NinaThe room felt cold, not from the air, but from the weight of my actions and the knowledge of what I had done.My hands trembled as I pressed them into my lap, fighting to keep my breathing steady. Scarlett would be back soon, and I couldn’t afford to lose my composure. Not now.I had always been good at playing the part of the victim. My sister’s protective nature made it easy. A trembling lip, downcast eyes, and a quiver in my voice, and Scarlett would do anything for me. She had no idea who I truly was or what I was capable of.Poor Sarah. She had no idea either.Sarah had become a hindrance. Her unwavering loyalty to Scarlett had become a problem. The way she shielded Scarlett made me feel disgusted. This wasn’t about Sarah - the poor, innocent maid of Scarlett. Scarlett’s precious maid.But none of that mattered as much as Jack.Jack had been my real problem.This was about Jack. My so-called mate. The one who had dared to try to control me, to bind me under his authority lik
NinaScarlett’s revelation echoed in my mind, refusing to fade. Jack’s innocence had been proven - but how? My plan had been meticulous, every detail perfect.I paced frantically across the room, gnawing at my fingertips until they were raw. My thoughts spiraled out of control as I searched desperately for answers.I had to think. Had to breathe. Had to figure out what went wrong.The evidence I planted was excellent—Sarah’s blood on Jack’s clothes, his DNA under her fingernails. Each detail was meticulously placed to ensure his conviction.But something gave me away. Something in that damned autopsy report exposed the truth.“We need to act fast.” The wolf inside me snarled, its fury burning through my veins. “Or they’ll discover the truth - that you’re the one who killed Sarah.” The beast’s words carried the weight of our shared secret, heavy with the knowledge of what we’d done.I groaned and pressed my palms against my temples, sick of the wolf’s relentless voice. Her constant pres
JackNina’s scent lingered long after she left, a bittersweet reminder of her visit. Jasmine and rain... and something else I couldn’t quite identify.My wolf stirred restlessly, both comforted and troubled by her presence. Her warning about my planned execution still rang in my ears, each word laced with tears and terror.I couldn’t believe the mess we were in, or that she still wanted to stay behind. Why would she risk it? She had every reason to run with me.But she didn’t.I paced the confined space, my footsteps echoing against the cold stone walls. Each step matched the rhythm of my racing thoughts.The weight of Sarah’s death still sat heavy on my conscience - even if I couldn’t remember doing it, the evidence spoke for itself. At least, that’s what I’d believed all these months.“You’re overthinking,” I muttered to myself, running a hand through my tangled hair. “Nina’s trying to save your life. She’s your mate. You felt the connection.”But had I? Really? The question nagged a
NinaThe scent of him clung to my clothes as I hurried through the darkened corridors, my heart thundering against my ribs. Pine and earth... and something I couldn’t pin my hand on.Something that made my wolf curl her lip in disgust. Each step echoed against the stone floors, a rhythmic reminder of my performance in Jack’s cell.I wiped away the fake tears, a smirk replacing the concerned expression I’d worn moments ago. Every step away from him felt like a victory.My plan was working perfectly, like pieces on a chessboard moving exactly where I needed them.“You did well,” my wolf purred, preening with satisfaction. “He believed every word from you.”“I know he will.”“He believes you’re staying to bond with your sister.” Red’s lips curved into a dark smile. “Such a fool.”Of course he did. Men like Jack were so easily manipulated by a few tears and trembling lips.The fool actually believed I was truly his mate. He believed I wanted him as a mate and that I wanted to stay behind t
FinnThe small gasp that escaped Scarlett’s lips sent a wave of satisfaction through me. Even after all this year, I could still surprise her.My fingers remained gentle but firm around her wrist as I pulled her closer, letting her catch my scent – the crisp scent of my cologne and coffee from endless business meetings still clinging to my clothes.“Miss me, Luna?” I whispered, my voice rough with emotion after months apart.The silver glow of the moonlight filtered through her window, illuminating her face with a mix of shock and joy.“Finn, is that you?” Her free hand reached up to touch my face, fingers trembling slightly as they traced my jawline. “How... when did you get back?”I caught her exploring hand and pressed a kiss to her palm. “About an hour ago. The company’s quarterly review finally wrapped up.”My wolf, Storm, stirred within me, desperate to reconnect with Ray after our long separation. Through our mate bond, I could feel Ray’s answering call, her presence warm and f
Finn Scarlett turned in my arms, pressing her forehead to mine. “I love you,” she breathed, her fingers tracing patterns on my chest. “I love you too.” “Ah,” she screamed as my finger gently made its way inside her, beginning to pleasure her. She moaned with delight as my movements started, slow and deliberate, before gradually increasing in pressure and speed. Her moans grew louder and more insistent, filling the room with her desire. “Yes,” she gasped, her hips rising to meet my touch. “Right there.” I smirked, continuing, savoring every sound she made. I could feel her body tightening on the brink of release. But just as she was about to let go, I withdrew my finger and dropped to my knees. Her eyes fluttered open, surprise and frustration flashing across her face as a whimper escaped her lips. She reached out, tangling her fingers in my hair as I leaned forward and began to pleasure her with my mouth. Scarlett’s moans grew softer, yet more intense as my tongue explored her,
ScarlettI woke to an empty bed, the sheets still warm from where Finn had lain. The sound of running water from the bathroom told me where he’d gone. I stretched, feeling the pleasant ache in my muscles.My wolf, Ray, purred contentedly. “Our mate is home.”“Yes,” I agreed, smiling despite the weight of responsibilities that pressed at the edges of my mind. Having Finn back made everything feel more manageable, even if only temporarily.The bathroom door opened, and Finn emerged with a towel wrapped around his waist, water droplets still clinging to his chest. My breath caught. No matter how many times I saw him, he still had this effect on me.“Morning, love,” he said, leaning down to kiss me. I caught the scent of his soap, clean and masculine.“I thought you might have left for pack business already,” I admitted, sitting up and letting the sheets pool around my waist.His eyes darkened with lust as they traced over my exposed skin. “Not without saying goodbye, honey.” He sat on th
FinnI lay in bed with my mate, savoring her warmth against me, when David’s voice echoed in my mind.‘What is it, David?’ I responded through our pack link.‘Alpha, I apologize for disturbing you. When I couldn’t find you in the office...’ His concern rippled through the mental connection.‘I’ll be there shortly,’ I assured him. ‘I needed time with my mate.’‘Understood, sir.’ With those words, David severed the mind-link, leaving me alone with my thoughts. In my arms, Scarlett shifted slightly, her breathing soft and steady.I gazed down at her peaceful face, drinking in every feature of my mate - the woman I’d ached for through all these long, empty months.Storm’s howl resonated through my mind, his joy echoing my own. My wolf couldn’t contain his elation at having her so close, her warmth pressed against us.We’d both yearned for this - man and beast united in our relief at finally having our mate in our embrace.“That happy, huh?” I asked, amused by Storm’s unrestrained joy, his
JackThe scent of Nina’s blood filled my nostrils, threatening to overwhelm my senses. Her body lay limp before me, and for a moment, something inside me wavered.The memory of her smile, her laughter, the way she used to look at me with those bright eyes. It all crashed through my mind like a sinuous wave.But then I remembered her betrayal, the night she tried to end my life, and my will hardened once more.“Take her to the cells,” I ordered, my voice rough with suppressed emotion.Two pack members immediately moved forward, lifting her unconscious form. Blood dripped from her wounds, leaving a trail across the stone floor.Mother stood beside me, her presence both comforting and suffocating. “You did well, my son,” she said, placing a hand on my shoulder. “She needed to learn her lesson.”I nodded, but the words felt hollow. The pack members’ excited murmurs filled the room, their bloodlust still palpable in the air.They had enjoyed the spectacle, reveled in Nina’s pain. Part of m
NinaI couldn’t contain my scream as the pain tore through me.“That’s more like it,” Jack murmured, satisfaction darkening his features. “Now tell me, Nina. Was it worth it?”Tears blurred my vision, but I lifted my chin, forcing a smirk onto my lips despite the agony. “You tell me, Jack. Does this make you feel powerful?” I let out a shaky breath, my voice dripping with mockery. “Or does it remind you that you once loved me?”“Really?” His smirk turned cruel as he plunged the silver blade deep into my chest, stopping just short of a fatal wound. My scream echoed off the walls, raw and primordial. The pack’s cheers rose around us like a grotesque chorus, celebrating my torment.“Scream more,” he snarled, twisting the silver deeper. My body obeyed, another agonized cry ripping from my throat. This pain was beyond anything I could contain, beyond anything I could fight.“It hurts so much. Please.”“Tell me, why did you choose to hurt me despite how much I loved you, Nina? Why did you c
NinaWeeks crawled by in silence, each day without a word from Jack leaving me weaker. The guards’ sporadic meals – mere scraps twice a week – barely kept me alive. My body had become a hollow shell of what it once was.I huddled in the corner, gnawing absently at my fingertips when footsteps echoed down the corridor. I didn’t bother looking up, expecting another cold-faced guard.But then his scent hit me – that familiar, intoxicating aroma that made my mouth water. I raised my head to find Jack looming over me, his face twisted with contempt.I scrambled to my feet, my heart surging with a desperate joy. Something stirred deep within me, electric and primal, awakening every dormant cell in my body. The wolf inside me howled in recognition. I felt alive.“Jack,” I breathed. “Is it really you?”“Does seeing me make you this happy?” His voice was ice.“Yes,” I whispered, drawing closer. “I’ve missed you so much, honey.”His eyes blazed with such fury that I staggered back. This wasn’t
NinaThe cold stone walls of my cell seem to close in with each passing hour. How long have I been here? Days? Weeks?Time bleeds together in this darkness, broken only by the dim light filtering through the tiny window near the ceiling.My hands trace the rough surface of the wall, fingers catching on jagged edges, a sensation that’s become almost comforting in its familiarity.Jack. His name burns in my mind like acid. He should be dead. He should be rotting in the ground by now, not walking around, breathing, living. I did everything perfectly.The poison was untraceable, so much so that even the most thorough autopsy wouldn’t have detected it.I watched him drink it, watched the bottle empty as he swallowed every last drop. I remember fighting to keep my expression neutral, to stop the satisfaction from showing on my face as he thanked me for “taking care of him.”A bitter laugh escapes my throat, echoing off the walls. Taking care of him, oh, I took care of him alright. Or at lea
DianaThe walk to the main hall felt like an eternity, each step bringing us closer to the moment I’d been waiting for.Jack walked beside me, his presence steady and strong, while my husband followed close behind.The whispers of servants and guards echoed through the corridors, spreading news of Nina’s arrival like wildfire through the pack.The alpha had already announced before her arrival that everyone should make her life a living hell for attempting to kill their beta, but they were strictly forbidden from taking her life.When we entered the main hall, I saw her standing there; her posture straight and proud despite being surrounded by our guards.For a split second, I caught the flash of shock in her eyes when she saw Jack, alive and well, before she quickly masked it.My wolf snarled beneath my skin. She thought she could fool us again, playing the role of the innocent mate. I watched as she made herself appear smaller, more fragile, her eyes wide with pretended concern.“Ja
DianaThe moment those words left my husband’s lips, my world shattered all over again.Lucy.My sweet, brave Lucy.The truth of her death hit me so hard that, suddenly, I was transported back in time, to when we were young, and the world seemed full of possibility despite its cruelties. I was just a low pack member until I met her.I remember the first time I saw her as if it were yesterday. I was sixteen, the awkward daughter of a low-ranking pack member, always an easy target for the others.That day, a group of girls had cornered me behind the pack school, their taunts cutting deeper than I had imagined.They weren’t just bullies – they were architects of misery, experts at finding the hairline cracks in someone’s confidence and splitting them wide open. Their wickedness went beyond simple meanness.“Look at her! Can’t even shift properly yet. What kind of wolf are you?”“My grandmother shifts faster than you, and she’s practically dead!”Their laughter rang in my ears as I presse
JackMy breath came in short, sharp gasps.“She is Jack’s mate.”The words echoed in my head over and over, like a cruel joke the universe had played on me. My mate. Nina.My stomach twisted violently. My hands trembled as I clutched the letter, crumpling the edges, but I couldn’t loosen my grip. My lungs burned like I was drowning, yet no matter how hard I gasped for air, I couldn’t breathe.This wasn’t real. It couldn’t be real.But the truth stared back at me from the inked words on the page, clear and undeniable.I felt Alex’s eyes boring into me, his shock a tangible thing between us. He wasn’t the only one. Lucas stood frozen, his face locked in a mask of unreadable emotion.The silence was unbearable.Then Alex scoffed, a sharp, disbelieving laugh that made my skin prickle. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.”I wanted to agree with him. I wanted to tear this letter apart, throw it into the fire, and erase this moment from existence.But fate had already decided for me.“Jack
JackI quickly left, leaving Alex alone with him. My heart pounded as I searched the grounds until my gaze landed on Scar, and the sight knocked the breath from my lungs. The woman before me was unrecognizable, a ghost of her former glory.The designer clothes she once wore with such pride now hung in tatters from her skeletal frame, like flags surrendered to decay. Her hair, which used to cascade in glossy waves, had become a matted mess the color of dead leaves.But it was her eyes that haunted me the most. Those eyes that once flashed with wit and confidence were now hollow caves ringed by exhaustion’s purple bruises.Her skin, sallow and lined, told stories of endless nights spent running from demons I had helped create.“Scar,” I called softly, taking a hesitant step forward. Her gaze fell on me.The raw emotion in her gaze hit me hard. Hurt, hatred, and revulsion churning together in a toxic brew.I understood every ounce of her contempt, but I prayed she might find it in her he
Jack“How can that be?” The words escaped me in a whisper. “She can’t do that.”“She can’t do what?” Mother leaned forward, concern etching her features. “Tell me, speak up, son.”I forced a smile, though my eyes caught my father’s furious gaze. “Nothing, Mother.” Then, turning to Dad, I added, “I can’t remember anything.” The lie tasted bitter. I refused to believe my mate could do something vile like that.She wasn’t capable of such things. There had to be another explanation – perhaps the maids in that wretched pack had manipulated her, handed her poison while claiming it was medicine for my wounds.I could feel my father’s heated gaze on me as it burned into my skin. I knew he saw through my deception. I knew he didn’t trust a single word I spoke. But it didn’t matter. For Nina, I would endure anything.“I understand,” he finally said, his voice heavy with judgment. “Sooner or later, you will get to know the real her.” Without another word, he strode out of the room.Mother’s gent