AlexisStanding beside Byron on the ceremonial grounds felt like torture. The clearing was secluded, encircled by tall trees that seemed to be watching this farce of a ritual unfold. I wanted to be anywhere but here, standing next to a man I could barely stomach, watching him go through the motions of a ritual he didn’t deserve. Around us, stone circles marked the ground. They were symbols of power and tradition that I couldn’t bring myself to believe in. Along with the other future pack leaders, Byron stood shoulder-to-shoulder, radiating an aura of authority. As for me, I was simply playing my part, dressed in earth-toned garments that felt heavy with tradition I no longer believed in. Alex should have been here, but he was nowhere to be found. Probably for the best, considering the circus this had become.In my hands, I held a small, hand-crafted jar of scented oils, the thick glass cool against my skin. The oils nearly slipped from my grasp as I prepared to anoint Byron’s legs
Alex I pushed back my chair, and the harsh scrape echoed through the room. “Excuse me, I need to use the restroom,” I announced, forcing a neutral tone. But I had no intention of using the guest restroom downstairs. No, I was taking a little walk and chose to go upstairs, away from Byron’s smug grin and this ridiculous dinner. Since no one seemed to be paying attention, I slipped out quietly.The upper floor was quiet and spacious, with a long hallway lined with photos on the walls. Valen’s innocent smile stared back at me from countless frames, his bright eyes a painful reminder of everything that had been stolen. One particular photo caught my attention—Valen with Byron and Alexis, a "family portrait" of lies. His supposed father. It made my blood boil. My fingers twitched with the urge to rip that picture down and throw it across the hallway.I walked on, keeping my pace steady. Some doors were open just a crack, but I ignored them, knowing that every corner of this place was li
Alexis Valen and I approached the entrance of his school. I paused by his class for a quick goodbye. His assistant teacher was already there, greeting students with a warm smile, and making the place feel even more welcoming. I admired the friendly atmosphere; Valen was lucky to have this experience. It was worlds apart from the school I attended, where even the teachers didn’t want to be there.“Valen!” I called out, rushing after him as he dashed inside. “You forgot your lunchbox!” He was too excited and ready to meet his new friends. He’d already made two friends, Lily and Jennifer. When I asked why he hadn’t made any male friends yet, he simply told me the girls were cooler. That made me laugh; he had a mind of his own, my little boy.Once he was off, I headed to the front desk to complete some forms. I had already prepared them earlier, neatly stacked and ready for submission. The receptionist, dressed in a school-branded polo, handed me brochures about the school’s programs
Alexis When I first stepped into Alex's house, the sight took me aback. Scattered items were strewn everywhere as if someone had just hurriedly tossed them aside without a care. Moments before, I stood outside, pressing the doorbell and wondering why I hadn’t heard from Alex. When he finally opened the door, he looked tense, almost on edge, and didn’t even step aside to let me in."Alex," I said, surprised by his reaction. He held the door halfway open, his body blocking most of the view inside."Give me a second," he said, quickly closing the door in my face. I stared at the door, stunned. What the hell?Was he hiding something? Another woman? Jealous thoughts prickled through my mind, but before I could dive too deep into them, the door opened again, and he stood, letting me in. His navy blue shirt looked rumpled, his hair a messy tangle, and an uncomfortable look flashed across his face.I stepped inside, glancing around as he shifted uneasily. The entryway held a small tab
AlexisIt was time to go, though every part of me wanted to stay. I longed to remain wrapped in Alex’s warmth but knew the risks were too high. I slowly pulled away from his arms, feeling the emptiness settle in.“I have to go,” I said to him, trying to convince myself as much as him.He looked at me with a playful pout, and his arms pulled me back in with a firm hold. His eyes, full of longing, silently begged me to stay.“I have to,” I replied, giving him a sad smile. “Byron’s council meeting will end soon, and if I’m not home by then, he’ll start suspecting something. You were strong enough to escape that explosion. I don’t think I’d get as lucky.”He sighed, reluctant to let me leave. We walked down the stairs together, his hand never leaving mine, as if letting go meant losing something precious. He held the door for me at my car, closing it gently once I was inside. “Promise me you’ll come tomorrow,” he said, his eyes holding a silent vow. I nodded, and he kissed me before I st
Alexis Valen’s little hands gripped my leg as he looked up, worry etched across his innocent face. “Daddy, why are you making Mommy cry?”I couldn’t bear to meet his eyes. My lips quivered, holding back sobs so fierce that I tasted the faint tang of blood from biting down. I wanted so badly to shield him from this nightmare, to keep him from seeing the ugly truth of his ‘father’s’ cruelty. But the pain ran deep, and my tears betrayed me, falling in streams I couldn’t control.“Mommy, talk to me,” he pleaded. “Why are you crying? Why did Daddy hit you?” His little hands trembled, his eyes filled with confusion. “My teacher says it’s not okay to hit people.”I tried to steady myself, but my whole body shook like a leaf caught in a storm. Byron’s face looked pale as a sheet like he’d been caught in the lie he was about to weave. “Valen, honey,” he said smoothly, “Mommy hurt her neck, and I was just helping her—trying to, uh, snap it back in place.”In my mind, I screamed. What kind of
AlexI strode through the main lobby of Glow Baby, nodding briskly at the staff members positioned near the entrance.The lobby buzzed with activity despite the early hour. Bartenders were already prepping drinks, ready for any bum looking to start their day with a drink. I noticed a few people lounging in the dimly lit seating area, probably regulars or clubgoers who hadn’t gone home yet. They looked rough, sprawled on the plush seats, either too drunk or too tired to care.As I walked through the main area, the last beats of the music faded, marking the end of another long night. The club might have shut down, but my work was just beginning. Today would be another round of paperwork—audits to review, checks to sign, and stacks of documents to get through. It was a grind, but it kept my mind sharp and distracted while I finally laid out my plans to ruin my brother.Settling into my office, I positioned myself behind my executive desk, the clean lines of the polished wood calming st
Alexis The idea of Alex’s suggestion stayed in my mind. The thought of getting away to his uncle’s place—just the two of us with no eyes on us, felt like a slice of heaven waiting for me. Alex was the only one who made me feel whole, the only one who gave me real happiness, and a weekend alone with him seemed like a dream come true. But doubt snuck in. How on earth would I even begin to explain this trip to Byron? He’d see right through any excuse I made. Yet, a break felt so needed.Byron was eating away at my sanity, leaving me on the edge. Luckily, when he returned from work that night, he didn’t come looking for me. It was like a weight lifted, even if it was temporary.Then there was McKenzie, who had found out about my connection with Alex, adding a new worry. I needed to warn Alex to tread carefully around her. And Gianna—my gut told me something was off with her. Her loyalty felt like it was cracking, and I couldn’t shake that feeling.The following day, we worked over the
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