I heard it again, the unmistakable sound of a twig snapping in the air.We weren’t alone.I looked towards the other men, and they all looked back at me, their ears perked up.“Did you hear that?” Gideon asked quietly.I placed my finger on my lips to quieten him, then I pointed a finger towards the building ahead, motioning to four men to follow Gideon.They all nodded their understanding, and started walking ahead.Gideon paused, placing a firm hand on my shoulder. "Be careful, Alpha."I felt my throat tighten with emotions, but I pushed it all down.This was our last hope and it had to work.I gestured to one of my guards, Lucas. "Come with me."We moved stealthily, our senses on high alert. The darkness seemed to swallow us whole, but I pushed forward, lettting my ears pick any other sound.As we walked, the sound of rustling leaves and snapping twigs grew louder. I froze, my head cocked, looking through the dense forest with my heightened Alpha vision.Lucas whispered, "What is i
_Chase’s POV_I stood frozen, my mind reeling in shock, as the majestic white wolf hovered above me. Its silver eyes, piercing and ethereal, locked onto mine, and I felt my very soul tremble. The air was thick with an otherworldly energy, making it hard to breathe. My brain struggled to process the impossible transformation I'd just witnessed. Elodie, my mate, my love, had turned into a wolf – not just any wolf, but a majestic creature that defied explanation.The men around me were equally stunned, their faces pale and awestruck. Gideon's eyes were wide as saucers, his mouth agape, while Lucas looked like he'd seen a ghost. Their stunned silence a confirmation they I wasn’t seeing things.With a deep breath, I took a bold step forward, my wolf growling, wanting to be close to this white wolf.“Mate! Mate! Mate!” My wolf chanted in my head, the very same words I’d heard the first time I saw her.I pushed every question out of my mind, and stretched out my open palm, and instinctively
I was running, my feet pounding against the damp earth, the darkness closing in around me like a suffocating shroud. The forest was alive, the trees twisting and writhing like living serpents, their branches reaching out to snag at my clothes and scrap my skin. Every step felt heavy, as if I was wading through quicksand.Behind me, the creature loomed, its presence a cold, dark shadow that seemed to grow larger with every passing moment. Its eyes glowed like embers, casting an eerie light on the trees. I could feel its hot breath on my neck, making my skin crawl.I pumped my legs faster, adrenaline coursing through my veins as raw fear seeped through me like ice. I’d been in this dream long enough for it to be normal, but it never was. The fear was crippling each time.My heart was racing, my lungs burning, but I couldn't stop. I had to keep running. The creature's roar echoed through the forest, shaking it to its foundations, a sound that made my blood run cold. It was gaining on me
A growl escaped his lips, and with a flick of his hand, he tore my nightwear in shards, the sound filling the air as my boobs bounced.Heat immediately flared out of me in waves, and he took a deep breath, his eyes darkening till it was almost black.“Elodie, you can stop me now. I won’t go easy on you,” he warned again, keeping his eyes on mine, his breath coming out in pants.In response, I squeezed his cock that looked painfully hard through his shorts.That was all the response he needed before he pushed me to the bed, his body following with mine.He slammed his lips against him, kissing me tougher than he ever had till I tasted blood in my mouth.For some reason I couldn’t place, this primal, animalistic behavior, unleashed something inside of me, and I moaned like a loose woman.He didn’t hold back, kissing me with so much ferocity with most of his weight pressed against me, making me go wild with need while I struggled with his clothes till he was naked too.He tore his lips f
_Chase’s POV_As I held Elodie close, my guilt threatened to eat at me. She had said it was okay, enjoyed it even, but it didn’t pacify me. I had lost control, taking out my frustration on her. Her body was still trembling from the intensity of our passion.She even had a slight limp and winced each time she had to use the bathroom, and her ass cheeks were bright red from spanking her.For some reason, looking at it got me painfully hard."Elodie, I'm so sorry," I whispered, my lips brushing against her ear. "I was so rough on you and….”I trailed off and released a deep breath. “I shouldn't have—"Her fingers pressed against my lips, silencing me."It's okay, babe," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I wanted it. I needed it."I searched her eyes, seeking reassurance. She smiled, and I felt a fraction of my guilt dissipate.We lay there, reveling in the warmth of our naked bodies, the scent of sweat and sex hanging heavy in the air. I traced the contours of her face, my thu
I stood amidst the beautiful flowers, their sweet fragrance wafting up to greet me. My fingers grazed the delicate petals, feeling the gentle texture. But my mind was elsewhere, lost in a whirlwind of thoughts.Questions swirled in my mind, taunting me like whispers in the dark. What was wrong with me, really? What lay hidden in my past? Why did I keep hearing voices in my head? What happened with Hailey and why didn’t I remember anything after? What had happened to the stab wound because I could swear on my favorite jimmy choos that it had been there. The pain has been too real to be made up by my mind.How come there was nothing when I woke up? It allFelt surreal like I’d simply woken up from a bad dream, but I knew everything was real.Fear clenched my heart, refusing to let me breathe. I was terrified of the answers.Maybe if I pretended long enough that nothing was wrong, it would eventually be the case.But Chase wouldn't let me off easily. His piercing gaze saw right through m
I woke to the warmth of Chase's body beside me. His gentle breathing and soothing scent enveloped me, tempting me to snuggle deeper into him and get lost in his embrace. For a moment, I forgot my fears and let his presence comfort me.As I reached out to touch his chest, reality slapped me awake.I couldn't afford to get lost in his charm.Not now.Not when I wasn’t ready to hear the truth. I had to avoid him.“For how long will you continue to run?” The sensible part of me, asked, but I quickly shut her down.I wasn’t running. I was just avoiding.As stupid as that sounded, it made perfect sense to me.I carefully extracted myself from the bed, trying not to disturb Chase. My eyes adjusted to the morning light, and I tiptoed out of the room.I made my way through the corridors and towards the kitchen where a silent bustle wa coming from.As I entered, the maids curtsied, their faces a mix of surprise, respect and a hint of fear."Good morning, Luna Elodie," they chimed in unison.I s
As I zipped up my luggage, a mix of emotions swirled inside me - anxiety, determination, and a hint of satisfaction. That dreadful argument two days ago, was what led to my current situation. I had stomped my feet and argued even though I knew it was already a losing game.I was in no way enthusiastic about meeting my mother, but I had questions. Questions that only she had the answers of.I glanced around the room, ensuring I hadn't forgotten anything, my eyes lingering on the familiar surroundings. It was hard to believe I was leaving this sanctuary behind, even if it was temporary. I had gotten so used to the peace that came with living in this house that most times, I forgot there was a world outside.Sadness tugged at my heart, and that was when I sensed him - Chase's presence filled the space, his eyes on me, warming my skin. I turned, meeting his gaze, and my heart skipped a beat like it always did. He leaned against the doorframe, admiring me with a warm, gentle smile that ma
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