Wendy's POVThe shadows moved, forming solid shapes as they came out of the darkness. I could see six of them, each one tall and strong, their faces covered by black masks. I made myself stand tall, my back stiff and straight.“Who are you?” I asked, my voice bouncing off the walls of the narrow alley. They just stood still, their masked faces creepy in the dim light. A moment felt like forever, and then I noticed it—the shine of metal. One of them picked up a baseball bat, the shiny wood reflecting the light. Another pulled out a wrench, its heavy end shining darkly.My muscles tightened, every part of me telling me to run, but I wouldn’t give in. They wanted a response, wanted to see me back down. They wouldn’t see that. My claws came out, sharper than any blade, and I balled my hands into fists, prepared. “You should have stayed hidden.” I said, my voice quiet and threatening. “I’m not as easy to beat as you think.”They didn't answer. A deep growl came from one of the men, and tha
George's POVThe rain was pouring hard as I held Wendy’s weak body. Her face was pale, nearly see-through against the dark alley, with the rain sticking her dark hair to her cheek. I pulled her in tighter.The smell of her, mixed with the sharp scent of blood, hit me hard, fueling my anger to protect her. I shouted at my driver, “Go faster!” I didn’t wait for him to reply before pulling her closer, my fingers gently touching her jaw, hoping her eyes would open.Just a moment ago, I was putting on my pajamas. It felt strange I could feel her pain, a sharp ache that rushed through me as if it were mine. I acted on instinct and somehow knew exactly where to find her. I didn’t even think about how I got here all my focus was on her.The connection between us, this shared pain, was clear. It was a bond, stronger than family, stronger than time. My wolf, usually restless, was calm, a low growl of worry under my skin. This woman was mine. Meant to be mine, forever and always.The car suddenl
George's POVI opened the door. Edward's hand jerked away like it was burned, his fingers pulling back from Wendy's cheek like it was hot. He got up quickly, his face full of regret.“What are you doing?” I asked. I walked into the room, staring at Edward.He opened his mouth, trying to say something, probably a weak excuse. “George, I was just…”I wouldn't let him finish. “Just go.” I cut him off, my voice filled with anger. “Leave. Now.” I pointed to the door, my hand shaking with barely hidden rage. I couldn't stand seeing him near her, touching her. Every part of me wanted him gone.Edward paused for a moment, looking from me to Wendy, who lay still in bed. He seemed about to argue or explain himself, but then he must have noticed the anger in my eyes. He gulped and took one last look at Wendy before turning and leaving the room without saying anything.I watched him leave, my hands tightening into fists, until the door clicked shut behind him. I stared at the door for a moment, m
George's POVThe chair was uncomfortable, and the small cushion did nothing to help my back pain. I kept staring at Wendy. The way her chest moved up and down was the only sign that she was still fighting for life. Hours turned into night, and each tick of the clock felt like a blow to my heart. Sleep was long gone, as my worry kept me stuck here, her bedside my chosen prison. I wouldn't leave her. Not now. Not ever.As dawn approached, tiredness finally broke through my determination. My head lowered, my eyes felt heavy, until a soft creak jolted me back from the edge of sleep. The door was opening, and I woke up quickly, fully aware.Elder Lucius stood there, his face showing clear worry. “Your Highness.” he said gently, “I'm really glad you're here. I wanted to share my heartfelt condolences for what happened to Wendy.”I didn't respond.“I understand this is a tough time.” Lucius said as he walked into the room, “but the pack needs you, Alpha King. Important issues need your focus
George's POVThis was done on purpose, carefully planned. It wasn’t some small-time criminal. I looked at Edward, my eyes sharp.Edward looked furious but tried to keep it hidden. “We could try –”“No.” I stopped him, my voice low and threatening. “No soft questions. We make him talk.” I stepped forward, balling my hand into a fist. “And I’ll do it.”Edward's eyes grew wide, and he looked worried. “Your Highness, are you sure? Maybe-““I’m sure.” I snapped, cutting him off. I’d waited too long, been too patient. I was done being nice. This guy knew things, dangerous things, and I’d get them out of him if I had to. I rolled up my sleeves, baring my forearms. “Get the tools.” I said.Edward stood still, his forehead creased. “Your Highness, think about this. What if you overstep?”“Too far?” I repeated, slowly turning to face him. “He almost killed her, Edward. Do you think there's a limit to that? He'll talk, one way or another.” I could see he was unsure, but he knew not to argue when
George's POVThe healer's eyes were wide with fear as I held him by his shirt. His face had turned pale, not a good look for someone in his job.“What is this?” I growled, my voice low and threatening as I grabbed the syringe from his shaking hand. The needle shimmered ominously in the dim light. I pulled him closer by his tunic, our faces nearly touching. “What were you about to inject her with?”He stuttered, his eyes jumping from the needle to my face. “I... I... it's just something to... to help her feel better before the surgery, Your Majesty. Just to ease her pain.” His voice was weak and scared.I glared at him, my eyes squinting. “Ease her? Why are you acting like you saw a ghost?” My voice was full of suspicion, anger simmering underneath. “You looked like you were about to pee your pants when I came in. Why? If it's just to ‘ease her,’ then why did you look like you were about to poison her?”He flinched. “I... I was just...” He licked his dry lips and looked around the room
Wendy's POVMy eyelids were so heavy as I tried to open them. The world slowly came into view, first fuzzy, then clearer, showing the walls of a room I sort of knew. I was in the infirmary.I got up slowly. A wave of dizziness hit me, and I held the bed edge so tight my knuckles turned white. Once the room stopped spinning, I looked around. George was sitting in a chair by the bed, looking worried. Edward stood by the wall, his face hard to read. But it was the body on the floor that made me gasp — the healer’s lifeless form with a dark stain spreading near his head.Confusion and fear mixed inside me. What was happening? I blinked, trying to remember the ambush, the fight...then nothing. Just blank. “What...what’s going on?” I croaked, my voice rough.George jumped up, his hands reaching out to me but not touching. “Wendy, thank goodness you’re awake. You were hurt.” His voice was full of relief.I stepped back, away from his hand, and looked at him doubtfully. “Hurt? What do you mea
Wendy's POVIt was hard to concentrate on the screen. The scary things that happened in the last few hours, almost dying, George's weird behavior, and seeing the body on the cold floor when I woke up—all of it was heavy on my mind. My head hurt with a constant, dull pain.I really wanted to sleep and escape it all, but I couldn't afford to rest. Not yet. Not until I dealt with Rosina. Brittany, the snake, could wait, but Rosina, who caused all my pain, had to be stopped first.My fingers moved quickly on the keypad. I got into the healer’s phone, getting past its easy security. The call log didn’t show much, mostly normal calls. But there it was—a single call from an unknown number, made yesterday at the time of my 'surgery.'My eyes narrowed, and I felt a surge of energy despite being tired. I copied the call log to my computer and started a tracing program I made myself, called Cerberus.It was ironic that the same security system I created for everyone to use was what Rosina used t
George's POVWendy’s hurt and disappointed face kept flashing in my mind. I kept replaying the date, feeling regret with every mistake. What could I have done better? How could I have reached her heart? These questions circled, with no answers, until the early light of morning started to come through the curtains.I finally fell asleep, but only for a little while. I woke up suddenly, grabbing my phone. The calendar showed Wendy's birthday. I felt a rush of panic and guilt. I had been so focused on feeling sorry for myself that I almost forgot. I threw off the covers, my heart pounding. I needed to fix this, or at least try. I hadn’t forgotten her birthday. I planned everything, and I needed to show her I still care and haven’t given up on us.I wrote a letter, sharing my regret and hope for her happiness. I called my helper and told him to send it with a bunch of her favorite red roses and a box of the fanciest chocolates I could find. I didn’t mind the cost all that mattered was Wen
Wendy's POVThe glass doors opened as I walked into the lobby of my office building. The quiet sound of the air and the gentle typing on computers filled the room like a nice background noise. But today, there was something more - a quiet excitement, a soft murmur of people talking. I didn't need to see them to know they were talking about it, about her. About Queen Rosina, the mean person finally shown for who she really was.I walked past the front desk, the quiet talking fading away, but I heard a few things - “bad person.” “mean plans.” “finally caught.” It seemed everyone knew about Rosina's dishonesty now, and it was ruining her reputation. I let a small smile show on my face. It was a good day, a very good day. I was finally getting my life back to normal.Arriving at my office door, I swiped my card, the lock opening with a nice click. My office was calm and quiet, which soothed me. I went to my desk, the shiny surface reflecting the morning sun, and sat down. I checked the la
George's POVI honked the horn on my car. I knew it was childish, but thinking about Wendy’s reaction made me smile like crazy. I’d spent the whole afternoon adjusting it to be just the right amount. Her door opened, and then she showed up.I couldn't breathe. She walked down the steps like she was floating, wearing a dress. I didn't even notice the color or the fabric, just how it flowed with her, how the light highlighted every curve. The dress was both elegant and incredibly sexy, and she wore it perfectly. It didn't matter what the dress looked like. It was her in the dress that mattered.I quickly turned off the car and jumped out, rushing to her side. I opened the door for her, my heart beating fast. "Wendy," I said, trying to keep my voice steady, "You look… absolutely beautiful."She hesitated before taking my hand, looking at me a bit longer than she had to. "George," she said, her voice polite but not too friendly. "Thanks for the ride." She got into the car. I could feel my
Wendy's POVMy eyes met Brittany's across the crowded room but Brittany's eyes didn't show shock, they showed anger, like more trouble was cooking inside her.A slow smile spread across my face. Rosina was running, her plans were out, and her power was falling apart. Brittany was next. This thought excited me, it felt like I was winning. I kept looking at Brittany for a moment, letting her understand my smile, before I turned and walked away with the room's chatter fading out.I could feel George's eyes on me, but I didn't stop. I kept walking steadily and confidently with my head held high, until I reached the doors and went out into the free space.Daven was already there, leaning against my car, with his big smile on his face. "Miss Wendy! That was great! You totally beat them. We won, Miss Wendy! We really won!" His voice shook with excitement as he stood up.I stood in front of him with my face not showing the same excitement. "Won? Daven, this isn't over yet. Rosina is gone, but
Wendy's POVDaven drove the car through the scene outside our house. The morning sun reflected off many cameras all trying to take my picture.“Ready Miss Ashton?” Daven asked his voice calm despite the disorder. I liked how calm he was.“As ready as I'll be” I said taking a deep breath. I didn't want them to see me get nervous. I grabbed the door handle the cold metal a small comfort.The moment I got out of the car I was hit with a lot of questions. Microphones were pushed in my face reporters shouted over each other their voices a loud mix of accusations and weird curiosity.“Miss Ashton can you comment on the accusations?”“How do you feel being back after all these years?”“Did you expect to return as an Omega?”“Is it true that you were behind the cyber attack?”I ignored them my eyes on the big entrance of the pack house. It was the same stone the same big building but it seemed smaller less scary than I recalled. I made my way through the crowd Daven behind me protecting me fr
Wendy's POVGeorge had a serious expression while keeping his eyes on the road with his hands tightly gripping the wheel and his knuckles turning white.That accidental kiss was still fresh in my mind. It was a mistake, a silly one that happened. But I couldn't forget it. I still felt the quick and surprising warmth of his mouth on mine when we fell a while back.I saw the shock in his eyes, and for a moment before he pulled away. He's been different since then, less like a king and more... personal. I looked at his profile silently admiring him.He seemed different not just older but in the way he felt, the way he moved. I had built strong walls around my heart and I wasn't sure if I was ready to tear them down, even for him. Even though a part of me deep down wanted to.I moved around in my seat while trying to ignore my racing heart while The man we caught was lying in the trunk. We were both really stressed out. He had been hinting at me that he was interested. He's a tough and co
Brittany's POVI watched as the council members spoke one by one. “No witness… impossible… no evidence….” Rosina's smug face which was shown live on TV, made me feel slapped. I could almost hear her laughter in my ears.“This can't be happening.” I said while walking back and forth in front of the screen. I let myself believe Rosina’s false promises. Rosina was so sure with her smiles and confident glances. She swore she had a perfect plan. Now see how it all turned out. This is a disaster!I grabbed my phone from the table, tapping Rosina’s number so hard. The phone rang loudly. When she finally answered, her voice was calm.“Brittany? What's the matter?” she said with her too-sweet voice annoying me.“I watched the whole trial on TV“ I said. “This is a disaster! They’re basically gunning for you now, How can you be so calm?”There was a pause just long enough to make me angry. “Now, now, Brittany, no need to get upset. We’re not done yet.” she said while still annoyingly calm.“Not
George's POVAs soon as I stepped onto the porch my senses went on high alert. The front door was unlocked, showing we weren't the first to come. I pushed it open slowly, moving carefully as my wolf instincts took over. Inside, it was dark with only a little light coming through the cracks under the closed curtains.I slipped inside and held my breath listening for any sign of life or noise in the silence. My eyes slowly got used to the dark and looked around. It was a messy living room, not from everyday use but from someone searching in a hurry. Tables were knocked over, cushions open, and papers everywhere as if someone was looking for something specific.I moved slowly and carefully. The house was too quiet, which made me uneasy. Then, I heard a noise from the room next door. It made me stop and turn. I didn’t have time to think about it as I turned and looked. The sound came again. I followed it with my attention very focused.I carefully moved to the doorway and entered the room
Wendy's POVI leaned on the car feeling overwhelmed. George stood next to me looking confused. “Who else are you talking about Wendy? There's no one else we can call now not after...” His voice stopped and I could see how frustrated he was.“George listen.” I said sitting up straight my voice serious. “The witness I mean is in the fake photo! That fuzzy picture of me with the mercenaries? That guy is important! If we make the picture clearer look into it we can find out who he really is. Knowing who he is will let us take him to the council!”George's eyes showed he got it but he still had doubts. “You really think this will work? They already stopped us once.”“Yes!” I said feeling sure. “I know it will work. I have what I need at my desk - we can make the picture clearer and figure out who he is. We can show the council what's real!” I held onto the car feeling more determined. “We need to hurry before Rosina hides the proof.”With a firm nod George opened the car door. “Then let’s