“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
Chapter One “Harriet, you know we can’t be together; you are an omega, and I am the alpha of this pack. We can’t be anything more than lovers.” Damon stated as he laughed coldly in my face I felt a sting of rejection and disappointment as Damon's words hit me like a punch to the gut. I had been hoping that he would see me differently, that he would see past the societal norms that dictated our roles as omega and alpha. But it seemed he was just as bound by those norms as the rest of the pack. I tried to keep my emotions in check, but it was hard to hear him dismiss our feelings like that. I felt like I was just a means to an end for him, a way to satisfy his desires without real commitment or love. "I thought you felt something for me," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "I thought we had something special." Damon's laughter sent a chill down my spine. "You're an omega, Harriet. You're meant to be loyal and obedient. You're not meant to be loved or cherished
Where are you going?" my best friend Sandra asked as I threw my few belongings into a suitcase from underneath my bed. I hesitated, unsure of how to answer. I didn't know how much she knew about the pack's dynamics, and I didn't want to reveal too much. "Just leaving for a little while," I said, sounding casual. "I need some time to think." Sandra's eyes narrowed. "Think about what? You're not even telling me what's going on." I sighed, feeling a sense of guilt wash over me. I didn't want to lie to my best friend, but I didn't want to reveal the truth. Not yet, at least. I couldn't tell her. I couldn't tell my best friend that I had been sleeping with the alpha of our pack for the last five months of my life. It was a secret eating away at me, making me feel like a traitor and a fool. And now, as I was preparing to leave, I couldn't bear the thought of telling her about Damon's rejection. It was like a fresh wound, still raw and bleeding. I thought back to ho
I stepped off the bus and onto the city's bustling streets, feeling a mix of emotions swirling inside me. Excitement, anxiety, and a hint of uncertainty all battled for dominance as I gazed up at the towering skyscrapers and endless streams of people rushing. This was it. My new life. My new identity. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. I had left behind the pack, the drama, and the toxic relationships that had been suffocating me. I had left behind Damon and Aurora, and the memories still lingered like a nasty wound. As I made my way through the crowds, I couldn't help but feel a sense of disorientation. The sounds, the smells, the sights - everything was so different from what I was used to. I felt like a fish out of water, struggling to keep my head above the surface. But as I looked around at the unfamiliar buildings and people, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was starting from scratch. That everything I had known and loved was behind me and