AlexI sat in the rented car outside Byron's company, staring at the building that should have been mine. The bastard had cheated me out of everything, and despite my best efforts not to dwell on it, I fucking hated him.I thought about that night and wished I could undo my stupidity. My gaze shifted to the company, a massive manufacturing hub that produced nearly everything from bread to beverages for our pack and the southern coast. It was a household name.A name that belonged to me.At least the idiot hadn’t run it into the ground.I stayed in the car, watching and waiting. Byron had his lackeys keeping tabs on me, but I was too smart to make a wrong move. I knew showing up here openly would give him ammunition against me, but I didn’t care. I wasn’t here for peace. I was here for war, to sabotage a deal that Byron had been raving about for weeks.It was a new cookie launch, some big collaboration with a company up on the north coast. Little did Byron know, I had friends in high
AlexWhen Alexis stepped out of the car, dressed in a simple white tunic with her hair neatly tied back, she looked like an angel. The loose fabric hid her curves, but even then, she radiated beauty. Hell, she could have worn a trash bag, and I’d still crave her. Our eyes met, and she smiled, that one look dissolving any doubts I had about how deep my feelings for her went. I was in love with her—whether she was ready to admit it or not.She glanced at the glass-fronted building in awe, her mouth slightly open. "Wow," she whispered, sounding like a kid on Christmas morning."You like it?" I asked, stepping aside to let her take in the sight. The golden mannequins, sleek machines, and every piece of equipment sparkled behind the glass."It's beautiful," she said, clapping her hands together like a little girl. She flashed me a smile full of gratitude, even though she didn’t say the words."Your ring was worth a lot," I teased. "No need to thank me."She smiled shyly. "What did you te
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 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
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