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
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