Jane knelt on the cold stone floor, her palms pressed hard against it as if that could lessen the sting of the invisible force tearing at her skin. Beside her, Marcus stayed on one knee, his broad shoulders tense, every breath ragged. The air trembled with the power radiating from the tall figure seated before them.The Boss’s face remained hidden in the shadow of his hood, but his fury was unmistakable. With a single slam of his hand against the armrest, the walls shook. Jane bit her lip until it bled, refusing to cry out, but Marcus gritted his teeth and bowed lower, shielding her as her body sagged.“Pathetic,” the Boss’s voice lashed like a whip. “You couldn’t guard a single file. Tell me—how am I to trust your efficiency when you can’t keep a scrap of paper safe?”Jane’s arms trembled, the pain pressing her down. At last, she collapsed fully, gasping. Marcus immediately moved, wrapping an arm around her, taking her weight against himself even as the power clawed into his own fles
Lara sat on the edge of her bed, her fingers brushing over the petals of the fresh flowers Crane had sent to brighten her room. Their colors were vivid, their fragrance soothing—until one stem pricked her skin.“Ouch,” she winced softly, pulling back.Alex, who had been leaning casually against the window frame, instantly snapped to attention. His eyes darkened as he strode forward. Without a word, he plucked the offending flower from her hand and examined the small bead of blood on her finger.“This house is supposed to be safe,” he muttered, pulling out a folded handkerchief and carefully cleaning her cut. His touch was precise, controlled, but his jaw tightened with restrained anger.“I’m fine,” Lara whispered with a small smile. “It’s just a scratch.”Alex didn’t answer. He excused himself instead, carrying the flower away. In the quiet of the hallway, he inspected it, turning the stem between his fingers. His eyes scanned every thorn
Miss Jane was closing a patient’s file when her phone buzzed. An unfamiliar number glared on the screen, but something in her chest told her to answer. “Hello?” A low voice slid through the static. “Doctor Jane… or should I say Janeria.” Her legs nearly buckled. She gripped the counter to steady herself. That name. That cursed name. Her voice shook. “You…” “Yes,” the voice confirmed, calm and cold, as if it had been waiting years to speak again. “It’s been a long time.” Jane’s throat constricted. She knew this voice. She knew it too well. Once, she had sworn she would never hear it again, prayed she never would. “Why are you calling me?” she whispered. “After everything… after all that blood—” “We need access to a file. L001C.” Jane’s heart stopped. The old file. The one she had hidden at all costs. Her breath came fast. “No. No, we buried
After lunch, Lara quietly excused herself for some fresh air. Crane wanted to go with her, but Yousef stepped forward with a grin, “Don’t worry, Alpha, I’ll keep her safe. Peter too.” Crane’s golden eyes softened, and he nodded reluctantly.Outside, the mansion gardens swayed gently in the breeze, flowers shifting in full bloom. Lara walked slowly, one hand resting over her growing bump, her other hand trailing along the edge of a trimmed hedge. Peter stayed a respectful step behind, while Yousef bounded ahead, spinning around to grin at her like a mischievous brother.She smiled faintly—until her steps froze.At the far corner of the garden, half-hidden by the tall roses, a soft sobbing echoed. Lara tilted her head, curiosity pulling her closer. As she approached, the sound sharpened, and soon she saw Ella crouched against the wall, her shoulders trembling as her face buried in her hands.Lara’s lips parted, pity flickering through her chest. She hesitated, but her soft nature refuse
No one seemed to notice the way Mother Seraphine’s lips moved, her voice barely a breath. Lilune. The word slipped into the air like a ghost—but Alex caught it. His sharp ears twitched, and his gaze flicked instantly toward her.His eyes narrowed, suspicion flaring. His fists curled tight at his sides, the tendons in his arms straining. Whatever she had said, he had heard it clear. But Alex held his silence, his expression giving nothing away as he forced his wolf back under control.Meanwhile, Lara stiffened suddenly. Her breath hitched. A ripple of something strange—then strong—moved through her stomach.Her baby.Her hand flew instantly to her bump, her lips parting in shock. She froze in place, her eyes wide.Crane’s head snapped down toward her, his voice instantly firm but layered with concern. “What’s wrong?”Lara blinked at him, breathless. “Umm… the baby… kicked. For the first time…” Her voice broke off in awe.
The mansion doors swung open as the guards bowed deeply. An elderly wolf woman stepped inside, her silver-streaked hair tied back, her posture proud despite her age. Her presence commanded silence—the kind that demanded respect.Lara, upstairs in her chambers, froze mid-step as a strange unease coiled through her chest. Her chest felt tight, and she got a feeling something wasn't right somewhere but she could not pin point. She pressed her hand against her bump and whispered softly, “What is this?”Meanwhile, Ella’s smirk deepened. She walked in carefully behind Seraphine, proud that at last—after weeks of being shut out—she had a place in Crane’s house again.The living room was quiet except for the gentle ticking of the grandfather clock when the heavy front doors opened. Crane stood there, broad shoulders filling the entrance...Crane descended from the staircase, his expression softening as he recognized the visitor. “Mother Se