STACY. Two days have passed since we returned from the hospital, and though everything seems normal, an undercurrent of tension remains. Jason’s guards are stationed around us day and night, a constant reminder that he still believes his enemies could strike at any moment once again. I’m sitting on the couch with my laptop balanced on my knees, typing away, while Lizzy flips through paperwork beside me. Every so often, she sneaks a glance in my direction, as if there’s something she wants to ask but doesn’t. The only other sounds are the occasional clink of pots and pans coming from the kitchen, where Jason is busy making lunch—a sight that still feels strange, because of all the time we spent together, I’d never seen him step foot in a kitchen to prepare me a meal for anyone even himself... Oh well, I guess there is always a first time for everything… I’m tapping away on my laptop when Lizzy suddenly nudges me with a knowing look in her eyes. “So, how’s it going, working
STACY. “Driver, please get the car—we’re leaving now,” I order the guard who escorted me to the office. He nods and rushes out, leaving me staring down at the contents of the box I just received. Inside is a photo of me and my son smeared in some red substance, accompanied by a strange, unsettling voodoo doll I can’t begin to describe. My pulse races as I wonder which of Jason’s enemies could have sent this. “Lizzy, did you get a look at the guy who handed you this?” I ask, preparing to leave. She shakes her head, visibly shaken. “Not really. I was packing my car when he just… appeared, handed it over, then said it was for you and walked away without another word.” I exhale slowly, fear settling like a weight in my chest. My son’s life is once again under threat. “Alright, handle things here. I’ll call you once I reach Midnight Pack,” I say. “What? You can’t seriously leave me alone with that,” she protests, pointing at the box. I manage a strained smile. “I’m sorry, L
STACY. Jason turns to me, calm and unbothered. “This is where you’ll be staying with me.” I blink, caught off guard once again. “But… the apartment at the pack house is perfectly fine for us—” Jason interrupts, his tone firm but gentle. “My mansion is perfect for my family. Now, please, come inside.” “Yay! Daddy, I will race you to the door!” Liam shouts, already rushing toward the door, too quick for me to stop him. A few servants look on, curious, but Jason’s intense stare keeps them from coming closer. He puts a steadying hand on my back, guiding me toward the entrance. “Welcome back home,” he murmurs, low enough that only I can hear. There’s a faint, knowing smile on his lips. “I had your old room before we got married prepared. I thought it might help you settle down.” I pause, swallowing down the mix of emotions that rise in my throat. “I’m not here to play happy family, Jason. This is temporary.” He doesn’t respond, but his hand lingers on my back as we step ins
JASON. Knock, knock… My attempt to kiss Stacy gets disturbed after a while of trying to get back close to her once again. I clench my jaw, holding back a curse… Damn it! Stacy’s gaze flits to the door, her lips curving with a faint, knowing smile. “You… should get that,” she says softly, pulling back. Her warmth slips away, and I’m left with the hollow ache of what could’ve been. “Right,” I mutter, gritting my teeth. I hesitantly turn away, composing myself as I open the door. I’m greeted by one of my guards—one of the few who knows about…my other illegal business. He stands there, his face tight with a message I already dread. He dips his head. “Alpha Jason. There’s a matter that needs your attention immediately.” I look back at Stacy, my gut twisting with regret. “Umm, I’ll be back shortly something important just came up,” I assure her, forcing a reassuring smile. She frowns, studying me, but finally nods. “Alright. Just… be careful.” I nod, allowing myself one last
STACY. Warm sunlight filters through the curtains as I blink awake, stretching my arms. My eyes land on Jason, sitting across the room, watching me with that quiet intensity he sometimes has. I pull the covers a little closer, feeling unexpectedly shy. "How long have you been watching us?" I murmur, my cheeks already heating up as I remember the near kiss last night. He smirks, leaning forward. "Long enough to wonder how I ever let you go." The comment is so genuine, and so unexpectedly sweet, that I feel my face flush deeper. I manage a smile, biting my lip to keep from grinning like a fool. Before I can respond, Liam stirs next to me, stretching his tiny arms with a sleepy smile. "Good morning, Mommy! Morning, Daddy!" "Good morning, sweetheart," I say, brushing a hand through his messy hair. Jason gets up from his seat and strolls closer to the bed and ruffles Liam's hair too. "Good morning, big guy. And guess what? I have a surprise for you." Liam’s eyes light up, fu
STACY. Linda’s question about remarriage rings in the air, and it feels like all the air has been sucked out of the room. I try to mask my unease, but my heart is racing, thudding against my chest. Why is she bringing this up now? The pressure mounts, and without thinking, I nudge Jason’s leg under the table, praying he’ll say something to defuse the situation. He looks at me, and for a brief moment, there's something soft, and almost vulnerable, in his gaze. Then he turns to his parents, his voice steady and calm, as if he’s thought about this a hundred times over. “Mom, Dad… I still love Stacy with all that I am. And when the time feels right… I’d want nothing more than to be with her. Officially.” I freeze, his words sinking in, wrapping around me in ways I hadn’t anticipated. A flush creeps up my neck, warming my cheeks, and I can feel his parents’ approving smiles. They look thrilled, nodding as if they’ve already decided this is a perfect idea. Meanwhile, my mind is s
JASON. As I walk back into the dining room, jaw clenched, I find my parents still chatting away with Liam, acting as if they haven’t just shaken up Stacy’s entire morning. The air is thick with my frustration, and I clear my throat, drawing their attention. “Mom,” I say, keeping my voice low but with a hard edge. She looks up, surprised by the sternness in my tone. “Why would you ask Stacy about remarriage? You know I only just convinced her to consider coming back to the Midnight Pack. One step at a time, remember?” Mom’s brows raise, clearly taken aback by my irritation. “Jason, dear, I only mentioned it because we want Stacy back as our Luna,” she says, her tone softened with just a hint of exasperation, as if it’s the most natural thing in the world. She glances at Liam, as if his presence here is enough justification for all of it. I grit my teeth, tempering my response. “That’s what I want too, Mom,” I reply, dragging a hand through my hair, a habit I’ve picked up trying
STACY. (Meanwhile at the pack hospital...) The familiar sterile scent of the hospital fills the air as I walk down the hall to find Hannah. I find her immediately and she’s in the middle of stitching up a patient, her concentration focused but still manages a bright smile when she spots me. “Hey, Stacy! When did you get back?” Hannah asks, glancing up as she stitches up her patient. I sigh, dropping into a seat by the wall. “Last night… and honestly, I already wish I hadn’t.” She raises an eyebrow. “Why’s that?” “Jason happened,” I mutter. “Ah, got it,” she says with a small grin. “Give me one sec, okay?” She finishes the final stitch, her focus unwavering but clearly intrigued. Her patient, a graying, rough-looking werewolf, eyes me with a bit of amusement. “Sounds like you had a rough morning like I did,” he jokes, sensing my mood. I force a smile. “Maybe yours was even better,” I shift my focus to Hannah,” can you imagine Jason and his parents are already acting l
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