My heart was racing wildly, slamming the bathroom door close, I held my chest feeling the erratic beating."Damn! What the hell had just happened?" I'm pacing around the bathroom, my hand raking nervously through my hair. Did we just kissed? Did he... Oh fvkc! I've really let my guard down!This wasn't the fvcking plan. What if he gets to find out that I was Violet. I mean I might have change everything about me, but I was still the very same Violet, his ex wife. "You caused this, Aria!" I tossed at her, because she was the one that pushed me to him, even the moon goddess knew I wanted to fight him, and pushed him away from him. But Aria's hunger wouldn't be controlled."You wouldn't blame me, he is our mate. And what were your thinking playing such dangerous game?" She snapped back at me."What game?" I retorted back."You didn't think he was going to get aroused perceiving your scent with only a towel tied round your bust? That's fvcking seductive. And he is our mate, remember,""
Today was meant to be a great start for the business deal with the Wolfes. But I had already gotten down with my ex-husband.Staring at the mirror before me, I applied blush to my face. I wasn’t really into makeup, but ever since the whole Sophia Crane facade, I’d become a fan. Mostly because of how it brought out the bold personality I now wore like armor.My phone chimed. I picked it up from the table and read the message. It was from Xavier."About the incident," he wrote. "Claire informed me it was an accident." I frowned, my heart skipping a beat, and texted back, "What do you mean?""A popular actress was around your estate, and your car is similar to hers. There’s a mistake—the bomb was meant for her, not a direct assault on you."I let out a sigh as I read the text, feeling a wave of relief. At least it wasn’t a targeted attack. I knew I didn’t have any personal enemies, though being at the top comes with plenty of haters. But I’d never directly offended anyone.I exhaled deep
I hadn’t been myself since that kiss. Memories of her taste kept flooding my mind. Damn it! I wasn't supposed to have such sinful thoughts, especially when she was our business partner.The meeting about the project was just minutes away, but I couldn’t stop thinking. 'What the hell have I done?' Would she still regard me as a business partner? Or would she call off the deal? What kind of trance had I fallen into?I was always the one to keep personal relationships far from business. But with Sophia Crane, it was something else entirely.I was all dressed up and heading to the private lounge for the meeting. Two thoughts ran through my mind: she might call it off, and then we’d all return to our various lives, or maybe… With Sophia Crane, I couldn’t even tell. She was a mystery.The meeting started, but I couldn’t bear to look her in the eyes, not after what had happened.Her voice cut through the room, bold and commanding, as if she had the world under her feet. Everything about her
"Who?" I asked, wondering what she was talking about."Your ex-wife!" Her voice made me jerk. I wasn’t expecting such a question out of the blue.I swallowed hard, memories of Violet suddenly washing over me. The pack needs her back—we needed her. Our lives depended on her at this point.My breath hitched. "I don’t want to talk about it." I’d rather savor the moment I have with her than drag us down memory lane.Her hazel eyes met mine, soft and pleading. How the hell do I tell her that I crave to be with her because she only reminds me of my ex? How do I admit that I’m developing feelings because she’s a doppelgänger for my ex-wife?"I miss her, and I want her back," I said, staring at the ceiling, voicing my thoughts without considering the consequences.I looked back at her. For a moment, her face softened—I knew I caught that look—or was I just assuming things?But then, she pulled away from my hands. "You’re thinking about another woman when you’re with me?" Her voice was angry.
"You started the fire, so you’re going to put it out," I growled, my voice a clear warning.My eyes trailed down her body as she leaned against the wall, her back to me, her hands tied. Her body was fucking gorgeous, hot, and it reminded me of one person—Violet.My breath was hot against her skin as I leaned in, my lips brushing against her ear. "I warned you," I whispered, her scent permeating through my nose, intoxicating me. My hands trailed down her back, her skin smooth and flawless beneath my fingers."I want to mark her now," Ares's voice came out strong and insistent."She'll be ours soon. Let's calm down. She's human, remember? We need to go soft on her," I tried to calm him, keeping my voice steady, though my own need to possess her was just as strong.I felt her body shudder at my touch, a reaction that only fueled my satisfaction. My hands moved lower, settling on her thighs. Slowly, I let them drift down, finally resting on her core. Her warmth welcomed my middle finger,
Waking up to see Adrian by my side was relieving. He might be the person I hated the most, but for now, I wanted his solace.His hands wrapped around me, comforting me. I felt safe. I felt relieved. And all I could think about was us—why did he leave me, and why was he cheating on me with Emily? He had cared for me, even though he hadn't, for one day, declared his love for me. I was satisfied with his affection and how he cared about me.But why all of a sudden? I felt the heartache returning all over again. It was like yesterday, even though it had been years.And then, "Why did she leave?" The question came out before I could even stop myself.He stilled, and I noticed. The look in his eyes softened, his gaze directed to the ceiling.My heart melted the moment he said he missed me. If he does, then why did he do that?Of course, I knew it wasn't proper for him to talk about another woman when he was with me. Even though I was hiding under a facade, I still had to shun him."You're t
The first ray of daylight peeked through the curtains, signaling the start of a new day.I stretched, yawning lightly, and glanced at my phone. It was past six, making me gasp. For the past three years, I hadn't slept that long. It had always been just two hours of sleep or so.I stared at Sophia Crane, who was still fast asleep, her soft snores compelling me to look at her face. Her facial features made me doubt even more if she wasn’t Violet. Last night had been a blast, one of the best sex I’d ever had. Don’t get me wrong, sessions with Violet were always hot, but I never dominated. It had always been simple lovemaking.Her legs were curled inside mine, her head resting on my arm. I gave a sigh—she was beautiful, even in the morning.One minute I was staring at her, the next, my eyes caught the silver necklace on her neck. This can't be right. This is me hallucinating, isn’t it?My hands shook as I held the necklace. She flinched but was still sleepy.My eyes popped wide, and I cou
I scoffed, opening the letter that was attached to it. My eyes widened as I read the text.“Look around, I’m coming for you,” the text read. The anger that was once coursing through me came to a halt. I felt my gut tighten—someone was threatening her. The nerve of that person! No one touches what's mine.Ares growled, and suddenly wanted to take charge of the situation. She might be my ex-wife, but our mate bond wasn’t entirely broken. I had done the rejection, but she hadn’t rejected me back.She frowned. “What’s wrong?” Her eyes narrowed at mine as she asked, curiosity piquing in her gaze.“Someone out there is after you,” I stated, anger washing through me. Whoever it was needed to get through me first. I would protect her with everything in me.My fist clenched, squeezing the flowers without even realizing it. Who knows—they might be poisoned. I knew she was a top influential person and would, of course, have enemies. But Violet was too fragile for all this. She might be trying to
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