Melissa’s POVCleaning the boys’ playroom had always been my way of winding down. The repetitive motions—picking up blocks, straightening up toy cars, organizing books—helped me focus on something other than the chaos swirling inside me. But tonight, it wasn’t enough.I couldn’t stop thinking about Knox. About how easily I had fallen into his arms again. After everything he’d done. After he betrayed me and got Susie pregnant. After he banished me from my own home.I scolded myself, shaking my head. I couldn’t let myself be drawn in by him again. He had never really cared about me, only about what I could do for him. And now… now he probably just wanted to use me again.“But he seemed different this time*, my wolf whispered softly. “He’s been through a lot too…”“No,” I snapped back at her, my voice a harsh whisper in the quiet room. “You’re being gullible. He hasn’t changed. He only wants something from me.”My wolf whimpered, but I ignored her. The only thing that mattered now was pr
Melissa’s POVThe moment I rushed into the hospital, the scene that greeted me was pure chaos. The hallways were filled with people—some injured, some panicked, all desperate for help.Doctors and nurses scrambled in every direction, trying to keep up with the sudden influx of patients. The sounds of crying, shouting, and beeping monitors filled the air, making it hard to focus.My heart clenched as I realized how bad the attack had been. So many wounded… so much pain. A part of me couldn’t stop thinking about Knox. Andrew had mentioned he’d been injured.Was he okay? I shook off the panic threatening to rise in my chest and forced myself to focus. There were people who needed help, and I couldn't afford to fall apart now.A nurse rushed up to me, her face pale with worry. "Doctor Melissa, we need you in the Alpha's room!"My breath caught. "Knox? How is he?"She shook her head. "We… we don't know. He won’t let us treat him."Panic shot through me as we made our way to his room. My mi
Melissa’s POVI could still feel the weight of Knox’s arms around me, his strong presence calming the storm of chaos in the hospital. How had I let myself get swept up in that moment? Twice in one night, I’d lost my guard. I was supposed to be stronger than this—smarter than this. It had been so easy to fall into him, to let the past blur with the present. But I couldn’t afford to be that naive girl anymore.Being in Knox's arms had been wonderful—too wonderful. It was like nothing had changed. His scent, his warmth, the way his arms felt around me… My wolf had purred in delight, but the moment the council members arrived, reality hit me like a brick. Knox was still a married alpha. I was still a doctor with a job to do. And I had a fiancé waiting for me back home. No matter how much my wolf longed for the connection we used to share, I had responsibilities now. Responsibilities that didn’t include getting entangled with Knox.At least Knox was fine. His injuries, while severe, had be
Melissa’s POVI couldn't sleep. The moonlight filtering through the curtains did nothing to calm the storm raging inside me. Melissa had messed me up, and I knew it. That cold look in her eyes, the professional detachment in her tone—it had cut deep. She wasn’t the same girl I used to know. But then again, I wasn’t the same man either.Lying there, staring at the ceiling, all I could think about was her. Her soft lips, the way she fit so perfectly in my arms for those few stolen moments. But then reality hit—she was just a doctor here to help me, nothing more. She had a fiancé waiting for her. And I… I had responsibilities I couldn’t ignore.Yet, no matter how hard I tried to shut it off, something kept pulling me back to her. Restlessness gnawed at me, a feeling deep in my gut telling me I was needed somewhere. Unable to ignore it, I threw on a shirt and followed the pull. It was irrational, crazy even, but I trusted my instincts.When I found her outside, standing alone in the dark,
Melissa’s POVI could feel my mother’s gaze on me, watching for any signs of resistance. I crossed my arms and leaned back against the hospital bed, trying to stay calm. “Fine, Mother. Have Andrew check my schedule and set a date for this… meeting,” I said, forcing the word out of my mouth.The truth was, I had no intention of going through with it. I’d have Andrew push the meeting back as far as possible. Eventually, my mother would give up. At least, that was the plan.But her next words threw me completely off guard. “You won’t need to wait long, dear. She’s coming today.”My eyes snapped to her, a flicker of frustration sparking in my chest. “Today? That’s too soon. I’ve barely had time to… prepare for something like this.”Mother simply smiled, the kind of smile that always meant she had anticipated my every move. “I know you, Knox. If I left it up to you, you’d delay this forever. We don’t have time for that. She’s already on her way.”I clenched my jaw. I had expected resistanc
Knox’s POVI watched as Caroline introduced herself. She had a mix of confidence and shyness, a rare balance that made me pause. There was something undeniably beautiful about her, but what caught me off guard was how she wasn’t immediately trying to flirt with me. No coy glances, no suggestive smiles. Just a simple introduction with a warm handshake.“Caroline,” she said with a soft smile, her voice steady. “I’m pleased to meet you, Alpha Knox.”I nodded, taking her hand briefly before letting go. “Likewise.”She wasn’t like the others, who threw themselves at me the moment we were alone. I led her to the car, stealing glances at her as we walked. She had an elegance in the way she moved, every step confident but not calculated. I found myself admiring her in a way I hadn’t expected. She wasn’t my mate, but there was no denying she was attractive. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad after all.When we got into the car, her scent hit me—sweet, almost intoxicating. It caught me off guard, ma
Melissa’s POVDemetri’s laughter rang in my ears, and I found myself chuckling along with him. It felt good to laugh—like the weight I had been carrying was a little lighter, at least for now. The park was bustling with families and friends, and Tyler and Dylan were eager to try out every game they could see. For once, it felt like we were just a normal family enjoying the day. No looming threats, no pack politics, just… normal.But that feeling didn’t last long.Without warning, a strange tingling sensation ran through my body, and my senses went on high alert. My breath caught as I picked up on a scent—one that I knew far too well. That familiar, intoxicating smell that I could never forget. My heart started pounding, and I knew exactly who it was.*Knox.*The moment I registered his presence, I heard a sweet, feminine voice call out his name. I whipped my head around, and there he was—Knox, standing not too far away, staring right at me. The intensity in his gaze caught me off guar
Alpha Knox’s POVThe drive back was quiet. Caroline was quiet and so was I. I knew that I was been a bad date by being so reticent, but I could not stop thinking about Melissa and the smile on her face when Demetri had won the plush bear for her. Even worse, it was obvious that the twins had liked him as well, which bothered me greatly. I had wanted them to dislike him, so much so that they would have only accepted the toys I had won for them and not his.It was bad form to be thinking about another woman while on a date, but I was helpless against my feelings for Melissa. Earlier in the day, Caroline seemed so bright, beautiful, and confident. But the moment I had seen Melissa laughing at whatever Demetri had been saying to her, I had forgotten what Caroline looked like, even though she had been right next to me. The silence in the car stretched on, thick and heavy, almost unbearable. Caroline shifted in her seat beside me, clearly aware that something was off, but too polite to say