_Chase’s POV_I stared at the phone, my heart racing with anticipation. It had been days since I last saw Elodie, days since I hurt her with my lies. I couldn't shake off the feeling of guilt, of regret. I had to make it right.Last night, I could hold myself back. It felt like my wolf was going to rip out of me and go in search of her.I had been miserable without her.After seeing her again, even just for a little while, after taking in her scent again, I knew I had to be with her no matter what.Then her parting words, those words struck a chord of realization inside of me that made me realize what I’d been feeling for her all these while.I loved Elodie.I took a deep breath and dialed her number, my fingers trembling with anxiety. The phone rang, and I closed my eyes, praying she would answer."Hello?" her voice was hesitant, unsure."Elodie," I whispered, my voice cracking with emotion.There was a pause, and for a moment, I thought she would hang up. But then she spoke, her voi
I stood frozen, my eyes fixed on the storm brewing before me. My mother's face was a twisted mask of anger, her eyes blazing with a fire that made my heart race. Daniel trailed behind her, his expression a mix of concern and confusion.As they approached, the air seemed to vibrate with tension. I felt Chase's presence behind me, his calm demeanor a stark contrast to the chaos unfolding before us."How dare you come near my daughter?" my mother spat, her voice venomous. She lunged at Chase, but I instinctively stepped between them, my hands raised in a futile attempt to placate her."Mum, stop!" I pleaded, my voice shaking. Her gaze snapped to mine, a whirlwind of emotions swirling in her eyes. For a moment, I saw a glimmer of the mother I once knew, but it was quickly extinguished by her anger."What are you doing here, Elodie?" she hissed, her words dripping with malice. Chase intervened before I could respond."Meredith, please calm down and listen—""I'm not talking to you, imposte
Three weeks had passed since that fateful night. Three weeks since Chase had pushed me away, his eyes cold and distant. Three weeks since my world had shattered into a million pieces.I stood in my bedroom, surrounded by half-packed suitcases and memories. My mother's voice echoed from downstairs, a constant reminder of my impending departure."Elodie, come down! We need to finalize the travel arrangements."I took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm brewing inside me. In 24 hours, I'd be on a plane to Tokyo, bound for my aunt's house. A "temporary" solution, my mother called it. A chance for me to "reflect" on my actions.But I knew the truth. I was being exiled.I made my way downstairs, my feet heavy with resignation. My mother stood by the kitchen counter, her eyes still flashing with anger. The same look that had been in her eyes since the night I came back to the house with my head bowed."Elodie, I've booked your flight for tomorrow morning. You'll be staying with Aunt Yumi
_Chase’s POV_I settled into my seat, the soft leather enveloping me as I gazed out the window. The cityscape below grew smaller, fading into the distance as the plane lifted off.My mind wasn't on the view, though. It was consumed by the news that had shattered my world.Alex was gone.My best friend, my brother, my beta, my partner in every sense of the word.The memory of his laughter, his smile, his unwavering loyalty – it all flooded my mind, threatening to drown me.I'd received the call that night, just as Elodie was standing before me, her eyes full of love and concern.I'd pushed her away, unable to process the emotions swirling inside me.Guilt, anger, grief – they'd all tangled together, forming a toxic knot in my chest.His death has knocked me off balance and threatened to tear down everything I ever thought I knew. I hadn’t grieved as hard as I’d done in the past three weeks, and each time it dawned on me that I wouldn’t hear his silly jokes anymore, my world was ripped
I slowly opened my eyes, grogginess clouding my mind. Where was I? The last thing I remembered was walking into the airplane bathroom, and then....Chase.His eyes had been blazing with an out-worldly color, his face twisted in a snarl. He had these inhuman claws had been wrapped around that man’s throat.I sat up, my head spinning. I wasn't on the plane anymore. I was in a luxurious hotel room.Chase sat across from me, his eyes fixed intently on mine. My heart tugged painfully at how breathtaking he looked, reminding me of the void he had created in my heart after pulling it out of my chest and repeatedly stomping on it.He had dark circles around his eyes like he hadn’t slept for days, and his hair was disheveled like he had no care for it, and despite myself, despite the pain I felt, I wanted to wrap my arms around him."Elodie, what were you doing on my jet?" he asked, his voice low and guarded.I rubbed my temples, trying to piece together the events.My head spun. What were the
_Chase’s POV_I caught Elodie as she collapsed, her body limp in my arms. I held her close, feeling her erratic heartbeat against my chest. My own heart was racing, filled with worry and fear."Elodie," I whispered, my voice shaking. I scooped her up, cradling her in my arms, and strode back to the hotel room. The city lights blurred around me, a kaleidoscope of colors that seemed to mock my despair.As I laid her on the bed, I couldn't help but think about the look of horror in her eyes. "You're a monster," she'd said. The words cut deep, but I knew I deserved them. I'd kept my true nature hidden, afraid of losing her. Now, I'd lost her trust, maybe forever.I sat beside her, gently brushing her hair back. She was so fragile, so human. And I'd dragged her into my world, a world of darkness and danger. The weight of my responsibility crushed me.Elodie's face, pale and exhausted, haunted me. I'd seen the fear in her eyes, the revulsion. How could I expect her to understand? To accept
As I stared at Chase's hand, wrapped around mine, a flutter danced in my chest. His touch sent shivers down my spine, but not fear. Not this time. A spark of curiosity ignited within me, illuminating the dark corners of my mind where doubts and uncertainty lurked.But I pushed it all down.I looked up at Chase, and our eyes met in a silent understanding. The same piercing gaze that had captivated me from the start now held a deeper significance. I saw the same man I'd fallen for – the same strong jawline, the same chiseled features. But now, I knew his secret."I'm scared, Chase," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. The words trembled on my lips, vulnerable and exposed.Chase's grip tightened, his fingers intertwining with mine. "I know," he whispered back, his breath caressing my skin. "But I'll never hurt you." His promise was a lifeline, thrown into the turbulent sea of my emotions.I wanted to believe him. I wanted to trust him. To trust that the monster he'd revealed was
Chase's eyes widened, his face pale, as if I'd uttered a death sentence. "Elodie, no," he whispered, his voice laced with desperation. "You can't stay with me."I stood firm, my resolve strengthened by our shared moments. I knew what I wanted. I wanted him, and I couldn’t even imagine a life where he wasn’t there."Why not? Or don’t you want me?" I asked, my voice steady.“Fuck, no!” He refuted with wide eyes. Chase's hands grasped my shoulders, his touch burning with urgency, and his eyes softened. "You're human, Elodie. You're vulnerable. My world is full of dangers, and I won't risk losing you."His words painted a vivid picture of the perils that lurked in the shadows, but I refused to back down. "I've seen the dangers, Chase. I've faced them with you. And I'd rather die by your side than live without you."My heart pounded with each word, but I knew this was what I wanted as well as I knew my name.Chase's face contorted, his eyes pleading. "Don't say that. You don't understand—"
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