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
It had been days since my return from Atlanta. With several missed calls and texts from Adrian, I didn't see the need to respond. My cover was blown now, so why bother?"Mommy, Mommy, Mommy!" Harry came running towards me, his hands stretched out to his sides, his face flushed pink with excitement as he leaped into my open arms."Muah," I made a smacking noise as I kissed him on his left cheek, my hands ruffling his hair."Can you dress me for school today?" Harry asked through a big smile, his small hand wrapped around my fingers. I had to admit, he looked really cute, and soon I was laughing. For a moment, I forgot about Adrian."Please," he added, his lips turning downward into a pout. Just like his father, Adrian."Okay, okay," I said, raising my hands in surrender before picking him up and heading towards the doorway, where Grandma Charlotte stood."I knew he would give me up the moment he saw you, moon pie," she said, giving him a cute look, and he chuckled."How was your night?
Ever since my return to the pack, I had been restless. Of course, I had to be. I intended to call off the guards I had put in place to search for Violet, to pull back their search. But I knew it would seem suspicious, and I wanted it to be just between Reynold and me. Until I found a way to convince her.Dad was going back tomorrow, and now it was just me and the pack. I couldn’t thank him enough for watching over the pack while I was away. It seemed he was an even better Alpha than I was because no other deaths had been recorded.“You’re not sleeping yet?” Emily’s voice brooded over in the dark.What the hell is she doing in my room? Ares was growling. Of course, we hated her.“Have you signed the divorce papers yet?” I tossed at her, standing on my feet. My room was dark, but I was staring into her eyes, reading her every expression. Even at night, I could see clearly.She blinked. Once. Twice. Thrice. And then her face pulled into a chuckle. This is no joke... My teeth were grittin
I woke up to the flash of light entering my eyes; my body felt numb. My head was pounding like I’d just completed a marathon race.I sighed. My vision was faint, and then I felt my eyelids closing again. This time, I found myself standing alone in a cave. “Welcome home, Luna,” a voice spoke, reverberating through the room. I tensed, my body shook.I couldn’t tell who had such a tone, but it was familiar—tiny, entrancing, enchanting, and sweet.“Bow to our Luna,” another voice spoke, this time with an echo that shook me. I felt like I was in a trance; I couldn’t tell what was happening or where I was.I opened my mouth to say something, but no words came out.“She’s ours, and she needs to help us,” came an interjection. The voice was bold, masculine, and commanding.What the hell was happening? Where was I, and why couldn’t I see their faces?Laughter—devilish, eerie laughter—shook the cave, sending cold shivers down my spine. Who were they? And what did they want from me?“What do you
Turning my face away from Adrian, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease wash over me. I was very grateful for the interruption when the door creaked open, my heart skipping a beat as Xavier and Grandma Charlotte stepped into the room."Grandma!" My face lit up with a smile as she walked in. A sad look passed across her face, and she tried to play it cool by smiling.Xavier's eyes locked onto Adrian for a moment. His gaze swept over the room but not before scanning him with an intensity that made my skin tingle. It was clear he didn't fancy Adrian's presence one bit. His lips were set in a hard line; for a moment, I thought I saw a possessive look in his eyes, but I immediately brushed it off.But wait, isn't that look... Does that mean he is jealous? Xavier is jealous? Oh my! I had thought he had zero interest in me, like the way he always played it cool, like we were siblings.Adrian's expression was bold and daring, his face twisted into a scowl. His eyes flashed with anger whi
My jaw clenched as I stared at the masked man, my fist curling in preparation for a fight. A surge of adrenaline flooded through my body, propelling my legs into action. His eyes met mine, and in an instant, he was running too. I had to catch him.I continued the pursuit, the chase a straight line at first before he veered left. I rounded the corner and found myself in a dimly lit area. My heightened wolf senses kicked in, allowing me to track him effortlessly. I spotted him sliding down a stair rail. Following his lead, we arrived at what appeared to be the building's garage.Suddenly, the lights went out.They flickered back on, but the place was eerily quiet. I realized I had lost him. The silence was broken by the slamming of a door, followed by the revving of a car engine. Damn it!Bright headlights suddenly flooded the space where I stood, and the car charged towards me at full speed. He was trying to run me over, but I was faster. With lightning-quick reflexes, I dodged out of
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