RomanI meet Kaden in a dimly lit bar that we both know is frequented by people who mind their own business. He’s already there when I walk in, nursing a glass of whiskey, his face veiled in seriousness. The moment I sit down, he puts a sealed envelope on the table between us.“Roman, the Ladrón cartel is back on the radar, and this time they’re not just playing around. They’re circling Aella.”I feel my fist clench involuntarily, my jaw tightening as I process the words. Kaden pushes the envelope closer to me. “Read it. It has everything we could gather in a short period.”With trembling hands, I rip open the envelope. Photos, transcripts, and more. The bastards have been scoping out Aella’s workplace, her apartment. I’m there too, right from the first day I walked into that cafe.My vision blurs as a haze of red descends, fueled by anger, possessiveness, and an emotion I dare not name—fear for her safety. The bar, the envelope, Kaden—everything fades away.“I don’t know how they cou
RomanOne word of affirmation and I rip her t-shirt from her body, kissing her anew and relishing the feeling of her bare skin on mine. Fuck, every inch of her is silky smooth and begging for my teeth; but then I remind myself that my perfect Aella is pure.A pure fucking Luna, just for me. As I lift up, I find her without panties and realize in my rush I didn’t even notice she isn’t wearing any. I raise my eyebrow and am about to say something cocky when the sight of her perfect pink pussy shuts me the fuck up.Gods, she’s wet already. The scent of her arousal sends me on a different type of high; better than a bloodmoon hunt and my cock throbs painfully just breathing her in. I need to taste her, I need to taste what belongs to only me. I run my hands down the length of her body, loving the way her body bows under my touch. “You’re so fucking beautiful, Ella,” I say, catching myself as I nearly say her name. “How did I go my entire life not having someone like you at my side?”Aft
AellaI wake up, stretching and rubbing my eyes, still half in that fuzzy dream state. The sun’s creeping through the curtains, laying warm stripes across the bed. I roll over, feeling strangely content; the kind of happiness that leaves you suspicious because life has taught you that too much of a good thing is often followed by a crash … that’s when I realize something.Jay’s not here. The pillows are still dented from his head, and it hits me like a small punch to the gut; he’s gone.I sit up in bed with a frown on my face, then I grab my cellphone to see if he’s left a message. The relief that floods through me makes me feel uneasy, because there’s a message from him.[“Ella, something came up, and emergency. I’ll explain later. I didn’t want to wake you, you looked peaceful. — Jay"]Emergency? My gut clenches, the word heavy with a thousand what-ifs. What kind of emergency pulls a guy away at dawn without so much as a whispered goodbye? I shake my head, clearing away the unease.
AellaI open the door and there he is, standing in the corridor with that signature grin of his. In his hands, a box of sushi from that expensive place downtown. The one I mentioned I liked, just in passing, ages ago. For a second, I forget about the photo, the ominous note, the feeling of being watched. All I see is Jay and the way he’s looking at me.“ I thought you might be hungry,” he says, stepping inside as I take the box from him.A wave of conflicting emotions hits me. His presence instantly melts away some of the anxiety I’ve been feeling. But then I remember the photo, the warning, the lurking doubts. I push them aside, at least for now.“Thank you, Jay,” I reply, momentarily pushed back into the comfortable groove of our relationship, or whatever it is we have.We sit on the couch, the coffee table between us now a makeshift dinner setting. “Something on your mind?” he asks, peering into my eyes. “You seem a little distant.”I hesitate, my eyes flicking to the phone and th
RomanThe door slams shut behind me, the sound echoing in the emptiness of my apartment, mirroring the noise inside my head. The place is dark, matching my mood, but I don’t bother to turn on the lights. Instead, I kick off my shoes and throw my jacket onto a chair. It lands in a heap—disheveled, forgotten, much like my well-laid plans at the moment.“Goddamn it,” I mutter to myself, my voice tinged with a bitterness that surprises even me.Last night, I’d been a different man. As Jay, I’d allowed myself to lower my guard, to indulge in the intoxicating feeling of Aella’s arms wrapped around me. For a brief moment, I was just a man, not an Alpha with a plan, not Roman with a mission, but Jay, a man lost in the allure of a remarkable woman.That’s what eats at me. It wasn’t Roman who held her last night; it was Jay, a figment of my imagination, a man free from the shackles of duty and deadly realities. And she had given herself to him—a man I can never be.I pour myself a glass of whi
AellaThe café hasn’t felt the same lately. Not since Jay stopped showing up. No fresh rose tucked between my coffee mugs, no texts lighting up my phone with casual flirtation. It’s as if he vanished into thin air. A part of me wants to reach out, to find out what happened, but another part keeps my fingers hovering over the phone, paralyzed.He had given me warmth, laughter, a tantalizing glimpse into what could be—then he pulled it all away as if scared of what he’d created. I feel like a fool for letting my guard down, but more than that, I feel the ache of his absence like a phantom limb. Each day that passes with no word from him piles another layer of cold, gritty reality atop my dreams.It’s my turn to take a break, and I find myself sitting alone, nibbling on a sandwich without really tasting it.“Girl, you’re miles away again. A penny for your thoughts?” Sam says, snapping me back to reality during our break. He’s got that worried pinch between his eyebrows. “What’s eating
AellaToday is a weird day, an emotional shitshow really. I tug at the ends of my apron, feeling the soft, worn fabric, as I prepare for my last shift at the café. I’m not Ella anymore, just a ghost of her, lingering in a place that will soon no longer be mine. It’s been more than a place to clock in hours for a paycheck; it’s been my escape, a slice of ‘normal’ in a life that’s anything but.The moment I walk in, memories flood back—afternoon lulls, morning rushes, and whispered conversations with Jay. Oh God, Jay. Just the thought of him sends this aching pulse through my chest.I look around the café, taking in the faces of the people I didn’t even know would come to be my second family. Sam’s already setting up for the farewell party they’ve insisted on throwing for me, and my heart sinks a little at the thought of saying goodbye.The morning rushes by in a haze. I’m mechanically foaming milk, pulling shots of espresso, and scribbling names on cups. Each swipe of the cleaning clo
RomanI stand by the door, my eyes tracing the contours of her face as she lies there, enveloped by the sheets. She’s been out cold for two days, two agonizing days of wondering whether the wolfsbane would claim her. I never thought I’d find solace in the rhythmic sound of someone else’s breathing, but here I am, hanging on to each rise and fall of her chest like it’s a lifeline.I want her to wake up, and yet, I dread it.I was on my way to her workplace for the last time when I saw the attack. Sam, or Esteban, the rat, had her cornered. It took every ounce of restraint not to tear him limb from limb right then and there. Instead, he’s being held at my pack house, awaiting a fate I’m all too eager to hand-deliver.The male scent that had been on her was his, as if he marked her with his scent warning others to stay away. I also found the same scent in her apartment after searching it two nights ago. Seems like the fucker has been silently breaking into her safe space at night.The th
Kaden I’m sitting in my study, surrounded by the leather scent of old books and the muted light filtering through the heavy drapes. The room, once a sanctuary where I buried myself in work and pack matters, now feels like a cage. A trap. I flip through some documents on my desk but don’t really register what they say. My mind is a mess, a whirlwind of thoughts I can’t, and won’t, share with anyone. Especially not Roman. God, Roman. My brother, my closest friend. He seems so happy these days, so settled with Aella and their son. His life has taken a turn for the absolute best, and it stings. Not out of jealousy, I’m thrilled for him, but out of the sharp contrast it creates with my own concealed turmoil. I think about Elena, my wife. She’s beautiful, loving, and loyal to our pack. But she doesn’t know. She can’t know. The secret I’m holding is too damaging, too explosive. It would tear us apart, tear the pack apart. And so, I’ve distanced myself. Retreated into a shell to protect e
Aella As I stand by the intricately carved crib, my heart swells with a love so fierce it feels like it could consume me whole. I look down at Aaron, our son, sleeping so peacefully in a cocoon of soft, moonlit blankets. His little fists are curled beside his cheek, and he has his father’s rebellious blonde hair and the beginning of my mismatched eyes. The room is filled with the comforting scent of lavender and freshly laundered baby clothes. The light from the nursery’s lamp washes over his tiny form, casting gentle shadows on his crib. I can’t help but think how profoundly my life has shifted in just two years. Nearly two years ago, I was a ball of defiance and fear, literally running through woods and brambles to escape an engagement my Alpha father had orchestrated with Roman. The irony is palpable. Roman was everything I thought I didn’t want, but ended up being everything I didn’t know I needed. I went from clawing at the idea of a life by his side to craving his touch, hi
RomanFour words shouldn’t make me feel like an absolute king, but they do.She shimmies out of her bottoms and walks naked towards the shower to regulate the water. Gods, my cock is aching just watching her. Slipping out of my board shorts, I join her under the spray of hot water and pull her closer to me.There’s no hesitation when I lean down to kiss her. She molds into me, her body perfectly flush against mine as she moans into my mouth. It’s taking every bit of my self control to not snap and just claim her body, but Aella doesn’t need my beast right now. I walk her up against the cold wall and trail my kisses down the length of her neck. “I love your sweet scent, baby,” I murmur against her skin. “God, I could drown in you forever.”She makes a small noise when I draw a pebbled nipple into my mouth, and pushes out her chest as her hands get tangled in my hair. I cup her perfect tits in my hands, laving them with my tongue and loving the noises she makes when I nibble on them.
RomanThe goddamn sound of waves lightly bitch-slapping the shore should be soothing. It’s what people fantasize about—a secluded beach, the woman you’re batshit in love with beside you, the freedom to do nothing at all. Aella looks like she’s in fucking heaven, the sun on her skin, a gentle smile on her lips, a book lying forgotten on her lap. But me? I’m crawling out of my damn skin.And yet, I’m restless. Why the fuck can’t I just relax?Aella senses it before I even realize it myself. She opens her eyes and looks at me, her gaze soft but probing. “You’re thinking about something. Spill it.”I chuckle. “It’s nothing, really. Just getting a bit antsy, I suppose.”“Roman, we’re on vacation. You’re allowed to relax, you know?”I nod, knowing she’s right, but not feeling any less restless. “I know. It’s just not something I’m accustomed to, that’s all.”The ingrained habits of an Alpha, the constant state of alertness and readiness, they don’t just disappear overnight. They’re a part
AellaThe hum of the private jet’s engines seems to blend into the background, like white noise in a sea of my restless thoughts. Roman sits across from me, in a seat made of the finest leather money can buy, absorbed in some files on his tablet. The rich interior of the jet, with its ambient mood lighting and plush furnishings, contrasts sharply with the tension I feel in my bones.“Would you like another glass of wine, Luna?” the flight attendant offers, her voice polished as the silver tray she’s holding.I shake my head. “No, thank you.”As she retreats, Roman finally looks up, his stormy eyes meeting mine. “You’re not usually this quiet,” he observes.“Well,” I say, biting the inside of my cheek, “you’re not usually this secretive. Where are we going?”He grins, the corners of his eyes crinkling. “It’s a surprise.”“I’m not particularly fond of surprises,” I retort, although a part of me thrills at the mystery.“You’ll like this one,” he promises. His eyes darken a shade, and I
AellaWe step out of the hospital and as I spot the black SUV, it takes me back to my time spent here. More specifically, when Roman finally confessed his feelings to me. It was sort of a simpler time back then.Before Vasily, before…everything else.“What’s on your mind, little bird,” he asks as he takes my hand and draws it to his lips. “You’ve been quiet, even as I went off at the nurses.”I chuckle. “That was just me letting you have your own way after everything that happened,” I say, leaning forward and kissing his cheek. “Kaden’s message over the mind link just had me reeling.”Roman sighs, because I know he’s already so pissed off and now he has to face Diego. Alpha Javier is at the pack house with Kaden and Elena and has demanded his son answer to Roman.“Yeah, well I suppose he has to face the music sometime,” he says, sitting back and shaking his head. “As much as I just want to fucking sleep, it needs to be done.”We remain quiet for the rest of the ride, but as soon as th
RomanSitting in the hospital room, I still feel the residual ache from the fight, both physical and emotional. My mind plays back the confrontation with Vasily, a twisted dance that was always leading to this dark aftermath. What he said in Russian through clenched teeth left me shaken. Now that Aella is gone, I feel it’s time to share it with Kaden.“I never thought it would come to this, Kade,” I say, the words coming out heavier than I intend.Kaden leans back in the visitor chair, his eyes locked onto mine, searching for something—perhaps reassurance that what’s been done was necessary. “You did what you had to, Ro. If you hadn’t, more lives would have been at stake.”“Yeah, but Vasily said something,” I start, hesitating a little. “He said things about father that I think you should know.”Kaden raises an eyebrow, intrigued but also wary. “What did he say?”I take a deep breath, preparing myself for the weight of the words I’m about to unleash. “Do you remember the night Father
AellaThe sterile smell of antiseptics fills the air, mingling with the earthy scent that is uniquely Roman. Even unconscious, he smells like the forest, like the wilderness we both call home. My hand finds his, dwarfed by the size of his palm, but perfectly molded to fit. I’m holding onto him as if he’s my anchor, the one constant in a world that has spiraled so far from what I knew.I replay the night over and over again in my head. The tension in the room, the way Roman’s eyes narrowed as he exchanged words with Vasily in rapid Russian. I couldn’t understand the words, but the intent was palpable—two titans locked in a battle of wills and strength. And I’d stood there, unable to do anything but watch and hope that Roman would come out unscathed. My heart aches at the thought. What was so personal that it had to be shrouded in their mother tongue? Was it just a string of profanities or something deeper? A sharing of old wounds and familial grievances that led them to this terribl
RomanThe second Vasily had his hands on Aella, my world went red. The ground beneath my feet might as well have been ripped away, because for a brief second, I’m free-falling into a chasm of self-doubt and gut-wrenching fear.I had to keep my wits about me. I had to be smart. Because this wasn’t just about me—this was about Aella, my pack, and a future that Vasily was hell-bent on destroying.“Is this what an Alpha looks like?” I can almost hear Vasily’s voice sneering in my head. “Can’t even protect his own mate?” And for a devastating moment, I almost agree with him.I’ve spent years trying to prove that I was worthy of the Alpha title, not just to my pack, but to myself. Yet here I am, watching the woman I love being tormented by my own flesh and blood. It’s a cruel mirror, reflecting my deepest insecurities, mocking my so-called ‘strength.’Aella’s face is pale, eyes widened in terror, but even from this distance, I can see a flicker of defiance in them. It fuels me, but it also