Aira’s POVAfter seeing Lucius in the same place as me, I couldn't shake off the uneasiness that followed. I knew what I saw earlier, it was him. That piercing gaze of his, the way his presence made my stomach churn, I couldn’t be wrong. And if he had been there, lurking in the same space as me, then it could only mean one thing.They were close.During the rest of that outing, I stayed close to Ezekiel. What if Alexander found me? What if, out of nowhere, he appeared and took me back? The thought haunted me like a shadow that wouldn’t leave. The possibility of it happening wasn’t just real, it was inevitable.I knew Alexander too well. He wouldn’t stop until he got what he wanted. And what he wanted was to keep me locked away in his world, under his control. He had made it clear before. He wanted me to belong to him, to be caged in his life with no way out. The mere thought of it made my stomach twist with dread.And that was the last thing I wanted."Hey, are you okay? You seem l
Aira’s POV"She's just my friend," Ezekiel said quickly, his voice firm yet casual, shutting down the neighbor’s assumption before it could take root. He didn’t hesitate, not even for a second.A strange twinge twisted in my chest at how fast he dismissed the idea. Of course, I hadn’t expected him to agree, but his insistence made something inside me stir.The woman only smiled knowingly, her sharp eyes flickering between us before handing over a small paper bag. "Oh? Is that so? Well, you say that, but you two look like a family."Ezekiel accepted the bag with a polite nod. "Thank you," he said, his tone neutral.I was still caught in my thoughts when she suddenly turned to me, her expression softening into a motherly smile."I hope your pregnancy goes well," she said gently. "I don’t know your story, and it’s not my place to ask… but if he’s not the father of your child, well…" She glanced at Ezekiel before returning her gaze to me. "If I were you, I’d choose that man instead. He se
Alexander’s POVDays had passed, and I was losing myself more and more. Each second that went by felt like I was sinking deeper into an abyss I couldn’t escape. The alcohol numbed me, yet it wasn’t enough. I wanted it to drown out the thoughts, the pain, the regret, but it only fueled them, made them worse. It was consuming me entirely, wrecking me, tearing me apart piece by piece, leaving nothing but a hollow shell of the man I used to be.I never thought I could feel this kind of pain.I was in the pack house, locked inside my main office. I hadn’t left in days. I couldn’t bring myself to go home. That place was filled with too many memories of her—memories that now felt like torture. Every corner, every scent, every object reminded me of her, of what I lost, of what I destroyed with my own hands. It was suffocating.And I didn’t want to be around the others either. I knew they were worried about me. I knew they wanted to reach out, to check on me, to help. But I didn’t need their
Alexander’s POVFor days, I could barely sleep.But how? How could that be possible? I saw her body with my own eyes.The conflicting thoughts gnawed at me, twisting my insides. Could someone have orchestrated the entire thing?Then, a knock on my office door jolted me from my spiraling thoughts.I glanced up as the door creaked open, revealing Kyros.“Alpha, someone is looking for you. It’s Alpha Chris from the Moon Silver Pack.”I froze. My entire body went rigid as his words sank in.Aira’s biological father.“Tell him I’ll be there shortly,” I instructed, “I just need to prepare myself.”Kyros gave a short nod before stepping out.As soon as the door closed, I ran a hand down my face, inhaling deeply in an attempt to steady my nerves.After fixing my appearance, straightening my clothes, and collecting my thoughts, I finally made my way out of the office. The air felt heavy, charged with an invisible tension as I walked down the hallway of the pack house.And then, I saw him.Alph
Aira’s POVMy breathing turned ragged as I struggled to keep my body from shifting. No, I can’t transform!Then, out of nowhere, a sudden surge of energy coursed through me, as if my baby could sense my suffering. It was a strange yet comforting sensation, like my child was reaching out to me, trying to soothe me. But the relief was short-lived. My strength drained in an instant, and my legs buckled beneath me.I barely registered the coldness of the floor beneath me before my vision blurred. Am I shifting? But it didn’t feel like I was. However, my entire body felt drained. Panic surged through my veins, but before I could even process the thought, darkness slowly swallow me whole.The last thing I saw before losing consciousness was the door bursting open. Someone was running toward me. And then, nothing.“Hold on, Aira!”---When I regained consciousness, the first thing I felt was warmth, strong arms wrapped around me, carrying me somewhere. The sensation of movement was disorient
Aira’s POV"Here, Ms. Aira."I turned my head when Natasha spoke beside me. She carefully placed a cup of tea on the table before me. "Thank you," I said softly.She took a seat beside me, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear before asking, "Are you enjoying the view?""Yes, I am. Everything here at the Manor is breathtaking. And I still can't believe Ezekiel gave me my own place. It just feels... unreal.""Alpha Ezekiel is really something, you know. He wouldn't do that unless you truly mean something to him."Her words made my heart swell. I felt a warm sensation bloom in my chest, a mixture of happiness and disbelief. After everything I had been through, it was hard to accept kindness so freely given.For a long time, I had suffered. But under Ezekiel’s care, my life had taken a turn for the better. At first, it was overwhelming, the unfamiliar kindness, the security I had never known before. But now, I was starting to embrace it.And Natasha, she was a big part of that change.
Ezekiel’s POVThe moment I turned my back on Aira, I forced myself to regain my composure. I couldn't afford to waver, not now, not ever. My jaw clenched as I exhaled slowly, pushing down the frustration threatening to surface. Without another glance in her direction, I walked straight to my car, got in, and drove off.The drive back to my office was long, but I didn’t mind. In fact, I welcomed it. The steady hum of the engine, the rhythmic motion of the road beneath my tires, it was all a welcome distraction. The silence inside the car gave me space to think, to process everything that had just happened.Aira could think whatever she wanted about me.If she believed I was doing this out of care, so be it. If she assumed I was attached, let her. Her perception of me had no effect on my true motives. I wasn't the type to explain myself, and I had no reason to.Because this wasn’t about her.This was about something else entirely.I arrived at my office in no time at all. I loosened
Aira’s POVAnxiety gnawed at me as I waited for Ezekiel to come home.It was already late, far later than usual, and he was still nowhere to be found. He had told me earlier that he had an important meeting to attend, something that would keep him occupied for a while. But how long was a while supposed to be? Hours had passed, and still, there was no sign of him.I sighed, shifting uncomfortably as I sat outside. My hands instinctively rested on my belly, feeling the faint movements of the little life growing inside me. Maybe I was overthinking things. Maybe I was just being overly sensitive because of my pregnancy. But I couldn’t shake off this uneasiness."Miss Aira," a familiar voice called out, pulling me from my thoughts. I turned to see Natasha standing by the doorway, her brows furrowed in concern."What are you doing here outside? You should be resting since you're pregnant."I gave her a small smile, though I knew it didn’t reach my eyes. "I’m just waiting for Ezekiel. It’s g
Aira’s POVI watched Ezekiel quietly as he rested, recovering from the healer’s treatments over the past few days. His face was still pale, and the faint traces of pain lingered, but he looked better than before. I felt a mix of relief and worry as I observed him in silence.He had fallen asleep before the healer came back. He had regular check-ups to make sure his wounds were healing properly. My eyes stayed on him, but for some reason, a heavy feeling weighed down on me as I stared at his still form. The healer stood up and turned to me, giving me a reassuring glance.“His condition looks good now,” she said. “Just call me if the pain worsens or if the ointment doesn’t work.”“Thank you, always, for your help,” I replied to her. She nodded and left without a word.Once she was gone, I sat by the edge of his bed, unable to take my eyes off him. All I could do now was wait for him to wake up. But it wasn’t long before I felt my eyelids growing heavy. I could barely keep them open.“I
Aira’s POVI turned my back on him; however, he shouted.“Aira, no!” Alexander’s desperate voice broke through the chaos. I winced as his hold tightened, the intensity in his eyes begging me to listen.Then, to my shock, he fell to his knees.“Please, you need to believe me!” he yelled. “Aira, we were finally getting somewhere—why is everything falling apart now?” His voice cracked. Panic was etched into his face.But I was done listening. Fury clouded my thoughts, drowning out reason. I yanked my wrist free, “Get lost!” I shouted, my voice trembling from the rage surging through me.I turned to Ezekiel, ignoring Alexander’s broken expression as I reached out to help him. Ezekiel grunted, wiping a trickle of blood from his lip.“I don’t ever want to see you again,” I spat, my words aimed at Alexander like daggers. My pulse raced as I watched his expression crumble.Alexander’s eyes widened, disbelief washing over his face. For a moment, he was utterly still, the weight of my rejectio
Aira’s POV‘Aira…help!’I jolted awake, my heart racing. My breathing was ragged as I struggled to shake off the remnants of sleep. Blinking rapidly, I realized I had fallen asleep on one side of the couch in the mansion’s living room. I quickly sat up, rubbing my face, and turned to look at the clock. It was already late at night.Ezekiel.A sudden wave of unease washed over me. I glanced around, searching for him, but he was nowhere in sight.“E-Ezekiel? Are you here?” My voice came out shaky as I pushed myself up.I moved carefully, my hands instinctively cradling my lower abdomen. I had to be extra careful for the baby. Taking a deep breath, I turned on the lights.The moment the room illuminated, my breath caught in my throat. My eyes widened in horror.Drag marks.Dark, disturbing stains smeared across the living room floor, forming a trail that led deeper into the mansion. My stomach twisted painfully.“What the hell is this?” I whispered to myself, my heartbeat hammering again
Ezekiel’s POVI wasn’t surprised when I woke up and found myself in a dark, damp underground garage. The air was thick with the scent of oil and rust, and the cold concrete beneath me. And then I felt it—a sharp blade pressed against my throat.My breath hitched for a brief second, but I quickly regained my composure. My life hung in the balance, teetering on the edge of that very blade. Yet, I refused to show fear.The wielder of the weapon? None other than him.“Alexander,” I muttered, my voice steady despite the lethal situation. Our gazes locked.His expression was cold, his eyes brimming with restrained fury. But me? I smirked. I refused to let him see me waver.“What brings you here, huh?” I taunted, my voice dripping with amusement. “I knew I caught a familiar scent while I was resting. Let me guess—after Aira and I fell asleep, you made sure to drag me here, down to this underground pit, away from her eyes.” My smirk widened. “You didn’t want her to see what you’re up to, d
Ezekiel’s POV“Where is Aira now?” I asked the moment I returned to the mansion."She's upstairs, Alpha Ezekiel, in her room. Just reading her book," the maid replied respectfully."Does she ever leave? Has she disobeyed me?" My voice was firm, searching for any sign of defiance.The maid quickly shook her head. "No, Alpha. She never tries to escape. Ever since the security around the mansion tightened, she hasn't stepped outside. She stays in her room most of the time. When she does move around, it's only within the mansion—often visiting the nursery and the study room."I nodded, absorbing the information. Good. At least she was staying within bounds.Without another word, I ascended the stairs to the third floor, where Aira’s room was located—the place I always left her. My fingers curled tightly around the small velvet box in my hand. Inside it was a necklace—a gift for her. Whatever her reaction would be, it didn’t matter. I had already decided.Standing before her door, I knocke
Amelia’s POV“I need to leave. There is something I needed to take care of.”I didn’t wait for Alexander’s response, nor did I need his permission. I turned my back on him and walked away without a second thought.Something about him felt off. I had a nagging feeling that Alexander was lying to me. But if he was lying, he wouldn’t get away with it. I knew him too well. I had spent enough time by his side to recognize when he was hiding something.So, I decided to take matters into my own hands.I had been watching her closely, waiting for a moment when she’d let her guard down. And that’s when I caught her.I overheard her speaking in hushed tones, her voice laced with urgency."I need to go to the pirates," Cassandra said.I edged closer, careful not to make a sound. My breath hitched as I strained to hear every word."Tell me, who were the people that came from the pirates?" she demanded.A maid stood before her, shifting uncomfortably. She looked nervous, her hands fidgeting with
Aira’s POV“Aira, are you okay?”I looked up to see Ezekiel standing in front of me, concern etched deep into his eyes. "Yes, I’m fine. Don’t worry too much about me. You should’ve taken care of your own business instead of coming back."He shook his head firmly. "I’ll stay here tonight. I want to make sure you’re okay before I leave tomorrow. You need to be careful." He reached out and cupped my cheek, the warmth of his palm grounding me. But despite his gentle touch, my thoughts drifted to Alexander.True to his word, Ezekiel stayed the night. I appreciated his presence, even if it made my heart feel heavy. By the time morning came, he finally left, and I couldn’t shake the feeling of guilt gnawing at me. I barely had time to gather my thoughts before Alexander returned. My cheeks burned as I invited him upstairs. I couldn’t hide my embarrassment, but Alexander just smiled, his eyes softening as he looked at me.“I wanted to surprise you first,” he said, taking my hand. Before I cou
Aira’s POV“Ms. Aira! Ms. Aira! What happened to you?!”My eyes fluttered open, and dizziness hit me hard. The world spun around me. Panic bubbled up in my chest. "W-What's going on?" I managed to ask, my voice weak and trembling.“Oh! You’re finally awake!” a maid exclaimed, her face etched with relief. “We’ve been trying to wake you for a while now, Ms. Aira. Hold on!”She quickly called out, her voice urgent. “Help me get her to the bed!”A group of maids and guards rushed over. Those who couldn’t lift me still tried to help, supporting me as they carefully eased me onto the bed. My head throbbed, and my muscles ached as if I’d been running for days without rest. I sank into the soft mattress, trying to calm my racing heart.One of the guards, his face stern and serious, barked an order. “Call for a healer. Now!”A maid immediately rushed out of the room, her footsteps fading as she ran down the hall. I lay there, dazed and confused, my thoughts muddled. Why did my body feel so wea
Aira’s POVI had no choice but to accept my situation. Locked in this room, I couldn't go out anymore. Deep down, I knew it had something to do with the necklace. It was the only thing that made sense. Ezekiel must have picked up Alexander’s scent from it—after all, he’s an Alpha with heightened senses.A frustrated sigh escaped my lips as I tried to calm myself. There was no point in panicking. I needed a distraction—anything to get my mind off this mess. So, I made my way to the nursery room in the mansion. The workers were busy, expanding the room and making it more suitable for a baby.“How’s the arrangement going?”One of the workers looked up, surprise flashing across his face. “Oh, Ms. Aira, it’s you. We’re almost done.”I nodded, watching as they painted the walls a soft, calming shade of blue. The faint scent of fresh paint hung in the air, and I wrinkled my nose. The nursery was filled with baby supplies—clothes, toys, and tiny furniture. To keep myself from going crazy wi