Elowen’s POV The morning light streamed through the curtains, warming the room with its golden glow. I stirred in bed, the faint sound of birds chirping outside pulling me from my dreams. A gentle hand brushed a strand of hair away from my face, and I opened my eyes to see Alaric leaning over me, his expression soft and tender.“Good morning, sleepyhead,” he murmured, his deep voice sending a shiver down my spine.“Morning,” I mumbled, my voice thick with sleep.Before I could fully process, he leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to my lips. It was warm and unhurried, the kind of kiss that made me momentarily forget everything else in the world.“Stay here,” he said, pulling back just enough to speak. “I’ll bring you coffee.”I blinked up at him, my heart swelling at the simple gesture. “No, I’ll make coffee for us,” I insisted, sitting up and brushing the sleep from my eyes.He smirked, his hands slipping under the covers to grip my waist. “You? Make coffee? I’m not sure I trust you
Elowen's POVThe academy halls buzzed with the usual chaos, but my thoughts were miles away. The moments with Alaric felt surreal, yet every time I thought I could trust him completely, Ranon’s and Theron’s words crept back into my mind.Alaric was perfect—too perfect. It was almost unnerving.I shook the thought away, focusing on walking to my next class. As I rounded the corner, my steps faltered.There he was.Ranon stood by the lockers, his broad shoulders tense, his jaw clenched as if he were deep in thought. The sight of him sent a chill down my spine. I told myself to keep walking, to ignore him, but as if sensing my presence, his eyes snapped to mine.“Running away again, little Omega?” His voice was sharp, but there was something behind his tone—something that made me pause.I took a steadying breath and straightened my shoulders. “I’m not running, Ranon. I’m just trying to avoid unnecessary conversations.”He pushed off the locker and strode toward me with that predatory gra
Theron’s POVThe drive to the restaurant was quieter than I expected. Sarah sat beside me, looking out the window with a small, satisfied smile playing on her lips. She was clearly happy I’d agreed to this dinner, though my wolf was restless, pacing in my head.She’s not Elowen, my wolf growled.I know that, I snapped internally. This wasn’t about Elowen—or at least, that’s what I kept telling myself. I just needed a distraction, something to pull me out of this madness.When we pulled up to the restaurant, I stepped out and walked around to open Sarah’s door. She slipped her hand into mine as we entered, her fingers soft and warm against my calloused palm.“This place is beautiful,” she said, looking around at the elegant chandeliers and soft lighting.I grunted in response, not really caring. My mind was already elsewhere.The hostess led us to a table, and as we walked through the dining area, my entire body went rigid.There they were.Alaric and Elowen.They were seated at a tabl
Alaric’s POV I watched her, her delicate fingers toying with the edge of her napkin. She was distracted—her mind miles away, likely tangled up in the mess of emotions I’d carefully laid before her. Elowen was so easy to read. That pathetic little Omega wore her heart on her sleeve, even when she tried to hide it. I almost pitied her... almost. Her eyes flicked up to mine, and I could see the faintest trace of doubt lingering there. It was like a whisper in her expression, barely audible but impossible for me to miss. My lips curved into a soft smile. “Elowen,” I said, my voice smooth, calculated. It pulled her attention back to me as I knew it would. “You’ve been quiet tonight. What’s on your mind?” She blinked, startled, as though I had caught her in a moment she thought was private. How amusing. Did she really think she could hide anything from me? “Nothing,” she said softly, offering me a small, forced smile. “Just... thinking about everything.” Her hesitation only fu
Alaric’s POVThe first rays of dawn began to filter through the heavy curtains, casting a soft glow over the room. Elowen stirred beside me, her face still peaceful in slumber. I leaned on my elbow, watching her as she slowly woke, her lashes fluttering and her lips parting in a soft yawn."Good morning," I whispered, brushing a strand of hair from her face.Her eyes opened, hazy with sleep, and a small smile curved her lips. "Good morning."She looked so innocent, so trusting. It was almost laughable how easily she fell for my act. But then, there were moments—moments like this—when the lines blurred, and I wasn’t entirely sure what was real anymore.I leaned down and pressed a kiss to her forehead, lingering just a moment longer than I intended. "Stay here," I murmured. "I'll get us some coffee."She shook her head, her voice still thick with sleep. "No, I’ll make it. You always do so much for me."I chuckled softly, cupping her cheek. "You think I’d let you lift a finger? Not a cha
Elowen's POV The night had fallen silent, yet my heart was anything but. I sat on my bed, the moonlight spilling through the large windows of Alaric’s mansion. I had locked the door behind me as soon as we arrived, desperate for solitude.I didn’t want Alaric to see the turmoil in my eyes, nor did I want him to question the exhaustion etched into my face. The weight of my thoughts was unbearable, suffocating even.I leaned against the headboard, hugging my knees to my chest as my mind betrayed me, conjuring the faces of the three Alpha brothers.Theron was the first to invade my thoughts. His intensity, his raw, untamed energy—he was like wildfire, impossible to control yet equally impossible to ignore.I remembered the way his eyes had burned with anger and longing at the restaurant, the way his presence made my wolf stir restlessly."Don’t trust Alaric," his voice replayed in my head, low and commanding. There had been something behind his words, something desperate and sincere.Bu
Elowen’s POVThe day had started out like any other—Alaric’s presence felt like a steady weight beside me, comforting yet smothering. But despite his closeness, I couldn’t shake the nagging feeling deep in my chest.The warnings from Ranon and Theron continued to echo in my mind. Don’t trust him, Elowen. They’d been so insistent, so adamant. And I couldn’t deny that a small part of me was starting to believe them.As we walked through the garden, Alaric’s hand was firmly around my waist, guiding me along like I was his prized possession. It was almost like he couldn’t bear to be away from me for a moment, and yet I was still left with this uneasy feeling—the question I couldn’t ignore: Is he truly the man he seems to be?Alaric, sensing my distraction, stopped and gently turned me toward him, lifting my chin with his fingers. “You’re quiet today,” he murmured, his voice a mix of concern and something darker, something I wasn’t sure I wanted to decipher.I forced a smile. “Just thinkin
Theron’s POV I slammed the car door shut and stormed into the mansion, my anger boiling over. The moment I walked into the living room, I spotted Alaric sitting in his usual chair, sipping coffee like he didn’t have a care in the world. “You’ve got some nerve,” I growled, my fists clenched as I approached him. Alaric looked up, his expression calm and composed as always. “Theron,” he greeted, setting his mug down on the table. “To what do I owe the pleasure?” “Cut the act,” I snapped, stopping a few feet away from him. “You know why I’m here.” He raised an eyebrow, leaning back in his chair. “Enlighten me.” “Elowen,” I spat, the name tasting bitter on my tongue. “You’ve been keeping her close, haven’t you? Playing the doting mate, whispering sweet lies in her ear.” Alaric’s lips curled into a smirk, and he stood, his posture relaxed yet somehow threatening. “And what of it? She’s my mate, after all. Or have you forgotten how this works?” I took a step closer, my wolf g
Elowen’s POV I stormed down the hallway, my breathing uneven as I tried to shake off the weight of his words. His voice, his touch, his confession—it was too much. He didn’t deserve to have this kind of power over me, and yet he did. “Damn you, Alaric,” I whispered under my breath, wiping the tears from my cheeks. I reached the academy courtyard, where the rain had finally begun to lighten. Students milled around, their eyes darting to me, their whispers following my every step. It didn’t matter. Let them gossip. Let them judge. Nothing they said could hurt me more than he already had. But my steps faltered when I saw him again. Alaric. He was leaning against one of the tall stone pillars, his dark eyes locked onto me the second I stepped outside. His expression was unreadable, a mix of longing, regret, and something else I couldn’t place. "Elowen," he said softly, his voice cutting through the noise of the courtyard like a blade. I froze, my fists clenching at my sides.
Elowen’s POV The hallway felt like it was closing in around me as I stormed out, the taste of Alaric’s kiss still lingering on my lips. My hand trembled as I pressed it against my mouth, trying to erase the memory of his touch, his intensity, the vulnerability in his voice when he said he couldn’t stay away. I hated him. I had to. He was my enemy, the man who had humiliated and broken me countless times. But that kiss—it wasn’t just heat or passion. It was something deeper, something that scared me more than all the pain he had ever caused. The rain outside had started again, but I didn’t care. I pushed through the heavy doors of the academy and let the cold droplets soak me. The chill grounded me, gave me a focus as my emotions threatened to spiral out of control. "Elowen." His voice followed me, deep and commanding, but this time it wasn’t filled with anger. There was a softness in it that made my chest tighten. I didn’t turn around, refusing to let him see the turmoil he w
Elowen’s POV The tension from the hallway still buzzed under my skin as I walked briskly toward the nearest exit. The cool air from the rain earlier seemed like the only thing that could calm me. My fingers trembled, but not from fear—it was the adrenaline, the fire still coursing through me after everything that had just unfolded. "Elowen!" I ignored the voice calling my name, the sharp tone unmistakably his. I quickened my pace, my boots clicking against the polished floor. “Don’t walk away from me,” Alaric growled behind me, the commanding power in his voice making my steps falter. I stopped but didn’t turn around. “What do you want, Alaric?” I asked, my voice cold, trying to mask the storm of emotions threatening to break loose. Suddenly, I felt his hand on my wrist, firm yet not painful. He spun me around to face him, his towering frame inches away from mine. His dark eyes burned with something I couldn’t quite place—anger, frustration, and something deeper, more dange
Elowen’s POV The next morning, I walked into the academy with my head held high, my mother’s words echoing in my mind. They fear you because they know your potential. For the first time in years, I didn’t feel like the weak, humiliated girl they wanted me to be. Today, I wasn’t going to let anyone step on me. Not anymore. The hallway buzzed with students, the usual murmurs and whispers filling the air. As I strode down the corridor, all eyes turned toward me, some lingering longer than usual. I ignored them, focusing on my newfound determination. And then she appeared—Lisa. Her sickly sweet voice rang out as she stepped into my path, her perfectly manicured nails clutching a notebook she held as though it were a weapon. “Well, well, look who decided to grace us with her presence,” Lisa sneered, her lips curling in that familiar condescending smirk. “The academy’s favorite little charity case.” I stopped, my eyes locking onto hers. “Move, Lisa.” My voice was calm, steady, but
Elowen’s POV I stormed out of the academy, my thoughts a swirl of anger and determination. I couldn’t stand it anymore—the triplets, their arrogance, their smug faces. They didn’t understand what I was capable of. But I was about to make them. The path through the woods was familiar, almost comforting in a way. The thick trees shielded me from the world, and I welcomed the solitude. I needed to think, to plan my next move. I was done being the victim. It was time to take control of my own fate. As I approached the secluded cabin where my mother had stayed in hiding all these years, I felt an overwhelming surge of emotion. The resentment toward my father, the betrayal, the isolation—I felt it all. But I couldn’t afford to let those feelings overwhelm me now. I had a bigger purpose. I knocked three times on the heavy wooden door before it creaked open, and there she was—my mother. Her eyes, the same as mine, held a depth of wisdom and sorrow, but there was a quiet strength in them
Elowen’s POV The sun was setting as I walked through the academy grounds, the golden light casting long shadows across the path. My thoughts were racing, but my mind kept returning to one single point: revenge. Everything had led to this moment, to the game I was about to play. No more hesitation. No more fear. It had been a day since I stood before the triplets, made my bold statement, and I could feel the change in the air. The tension was palpable, swirling around me like a storm ready to burst. The whispers had intensified, and I knew they were watching. But the look in their eyes now wasn’t one of control or superiority—it was uncertainty. And that... that felt damn good. As I made my way to the training grounds, I could hear their voices before I saw them. Ranon’s deep tone, Alaric’s mocking laughter, and Theron’s quiet words that I couldn’t quite make out. I didn’t need to know exactly what they were saying. I could feel their eyes on me, following my every move as I approa
Elowen's POV The tension in the air was thick as I made my way through the halls, my heels clicking against the marble floor. The whispers continued behind me, but I paid them no mind. My focus was on one thing only: the game I was playing, the plan I had set in motion, and the power I was slowly reclaiming for myself. Every move I made, every word I spoke—it was all a calculated step toward my ultimate goal. And today, I’d made a significant move. Ranon had been quiet ever since our encounter, his silence telling me everything I needed to know. The way he looked at me, the way his gaze lingered longer than it should have—he was intrigued, and that gave me the upper hand. As I turned the corner toward the courtyard, I saw him again. Ranon. This time, though, he was with his brothers. Alaric, Theron, and Kael were standing in a tight circle, their postures stiff and their conversations muted. But as soon as I entered the space, their heads turned. The moment I laid eyes on th
Elowen’s POV The morning came, but it didn’t feel like the start of a new day. It felt like the beginning of something darker, something powerful, something that would change everything. I stood in front of the mirror, taking in the reflection staring back at me. I had chosen my clothes carefully today. A tight, black leather jacket clung to my body, showing off my curves. My shirt underneath was dark and fitted, and the jeans hugged my legs just right. I wanted to show them—show all of them—that I wasn’t the fragile, broken girl they thought I was. My makeup was bold, my lips a deep shade of crimson, my eyes smoky and intense. I wanted to make an impression, leave a mark. As I looked at myself in the mirror, I couldn’t help but smirk. This wasn’t just a new outfit. This was a declaration. "Let them look," I muttered to my reflection. "Let them all stare." I left my room and made my way to the academy, the sound of my boots echoing in the empty halls. My heart raced in ant
Elowen’s POV As soon as the door shut, sealing me off from the outside world, I felt the dam inside me break. I rushed to the bathroom, needing the small, confined space to hold myself together, but the second I caught my reflection in the mirror, I shattered. My face was pale, my eyes red-rimmed, and my hair was still damp from the rain. The girl staring back at me looked like a stranger—lost, broken, and utterly defeated. I gripped the edge of the sink, my knuckles turning white as I tried to steady myself. But the pain was too much, the emotions swirling inside me too overwhelming. “What’s wrong with me?” I whispered, my voice cracking as tears blurred my vision. I sank to the tiled floor, pulling my knees to my chest as the sobs I’d been holding back finally escaped. It was all too much—the betrayal, the lies, the endless cycle of pain and confusion. Why couldn’t they just leave me alone? Why did they all have to worm their way into my heart only to twist the knife dee