(Diane)Victor’s face is a mask of cold indifference, but I know better. He’s furious. The muscle in his jaw tightens ever so slightly, his hands clasped just a little too tightly in his lap. He’s trying his best to keep it together, but the seething storm beneath his composed surface is visible to someone who knows him as well as I do.It makes me feel a strange sense of satisfaction. After everything I just overheard in the restroom—the insults, the mocking laughter, the accusations—I thought I’d feel humiliated. Instead, seeing Victor like this, distressed and barely keeping his temper in check, is almost cathartic.I left that restroom with my head high, shoulders squared, and my lip gloss freshly reapplied. If they thought their petty words could break me, they were wrong. In fact, the sight of their smug faces faltering when I walked out—untouched, unfazed, and composed—was more than enough revenge for now.Let them whisper. Let them scurry away like frightened mice. At least
(Diane)Victor’s smirk falters, just for a second, before it sharpens into something darker, more menacing. “You’ve got some mouth on you, Diane.”“Why don’t you go enjoy the hunt?” I counter, folding my arms as if his looming presence doesn’t make my pulse spike. “Oh, wait. You can’t.”His laughter is soft but cuts through the silence like a blade. “You always did have a sharp tongue, sister. Pity it never knows when to stop.” His emphasis on the word “sister” is deliberate, dripping with venom.I roll my eyes, unwilling to play into his games. “I don’t have anything to say to you, Victor.”He steps closer, his shadow stretching across the polished marble floor toward me. “I wasn’t responsible for the loss of your wolf.”His words hit harder than I expect, but I keep my expression neutral. “Does it matter? You’re still the reason behind it.”His eyes narrow, and for the first time, his mask of smug indifference slips. “You blame me, yet you forget who truly took everything from you.
(Diane)The tension in the air was palpable as the Alpha stood before Victor, his expression cold and unyielding. “I will not be happy if there are any incidents tonight in my territory,” Alpha Gregory said, his voice sharp enough to cut steel.Victor gave a tight smile, one that didn’t reach his eyes. “Diane and I have solved our problems. It’s all water under the bridge now.”Alpha Gregory’s gaze lingered on him, assessing, before giving a curt nod. “Good. I’ll have a word with Miss Diane.” Without another word, he motioned for Victor to leave.Victor, ever the obedient one in the presence of true power, inclined his head and strode off. I watched him retreat, his back rigid with barely concealed irritation.The old Alpha didn’t waste a moment. His focus turned to me, his presence as heavy as a storm cloud. “I may not approve of my daughter’s taste in men,” he said, his tone biting, “but I will not let her get hurt in any way. If you insist on vengeance toward Victor, I’ll crush you
(Diane)The second she picked up, her voice came through loud and clear, practically vibrating with energy. “Diane! Oh my god, what the hell happened? I heard all about the commotion at the party—did you seriously go as Lucian’s plus one?”I couldn’t help but smile at her enthusiasm. “Yup. And gave some of them a piece of my mind too. They weren't too happy about it, but what are they gonna do? Cry about it?”Selene let out a loud laugh. “Damn, girl. You’ve got more guts than me. I’d have been shaking in my heels. So, let me guess, Lucian came swooping in like some kind of knight in sweaty armor?”“Something like that,” I admitted, leaning back in my seat.“Well,” Selene said, her tone shifting to something far too smug for my comfort, “sounds like he’s a pretty good sugar daddy. I mean, the guy’s built like a Greek god and he clearly adores you. What’s not to love?”I groaned, half laughing. “Stop. He’s not my sugar daddy.”“Oh, please. He totally is. He’s got the looks, the power, t
(Diane)“A brother?” I repeated, my voice barely above a whisper.“Yes,” Archer confirmed, his tone steady, as if he had just told me it might rain tomorrow. “Victor has a younger brother.”My mind raced, trying to process this unexpected revelation. Victor—the name that carried weight like a thunderstorm in my world—had a sibling? It felt surreal, like hearing a dragon had a pet goldfish.“Which brings us to why I chose this restaurant,” Archer continued, leaning back in his chair and casually gesturing with his glass of water. “Look over there.”I followed his eyeline to the grand piano at the center of the room. A young man sat there, fingers gliding effortlessly across the keys. The music was hauntingly beautiful, filling the space with a melody that somehow felt both intimate and otherworldly.He was young, maybe just over twenty, with a presence that made him impossible to ignore. His features were strikingly familiar: the sharp cheekbones, the angular jawline, the dark, piercin
(Lucian)I watched as Diane moved around the room with a calmness that should’ve been reassuring, but it wasn’t. She looked like she had nothing to hide, which only stirred a frustration deep in my chest. I didn’t want her to panic, not really, but part of me wished for some crack in her armor—something to show she cared beyond the walls of duty. To her, I was just an employer. And that knowledge gnawed at me.For five years, I’d followed her every movement, every breath, even when she thought no one was watching. When they locked her up and pumped her full of wolfsbane, I couldn’t save her—not then. It was a calculated decision, one that tore at me every single day since. If I’d intervened, I’d have exposed myself to the enemies circling me like vultures. I hated myself for it, but I vowed no one would hurt her again. Not while I was still breathing.The problem was, Diane had no idea just how many enemies we both had. Last night, Savannah's father had cornered me, spitting venom-
(Diane)The morning light filters through the curtains, soft but unforgiving. Every inch of my body feels the weight of last night’s passion, a lingering soreness that’s both a reminder of Lucian’s intensity and a strange sort of comfort. Nina feels stronger—like it’s been stirred awake from a long, restless slumber. Each brush of the sheets against my skin makes me acutely aware of the changes coursing through me.Lucian moves around the room with practiced ease, the sound of him pulling on his clothes grounding me just enough to keep my thoughts from spiraling. But they’re still there, gnawing at me. The information I learned yesterday refuses to leave me in peace. Should I do it? Should I involve him?“Victor’s brother can be a great weapon if I want my revenge quickly,” I mutter aloud, my voice hoarse from last night. My gaze falls to my hands, fingers tracing the edge of the blanket absentmindedly. “But I really don’t want to hurt an innocent kid in the process. He’s still so y
(Diane)Clubs aren’t really my scene, but listening to my girlfriends gush over Alpha Darius’ long-lost son as if he were some celebrity heartthrob was almost entertaining enough to make me forget my worries. Victor, my fiancé, had ghosted me for a whole day now, that never happened before.Victor is not my mate, but I couldn’t care less. My parents aren’t fated mates either and they are the happiest couple I knew. Victor came into my life three years ago and made me as happy as my Alpha father made my Luna mother. That’s all that matters to me.“…Lucian’s here tonight! They say he’s drop-dead gorgeous. Like, way hotter than any guy from our pack.” My friend Maya said, practically bouncing in her seat.“Gorgeous and mysterious,” chimed in Lila, swirling her drink. “You know the rumors, right? His mom was Alpha Darius’s true mate, and she died protecting him from his stepmother.” She leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a dramatic whisper. “They say Luna Celeste tried to have both
(Diane)The morning light filters through the curtains, soft but unforgiving. Every inch of my body feels the weight of last night’s passion, a lingering soreness that’s both a reminder of Lucian’s intensity and a strange sort of comfort. Nina feels stronger—like it’s been stirred awake from a long, restless slumber. Each brush of the sheets against my skin makes me acutely aware of the changes coursing through me.Lucian moves around the room with practiced ease, the sound of him pulling on his clothes grounding me just enough to keep my thoughts from spiraling. But they’re still there, gnawing at me. The information I learned yesterday refuses to leave me in peace. Should I do it? Should I involve him?“Victor’s brother can be a great weapon if I want my revenge quickly,” I mutter aloud, my voice hoarse from last night. My gaze falls to my hands, fingers tracing the edge of the blanket absentmindedly. “But I really don’t want to hurt an innocent kid in the process. He’s still so y
(Lucian)I watched as Diane moved around the room with a calmness that should’ve been reassuring, but it wasn’t. She looked like she had nothing to hide, which only stirred a frustration deep in my chest. I didn’t want her to panic, not really, but part of me wished for some crack in her armor—something to show she cared beyond the walls of duty. To her, I was just an employer. And that knowledge gnawed at me.For five years, I’d followed her every movement, every breath, even when she thought no one was watching. When they locked her up and pumped her full of wolfsbane, I couldn’t save her—not then. It was a calculated decision, one that tore at me every single day since. If I’d intervened, I’d have exposed myself to the enemies circling me like vultures. I hated myself for it, but I vowed no one would hurt her again. Not while I was still breathing.The problem was, Diane had no idea just how many enemies we both had. Last night, Savannah's father had cornered me, spitting venom-
(Diane)“A brother?” I repeated, my voice barely above a whisper.“Yes,” Archer confirmed, his tone steady, as if he had just told me it might rain tomorrow. “Victor has a younger brother.”My mind raced, trying to process this unexpected revelation. Victor—the name that carried weight like a thunderstorm in my world—had a sibling? It felt surreal, like hearing a dragon had a pet goldfish.“Which brings us to why I chose this restaurant,” Archer continued, leaning back in his chair and casually gesturing with his glass of water. “Look over there.”I followed his eyeline to the grand piano at the center of the room. A young man sat there, fingers gliding effortlessly across the keys. The music was hauntingly beautiful, filling the space with a melody that somehow felt both intimate and otherworldly.He was young, maybe just over twenty, with a presence that made him impossible to ignore. His features were strikingly familiar: the sharp cheekbones, the angular jawline, the dark, piercin
(Diane)The second she picked up, her voice came through loud and clear, practically vibrating with energy. “Diane! Oh my god, what the hell happened? I heard all about the commotion at the party—did you seriously go as Lucian’s plus one?”I couldn’t help but smile at her enthusiasm. “Yup. And gave some of them a piece of my mind too. They weren't too happy about it, but what are they gonna do? Cry about it?”Selene let out a loud laugh. “Damn, girl. You’ve got more guts than me. I’d have been shaking in my heels. So, let me guess, Lucian came swooping in like some kind of knight in sweaty armor?”“Something like that,” I admitted, leaning back in my seat.“Well,” Selene said, her tone shifting to something far too smug for my comfort, “sounds like he’s a pretty good sugar daddy. I mean, the guy’s built like a Greek god and he clearly adores you. What’s not to love?”I groaned, half laughing. “Stop. He’s not my sugar daddy.”“Oh, please. He totally is. He’s got the looks, the power, t
(Diane)The tension in the air was palpable as the Alpha stood before Victor, his expression cold and unyielding. “I will not be happy if there are any incidents tonight in my territory,” Alpha Gregory said, his voice sharp enough to cut steel.Victor gave a tight smile, one that didn’t reach his eyes. “Diane and I have solved our problems. It’s all water under the bridge now.”Alpha Gregory’s gaze lingered on him, assessing, before giving a curt nod. “Good. I’ll have a word with Miss Diane.” Without another word, he motioned for Victor to leave.Victor, ever the obedient one in the presence of true power, inclined his head and strode off. I watched him retreat, his back rigid with barely concealed irritation.The old Alpha didn’t waste a moment. His focus turned to me, his presence as heavy as a storm cloud. “I may not approve of my daughter’s taste in men,” he said, his tone biting, “but I will not let her get hurt in any way. If you insist on vengeance toward Victor, I’ll crush you
(Diane)Victor’s smirk falters, just for a second, before it sharpens into something darker, more menacing. “You’ve got some mouth on you, Diane.”“Why don’t you go enjoy the hunt?” I counter, folding my arms as if his looming presence doesn’t make my pulse spike. “Oh, wait. You can’t.”His laughter is soft but cuts through the silence like a blade. “You always did have a sharp tongue, sister. Pity it never knows when to stop.” His emphasis on the word “sister” is deliberate, dripping with venom.I roll my eyes, unwilling to play into his games. “I don’t have anything to say to you, Victor.”He steps closer, his shadow stretching across the polished marble floor toward me. “I wasn’t responsible for the loss of your wolf.”His words hit harder than I expect, but I keep my expression neutral. “Does it matter? You’re still the reason behind it.”His eyes narrow, and for the first time, his mask of smug indifference slips. “You blame me, yet you forget who truly took everything from you.
(Diane)Victor’s face is a mask of cold indifference, but I know better. He’s furious. The muscle in his jaw tightens ever so slightly, his hands clasped just a little too tightly in his lap. He’s trying his best to keep it together, but the seething storm beneath his composed surface is visible to someone who knows him as well as I do.It makes me feel a strange sense of satisfaction. After everything I just overheard in the restroom—the insults, the mocking laughter, the accusations—I thought I’d feel humiliated. Instead, seeing Victor like this, distressed and barely keeping his temper in check, is almost cathartic.I left that restroom with my head high, shoulders squared, and my lip gloss freshly reapplied. If they thought their petty words could break me, they were wrong. In fact, the sight of their smug faces faltering when I walked out—untouched, unfazed, and composed—was more than enough revenge for now.Let them whisper. Let them scurry away like frightened mice. At least
(Victor) Savannah is drinking furiously beside me, the stem of her wine glass trembling slightly in her grip. It’s the third one she’s downed in the last twenty minutes, and I can practically feel the tension radiating off her. She hasn’t stopped glaring at Diane since she stepped into the banquet hall, arm-in-arm with Lucian.“She’s smug,” Savannah mutters under her breath, her voice low but dripping with venom. “Look at her. She thinks she’s untouchable now.”I follow her gaze to where Diane sits at the head of the table beside Lucian. She’s perfectly composed, a faint smile playing on her lips as she exchanges polite words with one of the elders. The rubies around her neck catch the light, gleaming like drops of blood.“She’s not untouchable,” I reply, keeping my voice calm despite the storm brewing inside me.But Savannah’s insecurities have been heightened since Diane’s release, and today, they’re at an all-time high. Seeing Diane like this—radiant, composed, and every bit the w
(Diane)We arrived at the grandiose pack house of Savannah’s family fashionably late. The grandeur of the place wasn’t lost on me—the towering marble pillars, glittering chandeliers, and perfectly polished floors screamed wealth and tradition.The moment Lucian and I stepped into the banquet hall, all eyes turned to us. Whispers rippled through the crowd, their curiosity, judgment, and shock practically tangible. Savannah stood near the center of the room, a champagne flute in hand, her expression frozen in disbelief. Her carefully applied smile faltered, and for a moment, her shock turned into something closer to rage.Victor was next to her, his dark eyes immediately locking onto me. His jaw clenched, and I could see the flicker of something murderous in his gaze. Nina stirred uneasily inside me, her presence stronger now than it had been in years.“I need a moment,” I whispered to Lucian, keeping my voice low enough that no one else could hear. He turned to me, his sharp features