ISABELLA'S POV ~He’s staring at me with these dark, intense eyes that seem to be boring into my soul, and I can feel my heart start to race. I love the way he’s been so protective lately, like he can’t bear the thought of anyone else touching me. He’s standing there, so still and silent, his eyes roaming up and down my body, and I can feel the heat rising to my cheeks. I’m about to ask him what’s on his mind when he reaches out and wraps his hand around my throat.The touch is surprisingly gentle, but there’s a possessiveness to it that makes my legs turn to jelly."Isabella..." he murmurs, his voice so low and deep that I can feel it in my bones. His lips are inches from mine and I shut my eyes, waiting for the kiss that I know is coming.But instead, he speaks again. "What happened to your wolf?" The words knock the air out of my lungs, and I feel my heart sink. He knows. He knows that I’m not normal, that I’m not like other girls.I pull away from him, my heart breaking as I see t
RYAN'S POV~Leo winced, his expression one of pure disgust as he eyed me warily. "Dude, stop smiling. You look like a serial killer," he muttered, cringing away from my malevolent grin.I leaned back on the sofa, amused further by his reaction. When I remained silent, Leo sighed and slowly rose from his seat, eyeing me with suspicion."So what's your next move?" he asked. "Are you going to use your connections to get Isabella into some sort of project team, hone her abilities?"I shook my head, a look of pride crossing my face. "Isabella has enough abilities. She doesn't need testing, it's obvious," My eyes alight with certainty. "All she needs is a great opportunity. A very good opportunity, and my girl will soar."Leo watched me for a moment, his expression inscrutable, before bobbing his head up and down in agreement. "I can help my sister-in-law," he said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "A fair chance to compete. How does that sound?"I gave him a curt nod, my response dying on my
ISABELLA'S POV ~We approached my old classroom, and the memories came flooding back. My shoulders slumped, and I felt my chest tightening as I stared at the door. I didn’t want to go in there, but I knew I had to.Ryan fell silent, his eyes trained on me, but I couldn’t meet his gaze. Instead, I focused on the wall of the classroom, my mind reeling with the painful memories that were surfacing. I could feel my throat tightening, my eyes beginning to burn.As I moved closer to the drawing on the wall, my heart sank deeper and deeper into my belly. “Echoes of the City,” read the heading, the intricate lines and shapes making up the cityscape coming into focus. I traced my gaze over the sleek lines of modern buildings and the ornate details of historical landmarks, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to spill over. It was a breathtakingly beautiful piece of art, but for me, it was a painful reminder of the past.“It’s beautiful,” Ryan murmured from behind me, and I could only
ISABELLA'S POV ~I lay in bed, the darkness thick and suffocating. Sleep remained a stubborn, elusive dream. No matter how I tossed and turned, my mind wouldn't allow me a moment's peace. It was Ryan. The very thought of his name sent my heart into a frantic rhythm, like a trapped bird fluttering wildly against its cage.I thrashed and kicked, but my sheets grew more tangled, as if they were conspiring to keep me awake.Finally, I gave up the struggle and sat up with a frustrated groan. My hand instinctively moved to my chest, as if to keep my heart from leaping out of my ribcage. I downed a glass of water in one gulp, the cool liquid doing nothing to ease the fiery emotions coursing through me."Stop thinking, Isabella!" I hissed to myself in the darkness.My heart continued to race, like a wild stallion refusing to be tamed. Try as I might, my thoughts refused to be controlled, instead galloping towards the unspoken question: Would Ryan want sex? What if he requests for it? And what
RYAN'S POV~I felt my chest tighten like a vice. Isabella’s questioning stare felt like a pair of heated irons, burning into my skin and soul. Sweat beaded down my neck, as my eyes darted around the room, desperate to find a way out of this conversation. But there was no escape, no quick-witted explanation that could smooth over this mess. I knew that if I so much as twitched, she’d see through my carefully constructed facade.Fucking hell. How the fuck did I end up in this situation?The knot in my stomach twisted tighter. I knew Isabella was no fool, and if she kept on staring at me like this, it was only a matter of time before she uncovered all my secrets. My heart thudded in my chest, and I could feel my jaw clenching to the point of pain. But I couldn't let her see my fear. Not yet.Fuck. I couldn't stand lying to her. Each lie was like a piece of shrapnel, digging deeper into my heart with every passing day.The silence stretched on, every passing second feeling like an hour. I
ISABELLA'S POV ~“Oh heavens!” I muttered to myself, my hand instinctively flying to my aching forehead as I sat up in bed. My head felt like it was throbbing in rhythm with every beat of my heart, and my throat was so parched I could practically feel the sandpaper texture of my own tongue.As I crawled across the bed to reach for the jug of water that I always kept on my nightstand, I realized something was off. This wasn't my room, and there was no jug waiting for me on the nightstand.My heart began to race as the pieces started falling into place. The unfamiliar room, the throbbing headache, the absence of my usual morning routine. I'd clearly had a few too many drinks.With a groan, I begrudgingly crawled out of the bed, making my way slowly and unsteadily towards the door. As I reached for the handle, I heard soft music playing from somewhere in the house, and my hand froze on the doorknob. Footsteps echoed from the living room.I turned on my heel and headed for the kitchen, fi
ISABELLA'S POV ~“UGH!!"Adrenaline surged through my veins as I shot up from the bedside chair, my heart racing as I turned to see my mother writhing in pain. "Mom?" I gasped, rushing to her side to help her sit up, gently propping her up against the pillow."Mama," I whispered, concern lacing my voice. "Is it the pain again?" I asked, my hands trembling as I smoothed her hair back from her face."At the hospital again?" she croaked, her voice raspy from the pain. "I'm so thirsty…Everything hurts," she groaned, rubbing her throat as she shifted uncomfortably.My hands trembled as I grabbed the cup of water from the bedside table, helping her drink, my eyes never leaving hers."Isabella, I don't like the smell of the hospital and you know. Get me out of here. Get me discharged." My heart shattered like glass as I watched her frail form hand me back the glass of water, her eyes pleading for freedom.I swallowed the lump in my throat, about to respond when the door opened, the doctor en
ISABELLA'S POV~The sun was just peeking over the horizon as I raced to the grocery store, my heart heavy. I hung the 'CLOSED' sign on the door, my fingers trembling slightly as I did so. I couldn't bear the thought of losing my mother, and I was determined to spend as much time with her as I could."You done?" Ryan's voice broke through my thoughts, and I gave him a weak nod. His hands were buried deep in his pockets, his gaze fixed on mine.I forced a smile to my lips, hoping to disguise the anguish that threatened to overtake me. I smoothed the collar of his shirt, my cheeks burning with embarrassment as I felt his eyes on me. I avoided his gaze, my fingers fiddling with the fabric as I tried to keep my emotions in check.Ryan chuckled softly, his hands moving to my hair. "Hey, tell me something," he murmured, tucking a stray strand of hair behind my ear. I leaned into his touch, a shiver running through me as he trailed his fingers along my cheek."How do you relieve yourself when
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