Soren - POVPain throbs through my body, but all I feel is anger. And Joshua’s words aren’t helping.“What the hell do you mean?” Raisel snaps.She yanks her arm out of Joshua’s grasp, glaring at him with fury. Joshua just smirks, his gaze lingering on her, then lets out a slow, mocking chuckle.“Your face is adorable when you’re angry,” he says, laughter lacing his words.“What’s wrong with your brother?” Raisel mutters, exasperated. I can tell she’s expecting him to say it’s all a prank, but something about this feels… off. A strange unease prickles at me.“Prank,” I say, my tone flat.Joshua shrugs. “My brother gets me.” A sigh of relief escapes Raisel as she steps back, putting distance between us.“You two are cruel with your pranks,” she whispers, annoyed. It’s cute, watching her get riled up. But the only time I want to see her crying is when I’m the one making her gasp, her tears the good kind. The kind I can savor.“Focus, bruh,” Joshua taunts, catching my stare. “You look at
Raisel's POVI hesitated as I stepped out of the hospital room. Mr. Beau needed me at the mansion, and thankfully, Soren didn’t question my flimsy excuse for leaving. He wanted me to stay—wanted me by his side—but I couldn’t. His eyes lingered on me just a second too long, sharp with suspicion. Did he sense I was lying? Or was that my paranoia talking? By the time I reached Mr. Beau’s sprawling mansion, my stomach was already in knots. As I entered the grand living hall, my eyes immediately landed on Jace and Mr. Beau deep in conversation. Their expressions were grim—this wasn’t going to be pleasant.“You’re going to sabotage Davina,” Mr. Beau announced with finality, not bothering with pleasantries.“I—what? I don’t even know where to start!” I stammered, trying to keep my voice steady.“Think like a woman who wants vengeance,” Jace said flatly, his tone devoid of any sympathy. “If you hadn’t run your mouth to Soren, we wouldn’t even be in this mess.”“Oh, don’t you dare pin this on
Raisel - POVI drew in a deep breath, steadying myself, before muttering under it. “Jace, get into my phone and find the video Hazel sent me—the one from Soren’s office when Davina tried asking me for a favor.” My voice was barely a whisper, fed into the small mic tucked into the diamond earring on my ear.“On it,” Jace replied, his tone sharp and focused.“You know what to do,” I whispered again, my lips barely moving.“Don’t have to tell me twice,” came his curt response, the faint sound of keystrokes crackling over the line. “Hold them for a second.”I didn’t need to do much. Davina, desperate and flailing, had already ignited her own downfall. She was standing before the cameras, her every move calculated, trying to regain the attention she thought she commanded. Reporters threw questions at me, their voices overlapping in the chaos, but I barely heard them. The storm was about to begin.“You’re good to go,” Jace confirmed.A single phone notification pinged. Then another. And ano
Raisel’s POV“Wakey… wakey, my Raisins,” came a teasing voice that dragged me unwillingly out of sleep. I groaned and yanked the covers over my head, shielding myself from the light.“Shh…” I mumbled groggily.“Raisins, you’ll be late for the office.” The nickname grated on my nerves, but before I could retaliate, the sheets were ripped off me. I groaned again, reluctantly meeting his hazel eyes. A sharp headache made me wince, and I squinted in pain.“What happened?” I croaked. It wasn’t until I glanced down that I realized I was naked. Soren’s gaze roamed over me shamelessly, a knowing smirk tugging at his lips.“Before you get any ideas,” he said smugly, “you passed out before anything even started.” Heat flooded my cheeks as I recalled the bold moves I’d made last night. Embarrassed, I tugged the bedsheet around myself.“Oh, shy now, are we?” he teased. “It’s not like I haven’t seen it all before.” I shot him a glare but regretted it immediately as the pain in my head flared up ag
Soren - POVRaisel’s hesitation was almost imperceptible, but I saw it—how the room hit her like a storm she wasn’t ready for. “I told you to keep Raisins out of this,” I growled, my words razor-edged.“I wanted in.” Her response was quick, defiant.“Don’t you dare say another word, Raisins” My voice was low, threatening, but she didn’t flinch. Her stare was cold, unrelenting—a frigid standoff crackling between us. God, it was maddening how calm she stayed. Sexy as hell. No one else had ever looked me dead in the eye like that, not even the women I’d taken to bed.“Calm down.” Jace’s voice cut through the tension like a dull blade. I didn’t look away, but Raisel did, breaking the thread between us. She turned her eyes from mine, but I kept glaring—first at her, then at Jace. He averted his gaze, the coward.“What’s the plan?” Raisel asked, her voice sharp as a dagger. Her question was for Jace, but Grandpa’s eyes landed on me. I met his stare with a glare that screamed, Don’t even thi
Raisel - POVI couldn’t focus on my work but managed to pull myself together and assign teams their tasks. I had to get a few signatures from Soren, so I knocked on his cabin door.“Come in.”I walked in. Soren looked at me with a blank stare.“I need your signatures on these papers,” I said, handing him the file. He read it, signed it, and gave it back to me.I stayed in his office, knowing full well that Soren had been stalking me. He claimed it was to protect me, but I hated his methods. We never talked about it, but I knew there was more to his story. I was aware of half the truth, but I felt Soren was hiding something deeper.“What?” he asked, noticing my stare.“You know, after tonight’s mission, we need to talk,” I said firmly.“About what?” he asked, still focused on his laptop.“You stalking me.”He looked up at me.“There’s nothing to say. I told you I did it to protect you,” he said flatly.“I’m not letting you off with that one-sentence explanation, Soren. You better talk
Soren – POVRaisel’s eyes burned with hatred as she glared at Alaric, the intensity of her rage like a firestorm.“You bastard,” Alaric hissed through gritted teeth, his voice sharp and venomous. “Let me go! You’re making a huge mistake, Soren.”His eyes darted to me, blazing with defiance.“You don’t even know who you’re messing with.”I leaned against the wall, arms crossed, and smirked, my voice calm but dismissive.“I couldn’t care less.”Alaric’s lips curled into a snarl, his fury practically radiating off him.“You bastard! Unhand me, and I’ll show you what I’m capable of.”Before I could even respond, Raisel stepped forward and slapped him. Hard.The sound of her palm meeting his cheek echoed in the room, cutting through the tension like a knife. Alaric’s head snapped to the side, and when he turned back, his glare could’ve killed.I didn’t give him a chance to act. My fist collided with his stomach, and he doubled over, coughing and groaning in pain.“You don’t ever get to loo
Soren - POVAlaric’s fists came flying at me. I dodged, narrowly avoiding the blows, and retaliated with a sharp kick to his gut. He staggered back, gasping for air, but recovered quickly. The exchange between us was savage—punch after punch thrown with reckless fury. A few of mine connected with his face, snapping his head back, and a few of his landed on me, stinging my ribs. I was done playing games.With a calculated strike, I swept his legs out from under him, sending him crashing to the ground. Before he could regain his footing, I lunged, wrapping my arm around his neck in a crushing chokehold. Alaric writhed beneath me, his breaths coming in sharp, desperate bursts. And yet, a part of me—a shadow lurking deep within—found satisfaction in his struggle.Something inside me twisted, dark and primal. I wanted to end him. My grip tightened, the thought whispering like a seductive promise: Kill him. With your hands. Make him disappear. But before I could succumb, Alaric slipped free
Raisel - POVBack to Iowa. I hadn’t slept a wink. As soon as the car rolled to a stop in front of my mother’s house, my eyes locked onto the sleek, expensive car parked in the driveway. Something about it sent a shiver down my spine. Next to me, I felt Soren tense.“What now?” I muttered under my breath.“Problem,” Jace whispered. His tone was sharp, and when I turned, I saw my friends exchange uneasy glances.We stepped inside, and there they were—Rocher and a man in a navy suit, sitting at the table, sipping coffee like they had all the time in the world.“Hey, birthday girl! Many happy returns of the day.” Rocher greeted me with his usual beaming smile, but my attention was locked on the man beside him. He was older, near my mother’s age, with an unreadable expression. When I pulled away from Rocher’s hug, the man’s cold, calculating eyes met mine.“Who is he?” I asked, my voice steady despite the unease curling in my stomach.“Your uncle—Johnathan.”I blinked, studying him again.
Soren’s POVMy heart pounded in my chest. A man from the Reaper gang—so close to Raisel. What if something happens to her? What if something happens to me?I gripped the wheel tighter and sped through the streets, driving like a madman. Jace sat beside me, calm and collected, his eyes steady. I wished I could say the same for myself. The moment the hotel came into view, my anxiety only grew sharper, digging into my ribs like a blade.As soon as I reached the door, I didn’t hesitate."Raisel!" I called, my voice edged with panic.She turned at the sound of my voice, whispering my name. “Soren.”Relief crashed over me as I pulled her into my arms, holding her against me. I inhaled her scent, grounding myself in her presence.My mind steadied, but my hands refused to stop shaking. Only then did I finally take notice of the man seated in front of us—too composed, too patient."Seems you were worried." His voice was unsettlingly calm."Killian Morozov."He gave a slow nod. "So you know my
Raisel - POV“Who sent this?” I asked the room service guy, holding up the card.“I… I don’t know, Miss,” he stammered. “I was just delivering the food, and—”“What’s going on?” Soren’s voice cut through the tension, sharp and commanding.I turned to him, holding up the card. His eyes darkened as he shifted his gaze to the room service attendant, who visibly tensed under the weight of Soren’s scrutiny.“Tell me the truth.” His voice was cold, unwavering.The guy swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “S-Someone paid me in the elevator to bring it to your room,” he admitted.Soren’s expression didn’t change, but the air around us felt heavier. “Did you recognize them? Describe this person.”The man hesitated. “He was wearing a black suit,” he said cautiously. “He’s a regular guest.”Soren’s eyes narrowed. “What’s his name?”“I… I don’t recall. But I can check with the front desk and let you know.”“I’ll come with you,” Soren said, his tone leaving no room for argument.I reached for
Raisel’s POVSoren stepped in, a warm smile on his lips, holding a cake with candles flickering on top. “Happy Birthday, Raisel,” he said smoothly.I blinked.“Happy Birthday!” everyone cheered in unison. My eyes flicked toward the clock—12:00 AM. Right on time.“Come on, cut the cake,” Hazel urged.I smiled, blowing out the candles as a round of claps and cheers filled the rooftop. I sliced the first piece, feeding it to Soren, then my friends, who playfully stuffed bites into my mouth in return. Grinning from ear to ear, I exhaled in relief—I had been nervous for nothing.Glasses clinked as expensive wine flowed freely, poured by the staff. The rooftop breeze was cool and calming, mixing with the sound of laughter. The night was alive, food being ordered, conversations blending into music.I sighed, sinking into my seat, only to catch Soren’s gaze. He was right next to me, watching me too closely.Leaning in, he lowered his voice. “You forgot your birthday, didn’t you?”“No,” I mumb
Raisel - POVSoren stood before me, devastatingly handsome in a black tux. His wavy black hair was slicked back neatly, and his sharp jaw—accentuated by a bit of stubble—made him look even more alluring. I couldn’t help but stare, my eyes tracing every detail of his face. His gaze roamed over me with an intensity that sent heat coursing through my veins."Such a love spell," Hazel whispered to Fiora and Gwen, awe coloring her tone. Her words pulled me out of the trance—or whatever spell Soren had me under. I turned to my friends, desperately trying to hide my blush, but their teasing grins only made it worse.“What’s the surprise?” I asked, my voice coming out breathier than I intended.“Not yet.” Soren's deep voice was warm, a promise hidden in his tone.“Come on,” I urged, the suspense making my pulse race.“Patience, Raisins,” he chuckled, wrapping his arms around my waist. The heat of his body pressed against mine sent my heart into overdrive.“Let’s go; the arrangements are ready
Raisel - POVThe sound of chatter pulled me from sleep. I rolled out of bed, eyes heavy, and opened the door. Hazel, Fiora, and Gwen stood there, their faces lighting up as they rushed in, wrapping me in a group hug. The sudden weight made me stumble, but I caught myself, managing a small smile.“Sorry you went through so much,” Hazel muttered, stepping back. Her eyes were soft with sympathy. My gaze flicked to Soren, who lingered a few steps behind. His eyes said enough—he’d told them everything. Well, maybe not everything. Definitely not his own sins. Gwen’s tear-streaked cheeks said enough about the parts she did know.Soren approached, his expression calm but intent.“Guys, can you give us a minute?” he asked, his voice gentle but firm. He took my hand, leading me back into the room we shared.“Hey! Not fair, hogging all the time!” Hazel called out, mock-annoyed. I chuckled despite everything, the sound brittle and raw.The door clicked shut behind us, and the space between us fel
Raisel - POVI came back to Iowa because Susan’s health is getting worse. They’re keeping her under observation in the basement infirmary. Honestly, I just want to be with her. I lost my father—who was never much of a father at all—but deep down, I’ve always craved that kind of affection. Spending these weeks with Susan, all I can think about is her warm smile and the way she used to embrace me.I sighed, the steady beeping of the machines and the sharp smell of antiseptics only making my headache worse.“You should go rest. I’ll keep an eye on Susan,” Rocher said, sipping her coffee.“I’ll be fine,” I insisted.“Soren, Jace, Hazel, and Fiora are on their way.” The relief that washed over me at the thought of them coming to Iowa was almostoverwhelming. I’d missed them—missed Soren—so much. At least I wouldn’t have to face the nightmares alone.“How are you holding up?”“Me?” I blinked, surprised. She nodded.“Yeah, do you see anyone else here?” She pulled up a chair and sat down, her
Soren - POVThe gun felt heavy in my hand as I moved through the rooms, eyes sharp, finger light on the trigger. No sign of the Reaper men. But they knew we were here. I could feel it. Jace approached, his face dark and bruised.“They’re gone,” he said, voice grim.“They figured out you’re the mole,” I muttered.“Yeah, too late,” he replied with a smirk that didn’t reach his eyes. “Managed to break out.” He shrugged, but I saw how his hands trembled.Susan stumbled in, breathless and pale. “Did you find Raisel?” she asked, voice cracked with worry.“She’s with Viktor,” Jace answered. “Heard it over a dead guard’s walkie.”“Fuck!” I hissed, the word seething through clenched teeth. “Where the hell is the rest of the team? Why are they so damn slow?”Susan’s squad was finally regrouping with Rocher, their faces drawn and bloody.“One of them slapped a tracker on Viktor’s car,” Rocher said, tossing me the keys. But Susan crumpled to the ground, barely holding on. The fight in the basemen
Raisel - POVIt’s been two days. I’ve been training like a maniac, chasing ghosts, and getting nothing but silence from Jace. He’s barely said a word, just pushed me harder, kept me quiet, and filled the gaps with bruises and exhaustion. Now, I’m standing in Viktor’s office again, my choice this time.“You should be sleeping,” he says as Viktor strides in, eyes sharp and cold.“I need to see Soren and Susan,” I reply, voice steadier than I feel.“Gunther, take her to them.”I flinch, surprised he agreed so easily, but I swallow it down and follow the man. The basement stairs groan beneath us, each step slower than the last. My pulse is a wild drumbeat in my ears.“Stop,” Gunther snaps, pulling a gun free. My body locks tight, instincts flaring.“What the hell—” The words barely leave me before Gunther's already barking into a walkie-talkie, voice clipped and panicked.“Code Red! I repeat, Code Red! Make sure Sire is secured in a safe house.”His eyes are frantic when they cut back to