[--Kaiser Volkov--]I woke up feeling a weight pressing down on me, a dull heaviness I knew too well. Three hours of sleep didn’t cut it, especially not today, with so much riding on the hours ahead. My limbs felt sluggish as I dragged myself out of bed, mind still foggy, but I pushed forward, heading to the bathroom to splash some cold water on my face in the hope it would shock me into alertness.My plans involve the pack and Esmarie. She won’t know what hit her.I barely made it to the bathroom door when my phone buzzed on the nightstand. Who could be calling this early? It was Martha, the number flashing on the screen, and I felt a pang of surprise. She rarely reached out in the morning unless it was truly important, but I’d always made it clear that I was here for her whenever she needed me, no matter the time or the reason. As a mother figure to me, Martha often took on more than she needed to, quietly bearing burdens and rarely asking for help.She wasn’t just like that towards
[--Esmarie Cruz--]There’s something surprisingly grounding about sleeping on the floor, though I can’t really put into words what exactly makes it good. It’s probably not the ache in my back or the stiffness in my neck, both of which feel like they’re screaming. Honestly, my body is in hell. Every joint is telling me this was a terrible idea. I’m far from comfortable. But there’s something almost… honest about being here on the floor, a certain clarity that you can’t get when you’re cushioned by mattresses or layers of blankets.Still, clarity doesn’t make it any easier when I hear this persistent, irritating sound in the distance—like an incessant mosquito buzzing in my ear. It’s a voice, actually, calling my name in a way that’s somehow both grating and familiar. As I force my eyes open, I see exactly who I expected: Kaiser. Of course, it’s him. Who else would be so annoyingly chipper and persistent this early in the morning? Okay, perhaps not him seeing as he’s the grumpiest man I
[--Esmarie Cruz--]After throwing up, I couldn’t focus. I needed a moment to catch my breath. Kaiser could die due to the rejection, and he hadn’t said anything. Was that why the doctor tried to stop me? Isn’t that such an asshole move from him?I needed to find time to call him out on this. I won’t be quiet. I just can’t be quiet about this. Once I got myself together, I turned back to Martha. Unsure of what to say, I just got to helping her prepare for the meals.We spent four hours cooking before Kaiser returned to take us to the site where the festival would be heard. The entire pack seemed empty during the drive, and my children were wide awake and giddy. Like they couldn’t be happier. It made me feel something so sweet. True love exists between me and my twins. Martha sat at the front with Kaiser. She was singing a song that played on the radio, and Elijah was trying to copy her.But since he didn’t know words, he just babbled off-key and made us all laugh. Eloise was content gi
[--Esmarie Cruz--]Sam stared at me for what felt like hours before her eyes shifted to the stroller where my children were. I snapped my fingers immediately.“Don’t look at them.”She raised her eyebrow at me. “Where is Martha?”“Call her and find out.”Her lips twitched. “I’m not here to be mean. I nearly got kicked from this pack, and I don’t want any beef with Kaiser’s girl.”My heart thumped, and my omega filled me with something close to pride. Which was ridiculous. I’m Kaiser’s nothing. There’s no reason to be proud here. “I’m sorry to hear that, but I also don’t want problems. I just don’t have a good reason to trust you.”She sighed and ran her fingers through her hair. The girl was still pretty. Blonde hair short, and messy. Her blue jean shorts were unbuttoned so you could see hints of her black underwear, her white t-shirt was tied at the front and her cowgirl boots seemed to finish the whole look. It was interesting to see the way she dressed.When I wore something it eit
[--Kaiser Volkov--]Being a pack leader isn’t just a title—it’s a never-ending responsibility, especially when I’m constantly moving, juggling tasks, and ensuring everything runs smoothly. Right now, the Blue Moon Festival preparations are in full swing, and the weight of the event falls squarely on my shoulders. Today is officially the first day, also known as "Preparations Day," the day when our open meadow transforms into the most stunning festival area anyone in the surrounding packs has ever seen.It’s a massive undertaking, one that requires precision, coordination, and a lot of patience. Every inch of the meadow is covered in decorations, stalls, and lights. The air is already buzzing with excitement as pack members hustle about, their laughter and chatter blending with the sounds of hammering, drilling, and the occasional bark of orders.I pride myself on being a hands-on leader, so I’ve been helping wherever I can. One moment, I’m stringing up lanterns between trees; the next
[--Esmarie Cruz--]The first day of the festival went by smoothly, even better than I’d anticipated. The morning had been a whirlwind of activity as I helped set up, juggling tasks and tending to my children. Despite the chaos, there was something grounding about the festival's rhythm, the way it brought everyone together. By the time the evening arrived, I was exhausted but content. Watching Kaiser take the stage for his closing speech, I saw something rare, to me at least,—a deep respect in the eyes of his pack members, a kind of admiration that felt earned. His words were met with thunderous applause and genuine affection, and for a moment, I allowed myself to feel proud of him.I expected us to leave for home right after the speech, eager to put the day behind us, but Kaiser had other plans. With a quiet command, he instructed Martha to take me to her house for the night. The idea surprised me, but I didn’t argue; it was unlike him to deviate from routine.And I haven’t been to he
[--Kaiser Volkov--]I met up with the assassin I’d hired after sending Esmarie home with Martha. The meeting was held in a secluded alley just outside the pack, the kind of place where shadows seemed to linger a little longer and the air always smelled faintly of damp concrete and regret. The man, tall and broad-shouldered, wore a plain black jacket and a hood that obscured most of his face. Not that it mattered—we didn’t need formalities, not in this line of work.When he approached, he didn’t say a word, and neither did I. We both understood the weight of unspoken agreements. He reached into his jacket and pulled out a thick envelope, holding it out with a steady hand. I nodded as I took it from him, a brief acknowledgment passing between us. No gratitude, no farewells. Just business. He turned on his heel and disappeared down the darkened alley, his steps quiet but deliberate.Wolves like him kill for cash—efficient, detached, and dangerous. He wasn’t the type to do favors, but our
[--Kaiser Volkov--]I drove to Martha's house late in the night, almost midnight, exhaustion clinging to me like a second skin. My bones ached from the day's relentless grind, and my mind was teetering between shutting down and spiraling out of control. As I pulled into the driveway, I spotted the faint glow of the living room lights through the curtains. It didn’t surprise me to find Esmarie awake, sitting on the floor with her twins, who were transfixed by whatever cartoon Martha had queued up on the TV. Their big, drooling smiles and bubbling laughter were a stark contrast to how drained I felt. It was oddly comforting—just for a moment, anyway.Martha’s house always smelled the same: a blend of lavender air freshener and whatever was baking in her oven earlier that day. Which might have been nothing since she cooked at my house. Her place always smells like there’s a new meal in the oven waiting to be brought out.Tonight, it smelled faintly of cinnamon. I stood in the doorway, wat
[--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