My anger simmered, mingling with a sense of disappointment. I had trusted Simon to carry out his duty, to keep watch over Florence and ensure her confinement. And yet, he had failed me. "You don't know who that woman is. The Alpha will kill us all" I snarled. Simon's face turned pale. The fear in his eyes was palpable, a stark reminder of the consequences of failure. "I... I understand, Beta Clifford. I will accept whatever punishment you deem fit," Simon whispered, his voice barely audible. “Oh, it is not me who will set the punishment. It was the Alpha” I swiftly rose from my seat and left my office, the urgency of the situation pulsing through my veins. Through the mindlink, I gave out an order. ‘Gather the search party! I want every available pack member on high alert. We need to find a woman that escaped not too long ago and bring her back, no matter the cost!’ I heard my pack members spring into action. I descended the stairs, my footsteps echoing with authority, until I r
Florence My heart skipped a beat as I froze in my tracks. The echoes of paws and footsteps reverberated through the air, growing louder with each passing second. Panic surged within me. “What the hell was that?” I swiftly scanned my surroundings, searching for a possible hiding spot or an escape route. With bated breath, I raced deeper into the forest, my eyes shifting between the path ahead and the looming darkness behind me. The moonlight filtered through the canopy above, casting ethereal beams of light that guided my way. Every muscle in my body coiled with tension. I moved with a fluidity born of instinct and survival. Using my enhanced vision, I navigated through the maze of trees, avoiding branches with an uncanny grace. With each passing moment, the sounds of paws faded into the distance. I took a moment to catch my breath. All of a sudden, the once-quiet forest came alive with the rhythmic thud of heavy footfalls, drawing nearer and faster. Echoing through the trees, th
Despite the exhaustion that seeped into my bones and the warm trickle of blood staining my clothes, I pressed on. I could feel my energy waning, my body yearning for rest, but the urgency of my escape pushed me forward.Every breath was a battle, my lungs burning with exertion. The pain in my leg and arm radiated with each stride. My surroundings became a blur as I sprinted through the dense forest. The rhythmic pounding of my heartbeat echoed in my ears, driving me to new heights of endurance.Branches whipped against my skin, leaving stinging trails in their wake, but I ignored them. My vision narrowed, and my focus honed on the singular goal of escape. Sweat mixed with blood on my brow, my body trembling with the strain of exertion.Heart pounding in my chest, I cast a qu
With a final, lingering glance at Clifford, I turned my back to him and faced the vast expanse before me."Stop right there, Florence!" Clifford's voice echoed behind me, a warning laced with desperation followed by a sound of rhythm of footsteps, running towards me.Turning my head just enough to catch a glimpse of him, I winked at him with a smile on my face, "Sorry, but I don't take orders from anyone."And then, with a deep breath, I stepped off the edge, plunging into the unknown.As I soared through the air, defying gravity for a fleeting moment, my gaze locked with Clifford's piercing eyes. In that split second, I saw a flicker of surprise and something else I couldn't quite decipher. But be
When I noticed the sky was getting brighter, I groaned in irritation because it meant it was already dawn. I felt a sense of urgency and a tinge of frustration as time appeared to slip through my fingers. How could the hours have passed so quickly? With a slow exhale, I willed myself to shift back into my human form, the familiar sensation of bones shifting and muscles realigning washing over me. As the fur faded, I stood on two legs once more, feeling the weight of my humanity settle upon me. Though I was no longer in my wolf form, I couldn't shake off the remnants of weariness that clung to my limbs. The physical toll of my escape had taken its toll, leaving me feeling weak and drained. With a determined shake of my head, I pushed aside my frustrations and focused on the task at hand. I hurriedly dressed myself, slipping into my worn-out clothes with practiced ease. My movements were sluggish. Each garment clung to my tired body. “I thought we would heal for a few hours” I gru
The dining room felt suffocatingly quiet as I sat across from Nicholas, our silence echoing louder than words. The guard's escort had led me here. Two days have passed since my failed escape. And I was locked the whole time in a room within this foreboding estate.Suddenly, he broke the silence as he put the glass of wine on the table, looking at me, “I hope you made a lot of reflection in two days of being locked in your room”I gazed at Nicholas, frustration boiling beneath my skin like molten lava. "You must understand," he continued, "Attempting another escape will only lead to more consequences."I clenched my fists, "Consequences? What more could you possibly do to me?" My voice dripped with disdain.Nicholas's jaw tensed, "Circumstances demand a certain course of action."I glared daggers at Nicholas, my frustration boiling over. "Why are you doing this to me? We should have rejected each other from the start!"He stayed silent, which only made me angrier. "Say something!" I y
It’s been a week, and I've been pouring my energy into fixing up this old cabin, determined to make it more livable. The place had a rustic charm, but I was aiming to spruce it up and bring some life back into its worn-out insides.First things first, I tackled the mess—cleaning off years of cobwebs. Bit by bit, I wiped down surfaces, scrubbed floors, and let some fresh air into the rooms. The kitchen needed a lot of work. I sorted out the cabinets, spruced up the old countertops with a fresh coat of paint, and finally managed to clean most of the stubborn rust stains in the sink. In the living room, I rearranged the furniture to make the most of the space. I paid special attention to the fireplace. After clearing out the ashes, I stacked some wood nearby, to use on chilly nights.The bedroom got a makeover too. I swapped out the old linens for fresh sheets, adding a cozy vibe to the place. I threw in a few personal touches, like a rug and some decorations. I was really busy chopping
NicholasAs I sat in my office, engrossed in the stacks of paperwork, Clifford, one of my trusted aides, barged in without warning. His sudden entrance disrupted the quiet focus I had on the documents before me."Alpha, Samantha is coming back," Clifford announced, sounding concerned.The mention of Samantha’s comeback made me pause. I let out a weary sigh, feeling frustrated, worried, and overwhelmingly tired. "You should take a break, Alpha. You've been stuck in here for a whole week," Clifford suggested.His words hit home. I hadn't left this office, swamped by pack duties and never-ending paperwork. The lack of a break had worn me out, leaving me physically and mentally exhausted. I knew I needed rest, but thoughts of her crept into my mind — Florence, my mate. I'd deliberately kept my distance, pretending not to care. But deep down, she occupied more space in my thoughts than I admitted.I'd sent men to watch over her from a distance, hoping she'd return for supplies or seek my
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