knox's POVThough the thought crosses my mind to enter through the garage with Melissa and Tyler, avoiding the councilors' gaze and heading straight to the apartment, I quickly discard it. I can't afford to show any hint of weakness, not when these men are already testing my resolve. I refuse to give them that satisfaction. No, we will walk through the front door, our heads held high, and if it comes to it, I will take down every last elder in my path to ensure we do.We exit through the side door, our small group moving toward the front of the house. Aiden and Donovan position themselves on either side of Melissa and Tyler, while I take the lead, steeling myself for whatever unpleasant news is waiting for us."Gentlemen,"I greet the assemblage without any hint of a smile,“to what do we owe the pleasure."They are all looking past me,surveying my mate and pup with undisguised curiosity and, in some cases, distrust.“You've been gone nearly a month,Alpha." The chief elder states,“And we
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
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 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
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
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?”"
~ 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
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
Melissa's POVAs Tyler and I arrived in New Town, something strange happened. The streets seemed to shift before my eyes, rearranging themselves in an instant. The modern world around me faded away, and in its place, the familiar signs of a bygone era emerged: vintage cars, outdated advertisements, and storefronts that had long since vanished from memory.It was as though the town had turned back the clock to fifteen years ago, to the last time I was here—before my mother passed away and before Garrick took me prisoner. After I escaped, I stayed away from this place, avoiding it as if it were cursed. But now, here I am again, feeling ten years old, standing on the brink of losing everything I once knew and loved."This is it, Mommy," Tyler's small hand tightens around mine, pulling me out of my thoughts, her voice full of wonder."This is it," I say, the words heavy with meaning. "I grew up in that house.""And lost everything there too," Luna whispers, her voice tinged with sorrow."
Melissa's POVNot this again!One moment, I'm standing there, and the next, I'm sprawled over my friend's lap, my arms flailing in a desperate attempt to shield my now exposed behind.How did he manage that so quickly? Luna's voice echoes in my mind, and at the same time, I think, I really need to stop wearing dresses. They make it way too easy for him to get to me.Before I can make another move, Knox has my hands pinned behind my back, and his strong thighs hold my kicking legs in place. Unlike before, I don’t whimper or plead for an explanation. This time, I fight back with everything I’ve got, my anger flaring as I realize I’m stuck in this situation once more.I can't believe he's doing this to me again. That incident at the café seems to have opened up a whole new can of worms. Is this how he’s going to react every time I do something he doesn’t like?Maybe I shouldn’t have pushed him, but deep down, I know I don’t regret it. I’m certain I’m in the right here.Still, it isn't fa
Melissa's POV"Knox, put me down!" I shout, wriggling as he carries me through the pack house in his arms. "I can walk!"“I know you can walk," he growls, tightening his hold on me. "But I’m carrying you because I don’t trust you not to run off and do something reckless if I let you go."This is bad. Knox hasn’t said a word to me since he figured out that I must have jumped into the pool on purpose. Instead, he swept me up and stormed out of Nova Hall, not sparing a glance for his mother or anyone else. He made the trek back to the pack house so fast, I can hardly believe he’s still human.Now, he's pacing in a silent fury, holding me like I'm a sack of potatoes, steam practically rising from his ears. He charges up the stairs and barges into the apartment without slowing, and the sound of Tyler’s crying immediately hits my ears. I twist, trying to locate my pup, but Knox keeps me firmly in his grip, not letting me move an inch.“Tyler?” I call, listening with Knox's breath as her wai
Melissa ’s POVThis was a mistake.The realization hit me the moment I entered the water. Attempting such a reckless plan was foolish, and now I was paying the price. I plunged beneath the turquoise surface, sinking fast, my body heavy and unyielding like a stone. The bottom of the pool loomed closer, and panic clawed at my chest.It wasn’t a particularly deep pool—just twenty feet—but even that shallow depth felt oppressive. The pressure seemed to crush me, as though the weight of the entire world had settled on my shoulders. My lungs screamed for air, but my mind was caught in a storm of dread.The seconds dragged painfully, each one an eternity. The underwater world was surreal—soft, muted, and overwhelmingly blue. It might have been mesmerizing if it weren’t so terrifying. I stretched my arms wide, trying to focus. There had to be something within me, a spark of power waiting to be tapped. Desperately, I pictured myself reaching for it, pulling salvation from the depths of my bein
Knox's POVAfter a frustrating and unproductive trip to the security offices, where we uncovered nothing but twelve hours of blacked-out camera footage from the night the paternity test was conducted, my betas and I made our way up to the chief physician's office on the tenth floor.Now, we stand in the doorway of his corner suite, carefully observing the doctor's reaction to our sudden appearance, only to find him with a blank expression.Seated behind his desk, he has his polished loafers casually resting on the sleek wooden surface, a takeout container resting in his lap. It's been a while since I last saw him, and despite the fact that he's only a few years older than me, I can't help but notice the toll time has taken. His dark hair now has a few streaks of gray, and the lines around his eyes and mouth are more pronounced than I remember.“Alpha, to what do I owe the pleasure?" Dr Kane greets me, barely looking up from his lunch.As far as Alpha's go, I've also considered myself
Melissa's POVKnox is driving me crazy.It’s barely evening, and here we are—already tucked into bed. We don’t even have my heart to blame for this rush anymore; that excuse ran its course days ago. But you'd never guess that from the way Knox is behaving. It's as if we're teenagers again, caught up in the chaos of our own desire. Though, I can’t say he's entirely at fault—every time his hands are on me, I seem to lose all control, melting into him.I know it might sound like I'm frustrated, but honestly, I’m just trying to process everything that’s happened recently. I’m not upset about having this incredible Alpha showering me with affection. I just don’t quite know how to handle all these overwhelming changes.Knox pulls me closer, wrapping himself around me like the softest blanket, his massive frame offering comfort as his lips graze my skin. “Goddess, I love you,” he murmurs, pressing his face into my neck."I love you too," I whisper, smiling widely. “Even if you don't listen t
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