The next morning…. Layla’s POV The day hung thick with tension as we awaited the impending arrival of the werewolf council. The atmosphere, as usual, was heavy, and our warriors stood on high alert, guarding the pack’s premises. The mindlink was open, ready for any potential breach on our territory—a necessity when dealing with half of the council members, trust being a rare commodity. Positioned at the castle entrance with Isaac by my side, our task was to lead the council members to the meeting hall. Adorned in a dark violet long-sleeved dress that gracefully reached my ankles and paired with killer black heels, I exuded a royal aura—well, duh, I am. My hair was neatly arranged in a bun, and I tried to maintain a bright smile, despite the somber occasion. The distant hum of nearly 30 SUVs approaching reached my ears, and I watched them park with a keen eye, mentally preparing myself. Nicholas was fortunate to have someone as sociable as me. Speaking of our Alpha, he and Cl
Layla's POV Nicholas took a deep breath and the smiling aura he had earlier transformed into a serious demeanor. Even I felt that shiver of fear on my skin. He was really intimidating when he wore his alpha king crown. "Ladies and gentlemen, it has come to my attention that some packs within the council have been abusing their power and displaying irresponsible behavior." His words caused a collective gasp and shocked expressions across the room. Before anyone could fully process what was happening, a member interrupted. "Wait a minute! That wasn't what we planned to discuss today!" Nicholas raised an eyebrow, "I never announced a specific agenda for today's meeting. As Council members, we should prioritize matters crucial for our unity and strength. If there are issues, they need to be addressed first," his eyes scanned the room. A hushed silence settled in the room as Nicholas continued, "We're here not just as separate entities but as a unified community. We need to e
Layla’s POV As a member addressed the council, I noticed Nicholas's gaze shifting toward the door. His frown deepened. My attention followed him, and I sensed someone approaching the hall. Isaac glanced at me, and both of us knew who was coming. Before we could take a step forward, the room fell silent. My eyes widened as Samantha pushed the door open, adorned in a pink formal dress, sauntering in like she owned the place. The collective attention of the room shifted from the ongoing discussion to her sudden entrance. I shot a look at her, attempting to communicate through the mindlink, but she blocked it. ‘What on earth is she doing? Has she gone insane?!’ I mindlinked Isaac. ‘How the hell would I know?’ he replied. Attempting to salvage the situation, I made my way toward her. But before I could speak, Nicholas beat me to it. "Samantha," he said, his tone measured, "We're in the middle of a council meeting." With a sweet smile seemingly oblivious to the room's coll
Florence’s POV I sat on the edge of the bed, nursing a glass of water after swallowing the bitter medicine. It looks like me playing in the rain last night was not a good choice. The fever left me fatigued and achy, providing a convenient excuse to avoid the castle and the impending council meeting, an event I had been dreading. The muffled sounds of arriving vehicles outside signaled the presence of the werewolf council. The thought of facing them, especially in my weakened state, made my stomach churn. My head was throbbing slightly, but the real battle was against the weariness that seemed to seep into every inch of my body. The medicine was supposed to help, but its effects were slow to manifest. I closed my eyes, attempting to shut out the world beyond my room. “Dammit,” I grumbled. I tried to rest my eyes, but today seemed to be particularly unlucky as a loud noise disrupted my reprieve. “FLORENCE! FLORENCE! PLEASE OPEN THE DOOR!” With a slow, almost reluctant mo
My eyes caught Samantha looking annoyed for some unknown reason. Isaac guided me to the right of Nicholas, smoothly pulling out a chair for me to take a seat. "You're absolutely stunning," a woman exclaimed, admiration evident in her voice. "Alpha Nicholas is a lucky man to have you by his side," "I always knew our Alpha had exceptional taste, but this... this is another level," another member added, nodding appreciatively. The compliments continued to flow. Some sounded genuine, but others were not, especially when the subtle gazes of some focused on my too-revealing dress. I gave them a fake laugh, softly saying, "Beauty's just a bonus; brains are my real asset. I think that’s why Alpha Nicholas chose me." I glanced at Nicholas with a small smile, hearing him sigh in relief beside me. I think I am too soft on him because when I felt that he suddenly felt less tense, I was happy that I could help him in some way. “We apologize for calling you so suddenly,” a kind-lo
I looked away and I was about to take another sip of my wine when Nicholas discreetly moved my wine glass without looking at me and gestured to the water. I couldn't help but wonder if he somehow knew about my fever. "Council, I want you to look at the screen," Nicholas demanded. In a snap, a picture of a burned land flashes on the screen. Everyone looked at the screen. I looked away, not liking the horrible image knowing that most of it was dead bodies. "Last month, we received disturbing information about the Swiftmane Pack. The entire pack was wiped out, and the whole place was burned to erase any evidence. It's a massacre. It is not a secret that the Swiftmane Pack had been distancing themselves from us. I tried sending my men last year when we received reports of pack members disappearing, but the alpha refused to cooperate. We didn't get any updates, reports, or calls from them for years. It was a silent disaster waiting to happen." "Why wasn't any help sent in sooner
After almost an hour, Nicholas finally concluded the meeting, "Thank you all for your time. We'll reconvene if necessary." He turned to the council, "Now, let's enjoy our lunch." Layla nodded to the women in suits, and they all went to the council, taking the black folders. Then maids came, bringing in the food. “Thanks," I whispered to the maid who put my plate in front of me. She simply smiled and politely left the hall. However, when I looked at my plate, I just wanted to facepalm since it was filled with an assortment of nuts, unlike the others who had a variety of dishes. I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. Shit. Talk about being unlucky! Nicholas, in conversation with Clifford, was interrupted by Samantha. "Is there something wrong?" she innocently said. But it was easy to spot the happy expression in her eyes while looking at my plate. Don't tell me this b*tch…… Nicholas glanced at me, and then his expression turned into a frown at my plate loaded with nuts.
In a haze, I felt the motion of Nicholas running. I struggled to comprehend his words as the lack of air overwhelmed me. I could feel and hear his heartbeat, loud and fast. Was he scared? “Please, just a little more. Open your eyes, baby. Come on, baby. You're going to be okay. Just breathe." Suddenly, as if in a blur, we were in his room. I managed to hear him shouting at someone inside the room. “Evelyn, please help her!” Nicholas gently placed me on the bed, cradling me against his chest. I felt a sharp prick on my arm as someone injected me with something. The room echoed with faint voices, assuring that the medicine would take effect soon. Nicholas gently settled me on the bed, cradling me against his chest. A sharp prick on my arm signaled an injection, and faint voices echoed in the room, assuring that the medicine would take effect soon. "The medicine should take effect soon. She will be fine, Alpha,” reassured a voice. “Are you sure? But why the f*ck is she n
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