Vanya's POVMy heart hammered in my chest as I stood in my office, my gaze fixed on the man who had just walked in unannounced. Cian Valor, the infamous CEO of Valor Corp, was the last person I expected to see today—or any day for that matter. His presence was a dark shadow looming over me, dragging with it memories I'd worked so hard to bury.He was as imposing as ever, his tall frame filling the room with an aura of power that seemed to suffocate the very air I breathe. His golden eyes, sharp and assessing, flickered over me and I could feel the weight of his scrutiny as if it were a physical touch. He had aged well—too well, I thought bitterly. The years had only honed his features, chiseling away any softness and leaving behind a face that was both handsome and terrifyingly intense.I clenched my fist to my sides, forcing myself to remain calm. Anger and fear churned with me, but I refused to show it. Not to him, not ever again.“What are you doing here , Cian?” I asked with a ste
Vanya's POV My throat tightened and as forced myself to look away, my eyes darting to the door in homes of catching a glance of Tara. The open glass wall offered a glimpse of the bustling office beyond, but it might as well have been a million miles away. No one was paying attention now, everyone had long focused on their various duties, so no one would come in. Tara wasn't on her seat either, where could she have possibly gone to—of all the times I needed her. I was alone with him. Trapped.Or so I thought…“Let me go Cian” I said, my voice trembling despite my best efforts to keep it steady. “What are you trying to do”Cian didn't move. Instead, reached up and took a lock of my hair between his fingers, twirling it slowly. The gesture was almost tender, but there was an edge to it, a possessiveness that made my blood run cold.“You're trembling” he observed, his eyes never leaving my face. “Are you scared of me, Vanya?”“I'm not scared of you” I lied, meeting his gaze with as much
Vanya's povThe morning sun barely filtered through the window blinds when my phone buzzed, pulling me from the restless sleep I had managed to catch after the previous day's drama with Cian. The events of the past twenty four hours replayed in my mind like a bad song—Cian’s intrusion, his menacing presence, the humiliating public fallout. And now, as I reached for my phone, I dreaded what new torment awaited me.But then, I didn't have to wait long to find out.A text message from an unknown number flashed on the screen, the words sharp and taunting. *“Hello again Vanya, how do you like the free publicity?”*My heart skipped a beat as I recognized the voice in my head that matched those words. Those same words were on the phone yesterday in the office when Tara broke the news of what now seems to be a scandal to everyone of which Tara adviced I drop the call and try and focus on the day's tasks. Cian, of course it was him. Who else would revel in my distress with such malicious pleas
Vanya's POVTara smiled nervously. “I just thought you might need something to brighten your morning. You know, with everything that's been going on…”I took a brief look at the spread, then back at Tara, a faint smile tugging at the corners of my lips despite my stress. “You didn't have to do this” I was actually grateful that she did, the news had ruined my mood so badly that I had no appetite to eat breakfast at home.“I wanted to” Tara insisted, her voice soft “We all wanted to do something to help. Its been a rough couple of days and… well, we're all here for you Vanya” she said with a bright smile on her face.The sincerity in Tara's voice touched me more than I'd expected. I nodded, my throat tightening with emotions. “Thank you, Tara. Really. But please, you don't need to go out of your way for me, I'll be fine”Tara nodded, though she didn't look entirely convinced “Just let us know if you need anything, okay?I smiled and thanked her again before she left, leaving me alone i
Vanya's POVI breathed a sigh of relief, leaning back in the chair as I watched the morning sun peek through the curtains. The past few days had been nothing short of a whirlwind, from press hounding me at every turn, to whispers and rumors swirling around me like a storm I couldn't escape. But with Cian's public retraction, the worst seemed to be over. For the first time in days, I felt a silver of peace.Still Josephine's cryptic texts lingered in the back of my mind like a dark shadow.*”This isn't over, darling - J”* The words were meant to unsettled me, and for a moment there, it kinda did, but I'd faced far worse. I was determined not to let neither Cian nor Josephine get under my skin. After all, I had a business to run, children to care for and a life to rebuild. The texts were just another distraction and I couldn't afford any more of those.My days quickly filled itself with back to back events, consultations with high profile clients and meetings with my ever expanding team
Vanya's POVThe moment I stepped through the doors, I noticed the whispers. Eyes turned towards me, lingering on the red gown. Confusion flickered through me as I scanned the room, realizing that I was the only one dressed in the colour that had been stated as the dress code.My heart sank. Had I made a mistake? But no, I had double checked the invitation and it had clearly stated the dress code. This wasn't a mistake on my part—it was deliberate.As I walked further into the room, heads turned to watch my, conversations halting as people whispered behind their hands. I could hear snippets of their gossips, their words cutting through the air like knives.“Isn't that the woman who threw Cian Valor out of her office?”“Bold of her to show up in red. I wonder what she's trying to prove?”“She must have some serious nerve. Or she's completely clueless”I held my head high, refusing to let their words affect me. I knew what I was here for. Reason and I wouldn't let their judgement ruin th
Cian's PovMy eyes narrowed as I watched the CCTV feed. The moment Vanya entered the venue, my mood darkened. She looked breathtaking in that blood red gown, her posture regal and her confidence palpable. The sight of other men flocking around her like moths to a flame made my blood boil. She was mine and seeing anyone else bask in her presence was an insult I couldn't stomach.“Do you want me to handle them?” David's voice interrupted my seething thoughtsI didn't answer immediately. I wanted nothing more than to storm in, rip those leeches away from her and remind them who she belonged to. But that wasn't an option. Not yet, not without revealing his hand prematurely. I clenched my fists, knuckles turning white. “No” I bit out, my voice tight with restrained fury “Not yet”David nodded, though I could sense his reluctance. I didn't care. David was good following orders, even when they didn't sit well with him. But even my loyal head of security couldn't miss the storm brewing with
Cian's POVThe day of the party arrived and my anticipation was almost palpable. I remained in the shadows, allowing David to play the role of the host. I knew that Vanya wouldn't suspect anything if David was the one running the show, after all she didn't know who he was. It was all part of my plan to keep her off balance.As the night progressed, David kept me updated on every detail. Vanya's arrival, her interactions with the guests, the way she carried herself with the same infuriating confidence. But I could hear the underlying tension in David's voice. He was uncomfortable with the way things were playing out and I relished it. Even my most loyal servant was beginning to see the lengths I was willing to go to assert my dominance.Finally, the moment arrived. David informed me that the guest were gathered in the private lounge, the perfect setting for my grand reveal. It was time to remind Vanya just who she was dealing with.I made my ways to the lounge, my footsteps echoing in
Vanya's POVThe week that followed after the engagement was a daze for me. All I could think of was the proposal, his words, and the emotions in his eyes. I couldn't help but stare at the ring as he dropped me off at work the next morning. We hadn't yet agreed on a date. What could I say? It was just a day into the proposal.He killed the ignition, turning to me. "You didn't have to come to my house to drive me to work.""I didn't have to. But I did because I wanted to. Didn't want my future wife to get all stressed with driving." He smirked and stepped out of the car to my side, opening the door. I smiled as I got out, not taking our eyes off each other as I stepped out while he shut the car door."Thank you," I said, my voice nearly a whisper. "Anytime." I smiled and turned to move to the company when I stopped in my tracks. After a brief contemplation within myself, I turned and ran to him a few feet away and kissed him full on the lips before turning back and walking as fast as m
Vanya's POV "I know this may sound cliche but I mean every bit of it." I nodded, waiting for him to say what he wanted to say. He cleared his throat, his gaze holding mine. "There are moments in life that stand still in time, the moment where everything that once felt uncertain becomes crystal clear. The moment I first laid eyes on you was one of them." I nodded as he continued. "From that first glance, I knew in the deepest, most unshakable part of me that you were destined to be mine, and I to be yours. But the truth is, I could not have known then just how profound and complete you would make me, how utterly transformed my soul would become because of your love." My eyes widened as I took the hint of where this was going. But he carried on. "Every day I spend with you is a gift, and with every passing moment, I am reminded of how precious you are to me. Your strength, your kindness, who you are... It all pulls me to you—not as an Alpha to his mate, but as a man to the woman who
Vanya's POVA few minutes before the start of the event, Marco appeared with the kids in tuxedos looking so handsome. As soon as they walked. Into the sitting room of the pack house, I hugged them."Aren't you looking so handsome?" I smiled at the both of them ruffling their hair. They smiled at me, scanning the room for perhaps Tristan. When Ryan whispered to me that he was hungry. "Uncle Marco didn't give you food?" They shook their heads."I'll take care of that," Angel said from behind me, making me jump."You may as well pass for a stalker," I said when I realized she was the one. She shrugged. "Would be honored." She grinned squatting to meet the kids at eye level. "Hi. I'm Aunty Angel Tristan's sister." Their eyes shot up at me, then back to Angel."Daddy's sister?" They asked in unison."Daddy?" She turned to look at me with a wicked grin, but I was already scurrying off. "Aunty Angel would take care of you," I said to them. "Be nice okay?" They nodded while Angel's gaze sti
VANYA'S POV"That's because all they know about is the initial gate and the border guards' buildings. You would have to go beyond those buildings to get to the main pack but most of them just stop at the entrance. So it's their fault for classifying me there. Not mine. " He shrugged as a gate opened on its own accord, letting us in. "It's works with DNA and personal info." He motioned to the gate. "If yours isn't stored, you can't get in.""Then how am I getting in right now?""Because... You're with me. Anyone with the alpha can get in. Stored or not stored." He killed the ignition as he drove into the garage that held more cars than I could count. I knew Tristan was rich and powerful and influential but not to this extent.I looked at him again, wondering how someone of such caliber could be so humble and down to earth and yet so powerful and dreaded, all at the same time. He got out of the car, coming to open the car door for me."Thank you," I whispered as I walked out, not tearin
Vanya's POV"My father died." I helped him complete the sentence. "Yeah. Marco isn't a friend type of person. It's good he found one." I smiled at both of them as Tristan and I continued walking further into the pack. Looking around one more, and taking in the buildings again, I asked. "But with these buildings, what more do you need?" "Actually..." He paused, his hands going to the back of his head like a child who was about to boast about something. "These are just the border guards' quarters." "What?" But my other words were cut off as we got to another gate I didn't know the pack had. A gate higher than the buildings we had just crossed. And when it was opened by the six guards that stood by it, two I remembered from my bodyguard encounter with Cian, everything round about me stilled. My eyes couldn't take in everything at once as it slowly moved from place to place, taking in the scenery. The laughter that sprang from children and women alike into the air. The smell of fresh
Vanya's POVEither a monkey or a piece of trash. As usual, even after all the torture, he was still proud and arrogant, and that was what Angel loved the most. His pride and arrogance because it was only then that the mental breaking would be fun for her. "Angel..." I called out as soon as I picked up the call. "Vanya!!!" She screeched, clapping her hands on the other side of the call. "I've missed you." "We talked less than a week ago." I reminded her. "I know, just play along okay?" Play along for what? "How are you and Tristan?" Was her next question. "Me and Tristan? We're good." "That's it?" Her voice was one of shock and utter surprise. "You're good?!" "Were you expecting to hear something else? " "Yes and no." She sighed. "By it fine. How's the preparation for the merge going?" "Well, Maureen is on her tiptoes doing most of the planning with Emilia. I'm doing the best I can although Tristan says not to worry about it... And well... Your father and Marco are being b
Vanya's POV "Hello, Stranger." I raised my head from my laptop where I had been reading the news to who stood at the door. My eyes widened as I leaped up from the seat walking towards her as she walked toward us. We embraced each other in a bone-crushing hug as if we hadn't been in the same hospital and seen each other a couple of times before I was discharged. I pulled away from the hug to take a good look at her and couldn't stop smiling. "You look... Oh my God!" She burst into laughter, throwing her hair back. "And I can see that you've already gone into business mode." "Pfft! Oh please..." I groaned as we pulled away from the hug. "I've always been in business mode even back at the hospital." A big fat lie. "As if." She scoffed, letting a smile peer over her lips before her attention worked itself to my laptop. "You seemed happy while viewing that." She pointed to it. "Good news?" She raised a brow, showing me that she knew what I had been looking at. I called to my desk
Vanya's POVThat night, Emilia could finally go home with Marco and the kids. Marco offered to drop Tristan's dad which surprisingly he agreed and then they left leaving Tristan and I together.We laid in bed together, enjoying each other's presence without having to speak a word. The last time we had spent in bed played on repeat in my head. And it wasn't long before our hands began to wander each other's bodies. That night, I slept like a baby. I think it was the news that Cian had been taken care of but not even a single nightmare plagued me.I woke up to the sound of twittering birds and bright sunlight streaming into the room. It took sometime for my eyes to adjust to the light as I stretched myself out. I turned to the sight only to be greeted with a kiss on the forehead."Good afternoon." He mused smiling. "Congratulations, you slept through the entire morning." I smiled at that, ruffling his hair. He ruffles mine back, covering my face with it. My stomach growled in hunger."
Vanya's POV"You seem to have forgotten me." I froze then turned sharply to Tristan. I had forgotten him. I was so engrossed in studying Marco and Emilia and his dad that I had forgotten he was there. "I take it..." "You take nothing. " I said in a hurry, before exhaling. "I'm sorry I forgot you were here." I apologized with a smile. He nodded. "Do you want to get away from here or sit with the oldies and talk about old people things?" "I've missed you." That was enough answered for him. "We'll catch you later." He said to the three of them who had begun to laugh and enjoy each other's company all so fast. We left them, heading to the rooftop again. We giggled as we took the elevator to the last floor of the hospital and walked the stairs up the roof. Thankfully, the afternoon sun wasn't harsh today, so we stood in it rather than go to the shade that was built on the roof. He brushed away strands from my hair before he covered his lips with mine. The kiss was one of longing f