LISA'S POVEven though I knew where Ronan’s office was, I never thought I would have such a hard time finding it. To make things worse, I didn’t even know which of his offices to check first.Most people were giving me stink eyes, and I knew better than to ask anyone for directions. I tried to think through my options, not sure of where to look first.After some thought, I decided to check the office on this floor before heading upstairs. I wasn’t about to climb all those stairs just to find out he wasn’t there. That would’ve been frustrating, especially since, for some reason known to me, the elevator was out of order.Why would you install an elevator if it’s not going to work twenty four seven?It took forever to reach the office, and when I finally did, I knocked on the door. No answer. I knocked again still nothing. By the third try, I twisted the knob, only to find out it was locked.Frustrated, I raised my hand to knock again when a voice startled me. "The Alpha isn’t in that o
LISA'S POVIt took a little longer than I thought to get down, and I guess it was noticeable because, when I finally reached the back of the pack house, Ronan was there in all his glory, half-naked. His shirt had been tossed aside as he chopped large logs of wood into smaller pieces.Sweat trickled down his rock hard abs like condensation on a bottle of cold energy soda.I know he's fit, and I know he's hot, but this is on another level. Maybe it’s because I've never seen a sweaty, half-naked Ronan before.Who am I even kidding who hasn’t seen a half naked man before? Well, not quite like this. Back when we used to spar together, he’d get sweaty, but I've never seen him chopping wood, each strike of his axe effortlessly reducing thick logs to splinters."You like what you see, huh?" someone whispers in my ear, making me jump with a loud squeal. I turn to find Jack smirking, his eyes gleaming with mischief. He wears a devious look that screams, I know what you’re up to, and my face in
LISA’S POV“You want answers in detail, right?” he asks, his voice calm but firm.“Yes, but—"“No buts. You wanted answers, didn’t you?” He moves slightly to the side, gesturing for me to step into the room.I let out a long, frustrated sigh, ignoring the whispers and judgmental stares from the hallway. I walk into the office, and Ronan shuts the door behind us.Just as I open my mouth to speak, he cuts me off. “I know you’re eager to hear what’s going on, but you, of all people, should know the walls in this pack have ears. This isn’t something we can talk about out there. That’s why we came in here, this is the only safe place for a discussion like this.” He states.“Fine, I get that. But couldn’t you at least have put on a shirt before dragging me in here?” I snap, folding my arms. “It might have saved me from the stink eyes I’ve been getting from everyone in the pack house.”Ronan chuckles softly, running a hand through his tousled hair. “I’m sorry about that,” he says, smirking
LISA’S POV “Lisa,” he begins, his voice softening. “Don’t even,” I cut him off, raising my hand to silence him. “I don’t want to hear it. Don’t even start with your excuses. Let’s not dive into things I’d rather not discuss. Just give me the information I came for so I can be on my merry way.” “We need to clear things up first,” he insists, but I’m not interested in talking about feelings or promises right now. “We can clear things up another time. Right now, I just want to know who these tattooed people are and why they’re stalking me.” He hesitates, clearly torn between what he wants to say and what he thinks he should say. Finally, after a deep breath, he speaks. “They’re from the Blue Waters pack. The tattoo is infamous it belongs to their spies.” “Blue Waters?” I repeat, raising an eyebrow in surprise. “You mean the pack with the council?” He nods, confirming my suspicion. “Why would anyone from that side of the world be stalking me? It’s been years since I was even par
LISA'S POV"We get to go out with Daddy!" Nancy squeals with excitement.After two days of persuasion and Jack talking me into it, it’s finally happening. We’re actually going to meet the big bad wolf aka Alpha Gareth. The same man I treated for weeks. Jack said Gareth has something important he wants to talk to me about, and the last thing I want is to be in the same room with him, much less listen to whatever nonsense might come out of his mouth.Yet here we are, outside the pack house, walking towards the main gate to meet Ronan. Even though I didn’t want to come and I still don’t I feel compelled to be a little kind, after what I did to him. The way I spoke to him when he was only trying to protect me and the kids... I guess the least I can do is give him this one thing.I want to be as far away from Ronan, his father, and anyone in his family as possible. But every time I try to distance myself, the kids are always in the middle, pulling me back to them. And as much as I despis
LISA'S POV The house looks almost exactly the same as it did years ago when I last visited. The last time I came here was with my father. I was much younger back then, and I vividly recall that we were supposed to be here for dinner or at least, that's what my father told me. However, from the moment we arrived to the moment we left, we didn’t eat a single thing. All I remember is them discussing something about borders and territories. My father had brought some maps with him, though at the time, I didn’t understand much of what was being said. In hindsight, he probably brought me along because my mother was away visiting her old pack, and he didn’t trust anyone in the pack house to watch over me. "Are you ready?" Ronan whispers as we reach the door. "I was born ready," I say, sarcasm dripping from my voice. “If my father tries anything or if you feel uncomfortable at any point, we can leave. Don’t hesitate,” he reassures me. “Do you expect something to happen?” I raise an e
LISA'S POV "Can you pass me the corn?" Ronan asks, his eyes focused on me. I know he's speaking to me directly, but I don’t move, keeping my gaze firmly fixed on my plate. The bowl of corn is literally just a few inches away from him. If he wanted, he could easily reach out and grab it himself, but instead, he chooses to ask me. “Lisa?” he prompts again, his voice holding a hint of impatience. “Yes?” I raise an eyebrow, pretending that I didn’t hear him the first time, though it’s obvious I did. “The corn, please?” His smirk is unmistakable, and it takes everything in me not to react to it. He knows exactly what he’s doing, pushing my buttons for no reason other than the simple joy of it. “Oh, sure,” I respond with a forced smile, reaching for the bowl and handing it to him. As his fingers brush mine, I realize that’s what he was aiming for all along. He could’ve easily grabbed the bowl himself, but he chose to make this small moment between us, as if to remind me of his presenc
RONAN'S POV"Kissing someone who isn't your mate?" I repeated her words in my head, feeling them echo within me.I couldn’t help the smirk that tugged at the corners of my mouth. Jack was right she truly doesn’t know. Despite my lingering doubts, it’s clear now that she has no idea she’s my mate. She still thinks I’m mated to Gretchen.“You’re right about that,” I finally tell her, my voice steady. "Kissing someone who isn’t your mate should only happen by mistake." I take deliberate steps toward her, closing the distance while she stays frozen in place, shock written all over her face.“But fortunately,” I continue, my voice dropping to a whisper as I bridge the last gap between us, “the person I kissed is my mate.” Without waiting for her response, I capture her lips in mine, sealing my confession.For so long, I’ve tried to hold back, to restrain myself, convincing my heart and mind that I could wait for her to acknowledge the bond between us. But those were just words empty promis
RONAN’S POV.The sun had already set by the time we returned to the pack house. Kyle carried Penny, who had fallen asleep somewhere along the way, her tiny head resting on his shoulder. Sergio was in my arms, his small body heavy with sleep until he stirred, rubbing his eyes groggily. The men I brought with me had already been dismissed, though not without Kyle warning them: "If I hear anything about that bear from anyone, you’ll lose your heads." They had nodded and slinked off, knowing better than to test his word. As we reached the apartment, I shifted Sergio gently in my arms and knocked on the door. For a moment, everything was quiet. Then the door swung open. Lisa stood there, her expression anxious and uncertain until her eyes landed on the sleepy boy in my arms. “Sergio!” she gasped, her hands flying to cover her mouth. Tears welled in her eyes as she dropped to her knees, unable to contain her relief. The boy’s sleepy face lit up with a tired but genuine smile. “
RONAN’S POV I rush toward the bear, intent on pulling the kids off, but the beast lets out another guttural growl, sharp canines glistening with drool. It's a warning: Take one step, and I’ll tear you apart.But I don't care if it rips me to shreds so long as I can get those children away and ensure their safety, I'll take whatever comes.“Don’t attack us,” Sergio says calmly, his small voice cutting through the tension.The bear lowers its growl as Sergio pats it on the head. “It’s okay, Bruno. They won’t hurt us it’s just my daddy and his friends,” he says with a smile.To my surprise, the bear kneels, allowing Sergio to slide off its back like it's nothing more than a trained pony.“Daddy!” Sergio runs toward me, his tiny arms outstretched. I scoop him up, letting out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. The relief washes over me like a wave, he's safe. But the bear's dark eyes are still fixed on me, tracking every move I make as if daring me to try something reckless.From th
RONAN’S POV“Kyle, you stay back. Howard and Team A will come with me,” I state firmly, knowing full well Kyle is going to argue. But he needs rest. Those bastards roughed him up, and I made him interrogate them again. As much as he won’t admit it, he’s not at full strength yet.Team A is made up of our most trusted warriors. I would’ve gone alone, but I need all the eyes I can get and only trusted eyes. Someone from the inside helped with the kidnapping; I feel it in my gut.Even though they got in during the race, they couldn’t have made it this far without help. When I find out who betrayed us, I’ll make an example of them so no one ever tries it again.Kyle stands his ground, hands in his pockets. “I’m coming with you.”His wounds have mostly healed, just a slight pinkish tint on his cheek. But it doesn’t change the fact that he needs rest.“No, you need to go and rest,” I tell him firmly.“My niece is missing too,” Kyle says quietly, his gaze unwavering. “Both kids are like my ow
RONAN'S POVFolding the sleeves of my blue button up shirt, I slip on my brass knuckles before taking a seat opposite him. The blonde guy across from me looks seconds away from pissing his pants. I tap the table lightly and lean forward with a cold smile. “We're in for some games tonight. I hope you’re ready.” He glares at me, trying to act tough. “What do you want from me?” I rest my elbows on the table. “First, how about you tell me your name?” “I’m not telling you shit,” he snarls. “Wrong answer,” I mutter, slamming my brass-covered fist into his face once, then twice. The sound of bone cracking echoes through the room as blood pours from his mouth. A tooth drops onto the table with a dull clink, and he groans in pain, spitting blood. “That should tell you I’m not here to play your ‘loyal spy’ games,” I say, wiping my knuckles clean. “Now, let’s try this again. What’s your name?” “Abel,” he whispers, trying hard to sound calm, but the fear in his eyes gives him away.
RONAN’S POV “Baby, are you okay?” I ask, though I already know the answer. I don’t need to ask to know she isn’t okay. For the past three days, she hasn’t cried or shown any vulnerability. I know she wants Sergio back, I do too. Just the thought of what might be happening to my son right now makes me sick. I don’t know exactly what is going on, but if even a single strand of hair is missing from his head when I find him, I will make sure I burn down any pack or territory involved, no matter how small their part. “Do I look like I’m okay?” she asks, raising an eyebrow. “You don’t look okay,” I reply softly. She looks far from it. I know exactly what she’s doing, suppressing her emotions to stay strong. Gemma has been all over the place, crying and begging me to find her daughter. Lisa has been the only one holding things together, which means she’s bottling everything up to stay rational for everyone’s sake. But it’s eating her alive, and I know it because I feel it too. “L
LISA'S POV In a flash, we are no longer behind the bleachers, and the entire place erupts into chaos. People scatter in every direction, panicked voices rising over one another. My heart stutters in my chest, and my mind goes blank. My entire body freezes as if someone flipped a switch, cutting off my ability to think, move, or even breathe.Everything feels like it has stopped.“Lisa, I need to get you to safety now, please, don’t panic,” Ronan urges, his voice strained with urgency.His words barely register. It feels like I’m hearing them underwater, faint and distant. My limbs are paralyzed, every muscle locked in place, as if I have forgotten how to move.“I can’t go.” My voice is a trembling whisper as I take a step toward the chaotic crowd.“Lisa, no, it’s not safe in there,” Ronan shouts above the noise, trying to hold me back.“The kids are still in there! How am I supposed to leave when my children are caught in that madness?” My voice cracks with desperation as I try to sh
LISA'S POV "I need to take this," I told Gemma, slipping my phone into my hand. "Can you keep an eye on Sergio for me?""Of course," Gemma said, giving me a reassuring smile."Hello," I say as I reach the back of the benches."Hey, Lis. I need your help. I’ve got a patient, and he’s not breathing," Jessica's voice comes through the line, shaky and alarmed."Jessie, I need you to calm down. Breathe," I say slowly, using my most soothing tone. I wait as she takes a few deep breaths. When she sounds steadier, I continue, "Okay, tell me what’s going on.""He’s out of surgery, and when he woke up, everything was fine. But then he fell asleep, and I thought it was just regular sleep, but... I think someone disconnected the heart monitor.""Have you tried turning it back on?" I ask."Yes, I did. I even tried CPR, but he’s not responding. I called for backup, but they’re not here yet, and I don’t want to leave the room. I don’t want to leave him alone," she says, her panic creeping back."Ok
LISA'S POV. “Uh... hi,” I manage to mumble, awkwardly patting her back before stepping away.Gretchen pulls back, her smile never faltering. "I've heard a lot about you. It's so nice to finally put a face to the name," "Good things, I hope?" I replied, trying to sound polite."Very good things," she assured me with another smile. Then her gaze shifted down. "And who is this little guy?" She crouched to Sergio’s level, but he quickly ran to hide behind me."Oh, that's my son. He tends to be a little shy around new people," I explained, gently patting Sergio’s head."He's adorable!" she said with a small wave in his direction, but Sergio clung tighter to my leg. Gretchen didn’t seem offended and stood back up, brushing it off easily. She then turned toward Gemma with a friendly grin."And you must be Gemma, right?"The easy smile that had been on Gemma’s face moments ago faded. She raised a brow, her expression shifting from cheerful to wary. After all the excitement she’d shown earli
LISA'S POVA few seconds ago, I was smiling, happy, and even laughing at Gemma’s playful remarks. But now, all the warmth in my chest has evaporated. My mood sours with every whisper I hear from the crowd seated behind us murmurs about how good Gretchen looks next to Ronan, and how perfect they seem together.Each compliment stings more than the last, spreading like poison through my veins.I grip the edge of my seat, resisting the urge to turn around and tell everyone to shut up. My fingers itch to strangle something anything or maybe just slap the smug smiles off those who keep talking about how they “compliment each other.”Ronan’s gaze burns into me, but I refuse to look his way. I won’t give him the satisfaction. Not when he’s sitting right next to her. My phone buzzes in my pocket again and again. I don’t need to check to know it’s him. it has tobe him. But this time, I won’t bite. I don’t want to give him the chance to explain or justify whatever nonsense he thinks is acceptab