“What’s wrong?” she screamed, her heart pounding as she raced toward the children’s room. The moment she shoved the door open, her breath caught in her throat.Kelsey was thrashing against the sheets, his face contorted in distress. Sweat slicked his brow, his hands clawing at the air as if trying to fight something off."Kelsey!" Georgia hurried to his bedside, grabbing his shoulders and shaking him gently. "Wake up, baby! It’s just a dream. Wake up!"His eyes snapped open with a choked sob, his chest rising and falling in rapid, uneven breaths. Tears welled in his eyes as he threw his arms around Georgia’s waist, his entire body trembling."Mom," he gasped, his voice raw with fear. "I... I cried, but he didn’t let me go."Georgia smoothed his damp hair back. "Who, baby? Who didn’t let you go?"Kelsey swallowed hard, his voice barely above a whisper. "A man with a mask. He came in the dark. He grabbed my arm and said I belonged to him. I screamed, but he was too strong. I thought he
“No” Georgia whispered “Expecting someone?” Anna asked again, her voice cautious, her fingers tightening around the handle of a knife she’d been using to chop vegetables.Georgia swallowed hard. “No.”Anna’s brows furrowed as she wiped her hands on her apron and stepped toward the door. “Stay with the kids. I’ll check.”Before Georgia could protest, Anna was already moving. Her stomach twisted with unease as she herded the triplets behind her, her instincts screaming at her to be ready for anything.Anna pulled the door open just enough to see who was on the other side. A tall, broad-shouldered man stood on the porch, his piercing eyes locking onto her with an intensity that made Georgia’s stomach twist.“Liam?” Anna’s voice softened, though it held a note of caution. “What are you doing here?”Georgia felt her breath leave her in a rush. Of course. Liam, one of Jared’s most trusted warriors. If he was here, it could only mean one thing.“He wants to see her, both of you,” Liam said
Caleb’s boot crunched against the shattered glass as he strode into Anna’s house, his sharp gaze cutting through the dimly lit room. Shelves were half-empty, coats missing from the hooks, and the air still carried the lingering trace of her scent. "Where is she?" His voice was low, dangerous. "She must come with me to Alpha Jared now." Georgia had run. His jaw tightened. He turned, his piercing eyes landing on Anna, who stood stiffly by the wooden table, her fingers gripping its edge. "Where is she?" Anna’s heart pounded against her ribs, but she forced herself to remain still, meeting Caleb’s piercing gaze with unwavering resolve. She knew fear would only fuel his dominance, and she refused to give him that satisfaction. "Gone," she said, her voice steady despite the tightness in her throat. "Hours ago." She took a slow breath, her fingers curling against the edge of the wooden table behind her. "You won’t find her." She saw the flicker of doubt in his eyes, brief but th
The room fell silent the moment Jared's fist slammed against the heavy oak table. The impact sent a sharp crack through the air, and every man standing in the room stiffened."She thinks she can run from me?" Jared's voice was dangerously low, a quiet fury that sent chills down spines. His eyes, burning with rage, swept over Caleb, daring him to confirm the news again.Caleb met his Alpha’s gaze with unwavering resolve. "She's gone. She planned this escape for months. She knew exactly what she was doing."Jared’s nostrils flared as he inhaled deeply, his patience hanging by a thread. "And you let her go?"Caleb clenched his jaw but remained silent. He knew better than to argue when Jared was like this. The Alpha rose from his chair with slow, deliberate movements, his towering frame casting a long shadow over the room."Listen carefully," Jared growled, his voice carrying the weight of his authority. "I want her found. Every second she is out there, she defies me. That will not stand.
Anna sat on the edge of her bed, staring at the dim light creeping through the cracks in the window. Sleep had been impossible. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Georgia, scared, exhausted, running. The weight of her father’s ultimatum pressed down on her chest, making it hard to breathe.She had to find Georgia. But how?Anna closed her eyes, thinking through every possible hiding place. Georgia had planned this escape carefully, which meant she wouldn’t go somewhere obvious. She was smart and resourceful. Anna's mind raced, tracing their past conversations, recalling the places Georgia had mentioned in passing. Somewhere out of Jared’s reach. Somewhere safe for the children.Then it hit her. The old barn. A place barely standing, forgotten by most, yet deeply etched in their past. For five years, it had been their sanctuary, shielding them from the world’s cruelties. Hidden in the thick woods beyond the town’s edge, it was far enough to avoid suspicion yet close enough for
Anna exhaled in relief. “We don’t have much time. But I swear I won’t let him take you back.”Georgia stared at her, searching for any sign of a trap. But before she could respond, a sound shattered the fragile moment—heavy footsteps crunching against the frozen earth.Warriors.Georgia’s pulse pounded as figures emerged from the darkness, their presence suffocating the barn’s already tight space. Caleb’s men.Anna spun around, her face paling. “No! I didn’t lead them here!”Caleb’s expression was unreadable, but his voice was cold. “She’s coming with us.”Georgia’s grip tightened around the knife. No. She would not* go back.She moved to shield the triplets, ready to fight, to claw and bite if she had to. But Anna grabbed her wrist, eyes desperate. “Stop.”Georgia wrenched her arm away. “You lied to me.”“I swear, I didn’t.” Anna turned to Caleb, her voice shaking but firm. “Stand down.”Caleb hesitated.Anna squared her shoulders. “She’s under my protection. If you attack, I’ll make
"Well… I’ll go."Georgia’s voice trembled, but there was no taking it back now. Anna exhaled sharply, her shoulders sagging with a mix of relief and something heavier, something like fear. "Thank the moon," she muttered, but the flicker of anxiety in her eyes didn’t go unnoticed. Georgia’s heart pounded. The room felt too small, too suffocating. Anna’s mother stood by the door, her gaze unreadable, while the triplets played on the floor, their laughter a cruel contrast to the weight pressing on her chest. "You want this, don’t you?" Georgia’s voice was quieter now, almost accusing. Anna bit her lip, struggling with her emotions. "I have to want it." She shook her head. "If you don’t go, my father loses everything. His position, his respect, everything. The Alpha made it clear. Either you come willingly, or my family pays the price." The words cut deep. Georgia felt like she was being shoved toward the edge of a cliff. "And what about me?" she whispered. "What happens to me
"So, what is it you want me to know before we get there?" Georgia’s voice was sharp, cutting through the heavy silence in the car.Anna exhaled slowly, gripping the edge of her dress. "Just… be the good girl you always are, okay? Everything will fall into place."Georgia turned to her, searching her face. "That’s it? That’s all you have to say?"Anna hesitated, then reached for Georgia’s hand, squeezing it tightly. "I love you. And I swear I’m not doing this to hurt you. The Alpha threatened my family, I had no choice. But I promise you, I will take care of your children. Always."The rest of the journey was silent, save for the occasional creak of the carriage wheels. When the towering walls of the palace came into view, Georgia felt a cold dread coil around her spine. The place was massive, almost suffocating in its grandeur. Torches flickered in the night, casting eerie shadows against the stone walls.As soon as the carriage halted, the door swung open, and a guard motioned for Ge
Chapter 47"Mommy!" Keira's cry sliced through the stillness of the night.She stumbled through the winding paths of the palace garden, her small hands clutching at the bushes as if they'd lead her home. Tears blurred her vision, hot streaks running down her face as she choked on sobs."Kelvin! Kelsey!" she cried louder, voice cracking. "Where are you?!"She had run. Her little heart couldn't take the shouting, the fear, the way Caleb's voice boomed and echoed like thunder. She just wanted to hide. She didn't mean to leave her brothers behind. She didn't mean to get lost.Now, everything around her was dark and strange. The flowers didn’t smell like the ones at home. The garden paths were too neat, too long, too cold.Her knees gave out as she collapsed beside a marble fountain, curling in on herself and wrapping her arms around her legs. She rocked gently, trying to steady her breathing."Mommy…" she whispered, broken. "Please find me..."A soft rustle. Footsteps. Calm, slow, sure.J
"Oh no, you can’t come with me," Georgia said firmly, kneeling in front of the triplets as they stood in their pajamas, eyes wide with hope. "Your mommy is working as a maid in the palace. It’s not a place for kids to run around.""But why not?" Keira’s voice cracked. "We’ll be good. We won’t make noise. We just want to see where you go.""Yeah," Kelvin added, clutching the hem of her coat. "You said we’re a pack. Packs stay together."Georgia sighed, brushing Kelsey’s curls from her eyes. "You are my pack. But this isn’t a fun visit. It’s work. And it’s dangerous. There are people in that palace who wouldn’t think twice about hurting someone like you.""Someone like us?" Kelsey whispered, her bottom lip trembling.Georgia felt her heart twist. "Someone without power. Without protection. I need you to stay here, be safe. Please, for me.""When can we come?" Keira asked, blinking fast to stop the tears."Soon," Georgia promised. "Next time I visit, if things are safer… I’ll bring you w
Georgia felt it before her phone even rang.That flutter in her chest. That ache she couldn't quite name.When Jared’s name lit up her screen, her breath caught, not from fear this time, but from something deeper. A pull she didn’t want to resist anymore.She stepped out onto the porch and answered, her voice soft and breathy, almost like a confession. “Hey.”Jared’s voice poured through the line like warm honey. “Hey, baby. You okay?”God, how could three words sound like a warm embrace?“I’m… getting there,” she said quietly. “It’s been a long day.”There was a pause on the line. The kind that said more than words ever could.“Didn’t want to push,” Jared finally said. “Just needed to hear your voice.”The way he said it, low, reverent, almost worshipful, made her heartache most beautifully.“You miss me?” she asked, leaning against the porch railing, eyes closed.“More than I should,” he replied without hesitation. “More than I know how to hide.”Her lips parted, a soft breath e
Chapter 44 It was a brown new day, Georgia sat up slowly, the scent of warm pancakes and something sweet, maybe syrup or cinnamon, drifting through the cracked door. Laughter echoed faintly from the kitchen below. The triplets. Their giggles had always been the best alarm clock.Georgia pulled the blanket tighter around herself and let her eyes wander across the room. A photo of her pregnant self with Anna, both of them in oversized hats, smiled from a dusty frame on the dresser. Her throat tightened. So much had changed. She got dressed slowly, slipping into a soft cardigan and jeans, brushing her fingers against the dresser’s edge like she was gathering strength from every memory carved into the wood.Downstairs was loud. Beautifully, wonderfully loud. “Mom! Mom! I made you toast but I licked the butter first!” Kelsey announced, proudly holding up a half-eaten slice. “You what?” Georgia gasped, laughing as she caught the toast and pulled her daughter into a hug. Kelvin sat
I’m home! Who missed me?” Georgia called out as she stepped out of the car, her voice light with forced cheer, but her eyes scanning the surroundings with a quiet longing.The breeze welcomed her instantly, warm and gentle, brushing against her skin like a familiar hug. The scent of wildflowers, fresh earth, and sun-warmed grass swirled around her as she stood still for a moment, breathing it all in.She closed her eyes briefly, letting the moment sink in.It had been so long, too long, since she’d felt anything close to peace. No deadlines. No Jared. No Seraphina. No pretending to be fine.Just this place.The countryside looked just as she remembered it. The winding road, the small wooden gate, and the rose-wrapped cottage just ahead, glowing under the lazy afternoon sun. The gravel shifted softly beneath her feet as she took a slow step forward, her heart beating a strange rhythm in her chest.“I missed you too,” she whispered under her breath, even though no one had answered her y
“As long as you’re with me, we’ll face this together,” Jared said, his voice steady but fierce. “You’re the one I love, Georgia. Not Seraphina. That part of my past is dead.”Georgia hesitated, eyes dropping to the floor. “But…”“No buts,” Jared interrupted, gently lifting her chin so she met his gaze. “Don’t forget, I’m still the Alpha. And when it comes to us, I decide what stays, and what doesn’t.”A flicker of defiance flashed in her eyes, but she only nodded. “Alright… if you say so.”She stepped back, her voice softening. “I should get going. There are chores I’ve been assigned, and I don’t want more trouble.”Jared let her hand slip from his. “Fine. But Georgia, look at me.”She paused at the door, turning halfway.“I meant every word,” he said. “And if anyone dares question my loyalty to you, they’ll answer to me.”Her lips curled into the smallest smile. “We’ll see if you still mean that when Seraphina starts playing games again.”She left before he could respond, leaving him
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