CadenI can’t believe I didn’t listen to my own mind. I should’ve turned around and walked out the door. Thankfully, I didn’t.The way she looked at me, the way her lips tasted—sweet, intoxicating—I couldn’t stop myself. I kissed her like I had no other choice. Like she was the only thing keeping me sane at this moment.Her lips parted beneath mine, and I groaned softly, pulling her closer until there wasn’t an inch of space between us. My hands moved over her body, fingers trailing along the curve of her waist, down to her hips. She felt perfect in my arms, like she belonged there..I’d never been like this with any other woman. Not even close.Sure, I’d had flings. Quick, meaningless nights that ended with me feeling hollow the next morning. But Lila… Lila was different. The way my body reacted to hers, the fire that coursed through me every time we touched, it was like nothing I’d ever felt before.Except once.Fiona.The thought of her hit me like a cold wave. I hadn’t thought abo
LilaLying there in Caden’s arms, his warmth enveloping me, I felt like the world outside didn’t exist. The way his fingers absentmindedly traced small patterns on my bare skin made me feel so alive, so connected to him in a way I hadn’t expected. I shifted slightly, pressing my cheek against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. We didn’t need to say anything; the silence between us was comfortable, peaceful even. Ringggg…. Not so peaceful after all. I rolled my eyes as Caden rolled out to pick his phone. I noticed his body tense up, and I felt him shift beneath me. I couldn’t help but watch his face, searching for some hint of what had changed in that moment. He let out a quiet sigh before dropping the phone back down. “I’ve got somewhere to be,” he murmured, his voice low and regretful.I frowned slightly, propping myself up on my elbow to look at him. “Where are you going?”He glanced at me but quickly looked away, a soft smile tugging at the corners of
LilaAs the waiter approached our table, carrying two steaming plates, I took a deep breath, feeling the tension in my chest subside just a little. The aroma of fresh herbs, garlic, and butter wafted up, momentarily distracting me from my thoughts. He placed the plates in front of us with a practiced grace, offering a warm smile before retreating quietly.“Bon appetite” He smiled with his thick french accent betraying his nice english tie.We returned his smile as he walked away. The food was beautiful, almost too beautiful to eat. Emily’s dish, a delicate plate of ratatouille, shimmered under the soft light. Thin slices of zucchini, eggplant, and tomato were artfully arranged in a spiral, all resting in a pool of vibrant tomato sauce. My own plate held a simple but elegant coq au vin. The chicken was slow-cooked in a rich red wine sauce, the tender meat falling off the bone, served alongside buttery mashed potatoes and crisp green beans.Emily picked up her fork, her eyes lighting u
CadenAs I left the Frost mansion, my phone vibrated in my pocket. I already knew who it was. Peru.I answered the call, and his voice was formal and straightforward as usual. "Caden, the ladies you requested are ready. They’ve been selected carefully—none of them want marriage or commitment. Some are in it for the money, others for the thrill. Twelve, in total."I sighed, running a hand through my hair. Twelve women, all chosen for one purpose—bearing my child. None of them had any emotional ties, none of them wanted love. It was a plan I’d set in motion to avoid falling into the complications of relationships. The irony wasn’t lost on me, considering where I’d just come from."I’m on my way," I muttered, ending the call.As I drove towards the designated meeting place, my thoughts wandered back to Lila. The warmth of her body still lingered in my memory, the way she fit perfectly against me. It was reckless, what we were doing. But it was also the best thing I’d felt in a long tim
LilaEvening crept in soon and I realized I had to start heading home. The warm glow of the setting sun filtered through the windows of the orphanage, casting a soft golden hue on everything. I grabbed my bag and was about to say goodbye to the kids when my phone buzzed in my pocket. I glanced at the screen—Liam, my research partner from school.“Hey, Lila,” his voice came through the line, a little too excited for the end of the day. “You won’t believe what we found today. The latest data from our experiment on neural regeneration came in, and it's insane. The cells responded far better than we anticipated. I’m emailing you everything now. We need to analyze it by tomorrow.”Neural regeneration? That was the research project I’d been dedicating countless hours to—studying the brain's capacity to repair itself after trauma. If our recent findings were as promising as Liam made it sound, this could be groundbreaking.“I’ll check the email as soon as I can,” I said, trying to match his
CadenI returned to the Frost mansion just as the last rays of the sun were disappearing behind the treeline. The place was quiet, too quiet, but as I approached the front door, I could hear the faint sound of conversation inside. Pushing open the door, I stepped into the warm light of the entryway and was immediately greeted by Ronan, his voice booming across the room. He stood near the fireplace, talking to some guy I didn’t recognize. I narrowed my eyes at the stranger, instinctively assessing him. He was tall, well-dressed, but there was something about him that rubbed me the wrong way. I felt my wolf stir uneasily. He ordinarily was okay, I just did not feel okay with him.“Caden,” Ronan called out as I reached them. “Good timing. This is Ethan.”I gave a polite nod and shook the guy’s hand, feeling the tension between us immediately. My wolf growled low in the back of my mind, but I shoved the feeling down and focused on the exchange of pleasantries. Ethan’s handshake was firm
LilaI closed the door to my room, leaning against it as I let out a slow, measured breath. My heart was still racing, and I could feel my pulse pounding in my ears. It was ridiculous—he was ridiculous. Every time I thought I could manage some semblance of control around Caden, he showed up and turned my entire world upside down. How was I supposed to keep it together when all I could think about was him?I shook my head, trying to clear the haze. I needed to get a grip. This was getting out of hand, and the last thing I needed was to lose myself in the whirlwind of emotions he stirred up. I was stronger than this. I had to be. I undressed quickly, tossing my clothes into a heap on the floor, and headed straight into the bathroom. The hot water felt soothing against my skin, and for a few minutes, I let myself relax, closing my eyes and hoping that the steam would somehow wash away the tension I’d been carrying all day. I thought about Ethan downstairs, the stranger Ronan had intro
CadenSneaking out of Lila room wasn’t part of the plan, but then again, nothing with her ever seemed to go according to plan. I moved quickly, silently, using the shadows of the hallway to cover my retreat. My wolf instincts heightened my senses, making every footstep calculated and precise. The last thing I needed was to be caught sneaking out like some teenager after curfew.I made it to the second-floor landing and let out a small breath of relief. The door to my room was just a few steps away, and I could already imagine the solace of being alone for a moment to calm my racing heart. Just as my hand reached for the door, a voice broke through the quiet corridor.“Caden?”I froze, biting back a curse. Damn it.Turning slowly, I plastered a neutral expression onto my face as Lady Rose stepped into view, her gaze sharp and scrutinizing. She wasn’t a woman to be fooled easily. I quickly adjusted my posture, trying to appear as casual as possible, though my mind raced for an excuse.
EthanThe hot spray of the shower drummed against my shoulders, doing little to ease the restless tension coiling in my body. Steam billowed around me, cloaking the bathroom in a thick mist that mirrored my thoughts which was both clouded and churning. I am supposed to head to the Frost Mansion this morning. My official excuse was a meeting with Alpha Ronan to discuss Lila, but the real reason simmered beneath that façade. I wanted to know and understand what the fuck that Felix guy was blabbing about. Felix's remarks from yesterday haunted me like a song stuck on repeat. What the hell was he getting at? What did he know that I didn’t? I turned off the shower abruptly, the water’s hiss replaced by the hollow patter of droplets hitting the tiles. The sharp chill of the air bit at my damp skin as I stepped out, grabbing a towel and rubbing it through my hair with more force than necessary. Catching my reflection in the fogged mirror, I paused. My face stared back, jaw taut, e
LilaSettling into my seat, I picked up my fork. The scent of rosemary and thyme tickled my nose, the familiar aroma of Joan’s roasted chicken filling the room. Yet, my appetite was as temperamental as a spoiled car wheel, sputtering and stalling with each passing moment. The lively chatter around the dining table. Joan’s soft laugh, Ronan’s booming voice, and the occasional clink of utensils should have been comforting.Should have been. I released a heavy breath. As I stared at the carrot, Caden’s dismissive tone echoed in my ears, his stony expression vivid in my mind. The cold knot of anger twisted deeper with every replay.I stabbed a piece of carrot with unnecessary force, letting out a sharp exhale as the memory nagged at me like a persistent thorn.“Are you okay, Lila?” Joan’s voice was gentle, her head tilted slightly as she studied me from across the table. Her blonde curls framed her soft face, concern flickering in her blue eyes.I forced a tight smile, not trusting my
ETHANI glanced at my phone again, hoping to make sense of what I’d just heard, but the caller's warning replayed in my head like an echo. All day, I’d barely managed to concentrate on anything else, trying to push the annoying caller’s voice aside, but it refused to be silenced. My mind kept returning to it, to the urgency in the caller’s tone, and more importantly, to the warning about Alpha Ronan.I exhaled sharply, rubbing a hand over my face. “What could he even mean?” I muttered, shaking my head. Alpha Ronan already knew I was interested in Lila—I’d been upfront about that. He’d given me his permission. Or at least, I thought he had. The more I thought about it, the less certain I felt. What was Ronan capable of, really? And who was this guy to come to me with warnings, words about...what, exactly?Finally, I tapped the screen, dialing the number from the call log. He picked up on the second ring, his voice rough and low.“Meet me at the old bar downtown,” he said, before I c
Caden“I said you should strip.” I said, my tone was void of any excitement or whatsoever.I watched her from across the room, forcing myself to see her not as an obstacle or even a woman, but as a means to an end. She was here for one purpose, yet my mind kept straying back to Lila, refusing to accept the reality in front of me. Lila had imprinted herself in my thoughts, making every interaction feel pointless, like an illusion I couldn’t hold onto.She moved toward me, slowly, her expression deliberately seductive. As her fingers drifted over her shirt, loosening each button one by one, her gaze stayed on me. I waited for the usual spark of interest, some hint of desire, but there was…nothing. Only the cold logic that this was what I had to do, and the frustration that it felt impossible.With each piece of clothing she removed, I couldn’t stop myself from comparing every inch of her to Lila. Lila, with her wry smile and her effortlessly captivating allure. This woman before me
Lila After Caden left, I took a moment to compose myself, feeling the weight of the world pressing down on my shoulders. I headed upstairs to my room and changed into something more comfortable: a soft pair of sweatpants and a loose-fitting t-shirt. Comfort was what I needed right now, and I hoped it would help ease the tightening knot of anxiety in my chest. As I made my way out of my room, I spotted Lady Rose in the hallway. I forced a polite smile as I approached her. “Good morning, Lady Rose.”“Good morning, Lila,” she replied warmly, her eyes searching my face. “Are you alright? You look a bit… unsettled.”I hesitated, unsure of how much I wanted to share. “Yeah, I guess so,” I said, offering a half-hearted smile. It felt like a mask, a facade I wore to hide the storm brewing inside.She tilted her head slightly, her concern was evident. “You know, I’ve found that ginger tea can do wonders for calming nerves. It might help you feel better.”I suddenly remembered that I had inte
CadenAs I stepped out of the living room, a storm of emotions swirled in my chest. The hurt that danced in Lila's eyes when I brushed past her like she was nothing but a ghost felt like a knife twisting deeper into my heart. I hated that I had to be the one to cause her pain, but I kept telling myself this was for the best. I had my own demons to face, and getting involved with Lila would only complicate things further.With a deep breath, I pulled out my phone and dialed Peru’s number. The line rang only once before he picked up. “Caden, my man! What’s up?” His voice was light, full of that usual energy that reminded me why I kept him around. He was a good guy, a loyal friend, and I needed him now more than ever.“Peru, I need you to do something for me,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady despite the turmoil inside. “Sure thing. What do you need?” “I need you to contact the first lady we interviewed. The one we talked about as a potential surrogate. Send her the contract and
EthanI turned in bed, holding my throbbing head. It took a few seconds to clear the fog and remember that I was back in my apartment, sprawled out on my bed, the memory of the last drink a blur. I dragged myself up, rubbing my temples, and made my way to the bathroom. The hot shower helped ease the headache, but it didn’t take away the feeling that I’d overstepped last night.After dressing, I headed to the kitchen for breakfast. My apartment wasn’t much — a one-bedroom with minimalistic decor, just the essentials. I’d never needed anything extravagant. I valued my space, so my cook and cleaner came and went, respecting the boundaries I’d set. I didn’t mind living alone. There was a certain peace that came with it.I found Amelia, the cook, setting the table. She was in her fifties, with a no-nonsense attitude that somehow always made me feel like a kid in trouble.“Good morning, Mr. Ethan,” she greeted, eyeing me knowingly as I settled into my seat.“Morning, Amelia,” I muttered, ea
LilaI excused myself out of the dining room, the anger simmering in my chest nearly overwhelming me.The memory of Caden’s dismissive smile, his casual tone, kept replaying in my mind. It hurt more than I wanted to admit. I’d been so sure everything was going well, that we were growing closer, and that this weekend together had meant something. I hadn't even entertained the possibility of something deeper, except getting pregnant with his baby.But his indifference? Hell, it stung.“No strings attached, remember?” I muttered to myself as I collapsed onto the couch, my head sinking into my hands. No strings attached. The rules had been clear from the beginning, hadn’t they? He could have as many women as he wanted. And I was supposed to be okay with that. I reminded myself that I’d agreed to this. But damn it, knowing and feeling were two different things, and right now, my feelings were a mess.A soft knock interrupted my brooding. “Lila?” Ronan’s voice came through the door. I stra
CadenThe night had felt endlessly long, and sleep refused to come. I’d done everything I could to settle Lila, dressing her up to finally coaxing her into bed, wrapping her snugly in a blanket to ward off the chill. But for reasons I couldn’t explain, a restless energy kept me awake, my thoughts a tangled mess as I paced back and forth. I’d barely sat down on the couch when a knock sounded at the door, sending a jolt through me.I knew who it would be even before I opened the door. Ronan. His strong sandalwood scent could be perceived from miles away. When I opened it, there he stood, his expression as steely as ever, with his beta, Federick, right behind him. Federick barely paused before moving past me, lifting Lila from the bed as if she weighed nothing.Thank heavens she was already dressed. Even so, her head lolled gently against Federick’s shoulder, her breathing steady and calm, oblivious to the storm brewing in her brother’s eyes.Ronan looked me up and down, his jaw clenche