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. (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. 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’
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
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
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. “Can you please move that vase a little to the left?” I give instructions to one of the omega servants present in the room. “Yes my lady,” she replies politely with a nod as she moves the vase. The air is buzzing with excitement as I make my way around the dining room, ensuring every detail is perfect. The aroma of roasted lamb and honey-glazed vegetables mingles with the sweet scent of wildflowers I’d carefully arranged on the long table fill my home. Everything has to be flawless tonight. I’ve waited for this moment—my son’s naming ceremony—since the day I married my fated mate Jason Barron, the Alpha of Midnight Pack two years ago. Tonight, I finally present my newborn son to my in-laws and the two elders, as the future Alpha. "That should do it," I whisper to myself, smoothing the edge of the tablecloth. My eyes drift to the centerpiece—Jason’s favorite white orchids intertwined with emerald vines. It’s perfect. "Everything looks perfect Luna, you should get
STACY “Why you ungrateful mutt, is this the nonsense you called us for?” Jason's father is the first person to erupt at his announcement. Alpha John might be the former Alpha but he still command with dominance and power whenever he spoke. Jason scoffs at his father's words which I had never seen before. This isn't the man I know. For a moment, I can’t breathe. Jason's words echo repeatedly in the air like a death sentence. ‘He can’t be serious.’ I force myself to speak in-between John scolding his son. "Jay… is this some kind of joke?" My voice is trembling but not more than my legs. Jason’s cold eyes meet mine, and the chill in his gaze sends a shiver down my spine. "I’m not joking, Stacy," he says flatly, as if discussing the weather. My world spins, and suddenly, everything around me fades. The murmurs of our guests, the soft music playing in the background—it all goes mute. I can see Jason’s parents scolding him some more, their faces red with anger, but their wor
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
JASON. I hold up a hand, my glare never leaving Daniel. “Hannah, please go back home.” “But—” “Now,” I snap, my tone leaving no room for argument. She flinches but nods quickly, stepping toward her car. “Alpha, please don’t do anything to him,” she pleads, her voice barely above a whisper. “I won’t,” I say, though my clenched fists suggest otherwise. Hannah hesitates, glancing nervously between us, before finally getting into her car and driving off. The sound of her engine fades into the distance, leaving me alone with Daniel. For a moment, the two of us just stand there, the tension between us crackling like a live wire. “You’ve got some nerve,” I finally say, my voice low and dangerous. “Coming into my territory, sneaking around with one of my packmates.” Daniel shrugs, utterly unbothered. “Hannah’s a grown woman. She can make her own choices.” “She’s my packmate,” I snap, stepping closer. “And you’re on my land without permission. That’s two strikes, Daniel. Car