Cian's POV Josephine didn't notice the shift in my focus. She was too lost in the moment, too eager to believe that my twisted game was all for her. And when our bodies finally came together, she was certain that we were united in our purpose, in our desire to make Vanya suffer. But my thoughts were far from revenge. All I could think about was Vanya---the way she resisted me, the way she fought back. I knew I would have her, no matter what it took. And the more she defied me, the more determined I became to break her. Later, as I lay beside Josephine, my phone buzzed with an urgent message. Reluctantly, I pulled away from her and checked the screen, my expression darkening as I read the alert. An emergency meeting had been called in the pack's war room---a spy had been caught, and my presence was required. "I have to go," I said, getting out of bed and quickly dressing. "What...what?" She asked in utter confusion. I kept mute. Josephine watched me, her expression one of bo
Vanya's POV:I walked quietly into Marco's room, my footsteps light on the hardwood floor. I grabbed the doorknob and pulled the door open. The room was dim, the soft glow of the lamp casting long shadows across the bed where Marco lay sleeping. I walked over to his bedside, His chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm, the once-pale color of his skin slowly returning to a healthier shade. It was a relief to see him like this, to know that he was getting better after the horrific ordeal with Cian. I reached down to adjust his blanket, tucking it carefully around him. As I did, something hard and angular brushed against my fingers under the pillow. I hesitated, my heart skipping a beat as I pulled out a small, worn leather-bound journal. I knew instantly that this was one of my father's journals. But what was it doing here, under Marco's pillow? Glancing back at Marco to ensure he was still asleep, I slipped the journal under my shirt. I left the room quietly, a sense of unease
Vanya's POVLater that day, I tried to push the journal and my father's warnings to the back of my mind, but they lingered like a dark cloud over my thoughts. Every time I looked at Marco, I saw the fear in my father's writing reflected in his eyes. And every time I tried to ignore it, the memory of my father's voice echoed in my mind, urging me to be careful. As the day wore on, I knew I couldn't just let it go. Whatever secrets Marco was keeping, I had to find out. If it was just a mere fight or not, I will find out. ******** I stepped out of my car and took a deep breath, trying to shake off the unease that had settled in the pit of my stomach since that morning. The journal weighed heavily in my bag, a constant reminder of the secrets it held and the tension that now colored my interactions with Marco. I had spent the entire weekend wrestling with what I had read. But now it was Monday, and I needed to focus. The familiar sights and sounds of my workplace offered
Cian POV I leaned back in my leather chair, my eyes narrowing as I considered my next move. The plan was starting to take shape, each piece falling into place like a well-crafted puzzle. My fingers drummed rhythmically on the polished wood of my desk as I gazed out of the large window of my office, the view of the sprawling city below doing little to quell the dark thoughts brewing in my mind.David had been a disappointment --- getting himself beaten up by Vanya, of all people, had been nothing short of embarrassing. But now, he was going to be given a chance to redeem himself. And I was nothing if not strategic; I knew how to use people, how to bend them into doing exactly what I needed. That was my gift, my power. It is why I'm the alpha, why I rule with an iron fist."David," I said, my voice low and calculated as I looked across the room at my subordinate. David was still nursing the bruises from his last encounter with Vanya, his face a mess of healing cuts and fading discolora
Cian's POV I parked my car a short distance from Jacobs Kitchen, my golden eyes narrowing as I watched the entrance to the building. The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the street, but I remained patient, my predatory instincts sharp as ever.As the clock struck 6 PM, employees began filtering out of the building, heading home after a long day of work. My gaze sharpened as I spotted Tara among them, her face tired but still carrying the determined expression I had come to expect from Vanya's most loyal assistant. She was an easy target, isolated and vulnerable---just the kind of person I could bend to my will.I stepped out of the car, my presence immediately commanding attention. Tara looked up and froze as she saw me approach, her eyes widening with a mixture of fear and uncertainty. My lips curved into a faint smile, one that didn't reach my eyes."Tara," I said smoothly, my voice a low purr that buried the menace behind it. "I've been waiting for you."Tara'
Vanya's POV My hands trembled as I gripped the steering wheel, my mind racing with the encounter I'd had earlier that day. The woman's words echoed in my ears, a haunting whisper I couldn't shake. "I'm your mother, Vanya." The declaration had stunned me, leaving me frozen in shock before my fury surged forward. There was no way. My mother had died years ago---both my parents had. This had to be one of Cian's sick games, another twisted trick to mess with my head.As I pulled into the driveway of my home, the heavy weight of doubt settled in my chest. Marco had always been the one person I could trust, the man who had raised me and protected me when no one else would. If anyone were to know the truth, it would him. I pushed open the door to the house, my footsteps echoing in the quiet hallway as I sought him out.Marco was in the living room, reclining on the couch with a book in his hands. He looked up as I entered, his expression softening as he saw the worry etched on my face."V
Vanya's POVDuring lunch, I found Tara in the break room, sitting alone at a table with her head in her hands. I could hear the faint sound of sniffling, and my heart went out to the young woman. Despite everything happening, I still cared about my employees, and Tara was definitely my favourite ."Tara?" I called softly, approaching the table. "Are you okay?"Tara looked up, her eyes red and swollen from crying. She quickly wiped away her tears, shaking her head. "I'm fine" she said, her voice trembling. "Just.. a rough day."I frowned, my concern growing. "You can talk to me, you know" I said gently. "If something's bothering you, I want to help."But Tara shook her head again, her hands trembling as she clutched the edge of the table. "I'm fine, Vanya. Really. I just need to be alone for a bit."I hesitated, not wanting to push Tara if she wasn't ready to talk. But something about the whole situation felt off, like there was more going on than Tara was letting on. "If you ever nee
Vanya POV I sat on the couch in the living room, my eyes fixed on the television but my mind elsewhere. The TV flickered images of a children's cartoon, but I wasn't really watching. Emily sat across from me, a small smile on her face as she talked animatedly about the kids' upcoming soccer game.I nodded absentmindedly, trying to focus on what Emily was saying, but my thoughts kept drifting back to the office, to the confrontation with Cian, and the strange way Tara had been acting."..and Andrew is so excited" Emily was saying, her eyes sparkling with warmth. "He's been practicing his kicks every evening.""That's great," I replied, forcing a smile. "We'll make sure to be there."As I said the words, I noticed Emily's smile falter slightly, her gaze shifting nervously towards the hallway.Before I could ask what was wrong, Marco walked into the room, his presence instantly changing the atmosphere. The lightheartedness of the conversation dissipated, replaced by a tense silence."Va
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, "If
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
Vanya's POVNo word, nothing. I shook my head. "What about you?" I questioned. "You said your friend and partner, were separated for more than ten years yet you're here." "Well... He's an alpha." He replied making Emilia choke on her water, her eyes wide as she stared at him. It wasn't a surprise in her face. It looked like shock, almost like... The fear disappeared when she noticed I was looking at her. "He had alpha duties, as Vanya would say, to attend to, so he had to leave.""Sad," Emilia replied pouting. Marco glared playfully at her, going for the second box of pizza we hadn't opened. We both hit his hand, shooting daggers in his direction. "That's mine." I scowled. "Keep off.""But I haven't eaten.""That's because we never knew you'd return so early," Emilia spoke handing him the last triangle of thrones we were eating."How's this going to be enough." He grumbled "You don't want it?" We both asked him, reaching to grab it.He sucked in his breath to make a point. "I never
VANYA'S POV:Three days, and no sign of Tristan. Not even a phone call. I eyed my phone as I had lunch with Emilia. Marco had left in the morning to attend to business of some sort. Said it was a long-time friend and partner of his that had just flown into the country after more than ten years of separation and had a business offer to propose. So Emilia permitted him to leave. She had decided to drop off Andrew and Ryan at school this morning saying she wanted to speak to their teacher while I had had breakfast with Tara.As we kept eating, my eyes drifted to the phone once again, eyeing it uncontrollably. He said he wouldn't be gone for a week, but it was already three days into the Week. "If you miss him, you could just call," Emilia said to me, her attention still on her food. She had been the one with me all through the nights Tristan wasn't around. She had slept with me in the hospital while Marco prepared the kids, took them to school, and got them back from school. These three
Tristan's POV"No healer comes to see him throughout today," I spoke to the guards. "He doesn't eat for the next two days. And after those two days, feed him once a day." "You sure are taking my business into your own hands," Angel commented. "This is just for the meantime. You have him to yourself for all eternity. Do as you please." She grinned in response. As I stepped forward, Angel, Niko, the driver, my father, and the guards parted for me to pass through. The guard's gaze shifted from me to my hands. That was when I remembered that I hadn't wiped it on my handkerchief. I reached for my pockets but it wasn't there.. I had left it in the cell. Just then, my father handed his to me. I extended my hands to take it, but he held firm onto it, studying my face as if taking in every muscle movement, facial expression, and n. We stood there, the handkerchief in both our hands for almost seven seconds before he finally let go of it. I wiped my hands clean, tossing the handkerchief int
TRISTAN'S POV My fists clenched on their own accord by my sides wanting to punch the hell out of him. I could feel my pulse increase by a hundred percent as rage seized through me with such ferocity I only felt during the war against another pack when they tried to hurt Angel or my father. "Don't look so downtrodden Tristan." He continued spewing rubbish from his mouth. "Didn't you know she was a slut?" He widened his eyes, staggering to his feet before taking wobbly steps to where I stood. "But it's fine. She's nothing but my used property. You can have her." I clasped him by the collar, raising my fists to make them collide with his nose. He kept laughing like a lunatic, clapping his unchained hands. I pulled my hands back, stepping away from him before wiping my hands on the handkerchief in the pocket of my trousers. "It's good to see you go mad," I replied to him after regaining my calm. "And just so you know, you are her used property. Look at how miserable you are but look
Tristan's POV "I don't need you to summarize." He shot Angel a glare who returned it with a smile, still wearing her glasses. "The sun's already set. " He pointed to the glasses she wore. "What's that for?" "Dirty work." She replied. "Just in case he..." She pointed to me. "I would love my eyes protected." Then she strolled to the car waiting for the four of us. "Time to show you my newest acquired property." She sang to herself, opening the car door and getting into the second back of the car before the driver could assist her. I got into the first row of seats with my dad while Niko sat in front as the driver zoomed off. Now and then, Angel giggled at her phone, probably at the pictures of Cian being sent to her by the guards as she had instructed them. A purebred lunatic and her lunatic guards. We drove in silence, no one speaking to the other. When we eventually got to the borders of our pack, Angel put away her phone, straightening herself. The guards greeted us with a bow o