Hey lovely readers! This chapter was difficult to write. I wasn’t sure who’s pov I wanted to go with, especially with Mila and Tyler both being strong-willed, fiery characters, and the way they push each other’s boundaries. I also wanted to touch base on the layers of control, trust, and release, not just in the steamy bits but also in the way they communicated with each other. Thank you all for reading. I hope you enjoyed the intensity and playful banter. Now stay tuned for more fun, twists, and turns.
MILAWith Camila feeling guilty about the showcase, it didn’t take long for us to come up with a plan to savage the showcase. All I needed now was Gabe’s approval. I debated on letting Camila go but I was pretty sure she was banned from the previous incident. Alex, on the other hand, practically slept at the packhouse hospital. Seriously, I haven’t seen the guy in two weeks. I was starting to forget how he felt under my fingers. Maybe I could pay him a visit?As I approached the MoonCrest pack border, the familiar sensation of being connected to the land washed over me. It wasn’t as overwhelming as being at the packhouse, but still the feeling made me feel alive. So much so, I got out of the car just to feel the ground beneath my feet, buzzing slightly with energy. I knew this feeling from Alpha Jack’s pack. When he invited me to become a pack member, during the ritual linking there was a bond a wolf felt with the land and the pack.“Stop right there!” a voice called out, firm and auth
GABEI’d been staring at the same papers for ten minutes, trying to make sense of the reports, but the numbers and words blurred into nonsense. The knot in my gut twisted tighter–a familiar feeling that gnawed at me whenever things were about to go wrong. I was used to it by now, but this wasn’t about the crumbling state of business or the rogue attacks along the borders. It was something else. Something worse. A knock on my office door pulled me out of my daze.“Come in,” I said, my voice rougher than usual, a sharp edge of irritation that I didn’t bother hiding.Yesmen stepped in, holding an envelope in her hand, her usual composed expression faltering just slightly. Yesmen never faltered, not in the years she had worked for me. She was the most professional, by-the-book person I had on staff. I sighed, already feeling the headache creeping in. I knew what this was about. I’d been avoiding it. Avoiding her. But here it was, right in front of me, waiting to be dealt with.“Yesmen, you
TYLERMy heart clenched as I slammed on the brakes. I cursed under my breath and threw the door open. The smell of rot and decay hit me like a punch to the gut, and that’s when I saw it–well, them. Rogues moving through the trees toward Mila’s direction. Rogues were known for their chaotic nature, but lately, their attacks had become more coordinated, more calculated. Someone was pulling the strings, and I’d bet my rank Alpha Gregory was involved.My instincts flared, the beast inside me rising to the surface. I had to get to her before more of them showed up. Without hesitation, I shifted mid-stride. My bones snapped and rearranged in the familiar yet painful shift, my skin giving way to fur and muscle as Declan took over. The rush of power flowed through me like fire in my veins, and Declan hit the ground running, paws digging into the dirt as I sprinted toward the wreckage.Two rogues were moving around her car which had been flipped upside down. Declan bared his teeth, his growl ru
MILAAs we approached the cemetery, we saw him–a man crouched over a grave, his back to us. The idea of a rogue risking his life to be here struck me as odd. Though, the fact I still felt strong enough to take him on was odd too. Using Rayne’ healing powers usually took a toll on us, but we were able to heal three people and only felt a little weak. Hell, I was sure we could take down a small army if needed. “His scent is familiar,” Rayne said. “Maybe there's a connection.”As I drew closer, I watched as he placed flowers carefully on the grave. I couldn’t shake the unsettling feeling crawling up my spine. My instincts kicked in. Rogue or not, we had no idea what this man was capable of. I saw Tyler readying himself to step forward so I beat him to it.“Hey!” I called out.The man didn’t flinch. Just kept his gaze on the grave. “I’m not your enemy,” he said, his voice quiet, but filled with sadness. “And the others are not my friends. I just wanted… to be in her presence.” Slowly, he
MILAAnd neither did my body. Even running back to the packhouse, Rayne couldn’t resist brushing against Spencer who didn’t seem to mind.Rayne, stop instigating before things heat up,” I reprimanded her.“What? It’s not like he minds,” Rayne joked. “It’s not like his stupid Luna’s satisfying him.”“So what? We’re not looking to fill that position.”The moment we shifted back when we made it to the packhouse, I could barely take my eyes off of him. I never took Gabe as a domineering kind of man, but more susceptible to ideas and ‘do-whatever-I-wanted’ kind of man. Though, the way his muscles moved when he stalked up the steps, commanding his warriors had me, or rather I say, Rayne feeling way too hot and bother. Even with Alex and Tyler at my back, I could feel Gabe’s presence tingling all over me. I tried ignoring her, but the next part nearly threw me at his feet.The door to the packhouse and Beta Brian rushed out, looking a bit panicked. “Alpha, I was just about to–” In a flash,
MILAGabe was still crouched by the tombstone, his brow furrowed as if trying to puzzle out the same haunting riddle. I couldn’t stay there anymore. The weight of the truth was suffocating, and I needed space. Away from Gabe. Away from everyone.I turned and started toward the woods, my footsteps quickening, but Gabe was fast. He caught up, his hand clamping down on my arm once more. “Mila, stop. You shouldn’t be alone.”“I have a safe place, Gabe,” I snapped, jerking my arm free. I wasn’t really mad at him, just this whole situation. “I just… I need to get away from here, Gabe. I need space. From you. From this pack. From everything.”“And you think that hideout is safe?” He challenged me. “At least, at the packhouse, you’ll be surrounded by people who want to protect you.”I let out a hollow laugh, stepping back from him. “Protect me? I’ve never truly been protected, Gabe. Not with you. Not within the pack. If I were, I wouldn’t be here, standing over my own grave, would I?”That hit
MILASo far so good. I thought, checking that everything was ready for the show. Transitioning everything to the greenhouse was seamless, especially with Gabe helping out. He was the brains behind the entire construction, so he picked the prime location for each of the models. Each location had a model staged by a specific flower that was perfectly paired with my dresses, scented to match.There was a satisfied smile playing on his lips and my heart did a flip as I watched him work. I couldn’t help but admire the way his expression shifted when he was thinking deeply, how every thoughtful "hmm" seemed to weigh the world around him. He was so in control, effortlessly authoritative, and it took everything in me not to get distracted.This is pathetic, Mila. Why are you even pinning for this guy? Just reject him already. My internal monologue was relentless, but there was no escaping the memory of that night. The moment our lips collided, the surge of heat that followed–it wasn’t somethin
MILAAri flashed a smug smile, glancing around the room like she owned it. Well, I guess she did since she was Luna of this pack. “Milan, your show seems to be going well,” she said, her eyes still scanning for someone.“And you’re back here because…?”“I wanted to wish Chelsea good luck,” Ari said, her smile growing wider, “but it seems I can’t find her. I do hope there wasn't any... drama that made her leave.”“Oh, I have something that will make her leave permanently,” Rayne growled in my mind.Ignoring both the urge to respond and the sharp retort on my tongue, I shifted my focus to the one I actually needed.“Amber,” I said, sidestepping Ari, “just the ‘it’ girl I was looking for,” “Me?” Amber blinked, glancing around nervously. “Why?”“It seems as if we lost a model,” I said, noticing her reaction as if she already knew.Amber raised her chin, nose in the air. “What’s that got to do with me? I had nothing to do with it.”“I don’t care about that.” I waved off her comment. “Right
MILAThe room stilled.“What is this?” Gregory barked, looking around the room. I noticed how he subtly narrowed his eyes at Emily.Good. I wanted him to think it was her. For now. Murmurs filled the room as everyone’s attention was glued to the screen. It flickered again. Then came the audio–his voice. Clear. Calm. Cold.And damning.“The boat needed to go. Collateral damage is part of the price when you want to clean house. And the girl? She’s just like her parents–too dangerous to be left alive.”Silence swallowed the room. Then chaos.“That doesn’t prove anything,” Gregory shouted. “That could be anybody.”But the screen answered him. It split into two windows: one showed Gregory pacing in a private study, the second displayed spreadsheets, maps, and message logs–each one marked with timestamps and code names.The proof was overwhelming.Someone screamed. A councilman stood. Arianna’s mouth dropped open. Emily turned toward Gregory, the smile never leaving her face, even as she wi
MILAFrances and his assistant poured over the portfolio like it was a rare manuscript. I shifted in my seat, resisting the urge to glance at my watch again. There was too much riding on today–too much to still do.Frances finally looked up, his eyes twinkling behind those sleek, gold-framed glasses. “This is truly something special,” he said, tapping the edge of the page. “And the technology?”I straightened a bit, proud. “Smart fabric. Reactive threads that shift color based on light exposure and body temperature. The effect is subtle, elegant—like your vintage diamond collection. Sophisticated, but with presence.”Across the table, Emily’s jaw tensed. I caught the flicker of annoyance in her eyes and smiled, just a little.Frances chuckled. “Indeed, Mademoiselle. You’ve captured the season in a way that feels... alive.” He flipped another page, his gaze sharp but admiring. “I must admit, I’m surprised. After everything that’s happened lately, I expected something more... reserved.”
MILAThere was no gentle buildup this time. No teasing smile. No calculated flirtation. Gabe kissed me like he meant to ruin me–with a hunger that stole the air from my lungs. One hand tangled in my hair, tugging just enough to make my body jolt with need. I gasped, but he swallowed the sound, deepening the kiss, his tongue sliding against mine in a battle I was already losing.He lifted me effortlessly from the chair, setting me down on the desk as if he’d been waiting to do it since the moment he walked in. His body pressed against mine, all muscle and heat and quiet dominance.“See?” he murmured against my lips, voice dark and full of promise. “You like it when I take control. Don’t you?”And damn him–I did. My body answered before my mouth ever could, arching into him, fingers clawing at his shirt to pull him closer.“Answer me, Mila.”“I… do,” I breathed, the words escaping like a confession.Those words cracked something open in him. He kissed me again–deeper, rougher–his hands
MILATyler was, somehow, unexpectedly my hero.Not only did he make sure the publication printed the correct draft of the Aliz magazine–the one with my real Summer collection and not the tragic sabotage Lena tried to pass off–but he also made sure Lena got demoted. Now she was stuck shooting staged waterfalls and hotel breakfast buffets for the travel catalogue division. Honestly? Served her right for trying to cross me.Apparently, I had Amira to thank for that little coup.I still didn’t know how I felt about her. The woman switched sides like it was Fashion Week and loyalty was just another trend. But one thing I did know? She was in love with Tyler. Hopelessly, painfully in love. That might’ve made her dangerous–but it also gave me leverage. And I wasn’t above playing that card if I had to.“So… you think this will work?” Camila’s voice broke through my thoughts and I remembered what I was doing… or trying to do.“I don’t know,” I sighed, moving all the mockups for my fall collect
ARIThe diamond necklace with the crystal pendant glinted in the mirror, catching the light like it still mattered. Like it still meant something. Gabe had given it to me for a birthday present. Placed it around my neck himself. Told me I looked like someone no one would dare cross. It had to mean something, right? A gift that rare didn’t come without weight.So I wore it today–not for sentiment, but strategy.Let him see it. Let him remember. Let him regret.But he didn’t. He barely blinked. No hesitation, no flicker of guilt. Just another command over the phone and a condescending smirk on his lips.“Nothing a blow dryer can’t fix,” Gabe said, like I was already a mistake he was eager to forget.I could’ve slapped him. I should’ve. But I wouldn’t give him that satisfaction. It would’ve meant I still cared.I’d lose a hundred battles before I let him see me lose the war.When I stormed into my father’s office, he didn’t even glance up from his damned ritual–always washing his hands
GABEI barely heard the door open behind me before Arianna’s scent hit the air–a soft, artificial sweetness that never sat right. I didn’t turn around. I was on the phone, my voice quiet.“Just put on a suit. I need you to go over there and fix this. She doesn’t need to deal with this right now. So please handle it.”Arianna moved closer as I flushed the urinal and moved to the sink to wash my hands.“You know the symbols on the outside of the door are there for a reason,” I said, not glancing at her.“Were you talking about Mila just now?” she asked, arms crossing as she leaned against the door. I ignored her and walked towards the office. It's been a busy couple of days with the move back to the Mora company. “You’re really moving on that fast, huh?” Arianna asked, following me. “The ink on the divorce papers is still wet.”“Nothing a blow dryer can’t fix,” I smiled, hoping to get rid of her, but the look on her face told me otherwise. “Arianna, don’t start.”Her lip curled. “Disg
MILAI stared between the both of them before Lena spoke.Lena’s eyes widened. “You. Why–why are you here?”“Oh, relax,” I said, stepping inside and locking the door behind me. The click echoed louder than I expected. “How convenient. Two traitors. One hotel room. The universe really said, ‘Here you go, babe.’”Neither of them had time to react before I walked straight to Lena, grabbed a fistful of her hair, and slammed her face into the wall. Hard enough to sting, soft enough to not get us arrested for homicide. Balance.She gasped, tried to say something. I yanked her back, then shoved her forward again.“Don’t speak,” I hissed. “You’ve already said enough with those sabotage photos.”Behind me, I heard Amira shifting toward the door. I didn’t even turn around.“Take one more step and I will throw you out that window. I’m not saying you’ll die, but gravity’s a bitch and bones snap real easy from the ninth floor.”Amira froze.“Smart girl,” I said.Honestly from this height, it would
MILA“…just waiting for answers. Why did this have to happen? What could have prevented an incident that took two of the most important people in my life?” Alpha Gregory’s voice cracked just enough to sound human. He gripped the podium like it might run away if he let go, flashes from the cameras popping like fireworks behind a funeral. Arianna stepped up beside him, touched his arm–perfectly timed, perfectly staged. A father-daughter moment, photogenic grief included.But I didn’t care about them. My eyes drifted past them to Gabe. He stood stiffly off to the side, holding Noah like the only anchor he had left. He looked like he’d rather be anywhere else–expression blank, shoulders tight. I hadn’t seen him since he left the orphanage a couple weeks ago. No calls. No updates. We were both busy–him with God knows what, me trying to salvage my image from the dumpster fire of the fashion show. Oh, and also: still no sign of my dad. The meeting with Emily that was supposed to bring ans
MILAI stirred awake to the sound of birds and the sensation of warmth that had me feeling so good. A strong arm draped over my waist, the steady rise and fall of a familiar chest beneath my cheek. My heart stuttered as the scent of spice and dark chocolate filled my lungs–Gabe. It was oddly comforting, dangerously so. A moment of peace I had no business indulging in.Something tickled my nose. I cracked one eye open to find yellow flowers brushing against my face. That was when the realization hit.We were lying in a flowerbed.Panic jolted through me. I shot up, sending Gabe’s arm tumbling off of me. My breath came fast as I scanned our surroundings. Shit. Jenna’s going to kill me. Gabe groaned, shifting onto his back, his hand searching for mine. “Five more minutes,” he mumbled, his voice sleep-heavy, unbothered.I smacked his chest, ignoring the way my fingers tingle from the contact. “No, no, no. Get up. We fell asleep in a flowerbed. Jenna’s going to be pissed we messed up her