We know what that feeling is, but how is Mila going to deal with it? Hell, how will Tyler deal with it? Let's ask him.
TYLER“Go after her,” my inner beast, Declan, urged as I watched Mila disappear around the corner with Jenna.Four fucking months of training to learn how to control my werewolf, and one encounter with her completely dissolved it. She didn’t even have a wolf. Hell, she might not even get one, but here I was, ready to claim her and take her as my own. How could I be pinning after a weak, orphan she-wolf? I punched the locker in front of me, creating a huge dent.“Damn, man. I said I was sorry,” Leo whined, stepping away from me.“Just go to class, you idiot!”Leo grumbled as he walked away, and I leaned against the lockers, trying to control Declan. He was waging a war inside my head, nagging and growling about his stupid mate. I knew Mila was my mate two months ago when she came to clean my room. Her voice was the first thing that caught me. Goddamn music to my fucking ears, but her scent did it. Wild berries and lilacs. It fucking drove me mad and I…couldn’t get enough. The only thing
MILAMy mind kept screaming at me to stop and forget about it. Just because Arianna slapped Amber hard enough to make her crystal hairpin fly across the floor and right into my foot doesn’t mean I had to return it. Just my luck. Maybe I should wait for Gabe to come back? I stared at the crystal hair clip, thinking it wasn’t my problem. She might notice it and pick it up herself. Besides, why should I care? I hated bullies, especially the rich ones. Seriously, why did they always have to mess with the people who didn’t have much? They had everything in the whole and still crapped on others. Granted, Amber was probably the worst of the worst, but still, that was uncalled for.The lunchroom slowly returned to its normal chatter, and Amber sat down at her table. I looked at the hairpin. It was pretty. The light from outside hit it, casting green shadows on the floor. I picked it up and noticed how light it was. Amber always bragged about all her crystals being Swarovski crystals, but this
GABENever in a million years did I think I would be brave enough to step up to my brother and his friends, not once but twice in a day. When they started to come after Mila, I knew I had to do something. Luckily, I grew about a foot, and my weight was almost evened out in some places. When I brought up my reason for wanting to stop the bullying, my Uncle Aaron gave me great advice.“Well,” Uncle Aaron began, “you need to stand your ground and show no fear. They feed off it. Show them you’re not afraid to stand up for what you believe in. Once they see the strength you have within, they’ll realize they can’t win.”“And that’s it?” I asked, trying to absorb his words.“That’s a start,” Uncle Aaron smiled. “Just remember, Gabe, true leadership isn’t just about commanding others. It’s about inspiring them and showing them what it means to be strong. Soon, others will see and respect that, even for Mila.”The memory of the conversation made me smile as I quickly ran up the stairs of the or
MILAThe rest of the school year passed by in a blur, and before I knew it, summer was here. Gabe was the best thing in my life, and though we continued to act as friends at school, I was still too nervous to display our relationship openly. What truly mattered was the time we spent at the orphanage, having picnics on the rooftop or playing games in the packhouse game room, places where we were never disturbed.Gabe had always made my life brighter, but now it seemed even brighter. Every time he looked at me with that soft, affectionate smile, warmth bloomed in my chest, a feeling I couldn’t quite describe. And when he kissed me, I felt like I was in another world where my parents were still alive, no one bullied me, Gabe and I could date in the open, and most importantly, I was happy.“Well, would you look at that? Two pigs in a sty,” Amber sneered, her voice dragging me out of my daydream. I was cleaning out my locker for the summer, and while it was open, pictures of Gabe and me wer
GABEI couldn’t stop smiling at the dinner table, thinking about Mila’s lips. Or the way her body pressed into mine while her hands slid up my back. My father, Alpha Troy, sat at the head of the table, his presence commanding and calm. My mom, Luna Emily, with her graceful demeanor, was on the other end, casting a critical eye over the cutlery’s placement. Tyler lounged lazily next to me, scrolling through his phone.The smell of roasted veggies and grilled meats filled the air as the door to the kitchen opened. I watched as Mila and the other servants moved around the table, setting down the dishes with ease. I’ve had a crush on Mila since the first time I saw her. She thought it was the day she started working here but actually the first day she came to the orphanage a year after she had lost her parents. Some boys were making fun of her one day and I guess she had enough. She picked up one of the boys and body slammed him into the ground. It was the coolest thing I’ve ever seen. So
MILAI always felt a bit out of place working the dinner shift at the packhouse. Not only did being near Gabe make me smile uncontrollably, but the weird way Tyler had been acting made me uncomfortable. Aside from the constant bullying at school, he watched me like a hawk at the packhouse, always finding ways to subtly touch my hand when I’m placing down plates or pouring his drink. Tonight was no different. As I walked into the dining room, I froze at the sound of my name, and the pitcher I was carrying slipped from my grasp, crashing to the floor. I had been trying not to listen from the kitchen, but these walls apparently aren’t wolf proof. Even the kitchen staff had thrown sympathetic glances my way before I came out. “I…I’m…sorry,” I stammered, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment. “I’ll clean it right away.”“Mila…” I heard Gabe’s concerned voice as he moved to help me, but Luna Emily stopped him.“No,” Luna Emily said coldly. “Let her do it alone. It’s her job, Gabriel.”Gabe
TYLERWhat the hell was I doing? I had just spent over an hour swimming, trying to drown out the thoughts of this girl, and here I was, touching her. Time wasted. I thought, but there was nothing I could do now–or at least nothing I wanted to do. Declan was happy for the closeness. In the back of my mind, I saw him pacing, eager for more, even as my mom’s warning echoed in my thoughts. Mila wasn’t worthy.“Like this?” Mila asked, pulling her wrists out of my grasp and creating distance between us. Declan didn’t like her repositioning, but I silently thanked her for it. It was hard to think when she was this close. I watched as she lightly closed her fists and brought it up to her face. I laughed at her weak form, but mostly at the fact she looked so determined and so…cute.“Not unless you’re trying to hit a weak child,” I said, closing the distance and enclosing my hand over hers. “Tighten it like this. Pretend like you’re trying to crush something hard.”“O…okay.” Her voice was shaky,
MILAMy breath caught in my throat, my heart racing at Tyler’s words. What the hell was happening? What did Tyler just say? His…his what? The Alpha of the pack was calling me his. Was this some kind of prank? I glanced towards the entrance, expecting Randall or Leo to walk in laughing. Maybe Ari put him up to this. This was crazy, and I needed to stop this before anything else weird happened. The brothers glared at each other, their grips tightening on my arms. The tension in the air was thick, charged with the weight over sibling rivalry as I looked between them. Tyler’s jaw was clenched, his eyes blazing with anger, while Gabe’s expression was one of steely determination.“Gabe,” I called out, trying to steady my voice. “Maybe…we should go.”“You heard her, Tyler,” Gabe said, his anger matching his brother. “She doesn’t want to be yours. So let her go.”Tyler laughed, his grip tightening on my arm. “Maybe she would want to stay if you weren’t hovering around her like some simp!”“I
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