"You're being paranoid, Georgia."The words echoed in her mind, sharp and biting.She exhaled slowly, forcing her fingers to unclench. Her pulse was still racing, her instincts screaming, but there was nothing. No figures lurking in the trees. No shadows slipping through the night.Just ghosts.Old memories clawing their way back to the surface."Damn it."She hated how easily this place could shake her.A hand touched her arm, and she nearly flinched.Anna.Her Friend’s face was lined with worry. “Are you okay?”Georgia let out a bitter laugh, shaking her head. “What do you think?”Anna sighed. “I get it. I do. But you’re not alone this time.”Georgia swallowed the lump in her throat and looked over at her children. The triplets were standing a few feet away, Kelsey and Keira whispering while Kelvin watched her with quiet intensity.Her son was always the most perceptive. Always the one to notice when something was wrong.She needed to pull herself together. For them.Straightening h
Georgia remained quiet, her heartbeat heavy in her ears. Anna’s desperate plea still lingered in the air fragile yet unyielding. “Please, Georgia… help me." Georgia’s fingers curled against her palm. The answer was obvious. She couldn't walk away from Anna. Not now. But a storm of thoughts churned in her mind, each one sharper than the last. What if she helped Anna, and the village turned against her? What if the Alphawhoever he was saw her as an obstacle? And worse… What if someone told her parents she was here? She swallowed hard. That was a thought she couldn’t afford. Her parents had spent years hunting her down, dragging her back whenever she tried to escape. She had run too many times, only to be caught, caged, and punished. The last time… she had barely survived. Her body remembered even when she tried to forget, the sting of betrayal, the cold iron of their will pressing against her throat. If they found her now… if they knew she was here… No. She forced a
A deep, commanding voice cut through the heavy silence like a blade. “I see my presence has caught you all off guard.” The air in the room shifted. Every head turned toward the doorway, where Jared, the Alpha, stood with an air of undeniable authority. His sharp, calculating gaze swept across the space before settling on Anna’s parents. His arrival was unexpected. Anna’s mother gasped, quickly straightening her dress as if that would make any difference. Her father cleared his throat, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Alpha Jared,” he said, bowing slightly. “What an honor.” Beside the Alpha, dressed in a gown fit for royalty, was Serafina. Georgia felt her stomach drop. She hadn’t seen her sister in years, but she’d never forget that face, smug, flawless, and brimming with superiority. Serefina stood tall, her presence as dazzling as ever, as if she owned the very air in the room. She had always wanted what Georgia had, even if it was nothing. And no
Jared’s fingers twitched at his sides. His chest felt tight, his wolf stirring with restless energy, but he kept his face neutral. The weight of Georgia’s gaze on him unsettled him in ways he couldn’t explain. He had thrown her away. Five years ago, he had rejected her without a second thought, yet now… now, his instincts were screaming at him. Telling him something wasn’t right. Across the room, Serefina’s smirk wavered. She had caught the moment, the shift in Jared’s attention, the way his eyes lingered on Georgia for just a second too long. And she hated it. Serefina had always been good at reading people. It was how she got what she wanted. And right now, she could see Jared’s restraint cracking. That wasn’t part of her plan. She subtly slid closer to him, her manicured fingers ghosting over his arm. “Alpha,” she purred, drawing his attention back to her. “You must be exhausted from your travels. Let’s sit. I’m sure our gracious hosts would love to offer you somethin
“Alpha, the table is set,” Anna’s mother called out, wiping her hands on her apron. Jared stepped out of the room, his gaze sharp despite the early morning haze. His muscles tensed instinctively, always alert, even in the quiet moments. The scent of freshly brewed coffee and warm bread drifted through the air, mixing with the crisp scent of the forest just beyond the open windows. Georgia was already there, placing a plate down with practiced ease, her movements smooth but distant. Her long hair was loosely tied back, a few strands slipping free to frame her face. She didn’t look up, her focus fixed on the task at hand, but there was a stiffness in her posture one he knew all too well. Something was wrong. His wolf stirred. She hadn’t looked at him once. Seraphina, on the other hand, emerged behind him with a satisfied stretch, her arms rising above her head as she let out a soft, contented sigh. The silk of her robe slipped slightly off one shoulder, revealing just enoug
Chapter 16Serefina clenched her fists beneath the table, her breath shallow, her anger boiling beneath her carefully maintained facade. How dare he? How dare Jared humiliate her in front of everyone? How dare he look at Georgia with those eyes, as if she was anything more than a washed-up, discarded mate? She couldn’t eat. The food tasted like sand in her mouth. Every bite Georgia took, every casual glance Jared threw her way, made Serefina’s blood churn. She had spent years beside Jared, molding herself into his perfect companion, and now, he was dismissing her? For what? A woman he had rejected? The thought made her stomach twist. She pushed her plate away abruptly, her appetite completely gone. "You're not eating?" Jared asked, his voice indifferent. He didn’t even spare her a glance. Serefina forced a smile, though it felt like her lips might crack. "I’m simply not hungry," she replied, standing gracefully. "Excuse me." No one stopped her as she turned on her heel and s
Chapter 17"You’re restless."Jared stiffened at Caleb’s voice, his fingers tightening around the glass of whiskey he hadn’t even sipped. He stood by the floor-to-ceiling window of his estate, watching the moon cast its silver glow over the vast land. His estate, the heart of his pack. The place where he ruled with unquestioned dominance. Yet tonight, that dominance felt… unsettled. Caleb swallowed hard before stepping forward, keeping his head slightly bowed. “Alpha…” His voice wavered with caution. “Forgive me, but… you seem troubled.”Jared didn’t turn. His grip on the glass tightened, the muscles in his jaw flexing. “Since when do you concern yourself with my moods, Caleb?” His voice was low, ice-cold, carrying the weight of unspoken warning. Caleb tensed, instinctively lowering his gaze. “I-I mean no disrespect, Alpha,” he murmured. “It’s just… you’ve been standing here for an hour. Restless. I couldn’t help but wonder if…” He hesitated, then braced himself. “…if it’s becau
"I said stay inside!" Georgia’s sharp voice echoed through the house, but the triplets were already gone, their mischievous laughter fading as they darted outside.Anna sat on the worn-out couch, shaking her head with a small smile. Watching Georgia storm after them was almost as entertaining as the triplets themselves."You little troublemakers!" Georgia yelled from the doorway. "If I catch you sneaking out one more time!"Anna chuckled softly. "Let them be, Georgia. Boys will always be boys. And just look at them, Kelvin and Kelsey, running wild. Even Keira, who’s supposed to be the calm one, is right behind them. Poor girl, what choice does she have?” Georgia whirled around, hands on her hips, her dark eyes blazing with frustration. "Are you serious, Anna? These boys are as stubborn as mules! They never listen!" She threw her hands in the air, exasperated. "And now, they’re dragging their sister into their madness too! Keira was supposed to be the sensible one, but look at her, ru
Chapter 41“What?” Georgia screamed, panic rising in her voice. “Attack from where?”Jared suddenly burst into laughter.She blinked, confused and angry. “What the hell is wrong with you? Why are you laughing?”He stepped closer, chest heaving, eyes burning with something darker than humor.“From your heart, Georgia,” he said, voice dropping to a husky whisper. “Your love is making me go crazy. That’s how my heart rings for you, like a damn alarm. Loud. Wild. Unstoppable.”Her breath caught.His hands cupped her cheeks. “Every time you’re near me, it’s chaos. I can’t think straight. Can’t fight straight. Can’t even sleep without dreaming about you. And last night”He didn’t finish.He didn’t have to.She felt it too.Georgia took a shaky step back, trying to catch her breath. “You’re insane.”“Only for you,” he said, stalking toward her again. “Tell me you didn’t feel it. Last night. Just tell me, and I’ll back off.”She didn’t say anything.Couldn’t.Because yes. She felt it. Still f
The night air was cool, but Georgia’s skin burned.She stood in front of Jared’s door again.No apron. No linens. No excuse.Just herself.Her bare feet were quiet against the stone floor, her hand trembling as she reached for the handle. She didn’t knock this time. She just… walked in.Jared was shirtless, fresh from the training yard, a towel around his neck and sweat still glistening on his chest. His eyes snapped to her the second the door creaked.“Georgia?” His voice was low. Rough. Cautious.She didn’t speak.She couldn’t.She stepped forward. One, two, three small steps. Then stopped. Her breath hitched in her throat. Her fingers curled at her sides.He dropped the towel, muscles flexing as he moved closer. “Say something.”She shook her head.He frowned. “Then what are you doing here?”She looked up, finally meeting his gaze. “You said you’d fight for me.”He stilled.“I’m not ready,” she whispered. “But I don’t want to run anymore.”Jared’s eyes darkened, the hunger in them
“I need to stop this,” Georgia whispered into her trembling hands.The dim glow of the candle flickered against the stone walls of the palace’s service corridor. Her heart still pounded in her chest from the dream or hallucination; she wasn’t even sure anymore. Jared hadn’t come into the room. He hadn’t said those words. She had imagined every second of it.And that terrified her more than anything else.Because it meant she wanted it. Wanted him.Even after everything.Even after being discarded like an afterthought five years ago.She rose from the war room chair, smoothing her apron and tying it tightly, almost as if binding her feelings in place. No more of this. No more foolish fantasies.She was a maid. A palace maid. She had no place in an Alpha’s heart, especially one like Jared’s...✿..✿..By midmorning, Georgia was in the East Wing, arms full of fresh linens and polished silver trays. She moved quietly from one room to the next, nodding politely at the guards, ignoring the
Morning came too quickly.The soft rays of sunlight filtered through the tall, arched window, brushing warm gold over the tangled sheets and discarded clothes strewn across the floor. Georgia sat at the edge of the bed, a sheet wrapped around her body like armor. Her back was to Jared. Her fingers were clenched tight, nails digging into her palms.Jared stirred behind her, the bed shifting beneath his weight. She didn’t look back. She couldn’t.Her heart was still racing.Her body still remembered everything.And that terrified her.“Georgia…” Jared’s voice was still husky from sleep. “You okay?”She stiffened. Don’t turn around. Don’t look at him. Just breathe.“I’m fine,” she said quickly, too quickly. Her voice cracked like a fragile shell.“You don’t sound fine.”There was a pause. Then, the rustle of sheets as he sat up behind her.“I…..I need to go,” she whispered, standing abruptly and nearly tripping on her own discarded boots. She clutched the sheet tighter, looking everywher
Georgia shoved him.Hard.Her palms hit Jared’s bare chest, the sound loud in the quiet room. For a moment, she thought he’d step back. But he didn’t. He barely moved. The only sign she’d done anything was the sharp twitch in his jaw.“Don’t,” she said, breathless. “Don’t do this to me.”Jared stared at her, his chest rising and falling, lips still parted from the kiss they had just shared.“Georgia”“I’m a weak Omega,” she snapped, pushing him again. This time, it wasn’t as hard, more like she was trying to push the memory away than him. “You said it yourself. Five years ago. In front of everyone. You called me weak when the Moon Goddess chose me to be your mate. Do you remember that?”His face froze.“I remember,” she whispered, her voice cracking. “I remember every word. Every look. Every second you made me feel like I wasn’t enough. Like I didn’t belong by your side.”Jared’s eyes darkened. Not with anger—but with guilt. Regret. Hunger.“I didn’t know how to handle it then,” he sa
Serafina reclined in her chair, fingers tapping idly against the armrest, her gaze distant. Jared’s words still echoed in her mind, sharp and unforgiving.“If you ever attempt to harm Georgia again... you won’t just be stripped of authority. You’ll be exiled. Banished. Do you understand me?”A smirk tugged at her lips. Almost a laugh.As if exile could undo what they’d had. As if a bond, no matter how sacred, could erase years of obsession, stolen nights, and the raw power they’d once wielded together. He thought banishment could break her?Foolish.He was mistaken.It was just a phase. A foolish impulse from a man trying too hard to prove something to a room full of wolves.She rose from her seat, her silk robe dragging behind her like smoke.“Georgia may have caught his eye for now,” she murmured to herself, “but I’ll remind him where he truly belongs.”She summoned her handmaid.“Send Georgia to deliver Alpha Jared’s food,” Serafina said coolly.The maid blinked, clearly puzzle
The morning sun had barely warmed the palace walls when the trap was sprung.Georgia was heading toward the garden shed with a basket of linens when a pair of uniformed guards stepped in front of her, blocking her path.“Miss Georgia,” one said coldly, “you’re needed in the council hall. Now.”Her stomach tightened.“Why?” she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.“You’ll find out soon enough.”Their faces were stone. No emotion, no answers. Just duty.She followed them, heart thudding against her ribs like a warning drum. Every step felt heavier than the last. The corridors she once walked freely now felt like they were closing in on her.When they entered the council hall, a small crowd had already gathered.Servants. Guards. Advisors.And at the far end of the room, standing tall with his back to her, was Alpha Jared.Her eyes flicked to the right, Serafina.Smiling.Smiling like the devil himself had whispered a secret in her ear.The air was tight with tension."Step forward, G
The hallway was quiet now, too quiet. Georgia stood frozen, staring at the shadow that had just slipped away with that cruel laugh."You scared me..." she whispered to one of the guards standing there, her voice breaking slightly.Why had he pretended? Why had he scared her like that?She wanted to crumble to the floor, but pride, stubborn, burning pride, held her upright. She had no one to lean on. Not really. Jared had tried. But even with him, she didn’t want to be seen as weak.Not again.Not by anyone.Later that evening, the staff moved around her like she was invisible. When she reached for her portion at the kitchen door, the cook, usually indifferent, stepped back and folded his arms.“You’ve already eaten,” he said flatly.“I haven’t,” Georgia replied, confused.“Check with Lady Serafina,” he said with a shrug, turning away.Something cold and cruel settled in Georgia’s stomach.She didn’t need to ask.She knew.Day after day, it continued.No food.Whispers behind her back.
The next day, Serafina, with a knowing smirk, deliberately assigns Georgia the impossible task of carrying a massive crate, fully aware she can't lift it alone. As Georgia struggled, her arms trembling under the weight, a voice slid in from behind, smooth yet firm.The next day, Serafina, with a knowing smirk, deliberately assigns Georgia the impossible task of carrying a massive crate, fully aware she can't lift it alone. As Georgia struggled, her arms trembling under the weight, a voice slid in from behind, smooth yet firm. “You don’t have to do this alone, Georgia.” Jared’s voice was gentle but unwavering as he reached for the crate she was barely holding up. Her muscles screamed in protest, but she tightened her grip, refusing to let herself appear weak. “I can manage,” she muttered, shifting her stance despite knowing she was barely standing. Jared frowned, his jaw tightening. “You’re about to collapse. Just let me” Before he could take the crate from her hands, a s