AUTHOR'S POV:It had been a long time since Roman's apartment had been this clean. When he left, it was on lock and key for two years, but when he came back, he had to hire two housekeepers to clean it up. But it wasn't long before it became dirty again. As he stood in the middle of the lounge, staring at the living room, he was awed.When Roman asked Lena to come, it wasn't exactly because he wanted her to be his housekeeper. Instead, it was just a petty move for what she did and a rather desperate attempt to keep her around.But, he didn't expect her to take it so seriously.Roman looked at his hand with a solemn look on his face. The bandage had been removed since he had gotten better now, but now he was beginning to regret removing it. Thankfully, she always tried to avoid him and didn't come whenever he was out; otherwise, she would have found out that he had gotten better long ago.He was still contemplating that when his doorbell suddenly rang. His gaze flicked to the door, and
RAVEN’S POV:"Are you ready?" Bethany asked with a radiant smile as she held her arm out for me to take. I clasped my arm with hers, a nervous smile on my lips, as she led me into the revolving doors of the hotel.Yesterday, she informed me that an end-of-the-year banquet would be held today, and I had to attend. I wanted to opt out since the last party I went to with her was just full of drama. But she insisted everyone usually attended except some of the pack elders, and it was best for me to attend so I could get initiated into the pack.Eventually, I was convinced to go because I realized I really didn't know or was close to anyone other than her, Tristan, and Lena. So when she came to my room about two hours ago and dragged me out of bed to get dressed, I just followed behind her.She led me to a pair of elegant double doors, and I hesitated for a moment before she gently pushed them open, revealing a grand room filled with laughter and chatter. My eyes widened in astonishment as
RAVEN’S POV:I instantly stepped some distance away from him, gazing at him warily. "What do you want?"He looked surprised at first but soon smiled as he glanced at the open tap, a small smile playing across his lips. "How do you feel? Your legs are shaky.""I'm fine," I managed to croak out, but my body felt as though it would slump any moment. I looked up at him sharply. "What are you doing here? In a female bathroom?"Alexander reached out to turn off the tap like it was making him uncomfortable as he leaned on the counter. He pointed toward the door. "It's locked and out of use... for now."That made my eyes widen as I rushed to the door and turned the knob. It didn't budge, however, and the key was gone from the hole. When I turned to look at him, he was holding the key, and he swung it around his index finger."You have serious trust issues. I told you, I already locked the washroom so no one will come in," he remarked and smiled again. I would have thought his smile was beauti
RAVEN’S POV:I wanted to speak and yell at him to stop, but for some reason, I couldn't get a word out. It felt like my throat was blocked, and I failed to hear anything come from my mouth even though i was practically shouting. He rubbed his palms in delight and got up, looking at his wristwatch before he moved his gaze to me. "We should get going now," he told me. "We've stayed here enough."Then, he lifted me up so suddenly, and I felt the world sway around me. My vision blackened for a moment as he carried me on his shoulders, and my heart began to race. I couldn't even resist, and it just felt like my body was a block of wood. He then proceeded toward the end of the washroom, and I wondered why he was going to a wall instead of taking the door. I had hoped he'd take the door, and someone would at least see him, but even I knew he wouldn't be so stupid. When he got to the wall, he suddenly pushed it, and the wall opened up, turning to the other side. I gasped inwardly - it was
TRISTAN’S POV:My head was about to burst, and my heart practically jumped as Raven slumped in my arms. I quickly put my index under her nose, and she wasn't breathing. However, when I felt her pulse, it was still there, albeit fast and slippery. My heart raced instantly as I carried her out of the car, rushing toward mine. When Bethany came to tell me she couldn't find Raven, I wasn't prepared for what I was now seeing. I checked around the whole hotel, and everyone was beginning to panic as we looked for her. Bethany said she left her seating and the bar while the bartender said she went to the dinner table. Thankfully, a young boy who was there said he saw her running to the washroom. We checked there, but it was locked. It was rather alarming, so I had the CCTV checked and contacted the manager. In the footage, Alexander had slipped into the washroom after her and didn't come out again. The manager also told me there was an emergency exit that led directly to the parking lot, so
TRISTAN’S POV:"Alpha, she took an aphrodisiac," he informed me, his expression rather grave and sombre."Aphrodisiac?" I questioned, not even expecting that. Alexander gave her that? I thought he only intended to abduct her to threaten me, but who knew he was so bat shit crazy?The doctor nodded as he continued, "Also, it's one I'm not familiar with. The composition is just entirely different from the normal aphrodisiacs I've come in contact with, and trust me, I've read and treated a lot of them."That made me grow somber, too, as I gazed at him. "So, there is no antidote for it?""I'm afraid for now, yes," he told me. "I would have thought it is a strength enhancement drug, but although it's making her strength levels increase very rapidly for an omega, it would definitely make her very aroused."I looked back at the figure that still lay on the bed. Her face was regaining some colour, and her cheeks were bright red. It seemed she had also drunk wine. Was that how he managed to get
AUTHOR'S POV:The night was immensely dark, and there was no star in sight. Even the moon had receded behind the clouds, taking long to appear on the surface. Several people were asleep in their beds, some drunk senseless and pulling one another home after the party tonight, some still going for an after party, some throwing tantrums and making a drunken scene, some breaking up and making up, some falling in love and some confessing. It was a rather chaotic night.However, some people had a sleepless night, full of worry. Bethany was coiled up in her room, worried but not daring to approach Tristan and ask him to let her see Raven. After all, he was the one who brought her to the pack and clearly cared about Raven more than her. Not to mention the guilt that she carelessly left her alone. Roman and Ethan had a late night drink while they chat worriedly about Alexander's motive. Tristan was immensely tense and didn't know what to do about her. His head was about to burst and aching,
R18 - This chapter contains explicit content intended for mature audiences. Reader discretion is advised.AUTHOR'S POV:Knowing she was not in the right state, he didn't bother reasoning with her and just took her to the bedroom. The doctor had said the aphrodisiac would make her strangely strong, but he hadn't seen that yet as she felt so weak and frail in his arms. Not to mention, it didn't seem like she was even drugged, and he wouldn't believe it if it wasn't for her strangely humorous and jumpy attitude. She didn't resist as he placed her on the bed, and he could feel her intent gaze on him. That gaze continued to trail after him as he strode to the other side of the room to turn on the main lights. The moment the light switch was flipped, he heard a thud behind him, accompanied by a low grunt.He quickly turned to look, and an indescribable expression appeared on his face at the sight before him. Raven had doubled over from the bed probably because she got up in a hurry and the
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