Ryle Shannon and I both complied and went outside the room. As we headed to the venue where everyone was waiting, I couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation. This year's event seemed to carry a different energy. Following the same routine as last year, I found myself in front of the camera for a photoshoot. The concept may have changed, but this time, I felt a newfound confidence exuding from within me, accentuated by the elegant suit I wore. Each smile I flashed was genuine, fueled by thoughts of Isobel. Even the photographers seemed taken aback by this transformation, their compliments ringing in my ears. "Great job, Mr. Ryle. Great shots. You may now enjoy your party. Happy Birthday," the head of the photography team congratulated me then allowed me to mingle with the other guests. Among the familiar faces, I spotted our close relatives. Their warm greetings added to the joy of the occasion. As I made my rounds, exchanging pleasantries, one voice stood out among the rest.
IsobelI feel anxious with all the wolves around, wearing their fancy dresses and effortlessly blending in. This party was nothing like what I had imagined. I just want to have a good time with friends without feeling out of place. Lorrie and Scott are my support system tonight and thank goodness they are with me. It is my first party ever, so I am completely overwhelmed.“There are too many people!” I exclaim. Lorrie looks at me with her forehead creased while Scott is chuckling."Of course, sissy! It’s a freakin’ party. Duh?” she utters sarcastically. She then points toward the right. “Let’s go there. The spot is great for us.”"I'm not used to loud places," Scott admits.”Lorrie, more experienced with partying, takes charge like a mom leading her kids. She finds us a table tucked away in a corner, away from the crowd of wolves. Finally sitting down, Scott and I feel a wave of relief wash over us."This spot is better. Thanks, Lorrie," I say gratefully."I hope this party will end s
RyleThe moment Isobel's name was announced, my chest pounded hard. That was definitely unexpected.Confusion spread across my face. Everyone was curious about who Isobel was and waiting for her to appear.I turned to my sister to ask for help. Shannon was smart enough to handle the situation right away. She discreetly went to talk to the party organizer.“Come on, Shannon. Do something,” I whispered to myself.My concern for Isobel only deepened. Her social status wasn't a secret to me; I'd known about it from the start. Seeing her working as a waitress in the café to support herself, always dressed in plain shirts and worn-out pants on campus, made it clear that she didn't come from privilege. Despite her beauty, her humble attire and demeanor hinted at the financial challenges she faced in life.Any gesture from Isobel, no matter how simple, would have warmed my heart. But I knew all too well that my guests were likely to judge her based on her gift. It infuriated me how they value
Isobel I woke up early the next day, feeling the anticipation of the official start of the mid-year break. Time had flown by, and I was eager to see my mom. Mrs. Potts, planning to close the café for the break, was set to leave for a short vacation at her sister's place in Sapphire Pack. As I remembered her departure was scheduled for that day, I stepped outside my room. "Good morning, sweetie," Mrs. Potts greeted me, almost ready to leave. "Morning, Mrs. Potts. Are you leaving now?" I asked, meeting her as she prepared to depart. She handed me the keys. "You're leaving tomorrow, right?" I nodded. "Then I'll leave everything to you." With a warm hug, Mrs. Potts conveyed her trust in me. I cherished the moment, realizing how much she had helped me. I would surely miss her presence. "Enjoy your stay there, Mrs. Potts," I said sincerely. She smiled at me as she gathered her things. "You too, sweetheart. Send my regards to your beautiful mother." As Mrs. Potts left to wait for a
IsobelSeeing Ryle standing there caught me off guard. I never thought he would come to visit today. It was unexpected and didn't make sense for him to be here.I looked at him and wondered if it was just my imagination. Just a little while ago, I had been thinking about him and wondering what he was doing. But now, suddenly, Ryle was standing at my door. I couldn't believe it.And yet, seeing him made me feel happy inside. A small smile appeared on my lips. My heart started beating gently, and I felt warm and calm. I wondered why Ryle had come to visit me at such an unexpected time.“Hi…”Ryle's gaze met mine, and I noticed a subtle shift in his expression. His eyes, typically filled with a hint of annoyance, now held a softer, gentler demeanor as they locked onto mine. It was a contrast from his usual demeanor, and I found myself intrigued by the change.“H-Hello, Ryle.”As Ryle continued to fix his gaze on me, a flush of shyness began to creep over me, causing my words to falter sl
IsobelI closed the door behind me and hurried towards my room, my heart still racing. Surreal it felt, how I'd impulsively agreed to Ryle's request, as if my mouth had a mind of its own.Scrambling to pick out an outfit, memories of the incident at the clothing store flooded back. Lucy and her friends had humiliated me for my choice of clothes, and I couldn't bear the thought of repeating that embarrassment with Ryle. Determined to avoid a similar situation, I opted for one of the few dresses I owned, the pale blue one that matched perfectly with the blue hair clip.With time ticking away, I hastily ran my fingers through my hair and applied some perfume. The old heels I still had looked decent enough to complement the dress, so I decided to forego my usual sneakers for something more feminine. Taking a deep breath, I finally braced myself to face Ryle.But as I prepared to meet him, a sudden realization hit me. Was I really trying so hard to look pretty for Ryle Vanderberg? I cursed
IsobelRyle's playful banter faded, replaced by a more serious tone."Let's have a quick breakfast before I take you to this place I've been eager to show you," he suggested, his eyes hinting at a secret.I nodded, curious about what awaited. As we sat in the cafe, the lull in our conversation was broken by Ryle’s question."You're going back home for the school break, right?""Yeah, the plan is to spend it with my mom," I replied, smiling at the thought.Prompted by curiosity, Ryle leaned in. "And your dad?"My gaze shifted out the window, lingering on the bustling street scene while I collected my thoughts. "My dad passed away when I was very young," I murmured, the words coming out in a hushed tone, sharing a part of my history I rarely spoke about.Ryle's expression immediately softened, reflecting empathy. "I'm sorry, Isobel," he uttered with genuine sincerity.I shook my head, offering a small smile. "It's okay, you didn't know."Our order arrived then, breaking the moment. The
IsobelI knew Ryle was serious, not joking around. A warmth spread across my cheeks, and I turned away, pretending to check on the books hanging around. They were too old, too delicate to even think about flipping their pages. They looked like fragile gems from the past, and the last thing I wanted was to ruin any of them.Ryle must have noticed my hesitation. "I have something special to show you."I turned to face him, and as Ryle walked away, I followed in silence. The secret library was immense, and it took us a minute to walk to the other side. We reached another huge wall-mounted bookshelf. Ryle turned to me, his eyes shining with excitement. "What do you think about these books? Like, guess what kind of books are here."I pondered for a moment. The books on this side of the library looked just as ancient and untouchable as the others. "Another set of important books from the past?" I guessed.Ryle shook his head, a knowing smile on his lips. "These books are not important. But
"So the council members agreed with his delusions, huh?" I inquired, my tone tinged with disappointment.The head advisor nodded solemnly. "I was the only one who disagreed with the matter, Alpha. There's nothing I can do.""I see..." I sighed. My jaw tightened when the news hit my ears. I clenched the glass of scotch tightly before sipping its content in one gulp. The intoxicating liquid burned my throat a little but I didn’t flinch. Because more than the heat that this alcohol was giving me, it was my rage that kept me burning inside. "Letting that kid go would be an utter disgrace to the Vanderberg name. I refuse to tarnish the honor of my father just because of my foolish son."The head advisor offered a word of caution. "But Alpha... Your son appears resolute. It won't be an easy task to dissuade him."I took a sip of my scotch, contemplating the situation. "I know... And I have no one to blame but myself. If only I had taken immediate action against that lowly she-wolf. Perhap
Isobel Finally, the day of the concert arrived, and I found myself standing in line with my friends, eagerly awaiting our chance to see the Midnight Wolf perform live. Well, everyone except Thea, who seemed rather indifferent. "I don’t know why I agreed to this. I don’t even know that dude," Thea remarked, her skepticism palpable. But Lorrie, always the optimist, reassured her, wrapping her arms around Thea's and whispering, "Don’t you worry. Soon, you’re gonna understand the hype." She then turned to me, grinning mischievously, and whispered, "Sissy, once we're out of this concert, I’m gonna convert this dumb lady into a die-hard fan." I couldn't help but chuckle at her enthusiasm, while Thea looked on curiously, demanding to know what was being said. Lorrie smoothly deflected, "Oh forget about it… Just make sure to enjoy this day cuz' once you’re out of here, a new Thea will be born." Scott and I shared a laugh, while Thea, still puzzled, watched Lorrie lead the way, linking a
RyleI summoned an emergency pack meeting, and everyone responded promptly. Their deep respect for me as the alpha heir was evident as we all gathered in the council room, each of us curious about the sudden call.Regrettably, my father couldn't be present; important matters demanded his attention elsewhere. Nonetheless, I steeled myself and proceeded with the meeting. The council members, acknowledging my role as the future Alpha, listened closely, likely expecting news they had been anticipating for some time.Inside the council chamber, the weight of their expectant gazes pressed upon me as I took a moment to collect my thoughts. With a deep breath to steady myself, I began, realizing that this moment was no longer just a vision but a reality I had to confront head-on."Good day, everyone," I greeted them, my voice firm. "I understand this meeting caught you by surprise, and for that, I apologize for any inconvenience."A council member from the Treasury reassured me, "You don't ha
IsobelFinally, things returned to normal. It was just another typical day, but I found myself incredibly thankful for it. My mind and soul yearned for these moments of peace in school—normalcy without worries or commotion, just peaceful studying and enjoying life with friends.“Let’s go grab some lunch with Ryle and Thea,” Lorrie exclaimed, grabbing my arm. Scott walked behind us happily. I shared in their happiness, especially since Thea had finally been welcomed into our group by Ryle and my best friends after a while.As for my bullies, Lucy and the rest of the Blondies, they were kicked out of Silver-U for their actions. They paid dearly for what happened, and even their own packs promised they would be punished accordingly.Without Lucy, Epsilon Elysium was left without a leader. The sorority decided to hold another election for a new leader. In the end, Lorrie unexpectedly won. She was hesitant at first, but eventually, she accepted the privilege.“How’s the new queen of Ep-El?
Isobel"I'll ask you again, child: Do you want to stay here with me?"It was a hard decision for me, but I knew my answer right away. It seemed like Dad understood what I wanted."Are you sure you want to give up this eternal happiness for a world that has only brought you pain and suffering?" Dad's voice echoed, showing his concern.I looked down, agreeing with Dad's point. The world I was born into was full of difficulties. Mom and I lived with shame because of something driven by love and sacrifice, their forbidden union. At Silver-U, I found some comfort among friends and even a wolf who became dear to me. But when I needed them the most, they all left, leaving me to face my problems alone. Pain and suffering seemed to be the only things that stayed with me in the world where I belonged. Despite my longing to be with Dad, his offer, though appealing, couldn't keep me here, not yet. There were things left unfinished, bonds I cherished. Maybe my idea of heaven was different—to be wi
IsobelI opened my eyes and found myself lying in the arms of an elder wolf. The old guy was smiling at me, and strangely, I felt comfortable, as though I knew him from a long time ago. Yet, I was certain we'd never met before. I tried to recall if we had crossed paths, but nothing came to mind. Still, being near him felt oddly warm, filling me with love and peace.As the mysterious wolf stood up and walked away, he beckoned for me to follow. My eyes remained fixed on him, drawn to his presence. When he spoke, his voice held a gentle command."Follow me..."And so, I did. Each step felt like a silent agreement with fate. His smile was reassuring as he guided me forward."Come here, look..."I turned my gaze to where he directed, and before us lay a breathtaking field. It was a scene of unparalleled beauty, one that I couldn't fathom existed. The elder wolf looked at me expectantly, asking a question that resonated deep within me."Do you love it?"I nodded eagerly, feeling a rush of e
IsobelI was left in shock by Kendra’s revelation. Horror coursed through me as I realized the truth. Kendra, whom I had initially seen as a kind angel sent to save me, was something far more sinister. I couldn't fathom that Kendra would stoop to such depths of cruelty. Jealousy, I realized, was a force more terrifying than I had ever imagined. I had always seen Kendra as perfect in everyone's eyes, but now, facing her dark side, I couldn't shake the terror creeping into my heart.Backing away from Kendra, I couldn't tear my eyes away from her as I pleaded, “Why? Why are you doing this to me?”Kendra smirked, her movements deliberate as she closed the distance between us. “Why? You should’ve known the answer, bitch. You took Ryle away from me. I have been with him from the start. You just came out of nowhere and suddenly, Ryle was all into you. You took my world from me.”I watched as Kendra's eyes changed, a chilling indication that she was not joking. I braced myself for what was to
IsobelI couldn't believe my eyes when I saw Kendra in such a place. She was someone I never expected to encounter here, especially after an entire year of not seeing her around school. But in that moment, as the thugs closed in on me, I was grateful for any form of rescue."I know you. You’re one of Ryle’s friends," Kendra uttered, recognition dawning on her face.Ryle’s friend clicked his tongue and retreated, leaving the thugs confused and annoyed. "What the hell are you doing, kid?" one of them demanded as Ryle’s friend made his escape. Another thug approached Kendra, suggesting, "Maybe he wanted to join the fun."The rest of the thugs cheered, their expressions filled with lust and excitement, but Kendra remained unfazed. "That’s the problem with lower-class wolves," she remarked confidently. "The ones who were completely forgotten by society. Fear has forgotten you."The leader of the thugs didn’t appreciate Kendra's boldness and confronted her. "Who the hell are you?" he demand
Ryle I panicked. It was me managing the steering wheel, trying to navigate through traffic as fast as I could. Everyone in the car wanted to get to Epsilon Elysium urgently, but for me, it was more than just a destination. Isobel was there, and I needed to save her from the torment caused by that vile she-wolf who framed her. Regret gnawed at me for not listening to her before, for losing trust in her. "Come on Ryle, I know you can go faster than this," Lorrie said, her concern evident in her voice. "Who said we're on top speed already?" I replied, pressing harder on the accelerator. We surged past other cars on the road, my driving becoming almost reckless in my desperation. Meanwhile, Scott's anger was palpable. "I never thought someone was capable of doing this vile thing. She must be punished for everything," he seethed. Thea, still crying in the backseat, chimed in, her voice thick with emotion. "That she-wolf deserves to be expelled from the school. She must be the one the e