The revelation is only the beginning. With the rogues pressing in, and Frank’s personal world unraveling, his next steps will determine not just the fate of his relationships, but also the future of his pack.
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
GABEMila was amazing–for the company that is. I skimmed over the reports again, marveling at the publicity and revenue her spring show had generated. Not to mention how she was able to get her clothes to smell like the actual flowers without the overly use of perfumes. If she kept this up, we’d be out of the red and above ground by next quarter. It was a miracle, really. I should have been fully focused on the documents in front of me, but my mind kept wandering.From the corner of the room, I could hear Noah humming softly as he watched his shows and scribbled with crayons. His quiet presence was a constant reminder that life had shifted in ways I hadn’t quite prepared for. It was spring break for the kids, and while most of his classmates were probably out climbing jungle gyms or chasing each other around playgrounds, Noah had chosen to spend his time in my office. Part of me wanted to push him outside, tell him to go play, to run wild and be carefree like other kids his age. But a
MILA“Argh!!!”I threw the stack of sketches off my desk in frustration. I could barely focus on anything with my mind going over everything that has happened. I stood up, pacing, feeling my skin starting to heat up. I just wanted a moment of peace, a moment to forget it all.I closed my eyes and tried to pull myself together, but I couldn’t forget that my dad was alive. And yet, he looked at me like I was no one–a stranger. It hurted more than I realized, and Rayne’s simmering fury under my skin made it hard to keep it all contained.“I’m not angry,” Rayne protested. “I’m horny, and staying near HIM is not making this easy, Mila.”I scoffed at her, rolling my eyes. “I thought you were strong, Rayne.”Rayne huffed in frustration. “Strong? Oh, I’m plenty strong, Mila. But even the strongest of us have needs.” Her tone was edged with a dangerous hunger, a barely-contained desire that made my pulse quicken. “You keep holding back, pretending you can handle all this alone,” she continued,
GABEThe door to my office swung open, hitting the stack of boxes I’d neatly lined up along the wall. A couple toppled over, spilling the contents onto the floor.“What’s with all these boxes?” Arianna complained as she stepped inside. She didn’t so much as glance at the mess she’d just created. “Are you moving to a bigger office or something?”“Why hello to you too, babe,” I said, not bothering to look up from the paperwork spread across my desk.Noah, sitting in his play area, looked up at the sound of her voice. His face lit up, and he scrambled to his feet, his toy truck clutched in his hand as he ran toward her.“Mommy!” he exclaimed, throwing his arms wide to hug her. But Arianna took a graceful step back, halting him mid-stride. Her perfectly manicured hands smoothed the front of her designer dress as if his touch would leave a permanent mark.“Noah, sweetie,” she cooed. “What did Mommy say about touching her clothes, huh?”“Don’t get Mommy’s clothes dirty,” Noah answered obedi
MILAI felt his presence before I could fully register Tyler standing next to Leo. He gripped the wrist that held the knife with an iron grip. The tension in his muscles was visible, flexing beneath the tight fabric of his black button-down shirt. The sleeves rolled up just enough to reveal forearms corded with strength, and the shirt hugged his broad chest. His black pants and suede shoes completed the ensemble, along with a suit jacket draped casually over the other arm.The look was casual, but there was something very dominant about it. His jawline was shadowed with a light stubble, and the sharp cut of his golden eyes sent a shiver down my spine as they flicked to me for just a moment before returning to Leo. My legs seemed to wobble from the weight of his commanding presence.“Hot, holy hell,” Rayne purred her approval. I slapped a hand over my mouth to keep from vocalizing a similar sentiment, but damn, she was right.“Control yourself, Rayne.”“You first,” she retorted.Tyler
MILABack at the hideout, we poured over all the data we had on everyone.“I still don’t get why Gregory would have Arianna send someone to attack Jenna if he wanted to abortion from the start,” I wondered out loud.“Maybe he didn’t believe her,” Camila guessed. “Or he wanted to get rid of her too?”“This is all too frustrating,” Laura complained. “Can we just take them down already?!”Alex exited one of the rooms where Jenna was resting. We decided to move her here to keep her safe and keep any eye on her.“I’m with crazy eyes over here. What’s the move?” Camila asked, staring at the screen on the table.“I want to hit them from all sides,” I said, holding
MILAMy stomach twisted in knots as I stood at the foot of the bed, watching Jenna’s chest rising and falling in a shallow rhythm. I tried to heal her bruises, but they wouldn’t. Alex told me we had to wait until the blood transfusion pumps out all the Wolfsbane in her system before I could heal her.A whimpering sound caught my attention as I turned to see Laura fighting sleep. Poor thing was the first one to get to Jenna. Even I couldn’t forget the scene I came upon when I got that night from our mystery hacker.***Unknown: Jenna. Orphanage. Hurt.I raced back, dodging Gabe and the security tail. By the time I arrived, Laura and Camila were already there, holding an almost unconscious Jenna.“Mila, please,” Laura cried. “Heal her, please!”Blood was pooling beneath her from cuts too deep to be accidental. She blacked out with a ring falling from her hand. At the moment I didn’t know if it was important but I picked it up anyway. Maybe there was a reason she was safeguarding it. **
GABEI froze mid-jab, my eyes locking with Mila’s smiling face. Sparring with Mila was… complicated, and far from stress-relieving. Trading blows, getting in close would stir something I’d rather keep buried. Though Spencer didn’t seem to mind the offer.“We could test if she feels the bond too,” Spencer suggested, a little too eager.I chuckled, taking a step back from her. “You sure you’re up for that?”Mila tilted her head, smirked. “I’m the one offering. Unless you’re worried I’ll knock you on your ass.”Challenge accepted. I stripped off my gloves, gesturing to the open mat. “You asked for it.”“Just remember, Gabe,” she teased, her stance loose but ready. ”I don't pull punches for anyone.”Mila moved first–a quick jab to test me. I deflected easily, stepping back to gauge her. Her eyes gleamed with the thrill of the fight.“Come on, Alpha Gabe,” she taunted, circling me. “You’re not just here to dance, are you?”“Dancing burns calories,” I shot back, feinting left and aiming for
GABEAlpha Gregory rose from the table, flanked by his Beta on one side and Alpha Frank on the other, their movements calculated as though this meeting were a choreographed play. When Beta Brian and I approached, Gregory gestured for us to take our seats, his smile wide but hollow.“Alpha Gabe,” he said smoothly, “thank you for coming on such short notice. I know this little meeting was impromptu, but the matter requires immediate attention.” He paused, a practiced grin spreading across his face. “But before we get into it–let’s eat. My father always said, ‘Never make decisions on an empty stomach.’.”The feast materialized as the waitstaff set plates of roasted meats, steaming veggies, and desserts before us. Conversation flowed, but my focus wasn’t on the meal–or the company. I glanced at my watch for the third time, debating an excuse to leave. The truth? I didn’t want to be here, playing nice with Gregory or Brian. One man held Arianna’s career in the palm of his hand, while the o
TYLERDammit! I couldn’t get her out of my head. Everytime I close my eyes, I think of her. Mila. Those sharp brown eyes cutting through me without a word, the way she moved around effortlessly like she owned the place, and the way she looked at me, even anger, like I was… nothing.Her silence after the debacle at her last fashion show was louder than anything she could have said to me. I had failed her, again, and she wasn’t letting me forget it. Not with her avoidance, her cold glances, and her deliberate absence from every meeting I’d arranged.Now, I was walking down the hall, heading towards her office to demand her attention, and froze. Voices carried from behind a partially open door.“...you thought you could keep this a secret, Troy,” said Alpha Gregory, his voice low, but seething with menace.I held my breath, moving closer to eavesdrop. My father’s response was even quieter. “I’ll say this one more time, Gregory,” my father said. “I didn’t tell anyone about your dealings.”
MILASuddenly, a crash could be heard from the front and Leo’s dad screamed to the back. “Leo! We’ve got a problem out here!”Leo stiffened, his hand freezing on the rack before turning around, placing the bags nearby and heading out to the front. I let out a slow breath, silently thanking Laura and her goofy antics. I didn’t have much time, so I moved quickly. I carefully unzipped one of the velvet bags again and pressed a small tracking.“Down with your communist agendas!” I hear Laura scream before slipping out the back door. This whole thing was turning into something bigger than I expected, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that we were deep in dangerous territory. My phone buzzed with a text.Laura: That was fun!Me: Communist agendas?Laura: I didn’t know what to say, but it worked. Told you I’m good.Me: I’m heading back to office. You both good?Camila: Yeah and by the way you have some sexy company.I looked up to see Zeke leaning on the front of the car, his arms crossed an
ARITRIGGER: self harm ahead“What are you doing in here?”I froze mid-step, my voice trembling more than I wanted. My father didn’t even glance up. Instead, he continued flipping through my portfolio, each page tossed to the floor with deliberate disdain. His silence was louder than any insult, and I could feel the familiar lump rising in my throat.Francesca stood perfectly poised by the window, hands crossed in front of her, avoiding eye contact as if her presence here was merely incidental. And Amber lounged on the couch with a stupid smirk on her face.“Well,” I said, forcing my voice to be steady, “I didn’t ask for this little family reunion. So what can I do to get you all to leave?”My father finally looked up, his sharp eyes cutting into me. He didn’t respond right away but stood, holding several magazines. He dropped them one by one at my feet. I didn’t need to look to know what they were. The covers had become all too familiar—Mila’s glowing face and headlines touting her l