Alexis The muffled voices of Byron and his team echoed downstairs. I pressed myself against the cold marble of the pillar, straining to hear every word. Byron’s voice was dripping with venom and grew louder with every sentence.“The fucking bastards is demanding a recount,” Byron growled. “Can you believe the audacity? I will not let him ruin everything I’ve built.”I peeked around the pillar and saw him pacing like a caged beast. His team sat around the table, stiff and uncomfortable, as if trapped by a ticking bomb.One of the men, a thin, nervous-looking guy with glasses, cleared his throat hesitantly. “Alpha Byron, maybe we should—”“Maybe we should WHAT?” Byron exploded, his voice reverberating through the room like thunder. His face turned red, and his hand slammed down on the table so violently that the glasses rattled. “Go ahead, tell me. What brilliant idea do you have that I haven’t already considered?”The man’s hands trembled as he fumbled with a piece of paper. “I was ju
Alexis The private jet screamed luxury like it had been ripped straight out of a magazine. The leather seats were so polished they reflected my face, and the soft lighting tried its hardest to make me forget how stressful life had been. A mini-bar was stocked with beverages and snacks arranged like they were auditioning for a photoshoot.The carpet was the kind that made you want to bury your toes in it. Alex guided me inside, carrying Valen, who was a ragdoll of exhaustion.The soft hum of the jet made me forget the chaos we had just escaped. Relief washed over me like a long-overdue shower. Finally, we were leaving. Not “going away for a bit” leaving, but “good riddance, Byron, may you choke on your lies” leaving.Alex placed Valen carefully onto one of the back couches. His large hands moved with such tenderness that it made my chest ache. He covered Valen with a blanket. My baby looked peaceful, and his tiny chest was rising and falling like he didn’t have a care in the world.Al
AlexWhen Valen asked his mother to call Byron again, I felt like my chest was about to explode. He kept asking for Byron like the pig was some goddamn superhero. Byron, who couldn’t give two shits about him unless it served his selfish agenda. Byron probably couldn’t spell love without making it about himself. And yet, Valen idolized him like I didn’t exist. It was irritating, a gut punch, and a cosmic joke at my expense.I was the one who wanted the best for him, who’d give up everything to make sure he was happy and safe. And what does he do? Look past me like I’m furniture and chase after a man who sees him as nothing more than a photo-op or a political pawn. I wanted to grab Valen by the shoulders and shout, “Wake up! I’m your father!” But I couldn’t. Because as much as I hated this whole twisted situation, I couldn’t wreck him. He was a little kid. And kids don’t deserve to have their worlds torn apart because their parents can’t get their shit together.So I swallowed the ra
Alex The journey back to the pack had been fucking stressful, but the 10-hour trip on the train was behind us. I had half expected Byron to have someone vandalize my home in my absence, but when I opened the door to my house, it was untouched.My familiar scent greeted me as I stepped inside. Gianna followed quietly, looking like she was carrying the weight of a thousand burdens. I didn’t blame her.“You take the bed,” I said, pointing toward my bedroom. “I’ll take the couch.”Too tired to argue, she gave me a weak nod and disappeared down the hallway. I heard the faint creak of the mattress as she collapsed onto it, and I sighed, running a hand through my hair. After sleeping for a bit, I whipped up a quick batch of pancakes. It felt strange doing something so mundane while everything around me was chaos, but I was starving.I called Alexis while waiting for the pancakes to cook. Her soft voice immediately filled the line, tinged with concern.“I saw Gianna on the train,” I said af
Alexis The past few days had been balancing between keeping Valen entertained and ensuring he didn't dwell on his constant question: Where’s Daddy?It was exhausting. My mornings were a string of trying new tactics. First, I hooked him on colorful and loud cartoons to capture his attention. He liked the ones with superheroes, laughing hysterically when the characters performed exaggerated moves. When he got bored with that, he played with his tablet loaded with games, and we spent hours playing together. It worked until he got tired because I had to pretend to be terrible at the games to keep him laughing.When the house felt too small, I decided to take him to the arcade center near the cabin. Valen’s face lit up the moment we walked in. The place was buzzing with the sounds of pinball machines, whirring motors from racing games, and the occasional shriek of a kid celebrating a win.I watched as he ran from one game to another. His fingers grabbed the controls with determination. Wa
AlexisValen sat cross-legged on the bed and fumbled with the edge of the blanket and I joined him. The conversation I was about to have with him wasn’t one I’d ever thought I’d need to have so early, but life had a way of fucking things up.“Honey, do you know what it means to be gentle?”He tilted his head at me. “Like when I pet Rocky, daddy's dog?” His innocent answer made me chuckle.“Sort of,” I said, ruffling his hair. “Being gentle doesn’t just mean with animals. It’s about how you treat people too—especially girls.”He frowned slightly, clearly trying to process my words. “Why?”“Because, sweetheart, any boy who hurts a girl is a coward. It’s never okay to lay your hands on someone in anger, especially someone you’re supposed to protect.” “Like that man?”My chest tightened. For a moment, I was terrified he’d say “Daddy.” But he didn’t, and relief washed over me when I realized he was referring to the idiot who attacked me earlier.“Yes, like that man. That’s why it’s import
AlexisValen munched on his third can of Pringles beside me and littered the sheets with crumbs. My nerves were shot, and the thin walls of the cabin offered no comfort against the silence that loomed like a predator. Alex had warned me not to leave the room, and I intended to listen, but fear had a way of creeping into my bones, making me feel like every creak in the floorboards was the sound of someone breaking in. That guy from earlier kept haunting my thoughts.Valen was behaving unusually well. His innocent questions about why we couldn’t go outside had dwindled into quiet obedience, and for that, I was grateful. The little food we had was running low. I was rationing snacks, though I prayed that stuffing him with Pringles wouldn’t upset his stomach later. I couldn’t stop counting down the minutes until Alex would return.I turned on the TV but quickly realized it wasn’t a distraction. The sitcoms felt empty, and the news was worse, filled with voices I didn’t want to hear and
Alexis I stepped out of the car with Valen clutching my hand. His fingers squeezed mine as if he could sense my nervousness. Peter's parents' house was an inviting story building with a wrap-around porch. Its white paint had faded just enough to give it a rustic charm. The shutters were a soft blue, blending with the surrounding ocean views. Seashells and bits of driftwood lined the pathway to the front door, and I loved the garden bursting with tropical flowers. The air smelled fresh and salty, mingled with the faint sweetness of hibiscus.An elderly man with a broad smile stepped onto the porch. His white hair was neatly combed, and his warm eyes crinkled with genuine welcome. His wife followed, wiping her hands on an apron. She was middle-aged, with a youthful glow that suggested a lifetime of island sun and laughter."Welcome, dear," the woman said, her voice as soothing as the ocean breeze. "You must be Alexis.”I nodded, smiling faintly. “Yes, ma’am. Thank you for having us.”“
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