NICOLE. I storm into the main house, Jason's words still burning in my ears. 'A war isn’t worth it.' That’s why he’s keeping me around? Fear? Not love, not even childhood loyalty. My blood boils, but I swallow down the rage. No, this isn’t over. Not by a long shot.How dare Jason say that to his Beta? I toss my bag on the sofa in the living room and pace a few times before an idea sparks in my mind. I'm forced to grab one of the omegas as they scurry past. "You, I need you to set up a candlelight dinner in Jason’s bedroom," I command, my voice sharp. "Make sure it’s perfect." The omega barely meets my gaze, nodding quickly before hurrying off. I head to the guest house in the back, my mind racing excitedly... Jason might have pushed me away all these years, but I know exactly how to reel him back in. I reach for a sexy spaghetti strapless red silk dress—the one I used to wear when I wanted all his attention—and slip into it... A few hours of preparation later, I’m standing in fro
STACY. As Daniel pulls my truck up to my parents' house after dropping off Lizzy at her house first, the silence between us grows heavier by the second. I shift in my seat, watching the headlights sweep across the yard, my mind replaying everything that happened tonight—the attack, the fear, and Daniel coming to the rescue like some kind of knight in shining armor. I’m grateful, but this... this is too much. Daniel parks the truck, his gaze soft yet heavy with concern. "What happened tonight shouldn’t have happened, Stacy. Please, let me take care of you and Liam. You don’t have to do this alone." His words hit me unexpected and harder than they should. My heart stumbles, and the weight of everything feels suffocating. I force a polite smile, feeling the awkwardness creep in. "Daniel, I appreciate your help and the job offer tonight, but I'll see you tomorrow." I reach for the door, eager to escape before the night becomes more complicated than it already is. But as my fingers
JASON. A day before the Alpha's gala… I sit at my desk in my home office, staring blankly at the stack of paperwork in front of me. The words blur together, meaningless, as my mind drifts back to Nicole and her proposition to rekindle what we once had... But after everything she's done—the potion , the lies, the manipulation—how can I trust her again… I heave a sigh as I shift my attention to the window. ‘Come on Jay, you have to make a choice… it's either Nicole or we look for someone else to mate with… I'm sex starved and you don't want to know what that looks like,’ my wolf whines via mind link. I immediately push him back and block him. The nagging thought about Nicole's proposition is a lot as it is to start thinking about sex… I admit, most Alphas my age have more than one heir at my age, strong sons waiting to take their place when the time comes. But me? I have no one. No legacy. No successor. The idea of starting over, of going back into the ruthless world of dating t
JASON. Hours later, I pull up to the Blue Moon pack mansion just as the early afternoon sun begins to sink behind the trees. My hands grip the steering wheel tight and my knuckles are white from the tension that’s been simmering in my chest since the moment I agreed to come to this damn gala. ‘This is a bad idea,’ my wolf warns me like I don't know it already. “Wow, this place is beautiful… but not more than ours of course,” Nicole says as she gets out of the car. I ignore her statement and step out of the car, the cool mountain air doing little to ease the pressure building in my head. A few pack members linger near the entrance, casting cold, sideways glances in my direction. I can’t say I blame them. I haven't been here since... since I left with Stacy. And I’m sure everyone here has heard exactly how that ended. I see Alpha Daniel Black who took over from Stacy's father as Alpha standing at the entrance. His gaze locks onto mine, and there’s no mistaking the frostiness in his
STACY. Hours before the gala… I stand in front of the mirror, my hands shaking as I try to pin back a stray lock of hair. Tonight is the Alpha’s gala, and Daniel has practically begged—me to be his date without fail. The very thought sends my anxiety spiraling. Jason and Nicole might be there. How can I possibly hide from them since I'm supposed to be dead? I fumble with my hair again, cursing under my breath. Suddenly, a loud “BOO!” fills the room, and I jump, nearly knocking over my makeup. I whirl around to see Liam standing there, grinning from ear to ear, wearing a creepy, oversized mask. His eyes twinkle mischievously as he watches my reaction. “Liam! You nearly gave me a heart attack!” He bursts into laughter, pulling the mask off. "I got you good mommy!" Shaking my head, I can’t help but laugh with him. “You sure did, little monster.” As I look at him, an idea hits me. “Wait a second… Liam, you’re a genius.” His brow furrows. “I am?” I grin, kissing the to
STACY.Breath, Stacy, he can't scent you with the potion on...I freeze under Jason’s stare, my heart pounding in my chest. His eyes lock onto mine, unrelenting, and I mentally curse myself for thinking a mask would be enough to hide from him. “I don’t believe we’ve ever met,” I say, keeping my voice calm even though my nerves are a wreck. Jason narrows his eyes, studying me like he’s trying to figure out a puzzle. “You sure about that? Your eyes seem... familiar.” Fuck, he has caught me! My stomach flips, but I force my expression to remain neutral. I can’t let him suspect anything. Before he can push further, Nicole cuts in, her voice tense and awkward. “My love, drop it. You’re embarrassing yourself,” she says, smiling at me, though it’s as forced as the calm I’m pretending to feel. Daniel, sensing the tension, chuckles lightly, trying to diffuse the situation. “Your Luna is right Alpha Barron. Let’s not make the night about old acquaintances. Why don’t you two excuse us? Nat
JASON. I can’t take my eyes off her. There’s something about her, the way she carries herself, the way she moves, even the way she breathes—it pulls me in like a magnet. I’ve met with dozens of women at events like this, but none have made me feel like this. Not since... Stacy. I step forward, my hand outstretched, “Dance with me, please.” Her eyes narrow behind the mask, but there’s a flicker of hesitation in them. She’s about to respond when Nicole’s voice cuts through the air, sharp and demanding. “Jason, what the hell are you doing?” I turn to see her storming toward us, her face contorted with anger. “You’re seriously asking another woman to dance? Right in front of me?” I don’t flinch. “There is nothing wrong with dancing with Natalie.” Nicole looks like she’s been slapped. “Jason!” Natalie—no, whoever she is—stays silent, her body tensing as if she’s debating how to handle this. She’s caught between us, but I don’t care. I need this dance. I need to know why I feel thi
JASON. It can't be… She is dead. I buried her remains in my pack five years ago… My heart slams my chest as memories flood back, overwhelming me… The way she used to look at me. The way she smelled when we were alone. The way she smiled and laughed. The way she cried… It all crashes into me at once like a tidal wave I didn't see coming. Natalie or_Stacy, raises her hand to cover her exposed face with her eyes wide with panic. She immediately backs away, her voice trembling. “Daniel, I have had enough of this. Please take me home now.” “Of course Natalie,” Daniel's breathing is ragged, his face flushed from the fight, but his hand is steady as he pulls her close. He glares at me, but I barely notice. All I can do is watch as they move towards the exit, her half hidden face burning into my mind. The crowd murmurs around me but I'm too numb to it. That's Stacy and not Natalie… I stand there, frozen as they disappear through the doors. She is alive all these years… But how? My pu