Ichika's POVThe drive back from the airport had been full of chatter and laughter, and now, as we pulled into the driveway, a familiar warmth settled over me. Home. Amber was home.Ken helped unload the luggage from the trunk while I guided Amber and Ian inside. Evalie was already skipping ahead, excited to show her mother everything that had changed since she last visited—which wasn’t much, honestly, but to a child, every new drawing on the fridge or new pillow on the couch was a big deal."Go on and wash your hands, sweetheart," I told Evalie, smiling as she dashed off. "Lunch is almost ready."I ushered Amber and Ian into the dining room. "You both must be starving. Sit, sit. Let me get everything on the table.""Ichika, you really didn’t have to go through all this trouble," Amber said, a little breathless as she sank into one of the chairs."Nonsense," I replied, waving her off. "You think I’d let my daughter return home after six years and not welcome her properly? Not a chance
Ichika I stood, but Ian was already on his feet, instinctively turning toward the sound like he was ready to help without even thinking.Evalie peeked her head around the corner, her wild blonde curls even messier from sleep. She rubbed one eye with the back of her hand, dragging her stuffed bunny behind her with the other. When her eyes landed on Amber, she lit up instantly."Mummy!" she squealed, racing forward.Amber caught her with ease, scooping her up into a warm hug. "Hey, my love," she murmured, pressing a kiss to her daughter’s cheek. "Did you have a good nap?"Evalie nodded into her neck, her eyes sliding toward Ian with cautious curiosity. But she didn’t say anything. In fact, she barely looked at him.She stayed tucked in Amber’s arms, her voice rising with excitement as she began to gush, "Mummy, I told Miss Clara today that I want to be a doctor just like you, and she said I need to read more books, and at recess, Mia and I did cartwheels, and we had jelly sandwiches fo
AmberAs the days slipped by like pages of a book I wasn’t quite ready to close, I noticed the shift in Ichika. Subtle at first—longer glances at me when she thought I wasn’t paying attention, the quiet hum of thoughts she didn’t say aloud. But I knew that look. The way she smiled when Ian was in the room, the way her eyes softened when she watched him laugh with Evalie or how he looked at me like I was the only person that mattered. She was convinced. Convinced Ian was the right man for me.But I wasn’t.Not because he wasn’t good—he was. Too good, really. Kind, patient, funny in that dry British way that made you smile even when you were trying not to. Sometimes I had to ask myself if he was actually real, he was nothing like all the other Alphas. But the truth was, I’d made peace with the idea of being alone. I had Evalie. I had my career. I had enough.And most of all, I had no choice.Because no matter how far I ran, no matter how many years passed, I was still partially bonded t
RayneThe last six years had been... good. Or, at least, that’s what I told myself on most days.Taking over as Alpha after my father’s passing was the smoothest part of it all. No power struggles. No opposition. Everyone knew I was next in line and respected that. I’d spent years preparing for the role, watching every move my father made, even the ones I swore I’d never repeat. Especially the ones I swore I’d never repeat.One of the first things I did as Alpha was pass a law—one that shocked the Pack Elders, rattled the conservative Council, and nearly made my mother drop dead with fury. I legalized same-sex unions. Outright. No conditions. No loopholes. No back-alley whispers. A law that said, plainly and publicly, that two Alphas could love each other. That an unconventional couple like us could marry. That love didn’t have to follow some archaic formula just because the older wolves couldn’t stomach the idea of change.And then I married Reed.Reed fucking Smith.To say the Pack
AmberI woke up with the sharp, nauseating realization that I had just made the biggest mistake of my life.The air around me was heavy, too warm, and thick with a scent that sent a shiver down my spine. My stomach churned as I blinked my eyes open, my body sluggish and sore in ways I didn’t want to think about. The ceiling above me was unfamiliar, and the bed I was lying in wasn’t mine. Panic set in, tightening its claws around my chest.I sat up slowly, every movement feeling like it required monumental effort. The sheet slipped from my shoulders, exposing bare skin. My breath hitched as I realized I was naked. Completely naked.No, no, no. This can’t be happening.Memories of the night before were fragmented and elusive, like trying to hold water in my hands. The last clear moment I could recall was Reed dragging me to Brittany’s house, his excitement contagious even though I hadn’t wanted to go.Brittany had thrown the party to celebrate graduating high school in two months. She’d
Amber“Amber, get in the bathroom. Now.” Rayne hissed, his voice barely above a whisper, his tone sharp and commanding.“What?” I whispered back, frozen in place as panic surged through me. Reed’s knocking on the door grew louder, more insistent.Rayne cursed under his breath and grabbed my arm, practically shoving me toward the bathroom. “Just go. Now!”I stumbled into the small, dimly lit bathroom, clutching the edge of the sink to keep myself upright. The door clicked shut behind me, and I heard the muffled sound of Rayne throwing on his clothes as Reed’s voice carried through the door.“Rayne? Open up! What the hell are you doing in there?”“Give me a second,” Rayne called back, his tone strained but even.My heart raced as I leaned against the wall, every muscle in my body tense. My hands trembled, and I pressed them against my stomach, trying to will myself to calm down.The door creaked open, and I held my breath as Rayne finally let Reed in.“Finally,” Reed said, his voice muf
Amber For as long as I could remember, my life had been a series of struggles and disappointments. Being an Omega wasn’t just a curse—it was a brand, a mark that said I was worthless from the moment I was born.My mother died giving birth to me, and my father made sure I never forgot it. To him, I was the reason she was gone, the reason his life fell apart. He didn’t call me his daughter; he called me a murderer, a killer who had stolen the woman he loved. My earliest memories were filled with his cold, unforgiving eyes and the sharp bite of his words.It wasn’t enough for him to hate me—my brothers followed his lead, treating me as though I didn’t exist or, worse, as though I was something to be ashamed of. They were Alpha warriors, strong and respected in the Pack, everything I wasn’t. To them, I was weak, a constant reminder of our family’s disgrace.For years, I tried to earn their love. I thought if I worked hard enough, stayed out of their way, or did everything perfectly, they
AmberThe walk back to the shelter was a blur, my mind spiraling in endless loops around the bond thrumming at the base of my neck. Rayne's mark felt like a brand, burning against my skin, a constant reminder that he was mine—and worse, that I was his.I didn’t want to think about him. I didn’t want to picture him with Reed, his hands on him, his lips pressing against his—no, I couldn’t go there. I refused to go there.Once I got to my room, I locked the door behind me, grabbed a towel, and headed straight for the bathroom. The water in the tiny stall ran cold—it always did—but I didn’t care. I scrubbed myself furiously, scrubbing until my skin turned red, desperate to wash away the scent of Rayne that still clung to me.But no matter how hard I scrubbed, it wasn’t enough. The bond wouldn’t let me forget. It was a cruel tether, making me hyper-aware of every beat of his heart, every breath he took, as if he were right there with me. It was sweet, torturous intimacy, and I hated how mu
RayneThe last six years had been... good. Or, at least, that’s what I told myself on most days.Taking over as Alpha after my father’s passing was the smoothest part of it all. No power struggles. No opposition. Everyone knew I was next in line and respected that. I’d spent years preparing for the role, watching every move my father made, even the ones I swore I’d never repeat. Especially the ones I swore I’d never repeat.One of the first things I did as Alpha was pass a law—one that shocked the Pack Elders, rattled the conservative Council, and nearly made my mother drop dead with fury. I legalized same-sex unions. Outright. No conditions. No loopholes. No back-alley whispers. A law that said, plainly and publicly, that two Alphas could love each other. That an unconventional couple like us could marry. That love didn’t have to follow some archaic formula just because the older wolves couldn’t stomach the idea of change.And then I married Reed.Reed fucking Smith.To say the Pack
AmberAs the days slipped by like pages of a book I wasn’t quite ready to close, I noticed the shift in Ichika. Subtle at first—longer glances at me when she thought I wasn’t paying attention, the quiet hum of thoughts she didn’t say aloud. But I knew that look. The way she smiled when Ian was in the room, the way her eyes softened when she watched him laugh with Evalie or how he looked at me like I was the only person that mattered. She was convinced. Convinced Ian was the right man for me.But I wasn’t.Not because he wasn’t good—he was. Too good, really. Kind, patient, funny in that dry British way that made you smile even when you were trying not to. Sometimes I had to ask myself if he was actually real, he was nothing like all the other Alphas. But the truth was, I’d made peace with the idea of being alone. I had Evalie. I had my career. I had enough.And most of all, I had no choice.Because no matter how far I ran, no matter how many years passed, I was still partially bonded t
Ichika I stood, but Ian was already on his feet, instinctively turning toward the sound like he was ready to help without even thinking.Evalie peeked her head around the corner, her wild blonde curls even messier from sleep. She rubbed one eye with the back of her hand, dragging her stuffed bunny behind her with the other. When her eyes landed on Amber, she lit up instantly."Mummy!" she squealed, racing forward.Amber caught her with ease, scooping her up into a warm hug. "Hey, my love," she murmured, pressing a kiss to her daughter’s cheek. "Did you have a good nap?"Evalie nodded into her neck, her eyes sliding toward Ian with cautious curiosity. But she didn’t say anything. In fact, she barely looked at him.She stayed tucked in Amber’s arms, her voice rising with excitement as she began to gush, "Mummy, I told Miss Clara today that I want to be a doctor just like you, and she said I need to read more books, and at recess, Mia and I did cartwheels, and we had jelly sandwiches fo
Ichika's POVThe drive back from the airport had been full of chatter and laughter, and now, as we pulled into the driveway, a familiar warmth settled over me. Home. Amber was home.Ken helped unload the luggage from the trunk while I guided Amber and Ian inside. Evalie was already skipping ahead, excited to show her mother everything that had changed since she last visited—which wasn’t much, honestly, but to a child, every new drawing on the fridge or new pillow on the couch was a big deal."Go on and wash your hands, sweetheart," I told Evalie, smiling as she dashed off. "Lunch is almost ready."I ushered Amber and Ian into the dining room. "You both must be starving. Sit, sit. Let me get everything on the table.""Ichika, you really didn’t have to go through all this trouble," Amber said, a little breathless as she sank into one of the chairs."Nonsense," I replied, waving her off. "You think I’d let my daughter return home after six years and not welcome her properly? Not a chance
AmberI swallowed hard, pushing the thought away.I had accepted long ago that love and romance weren’t in my destiny.And that was okay. I chose to focus on what really mattered—my daughter, my career, my family.The plane jolted slightly as it began its descent. I exhaled slowly, gripping my hands together."Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Las Vegas, Nevada. Please remain seated until we have reached the gate and the seatbelt sign has been turned off."My heart pounded.I was home.Ian glanced at me, his lips quirking up. "Ready to see your little girl?"A breathless laugh escaped me. "More than anything.”The moment my feet touched solid ground, my heart pounded with anticipation. I clutched my luggage tightly, scanning the crowd eagerly, and then—I saw them. Ichika, Ken, and Evalie stood near the terminal, searching for me with the same desperation I felt in my chest."Mommy!" Evalie’s voice rang out, high and excited, before I could even take another step.Tears stung my eyes as
Amber~ 6 years later ~"Ladies and gentlemen, we will be landing at Harry Reid International Airport shortly. Please fasten your seatbelts and prepare for arrival."The flight attendant’s announcement sent a thrill through me, my grip tightening on the armrest.This was it.Six years.Six years since I had packed my bags, said my goodbyes, and flown halfway across the world to chase my dreams. Six years since I had left my baby girl in Ichika’s care, determined to make something of myself—to build a future where I could stand tall, not just as Amber Queen, but as Dr. Amber Queen.And now, I was finally coming home.Excitement buzzed through me like an electric current. Beijing had been everything I could have hoped for. The culture, the food, the people—I had fallen in love with it all. Every street corner told a story, every meal was an experience, and every challenge had only pushed me to be better.But no matter how incredible my journey had been, there had always been something m
AmberThe airport was bustling with movement, voices blending into an overwhelming hum around me. People hurried past with rolling suitcases, flight announcements crackled over the intercom, and the air smelled of coffee, metal, and distant jet fuel. But I barely noticed any of it.All I could focus on was the weight in my chest.I gripped Evalie tighter in my arms, pressing my lips against the soft tufts of blonde hair atop her tiny head. She smelled like baby powder and warmth, like home.My home.I wasn't ready to say goodbye."Amber," Ichika’s voice was gentle but firm. "You need to board soon."I shook my head, holding Evalie closer. "I don’t know if I can do this."Ken sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Sweetheart, you’ve worked so hard for this moment. We know it’s hard, but you’re doing this for her too."I swallowed the lump in my throat and looked down at my daughter. Evalie blinked up at me with those striking green eyes—Rayne’s eyes—but they were softer on her, innocen
AmberFive months had passed since Evalie’s birth, and in that time, my life had completely changed.Motherhood had been an uphill battle—exhausting, overwhelming, sometimes terrifying—but with each passing day, I learned more about my daughter, and she learned more about the world.Evalie wasn’t as fussy anymore. She still had her moments, but they were nothing like those first few months when I barely got any sleep, and it felt like I was doing everything wrong. She had settled into a pattern now, her cries easier to decipher, her needs more predictable.And her appetite—goddess, her appetite.I had been exclusively breastfeeding at first, but soon, it became clear that my milk alone wasn’t enough. She would drink until I was sore, only to get hungry again moments later. My chest constantly ached from being full, and even when I tried pumping and storing milk, the pressure barely lessened. The engorgement was unbearable some nights, making it difficult to sleep.It was Ichika who ge
AmberI was beyond exhausted.The car ride home from the hospital had been quiet, save for Evalie’s soft breaths as she slept in her carrier beside me. Ichika had insisted that I rest, but how could I? I was bringing my baby home—my baby. The realization still hadn’t fully sunk in.Ken pulled into the driveway, and Ichika turned to me with a smile. “Ready?”I wasn’t.But I nodded anyway.The moment we stepped inside, the warmth of the house wrapped around me like a familiar embrace. Ken carried the hospital bags while Ichika carefully lifted Evalie in her arms, swaying gently. “Welcome home, little one,” she murmured.I followed them inside, my steps slow, my body aching. The labor had drained me. Every part of me still hurt—my stomach felt like it had been wrung out, my muscles ached, and the lingering soreness between my legs was a constant reminder of what I had gone through.Ken set my bags down in my room before turning to me with a reassuring smile. “We’ll be right here if you n