### Lena's POV
I knew accepting Alvin as my Alpha was the right decision, even though it wasn’t easy. Trust had never come naturally to me—not after everything I’d endured. My own pack, the people I was meant to lead and protect, had once wanted me dead. Yet, here I was, standing as their Luna and placing my life and the lives of my wolves in Alvin’s hands. It wasn’t just a pledge; it was a leap of faith.As the wolf-binding ropes appeared, glowing and shimmering as they tied us together, I felt a sense of completion—a merging of destinies. Alvin’s eyes, full of emotion, searched mine as he pressed a kiss to my hand. I could see the love and devotion there, but also the weight of responsibility.“You won’t regret this,” he whispered.I nodded, though the gunshots that followed stole the breath from my lungs. Alvin’s reaction was immediate; his entire body stiffened, and his eyes darkened with urgency.“Stay here,” he ordered, hi### Lena’s POV The poison coursed through my veins, scorching my body from the inside out. My breaths came in short gasps as I fought against the spreading agony. My vision blurred, but I could hear fragments of Alvin’s conversation with Mario. “It’s a witch’s poison,” Mario’s voice trembled, his tone laced with both fear and disbelief. “Mixed with wolf’s bane. Only someone with knowledge of both witches and wolves could have concocted this. The question is, how did the wolf hunters get their hands on it?” That thought echoed in my mind even as my strength waned. The implications were horrifying—if the hunters had gained access to a witch’s poison, it could only mean someone within the pack had betrayed us. My head spun with questions and fear, but the burning pain overwhelmed everything else. I couldn’t hold on any longer. The world around me faded as the poison claimed me. ---When I awoke, confusion clouded my mind. My body felt warmer than usual, yet oddly weak. As my ey
**Lena’s POV**After the meeting with Mr. Nelson, the High Chiefs, and the elders, I felt restless. The decision was unanimous—we had to find a way to deal with the werewolf hunters, those despicable creatures who had slaughtered our pack members without remorse. Alvin had been resolute, his voice filled with authority as he declared, *“We will do whatever it takes to protect our people and ensure justice for those we’ve lost.”* I wanted to be part of the plan, to contribute, but I knew my place. Despite being the Luna, there were moments when I had to step aside and let the men handle things. Alvin, Mr. Nelson, and Mario disappeared into one of the rooms, their voices muffled as they discussed traps and strategies. I could feel the tension in the air, and it pressed heavily on my chest. As much as I wanted to be in that room, contributing to the discussion, I knew it wasn’t my place right now. “Let them have their space,” I whispered to myself, leaving them to their plans. ---
**Lena’s POV** Today was the happiest day of my life. I was getting married to the man my heart had chosen—the man who was destined to be mine. Alvin wasn’t just any man; he was my Alpha, my king, the one who had captured my heart with his strength and passion. Alvin was also the most feared Mafia Lord, a man who commanded power and respect wherever he went. But to me, he was so much more. He was the man who made my heart race, who made me feel protected, loved, and cherished. As a once-weak Omega, I never imagined I’d rise to such heights. Today, I wasn’t just marrying Alvin. I was becoming the Luna of the most powerful pack, a position that carried immense power and responsibility. Together, we would unite our packs to stand strong against the wolf hunters who sought to destroy us. I couldn’t contain the joy bubbling inside me. I sat in front of the mirror, the most talented makeup artist in the city applying soft strokes to my face. Every brush of foundation felt symbolic, li
**Lena's POV** The air was suffocating with tension as we gathered in the clearing—a spot we’d come to know all too well for meetings like this. The sky was an ominous gray, as if even the heavens mourned the recent losses of our pack. Faces I’d known for years were now marked with despair. Alvin stood at the forefront, his broad shoulders squared, and his fiery gaze cutting through the crowd like a blade. I stood close to Miriam, my hands clenched into fists to stop them from trembling. The weight of the situation bore down on me, pressing against my chest like an invisible force. The scent of pine and damp earth filled the air, mingling with the unmistakable fear that radiated from the gathered wolves. Alvin’s voice boomed across the clearing, sharp and commanding. “No more dead wolves!” he declared, his tone laced with fury. “We will do whatever it takes to stop these hunters from slaughtering us. Our children, our mates, our families—they will not be taken from us again!”
**Lena’s POV** The moment my eyes fell on the mark on Miriam's wrist, my heart dropped into the pit of my stomach. It was the same symbol I had seen on the masked wolf hunters the night I was poisoned. A wave of nausea hit me as the realization dawned—Miriam, the one I trusted to care for me, was one of them. My breaths grew shallow, and the room seemed to tilt. I stumbled toward the nearest chair, gripping its edge to steady myself. How could it be her? The person who stayed by my side, nursed me, and offered words of encouragement—she was the enemy all along? My hands trembled as I sat down, my mind racing with questions. Why? How long had she been deceiving us? “Are you okay?” Miriam’s voice startled me. She approached with a concerned look etched on her face, but now I could see it for what it was—a mask, a lie. “Why did your face suddenly change? Is there a problem?” I forced a smile, though it felt like my face might crack from the effort. “No,” I lied, my voice uneven.
Lena's povI refused to believe it. Miriam, this stranger I had just met from another park, claimed to be my sister. My father’s daughter. It didn’t make sense—it couldn’t be true. My mind spun as the words echoed in my ears, their weight threatening to crush me. How could someone I barely knew share my blood? Where had she been all this time? Was she my mother’s child too? Or was this some twisted secret born of my father’s betrayal?Questions came at me like a storm, each one more painful than the last. Why hadn’t my father told me? Why had Miriam kept it a secret, even when she saw me at the park? And why, if she was my sister, would she want me dead? My breath caught as memories of her actions flashed through my mind—kidnapping me, poisoning me, working with traitors to destroy me. Why? What kind of hatred drove her to such lengths?I stared at her, desperation clawing at my chest. “You mean you’re my sister? My father’s daughter?” My voice wavered, anger and confusion lacing ever
Lena's povI stared at Kelvin, his grin widening like a predator toying with its prey. My chest heaved, my breaths coming in short, sharp bursts as I processed the chaos unfolding before me. My sister. My father’s betrayal. The poison. The lies. The deceit. It was as if the ground beneath me had crumbled, leaving me dangling over a pit of despair. My heart pounded in my chest like a war drum, and tears blurred my vision, but I refused to let them fall. Not here. Not now. Kelvin’s voice was a venomous purr as he repeated, “What if I told you the wolf hunter stories were fake?” His eyes glinted with malicious delight, as though my shock was a performance he’d been eagerly waiting to see. “What... what are you talking about?” I managed, my voice trembling but laced with defiance. My throat ached from Miriam’s earlier grip, but the fire within me wouldn’t let me stay silent. Kelvin chuckled darkly, taking a slow step closer. Miriam stood beside him, her arms crossed, her face a mask of
### Lena's POV Kelvin approached me with a sly grin, the kind that made my stomach churn. His presence reeked of deceit, and I felt my skin crawl as he spoke. “Well, before we continue discussing Alvin and how to kill him—or anything else—you need to know this: you shouldn’t die with a particular secret,” Kelvin said, his voice calm, almost casual, as though we were discussing the weather. A chill ran down my spine. “What secret?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. Kelvin’s grin widened. “Let’s just say it’s something you’ll hate me for,” he said, leaning closer, his dark eyes glinting with malice. I couldn’t help but take a step back. My heart raced, pounding so loudly that I thought he could hear it. “Kelvin,” I said, my voice shaking. “If someone told me you were capable of all this, I wouldn’t have believed it. So, it’s true? You work with the wolf hunters?” His smirk faltered for a moment before he burst into laughter, a hollow, joyless sound. “Wolf hunters? Le
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