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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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 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.