I stood frozen at the window, my heart still racing from the sight of the glowing eyes. I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being watched, that something was lurking just out of sight.And then, I heard the soft creak of my door opening. I spun around, my heart leaping into my throat."Chase?" I whispered, my voice barely audible.He stood in the doorway, his eyes fixed on me with a mixture of concern and longing."Elodie, I couldn't sleep," he said, his voice low and husky. "I had to see you."I felt a flutter in my chest, despite myself. I didn't want to feel this way, not after everything that had happened.“Are you okay?” He asked, looking past my shoulders, his brows knitting with concern.It must have been weird to see me standing by my window by well past midnight, but what was worse was probably my pale face.“Elodie….” He started, taking a step closer to me when my silence stretched out for too long.“I thought I….never mind,” I stopped myself, squaring my shoulders.Ther
Chase's pov I walked out of Elodie's room, feeling like I'd just been punched in the gut. I couldn't believe I'd let things go this far. I'd pushed her away again, lied to her again. And for what? To protect her from myself?I couldn't shake the feeling that I was losing her, that I was driving her away with my secrets and my lies. But what choice did I have? I couldn't tell her the truth, not yet. Maybe not ever.“Chase?” A voice from behind had me snapping my head back. Daniel.He looked between me and Elodie's room where I just walked out from, and a crease formed on his brows.Fuck.“What are you doing here?” I asked him.His cautious eyes turned to me. “I was thirsty,” he said, an edge in his voice. “Were…..were you coming from Ellie's room?”“No, I….I was just coming from downstairs,” I said firmly.His eyes flickered to the door again, and I wasn't entirely sure he believed me, but he didn't say anything further.As I walked back to my room, I couldn't help but think about th
I stood in front of my closet, staring blankly at the rows of clothes. Hailey, my best friend, sat on my bed, watching me with a concerned expression. My mind was a jumble of thoughts, with each breath I took calling out one name."Ellie, come on," she said, tossing a dress at me. "Put this on. We need to get ready for the party."I rolled my eyes but caught the dress, the silky fabric slipping through my fingers. “We still have five hours.”Hailey sighed, her eyes flashing with exasperation. “That's no time, besides, I need your help for my makeup.”I nodded, forcing a smile. “Okay, fine.”It had been a week since I'd last spoken to– and seen– Chase, and I was still trying to process everything. The lies, the secrets, the hurt. I thought I'd seen a glimmer of hope when he kissed me, but it was just another ploy to get me to forgive him.The fact that he hadn't put in any effort to contact me, and he had purposely stayed away from the house was enough evidence that I might have been t
Chase's pov I stood at the edge of the party, my eyes scanning the room for Elodie. The thumping music and laughter filled the air, but my focus was solely on her. She looked stunning in her red dress, her hair styled in loose waves, and her makeup subtle yet elegant.“What's up, man?” I heard Alex's voice behind me, and his hand on my shoulder brought me back to reality.I let out a long sigh and s painfully tore my eyes away from Elodie's tempting figure.“Y'all still haven't made up, I see,” he asked, but his lips were curled up in a smirk.“Alex,” I let out a warning grunt.He threw his head back and laughed. He actually laughed, and I balled my hands in fists to stop myself from slamming it into his face.“What the fuck is so funny?” I growled.“I'm sorry I….I just never thought I'd see the day you'd be so beaten by a woman,” he said in between laughter.“Buzz off,” I looked away.“She looks alone too. I should probably go talk to her…..”“Don't you dare,” I said under my breath
I stood at the bar, my eyes fixed on the drink in front of me. I couldn't believe I had let Jaden get to me like that. He had really caught me off guard, and my mind was still reeling with the thought.As I lifted my gaze, I saw Chase walking towards the exit, his arm around a woman's waist. My heart sank, and I felt a pang of jealousy. Who was she?I watched as they walked out of the party together, feeling a sense of betrayal wash over me. I thought we had a connection, Chase and I. I thought we had something real.But I guess I was wrong.He just jumped on the next available person at the first sight of trouble.I felt a lump form in my throat as I turned back to my drink. I couldn't believe I had let myself fall for him despite how hard I tried not to."Ellie, are you okay?" My mother sauntered over to me, a flute of champagne in her hand.I nodded, trying to brush off the pain. "Yeah, I'm fine."But I wasn't fine. I was hurt, and I was angry. I was angry at Chase for moving on so
I nodded, and Chase smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners, relief flooding through him. He took my hand, and we walked away from the coffee shop, into the night.As we strolled, the tension between us was palpable. We didn't need to say a word; our bodies spoke for us. We were drawn to each other like magnets, unable to resist the pull.We walked for blocks, hand in hand, until we reached Chase's car. He opened the door for me, and I slid in, feeling a sense of excitement and trepidation.As Chase got in and started the engine, I couldn't help but wonder. But I pushed the thoughts aside and focused on the moment.We drove through the city, the lights blurring together as we sped by. Chase's hand found mine, and he squeezed it gently, his thumb drawing slow circles on my palm."I'm glad we're doing this," he said, his voice low and husky."Me too," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.We drove for what felt like hours, the silence between us comfortable. Finally, we arrived
I woke up to the warm sunlight peeking through the windows.I opened my eyes, and was met with a somewhat familiar ceiling. My brain was a bit hazy, but the fog soon cleared up, and my heart slammed in my chest.The last time I was here…..I snapped my head to the side of the bed, and my heartbeat instantly slowed down at the sight of the man sleeping peacefully next to me with his hand around my torso.He didn't leave.He was still here.I smiled softly and snuggled deeper into his side, and his hand instinctively tightened around me.He looked so beautiful while his slept with more worry creases or frown marring his forehead.His chest rose and fell with each gentle breath, and his hair was mussed from sleep. I could never pull that off. I didn't need to look to know there was a whole party going on in my hair.I smiled though, feeling a sense of contentment wash over me. Last night had been incredible, and I couldn't believe how much I had missed him.I gently brushed a strand of h
My heart skipped a beat as I gazed into Chase's eyes, the truth finally sinking in. I was falling for him, hard. The realization both thrilled and terrified me. How could I have let this happen? He's my step-uncle, for crying out loud!And he wanted to be a better person for me!Chase's expression softened, and he reached out to brush a strand of hair behind my ear. "Hey, don't worry about it, okay? I'm here for you, and I care about you deeply."I nodded, trying to process my emotions. I felt like I was drowning in a sea of confusion.Chase took my hand, his touch sending shivers down my spine. "Let's put this aside for now and enjoy the day, okay?"I nodded, and he led me out of the house, into the warm sunlight. We walked hand in hand, the tension between us palpable.It felt weird walking through the peaceful morning with him without the fear of being caught my my mom or anyone that knew us, and I wished the day would last a little longer.As we strolled through the park, Chase po
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