Despite the challenges she faces it looks like our girl Mila is finally standing up for herself, but she has a long way to go. We all have to start somewhere right?
I was a fool in love. I told myself to stay away from the Aliz brothers but Gabe was persistent. When he saved me from Ari the other day, we practically spent the whole day together.We can save ourselves! Rayne said. We just need to get stronger. We need our mate.Rayne, my wolf, finally made an appearance. Well, I couldn’t see her but I felt and heard her and boy was she a talker. She didn’t like how people treated us and wanted to fight everyone who spoke down to her. Unfortunately, I wasn’t a fighter and luckily she wasn’t strong enough to take over.For now. Rayne reminded me repeatedly.I sat up from the bench, looking out at the sunset on the horizon. I hated every time she brought up Tyler. We didn’t need someone like him. He was nothing but a bully. Just like Ari. The thought of standing up to either of them was terrifying. Either way I was glad to have someone other than Gabe taking it for me. I wish I was strong enough to–You are! Rayne interrupted. You just have to believe
MILA**Foreplay ahead**The moment Gabe pulled me inside, he placed an eye mask over my face. He sat me down on the couch and started moving them around the room. He wanted to set the mood, saying he wanted it to be special. Honestly, I wasn’t into the whole romance surrounding the first time. That was for the movies. Besides, every girl that talked about it made it seem like the place didn’t matter as much as the person, and Gabe was that person for me. A crash and a few curse words took my attention.“Gabe?”“Don’t,” he said when he noticed me touching the eye mask. “I’m almost done.”Mate, Rayne said softly before an image of Tyler flashed in my mind. A part of me wanted to find him instead of staying here with Gabe. I kept thinking about Tyler and what he would do in this situation. If it was anything like that kiss in my room, I knew I would lo– Fuck, stop thinking about Tyler.Why? Rayne asked. He is our mate. We should be with him.No, he’s an asshole. So just shut up and enjoy
MILA**Sexual Intimacy Ahead**What the fuck Rayne? It was more like an impulse than a reaction, and the fact that I pushed him that far away surprised me. I spent half the time being present in the now and keeping Rayne from replaying memories of Tyler in my head that I was sure it was all her. I got no response from Rayne but I felt her irritation. Laughter took my attention as I looked over the edge of the bed to see Gabe smiling up at me.“Gabe, I’m so sorry,” I said, helping him back to the bed. “I don’t know why I did that. You kissed my neck… I don’t know… there was a shock and…”Gabe gently grabbed my hands. “Hey, it’s okay. Maybe I was going a bit too fast, yeah?”He wasn’t about being too fast. Actually it wasn’t fast enough. My body felt like it was burning with desire, so I needed–no–wanted him. Mate, Rayne said repeatedly in my head. I grabbed my hair in frustration, trying to silence her. Gabe touched my arm, bringing my focus back to him.“Mila, are you okay?” Gabe as
ARI“That fucking low-class bitch!” I seethed, trying to hold on to my composure as I replayed the hallway showdown between Luna Emily, Mila, Gabe and Tyler in my mind. Seeing Gabe, my mate, protect Mila was a travesty. I had to cover my mouth to keep from growling out loud. Serena was just as pissed, but there was nothing we could do right now. I had to find a way to get rid of Mila for good. Gabe would completely see me with her out of the way, and he was mine. Hell, I was feeling selfish; I wouldn’t mind having Tyler too.For now, I had to watch Gabe hovering around Mila like a moth to a flame. I wondered if he knew how painful it was to watch him with her. To feel pain whenever he touched her in an intimate way. I knew the moment they were together I was in the worst pain. It felt like there were knives twisting in my heart. Even the thought of it had me subconsciously touching the mark on my neck.The only thing keeping me from going insane were the inhibitor pills I had stolen fr
TYLERI stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the green and gold ceremonial attire that has been passed down generations. The Alpha markings on the sleeves represented our pack’s heritage. The Alpha’s Ceremony came faster than I thought, and I could only think of what Ari told me. I couldn’t help but feel a bit guilty for her. She was my brother’s mate but he wanted Mila, who was intended for me but all I could think of was Mila. Rejecting Mila had been the hardest thing I’d ever done. Just thinking about the pain I woke up to the day after gave me chills. Yet, the bond between us refused to let go, making it impossible to stay away from her too long. Seeing her with Gabe was like a punch to the stomach every time. Now knowing Ari felt the same thing, I knew she had her sights on making things worse for Mila.When Ari brought up Mila being my mate, it hit me like a ton of bricks. Of course, she would figure it out, but now I was wondering who else could see it. If my mom found out,
ARII stood in front of the full-length mirror while my makeup artist put on the finishing touches. Yesterday was a celebration for Tyler finally becoming the Alpha. The ceremony was huge and, quite frankly, very boring and formal. Luna Emily suggested a party just for the “young folks” today. I couldn’t wait to get away from my parents and actually have a good time. “Now, make sure a lot of your friends see what you’re wearing,” my stepmom said, moving around me. “The more exposure for your brand, the more exposure…“...for my father’s line,” I finished for her, rolling my eyes. “Your line,” she corrected, her voice dripping with forced sweetness. Bullshit. My father always used me to promote his brand, disguising it as mine. I heard the music blasting from the party outside and I was ready to go.“Come on, Francesca. I know the deal. I can sell this in my sleep.”My stepmom floated around me, making sure everything was in place, while I noticed Amber sulking in the corner. Jealousy
MILAIt was amazing how people were crammed into this house. I figured it would be like this after witnessing a parade of fancy cars dropping people off. I could barely get through the halls without bumping into someone. Halfway through the night, I felt eyes on me, heard whispers and saw people pointing at me. My stomach twisted with unease until I caught a scent of him. Tyler. Rayne moved through me every time I felt him near. She kept urging me to find him to be near his presence, but I had other plans. I pulled out my phone and sent Gabe another text, wishing he was here.Gabe: Getting the ole “responsibility of a Beta” talk. I’d rather be with you.I sighed, longing for his presence to drown out the judgemental stares from everyone at the party.Mila: At least you get to travel. How’s the White Fangs Pack? Any cute boys looking for a mate?Gabe: As a matter of fact, there’s one and he can’t stop thinking of you. Mila: Oh really? Well tell him I’m taken, but he can be my second
MILA“Jenna…” I stammered, my voice trailing off in confusion.What the hell was she saying? Was that even possible? My heart pounded as the noise from outside briefly drew our attention. Jenna pulled something out of her purse and handed it to me. It was a torn picture of my mom holding a man’s hand. She didn’t look happy but I could clearly see a wedding ring on her finger–different from the one I wore around my neck. I examined it and noticed the year written on the back.“I found this picture in my mom’s things when she used to work at the Mora’s residence,” Jenna said with a mixture of curiosity and concern. “I don’t know why it was there, but if you asked me, that seems pretty weird, right?”Fuck yeah, it did, but what could we do about it? It was just a picture dated a year before I was born. Not something that said my parents were actually murdered. The official story was that they died in an electrical fire on a boat, a fire so bad that nothing was salvageable.“Jenna, it’s ju
ARI“Arianna!” I blinked, noticing my stepmother looking at me with confusion. “Snap out of it. People are always watching us, and I can’t have both you and your sister looking like asylum escapees.”I looked around, briefly remembering where I was–another charity event for a cause she neither knew nor cared about.“That would be an upgrade,” Gregory scoffed, his glass of whiskey swirling with a slow, measured agitation. The man was just never happy. Even after I’ve done everything he asked me to, somehow he was still disappointed. I glanced over at Amber, who was sitting, staring blankly into the distance. She hadn’t been the same since Frank’s sudden departure. Even her husband, Harry, called it quits. Apparently someone leaked the photos of her affair and he had divorce papers wired to her the next day. Francesca had all but drugged Amber into compliance, upping her meds until she was little more than a shadow of herself. I watched as her fingers toyed with the edge of her napkin
ARIThe tires of my car crunched over the loose gravel as my driver pulled over to the desolate warehouse. My father’s voice over the phone echoed in my mind–cold, clipped, and commanding. Get here. Now.He offered no details, but he didn’t have to. I knew that tone. The same tone he used whenever I stepped out of line, but for the life of me, I couldn’t think of what I did this time. I absentmindedly touched the diamond necklace Gabe gifted me as an early birthday present, though it wasn’t until next month, but at least it was calming. At least I had him in my corner. I got out of the car and walked through the heavily guarded door. My stomach was in knots when I entered the open space and the echoing sound of fists meeting flesh guided my gaze.Father stood in the center of the warehouse, his knuckles stained red as he drove another blow into the face of a man bound to a chair. I stopped walking when I realized it was Alpha Frank. He was barely recognizable.Blood streamed from his
MILAI stepped inside the abandoned warehouse. The heavy thuds from my combat boots echoed against the bare walls purposefully. I wanted him to know I was coming. Frank, Mirabella’s father, sat shackled tightly to the steel chair. He corrected his posture when he heard me, but the once ‘not-so-powerful’ Alpha couldn’t intimidate me.The cut and bruises on his body were turned into scabs.I pulled another chair across from him, letting the legs screeched against the floor. He flinched at the sound, but quickly tried to compose himself, the tremor in his hands gave him away. Behind me, Camila stifled a laugh before walking over to a table to set up the projector with Jenna. I waited for their signal before sitting down.“Alpha Frank,” I started, my voice altered. “You seemed to have healed quite well over the past few days. We might need to change that.”“I don’t know who you think you are,” Frank spat. “But you’re making a big mistake.”I leaned back letting the silence stretch before
MILAI stepped into the dimly lit interrogation room where Leo, shackled at the wrists, leaned back in a chair, smirking as if he was expecting me. I took the seat across from him before he leaned forward.“Well this is a surprise,” Leo smiled. “Finally ready to admit you got the hots for me.”“Please.” I placed a hand over my lips. “ I just had lunch, Leo. Let me keep the contents in my stomach and not on this table.”Leo laughed. “So why are you here?”“I thought you might need the company,” I said smoothly. “Seeing as your visitor’s log is empty. Didn’t want people to think you were all alone.”His jaw tightened. “I don’t need you here!” Leo growled, yanking against the restraints as the guards stepped forward. I raised my hand. Stopping them. Leo was about as intimidating as a fly. “Fine, I just thought we could relate to each other.”Leo scoffed. “How’s that?”“Wow, you’re that dense, huh?” I shook my head, clicking my tongue. “All this time, and you still don’t see it.”“See wh
ARII heard a commotion outside my office door and barely had time to process it before my door opened. Amber stormed in with my temporary assistant stumbling in behind her with flushed cheeks and hair askew.“You jealous little bitch! How could you?!” Amber shrieked.I dodged the phone being thrown at my head before looking at Amber as if she lost her mind.“I’m so sorry, Luna Arianna,” my assistant whimpered. “She.. she hit me and…”I held up my hand, cutting her off. “I don’t care for your excuses, whatever your name is. Since you can’t seem to do a simple job like not letting crazy people in my office, why don’t you go home for the day?”She didn’t wait for me to change my mind, bolting from the room as if Amber’s rage might consume her next. Amber stormed up to my desk, her arms crossed so tight, I thought she might snap in half.Julia, sprawled lazily in the chair by the window, didn’t even flinch at the commotion. She was probably as high as I was. She sat up with a smirk.“Gee
GABEThe words cemented themselves in my brain as the thud of fists meeting leather echoed in the gym, accompanied by grunts and rhythmic feet on the mat.“I, Mila Davis, reject you, Alpha Gabe, as my mate.”No matter how many times I replayed them, the ache didn’t lessen. The rejection should have freed me, should have severed the bond. But Spencer still howled for her in the depths of my mind, clawing against the walls I built to keep him restrained. She wasn’t ours anymore. She made that clear.And yet, it changed nothing.With a roar, I unleashed a brutal combo–jab, hook, uppercut–forcing my sparring partner back until he staggered back, trying to regain his footing, but I couldn’t stop. If I did, I’d feel the emptiness settling in my chest, the gaping hole she left behind.“Alpha, please ease up!” I heard someone say, but I couldn’t ease up. The next hit connected squarely with the sparring partner’s jaw, sending him flying into the corner before he crumbled to the mat. Silence f
MILAThe sound of plates clinking woke me. I blinked against the sunlight coming through the windows, my body slow to stir after another restless night. “Morning,” Tyler’s voice broke through my haze. I sat up, the blanket slipping off my naked body. I internally groaned at the fact I allowed myself to stay here another day.“Though, this image of you is making this one of the best mornings I’ve ever had,” he added teasingly.I looked up at him holding a tray loaded with food–scrambled eggs, bacon, bread, jam, fruit, and a steaming cup of coffee. A soft and unassuming smile tugged at his lips.“Breakfast… in bed?” I asked, raising an eyebrow. “I bet all the women go crazy for this service.”He laughed, a deep, throaty sound that sent a shiver down my spine. Placing the tray on the nightstand beside the bed, he sat down next to me. “Only the ones that intrigue me.”“Oh,” I said coyly, leaning over him to pick up a piece of fruit from the tray. “And do I still intrigue you, Tyler?”Hi
MILAI woke up to a sharp ache that radiated through my body. I was surprised it was still there. I tried to sit up when I noticed the weight on my mid-section. Tyler was fast asleep, arms wrapped around my waist and drool pooling from his mouth. It took me a minute to get him off of me and to the other side of the bed. His features were relaxed and I envied his peace, the way he seemed untouched by the weight bearing down on me. Hours ago had been a blur of heat and desperation, a reckless attempt to drown out the pain. I thought Tyler’s touch, his closeness, would be enough to numb what Gabe had created.But it wasn’t.The ache lingered, sharper now, like a knife twisting deeper with every beat of my heart.We had to do it.“It was sudden, but we had no choice,” Rayne said softly, but I could feel the sorrow in her voice as she paced, restless and wounded in my mind.I swallowed hard, my throat tight. No choice. I hated those words. They made me feel like a puppet, dancing on string
TYLERHoly shit! Fuck! What the hell was I thinking bringing her here? I rarely brought women to the packhouse. Hotel rooms were my domain for this kind of thing. A quick getaway if needed. But now? Now I was making an exception for her. Mila. Damn it, why was resisting her so damn impossible? Everything about her, from the way she looked at me to the way she moved, shredded whatever resolve I had left. And then there was Gabe. Something had happened back there, I could feel it. But the moment the elevator doors closed, and her lips crushed against mine with that fiery urgency, I knew. I knew exactly where this was going. Gabe? Fuck him. He had a mate already. He wasn’t here. I didn’t care what he’d do if he was. I cared about her.By the time we reached the front door, our clothes were practically gone. She pulled me in with a hunger that matched my own, and her kiss–it was everything. The heat radiating off her skin seemed to burn through me, leaving me aching in ways I didn’t unde