BastienI pull up to Niko’s sprawling estate, the sun dipping below the horizon, casting long shadows across the grounds. As I step out of the car, my boots crunch on the gravel, and I take a deep breath, bracing myself for the night ahead. There’s work to be done, plans to be made, and a sense of urgency that has settled deep in my bones.I enter the house, the familiar scent of aged wood and history greeting me. There’s an undercurrent of tension in the air, a silent acknowledgment of the stakes at play. I make my way through the hallways, my steps measured, my senses alert.As soon as I get outside to the back garden, I see Niko’s wife sitting with a few other women I’m guessing are the Gamma brides. I’m actually quite taken aback at how content they all look, given that they’re all here because of arranged marriages. I walk out to greet them and see the surprise on their faces as they see me. Their eyes flit from me to behind me and when I turn around, I see my brother.“I was w
AnyaI slowly open my eyes and the first thing I feel is a hard body pressed against my back, warm breath tickling the nape of my neck. A contented smile plays on my lips, and I can’t help but feel a surge of warmth.Bastien’s home.He stirs, and I feel the shift in his arm around my waist as he pulls me even closer. “Morning, baby,” he mumbles, his voice a low, gravelly murmur that sends a delightful shiver down my spine.“Morning,” I reply, my voice a soft whisper. I turn to face him, and the moment our eyes meet, a shared understanding passes between us. The events of the past few days, the unspoken questions, and the looming uncertainties are momentarily set aside. In this quiet morning, it’s just us.Bastien leans in, his lips brushing against mine in a sweet, lingering kiss. “Sleep well?” he asks, his fingers tracing absent patterns on my shoulder.“Mm-hmm, like a baby,” I reply, a playful twinkle in my eyes. He grins, and I can’t help but marvel at the way his green eyes light
Bastien The air in the room thickens as Anya’s admission hangs between us. She takes a deep breath, and her words cut through the silence with a weight I hadn’t anticipated. “I’ve been hiding something from you,” she confesses, her voice laced with a mixture of fear and regret. She meets my gaze, her eyes searching for a reaction. I raise an eyebrow, urging her to continue, though a part of me already senses the storm brewing beneath the surface. “My full name is Anya Popov,” she reveals, each syllable landing like a lead weight in the room. The name echoes in my mind, sending ripples of anger and betrayal through me. Popov—a name synonymous with pain, vengeance, and the twisted fate that led me to this point. Niko suspected this, I have to get her DNA to prove it, for fuck’s sake and here she is… spilling her guts. “Why didn’t you tell me this before?” I demand, my voice a low, controlled growl. Anya takes a step back, her eyes wide with trepidation. “I... I kept it hidden beca
BastienThe next day arrives with the heavy burden of betrayal clinging to the air. I awake to the cold realization that everything has changed. Anya, once someone who I came to love, now stands exposed as a pawn in a game I never wanted to play.As I step into my office, the residue of last night’s anger still lingering, Anya approaches me tentatively. Her eyes, once brimming with affection, now hold a desperate plea for understanding.“Bastien, please,” she implores, her voice cracking with emotion. “I never wanted to hurt you, I… didn’t think this through, I never expected to fall in love with you.”Her words, once a soothing melody, now grate against the walls of my resolve. I meet her gaze with a stony expression, a wall built to shield my wounded heart.“Save your declarations for your father,” I reply, my tone icy and devoid of the warmth she once reveled in. “I’m sure he’ll be calling soon.”Anya’s eyes widen with a mix of fear and desperation. “Bastien, you can’t do this. I c
Anya The aftermath of the call with my father leaves me feeling hollow, like a marionette with severed strings. Bastien’s cold detachment reverberates through the room, and the warmth we once shared seems like a distant memory. The man I thought I knew has become a stranger, a master puppeteer manipulating the threads of this intricate game. I stare at the closed door, the echo of his disdainful words lingering in the air. “Good girl, Anya. You’ve played your part well.” The weight of those words settles in my chest, a heavy burden that threatens to suffocate me. As the minutes stretch into an eternity, I find myself alone in this luxurious but suffocating penthouse. The silence is deafening, broken only by the distant sounds of the city outside. A city that once held the promise of freedom and escape, now a labyrinth of betrayal and consequences. I move to the large window, gazing out at the glittering lights of Las Vegas. The city that never sleeps, much like the turmoil in m
Bastien“Why don’t you just do to me what my father did to your wife? Since we’re all just different sides of the same fucked-up coin, Bastien. Why not call it even that way?”The words linger in the air like a toxic residue. Her audacity stings, each syllable a sharp reminder of the twisted game we’re entangled in. I’m not her father, I’m not Ivan Popov, and the mere suggestion that I could stoop to the level of that monster sends a surge of anger through me.I pace the room, my fists clenched, cursing myself for allowing her into my life. How did I let it get to this fucked up point? How did I fall for the daughter of the man who tore apart everything I held dear? It’s a cruel irony, a mockery of the justice I sought.The truth is, deep down, I understand why she lied. She was terrified of what would happen, and she came clean herself. She’s an unwilling pawn in her father’s game, given to me knowing I would save her from that auction. But she quickly switched on her father for me,
AnyaMy heart leaps into my chest as I hear the sounds of gunshots not far off and I leap to my feet. A sliver of fear pierces my heart because I know for certain that this has to be my father attacking; it’s the only thing that makes sense.“Get to the bedroom,” Bastien orders me and when my head snaps toward him, I can see the tension rippling off his body so I immediately obey. Without hesitation, I leap to my feet, the chair scraping against the floor in my haste.I dart towards the bedroom, my movements fueled by a primal instinct for self-preservation. Bastien follows closely behind, his presence a solid reassurance in the midst of the escalating turmoil.The sounds of gunfire intensify, each shot a visceral reminder of the imminent threat that looms outside this bedroom. The door slams shut behind us, and I turn to Bastien, searching for answers in the lines of his determined face.“Is this my father?” I ask, already knowing the answer.Bastien doesn’t waste words; instead, he
BastienAnya lies wounded, caught in the crossfire of a war not of her making. My fists clench as I watch Ivan lean down to stroke her hair, the man who orchestrated this chaos and shot his own daughter. A surge of conflicting emotions swirls within me, torn between the desire to protect her and the realization that she doesn’t belong with me. The rooftop is silent now, the only thing I can hear is Anya’s strained breathing.He looks down at her and chuckles, and something tells me the reason he shot her was to fucking protect himself … So he can get away quicker. I expected him to be up here, but I didn't fucking think he'd stoop this low.“Get her to safety, Popov, preferably before she dies and you’re no longer able to use her as a tool,” I grit my teeth, my words laced with a bitter acceptance of the situation.Ivan smirks, the arrogance radiating from him. “This is far from over and you know it. You got what you deserved, and I got what I came for.”His words cut through me, lea
BastienI look over the estate that’s become more than just a piece of land to me. It’s a symbol of everything I’ve fought for, everything I’ve won and lost. The air’s cool and crisp, the kind that reminds you you’re alive. Standing on the balcony, I watch the night settle over the estate. The transformation of this place, of my life, still catches me off guard sometimes. It’s like the Goddess herself scripted this crazy turn of events.I can’t help but think about the twisted road that led us here. Losing my first mate, then finding Anya, it’s a hell of a story. Anya, brought onto that auction stage by her bastard of a father, in a place where she should’ve never been. I didn’t even blink before stepping in to save her. It was like some primal part of me roared to life, demanding I protect her. And now, looking back, it’s clear as day – she was meant to be in my life.Anya’s decision to become a shifter hits me again as I stand here. She’s tough, doesn’t back down from anything. Th
AnyaSeveral months have passed since the night Bastien proposed to me under the cherry tree, and our lives have been a whirlwind of change and growth. The estate has transformed into a haven of love and family. Today, as I stand on the balcony with Mia, my gaze is fixed on Bastien and Niko playing in the garden with their sons. Their laughter and joyous shouts fill the air, a testament to the new life we’ve built here.Mia, standing beside me, watches her family with a smile. “They’re like two overprotective wolves with their cubs, aren’t they?” she remarks, her tone light.I chuckle, nodding in agreement. “Absolutely. Bastien can be so brooding, but with Nero, he’s just a big, soft-hearted Alpha.”We fall into a comfortable silence, watching the idyllic scene, until a thought that’s been nagging at me finds its way into the conversation.“Mia, can I ask you something?” I begin, hesitantly. “It’s about... becoming a shifter. I’ve been thinking about it a lot.”She turns to face me,
BastienA week after the earth-shattering revelations about our family’s past, my phone rings, and I see Niko’s name on the screen. My heart tightens, anticipating more unsettling truths.As soon as I answer, Niko dives in. “I’ve been digging, questioning Dmitry’s father.” His use of ‘questioning’ is laced with a dark undertone, implying an obvious ruthless interrogation.“What did you find?” I ask, not sure I want to know the answer.Niko’s breathing is heavy, his words coming out like a torrent. “The bastard said that our mother... she was acting on her own fucking accord. All that sick shit she did, it was her, not someone else pulling her strings. She was a goddamn monster on her own, and some fucker just caught her in the act.”The revelation hits me like a punch to the gut. “So she was acting on her own? All those things she did, especially to you...”“Yeah,” Niko spits out, his voice boiling with anger. “She was a predator in her own right. And some bastard used her actions aga
BastienAs I stride away from Anya, the weight of her revelations pressing down on me, I can’t help but feel a storm brewing inside. The information she’s shared about my mother, about her connection to Anya’s father, and the blackmail, it’s a jigsaw puzzle with pieces that are too dark and complex. I need to talk to Niko, to see if he can make sense of this twisted narrative.I reach for my phone, my mind racing with questions and possibilities. As I dial Niko’s number, I can feel the familiar surge of adrenaline, the kind that’s always accompanied our family’s darkest moments. Niko picks up almost immediately. “Bastien? What’s up?”I hesitate for a moment, trying to find the right words. “Niko, I just found out something about Mother. It’s... it’s big.”There’s a pause on the other end, and I can almost feel Niko bracing himself. He’s just recently come face to face with her after what happened to him and he couldn’t even fight her back. His trauma was stronger than his resolve.“
AnyaI wake up to the soft morning light filtering through the lavish curtains, painting the room in a golden hue. Stretching out, I can’t help but smile, still in awe of the reality that Bastien bought this magnificent estate for us. It’s like waking up in a dream every day.I slip out of bed, wrapping myself in a plush robe, and make my way to the window. The view of the gardens is breathtaking, a sprawling landscape of manicured lawns, vibrant flowers, and elegant sculptures. I'm used to growing up around luxury, but this feels more like home, not superficial at all.It’s hard to believe that all of this is ours, a sanctuary created by a man who’s known more for his strength and power than for such grand, romantic gestures.Walking out of the room, I decide to explore the property. Every step I take through the grand halls of the mansion reveals another aspect of Bastien’s love and attention to detail. The artwork, the furniture, everything is chosen with such care, reflecting not
BastienNiko and I step out into the cool evening, the manicured gardens of the mansion stretching out before us. The night air is crisp, a sharp contrast to the warmth of the house we’ve just left behind.I break the silence first. “Niko, there’s something I need to tell you about Dmitry,” I say, my voice low. “He was Isla’s stepbrother.”Niko stops in his tracks, turning to face me. “Isla’s stepbrother? That’s... complicated. How do you know it’s true?”“I don't, but I'll be digging into it,” I admit. “He’s been a useful ally, but his ties to Isla... I do feel like it was a way to get me to go along with the plan. So, I can’t fully trust him.”Niko nods, his face set in a stern line. “You think he could be a problem?”“Possibly,” I reply. “We need to keep an eye on him.”“We will,” Niko assures me. “Family complications or not, we can’t afford any loose ends.”As we walk through the gardens, our conversation turns to the recent events. “With Popov out of the picture, it’s gonna stir
AnyaThe wheels of the jet touch down, the vast lights of Las Vegas sprawling before us, a sparkling beacon in the night. I gaze out the window, the city’s shimmering allure a stark contrast against our recent turmoil. Once, Vegas symbolized a world of dazzling possibilities; now, it’s a much-needed haven.I glance at Bastien, his gaze fixed out the window, a look of determination etched on his features. He’s been silent for most of the flight, lost in his thoughts, planning our future. I can’t help but wonder what’s going through his mind.“We won’t be staying in the penthouse,” he suddenly says as he turns to look at me. “I secured an estate where we can grow our family and pack; I think it’s about time we head out of the city.”The revelation startles me. We had stayed in a penthouse before, a symbol of Bastien’s power within the city’s heart. But a mansion—this was a sign of permanence, a commitment to a future together.“I … I’d like that,” I murmur, a smile tugging at my lips. “
BastienThe room falls silent, the aftermath of the chaos settling like a heavy cloak around us. I stare at my hands, Ivan Popov’s blood a stark contrast against my skin, a vivid reminder of the violence that just unfolded. My breath comes out in ragged gasps, the adrenaline still coursing through my veins.Anya comes to my side, her eyes wide. She reaches out, gently touching my arm, grounding me in the moment. “Bastien, are you okay?” Her voice is a soft whisper, almost lost in the magnitude of what’s just occurred.I nod, unable to find my voice. The reality of what I’ve done, what we’ve done, is overwhelming. Ivan Popov, the man who cast a dark shadow over my life, is gone, eliminated by my own hands.I’ve dreamt of this day since Isla was brought to me in pieces. I swore vengeance in her name, and yet even with him lying dead at my feet, I feel nothing. Just an emptiness, because he reduced me to what he is.Dmitry steps forward, his expression unreadable. “It’s done,” he says, s
AnyaAs I watch Bastien, his figure restrained yet defiant, a knot of anxiety tightens in my stomach. He’s playing his part perfectly, but the sight of him bound, a pawn in this dangerous charade we’re orchestrating, sends waves of worry coursing through me.We lead him into the room where my father waits, his presence a suffocating force. My father’s eyes light up with malicious glee as he takes in the sight of Bastien, seemingly defeated and at our mercy.I force myself to remain composed, to play the part of the dutiful daughter, even as every fiber of my being screams in revolt. “Father,” I begin, my voice steady. “We’ve brought him, as you wanted.”My father looks at me, almost proud, then he pulls me into an embrace, leaving me startled. Then he pulls back, lets me go, and walks over to Bastien on his knees.“Well, well, look at the mighty lion, now just a harmless kitten,” my father taunts, his voice a venomous hiss. “I must say, Dmitry, you have outdone yourself. Bringing me m