My eyes widened as I looked at him, taken aback, and I pointed at myself as I didn't even expect that he ordered the food for me. "Me?"He simply stared at me for a moment before questioning, "Aren't you hungry? Why didn't you eat with us earlier?"I blinked - I didn't think I was allowed to eat with them even though I was feeling really hungry. Even Mr. Clinton's assistant didn't eat.He didn't seem to care about my response, though, as he returned his attention to his phone, and I stared at the different dishes on the table. They were indeed portions for only one person. However, there were varieties of side dishes.I was hesitant to eat as I felt rather awkward that he would buy me a meal himself. But since I was hungry anyway, I grabbed the cutlery and began to eat. The silence was loud, and the only sound was my fork against the plates.He simply sat there busy with his phone and didn't pay attention to me, lessening the embarrassment I felt as I ate.---"Did you hear that the Al
TRISTAN’S POV:I was busy on the phone, replying to Bethany's messages. She seemed to be rather invested in Raven and was eager to poke nose like always. She informed me that Raven asked her if she could train with her, which made me wonder why she didn't ask me directly. At the thought, I remembered she didn't have my number. It made me wonder if she had a phone at all; I didn't recall ever seeing it on her.While I typed, I couldn't help looking up as Ethan suddenly increased the volume of the song playing from the stereo. I was seated in the front passenger seat, unlike how I was always seated in the back seat. We were on our way to Velvet, a high-class bar in the city centre. Since it was night and since we weren't on any official business where anyone would recognize us, I took the chance to sit beside him. On normal days. Ethan wouldn't agree as he was always about protocol shit and all. He always wanted to follow orders, which wasn't to my liking. After all, even though he had
AUTHOR'S POV:"Lena... Lena," someone called out from behind Lena as she walked toward the pack house, clutching a parcel in her hands. Upon hearing that voice, she halted in her steps, looking rather bothered. She suddenly seemed antsy and uncomfortable as though she recognized the owner of that voice even before she turned to look.But a moment later, she clutched the parcel to her chest and began to run. However, the person was faster and quickly caught up to her, grabbing her by the shoulder immediately.She was slammed into the brick wall behind them and held in a chokehold. Tears quickly flowed fast from her eyes as she looked up blurrily at the person in front of her. He looked awfully upset as he glared at her."Lena..." he called out dreadfully. "I thought I warned you about running away every time we meet?""..." Lena groaned from pain due to his grip on her throat, and the parcel in her hand fell as she grabbed his hand to pull it away.He, however, seemed unbothered by he
AUTHOR'S POV:"Roman..." She called out shakily, her voice betraying the shock and surprise she felt. Her hand slipped away from him, and he glanced at the spot she held before getting up from the floor.His expression became solemn as he stood upright and began to walk toward the direction of the pack house. At first, she still seemed dumbfounded, but she appeared to realize he was going, so she got up and went after him."Let me take you to the hospital," she called out as she quickly followed behind him, but he ignored her, and she could only reach out to grab him by the sleeve to stop him. "Roman."He halted in his steps and turned to look at her silently, his gaze shifting sharply. There was no response from him, but he jerked his sleeve from her grip.Lena stared at his cold face, her expression rather complex. But after a moment, she muttered, her voice low and shallow, "This happened because of me. Let me help you."Roman's eyes shifted, and he simply glanced at her, looking l
RAVEN’S POV:I breathed out as I stepped behind one of the trees at the entrance of the field, keeping the clothes I would wear later there. After returning from work a few hours ago, I took some rest and decided to try coaxing Sage into appearing.So I asked Bethany if I could take a run in the woods, which she agreed to before attempting it. I was rather optimistic when I did all that, but now that I stood there under the moon that was bright and full, tonight, I felt discouraged.I still wasn't feeling Sage anywhere close, and I tried calling out to her in my mind again. But there was no response, so I tried to prompt myself to transform at will. Even though omegas weren't trained for such because they were termed a useless asset to the pack, I had seen countless omegas do it well.But, I couldn't do it. I didn't feel anything, not even the pain I felt the other day when Camille attacked me. The powerlessness I felt rushed to my brain, and I suddenly felt annoyed, punching into th
TRISTAN’S POV:I was in the middle of my usual evening run in the woods when I suddenly held a loud, angry howl. Although it sounded far and low, I could still tell what it was. I halted in my running and turned to look behind me, charging for the direction where I heard the sound.When I got to the creek, I found two wolves there, one being bitten in the leg and the other scratched all over the face. I couldn't help but stop short as I watched them, the bottom wolf grappling for life. But I knew who they both were. The patrol guard tonight, Jean and Raven. Just then, Jean seemed to notice another presence around them, and he sniffed, removing his attention from her for a moment. When he sighted me where I stood, he instantly began to drag her toward me.She still continued to protest, but it was useless. He soon got closer and slammed her on the ground and howled at me, briefing me about what happened exactly. I immediately turned on the mind link to hear him out.It turned out he
RAVEN’S POV:"I'm sorry," He muttered, staring deeply into my eyes. I was not prepared for it, and I could only stare back at him, not uttering a single word in response.He must have felt awkward because of that, for he soon turned his face away and focused on the wheel. I merely sat there my mind reeling as I tried to get used to the fact that Tristan just apologized to me. He didn't seem like the type to do so."Why?" I couldn't help questioning, feeling both curious and suddenly jumpy after his words."I'm responsible for this." He didn't look at me as he spoke unlike usual, further confirming my suspicion that he felt embarrassed. He added, "I should have initiated you into the pack when you came here. The guards don't recognize your wolf's scent."I paused at this, staring at him blankly. "Oh, the initiation." I had also forgotten about that. It was a norm to do that in a pack to make sure there won't be disputes in the pack. Since I had forgotten that also, I couldn't help sayi
But, he didn't. He reached out for the seat belt and plugged it in before he strode to the other side of the car. I only sat there dumbfounded and unable to figure out what just happened. I turned to look at him, but he didn't seem bothered or even aware of what he did. The car started to move as he drove toward the pack house. I looked away from him, suddenly feeling very upset. I didn't know why I was so bothered, but I was mad. Mad at him for being so clueless and myself for my heart beating so fast earlier.What happened to me? Why did I think he was going to kiss me? That seemed like it came out of a cliché romance, and I felt embarrassed. It was clear he was only going to help me with the seatbelt. I couldn't even look at him as he drove, and I was silent. I just wanted to bury myself in a hole if I could. But, he suddenly spoke, and I had to look his way, "I heard from Bethany that you want to train with the Corps."I wasn't expecting his question, but I nodded as I rememb
AUTHOR'S POV:"Congratulations, Miss Raven. You're three months pregnant," Dr. Foster announced with a warm smile, his eyes reflecting genuine joy. The test results were on top of his desk as he closed the papers.Raven blinked, disbelief etched across her face. "Pregnant? But... how?" she stammered, her mind still catching up. It felt like the walls were suddenly closing in on her.The doctor chuckled. "Well, it seems you fainted earlier because of more than just fatigue. You're going to be a mother." He handed her the test result, and Raven's trembling hands took hold of it.She sat there for a couple of seconds, trying to process the situation. She had fainted at the office earlier that day, so she came to the hospital, but surely, she was not expecting to be told she was pregnant."Thank you, Doctor," she managed to utter, her thoughts racing. As she exited the office, the weight of the news sank in, leaving her stunned.As she walked along the hospital hallway, she ran into Larson
TRISTAN’S POV:I stared at the screen, my eyes glued to the footage Ethan had managed to salvage from the hotel's security system. Frustration simmered within me as I realized there was a critical gap – the moment Seraphine supposedly plunged into the water was missing. Deleted. Gone."Can't you retrieve that part?" I asked Ethan, my voice tight with worry.Ethan sighed, shoulders slumping. "I went to Jasper's place, watched him try, but even he couldn't get it back. It's like it vanished."Disturbed, I knew that missing piece was vital to proving Raven's innocence. No matter how fiercely I could protect her, I couldn't let a stain tarnish her reputation. I pondered the options – interrogate Seraphine, force a confession, but the risks loomed large. Accusations of me using my power to bully could tarnish my position without solid proof. Not to mention, it would affect Raven - they'd accuse her of messing with my head."We need that footage, Ethan. Find a way," I urged, worry coursing
RAVEN'S POV:An uneasy vibe buzzed in me as Tristan and I shuffled down the hospital hallway. Seraphine supposedly woke up, but it still felt surreal. What happened still feels like a dream to me, and I was unable to come to terms that she had almost died.When we reached the door of the VIP ward she was staying in, a crowd awaited – her family. I didn't realize she had so many relatives, and even Tristan's mom, Luna BlackClaw, was there.The moment we appeared, all gazes fell on us, especially me. Their glares screamed judgment, but I held my cool, knowing I didn't do what they accused.Probably sensing my unease, Tristan held my palm and rubbed it, an attempt to reassure me, so I shot him a forced smile, not wanting him to worry.Luna BlackClaw jumped on me first, fuming, "How dare you show your face here?"She looked very furious, and if one didn't know, they'd think Seraphine was her daughter. I would have been intimidated, but the conviction that I did nothing wrong made me meet
Raven’s POV:I held a glass of wine as I looked around the hall. I was attending Madison's engagement ceremony, and there weren't a lot of people in attendance, as the marriage was not aristocratic, and there were a lot of gossip about them in the pack. Not to mention, it was no news that her father wanted her to marry a richer and well-known man, not her mate. They were all everybody was talking about and giving their two cents of advice on like they knew it all.But as I stared at Madison's figure walking around the entire hall arm in arm with her mate, Christian, I could tell she was happy with the man she ended up with. And I was happy for her because it meant that not all mates were assholes, and they complemented one another well.However, as I saw Madison approaching me with Christian, I placed the wine glass in my hand on the table some distance from me. I didn't want to toast her and have to drink the wine.Firstly, because I had promised Tristan that even though he wasn't th
TRISTAN’S POV:I smiled, seeing the sheer fear and shame that ran through their spines upon seeing me. "Isn't it rude to start a meeting without me, the main topic of the so-called abdication?"As I spoke, I strolled to my seat and settled down. Lucas frowned, but he was soon back to being haughty. That made me frown at his closed-mindedness - how could he be foolish enough to rely only on one piece of evidence that wasn't conclusive enough?"Which rule of the council talks about members not holding a meeting behind the Alpha King?" I questioned as I tapped on the table, intending to drag it out and give them chills."Ru...rule 15," one of them managed to speak while the rest of them frowned, but they all seemed to have regained their composure.I was about to respond when Lucas coldly snorted, "That doesn't include an abdication gathering in the case of a bad Alpha King."That made me perk up, and my gaze found his. "Oh really? How bad of a King am I that you all respectable Alphas w
Lucas paced back and forth in his dimly lit study, a sense of urgency in his voice as he spoke into his phone. "Make sure the meeting room is ready, and no one should tip off Tristan. We can't afford any slip-ups," he ordered.The door swung open abruptly, and Nadia stood there, a hand on her now heavily pregnant stomach. Anger flashed in Lucas's eyes, but he held back his initial impulse to shout at her for barging in. Instead, he ended the call, turning his attention to Nadia. "What are you doing here?" he inquired, attempting to keep his tone steady.Nadia, however, was not in the mood for pleasantries. She stormed toward Lucas, pushing him in the chest. "What do you think you're doing?" she demanded, frustration evident in her voice.Perplexed, Lucas responded, "What do you mean?"Without wasting a moment, Nadia thrust photos into his face. "Someone saw you with another woman last night. They're spreading rumors about us," she accused, her eyes ablaze.Lucas glanced at the picture
AUTHOR'S POV;Tristan diligently sorted through the crates in the pack house, the rhythmic hum of activity disrupted as Ethan approached. "Someone's looking for you, Tristan," Ethan said, a frown creasing his brow.Tristan raised an eyebrow, setting down a box. "You know pack members aren't supposed to disturb me at work. Who is it?"Ethan hesitated, then leaned in, voice low. "Alpha Odette."Tristan's surprise flashed across his face. "Alpha Odette? What does she want?"Ethan shrugged, a wary expression in his eyes. "I don't know, but be careful. She's always scheming."A wry smile played on Tristan's lips. "You've never liked her, have you?" Not that he was fond of her either, but he happened to help her three months back to deal with a rogue issue when his investigations led him to her pack, and he realized she was just always scheming and plotting, but her personality wasn't all that bad.Ethan scowled. "And you shouldn't either. Just be cautious."Tristan chuckled, waving Ethan o
RAVEN’S POV:I lay in his arms as he tousled my hair playfully. He didn't go back to the pack office to work, and we just lay together in silence in his room."She just came in like that, and I thought she was a pack member at first," he explained, looking at me, and I couldn't help but smile at how he seemed to forget she was also a pack member."She is a pack member," I corrected, and he only muttered, "Oh.""You're too cold," I couldn't help telling him. He always avoided her, and even before what happened tonight, his stepmother had been trying all sorts of means to push them together, causing further ruin to their relationship.But he was unbothered, unlike me, as he shrugged. "I've always been this way. No need to pay attention to irrelevant people."I chuckled at this, half worried I was ruining his relationship with other people but also pleased that he was avoiding having anything to do with his ex.Just then, he sat up and leaned to get something out of his bedside drawer. I
Tristan's fingers danced across the keyboard in the dimly lit pack house office, the hum soft in the background. Suddenly, the tranquil air shattered as the thunderous noise of running feet echoed from the nearby field. He sighed, his attention disrupted by the unwelcome commotion, reaffirming his disdain for working in the pack house office.Just then, a soft chime emanated from his phone, a welcome distraction. Raven's message illuminated the screen, and a grin replaced Tristan's earlier frown. "How's your headache?" she inquired, a simple yet thoughtful question that melted away his lingering discomfort.His thumbs swiftly responded, typing out his improved condition. As he hit send, an unexpected knock echoed through the room."Come in," he muttered, granting entry to the interrupter, anticipating a curious pack member who had heard he was around and wanted to bother him with something basic.However, when the door swung open, revealing Seraphine in a provocative black dress, Tris