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
JASON. As soon as Stacy calls to apologize, I feel a weight lift. It’s the smallest thing, but it feels huge. This is progress—she actually called me first, willing to make things right. I don’t think I’ve been this hopeful in a long time… When we finally meet outside the pack mall, I catch the hint of a smile on her face. I know she has calmed down from earlier “Ready to go?” I ask. She nods, and we step inside, where every gaze in the place seems to land on us, a mix of curiosity, admiration—and envy, mostly from the she-wolves eyeing Stacy with barely hidden jealousy. She shifts a little closer to me, glancing around, her shoulders tense. “Dad…” Liam whispers, his fingers squeezing mine. “A lot of eople are staring. I don't like it.” I crouch down to his level, catching his uncertain expression. “You’re right, bud. Want me to carry you?” He looks at Stacy for a moment, then back at me, before reaching his arms up to me. “Yeah, Daddy.” “Or I can,” Stacy extends her arms, o
STACY. I’m still rattled from what happened on the rooftop as we step back into Jason’s office. He’s watching me closely, his jaw tight with worry, though he tries to mask it with small talk and polite smiles as we pass his packmates. The sense of disconnect—the strange lapse in time—clings to me like a chill I can’t shake. “You’re quiet,” Jason says gently once we’re back in his office, his gaze intent. “Are you sure you’re alright?” I force a smile, hoping it looks genuine. “I’m fine. Just… a little out of it, I guess.” “You looked like you were miles away up there.” He reaches for my hand, but I pull back, pretending to straighten my bag strap instead. “If something’s on your mind, Stacy, you know I’m here.” I want to believe him, and to trust him with whatever this feeling is. But I barely know what to make of it myself. One minute I was having fun with Liam and Jason at the mall and the next I was on the rooftop of his office building about to jump off. Thanks to Jason fo
JASON. I watch Stacy from the doorway of my office as she stands on the balcony, her figure bathed in the fading glow of the midday sun. There’s something off about her posture—the way her shoulders slump ever so slightly, the way her hands grip the railing tighter than they need to. She hasn’t been herself since she came back from the mall, and came back from seeing Hannah... I can’t shake the feeling that something’s wrong. A flicker of fear passes through me as the breeze picks up, ruffling her blonde hair. My chest tightens. What if she’s thinking about jumping again? “Stacy,” I call softly, stepping onto the balcony. She startles, as if pulled from a trance, and turns to face me. Her eyes dart away quickly, a nervous smile tugging at her lips. “Oh, Jason. You scared me.” “Sorry.” I approach cautiously, my gaze never leaving her beautiful face. “I just… you seemed deep in thought. Are you okay?” Her smile falters, and she waves a hand dismissively. “I’m fine. Just need
DANIEL. The office feels stifling. Papers clutter my desk, demanding my attention, but my thoughts are elsewhere—on her. No matter how much I try to focus, her face keeps invading my mind. Her voice, her scent, the way her eyes sparkle with mischief yet hold secrets she won’t dare share. It’s maddening. I lean back in my chair, my hands steepled beneath my chin as I stare blankly at the wall. For a man who prides himself on control, this is unfamiliar territory. My wolf stirs restlessly, growling his discontent at the distance between us and her. “Alpha?” A sharp knock interrupts my reverie. I don’t respond, barely registering the sound. “Alpha Daniel?” The voice is closer now, accompanied by the creak of the door. My Beta, Mark, steps into the room, his brows furrowed as he takes in my distracted state. I glance up, blinking as I see him standing in the doorway, concern written all over his face. “What is it?” I ask, though my tone comes out harsher than intended. Ma
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