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
As we stood before my mother, the air was so thick with tension it could be sliced with a knife. Her icy gaze pierced mine, and I felt my heart shrink. My mother's gaze shifted to Chase, her expression twisting into a hateful glare. "And you," she spat, her voice venomous. "I never thought I'd see the day you'd darken my doorstep again."Her words were so harsh, I winced like she had hit me physically.Chase's expression remained neutral, but I sensed his anger simmering beneath the surface."Hello, Meredith," he said, his voice even.My mother's lips curled into a sneer. "Don't bother greeting me, Chase. Your presence is unwelcome. If it were left to me, you would be escorted out here by the cops."I was about to responded when Daniel appeared beside my mother, a forced smile on his ever handsome face. "Ah, Elodie, Chase, welcome. It's...good to see you."The air was filled with tension as we exchanged light greetings. Daniel's attempt to lighten the mood fell flat.My mother's voic
_Chase's POV_I watched Elodie follow her mother out of the dining room, my gut twisting with unease. Their argument had escalated and hit the roof with the speed of light, and even though they no longer looked like they were about to rip each others hair apart, I still worried about leaving her alone with Meredith.Not that her own mother would harm her, but I didn’t want to leave anything to chances.As they door closed behind them, my feet subconsciously moved towards that direction.Daniel's clearing of throat snapped me back to reality, and halted me in my tracks.“We should probably let them iron things out on their own,” he had said, but there was a wistful note to his voice which I chose to ignore.He was right, so I backtracked, but my eyes never left the door.Daniel sat across from me, his eyes fixed on me like I'd grown a second head. The silence between us was awkward, and I became oddly aware of the steady ticking of the clock that I wouldn’t have noticed on a normal day
I followed my mother into the room, the door closing behind us with a soft click, and I looked around the familiar space Daniel used as his study.We sat on the couch, facing each other, engaged in a silent staring competition. My mind raced, searching for the perfect words to articulate the jumbled thoughts swirling inside me.How do I ask my mother if she could explain what was happening to me? What secrets was she hiding?My mother's eyes were unreadable, her expression guarded, and no matter how hard I tried to look, I couldn’t tell what she was thinking.I took a deep breath and dove headfirst. We were already here, so I might as well just get it over with."Mother, what are you?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.Her confused stare was instantaneous. "What do you mean?"Okay, that probably didn’t come out right, so I rephrased."Never mind," I muttered, changing tack. "Do you believe in werewolves?"She looked at me like I was the eighth wonder of the world, then her lau
The door burst open, and Chase rushed in, his eyes scanning the room."Elodie!" he exclaimed, relief washing over his face as he spotted me.Daniel followed closely behind, concern etched on his features.Chase strode toward me, taking in the shattered glass, my mother's shaken state, and I looked down at my hand to see it had gone back to normal white flesh and nails."Elodie, are you okay?" he asked, enveloping me in a tight hug.I felt his heart racing, his worry evident."I got scared hearing that sound," he whispered, his breath warm against my ear.I wrapped my arms around him, reassuring. "I'm fine, Chase. We're fine."Daniel approached my mother, who looked like she'd been punched in the gut."Meredith, honey, are you alright?" he asked, gentle.My mother's eyes were vacant, her face pale.I intervened, trying to calm the situation."Everything's okay, guys. We just need a few moments together."Daniel's expression remained skeptical, his eyes darting to my mother."Are you su
As we drove back to the hotel, I couldn't wipe the smile off my face. Chase's free hand was intertwined with mine, his fingers tracing gentle patterns on my skin. From my peripheral vision, I saw him stealing glances at me, his own lips curled into a warm smile."Everything went well, didn't it?" Chase asked, his voice low and soothing, his eyes locked onto mine."It went well," I replied, my smile growing wider. "Could have gone better, but I won't complain." "What happened?" he pressed, his grip on my hand tightening."I'll tell you later," I said, leaning my head against the headrest.Chase raised an eyebrow. "Later?" he repeated.I nodded. "When we're alone," I whispered.Chase’s deep chuckle filled the tiny space of his car. “And we aren’t alone now?” He raised an amused brow.I shook my head, biting my lips to hide my smile."I'll hold you to that," he said, and shook his head, laughing to himself.We drove in silence for a moment, the only sound the hum of the engine."You kn
_Chase’s POV_I woke up before dawn, Elodie's gentle breathing a soothing melody beside me. The luxury hotel's penthouse suite had become our sanctuary, a haven where we could escape the world. We'd extended our stay for three more days, and I was grateful for the time off work to adore my wife and mate.My gaze drifted to Elodie's peaceful face, her features relaxed in sleep. Her beauty still took my breath away. Soft, golden light from the curtains danced across her skin, illuminating her porcelain complexion.I reached out, tracing the contours of her face with my fingertips. She stirred, her eyes fluttering open."Morning," she whispered.I smiled. "Morning, my love."I could wake up to this every day for the rest of my life, and that would a be fulfilled life.Elodie's eyes sparkled, her voice still groggy with sleep. "What time is it?""Early," I replied.She snuggled deeper into the blankets. "Go back to sleep," she whispered.But I couldn't sleep. I was too consumed by the joy
The week went by rocket fast. Between settling back into a routine in the pack, and spending most of my time in the library, reading books that explained my role of Luna of the pack, the space of time between day and night was a mere blink of an eye.A week had passed since we returned to the pack. Chase had been busy with work, but I knew better than to think everything was normal. He would come back late from work, tired and drained, shoulders slumped, and would just want to lay on my stomach till the following morning where he repeated the circle.The maids were quieter than usual, their brows furrowed with worry, their hands working mechanically. The scent of death lingered, and the sound of wolves going feral echoed through the night. I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off.Chase had left early for work as usual, leaving me to my own devices. I’d spent enough of my time cooped up in the library that at this point, I probably knew the names of all my predecessor
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