Alexis Preparations for Valen’s party kicked into full gear. We pulled out all the stops with decorations, gifts, and every superhero-themed detail to suit his wild imagination. He hadn’t started school yet, so it felt more like an adult party, with Byron’s friends bringing their children along. Despite the numerous activities, I felt at peace. Maybe it was the joy of seeing my son reach another milestone, or maybe I was just finally content with something in my life.The party planning turned into chaos pretty quickly. I had foolishly believed I could handle it all on my own, but every time I thought I was close to finishing, another task popped up. Between me and Valen's nanny, we practically lived at the store, picking up supplies. Byron, of course, had made sure to remind me that this event had to be magazine-worthy. “He's turning five, not getting married or becoming Alpha,” I had grumbled. “I don’t care,” Byron shot back, “I have the money, and it will be spent.”Who was I
Alexis As usual, the party kicked off at five p.m., and Byron used it to flaunt his wealth. People came not just to celebrate Valen’s birthday but to network. Some of Byron’s friends showed up with their wives and kids, while others were there purely for appearances. I played the role of hostess, already accustomed to Byron’s circle and their fake smiles and snide remarks. They treated me like I was beneath them, and they made no effort to hide it.But this time, I didn’t care as much. Gianna by my side felt like a small victory. She was efficient, and it helped take the edge off. I watched her carry trays of drinks with ease, though Byron kept trying to catch her alone and acted all friendly, but I saw through it.He wanted to have Gianna. Four times, I caught him trying to touch her arm, but Gianna gracefully avoided him each time, excusing herself in a way that didn’t cause a scene. I mentally cheered her on, but I couldn’t keep watching over them like a hawk. I had to trust G
Alex When Alexis’s lips pressed against mine, it was like I’d been lifted right off the ground. Floating, weightless, and lost in the unexpected rush of it. I hadn’t thought she’d lean into it, let alone kiss me back. In my head, I always saw it playing out differently. I’d be taking the risk, leaning in, and probably getting shoved back for being too forward. But here she was, diving into it and leaving me stunned.She didn’t pull away. Her lips felt soft and warm, tasting faintly of strawberries, like she’d just applied some sweet, glossy lip balm. My mind was on fire, racing with the thrill of it. I could swear I’d just hit heaven, or at least a version of it. Alexis wasn’t just kissing me; she was taking my breath, stirring up every feeling I’d tried to keep buried.I couldn’t believe it. This woman, who could be as stubborn as a mule and guarded like a fortress, had just let her guard slip and melted right into me.I was a slave to the new sensation, willing to do anything for
AlexisI had been avoiding my mom for a while now, and honestly, I didn’t have the energy to deal with her toxic behavior anymore. I had spent years putting up with her nonsense, being the selfless one, but something clicked inside me. I didn’t owe her or my dad anything. So, when she arrived at the party, I pretended not to notice. She tried to act all happy and extravagant, but the few times I bothered to respond, my words came out clipped while I gave her yes and no responses.She looked confused when I stayed on the other side of the room. "What’s going on, honey? Are you avoiding me?"I brushed past her without much care. "No, I’m busy," I said, making it clear I wasn’t in the mood to entertain her drama. Eventually, she got the message and backed off.My dad wasn’t as bad, but he had spent years enabling her, so they both earned a spot in the same category of people I had no more patience for. They could keep their drama to themselves. Speaking of drama, my mom was out here tr
Alexis"I swear I’m fine," I told Gianna, trying to calm her down. "Slow down before we crash." She didn’t ease up. Her knuckles gripped the steering wheel so tightly that they turned white. I felt sorry for her.Why would anyone be cursed to have Byron as their mate? He was the most violent man I had ever known. Unfortunately, we don’t get to choose our mates. And I had never been more thankful that Byron wasn’t mine. Still, just because someone was your mate didn’t mean you had to endure their cruelty.I kept sneaking glances at Gianna. She looked like she was wrestling with some deep anger that simmers just beneath the surface. I didn’t know what to say anymore, so I stared out the window. “Do you have your phone?” I asked after a moment. “I need to call someone.” Without a word, she handed it to me, and I dialed Valen’s nanny, grateful I had her number memorized."Hello?" she answered on the second ring."It’s me, Alexis," I said quickly, trying to keep the panic out of my voic
AlexAlexis looked stunned like she’d taken a punch that left her gasping, and even the world around us seemed to hold its breath in sync with her shock. The lake mirrored her stillness, with no ripple breaking the surface. A chill drifted in, sharp enough to sting, and I felt it run down my spine.What I had just told her had been a weight on my chest for weeks. I'd begun suspecting the moment I found out that Byron was impotent. Alexis' brows knitted together. As expected, she was shocked. Breaking this truth to her was crazy, but how could I keep quiet any longer? Byron was an arrogant bastard. He had been impotent through his whole marriage to her, and he hid it with pride. There was no way he could be Valen’s father. I’d questioned it myself at first, but the DNA test had thrown every doubt out the window.Valen wasn’t Byron’s son. He was mine.My words lingered in the thick silence as Alexis stepped back, eyes wide as egg whites. She shook her head, then spoke in a low, tre
Alexis I shut the glass door connecting the terrace and lit the fireplace, then settled into the lounge chair. This place was supposed to be my safe haven, with the soft outdoor rug underfoot, the silk blankets, and the vines of bright bougainvillea adding splashes of color. It was where I used to find peace. But tonight, nothing could settle me. My life had twisted into chaos. I couldn’t make sense of what Alex had just told me—he was the one who’d been with me that night. He was Valen’s father.How the fuck was I supposed to accept this?The thought hit like a storm, throwing my mind into a whirlwind. How had everything gone so wrong?I got up and paced. The terrace seemed smaller and more confining, like it was closing in on me. Valen’s father was Alex. My heart felt like it was sinking under the weight of confusion and anger. I kept circling the same questions in my head. Why had Alex stayed quiet? Why had he kept this secret for so long? He claimed he didn’t know Valen w
AlexisMy heart splintered with each mile I drove, hating every noise from the city streets and the flashing red lights that stopped me at every corner. I gripped the wheel tightly, trying to steady myself, and turned on Google Maps since I had never been to Alex's place before. The app directed me through this unfamiliar area, guiding me past quiet residential neighborhoods and into the bustling central district with tall skyscrapers and neon-lit streets. The lanes narrowed and merged, leaving me struggling to navigate the twisting roads that seemed to get busier by the second. I should’ve just taken a bus. I swerved to avoid a reckless car full of teenagers blasting music loud enough to shake the pavement, and I honked, yelling, "Get off the road, you damn idiots!" My road rage grew as I pushed on, passing Isla Rosa and further into an area that felt too chaotic and far from what I had expected.At last, I pulled up to a tall, high-rise apartment building just as Gianna had desc
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.