**Miriam's POV** From the very first day Leena stepped into our pack, I knew I hated her. She didn’t belong here. The sight of her, all naive and clueless, being hailed as the guardian wolf, made my blood boil. Why her? What made her so special? She didn’t even know her true identity until it was handed to her on a silver platter. And me? I had spent years proving my worth, only to be overshadowed by her mere existence. My lips curled into a wicked smile as I recalled the moment I decided to infiltrate her life. Becoming her personal assistant was almost too easy. She trusted me blindly, treated me like a confidant, a sister even. But every smile I gave her was a lie, every kind word laced with venom. Behind her back, I was the one pulling the strings, sowing seeds of doubt and chaos. She was too naive to see it, too innocent to realize that I was the storm brewing right under her nose. The memory of the combat challenge with Alpha Alvin brought a spark of satisfaction to my che
Leena’s POVThe moment Alvin's lips touched mine, a surge of shock rippled through my body, paralyzing me in place. For a split second, I thought it was just an ordinary kiss, but it was far from that. That same familiar scent—cinnamon, warm and sharp—wafted around us again, teasing my senses. My heart raced, not because of the kiss, but because of the chaos in my head. Could Alvin be telling the truth? Could my father really have saved him? If it wasn’t Alvin who killed my father, then who did?My mind hovered relentlessly over the mystery, refusing to let go. And then, there was the more pressing question—how did the wolves know I was here, at the back of the garden with him? And how did Mr. Nelson find me so quickly? The timing was too suspicious, and it only deepened my growing mistrust.“Leena. Alvin. What are you both doing here?” Mr. Nelson’s voice broke through my thoughts. His face twisted into a mix of confusion and suspicion, his eyes darting between us.Alvin pulled away f
Leena’s POVI already knew what was coming the moment I decided to bring up the topic of leaving the pack. Deep down, I expected Kelvin to stand up for me—it was just who he was. But what I didn’t expect was the sheer weight of his declaration. When Kelvin spoke those words, “She should marry me because I am her true mate,” the world seemed to tilt beneath my feet.Not that I didn’t want to marry Alvin. That wasn’t it. I didn’t hate him, either. My reasons were more complex than anyone in this pack could ever understand. This place wasn’t safe. It wasn’t a home—it was a death trap. I’d come to that realization slowly, piece by piece. The final straw, though, was Miriam. I had trusted her completely, treated her like the sister I never had. But the moment she slipped me a real knife instead of a ceremonial one, everything inside me shattered. If I couldn’t trust Miriam, could I truly trust anyone else here?“She should marry me, Father,” Kelvin’s voice rang out again, louder this time,
PLEASE NOTE THAT SOMETIMES ALVIN WILL REFER MR NELSON AS FATHER. XOXO ❤️Leena's POVThe fire in Alvin's eyes sent a shiver down my spine. His gaze was scorching, not with warmth, but with an intensity that carved fear deep into my chest. My heart pounded painfully against my ribs as his words echoed in my mind, “She’s my Luna.” For a fleeting moment, doubt crept in—should I leave Kelvin and accept my fate with Alvin? After all, Alvin had won me fair and square in the Alpha duel. But if I accepted Alvin, it meant being chained to this pack forever—a pack where danger loomed at every corner, where betrayal waited with a sharpened blade.I swallowed hard, the dryness in my throat almost choking me. Kelvin’s hand on mine was clammy, trembling slightly as if he, too, was unsure of the battle he was waging. My thoughts raced, a storm of confusion and panic as I looked from Alvin’s furious, glowing red eyes to Kelvin’s desperate yet determined expression. I wanted to scream, to escape, to r
Alvin's POVI wasn’t surprised, nor was I truly angry when Leena refused the engagement. But something about the way she chose Kelvin, the way her lips formed the words “I want to be with him,” unsettled me. I knew deep down, as surely as I knew the pull of my own instincts, that Kelvin wasn’t her mate. This was a game, a charade she was playing, probably to escape the pack. I didn’t know what drove her to such lengths, but it was painfully obvious—Leena wasn’t herself.Yet, I couldn’t understand why I kept insisting she should marry me. Why did it matter to me? Women have never been more than fleeting distractions. Weaknesses men couldn’t afford to indulge. But Leena? She was different. She had burrowed her way under my skin, her presence like a constant hum in my chest, and I hated it.Still, I let her go. Or at least, I tried to convince myself I did.Seated in the corner of the pack hall, the air around me buzzed with celebration. Music played, laughter filled the room, and drinks
Alvin’s POVThe moment I saw Kelvin leave the party, I knew something wasn’t right. My instincts flared—a warning I could never ignore. Kelvin was up to something. I signaled to Mario, and without a word, we followed him out of the packhouse, our steps silent as shadows.The cold night air bit at my skin, but my focus was locked on Kelvin’s retreating figure. He was moving fast, too fast for someone with nothing to hide. He slipped through the back door, heading into the darkness beyond the treeline. My jaw clenched. This wasn’t the behavior of an alpha celebrating his supposed bond with his mate.“Something’s not right,” I muttered to Mario, who nodded, his expression grim.We kept our distance, careful not to alert Kelvin to our presence. He came to a stop near a masked figure dressed entirely in black. The two exchanged words in hushed tones before Kelvin handed over a small bundle wrapped in black cloth. My eyes narrowed. Whatever that was, it wasn’t good.As Kelvin disappeared ba
Leena’s POVThe lingering scent of wolfsbane filled my nostrils again, sharp and smoky, taking me back to the deadly trap Alvin and I narrowly escaped earlier today. My wolf stirred uneasily, her instincts on high alert. Something wasn’t right. Kelvin, my supposed mate, claimed it was just sweat from working all day, but his explanation didn’t sit well with me. How could he smell of wolfsbane unless he had been handling it?My thoughts spiraled as I stared at the door he’d disappeared through to "freshen up." Questions flooded my mind: Why would Kelvin smell like wolfsbane? Had he been near the room? And if so, why? None of it made sense, but before I could dwell further, the sound of commotion drew my attention.I turned toward the entrance of the hall just as Alvin stormed in, his presence commanding and furious. My heart skipped a beat. He was dragging someone behind him—a man struggling in his grip like a criminal caught red-handed.The room fell silent, all eyes fixed on Alvin an
Leena’s POVThe moment Kevin stormed in with a gun pointed at Alvin, my breath caught in my throat. I froze, the shock crashing over me like a tidal wave. My mind raced, trying to process what I was witnessing, but nothing made sense. Kevin’s face was twisted in anger, his eyes blazing with a cold determination that I didn’t recognize.“Kevin,” I whispered, my voice trembling. “What are you doing?”“I mean it, Alvin,” Kevin growled, his voice low and dangerous. “Leave her, or I’ll kill you right here, right now.”My heart sank. The man standing before me didn’t feel like the Kevin I thought I knew. He was someone else entirely—a stranger. His aggression, his threat—it all pointed to a darker side of him I had never seen before.“Kevin, stop this!” I pleaded, stepping forward. “Put the gun down!”But Kevin wasn’t listening. His gaze remained fixed on Alvin, his grip on the weapon tightening.“Leena and her pack are mine,” he declared, his voice cold and unyielding. “You can’t stop me,
Kira arrived at her bakery that morning, determined to open early. She had received multiple orders from clients who wanted cakes and other baked goods, and she needed to get started right away. Recently, she had bought an ice cream machine, something she had been excited to introduce to her shop. The moment she posted about it online, the demand for ice cream cups skyrocketed, and now she had to meet her customers' expectations. As she approached the entrance, she shifted her bag onto her shoulder and reached into her pocket for the keys. But just as she was about to unlock the door, she felt it—a distinct tap on her shoulder. Her breath hitched, and she spun around so fast that her long, dark curls bounced over her shoulder. Her heart pounded. Someone had definitely touched her. But when she turned, there was no one there. The street was empty except for a few distant passersby who were too far away to have been the culprit. A chill ran down her spine. *Was I hallucinating?*
Cooper stepped into his penthouse, his muscles aching from exhaustion. The day had been long and grueling, his mind burdened with the weight of everything that had happened. His jaw clenched as he shrugged off his suit jacket, tossing it onto the couch. His thoughts swirled like a violent storm, refusing to settle. Eva’s behavior had been… odd. The moment Kira mentioned the card, Eva had reacted too quickly—too sharply. Why? Why had she been so eager to steer the conversation in a different direction? It didn’t sit right with him. Cooper knew the restaurant was something he wanted to invest in, yet Eva seemed far from pleased about it. It was as if she had some hidden agenda, something tied to the bakery, and maybe even something personal against its owner. But what? He exhaled deeply, rubbing his temple as he loosened his tie. That wasn’t even the worst of it. What truly unsettled him was Diego’s men. The sight of them hovering around Kira like vultures had sent a wave of ang
Kira woke up to the soft golden sunlight streaming through her small apartment window, the rays illuminating the delicate necklace Cooper McDonald had gifted her. She had placed it on her nightstand, where she could admire its intricate beauty each morning. Her fingers lightly traced the pendant, a bittersweet smile forming on her lips. “It’s time to move on, Kira,” she whispered to herself. “He has a girlfriend. I need to stop dreaming.” She shook off the pang of longing and rose from bed, stretching her arms as she gathered her strength for the day ahead. After freshening up and throwing on her favorite apron over a plain pastel dress, Kira headed to her tiny kitchen. Breakfast was a quick affair—a slice of toast and coffee—her thoughts already drifting to the bakery she had poured her heart into. As Kira unlocked the door to her bakery, the familiar scent of flour, vanilla, and hope filled the air. She smiled, glancing around at the little shop s
After her dinner date with Cooper, Eva stormed into her apartment, her face flushed with a mix of anger and unease. Her thoughts swirled as she paced the small living room, her heels clicking against the wooden floor. "What does Cooper even want?" she muttered under her breath, her brows knitting together. She clenched her fists, frustration bubbling up inside her. Yet, beneath the irritation, there was something else—an undeniable pull toward him. Eva flopped onto the couch, her head falling back against the cushions. "I need Cooper," she whispered, her voice trembling with determination. "He's handsome, rich, tall... those gorgeous eyes and those lips..." She trailed off, biting her lip as a faint smile crept onto her face. The thought of Kira suddenly intruded, making her expression darken. "I don't want Kira to ruin my moment with the love of my life," she spat, her voice sharp and bitter. When Cooper dropped her off earlier, she'd lied about wher
Eva couldn’t hide her emotions as she stepped out of the taxi in front of the restaurant. The plan was simple: meet Cooper, the man she had been dreaming of since the day they met, for a date that she hoped would solidify their connection. But fate had other plans. Her heart froze when her eyes caught sight of something—or rather, someone—she hadn’t anticipated.There they were, standing just outside the restaurant, in front of the shopping mall next door—Kira, her childhood best friend, and Cooper, the man she wanted for herself. Eva took a step back, her body trembling with disbelief as she watched Kira wrap her arms around him in a warm embrace. Cooper didn’t resist; in fact, he smiled at Kira as though she was the only person in the world. Eva’s stomach churned, a bitter taste rising in her mouth. A wave of anger mixed with jealousy surged through her, leaving her momentarily unable to breathe. Her chest tightened, and tears threatened to spill, but she blinked them back. **"How
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