[--Esmarie Cruz--]The wailing of two infants slices through the quiet of the early morning, pulling me abruptly from my drifting thoughts. Beside me, Kaiser stiffens, his gaze turning sharply toward the door of his office. Without exchanging a word, we both rush our and head to his bedroom, instincts pushing us forward. When we reach them, I see that the twins—small, fragile, and loud—are indeed fine, though they’re red-faced and flailing, letting out cries as if their world has tipped off its axis.I have this urge to tell myself it’s unlike my children to cry without reason, to reassure myself that something must have set them off, but I know better. They’re babies—barely two months old. Expecting them to stay calm and content at all times is idiotic, no matter how perfect they seem in their brief, peaceful moments of sleep. I haven’t kept exact count of the days, but I do know that every one of them feels fleeting, a small and precious chapter gone in an instant. I’m afraid they’l
[--Kaiser Volkov--]“Yes, the meeting is still on. I can fly in tomorrow evening.”The man on the screen smiles. “I can’t believe I’m saying this but can we have the meeting virtually? You must understand that my people are slightly frightened to have a werewolf on our turf. As you know, the issues with the former four regions alphas have caused us alot of problems. I am happy to see a new face, and your reaching out makes things alot better. But I discussed it, my people aren’t comfortable.”“I understand but, can I say? Meeting you in person would have dispelled all disbelief. I’m okay having the meeting virtually, but it’s not going to work for me. To form a bond, there must be equal trust. I was willing to come to you alone, but if you don’t trust me that’s fine. Maybe we can reschedule.”The vampire on the screen stares at me for a moment, before nodding. I ended the call and then rubbed my hands over my face. I reached into the drawer of my next to get some painkillers as my hea
[--Esmarie Cruz--]There’s a saying that sometimes life hands you a gift wrapped in shadows. You don’t know if what you’re holding is a blessing or something darker—you just have to feel your way forward, hoping for light but preparing for anything. This saying applies best to my discovery of Kaiser’s feelings for me. Martha and I had an awkward picnic after that.Then she took me back home, where I texted Kaiser. I now regret doing that because he hadn’t returned to the house since then. It’s currently twelve midnight, and I haven’t been able to think about anything else but him.He was in love with me. Is he still in love with me? And I finally understood something that hadn’t clicked into place. Kaiser had told Martha some of his past. She was judgment-free, so he could open up to her. That can explain why he told her about me and the kiss, but he told Jacob, too. and he doesn't trust that man.He wouldn’t have done that had he not... maybe I’m thinking too much into this but goodn
[--Esmarie Cruz--]I stayed quiet as my brain worked through his words and this new revelation. He’s in love with me... how have I gone most of my life not knowing it? He hid it well, but it suddenly explains why I was shocked when he left the next day.“Say something, your silence is far worse.”“The next morning, I came to your room. I was feeling bashful because I couldn’t sleep and I wanted to ask you about that kiss. What it meant, and why you’d run. But you were gone. Kaiser, we’ve been over this I know... but that really sucked.” I brought my hands up, folded them into fists, and pressed them against my eyes.It isn’t entirely shocking... this crush thing now that I think deeply about it... okay, it still is. But I had a chance to find out the next day after Kaiser kissed me, but he was just gone. When I’d gone to tell his father, the man freaked out and the whole house was a ruckus as they searched for Kaiser. That’s when it became my fault.Barry told them I’d kissed Kaiser a
[--Kaiser Volkov--]The shower became my sanctuary, the water cascading down in a steady rhythm, warm and soothing as it enveloped me, washing away not only the grime of the day but a sliver of the turmoil tangled in my mind. I closed my eyes, letting the droplets hit my shoulders and trail down my body, feeling every sensation as though I could cleanse the thoughts clinging to my mind. For a moment, the world was muffled, softened by the steady rush of water, and I breathed in the steam-heavy air, feeling it settle something deep inside me, even if only temporarily.Esmarie. The name alone twisted something raw and aching in my chest. She knows. She knows about the fated mate bond, that thread that pulled me toward her, even if it wasn't one she felt herself—or at least, not enough to keep her bound. She bypassed it, sidestepping the weight and wonder of it all as though it were just another fleeting thing, not the kind of connection most of us would give anything to find. She mentio
[--Kaiser Volkov--]Dinner was nice. We ate quietly, I tasted the vodka right away. It was nice. It did make me crave a bottle, but the meal was delicious so I quickly let go of that thought. I wonder how long that’ll last before I fall back into my pattern of having a million vices. I stole glances at her while I ate. There were many things to take in. Her sleep-deprived eyes, her smile that seemed genuine. And how she could no longer meet my eyes.I should apologize for making her uncomfortable with my feelings, but I feel like bringing it up again would freak her out. How can I go back to living in denial when she knows the truth? With nothing to hide, I feel naked... well there are things to hide. Like her mother’s disappearance. I rubbed my forehead as I ate dinner.Once I finished, I thanked her and offered to do the dishes so she could go get some sleep. I expected her to take the chance, the open opportunity I was giving her to leave this awkward situation but it seemed Esmari
[--Esmarie Cruz--]There was a thumping sound against the door. No one was speaking, but I had a good idea that this wasn’t Kaiser. He wouldn’t knock. He’d say something. The door was built strongly. This is Kaiser’s home, he made sure it was safe. There’s no way for some regular wolf to break the door down.I don’t know why or even how I knew this. Then the noise stopped. It had lasted five minutes, but this was different. The silence was even more eerie, more .... I could smell it. I could smell the scent, it was stronger, deadly. Familiar. Then the noise began again. Like the person was now even more desperate to get through the door.Then the scream came. There was only one screaming, smacking, skin crushing against something. I couldn’t understand it. The person screaming... his voice was clear as day, but the violent sounds were just as loud. If his face was being hit then his voice would have cracked, or muffled.Eventually, I couldn’t take it anymore. I grabbed something I cou
[--Kaiser Volkov--]Elias, Berney, and Scotty arrived at my pack three days after the phone call and invasion. They were dealing with the attacks so they hadn’t been able to handle everything they’d set their minds to, so I had to wait while working on my own issues.Yes, I was avoiding Esmarie, sleeping in the office, showering there too, and speaking with doctor Jacob. I know avoiding her isn’t the right thing to do, but I’ve got alot on my head right now. Yesterday, I fell asleep on my office couch and I found myself waking up by the door. I caught myself mid-sentence where I was pounding on the door asking them to shut up.I don’t know who them is... and I’m glad the entire building was empty or I’d have thrown myself off the roof.Spiraling is an understatement at this time.The alphas sat on the other side of my desk, and they did not seem happy at all. Hell, I don’t feel happy. This is the first time I’ve allowed one of them to be here in my pack. I will never let it happen aga
[--Esmarie Cruz--]The date began with Kaiser serving us champagne, his movements elegant and deliberate as he poured the golden liquid into our glasses. There was something mesmerizing about watching him, the way he carried himself with an effortless grace that made my heart flutter. As he handed me my glass, his smile was soft but radiant, like he was savoring this moment as much as I was.“To us,” he said, raising his glass.“To us,” I echoed, clinking mine against his. The soft chime seemed to ring at the beginning of something magical, and I couldn’t help but grin as I took a sip.Kaiser leaned back in his chair, taking a long drink from his glass, and I could see the contentment in his eyes. He looked so happy to finally relax, to just enjoy the evening without the weight of his responsibilities pressing down on him. It was a rare sight, and I found myself admiring him more than ever.I gazed out over the town, my eyes drawn to the fireworks exploding in bursts of color above th
[--Esmarie Cruz--]After the vigil, Kaiser took center stage, standing tall against the backdrop of the setting sun. His voice was steady but carried a depth of emotion that silenced the crowd. Everyone turned their attention to him as he began his speech, thanking the pack for their unity, their strength, and the resilience they showed in the face of loss. His words were carefully chosen, each one weighted with meaning as he paid homage to the lives they were mourning and celebrated the bond that kept them all moving forward.I didn’t hear a single word. I can’t tell you my reasons.There was something almost magnetic about him at that moment. His presence commanded respect, and his sincerity resonated deeply with everyone present. I stood in the booth, peeking around to see him while holding Eloise close as Elijah dozed in his carrier, and I couldn’t help but feel a swell of pride. This man—strong, compassionate, and unwavering—was... not mine, yet. But he could be if this relations
[--Esmarie Cruz--]Kaiser didn’t return to the festival until four in the afternoon. For hours, I tried to push down the creeping worry that maybe he’d canceled our date without telling me. My phone buzzed earlier with a text saying he would be returning late, but even in those few words, I could sense something was off. He wasn’t the type to be vague or curt, especially with me. Still, I buried my concerns for the moment, focusing on the festival and, more importantly, on keeping Martha entertained. She was having the time of her life.The festival, however, wasn’t just filled with laughter and excitement today; a vigil had been scheduled, and I hadn’t known about it. It cast a bittersweet atmosphere over the event. Groups gathered, lighting candles and singing soft, mournful songs in memory of the wolves who had passed. Their harmonized voices drifted through the air like a gentle breeze, intertwining with the scent of flowers placed lovingly at memorials. It was beautiful in its ow
[--Kaiser Volkov--]“You know, I chose a bar to make you feel comfortable, right?” Elias’s voice carries over the gentle crash of waves and the chatter of people further down the beach. There about six of them far away from us, which gives us a sort of privacy to talk. He’s close enough now that the words are meant only for me.“I don’t drink that much anymore,” I say, watching the horizon instead of him.Elias scoffs, sharp and disbelieving. “Right. You’re going sober now?”A soft chuckle escapes me as I turn my attention to him. “I didn’t say that. I like drinking—I’m not giving it up. I just don’t drink every single day. I need to be sober for my festival.”That catches his attention. His eyes gleam with curiosity as he tilts his head, a practiced look of interest that makes my stomach tighten. “Right. That’s actually something I wanted to talk to you about.”I frown. “You wanted to talk to me about the Blue Moon Festival?”“Yes.” Elias hesitates, his lips pressing together like he
[--Kaiser Volkov--]I parked my car in the closest spot I could find, my mind focused on the promise of the beach. After a brief search, I’d located one just thirty minutes away from Mem. Stepping out of the car, I kicked off my shoes and let the soft, warm sand greet my bare feet. The sound of the waves crashing against the shore filled the air, their rhythmic roar blending with the gentle breeze, creating a calming symphony of nature.I thought about the face of the man I’d seen. Then I blew out a breath, the only thing I had left to tell Valeria is the abuse that happened at home. I think somewhere in my head there’s a quiet voice that reminds me that escaping hadn’t been easy since I was scared. I was trained to kill, trained to use my brain to pick out the best outcome of whatever orders I was given. But mentally I was weakened.Barry is.... a monster. There are criminals, and then there are monsters. My brother is a living example of that. But seeing that face reminds me of the
[--Kaiser Volkov--]I wanted to stop by the festival for something to eat, but after dealing with the corpses and checking on the compound I was building to make some adjustments, I ended up contacting Elias instead. He had asked if we could meet at a bar situated between our packs. It wasn’t close for either of us—our territories are quite far apart—but over the years, we’ve identified a few neutral places to meet when necessary. One of those locations is a small town, though not the same one we’d previously used for drinks. This one was new, unfamiliar.Elias mentioned he’d be coming alone, which struck me as odd. Did he think I’d assume otherwise? Of course, he’d come alone—this wasn’t a summit or a pack meeting. It was just the two of us. He wanted to talk to me, not Scott or Berney, which only deepened my curiosity about the nature of this conversation.On the drive there, my thoughts were interrupted by an unexpected call.“Alpha Kaiser Volkov speaking. State your name and purpo
[--Kaiser Volkov--]I left her at the booth with Martha, as per usual, trusting the familiarity of their arrangement. Esmarie always enjoyed spending time with Martha at the festival, and the kids loved the bright colors and cheerful energy of the place. With the twins settled in and the day off to a smooth start, I excused myself, kissed Esmarie on the cheek- making her face turn red as she hadn’t been expecting me to do that, and made my way to the car. The hum of the festival grew softer as I drove away, heading toward the western gates.The wall came into view before long, towering and formidable against the landscape. Stretching as far as the eye could see, the wall surrounded the entire pack like a protective cocoon, standing as a testament to our resilience and determination to preserve peace. It hadn’t been an easy project. Three years of planning, construction, setbacks, and countless hours of labor had gone into it. But now, looking at its solid structure and the sense of se
[--Kaiser Volkov--]Esmarie woke up a few minutes after I had been silently watching her. The morning light filtered softly through the curtains, casting a warm glow over her face. Her eyes fluttered open, their deep hazel hue catching the sunlight in a way that made my breath hitch. I couldn’t help but smile as she stirred, her hair slightly tousled from sleep. She noticed me watching and blushed faintly, the kind of blush that warmed her cheeks and made my heart feel light.“Good morning,” I said softly.She returned my smile shyly, brushing strands of hair away from her face. Without a word, she slipped off of me, her movements careful and deliberate as if she didn’t want to disturb the serenity of the morning. Esmarie headed towards the nursery room next to her bedroom to check on her twins, her motherly instinct kicking in before anything else. I lingered for a moment, savoring the tranquility of the moment, then rose to begin my day.One day I would love for her to be sharing my
[--Kaiser Volkov--]I'm not entirely sure when Esmarie and I rounded off our conversation and made our way back into the house, but we did. It felt like one of those surreal moments where the world fades into the background, and for once, everything just clicks. I couldn’t stop replaying her words in my head, letting them wash over me like a balm to wounds I didn’t even realize were still open. The thought of being allowed to have a relationship with her—being given that chance—made something in my chest tighten in a way I wasn’t used to.It was all part of my grand scheme to seduce her, and it worked out well.Tch. Part of me wanted to punch the air, another part wanted to groan because I could practically hear my wolf laughing at me. There wasn’t some master plan to seduce her. I hadn’t been sitting around with a blueprint labeled Operation Win Esmarie’s Heart—but here I was, somehow making progress despite myself. Despite the universe actively choosing to expose all of my darkest