_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 lay there, my body still reeling from the intensity of our encounter. Chase's body was still wrapped around mine, his chest heaving with exertion.I couldn't believe what had just happened. I'd never felt so alive, so consumed by desire. Chase's touch had set me on fire, and I'd never been able to extinguish the flames.As I looked into his eyes, I saw something there that gave me pause. Something that made me wonder if I'd made a mistake.But I couldn't think about that now. All I could think about was the way he'd made me feel. The way he'd touched me, kissed me, possessed me.I felt a shiver run down my spine as I remembered the way he'd taken control, the way he'd demanded my submission. It was exhilarating, terrifying, and utterly addictive.I knew I should be scared. I knew I should be worried about the consequences of our actions. But all I could think about was the way he'd made me feel.We still had a lot of things to talk about. A lot of issues to iron out, but at that mom
I walked into the living room, expecting to see Daniel and my mother engrossed in their usual morning routine. But instead, I was met with a scene that made my heart skip a beat.Daniel was standing by the window, his face pale and shocked. My mother was sitting on the couch, her eyes wide with a mix of fear and confusion. And standing in the doorway, looking like a shadow from the past, was a man I had never seen before.But Daniel's reaction told me something was off. He looked like he had seen a ghost."Chase?" Daniel whispered, his voice trembling with shock.The man, Chase, took a step forward, his eyes scanning the room as if taking in every detail. "Daniel," he said, his voice low and rough from disuse.I felt like I was in a dream, unable to process what was happening. Who was this man? And why was Daniel reacting like this?My mother was the first to speak up, her voice shaking with anger. "Who are you?" she demanded, pointing at Chase. "And what's going on here?"The man’s e
As Daniel pushed open the door, we all expected to see Chase, the impostor, sitting on the bed or standing by the window. But what we saw left us all stunned.The room was empty.Completely and utterly empty.My mother's eyes scanned the room, her brow furrowed in confusion. "Where is he?" she whispered.Daniel took a step forward, his eyes scanning the space as if expecting Chase to materialize out of thin air. "I don't understand," he muttered. "He was just here."I felt a wave of panic wash over me. Where had Chase gone? Had he escaped? And why?The real Chase, who had been standing behind us, stepped forward, his eyes scanning the room. "This is impossible," he muttered. "He can't just vanish into thin air."Their words went over my head as my mind reeled with the fact that he was right here one second, and wasn’t here the next. He hadn’t left the house. His window was closed, and even if –hypothetically– he had jumped out the window, he would have sustained serious injuries becau
_Chase’s POV_I paced the tiny, dimly lit room of Laila’s cottage, my chest heaving with each ragged breath. I balled my hands in fists yo keep from slamming it into her all or furniture. The air was thick with tension, and I could feel my anger simmering just below the surface.I was fuming. I was livid."Why didn't you think this through?" I demanded, my voice low and menacing. It was a question I'd asked multiple times already, but Laila's nonchalant response only fueled my frustration."I got the facts right... mostly," she said, her tone light, almost flippant. I laughed, a humorless sound that sent a shiver down my spine."Do you have any idea what you've done?" I bellowed, my eyes bulging with rage. Laila's expression remained serene, but a hint of amusement danced in her eyes."Oh, please. I got you out of there just in time. You would've been toast," she said, her voice as calm as a summer breeze.I took a step closer, my heart pounding in my chest. "And whose fault would tha
Chase's POVI stood outside Natalie's apartment building, my eyes scanning the area for any signs of trouble. I had been watching her for days, studying her routine, and I knew she was alone tonight. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what was to come.I entered the building, my movements swift and silent. I reached Natalie's apartment door and knocked, my heart pounding in my chest.The door opened, and Natalie stood before me, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Chase!" she exclaimed, her voice husky with emotion. I smiled, trying to appear nonchalant. "Hey, Natalie. Can I come in?"Natalie stepped aside, her eyes never leaving mine. "Of course," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.From her reaction, I could tell she hadn’t heard anything suspicious, and more than it made me relieved, it made me wonder. I entered the apartment, my eyes scanning the room for any signs of danger. But it was just Natalie."Natalie, I need to talk to you about something," I said, my vo
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