ALEX'S POV~I awoke in darkness. The sound of beeping machinery and whirring fans filled my ears. Slowly, my vision adjusted, revealing the bleak, sterile reality of my bedroom, transformed into a makeshift hospital room.I winced in agony as I tried to move. Every inch of my body screamed in protest, encased in tight bandages that bit into my skin. My arms were strapped down, wired to machines that monitored my vitals.I could feel the nauseating throb of pain in my skull, the sting of broken bones as I moved.Every breath sent searing pain through my lungs, a constant reminder of the savagery I had endured at the hands of those brutes, Isabella and Ryan? Right? My face, once handsome and regal, was now a grotesque mask of bruises, stitches, and bandages.I tried to speak, but my lips, swollen and cracked, would not cooperate. My eyes felt heavy, every blink an agonizing effort. And yet, despite the pain, my hatred for those two wolves burned like a raging inferno in my chest, spur
ISABELLA'S POV ~I groaned as the harsh sunlight streamed through the window, its rays stabbing into my eyes. I fought the urge to open my eyes, turning away from the intrusive light. The soft mattress beneath me yielded to my body's movements, cradling me as I exhaled and stretched, my muscles rippling like a cat arching its back in the warmth of the sun. But then, something changed.A chill ran down my spine, like icy fingers trailing over my skin. My body froze, my heart racing.The silence of the hospital ward suddenly felt like a threat, as though a presence was lurking in the shadows. Where was everyone? Ryan? The nurses? Panic fluttered in my chest, rising like a storm. Without thinking, I threw off the covers and leapt out of the bed, racing for the door. The urgency pulsed through my veins, my feet pounding against the cold floor."Shit!" I cursed, my hand seizing the door handle. Just as my hand closed around the door handle, the heavy door swung open, and I crashed into a
RYAN'S POV~My predatory gaze remained locked on Isabella, my feral grin growing wider with every passing minute as the doctor kept checking on my vitals, oblivious to the sizzling tension that filled the room. Isabella's cheeks were flushed a deep crimson, the color of a ripe tomato, as she tried desperately to maintain her composure. The poor doctor, I was certain, would have bolted from the room long ago if it weren't for her concern over my health.As the doctor finally completed her checkup, she turned to me with a warm smile that I ignored, my focus entirely on Isabella."Isabella, my darling," I drawled, my voice filled with a dark seduction that sent a shiver down her spine. "You're blushing so beautifully, I can't help but wonder..."Her glare intensified, silently warning me to behave, but my grin only widened. Damn, she was breathtaking when she blushed like that. I could almost hear the blood rushing to her face, heating her cheeks and quickening her pulse.I fought back t
ISABELLA'S POV ~I focused on the laptop in front of me, refusing to let Cindy’s poisonous words derail me from my task. But my fingers trembled on the keyboard.I wished more than anything that I could disappear, escape from the judgmental eyes that bore into me from all sides. Despite the turmoil roiling inside me, I forced myself to concentrate on the task at hand.The parent-child center project was depending on me, and I refused to be deterred. I couldn't lose any more time to distractions. The time I had lost during my kidnapping still haunted me, and I knew I couldn't afford any more setbacks.As the whispers grew louder, I could feel my blood pressure begin to rise. I gripped the sides of the keyboard, willing myself to stay focused. Suddenly, a voice resounded, "What's going on here?"The question hung in the air, a silence falling over the room. I felt my stomach twist as my eyes flickered up, meeting the piercing gaze of Noah. His hands were shoved into his pockets, his ex
ISABELLA'S POV~"Hello?" I said, my voice filled with annoyance at the lack of response. I frowned as I glanced at the phone, noting that the call was still connected. Before I could hang up in frustration, a low, gravelly sound rumbled through the line."Am I speaking to Isabella?" the voice asked, making me slightly tense. I straightened, leaning forward in my chair as suspicion and curiosity warred within me. "Yes, this is Isabella. Who's asking?"“This is me, your father. I am Lincoln. I know you must have heard about me from your mother but let's not dwell on that. Right now I need you.”My heart stopped. Did he just say...father?The words echoed in my head, bouncing off the walls of my skull as I struggled to comprehend what I'd just heard. Lincoln? That was my father's name. The man who had abandoned my mother and me when I was barely old enough to remember."This is urgent and I command you to come immediately," he continued, his tone cold and authoritarian. "Your half siste
RYAN'S POV~I was frozen, the air in the room as suffocating as a deep sea trench. My heart thundered against my chest, desperate to break out of its cage and roar the truth at Isabella. Every fiber of my being urged me to spill my secrets. Braxton growled, my wolf begging for a chance to prove our loyalty to the woman that held my heart. But fear strangled my voice.I could feel Isabella's eyes on me, probing and penetrating.I forced myself to hold her gaze. "Are you going to tell your mother about this call, Isabella?" I croaked, my voice strained and brittle, like thin ice on a frozen lake. Isabella tilted her head slightly, her lips pressed into a thin line."No, I don't think so." She sniffled, her body sagging as if the words themselves were too heavy to bear. "My mother would be in so much pain. And I can't afford to see her that way. I've seen her break down on several occasions as a child and it hurts so much. I can't afford to see her break down again. I'll let her be."My
ISABELLA'S POV ~It was like a lightning strike, hitting me out of the blue. Cindy’s words made my heart hammer and my stomach churn. Without even thinking, I was up on my feet and marching towards her with all the fury of a goddess scorned. My eyes narrowed, my finger pointed right at her, and my voice dripped with venom.“How dare you?!” I snapped. Every eye in the room was on me now. My heart was racing, my cheeks were flushed, and I felt like I was breathing fire.“You think you can just call me that?” I seethed. Cindy was backing away like the coward she was, but she wasn’t backing down.“Are you going to deny it?” she snarled back at me, her eyes spitting daggers and her hands clenched at her sides. Every muscle in my body tensed. She was going to pay for this.With each step I took towards her, I could feel my inner she-wolf, Selene, howling for a chance to rip into this bitch. Part of me wanted to claw her face, sink my teeth into her neck, and watch her bleed, but this was an
ISABELLA'S POV ~My mind raced; my heart thumped against my chest as I stood before the door. It felt surreal, the sight of my name on the plaque - Chief Architectural Designer. A lifetime's journey condensed into one moment. I raised my hand, the tips of my fingers lightly brushing against the door's cool surface. With a gentle push, it swung open, a world of possibility on the other side. A rush of chilled air, crisp and clean, washed over me, mingling with the subtle, expensive fragrance that filled the room. My chest swelled with emotion, a giggle tumbling out - half disbelief, half joy. I made it. This was my office, and I was the Chief Architectural Designer.A bittersweet smile curved my lips as I took a tentative step inside, letting the reality of the moment sink in. It was a dream come true, but it also carried with it a heaviness of responsibility. Yet, I knew I was ready, and the exhilaration that coursed through my veins was proof. I sat down at my desk, fingers dancing
MAY’S POV~“Hey!" I waved at the strange lady. The strange lady gave me a slight nod of acknowledgment, then flashed a smile so sweet that my heart melted. It was hard to believe that someone with her beauty and presence could also have such a commanding aura.I forced a wide smile, but as I watched her, my gaze lingered just a bit too long. Her smile lingered too.I shrugged awkwardly. "I'm sorry for the mess out there. Those guys were getting way too aggressive, trying to force me to drink with them and exchange contacts. When I resisted, they started hurling disgusting insults at me.I gave her a nervous chuckle, trying to brush it off. "But thanks for coming to my rescue," I said. She just nodded, her smile still intact.It was then that I realized that my palms were sweating and my heart was racing. I took a deep breath and forced myself to calm down. I didn't even realize that all these while I was getting so worked up. Sure, she was gorgeous, but I'd never felt this way before
RYAN'S POV~I felt my world freeze when I caught Isabella's gaze. Just one look, but it spoke volumes—pain, betrayal, sadness, helplessness, and pure hate. I couldn't lose her like this, not when she meant everything to me.In a flash, I caught her wrist and held her against me, preventing her escape. She gasped as her body tensed against mine. Her surprise was palpable, but I couldn't let her leave, not when I needed her so fiercely.She froze, her breath hitching as she felt my heartbeat against hers, my arms tight around her waist. My face buried itself in her hair, and I took deep breaths of her lingering scent. My grip on her tightened, and I felt her body tense beneath mine. "Bella," I growled, my voice barely contained, "Don't leave.”"I won't be your prisoner, Ryan. I can't live like that anymore," Isabella whispered, tears filling her eyes. Her palms pressed against me in a silent entreaty to release her. I scoffed inwardly at the foolishness of such a suggestion. She was mi
ISABELLA'S POV ~My cheeks burned scarlet as Linda's gaze flicked back to me, disgust flickering in her eyes.” My heart raced at Linda's exaggerated sigh and disdainful headshake."You're Isabella?" Linda's mocking tone stung like a slap, causing my eyes to water."Y-Yes, your Majesty," I stammered, forcing a weak smile that crumbled under her icy stare."So you're the Omega that seduced my son? You're the girl of no status?" she continued, her words hitting me like daggers. "Finally I've gotten to meet you."Her gaze pierced me, my stomach churning with discomfort.She tutted, disgust dripping from her voice. "And this is the girl that my son claims to love?"Linda's words stabbed at my chest, her mockery roiling my insides. My knuckles turned white as I clung to my dress, desperate to conceal my trembling. I fought to maintain my outward composure, but her gaze cut through me like a knife. "You're not worthy to be here, in this palace, in my presence... You're not worth it, do you
RYAN'S POV~My eyes bore into my mother, my displeasure evident in the hard lines of my face, but she remained unaffected by my glare. "Are we really going to do this now, mother?” I snarled. But she simply shrugged, dismissing my concerns as if they were nothing."You must have been under a spell for you to go out to another city and engage with a common girl with no status," she spat, her eyes darkening in anger. "How ridiculous it would sound to the parliament! How would they envision their leader bringing home such a valueless girl, tell me?!" Her voice kept rising. I fists slowly clenched in frustration. My father, sitting at the head of the table, stopped eating, his expression reflecting his own displeasure, making it clear whose side he was on.I exhaled a shaky breath, trying to keep my anger under control. I rubbed my temple, trying to ease the tension building in my head, but it was useless. There was no way to make this situation better."I'm not going to talk about this
ISABELLA'S POV~“Do you think I'm beautiful, mama?" My heart was racing as I spun around, my eyes fixed on my mother's face, waiting for her reaction. The dress, a beautiful shade of champagne, hugged my figure perfectly, the sequins catching the light and sparkling like stars. It was a dream dress for every exquisite lady, a dress one would dream of wearing in her life. For a moment, my mother just stared, her lips parted slightly in surprise. She took a breath and stood up, her eyes never leaving my body."You look..." Her voice trailing off as she came closer. "More than fabulous. You're so beautiful, my Bella. Do you know sometimes I wonder if I'm your biological mother?""Mom, stop!" I burst forth into giggles and sniffles as I walked closer to her.I wrapped my arms around her, trying to lighten the mood. "You're flattering me. Thank you."But as I kissed her forehead, I saw her frown, and my heart sank. She was silent, and I could tell she was holding something back. I pursed
ISABELLA'S POV ~As I gazed out the train window, the world outside was transformed into a stunning display of lights, architecture, and movement. My jaw dropped, my heart pounding in my chest with a mixture of excitement and uneasiness. I'd never seen a city quite like this before, and if it hadn't been for James's invitation, I likely never would have.My thoughts wandered to Ryan, and my heart ached at the memory of him. I tried to push the memories away, but they were persistent, clinging to my mind like a persistent shadow.As our feet stepped onto the platform, the city’s life swirled around us, its vibrancy almost tangible. The skyscrapers shot skyward, their glassy exteriors glittering under the sun. My mother’s gaze was fixated on the splendor before her, her mouth agape, her feet seemingly rooted to the ground, taking in the magnificence of the metropolis.I followed James’ GPS guidance from my phone, listening intently to his directions as my mother’s excitement radiated th
ISABELLA'S POV ~The heavy breath escaped my lips for what felt like the millionth time that night, as I struggled to find a comfortable position in the soft, cold bed. Despite my endless tossing, my mind refused to settle down, thoughts of the Winter Fall Pack swarming like a hive of bees in my head. Was I really going to accept James' invitation to go there? To the place where Ryan's parents dwelled? The prospect filled me with a mixture of dread and uncertainty, as if my future was hanging by a thread.I was just about to drift off into a fitful sleep, when a sharp, sudden crash erupted from outside my door. My eyes snapped open in the darkness, widened in alarm. My fingers gripped the edge of the bed as I listened intently, my heart pounding, waiting for another sign. The hair on the back of my neck stood on end, my wolf senses heightened, as I cautiously crawled from the bed and tiptoed to the door.My hand rested on the doorknob, my breath held in anticipation as I strained to p
RYAN'S POV~I hadn't slept well in years, not since Isabella had left my life. I was a shadow of my former self, a broken shell of a man, tortured by her absence. Every day, I watched her from afar, disguised and hidden, too scared to approach her, too afraid to confront the pain I knew would come with seeing her again. It was a silent agony, watching her from a distance, knowing that she was within my reach and yet still so far away.I missed her more than I could ever put into words.I did what I could to help her, to try to make her life easier. I made sure to boost her grocery store online, drawing in customers and helping her business to thrive. But it only served to remind me of what I'd lost, to rub salt in the wound of her absence.I hated that she was working so hard, that she was overworking herself, but I knew that this was what she wanted. She wanted her own success, her own money, her own life, and I couldn't fault her for that.It felt like a piece of me died every day t
ISABELLA'S POV ~It was as if time itself had frozen, the world entirely coming to a halt around me. My resignation letter was crumpled in my hand like a piece of trash, a symbol of all my hard work and sacrifice being thrown away. I tried to hold back my own tears, but they threatened to spill forth and betray my façade of strength and determination. I knew this was the right decision, the only way to avoid the inevitable pain and torment that awaited me in the Moon Pack. But the finality of it all was crushing, the realization that I was leaving behind a life I had worked so hard to build.But I knew that the sacrifice was necessary, that I had to protect myself from the darkness that awaited me in the Moon Pack.The mere thought of my father made my blood boil and my heart turn to stone. He was nothing more than a shadow of a man, a monster who had caused so much pain and suffering in my life. The idea of ever laying eyes on him again made my skin crawl, and the thought of being a