“What’s your problem?” I demanded, though my voice trembled despite my effort to sound firm. Liam opened his mouth, and sure enough, words I didn’t want to hear spilled out. His tone—sharp, clipped, and detached—was the one I despised most. He frowned, his expression unreadable to most, but not to me. After all these years, I knew exactly what that look meant. It was the face of someone who didn’t understand why I was talking so much all of a sudden. Why I couldn’t just leave things as they were. I took a deep breath, forcing myself to hold back the curse hovering on my tongue. I didn’t want to look at him—at that perfectly handsome face that now mirrored the disapproval he felt toward me. Disapproval for daring to want more than he was willing to give. Liam Gravalle. Billionaire. Perfect background. Perfect career. A man who had never once been denied anything in his life. And me? I was just his assistant. A glorified working slave who fetched his coffee, scheduled his meetin
The sheer audacity of his calmness snapped something inside me. He didn’t even acknowledge what I’d just said. Didn’t deny my accusations. Didn’t argue. He just sat there, staring at me with that detached expression, as if I were the irrational one.No matter how angry I got, how much I screamed or cried or held back, I was nothing more than a puzzle for him to solve. A minor inconvenience in his otherwise perfect life.Liam Garvalle didn’t love me. He didn’t want to be with me. He didn’t have me in his future plans.But he wouldn’t even give me the courtesy of saying, “I wish you well.”Instead, he needed me to keep repeating myself, to keep begging for scraps of understanding, to keep twisting myself into knots trying to figure out his intentions.What was the point? Was this my life now? To spend the rest of my years hopelessly in love with a man who couldn’t even pretend to care? To live for the fleeting moments when he’d let me into his bed, only to discard me again?I stared at
Daniella's POVIt had been two days since Liam’s infuriating declaration: "You can move in if you must."The words reverberated in my mind, stoking the flames of anger each time I replayed them. It wasn’t just the dismissive tone, but the sheer audacity behind them. In that moment, a bitter realization had struck me like a slap in the face: Liam hadn’t rejected me all these years because he didn’t care about me; he had rejected me because he didn’t respect me.The revelation hurt in a way that was almost physical, as if it were a weight pressing against my chest, making it hard to breathe. I had spent years hoping—clinging to the idea that maybe he just didn’t know how to express his feelings, that beneath his cold demeanor, there was something worth salvaging. But no. Liam didn’t see me as an equal. He never had.In a fit of frustration, I had poured every last bottle of red wine in the house down the sink. Watching the dark liquid swirl away felt cathartic, as though I were flushing
Daniella’s POVLiam’s controlling nature is a beast of its own. He can’t stand the thought that anyone might leave him willingly. Maybe he doesn’t even realize it—it’s like some deep-rooted compulsion. He doesn’t know how to let go because he’s always been the one holding the reins. And now? Now he’s decided it’s “unfair” to me that Matilda can live in his house while I never have. As if that’s the issue. Suppose I do move in with him the way he wants. Let’s humor the idea for a second. It wouldn’t even take a month before Liam convinces himself he’s “made it up” to me. He’d pat himself on the back, thinking he’d done the honorable thing, and then he’d find some excuse to sweep me out again. I know this because I’ve loved him for ten years. I know everything about Liam. And Liam? He doesn’t love me enough to even try to know me. I took a shaky breath, my heart pounding in my chest, and forced myself to meet his gaze. “Let’s set aside the fact that your sister would never approve o
Liam's POVThe silence in my penthouse was deafening. The leather couch beneath me felt cold, and even the faint hum of the city outside the large glass windows couldn’t fill the void. I ran a hand through my hair, a bitter laugh escaping my lips. She left. Daniella Thornhill, the woman who had been my shadow for years, was gone. And why did it feel like I was the one who got dumped?It was absurd. I was Liam Garvalle. The man who called the shots controlled the boardrooms, and had women falling over themselves for a mere glance. Yet here I was, sitting alone in the aftermath of a departure I thought I wanted. My penthouse, with its modern design and carefully curated artwork, now felt like a museum—beautiful, but lifeless.I glanced at the desk in the corner, where Daniella had often sat, quietly going through files or planning my schedule. She had a way of blending in, making herself invisible unless I needed her. And yet, her absence now screamed louder than any argument we ever
I was reviewing some documents at my desk when my colleague Jason walked over, phone pressed to his chest. He leaned in close and whispered, “It’s Anna from Garvalle’s company…”I froze, my pen pausing mid-way. My mind raced. Why was Anna calling me here? I had made it very clear that I was done with Liam and everything associated with him. I had ignored her previous calls, but apparently, she’d found another way to reach me. Clever. Annoying, but clever.Jason gave me a puzzled look as I hesitated. Reluctantly, I took the phone from him, forcing a tight smile. “Anna,” I greeted coolly.“Miss Thornhill,” Anna’s voice came through, polite and almost apologetic. “I’m sorry for disturbing you at work, but I really need your help.”I leaned back in my chair, already annoyed. “What is it, Anna?”“Well… I wanted to ask a few things about Mr. Gravelle,” she began hesitantly. “First, where do you usually order food for him from? Besides the meals you cooked yourself, of course.”My lips twitc
Daniella's pov“Mr. Garvalle... I am calling Miss Thornhill,” I heard Anna’s trembling voice on the other end of the line.Even through the receiver, I could hear her anxiety—her words faltering, her breath hitching—poor girl. For a moment, I felt a flicker of pity for her—a fleeting pang of guilt that she was caught in the middle of something she didn’t fully understand. But that pity vanished the moment I heard Liam’s voice in the background. Low, sharp, and unmistakably annoyed.Liam. The name alone was enough to tighten the knot of frustration in my chest. He had a way of demanding the impossible, of dragging people into his whirlwind without considering the consequences. I’d been swept into it once, but I wasn’t about to let it happen again.I hung up the phone without hesitation, cutting off the conversation mid-sentence. There was no point in entertaining this circus.“Martin,” I called out sharply, summoning my paralegal. When he appeared in the doorway, I didn’t waste time.
I left work early, cutting my shift short without bothering to notify anyone. The office could manage without me for a few hours—or forever, for all I cared. A strange weight had been pressing on me all day, an uneasy feeling I couldn't quite shake. It was as if something bad was about to happen, though I couldn’t pinpoint why. Stepping into the chilly evening air, I sighed, letting the tension escape my body for a moment. My thoughts inevitably drifted to Liam Gravalle. He was probably throwing some kind of tantrum by now. Ten years of taking care of him had made me an expert in his quirks, his moods, and—unfortunately—his triggers. It wasn’t arrogance; it was simply the truth. Liam didn’t know his own body half as well as I did. I’d spent a decade making his life smooth and seamless—knowing the exact balance of flavors his palate could handle, the routines that kept his skin from breaking out, and the little things that kept him calm when his workload became unbearable. But all
The day of the Luna ceremony arrived with the first golden rays of the morning sun stretching across the Hollow Pack’s vast lands. It was a day steeped in history, one that had been celebrated for centuries in honor of the mate chosen to stand beside the Alpha, to bring unity, strength, and prosperity to the pack.The venue had been prepared days in advance, set before the sacred Moon Goddess Shrine, a towering marble structure veined with silver, standing proudly in the heart of the pack's sacred grounds. The shrine was built centuries ago by the ancestors, honoring the divine spirit that guided their kind. It was a place of reverence, surrounded by towering oak trees, their gnarled roots pushing through the earth like the veins of time itself. A river ran nearby, its waters glistening like liquid silver under the light of the sun. Ancient symbols, carved deep into the shrine's stone walls, whispered of prosperity, fertility, and the unbreakable bond between mates.For generations, t
The low hum of the pilot’s voice crackled through the cabin speakers."Ladies and gentlemen, we are beginning our descent into New York. Please fasten your seatbelts and prepare for landing."Matilda stirred from her slumber, groggy from the indulgences of the previous night. Her temples pulsed with the dull ache of too much champagne, too little sleep, and an overdose of self-satisfaction.Jane, ever the dutiful maid, hovered close, waiting for instructions."We’ll be landing soon, Ms Matilda," she said softly.Matilda let out a sigh, stretching before running her fingers through her slightly tousled golden curls."I need to change," she muttered, rubbing her tired eyes. "I refuse to step foot in New York looking anything less than spectacular.""Fetch my gold sequin dress. The one with the slit," she ordered, her voice slightly hoarse from the night of partying in Paris. Jane scrambled to retrieve the garment from the carry-on.Matilda’s movements were meticulous as she reapplied he
Matilda sat across from Liam in his study, her manicured nails tapping rhythmically against the polished oak desk. She was dressed immaculately, as always, her emerald-green dress hugging her curves, her blonde hair cascading in perfect waves. A woman who knew the power of appearances."I’m going to Paris," she announced, a satisfied smirk playing on her lips.Liam, who had been reading over some pack documents, barely glanced up. "For what?"Matilda’s smirk deepened. "To get my Luna gown, of course. And the jewelry to match. I will not be wearing anything less than perfection for my ceremony."Liam exhaled, setting down the paper in his hand. "You could find a dress here. We have designers—"She scoffed. "In this town? Please. The future Luna of the Hollow Pack deserves the best. And that means the fashion houses of Paris, not some local seamstress who stitches prom dresses."Liam studied her for a moment. He was a man of few words, but Matilda could see the irritation flickering in
After Mrs Garvalles's speech, Alpha liam addressed his subordinates again.“Thank you all for being here,” he said, his voice carrying over the sea of faces. “I know these past few weeks have been trying, but I want you all to know that as your Alpha, my top priority is the safety and well-being of this pack. Tonight, we have taken an important step forward, and I trust that we will continue to stand together. Now, I invite you all to head to the field for a light refreshment.”A roar of excitement erupted from the pack, the tension that had filled the air dissipating into laughter and chatter. The crowd slowly began to disperse, heading towards the open field where tables had been set up with food and drinks under the soft glow of overhead lights.As Liam turned to step down from the stage, the elders of the pack approached Mrs. Garvalle, their expressions a mixture of solemnity and gratitude.“Queen Mother,” Elder Harris began, his voice warm and filled with gratitude, “we thank you
The grand Hall of the Garvalle Pack was almost filled to the brim, the murmuring of voices of pack members echoed off the high wooden beams. Wolves of all ranks including the warriors, healers, scouts, elders, and even the civilians, all stood together, waiting with bated breath. It was rare for Alpha Liam to call for a full pack gathering, and even rarer that it was held under such tense circumstances. The scent of burning wood from the distant farmland still lingered in the air, a stark reminder of the chaos that had erupted not long ago.Liam stood on the elevated stage, his commanding presence highlighted by the bright overhead lights illuminating the hall. His sharp blue eyes swept over the pack, noting the wary expressions, the unspoken fears, and the silent accusations simmering beneath the surface. He knew there were whispers—rumors of internal discord, of power struggles, of betrayals lurking in the dark corners of their home. It was time to put an end to it.Clearing his thr
As the night stretched in the Alphas’ mansion. Liam stood in his office, his fingers pressing into the cool wood of his desk as he tried to organize his thoughts. Midnight was approaching, and with it, a conversation he had dreaded but could no longer avoid. He had sent a mind link to his mother earlier, requesting a private meeting. She had not questioned it, but he knew she had sensed the gravity of the matter. She was too seasoned, too intelligent not to recognize when something was deeply amiss.At precisely midnight, Liam made his way to her chambers. Liam inhaled deeply and made his way down the dimly lit corridor. His footsteps echoed slightly against the marble floors. He entered without knocking, knowing she would be waiting.His mother’s room was warm and elegant, the soft glow of the bedside lamp casting a golden hue across the polished furniture. Mrs. Garvalle sat on a velvet chair near the fireplace, a book resting open in her lap, though it was clear she had not been rea
Murmurs passed through the elders. One of them, Elder Reginald, leaned forward. “This urgency better be justified, Alpha,” he said. “This better not be another political affair concerning—”“This is far beyond politics,” Liam cut in sharply, his patience thinning. “This is a direct attack on our pack.”A hush fell over the room.Liam took a breath, steadying himself before he spoke the words that would change everything. “The explosion today at the farmland was no accident. It was orchestrated by Alpha Seth.”Gasps rippled through the room. Some warriors exchanged alarmed glances, while others clenched their fists. The elders, however, remained still, their expressions darkening. They were wise enough to know that Seth had always been a dangerous man, but this was outright provocation.Elder Vaughn narrowed his eyes. “You are certain of this?”Liam nodded grimly. “He told me himself.”More murmurs. A few of the warriors visibly stiffened. Vaughn exhaled through his nose, his fingers t
The phone rang twice before Beta Adam picked up, his voice sharp and alert. “Alpha, I was just about to call you. There’s a situation at the farmland—an explosion. I’m overseeing it now.”“I know,” Liam said, his voice tight. “Leave it and come to my office. Now.”There was a brief pause, the sounds of shouting and urgency in the background. “Alpha, with all due respect, this is serious. We need to assess the damage and—”“I said now, Adam,” Liam cut him off, his tone brooking no argument. “Hand it over to someone else. I need you here immediately.”His Beta hesitated for a second before exhaling sharply. “Understood. I’ll have Gamma Lucas take over.”Liam could hear Adam turning away from the chaos, issuing rapid orders. “Lucas, you’re in charge. Secure the perimeter, report any unusual findings, and make sure the fire doesn’t spread. Keep the warriors on high alert until I return.”Gamma Lucas’s voice crackled faintly over the line. “Understood. I’ll handle it.”Liam ended the call,
“You’ve just committed a direct act of aggression against my pack,” Liam growled, his voice low and venomous. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done? You’ve broken the governing bodies’ ruling—attacking an allied pack is treason. I’ll ensure you are dealt with swiftly.”Alpha Seth’s chuckle was slow, deliberate, and brimming with condescension. “You’re focusing on the wrong problem, boy,” he said, his tone dripping with mockery. “Instead of flapping your mouth about consequences, perhaps you should be more concerned with the infiltrators within your own pack. I already have the upper hand, whether you like it or not.”Liam clenched his jaw. He hated the way Seth spoke to him, as though he were a mere pup trying to play at being Alpha. He had fought for his title, had bled for it. No one, not even this arrogant old wolf, would dictate his rule.His mind raced as it filtered through his security reports, the recent disruptions within Hollow Pack. Could it be possible? No—Seth was bluffi