Alexis Alone in the kitchen, my thoughts burned with anger. Oh, what I felt for Byron was beyond loathing—it was a blistering hatred that made my skin prickle and my pulse thunder in my ears. The mere thought of him made my stomach churn, but his words stuck in my mind like shards of glass. How much did he really know? Was he fishing for truths, or had he pieced together everything? My hands trembled as I reached for my phone, panic gnawing at me. I quickly typed a message to Alex, filling him in on Byron’s sudden obsession with Gianna and my growing fear that he knew about us.Every few seconds, my eyes darted to the doorway, half-expecting Byron to appear and pounce on me. When Alex’s reply buzzed—"I'm coming right away"—I felt a wave of relief crash over me. For a fleeting moment, I thought about letting him handle it all, dismantling this house of horrors once and for all. But reality hit me. If Alex came now, it wouldn’t fix anything; it would only fuel Byron’s suspicions.
Alexis I stood at the kitchen counter, stirring a bowl of mashed potatoes with extra vigor. Every so often, I shot a glance out the kitchen door where the bodyguard was stationed like a statue. I gripped the spoon tightly and wished he would disappear. My annoyance bubbled over, and I let out a sigh.Mckenzie strode into the kitchen and leaned against the counter with a smirk. "So, what's the deal with the guy in the shadows?" she asked, nodding toward the doorway where the bodyguard stood just out of sight.She arched her brow with a sly grin, and I let out a small, amused chuckle. "Oh, McKenzie, you always have a talent for picking out the wrong guy," I said. "You know he's here to watch me, right? It’s not like I chose him. Such bad taste in men. He's driving me insane, following me around like I’m about to run off at any second."Mckenzie leaned in closer. "So, do you want me to distract him?" she asked with a mischievous smile.I turned and gave her a skeptical look. "Distract h
Alexis The days leading up to the election were a whirlwind of endless meetings and formalities, all of which I hated. As Luna-in-waiting, I was expected to attend strategy discussions and campaign events and meet with influential pack members to gather support for Byron. But every time I entered one of those rooms, I felt like a glorified puppet. The stares, the fake smiles, and the murmured whispers always lingered just a beat too long, making it clear that I didn’t belong in their sick world.At one of the meetings, Meredith was her usual self, throwing passive-aggressive remarks my way. But the high priestess stole the spotlight. She sat across the table, calm and unmoving, like an immovable force that had no interest in bowing to their power.“I’ll repeat it,” the high priestess said, her voice ringing like a bell. “Byron is not meant to be Alpha. The moon goddess herself disapproves of this farce.”Meredith’s face twisted with indignation. “Who do you think you are?” she hisse
AlexisMy stomach growled loudly, the sound so fierce it could have been mistaken for a bear in the room. I froze for a second, hoping Alex hadn’t noticed, but I knew I was doomed when he looked up with a sly grin.“Is that you, or did a motorcycle just drive through here?” Alex asked. The mock seriousness in his tone made me laugh despite myself.I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms. “I haven’t eaten all day, okay?”He leaned forward, and his smirk grew wider. “Well, we can’t let you starve, can we? That would be tragic.”“We can’t go out. Byron has eyes everywhere. Coming here was a risk.”Alex's dark eyes gleamed with mischief. “Why not? It’s not like we’re headed to a five-star hotel. You’re hungry. I’m here. Let’s not overthink it.”Reluctantly, I agreed. Hunger always won. We ended up at an Italian rustic restaurant tucked into a quiet street corner. The faded letters of the wooden sign above the door read Trattoria Bella.Inside, fresh basil, garlic, and warm bread filled the a
Alex The meeting room buzzed with scattered conversations when I entered. My allies, or at least most of them, sat around a large oak table, shuffling papers, tapping pens, or scrolling through their devices. It wasn’t the camaraderie I had hoped for, but at least some of them were on my side. That was more than I could say about the two men seated at the far end, whispering to each other like nosy old grannies.One of them, a Beta with slicked-back hair and a smirk that made me want to punch his face, leaned back in his chair. "So, Alex, explain this again. If you're such a saint, why did you jump from your family’s party to this one? It doesn’t look good, you know."Of course, it had to come to this—the petty gossip and veiled accusations. These men were supposed to be strategists and leaders. Instead, they were acting like bored housewives looking for drama.“I didn’t ‘jump ship,’” I replied, keeping my tone despite my patience thinning. “I left because I wasn’t going to sit ther
Alexis Alpha Orion's dining room looked like a set piece for a tacky reality TV show, all chandeliers and silverware gleaming as if trying to outshine the sun itself, as though wealth could make up for personality, charm, or intelligence. Byron had dragged me here to attend another one of his ridiculous charades, rubbing elbows with people who thought their gold-plated opinions were worth more than anything else.I kept my smile tightly in place, but my mind was already plotting ways to escape without bursting into flames from secondhand embarrassment. I'd lose it if I had to pretend to care about these ridiculous people for one more minute.And then there were the wives. Oh, the wives. Drenched in designer gowns that seemed to weigh them down. Every gesture they made was an attempt to remind the room how much money they spent on themselves. Layla, the Blood Moon pack's Luna, sashayed to me. The heavy, suffocating cloud of her perfume hit me before she did, a mix of too many layers
Alex The rally was alive with energy as I stepped onto the stage. The party had decided to put me front and center, and I knew the stakes were higher than ever. This wasn’t just about a campaign but about taking down my father’s dynasty and my brother’s shameless ambition. I imagined the smug faces of my father and Byron, both undoubtedly glued to their screens, waiting to see if I’d falter.The crowd roared as I approached the podium. Their cheers vibrated through the air like thunder. I took a deep breath and gripped the edges of the podium to steady myself. The blazing lights and cameras pointed in my direction reminded me that this wasn’t just about the people in front of me. It was live, and every word I said would reach my supporters and enemies.“Thank you all for coming here today. Thank you for believing in a better future. Not just for this pack, but for everyone silenced, ignored, or oppressed under the current leadership.”The crowd quickly quieted to hear what I had to s
Alex The morning of the election felt heavier than any other day. I woke up before the sun even dared to rise. Deep down, I already knew how this was going to end. Byron was going to win. It was stupid to underestimate him—he had always been two steps ahead, and the rigging machine he had in place would ensure it. Still, this wasn’t about winning anymore. If he did win, it would only give me more evidence to expose him for the fraud that he was.I dragged myself out of bed. After freshening up, I went to the kitchen, poured a cup of strong black coffee, and leaned against the counter, letting the bitterness wake me up. The morning light spilled through the windows but didn’t feel warm or comforting. It felt like a spotlight on the chaos that was my life.When I met with my team, we were busy with last-minute strategies and rehearsals. Everyone buzzed with nervous energy, talking over one another as they finalized plans. I tried to focus, but my mind kept drifting. The truth was, no
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