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
Daniella’s POV “Are you still there,” Roy said bringing me out of my reverie“Yes,” “I’ll just tell them that I can’t reach you,” He muttered nonchalantly, as if tossing the blame on me was a brilliant strategy. “However, You and I know that won’t work for long. Because they’ll keep coming for you, Daniella.” I sighed, frustration bubbling in my chest. “Roy, this isn’t my problem. I’m not his babysitter, his doctor, or his—” “Daniella.” Roy cut me off. “You need to leave town for a while. Let things cool down.” The line clicked off before I could retort, leaving me seething. The next morning, Martin called, and the unease in his voice set me on edge. The next morning, my phone buzzed as I sipped coffee and stared at the half-packed suitcase by my bed. “Daniella, don’t come into the office today.” It was Martin, his tone a mix of exhaustion and worry. “Anna showed up with an entourage. She was asking where you are.” “Of course she is,” I muttered, rubbing my temples. Ann
The drive back to the city felt like an eternity. My mind was boggled with pent-up anger, frustration, and a gnawing sense of helplessness. The Garvalles always knew exactly where to press to make me fold, and it infuriated me. When I pulled up to the hospital, my stomach churned. The sleek black cars parked near the entrance screamed of wealth and power. I hesitated, gripping the door handle, if only there was a possible way to avoid this confrontation. “Get it together, Daniella,” I muttered under my breath. “You can do this.”With a deep breath, I stepped out and walked into the hospital. The sterile smell of disinfectant hit me instantly, making my nausea worse. As I approached the room, I saw her. Mrs. Garvalle stood in the hallway, her posture immaculate, her designer dress free of even a single wrinkle. Her hair was swept back in a perfect bun, and her face wore a serene expression.Mrs. Garvalle greeted me with her usual grace, her smile polished and polite. She was a woma
Daniella’s POV“Daniella can also move in. Mom, I don’t think you’d have any objections to that, would you?” Liam’s voice rang out confidently, as though he had just suggested a perfectly reasonable solution.Mrs. Garvalle’s brows shot up in surprise, but she quickly masked it with a practiced smile. “Yes, Daniella,” she agreed, nodding, her expression almost too eager. “You can come back and move in. I’d feel much more reassured knowing you’re here to take care of him.”“I’m afraid I must decline, Mrs. Garvalle,” I said, shifting my gaze to Liam. “I’ve been busy lately and simply don’t have the time. Liam will have to find someone else to take care of him.”The room fell into stunned silence. No one expected me to refuse, least of all Liam Garvalle. For a moment, he said nothing, only studied me, as if trying to decipher a puzzle he couldn’t solve. Finally, he asked, his voice low and deliberate, “What exactly do you want, Daniella?”I let out a bitter laugh, one that carried years
Daniella "You’re not fit to drive. Please, get in my car. I’ll take you home." Dalton saidI wanted to argue, to tell him to leave me alone, but I didn’t have the strength. I nodded. He opened the passenger door, his hands steadying me as if I might shatter into pieces. I sank into the seat, wrapping my arms around myself. We drove in silence. The only sound was the hum of the engine, i felt physically and emotionally drained. Worst was that Liam's words echoed in my mind relentlessly. “Stop the car,” I whispered, my voice trembling. Dalton glanced at me, concerned. “What?” “Stop the car,” I said louder, my hand already reaching for the door. I barely waited for the car to come to a halt before stumbling out. The nausea hit me hard, and I clutched my stomach as I vomited. It felt like I was ridding myself of every ounce of pain, humiliation, and heartbreak. My body convulsed until there was nothing left but bile. I collapsed to my knees, my body shaking as silent sobs
I still remember the first time I saw Daniella. It was a cool autumn morning on campus, the kind of day that makes you want to stay in bed and forget everything else. I was running late for class, struggling to carry a cup of coffee, my stack of books, and my old satchel. She had appeared out of nowhere, wearing a yellow scarf wrapped loosely around her neck. What caught my attention most was her wavy red curls, and the way they caught the sunlight, made her look etherealShe had been helping another student, crouched low to pick up scattered papers. I had stopped mid-step. Something about her struck me deeply, a pull I couldn’t explain. She was beautiful, yes, but it was more than that. It was her presence, her warmth, the way she seemed to radiate light around her.After that day, I started seeing her everywhere—at the café on campus, in the lecture hall, sitting cross-legged on the lawn with a notebook and pen. She always looked busy, always deep in thought, and I found myself draw
Seven years had passed before I decided to return to the city, and I was more than determined to start afresh. I convinced myself that Daniella and Liam were living their best life together, and I vowed that whatever lingering feelings I’d once had for Daniella were long buried. It was foolish to think otherwise—or so I told myself. However, on my arrival, I was left with no donut that the Moon Goddess had other plans in store for me. Not long after I settled back in, I decided to run a few errands at Target, and that was when I saw her. She looked as ethereal as ever, and her presence still had that magnetic pull that I couldn’t resist. But something had changed—her eyes. They were still as striking and hazel-colored as I remembered, but now they carried a quiet sadness that hadn’t been there before. The worst part about seeing her again was that every emotion I thought I had buried—every flicker of longing, love, and heartache—rushed back to the surface, confirming to me that
I buried myself in work and convinced myself that if I worked hard enough if I exhausted every ounce of my energy, I wouldn’t have the time—or the strength—to think about him. About us. About what could have been, what should have been.However, I started to notice that I was becoming tired, too tired. The kind of exhaustion that seeped into my bones, making it difficult to function. At first, I blamed it on overworking, but then the nausea started. Subtle at first, like a mild uneasiness in the pit of my stomach, but soon it grew. The scent of coffee made her gag. Even the perfume I had worn for years suddenly smelled foreign. And then there were the dizzy spells—small ones at first, I also started noticing a foreign scent around me, it was nothing like the way Liam used to smell, it was different and worse, it seemed as if it was coming from within me.I should have known something was wrong but I ignored it until I almost fainted on my way back from a meeting.“Daniella, you okay
Roy’s POVThe night was supposed to be Daniella’s.She had worked hard, sacrificed everything, and built herself back up from nothing. This store was more than just a business; it was proof that she had survived, that she had taken the shattered pieces of her past and turned them into something beautiful.And then Liam Garvalle had to go and ruin it.I had watched it unfold in real-time, standing helplessly as Daniella’s world crumbled again. The second that bastard dropped to one knee and pulled out that ring for Matilda, the air had been sucked out of the room.I saw the way Daniella froze, the way her fingers trembled around the champagne glass she had been holding. Her lips had parted slightly, but no words came out. Her entire body locked up like she had been transported back in time, forced to relive all the pain he had put her through.She had been so strong.She had smiled through his cold rejection, endured his indifference, and when she had finally, finally moved on, he had
Daniella’s POVThe night had been perfect.The grand opening of Joshill Jewelers had exceeded my expectations. The boutique was filled with influential guests, business moguls, and high-profile clients, all marveling at the craftsmanship of our designs. I had spent the evening moving from conversation to conversation, gracefully accepting compliments, and basking in the success of everything I had built from nothing.This was my moment.My rebirth.But then, he came.Liam Garvalle.I felt his presence before I even saw him.It was an unsettling thing, how my body still reacted to him, how my senses recognized him even before my eyes landed on his tall, commanding figure. He hadn’t changed. If anything, he looked sharper, crueler. The crisp black suit molded to his powerful frame, his piercing eyes scanning the crowd with an arrogance that hadn’t dimmed in the slightest.I swallowed hard and turned away, pretending I hadn’t seen him.Not tonight.Not when I had fought so hard to move p
Daniella’s POVA surreal feeling so overwhelming filled me as soon as I stepped into my boutique, my heart pounding with excitement and nervous anticipation. Tonight was the night—the grand opening of Joshill Jewelers, my dream brought to life. Everything was perfect—from the elegant golden chandeliers casting warm light over the polished glass display cases to the soft classical music playing in the background. The staff moved around with precision, making last-minute adjustments, and outside, I could already hear the growing murmur of the guests arriving. This was it. I had worked for this moment. I had bled for this moment. And yet, standing here, dressed in an elegant champagne-colored gown, my fingers grazing the delicate necklace I had designed myself, I felt the familiar tug of the past creeping in. New York. The city I had fled from. The place where I had once lost myself—where I had loved a man who never loved me back.The memories hit me even though they were u
LIAM’S POVI stood frozen in place, fists clenched at my sides as I watched Daniella walk away, her back straight, her posture unwavering, as if our exchange hadn’t affected her in the slightest. My jaw tightened, and my wolf snarled in frustration.Daniella Thornhill.She was infuriating.That cold, detached tone. The way she had called me “Mr. Garvalle,” as if I was nothing more than a stranger. The condescending smirk on her lips before she turned her back on me. It was like she was deliberately mocking me, rubbing salt into wounds I didn’t even realize I had.I exhaled sharply, dragging a hand through my hair. My pride was bruised, my patience worn thin. My entire body hummed with anger, my wolf restless beneath my skin, itching to lash out.She had slapped me.She had actually slapped me.And I had let her.I should have put her in her place. I should have said something to cut through her icy indifference. But instead, I had watched her walk away like some defeated fool.I reach
LIAM’S POVI moved through the lavish space with a practiced indifference, my eyes scanning the crowd as I sipped from my glass of whiskey. The moment I spotted her standing alone by one of the tall windows, my body tensed. It had been years since I had seen her up close, and damn if Daniella Thornhill didn’t look as effortlessly stunning as ever.I approached her silently, my steps measured and deliberate. She was lost in thought, her gaze focused on the city lights beyond the glass, her figure poised and elegant. I stopped just behind her, close enough to let my presence be known, and when she finally turned, my lips curled into a smirk.“You look good,” I murmured, my voice dripping with the same arrogant confidence I had always wielded around her.Daniella didn’t flinch, nor did she let any surprise cross her face. Instead, she met my gaze with cold, unreadable eyes. “Thank you, Mr. Garvalle,” she replied smoothly, her tone formal, distant.The polite address sent an immediate fla
LIAM'S POVThe decision had already been made. No matter how much it frustrated me, no matter how much my gut twisted in protest, I had made my choice. The pack came first. Always.As I stepped out of my car in front of the grand new jewelry store, I let out a slow breath, collecting my thoughts. The city was alive tonight, filled with flashing cameras, the hum of conversations, and the steady beat of luxury and wealth converging on one of the most anticipated store openings of the year. The brand had already built an impressive reputation, known for exquisite craftsmanship, rare gemstones, and unparalleled elegance. I wasn’t the type to indulge in such events, but attending tonight served a purpose.It was the kind of event Matilda would have insisted on attending, and for a fleeting moment, I was glad she had been too preoccupied with something else to accompany me.The evening air buzzed with anticipation. There were flashes from photographers, murmurs of admiration from guests dre
I was now sure that their was a gang up against me because as soon as my mother and her entourage left, my phone rang. The moment I saw Alpha Seth’s name flashing on the screen, a deep sigh left my lips. I had expected this call. The man had been pressing for an official mating between Matilda and me for years, and after the Paris trip, which had been more of a test of patience than a vacation, I knew he wouldn’t wait much longer.I considered ignoring it, but I knew better. Alpha Seth was not the kind of man who took silence as an answer. With a clenched jaw, I swiped to accept the call and put the phone to my ear.“Alpha Seth.” My voice was calm, and measured.“Liam,” his voice boomed through the speaker, all pretense of pleasantries discarded. “I assume you’re back from your little vacation with my daughter.”I closed my eyes briefly, exhaling slowly. “Yes, we are back in the city.”“Good. Then I take it you’ve finally come to your senses and are ready to mate Matilda and make her
LIAMS POVThe flight back to New York felt longer than it should have. Paris had been exhausting, not because of the city itself but because of Matilda. She had been insufferable, whining about how I wasn’t paying enough attention to her, complaining about how I still hadn’t marked her, and bringing up Daniella’s name far too many times for my liking.I had thought a lavish trip, designer shopping sprees, and five-star dining would pacify her—like it always did. But this time, she was relentless. The moment we landed, I wanted nothing more than to return to my penthouse, pour myself a drink, and have some goddamn peace.As soon as the car pulled up to my estate, I stepped out without offering Matilda so much as a glance. I could hear her irritated huff behind me, but I didn’t care. But the second I stepped into my home, that small desire was shattered.Sitting in my living room were my mother, my sister Jessica, and two of the eldest members of the pack’s council—Elder Harrington an
I stared at Liam’s broad back as he settled onto the couch, his muscles tense, his face turned away from me. The unspoken message was clear: he wasn’t in the mood for another argument.Coward-I musedMy fingers curled into fists as frustration surged through me. Four years. Four long years I had stood by his side, played the role of the perfect partner, tolerated his cold moods and his infuriating silence. And yet, he still refused to make me his Luna. Still refused to give me the one thing I deserved after all my patience.I had no intention of being like Daniella. That weak, pathetic girl who had wasted seven years waiting for Liam to wake up and claim her. And where had that gotten her? Nowhere. She had vanished into thin air, and Liam had moved on without a second thought. Or at least, that was what I told myself.But the truth gnawed at me.Because for all his indifference, for all his apparent disinterest, I saw it—the way his gaze sometimes drifted, the way a shadow of somethin