NICOLE. "Ma'am, where are we headed? We've been driving around for over an hour and if we ain't careful, we might run out of gas in the middle of nowhere." My driver's soft voice pulls me from my thoughts. I glance out the window and realize we've long left the pack's territory. I definitely don't want to go to my father right now—not after everything with Jason and Stacy…. Father is my last option for I know how his temper flares. "Take me to my grandmother," I command, my voice cold and unyielding. The driver hesitates, his eyes darting toward me discreetly. "Miss Nicole, perhaps it would be best to speak with your father first. He might be able to—" "Did I ask for your opinion?" I cut him off sharply. "Just take me to my grandmother and keep quiet." He nods quickly without saying anything while he continues to drive. I sink into the seat, pressing my hand to my forehead, trying to hold myself together. How did everything spiral out of my control so quickly? I thought the poti
JASON.It’s been two days since I chased Nicole out of the pack after she attempted to seduce me, looking like Stacy... and also two days since Daniel stormed in, all righteous and concerned, thinking Stacy was here against her will.Hatred and Jealousy twisted in my gut when Stacy asked me to apologize for beating him up and privacy to speak with him. It was hard to ignore, but I hid it well enough until he finally left yesterday. Now, Stacy has managed to get both of us to stay civil—all for Liam's future. She says it's for the best, and maybe she's right.I can feel it—I’m making progress. Stacy is starting to soften toward me.Hence today, we’re heading to Daniel's pack for Liam’s sports day tomorrow, and I'm bringing extra guards with us. I’m not stupid. With Nicole gone back to her father, I know Victor, won’t be far behind, looking for someone to blame. And knowing him, he’ll probably make me his target.But before heading to Stacy's apartment, I make a quick stop at my special
STACYHow could Nicole be dead? I just saw her two days ago, looking perfectly healthy.I tighten my arms across my chest, barely holding back my anger as I glare at Jason. “Prove it to me, Jason. Prove you had no hand in her sudden death.” My voice is sharp. I hadn’t meant to sound so accusatory, but the shock of Nicole’s death has left me reeling, unable to untangle the mess of emotions twisting inside me.Jason sighs, rubbing his hand across his face, his fingers pressing hard against his temples as if he’s trying to steady himself. “Stacy, I didn’t… I wouldn’t.” He turns to look at me, his eyes dark with frustration and something else—hurt, maybe? “Yes, I wanted her out of our lives, to stop her from driving this wedge between us, but I never wanted her dead. I still stand by what I said, Stacy. I’ve never, and would never, harm a woman. Not her… not anyone.”I don’t answer right away, leaning back into my seat and turning my gaze to the trees outside the window. Nicole had been m
JASON 3 hours later… As we cross the Blue Moon border, the dense forest gives way to a guarded path lined with the pack’s warriors, their gazes sharp and assessing. At the forefront stands their Alpha, Daniel, poised with his chin held high and eyes calculating as they settle on me. His guards flank him, creating an imposing wall of strength. I pull the car to a stop, and the air between us thickens with unspoken tension. At least I’m grateful that I’m not in a position where Victor could cause trouble. But I can’t shake the realization of why Stacy had insisted I apologize for beating Daniel up just two days ago. She saw this moment coming. “Alpha Daniel,” I step out, and we lock eyes—two Alphas, each reading the other’s strength, neither willing to look away first. Daniel’s gaze drifts to my entourage, a smirk tugging at his lips. “Quite the company you brought with you, Barron. What’s with all the guards? Nervous?” “Protection,” I reply, keeping my tone even. Still, I f
JASON.Meeting Alpha Frank and his wife after so many years was unnerving; their judgment was unmistakable. But enduring it was worth every tense moment because now, finally, I'm here—standing in Stacy’s home, with my family.As I step through Stacy's small living room but comfortable, Liam is perched on my arm, while I take in every detail. The two-bedroom layout is modest, filled with warmth and the intoxicating hint of lavender that is her scent. My gaze wanders, catching a few colorful drawings pinned to the fridge and a well-worn armchair by the window. I’m struck by the purity of the space—not a single trace of another man's scent. A surge of hope flickers within me, hope that maybe there’s still a place for me in their lives. Especially Stacy's.Liam shifts in my arms, looking up at me with his big, curious eyes. “Daddy, why are there so many guards around the house?”I smile, ruffling his hair. “Because I’m an Alpha of one of the biggest and strongest packs, and one day, whe
STACY. I wake up feeling a mixture of nerves and relief. Yesterday went surprisingly well—my parents were civil enough to let Jason stay for Liam’s sports day, even though they’ve made it clear they haven’t forgiven him. And honestly, I can’t blame them. But I’m grateful that they allowed him to be here, especially for Liam. Stepping into the living room, I find Jason sitting on the sofa, rubbing his lower back with a grimace. The sight makes me chuckle. "Rough night on the couch?" I ask, unable to hide my amusement. He looks up, wincing slightly. "You could say that. I think my back might be permanently bent in half." I shake my head in amusement. “Consider it a warm welcome to my house,” I tease, then nod toward the kitchen. “How about I make breakfast while you go get ready?” Jason raises an eyebrow, then stretches, giving me a hint of a smile. "Breakfast sounds amazing." He steps outside to grab his bag, and by the time he returns, I’m already prepping in the kitchen. He
STACY. “Liam is a bastard! Liam is a bastard...” Nigel continues to mock my son repeatedly in the background. Cindy smugs a triumphant smirk without stopping her son mocking mine. It feels like she is putting salt on an open wound, and I feel my control slipping with every condescending word that leaves her stupid son's mouth. I step closer, just enough so our words won’t drift to Liam, who’s standing just a few paces behind, watching us with wide, teary worried eyes. “Cindy,” I say, voice low and steady, “if you don't shut your son up, I will gladly do it for you! Besides if have a problem with me, say it to my face without dragging my son into it.” She gives an exaggerated sigh, as if I’m the one trying her patience. “Oh, Stacy, don’t be so sensitive to what my sweet Nigel is saying... It’s just that… well, some of us actually have families who stay together. Some of us actually provide stability for our children, rather than, you know… jumping from one Alpha to the next
STACY. “Show us the way please,” “Right this way my lady and prince,” Jason says with a charming grin. Liam and I follow him, a little surprised but grateful. When we reach the said seats, I’m taken aback— the view is perfect, giving us a sweeping view of the field below. The space is cozy, furnished with soft seating and a small table arranged with snacks and drinks. He must have pulled some serious strings to make this happen on such short notice, especially since he wasn’t the Alpha of Blue Moon. “This is incredible,” I say, gazing out over the green expanse where kids and parents are setting up for the day. “Only the best for my family,” he says softly. The words linger in the air, warm and gentle. I glance at him, and our eyes meet, that familiar spark catching me off guard. But before I can respond, Liam tugs on my hand. "Mommy, Daddy and I need to go to the field and wait to be called for our races." "Okay, sweetie," I say, giving him a quick hug. I turn to J
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