Florence’s POV I settled into the passenger seat, the car's engine humming to life as we left the others behind. I squirmed in my seat, feeling a little sore after what we just did but I love every second of it. I don't regret a single millisecond of how he left me satisfied. He asked numerous times earlier if I could walk properly and it was hurting too much. But thankfully, our shifter abilities lessen the soreness and we can move fine after a few hours. That’s why shifters do lovemaking a little more frequently than humans. We are built differently. The gentle purr of the engine filled the air, and the passing patrols acknowledged us with nods. It was only 6 in the morning and the surroundings were visibly deserted. “Are you sure you're not that sore?” he asked again, hands planted on the steering wheel. I can't help but giggle, “Yeah, you don’t make me that sore that much” A big fat lie. He is so big I can never get used to his size but I love the feeling of it insi
"Wake up, gorgeous," Nicholas's deep voice cut through the forest's silence, rousing me from my slumber. Startled, I turned to see him standing at the tree's base, his gaze fixed on me with amusement. The sunlight painted his features in a subtle glow, accentuating the sharp angles of his face and the intensity in his eyes. It should be illegal to be that gorgeous. A flush of embarrassment colored my cheeks. A sheepish grin played on my lips as I tried to brush it off with a casual remark. "Caught me napping with a view, huh?" I quipped. “You've been here for hours, and it's already lunch, but I guess for you, it's brunch,” he replied. “Really? I didn't know.” Nicholas's lips twitched, almost forming a rare smile. "Careful up there. We don't need you falling and breaking a leg." With a confident sway, I pushed off the branch, intending to land gracefully on the ground, as I always did. That's what I intended, but I think Nicholas didn't trust me enough to land solidl
“What do you mean?” he asked sharply. “Did he ask you to do something like sell your body—” “No, he did not. He's more like manipulating my mind into thinking he's someone I could trust. That's why I did everything he said, followed him like a damn dog,” I explained, shaking my head with a sad smile. “And I was so naive to believe him, but I came to terms with the fact that maybe I just wanted to have someone, to feel valued and important for once. And I thought doing everything he ordered me to would be enough.” Nicholas stared at me, his expression unreadable, his face tense as if he wanted to say something but held himself back. All I said was the truth. I never felt loved by my parents. My father neglected me, and my mother abandoned me. So when Keith told me that he would raise me, I saw him as my only family, and I did everything he ordered me to. I willingly did my best in training and everything. Deep in my heart, I knew I did it because I was afraid of being left and
As the afternoon sun casts long shadows through the window, a car engine rumbles to life, followed by the sound of tires crunching on gravel. Nicholas, his face etched with worry, asked gently, "Are you feeling any better?" Forcing a smile, I replied, "Yes, thank you." A deafening silence replaced our brief exchange, both of us lost in our thoughts. Nicholas hesitated before tapping his fingers against the wheel. "Florence, I know you might still be shocked by what happened, but I want to hear the truth about last night," he said. "I was actually waiting for you to ask," I admitted. He glanced at me, surprised. "Really? You're not shocked or anything?" I offered a smile that didn't quite reach my eyes. "No, I'm fine." "Are you sure?" "Yes. Anyway, here's what really happened: I went to the balcony for some fresh air, and then an old maid—I think her name was Olga—told me to go to one of the guest rooms. I did. When I opened the door, I saw Mr. Agares and two other
As the last car carrying Jake, Samantha, and Charlie disappeared into the night, I waved, a faint smile playing on my lips despite the heavy feeling churning within me. Two hours had melted away in conversation, a welcome break from the swirling thoughts plaguing me. Yet, even in the middle of the laughter and shared stories, a knot of unease remained in my chest. I stole another glance down the hallway where Nicholas disappeared earlier. The familiar desire to go back to the cabin, my temporary haven, tugged at me. But a heavy But before I could act on it, Layla appeared in the doorway, her brow furrowed in concern. "Where are you going, Florence?" I forced a smile, swallowing the lump forming in my throat. "Just back to the cabin," I offered, already turning towards the door. Layla's eyes widened, blocking my path. "Back to the cabin? Are you crazy? You can't leave without Nicholas's permission. You did it one time the other day and let’s say the Alpha was a little annoy
A few hours later……. Nicholas’s POV ‘Truth hurts,’ they said, but it can also be terrifying and infuriating to the point where you want to hurt someone you never knew you could. The presence of Samantha standing before me again encompasses all of it. I am disappointed and hurt, but also horrified and angry after Florence revealed everything. Not only that, but my trusted man—Isaac already reported to me that Olga had already confessed that Samantha ordered her to talk to Florence. I already ordered Olga to be prohibited from stepping foot inside my estate again. To think that Agares mentioned her as the one who suggested Florence as his "present" that night. Honestly, death should be her punishment. "Nicholas," she started, her voice laced with fear, "what do you want to say? I-it's already late." I took a deep breath, my heart thudding against my ribs like a trapped bird as I faced the window, observing the night sky. I need something to hold onto my sanity. I drank t
Florence's POV The movie screen bathed us in a warm glow, popcorn kernels raining down on our laps. We sprawled on Nicholas's velvety couch, watching a random comedy movie. Earlier, I had been reading a book in his bedroom when he appeared at the door, carrying a bowl of popcorn and asking if I wanted to watch a movie. Five days had passed since the incident. Everything seemed to have returned to normal for everyone else, but not for me. I tried talking to Nicholas about returning to the cabin and working again at the flower shop, but he refused. He even accompanied me in discussing my resignation with the owners of the flower shop and Sammy. Honestly, the care he showed was something I appreciated and was happy about, but I was starting to get concerned because I had secrets. I knew that when he learned about it, my heart would shatter into pieces. The revelations I had learned in the past days still lingered in my mind, never leaving for a second, and the heaviness of guilt i
Before I could even form a response, a series of loud thumps and frantic barking erupted from outside. We both snapped our heads to the door of the theater room. The room was soundproof, so I couldn't clearly understand the shouting and yelling. Nicholas’s jaw tightened as if he already knew who was outside causing the commotion. "Stay here," he ordered, his voice clipped. "Wait!" I grabbed his arm, "I'm not staying put." He hesitated, his gaze softening for a moment. "Stay here, Florence, please…" he said, his voice gruff but laced with concern. I reluctantly nodded, “O-okay.” Then, with that he left the room, leaving me alone. Part of me was so uneasy that I began pacing in my place, biting my nails. “Argh” I grumbled and went to the door. Using my werewolf hearing, I tried my best to focus on the conversation outside. An uneasy feeling sank into my stomach when I heard an eerily familiar. "You will answer for this betrayal, Alpha! You break your promise, toy
Nicholas’s POV The air crackled with energy that buzzed right through me. It wasn't my own, though. Mine simmered low, a slow burn fueled by nervous excitement and a simmering pride. No, the nervous energy radiating like heat waves originated from the room itself, a collective held their breath as the music swelled and the double doors at the far end of the aisle creaked open. There she was. Lily. No, Florence. Not quite. Today, she was a vision in white, a goddess emerging from the sunlight streaming through the stained-glass windows. The years hadn't touched her, not a single cruel line etched onto that face that had haunted my dreams for so long. She is still that beautiful being in my eyes with her dark blonde hair and hazel eyes that were sparkling brightly at the moment. She was wearing a white gown and a white veil on her head while her hand was clasped on a bouquet made of Lily of the Valleys. I noticed a nervous tremor in the hand that gripped Percival's arm as his, a
The salty breeze ruffled the pages of my book as I leaned back in the wicker chair, the sun already hidden, painting the sky with a darkness filled with stars. A contented sigh escaped my lips. It’s already been six months since Nicholas and I started over again which means dating for real like a normal couple. Both of us pushed our work stuff and it was one of the best decisions I made. Six months of travel, dates, adventures, and laughter-filled days. We'd tried everything from visiting ancient ruins in Greece to white-water rafting in New Zealand. Right now, we are in one of Nicholas's owned islands, perched beside me on the balcony of his secluded beach house, absorbed in his own book, a glass of amber whiskey swirling in his hand. I set my book down with a soft thud, the sound breaking the comfortable silence. "So, Nicholas," I began, his blue eyes locking onto mine as he glanced up. I directly asked the question that popped into my head, "Why are we still mates?" Surpris
Soon after, the night had fallen, painting the sky a canvas of inky blue dotted with a million shimmering stars. Dressed in a stylish, midnight-hued dress that clung to my curves in all the right places, I emerged from the bathroom. A gasp escaped Charlotte's lips, and even Sara, usually so composed, let out a surprised whistle. "Wow, Lils," Charlotte breathed, her eyes wide with admiration. "You look incredible!" Sara, her phone clutched in her hand, held it up to my face. On the screen, a video call connected me to the familiar faces of Percival, Quinn, and his husband. "Hey guys!" I greeted them, my voice filled with a genuine smile. "There she is!” Quinn exclaimed, his booming laugh filling the room. “Hey, kiddo" boomed Percival's voice, "Our own famous artist" Quinn chimed in, "You look stunning, honey! We can't wait to see you smash this exhibition!" His husband, a kind-looking man with warm brown eyes, offered a shy smile and a wave. "Good luck," he mouthed si
6 years later….. My fingers traced the worn frame of the photograph hanging on the plain white wall. A simple black-and-white capture: a lone tree silhouetted against a fiery sunset, its branches reaching out like gnarled fingers. It evoked emotions that felt like a lifetime ago, not the picture itself. "Just making sure, Lily," a soft voice broke through my reverie. "Tomorrow's the big day, you know. Your fifth exhibition and your first appearance." I chuckled, glancing to my left. A beautiful woman stood beside me. Her closely cropped hair, a riot of ebony curls, framed a face that, though small, held a radiant warmth. Her skin, a rich, warm brown, seemed to glow with an inner light. "Tenth time this week, wouldn't you say?" I asked. She grinned, a flash of white against her warm brown skin. "Maybe. But this is different. People are buzzing about you, Lily. The mysterious artist finally makes an appearance after four years." My gaze swept across the gallery, taking in
Keith let out a cruel laugh. "I used all my strongest rogues to deal with the Lycans," he said, his voice dripping with satisfaction. "And your dear Nicholas... Well, let's just say he put up a good fight. The man was a monster indeed. His regenerating ability was remarkable" My gaze fell upon the jacket he wore, a small device embedded in one of the pockets like a dark eye staring back at me. "Is that the button?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. My eyes seem lifeless. Keith raised an eyebrow, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. He nodded curtly. "The button for the chips in the rogues? Yes. One press, and they all die a quick, painless death. Useful to threaten them to do something" My face was cold and unreadable as I turned to him, watching him light his cigarette. “Want some?” he offered. I reached for the cigarette he offered, lighting it. As I inhaled, a single thought echoed in my mind: everything had to end. “You know you need to cooperate with t
Seizing the opportunity, I turned and ran, deeper into the dense darkness of the forest to the clearing. I can see it. I had made a choice, a terrible one that left me torn between self-preservation and the agonizing cost it had come at. But as I ran, I couldn't shake the image of Nicholas, wounded, facing the wrath of the rogues because of me. The burden of that decision would be a heavy one to bear, one that I knew I would bring to my death. Suddenly, a blur of fur shot out from my peripheral vision. I snapped my head around just in time to see another rogue, its red eyes zeroing in on me. I reached for the gun. But my hand met only empty air. “Huh, of course it is gone” I scoffed in annoyance. I flung myself aside, barely avoiding the snapping jaws of the beast. But the momentum of my dodge carried me off balance, sending me tumbling to the ground. As I lay there, sprawled, the rogue loomed above, its fetid breath washing over me. An instinct older than thought, deepe
A glance in the rearview mirror confirmed five wolves, their sleek fur gleaming in the daylight, chased after me, led by the imposing figure of the black wolf. He was larger and faster than the rest, impossibly so, but I couldn't stop. They were so fast that our distance was just so small. “What the f*ck?”I cursed. Suddenly, the walkie-talkie crackled inside the car came to life, a very familiar voice cutting through the sound of the engine. I know it belongs to Keith Caldwell. "Hurry! Meet me at the cliff. I've set the GPS coordinates. I know you can hear me Florence. Hurry, if you want to finally escape and save your pack. It's just right as you are their Luna” I gritted my teeth. I am not surprised he already knew that Nicholas and I were mates. Taking deep breaths to regulate my emotions, I glanced at the GPS, memorizing the route, then opened the glove compartment seeing a grenade and a tear gas grenade. Without hesitation, I grabbed the tear gas grenade. “We should
With a shriek of pain, my mother staggered back, releasing her hold. I gasped for air, collapsing onto the forest floor. As my vision cleared, I saw my mother clutching her face, a crimson stain blooming across her fingers. "How… How did you find me?" I rasped, my voice hoarse from lack of oxygen. "Olga," she spat, her voice laced with venom. "Keith and I made a deal. I’ll help him get the rogues in the borders in exchange for… getting rid of you." The revelation made my stomach churn. My mother had orchestrated my capture, colluding with the very threat she swore to protect the pack from. "I even gave her guard schedules," my mother continued, her voice dripping with vindictive satisfaction, "making sure the rogues wouldn't be stopped at the borders long enough… for you to be… eliminated. But I hate their plan. Keith wanted you alive but I wanted you gone so the attack was merely an excuse for me to kill you" My mind reeled. The woman who had birthed me, the woman who had
I was shaking in anger as I asked, “Why are you doing this?” Olga just shrugged and a sadistic gaze glowed in her black and gold eyes, “Simply because I wanted for the line of the Lycans to end. We are living too long” I hold myself back from killing her. I still need her to find the way out. No matter how I wanted to help up there, I could only be of help to them if I killed Keith and got out of their lives. After all, everything happened because of me. “Enough chit-chat. Let's move now” Olga said. The urgency tightened its grip on my heart. I followed her silently, my steps light and quick trying my hardest to ignore the loud footsteps above and screams. After countless turns and twists, the staircase ended in a narrow tunnel. Without hesitation, we crawled through the cramped passage, the damp earth brushing against my skin. I was a little frustrated since Olga moved a little slower and honestly I am more concerned with how she was short of breath. Finally, after what