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
The day passed in a blur as I breezed through my routine, my mind preoccupied with Chase's inconsistent behavior. One moment, he was distant and cold; the next, his eyes burned with intensity, leaving me breathless.And this morning….. My hand went up to my forehead where he had planted a kiss. Though hours had passed, I could still feel his wet lips there. What the hell was that for?He was so confusing and the urge to pull my hair off my head enveloped me.Last night he was wounded to the point of death, and this morning, this?I flopped back on the bed with a groan.I wished Hailey was here right now. She always had an answer, a solution, or a much-needed dose of reality. But I hadn't called her since arriving at Chase's pack, and guilt began to gnaw at me.Feeling like a terrible friend, I picked up my phone and dialed Hailey's number.It rang.And rang.Till it stopped.I dialed her number again, and it started ringing, my heat thumping with each ring, my anxiety growing with ea
I woke up to an empty bed, my heart racing as fear gripped me. Had it all been a lie? Had Chase reverted to his distant self? I scrambled to sit up, my eyes scanning the room for any sign of him.Panic set in, my mind replaying the events of the previous day. Had I misinterpreted his words, his actions? Was I foolish to trust him again?My chest constricted, and breathing became a difficult task as tears began to blur my vision.Just as I was about to give in to despair, I heard a faint clattering from downstairs. My ears perked up, and I threw off the covers, rushing to investigate.As I descended the stairs, the aroma of sizzling bacon and freshly brewed coffee enveloped me, calming my nerves. I turned the corner into the kitchen, and my eyes landed on Chase.His bare back was to me, muscles rippling as he expertly flipped pancakes on the stove. My fear dissipated, replaced by a warm flutter in my chest.I took a moment to appreciate the perfection of his physique, my gaze tracing t
_Chase’s POV_I gazed at Elodie's peaceful face, her chest rising and falling with each gentle breath. My fingers paused on the keyboard, my work forgotten.My eyes roamed over her features, drinking in the serenity that radiated from her. Her lashes, dark and luscious, framed her closed eyes. Her lips, soft and inviting, curved into a subtle smile.As I watched her, my heart swelled with emotion. This woman had changed me. She'd awakened a part of me I never knew existed.I remembered the man I used to be – arrogant, selfish, and controlling. But Elodie had shattered those walls, revealing a depth of feeling I never thought possible.I thought of the pain I'd caused her, the doubt I'd sown. Regret twisted in my chest, but it was tempered by the knowledge that I'd grown.I'd learned to prioritize her needs, to put her first. To love selflessly.Needing to be close to her, I pushed my chair back and stood up, reaching the couch in three long strides.She had been looking at me with “fu
I woke up in Chase's arms, just like I’d done every day in the past four days, feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. His chest rose and fell with each gentle breath, his heart beating steadily beneath my ear.I smiled in content. There was really nothing better than this. Just me and Chase in our own little world."Good morning," he whispered, his voice husky."Morning," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.Chase's lips brushed against my hair, sending shivers down my spine."Today's ours," he said, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "No pack business, no distractions. Just us."My heart skipped a beat.I was almost tempted to tell him that he had said the same thing yesterday and the day before that. We had spent so much time together, and I felt an intimacy, a deeper connection with him that wasn’t sexual, since he wouldn’t touch me till “he was sure I’d forgiven him”.But I had. Truly, I had, and it wasn’t because of the sex– well, it is– but I saw his effort, and I appreciate
_Chase’s POV_I woke up before Elodie, mesmerized by her peaceful slumber. Her gentle breathing, the soft rise and fall of her chest, captivated me.Her beauty shone brighter in the morning light. I grinned, feeling grateful. "Elodie," I whispered, tracing her jawline.Her eyes fluttered open, sparkling with warmth. "Morning," she replied, her voice groggy."Morning," I said, my lips brushing against hers.Elodie stretched, her naked body unfolding from the blankets.My heart skipped a beat. "Sleep well?" I asked, trying and failing to keep my eyes from straying below her chin."Best sleep ever," she smiled.I chuckled. "Thanks to me, I presume?"Elodie blushed. "Maybe."Fuck, she was so cute.She sat up, the blanket slipping over her waist. My gaze locked onto her bare chest.The marks I'd left yesterday gleamed in the morning light, all over her neck, chest and breasts.My fingers itched to touch them.To claim her again.Elodie's eyes met mine, realizing what I was staring at.She
After Chase left, the room felt eerily quiet, like a part of me had been ripped away. I wandered aimlessly, my thoughts consumed by him. His captivating smile, his infectious laughter, his piercing eyes – every detail about him lingered in my mind, taunting me.And last night…..God!Just the memory of it had me feeling moist and everything down south of me tightened.I drifted to the window, gazing out at the city below, searching for a distraction from the ache in my chest. The sun's warmth on my skin was a poor substitute for Chase's gentle touch."I miss you already," I whispered, feeling the weight of his absence.To shake off the loneliness, I picked up my book and settled into the plush couch. But the words blurred together, and my mind kept drifting back to Chase. Our conversations, our laughs, our stolen glances – every memory replayed like a cherished film.Time ticked by, and my stomach growled, reminding me I needed sustenance. I picked up the phone and dialed room service,
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