ARI“Gabe...”Hands explored the contours of my body, already void of clothes, which I was grateful for. I needed to feel every muscle of his body against mine. I could feel the heat radiating off of him, making me wet just from his touch. “...will you take care of my father for me?” I asked between moans as his kisses moved down my neck. “Keep him from trying to hurt me?”“I will protect you,” he said, his breath hot against my skin as he whispered those words. “I won’t let him hurt you.”He pressed my naked body up against the cool wall, a stark contrast to the fiery path his fingers left as they moved down my body. He pulled me into a passionate kiss and I could taste the bourbon he had right before we started this. I could feel his hard cock pressing against my thigh, and I reached down to stroke it. He moaned into my mouth and slid his hand up my thighs, spreading my lips for his invasion. His finger stroked my throbbing clit and I pretty much exploded with pleasure. “Fuck, I ne
MILAI walked into a sleek, modern conference room where Frances Deveaux sat, his assistant perched beside him with a tablet in hand. I forced a confident smile, though my stomach churned with nerves and determination. Amidst the revenge plot, this was a big deal and I’ve been studying him since living in France. He was the power player I needed to shake up both families.“Miss Emilia,” Frances greeted with a smooth voice, gesturing toward the chair across from him. “Thank you for coming.”“Oh, I should be thanking you for wanting to meet me,” I replied, taking my seat. “This is truly an honor.”His assistant, a sharp-looking woman with dark hair pulled into a tight bun, barely glanced up from her tablet.“I’ve been following your recent work,” Frances said, leaning back in his chair, “and I must say, you have a unique ability to create buzz. It’s not easy to stay relevant in this city, and to do it coming from across seas.”“Well, I try to make waves where I can,” I said, keeping my t
MILANot long after leaving Tyler, I found myself sitting in a hotel dining room, enjoying the cool breeze coming from an opened window. It was peaceful–until Laura stormed in, dressed head to toe in black tactical gear, dragging a bag that looked like it had bricks inside. “Excuse me. Sorry,” she muttered, navigating her way to my table with all the grace of a wrecking ball, knocking over chairs and bumping into patrons. I briefly considered pretending I didn’t know her, but she waved enthusiastically at me from halfway across the room.I sighed. “Dear Goddess.”She finally reached my table and dropped the bag with a thud so loud it could’ve woken the dead. Every head in the room turned to stare.“What the hell, Laura?” I hissed, trying to ignore the curious stares from the other patrons. “I told you not to come. And what are you wearing? Take that off before someone calls security.”Laura tugged at the straps of her night-vision goggles and yanked off her skull cap, her hair springi
MILAWithout hesitation, Rayne released her pheromones, a sweet scent floating in the air like a gentle breeze on a hot day. It was the kind of scent that could make even the meanest of men fall to their knees. Normally, we’d have better control over this little trick, but ever since we returned, things have been a bit… unpredictable.“Don’t worry. It was just enough to tease,” Rayne purred, completely unconcerned. “Look at him now.”The clerk’s nose twitched, sniffing the air as if he’d caught a whiff of the most intoxicating aroma. Suddenly his posture wasn’t as stiff, his gaze softened, his attention subtly drawn to me, as if an invisible force was pulling him close.“See, I served him up on a silver platter,” Rayne bragged, lounging in my mind like a cat basking in the sun. “You’re welcome.”The clerk blinked, his eyes widening as if he was seeing me for the first time. “Wow… Your eyes… They’re beautiful.”“Oh, thanks,” I smiled, knowing he was talking about Rayne’s white irises. “
MILAI stood near the end of the hall, looking at the identical doors before us. I tried sensing which room Arianna was in but the scent in the air was vaguely familiar. “I’m back.” Laura said, leaning against the wall.“That was fast.” I said, suspiciously. I made her take her bag of instruments to her car. Watching her trudge it out of the dining room made me think it was going to take her longer.“I didn’t want to miss the fun, so I stash it in one of those artsy bushes.” I couldn’t hide my surprise. “Don’t worry, it’s inconspicuous.”“I’m just going to assume you know what that word means. And why did you bring the goggles, Laura?” I asked, eyeing the gear on her head.“You never know when you might need them,” she replied, unbothered.“We are werewolves, Laura,” I reminded her. “We can see in the dark.”“True, but it completes the outfit,” Laura said with a shrug.Before I could argue, one of the doors opened, and we instinctively ducked around the corner. A woman and a man stumb
GABEI walked through the halls of the packhouse infirmary, going over the notes Yesmen sent over for the talk I had with Frances Deveaux. Tyler’s meeting had left Arianna furious, and she had stormed off, declaring she needed a day of pampering. I rubbed my chest as a persistent ache settled in my muscles. This pain wasn’t new; it had been gnawing at me for months now, defying every home remedy I tried. I thought it might have been the coffee, but even after cutting it out for months, the ache lingered, a constant, unwelcome companion.Another cry echoed through the halls, snapping me out of my thoughts. Even the faint whimpers that followed were loud with my heightened werewolf senses. I moved towards the door, intending to investigate, when Alex’s office door opened.“I wouldn’t go in there if I was you, Alpha Gabriel,” Alex said, his voice calm as he gestured for me to come inside. “You want to take a seat?”“I told you it’s just Gabe for you,” I corrected, sitting down when the pa
GABEBoth Alex and I froze, our eyes locking in alarm as two of my warriors were dragging another one to a room. I followed Alex as he administered care. “What happened? Was it a rogue attack?”I didn’t smell any blood but I could feel his pain.“No Alpha,” one of the warriors said. “He was training one of the recruits and just fell, screaming in agony.”I recognized the man in pain–Ken,one of my warriors, a strong and reliable man who trained the younger recruits. He was a formidable man, so seeing him like this was a surprise. His tears mirrored the agony etched on his face, triggering a painful memory of my own past struggles. I remembered my dad, berating me about my weight, making me feel small and worthless. I shook my head to rid myself of the memory and turned to Alex. Before I could speak, Ken’s agonized cries intensified, sending a shiver down my spine.After a few minutes, Alex was able to calm him down but the whimpers continued. I stood there feeling helpless but the pain
ARII stepped into the Main street storefront, the door chiming softly as it closed behind me. I took a moment to take in the elegant space filled with a scent of fresh flowers. This place was the epitome of luxury and sophistication, located in the city’s most prestigious shopping district. The exterior was an architectural marvel–sleek, modern glass panels framed by polished stone, with intricate detailing that hinted at the heritage of the building. Every detail screamed exclusivity, the kind of place that whispered power and status. And somehow, it felt right for me–like I belonged here. But then, the thought of Mila showcasing here made my stomach twist with frustration. She didn’t belong in this space, yet here she was, intertwined in my life like a stubborn weed I couldn’t get rid of.I spotted my father standing near a display of luxury jewelry. His broad shoulders were tense, and his stern expression deepened the lines on his face. Beside him stood Mister Deveaux, his presenc
GABEA normal three-minute elevator ride turned into what felt like ten—maybe longer. I had to practically drag Tyler out when he swayed and nearly collapsed against the mirrored walls, muttering under his breath and pale as a ghost. I’d seen my brother drunk before—hell, we’ve all had our nights—but this was beyond his usual mess. This wasn’t "had a few too many beers" Tyler. No, this was "just turned twenty-one and doesn’t know when to stop" kind of wasted. The kind that makes you worry about alcohol poisoning and wonder if you’ll need to call an ambulance instead of a car.By the time I got him downstairs and to the car waiting for him, I was sweating like I’d run a marathon. Tyler kept stumbling in the opposite direction, tugging against me like dead weight.“I have to apologize to her,” he slurred, his voice breaking in a way that stopped me cold. “I didn’t mean to… I fucked up, man.”I tightened my grip on his arm and steered him back toward the car. “I know, buddy,” I said, tr
ARIIt didn’t take long for me to lose Gabe at the party. Then I thought, Find Mila and I’ll find Gabe. But she was gone too. The last I saw, she was talking to Amira. So I searched for Amira instead and found her lounging in the VIP section, twirling her drink like she owned the place. I walked over and plopped down on the couch beside her.“So where’s your bestie, traitor?” I asked with a smile.Amira cocked an eyebrow, smirking. “Traitor? Pretty sure you weren’t calling me that when I joined your team. Or have you forgotten?”“Semantics,” I said with a casual wave. “Fashion is a battlefield, and lucky for you, I know how to win. So… what did you two talk about?”“Oh, you know. The usual.” She took a slow sip of her drink. “Fashion. Gossip. And finding a way to outshine you– and get Tyler back on my radar.”A nerve twitched in my temple. “I thought that’s why I invited you both here,” I said, teeth clenched in a tight smile.Amira shrugged and gestured around lazily. “Then where is
TYLERI swirled the drink in my glass, watching the way the ice clinked together before bringing it to my lips. The whiskey burned on the way down, but it didn’t do shit to drown out the irritation gnawing at me.Mila walking in with Gabe. What the hell were they doing together?The moment she’d stepped into the party with him on her tail, I was done. Over it. The night, the drinks, the bullshit conversations—none of it mattered after that. Until now.Now, she was walking toward me with that same unreadable expression, but I wasn’t an idiot. She knew exactly what she was doing. Showing up with Gabe, acting like it was nothing. Like it didn’t mean anything. And looking fucking cute in the flirty red dress that showed off every curve that I wanted to run my tongue over.Fuck! This is why I couldn’t stay mad at her. She made my blood boil, but every time I wanted to hate her, I couldn’t. My body betrayed me, drawn to her despite the anger simmering beneath my skin. She infuriated me, but
MILAFucking fuck! Hot and bothered, and surrounded by people I hate. Just my fucking luck. Of course, Gabe would try to be so bold. Who the fuck tries to seduce someone at their wife’s birthday party. An asshole that’s who. For the first time in my life, I thought Tyler was a better man.I ignored the way my body tingled from his touch as I barreled my way through the party, the clinking of champagne glasses and artificial laughter grating on my nerves. I could feel his eyes on me and I didn’t dare turn around. Distance. I needed distance before I did something incredibly stupid. Rayne was about a ‘touch and lick’ away from jumping his bones in the elevator. Traitor.I inhaled sharply, scanning the crowd until I spotted Amira, lounging in the VIP section, draped in designer fabrics and social climbers. I squared my shoulders, mentally prepping what I would say, ignoring the hushed whispers and side-eyes from the partygoers. The shock was palpable. Arianna and I weren’t exactly subtl
GABEJust ignore it. I thought to myself. This doesn’t have to be a thing.Or at least I didn’t want it to be, but the fact that Mila’s scent filled the small space of the elevator was proving it difficult to focus on anything else. Against Spencer’s wishes, I told myself to look straight ahead, to count the glowing floor numbers like they mattered. Lucky for me, the elevator doors weren’t reflective. But still my gaze kept betraying me.She leaned against the railing, arms crossed, gaze flicking to the numbers as we ascended toward the rooftop.“A rooftop party,” she mused, her red-painted lips curling into a smirk. “Nothing screams ‘we have too much money and not enough personality’ like drinking overpriced cocktails thirty stories in the air.”I huffed a short laugh, but my attention wasn’t on her words. It was on her.The soft glow in the elevator made her dark skin look even more radiant, casting warm highlights along the smooth lines of her collarbones. The red dress she wore was
TYLERI wasn’t sure what it was about Mila that got under my skin. She’d been avoiding me like the plague ever since I asked her to be my Luna. Maybe it was her legs, the way they seemed to wrap around me possessively when she had me tied down. Or her lips–the perfect curve when she smirked, watching me obey her every command. Then there were her hands, delicate but dangerous, capable of both seduction and destruction.I exhaled sharply, forcing my thoughts to halt before they drifted too far. This was not the time nor place. I wasn’t sure why I decided to come to this party or why Arianna invited me anyway. It wasn’t like we were on the same team. Maybe she was up to something. I ordered another drink, leaving the crowded space and headed outside to the rooftop. The low hum of conversation outside and the warm breeze did nothing to keep from thinking of Mila.Or at least I thought when I noticed Arianna approaching. Dressed to perfection, her presence commanded attention, though I kn
MILAI stared at the elegant gold printed acrylic invitation with a velvet black pocket adorned with a circular crest and thought how tacky. I walked towards the entrance where VIP guests stopped on the makeshift red carpet, cameras flashing. I bypassed it all, wanting to get this day over with. I had one goal and that was to get Amira back on my team. Deveaux fancied her and he loved her and I used it, I would be one step closer to being better than Arianna.I walked over to the bouncer when I noticed Randall and Leo having a very tense conversation.“Come on, Randall, just this once,” Leo said, gesturing towards the entrance. “I’ve done everything you’ve asked. I deserve to be in there.”Randall scoffed, adjusting the cufflinks of his designer jacket. “Deserve? You don’t get it, do you? That place isn’t for people like you. You don’t walk into a room like that unless you belong there–and you, Leo, don’t.”Leo gritted his teeth. “I’ve worked for this. I’ve done the dirty jobs, handle
GABEEarlier that dayI had finally caught up with Frederick, tracking his movement any time he got close to my pack. I needed to find him for Mila. Figure out why he thought she was dead and why he would run away.Hopefully, I could convince him to come back to the packhouse to clean up. Then I can arrange a meeting with Mila. Honestly, I just wanted to see her again. Anytime I had business at the Aliz building, which wasn’t a lot, I would catch glimpses of her and her scent would torment me. A torment I deserved no doubt. But maybe this could happen.I had just stepped inside a roadside diner not too far from the pack’s borderline, when I spotted them. Frederick was sitting in a booth, talking with my mother. In daylight he looked vastly different. His dark curly hair was littered with streaks of silver, his brown eyes–so much like Mila’s–were dull and distant. My mother stopped talking the moment she saw me and almost shot out of her seat.“Gabriel, what are you–what are you doing
MILAI leaned back in my chair, tapping a pen against my chin as I studied the sketches laid out before me. The designs were flawless, innovative–exactly what will impress Deveaux. Yet, none of it would matter if I didn’t have the right model to bring them to life. Good thing, I had the perfect person.“We have a problem.” Camila rushed into the room, tapping away on her tablet.“You say that like it’s something new.”Camila laid the tablet in front of me. The screen cycled through different news outlets of my past work with many models.“Why are you showing me pictures of my past work?”“Because of this, Amira backed out and now.”Camila tapped the screen and pictures of Amira and Arianna popped up everywhere. She was working with Arianna now.I dropped the pen onto my desk, looking at Camila. “What?”“The contract we sent failed through.” Camil crossed her arms, a mix of frustration and concern in her eyes. “Word got to her that you once chose Zuri over her a few years back. Amira