I rushed through the desolate streets, my heart heavy with worry. A deadly plague had struck my people, spreading rapidly and mercilessly. I had to reach the makeshift hospital before it was too late.My heart thumped wildly in my chest, and I felt a connection with these people whom I didn’t even know, deeper than anything I’d felt before.As I ran, the shadows seemed to twist and writhe around me, like living darkness. The air was thick with the stench of death and decay. My breath came in ragged gasps, my lungs burning from the effort.Goosebumps erupted on my skin, and the uncanny feeling of being watched, engulfed me.I hastened my steps through the gloomy road, hoping to get away from whatever was lurking in the shadows.Suddenly, a terrifying roar echoed through the streets, making my skin crawl. I glanced over my shoulder, but saw nothing. Yet, the sensation of being watched grew stronger. I picked up speed, my legs pumping furiously.The creature emerged from the darkness, i
Chase’s povI stood outside Elodie's room, my ear pressed against the door as her painful sobs tore through me. Without hesitation, I turned the handle and entered, my eyes adjusting to the dim light. Elodie writhed on her bed, her small frame trembling with fear, and doused in sweat. My gut twisted with a protective instinct I'd never felt before.She looked so small and scared, even till this moment that she was calm, and I felt something I never thought I could feel, much less for a girl more than fifteen years younger than me.The age gap between us was glaring, even as I held her small hand, but the strong urge to protect her from any and every harm filled me with burning rage.There were a lot of questions in my mind.In her sleep, she had been whispering words I could barely make out, but I heard her call her dad.She had never mentioned anything about her father –not like it was a surprise since I barely fucking knew her– but hearing her call out to him with so much pain in he
I woke up with a start, and squinted my eyes from the slow drumming in my head.I slept the most peaceful I had in a very long time, and a satisfied sigh escaped my lips.That was until I felt something hard around my torso, and as if all of my senses that had been asleep, had been activated at the same time, I felt soft breaths tickling the baby hairs at the back of my neck.I already knew who it was since his scent enveloped me like a shroud, but I was ready to yell and ask what he was doing there when the memories of last night came rushing in my mind.I twisted and turned, trying to get a view of his face, but his strong arm held me down, keeping me still.“Stop moving if you want to get out of this bed,” his deep and groggy morning voice made my insides twisted and I purred.The daring part of me wanted to see what he meant by his words, so I squirmed again, pushing myself further into him, and my brows shot up to my forehead when I felt his hard erection.“You really don’t liste
Chase waited a few minutes after my mother –because I begged him to– before he went out of my room.My heart raced a mile a minute as I walked towards the bathroom to take my bath, but I couldn’t help the smile on my face.As I stepped into the bathroom, the steamy mirror reflected my flushed face, a testament to the electrifying encounter with Chase. I couldn't help but grin, replaying the moment his lips claimed mine– and every part of my body.I’d woken up with my ass grinding his dick, but in my defense, I thought it was a sweet dream, until it wasn’t. And the way he had woken me up further…..I could really get used to that.I grinned, ignoring the alarm bells going off in my head.“What? It’s not like I’m falling in love with him or anything,” I rolled my eyes at my overly-conscious self.That morning, even though I’d have been toast if my door wasn’t locked, I had the most bubbly shower, and even a mini concert in my bathroom.The water cascaded down my skin, washing away my inh
I lazily ran my fingers through the rim of the cup, my mind very far from the cozy café where I was sitting in.I could hear Hailey’s voice at the back of my head, and even as I saw her lips move, her words simply drifted in and out of my consciousness, and I couldn’t make sense of it. The hiss of steam, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, and the gentle hum of conversation faded into the background as I relived memories of Chase.Hailey's fingers snapped in front of my face, shattering the reverie. "Ellie!" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with concern.I blinked rapidly, refocusing on my friend. "Yeah?" I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.Her shoulders slumped in defeat, her eyes a mixture of sadness and frustration. The same look she had been giving me all week.I broke eye contact, gazing out the window towardsthe kids around my age skating along the road.Why couldn’t my life be simpler and why did I have to be hung up on man way older and way out of my league?“You reall
I clenched my teeth tightly, my jaw aching with the force of my rage as I glared at him, and I balled my hands in fists so tight my nails dug painfully into my palm, but nothing could be compared to the burning rage I felt inside.His eyes, an unnerving shade of green, locked onto mine with an intensity that made my skin crawl. The air was heavy with the scent of his cologne, a constant reminder of the way he'd toyed with my emotions.Chase stood in the middle of my room, looking largely out of place in the lavender-themed space, his towering height and broad shoulders making him look like a predator in a dollhouse, and if it were any other time, I would have laughed.But not right now.Now wasn’t any other time.His eyes were fixed on me in a calculating gaze, and I ignored the chills that ran down my spine as his overpowering scent wafted into my nostrils.“Leave my room,” I started, my voice as low and controlled as possible.“We have to talk….”“Fuck we have to talk,” I snarled, m
Chase’s povI had royally fucked up, and even as she yelled maniacally at me, I couldn’t help the bulge in my pants.“You’ve made it clear what I am to you,” her voice held so many emotions that pulled at my heartstrings.I was stone-hearted. Nobody’s words ever penetrated me, but hearing her small voice break, I felt the overwhelming urge to punch myself in the face.A surge of power I didn’t know she had trapped inside that small body of hers, went through her, and she broke free from my hold, and shoved me. Hard.My eyes widened, caught off guard, but I was more caught off guard that I was caught off guard.“Get out. Get out of my room, out of my life. I’m done!” She yelled, and her eyes burned with fury and unshed tears.I could have pressed, even have her pinned down till she heard what I had to say, but I didn’t want to upset her further.A muscle in my jaw ticked at her resistance to me, but there was nothing I could do. I turned around in my heels and walked out of the room, b
The weekend came by really quickly, and despite my intitial resistance, the thought of soaking up under the warmth of the sun sounded really appealing as the days went by.And not because I’d asked my mother and she told me Chase wouldn’t be coming because he had work to do.I had been avoiding him all week, even when he tried to spike up conversation with me, and I’d be damned if I stayed back in the house and give us an opportunity to be all alone.I was doing what was best for my mental health and emotions, and that was staying away from Chase.Though I had been avoiding him as much as I could, my heart wasn’t doing much avoiding, because it still flipped each time I saw him.“Darn you, stupid heart,” I muttered to myself as I shoved the last piece of bikini into my bag, and got ready to go.I grabbed my suitcase, and after giving my outfit a once over in front of the mirror, I turned and walked out of the house and to the waiting car.As I stepped out of the house, my mother's che
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