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
As we walked hand in hand towards the building, I felt a sense of calmness wash over me. But that tranquility was short-lived, as we were met with a surprise visitor - Daniel.His disapproving gaze fell on our entwined hands, and I felt a jolt of anxiety. My eyes doubled in size, and I tried to yank ny hand away from Chase’s hold, but his grip on my hand only tightened, as if sensing my unease."Daniel," Chase said, his voice neutral.Daniel's eyes narrowed. "Chase, what's going on here?"Chase's expression remained calm. "Just taking Elodie for a walk, Daniel."At this point, my heart was slamming out of my chest, and I felt a bead of cold sweat rolling down my spine.Daniel's gaze lingered on our hands before shifting to my face. "Ellie, your mother is worried sick about you. You need to call her."I felt a surge of guilt since I had been avoiding her call all of last night and this morning, but Chase's presence kept me grounded. "I'll call her soon, Daniel."Daniel's expression tur
*Chase's POV*I stared at my phone, my mind racing with thoughts of Elodie and the conversation she'd just had with Daniel. I could sense the tension in her messages, the unease that seemed to permeate every word.I'd been about to head over to the house, to talk to her in person and figure out our next move. But her last message had stopped me in my tracks. "Please, don't. I have it under control." I wasn't sure if I believed her.I knew Daniel had seen us together, had sensed the connection between us. And I knew he wouldn't hesitate to use that against us. Though I wouldn’t care less about what he knew or did, I was more concerned about Elodie.I sighed, feeling a mix of frustration and concern. I didn't want to push her, didn't want to make her feel like I was suffocating her. But at the same time, I couldn't just sit back and do nothing.I decided to give her some space, to let her handle Daniel for now. But I couldn't shake the feeling that this was far from over. That Daniel's
_Chase's POV_I leaned against the couch, my eyes fixed on the woman sitting across from me. She was beautiful, with piercing green eyes and raven-black hair. But my mind wasn't on her. It was on Elodie.I hadn't seen or heard from her in two days, and I was starting to get anxious. Not because I cared, but because I needed to know she was safe.At least that was what I told myself.Natalie, the sister of that little prick who was always after Elodie, chatted on about her day, but I tuned her out. My thoughts were a jumble of emotions, none of which I could quite grasp.For the first time in my life, I was torn between my duty as alpha of my pack, and the spiraling emotions that came with Elodie, whom my wolf insisted was my mate.The point of Daniel’s birthday party was to get the person linked to him that was the key to opening the safe, and somehow, Alex’s search ended up with Natalie.But the longer she opened her mouth, the more I doubted that she had anything to do with it.Just
_Elodie's POV_I tried to shake off the hand gripping my elbow, but it only tightened its hold. I spun around, my heart racing, and saw one of the men from the black sedan looming over me.His face looked familiar and then it clicked. He was one of the men from the restaurant."Let me go!" I shouted, trying to pry his fingers off my arm.But he just sneered, his eyes glinting with malice. "You're coming with us, Elodie," he growled.I struggled and kicked, but he was too strong. He dragged me across the sidewalk, my feet scraping against the pavement. The city lights blurred together as I stumbled, my mind reeling with fear.Just as I thought all was lost, a loud crash echoed through the air. The man's grip on my arm faltered, and I stumbled backward, gasping for breath.I turned to see Chase, his eyes blazing with fury, charging towards the man who had been holding me. But it wasn't just Chase - he seemed...different. His movements were fluid, almost animalistic, and his eyes seemed
_Chase’s POV_Before I could grasp her words, she wrapped her hands around my neck and slammed her lips into mine, hot and demanding.I was frozen for a second before I pulled her away, but her eyes burned with passion.I stared at Elodie, my mind reeling with shock. What was she doing? One minute she was pushing me away, and the next, she was kissing me like she wanted to devour me whole.I tried to push her back, but my body betrayed me. My hands lingered on her shoulders, my fingers digging into her skin."Elodie, stop," I growled, trying to sound firm. But my voice was laced with desire.She didn't listen. She just kept kissing me, her lips soft and insistent. I felt my resolve crumbling, my body responding to her touch.I tried to reason with her, to explain the danger that we could be caught at anytime. But she didn't care. She just kept pushing, her body pressed against mine."Elodie, please," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "You don't understand. There are things...peopl
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