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,
_Chase’s POV_I stood frozen, my eyes locked on the burning room, my heart shattering into a million pieces as the reality of the situation sunk in. I heard voices and hurried steps around me, but they all sounded like they were coming from underwater. Or was I the one sinking?Elodie, my love, my everything, was trapped inside, and every passing second felt like an eternity. A primal scream built in my chest, threatening to tear me apart, as desperation clawed at my soul.Something snapped inside me, and I sprang up, my legs propelling me towards the hotel’s entrance.Someone grabbed my arms, holding me back. "Alpha, no!" they yelled, but I spun around, my eyes blazing with fury, my vision tunneling to a singular focus: saving Elodie."Let me go!" I growled, trying to shake off the restraint, my wolf straining to break free. But they held firm, their grip unyielding."Alpha, you can't go in there!" another voice pleaded, laced with concern, but I couldn't be swayed. My Elodie was in
_Chase’s POV_I slowly opened my eyes, grogginess clouding my mind like a thick fog. The fluorescent lights above blinded me, forcing me to squint against their harsh glare. Where was I? The antiseptic scent and steady beep of machines told me I was in a hospital, a place where the vulnerable came to heal. But I wasn't vulnerable. I was an Alpha.My gaze drifted down to my arm, IV tubes snaking into my vein like slender snakes. A dull ache throbbed through my body, a reminder of the trauma I'd endured. But I ignored it, my mind consumed by a singular thought:Elodie."Alpha, please calm down," a gentle voice whispered beside me, laced with a hint of fear.I turned to face the nurse, my eyes scanning the room frantically. The hospital staff exchanged nervous glances, their faces pale. "Where's Elodie?" I demanded, my voice hoarse from lack of use.The nurse's expression softened, but her eyes darted to the door, seeking escape."Alpha, you need to rest. You suffered a second-degree bu
I floated in a sea of darkness, my mind foggy and disoriented. The beeping of machines and the antiseptic scent of the hospital gradually penetrated my consciousness.My mind felt like I was floating, and I tried to bring my senses to focus.As I struggled to open my eyes, a gentle touch caressed my hand. "Elodie, can you hear me?"Chase's voice, laced with desperation and hope, cut through the haze.I forced my eyelids open, blinking against the bright light. Chase's face came into focus, his eyes red-rimmed and haunted.But it wasn't just his eyes that caught my attention. Stubble covered his jawline, and his hair was mussed, as if he'd been running his hands through it for days.I had never seen him look so out of it. He looked like the whole world had tilted and fallen on him."Chase, you look like a lumberjack," I croaked, my voice barely above a whisper.A mix of relief and amusement washed over his face. "Hey, beautiful," he said, his voice cracking.Tears pricked at the corner
Morning light streamed through the hospital window, casting a warm, golden glow over the room. The soft rays danced across Chase's face, illuminating the sharp planes of his features, and highlighting the depth of his exhaustion, and my heart tugged painfully.As I stirred, my body aching from the lingering effects of the smoke inhalation, Chase's gaze snapped to mine, his eyes locking onto mine with an unyielding focus."Morning," he whispered, his voice husky, laced with emotion.I smiled, feeling a flutter in my chest as his gaze roamed over my face, drinking in every detail."You slept well?" he asked, his brow furrowed, concern etched on his face.I nodded, my voice barely above a whisper. "Thanks to you."Chase's expression softened, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he reached out to gently brush a strand of hair behind my ear. His touch sent shivers down my spine."Breakfast is here," he announced, his voice low, soothing.A hospital tray materialized, bearing a steaming bo
_Chase’s POV_I dropped to one knee, my heart racing like a runaway train. My wolf paced restlessly, sensing my tension. Elodie's eyes widened, her face pale. I swallowed hard, my dry mouth threatening to betray me."Elodie, how about you make me the happiest man ever?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. "Marry me. Be my wife, my mate, and my Luna."My wolf whined, anxious, as if sensing my fear of rejection. Elodie's gaze locked onto mine, her eyes searching. I felt like I was drowning in their depths."Chase, I...I don't know," she stammered, her voice barely audible.My heart sank, but I pushed on."I know it's sudden, but I've never felt this way about anyone. You're my everything, Elodie. My wolf agrees." I took a deep breath. "We want to spend the rest of our lives with you."Elodie's eyes narrowed, her brow furrowed."But, Chase, you're a werewolf. And I'm human. How would this work?"I nodded, anticipating her concerns."I’ll have to mark you. That’s how we consummate o
I woke up to the warmth of Chase's arms wrapped around me, our limbs intertwined, his gentle breathing a soothing melody. Our night together still lingered in my mind, a haze of passion and love.It has been nothing but bliss since I came back from the hospital nearly a week ago, and each day, I was more convinced that I wanted to do life with Chase.As I stirred, Chase's eyes fluttered open, his gaze locking onto mine. "Good morning, my love," he whispered, his voice husky."Good morning," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.Chase's lips brushed against mine, sending shivers down my spine.He pulled me closer to him, pressing his erection into my stomach, making me giggle and feel hot at the same time.He couldn’t get enough of me and I wasn’t any better.“I can smell your arousal,” he said in a deep voice.My reply was a shudder that ran through my spine.Faster than I could blink, Chase threw the covers off me, revealing my naked body.“Fuck, baby,” he groaned as his eyes f
As I turned away from the mirror, the memory of those fleeting amber eyes lingered, leaving an indelible mark on my mind. Laila's gentle voice echoed from the doorway, a soft reminder that the moment I had been anticipating all week had arrived."Elodie, it's time."I took a deep, steadying breath, smoothing the delicate folds of my silk gown. The fabric shimmered in the soft light, accentuating the curves of my body like a masterpiece crafted by the gods.Laila approached, her eyes shining with admiration. "You're breathtaking, darling. Little wonder how you got the Alpha wrapped around your fingers."I smiled, feeling a surge of confidence wash over me.She offered her arm, and I took it, letting her escort me out of the sanctuary of my room and into the grandeur of the mansion.As we descended the staircase, the opulent chandelier above cast a kaleidoscope of colors, bathing us in a warm, golden glow. The soft rustle of my gown and clicking of my heels echoed through the hallway, a
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