I adjusted my mask, the velvet soft against my skin. Chase stood beside me, his eyes hidden behind his own mask. The tension between us was palpable."Ready?" he asked, his voice detached.I nodded, my heart heavy.As we descended into the night, I slid my hand into his. It was a facade, a show for the other Alphas.Chase's fingers didn't intertwine with mine, but he didn't pull away either.The grand ballroom was a sea of masked faces. I recognized some of the Alphas, but their mates were unknown.We mingled, Chase conversing with ease. I kept my responses curt and polite.Alpha Ryder's mate, a tall blonde, approached me."You're quite... fragile for an Alpha's partner," she said scornfully, her voice dripping with condescension.I smiled sweetly."Thank you for noticing. I've been working on my delicate features."Chase's lips twitched, but he said nothing.Another Alpha's mate, a petite brunette, tried to intimidate me."I see you're human. How quaint.""My humanity is what makes m
I slowly opened my eyes, grogginess clouding my mind. Chase's face hovered above me, concern etched on his features."Elodie, can you hear me?" he asked, his voice soft.As our gazes met, his expression shifted. The concern melted away, replaced by indifference.I tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness washed over me. Chase's hands grasped my shoulders, steadying me.I also noticed in was in a fresh pair of clothes, but that was the least of my problems at that moment."Easy," he said, his voice detached.My mind began to clear, memories of the previous night trickling back.The masquerade ball, Vivian's venom, the mysterious power surge... and that voice.I shook my head, dispelling the thoughts."Chase, what happened?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper."You fainted," he replied, his expression neutral."Alexander brought you back here."I tried to swing my legs over the side of the bed, but Chase's grip tightened."Where are you going?" he asked."I need to thank Alexander
Three weeks had passed since our return from Greece, and the silence between Chase and me had become a living, breathing entity. It wrapped around my heart, squeezing the life out of me. I felt like I was drowning in a sea of loneliness, with no lifeline in sight.Chase was rarely home, and when he was, he didn't speak to me. His absence was a palpable weight, crushing me beneath its oppressive force. I wandered the empty halls of the mansion, searching for a glimpse of the man I once knew. But he was gone, replaced by a stranger who treated me like a ghost.The maids and staff attended to my every need, but they kept their distance, walking on eggshells around me. I couldn’t tell if it got worse, or if I just hadn’t noticed just how bad it was because I had Chase.Their hushed whispers and nervous glances made me feel like a fragile, broken thing. I longed for human connection, for someone to talk to, but even their kindness felt forced.My days blurred together in an endless cycle o
_Chase’s POV_As I stood under the scorching shower, the water pounded against my skin. I had purposely set the heat too high, hoping it would burn the guilt away, but it failed to wash away the anguish that had been festering inside me for weeks. My eyes burned, my chest ached, and my mind raced with thoughts of Elodie and our fractured relationship.The memories of our laughter, our adventures, and our quiet moments together now seemed like a distant dream. Our love had been a flame that burned bright, but now it was reduced to smoldering embers, threatening to extinguish completely.I couldn't shake off the feeling of desperation that gripped me. Elodie's words still lingered in my mind: "You look tired." A simple phrase, yet it cut deep. I felt exhausted, drained by the weight of our unspoken words, unresolved issues, and the darkness within me.As I dried off and crawled into bed, Elodie's presence taunted me. Her proximity was a double-edged sword. I yearned for her touch, yet k
The darkness outside seemed to seep into my soul, casting a shadow over my thoughts. Sleep eluded me, despite the late hour. A sense of restlessness had taken hold, refusing to release its grip.I paced through the empty halls, my bare feet making barely a sound on the marble floor. The silence of the mansion seemed oppressive, weighing me down. I felt trapped, suffocated by the stillness.My mind wandered, searching for the source of this unease. Was it Chase's distant behavior? The tension between us? Or something more?I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off. A nagging sense of unease lingered, like a whispered warning in the wind.As I walked, my feet carried me toward the windows, where the moonlight cast eerie shadows on the floor, and I wrapped my hands around my robe, pulling it closer to my body.The clock on the wall ticked away, each passing moment amplifying my anxiety. My heart raced, my thoughts swirling in a maelstrom of emotions.Fear, anxiety, and unce
I woke up to the warmth of Chase's body beside me, his hand wrapped snugly around my torso. My heart skipped a beat as I turned to face him, expecting to see an empty space, a familiar absence. But he was still there, his chest rising and falling with slow, deep breaths.For a moment, I forgot to breathe. Forgot to think. Forgot everything except the man lying beside me.His face, even bruised and battered, was breathtaking. The morning light streaming through the windows highlighted the sharp angles of his jaw that now housed light stubbles, the curve of his lips. I reached out, my fingers tracing the contours of his face, lightly touching the wounds that marred his skin.He was beautiful, even in pain.My fingers lingered on his cheekbone, feeling the warmth of his skin. I couldn't help but wonder what had happened to him, who could have inflicted such harm.As I studied his face, I felt a flutter in my chest. It was a feeling I'd grown accustomed to ignoring, but in this moment, it
I lay in bed, my gaze fixed on the door Elodie had stormed out of, my mind reeling from the intensity of our encounter. The air still vibrated with tension, her scent lingering like a warm embrace, calming the beast within me.My wolf, who now remained dormant except when Elodie is in sight, now stirred. The primal energy coursed through my veins, urging me to claim what was mine.Elodie's proximity had brought back all the feelings I thought I could suppress. Desire. Longing. Love.The emotions swirled, a maelstrom of conflicting needs.I wanted her.Needed her.But she was slipping away, and I didn't know how to stop it.Why did she look after me?Why did she still care?I had wronged her, and if she had decided to look the other way while I was in pains, I honesty wouldn’t have blamed her.And why couldn't I let her go?The questions haunted me, taunting me with their ambiguity.Just as I thought I'd lost control, my phone shattered the silence.Gideon’s name flashed on the screen.
_Chase’s POV_I stood frozen, my gaze locked onto the unthinkable scene before me. Vivian was entwined with another werewolf, their half-naked bodies pressed together in a scandalous position, and I knew it would only be a few seconds before he would be sticking his rock hard shaft inside of her.Surprise slammed into me like a freight train, followed closely by anger. How could she?But as I processed the image, relief seeped in, cooling my heated emotions. I wasn't tied to her anymore.I cleared my throat, announcing my presence.The two sprang apart, their eyes wide like deer caught in headlights.The low-ranking werewolf bowed hastily and scurried away, abandoning Vivian to face me alone.Vivian's expression transformed from shock to pleading, her eyes welling up with tears."Chase, please understand—""Understand?" I repeated, my voice low and menacing. "You're asking me to understand?"Vivian's hands reached out, grasping for me, but I stepped back, evading her touch like she wo
I stood in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection. My 21st birthday, and I felt like a whale. Seven months pregnant, and I was huge. I puffed out a sigh, running my hands over my swollen belly, as I was told to expect popping soon since my babies had Alpha growth.Pups, they called them."I look like a hippopotamus," I muttered, feeling tears prick at the corners of my eyes.Chase appeared behind me, his arms wrapping around my waist. "You're the most beautiful woman in the world," he whispered, his lips brushing against my ear.I rolled my eyes. "You're biased."Chase chuckled. "Maybe, but it's true. You're glowing, Elodie. You're perfect."I turned to face him, my eyes searching his. "You really think so?" I sniffed my tears back.Chase nodded with a boyish grin. "I do. You're carrying our child, and that makes you even more beautiful to me."I felt a lump form in my throat. Chase had been my anchor throughout this pregnancy. He'd moved his work home, spending every day with
_Chase’s POV_I sat beside Elodie's hospital bed, my eyes fixed on her pale face. It had been a week since she'd been admitted, and still, she lay unconscious, her body hooked up to machines and oxygen tubes. The beeping of the monitors and the hiss of the ventilator were the only sounds that broke the silence. My heart ached with every beat, my soul torn apart by the sight of her fragile form.I reached out, taking her hand in mine, feeling the warmth of her skin, but it was a faint warmth. I’d tried to reach her wolf a number of times, but she too was very weak.It was like grasping at smoke. She was there, somewhere, deep within her, but she was weak, so weak. I poured all my energy into the connection, willing her to respond, to stir, to come back to me. But there was only silence.The hospital had provided a bed for me beside hers, and I'd spent every waking moment by her side. I woke up every morning with her hand in mine, and slept every night with her fingers intertwined with
Chapter 162_Chase’s POV_I paced back and forth in front of the barrier, my mind racing with every possible scenario, most of which I’d rather not recount lest they became real. Elodie had been in there for what felt like an eternity, and I was starting to lose my mind. I tried crossing the barrier again, but it was like running into a brick wall. I was pushed back, my body slamming against a nearby tree."Dammit!" I cursed, my fists clenched in frustration.Laila approached me. I’d seen more empathy in her eyes in the last few minutes than I’d done in my entire life, and if it were under any other circumstances, I would have laughed and asked her if she was losing her touch."Chase, calm down. You're going to hurt yourself,” she placed her hand on my shoulder, and from her misty eyes, I could tell how hard she was trying to control her tears.I turned to her, my eyes blazing with anger. "Calm down? You want me to calm down? Elodie's in there with a man who’s capable of doing……God k
My mind was a jumble of emotions as I stood there, frozen in shock. But as I gazed into the face of the man before me, a memory long buried rose to the surface. I was a child again, sitting on my father's lap, listening to his deep, rumbling voice as he read me a bedtime story. His eyes sparkled with amusement, his hands making animations, and his smile was warm and gentle. I felt safe, loved, and cherished."Elodie, my little star," he whispered, his breath tickling my ear.His voice cut through the daze, and I felt like I was dreaming. I wanted to believe I was dreaming. But as I looked into his eyes, I knew it was real. He was really there, standing in front of me, unchanged since the day he...since the day he died.I stumbled backward, my mind reeling. It couldn't be. My father was dead. I had mourned him, blamed myself for his death. The pain and guilt had haunted me for years.But there he was, not a day older, not a single strand of gray hair. His eyes, his smile, everything wa
Chase's face contorted in rage, his eyes blazing with fury. "I'll never let you go in there alone!" he thundered, his voice echoing through the night. My heart broke at the desperation in his eyes, and I rushed back to him, wrapping my arms around his waist."Chase, please," I whispered, burying my face in his chest. "I'll be fine. I promise."But he was beyond reason, and his body trembled with anger. "You're not going in there!" he shouted, his voice hoarse. "I won't let you!"He lightly pushed me away, his eyes scanning the warehouse as if daring the lone wolf to come out. "You want her?" he yelled, his voice carrying across the distance. "You want my mate? Come out and face me, you coward! If you think you're man enough!"The others tried to calm him down, but Chase was unstoppable. He paced back and forth, his eyes blazing with fury, the veins on his neck and forehead pulsing so hard I feared they would erupt. I tried to reason with him, but he wasn't listening."Chase, please,"
As we stepped out of the office, the crisp night air enveloped us, carrying the scent of damp earth and the distant howl of feral wolves that made my heart squeeze painfully. "We'll need to be discreet," Chase said, his voice low. "Let's shift."I nodded, the pain momentarily giving way to a thrill of excitement. My wolf stirred within me, eager to be free. I closed my eyes, focusing on the transformation. My body began to shift, my bones snapping, my muscles stretching. My senses heightened, and my skin itched as my fur grew.But as I opened my eyes, I realized everyone was staring at me. Laila's eyes were wide with wonder, and even Gideon's gruff expression softened. I felt a flush rise to my cheeks, but Chase's gaze was the only one that mattered. His eyes shone with pride, his face radiant with awe."Elodie," he whispered, his voice husky. "You're...breathtaking."My wolf, pure white and majestic, stood tall, her fur glistening in the moonlight. I felt a surge of power, of freedo
_Chase's POV_I stared at Elodie, my jaw clenched, and I felt myself about to snap in half with frustration. How could she be so stubborn? Didn't she understand the danger?But as I looked into her eyes, I saw something that made me pause. A fierce intensity burned within them, a determination that told me she would do this with or without my permission.I recalled my conversation with Laila earlier that evening, her words echoing in my mind."Chase, we've tried everything. We've lost so many pack members. This is the only way to stop the lone wolf," she'd said, her eyes solemn."I won't risk Elodie's life," I'd growled.Laila's expression had been somber. "I understand your concerns, but we can't keep running. We need to take a stand. And Elodie...she's the key. I don’t know how, but she is."I'd rejected the idea, but now, looking at Elodie, I realized that Laila might be right.The past 24 hours had seen more pack members go feral. The lone wolf's poison was spreading, and I knew w
I woke to darkness, the silence a heavy blanket that wrapped around me. My eyes adjusted slowly, and I made out the familiar contours of our bedroom. But it was the figure sitting beside me that made my heart skip a beat.Chase.His eyes, piercing in the dim light, locked onto mine. My panic, residual from the day's events, dissipated under his gaze."Hey," I whispered softly as if speaking too loud would break whatever spell his eyes had put me under.A soft smile creased Chase's face, but his eyes told a different story. They were dark, troubled.I pushed myself up, my movements cautious, my wolf senses on high alert. Chase's gaze never wavered, his focus solely on me."Hey," he replied, his voice low, husky.I reached out, my hand brushing against his jaw. His stubble prickled my fingertips, sending shivers down my spine."Couldn't sleep?" I asked, my brow furrowing.Chase shook his head, his eyes evading mine. "Just watching you."My smile faltered, sensing something was off. "Cha
_Chase’s POV_I held Elodie tight, her body trembling against mine. The room's stunned silence was a distant hum, my focus solely on my fragile mate.As the reality of what had just happened sunk in, Elodie's strength began to wane. Her legs buckled, and I swept her into my arms, cradling her like a child."Elodie, love, stay with me," I whispered, alarm coursing through my veins as her wolf grew weaker by the second.Her eyelids fluttered, her gaze unfocused. "Chase...""I'm here, baby," I replied, my voice shaking.Laila approached, her brows pinched together in concern, and her lips curled downward. "Chase, we need to—""Not now, Laila," I growled in a double voice, my wolf rising to protect our mate.Laila squinted her eyes at my tone, and I could almost hear the retort at the tip of her tongue, but she said instead, "Take care of her. We'll discuss the details later."I nodded, the pulse in my neck straining to burst, already striding out of the conference room.Elodie's head lol