Alpha James’s POV I was seated in my office, going through some documents on my desk, when a knock came from the door. My mind was preoccupied with thoughts of my mate and how I had spanked her for another she-wolf. I was trying to involve myself in my job, but it was difficult. I was having a meeting in a few minutes, and I didn't want to be distracted.The door opened, and Carol walked into my office, slamming the door shut behind her, the sound echoing off the polished mahogany walls. She was wearing a dress that clung to her curves like a second skin, the fabric so thin that I could see the faint outline of her nipples beneath it.I tried to keep my gaze focused on the documents scattered across my desk, but it was like trying to ignore a siren’s call. My eyes were drawn to her, and I was unable to look away."I heard you haven't eaten since morning," she said, her voice low.She sauntered over to my desk, tray in hand, the smell of the food making my stomach growl. I glanced up
Alpha James’s POV I stood my ground, solid, in the face of their opposition. These were my people and my responsibility, and I would not be cowed by their resistance. Raising a hand, I waited for the noise to subside before continuing."I understand your concerns," I said, my tone measured. "But the security of our pack must be our top priority. These measures will ensure that every member, regardless of status, feels safe in their own home."The elder glared at me, his lips drawn into a thin line. "And who will bear the cost of these 'official guards,' hmm? The pack funds are not limitless, Alpha James."I toughened my shoulders, unwilling to back down. "I have accounted for that," I replied. "The funds will come from reducing the extraneous spending on personal security details for the elite. We are all in this together, and I won't allow the burden to fall solely on the shoulders of the common folk."The room fell silent, with the elders exchanging uneasy glances. I could sense th
Emily’s POVThe moon was shining over the forest as I walked into it through the middle road that was in it. I had been told that it was very dangerous, but I had to find a way to escape from the packhouse through the forest, it was the only way for me to get freedom. I was carrying a bag of clothes and the envelope that Carol had given me.As I was walking down the forest, the sounds of footsteps getting closer filled my ears, and I turned around to see who was there, but I couldn’t see anyone, and I saw a shadow moving from tree to tree. I was scared to my bones, so I started running away, even out of the road tracks that were leading me down into the forest, away from the footsteps.But suddenly I crashed into a wall, and I moved back to see that it wasn’t a wall, but someone. It was a handsome he-wolf that had brown short hair, and he was carrying a sword as he looked at me lustfully from top to bottom."Damn, you aren’t bad," he said, his gaze raking over my body in a blatant dis
Emily’s POVA sudden crowing pierced the cover of my sleep, and I blinked my eyes open to the bright morning sun filtering through the car's tinted windows. To my surprise, I found myself resting against Alpha James' rugged shoulder, his arm wrapped around me in a protective, almost possessive hold.The memories of his cruelty came rushing back, and I quickly extracted myself from his cuddle, startling him awake. He looked at me, his gray eyes filled with a silent question, but I offered no response, instead wrapping my arms around myself as I gazed out the window.We were parked in front of the towering ancient trees, having spent the night here after I had been too physically and emotionally exhausted to make the journey back to the pack house. I could feel James' eyes on me, burning with an intensity that made my skin crawl, and he hesitantly reached for his jacket, trying to wrap the warm fabric around my shoulders."I don't need it." I cut him off, placing my hand on the smooth l
Emily’s POVAs James desperately searched his pockets, his expression growing increasingly frantic, I couldn't help but smile smugly. I knew he had been planning to use that envelope as proof, so I had cleverly stolen it from him when he had carried me on his back."I can't find it, I swear I had it!" James exclaimed, his gaze scouring the floor as if the damning proof would miraculously appear out of thin air.Carol seized the opportunity, her tone spiked with scorn. "He can't find any proof because he is clearly lying, what would I gain by sending Emily out to the wild?"James turned to her, his frustration physical. "Shut up with your nonsense and explain why Emily was in the forest in the first place!"Mrs. Blackwood joined the quarrel, and soon the room descended into a noise of shouting and arguing, with no clear resolution in sight.Suddenly, a deafening gunshot pierced the air, the shattering blast ripping through the ceiling and drawing all eyes to the old man in the wheelcha
Emily’s POVI held tightly to the little boy's hand, leading him to the door of Sarah's apartment. Nicholas followed behind us, his presence a constant reminder of the unstable situation we found ourselves in.Sighing deeply, I reached out and rang the doorbell for the second time, my growing worry and apprehension clear on my face as Sarah continued to ignore my persistent calls. "It's very late, where could she be?" I muttered, shoving my phone back into the confines of my bag with a frustrated huff."If she weren’t at home, the security outside wouldn’t have let us in," Nicholas commented, his voice filled with concern. "Should I break the door? What if she is in trouble and needs our help?"I shook my head firmly. "No, that's not the right course of action," I insisted, the words tumbling from my lips with a clipped tone. "What if she was in the bathroom? We would be invading her privacy." Pausing, I tapped my fingers against my lips, the gears in my mind turning. "Maybe I should
Alpha James’s POVI squatted on the worn floorboards of the living room, my hands dutifully scrubbing my grandfather's distorted feet in a basin filled with soapy water. The stiff fabric of the errand boy uniform I had to wear rubbed uncomfortably against my skin, a constant reminder of my demotion from Alpha to lowly servant.I couldn't help but glance longingly towards the door, my gaze flickering with a desperate hope that Carol and the others would return soon. As the pregnant she-wolf, I didn't like the idea of her being out at night, but who was I to dictate her actions any longer, now that I had been stripped of my authority?A sharp, stinging smack to the crown of my head jolted me back to the task at hand, my grandfather’s commanding voice cutting through the silence. "Focus, boy!" he barked.Gritting my teeth, I tightened my grip on the yellowed sponge, scrubbing harder despite the unpleasant odor that assaulted my nostrils. The savory aroma of chicken noodle soup suddenly d
Emily’s POVI held the sleeping child tightly in my arms, trying to enter the living room, but James and Carol were blocking my view. To my surprise, James suddenly swept Carol up into his arms, his dark gaze fixing me with a glare."Stay there," he commanded, before carrying the giggling Carol back into the house.Carol wrapped her arms around his neck with a coy smile on her lips. "Why so suddenly affectionate, Tiger? If you wanted me, you should have just said so. I would have prepared myself."I couldn't help but scoff at the display, rolling my eyes as Carol pressed a kiss to James' cheek. Undiscouraged, I attempted to follow them, but Nicholas suddenly appeared behind me, his hand shooting out to block my path."Why are you taking so long to get into the house?" he asked, his gaze drifting down to the floor, where the shards of broken glass still glittered menacingly. "Oh, there are shards of glass. Hold on, let me get the maid to clean that up."He leaned in, shouting at an uns