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
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
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 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
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
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 pa
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 POVI stared at my reflection in the bathroom mirror, my eyes still slightly swollen from last night’s breakdown. I had promised myself I wouldn’t cry over Liam again.Yet, I had.His proposal to Matilda at my store opening had been a deliberate, cruel move, designed to humiliate me, to break me. It had nearly worked.But as I took a deep breath, squared my shoulders, and wiped the remnants of my emotions from my face, I made a vow.I wouldn’t let him win.I had come too far, built too much, and sacrificed more than I could ever count to let Liam Garvalle ruin me again.I was done being the woman who crumbled at his feet.A soft knock at the door pulled me out of my thoughts."Dani?"It was Grace.I opened the door, forcing a smile. She looked at me with concerned eyes, her arms crossed as if she was debating whether to force me into another conversation about my feelings."Don’t look at me like that," I said, stepping past her and into the kitchen.Grace followed, watching
The ceremony had reached its climax. The sacred vows had been spoken, and Matilda now stood beside Liam as the official Luna of the Hollow Pack. A hush had settled over the congregation as they waited fr their alpha to speak.Alpha Liam, stoic as ever, took a step forward and addressed the gathered pack. His voice, deep and authoritative, carried over the sea of faces, each member standing in respectful formation before the Moon Goddess Shrine.“I want to thank you all for your loyalty and dedication to our pack,” Liam said, his gaze sweeping across the crowd. “It is through your hard work, resilience, and unity that we have remained strong. The Hollow Pack has thrived because of its people, and I expect that strength to continue.”A roar of approval erupted from the crowd, chants of “Alpha Liam” ringing through the night as the pack clapped and howled in solidarity. The moment was powerful, a show of devotion to their leader, their alpha. But then, Liam turned to Matilda and gestured
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,