Damn it.
Why was it so hard to just tell Alex the truth? He had asked me point-blank, and all I had to do was say it.Nathan Cross is my brother. But the words never came out. Instead, I stood there like an idiot, choking on my own damn secrets, and watched him walk away. And when he walked away this time, he wasn’t just angry. He was done. The second the door slammed shut, I bolted. I ran down the hallway, through the lobby, and straight out onto the quiet, empty streets, searching for any sign of him. But Alex was gone. The night air was cold, thick with the scent of rain, and the eerie silence of the city at this hour only made the weight in my chest worse. He was just gone. I exhaled sharply, dragging a hand down my face. His whole mood had shifted after talThe next morning, I went back to the gym as usual, half-hoping—no, expecting—to find Alex there. I needed to talk to him. To explain. To fix the damage before it was too late. But when I walked in, Brandon was standing by the weights instead. Not Alex. Brandon gave me a polite nod. “Morning, Mr. Kane. Ready to get started?” I frowned, scanning the gym, my wolf restless beneath my skin. “Where’s Alex?” Brandon hesitated, adjusting the strap on his gloves before answering. “He… requested a leave of absence. Said there was a family emergency.” I stilled. A family emergency? Bullshit. It was too convenient. I clenched my jaw, inhaling deeply to steady myself. I knew Brandon wasn’t lying. He had no reason to; but Alex was. He was running. Again. And I had no intention of letting him slip away this time. I went through the motions of my workout, but my mind wasn’t in it. My body burned from the exertion, but it was nothing compared to the frustration clawing at my chest. As
The rhythmic clang of weights and the faint scent of rubber mats mingled with the steady thrum of music. It was just another day at Iron Haven Gym—except for me. It never was. Not when he was here. I adjusted the barbell on my shoulders, my body moving automatically through squats when my focus flickered across the room to where Alex was correcting someone’s form. His voice, calm but firm, carried over the low buzz of conversation. That damn voice—it could command a room without raising an octave. He smiled then, a flash of white teeth, and I felt my knees weaken. Fortunately, I was mid-squat, so it just looked like part of the exercise. Alex had no idea what he did to me. How could he? He saw me as another client. A quiet, dependable one and maybe a little too intense with my workouts. He didn’t know I showed up for every early morning session and stayed late most evenings just to be near him. He didn’t know I caught my breath every time his hand accidentally brushed my arm
The gym was my sanctuary. The clang of weights, the hum of treadmills, the rhythmic beat of music—it all blended into a backdrop that I’d grown to love. It was here that I felt the most in control, where I could push people to their limits and watch them transform, not just physically but mentally. But then there was Liam. He was different. Quiet, intense, and way too perfect for someone who claimed to be “just a regular guy.” I’d worked with countless clients, but none like him. His strength was unreal, his endurance unmatched. No matter how hard I pushed, he barely seemed fazed, like the weights weren’t enough to challenge him. And then there was the way he looked at me. I wasn’t blind—I saw the way his eyes lingered, the flicker of something raw and unguarded that he tried to hide. It should’ve made me uncomfortable, but it didn’t. If anything, it intrigued me. Today, I had finally called him out on it—well, indirectly. That little comment about his secret? I wanted an an
The evening shift had started quietly, the usual mix of gym-goers trickling in—some after work, some trying to squeeze in a late workout. I was checking someone’s form on the bench press when the door swung open, and like clockwork, Liam walked in.But tonight, something was different.He wasn’t his usual composed self. His broad shoulders were tense, his jaw set in a hard line. The golden fire in his eyes burned hotter tonight, an intensity that seemed to darken his whole demeanor. Whatever it was, he was radiating frustration, and it hit me the moment he stepped into the room.Liam didn’t waste time. He walked straight to the corner where the boxing bag hung, barely acknowledging anyone when he slipped his hands into the gloves he’d brought with him. His movements were sharp, almost aggressive, and when his fists started hammering the bag, the raw power in each strike was enough to make my chest tighten.The chain holding the bag groaned under the force of his punches, and the bag s
The gym had always been my sanctuary, the one place I could let it all out without anyone asking questions. But tonight, even the punching bag wasn’t enough to shake the frustration clawing at me. It had been building all day—a mix of work stress, a headache that wouldn’t quit, and, of course, my mom’s relentless meddling. She’d called me this morning, cheerful as ever, to inform me she’d set me up on a blind date. “It’s time you meet someone, Liam,” she’d said in that sing-song tone she always used when she thought she was doing me a favor. “You’re not getting any younger, and I want grandkids someday. She’s a lovely woman. She's smart, successful, and has a good heart. You’ll like her.” I’d barely managed to swallow my irritation long enough to thank her and hang up. She meant well, I knew that, but she didn’t understand. She didn’t know about the part of me I kept locked away, the part of me that made any kind of normal relationship impossible. So, yeah, by the time I wal
The second I walked into the dining area and saw Liam sitting at a table with a woman, I felt something twist in my chest. Jealousy, maybe? No, that couldn’t be it. I barely knew him. He was just a guy from the gym, someone I had a good rapport with. Someone who’d looked like he needed a friend a few times, and I’d stepped up. That was it. But still, seeing him with her. The way she leaned in close and her perfect smile directed at him; hit me harder than I expected. My stomach churned when I approached their table, and I hated myself for feeling this way. I didn’t even have a right to be jealous. When I got closer, I forced my face into a neutral expression. This was my job, after all. I was here to work, not to overthink what was going on between Liam and his date. But when I stepped up to their table, my heart skipped a beat when Liam’s eyes met mine. “Good evening,” I said, keeping my tone professional, even while I felt the weight of his gaze. “Hey, Alex,” he said, his vo
The week dragged on like an endless loop, each day blending into the next. Normally, my gym sessions were the one thing I could count on to clear my head, to keep me grounded. But not this week. Not with Alex avoiding me at every turn. I wasn’t stupid. I knew what he was doing. The sudden switch to Brandon as my trainer, the polite but distant way he addressed me when we passed each other, and the way he always seemed to find a reason to stay on the opposite side of the gym. It was deliberate. And it pissed me off more than it should have. I didn’t understand why it bothered me so much. Alex was just a trainer, someone I worked out with a few times a week. It wasn’t like we were friends, and we certainly weren’t anything more than that. But every time I saw him laugh with another client or walk past me like I didn’t exist, it felt like a punch to the gut. By Friday, I was ready to snap. I’d finished my workout with Brandon. It was not that it had done much to improve my mood
What the hell was that about? I stood frozen, my heart pounding against my ribs and I stared at the dimly lit corner where Liam had kissed me and then bolted like a man possessed. My mind raced, trying to make sense of what had just happened, but I couldn’t. I raised my fingers to my lips, half-expecting to find some kind of evidence to prove it had actually happened. The warmth of his mouth was still there, lingering like a brand, and my stomach twisted at the memory. Did he really just kiss me and then run away like a goddamn coward? The faint thrum of the gym’s speakers and the clinking of weights seemed distant now, muted compared to the chaos in my head. I replayed the moment over and over, trying to decipher the look in his eyes before he ran in desperation, maybe? Fear? I wasn’t sure. What I was sure of was that it was al
The next morning, I went back to the gym as usual, half-hoping—no, expecting—to find Alex there. I needed to talk to him. To explain. To fix the damage before it was too late. But when I walked in, Brandon was standing by the weights instead. Not Alex. Brandon gave me a polite nod. “Morning, Mr. Kane. Ready to get started?” I frowned, scanning the gym, my wolf restless beneath my skin. “Where’s Alex?” Brandon hesitated, adjusting the strap on his gloves before answering. “He… requested a leave of absence. Said there was a family emergency.” I stilled. A family emergency? Bullshit. It was too convenient. I clenched my jaw, inhaling deeply to steady myself. I knew Brandon wasn’t lying. He had no reason to; but Alex was. He was running. Again. And I had no intention of letting him slip away this time. I went through the motions of my workout, but my mind wasn’t in it. My body burned from the exertion, but it was nothing compared to the frustration clawing at my chest. As
Damn it. Why was it so hard to just tell Alex the truth? He had asked me point-blank, and all I had to do was say it. Nathan Cross is my brother. But the words never came out. Instead, I stood there like an idiot, choking on my own damn secrets, and watched him walk away. And when he walked away this time, he wasn’t just angry. He was done. The second the door slammed shut, I bolted. I ran down the hallway, through the lobby, and straight out onto the quiet, empty streets, searching for any sign of him. But Alex was gone. The night air was cold, thick with the scent of rain, and the eerie silence of the city at this hour only made the weight in my chest worse. He was just gone. I exhaled sharply, dragging a hand down my face. His whole mood had shifted after tal
I could feel Emma’s heated stare burning into me, her fingers gripping the steering wheel tighter than necessary while we drove in silence. Just say it already, Emma. “You’re not gonna talk?” she finally snapped, her voice sharp with frustration. “Fine, I’ll do it for you.” I swallowed hard, already bracing myself. “Is he the reason you dropped everything and moved three states away?” she demanded. “Where you didn’t know anyone? Where you didn’t even have a pot to piss in? Was it because of him?” Her voice trembled on the last word, anger barely concealing the pain beneath it. I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. Because everything she said was true. My silence was her answer. The car was too quiet, save for the occasional sound of the road beneath us. And then, like a dam breaking, tears bega
Dragging both Liam and Olivia into the hotel suite had been a struggle, but adrenaline had pushed me forward. My heart pounded while I maneuvered them onto the bed and chair, my mind racing to figure out what had happened. One minute, they were fine; laughing, drinking, and blending seamlessly into the charity event. The next, both of them were barely able to stand, their limbs heavy, their eyes unfocused. It didn’t make sense. Thank the Goddess for Liam’s assistant. They had stepped in without hesitation, helping me get them out of there before things got worse. Now, sitting at Liam’s bedside, I watched him carefully. His breathing was steady, but his body still looked tense, like he was caught between wakefulness and unconsciousness. Olivia, across the room, stirred slightly, her fi
I decided to stay in the pack’s territory for a few more days, immersing myself in a world I had never been a part of yet was undeniably connected to. Walking through the village nestled within the dense forest, where homes blended seamlessly into nature, built from stone and wood, reinforced with the strength of a pack united. Despite my initial reservations, I saw how deeply the people respected Marcus. Wolves of all ages greeted him with deference, their gazes full of admiration. Elders approached to share stories of battles fought alongside my father, of victories that ensured their survival. Children peeked out from behind their mothers’ skirts, their eyes filled with innocent curiosity as they sensed something different about him. I found myself studying them, trying to understand this life that had been meant for me to inherit. They lived by rules, rituals of unity, training regimens, and the unspoken
The resemblance had always been there, but I had never thought much of it. Nathan—Caleb—had has always been an enigma, a powerful force that moved through the city with precision and dominance. I had spent years at odds with him, clashing over land, business, and influence. Now, knowing he was my brother? It changed everything. I didn’t know how to process it, but I also didn’t have the energy to fight the storm brewing in my mind. Marcus, sensing my inner turmoil, invited me to stay the night. “Let everything settle,” he said, pouring me another glass of whiskey. “Tomorrow, I’ll show you the pack. I want you to understand what you’re part of.” I wasn’t sure what I was feeling. Was it anger, resentment, or maybe even curiosity, but I agreed. The next morning, I woke up to the sound of birds chir
“When I met your mother, I was already bound to my pack’s laws,” he began. “Our kind, Liam, we don’t just marry who we want. We don’t love freely without consequences. Wolves are bound by rules and traditions that go back centuries. And one of the biggest laws of all?” He met my gaze, his golden-hazel eyes burning with something unreadable. “We don’t mate with humans; however, your mother was my fated mate.” I tensed, my grip on the glass tightening. “So, what? You knew that and still pursued her?” He nodded. “I did. Because I was selfish. Because I thought I could have it all. Your mother was unlike anyone I’d ever met. Strong, beautiful, intelligent. She challenged me in ways no wolf ever could. I loved her, Liam.” “Then why did you treat her like she was less than you? Like she was property?” Pain
The next morning, I set out for the address on the back of the picture. I had tossed and turned all night, my mind filled with questions about my past, my father, and the brother I never knew. Now, it was time for answers. Driving through the countryside, I eventually reached the location. To only realize that it was right in the middle of the land I had been trying to buy from Nathan. The irony of it all didn’t escape me. The very land I wanted for my waterpark and casino resort held ties to my bloodline. The entrance to the gated community was heavily guarded, with tall iron fences and security cameras at every angle. The guards, dressed in black tactical gear, looked more like mercenaries than simple security personnel. One of them approached my car, peering through the tinted window with a scrutinizing glare. “State your business.” I kept my expression neut
Last night, I don’t know what came over me. Maybe it was the rain, the warmth of Liam’s presence, or the way he looked at me like I was the only person in the world. But for the first time, I let go of my reservations and showed him a side of me I usually kept hidden. Now, staring at the note he left behind—See you next week. Be ready for the charity ball. I couldn’t shake the feeling that Liam was up to something. Was he planning to show up and rescue me from Nathan? The thought sent a rush of anticipation through me, but at the same time, it left me uneasy. Nathan had been relentless since last week, constantly finding ways to be around me—whether at the gym or the restaurant where I worked. At first, I thought it was a coincidence, but I wasn’t naive. He was trying to wear me down, to make me see him as an option. I wasn’t going to lie—Nathan was a generous tipper. But money wasn