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
Harriet’s POV Just as I was about to lose myself in the thrill of what would happen, my phone buzzed violently against the dresser, shattering the moment. I straightened up, my heart racing; a different kind of racing this time. I rushed to grab it, my fingers trembling when I saw Sandra's name flash across the screen. I opened her message quickly, scanning the text. My breath caught in my throat as a wave of panic washed over me. *Harriet. Damon is looking for you. He wants to talk. I thought you should know.* What did he want? Why now? Did he want to apologise? To explain? A thousand questions bombarded me, each more urgent than the last. Gino was in the other room, and despite everything, I didn’t want to burden him with my past—especially not with Damon resurfacing. Not when we were on the brink of something beautiful. “Harriet?” Gino called from the other room, and my heart lurched at the sound of his voice. I couldn’t let him see my panic. I texted Sandra back hurr
Harriet’s POV I leaned back against the cool seat of the taxi, watching the cityscape blur past. Gino sat beside me, his excitement palpable as he discussed our travel plans. "The airport is only about twenty minutes away. We'll have plenty of time to grab our bags and make our flight," he said, his voice light and animated. I nodded, but my mind was elsewhere, grappling with a storm of emotions. The reality of my choices settled heavily on my shoulders as I recalled Damon’s fierce expression from earlier—the pain etched across his handsome face as I turned away from him. Seeing him again had broken open the walls I had been trying to build around my heart. Gino glanced at me, the concern deepening his features. “Hey, are you okay?” “Yeah, just… thinking,” I replied, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach my eyes. I felt guilty for the distraction swirling in my mind, but I couldn’t help it. Damon had been a constant in my thoughts, a haunting presence I couldn’t shake o
Damon piv Lucas shifted awkwardly beside me as I turned to face the newcomer. The man stood with a commanding presence, his arms crossed and a glint of authority in his eyes. A wave of tension surged through the air, thick enough to slice. “I'm Gino,” he said, his tone calm and condescending. “And I suggest you let her go. You have no business making claims on something you so casually tossed aside.” “What would you know?” I growled as Lucas stood between me and this guy with whom Harriet seemed to be smitten. Harriet snuggled into the man and smiled up at him, she looked so happy. I saw the way that her eyes twinkled when she looked at him but at me she looked empty. “I am happy with my life now. There is nothing for you here.” Her words stung me. I hated to see her so at ease with someone else that should be me. I felt my Wolf become restless but knew this was not the place to let him take over. Beta Lucas was determined to prevent anything from happening. He
I felt the weight of disappointment crush me as the stranger’s face blurred into the crowd again. The joy of hope had flashed briefly before it extinguished, leaving me in a dark pit of frustration and concern. “Damon, we need to keep looking,” Lucas urged, his voice steady despite my anxiety rising. He looked around, scanning the people moving past us like a human tide. “Let’s try the next few stalls quickly.” We made our way through the vibrant market, the scent of fresh paint and canvas mixing with the air that smelled of artisan coffee and sweet pastries. But every second stretched painfully, and each time a woman walked by with a wisp of dark hair or a smile that resembled Harriet’s, my heart jumped, only to drop once again when I realised she wasn’t the one I was searching for. “What if she left Paris?” I said aloud, struggling to keep the fear from my voice. The thought lingered, taunting me. What if I had lost my chance to find her, to tell her how I felt? “Let’s n
Harriet The air was crisp outside the café, a sharp contrast to the cozy warmth we had just left behind. Gino and I strolled down the bustling street, and I watched as people rushed by, lost in their own lives, blissfully unaware of the storm brewing within me. Gino’s laughter was infectious, echoing in my ears as he recounted a funny mishap from the office. I wanted to engage fully, to soak in the joy of this moment with him, yet the shadow of Damon loomed larger with every step we took. My mind raced, an endless loop of worst-case scenarios taunting me. "What’s next on the agenda?" Gino asked, pulling me back to earth as we stopped at a crosswalk. The flashing red hand signaled for us to wait, and I could feel my heart pounding, not from excitement but from a sense of impending dread. “Um, maybe we should schedule a brainstorming session with the rest of the team?” I suggested, forcing myself to focus. “We could really benefit from some diverse perspectives.” Gino nodded
Damon pov My heart sank into my stomach as I realised the café was empty of Harriet but full of strangers. I could picture her sipping coffee, her laughter mingling with the sounds of the bustling café. I turned away from the counter, insisting that I wouldn’t give up, not now.“Let’s ask the barista if she saw where Harriet went,” Lucas suggested, his voice steady and calming amidst the turmoil inside me.“Right,” I replied, trying to muster determination. Approaching the counter again, I placed my palms against the cool surface and leaned in slightly. “Excuse me,” I told the barista, a young woman with dark, curly hair. Did you happen to see a woman leave here? Her name is Harriet.” The woman glared at me. “Why would I remember when I see a lot of people?” She rolled her eyes and tutted rather rudely. I swallowed hard, momentarily taken aback by her dismissive attitude. “I understand, but she’s critical to me. It would be a huge help if you could think back briefly.”“Look, I don’
A chill ran down my spine as I read the words. The casualness of the café around us faded into an echo, and all I could focus on was the name that had been a ghost in my life for far too long. I didn’t want Gino to see my reaction, so I took a breath and tried to manage the confusion swirling within me. “Harriet? You okay?” Gino’s voice was laced with concern again, pulling me back to reality. I could see the shadow of worry crossing his features as he sensed my shift. “Yeah, just... a message from a friend,” I stammered, turning my phone facedown on the counter. I couldn’t bring myself to explain. The last thing I wanted was for him to question me, to sense any thought of Damon’s lingering effect on my life. I desperately wanted to keep this moment between us—a fresh beginning unmarred by the past. Gino frowned slightly but ultimately shrugged it off. “Alright, if you say so. But you know I’m here if you need to talk about anything.” I nodded by instinct, thankful for his g
I took a deep breath, leaning against the counter, searching for clarity amidst the conflicting thoughts swirling in my mind. The café buzzed with energy—the clink of cups, hushed conversations, laughter. All of it felt distant, like I was watching from behind a glass wall, unable to break through. “Harriet?” Gino’s voice pulled me back to the present, concern etched on his face. “You alright? You seem… off.” “Yeah, I’m okay,” I lied, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach my eyes. “Just... a bit overwhelmed by everything.” “Look, I really appreciate you being here,” he said, his tone less casual now. “But I need you to be all in. You’re not just my assistant; you’re an integral part of this. I value your insight.” I nodded, the weight of his words sinking in. I knew he saw my potential, but did he truly understand the depth of my insecurities? That his validation was like air to me, essential yet elusive? “I want to be,” I said, my voice faltering. “But sometimes it fee
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