Cassie.I didn’t dare look away from the man in front of me.He took a step forward, and I instinctively took one back. My heart pounded in my chest as I tried to create some distance, but it was futile.He kept coming closer.There was a strange ease to his movements, as though he wasn’t in a hurry. Like a predator taking his time with cornered prey. A lazy, almost amused smile played on his lips, making my stomach churn.My back hit the edge of a curb. I froze, my breath hitching as he reached into the pocket of his coat.“Relax,” he said smoothly, pulling out a cigarette. He placed it between his lips, lighting it with a flick of his lighter. The small flame illuminated his sharp features, the cold glint in his eyes.He took a slow drag, inhaling deeply before exhaling a cloud of smoke into the crisp night air. Then, he smiled again.“Damon,” he said simply, his voice low and casual. “And you are?”I hesitated, my lips pressing together as unease crawled over my skin.When I didn’
Cassie.Shock filled me, rooting me to the ground. My heart raced so fast I thought it might explode. Damon and Axel stood locked in a battle of stares, each exuding dominance, the tension between them sharp enough to cut through steel.Damon’s fury was evident in his clenched jaw, but Axel’s face was calm—a dangerous kind of calm. It wasn’t the absence of emotion but a silent warning that made the air between them feel heavy and suffocating.“Mate!” Cy’s voice roared in my mind, snapping me out of my shock.“Come here, Cassie.” Axel’s deep, commanding voice sent shivers down my spine.My feet moved instinctively toward him, even as my mind screamed in protest. Every cell in my body knew it was safer to be with Axel than to remain in Damon’s grasp. But before I could close the distance, Damon shifted in front of me, blocking my path.“I saw her first, Axel,” Damon growled, his voice sharp with defiance. “I’m not letting you take my kill even if you’re the one who proposed the bill.”
Axel.Cassie stared up at me, the expression in her doe, brown eyes, unreadable, though I could sense the war raging inside her. Her hand hovered over the car door handle, trembling ever so slightly before falling back into her lap, the long extension of her braids moving with her.She parted her lips, ready to argue, but I didn’t give her the chance. “There’s no debate here, Cassie,” I said firmly. “You’re coming with me.”Her lips pressed together, her gaze narrowing slightly as if she were weighing her options. After what felt like an eternity, she shook her head, her voice soft but firm. “I appreciate you saving me back there, Axel, but I can’t return to Red Hollow. I won’t.”Her words ignited a flicker of anger inside me. Did she even understand how close she’d come to death?“Do you have any idea what just happened to you?” My voice was sharp, cutting through the tense silence between us. “If I’d been a second late, Damon would’ve dragged you off and killed you. Right now, y
Cassie.The suitcase felt heavier in my hand than it should have, but I knew the real weight wasn’t in my suitcase. It was in the decision I’d just made—or, rather, the decision that had been made for me.I hated it.I hated that I had no choice but to follow him. I hated that even as I considered running, my own mind betrayed me with the reality that Axel would find me. Running would only make it worse.When I reached the car, the sight of Axel froze me in place. He was leaning against the sleek black SUV, arms folded across his broad chest, one boot crossed over the other. His head was tilted down, a strand of dark hair falling into his face as if he didn’t have a single care in the world.Even from here, I could see how the black tee clung to his shoulders, outlining every sharp, defined muscle. My throat went dry, and I cursed myself for noticing.“This is the same man who destroyed you, Cassie,” I had to remind myself under a muffled breath.Axel looked up then, and the intensity
Cassie.A light tap on my shoulder pulled me from the haze of sleep. I blinked, adjusting to the darkened surroundings, and met Axel’s piercing gaze. His voice, low and steady, broke through the silence of the night. “We’re here.”The weight of those two words sank in like an anchor. My chest tightened as I processed them. I was in Red Hollow pack.It had been dark for hours now, but the night only seemed heavier as we arrived. I sat upright, peering out of the window at the all-too-familiar pack grounds. Even under the moonlight, every detail stood out like a haunting memory—the tree line at the edge of the estate walls, the distinct shadows of the pack buildings. My stomach twisted.I had spent three years running, clawing my way out of the pain and darkness this place had buried me in. Three years trying to build a life for myself, free from the ridicule and hate of this pack. And now, I was right back where I started.Cy stirred in my mind, her voice soft but maddeningly smug.
Cassie.The pack house stood before me like a dark reminder of everything I’d fought to leave behind. My feet stayed glued to the ground as my heart hammered wildly in my chest. Through the large windows, I could see my suitcase sitting in the far corner of the living room where Axel had left it. It looked so small and out of place—just like I felt standing outside, unable to go in.Axel had vanished with Warren and Jake into the pack house after my rather rude inquiry. And now it was just me, alone in the biting cold of the night, staring at the place that had been my hell for so many years.The living room looked just as I remembered it—almost too much the same. Sure, the couches were newer, and the center table wasn’t the old scratched one from before. But the walls, the scent, the energy—it was all the same. Too familiar. Too suffocating.I swallowed the lump forming in my throat and took a shaky step toward the door. My fingers grazed the frame, but I froze, unable to go further
Cassie.Axel’s study felt suffocating, the heavy scent of mahogany and scotch pressing against me like a hand pressed against my neck. My fists clenched at my sides as I stood in the doorway, trying to calm the storm inside me. What had I been thinking, coming back to this place? Coming back with him?I knew it was a mistake, and I should’ve resisted even if it cost me my life.Maybe a part of me—no, a foolish, desperate part of me—had hoped things would be different now. That being Axel’s mate might mean something. That it might mean I meant something to him. But that hope had been crushed the moment I overheard him say that no one could know I was his mate. I was nothing to him. Just like always, and not even being his mate could change thatThe realization burned, but it also solidified my resolve. I couldn’t stay here, not with him. Not like this.I stepped fully into the room, clearing my throat to announce my presence. Three pairs of eyes turned to me: Axel’s, sharp and unread
Cassie.I woke up for the second time to a gentle tapping on my shoulder, a sound soft but persistent enough to drag me out of the sleep I hadn’t realized had claimed me. My head jerked up, and I blinked, trying to organize myself, and my thoughts. The living room came into focus—the same one I’d reluctantly stepped into last night. My suitcase was still where Axel had left it.A sigh escaped my lips and I closed my eyes again, too tired to deal with anything.The tapping came again, and I turned my head to find a young girl standing beside the couch. She looked to be in her late teens, with dark hair tied into a loose braid and eyes that mirrored curiosity.“Who are you?” she asked her voice light but laced with caution.I froze, startled by the unfamiliar face. My mind jumped to conclusions—ones that made my stomach churn. Was she… Axel’s?I gasped, sitting upright. “Are you—are you married to Axel?” The question tumbled out before I could stop myself, and the girl’s brows shot up
Cassie.I took a deep breath as I stood in front of the pack house, my eyes locked onto the massive structure that had once been my home. My fingers curled into fists at my sides, my nails pressing into my palms as if that would steady me.“I’ve been here before. This is nothing,” I whispered to myself, willing my body to relax. But the way my stomach twisted said otherwise.The evening breeze carried the faint scent of baked goods and damp earth, ruffling the braids that framed my face. I swallowed hard, rubbing my clammy hands against my jeans, trying to push away the nerves that had crept in without warning.“You look like you’re a second away from losing your mind.”The voice came from behind me, breaking through my haze of thoughts. I turned sharply, my heart jolting, only to find Jake standing there, his lips curved into an amused smirk.“Nice to know you find this amusing,” I muttered, rolling my eyes as I crossed my arms.“I don’t,” he chuckled, taking a few steps closer. “Kn
Cassie.The ride to school had been suffocating. Axel didn’t say a word to me, didn’t even glance in my direction, like I had done something unforgivable. Was it really that bad? Was it so wrong to want relief from the ache that had consumed me?“Do you know what would be crazy?” Violet’s voice suddenly cut through my thoughts, snapping me back to the present.I blinked at her, my steps slowing as I took in the mischief in her eyes. “What?” I asked, raising a brow.“If after everything, your lecturer friend turns out to be a bad person, it would literally break me.”The words hit like a brick, and I stopped walking altogether, my breath catching.“What?” My voice was sharp as she turned to face me fully. “Did something happen?”Violet hesitated, rubbing her neck before finally looking away. “Not entirely,” she admitted. “But a couple of students were whispering about him yesterday. They said they saw him going toward the tall trees behind the school… the big field.”I felt my stomach
Cassie.I woke up slowly, feeling warm—warmer than I should have. My body felt oddly secure, wrapped in a tight embrace. The steady sound of breathing filled my ears, the slight weight of an arm draped over my waist grounding me before my mind even fully registered where I was.And then it hit me.Axel.I stiffened, my eyes widening as I turned my head slightly. His scent surrounded me—woodsy, rich, completely intoxicating. His bare skin was hot against mine, his arm tightening instinctively when I shifted.He was still asleep, his breathing even, his face relaxed in a way I had never seen before.For a moment, I simply lay there, staring at him, caught in the quiet intimacy of the moment. Axel never looked like this when he was awake—unguarded, peaceful.But I had to move. I shifted my waist, testing out the free space around me, and the moment I did, Axel groaned.I froze, waiting a moment so I don’t wake him, then I shifted again, attempting to slide out from his grip. His arms onl
Cassie.I opened my eyes to the sound of running water filling my ears before I even registered what was happening. The soft splash against the tub was strangely soothing, pulling me from the heavy fog of unconsciousness. And for a second, I just lay there, staring at the ceiling, trying to make sense of where I was.My room.The faint scent of lavender clung to the sheets beneath me, grounding me in the familiar space. But something felt… off. My body ached—more than that, it burned. A dull throbbing coiled around my stomach, tightening the moment I tried to shift my weight. My breath hitched as the memories came rushing back, piecing together everything that had happened before I blacked out.Pain sliced through me, sharp and unrelenting. I gritted my teeth, pushing past it as I forced myself to sit up. My limbs were heavy, unwilling, but I couldn’t just stay here. I was alone. I needed to take care of myself.Slowly, I swung my legs over the side of the bed, my bare feet meeting th
Cassie.I leaned back against the vanity, gripping the edge as Axel’s lips trailed along my neck, his breath hot against my skin. His hands roamed over me, his touch possessive, like he had every right to explore my body. One palm skimmed my waist, sliding upward until it settled over my chest, his fingers curling slightly as if testing my reaction.“I need to take this off,” he murmured against my throat, his voice rough, filled with barely restrained hunger. The heat of his body pressed against mine, and I swore he was made of fire—burning, consuming, unstoppable.God.A shiver ran through me as he tugged roughly at my shirt, his impatience clear. My hands flew to his shoulders, steadying myself as he worked at the fabric like pulling at it alone would make it magically disappear.“Wait, Axel,” I gasped, my fingers trembling against his skin.“Like hell I will,” he growled, his lips never leaving my skin, the deep sound of his voice sending a sharp pulse of heat straight to my core.
Cassie.The classroom was too small for the number of voices rising within it. Seven of us sat around a cluster of desks, a circle that didn’t quite feel complete, but no one seemed to mind. Conversations overlapped, ideas were thrown out and debated, but I was silent, watching the way they all worked together like they had done this before. Like they belonged.I didn’t.I had never spoken to them before yesterday, yet here I was, a part of the planning committee for Jared’s candle walk. I wasn’t sure how it happened. Maybe it was because I had been there when they made the announcement, or maybe someone thought I looked like I cared enough to contribute. The truth was, I didn’t know what I was supposed to do.And so, I said nothing.For most of the meeting, I was there but not really there, nodding along when necessary, taking mental notes I knew I wouldn’t use. The date was still undecided, but they were discussing logistics now—who would handle what, how they would gather candles,
Axel.The meeting room was suffocating. Not from heat or lack of air, but from the sheer tension hanging in the air, thick and unmoving. The long mahogany table stretched across the center of the room, polished to perfection, reflecting the golden glow of the chandelier above. The walls, lined with deep burgundy wallpaper, felt like they were closing in, the heavy drapes blocking out any sign of daylight. A room meant for order, but right now, it held nothing but unspoken resentment and frustration.I leaned back in my chair, my hands gripping the armrests as I let my gaze sweep over the men in the room—alphas from different regions, all with their own domains, their own responsibilities, and yet, none of them seemed willing to lift a damn finger.“I think it’s high time we address the elephant in the room,” I said, my voice calm but firm, the kind that demanded attention.Across the table, Alpha Tristan scoffed, leaning forward with his arms crossed over his broad chest. His golden-b
Cassie.The ride to school was indeed long, longer than it had any right to be.Not because of the distance but because of the thick, suffocating tension that filled the car. No amount of air conditioning could cut through it, and even with the windows cracked open, the weight of unspoken words and unresolved emotions hung between us.Axel said nothing to me. And I said nothing to him.Violet, bless her, made several attempts at conversation. She brought up the weather, schoolwork, and even a random story about one of her neighbors that she clearly hoped would lighten the mood. But it was useless. Axel remained as unreadable as ever, with his signature scowl sitting on his face, and I was too deep in my own thoughts to play along. I wasn’t even sure what was happening between us anymore. I didn’t understand it.Eventually, Violet sighed and gave up, falling into silence as well.When the car finally came to a stop in front of the school gates, I reached for the door handle, ready to b
Cassie.The first thing I noticed when I opened my eyes was movement. The subtle shifting of weight, the faint rustling of fabric. My senses sharpened, and my body tensed. For a split second, my heart pounded against my ribs as my half-asleep mind leaped to the worst conclusion—intruders.I sat up in a rush, my gaze darting around the dimly lit room, searching for a shadow lurking in the corners. But all I found was Violet, standing by the mirror, stretching her arms before grabbing her towel.“Good morning to you too,” she said, giving me a knowing look through the mirror’s reflection.I exhaled sharply, running a hand through my hair as I forced my heart to settle. “Good morning,” my voice was barely above a whisper, my hand pressed against my chest as I tried to slow my breathing.“I’m not going to lie, that scared me. The way you woke up, looking around like you expected to see something—or someone—other than me,” Violet said, her eyes wide as she chuckled, shaking her head as sh