STACY. “Mommy, are you okay?” Liam's voice breaks through my fog, pulling me back to the present. I force a smile, but it feels heavy on my lips. “Of course, sweetheart, I’m okay. just a little tired that all.” His small brow furrows with concern. “Then why aren’t you telling me what time Daddy will come home?” My heart shatters all over again. I kneel to hug him tightly, his little arms wrapping around my neck. “Why aren’t you in bed? It’s way past your bedtime mister.” I try to steer the conversation else where. “I know, Mommy,” he says, his voice soft and earnest. “But I wanted to tell Daddy what we should get for Grandpa’s birthday.” The lump in my throat swells, and my heart clenches painfully. I stroke his hair, searching for the right words. “Daddy won’t be coming home tonight, sweetheart. He’s busy with a lot of work at the office.” The lie tastes bitter on my tongue. Liam’s shoulders droop, his disappointment evident. “Okay… but tomorrow, will he still drop me
STACY. Once away from Linda and the elders, I press my phone to my ear as I pace the corridor outside the hospital’s main lobby. Each step feels heavier than the last, like the weight of Jason’s condition is anchoring me to the ground. “Hi, this is Miss White,” I say, keeping my voice steady despite the turmoil churning inside me. “Yes, ma'am,” my temporary supervisor at the venue replies politely. “How can I assist you?” “I need you to put everything on hold. No further preparations until I contact you again,” I say firmly, glancing over at Liam, who’s chatting animatedly with Greg by the waiting chairs. “Understood ma'am. We’ll await your instructions,” the supervisor responds without question. “Thank you,” I reply, ending the call. I slip the phone into my pocket and take a deep breath before turning toward Liam and Greg. Liam notices me and immediately bounds over. “Mommy, what are we doing here? Hospitals are boring,” he complains, scrunching up his nose. I force
STACY. Half an hour later, Greg, Liam, and I are heading toward Jason’s office. The weight of my new role as interim Alpha feels heavier with each step, but I keep my head high for Liam’s sake. He skips innocently a little ahead, clutching Greg’s hand, his energy a stark contrast to the turmoil inside me. I know I’ll have to face a thousand questions and decisions once we get to the office. As we walk, my phone buzzes in my bag. I quickly pull it out and see Lizzy’s name on the screen. My heart sinks; I was almost forgetting about the birthday party planning amidst all the chaos. “Hello?” I answer, trying to sound composed. “Hey, Stacy!” Lizzy’s cheerful voice comes through the line. “I just wanted to check if I should go ahead and start off with the truck to bring the decorations for Alpha John’s party.” I stop in my tracks, momentarily stunned. Of course, Lizzy wouldn’t know about the party being postponed. I take a deep breath and glance at Greg, who raises an eyebrow but say
STACY. The hum of the car engine fills the silence as I stare out the window, my thoughts spiraling into the unknown. Jason’s unlabelled file sits heavy in my mind. The sheer scale of those profits is unnerving. What kind of business generates that much money? And why would he keep it hidden? I shift in my seat, glancing at Liam in the back. He’s happily humming a tune, oblivious to the weight pressing down on me. I wish I could share his carefree innocence, but the questions gnaw at me like an itch I can’t scratch. “Mommy?” Liam’s voice pulls me out of my trance. “Are we there yet?” I blink, realizing the car has slowed. Greg turns into the parking lot of Liam’s school. “Yeah, champ, we’re here.” Liam grins and starts unbuckling his seatbelt, but I hold up a hand. “No, wait. Stay in the car for a bit. I need to talk to your teacher about your homework for today.” “But why can’t I come?” Liam pouts, crossing his arms. “Because I’ll be quick, and it’s easier if you wait
STACY. Jason’s eyes flutter open, his brow furrowing as he stares at me. “Who are you?” He asks, his voice is groggy, and confused. The words hit me harder than they should, like a punch straight to my gut. I blink, frozen, trying to process what he just said. Who am I? Is Jason serious right now?! My mouth opens, but no words come out... The way he looks at me—like I’m a stranger—makes my stomach churn. I stumble back, my legs unsteady, and grab the doctor by the arm as I pull him into the hallway. “Doctor… what have you done to him?” My voice is shaky, barely holding it together. The doctor frowns, adjusting his glasses. “What do you mean, Ms. White?” I point back toward the room, my hands trembling. “He doesn’t remember me. He asked who I am. Why doesn’t he know who I am?” The doctor’s face tightens, and for the first time, I see a crack in his calm demeanor. “Let me examine him,” he says, already heading toward the door. “Please, wait here. I won't be long.” I nod
JASON. My Nicole can't break up with me and be dead... This is just a lie!!! The wind rushes past me as I sprint down the familiar roads, my hospital gown flapping against my legs as my heart pounds in rhythm with my racing thoughts. What the hell just happened back there? Mom and Dad, acting like I’ve lived a whole life I can’t remember and that strange woman—Stacy, they called my fated mate—standing there looking at me like I broke her heart. Is this some kind of prank? But then again when I think about it, my parents aren’t cruel, but the confusion in their eyes wasn’t fake. And Stacy… her sadness felt so real, it made my chest ache even though I don't know who she is... “Greetings Alpha Jason,” a warrior calls, breaking into my thoughts as I pass the training grounds. I skid to a stop, turning sharply. “What did you just call me?” “Alpha,” the man repeats with a cautious respect in his voice as if he doesn't want to provoke me. I shake my head, my brows knitting
JASON. A day later, I’m pacing the grand hall of what I thought was my parent's mansion, my footsteps echoing off the cold marble floors. The place feels suffocatingly unfamiliar, despite everyone here acting like they know me. Warriors and servants nod their heads respectfully as I pass, their gazes reverent. It grates on my nerves. “Why do they keep calling me Alpha?” I mutter under my breath, clenching my fists. I’m not Alpha yet. My father is. Isn’t he? The events of the past day swirl in my head like a storm I can’t escape. The hospital. My parents telling me about Nicole. That woman—Stacy. The one they claim is my mate. And the kid. My son. No. It’s impossible… “Jason, you need to calm down,” my father’s voice booms from behind me. I whirl around to face him. “Calm down?” I snap. “You’re all feeding me this insane story, and I’m supposed to just accept it? A mate? A son? None of this makes sense!” My father, always the stoic Alpha, crosses his arms and gives me that unre
STACY (Meanwhile, at Jason’s office…) I shuffle the papers on Jason’s desk, signing off on the last of the daily approvals with a pen that feels heavier than it should. The chair beneath me creaks, but I barely notice. My focus is on the stack of documents that never seems to shrink—the mountain of responsibilities I’ve inherited while Jason recovers. Or at least tries to. My chest tightens as I think about the way he looks at me now, like I’m nothing more than a stranger in his home…. Maybe I should leave all this behind and focus on myself and my son instead. A knock at the door pulls me from my thoughts. Avery steps in, her usual clipboard in hand and her calm demeanor firmly in place. “Miss White, I’ve come to collect the signed documents,” she says, her tone respectful but tinged with curiosity. “Of course.” I slide the stack toward her but pause, tapping on an unlabeled file near the bottom of the pile. The obscene amount of money transferred into Jason’s personal acc
STACY. As I drive toward the main road leading out of the pack, my thoughts circle back to Hannah’s earlier revelation. She knows too much about Jason’s reckless plan for it to be a coincidence, and the more I think about it, the less sense it makes. I glance over at her, sitting in the passenger seat and scrolling through her phone. “Hannah,” I say, trying to keep my tone casual but firm, “how exactly did you find out about Velkan and Jason’s plan?” Hannah freezes for a split second, her fingers hovering over the screen, before she looks at me with feigned innocence. “What do you mean? I overheard it, of course.” I narrow my eyes at her. “Overheard it where? And when? This isn’t exactly something you’d catch in casual conversation at the coffee shop.” She shifts in her seat, clearly uncomfortable under my scrutiny. “Stacy, it’s not a big deal. Alpha Jason might have mentioned it once in passing, and I just pieced things together.” I snort, gripping the steering wheel ti
STACY. (Next morning) I wake up to the soft morning light streaming through the curtains, stretching as the events of last night play in my mind. The party was a success, but Jason’s sudden disappearance keeps nagging at me. I slip out of bed and wrap myself in a robe, padding down the hall toward the dining room. Maybe he’s already awake, sitting at the table with that smug smirk of his, pretending he wasn’t up to something suspicious. When I step into the dining room, it’s empty except for Ava, who’s setting out breakfast for one. She looks up and greets me with a polite smile. “Good morning, Ma'am. Did you sleep well?” “Morning, Ava. I slept fine,” I reply, brushing my hair behind my ear. “Have you seen Jason?” Her smile falters slightly. “Alpha Jason didn’t come back last night after he left for the party.” Her words hit me like a bucket of cold water. I blink, trying to process. “He… he didn’t come back?” “No, ma’am,” Ava says, her voice calm but hesitant. “I as
STACY. (Two hours later) The chatter of the last few guests fades into the background as I stand near the entrance of the venue, double-checking the checklist in my head for the night’s wrap-up. Suddenly, I hear Alpha John’s warm voice behind me. “Stacy, dear,” he says, stepping closer with Luna Linda at his side, Liam’s small hand tucked safely in his. “It’s getting late, and you still seem busy here. Linda and I were thinking it might be best if Liam stayed with us tonight. What do you think?” I glance down at Liam, who looks up at me with his big, curious eyes. “Would you like that, sweetheart?” He nods eagerly. “Can I, Mom? Please?” A small smile tugs at my lips as I crouch to his level, brushing a stray curl from his forehead. “Alright, but only if you promise to be a good boy and listen to your grandparents.” “I will, I promise!” Liam says, his enthusiasm lighting up his face. Standing back up, I turn to Alpha John and Luna Linda. “Thank you for offering. I app
JASON. An hour into the party, I find myself leaning against one of the tall cocktail tables, nursing a glass of whiskey as my eyes trail Stacy across the room. She’s in her element—composed, graceful, effortlessly weaving through the crowd while ignoring me and ensuring everything runs seamlessly. The guests are clearly impressed, and so am I. How I wish she knew I won’t be here for the entire party, that I’ll be leaving soon to deal with Velkan, maybe she wouldn’t be so quick to freeze me out.But even now, with her focus locked on her work, I know she feels me watching her. I catch it in the way her gaze flickers my way—fleeting, careful, pretending not to see me. And every time she looks away like I don’t exist, it only stokes the smug satisfaction curling in my chest. She might ignore me, but she’s not fooling anyone—least of all me... “Oh, Jason, stop staring or you’ll burn a hole through her,” Daniel murmurs as he passes by, smirking at me. I ignore him, pretending his wor
JASON. I watch Stacy disappear into the crowd, the sleek blue gown I bought her hugging her figure in a way that has no business being legal. Every sway of her hips makes it harder to look away. But what really grates on me is how she smiled at Daniel—And that hug? Too comfortable for my liking. 'We should have been here earlier than going last minute suit shopping for Daniel who showed up earlier than us,' my wolf grumbles, his irritation matching mine. A growl vibrates in my chest before I can stop it, and Daniel, standing just beside me, raises an amused brow. “Relax, Jason,” he says, his tone dripping with mockery. “What’s with the death glare? Jealous already?” “She’s my mate,” I bite back, turning to him. “Keep your hands off her.” Daniel laughs—a deep, hearty sound that makes my fists twitch. “Your mate, huh? You sure about that? Because from where I’m standing, it looks like you’re still trying to convince her of that yourself.” I scowl, narrowing my eyes. “Don’
STACY. (Later in the evening) My room is a flurry of activity—shoes by the bed, hangers draped across the chair, and Liam standing in the middle of it all, fidgeting in his little navy-blue suit. The tie sits slightly off-center, giving him a mischievous charm. “Mommy, do I have to wear this?” He whines, squirming as I straighten his tie for the third time. “I look like a grown-up” I kneel to his level feeling much better than earlier at the venue after the dizzy spell incident. I brush a stray strand of hair from his forehead. “Yes, sweetheart. You’re going to a grown-up party, so you have to look the part. Trust me, you will be the most handsome boy there will be tonight.” His nose scrunches up, but a grin sneaks through, his cheeks flushing pink. “Even more handsome than Daddy?” he asks and my hands still for the briefest moment before resuming their task... I wonder why Liam always brings up his father in almost all of our conversation... Nevertheless, I swallow the a
JASON. “Don't worry Alpha, Miss white is fine,” The medic assures me for the third time that Stacy will be fine after passing out for a few seconds, but my chest still feels like it’s in a vice. I can't believe she starved herself to reach such a point. What was she thinking? I watch her finish the last bite of her sandwich, her delicate fingers brushing crumbs off the table. She looks paler than usual, her sharp edges softened by exhaustion and something I can't put in words. “Happy now?” she mutters, her voice flat, though a hint of vulnerability lingers beneath. “Not even close,” I reply, stepping closer to the table. My tone is low, more serious than I intended. “Why would you starve yourself, Stacy? You need to take better care of yourself.” Her lips twitch, as if she wants to argue, but instead, she drops the napkin on the table. “I don’t have time for this... Leave me already, I still have so much to do.” she says, trying to deflect. Leave her in this condition? Is
STACY. I nod. “I’ve been thinking about it for a while. Expanding the business just makes sense, especially with how many connections I will potentially make after tonight.” Lizzy studies me for a moment. “Does this mean you’re staying? You know, for good?” I glance at her briefly before returning my focus to the road. “It doesn’t mean anything. You run the office in blue moon and I run this one here. It’s just business nothing more.” She hums thoughtfully but doesn’t push further. Soon, we arrive at the venue, my team of temporary workers is already bustling around, arranging centerpieces, and double-checking the decorations. The energy is contagious, and I jump right into the chaos, giving directions and making sure everything is on schedule to keep my mind off Jason and his mess. By midday, the sun is high, and the venue is starting to come together beautifully. I’m just about to inspect the replaced floral arrangements when a familiar figure confidently strides through
STACY. (Next day) I stare into the mirror, groaning under my breath. My reflection mocks me: pale skin, shadows under my eyes, and a tiredness I can’t shake no matter how much makeup I pile on. ‘We look like death warmed over us,’ my wolf grumbles in my head, her tone a mix of concern and irritation. “I can see that… Thanks for the reminding me,” I mutter, running a brush through my hair for the third time. ‘I’m just saying,’ she continues, ‘You knew today’s important but you decide to keep us awake the whole night.. You’ve been working on this party for weeks, and now you’re going to show up looking like a zombie to potential clients? How professional.’ “Ugh, Piper…it’s not like Alpha John’s guests are coming to see me,” I counter, forcing a laugh to hide my unease. “They’ll be too busy admiring the decorations to care what I look like.” ‘Maybe, but you care. Don’t pretend you don’t.’ I sigh, shoving my sunglasses onto my face. “Whatever. Let’s just survive today. The