**Lena's POV** The chaos around us was deafening. Mr. Nelson’s voice echoed in my mind, his trembling yet firm tone pleading with his son, Calvin. The words cut deep—*“The end is now. The war is over.”* For a fleeting moment, I felt relief, like a gentle breeze on a suffocatingly hot day. But that relief was fleeting because Calvin was no longer the man I once knew. His eyes, once warm and full of life, were now hollow, devoid of humanity. The twisted smirk on his face sent shivers down my spine. His hand was steady, the gun aimed at me. The weight of the moment pressed down on my chest. Calvin, the man I once trusted, now saw me as nothing more than an obstacle. Mr. Nelson stepped forward, his face a mix of sorrow and disappointment. His calmness in the face of danger was almost unnerving. “You don’t have to do this, Calvin,” he said, his voice trembling with restrained emotion. His eyes bore into Calvin’s, searching for a trace of the son he once k
Lena's POV I cradled Alvin's lifeless body, my heart hammering wildly in my chest as my hands trembled uncontrollably. His skin was pale, his breath shallow and labored. The silver bullet wound on his side was seeping blood with every breath he took. The air around us felt thick, like time itself had frozen. But even as I tried to keep the panic at bay, a voice deep within me screamed in agony—how could this be happening?I had failed. I had failed to stop him from fighting. Kevin's treasonous actions were unforgivable, yes. He had murdered an elder, slaughtered wolves who had stood beside him for years. But Alvin—my Alpha, my mate—wasn’t supposed to be here, bleeding out in front of me.Tears blurred my vision as I whispered, almost as if pleading with the universe itself, "Please, Alvin... Please don't leave me."My hands trembled as I gently touched his face, wiping away the blood, the dirt, the remnants of his battle. His usually fiery eyes were closed, his expression soft, as if
Lena's POV I slowly stirred from the heavy slumber that had weighed me down for days, my limbs feeling like lead as the remnants of exhaustion clung to my body. A coldness lingered on my skin, and for a moment, I wondered if the chill had seeped into my very bones. The air was thick with stillness, almost too quiet. I blinked, my vision blurred at first, my surroundings swirling in hazy, uncertain patterns.Then, gradually, the room began to take shape—our bedroom. I was lying in the familiar bed I shared with Alvin. I could feel his warmth beside me, his steady breath against the side of my face. His hand, soft yet firm, was holding me protectively, as if he never wanted to let me go. The scent of him, deep and comforting, reached me like a lifeline in the storm of my disoriented thoughts.What had happened? How long had I been here? I tried to gather the fragments of memory, but everything felt fragmented and distant. A rush of questions tumbled in my mind, but the one thing I clun
Lena's POV I never expected this. If someone had told me a few moons ago that I would be standing here, ready to take on the role of Chief and Chieftess, I would have laughed in disbelief. A week Luna from a pack that had nearly killed me, the girl who once ran away from my Alpha, and barely escaped the claws of betrayal, never imagined this fate. Yet here I was—my life had spiraled in so many directions, the ups and downs had tested me in ways I couldn't even fathom. At times, I wondered if I was living a dream. A dream where I found love—the kind of love I never thought was possible. And not just any love, but love from Alvin, the man who stood beside me, never letting go, no matter how turbulent the journey. I found a pack that I could finally call home. They weren't perfect, no pack ever is, but these wolves—they had become my family, the ones who saw me for who I truly was, flaws and all. Yet, life has a way of throwing curveballs, doesn’t it? I had met good people, but I h
BEGINNING Kira and Eva were best friends who had been inseparable since childhood. Despite their differing personalities, they shared a bond that could not be broken. They had moved to Los Angeles from their small hometown in search of better opportunities, leaving behind a place that had nothing more to offer than fading memories and empty promises. The duo ran a modest bakery tucked into a quiet corner of the bustling city. It wasn’t much, just a little shop that struggled to make ends meet, but it was theirs, and it kept them going. Kira was the quiet one, an introvert who preferred the hum of her mixer to the buzz of a crowd. Her long brown hair was often tied into a neat bun, and she wore little makeup, her soft hazel eyes hidden behind thick-rimmed glasses. Eva, on the other hand, was a firecracker—bold, extroverted, and unapologetically herself. With short-cropped hair dyed an electric blue and her tomboyish style, she drew attention wherever she went. Parties, drinks, and
Kira had been watching her friend on the dance floor with another guy, a sight that made her stomach churn slightly. She couldn’t quite put her finger on it, but the way they moved together seemed almost too intimate, too rehearsed. She tried to focus on the party, the vibrant colors swirling in front of her eyes, but her mind kept drifting back to the pair. As she absentmindedly sipped on her drink, her eyes darted across the room, scanning the other partygoers—guests in various masks and outfits, none of them seeming to really catch her attention until—A sharp bump broke her trance.Kira stumbled slightly, her drink nearly spilling as she steadied herself. Before she could even process what had happened, a figure emerged from the sea of partygoers and awkwardly collided into her. She hadn’t seen him coming. He was wearing a mask, just like everyone else, and his figure was imposing, but his eyes—those were what made her hesitate. There was panic in them, a frantic sort of desperati
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
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
Kira couldn’t understand it—couldn’t control it. Every time she was around Cooper, her heart raced like a drum being beaten in a war zone. The way her breath caught in her throat whenever his eyes met hers wasn’t normal… or was it? She didn't know. But one thing was clear—this man affected her in a way she couldn't explain. There was something about him. Something… familiar. She had tried to brush it off countless times, convincing herself it was just a fleeting attraction. But the more time she spent with him, the more convinced she became that she had seen his face before—maybe in another life or a forgotten dream. The contours of his jawline, the storm in his eyes, the way he moved—it all stirred a strange longing in her chest. And yet… no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t remember where she knew him from. Earlier that day, when the chaos broke out and she’d nearly collapsed from the pressure, he had been there for her. No questions asked. Just like that, Cooper had ste
Kira couldn’t understand it—couldn’t control it.Every time she was around Cooper, her heart raced like a drum being beaten in a war zone. The way her breath caught in her throat whenever his eyes met hers wasn’t normal… or was it? She didn't know. But one thing was clear—this man affected her in a way she couldn't explain.There was something about him. Something… familiar.She had tried to brush it off countless times, convincing herself it was just a fleeting attraction. But the more time she spent with him, the more convinced she became that she had seen his face before—maybe in another life or a forgotten dream. The contours of his jawline, the storm in his eyes, the way he moved—it all stirred a strange longing in her chest.And yet… no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t remember where she knew him from.Earlier that day, when the chaos broke out and she’d nearly collapsed from the pressure, he had been there for her.
Kira was too stunned to speak when the furious customer stormed into her shop, his face flushed with anger and his voice booming across the cozy bakery like a thunderclap."You!" he barked, pointing a trembling finger at her. "What kind of poison are you selling in here? Every single person who ate that tray of cupcakes from your shop is now down with explosive diarrhea! My café is practically a war zone!"Kira blinked rapidly, trying to process what she had just heard. Her hands froze on the rolling pin she was cleaning, and for a moment, her breath caught in her throat.“Wait… what?” she asked, eyebrows furrowing in disbelief. “Are you serious?”The man leaned across the counter, his eyes bloodshot and wild. “Do I look like I’m joking? I’ve had to shut my entire kitchen down because of your contaminated cupcakes! This is going to cost me thousands!”Kira's mouth parted slightly, her heart thumping unevenly. She shook her head slowl
Kira was bustling with energy that morning. Her auburn curls were tied into a loose bun, and a hint of chocolate flour still dusted her cheek—something she hadn’t noticed in her mirror rush to open shop early. Her café smelled like a dream: vanilla bean, warm cinnamon, and her bestselling dark-chocolate cupcakes fresh from the oven. She had already sent out most of her morning orders and felt a rush of satisfaction. Things were finally looking up. She glanced at her phone—no message yet from Mr. Cooper. Kinda odd… she thought. She had asked him to drop by today just to help out for a couple of hours. After all, he insisted on being involved, even though she had told him the night before, “You don’t have to come every day, Mr. Cooper. I’m sure you’ve got a million other things to do.” He had smiled that charming, mysterious smile and replied, “But I’ll come anyway. Just in case you need me.” Yet here she was, stirring frosting in a big silver bowl when her phone rang. It was his dr
Eva was born with anger etched into her soul, jealousy threaded through her veins, and rage clinging to her like a second skin. It wasn’t fair—it was never fair. Why was it always her?Why was it always Kira?They had grown up together—best friends, sisters in all but blood. They shared secrets, dreams, even built a bakery together from the ground up. Brick by brick. Recipe by recipe. Laughter and tears, failures and triumphs—it had all been a shared story.Until Cooper walked in.Eva’s chest rose and fell rapidly as she sat on the edge of her bed, staring at a photo of them when they were younger. Kira’s smile was wide, radiant. And her own? Cropped out by her trembling fingers as she crushed the photo. She had loved Cooper for years—silently, painfully. But now, every time she turned around, it was Kira in his eyes.Kira.Again.Why is it always her?It didn’t matter that Kira had met him first. Eva belie
The thought of what he said kept wiggling in her ear like a persistent fly refusing to leave. Kira stirred the thick cream on the counter, her brows furrowed in confusion, her bottom lip tucked beneath her teeth. How did he know they were dead? The question echoed louder each time she tried to drown it. She didn't even know Cooper well—he was a stranger, or at least he should be. And yet he spoke with such certainty, such intimate knowledge. Her mind swirled with possibilities. He doesn’t even know them... does he? Her heartbeat accelerated as she glanced at him, trying to read his expression. Cooper stood at the other end of the bakery, his arms crossed loosely over his chest, eyes locked on her with an unreadable look. Calm. Still. Almost too composed. Kira clenched the spatula tighter. “How do you know they’re dead?” she finally blurted, voice shaky, her eyes darting toward his face for an answer. “You didn’t even know them.” Just as she finished speaking, Cooper tilted his head,
At first, it had been subtle. Kira couldn’t quite pinpoint the moment when she started looking forward to seeing Cooper’s face, or when his constant smile stopped annoying her and started making her chest flutter.There was something about him—so playful, so carefree. He always had this crooked grin on his face, like he knew a secret the world didn’t, and it made her feel safe. She caught herself smiling more when he was around, brushing flour off her apron with a hum or laughing louder at his silly jokes than she probably should’ve.Kira had told herself a thousand times—he’s a good guy. Not once had she seen him with any of the gangs terrorizing the city lately. No suspicious calls, no strange visitors. He wasn’t like those monsters burning down shops and demanding payments from struggling business owners. Cooper was... different.At least, that’s what she wanted to believe.Unbeknownst to her, Cooper was more than just the friendly neighbor with a dimpled smile and a fondness for h
The past few days—no, weeks—Kira couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. Her thoughts circled like a restless storm, always coming back to the same haunting questions: Why does it feel like my best friend is turning against me? Why is my boyfriend suddenly so angry? So distant? Her brows furrowed as she wiped down the already spotless counter in her bakery. The smell of vanilla and buttercream filled the room, but even the sweetness in the air couldn’t soften the bitter taste of confusion that lingered in her heart. The unease clung to her like flour dust on a black apron. And ever since she met him—that mysterious man named Cooper—her life had taken a strange turn. Cooper, with his slick black suits and a car that probably cost more than her entire shop, had walked into her life like a gust of wind—smooth, confident, and almost too good to be true. He had offered her a deal too generous to be ignored, promising to invest a life-changing amount of money into her bakery.
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?*