13:50 PM/“I’ll send Josef on an errand and take Nikolaos away for the day. At exactly 2 PM, the warriors switch out patrols and the camera room will be left empty for about three minutes.”/Josef has healed and even with extra patrols around, I can see them all itching to switch out patrols already. True to his word, Maxim has taken Nikolaos out for the afternoon; I saw their car leaving about five minutes ago.One thing Alpha Nikolaos didn’t think about when he told everyone to stay away from the pack house, was the fact that no one knows how I look. So, dressed to leave, I wait for 2 pm to hit before I walk downstairs.I thought about it and if I want no one else to get hurt through this, then I need to go. I cannot be here to put them all in danger. For all I know, Maxim might go straight to Mikhail and tell him I am here.That would immediately take Nikolaos out of the equation.14:00 PM/“Three blocks away from the little town is an abandoned warehouse; you’ll find a gym bag fil
My heart is sitting in my throat.They put me back in the bedroom I have been sleeping in, but that was more than three days ago. I’ve not heard anything from the Alpha, Maxim and Josef haven’t come in here either. I’ve truly become a prisoner; with locked doors and barred silver windows.All alone in here with nothing but my thoughts and wondering if I’m getting out of this city alive. Will Alpha Nikolaos still honor our contract or does it become void since I lied to him? Gods, this would all be easier if he would actually speak with me!I thought I was doing the right thing by leaving. I thought by getting out of here, the danger would follow me and not remain here to torture people who actually cared about me. But how wrong was I?Everything was a trap from the get-go.There’s no point in hiding things anymore, I suppose. I can tell him what he wants to know and there would be no consequence. If I die in this pack house, then that would be the end of my misery; at least then I kno
I sit down in my office chair with my hand over my mouth, shell-shocked to shit at what Mia has just told me. All this time I had a mafia princess as my surrogate, an abused illegitimate heir given to my biggest enemy and I was none the wiser.She’s a fucking Cotroni; the daughter of my father’s best friend and the reason Maxim’s father was considered a failed Alpha heir. I wasn’t even aware he had a different daughter from Rosalie, but as I looked at Mia better, I could see the resemblance. She’s not lying, I know she’s not fucking lying so why am I so hesitant to believe her?If she’s Giovanni’s daughter, that means my heir will be even more powerful than I am. If she’s Giovanni’s only blood heir…wouldn’t it be better to keep her as my Luna?“No. Fuck, no,” I say aloud, shaking my head even as the thought forms in my mind. Yes, it would benefit me greatly to have her as my Luna, but I do not want a Luna, right? No, I don’t…I don’t need…My office door opens and Maxim saunters in wi
My brother saunters into my office with his hands in the pockets of his slacks; an Ioannides trait. The same face, same color eyes, mannerisms, and cruel streaks but even as we are spitting images of one another, there are major differences.For one, we both have tattoos right up to our necks, but they differ in designs. Bastien wasn’t tormented like I was and he experienced true love once upon a time. Where I suffered trauma at a young age, he experienced it later in life.He pours us each a glass of whiskey, then gestures for me to join him over by the leather sofas.“So, what were you going to call me about?”I take the glass and shake my head. “Before you even ask that, why are you here? Is Sin City getting boring?”He chuckles, crossing one leg over the other knee. “On the contrary, business is booming. But my reason for visiting is to ask if you’re hoping to part with Alpha Kinnead’s sword.”“You want to place it at the auction?” I ask, and he nods. “Then, by all mean, take the
My news didn’t affect him as much as I thought it would, but then again he has such a good poker face. The man was made to lie and manipulate the same way as all Alphas do - lie, cheat, take what’s left of you, and toss you to the side.I should have known better, instead, I allowed myself to believe Alpha Nikolaos might be different. How foolish!Now here I am yet again, struggling to fall asleep with thoughts of the Alpha plaguing me. The look of betrayal in his eyes when I turned to face him, the way he comforted me after the pack house was invaded.“You’re deluding yourself, Mirabella; he simply wants your womb and nothing else. Do not romanticize this…It’s madness!” I repeat the mantra again, hoping it sticks but I have a restless night again.But the scent of autumn keeps me awake all night, taunting me with reminders of what I’ll never have. I just have to hold on for a few more months…then I’ll be free of this.I am woken up by an odd scent permeating my room and my eyes shoot
I hate being this far from my own territory and deep in someone else’s, but as I watch Giovanni’s massive mansion come into view, I know this is something that needs to be done. A phone call won’t suffice when it’s something this important.Maxim is still at the pack house overseeing things while I tend to this matter; no way am I leaving the place without a leader at its head. Especially not after what happened.Giovanni’s guards usher us in and when I get to his office, I can hear his booming laugh already. I grit my teeth; my respect for this man burnt to a crisp after finding out what he did to Mirabella all her life. Cecilia was his lifelong mistress; I don’t want to know how many of his children she got rid of before Mirabella was born. Did she think having his baby would keep him at her side? I suppose most mistresses would think this way. But her one decision led to her daughter having the worst life - abuse on top of abuse.I gnash my teeth and enter his office with a force
Maxim is standing at the door, looking at me with an odd expression. I had just gotten dressed and was about to write in my journal when he opened the door. I stand up and look at him. “Can I help you?”He cocks his head to the side. “Is that any way to speak to the person who’s getting you out of this room?” “What?” I ask with a frown and he simply chuckles. “Come, Mirabella. I’m sure you’ve missed the back gardens,” he says and walks out, leaving the door open. I swallow hard and take a step back, remembering how he fooled me last time. It’s the reason I’m in this room right now, the reason Alpha Nikolaos has me locked up.He walks back and looks at me with an eyebrow cocked. “Are you coming?”“The last time I followed your instructions, I ended up in here. Why would I follow you now?” I say, then I promptly sit down. “Please, leave me alone.”Maxim walks in and gets down on his haunches in front of me. I refuse to make eye contact, but his gaze is burning holes into the side of
I woke up this morning and felt the flutters again; I went to bed and felt them, as if the baby was saying good morning and goodnight to me. I know this is normal, and I know this is supposed to happen but no one mentioned how attached I’d feel.“Are you still having morning sickness, Mia?” My attention snaps to Dr. Lilah as she looks at the clipboard in her hand. “What about the dizzy spells and brain fog?”I shake my head. “They’ve all eased up in the last two weeks or so, but I do feel more tired than usual.”She nods. “All normal. Have you felt movement at all?”Sighing, I look down at my belly and the baby does another flutter before I answer. “It started a day ago; light flutters.”Dr. Lilah perks up and claps her hands together. “Oh, fantastic! That’s the best news I’ve heard all month!” she gushes, writing down something else on her clipboard. After this, she refills my vitamin prescription and I go on my way. My weekly check-ups have been stretched to monthly, so I don’t see
Epilogue Armata / Levi Six months have passed since Calista and I tied the knot, and now it’s time to take her home to my pack. I can sense her nervousness as we drive toward the estate, her hands fidgeting slightly. I reach over, taking her hand in mine, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “Don’t worry, Princess,” I say, trying to ease her anxiety. “You’re going to fit right in. They’re going to love you.” She gives me a small, nervous smile. “I hope so, Levi. I just want to make a good impression.” “Where’s that kick-ass attitude from when I met you, hmm?” I tease her with a wink, and she hits my shoulder lightly. “Don’t make fun of me! This is all new to me, okay!” she says, biting her bottom lip. I sigh. “I know, baby, I’m just trying to make you smile.” As we approach the estate gates, I feel a familiar sense of homecoming. I squeeze Calista’s hand again as we drive through, her grip on my hand tightening slightly. When the car pulls up to the main pack house, my heart swells
CalistaAs Levi and I drive towards the hotel for our mini honeymoon, my mind races with a mix of emotions. I’m excited, of course, but also undeniably nervous. The idea of what’s to come, this new chapter with Levi, is both exhilarating and intimidating. Levi, with his rough edges and protective nature, has opened up a part of me I didn’t even know existed. He’s shown me that beneath the façade of the spoilt heiress, there’s a tenderness, a vulnerability that I’ve never exposed to anyone else.As we pull up to the hotel, it’s like stepping into a dream. The hotel is elegant and understated, its ambiance a perfect reflection of our relationship.Walking into the hotel room, I can feel my heart pounding in my chest. The room is beautiful, a perfect blend of luxury and comfort. The soft lighting and the plush bed seem to beckon us, promising a night of intimacy and connection.Levi pulls me close, his front to my back as his lips brushing against my ear. “Are you okay, Princess?” he wh
Armata / LeviThe day of our marriage officiation is a mix of nerves and understated excitement. Calista didn’t want anything big, which initially struck me as odd. She just wanted it to be a simple affair, something intimate and personal. In a way, it suits us – no grand gestures, just a true union of hearts and souls.Standing in the small, elegantly decorated room, a sense of anticipation courses through me. Today, Calista and I are taking a significant step forward, embarking on a journey fraught with challenges but one we’re both fiercely committed to.The door swings open, and Alpha Nikolaos strides in, his presence as commanding as ever. But it’s the man following him that stops me in my tracks – Liam; my brother, not by blood, but in every way that counts. We haven’t seen each other in months, and his appearance here, now, is both a shock and a profound relief.“Liam!” I exclaim, my voice a mix of disbelief and joy.“Fuck, Levi!” Liam responds, his voice echoing my own warmth.
CalistaClutching onto Levi as we sit in my father’s office, I feel a whirlwind of emotions raging inside me. My heart is still racing from the shock and relief of seeing him return, and the realization of how much I’ve missed him hits me like a tidal wave. I refuse to let go of his hand, needing his grounding presence as we face my father together.“Calista, Levi,” my father begins, his tone serious, “you both seem to have reached a decision.”I tighten my grip on Levi, my voice steady despite the tears that had just subsided. “Yes, we have. We accept the proposal.”My father’s gaze shifts to Levi, his expression scrutinizing. “Levi, you do understand that this means Calista will be leaving with you to join Alpha Nikolaos’ pack?”Levi meets my gaze for a brief moment, his eyes searching mine for any doubt. Turning back to my father, he replies with a firm resolve, “Yes, sir. We’re aware of what this entails, and we’re prepared for it.”My father leans back in his chair, his eyes neve
Armata / LiamRiding back towards the mansion, the steady roar of the bike beneath me is the only thing keeping my racing thoughts at bay. These past two weeks without Calista have been a relentless hell. Every day felt longer than the last, each moment stretching into an agonizing eternity. Being away from her didn’t just bring clarity; it fucking intensified everything I felt for her – every longing, every goddamn unspoken word.I replay our moments together in my head, over and over. Every laugh, every intense stare, every godforsaken time she looked at me and didn’t even realize how much she affected me. Being away from her wasn’t just about missing her physically – though I ached for that too – it was the profound, gut-wrenching yearning for the connection we have. The way she challenges me, pushes me, fucking complements everything I am..Every night away was a goddamn battle against the urge to just say ‘fuck it’ and come back to her. Lying awake in the cabin, I’d think about
CalistaThe following morning, I wake up with a sense of purpose, my mind clear and my decision made. I know what I want, and it involves Levi. Despite everything surrounding us, my heart is certain. I want to be with him, not because of any arrangement or obligation, but because of how I truly feel.As I get ready for the day, I can’t help but feel a flutter of excitement at the thought of seeing Levi, of telling him my decision. I wonder how he’ll react, whether he’ll share my feelings, whether this could be the start of something beautiful and real between us.Heading down to breakfast, I expect to see Levi waiting for me, as has become our routine. But instead, I find Marcus, one of Levi’s men, standing by the door.“Good morning, Marcus. Where’s Levi?” I ask, trying to hide my disappointment.Marcus seems a bit uncomfortable, shifting on his feet. “Good morning, Miss Calista. I’m not sure where Levi is. He asked us to accompany you for the day.”My heart sinks a little. “He’s no
Armata / LeviAs Calista dresses and heads back towards the mansion, a sense of foreboding settles over me. Watching her walk away, a part of me wants to follow, to keep her close. But I know she needs this space, this time to think and decide for herself.I stand there for a moment longer, lost in thought. The simplicity and honesty of our interaction in our wolf forms, it’s a stark contrast to the complexities of our human lives. Out here, in the wild, things are clear, primal. But back there, in the world of duties and expectations, everything is muddled.Turning away from the path she took, I take a deep breath, trying to clear my head. I need to think, to plan. Whatever Calista decides about us, about her father’s proposal, it will change things. And I need to be ready for that.I take out my phone, contemplating calling Liam again. He’s been a grounding presence in the chaos of my emotions. But I decide against it. This is something I need to work through on my own.As I walk ba
CalistaTwo days have passed since that conversation with my father and Levi, and the weight of their words still presses heavily on my heart. In need of clarity and space to think, I find myself drawn to the edge of the forest, where the natural world always seems to offer solace.I stop at a secluded spot, away from prying eyes. The transformation is something that always brings me a sense of power and freedom. I close my eyes, feeling the familiar tingling sensation as my body begins to change. My bones shift and reform, my senses heighten, and my skin gives way to a thick, white fur. The transformation is swift, a fluid transition from human to wolf.As my white wolf form takes over, I feel a release from the human complexities that have been burdening me. I take a deep breath, the scents of the forest filling my nostrils, and I begin to run.The ground feels different under my paws, more alive, as I dart through the trees. The wind rushes past me, and I relish in the freedom and
Armata / LeviI watch Calista walk away, her figure retreating into the distance of the house. The conversation we just had with her father lingers in my mind, a storm of emotions and possibilities. Needing a moment to myself, I head outside to patrol, a routine that offers a semblance of normalcy amid the chaos.Standing under the open sky, I pull out my phone, my thumb hovering over a contact I haven’t reached out to in a long time.The one person who might understand the turmoil I’m feeling. I hesitate, my mind racing with doubts. We haven’t spoken much since... everything happened. I know I shouldn’t bother him, but right now, he’s the only one who might understand.Finally, I dial his number, the familiar ringing echoing in the silent night. When he answers, his voice is laced with surprise. “Levi?”I take a deep breath, trying to steady my voice. “Hey, Liam. Yeah, it’s... it’s been a while, I know.”He laughs, a sound that eases some of the tension in my chest. “You could say t