Oscar's feelings were restless. He could not put it into words, but he was sure that his fear was real. So, he looked around with an uncertain focus. His mind was spinning, trying to figure out what could be wrong at this moment.
Era!
The voice of the wolf' spirit echoed in his head. Oscar froze. He absorbed the sensation of this name and then examined the restlessness that plagued him. His heart felt uncomfortable as it beat.
There was a knock at the door. Anne entered with a file. However, Oscar immediately raised his hand and signaled for Anne to leave.
Anne understood and nodded. She promptly obeyed Oscar's order and the door closed again.
Oscar did not waste any time. He grabbed his cell phone and immediately called Seth.
"Hello, Alpha."
Oscar did not need a formal greeting when his mind was in turmoil. So, he bombarded Seth with questions. "Seth, where are you right now? Are you with Era? How is Era? Is she oka
Gerald walked quickly to the toilet. He entered and found Barbara sitting on the floor with tears streaming down her face. She was crying miserably."Gerald."Gerald's eyes widened. He hurriedly approached Barbara in panic and confusion. He saw the source of Barbara's pain—her palm. "Barbara, what happened to you?""Era, Gerald," Barbara replied, still holding her right hand. She showed Gerald her bruised palm. "She's the one who made my hand like this."Gerald snarled with a hint of disbelief. "E-Era?""Yes, Gerald. She stepped on my hand. She's really cruel and heartless.""How dare Era do that to you, Barbara. I won't forgive her," Gerald roared angrily. It seemed like he had an additional reason to teach Era a lesson. "Calm down, Barbara. I will avenge you for sure. Era will bear the consequences for hurting you like this."Barbara nodded. "Thank you, Gerald.""Now, let's go to the hospital right away. Your hand needs
"Remember what I said, contact me immediately if anything happens. Do you understand?"Era rolled her eyes. "I understand, Oscar. Now, can we finish this conversation? I can't stay away from the cash register for too long, and besides, if Seth told you everything, I'm sure he also told you that I'm fine. Isn't that right?"Silence. Oscar did not answer and Era didn't really need an answer."So please, Oscar. Stop calling me about trivial things. I have a lot of activities and I can't answer your calls all the time."Only Oscar's growl echoed in Era's ears, nothing else."Fine then. I'll end this conversation, Oscar. Have a nice day."Era ended the call without saying more. She quickly put her phone in her pocket and left the toilet stall. She took the time to wash her hands at the sink before actually leaving the restroom.As Era returned to the counter, Seth stepped forward from the line and pulled out his wallet. He glanced
The bright morning sun was the perfect start for Era. She got out of bed and immediately began her activities, accompanied by the rhythm of the music. Occasionally, a humming sound escaped her lips, a sign that her mood was good.By nine o'clock, Era was ready. A backpack slung over her shoulders, she walked to the bus stop. She wanted to go to the campus, and reflexively her thoughts turned to Barbara.Era's cheerfulness and enthusiasm for the day immediately faded. When Barbara's name came to her mind, she had only one question. Was Barbara okay?Era did not feel guilty about Barbara. After all, it was all because of Barbara's own actions. But that did not mean that she did not think about it at all. On the contrary, she wanted to know about Barbara's condition. She also hoped that Barbara had not suffered any serious injuries, and that would be a warning for her.Arriving at the campus, Era hurried. She looked around the parking lot and could
"We have formed an additional research team to support the organic food industry project. According to the plan, the additional research team will join the main research team early next month. So—" Oscar raised a hand, signaling Donald to stop his explanation. Donald fell silent, worried, wondering if he had just made a mistake. Sweat began to form on Donald's face. He looked at his colleagues, then at Anne, but no one could give him any clue as to what was going on. Was Oscar angry about his latest explanation? Donald tried to dismiss the frightening possibility. Making Oscar angry was the most dangerous thing in the world, especially if his anger was caused by incompetence. So, he always made sure to do his job as well as he could. Just like this time, although it seemed that Oscar did not see it that way. Oscar's expression showed anger. His face looked stern and his jaw was set. Veins began to bulge on his forehead as sweat slowly trickled down.
Era's voice trembled. So did her body. Her lips turned pale and her eyes began to redden.Seth clenched his jaw. He looked sharply at Gerald. "What do you think you're doing with Era, Robinson?""None of your business, Cooper. So, you better leave now. Era and I have important business to take care of right away.""Leave?" Seth scoffed and shook his head. His gaze became mocking. "You really are pathetic, Robinson. You really are a lowlife. Your behavior is truly disgusting."It felt like Gerald had never been insulted like that in his entire life, especially not to his face. It was reasonable that his emotions were boiling.Gerald snorted. He faced Seth arrogantly. "Who do you think you are, Cooper? How dare you talk to me like that? Do you not want to live anymore?""You should ask yourself that, Robinson. Do you want to die?"Gerald couldn't accept it. Seth's attitude provoked him, and besides, he was undoubtedly angry because his
"Oscar." Era was startled. Her body froze as a natural reaction to the unexpected presence of Oscar. She could only blink, as if she needed time to make sure she was not seeing things. Oh, my goodness. How could Oscar be here all of a sudden? D-did Seth contact him? Era wasn't sure if Seth had contacted Oscar. They had been together since the warehouse and she hadn't seen Seth using his phone. Now she wondered if Oscar knew what had happened to her earlier. Era also noticed another oddity. Her eyes widened and the question slipped out of her mouth. "Why are you here, Oscar? Aren't you at The Palace? Don't you have work?" Era knew that Oscar was not only an Alpha in the werewolf world, but also the head of a large corporation called Xylvaneth, similar to the pack's name. His office was located in Sonnet Springs, a major district that played a crucial role in the city of Pondera E.V., serving as the heart of the country's larges
They had just entered the room when Oscar pulled his hand away from Era's. Instead, he grabbed Era's wrist. "Oscar." Oscar pulled Era's hand, bringing her involuntarily closer. "What are you planning, Era? Are you trying to stop me from finding that bastard?" "Oscar," Era whispered and took a deep breath. Unfortunately, even the air she inhaled felt hot because of the heat emanating from Oscar's body. "I'm not planning anything. Besides, why are you looking for Gerald? Seth already beat him to a pulp." "I haven't beaten him yet." "He will definitely die if you beat him." "I'm sure that's the best fate for him, death. Touching you is a sign that he's tired of living in this world." Era rolled her eyes dramatically. "Oscar, I'm sure you don't need to discuss this issue anymore. Everything is settled and stop following your ego." "Follow my ego? How could you make fun of me, Era." "I'm not making fun of you; I'm tr
One unexpected thing for Era was that Seth was still in her apartment unit even though three hours had passed. She had just come out of her room after calming down and wanted to get a glass of water to calm the remaining agitation in her chest. Her destination was the kitchen, and that's where she found Seth, sitting on the kitchen island with a bowl of snacks. "Seth." Seth smiled. "You finally came out of your room. I was waiting for you and wondering what you wanted to eat. So, I prepared some food. I hope you'll find something you like. Ah! You're a vegetarian, right?" "Yes, thank you." Seth nodded and Era decided to go to the dining area. She was quite curious about the menu Seth had prepared and was surprised to find the three-meter-long dining table full of food. Era gasped with her mouth wide open. "Seth." Footsteps made Era turn. Seth was approaching her, not forgetting his bowl of snacks. Seth's face looked innocent as he aske
Oscar's face was hard, reflecting tension and determination. Yet his breathing remained steady, as did his heartbeat. He was in complete control.Only one last fight remained. When the night was over, everything would be settled.A knock at the door pulled Oscar out of his thoughts. He blinked once and turned to see the door open. Philo and the others entered.Oscar said little, just as he had before. He emphasised to Dom and Bogy that the palace had to be guarded to the utmost and that they had to be alert for the worst. They couldn't let their guard down—there could be another pack lurking in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.Then Oscar turned to Philo and Thad. "We're leaving now."With determined strides they moved through the corridors of the palace. They hurried while the helicopter waited on the helipad—its spinning blades creating strong gusts of wind.Oscar boarded the helicopter in a single bound, followed closely by Philo and Thad.The door closed. The
Never before had time tormented Era so cruelly. Every second had become a dagger that slowly carved into her soul, leaving invisible wounds. Minutes bled into hours in an endless loop, trapping her in a fear that refused to subside.Two nights had passed, each bringing its own terror and uncertainty that held Era in an unforgiving grip. She was desperate, clinging to Oscar's promise in the suffocating silence.Era lay in the dark those nights, her eyes closed, but never really asleep. She stayed awake, unable to surrender to rest as her mind swarmed with worry for Oscar's safety.Sleep was impossible. The only thing Era could do was pretend and wait in the dark for Oscar's return.Now it was the third night. This was the last night, the one that would decide Oscar's fate in a fight to the death.Era sat motionless on the bed, her back pressed against the headboard. A blanket was wrapped around her, but it did nothing to dispel the cold that had settled on her skin.The bedroom door cr
Slowly, Era's consciousness floated to the surface, as if drawn from a dark, formless depth. Her body felt light, as if suspended between dream and reality. Yet something kept trying to hold her back. A heavy sensation enveloped her eyelids, refusing to let her fully awaken.Warmth enveloped Era's entire body. It caressed her, embraced her, almost masking the faint throbbing pain in several places.The sensation was no longer painful enough to make Era wince, but just enough to remind her of everything that had happened. Growls, roars, claws—flashes of memory spun through her mind, pulling her further out of the void.Sounds began to creep into her consciousness. The soft whirring of medical instruments, the steady rhythm of someone's breathing. Then a familiar scent—a mixture of spices and cinnamon—filled her lungs, reminding her of Ursa.Era, wake up.The whisper pierced the depths of her heart, coming from something that had always been with her—the wolf spirit that never left her
The cool morning breeze drifted gracefully in through the wide-open dining room window, carrying the scent of dew mixed with the aroma of herbal tea from a porcelain cup. The diaphanous curtains hanging from the window swayed gently to the unceasing rhythm of the wind.Sunlight crept in, illuminating the long table set with an array of delicious dishes—steaming slices of roasted meat, freshly baked bread with a crisp crust, and a neatly arranged plate of fresh fruit.At the head of the table, Freddy sat leisurely. He had a sharp silver knife in one hand and a fork in the other. He sliced his steak slowly, savouring the sensation of each tender fibre being cut cleanly, but in reality, his mind was elsewhere.Something felt different. Freddy could feel it. The usual serenity of his morning had been replaced by an underlying tension.Freddy’s body tensed instinctively. His knife struck the plate with a little more force than necessary, and his fork trembled slightly at times.A feeling o
The dim light still covered the sky as Oscar stood at the window of his study. His eyes gazed far into the trees swaying in the morning breeze, as did his mind, which had been wandering restlessly.The scent of wood and the early morning dew seeped through the cracks of the window. It should have provided a sense of calm, enough to ease the tension in Oscar's body. Unfortunately, this time it wasn't enough. He needed more than just a beautiful morning to cool the fire raging in his chest—revenge.Oscar's sanity was hanging by a thread. He had never been one for patience, and now his self-control was being tested. The situation was truly against him, threatening to blind him with rage.Oscar’s blood was boiling. Heat radiated from every pore of his skin. His rage had ignited beyond reason, leaving only one desire in his mind—to wipe from this world anyone who would harm Era.Oscar pressed his lips tightly together. His face hardened into a dark, angry red. The veins on his body tensed,
The night was still thick, accompanied by an unusual stillness that felt heavier than ever. The cold grew sharper, seeping into the bones, stained by the scent of damp earth and lingering traces of blood in the air.A thin mist hung low over the ground, weaving between the towering trees on either side of the road. It dulled the senses, obscuring vision until the glow of portable lights flickered to life, illuminating everything without exception.The darkness stirred. The scene once shrouded began to unfold, revealing the grim reality that lay before them.Shattered glass littered the tarmac. Jagged pieces of metal gleamed in the dim light. Era's car lay in the middle of the road in a devastated state—its side crushed beyond recognition, its bonnet shredded and deep claw marks scarring its entire body, silent witnesses to the attack that had taken place hours before.Amidst the wreckage, Bogy and Irene stood with unwavering concentration. Their sharp eyes scanned every detail left at
The silver-white glow of the ceiling lights dimmed automatically, adjusting to the late hour. It created a hushed atmosphere, punctuated only by the low hum of medical equipment. A precious silence, meant to allow exhausted bodies to rest.Unfortunately, Era couldn't rest as she was supposed to. Her body was tired, her bones felt shattered, but the weight on her chest was so heavy that she couldn't bring herself to lie down.Sitting on the hospital bed, Era remained still, a thin blanket draped over her legs. Her back was propped up against a pile of pillows, but there was no sense of comfort. Her fingers lay limp in her lap, revealing the IV line embedded in her left hand.Accompanying Era was Oscar, standing near the window. His back was to her, his sturdy silhouette framed in the dim light. Dressed in a black shirt, he still couldn't hide the tension that wrapped around his body, a clear sign of the turmoil that raged inside him.Era knew that she should say something. She should e
There was nothing Landon could do. When it came to magic, all his medical expertise was completely useless, and Oscar was painfully aware of that.The pallor on Oscar's face grew worse, his expression resembling that of a lifeless corpse. His heart seemed to have stopped and his blood felt as if it had frozen. He was numb, and the only sensation left in him was terror.Magic had never been good for anyone, especially werewolves, and this knowledge was driving Oscar dangerously close to the edge of his sanity. His breathing became erratic, his body trembled and his eyes darted around wildly, as if searching for the answers he desperately needed. The mere thought that Era's life was in danger hit him like an endless storm of despair."Damn you, Freddy. I swear I won't stand idly by," Oscar growled in a deep, threatening voice. Every word he spoke was laced with unmistakable anger. "You will pay dearly for what you've done."For Era's sake, Oscar would do whatever it took to make sure Fr
That was exactly what Era hoped. She didn't want to stay in such a pitiful state for too long. So of course she listened to Landon's advice. She would get plenty of rest and make sure she recovered as quickly as possible.For Oscar, however, things were a little different. Landon's examination was indeed complete, and the results were reassuring—Era wasn't seriously injured and her life wasn't in danger. Still, his vigilance didn't waver in the slightest. So, he turned to Era and said, "Landon's right, Era. If you feel the slightest discomfort, no matter what it is, tell him immediately. Don't even think about keeping it to yourself.""Oscar," Era murmured melodically, rolling her eyes dramatically before continuing. "Maybe it's time for you to calm down. Landon's already examined me." She shook her head, not the least bit surprised by Oscar's overprotective behaviour. "I'm fine and..."Something crossed Era's mind, leaving her words hanging in the air. Her expression changed as well,