chest tighten, her heart sinking lower. Kira had
Eva stood motionless, her eyes locked on the ground, her mind racing. As the luxurious car drove away, something glinted in the fading light. She froze, instinctively reaching down to pick it up. It was a small, metallic object—smooth in texture, with a gleaming logo etched on its surface. She examined it closely, still confused. The logo had fallen from his pocket, but where had it come from? Was it some sort of badge? A symbol? She squinted, trying to make sense of it. “Could it be from his company? Does he have an association, some kind of group?” she wondered aloud, her voice barely above a whisper, the excitement of the money still tingling in her veins. But this... this logo was something else. She cleaned the sand off the emblem carefully, her fingers trembling slightly as she wiped it against the sleeve of her jacket. As the dirt cleared, the design became more defined, a name boldly inscribed beneath it: *LaRosa*.Eva’s heart skipped a beat. She
Eva’s pulse raced as she stood frozen, staring at the man in front of her. The guy who had stepped out of the sleek Rolls-Royce was nothing short of a dream. His perfectly styled hair gleamed under the sunlight, and his piercing blue eyes seemed to see straight through her, sparking something deep inside. As he adjusted his glasses, she couldn't help but notice the refined elegance in every movement, the aura of wealth and power that surrounded him. *This is exactly the type of man I want in my life,* she thought to herself, her heart fluttering. *Rich, handsome, prepared—he could easily be my dream man.* She was so entranced by him that she barely heard the sound of her own breath. But for a fleeting moment, she thanked Kira. If she hadn’t been sent on this delivery mission, she would never have crossed paths with him. Eva had seen many men around town, but none like this one. There was something about his striking features, the kind of face that belon
Cooper returned to his luxurious penthouse after the chaotic night, his mind buzzing with thoughts of the mysterious woman he had met at the party. She was kind, beautiful—though he had only caught glimpses of her face behind that mask—but even that brief encounter had etched her into his memory. The way her body moved, her perfect posture, and the undeniable warmth in her eyes as she had helped him, despite everything that had happened. Most people would have cowered in fear or even turned him in to the authorities, but not her. No, she had been different. She hadn’t feared him, hadn’t even flinched when the world seemed to close in on them. He took a deep breath, his fingers tracing the edges of the ID card he had picked up at the party. He turned it over in his hands, wondering if it was hers. There was something about her, something he couldn’t quite place, that made him want to know everything about her. As a man used to getting answers without asking, the fact that she remained