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
I tried to open my mouth to explain, but before I could, the loud echo of Layla's slap resonated in the air. The force made my head turn to the side, and I stumbled backward. It stung, but it couldn't match the pain in my heart right now. “HOW DARE YOU LIE TO US?! YOU'RE THE ONE WHO KILLED BARON! YOU F*CKING PSYCHO SPY!” she screamed, about to slap me a second time, but Gayle interrupted and pulled her away. “Calm the heck down, Layla,” Gayle scolded. “How could I when the murderer of Baron was with us! How could I when the woman I treated as my sister was lying to all of us from the start!” I raised my head, biting my lip so hard I could taste my blood, trying to stop my tears. I attempted to reach Layla, but Clifford blocked me, his eyes blazing in silent fury. “Don't think about it,” he spat, his hand balled into a fist. “Don’t try.” My mother chimed in with a mocking tone, “So, Alpha, what are you going to do now—” "Leave us," Nicholas said, his voice strained and
I was breathing hard, overwhelmed by the emotions flooding through me. I just wanted to stop and cry myself to sleep. “Yes, I will not deny who I am. I am… the daughter of the mad rogue and a Lycan—a hybrid. I am Veilos or Makayla Ellis. I am the same person. I am a spy who gathers information. I am the wanted woman you are hunting. I am that person,” I clenched my fist so hard my nails dug into my palms, “But I didn't kill Baron.” He shook his head, “you do.” “I don't! Yes, I was ordered to spy on the MadCrest Pride. I went there alone only to find the other dead bodies of the Lycan on the floor. I met a man who asked me if I was Veilios. He was the one who told me that the rogues were after me. Before we realized this, the rogues started hunting me and…” my lips trembled at the memory, “We fought so hard but there were too many, and the building began burning.” Tears continued to roll down my cheeks as I recounted the moment. "He saved me. His wolf resurfaced, and I felt h
The next night….. Nicholas’s POV The ashtray overflowed with cigarette butts, each a testament to the sleepless night I'd just endured. The air was thick with the acrid stench of smoke. Empty whiskey bottles stood on the desk, no use for numbing the pain in my heart. “F*ck” A curse sprang to my lips. This soul-crushing agony was unlike anything I'd ever known. I'd gladly endure a physical wound over this. My wolf, Berion, had remained silent throughout the day, but I'd felt his howl of anguish the moment the truth pierced our ears. One thing was certain: coming to terms with our mate being the very spy we hunted was a struggle we both faced. A harsh rap on the door shattered the silence, snapping me from my thoughts. Before I could even bark an order to enter, the door creaked open, revealing a sight that only added to my frustration. "I'm not in the mood for visitors," I stated curtly, downing another shot of alcohol. Politeness had worn thin. Sarah, Samantha's mothe
Another, sharper slap sent tears streaming down my face. "I did everything for you, Samantha! I gave you everything, and this is how you repay me? By throwing away your future?" "What future, Mom?" I cried. "There was no future the moment he found his mate! There was no future the moment I betrayed him." "Don't you grasp the situation? His mate couldn't be Luna—she was branded a criminal as a spy!" A bitter laugh escaped my lips. How utterly hypocritical I was. While I'd harbored the desire for Florence's demise, learning she was both Nicholas' mate and, to my immense shame, my stepsister, flipped my world upside down. I'd known of a stepsibling, but Florence never crossed my mind. "Aren't you ashamed of yourself, Mom?" "What is there to be ashamed of?" "You abandoned your own child," My mother shook her head dismissively, "We've already discussed this. She is not my child. Forget everything and just accept—" My voice trembled as I interrupted, "You're to blame