He Can't Hurt You AnymoreElara's POV:I could bet my life on it: Caitlin wanted me gone, even if it meant I wouldn't be freed from those gangs. I continued to ponder many things during Arthur's dismissal.In less than an hour, Arthur returned with an abundance of food, a feast fit for a celebration. I wondered if someone was joining us, and just like he read my thoughts, he responded, telling me it was because I had refused to eat the previous day.Seeing so much tasty and fresh food which I couldn't resist, my stomach grumbled, giving me away, and I grinned at Arthur embarrassingly.I could almost hear him taunting me in his thoughts for denying myself food.He opened all the dishes, from the main course to the side dishes, placing them on the tray, and then brought it in front of me. I couldn't help but wet my lips."I'll feed you. Don't object," Arthur insisted, more like an order.I didn't object; I just did as told by opening my mouth to receive spoonfuls. He was so careful and
If OnlyHarden's POV:As I sat alone in the dimly lit room, my mind wandered back to the memories I shared with Elara. Despite my best efforts to push them away, they flooded my thoughts like waves crashing against the shore of my consciousness. I felt unsettled, and soon anger kicked in, stirring my emotions. To release some of the tension, I went to the training room and picked up my boxing gloves.I couldn't help but recall the countless little things she did for me in the past. The way she would pack my lunch with a note hidden inside to express her never-ending love for me, the gentle touch of her hand running over my face when she thought I was asleep as she read to me, and the way she always seemed to know exactly what to say to lift my spirits despite the constant pressure from my father, who always forced me to be just like him.If the situation were different, maybe I would've spent my life with the love of my life, my mate. I wished she wouldn't be so blind to see that I st
Knight In Shining Armor"You don't have to be sorry," I murmured. My mind flashed back to the first time he kissed me in his car, where he said it didn't mean a thing because it usually happens with adults. We'd been having more moments after that one, and it just kept on getting better. Were they the same as the first one, which didn't mean a thing? I sought to ask him but waved off the thoughts. It's an embarrassing topic anyway.The room turned silent for a while with Arthur scrolling down his phone while I fidgeted with my fingers, swinging my feet, and staring closely at him, my eyes almost boring holes if they could."Do you have something to say? I can feel your eyes on me," he said without losing focus on his phone."Why did you ever agree to help me with my father's case?" I asked."Me?" he asked as he withdrew his attention from the phone, an almost confused look on his face, "When did I ever agree to help you?" He denied."You didn't help me directly, but you went through t
*Warning*Arthur's POV:As soon as I left, I jumped into my car, reversing aggressively before driving out of Elara's home. I knew I had to end this threat now because there was no telling what would happen after I left the country.I recognized the handwriting on the paper; it wasn't hard to figure out who it belonged to. My fist clenched on the steering wheel as I hit the accelerator, wasting no time to reach the Graham estate.I stopped by my parents' house, and luckily Caitlin was at home. I barged into the dining room and went to Caitlin's side immediately. Startled to see me, my mother called, "Arthur, you're here?""I want to speak with Caitlin for a moment," I said."You came at the right time; have dinner with the family before you leave." My father offered, but I didn't bother to respond to them, just led Caitlin out of the room down to the patio."What are you doing?" I asked her, and for a moment, she seemed confused with furrowed brows. "Huh? What am I doing? I was about
*The Guilt Within*Harden's POV:I stormed into Caitlin's room, forcing the door knob open and entered. My anger still boiling beneath the surface, the image of my mother lying unconscious in the hospital bed haunted me, and I couldn't shake off the feeling of what she had done to Mother."Baby, you came here; I was about to come," Caitlin said as soon as she met my eyes."What the hell were you thinking, Caitlin?" I attacked her with words, not letting her finish, my voice laced with fury.Caitlin looked up, startled by my sudden change of tone. Her eyes widened, and for a moment, she seemed taken aback by my intensity. "H-Harden, I..." she stammered, clearly at a loss for words."Caitlin, what did you do to Mother?" I asked, trying to be as subtle as I could this time. This is the Dawn pack, and I shouldn't make a huge fuss here, and I shouldn't completely disregard Caitlin's role in our pack. Losing her support would only weaken us further, and I couldn't afford that, especially no
*Towards the Sun*Harden's POV:The morning sun crept through the windows, casting a soft glow across my office lounge as I woke up from my slumber. Memories of last night flooded back, but they felt distant and hazy, clouded by the fog of alcohol and desire. As I slowly regained my senses, I realized I was not alone in bed.Turning my head to the side, I saw Melissa, the office secretary, lying beside me stark naked, her features softened in the gentle morning light. Guilt gnawed at the edges of my conscience as I remembered asking her to spend the night with me. I also recalled calling out Elara's name, and then the ecstasy that followed, but it wasn't her. I felt bad for using this woman as a stand-in for the night. I wiped my face with my hand, frustrated.Careful not to disturb her, I slipped out of bed with the sheet hanging loosely on my waist and went to the bathroom. I filled the bathtub and ran a quick bubble bath.The events of the previous night weighed heavily on my mind.
*By Your Side*Elara's POV:I stood in front of the mirror, smoothing out my dress and trying to calm my nerves. I had a few moments to spare before heading out for the interview at the club. Just as I was about to grab my purse, my phone rang. It was Jaxson again. I rolled my eyes, knowing what he was going to say."Hey, Elara.""I'm about to leave for an interview. Can I call you later?" I asked."I'll be quick," he replied, his voice laced with concern. "I still can't shake off the feeling that I need to do something.""Jaxson, we just talked about this. I appreciate your willingness to help, but I can handle it," I replied, trying to sound convincing."But Harden's being unreasonable. If I can just talk to him, I'm sure he'll come around," Jaxson persisted.I sighed, feeling a mix of frustration and gratitude towards my friend. "Jaxson, you can't just go against Harden like that. He's still the leader of the pack. If you challenge him, you might end up turning rogue. Your family c
*Lost and Alone*Harden's POV:I stood in our favorite spot, the same place where we had shared countless memories. The sun was setting, casting a warm orange glow over the landscape. I could feel my heart racing with anticipation as I waited for Elara to arrive. I just wanted to know if Melissa's words were true and if she had moved on completely, because I haven't, even after rejecting her.Although I wasn't the one who made her lose her job, there was nothing I could do to convince her. I could only turn the situation in my favor. When she finally showed up, I was taken aback by her confidence and poise. She held a strong, stoic face, staring nonchalantly at me. I quickly threw out the cigarette in my hand because my conscious mind reminded me that she never liked it."Elara," I said, my voice low and husky. "You look beautiful."She raised an eyebrow, her expression unyielding. "Am I supposed to say thank you? Cut that, Harden. Tell me what you want, and why you called me here?"
*A Future Worth Fighting For*The night was eerily silent when Arthur returned.Elara had spent the past few hours pacing the room, her nerves frayed, exhaustion clawing at her limbs. She had tried to distract herself—tidying the already spotless room, lighting candles to chase away the shadows, pressing her fingers against the cool glass of the window as she scanned the moonlit horizon for any sign of him.But no matter what she did, her heart pounded relentlessly, her mind tormented by the possibility that something had gone wrong. That he was lying somewhere, bleeding, alone. That she had let him walk into danger, and this time, he wouldn’t come back.Then the door burst open.Arthur stumbled inside, his towering frame a shadow against the dim light. Blood soaked his clothes, dark stains spreading across his torn shirt, his shoulders hunched as if the weight of the world pressed against his back. The strong Alpha who had left with fire in his eyes now looked like a man barely holdi
*The Choice We Make*The mansion loomed ahead, its grand façade a deceptive mask for the rot festering inside. Arthur barely registered the architectural splendor—his focus was singular. The heavy double doors creaked under his touch as he pushed them open, stepping inside the grand hall like room.The scent of aged whiskey and cigar smoke hung in the air, mingling with something far more insidious—the stench of deceit.Harden was waiting.Seated in a lavish parlor, he lounged on a high-backed leather chair, swirling a glass of amber liquid in his hand. He didn’t even look up as Arthur entered, though his sharp gaze flicked over the bloodstains marring Arthur’s torn shirt and the deep claw marks across his shoulder.“Ah, you're here," Harden said lazily, lifting his glass in greeting. “Want a shot?" His voice was casual, but his eyes held a glint of something else—calculated amusement.He already knew. An hour earlier, his men had informed him of the massacre outside the estate. He ha
*A Ruthless Choice*The moon hung low in the sky, a pale silver eye watching over the night. Arthur stood at the edge of his territory, his hands clenched into fists, his mind made up. Beside him was a group of powerful werewolves armed with weapons—blades and axes. Their faces were unreadable, their loyalty unwavering.They had questioned him at first, hesitated when he announced his plan to go with them. No Alpha should put himself at such risk for something that barely concerned them. But they had no idea that the pack harbored a traitor among them. Caitlin had made a deal with the devil, a deal that would soon cost them their territory if the continued to play dumb.Elara.She was the reason for everything. The reason his soul burned with fury. The reason he had abandoned the careful, restrained leader he once was and was now ready to spill blood.He remembered the last conversation he had with Elara before leaving. After trying everything she could to convince him not to go, she
*Blackmail*Arthur remained unfazed, his silence unwavering.Harden’s smirk faded.Nothing.No panic. No slip-up. No sign of fear.His fingers curled into fists at his sides, temper flaring. Arthur was too calm.of they continued playing cat and mouse, Arthur would only remain stoic.“You already know, don’t you?” Harden’s voice dropped to a near whisper, laced with accusation. “You know exactly what happened.”Arthur finally turned his head, meeting Harden’s gaze with a chilling stare.Harden inhaled sharply. A flicker of unease crawled up his spine. But he pushed it aside, forcing a slow grin to stretch across his face. He was already here, the least he could do is to not mess it up.“Fine,” he said. “If you want to keep your mouth shut, that’s your choice.” He stepped closer, voice dripping with venom. “But let me remind you of something, Arthur.” He paused, savoring the moment. “If another person finds out—if either of our families gets even a whisper of what happened tonight—Elara
*The Weight of Silence*Tension coiled in the air like an unspoken scream, pressing down on everyone waiting outside the emergency room.Arthur stood by the large glass window, staring into the distance. His broad shoulders were rigid, his hands buried deep in his pockets. The city stretched before him, a maze of glowing lights and moving cars—oblivious to the war waging inside this sterile, suffocating space. His reflection stared back at him, carved from stone, unmoved, unreadable. But the tight clench of his jaw, the way his fingers curled into fists inside his pockets, betrayed the storm raging in his soul.Harden slouched in one of the stiff plastic chairs, elbows propped on his knees, fingers interlocked. His wedding suit was wrinkled, his bowtie undone, his hair disheveled from the restless race of his fingers through it. His face was void of expression, but his dark eyes remained active, watchful and calculating.On the other side of the room, Caitlin’s mother stood near the n
*Hollow Eyes*Elara's POV:The faint music from the reception below drifted through the mansion’s grand halls, muffled but persistent, a reminder of the celebration happening downstairs. The glow of chandelier lights bathed the walls in a warm, golden hue, but the air on the upper floors felt cold, tense, and quiet.I stood by the tall window of one of the guest rooms, my arms crossed tightly against my chest, my gaze fixed on the stars outside. From up here, the distant laughter and clinking of glasses sounded almost mocking. I didn’t belong here. I wasn’t part of this world of false smiles and gilded promises—not anymore.Downstairs, Caitlin danced with her guests, radiant in her wedding dress, the picture of a perfect bride. Harden’s bride.A bitter laugh escaped me. It was hard to believe how far we’d come, how much had changed. Harden, who once promised me the world, was now bound to a woman like Caitlin. And Caitlin, as manipulative and cunning as she was, had won everything she
*Elara, Run Away With Me*Harden's POV:The ceremony had begun, yet I felt nothing but a heavy weight in my chest. The vows Caitlin and I exchanged were hollow—words that felt more like chains binding me to a fate I didn’t agree to. Back then, I didn't think it would be this hard to love any woman, but now, the mere admiration I had for Caitlin was all gone, and only one person filled my mind.My gaze kept drifting toward the crowd, toward her. Elara.She stood amidst the sea of faces, arms crossed, her posture a wall of indifference. Arthur loomed beside her, overprotective, his expression unreadable. But it wasn’t Arthur who held my attention; it was Elara. Her eyes didn’t flicker with anger, sadness, or even contempt. There was... nothing. It was as if I didn’t exist to her anymore.That emptiness in her gaze pierced deeper than any blade could. My heart clenched as I repeated the vows, my voice steady but devoid of any real conviction. Caitlin’s hand in mine felt cold, foreign. Th
*Working with the Devil*When Arthur arrived at his parents’ mansion, he didn’t bother exchanging pleasantries with anyone. He just barged up the stairs and made his way to Caitlin’s room.The door slammed open before Caitlin could even finish fastening her earrings. She spun to face Arthur, her eyes wide with both shock and indignation.“Arthur?” she snapped. “What—”He didn’t answer immediately, his icy gaze pinning her in place as he stepped inside and shut the door behind him.“Going out?” he asked, his eyes scanning everything and every corner of the room.“Cait, what have you been spending your time on?” he asked, his tone sharp, cutting straight to the point.At first, Caitlin didn’t respond. She was trying to reason what must have brought him here.“I’m talking to you, and I expect a response.” His voice sounded more like a warning.“What?” Caitlin scoffed, arms crossed as she got up. “You barge into my room and interrogate me? Are you serious right now?”“Answer me,” Arthur g
I Won't Leave YouThe meeting room buzzed with tension as Tony passed a load of documents, files, and pictures. Arthur stood at the head, his eyes narrowing at the pictures before him, turning them one after the other.“Alberto Grayson,” Tony began, flipping open the folder and showing the pages to Arthur. “I've confirmed he’s hiding in Scorpio territory under the guise of an investor. These photos are from his meetings in the past few days. I got them from someone who's on his tail too. We had to trade a lot for this, Alpha," Tony informed.When it came to Tony and Elias, Arthur didn't ask too many questions because they were reliable men who had always stood by his side and would only do things in his and the pack's interest.He spread a series of pictures across the table—from Alberto standing outside his mansion to meeting with different people, down to his meetings at diners. The faces were mostly unfamiliar, and Arthur wondered why these strange men were migrating with interest