Alexis Days later, I drove to the airport to pick up Peter and his mom, Patricia, who had flown in from the island for the wedding. Excitement bubbled inside me as I scanned the arrivals area. My heart leaped when I spotted them rolling their suitcases, and their faces lit up as they saw me.“Peter! Patricia!” I called, waving like a maniac.Peter spotted me first and waved back. His mom quickly caught up. The moment they reached me, I threw my arms around them, pulling them into a tight hug.“Finally, I get to host you!” I exclaimed, bouncing on my feet.Patricia stepped back, her warm smile radiating motherly pride. “Look at you. You’re glowing!” she said, patting my cheek affectionately.I twirled playfully, soaking in the compliment. “I’ve missed you both so much! It’s been, what, five months?”“We’ve missed you too,” Peter said, glancing around. “Where’s my little champ?”“He’s home,” I said, smiling at the thought of Valen. “And he’s been waiting for you.”My attention shifted
Gianna My breath grew raspy, and I almost let out a primal scream as the vial shattered on the floor. Glass glinted on the stone path, and whispers rippled through the crowd. I wasn't terrified because the vial had broken. That was a costly mistake that had earned me whispers and eyes that screamed an irritating chorus. I caught the narrowed eyes of a few guests staring at me for my clumsiness. But that wasn't what made my pulse race. It was him.The stranger.I'd seen him moments before the vial slipped from my hands. His eyes locked with mine, and it caused me to feel so dizzy that I saw black spots. I felt a tether snapping into place deep inside my soul—another mating bond. Somebody muttered something snide in the background about this being a bad sign, and when I turned around, I saw it was Meredith, Alexis’s mother. I stole a glance at the stranger again. This could not be happening. I could not understand. I hadn't gotten rid of the shackles of my bond with Byron, so who the f
AlexisThe scent of jasmine and burning sage wafted through the cool evening air as the elders began to chant. Our wedding was extra special, as Alex was Alpha, which was symbolic and essential for the pack. I knelt beside him on the wedding floor as the priestess stood at the head, reciting ancient blessings in a language I barely understood. Around us, the elders murmured their prayers.My dad stood behind me. For a brief moment, I glanced at him. His eyes held pride, regret, and probably relief that his daughter had found happiness despite all the obstacles I had faced. But still, I wasn't letting him off the hook so quickly. He was a weak man through and through. He let his wife dictate for him just because they were fated mates. No matter how much Alex loved me, I knew he would never let me ruin our home. Alex was a strong man, and I was glad not to have a spineless partner as my husband.I stole a glance at Alex. The candlelight caught the angles of his jawline and the softness
Alexis Peter's gaze rested on Gianna's retreating figure, and it was amusing to see how he was looking at her like a little puppy. I caught the desire in his eyes, and even though it was borderline irritating that he was looking at someone else while he had a girlfriend, I couldn't blame him.Gianna was stunningly beautiful, with long legs and an effortless grace everyone could see. But there was no question that she was out of Peter's league. I couldn't completely fault Peter. Maybe it was a male thing to have an unrelenting pull toward unattainable women. But even so, it still didn't make it right.As I suspected, Peter coaxed Valen into wearing the shirt, and I sighed in relief. “Thank goodness,” I grumbled, tugging the fabric over Valen's arms and beginning to button it up.“Alexis, can I ask you something?” Peter said, sounding unsure. I looked up. “Sure, go ahead.”“Who’s the redhead that just left?” His voice sounded casual, as though he was trying to mask the tension. But I c
Gianna My body lay stiff and restless on the bed as I stared at the ceiling. I felt knots in my stomach. It was a tough task to sleep. The silence wrapped around me like a suffocating blanket. I turned onto my side, stomach, and back again. No matter what position I tried, sleep refused to come.My thoughts kept drifting to my mate. His image echoed in my mind like a whisper I couldn't silence. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw him—his gaze on me, his passion and desire, and how he looked at me as though I was the only person in the room. It made me feel things I didn’t want to feel, like an urgent longing I couldn’t suppress.I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, willing the weight in my chest to go away. This guy was a distraction, plain and simple. My human and wolf sides were at war. My human self wanted to avoid him at all costs. I hated the idea of falling into another bond and the vulnerability that came with it. I didn’t trust myself or him, and I certainly didn’t trust t
Gianna Amid the celebration, I went to see my mom in the hospital. I parked my car outside the psychiatric hospital, clutching the paper bag filled with fruits and snacks I had picked up from the supermarket earlier. My heart was lighter than usual after the doctor's text, who had said my mom had been responding well to a new medication. And even though I was hesitant to get my hopes up, I felt relief.I made my way down the hallway to the semi-private ward where my mom had been moved. The space was quieter than the general ward, with only four patients in the room, including my mom. When I stepped inside, she was lying on the bed, fast asleep. Her chest rose and fell steadily, and her face looked free of the usual tension that pulled at her features. I was happy and placed the bag on the small side table. I was glad to see her at peace.My gaze shifted to one of the other patients, clutching a doll tightly to her chest. She was a middle-aged woman with hollow eyes filled with pain a
Alexis Steam rose from the shower, and my hair cascaded down my back in damp waves. Alex stood naked behind me, layering my hair with shampoo. He wasn’t massaging the base of my scalp well, and I needed the residue from the shimmery strands to be removed.“Oh, come on, Alex. Stop being distracted. You’re focusing on one spot. You need actually to wash the entire head; otherwise, I’ll send you out of here,” I said in mock annoyance.“Yes, ma’am,” he chuckled, kissing my neck. “You know, I live to serve you.”“Oh, goodness, stop flirting and get to work,” I said.He stared at me through the mirror, and I smiled, beginning to enjoy the soothing rhythm of his fingers combing through my hair, even if I wouldn’t admit it. His hands slid down, rinsing away the lather with warm water before applying conditioner.“This stuff is like glue,” he grumbled under his breath. “Why did they dunk your head in a pot of fairy dust?”After he managed to get the shimmery stuff off my hair, we sank into th
Gianna Alone in my room, I stared blankly at the half-drunk glass of water on my nightstand. My earlier outburst on that girl was foolish, and the guilt refused to subside. I had no reason to do that. After all, none of this was the girl's fault. The cake was good, in fact, so good that it made me jealous. Now I felt bad as my mind replayed the scene from the kitchen. Lisa had stood there, trembling and looking so unsure and apologetic. The truth slashed through me like a knife, and I felt sick with myself. She had done nothing wrong. Her only crime was being Peter's girlfriend.“Gosh, I'm so childish,” I muttered. Why was I even projecting my insecurities onto others? I didn't want to think of Peter or my strange, uncontrollable pull towards him. I didn't want to admit that I hated seeing him smiling, talking, and dancing with Lisa. I didn't even want him. I couldn't want him.But you do, the treacherous voice whispered in my mind. You are lying to yourself.I got on my feet and beg
Gianna Peter and I sat across from each other in the quiet room. The only sound between us was the rustle of tissue in my hands. I sniffed, wiping my nose and feeling the remnants of my earlier breakdown.Peter crouched in front of me with a smirk creeping onto his face.“Look at you,” he said softly. “I never pictured you to be so emotional.”“Oh, shut up,” I muttered playfully, tossing the crumpled tissue into a nearby trash can.“Come on, big girl, hug it out,” Peter said, spreading his arms wide. Unable to resist, I chuckled and closed the gap between us. His arms wrapped around me, warm and secure, pulling me into a hug that felt like home.I let myself melt into him, breathing his scent and relishing the quiet strength of his embrace. His hands cradled my face, and his lips were on mine before I could say anything.The kiss was soft and unhurried, carrying a passion that made my knees weak. His eyes were filled with sincerity when he pulled back.“I’m falling in love with you,
GiannaMy chest caved, and I couldn't maintain eye contact with Alexis and Alex after Peter had dropped that bombshell about us being mates.The tent felt suffocating, and his words kept ringing in my ears: Gianna and I are fated mates.The silence in the room was so thick, like the awkward cousin at a family reunion—uncomfortable and making everyone wonder who would break the silence first.My eyes darted to everyone's reactions. Alexis stood still, her eyes dimmed with shock. Alex looked utterly perplexed, his gaze bouncing between Peter and me as if waiting for someone to yell, Gotcha!Lisa's shock was the loudest. Her face paled, and her lips parted as though she were going to scream, but instead, she let out a low gasp followed by a horrified look. Peter's mom stared at her son, her face slack with shock.And then there was Peter. His eyes burned with the fire of someone ready to fight for what he believed was his, and he held my hand, ready to shield me from whatever backlash mi
Peter My nostrils flared with anger, and my heartbeat pounded. Lisa screamed trouble ever since the moment she stormed toward us. It was one thing for her to feel the silent talk of abandonment ever since I met Gianna, but this was an explosion I hadn't seen coming.Her voice, like nails on a chalkboard, grated on my ears. I'd never seen her like this—loud, volatile, and uncouth. She was a far cry from the sweet girlfriend I knew her to be—or maybe I hadn't known her as well as I thought.My anger wasn't from the embarrassment, for I didn't give two flying fucks about these people here except for Alexis. My rage was because Lisa made Gianna appalled. She looked away and rubbed her hands against her clothing as if trying to rid them of something. She would have done that if she had the power to melt into the shadows and disappear. Anger bubbled under my skin at how mortified she looked."Why would a high-class lady like her want anything to do with you?" Lisa asked. "What could you po
Gianna The reception hall buzzed with life. Laughter, cheers, and the over-enthusiastic guests filled the space. The older ones munched on their food while the younger ones danced on the floor, gyrating to some recent hit from the live band.Leaning against one of the columns, I sipped on a glass of sparkling water. Alexis didn’t need me anymore, and my legs almost gave way from standing in my ridiculous heels for hours. I had since changed into flats and let my poor toes breathe.A smile crept onto my lips when my gaze landed on Alex and Valen dancing together. The sight of father and son tugged at my heart, and I was genuinely happy for Alex. The little one had been giving him such a hard time for months.Watching them now, with pure and cheerful laughter ringing out and the pride on his father’s face, made me smile. Alexis had found her happiness, and she so deserved this perfect moment.“What’s a beautiful woman like you doing standing by herself?”I turned my head to find Louis,
AlexisThe morning of day seven arrived like a whirlwind, filled with nerves that hung heavy in every cell of my body. My room was a chaos of curling irons, foundation brushes, and bridesmaids humming around me like bees.Despite my usual nonchalant attitude, I couldn't deny how anxious I was. It tightened around my chest and shocked me. For someone who had always claimed she wouldn't be bothered by society's expectations, today felt different, and I wanted everything to go right.Already feeling cranky because I had been awake since 4:00 AM, I was mentally ticking off every item on my checklist while the hairdressers and makeup artists were doing their thing. Gianna was helping some of the maids steam the bridal gown and the bridesmaids' dresses.“You look like a queen already,” Gianna said as she walked past me. She perched on the edge of the bed with a grin, trying to distract me. Then she leaned closer and whispered, “What’s the first thing you’re doing after this whole circus is
Lying in Peter's arms felt like I had just entered heaven. His heartbeat thumped steadily beneath my ear, and I rested my head on his chest. His fingers traced lazy circles on my back, lulling me into a sense of peace I hadn’t felt in years. For once, my worries seemed like distant shadows, temporarily banished by his warmth.“Is this what you were trying to give up? This bliss?” Peter teased, breaking the comfortable silence.I sighed and tilted my head to look up at him. His eyes sparkled with mischief, but I could see the sincerity beneath. He pleaded with me, silently asking me to see the world as he did.“As much as I enjoyed our little…session,” I began with a teasing lilt, “things aren’t as straightforward as you think. There are stakes we need to overcome.”“Like what?” he challenged, raising an eyebrow. “Because right now, I can’t think of a single thing worth ruining this for.”“For starters, your girlfriend,” I said, sitting up and pulling the blanket closer around me.Pete
GiannaPeter kissed me and lifted me into his arms when we entered my room. It was a kiss to end all kisses, a soft press of lips to lips. I melted instantly, wrapping my arms around his neck and pressing myself as close to him as possible. He held me tight against his body, and his lips moved gently against mine, tasting each dip and curve. A moan escaped my lips as his hands trailed down to rest at the waistband of my dress. His fingers slid under the hem and slipped along the smooth skin of my thigh, causing my knees to buckle."Fuck, Gianna. You're perfect. No wonder everyone wants to be in bed with you," he murmured, his breath hot as it brushed against my cheeks and neck before burying his head between my breasts.I ran my hands down his chest until I reached the buttons of his shirt and unbuttoned them before sliding the garment from his shoulders. The cool air hit my heated skin, causing goose bumps to rise. I wrapped my arms around Peter's waist and pressed my mouth eagerly
Gianna The party was in full swing, and I tried to blend into the background. The room was lively and filled with laughter, and I did my best to stay out of the spotlight. My eyes wandered to the far side of the room, where Oscar was talking animatedly to a girl. He was leaning far too close, flirting with her in his typical style. I rolled my eyes. The spoiled brat didn't deserve an ounce of my energy, and the only person I felt pity for was the girl who must be thinking she had hit the jackpot.Alex's boisterous voice cut through the crowd and pulled my attention. He was standing beside his bride and gesturing dramatically. "Seriously, look at her. She's the most beautiful woman in this room," he declared, earning a round of applause, chuckles, and whistles from his friends."Alex, you are super hyper and happy. Can't you see how Alexis is subtle because she knows your flattery is not a big deal to her?" one of the guys said, but Alex waved him off."You better not be fooled by tha
GiannaThe wildlife reserve stretched out in front of us. It was an endless expanse of greenery dotted with open fields and enclosures for animals. I loved the smell of fresh grass, but initially, when we got here, I was skeptical. Peter forced me to stay. I wasn’t much of a wildlife enthusiast, and the idea of spending my day surrounded by animals wasn’t exactly thrilling."Trust me, you will have fun," Peter had said, and I rolled my eyes.But as we ventured deeper into the reserve, his infectious excitement began to chip away at my reluctance. I gasped when I saw zebras lying lazily in the distance. A few giraffes towered over the bushes, stretching their necks gracefully to nibble on the leaves of acacia trees."Look at that one," Peter said, pointing at a particularly playful baby giraffe galloping awkwardly beside its mother. "Reminds me of how I was as a kid."I suppressed a small laugh. We moved to an enclosure where a family of meerkats stood upright, peering cautiously at us