Author’s POV Alicia felt the cool water caress her pale skin as she swam across the pool, trying to forget the chaos that had transpired in the mansion since she came back. She knew the time was running out, and soon the new alpha would be chosen. She wanted to be Luna more than anything. She had worked hard to get to this position, and she wasn’t going to let anyone take it away from her. She reached the edge of the pool and lifted herself out, feeling the droplets slide down her body. Brushing her hair back, she reached for the towel on a nearby chair that someone had placed there. She wrapped it around her and turned to thank the person, but her words died in her throat when she saw who it was—it was Alpha Rick. He was standing there, shirtless, in his shorts, his muscles glistening in the sun. His eyes were dark and angry, and his jaw was clenched. He looked like he wanted to kill her. A gasp escaped from her lips, and she couldn’t bring herself to look at him. Rick squatted
Nora’s POV I woke up with a jolt, feeling every muscle in my body ache. I blinked my sore eyes, trying to adjust to the dim light. I shivered as I realized I had slept on the cold floor with no blanket or pillow. I rubbed my arms, feeling cold. Shivers ran down my spine. Memories from last night bubbled up inside me now like an acid reflux, burning and bitter. Thomas wanted revenge. I wiped my tears, I had to act fast. I couldn’t go to the police; they wouldn’t believe me, even if I testified that he was the claw killer without evidence. I needed help from someone who could suppress Thomas's strength and speed, and Alpha Dante was the only person that came to mind. I ran to the bathroom, where I had hidden my laptop in my luggage. I opened it and searched for the number of the alpha’s house. I found it and dialed it, hoping he would answer. I waited, hearing the phone ring three times. I prayed to the moon goddess that he was home and would be willing to help. Someone picked up th
Nora’s POV Heart in my throat, I juked right, but it was too late to run. I glared at George as he moved closer to me, his eyes changed to a yellow hue, piercing through mine. “Who the hell is Thomas? And why does he want to hurt you?” he demanded in a serious tone. There was a slight tremor on my lips. Fear, shock, and the struggle to control my emotions. Thomas was a bloody psycho, a monster from the past that I had hoped to never see again. He was part of the reason I accepted the surrogacy contract. “…” I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out. How could I explain to George that I had killed my only sister, and that was part of the reason I agreed to be his wife’s surrogate? I pressed my hand to my chest, my heart felt like it would burst through my chest wall and flop out onto the ground, bouncing and twitching like a beached fish. I couldn’t breathe, and I couldn’t think. I had to get out of here. I had to save my sons. I dashed to the nightstand, grabbing my purse
Nora’s POV I looked around the streets, everyone was just walking around, minding their businesses. They had no idea what was happening inside the large warehouse at the end of the road. I arrived at the rusty metal door and took a deep breath before knocking on it. “Go away, old hag!” Thomas’s voice came from inside, angry and impatient. “…It’s me, Nora,” I said, hoping he would recognize me. There was silence, followed by a few rustling sounds, and the doors of the warehouse opened for me. A hand came from inside and grabbed me by the arm, pulling me into the warehouse. I gasped and opened my eyes in shock as I saw the scene before me. Asher was locked in a rusty car in the middle. He looked pale and scared, his eyes pleading for help. “Mom,” he mouthed, his voice muffled by the glass. My eyes drifted to Matteo, he was lying on a table, groaning as electric currents ran through his body. A leech-like device was attached to his wrist, draining his life force. “Thomas, what hav
Nora’s POVI looked at George and saw the fear and pain in his eyes. He was shaking violently, and tears were streaming down his handsome face. I couldn’t believe he was crying because of me, or was it because of the fact that I was his mate?Jack had managed to free Asher from the car. Asher ran towards me, screaming and crying. He wanted to save me, to hug me, and to tell me that he loved me. But Jack held him back, knowing it was too dangerous and that he didn’t deserve to see his mother die.“Let me go!” Asher screamed, struggling in his grip.Matteo was lying on the floor now, his body still crackling with electric current. Matteo looked at me and tried to get up, but he was too weak, and he collapsed again.Thomas moved the knife from my neck and stabbed me in the stomach. I gasped and felt a sharp pain in my abdomen. He held onto the dagger and twisted it in my stomach as pain throbbed and burned my stomach. I wanted to scream, but only a gasp came out of my mouth.“No!” George
Author’s POV Mrs. Williams checked her phone and saw a new message from Rick. She opened it and read: Rick: Mom, we are almost there. Just a few minutes away from the packhouse. Her mouth curled into a smile. She was overwhelmed with joy, she couldn’t wait to see them and welcome the new addition to their family. “I can’t wait to see you and your girlfriend. How is she feeling now? I hope she has stopped throwing up.” She smiled and then pressed send. Rick: She still throws up, but it’s not often, I just bought some medications for her. “That’s wonderful. I am glad to hear that you are already taking care of her. I hope her pregnancy lasts and she doesn’t have a miscarriage like your other girlfriends. Sometimes I think all the miscarriages happening in our family are like a curse. What am I even saying? Forget about it," she replied.Rick: Mom, stop being superstitious. I am sure our family isn’t cursed, it’s just the will of the moon goddess. We will be there soon. Love you.
Nora’s POV The sounds of my sons’ voices filled my head, faint and worried. “Is mom going to be okay?” “I don’t know, Ash. I hope so.” “She has to be, Matt. She is our mom, she is strong and fearless.” My eyes fluttered open, and I groaned, feeling a sharp pain in my stomach. My shoulders hurt, my back hurt, and my chest hurt. There was hardly a body part that wasn’t aching, throbbing, or bruised, it was like I had been to hell and back. I jerked my head to my side, and I saw my sons sitting next to me on the bed, their faces pale and tear-stained. Matteo’s face was pale and drawn; his lower lip was split, and the line was drawn in clotted blood. He was the one who endured the most torture from Thomas because of his powers. I tried to get up, but pain throbbed and burned in my stomach, and Dr. Laura pushed me back gently. She smiled at me, but I could see the worry in her beautiful eyes. My heart fluttered at the sight of her. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought that
Nora’s POV A groan escaped my lips as my feet hit the bed frame. Pain exploded in my ankle and shot up my leg like glass shattering. I tried to sit up, but the bed sheets felt like chains around me. I was too weak and drained to get up. I looked up at the door, hoping for a miracle. My boys were standing by it, they were my only hope right now, as much as I hated to admit it. Matteo reached for the doorknob, but Asher suddenly darted out, shouting over his shoulder, “I will be right back!” “Ash, no!” I screamed, fear gripping my heart. “It’s too dangerous out there!” But he was gone, leaving me and Matteo alone. I could still hear the gunshots and the screams—the sounds of war. It was like we were in the middle of a bloody battle, and we had no allies. Matteo came back to me, his gray eyes filled with worry, like they were carrying all the sorrows of the world. He was only nine, but he had seen too much. “Mom, do you really want to leave this villa?” he asked softly. I nodded, t
AUTHOR’S POV A year later, A year had passed since Nora lost Leo, bringing her to this moment, seated in the dressing room, staring at herself in a wedding dress. Mrs. Williams, who had once been a wicked mother, now stood before her, offering jewels as tokens of acceptance and regret. The nightstand was filled with daily gifts from her and her husband, each one a silent plea for forgiveness. Nora’s gaze lingered on the jewels, her voice soft but strong. “I cannot accept these anymore,” she remarked. “Like I said before, I have already forgiven you a long time ago. These gifts aren’t necessary.” Regret formed a jagged rock in Mrs. Williams's stomach, and emotion flickered across her face. “These gifts are my punishment,” she declared. “I did a lot of awful things in the past, and I forgot that love doesn’t care about social status. The moon goddess herself would agree to that; that is why she made you my son’s mate. And no one is more suited for him than you.” The knock at the do
AUTHOR’S POV The dark hall was covered in shadows and sorrow, a sea of black clothing as mourners gathered to pay their final respects. Nora stood by Leo’s grave, her hand trembling as she placed a lily on top of the polished wood of his coffin. Leo’s parents, their faces covered with grief, stood beside her, each adding their own floral tribute. Nora turned to them, but her eyes pointed at the ground, the guilt still weighing on her. She dropped to her knees and whispered, “I’m the reason your son is gone. I took him away from you. If he hadn’t saved me, he would still be here.” But Leo’s parents would hear none of it. His mother lifted Nora gently, her voice soft yet firm. “No, honey. It was not your doing. It was the will of the moon goddess, and our son chose to save you.” His father added, “You must live for him now. Make his sacrifice meaningful.” A smile lit up his broad face, softening his harsh features. Overwhelmed by their kindness, Nora felt a tear streak down her fac
AUTHOR’S POV The afternoon sun streamed through the open windows, brightening the inside of the lab. Nora sat on the makeshift bed of clothes, her stomach growling in protest as she awaited George’s return with food. Jack busied himself with the windows, letting in light to compensate for the lack of electricity. Nora’s voice broke the silence. “Jack, where did you and George disappear to for all those months? And why did you guys make everyone think you were dead?” A masculine chuckle escaped his lungs. “We didn’t fake our deaths, Nora.” He said, shaking his head. “It was a bizarre twist of fate. We were attacked on our way out of the pack, and now that I think about it, the attacker was probably Dante.” Her mind raced through a thousand questions and possibilities. “That does make sense. Dante would want George out of the way to make kidnapping the kids easier. He must have seen him as a threat.” She muttered and frowned a little. “I still can’t believe George left the pack behi
AUTHOR’S POV A small frown touched Nora’s face, her body convulsing with another wave of shivers. “T-Then bear it, I can’t be seen getting cozy with you when I have a boyfriend,” she said, wrapping another piece of clothing around her now sweating body. But the cold was relentless, and soon the heat that followed was just as unbearable. Discomfort climbed up her spine, and heat scorched her skin. “I know you have a boyfriend, but we are in our heat period, and he is not here. You will have to ask your mate for help.” Ariana suggested in her head. “How can you suggest such a thing? If I ask him for help, he will have to have sex with me. And I can’t... I am with Leo now, and I can’t cheat on him,” she replied, with emotion roughing the syllables. “I know you don’t want to cheat on him. But this is a matter of life and death, you will die if you don’t let him help.” Ariana said in a sad tone. “I…I can’t. I just can’t. I know how much it hurts to be cheated on, I have been there a f
AUTHOR’S POV The day dawned crisp and clear as the sun poured through the streets. Alicia stormed into the grocery store, her presence as chilling as the ski mask that covered her face. The assault rifle in her grip was not just a weapon, but a representation of her desire to kill. “Put your hands where I can see them,” she hissed at the store owner, who obeyed with a tremble. “Please don’t kill me, I just opened, I haven’t earned any money!” He pleaded, but his plea for mercy fell on deaf ears. A cold laugh escaped Alicia’s throat and echoed in the cramped space. “I don’t want your money, old man, I just need to grab some supplies.” She replied and obtained a coil of rope from one of the shelves. She kept the man caged in the sights of her rifle as she closed the distance. “Stay here and don’t make a sound, if you try to act smart, I will have no option but to kill you,” she threatened as she used the rope to tie his hands behind him, securing him to the shelf like a display of h
AUTHOR’S POV In the dimly lit villa, Mrs. Williams’s entrance was as fast as lightning, her flip-flops discarded as she stopped at the sight of her husband. Mr. Wiliams sat rooted on the couch, a sea of documents spread before him on the table. Her eyebrows shot to the ceiling as she leaned over the papers. “W-What are you doing?” she inquired. Mr. Williams looked up, a dark smile playing on his lips, shadowed by the room’s gloom. “These are petitions I gathered from the pack members. I’m securing our son’s legacy; I am no longer turning my back on him,” he replied, sincere regret laced in his voice as he looked her in the eyes. “I shouldn’t have... I shouldn’t have supported the council. Rick must be Alpha again. I cannot let our line fade; after all, I went through it to keep it in our family.” She shook her head, her hand darting out to seize the document from his grasp. “Stop this madness,” she begged, her voice rising. “You are losing yourself in this grief. Are you doing this
AUTHOR’S POV The touch of the evening air was too much as Rick stepped out of the taxi, his eyes immediately drawn to the flurry of activity at the maximum-security prison. Guards hustled across the yard, their faces covered with concern, while the urgent wail of alarms pierced the air. He watched closely as two guards emerged, dragging a protesting couple out of the prison’s grand gates. “Come back another time! Visiting hours are over!” One guard barked, tossing the woman’s bag to her feet with a dismissive flick of his wrist. The woman, her face painted with frustration and desperation, clutched her bag tightly. “Why are you being so unfair? Visiting hours end at 10 p.m., and it’s only 7 p.m.,” she pleaded, her voice cracking. “I haven’t seen my niece in ages! Panic spurred Rick into action, and he stepped forward, his determination clear. “I need to get inside,” he insisted, his voice firm. “My girlfriend’s in there. You can’t deny me access; we haven’t seen each other in a lon
AUTHOR’S POV The morning sun hit George’s face, and his heart was heavy as he paced through the studio. His hands carefully placed his personal items into a mini bag. The walls of the rooms whispered memories of laughter and learning, and though he was firm in his decision, a part of him mourned the awaiting goodbye to the children he had come to adore. The sound of footsteps snapped him back to reality. He peeked outside his room to see his boss walking purposefully towards the office. He took a deep breath and secured the zipper on his bag. A pit formed in his stomach as he grasped the resignation letter that lay on the nightstand. George entered his boss's office just in time to overhear a phone conversation about him. “Like I said earlier, it’s unprofessional for a teacher to date a parent of the kid he teaches.” His boss said in a serious tone. “I’m sorry, but no amount of money can make me help you. I respect the privacy of my teachers and stay out of their personal lives."
AUTHOR’S POV They stepped into the shower area, and the sounds of bare feet stepping on the tile were getting louder and louder as they made it under one of the shower heads. The shower area itself was just a single room, blocked by a small door. There was no cover between the five or six showers, so they both had plenty of space to mess around and get each other clean. The whole shower room was tiled, so the two would have to try hard not to fall over because of how slippery everything was. “I have always wanted to do this with someone, but I haven’t had a proper girlfriend in a long time.” His voice was silky as velvet. The guard pushed Alicia against the cold tiled wall, his body squishing up against hers. Her nipples were hard and almost carved into his chest, but he didn't care. Her breasts squeezed and contoured around his chest as they both continued kissing. Their legs were moving constantly, trying to find a good footing, before eventually finding a good rhythm. The guard