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.Meanwhile not so far from the square market.... I sit at my desk, but my fingers tremble over the keyboard, unable to focus on the task in front of me. No matter how hard I try, I can’t shake the image of Jason from my mind—his eyes scanning my face, his growing suspicion gnawing at my nerves... The mask had barely concealed me after Daniel revealed half my face last night. Does he know it's me? My heart pounds faster at the thought. If Jason finds out the truth—if he discovers Liam is still alive… I swallow hard, panic bubbling up. What would he do? Would he take Liam from me for forever? I try to shake it off, pushing the memory aside, but the dread clings to me like a suffocating cloak. I glance over at the clock, wishing the hours would fly by faster. The door opens with a soft bell sound, and Lizzy, breezes in with her usual bright energy. “Morning, boss!” she chirps, dropping a stack of files on the desk. “You’re up early today. How was the gala last night? You l
JASON. The phone rings once before she picks up. I freeze, my heart thudding heavily in my chest as I hear her breathe on the other end. It’s her. Stacy. My Stacy. I open my mouth to speak, to say something that might fix everything. But all that comes out is a weak, desperate, “Stacy...” There’s silence. A tension so thick I can feel it even through the phone. I swallow hard, my throat dry. “Please,” I plead, my voice trembling, “just hear me out. I need to talk—” The line goes dead. I stare at the phone in my hand, disbelief washing over me. She hung up on me. The knot in my stomach tightens, and I grip the phone so tightly my knuckles turn white. She’s avoiding me. But she can’t. Not anymore. I’ve spent five years mourning her, thinking she and our son were gone forever. The pain of burying a child and wife… well, ex wife whom I still want... that grief never leaves. But now I know the truth. I felt it in that ballroom when I saw her. She’s alive. They’re alive. This is all t
STACY. ‘I want my family back.’ Jason's shocking words echo repeatedly in the back of my mind as I regret showing up for work today. I should have stayed home and laid low like I had said yesterday. My fists clench at my sides as anger surges through me. ‘I’ll fight for you and our son_’ more of his words reply in my mind like a broken record. How dare he? After everything he put me through—after abandoning me and Liam—now he wants his family back? He is lying to himself… Because to me, love is a deadly poison that eats your soul until it completely devours you… Love is painful. It is better to not feel anything. This is the point where I have reached and I won't look back to be made a fool again. Besides, he has Nicole and their pup, so why the hell does he want me now? More anger flares in my chest, and Jason's words take me off guard. A strange feeling stirs in my heart, and I hate it. Does he really expect me to forget what he did, just because he showed up here, demanding
DANIEL.Sitting in my home office, I rub my temples as I reread the anonymous notes Hannah received earlier. The words are etched in my mind, taunting me. ‘Leave Daniel before it's too late.’Whoever sent them isn’t just trying to scare her. They’re trying to drive a wedge between us. And that makes them as dangerous as the people who were spreading rumors about Hannah when she first arrived here.I glance out the window, watching Mother and Hannah strolling through the pack grounds. From here, they appear cordial, and that’s a relief—I couldn’t bear the thought of the two most important women in my life being at odds.I shift my focus back to the papers on my desk. If the threats are coming from someone within the pack, I need to figure out who. My gaze sweeps across the room, landing on the files I’ve been gathering on the staff within the mansion. No one here should have a reason to harm Hannah, but I’ve learned not to trust appearances.Suddenly, a knock on the door interrupts my
HANNAH.“Let me make one thing clear, Hannah,” Margaret’s voice cuts through the stillness as we step into the foyer. She turns to face me, her sharp features illuminated by the sunlight streaming through the window. “I don’t want you running to Daniel every time we have a conversation. It will only upset him unnecessarily, and I’m sure you don’t want to be the cause of that.” she says, her tone low but laced with authority.Me, Upset Daniel? How?!Her sudden words settle over me like a storm cloud, heavy and threatening. I meet her gaze, refusing to flinch. “If I feel threatened,” I say, keeping my voice steady, “I will tell Daniel. Even if it’s his own mother.”Margaret laughs, the sound soft and mocking. “Oh, my dear,” she says, her lips curling into a smirk. “And who do you think Daniel will believe? His mother, who has been by his side all his life? Or you, the little omega trying to worm her way into a world where she doesn’t belong?”Her words sting, but I don’t let it show. I
HANNAH.Minutes later, the dining room is filled with the comforting aroma of fresh pastries and freshly brewed coffee. I savor the quiet moment with Daniel, relishing the way his gaze holds mine, as though nothing else in the world matters.“Do you think your pack will ever get used to me?” I tease, stirring honey into my tea, my tone light but curious.Daniel chuckles, the deep timbre of his laugh sending a pleasant shiver down my spine. “They will, once they realize how amazing you are. If they don’t, that’s their problem, not yours.”“But what do you think so far?” he asks, his fingers brushing mine across the table, the touch deliberate yet gentle.“It’s different,” I admit with a small smile, though the weight of the weird stares and notes I received earlier still lingers. “But I think I could find my place here... if I became your mate.” I joke and Daniel chuckles lightly .“Good answer,” he replies, his voice low and reassuring, his eyes locking onto mine. “You already belong
HANNAH. (meanwhile in Blue Moon) The first rays of sunlight seep through the curtains, spilling a soft, golden light across the room. My body feels pleasantly achy, a tender reminder of the endless passion Daniel and I shared in the past two days cooked up in his room since we arrived here. I shift carefully, trying not to wake him, but as I glance over my shoulder, I see him still deep in sleep, his face relaxed and peaceful in a way that makes my heart ache a little. ‘I think you know it's about time we tell him about the pregnancy, Hannah,’ my wolf says via mind link but I'm not mentally ready, so I ignore her and slip out of bed, my bare feet padding across the cool floor. The slight chill sends a shiver up my spine as I make my way to the bathroom. Once inside, I flick on the light and lean against the sink, staring at my reflection. My cheeks are flushed, my hair a tousled mess, and yet, there’s something different about me. A glow I don’t quite recognize. My hand
STACY. ‘Marry me again!?’ The words take my breath away. Oh my Goddess. That's why he's been acting strange all evening. He wanted to proposal... My heart pounds wildly as I struggle to steady my racing pulse. “What?” I whisper, my anger evaporating in an instant. Jason doesn’t respond immediately. Instead, he walks to the dresser where his suit hangs, reaching into the pocket. When he turns back to me, he’s holding a familiar tiny box. My breath catches as he steps closer, dropping to one knee in front of me. “I wanted to do this tonight, during the grand opening, when everything was perfect,” he says, opening the box to reveal the most beautiful ring I’ve ever seen. “But then everything fell apart, and I let my frustration get the better of me.” “Jason…” My voice trembles as I take in the sight of him kneeling there, his eyes locked on mine. “Stacy,” he says, his voice steady despite the emotion in his gaze. “I don’t want to fight with you. I don’t want to doubt us. All I
STACY. (Three hours later) The evening had been perfect—or so I thought. The grand opening of my building went off without a hitch after the lights came back on, but something about Jason’s demeanor since then has left me uneasy. We barely spoke on the ride home. He was unusually quiet, his jaw set tight, his gaze fixed out the window. Now, as I sit beside Liam’s bed, his small hand clutches mine. His wide, innocent eyes search my face, filled with worry that I desperately want to erase. “Mommy?” he whispers, his voice soft in the dim light of his room. “Yes, sweetheart?” I smooth his hair back, offering him a smile that I don’t entirely feel. “Why aren’t you and Daddy talking? Did I do something wrong?” His question pierces my heart, the guilt sinking deep. “Oh, baby, no,” I assure him, pressing a kiss to his forehead. “You didn’t do anything wrong, baby. Daddy and I… we’re just tired. It’s been a long day, that’s all.” He studies me for a moment, his little face scrunching
JASON. (Meanwhile in midnight pack) The air buzzes with energy as I stand near the entrance of Stacy’s new building. Fairy lights drape the ceiling, casting a warm, golden glow over the polished floors and the crowd that fills the space. It’s her night—a celebration of her relentless work. But tonight isn’t just about her achievements. It’s about us. The small velvet box in my pocket feels heavier with each passing second, like it’s anchoring me to this moment. My fingers twitch toward it, but I force them still. Not yet. Timing is everything, and this has to be perfect. My gaze finds Stacy across the room... She’s talking to a group of guests, her smile brighter than the lights around her. She nods, laughs, and brushes a strand of hair behind her ear. I’ve seen her like this a hundred times lately—confident, poised, in control—but tonight, it feels different. Because tonight, I’m going ask her to marry me again. “Daddy, are you nervous?” Liam’s small voice pulls me
MARGARETThe midday sun streams through the grand windows of my office, casting golden beams across the polished mahogany desk. Patience has never been my strong suit, but today, it’s necessary. My fingers tap a steady rhythm on the desk’s surface, my gaze locked on the door.Finally, a soft knock breaks the silence. “Come in,” I call, arranging my features into calm authority.The door opens, and Roxanne steps inside, her hair perfectly styled, her silk blouse catching the light with every movement. She exudes poise and sophistication—the embodiment of what a Luna should be. Daniel may not see it yet, but I do.“Beta Margaret,” she says, her voice smooth but careful. Roxanne knows I don’t summon anyone without reason.“Roxanne,” I reply, gesturing toward the chair across from me. “Please, sit. We need to talk.”She moves gracefully, lowering herself into the seat with practiced elegance. Her hands fold neatly in her lap. “What’s this about?”I lean back, my eyes scanning her like a c
STACY.Next morning after the festival, I glance out the car window as the scenery rushes past, the excitement of the morning overshadowed by my racing thoughts. Jason is focused on the road, one hand gripping the wheel, the other resting comfortably on my leg. For someone who claims to be so perceptive, he’s completely oblivious to the storm brewing inside me.I turn to him, my voice steady but laced with suspicion. “So, why exactly did you invite Daniel to the festival last night?”Jason doesn’t even flinch, keeping his eyes on the road. “Why not? He’s a good guy. I thought it would be nice to see him.”I raise an eyebrow, crossing my arms. “Since when are you and Daniel such good friends? Last I checked, you barely mentioned him unless it was about some deal or favor.”Jason lets out a sigh, overly dramatic and clearly meant to push my buttons. “We’re friends now, cupcake. He’s helped me out a lot when I needed it.”“Friends uh?” I echo, my tone cutting. “And just like that, you're