The drive to my parents' house was a short one. I placed a soft knock on the door. I just needed to solve this problem, and that was it.Mom opened the door. Her gaze fell on seeing me. I knew I had wronged them, hurt them, and taken away their favorite daughter-in-law. Perhaps my reminder brought pain. But what I needed right there was important; it was for the pack."You didn't tell us you were coming," she stated, her voice breaking. It was obvious that she was still mourning Violet."I needed something important," I pointed out to her, but she still stood at the door, her feminine Luna body covering the door, blocking me from entering inside.She sighed. "I don't think your father would be comfortable seeing you here," she leaned in to whisper without budging away from the door. She stood tall and confident."What's he doing here?" my father growled. Mom flinched at the sound of his voice. The apple didn't fall far from the tree after all. I guess I got my cold demeanor from him.
VIOLETI couldn't be less excited. I was resuming work this morning at Mason's company. Of course, it was my first day, and I was as nervous as the word itself.A nervous flutter filled my stomach as I surveyed my limited wardrobe options. No matter how hard I tried to find an outfit that screamed professional, I came up short. With only a few pieces from my former pack, I couldn't help but feel anxious about my first day at Mason's company.A shopping spree was certainly on the agenda, but I couldn't afford it just yet. My plan to leave the pack was top secret, and I didn't want to draw any attention to myself by splurging on a new wardrobe.Resigned, I grabbed the clothes that seemed the most business-like, even if they weren't perfect. I hoped my enthusiasm and hard work would make up for my less-than-stellar outfit.Present at Mason's company, I kinda found my way out with the description I was provided, and here I was standing just a few meters away from him. "You arrive quite e
"This is for you, Violet," I looked up from the folder and files I’d been sorting almost all day. Maya had been acting like a bitch all day, compiling and stressing me out with meaningless tasks. But then, I refused to make a bad impression on my first day. I'd rather bear her nonchalant attitude than make everyone think I was the complaining-whining type. Thankfully, I've got Xavier who has been more than helpful. He was sent by the moon goddess, if you ask me.Hans stood in front of me with a shopping bag. He placed it on my table."What? I didn't order anything," I said, confused. There was no way those bags could be mine. Maybe it was a wrong delivery.Hans chuckled. This was the first time he was being nice to me, and smiling? "That's a gift from the Alpha," he leaned close, whispering in my ear."What? Mas—" he shushed me before I could finish."You can thank him later," he whispered again, then straightened his suit as he walked to the door and winked at me.I frowned. "Now, t
I was worried about Rhoda's threat, but that didn't stop me from going to work. I needed the money; my future depended on it—not just mine alone. My baby's too."It's morning, and you seem to be dozing off," Xavier's voice caught me off guard. I flinched and then looked up at him."I wasn't dozing off," I protested, blinking my eyes rapidly. "I was just trying to sort out this file."Xavier sighed. "She did it again?" He was referring to Maya.I nodded reluctantly."Just send some over. I'll help you with them. I don't know why she's so bent on making life hell for you," he offered, his voice laced with concern."She just hates me," I retorted, shaking my head in frustration."Hey, Violet!" that familiar, annoying voice snarled. Rhoda. What does she want from me now? She closed the door behind her as she walked to the table where I sat."I need to talk to you!" Her eyes narrowed, and her lips curled into a smirk.Conversations with Rhoda were always about Mason, and right now, I didn'
Cold blue eyes peered into mine. I could feel the anger emanating from him as he stared at me. Every fiber of his being radiated betrayal. Handcuffed, bound, I was forced to stand tall as the icy anger from his gaze pierced through my chest."I can explain, Mason," I stuttered. Maybe that was a stupid thing to say at that moment, or maybe not. But I knew I owed him an explanation."I trusted you. I took you in and made you a Pack member, gave you a job, and all I get in return is being spied on, Luna?" His voice was breaking as he spoke. I couldn't tell why, but I knew there was more to it than just betrayal."I swear, I'm not a spy. I'm... just—""Take her back," he commanded, his voice quivering with rage. His hands were fisted. Disappointment was etched in his face as he spoke.I knew he hated me now, but I had zero intentions of spying. Those were just allegations Rhoda had come up with.Hans looked at me with hatred in his eyes, then led me back to that cold, empty room.Ironical
FIVE YEARS LATER VIOLET I stepped out of my car, my black boot clicking on the ground. The dark shades I wore shielded my eyes from the morning sun's glare. The guards in front of me bowed respectfully, knowing fully well who I was. Sophia Crane! A name that rings bells in everyone's ears, a name I've built for five years. A name that depicts success. "Good morning, Ms. Crane," Claire, my secretary, said as she collected my bag from me, giving a light bow. A satisfied smirk formed on my lips as I heard the whispers of those who had spotted me. Just my name put things in order. "What's my schedule for today, Claire?" The weekend had been a busy one, and Monday should be no exception. “We have a busy day ahead. Your 10 a.m. meeting with Mr. Lance has been pushed back to 11, but the 2 p.m. meeting with the board remains as scheduled.” “Excellent,” I replied, slipping off my sunglasses. “Let’s make sure we’re ready for both. What about the investors?” “They’ll be here at 4,” Clai
ADRIAN I shook my head as I heard the secretary of the Hunter Corporation repeating the same words she had been saying for the past week. This was bullshit, crap!I'm not a child to be tossed around like a two-year-old being promised candy. This was business. I understand they're at the top and all, but on a more professional level, it is more preferable to either tell the other party—namely, me—that they don't want to collaborate, rather than stringing me along like a toy.The other day, my team waited for an hour, only to be told the CEO had just concluded a meeting and needed to rest. If it wasn't that, she needed to eat. I'm done with these humans.Who do they think they are, to make an Alpha like me their human toy?"Yes, Claire. What do you have to say this time? She's busy? She wants to eat or perhaps polish her legs? I don't care about the bullshit you have prepared. You can't keep my team and me waiting for two hours and then come back with some lame excuse. Where's the cons
I couldn't stop laughing as I watched the scene that was transpiring from the CCTV footage. He looked like a fool, just how I wanted it.But then, I had never seen him this riled up, this frustrated. I watched as anger coursed through him, and his eyes changed. "This is just the start, Adrian Wolfe, trust me. I can't wait to see him break, to see him down.""Revenge," they say, "is best served cold." But I'm just getting started.The Wolfe Empire was ranking second, and I'm anticipating seeing it rank last. To see that look of frustration on his face. "This is just the start, Adrian, take my word for it."I took a sip from the hot coffee Claire had served me with. For some damn reason, it tasted so nice.I watched on when he pushed Claire and was about to head to my office. I was seething with rage. I had wanted to call the security to throw him out of the company. But then Xavier appeared, and I stilled.Somehow, he was able to resolve the issue with Adrian. I couldn't hear what he h
Violet POV I wake up feeling sore but utterly satisfied. My body aches with the remnants of last night, Adrian's touch still lingering on my skin. A soft smile tugs at my lips as I stretch, expecting to feel his warmth beside me. But when I turn, the bed is empty.Frowning, I sit up, wrapping the sheets around me. Where did he go?Before I can call out for him, the door creaks open.Adrian steps in, dressed in only sweatpants, his toned chest bare, his dark hair still damp from a shower. But what catches my attention is the small velvet box in his hands.My breath hitches.He walks toward me with that confident stride, his piercing eyes locking onto mine. My heart starts hammering in my chest."Adrian?" My voice is barely above a whisper.He stops in front of me, and without a second's hesitation, he sinks down to one knee.I gasp, my hand flying to my mouth."Violet," he begins, his voice steady but thick with emotion. "From the moment you came into my life, you've been my greatest
Violet's POVI barely have a moment to catch my breath before Adrian lifts me into his arms, his grip strong and possessive. My body is still trembling, my mind hazy from the pleasure he just wrung out of me, but the hunger in his eyes tells me he's far from done."We're not finished," he growls, his voice thick with desire.I shudder at the dark promise in his tone.Adrian strides out of the pool, his muscles flexing with each determined step. Water drips from his body, soaking me in the process, but I don't care. My fingers tangle in his damp hair, my lips pressing against the curve of his jaw, his neck. I can't get enough of him.His grip tightens around me as he carries me through the pack house, ignoring the startled glances from a few passing pack members. My cheeks burn, but Adrian doesn't slow down. His focus is solely on me-on us.By the time we reach his room, my arousal is pulsing all over again. He kicks the door shut behind him, then pins me against it.His lips crash aga
ADRIAN POV I pulled my finger out from her already wet dripping pussy, and she squirms.My cock aches, hard and pulsing, but I hold back, watching her beneath me. Violet is trembling, her breath coming out in soft, desperate gasps as she squirms against the wall."You enjoy teasing me, don't you?" I murmur, dragging my lips down her throat, my teeth grazing her pulse. Her body shudders, her nails digging into my shoulders."Adrian..." she breathes, her voice laced with frustration.I chuckle darkly. "No, sweetheart. You don't get to say my name like that-not after the hell you put me through."She glares at me, her stubbornness flashing in those beautiful eyes, but the desperation in them is unmistakable. She wants this. She needs this.I press my knee between her thighs, spreading her legs wider, feeling the heat radiating from her core. My fingers glide down her stomach, teasing the waistband of her shorts."I can smell you, Violet," I whisper, my fingers just barely ghosting over
ADRIAN POV The Rogue Alpha had stopped screaming a while ago. Now, he only groaned, barely clinging to consciousness as his severed fingers lay discarded on the cold floor. Blood pooled beneath him, I barely noticed.I crouched in front of him, gripping his chin and forcing his head up. His swollen, bloodshot eyes struggled to focus on me."I told you," I murmured, my voice eerily calm. "You were going to die a slow, painful death."His lips curled into a weak, mocking smirk. "Just kill me already,?" His breath hitched, his body convulsing from the pain.I narrowed my eyes, my grip tightening painfully. "You're already dead. It's just a matter of when."He let out a hoarse chuckle, but I was done listening. My fist connected with his jaw, the crack of bone satisfying as his body slumped forward.Without another glance, I turned and walked out of the dungeon, slamming the door behind me.The cool evening breeze was exactly what I needed to cool the heat Of battle still pulsing through
VIOLET POV The moment I open my eyes, my first thought goes to Adrian-the mate mark on my neck burning like a reminder.His voice reaches me, low and desperate, as he sits beside my bed, repeating over and over again, "Sit up. Don't die on me."It aches... watching him suffer, knowing his mate, the one he stood beside, waiting so patiently to wake up, didn't even recognize him.The Shadow Alpha... I'm glad he's beaten down. But why am I doing this? Honestly, I don't even know. The plan I made was half-baked, driven by instinct more than logic.But Mason? He's sharp enough to see right through me. He knows I'm just pranking him."You enjoy needling him, don't you?" Mason asks the moment Adrian storms out of the room, his heavy footsteps echoing down the hallway.I turn to look at him, the laughter I'd been holding back finally breaking free. "Did you see his face?" I chuckle, shaking my head. "He looked like he was ready to rip your throat out."Mason grins, lounging back against the
Adrian POV Three days.Three fucking days.But it doesn't feel like just three days of agony. It feels like a lifetime. Like I'm drowning in slow motion, gasping for air while the world watches and does nothing.Harry's been calling me Daddy like he's afraid I'll disappear if he stops. He's been jumping around, tugging at my hand, showing me drawings he made in the hospital's playroom. He even drew one of Violet, him, and me. A perfect little family, all smiles and holding hands.But that's a fucking lie.Because Violet had to pretend.After the doctors explained everything-her memory loss, the gaps in her mind that swallowed me whole-she agreed to go along with the truth for Harry's sake. Not mine. Just Harry's."Daddy, look! I made another one!" Harry beams, holding up a messy drawing of us with stick arms and lopsided smiles. "This is you, Mommy, and me! We're fighting bad guys together!"I force a smile. It feels fake. Stiff."That's awesome, buddy," I say, ruffling his dark hair
ADRIAN POV "Violet, I love you. And I promise to make everything right. Just give me this chance and come back... please." My bears frantically as I say these words. Ares is clawing right at me. It's another day of saying the same words, over and over again.I've battled demons that won't let me sleep. Nightmares. Guilt. Regret. But I refuse to break."I won't give up. No, I can't give up," I mutter, gripping her cold, lifeless hand like it's the only thing keeping me grounded.My body tingles from the contact, the familiar warmth of her skin, even in its fragile state. I miss her, we missed her. Ares and I. Her smiles... How her eyes sparkles... How she looks when she's angry and wants to deliver a warning. The soft looks of her eyes. I fucking miss all of it and more."Sweetheart, please," I whisper, brushing a loose strand of hair from her pale face. "Harry misses you so much. He won't stop talking about everything you taught him-the nasty tricks, too. Like how you'd seize his
Adrian POV It's been two days, and I haven't moved an inch away from where Violet lay. She was all I fucking had.I almost lost her. She almost died. I felt her die."Alpha, you need to rest," Reynold's voice cuts through the silence that was existing I'm the room. I turn my head slowly, blinking at him.Rest? That's an understatement. I don't want to move. I want to sit here, watch her breathe, and make sure her chest rises and falls every goddamn second.The doctor says she's in a coma and will need a few days to recover. I want to be the first person she sees when her eyes flutter open. The first person she calls. The first person to watch her smile again, bright and alive.No. I can't. I won't move from here."What about Alpha Valenwood?" I ask, voice hoarse from hours of silence. He'd checked up on her and had been staying in my pack house ever since."He's still there, bonding with Harry," Reynold reports, his gaze softening. "Speaking of Harry... he hasn't touched a bite of fo
Adrian POV Ares growls inside me, restless and furious. We're holding our mate in our arms, but she's lifeless. Whatever the fucker injected into that syringe had done its job, and now Violet's life is slipping through my fingers. He won't die easily. Not after this."Reynold," I mind-link, voice sharp as steel. "Capture that bastard. I want him rotting in the pack dungeon. No one touches him but me.""Understood, Alpha," Reynold replies, his tone matching my rage.By the time I storm into my pack's hospital, Violet's body cradled against my chest, everyone freezes. Gasps echo through the hallway, but I don't care. My only prayer is that Harry's still indoors, far from witnessing this nightmare."Alpha!" Dr. Lee rushes toward me, eyes wide."Get to fucking work! She's losing breath. She's dying, Lee! Do something!" My voice cracks as I lay her on the bed, the same damn bed I once bled out on.Dr. Lee doesn't waste a second. He mutters commands, nurses scrambling around like clockwork