ISABELLA'S POV ~Hell seemed like a preferable alternative to this. Even the Devil might have shown some mercy, but here, I was trapped in my own personal version of hell—and there was no escape in sight. The meeting had been a disaster, and Cindy’s jealousy and animosity towards me had only intensified. And to add insult to injury, there was Noah, continually popping up like a bad penny, adding fuel to Cindy’s already burning rage.I glanced at my watch, my stomach rumbling with hunger. Breakfast had long since become a distant memory, and lunch seemed like a pipe dream at this point. Instead, I found myself sweating in a dusty storage room, shifting piles of useless files. As I wiped the sweat from my forehead, I couldn’t help but seethe at the unfairness of it all.With the last file finally in place, I wiped my hands and stormed back to Cindy’s office. I knocked sharply on her door, but it was already ajar. Inside, Cindy sat at her desk, typing away on her laptop.She didn’t even
ISABELLA'S POV ~“Yes, I’m on it,” I ground out between clenched teeth. “I’ll send it right away.”Cindy let out a grunt that could have passed for a laugh, if laughter weren’t the furthest thing from her mind. “Better for you,” she said, and the line went abruptly dead.With a sigh, I turned back to the living room, my heart sinking as I saw that Ryan was nowhere to be found. But I wasn’t ready to give up just yet.Sliding onto the plush carpet, I dragged my laptop bag closer, my hands shaking with urgency as I booted the device. The screen flickered to life, but before I could even type in my password, a hand slammed the laptop shut, the sudden motion jolting me out of my skin.I gasped, turning to see Ryan looming over me, his face a mask of frustration and fury. “You’re working?” he demanded. “In that state?”“I have to,” I insisted, gesturing to my still-soaked clothes. “Cindy needs this by tonight.”His hands clenched, and I could see the muscles in his jaw tighten. “She’s not t
ISABELLA'S POV ~I swallowed uncomfortably, my neck craning to see Ryan's expression. But all I could see was his steely glare. His jaw was clenched tightly, as if he were trying to keep his rage contained. I quickly averted my gaze, struggling to remain calm as Cindy's words continued to sting."I heard you," I said sharply, cutting Cindy off in the middle of her rant. Cindy growled in response, but I refused to engage in a battle of words.My heart pounded in my chest as I hung up the phone, ending the call with a frustrated sigh. I rubbed my temple, leaning back against the headboard and trying to calm my racing thoughts.Turning to Ryan, I saw him stand. His expression was still cold, his movements calculated as he cleared the plates and then stretched my limbs. He pretended not to care about the outcome of the call, or perhaps he didn't want to hear my decision. Ryan always read me like an open book, and I knew he knew what I was going to say."Ryan?" I called out, my voice barel
ISABELLA'S POV ~My jaw tightened; my face carefully blank while Cindy continued to make a scene. Through the transparent door to the office, I could see other employees walking by, throwing curious glances in my direction.The urge to defend myself rose within me and I parted my lips to speak, but Cindy cut me off with a raised hand, her eyes flashing with fury. "Don't even go there," she hissed, silencing my attempt."There's no need to explain your tardiness to me, I already know!" she yelled, her voice echoing down the hall.My cheeks burned with anger, my hands clenching and unclenching. I knew this was not just about my tardiness, this was about our shared past. This was Cindy's opportunity to settle some old score, some ancient grudge. I felt my chest tighten, my fists itching to lash out at her."Your incompetence is not just a stain on your own character, but on the very fabric of this organization," Cindy spat, her eyes burning with rage. "You have proven yourself to be an u
CINDY'S POV~Rage coursed through me like a raging inferno, my veins pulsing with fury. With a guttural cry, I flung the file on my desk across the room, my hand slamming down hard on the desk, sending papers and pens flying in a whirlwind of chaos."How could he?!" I seethed, my eyes wild as I paced back and forth like a caged animal. "How could Noah humiliate me like that? In front of that little omega? That insignificant nothing!" I spat, rage clouding my vision as I vented my spleen."I loved him! I stooped low enough to steal him from Isabella because I loved him!" I screamed, flinging my arms wide as my anger grew. "And this is the thanks I get?! This is how he repays me?!" I bellowed, my voice echoing off the walls as I stalked around the room, my eyes flashing with murderous intent.My blood boiled as I remembered Isabella’s smug face and her stupid, undeserved sense of superiority. As if she was anywhere near my level.As a Beta in the Night pack, I was one of the most powerf
ISABELLA'S POV~I stormed out of Noah's office, slamming the door behind me with a loud crash. I didn't care about the noise; Noah could go to hell for all I cared. "Asshole!" I seethed under my breath, fuming as I marched down the hall, my fists clenching and unclenching with rage. "Just a shameless asshole!"Suddenly, I heard a voice behind me. "Excuse me! Excuse me!! Coming through!"I jumped to the side and saw Susan, one of my colleagues, dashing past with a stack of files teetering in her arms."Susan!" I called out. "Why are you running like that?" My eyes widened at the precarious pile of files she was carrying."Hurry up!" she shouted back, panic evident in her voice. "The team is restructuring! You need to hurry too!"I froze in shock as she disappeared around the corner. When did this happen?My heart thundered in my chest as I followed Susan to Cindy's office, my feet feeling like lead. The moment I reached the door, I saw several colleagues already inside, Cindy yelling a
ISABELLA'S POV ~The air crackled with electricity as the growl emanated from George's throat, the low, animalistic sound reverberating through the tense, silent room. His eyes flashed with rage, the darkness consuming the irises, and I could practically see the veins bulging in his neck.The room held its breath as everyone waited for George's next move. He took a menacing step towards me, his frame towering over my smaller one, before suddenly halting in his tracks, as though some thought had crossed his mind. His gaze bore into me with disgust, making my blood boil. The thin layer of sweat coating my palms grew thicker, and my heart thundered in my chest."And who asked for your opinion?" he spat. My chest heaved as I fought to keep my composure, refusing to back down. “What's your name again?" Susan, standing nearby, gave me a pleading look, her eyes begging me to back down and to answer George's question before I got into trouble with the volatile George. But my pride would not
ISABELLA'S POV ~The van ride seemed to drag on for an eternity, each bump in the road jostling my already frayed nerves. Finally, we arrived at our destination and George stepped out first, barking orders to the driver before shooting us a withering look."We're made to go on a dinner with some of these investors," Susan, who has remained stiff since we began the journey, suddenly spoke up. I bit back a retort, my jaw clenching in anger. But what could I say? We were trapped in this nightmare, at the mercy of George and his nefarious plans.The van door swung open and Susan and I stepped out into the fading light of day, walking towards the luxurious entrance of the five-star hotel. In my hands was a small card, indicating the table where we were expected to dine with our assigned investors. I gripped it tightly, my knuckles whitening as fear and dread raced through my veins.I tried to convince myself that I wasn't terrified, that my nerves weren't screaming with panic. But deep do
ISABELLA'S POV~"You're lying, James!" I shouted, my voice trembling with rage and disbelief. "Why would you sink this low? I'm not going anywhere with you. Just leave!"My body trembled as waves of anger and heartbreak washed over me. I refused to believe that Ryan could have betrayed me like this. We had promised each other that nothing would tear us apart, that we would never let history repeat itself."Isabella..." James took a step towards me, his eyes shining with something I couldn't decipher, but I stepped back, raising my hand as if to ward him off."Just go!" I yelled at the top of my voice, my words echoing off the walls of the cell. "I'm not leaving here. Not without Ryan."James's eyes narrowed, his expression hardening. I could see the wheels turning in his mind, trying to come up with a way to convince me. But I was done listening.“Fine, I'm not going to force you to believe me or not. Why don't you come see for yourself? This is the last opportunity to flee this cell
LINDA'S POV~My legs moved swiftly as I clutched my shawl, ensuring that it remained wrapped tightly around my neck. I approached the small, hidden door in the palace walls, and took a quick glance around to ensure I hadn’t been spotted.With cautious movements, I placed my fingers on the secret fingerprint sensor that would grant me entry. The door creaked open, and I cast one final look down the shadowy hallway. Seeing that it was empty, I darted inside, my heart racing.I heard a click, and the room was illuminated by a dim light.In the center of the room stood a single pot, with images and statues of ancestral wolves and celestial bodies adorning the walls.The pot, filled with a boiling, fragrant liquid, caught my attention. As I pulled off my shawl and set it aside, I cast a sharp gaze upon my reflection in the liquid, my jaw clenching.I was here with a purpose - to deal with my son, Ryan. The thoughts of his actions kept me up at night, the weight of his shame upon our royal
RYAN'S POV~Time seemed to slow to a crawl as my brain struggled to process the events unfolding before me. My mother’s concerned gaze went ignored as my eyes remained locked on the elder priest. It was as if I was viewing the world through a haze of red mist, the only thing piercing through me, was the sight of danger that threatened my mate.Then the guards made their move, their hands reaching for their guns. In that instant, something within me snapped."What the fuck are you insinuating?!" I roared, my voice shaking the very foundations of the hall.The priest’s expression darkened, but I didn’t care. This man, who dared to accuse my mate of being a danger, would not get away with this.My mother, sensing the volatility of the situation, placed a gentle hand on my arm, but I shrugged her off with a glare that spoke volumes. I wouldn’t be silenced. Not when Isabella’s honor was at stake.“I only say what I see, son,” the priest hissed.My blood boiled at his arrogance.“My work is
IVY'S POV~I rose slowly from the bed, driven by my rage. As I walked towards the window, the soft night breeze was the only sound in the silence and in darkness. The world seemed to have stopped, but my heart was ablaze with thirst for vengeance.I wanted nothing more than to watch the world burn. Winter Fall Pack might have been at peace, but I wanted chaos. How dare Ryan humiliate me? I had seduced countless men, but when I thought I had Ryan under my spell, he slipped away, disgracing me.In my anger, I threw a flower vase to the ground, watching it shatter.Before I could process my thoughts, a dark idea crept into my mind, and I stopped, my eyes wide with excitement. Without hesitation, I picked the nearest long coat on the cloth hanger, draped it on with a shawl covering my face and then left the room, determined to carry out my diabolical plan.~ ~ ~The street was blanketed in silence. No sounds of traffic, no signs of life. Just two stray cats, their fur standing on end, da
RYAN'S POV~My steps echoed through the hallway as I approached the room. Five armed men stood in waiting as I strode past. The door was already open, courtesy of the guards.Alan and several operatives sat hunched over their devices, their intense focus broken as I entered. Their heads lifted and turned towards me, a chorus of "Alpha" greeting me in unison. I gave them a single nod, acknowledging their respect, before taking my seat next to Alan.He slid a file across the table,"The evidence is all here," Alan said. "Everything to take Ryan down. We traced his transactions, his contacts. Everything."My chest rumbled with deep satisfaction as he placed CDs and drives on the table, the knowledge that Ryan's downfall was imminent filling me with a sense of dark triumph. "Brilliant," I commended. The operatives all nodded."Where is Ross and the men now?" I asked, checking my wristwatch. Alan followed suit. "Be rest assured, Alpha. They're on the way and headed to us." Alan typed away
ROSS'S POV~The door slammed shut behind me, and there he stood…nobody. There was absolutely nobody but the door shutting on its own. But I could imagine Ryan, standing there and staring at me like he had suddenly caught me up in his trap. I could imagine his face twisted into a side grin, his eyes gleaming with an evil satisfaction. My breath caught in my throat as my world froze. My mind raced, thoughts scattering like rats as a sinking dread took hold. This was not part of my plan, not at all. How had he known? How had I failed?"Well, well, dear brother. Here you are," Ryan's smooth voice slithered through the room, sinister and mocking. But no matter where I turned, his face remained hidden. The sound of his approaching footsteps chilled me to the bone, my fists clenching tighter with each step. "Oh, you look scared, brother. So scared. Perhaps a picture or two to share with the world?" His chuckle was like a blade against my skin, but no matter how I searched, I found no tra
RYAN'S POV~I watched with chilling coldness as Ivy's body slumped over the table, her speech slurring and her head drooping. The drug she had slipped into the drink which she assumed was mine, was slowly taking effect, her body heating up, the telltale signs of her impending heat becoming more apparent with each passing second. I could already envision the wolves in here circling her like prey, ready to feast on her vulnerable state. My insides twisted with a dark, vengeful satisfaction."You think you're clever, don't you?" I muttered under my breath, glancing around the bar with a calculating glare.My anger simmered beneath the surface, as I took in the scene around me. The shifters in the bar laughed, drank, danced, and made out in corners of the bar, completely oblivious to the scheme that was unfolding right under their noses. I needed to leave, but first I contemplated texting Ross once more, pondering if my previous message was flirtatious enough.I let out a low chuckle as
ISABELLA'S POV ~In that moment, I was stripped of my armor, vulnerable and raw in front of Ryan. He had seen me through my darkest moments, but this was different; this was a deeper, more vulnerable kind of brokenness. My heart ached as I watched his own vulnerability surface, his expression a reflection of my own pain. It was as if the world had stopped spinning for a moment, and all that existed was the two of us, bound together by our shared bond. I hoped that this tender moment, this fragile peace, would never be shattered.My mind raced, trying to process the emotions swirling through me. I felt numb, as if the world had gone still and silent around me. I knew I had to say something, anything, but my voice refused to work.Instead, I pulled Ryan into a tight embrace, allowing his comforting scent to fill my senses, attempting to ease the turmoil in my mind. It was all too much; the exhaustion, the emotional upheaval, the weight of the world seemed to bear down on me.“I know…
ISABELLA'S POV ~Rage built within me like an inferno, blistering every inch of my being. My breath came in short, ragged gasps as I stared at the man who should have been on his knees begging for forgiveness. But instead, he was groveling at the feet of the strange woman he'd chosen over his own family, trying to atone for the wrongs he'd done to his daughter by sacrificing me.I felt like I was unraveling at the seams.My stepmother bled out before my eyes, her life draining away in a crimson pool. My so-called father clutched her, sobbing hysterically, his hands slick with blood as he desperately tried to save her. But I felt nothing for them. No empathy, no sympathy—only a cold, hard emptiness where my heart used to be. Perhaps I was evil for feeling this way, but in that moment, I could not bring myself to care.Ryan's arms encircled me, keeping me from collapsing to the ground like a broken doll. His voice, gentle as a summer breeze, barely registered in my mind.“Hey… are you