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,
Chase’s povI watched that bitch insult her, and like the asshole I was, I stayed back in silence.I saw her eyes move towards me, silently pleading with me not to let her go, but I didn’t. Not because I couldn’t, but because I didn’t want to complicate things further.They were already complicated as hell, and I barely even understood my own self.My wolf and I were at odds. We disagreed all the time now because he wanted something more with Elodie. Heck, he wanted to mark her.But I couldn’t let that happen.That would be too selfish of me.I couldn’t pull her out of her quiet life to a life she knew nothing about. So I watched her leave.I sighed and ran my fingers through my hair, heated pizza forgotten, and that was when I realized I was being watched like a hawk by this bitch.She watched me with an intensity that made my skin crawl, and sauntered over, her hips swaying in an exaggerated motion.I scowled, and tried to walk away from her, but she stood in front of me, blocking
Chase’s pov“Where is it? Where the fuck is it?!” I growled as I searched the room calmly when all I wanted to do was tear everything my fingers touched apart.My insides were burning with rage and fury. I was angry at being unable to find the godamn key even though I’d been in the human world for three months. I was angry at whoever was the mastermind of the happenings in my world. I was angry at my wolf for pacing incessantly in my mind. I was angry at Elodie for stirring those feelings inside of me, and most especially, I was angry at myself for feeling the way I felt about her.“Fuck!” I growled when I came up empty in the bathroom cabinets in Daniel’s room.There was no key anywhere. I’d searched everywhere. All the rooms in his house, his cars, his office, and even this freaking beach house.There was no key!I had to go back home. Laila must have been playing a trick on me.I stormed back into my room, slamming the door behind me. I couldn't shake off the feeling of emptiness t
“Ellie!” I rolled my eyes when I heard his voice calling out to me.I quickened my pace, and wrapped my arms around my body to shield myself from the biting cold.“Ellie, wait!” Jaden’s voice cut through the chill. “What are you doing out here? It’s so cold,” he said, running to catch my pace.I rolled my eyes again, not breaking my stride.“Leave me alone, Jaden,” I said in a bored tone, my breath forming a white cloud in front of me.“Wait,” he called, and held my elbow.“What?!” I snapped, my anger simmering just below the surface.He was taken aback by my outburst, and his eyes narrowed in slits as he stared at me.“Have….have you been crying?” He asked, his head tilted to the side.“None of your business,” I growled, my eyes flashing with warning.Jaden’s face fell, but he didn’t back off. “You have been crying. What’s wrong with you?” He pressed, his voice growing softer.My defense rose and I lashed out. “Because seeing you makes me want to gouge my eyes out with a fork, and my
The rest of the weekend passed in a blur, and I breezed through activities. Not really. I had been cooped up in my room most of the time, because that seemed to be the only way to ward Jaden off.The kiss I’d initiated had sent a very wrong message, and I paid the price, so staying locked in my room was the best way to avoid him.It wasn’t even a vacation anymore because at that point I might as well have been in some rat hole, because it didn’t make any difference.Growing up, I’d always wished to go on vacations, and Hawaii was at the top of that bucket list, but after my father’s death, the money he left for us was used to survive. Me on food, and my mother on crack.And now, I’d been giving an opportunity to live my dream, and I let it slip through my fingers, and no matter how much I tried to convince myself I was staying locked in in my room to avoid Jaden, I knew the real reason.Chase.I had thought having him on this trip would be a disaster, but his absence was more of a di
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