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
Alexander’s POV"If you ever need me, I’ll be here to help," Alpha Chris had told me."I’ll ask my guards, my warriors, and my best hunters to gather any possible clues about Aira’s whereabouts. She must be found," he had assured me. "But I need to return to my tribe. They need me there. However, I’ll merge some of my warriors with yours to aid in the search.""Yes," I had replied without hesitation.That was the last conversation I had with Alpha Chris. And then he was gone.Now, all I could do was wait. Wait for my hunters to return with answers, with even the slightest clue about Aira’s location. The uncertainty gnawed at me, and every passing hour only made the frustration sink deeper into my bones. For days, I was restless, unable to think of anything else but her. My mind kept replaying possibilities, each one more tormenting than the last.Then, finally, a report arrived."Alpha," a voice called urgently.I turned sharply. Kyros approached me."We’ve obtained some clues about A
Alexander’s POVI turned to Kyros, my expression grave. "Set up a temporary headquarters near the villa," I ordered, my voice firm but calm.He furrowed his brows. "Why, Alpha?""Because this is where you’ll continue investigating Ezekiel," I explained. "I have a strong feeling that whatever he’s planning isn’t just about revenge, it’s bigger than that. And if I’m right, our tribe could be caught in the crossfire. We need to stay ahead of him. Keep digging, but stay under the radar. Do not draw attention to yourselves, and under no circumstances should you engage in any unnecessary fights. We can’t risk exposing our presence."He nodded, understanding the weight of my words. "Understood, Alpha.""Good," I said. "Now go. I’ll stay here a little longer."With a final nod, Kyros turned and left, barking orders to the others. "Everyone, prepare to establish a temporary base here!" His voice was sharp, filled with authority as our warriors moved swiftly to execute the plan.As soon as they
Alexander’s POV"Have you seen a man asking around about a woman?"The question had echoed in every corner of the town, yet the answer remained the same."No, we haven't spoken to any man like that."Again and again, I heard the same response, like a broken record. No one had seen him. No one knew anything. Frustration clawed at my chest, tightening like a noose. My patience, already stretched thin, threatened to snap.Was I supposed to give up?I had been searching for hours, asking every passerby, every merchant, every local who would so much as glance my way. I was starting to look desperate.This wasn't me. I had never been this kind of person, never let my emotions take control like this.But now? Now, I was on the verge of losing my mind.Then, out of nowhere, a voice called out."Hey, you there!"I spun around, my gaze locking onto a man leaning casually against a wooden post. He wasn't alone. Another man stood beside him, arms crossed over his chest. I recognized them. They we
Alexander’s POVI immediately started packing my things, determined to leave as soon as possible. My mind was set, I had to do this alone. But just as I was about to walk out, a firm hand grabbed my arm, stopping me in my tracks.It was Lucius."Alpha, wait," he said, his voice firm, his gaze unwavering.I turned to him, irritation flickering in my eyes. "What?""I can’t let you go alone," he insisted. "Let us come with you."I shook my head, my jaw tightening. "No. Someone has to stay behind—someone I trust—to guard our people. You and Kyros are the only ones I can count on to protect them."Lucius exhaled sharply, frustration evident in his stance. "I understand, Alpha. I just got back, and I won’t disappoint you. But think about this—what if it’s an ambush? What if something goes wrong? You need someone with you to make sure you come back alive."His words hung heavy in the air.I wanted to argue. I wanted to say I could handle this on my own. But deep down, I knew he had a point.
Aira’s POVThe moment we got stranded on an island, Ezekiel immediately took action, trying to find us shelter and a way to survive. He didn't hesitate, didn't falter. And somehow, we ended up here, in this secluded tribe. We've been living among them for days now, but something about this place feels... strange.Ezekiel moves around the village like he’s been here before, like he knows this place. At first, I thought it was just my imagination, but the way the werewolves here look at him—it’s not suspicion. It’s something else. Respect. Recognition. Almost as if he belongs.But no one questioned us. They didn’t ask where we came from or who we were. They simply accepted us, welcomed us as if it were the most natural thing in the world.And so, this became our life. Ezekiel never left my side, not even once. He was always there—watching over me, making sure I was safe, especially after what happened when we were at sea. I almost didn’t make it.The island itself is peaceful, serene ev
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