The household was eerily quiet, as if everyone had simultaneously retreated to their own worlds. Annie and Alpha Kael's mother remained in their respective rooms, lost in thought. Vandora and Lucilia had escaped to the shopping mall, seeking distraction from the tension. Zara's door remained firmly shut, a silent barrier between her and the world. Karan had sought solace at the orphanage, surrounded by innocent smiles. Valeria too had gone to see her dad and hopefully a get a breath of fresh air. But Valtor's whereabouts remained Unknown since he had just stormed out, his absence as unsettling as his presence. At the orphanage, Karan stood transfixed, watching the children's laughter-filled soccer game. Enoch approached from behind, his walking stick tapping softly on the ground. "You look troubled, my friend," Enoch said, his voice warm and wise, as he stood beside Karan. Karan turned, a hint of curiosity on his face. "What makes you say that Enoch?" Enoch smil
Karan's vision blurred as he stumbled backward, Valtor's blow still resonating across his cheek. Valeria's gasp hung in the air, her eyes wide with horror. Zara rushed to Karan's side, her voice shaking. "Karan, oh goodness you're bleeding. What is wrong with you Valtor?" She yelled almost in tears. Karan's hand instinctively touched his stinging lips were there was blood, his gaze locked onto Valtor's. Valtor's face twisted in a snarl, his eyes blazing with drunken fury. As Valtor charged at Karan, his fists clenched, the two men clashed in a flurry of punches. The air echoed with grunts and crashing furniture. Zara screamed, Valeria could do nothing other than cover her mouth in shock. Just as it seemed like the brawl would escalate, Annie stepped forward, her petite frame commanding attention. With a stern expression, Annie delivered swift, sharp slaps to both Valtor's and Karan's faces. "Stop this madness right now!" Annie exclaimed, her voice firm but trembli
Days blended together as Karan and Valeria continued their clandestine trysts, stealing moments whenever darkness fell. Their love grew stronger with each passing night. During the day, they maintained a facade of normalcy and Zara's watchful eyes and clever excuses often provided the perfect cover. "Let's go for a walk," Zara would say, casually inviting Valeria to join her and Karan on some errand or other. As they strolled, Zara would conveniently lag behind or divert her attention, granting Karan and Valeria fleeting moments of privacy. Their whispers, laughter, and stolen glances became a familiar rhythm for her. Under the light of the full moon, their nighttime escapades became more frequent. They'd slip away to hidden clearings, sharing secrets and dreams. Valeria's heart now beat in tandem with Karan's, their love blooming with each passing seconds. For the first time in Valeria's life, love felt truly unconditional. Despite the forbidden nature of their relation
The next morning, Karan sensed something off about Valeria. Her usual warmth and responsiveness were replaced by an unsettling silence. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but his instincts screamed that something was amiss. Assuming she'd open up later or he would ask about it, Karan pushed aside his concerns, focusing on his daily routine. However, as night fell, Valeria's continued radio silence grew more alarming. No replies to his texts, no missed calls, no whispers of explanation. The void was deafening. Karan's unease deepened, his mind racing with worst-case scenarios. Where was Valeria? Why wasn't she responding? Karan's mind was a jumbled mess, his thoughts racing with concern. Had he inadvertently upset Valeria the previous night? He replayed their last conversation, but nothing stood out as amiss. They'd parted ways on a warm, tender note. As he entered the kitchen, he spotted Valeria standing alone, her back to him. The soft glow of the evening lights danced
No one could grasp the reason behind Valtor's sudden descent into brutality. With a fierce grip, he seized Zara's arm, his anger boiling over. "You really don't want to know the wrath you'll face if you defy me, Zara," he snarled. "Apologize now and marry the suitor I choose for you." Zara stood unwavering, her response unapologetic and fearless. "I'd rather die than marry a lunatic like yourself." Valtor's laughter echoed through the room, a chilling, manic sound. "Your wish is my command, Lady Zara." With a sinister smile, he signaled to a nearby guard. "Take her to the cell." As the guards dragged Zara away, she locked eyes with the family, their horrified gazes a reflection of the chaos unfolding. Valeria knew she had to act swiftly, for the happiness of her loved ones hung in the balance. "Have you lost all reason, Valtor?" Annie demanded, her voice echoing through the hall as she watched the guards disappear with Zara. "Release her this instant! I am the Alpha, and m
Sophia Noel sat at the restaurant, lost in thought as she prepared to leave. But her peaceful moment was disrupted when Aiden Scott burst through the door, his eyes fixed on his phone and In a split second, they collided, spilling Sophia's drink all over his clothes. "Could this day get any worse than it already is?" Sophia sighed, exasperated. Aiden quickly grabbed a hand towel to dab at the stain, his eyes locking onto Sophia's as he raised his head. "Are you perhaps blind or do you have a serious lack of awareness?" he asked, his tone dripping with sarcasm. Sophia's eyes widened in surprise at his rudeness. "Excuse me Mister, this was an unintentional accident, okay? So, there's really no need to get so grumpy about it." Aiden's eyebrow shot up. "Did you just call me grumpy?" Sophia's confidence shone bright on her face. "You heard me right." " Do you know who I am and what I could do to you?" Aiden said as his expression darkened. Sophia remained unmoved, her voi
Early Saturday morning, Nancy's cheerful voice pierced through the silence, rousing her sisters from their slumber. "Rise and shine, girls! We need to get ready for a shopping spree! We're going to find Sophia the perfect outfit to celebrate her new job!" But her enthusiasm was met with groans and protests. The sisters felt like they'd been hit by a truck, their bodies aching from the late-night celebration. After tucking the girls in bed, they had let loose, enjoying each other's company and reveling in Sophia's success. The drinks had flowed, and the laughter had echoed into the early hours of the morning. Now, as they slowly opened their eyes, the harsh light of day revealed the aftermath of their merriment. Daphne's hair was a tangled mess, her makeup was smudged, and Fiona's pillowcase was stained with last night's mascara. They all felt like they'd been put through a wringer. "Can't it wait?" Daphne pleaded, her voice husky with sleep. "Just a few more hours, please?"
The weekend was over in what felt like a blink of an eye. On an early Monday morning, Sophia got herself ready for work, her mind still lingering on the relaxing days she had just left behind. She had spent the weekend lounging in her pajamas, watching movies with her girls, and enjoying quality time with her family. But now, it was time to get back to reality. She made sure her girls were ready for school, packing their lunches and backpacks, and dropping them off at the school gates. After the morning chaos, Sophia headed to the office. She had been looking forward to this day all weekend, eager to start her new job and make a fresh start. As she entered the building indicated on the card, Sophia couldn't help but spin around in admiration. The modern architecture and sleek design impressed her, and she felt a sense of pride and excitement to be working in such a prestigious building. As she turned to a corner, Sophia accidentally bumped into an employee, Clement, who was in a r