~NADIAAs I scrolled through my phone, my heart sank while reading the comments about Hunter’s alleged mental impairment. The news had spread like wildfire, and it seemed like everyone on the internet had something to say.Just a few hours ago, I was at the mall, picking up decorations for Olivia’s birthday party, when I overheard some customers gossiping about it. Their cruel words felt like salt in an open wound.But nothing could have prepared me for the humiliation waiting at the company entrance, where paparazzi swarmed, hurling ridiculous questions at me.The backlash was growing worse by the hour, and Hunter wasn’t doing anything to stop it. He didn’t seem to care that his family was being dragged into this mess.My phone rang, and I wasn’t surprised to see it was my dad. I knew what this call would be about but I picked anyway. “Hello, Dad.”“Nadia, what the hell is going on?” he snapped.I sighed. “Dad, it’s just a rumor—”He cut me off with a huff. “A rumor? You and I both
~SELENA "It's just salmon soup; it won't hurt me if I cook it myself!"I whined for the umpteenth time, but Killian didn't seem like he was going to let me touch anything in the kitchen. He was dead set on making me sit down and watch him prepare breakfast, just like he's been doing ever since the poison incident.Honestly, I can't remember the last time I ate something I cooked—or even something the maids made. Oh, right, he banned the maids from cooking too. Now, he prepares all the family meals himself, refusing to let me help even a little."I'll be the only one cooking your meals and making your teas, so stop trying to interfere," he calmly told me, his serious expression leaving no room for argument.I decided to give up on joining him for now, but I was determined to make him understand that I wanted to cook with him. It seemed more romantic to me than just sitting and watching him struggle to get the right amount of spices on his own."You're going to make it too spicy if you
~HUNTERA sneer curled on my lips as I scrolled through the comments on the post about my supposed curse. Each one was more venomous than the last, mocking me and suggesting I see a psychiatrist.My deepest secret, kept hidden for years, was now plastered all over the media, thanks to that bitch!It spread like wildfire, and now I'm losing deals with my partners. Even my own pack members are starting to renounce my leadership. Alpha Newton had already stopped by a few days ago to take Olivia away from me. It feels like everyone is abandoning me.I expected Nadia to do the same, but she stayed. Not that her presence means anything to me. In fact, she's to blame for all of this mess.If she hadn’t driven Selena away that night, maybe I’d have finally found my sanity.Nadia's presence only serves as a constant reminder of my failures with Selena, and I've been trying every possible way to make her leave. But she seems determined to stay, no matter what.So, I let her stay, doing whatever
~HUNTER"Don't you dare outsmart me once we get in there, or you can count yourself dead!" I threatened Ann, glaring at her through the rearview mirror. She sat in the back seat, fidgeting nervously."And try to act normal," I hissed, turning my gaze back to the windshield, waiting for Liam to return. I had sent him with some money to bribe the guys guarding the entrance. Besides dressing as someone else’s clone, they were my only shot at getting into the event without being noticed. Mrs. Salvador was going to pay dearly for all this trouble she was putting me through.I exhaled deeply and checked my wristwatch. Liam was taking too long. Maybe he was struggling to convince the guards to take the money. It’s tough to bribe your way into a big event like this, but I offered them a fortune. Just then, I spotted Liam approaching, and my stomach tightened with nerves. There had to be good news."What did they say?" I asked as he stopped beside the window."They agreed, but you have to ke
~HUNTERI couldn’t mistake that face. I was sure of it—Mrs. Salvador was Selena. My heart dropped into my stomach as I stood frozen, watching Killian exchange smiles with her.It all happened so fast. One moment she was in my sight, and the next, she was gone. I snapped out of my daze and hurried after her, quietly following as she navigated into the restroom area. She entered one of the washrooms, and as I reached the door, a frown creased my face. I could hear the violent, throaty sounds coming from inside.Scared that something might be wrong, I quickly pushed the door open."I'm fine, Killian—" she began to say, but her words trailed off when she saw me standing in the doorway.At first, she didn’t recognize me, but as I removed my hat, her eyes widened in recognition."You’re Mrs. Salvador?" My voice was barely above a whisper as I struggled to shake off the shock.Snapping out of her surprise, she moved away from the sink, hardening her gaze at me. I grabbed her arm as she tried
~KILLIANI glanced at my wristwatch for the umpteenth time, my eyebrows knitting together in concern. Laura still hadn't returned from the washroom. Just as I was about to go look for her, she was announced as the winner of the category. Since she wasn’t in the hall, I went up on stage to accept the award on her behalf, but my thoughts were elsewhere. I quickly rounded up the speech, almost too abruptly, and handed the award to Droost as I stepped down from the podium."I'll be right back," I told him, my tone hurried. My mind raced with all the negative possibilities as I made my way to the restroom area.Keeping my composure, I walked down the corridor leading to the washrooms and knocked on the first door. "Laura?" I called out.There was silence, and just as I was about to move to the next door, it opened. I stepped inside quickly, feeling relieved at the sight of her. But my relief faded as I noticed her slightly teary eyes."Are you okay?" I asked, my worry evident.She nodded.
~THIRD POV.Fifteen-year-old Killian hid behind the trunk of a tree, his blue eyes wide open, tears filling them as he helplessly watched his father being surrounded by a pack of wolves.As he stood there, fidgeting, Killian wondered what was wrong with his father. His father had never been too weak to fight back. To say the least, Killian always saw his father as undefeated."The strongest man alive," Killian had teased his father a moment earlier while he taught him how to hunt. But then, suddenly, his father sensed something and urged him to seek safety back in the pack grounds. But little Killian couldn't just leave his father.He was curious why his father had told him to go back so suddenly and decided to hide behind the tree to find out the reason.But what he didn't know was that the reason would wound his heart and leave a scar on it.It happened before his eyes.So quick!Like a bolt of lightning.His father was brought down by just a single shot. Killian flinched, nearly le
~KILLIANPulling up in front of Katrina's apartment, I felt a nervous knot twist in my stomach as I got out and hurried to the entrance.It was like she was already waiting for me because before I could even knock, the door swung open."That was fast," she said with a smile.I didn’t bother to return it. Keeping a straight face, I asked, "What evidence did you find?"She closed the distance between us, suddenly leering at me as she slowly ran her hand up my arm.Sensing her intentions, I swatted her hand away, my jaw tightening with anger. "Is this what you called me for?"She let out a bitter chuckle. "So, it’s come to the point where I can't even touch you?""Stop acting dumb. That was more than just a touch," I snapped, glaring at her. "We've been over this. I have a mate now, and you know what happens if I choose to cheat."I don't desire her anymore. The urge to be with her died the moment Laura came into my life, though I refused to accept it at first. My commitment to Laura goe