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
“Touch me!”At my words, Chase gripped my neck and trailed his hot fingers down. As Chase's fingers traced down my neck, a shiver ran down my spine. His touch ignited a fire within me, and I couldn't help but whimper in response till he pinched my nipples through the sheer fabric of my shirt.I cried and swallowed a moan as his thumb flicked my sensitive bud.“Open your eyes,” he whispered huskily into my ears, his breath dancing across my skin, and my eyes snapped open as goosebumps rose on my skin. “You’re so beautiful when you’re turned on,” he said, his eyes burning with intensity and his voice dripping with desire.He pinched my nipples again. The sensation was electrifying, and I felt myself melting into his touch. Chase's eyes gleamed with desire, and he yanked me closer.My breath came out in quick pants, and I felt myself drenched down to my panties, but Chase had other plans.His eyes twinkled with mischief, and he yanked my hair closer to him. The pain shot through my scal
“Fuck!” I muttered under my breath at the interruption, my body heaving like buckets of ice cold and scalding hot water had been emptied over my head.My heart threatened to burst out of my rib cage as I saw my mother approaching, but she was laughing at something Daniel said, so she wasn’t look our way.My eyes widened when I turned back to Chase, but faster than I could blink, he pulled up his pants right at the same time my mother turned to him.I cleared my throat, and pushed my disheveled hair behind my ears. I felt my mother’s eyes moving between Chase and I, but I categorically avoided her gaze, lest my eyes have away what I just did.“Meredith,” Chase was the one to break the awkward silence, and I didn’t need to look at him to know he had a smirk on his lips. “My brother seems to be doing a fine job taking care of you, isn’t he?” My mother’s soft laughter carried through the space, and she told Chase how right he was.From the tone of her voice, she neither saw nor suspected
Chase’s povShe was so fucking beautiful. And innocent.I couldn’t keep my eyes off her face with her long lashes hooding her eyes, and her rosy lips in a firm pout, and I felt an overwhelming urge to claim her.She was so sweet and intuitive, and I couldn’t wait to finally sink my cock deep into her.And maybe I would have done that if her mother hadn’t shown up a few hours ago.My teeth clenched as I glared at the heads of the giggling couple in front of me, wanting nothing more than to slam their heads together for rudely interrupting me.I simply held back because of the fear and respect Elodie had for her mother, or else, I would have been thrusting away into her without a care in the world as to who was watching.With her head resting on my shoulder, her breath softly fanned my neck, stirring up my cold heart, and making me feel things I wasn’t meant to feel for a human girl.I had been on this trip less because I wanted to find the key to the chest back home that was somehow li
My head was resting on a very hard surface, and my body seemed to be in motion as my eyes fluttered open.I struggled to bring my mind to focus, and it took a while for me to remember where I was.Only, when I opened my eyes, I wasn’t where I thought I was.Somehow, I had migrated from the fancy private jet to a luxurious car. My head had been resting on a chest.Chase’s chest.And sitting right opposite us were my mother and Daniel. Daniel with an amused look on his face, and my mother….well, she looked like she was about to have a stroke.Hold up.My head was resting on Chase’s chest, and my mother was there, sitting right in front of me.“Shit!”I jumped up from my spot like my ass was on fire, to the other end of the seat.What the fuck?!“What….where are we?” I asked awkwardly, trying not to let my panic show to the three pairs of eyes staring at me.“You fell asleep,” Daniel was the one that supplied the vague answer. His tone was causal, but his eyes sparkled with amusement.Th
“Ellie!” My mother’s voice broke off our mini staring contest, and I backed away.“Just stop. Please,” I whispered before walking into the house.Knowing him, he wouldn’t listen, but I hoped it counted for something. The weekend only got started, and I was already drained.As I stepped into the grand foyer, my mother's voice cut through the air, shattering the tense silence between Chase and me. "Ellie, darling!" She floated towards me, her eyes sparkling with a warmth that made my heart skip a beat. But I couldn't shake off the unease that had settled in the pit of my stomach since I woke up.“Look at this beauty,” my mother gushed as I walked through the large doors."Hey, Mom," I replied, forcing a smile onto my lips. My gaze drifted past her, taking in the opulent chandeliers, vibrant artwork, and polished dark wood floors that seemed to gleam in the soft light. For a moment, my anger and anxiety faded into the air as I took in the beauty in front of me.As I stepped inside, I w
As I followed my mother up the stairs, my mind reeled with the revelation. Jealousy? Towards Chase? It couldn't be, but the loud slamming of my heart, told me it just might be.I pushed the thought aside, focusing on the task at hand - getting through this weekend without losing my mind.“Mom, why did you have to invite them?” I asked with a tired sigh, my voice laced with frustration.“Because it would strengthen the partnership bond between Daniel and the Malcolms. Besides, you and Jaden seem distant,” she shrugged without looking back at me.I scowled. “For the thousandth time mom, I don’t feel anything for Jaden anymore….”“Why?” She cut me off, and turned to me with a piercing gaze. “You were both always together.”“Things change,” I said flatly, not wanting to go into any details.“Things like what? Feelings? Do you like someone else, Ellie?” She asked sternly, placing her hands on her hips.My heart stopped for a moment, but I quickly regained myself. “I’m not having this conv
As Chase's hand wrapped around mine, I felt a jolt of electricity run through my body as he pulled me closer to his chest. It was as if the entire world had come to a standstill, leaving only the two of us, suspended in time."Chase, I..." I started to say, but he cut me off with a gentle squeeze of my hand."Don't, Elodie. Just let me be here for you, okay?" His voice was low and soothing, and I felt my defenses crumbling beneath his gaze.I nodded, feeling a lump form in my throat. No one had ever looked at me the way Chase did, with such kindness and understanding.We sat there in silence for a moment, hands entwined, as the darkness outside seemed to press in around us. I felt like I was drowning in his eyes, and yet, I couldn't look away.Suddenly, I spoke up, my voice barely above a whisper. "Chase, can I ask you something?"He nodded, my heart racing with anticipation.I looked down at my intertwined fingers, trying to piece my thoughts together."Do you feel it too?" I asked,
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