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
Soon after, the tour ended and I went to my office. The air in the castle felt tense, and I needed to address the unsettling situation. Concerned about the safety of my pack, I asked, "Are all council members in their rooms?" Clifford replied, "Some are in the Grand Recreation Hall, Alpha." "Keep a watchful eye on every corner of the castle and the entire territory. I don't trust those people" "Understood, Alpha” I clasped my hands, adding, “Also, please bring Samantha to me.” He nodded, stepping outside my office. There was a pressing need for a conversation with her. Turning to Isaac, I issued another command, "Go to the kitchen. Remove all nut ingredients and find out who prepared Florence's meal earlier." Isaac bowed at me before stepping outside as well, leaving me alone in my thoughts. I badly wanted to take a wink of sleep but the possible threats to my pack, especially that my foes were inside my territory, stopped me from closing my eyes. …… Soon after,
Florence's POV I blinked, the moonlight cutting through the room. My surroundings felt unfamiliar, and it took a moment for my groggy brain to register that I was in Nicholas's bedroom. How did I end up here? ‘You fainted after your allergy attack, remember?’ Nasya replied inside my head. Right, just a few hours ago, my throat had constricted, and my lungs burned, during the tense meeting with the council. I started piecing together the fragments of my memory, grateful to Nicholas for ensuring I was still breathing. A glance confirmed my suspicions. This was Nicholas's bedroom, grand and masculine, with the faint scent of cedarwood and leather wafting through the air. A knock on the door drew my attention. It creaked open, revealing Layla with a tray laden with steaming cups and a bowl of porridge. Her sparkling dark green clothes made me frown. "Hi, you finally decided to join the land of the living!" Layla quipped, placing the tray on the bedside table. I couldn't help bu
We navigated through the crowd, and as we passed Samantha, I felt the intensity of her gaze burning into my back. Turning my attention back to Nicholas, who had excused himself from the council members and was now heading in my direction. The concern etched in his brow deepened, and I braced myself for his questions. As Layla and I approached Nicholas, a group of older council members blocked our path. Their grins were more unsettling than reassuring. "Ah, Florence! You look positively radiant tonight," one of them exclaimed, his voice dripping with exaggerated charm that set my teeth on edge. I mustered a polite smile, masking my discomfort. "Thank you, it's kind of you to say so." Layla, standing protectively by my side, shot them a warning glance. "Gentlemen, let's not keep the lady from her destination. She has a host to meet." However, they persisted, showering compliments and attempting to engage us in trivial conversation. Each word felt like a chore to endure.
We danced slowly, our movements synchronized with the beat of the song. His strong hands rested on my waist while mine found their place on his shoulder. He was so tall that I could only reach his chest. As we swayed to the slow music, Nicholas broke the silence with a question, "Is there anything you want, Florence? Perhaps a gift?" I looked up at him, surprised to find him already watching me. Holding his gaze, I smirked. "A gift for what?" He shrugged. "Um... for earlier." I nodded, holding back my smile, "Anything?" "Yeah, anything." "Alright..." I pondered for a moment, recalling past extravagant gifts that had remained unused. Wanting something different, I suggested, "How about a simple date? Just one day where we can enjoy each other's company." Nicholas appeared momentarily taken aback, his eyes reflecting surprise as he processed my request. Before he could respond, Samantha appeared out of nowhere, interrupting our dance. We both stopped, looking at her.
I downed the last of my drink in one gulp, the liquid fire providing a burst of determination. Leaving the balcony behind, I scanned the crowded hall for Layla's familiar figure, but she seemed to have vanished into the sea of faces. As I made my way to the hall's main door, I exchanged pleasantries with those who greeted me. Approaching the door, our eyes locked – Nicholas's and mine – until the moment was quickly interrupted by the council members vying for his attention. The guards on the door bowed at me and I just smiled at them as I walked down the hallway. Moving through the corridor, the echoes of the party faded into the distance until I reached a guest room. Standing in front of the guest room door, I hesitated, sensing an eerie stillness in the dimly lit corridor. Everything felt odd, confirming my suspicions of a trap. Closing my eyes for a moment, I utilized my shifter ability, focusing on sensing the faint presence of three people inside the room. Taking a stea
A few moments ago…… Nicholas's POV "I can't believe he would do that." "Alpha Jason looks to be a responsible leader. It is such a waste" someone murmured nearby, their words barely registering as I felt an insistent pull, an inexplicable urge to find Florence. My thoughts were consumed by the need to see her. Something felt amiss, and a growing concern for her gnawed at me, and at my beast—Berion. "Excuse me," I casually said, trying to hide the concern growing within me. "Is everything okay, Alpha King?" one of them asked. "Yes, I just need to do something," I replied, turning around and walking away from the group. Excusing myself, the council members exchanged curious glances. Navigating through the lively crowd, I searched for Florence, the tension in my nerves mounting with every passing moment. The sea of faces blurred, but there was no sign of her, and my worry deepened. Approaching Layla and Clifford, I didn't waste time asking, "Have any of you seen Flor
Nicholas POV I stormed into the dance hall, fury raging within me, with Clifford standing guard behind me. My suit jacket was gone, leaving only a white polo stained with scattered blood. In my clenched fist, I held the severed head of the man who had dared to lay a hand on Florence. The music abruptly halted, and a heavy silence descended as all eyes turned towards me. Some covered their mouths in shock at the gruesome sight. A voice dared to speak up, questioning, "Alpha, what's happening? Why—" I silenced them with a menacing growl, "Silence!" My gaze swept across the room, locking onto each individual with a piercing intensity. "This man, Mr. Agares—a member of the Werewolf Council," I raised the severed head for all to witness, "attempted to harm my woman. That is a crime against the pack, and I won't tolerate it." Gasps and murmurs rippled through the crowd as the weight of the situation sank in. I continued, "He attempted to harm someone under my protecti
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