Dealing with the expectations of leadership and the weight of legacy, Tyler has an unexpected interest in Mila. We will have to see if she reciprocates it.
MILA“Mila, this place looks amazing,” Laura gushed as I walked into the new headquarters of our operation. It had only taken three hours to bring everything over from the orphanage to the house in the woods. The transformation was astonishing: the once-empty space was now buzzing with energy and purpose. I gathered everyone around the table in the living room that was covered with fashion sketches, mood boards, and other things in case someone came looking. I placed the board that mapped out the plan we had for everyone.“Alright,” I said, my voice steady with determination. “Let’s go over what everyone is doing.”Laura placed the touchscreen laptop in the middle of the table and projections displayed in front of us. “This is an outline of both MoonCrest and Grand Mountain packhouses and offices,” Laura said, pointing to the different areas of the outline. “We have the tech to eavesdrop if necessary but we have to get inside.”“I’m sure I can get a meeting with both,” I said, glanci
MILAThis would have been the perfect time to have a decoy I thought as I smiled and waved at Tyler and his new woman. I have never seen someone clinged to another the way this woman was and Tyler’s face was definitely a cry for help. Help I didn’t want to give. The closer they got the more Tyler’s face changed from desperation to admiration. I wasn’t all that surprised. Camile picked out a cute ensemble today. She needed to be in charge of everything and it felt good being dressed since I do most of it when I’m working. Today she put me in a thin-knit turtleneck under an oversized boyfriend button-down, a leather miniskirt paired with tights, thigh-length boots. This was a season for layers and by the look on Tyler’s face, he was taking off each one with his eyes. This wasn’t good I thought looking down at the pills in my purse.“Emilia. Fancy seeing you here.”“Alpha Tyler, I would say it’s a pleasure but you know,” I replied, forcing a polite smile. There was a quiet moment as the
GABEI heard a crash from inside the office and instinctively stood in front of Noah. Mirabella scrambled out of the office, clothes and hair disheveled. I reached out to keep her from falling on the ground and she jumped away from me.“Mirabella, what’s going on?” I asked, helping her to a seat.She was about to say something when she looked behind me. I turned to see the concerned look on my son’s face and went to him.“Hey, it’s okay buddy,” I said, embracing him. He was never a fan of loud noises. “How about you stay out here with Mirabella? She can show you how to play those cool games on my phone, okay?”I ushered him towards Mirabella who gave me a sympathetic look. I knew that meant Arianna was in a “do not engage” mood, but I wasn’t that kind of partner. If she was in pain and I could help, I would always lend a hand. I cautiously opened the door and saw Arianna pacing near her desk, phone pressed to her ear.“I don’t care if she was more famous than the Kardashian sisters,” s
MILAAfter what felt like an eternity of waiting, I was finally granted access to the packgrounds and led to the packhouse. Even though I didn’t have many memories from before the accident, this place felt strangely familiar. The moment I crossed the threshold, I sensed a pull deep within me that I couldn’t quite describe. Even Rayne commented on it.“It’s not like a mate’s bond but more spiritual,” she remarked as I pulled up to the packhouse.The packhouse stood majestically at the edge of the dense forest, an imposing structure blending rustic charm with modern elegance. Its exterior was constructed from large, rough-hewn logs, giving it a sturdy, timeless appearance. Stone chimneys rose from the roof, which was a mix of wooden shingles and metal accents. The sprawling building had multiple wings, each with large, panoramic windows that offered views of the surrounding wilderness. Ivy climbed the walls, and flower boxes filled with vibrant blooms adorned the windowsills, softening t
MILA“Just act surprised.” Camila linked me, sounding calm and reassuring. That was all I needed to know to get into character.“Camila!” I gasped, allowing my voice to tremble with the right amount of shock. My eyes widened in shock, taking in the chaotic swirls of red, yellow, and blue paint that covered her from head to toe. Almost like a mad artist used her as the canvas for abstract art. It was almost comical, but the look in her eyes told me that this was all part of her plan.“I’m so glad you’re here,” Camila said, beaming as if this situation was the most normal thing in the world. “The tour was boring but the West Wing was interesting.” She gave me a pointed look, and I knew exactly what she was hinting at. That was our destination. “I wanted to add a personal touch, you know, so people could know I was here.”“Okay,” I said, looking at the behemoth that was standing behind her. His presence was commanding, and I could feel the weight of his gaze as he assessed me. There was s
MILAI barely had time to duck behind a nearby bookshelf before the door swung over. I cursed myself for not having a scent mask spray in my bag. I calmed myself, hoping my heartbeat was faint to their ears, though theirs were moving too fast for mine to matter.Where are you? He’s getting suspicious,” Camila said, her tone edged with urgency.“Just hurry up before Alpha Gregory comes back,” a woman’s voice urged, ushering a man into the room.“Why do we need all this information about MAD Stylez anyway?” the man asked, his voice carrying a note of frustration.“Who knows and who cares?” the woman snapped back, clearly eager to get out of there. I heard the sound of a drawer opening and then closing with a soft thud. “Wait, do you smell that?” The man asked, sniffing around the room. “It’s a sweet scent and the presence feels… off.”He moved towards my direction as I flattened myself against the wall. IF he got too close, I'd have to use Rayne’s power to knock him out, but the woman a
MILAI stood at the head of the table, every eye on me, waiting for my lead. I looked over the details and dossiers of my targets, feeling the pressure of this journey on my shoulders. This was my plan, my revenge, and I had to make sure it went off without a hitch. “Okay, people. Time for Operation ‘Get Daddy’!” I announced, trying to cut through the nervous tension in the room. Predictably, the room filled with groans and laughter.“No way in hell I’m calling it that,” Alex said, shaking his head.“More like Operation Zaddy,” Camila laughed, picking up Alpha Gregory’s dossier. “In another dimension, Alpha Gregory could get it.”“Hey, I still have young ears here,” Laura complained, shooting a disapproving look at Camila. “Can we not?” Jenna muttered, her face scrunching up in disgust. “I just threw up in my mouth.”“Geez, fine,” I smirked, raising my hands in mock surrender. “We’ll table the name for now.” The laughter faded, and I felt the atmosphere shift. “So, I have a meeting
ARILuna Emily truly outdone herself for the ceremony, transforming the typical sterile conference room into a curated oasis. The air was rich with the intoxicating scents of jasmine and vanilla, adding an air of sophistication to the already lavish setting. Every detail, from the sculpted hedges to the towering floral arrangements, screamed elegance and exclusivity. I moved through the crowds of industry elites, investors, and of course, the students of the school. I offered smiles and nods, basking in the admiration and subtle envy that followed me.Wearing one of my own designs, a stunning emerald-green dress that hugged me as if it were made for a goddess, I made sure every bead caught the light with each step. The diamond earrings I chose to wear were a quiet reminder to everyone present of the life I lived–the life they wished they could have.But as usual, my father’s voice cut through my moment of glory. “Make sure you’re on your best behavior at this ceremony, Arianna,” he sai
MILAWater cascaded down my body like icy needles, doing little to calm the raging fire within me. I wasn’t sure how long I was in this shower. Or how or when I got there. All I knew was that it wasn’t working. My body was riddled with heat the moment Gabe touched me yesterday–a spark that ignited like a train on fire, consuming every nerve and refusing to let up. I barely made it back here, shedding my clothes in the car and the rest on the way to the shower.No matter how much I scrubbed and cleaned, I couldn’t wash away Gabe’s scent–that woodsy, chocolate spice that had wrapped around me when he helped me through my panic attack. “Why the hell did he touch me like that?” I muttered to no one in particular.“Because deep down you want him to,” Rayne answered. “Rayne,” I warned, not in the mood for her commentary.“Mila, you know I’m down with whatever choice you make,” Rayne continued. “But girl you have to make up your mind. This affects me too, you know.”“I know!” I screamed, g
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