AlexI woke up to find Alexis curled up at the far edge of the bed, as if the mattress itself had offended her. She was clinging to the very edge, one leg practically dangling off. If she moved an inch further, she’d end up on the floor. I sighed and reached over, pulling her closer before she could complete her escape attempt. She stirred a little but didn’t wake, her face still etched with an uneasy expression even in sleep.I adjusted the duvet over her and stared at her face. She looked so peaceful, yet haunted at the same time. Her brows furrowed slightly, as though she were battling something in her dreams. This past month had been a living nightmare for both of us, and I was relieved that, for now, we had a moment of calm. She deserved this break, even if her subconscious didn’t seem to agree.Then she mumbled something incoherent, her lips barely moving. It made me smile, but when her eyes fluttered open and she yawned, my grin widened. I leaned over her, half-serious, half-te
Four months later Alexis I had known something was up the moment Gianna asked for permission to take the day off and Alex suddenly became the busiest man alive. I couldn’t pinpoint what was going on, but my hunch whispered that a surprise was brewing. I never imagined it would be this kind of surprise.A ring.A big-ass ring.My heart nearly leapt out of my chest when Alex dropped to one knee in front of me, his hazel eyes locked on mine with all the devotion in the world. The intensity of his gaze made my knees weak. My breath caught in my throat, and I swore I felt the earth tilt beneath me.“Oh my God, no,” I blurted out, taking a step back, my voice high-pitched with shock. “Alex, not a proposal!”Behind him, Gianna—that traitor—stood grinning like a Cheshire cat. Her expression screamed, Gotcha!Alex, unbothered by my outburst, stayed on one knee, holding out the velvet box like it was the most natural thing in the world. “Marry me, Alexis,” he said with a tone laced with so m
Alexis Another thing I wished I could avoid aside from the ghost of Byron was my pre-installment as Luna. The thought of it made my stomach churn. Despite Alex bringing morality and justice to the pack, some people still saw me as nothing more than a gold digger, a woman who had used two brothers to claw her way into the Campbell name.I didn’t need anyone to spell it out for me. The disdain was like an unshakable stench that followed me wherever I went. They saw me as the bad apple who'd driven a wedge between Byron and Alex. And if that wasn’t enough, they twisted the story further, questioning how I could have confused the two brothers. I could live with their lies, but what mattered most was protecting my son and keeping him far from their toxicity.This became obvious as I addressed a gathering of my age grade—future council members who would soon be formally installed. The room was a mix of men and women. The men reeked of arrogance and misogyny, while the women picked apart m
GiannaThe psychiatric hospital was a one-hour, forty-five-minute drive from the fashion house. Alexis drove while I sat silently, feeling a heaviness I couldn’t explain. My head pounded, and no matter how much I tried to blink back my tears, my eyes stayed wet.It was cruel irony—December used to be my favorite time of year. Memories of Sharon and I eagerly anticipating Christmas filled my mind, knowing Mom and Dad would surprise us with thoughtful gifts. My childhood and a chunk of my teenage years had been filled with love and happiness, with parents who adored each other and a sister who’d have done anything for me.Now, all I had left were the crumbled remains of my life: my father, an empty shell of the man he once was, and my mom, who'd lost her mind. How much more could one person bear?When we arrived at the hospital, the air itself felt suffocating. A wave of dread wrapped around me the moment I stepped out, tightening its grip with every step. Inside, the atmosphere was ste
Alexis The light from the nightstand lamp felt like a personal attack. I squinted against the brightness and groaned as a dull, pounding ache throbbed in my temples. My head was a battlefield, and my body felt like it had been dragged through a marathon—sluggish and heavy.My mouth was so dry it felt like I’d been chewing cotton all night. The realization hit me: I’d drunk way too much last night.Turning slowly, I spotted Alex sprawled beside me, half-buried under the covers. His arm draped lazily across his chest, his face soft in sleep. But let’s be honest—his peaceful state wouldn’t spare him. If I was suffering, there was no way I was doing it alone.“Wake up,” I muttered, reaching out to nudge his shoulder. “Come on.”I pushed harder when that didn’t work. A muffled grunt escaped his lips as he shifted under the blanket. His red-rimmed eyes fluttered open, and he looked at me like I’d just dragged him out of a nightmare.“What is it?” he grumbled, his voice rough with sleep.I
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
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
Alexis Celebrations dragged into Day six as the women prepared for the bride's farewell. It was a union of my closest friends and the female members of the groom's family, symbolizing the merging of two lives and two households.It was a lot—the singing, clapping, laughter, and loud chatter. I just wanted it all to be over. Also, I was waiting for Gianna. She was my only real friend in this sea of acquaintances and had been noticeably absent since morning. Most of the other women were packmates, staff from the fashion house or social climbers I couldn’t care less about.I made my way to Gianna’s door, knocking, but there was no answer. I pushed the door open to find the room empty and walked away. She would show up eventually.Women lined up outside for the procession, clapping and singing traditional songs. I stood at the center with a smile playing on my face as they all led me to my home, carrying gifts and boxes filled with clothing, jewelry, and other items that had been piling
Peter I felt a little guilty for not checking on Lisa or my mom. But I chose to be with Gianna, the woman who hadn’t even bothered to tell me where we were going or spare me a single glance to make sure I was following.The drive was drenched in silence, so thick it felt like an extra passenger. I sat in the passenger seat, stealing glances at her like some lovesick fool. She was so damn beautiful, but her death grip on the steering wheel told me she’d rather wrestle an alligator than let me know what was on her mind. Her laser focus on the road was borderline comical—was she worried that even looking at me might result in a full-blown catastrophe?I wanted to say something to break the silence, but a small, self-preserving voice in the back of my mind screamed, Don’t poke the bear. One wrong word and I’d be walking home. When the car finally came to a stop, I looked out at the building in front of us. A large sign hanging above the entrance read Wisteria Psychiatric Hospital.My mi
Peter I lay on my side, watching Gianna. The soft rise and fall of her breathing was the only sound that mattered. Her face was turned slightly toward me, and I couldn't tear my gaze away. A content smile tugged at my lips as I took in every detail of her face as if committing her to memory. After all, I had no idea if this could ever happen again. Her dark red hair spread across the pillow. My fingers ghosted softly over a lock of her hair, careful not to wake her. It felt like silk between my fingertips—smooth and seductive, just like the rest of her body.How could someone be this beautiful?Her face, with the delicate freckles dotted across the bridge of her nose, seemed even softer as she slept. They were like tiny stars, unique and perfectly placed—different from the chaos she often stirred in me when she was awake. I tucked a strand of hair carefully behind her ear. I didn’t want to shatter this perfect moment—she looked like an angel. An angel with a sharp tongue and zero pa
Gianna My steps faltered. Peter, of all people, was standing right in front of my door, leaning casually against the wall. It made my heart do a strange somersault in my chest.I stopped a few feet away, trying to steady my voice and nerves.“Are you lost or something? Why are you standing in front of my door?”He lifted his head slightly, and a devilish half-smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.“More or less.”I frowned, though I was struggling to keep my expression neutral.“Please step aside. I'm exhausted, and I want to sleep.”Liar, my mind mocked me. Despite the firmness in my voice, my insides were turning to mush. The intoxicating scent of my mate was wild and clouding my thoughts, causing desire to crawl deep inside of me, even as the bond tugged mercilessly.“It’s a wonder how you sleep at night.”I blinked, taken aback by that statement. “I do sleep. Why would you even say that?”He took a small step forward, and I stepped back.“Because I don’t,” he said, his voice dro