As we entered the apartment, Gino's eyes never left mine, and I felt a flutter in my chest. He walked ahead of me, his long strides eating up the distance to the living room. I followed him, my heart pounding in my ears. He stopped before the floor-to-ceiling windows, gazing out at the city skyline. The silence was oppressive, and I felt I was waiting for something to happen. Finally, he turned to me, his eyes still burning with intensity. "I think it's time we talked about what's going on here," he said, his voice low and husky. My heart skipped a beat as I realised that this was it. This was the moment when everything would change. "What do you mean?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady. Gino walked closer to me, his eyes never leaving mine. "I think we've been playing this game too long," he said. "I think it's time we stopped pretending and started being honest with each other. I want real honesty, and we should get to know each other better since we will s
The morning sun poured into my room, casting a warm glow that chased away the remnants of the night’s uncertainties. I sat in bed, stretching and recalling the kiss that lingered on my lips like a dream I didn't want to forget. Today was the day of our shopping expedition, and I couldn't help but feel a rush of excitement mixed with nervous energy. As I picked out an outfit, I considered how much had changed in such a short time. I slipped on a simple tailored dress that hugged my figure in all the right places and, after some deliberation, decided on a light jacket. I wanted to impress Gino, but more importantly, I wanted to feel confident. "Wow, you look stunning. I might have to keep you around as my fake wife a little longer," Gino teased. I laughed, feeling my cheeks blush. "Well, I'm glad to hear that because I'm still trying to find the perfect outfit to impress your family later." “Trust me, with you as my date, I'm pretty sure my parents will love you,” he said, ope
“I just started as a receptionist," I said, directing attention to Gino's mother. "I'm enjoying it so far. It's a great environment, and I’m learning a lot." Gino's father nodded appreciatively. "That's wonderful! A good receptionist is the backbone of any business. And don’t get me started on the importance of first impressions. You’re already off to a fantastic start with that dress,” he added, gesturing at my outfit. Gino chimed in with a playful glint in his eye. “Told you she would stun everyone, didn’t I? Harriet is also quite talented at organising events. We might need her for family gatherings!” I felt a blush creeping up my cheeks again at the compliments and the easy banter Gino shared with his family. They made me feel part of their joyful chaos. Just then, Gino’s mom stood up, heading toward the kitchen while calling back to us, “Who wants dessert? I made my famous tiramisu!” A chorus of excited responses followed, and I felt my nervousness dissipa
The next day, I woke up to find that Gino had already left. I wasn't sure where he had gone, but it was a hard pill for me to swallow as I sat in the silent apartment alone. I stood up and walked over to the window. It was a breathtaking view, and I knew I was lucky to be here, but my thoughts soon wandered to my past. How did they feel that I had left the pack? Had Damon even noticed? I wondered how Sandra must be feeling. I had promised to call her, and still, I hadn't. I hesitated as my eyes fell on the mobile on the kitchen side that Gino had bought for me. I hadn't even used it. Maybe I should call my best friend to tell her I was okay and still alive. As soon as I picked up the shiny phone, I felt the nerves kick in. My fingers trembled slightly as I turned it over, the sleek surface reflecting my uncertain expression. I took a deep breath, reminding myself that Sandra would be relieved to hear from me, but the weight of guilt hung heavy in my chest. M
The weight of his words hung heavily between us, a reassuring balm to the sting of Trudie’s outburst. I let out a shaky breath, trying to process both the chaos of the moment and Gino’s presence as my anchor. “Thank you for handling that,” I said, my voice steadier now. “I didn’t expect someone from your past to show up like that, let alone to accuse me of… replacing her.” I stepped back, creating a little distance; I still wasn’t sure how to navigate this new territory. Gino moved as if to close the gap again, but something in my demeanour made him pause. “You didn’t replace anyone, Harriet” His sincerity shone through his bright, unyielding eyes. “I just… I never thought I’d be stepping into someone else’s shoes, even if it’s unintentional,” I confessed, feeling a warmth creeping into my cheeks. “It’s hard not to feel like you’re just going to slip back into that old life with her.” “There’s no going back for me, not now. You make me want to be better. You’ve alr
Damon’s POV I paced up and down the hall, trying my hardest not to lose my shit. How could Harriet leave me like that? Was she crazy? My thoughts kept returning to Harriet, no matter what I was doing, whether it be pack business, in the shower, or out in my wolf form for a run. Why could I not stop thinking about her? I mean, yes, ok, Aurora was beautiful, stunning and had a body that drove me crazy, but yet I found myself thinking about Harriet and imagining it was her underneath me when I was fucking Aurora. She couldn't make me feel half as satisfied as Harriet always had. I clenched my fists into angry balls of fury. I needed to know where Harriet had gone. How could I not even notice she had left? Yet her best friend claimed to know nothing of her disappearance. I took a deep breath to rein in the storm of emotions. My fingers threaded through my hair as I paced, the walls closing on me. The memory of Harriet's eyes—those soft, stormy blues that always wrapped me around he
“Alpha Damon, may I speak with you for a moment? It’s about Harriet.” I turned abruptly at Sandra's voice, the anxious tremor in her fingers betraying the calm she was trying to project. A low growl rumbled deep within me, driven by instincts I couldn't suppress—the primal urge to protect and the insatiable need to uncover the truth. Something was buried beneath her calm facade and twisted like a knot in my stomach. "I will give you some space," Lucas suddenly announced and disappeared. “What do you know? What are you hiding from me?” My words cut through the air, harsher than I intended, but the desperation clawing at my insides demanded answers. I wanted to shake the truth from her like the beast I was. "Damon, please," she breathed, inching closer yet remaining cautious. "She called me. She's okay—she's alive." Relief flooded through me, only to twist into confusion and rage. “And? What else?” I pressed, my impatience boiling over. “She said she’s happy,” Sandra con
Aurora placed her hands on her hips, glaring at me with disgust. My chest tightened as the accusation hung in the air, heavy and suffocating. “That’s not what this is about,” I replied, shaking my head, desperate to redirect the conversation. The truth of my feelings for Harriet was far more complicated than a simple affair; it was about bonds unbroken, choices unmade, and a connection that transcended mere lust. “Then what is it about? Because from where I’m standing, it looks like you're still hung up on a woman who walked out on this pack!” Aurora's voice was rising again, sharper and more desperate, and I could see the breaking point of her patience. “She left to save herself. This is about her happiness, not some petty jealousy game you’re trying to play.” I took a step forward, making sure to keep my voice steady. “You may see this as just a crush or some pathetic fixation, but you don’t understand what Harriet means to me. I should never have let her go.” I swallo
Lucas regarded me with a steady gaze, his hands resting on his knees as he listened. “Look, Alpha, we can’t change the past. You made mistakes, but dwelling on them won’t help your situation now. What matters is what you do next. You have the chance to make things right, to talk to her. Focus on that.” I nodded, but the weight of my regrets felt suffocating. The swirling emotions of love, betrayal, and longing wove through my thoughts as I imagined Harriet in Paris, in the arms of a man who wasn’t me. The plane's ascent was a cruel metaphor for my life—ascending into an unknown future, while I was tethered to the past by a thread that seemed all too fragile. “Do you think she’ll even want to see me?” I asked, my voice barely audible over the hum of the engines. The thought sent chills down my spine; what if she had found happiness elsewhere? What if I was too late? “Only one way to find out,” Lucas replied, firm yet gentle. “You need to be honest with her. Show her how you fee
The view from the large glass windows was mesmerizing, but it offered little comfort against the rising tide of insecurity brewing within me. Paris, the City of Light, where dreams sparkled against a canvas of architecture and culture—yet standing there, I felt only shadows creeping in, darkening the vibrant view. With Gino in the spotlight, I knew he was likely unaware of my turmoil. The confident persona he projected was contagious, illuminating the room and capturing the attention of everyone in attendance. But there I stood, seemingly invisible, trapped in a whirlwind of self-doubt. I pressed my forehead against the cool glass, watching people move below like fragments of a bustling movie scene. Couples strolled hand in hand, laughing and sharing, their carefree spirits contrasting starkly with my internal struggle. I felt like an outsider to my own life, stuck in a narrative where I had yet to define my role. In the quiet behind the din of the meeting, my mind wandered b
Harriet’s POVWhen we finally entered the building we were greeted by a lady who introduced herself as Jade. She was pretty, probably around twenty years old, her long brunette hair cascaded down her face and her brown chocolate eyes twinkled as she smiled. She looked stunning in her black knee length dress and black heels. I glanced at Gino who was busy staring at his phone, something was distracting him and it made me feel extremely uneasy. “Good afternoon Mr Yarn and your lovely guest.” She nodded at me and I smiled back.“My names Harriet, I’m Mr Yarn’s fiancée.” I held my hand out to the lady and she glanced at me and then back at Gino with surprise. “Oh, pleased to meet you. Follow me please.” She gestured us to follow her and led us to a huge room with glass windows that went from floor to ceiling revealing the bustling streets below. It was a breathtaking scene to see. “Gino, it’s beautiful here.” I whispered to him but he just grunted in response. I felt confused at his be
Harriet’s POV Taking a deep breath I set my phone aside and forced myself to focus on the present moment, I wanted to push all thoughts of my ex from my mind. The delicious aroma of crossings and strong coffee enveloped me like a thick blanket. I loved it here in Paris and didn’t want to have to leave. Being here felt right, especially with Gino by my side. I couldn’t help but feel a flutter in my tummy at the thought of him kissing me. Gazing up at the perfectly clean windows of the cafe, I saw the cobblestones streets busy with passerbys lost in their conversations. It seemed to blend in well with the music from the street musicians. Everyone seemed so happy and in love around here. “What are you dreaming about there?” Gino returned with a small smile on his lips as he slid into his seat. “Oh, nothing just thinking how lovely it is here.” I admitted unable to keep the smile off of my face. “It feels like a movie.” “Or a romantic novel.” He teased. His eyes sparked as he spoke.
Aurora’s POV How could I have been so stupid to think that Damon would stay loyal to me? I never thought that he would chase after an omega. I hated her. Harriet was not anything special. I couldn’t let my reputation be destroyed. If this got out, I would be known as the laughing stock. I sat on the bed as the nurse examined my ankle. She gave me a sympathetic smile, and I scowled, looking away. I didn’t want or need her sympathy. Who did she think she was, anyway? At that moment, the nurse placed a gentle hand on my shoulder. "You're going to be okay, Luna Aurora," she said softly, her voice soothing. But I barely registered her words; my mind was too clouded with anger and betrayal. “Just hurry up and wrap it,” I snapped, trying to mask my vulnerability behind annoyance. My heart raced with jealousy as images of Damon and Harriet played on a painful loop in my mind. He smiled at her, his eyes lighting up in a way I thought was reserved for me. If he could turn so quickly, what
“Where?” “She's in Paris, Alpha Damon. She's with another man.” My heart sank like a stone at the thought of Harriet being in Paris with another man. The vision of her laughing and sharing intimate moments with someone else clawed at my insides, threatening to pull me under. Suddenly, the urgency that had filled my veins just moments ago twisted into a suffocating despair. “Alpha?” One of my guards whispered, pulling me back from the brink of my spiraling thoughts. “What are your orders?”I shook my head, trying to dispel the haunting image of Harriet with someone else. I had to focus. I couldn’t allow my personal turmoil to endanger my pack.“Change of plans,” I said, my voice steady but low. “We need to head to the airport. If she’s in Paris, that’s where we’ll find her.” I had no detailed plan; I knew I couldn't leave things as they were. I had to confront her to see the truth straight from her lips.“How did you find out?” “It was Beta Lucas. He managed to get the information f
Aurora's eyes narrowed as I stood before her, the weight of my words pressing down on us like a thunderstorm. The tension was awkward, but I needed her to understand and see things from my point of view.I took a deep breath, "Aurora, please, you do need to understand that Harriet is my -""Your fated mate!" She interrupted me with a bitter tone that caused me to feel a pang of guilt. "You don't have to tell me again. Damon, I can't believe you would even hurt me this much."Pain sliced through me as I listened to her words. I could see she was hurt and angry and couldn't blame her. "I know I've hurt you a lot, and I'm truly sorry. I can't ignore my feelings for Harriet. My wolf yearns for her, and you can't expect me to dismiss it.""Dismiss it?" She scoffed as she tried to hold back her tears, and I wanted to comfort her, but she refused to let me close to her."Aurora, I'm sorry it happened this way. I can't forget about her, though." I sighed, feeling helpless as she turned away f
Damon’s POV I couldn't shake the image of Aurora's face from my mind—the hurt, the anger, and the betrayal. Each emotion flickered like a flame, igniting my concern into something more potent. This was not only about my relationship with Harriet but also Aurora's well-being. I had put her in this position, and now I had to fix it before it spiralled out of control. As Lucas raced off to gather the guards, I felt my heart thunder with the weight of responsibility. I wanted to believe that I could mend things—that I could find Aurora before her pain turned into something irreversible. But how could I undo the damage I had caused? I had to convince her that hurting Harriet wouldn't solve anything; it would only deepen her wounds. With every second ticking by, I felt the distance between us grow. "Stay strong, Aurora," I whispered, wishing my words could reach her. "I’ll find you. I will put things right for everyone.” Standing there, the weight of my decisions pressed down on
“I want to make it official when we get back from here. Before well, you know.” I stopped myself from saying anymore before it was too late. Gino paused mid-sentence, and the brightness in his eyes dimmed slightly as he processed my words. "What do you mean?”His brow furrowed in confusion, but a hint of intrigue laced his tone. I took a deep breath, my heart racing as I prepared to explain. "I mean... let's make this real, let's commit to what we started." The vulnerability of suggesting something so serious made my stomach flip, but I forced myself to continue. "I am ready to let go of the past, Gino. If we have a framework for this, maybe it will help me stay focused on what’s ahead rather than what’s behind." Gino leaned back slightly, studying me. His expression softened, and I could see the gears turning in his mind. "You’re serious about this," he said slowly, almost as if he were testing the waters of my conviction. I nodded, feeling a mix of fear and excitement at