Melissa’s POVI was preparing a light dinner for the twins and I, but I could not stop thinking about all that had happened during the day. From finding out that Knox was getting a concubine, Caroline to the way he and Demetri had acted at the park and finally to what the boys had said when we were in the car, my head was a buzz of different thoughts. Despite trying as hard as I could, I could not get Knox out of my mind. The jealousy that had coursed through me the moment I had seen him with Caroline had left a bitter taste in my mouth all day long. I tried to caution myself, reminding myself that I had no right to be jealous and that not only was silly, but it was also disloyal to Sam.You have a loving fiance, Sam. There is nothing between you and Knox and there can never be.Just then, my phone buzzed. I looked down at it and saw that it was Sam. It felt eerie as though he had been summoned by me thinking of him, but at the same time, I felt guilty. Other than in the past few min
MELISSA’S POV“Melissa, please just return to me… the boys are happy there, are they not? Can’t you just leave them there and come back to me, please? I need you.”“And my children don’t?! We talked about this before I left, Sam. there is no way in hell I am leaving my boys. How could you even bring this up again? Are you not ashamed of yourself? The boys adore you. How do you think they would feel if they found out that you are trying to get me to leave them all alone…?”"Don't twist my words, Melissa!" Sam’s voice was sharp now, his frustration spilling over. "I'm saying... there has to be a way for us to work this out. For us to be together again."I scoffed, feeling the tension coil tighter in my chest. "How? By me leaving them behind? How is that even an option, Sam? You knew from the start that they are my priority. They are everything to me.""I know that!" Sam shot back. "But I’m not asking for forever, just some time. We can bring them back later. It’s just… I need you here w
MELISSA’S POV"I love you, Melissa. I hope you love me enough to choose me."I stared at the words, my heart sinking deeper. How could he say that? How could he ask me to choose between him and my children? Between the life I had built with the boys and a future with him?I set the phone down, refusing to reply. Not now. Not when I was still reeling from our argument. I didn’t want to say something I couldn’t take back. I could feel the anger simmering just beneath the surface, mingled with a deep sense of hurt.How could he put me in such an impossible position? He had been there through so much—he knew my history, the boys' history. To think that he would ask me to leave them behind, even for a short while, felt like a betrayal. I didn’t care how scared or insecure he was feeling. The boys came first, always. And Sam knew that, or at least he should have.But even knowing that didn’t make the guilt disappear. I did love Sam. I had loved him for so long, and part of me had always env
MELISSA’S POV"Mom?" His voice was sleepy, barely a whisper."Hey, buddy," I said softly, smiling despite the heaviness in my chest. "What are you doing up so early?"He shrugged, rubbing his eyes with the back of his hand. "I had a weird dream."I knelt down to his level, brushing the hair out of his face. "Do you want to tell me about it?"Tyler shook his head, then hesitated. "It was just...I was looking for you, and I couldn’t find you anywhere."My heart clenched. It was just a dream, but the timing felt cruel, like the universe was mocking me. I hugged him tightly, hoping he couldn’t feel the turmoil inside me."I’m not going anywhere," I whispered into his hair. "I’m right here, okay?"He nodded, his small arms wrapping around me in return. After a few moments, he pulled back, looking up at me with those big, innocent eyes. "Are you okay, Mom?"I blinked, taken aback by the question. "Of course, sweetie. Why do you ask?""You just...seem sad sometimes," he said, his voice quiet
MELISSA’S POVI glanced back at the boys, who were watching the scene with wide eyes. “It’s fine, Knox. I’m good. Really. You didn’t have to come all this way.”“Melissa, come on,” he said, stepping forward slightly. “You’re already running late, and I can see you’re stressed. Let me help, alright?”His tone softened, and I felt the weight of exhaustion pulling me down again. I was tired—so damn tired of doing everything on my own. But letting him help? It didn’t feel right. It complicated things. Still, there was something in his eyes that made me hesitate.“Okay,” I said, almost reluctantly. “Let me just grab my bag.”I turned to the boys, trying to mask the unease Knox’s presence stirred in me. “You two behave while I’m gone. I mean it. Call if you need me.”“Will do, Mom,” Dylan said, giving me a look that was far too mature for his age. Tyler waved, already distracted by something on the TV.“Love you,” I said, giving them a smile, even though it felt forced. “I’ll be back soon.”
CHAPTER 48MELISSA’S POV"I can’t lose him, Melissa," he finally said, his voice cracking slightly, betraying the emotion he usually kept locked away. "I’ve already lost too much."Hearing that crack in his voice broke something in me. I wanted to reach out, to offer comfort, to promise that everything would be okay. But I knew better. Making promises in situations like this was dangerous, especially when I didn’t know the outcome myself."I’m doing everything I can," I said quietly. "I promise you that."Knox nodded but didn’t say anything else. The car pulled to a stop in front of the hospital, and for a moment, neither of us moved. I felt the urge to say something more, to bridge the growing chasm between us, but the words just wouldn’t come."I should get inside," I finally said, breaking the silence. "There’s a lot to do.""Right," Knox said, snapping back to the present. He cleared his throat, his mask of stoicism sliding back into place. "I’ll be waiting for your call."I nodde
ALPHA KNOX’S POV"Melissa."She turned, looking at me over her shoulder."Thank you," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "For trying. For everything."She nodded, closed the car’s door gently behind her and walked away towards the hospital’s entrance. I watched her go, our conversation on my mind.Her words reverberated in my mind: There’s a chance. I wouldn’t be working this hard if I didn’t think there was.The hope that I had in me for Michael’s recovery was like a double-edged sword.I knew that too well. Hope could lift you up, but when it fell apart, it shattered you into pieces that were impossible to put back together.Finally, after what felt like hours but was only minutes, I forced myself to turn the key in the ignition. The engine rumbled to life, but I still hesitated before putting the car in gear. What if I drove away and something happened? What if I left, and that small glimmer of hope slipped away while I wasn’t there? The thought of losing Michael was unbearab
ALPHA KNOX’S POV“Oh, Knox… " she trailed off as her friends bowed. I recognised them a little; I had seen them with Susie a couple of times prior to that moment. Susie and I had not seen each other for a while, not since the last attack on the pack that had left me injured and technically, I was still living at the hospital since I had not been discharged yet. It was then that I remembered that she had not even come to check on me at the hospital. She was the Luna of the pack and my wife and yet, she cared about nobody but herself… and maybe Michael. My mom’s words rang in my ear as I stared at Susie. Your wife, who hasn’t visited you in the entire week you’ve been admitted? Don’t pretend that her opinion on this matters, Knox. She’s never cared about the pack, or you, the way she should.“Susie. My office, now,” I declared before heading straight into the office, not even waiting for her reply.I slammed the door behind me as I entered my office, my mind racing. The sound echoed
Melissa 's POVI’m starting to wonder if my mother gave me the wrong secret. Granted, she shared the most important one—the scariest, too—but she really buried the lead. Sure, my blood can grant eternal life, but that’s not much help while it’s still coursing through my veins. On the other hand, learning I can hypnotize people would have been a much more practical secret to know sooner.Odette’s history books are far from complete, and half of what they claim sounds more like myth than fact. Still, there’s enough solid evidence to convince me of certain things. For example, I’m skeptical of the thirteenth-century zealot who supposedly figured out how to become invisible, but I’m more than willing to believe the hundreds of accounts describing how Volana wolves could use moonlight to amplify their powers.I can't believe I never knew any of this.I marvel, scanning through ancient censuses listing the names of my ancestors.I can. Luna rolls her eyes, I mean when would we have had the o
Knox's POV"Go!" Melissa commands, her body poised in a defensive stance."I can't," I mutter, frustration lacing my words. "This doesn’t feel right."We stand in the middle of the garden, the manicured grass stretching out between us. About ten meters separate us, and I can’t shake the feeling that something’s off. Melissa, dressed in workout gear, meets my gaze with a mix of patience and exasperation. On the sidelines, Aiden and Donovan watch, grinning widely as if the whole thing is some kind of game—though nothing has even happened yet."Attack me!" she urges, arms outstretched in an open challenge."Melissa, I really don’t think this is a good idea—""Knox, you promised!" She cuts me off, her voice insistent. I know she’s been trying to convince me to do this for weeks, but I still have doubts. Axel and I would never intentionally hurt her, but there’s always a risk. A slip, a misstep, even a half-hearted strike could go wrong.“This is dangerous." I gripe, "what if it doesn't wo
Melissa's POV"Knox, you're being completely unreasonable."He stands across from me in the kitchen, sunlight streaming in behind him, his arms folded tightly across his chest, and that familiar, stubborn scowl on his face. After everything that happened last night, he's been on edge, hovering around me like a hawk. This morning, I had to actually kick him out of the bathroom just to get a moment of privacy, and now he's digging in his heels, refusing to go to work."Can you blame me?" he snaps, his voice low and edged with frustration.I get it, I do. He's tired. We didn't get to bed until nearly four this morning, and with a young pup running us ragged, there’s no chance of sleeping in. If he were staying home to rest and recharge, I might be more sympathetic. But that’s not it."We've got to figure out a way to get past this,”I sigh, feeling emotionally drained."We can't change what happened,but we can't let it take over our lives either.You have to go to work, I've got to take Tyl
~ Arabella ~The Calypso Pack House stands as the grandest structure I've ever encountered. Its size dwarfs the Nova Pack House by at least three times, and if not for the imposing walls of defense encircling the marble giant, one might mistake it for a lavish resort. Perched atop a hill in the heart of Tartarus, the capital city, the mansion commands the landscape.It’s clear that the architect had one goal in mind: to ensure the Alpha could always look down upon his subjects, keeping them under his constant surveillance and reminding them, unceasingly, of their position beneath him.Glorious. I think wistfully, finally, a true Alpha.The entire city makes Elysium look like a third world slum. While the Noyas seem content to remain living in the past - preserving ancient buildings.outdated traditions and muddy forests -Tartarus was built with only strength in mind.The city's towering border walls keep out any undesirables, and the few that slip through the cracks are dealt with in s
My heart pounding with sudden panic, I jump a foot in the air and yell softly. I find a very big, very irate Alpha standing over me as I spin around and brace myself against the sturdy doors.Knox exudes displeasure with his arms folded across his chest, his mouth set, and his glittering eyes narrowed in rebuke.My cheeks burn bright pink, and I withdraw away from him, trembling with guilt. "How did you do that in the name of the Goddess?"Ignoring me, he covers my nape with one strong hand."Little wolf, what have you to say for yourself?"My first astonishment has already passed, and I understand that I have no cause for guilt. I straighten up and give my friend my sternest look, saying, “I'm entitled to know what's happening”.Knox warns, "Don't eavesdrop, and then knock on the door and enter.”“If I was in there you wouldn't have spoken openly,"I argue.“You came down here specifically so I wouldn't hear. Sam called you instead of me because he didn't want me to know either-right?”"
Whoever came up with the idea of stilettos clearly had a cruel streak.I’ve blocked out most of the painful details of these wretched pack events, but now that I’m here again, I’m reminded just how miserable it is to be trapped in high heels for hours. But, of course, as the Alpha’s mate, I have to look the part—no room for comfort in that. I have to squeeze myself into constricting designer clothes and strap what could only be described as torture devices to my feet just to be taken seriously.Sure, I’ll admit I look great—but at what price?Meanwhile, Knox has it easy. He stands beside me, as effortlessly stylish as ever in the same black suit he wears to every event. And there I am, struggling to breathe in a cocktail dress so tight and full of straps and cutouts, I needed a map just to put it on.Tyler's silver and black party dress matches mine in color, if nothing else.She looks absolutely adorable, and she's already stolen the spotlight from both Knox and I- rightly so. It seem
Melissa's POVSam’s grim face stares back at me from the tablet, his last words echoing in my mind, refusing to fade.This doesn’t make sense.“Maybe we misunderstood,” Luna suggests, her voice tinged with uncertainty.But I know we didn’t. His words were crystal clear, and the look on his face tells me this is no joke. He’s just as confused as I am, but where I linger in disbelief, he’s already jumping to the worst possible conclusion.The door opens, and Knox steps in. Instantly, Tyler bolts across the room, her little voice ringing out, “Daddy, Daddy, Daddy!”With a grin, he scoops her up, tossing her into the air. Her delighted shrieks fill the room. “Tyler, Tyler, Tyler!” he echoes, flipping her over his head a few more times before pulling her close, her small form resting against his chest as he presses a kiss to her forehead."Daddy, we went to da woods! She exclaims, launching into her account of the day."The trees were so big they touched the sky!" Tyler has seen forests bef
Susie's POV“I have no idea what I’m doing,” I complain, throwing my hands up in frustration.We’re in the back of Melissa’s café. Sam’s sitting at the kitchen island, watching me wrestle with a lump of dough on a floured cutting board. And if I’m not mistaken, he’s struggling not to laugh.“This isn’t funny,” I grumble. “I’m not a cook, I’m not a baker – I’m not cut out to take over this place.”Sam raises his dark brows. “You didn’t want to move into the Pack House, and you didn’t want my money, which means you need a job to pay rent,” he reminds me. “And this is a job – a good one, actually.”“Yes,” I admit, conceding to his logic, “but I can’t do this job. I’m completely unqualified – both as a beginner and a pro.”We've already had this argument about eight times already, but it keeps resurfacing anyway. Sam knows I can't boil water without starting a kitchen fire,so I'm a little suspicious that he keeps pushing the cafe on me. I think he's trying to wear me down until I cave and
Melissa's POVThe day after we’re back home, Knox dives into back-to-back meetings that stretch from dawn till late evening. He barely manages to slip into Tyler’s room in time to read her bedtime story, and when he finally emerges about half an hour later, he looks completely drained.I’m in the kitchen, waiting with a glass of scotch in hand. But instead of reaching for the drink, Knox comes straight to me, wrapping me up in his strong embrace, his body warm and solid against mine. He buries his face into the curve of my neck, loosening my pinned-up hair so it cascades down, draping over him like a chocolate waterfall.“What happened?” I murmur, my fingers gently weaving through his thick hair.He takes a deep breath, pulling in my scent with a sigh that seems to ease his tension. When he raises his head, dark circles rim his eyes, but his gaze is as intense as ever as he studies my lips, leaning in to capture them in a deep, lingering kiss.When he's had his fill, he tucks my head