~SELENA
“Isn’t the Alpha coming for dinner?” I asked the maid when I noticed there were no cutleries on the other side of the table where Hunter usually sits.
“Actually, he told me that you should go ahead and eat without him because he is quite busy tonight,” she replied, and I sighed in disappointment.
I've been getting this same excuse for over three weeks. I hadn't seen him since the morning after we had sex, and I couldn't help but wonder if I had done something to annoy him.
The feeling of him avoiding me made me sad and sick to my stomach. I could barely eat, though I don't think it was entirely because of his absence.
I have a strange feeling that I might be pregnant because I have missed my period for some time now, and I also noticed the old lady who always checked on me had been giving me some weird looks lately.
I shot a glance at the door, expecting to see Hunter as it opened, but instead, it was the maid I had sent to the convenience store.
“Did you get it?" I asked her, and she nodded.
Standing up, I took the small plastic bag containing the pregnancy test strip. “I will have my dinner later. You both can leave.”
They obeyed, and I headed for the bathroom. I nervously stared at the test strip after performing the necessary procedures.
“Oh my goodness," I gasped as two faint red lines appeared on the strip - I was pregnant. The discovery brought a big smile to my face, and I gently rubbed my stomach, picturing my baby inside me.
It was already dark, but I couldn't wait until tomorrow to tell Hunter the news. I was certain he would be excited about being a father, and besides, I would finally get to see him after three long, draining weeks!
In high spirits, I hurried out of the bathroom and put on a sweater to keep warm before heading out of my room. Hunter's apartment was just a few blocks away. I got there within five minutes.
Since the day I arrived, I had never been to Hunter's room, so I was a bit lost about which room to enter when I arrived in the hallway. But then, I caught his scent and began locating his room.
By the time I reached his door, I hesitated to knock as I heard the sounds of groans emanating from a deep baritone voice, undoubtedly belonging to Hunter. It was accompanied by a feminine voice loudly moaning and cursing. Realizing what was actually going on inside the room, my heart shattered into pieces, tears gathering in my eyes.
“I could ride you all day and never get satisfied. I love you so much, Nadia,” I heard Hunter say, and the tears I had been trying to hold back came rolling down my cheeks.
"I doubt that,” the feminine voice replied.
"Oh, come on, Nadia. I have always loved you."
“You cheated on me with that little bitch you call a mate, and you expect me to believe you love me?”
“Now I feel like your plaything since you always end up fucking me for fun,” she added, sounding angry.
I sobbed harder as his words pierced through my chest like a spear. “Selena is my plaything and not you. I only had sex with her because I was carried away by the mating urge; I don't feel anything for her.”
“I still don't believe you until you prove it to me.”
“Okay… how can I prove it to you?”
“I want you to mark me.”
“Okay, fine.”
Feeling shocked to the core by her request, I gasped impulsively the moment Hunter gave in.
“Did you hear that?” Hunter hushedly asked Nadia. I quickly moved away from the door, fearing they might have noticed someone was behind it.
“Oh, come on, I'm sure no one is at the door. Just mark me now,” she demanded.
"Fine. Sit on me.”
Unable to bear the pain of listening to their conversation any longer, I turned on my heels and hurried out of the apartment in tears.
As I stepped into my room, a sharp pain gripped my chest. Tears blurred my vision as I sank to the floor, struggling to bear the pain. My wolf whimpered in distress, the thought of our mate marking another woman feeling like a stab to the heart.
***
Last night was the worst I've ever endured. It felt like I was in the depths of hell, crying until there were no tears left, all because of the pain Hunter inflicted by bonding with another woman. I used to believe he loved me, but now I realize I was just a toy to him.
I thought he was different, that he loved me like I loved him. But seeing him with that woman last night shattered my illusions. Now, I blame myself for ever believing an Alpha could care for an Omega like me.
"You're such a fool, Selena," I muttered bitterly, staring at my exhausted reflection in the mirror.
Why did he accept the mate bond if he only cares about her?
As I pondered this question, the sound of the door creaking snapped me out of my thoughts. I turned, expecting to see Hunter, but instead, a red-haired woman with a stern expression stood in the doorway. If looks could kill, I'd be six feet under.
As she approached, I furrowed my brow and asked, "Who are you?"
"I see Hunter forgot to introduce me to his little plaything," she sneered. Her voice was familiar, and in an instant, I recognized her as the woman from Hunter's bed last night.
Her presence exuded authority and spelled nothing but trouble as she stood right before me.
~SELENA"Please leave, I don't want any trouble," I said calmly, but she chuckled in response. "I see you've grown little wings after tasting my man—""He is my mate," I angrily cut in, but she scoffed. "Oh really? Now show me the mating mark," she taunted, purposefully sweeping her hair backward.My heart sank at the sight of the mark on her collarbone, but before I could defend myself, she grabbed my hair with a grip so tight it felt like she could rip it out. I winced in pain as she spoke, her words dripping with venom.“Now listen carefully, you shameless whore of an omega. I suggest you leave this pack because the moment he officially makes me his Luna, I'm going to make you suffer for seducing him,” she seethed, releasing my hair with enough force to send me stumbling back on the mirrorIt shattered and its shards cut into my skin.“Weak, worthless piece of shit!" she spat before storming out, slamming the door behind her.The stains of the insults she threw at me were all over
~NADIA Observing the showdown with Hunter's charity case was quite the entertainment. I didn't anticipate her level of boldness, but I was surprised to see her visibly shaking in her boots after just a taste of what I had in store. She seemed obedient, but that was to be expected. After all, she was a slave—obedience was in her DNA. She'd eat dirt if her master commanded it. I hoped she heed my orders while I was still being nice, because by nightfall, she would have nothing less than ten stitches for daring to disobey me. Maybe… she would consider reporting me to Hunter to get off the hook. I eagerly awaited to see her make that choice. Knowing Hunter would always support me, it would only add more humiliation to her miserable life. Even if Hunter only acknowledged her as his plaything, I still didn't like the sound of it. Why did he need some wretched slave to satisfy his cravings when I was at his beck and call? At this point, I couldn't help but think there were more reason
~SELENA I let my legs carry me wherever my mind wandered. I had wandered a mile away from Hunter's packhouse, feeling a bit lost. I hadn't walked this much or had this much freedom before, except for the few hours I spent on a date with Hunter. Now, I wasn't just confused about where to rest my head tonight; I was scared. I was starting to think leaving the pack's shelter was a mistake. ‘No, Selena.’ Elsa, my wolf sternly rebuked me. ‘You did what was right. We have to protect our pup from people like her'. Elsa' words brought a swell of determination into me. She is right. I had to protect my baby, even if it meant facing the unknown of the night ahead. I've heard scary stories about what happens to young women on the streets at night, I've never experienced it and I just hoped I wouldn't run into any of those men. Though it was still early in the day, I couldn't shake off the worry. My legs felt weak as I walked down the sidewalk, not knowing where to go. I had no family or
~HUNTER The search for Selena has really worn me out. Running through the woods with my pack earlier today left my limbs feeling like jelly. The moment we entered the woods, I could tell she wasn't there. Her scent was nowhere to be found. Still, I made sure my pack searched every nook and cranny while Liam and I scoured the city with the patrol wolves, hoping to find a clue of her whereabouts. But it's like she vanished into thin air. Now, all I can do is try to track her cell phone. Maybe she's still carrying it. But what about that commotion earlier? What if she got caught up in it? My wolf has been on edge since she disappeared, growling non stop. Thinking about it, I can't shake the fear that she might have been caught up in the commotion. The thought of it is unbearable for me. With worry gnawing at me like this as I imagine the worst scenarios, I doubt I'll be able to close my eyes, let alone sleep soundly for the next few weeks. I leaned back against the headrest, an
~HUNTER. Stopping mid-way in such an intense moment with Nadia was very unlike me. As I ordered her to get into some clothes, her expression soured. Her frustration was clear, a look I hated to see on her beautiful face. However, I couldn't wait a minute to appease her. I grabbed my shirt and headed for the door. My steps on the polished marble floor were heavy, mirroring my anticipation of finally finding Selena. Bringing her back home where she belongs. Once before the large door of my study, I pushed it open and entered. My gaze immediately fell on Liam. Standing beside him was an unfamiliar face, looking battered as if he had wrestled with lions. I could sense he wasn't a werewolf, possibly human, and that made a slight frown settle on my face. “What's he doing here? Who is he?" I asked, utterly confused. “He's the man we saw with Selena's phone. But he's denying knowing about Selena's disappearance," Liam explained, and a low growl escaped my lips as I moved closer to the ma
~SELENABeeping sounds filtered into my hazy state as I fluttered my eyelids open, squinting in between as I tried adjusting to the sudden light that almost blinded me.Fully adjusting to the light, my gaze swept across my surroundings, every item it met made my mind foggy, clouded in bewilderment and anxiety – anxiety in the sense that I just realized I was in a hospital and possibly in danger.And bewilderment in the sense that I don't know how I landed in the hospital bed. I tried recalling what had happened. Why was I here? And how come?But my mind was blank like a sheet of paper. I couldn’t remember anything. I tried reeling back my memories, but a sudden sharp ache stung me at the side of my head, eliciting a loud groan from my lips.The pain worsened the more I tried digging up my last memories. It was as if the pain was punishing me for trying to recall.Unable to bear the ache, I submitted to it, giving up on recalling. My gaze drifted around my surroundings once again, but
~NADIA Oh no!My hands grew sweaty and clammy as I fiddled with my phone. Quickly, I took a silent, deep breath to calm the tension in my stomach and forced out a nervous smile as I stepped closer to him.His eyes remained bloodshot, amplifying the nervousness I tried to conceal with each step towards him.Stopping before him, with my breath caught in my throat, I inquired, “Hunter? Are you–”He gravely cut me off, stepping away from the doorframe. “What are you still doing here? Didn't I tell you to go back to your room and give him some space?"Oh, right.The knot in my stomach loosened instantly. I breathed a silent sigh of relief that he hadn't overheard my conversation. I know Hunter too well to predict he wouldn't take things lightly with me, especially when the issue is what is getting him all riled up…“And who were you talking to on the balcony?" he demanded, catching me off guard.I squeezed my fingers, searching for the right words. “I-I was talking with… Um… Father. He wa
~KILLIANAbruptly, I stood transfixed on my steps as Jack's words left me stunned, locking eyes with the woman before me. She looked like a hot mess, her blonde hair disheveled like a bird's nest, her face as white as snow with heavy dark circles underneath her eyes.Her hazel eyes were supposed to be beautiful, but they looked dim and had lost their gleam. They were filled with pain and confusion. If not for the thrill I felt the moment Jack announced her as our mate, I would have mistaken her for a ghost.She looked like a ghost… or was I mated to a ghost?The thought pushed my feet into motion as I closed the distance between us in three long steps and grabbed her hand, making her flinch.She looked overly scared, but I couldn't care less at this point. I just needed to know if she wasn't a ghost.Feeding my curious thought, my grip lingered around her wrist as I tried to feel her pulse. She had a pulse. A very weak one.I unclasped my grip and shoved my hands into my pocket, final
~KILLIANKatrina sent her location, and I managed to get Laura to stick to the plan. She’s gone to Hunter’s pack with Liliana to get Megan.Meanwhile, I’m driving with my men toward Katrina’s location, unsure where the hell Hunter and his men are. We were supposed to come together, but it seems he wants to do things his own way. It’s laughable how he thinks he can win Laura back by playing the hero.Out of nowhere, something smashed into my windshield, shattering it into pieces. My car swerved dangerously and screeched to a halt.Goddess.“What was that?”I mind-linked Jared.“I think we’re being ambushed, Alpha!” he reported, making my eyes widen.I quickly grabbed my gun from the compartment and jumped out of the car when Jared shouted, “Get down, Alpha!”A bullet whizzed past me, missing by a hair’s breadth. I ducked and took cover behind the car.My men were already shooting at the ambushers, and the air was thick with the smell of blood.Loading my gun, I joined the fight and soo
~HUNTER My eyes nearly popped out of their sockets when I heard the doctor’s report about Olivia’s condition.“She was poisoned?!”I’d been sure she was just having one of her usual asthma attacks, not this!“Yes, Alpha. We discovered the juice she drank was poisoned.”What? Who brings poison to a kid’s party?Confused, I turned to Alpha Newton, who had been with me in the doctor’s office. Nadia was at Olivia’s bedside, sobbing uncontrollably.“Don’t you know anything about this?” I demanded, glaring at him, but he stayed silent. “If you’d let Olivia stay under my roof, this wouldn’t have happened,” I snapped.Newton narrowed his eyes at me, his expression challenging. “Even if Olivia makes it through this, you won’t be keeping her!”I growled in response. We locked eyes, our anger palpable, until the doctor interrupted. “Can we continue now?”“What’s the plan to fix her condition?” I asked urgently.“Miss Olivia’s blood is contaminated by the poison she ingested. She’ll need a tran
~THIRD POV"I'm so glad you could make it to my birthday!” Olivia beamed at Megan as they broke away from a tight embrace.“I wouldn’t miss it for the world! Besides, I’ve been missing you all holiday, so I figured this was the perfect chance to see you,” Megan replied, her smile growing as they walked into the grand living room where the party was in full swing.“Same here! I tried calling you, but you wouldn’t pick up!” Olivia said with a frown.“My mom confiscated my phone. I don’t know why, but she seems to be against our friendship,” Megan mused.Olivia's frown deepened. “Why would she be against it? Did I do something wrong?”Megan shrugged. “I don’t think so, but I’m not sure. If I had told her I was coming here, she wouldn’t have let me.”“You sneaked out?” Olivia gasped.“I told you I’d do anything to be here, didn’t I? So, here we are!”“You’re so brave, Megan. I wish I could be like you, but don’t you think your mom will be mad at you?” Olivia asked thoughtfully.“She will,
~KILLIANI'm devastated.It's been two weeks since Laura left the pack, and I haven't been myself. I've been panicking, worried about where she might have gone, especially with the kids and my baby.She hasn't been answering my calls or replying to any of my texts. I suspect she might have changed her number so I can't trace her location.Even with Liliana's relentless help, we're still short of clues about where she might be. I've also been to all the properties she owns, but none of the caretakers have seen her.She probably thinks I'd harm her if I found out where she is. She knew I'd look for her at her properties, so she played it safe by not going there.I wanted Laura all these years, and when I finally had her, I lost her in the blink of an eye.I wish I could turn back time and right my wrongs. At the very least, I wouldn't have scared her with that damn gun!SighThe guilt of my actions is eating me alive as the days go by, and I fear I might become even more devastated if I
~KILLIANI blinked, completely stunned at the sight of her, wondering if I was imagining things, but the truth kept staring back at me. It was all real.There she was, standing and looking back at me, just as shocked.My stepmom.Liliana.“Killian!” she whispered, taking a step closer, her eyes filling with tears.“Mom!”I rushed forward and hugged her, my heart pounding with joy as I felt the warmth of her skin against mine. She wasn't a ghost; she was real!Her tears soaked my shoulder as I held her tighter, savoring the familiar jade scent I thought I'd never smell again after that dreadful night.I couldn’t stop my tears. They fell as I remembered how unbearable life was when I finally accepted they were dead because I couldn’t find a trace of her and Laura.It took years for me to accept their absence and push through the pain to become who I am today.She finally pulled away, her eyes shining with tears and relief. She looked just as young and beautiful as I remembered, except h
I locked eyes with Katrina, then turned back to him, my gaze narrowing dangerously. Could he have been working with Katrina all this time to kill Laura?In a flash, I caught him as he tried to bolt from the room, grabbing him by the neck. I yanked the gun from his pocket and slammed him against the wall. He collapsed to the ground, breathing heavily, blood trickling down his face.As Katrina stepped closer, trying to calm me down, I aimed the gun at her, a silent warning to stay back.“How long have you been working with her?” I demanded from Lionel.He swallowed hard, his voice trembling. “Since you left for your last business trip. Forgive me, Alpha!”Anger darkened my eyes. This had been going on for so long, and I never knew!“What else did she pay you to do besides poisoning Laura?”From the corner of my eye, I saw Katrina shaking her head at him, signaling him to stay quiet as he glanced her way.His face turned pale as I cocked the gun. “What else?” “She paid me to plant a mo
~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
~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
~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.