[--Kaiser Volkov--]It was twelve midnight, the kind of hour when most people are nestled comfortably in their beds, lost in the embrace of sleep. The world outside is quiet, with only the occasional rustle of leaves or the distant hum of a passing car to remind you that life continues, even in the dead of night. Normal people would be doing something sensible, like resting, and recharging for the day ahead. Too bad I’ve never been one of those people.I woke abruptly, the familiar feeling of unease settling in my chest, the kind that told me something was not right. My arm felt heavy, weighed down by something warm and unfamiliar. As I blinked the sleep from my eyes, the irritation set in almost immediately. I wasn’t alone in my bed. That realization hit me like a cold splash of water, and I tensed, instinctively pulling my arm out from under the weight that pinned it down.Sitting up, I scanned the room, my gaze landing on the unmistakable figure of a girl, half-covered in my sheets
[--Esmarie Cruz--]“Barry I’m sorry.”“You’re sorry? You’re fucking sorry? You think because you’re pregnant I won’t beat some sense into you?” to make his point clear, he swung his hand at me. The force made the backhanded slap feel twice as bad. I clutched my belly as I stumbled to my feet. Barry slammed his foot into my back, and I shouted in pain. His parents watched. Neither of them offered me a hand or a voice. I was carrying his children for goodness' sake.Where is the sympathy? I sobbed, pain coursed through my body. Pain, so much pain.“You better not pull such a stupid move again. Telling me who I can and cannot be with. You better remember that you were abandoned. My brother left you, your father left you and your mother swears your birth was her biggest regret.” he shoved a hand into my scalp and yanked it. Pulling my head back. “Once you have those babies, know that I’m kicking you out and bringing in my woman. I have no use after the children.”I managed to croak out a
[--Kaiser Volkov--]I didn’t waste my time driving to the hospital. I thought I could, but I was too panicked so instead, I tucked my clothes into a bag, shifted, and rushed through the streets as fast as I could. My claws slammed into the ground. I kept my pace, avoiding the busy streets, and attempting to keep the regular patrons safe.The hospital soon came into view, and I quickly found a secluded spot to shift back and put on my clothes. I bolted through the doors, almost scaring the nurse behind the desk at the reception.“Alpha Kai-”“A woman was brought in here, pregnant, hurt....”“Oh yes. She was brought in by...” The nurse glanced left and right then she whispered. “Alpha Elias Domeros. From the Domeros pack.”My spine tingled with disdain. Elias and I have a history. No not romantic, the hatred type of history that does not go away. We’re good people individually. But put us in the same room and the worst comes out of us.“Right. Which room is she in?”“The VIP room 404.”
[--Kaiser Volkov--]I wanted her gone. But three days after her arrival here, I was able to gather my team to ask some questions on what we should do. I told them she got my last name wrong. She was dizzy. They believed it and that was good enough for me.But when it came to the topic of her, they all agreed that she must have been running from an abusive situation, and sending her back would be cruel. I gritted my teeth throughout the entire meeting. The collective conclusion was that we offered her a place to stay until she could make other arrangements.I had no choice but to offer to take her in because with how much anger she aimed my way, I had no doubt she’d expose me and I could lose everything. Every fucking thing I’ve worked for.The group agreed but the only thing left was to talk Esmarie into it. Her twins, by the way, and the most adorable babies I’ve ever seen. I’m not a baby kind of guy. I had to contact a healer because her bruises were so bad she needed a second surge
[--Esmarie Cruz--]I can’t believe I used to be friends with this guy. The nerve he has to... to be such an ass. I paced back and forth. Panic was filling my chest. I don’t know the first thing about taking care of children. My omega instincts are good, but in this world the younglings need the warmth of an alpha for them to really feel well.And I just don’t have that alpha. In fact, I hate alphas officially. Especially ones that disappear for years after a kiss and confession, and have the nerve to not even apologize. I hate the Darkwood. I rubbed the bridge between my nose. I feel so fucking frustrated.Looking at these innocent babies I think I should hand them over to someone who can do a better job. But with how everyone has failed me in my life, I want to do better. I want to bring up two good people in this messed up, fucked up world.I let out an exasperated sigh. Life is such a mess sometimes. There is really no one you can trust but yourself. How could he end up like this?
[--Kaiser Volkov--]During the drive to the supermarket, I was panicked because I had expected her ex to be some bastard and I was right. I just didn’t think it would be the same bastard that ruined my entire life. What did they do? Force her to marry him the second I left. She was too fucking scared to do anything. She had been outside for just a few seconds and god she looked so terrified. This is what my family does to people. They make your life so frightening that you have no choice but to do as they asked. No choice but to give them what they want. I feel so bad for her. She did not deserve that.I should have taken her, or at least sent her off to some place off. But I’m struggling with the idea that my older brother was sleepy with her. From how shaken I don’t think any of it was consensual, and that is just fucked up. I’m upset, but I hope to god they didn’t do to her what they did to me.I need to tread carefully. This is all the more reason why I want her gone. She’s bringi
|--Esmarie Cruz--|I woke up from a nightmare in the middle of the night and immediately sorted out my children. Thankfully, it was all in my head. They were still in place, but I could no longer go back to bed. I got up and left the room. I left the door slightly ajar so I could hear them if anything happened. Sure, I also took the baby monitor with me. I’m freaking out. I know.I’m making this whole thing seem like it’s the end of the world. And it is. But Martha, that sweet old lady helped me so much. How did she ever get involved as a mother figure to that jackass? He thinks he’s tough shit now, carrying around the same attitude his brother had.The difference is if he hits me, I will smack him over the head with my shoe. I checked the hall before I went into the chicken to grab a can of soda. I picked a fruity canned punch instead. My legs were hurting from the angle at which I’d been sleeping.The floor is not comfortable, no matter what carpet is placed over it. I took my place
[--Kaiser Volkov--]Another day cleaning up the messes rough packs were trying to make. I ran my hand through my hair, and Will watched me with a weird eye. Trying to gauge why I was being quiet instead of making jokes or checking out some hot girls who offered to help us out.Mostly to get hit on by me, but I couldn’t do it. Imagine being compared to your older, creepy, rapey brother simply because you chose to be free. I need to drink alot tonight. Esmarie is such a bitch. I know it’s rude to say that but I’m not some savior so she has no right to be angry.I didn’t do anything to her on purpose.Which is why I don’t understand the guilt currently taking over my mind and killing me. Fucking hell, that woman. And to just have such a nice body to go with that attitude- I need alcohol. That thought was very wrong. ew.Geezus.“Okay, I will ask the question that has been plaguing me. What is wrong with you, Kai? You’re not flirting, you haven’t talked about drinking, and you’re being al
[--Kaiser Volkov--]“We need to talk, martha. It’s important.”Martha looked at me, her brows furrowing with worry, the lines on her face deepening as though they carried the weight of years past. She had always been my anchor, the one who kept me tethered when the rest of the world felt like a storm trying to drown me. But this conversation, this moment, was inevitable. I couldn't avoid it any longer, even if it felt like cutting through something sacred between us.I inhaled deeply, steadying my voice. "Martha, you’ve always been there for me when no one else would. When everyone else turned their backs, you opened your arms. You gave me a home when all I had was fear. You gave me hope when my own family left me with nothing but scars—on my body and in my mind." My throat tightened as I spoke, but I pressed on. "I owe you so much, and I’ll never forget that. But right now, I need your complete honesty."She straightened in her chair, her hands clasped tightly together, as if bracing
[--Kaiser Volkov--]I drove down the familiar streets that led to the heart of the festival grounds, my thoughts swirling as I gripped the steering wheel. The early morning light filtered through the trees, casting dappled shadows on the pavement. The events of last night lingered in my mind, a weight pressing down on my chest. The attack had shaken everyone, and I couldn’t blame them. But today, I had a responsibility to remind them of our resilience, our strength as a pack. This festival meant more than just celebration; it was a symbol of unity. Still, there was another matter pulling at my focus. I needed to speak with Martha. She should be at her booth by now, setting up like she always did, rain or shine, crisis or calm.As I approached the festival grounds, the sight before me gave me pause. Despite the lingering fear, the area was bustling. Booths were being set up, vendors were unloading their wares, and people moved with a mixture of determination and unease. It was quieter
[--Esmarie Cruz--]After dropping us off at the house, Kaiser barely paused before rushing through his usual post-mission routine. He took a quick shower, his footsteps echoing through the hallway as he hurried to get dressed. Within minutes, he was out the door again after giving me a kiss to the cheek, muttering something about “cleaning up loose ends” before disappearing into the early morning haze. I didn’t press for details, partly because I knew he wouldn’t offer any and partly because my own thoughts were already spinning with plans of my own.I turned my attention to the twins, who had been unusually fussy since the chaos of the day before. The attack at the festival had left us all shaken, and while they were too young to understand what had happened, they could sense my tension. I scooped them up one at a time, changing their diapers and dressing them in soft, matching onesies. Their tiny giggles and occasional protests grounded me in the moment, offering a brief reprieve fr
[--Kaiser Volkov--]I spent the entire night in the office with Esmarie and the twins. We’d set up a little makeshift haven amidst the chaos of paperwork and a space I usually reserved for stress and solitude. But somehow, with them here, the room felt different—warmer, alive, and strange in a way I couldn't yet put into words. The twins had dozed off in their little portable cribs, Esmarie curled up on the couch, her face softened by sleep. I sat at my desk long after they'd drifted off, trying to make sense of everything in my life that led to this moment.When I woke up, the first thing I noticed was the quiet hum of morning light filtering through the window blinds, painting everything in muted golds and grays. Then I heard them—the soft, bubbly sounds of the twins babbling to each other. It was like their own secret language, words that only they understood. I turned to see them wide-eyed, tiny fists waving as if they were solving the mysteries of the universe.And when they saw
[--Kaiser Volkov--]The website was set up as a front to buy cupcakes, but they didn’t hide anything. The moment you scroll through the first page, you can immediately find a tag asking if you want information about me. There’s a place to leave reviews. I didn’t leave one; I know a good hacker. Unfortunately, that person happens to be Sam. I was hoping I wouldn’t have to talk to her again.I chucked that conversation up to tomorrow and brought my attention back to Elias. I rubbed my face, my head pounded. What else can I say to him? I want to hit him, over and over again, until there’s nothing left of him but a pile of pulp on the floor.“Get comfortable, boys. You’ll be sleeping here throughout the night.” I gave them my best smile before waving goodbye and leaving the room. They were still tied to the chairs, so this would be an uncomfortable night for them.With nothing else to do, I went up the stairs to my office. As expected, esmarie was wide awake. I should have asked her some
[--Kaiser Volkov--]I was pissed, I don’t think I can even explain what being pissed means. Someone is dying tonight. No, no, that is the wrong mentality. I pulled on the spare clothes Will had brought on and told him to go with Jackson to the hospital. That man did a good job defending the pack, so it is me... and some of the wolves who drove Elias and his men here.I had to count to sixteen to remind myself that violence is never the first option. Yup, that’s as far as my mind can go. I headed into the room where they were being held. I know Will is not happy with how bruised Jackson was but he looks alot better than these fuckers. I actually felt like I was about to laugh.“Give us some alone time, boys. Go back to your wives. Enjoy the rest of the precious festival. Then vet the whole place and everyone. I’m gonna find out how they got in here even if it means I murder a Domeros.”Elias cut me a glare but I wasn’t fazed by that stupid attempt to threaten me. The alphas didn’t argu
[--Esmarie Cruz--]I kept myself firmly between the two massive wolves, feeling the weight of their power pressing against the air. The energy crackled, sharp and threatening, like the moments before a storm unleashes.“Elias,” I said, my voice steady despite the adrenaline racing through me, “you’re breaking the rules. You don’t step into another alpha’s territory without permission. So, here’s the deal—I need you to tell your men to stand down, right now, before Kaiser humiliates you by making you the newest bitch on the block.”Elias’s wolf froze, his molten gaze locked on me, calculating. The sharpness of his fangs glinted in the moonlight as his lips twitched into something between a snarl and a grin. It was clear he was considering my words, and weighing his options, but he was taking too long.The sound of approaching paws thundered through the clearing as more wolves arrived, their growls low and steady. The festival, after all, had drawn in more wolves than this territory had
[--Esmarie Cruz--]I made a split-second decision since none of the options in my head sounded right. I pulled out my cellphone, and quickly took a video of the Elias lookalike while he was still distracted before ducking into the nearest booth. Which turned out to be a photo booth, with a long curtain so thank goodness.I texted Kaiser the picture then I waited for him to call me. After five minutes I peeked out between the curtains. The Elias guy was still there. Looking at everyone. I took a photo before he could turn his head, then I ducked back in. This time I dialed kaiser.He’s a busy guy, I can’t expect him to look at every notification he gets.“I just saw your message. What the fuck is Elias doing in my fucking pack?”“I... don’t know,” I whispered.“I texted Jackson, he’s nearby. He will handle it. Where are you?”“I’m at a photo booth.”“Jackson will get you once Elias has been brought to me. Stay where you are. Don’t move an inch.”“Okay.”Kaiser hung up, leaving me in th
[--Esmarie Cruz--]The next few days of the festival went by quicker than I expected. The end of the first week was exciting, and I even won one of their games. I won two unicorn teddy bears for my children, the amount of freedom I felt being here was enough to silence the the nightmares that normally plagued my mind.And Kaiser, he was different. It was kind of scary how nice and charming he acted towards me. Today was like most days at the festival: lively. In fact, I think the number of people here has tripled. The second week was kicking off with a banger.Martha’s booth was closed today as she wanted to mingle and chat as much as she could with people. I walked around, tried some new food, and finally came across a booth I’d seen on the flyer: Ralph’s fortune-telling booth.I don’t believe in fortune tellers, but this could be fun. I bought a ticket and went in. The aura inside was .... strange if I had to be honest. It felt like I was walking into a whole new world. Someplace th