I should have known. I should have known that trying to reject him would end in disaster. My body felt like it was burning, the mark on my neck throbbing as I lay in the unfamiliar hospital bed. My limbs were heavy, my breath shallow, and my vision swam in and out of focus. How did I get here? Memories of last night slammed into me. Walking into his study, determined to break free. Telling him I would stick to our deal, but I couldn’t be his mate. Trying to say the words I reject you—only for my world to be ripped apart. Alaric had moved so fast I hadn’t even seen him cross the distance. Pain. That was all I remembered. His teeth sinking into my neck, his growl rumbling through my entire body, the way my soul had shattered under his grip. "You will not reject me. Ever." Then—nothing. Now, here I was. Weak. Trapped. And still bound to him. I turned my head slightly, wincing as pain shot through my body. That was when I saw it. The blood bags. Two of them. Conne
The smell of burnt toast wafted through the kitchen as I juggled Anna’s lunchbox, my coffee mug, and a pile of unpaid bills. The latter stared at me from the counter, a constant reminder of how far we’d fallen. I took a quick sip of coffee—cold, of course—before setting it down and spreading peanut butter onto the last slice of bread."Anna, come on!" I yelled over my shoulder. "The bus won't wait, and I’ve got to leave in five minutes!"Thirteen-year-old Anna shuffled into the kitchen, already wearing her oversized hoodie and carrying her tattered backpack. Her curly brown hair was in a messy ponytail, and her face looked half-awake."I'm here. Chill," she muttered, grabbing a granola bar from the counter.“Chill? I’m the one running around to make sure you’re fed and don’t miss school!” I snapped, sliding the sandwich into her lunchbox and snapping it shut. “And grab your homework this time. Last week was not fun.”She rolled her eyes but grumbled a soft “Thanks, Ness,” before stuff
I tried to breathe, but the air felt thick and suffocating as the black SUV rolled through the gates. The car’s interior was cold, and the only warmth came from Anna, who was pressed tightly against me, still crying. Her tiny body shook, and all I could do was hold her close, stroking her hair to calm her down, though I was terrified too. My mind was racing—my heart pounding as the realization of what was happening hit me again. Millions. My father owed millions to a man whose name was whispered in fear across the city.How the hell could he ever have come to owe that much?I looked down at Anna, her wide, terrified eyes meeting mine, and I felt like I was about to break in half. My thoughts spiraled, each one darker than the last. Where would I even get that kind of money? A quick, desperate idea flashed through my head—maybe I could sell my organs. But no, that was insane. What would I even do? I didn’t have any way out of this.There was only one thing I was sure of: I wasn’t going
The room was still dark, the early morning light barely peeking through the heavy curtains. I opened my eyes slowly, blinking at the sight of Anna’s face close to mine. Her small hand was resting against my arm, and her big brown eyes—still puffy from crying—gazed up at me."Vanessa…" Her voice was soft, barely above a whisper. I turned to her, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. "What is it, sweetheart?"She hesitated for a moment, her lips trembling. "Are you sure about this? The man… he’s scary." Her voice broke slightly, and I could feel the fear in her words. I took her hand in mine, squeezing it gently. "I know he’s scary, Anna. But I need you to trust me, okay? We’re going to be fine as long as we’re together." "But… what if he hurts you? Or Dad? Or me?" Her voice cracked, and tears welled up in her eyes again.I pulled her closer, wrapping my arms around her small frame. "Hey, hey… don’t cry. You’re safe with me. I promise you, nothing bad is going to happen to y
I stared at the high ceiling of the guest room—or should I say prison cell?—I was now forced to live in. The luxurious bedding did nothing to comfort me, nor did the plush pillows or the warm glow of the bedside lamp. None of it felt like mine. Nothing in this mansion did. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Anna’s tear-streaked face. Was she happy now? Was she settling into her new life? Did she have anyone to talk to? And then the haunting thought hit me: Was she scared? Alaric’s rules were clear—no contact with the outside world. I couldn’t call her, text her, or even write her a letter. I had no idea how she was doing, and that thought alone tore me apart. My hands balled into fists beneath the soft blanket, my nails digging into my palms as tears burned the back of my eyes. I was her sister. Her protector. And now I couldn’t even do that. The faintest sound outside my door startled me—a footstep, maybe. The guards were always there, always stationed outside like statues,
It had been two weeks. Two weeks of feeling like a caged bird in this oversized mansion with its golden chandeliers and silk curtains, its endless halls and polished floors. Two weeks of hearing whispers about "Mr. Moretti's business" and seeing no sign of the devil himself. At first, I had felt relieved—who wouldn’t be after dealing with the brooding man who had turned my life upside down? But now, I was angry. No. Angry wasn’t the word. I was livid. I slammed the book I wasn’t reading shut and stared out the massive window in my room. I could see the sprawling gardens below, so perfectly trimmed it felt almost criminal to look at them. Somewhere out there, my sister was in some fancy London school, and I wasn’t even allowed to call her. The door opened slightly, and a maid peeked her head in. “Mrs. Moretti,” she said softly. “Would you like tea brought up?” Mrs. Moretti. The title still felt like poison on my tongue. “No, thank you,” I replied, managing a tight smile.
Weeks had passed in this gilded cage, and I still couldn’t make sense of the pull I felt whenever he was near. It was like being caught in a storm, the winds tearing at me, throwing me off balance. I hated the power Alaric had over me, and yet...something in me couldn’t seem to resist it. Shaking off the thoughts, I grabbed the book I’d been reading and headed to the garden. The soft morning light spilled through the windows, and the air smelled faintly of roses and fresh-cut grass. At least the garden was mine to enjoy—it was the one place in this sprawling mansion that felt almost peaceful. I stepped out onto the stone pathway, my sore body relishing the fresh air. My muscles still ached from the surgery, but I wasn’t one to let pain stop me. I needed to move, to breathe, to find something to keep my mind from spiraling. As I rounded the corner near the east wing, I heard his voice. Alaric’s deep, commanding tone cut through the quiet like a blade. I stopped mid-step, clutch
The night felt heavier than usual. The mansion, though beautifully lit and bustling with servants during the day, turned eerily quiet after sunset. It was as if the walls whispered secrets to each other in the silence, and every shadow seemed alive. I lay in bed, staring at the intricate patterns on the ceiling, trying to make sense of my life. Anna, my sweet sister, was far away. Was she safe? Did she miss me as much as I missed her? My chest tightened with the thought of her little voice calling out for me. And Alaric. I couldn’t get him out of my mind—the way his hands had held me, the heat, the sparks, the inexplicable pull. It wasn’t normal, none of it was, and yet my body reacted to him in ways that scared me. I needed air. Slipping out of bed, I pulled on a loose cardigan over my silk pajamas and wandered toward the garden. The moon was full, its silver light bathing the estate in an ethereal glow. I hugged the cardigan closer to my chest as I stepped outside, breathin
I should have known. I should have known that trying to reject him would end in disaster. My body felt like it was burning, the mark on my neck throbbing as I lay in the unfamiliar hospital bed. My limbs were heavy, my breath shallow, and my vision swam in and out of focus. How did I get here? Memories of last night slammed into me. Walking into his study, determined to break free. Telling him I would stick to our deal, but I couldn’t be his mate. Trying to say the words I reject you—only for my world to be ripped apart. Alaric had moved so fast I hadn’t even seen him cross the distance. Pain. That was all I remembered. His teeth sinking into my neck, his growl rumbling through my entire body, the way my soul had shattered under his grip. "You will not reject me. Ever." Then—nothing. Now, here I was. Weak. Trapped. And still bound to him. I turned my head slightly, wincing as pain shot through my body. That was when I saw it. The blood bags. Two of them. Conne
The night was unusually quiet in the mansion. Even the constant hum of activity had died down to an eerie stillness that made my heart pound with anticipation and dread. I knew what I had to do tonight—there was no more running, no more silent suffering. I had made up my mind: I would reject the mate bond. I would reject Alaric as my mate.For too long I had been trapped by fate, forced into this monstrous arrangement. I had seen his strength, his brutality—he ripped a man’s heart out with his bare hands—and yet, every time his eyes met mine, I felt that undeniable pull, the inescapable magnetism of our bond. But I refused to live as his slave, to be bound by something I never chose. I was human, and I deserved the right to choose my own destiny, even if it meant going against a being as terrifying and powerful as him.Earlier that day, Emma had been busy in the kitchen, her incessant chatter and meddling absent as she prepared some meal. I took solace in her absence. It meant she was
I woke in a daze, my mind fogged by a night of tortured dreams. In my sleep, I had seen Anna—my little sister—crying out for me, abandoned and alone. The guilt of not having been there for her had clung to me even in my unconscious state, and when I finally opened my eyes, the weight of that guilt nearly suffocated me. I lay still for a long moment, my heart heavy with regret and confusion, wondering how my life had come to this point. I was trapped in this mansion, bound to Alaric by a mate bond I had never chosen—a bond that seemed to have a power beyond my control. But as the first light of dawn crept through my window, I knew I couldn’t allow myself to remain paralyzed by despair. I had to do something—anything—to regain some semblance of control. My thoughts turned to the secret I’d overheard the night before, and a dangerous determination began to rise within me. I needed to know more about this cursed bond and, if possible, learn how to reject it. I had to find a way to break
I never should have agreed to this.This was a mistake ,a trap. I should have known this was no better than a death sentence. These people wanted me dead ,cancel that they were not human and who knew how many of them were just monsters .My heart was not at peace everywhere I looked I questioned myself were these doctors and nurses even human.I knew it the moment I felt the sting of the needle in my arm, the slow pull of my blood being drained from my body. Emma was in critical condition—at least, that’s what they said. Alaric had barely spoken to me when he rushed into the hospital, his face grim, his entire body radiating tension. I had watched him pace, his hands clenched into fists, his voice low but urgent as he spoke with the doctor. And then, I had heard it. “I don’t care what it takes,” Alaric had said, his voice raw with emotion. “I won’t lose her. She’s always been there for me, and I will always protect her.” The words hit me harder than I had expected. He loved her
The tension in the mansion was palpable. Even with Emma gone, I felt like I was walking on eggshells. It wasn’t just the eerie silence that settled over the halls—it was Alaric. He was watching me more closely now, his gaze intense, unreadable. And worst of all, I could feel it. The bond. The invisible thread that tethered us together, growing stronger every day. I hated it. I hated the way my body reacted when he was near, the way I craved his presence even when I despised everything he stood for. I had witnessed firsthand what he was capable of, the raw power he possessed. And now, with Emma gone, I had lost the only buffer between us. There was nothing stopping him from claiming me. That morning, Aliah entered my room, carrying a neatly folded dress. “The Alpha has requested your presence,” she said, avoiding my gaze. I frowned, sitting up in bed. “Requested?” I repeated. “Or ordered?” Aliah hesitated before setting the dress on the bed. “Tonight is important, Vanessa.
The tension in the mansion had become suffocating. Ever since Emma’s little stunt, twisting things to make me look like a threat, Alaric had been distant. He didn’t lock me up or punish me, but his trust in me was shaken. I could see it in his eyes, in the way he hesitated before speaking to me, in the way he kept his distance. Emma was winning. She was planting seeds of doubt in Alaric’s mind, and I knew if I didn’t do something soon, she would find a way to get rid of me entirely. So, I decided to fight back. Not with tricks. Not with lies. But with the truth. If Alaric wouldn’t believe me outright, then I needed to catch Emma in her own web of deceit. I had been watching her closely, waiting for an opportunity, and today it finally came. I was walking through the mansion when I heard hushed voices near the grand staircase. I recognized Emma’s voice instantly, along with another—Beta Lucas. “I just need a little more time,” Emma whispered urgently. “He’s doubting her
I wasn’t stupid. I knew Emma was playing a game. After last night’s disaster, where she framed me for attacking her, I could barely sleep. Alaric hadn’t punished me—he hadn’t locked me up or hurt me—but his silence was punishment enough. He didn’t look at me the same way, and the way he had led Emma away from my room had sent a clear message. She was winning. I had spent the whole night replaying it in my mind, trying to figure out what to do. How did I fight back against someone who had everything—history, status, his love? I had no answer. So, I did what I always did when I had no control. I observed. Today, I kept my distance and watched Emma carefully. She was good. Too good. She played the role of the victim effortlessly, flinching slightly when I entered a room, lowering her voice whenever Alaric was around, always making sure she was near him. Every time he looked at her, his face softened. I wanted to scream. But I refused to let her push me out. Instead, I w
I had been avoiding Alaric all day. After what happened in the jacuzzi, I didn’t know how to look at him. My body had betrayed me, responding to him in a way I couldn’t even begin to understand. But that wasn’t the worst part. The worst part was that I *liked* it. I groaned in frustration as I paced my bedroom, trying to shake off the memories. The way his hands had felt on my skin. The heat of his breath against my neck. The way my body had melted into him like I had no control over myself. I shook my head. *No. Stop thinking about it.* It didn’t matter how good it felt. It didn’t change the fact that I was trapped here. That he was a werewolf. That he was still in love with Emma. My stomach twisted at the thought. Emma. I had no idea how she would react if she ever found out what happened. Not that it mattered—Alaric had made it clear that she was his priority. That she was the one he loved. I scoffed bitterly. *Then why did he touch me like that?* A knock on my door
The day had unfolded with an unusual sense of peace, a rare reprieve from the chaos that had become my life. I had asked Aliah earlier where everyone had gone—Emma mostly, and Alaric. Fortunately, they had both gone to the hospital for some errands, leaving me with a few hours to myself. I relished the solitude. After everything, I needed it.I’d seen the large jacuzzi outside the lounging area several times but had never gotten the chance to use it. Today, I decided, was the day. I wasn’t required for anything, and I wasn’t in the mood for company. A dip in the hot water sounded like the perfect way to unwind and clear my mind.I slipped into my bikini, the fabric cool against my skin, and walked outside, appreciating the quiet calm that surrounded the area. The soft hum of nature in the background, the gentle rustling of leaves, and the occasional bird call. I could almost forget for a moment where I was—and what I was stuck in. The deep warmth of the water wrapped around me as I ea