### Leena’s POV When Alvin told me the truth about what happened to my father years ago, I didn’t want to believe him. Every fiber of my being screamed that it couldn’t be true. Yet, the conviction in his voice made it impossible to deny. His eyes, a storm of emotions, bore into mine as he said the words that shattered my fragile perception of the past. I felt my chest tighten, and an invisible weight pressed down on my heart. The truth had a way of cutting deeper than any blade. I didn’t know why I felt so conflicted. Part of me wanted to run away from him, from this truth he had just laid bare. But the other part—the one that sought answers, that craved understanding—kept me rooted to the spot. We sat on the edge of the bed, the silence between us humming with tension. His hand brushed against mine, a mere whisper of a touch, but it sent a spark shooting up my arm. I glanced at him. Alvin’s jaw was tense, his lips pressed into a thin line as if he were bracing himself for my r
**Leena's POV** Dressing Alvin’s wounds wasn’t a big deal, or at least that’s what I told myself as I cleaned and bandaged the deep gash on his shoulder. His eyes followed my every movement, a strange mix of curiosity and amusement flickering in them. I tried to ignore the intensity of his gaze, focusing solely on the task at hand. Once I was done, I stepped back and let out a quiet sigh of relief. “There,” I muttered, avoiding eye contact. “All patched up.” Alvin grunted in acknowledgment, his lips curving into a faint smile. It was the kind of smile that held secrets, and I wasn’t sure I wanted to unravel them just yet. Without waiting for a response, I turned on my heel and left the room. As I descended the stairs, my stomach growled, reminding me just how famished I was. The day had been long, exhausting, and utterly bizarre. From discovering that Alvin was my fated mate to dealing with the whirlwind of emotions that followed, I barely had time to process anything. I hurri
Leena's POV I couldn’t believe I had said that to him. The words had slipped out before I could stop them, and now they hung between us, heavy and unspoken. I had never intended to let him know how deeply I felt—or how much my wolf craved him. Every time he talked to me, her need surged within me, raw and uncontainable, leaving me battling against a desire so overwhelming that resisting it felt impossible. But I had resisted—tried to, at least—until last night. I shifted on the bed, putting as much space between us as I could manage without making it obvious. My body ached to be closer to him, but my mind screamed at me to keep my distance. He was the most powerful alpha, a man who could have anyone he wanted. How would he feel if he knew how much I wanted him—how much my wolf wanted him? Then he had said those words. His voice, low and filled with something I couldn’t quite name, echoed in my mind. “I can’t get over you,” he’d c
Rated +18His whole body came to life under the press of her luscious kiss. At the risk of scaring her with the intensity of his craving for more, he tried to school himself into gentleness. He demanded that his body go slow. Tonight, Alvin wanted to show her he was capable of more than she thought. Leena’s fingers threaded through his long curls, and he shivered as she ran her nails against his scalp. Kisses were the hardest thing to fake on set. Alvin had spent hours practicing how to tilt his head and move his mouth so that it looked like he cared. There was nothing performative about the urgency that powered this moment. The intensity of his desire mingled with joy walloped him over the head. Alvin caught her bottom lip between his teeth, nipping the tender skin until she gasped. Sarah was right. He was insane to gamble so much. Too bad he didn’t care anymore. Drugged on Leena’s softness, on the sweet sting of her bite as she delivered payback, Alv
Rated +18“You’re panicking.” Alvin crossed the room and reached for her hand. “I’m not,” she lied, keeping her gaze fixed on his shoulder. Was the bed too pedestrian a setting? Should she slink into the bathroom and put on something lacy? How on earth could she ever live up to his plethora of kinky experiences? She didn’t have any whips or chains. No blindfolds or toys. Novelty and proximity were the only things she really had going for her. Should she dial up the “good girl” thing? Pretend she felt shy instead of wanton and feral? “Hey.” He tilted her chin. “We don’t have to do this tonight if you’re not ready.” Alvin tugged her against him and stroked his free hand against her hair before kissing the crown of her head. “I’ll happily sit on the couch and make out.” “No,” Leena said desperately, pulling back so she could bring her free hand up to his neck and hold him to her by his curls. She poured desire into her kiss, probably bruising him in
Leena’s pov**The Next Morning**The warmth of sunlight pierced through the curtains, dragging me out of my slumber. I groaned softly, shielding my eyes with the back of my hand, but the memory of last night surged through me like a jolt. I turned my head, my heart skipping a beat when I saw Alvin sleeping peacefully beside me. His chiseled features seemed softer in the morning light, a rare vulnerability gracing his expression. Unable to resist, I leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on his forehead. A small smile tugged at the corners of his lips, as though even in sleep, he could sense my presence. I slipped out of bed quietly, the wooden floor cool beneath my feet as I made my way to the bathroom.Staring into the mirror, I splashed cold water on my face and brushed my teeth, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep. When I emerged, Alvin was awake. He stood before the mirror, unbuttoning his shirt. His deep blue eyes caught mine in
Leena’s pov When Alvin and I left, the air between us was heavy with silence. We made our way to the woods, the boundary that separated the human world from the werewolf territory. It was a place of tension and danger, where wolf hunters often ventured in search of their prey. Despite the gravity of our mission, my mind was elsewhere—stuck on Sarah. What gave her the audacity to think she could take Alvin from me? No matter how much I tried to push the thought aside, it kept creeping back. She wanted him, and I knew she’d stop at nothing to get what she wanted. My stomach churned at the possibility. Could she go so far as to hurt me? To kill? I shook my head, trying to dismiss the dark thoughts swirling in my mind. Alvin was beside me, his presence steady and commanding, yet I couldn’t shake the unease. When we reached the boundary, he gestured toward a tree stump where an old, weathered crossbow rested. "This," Alvin said, picking it up wi
Leena’s pov swallowed hard, forcing myself to meet his gaze. "Alvin, put me down!" I demanded, my voice shaking despite my best efforts to sound strong. But instead of responding, he tightened his grip, his arms firm but not painful. Miriam shifted uncomfortably by the door, clearly unsure of what to do. Her eyes darted between us before she looked away entirely, pretending to busy herself with the bed. "Alvin, I mean it!" I said again, this time louder, my voice laced with anger. "What do you think you’re doing?" His lips curled into a faint smirk, but his eyes betrayed no amusement. "What I should have done a long time ago," he replied. I struggled in his arms, but his grip didn’t falter. "Put me down right now, or I swear I’ll—" "You’ll what, Leena?" he interrupted, his voice a low growl. His eyes burned brighter, a fiery amber hue that sent a chill down my spine. "Run away again? Hide in your room and cry? Is that
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