Cassandra's POVThe door to the hotel room clicked shut behind Alexander, and I felt a wave of relief wash over me. "Finally," I muttered under my breath, the bitterness of his kiss still lingering in my mouth. I rushed to the bathroom, flicking on the harsh fluorescent light and glaring at my reflection. I could still taste him—a reminder of everything I loathed.Turning the faucet, I cupped my hands under the running water and shoved them into my mouth, swishing furiously. I spat the water out, watching as it spiralled down the drain, carrying away the remnants of my disappointment and growing hatred. Leaning against the sink, I stared into the mirror, my eyes dark and full of unspent fury. This wasn't over, far from it.Alexander's departure was my cue. He would be gone for a while. He had hardly changed since we were married. The only thing that was different was how much weaker and pathetic he was now. If I played my cards right, I would have time to go and meet up with my alpha,
Olivia’s POV The morning light streamed through the curtains. I had barely slept, my thoughts a tangled mess of anger, sorrow, and exhaustion. Just as I managed to close my eyes, a knock on my door pulled me from the abyss of restless sleep.“Come in,” I called weakly, my voice betraying the weariness I felt.Lidia walked in, her eyes sharp and assessing. She leaned against the doorway with a smirk playing on her lips.“Well, good morning, Little Miss Sunshine,” she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “How was your night out in the rain with that handsome new toy of yours?”I rolled my eyes, sat up in bed, and pulled the covers closer to me for some semblance of comfort. “It was...complicated,” I said.“Complicated?” Lidia raised an eyebrow. “Do tell. I’m dying to know more.”Taking a deep breath, I began to recount what had happened. “I confronted Cassandra last night,” I started, feeling the lump form in my throat. “And Alexander came after me. We fought. Again, and he kissed me
Alexander's POVThe leather chair in the lobby had become a reluctant bed for the night. My legs were cramping, and my back was stiff from the uncomfortable position. Still, it was better than being anywhere near Cassandra. At first light, I forced myself up, groaning as my muscles protested. Sneaking into the room, I looked around, finding it empty. Good, I thought, mentally hoping she had wandered off and wouldn't return.After a quick shower and change of clothes, I headed towards the main hall, where today's elder meeting was scheduled. The room was abuzz with multiple alphas, all seated and engaged in hushed conversations. The gravity of the situation seemed to weigh heavily on everyone. But my mind was elsewhere. All I could think about was how I was going to get Olivia back and Cassandra out of the picture.Elder Marcus, a grizzled old wolf with eyes that seemed to peer into your soul, called the meeting to order. His voice carried a tone that instantly demanded respect and att
Lydia’s POVI made my way into the city centre. After talking with Olivia this morning, I decided that I wanted to do something to cheer her up. I wanted to buy her something that would make her feel better and symbolise our newfound relationship.I glanced around, catching sight of the small artisan shop. "Perfect," I murmured to myself, a smile tugging at my lips as I imagined her face lighting up at the sight of the carefully crafted jewellery with which I planned to surprise her. Earrings inlaid with moonstones, a symbol of strength and resilience, seemed fitting.As I approached the entrance, something caught my eye—movement in the alley next to the shop. Squinting, I recognised Cassandra. Next to her stood a tall, shadowy figure—a man whose face was obscured by the brim of his hat. I ducked behind a nearby cart, curiosity piqued, and caution ignited.“What could she possibly be up to now?” I whispered, my grip tightening around my purse. Cassandra's mere presence had a knack for
Lydia's POVThe cool air did little to calm my nerves as I stood motionless, staring into Alpha Derek's pitch-black eyes. He towered over me, every inch of his presence exuding menace. My pulse quickened, and I did my best to steady my breath, refusing to show any sign of fear. He thrived on fear."What do you want, Derek?" I demanded, my voice finding a sharp edge."Do you really think I'd allow you to reject me and get away with it?" His voice was a low growl, sending a shiver down my spine.I clenched my fists, summoning all my strength and resolve. "Leave me alone, Derek," I spat, letting out a laugh that masked my dread. I'd never let him see how deeply his presence unsettled me. I turned on my heel, my steps resolute, but I barely made it two steps before a brutal force yanked me back.Derek's hand clamped over my mouth, stifling my scream as he dragged me into the alley. Panic surged through me like a bolt of electricity. I thrashed, desperate to break free, but his hold was to
Olivia’s POVI decided to see if Lydia wanted to go for a walk. Maybe some fresh air would clear my head. Making my way to her room, I knocked briskly on her door. No answer. I knocked again, louder this time, but still nothing. Hesitating only for a moment, I turned the handle and stepped inside. The room was empty, the bed made, and there was no sign of Lydia.Worry gnawed at my thoughts as I headed downstairs. The hallway was deserted, echoing my hurried footsteps as I made it to the courtyard, where I found Allan playing with the twins. His smile faded when he saw the concern in my eyes."Hey, Allan," I began, trying to keep my voice steady, "have you seen Lydia?"Allan glanced up, his expression perplexed. "Yeah, she went for a walk a few hours ago." A chill ran down my spine. "What time exactly?" I pressed. "Around one," Allan replied, a hint of concern creeping into his voice. "Why?"I looked at the clock on the wall: it was already four. "She should have been back by now."Al
I looked down at Lydia and myself, covered in blood and trembling from the adrenaline. There was no way we could walk out on the street like this; questions would swarm us, and the last thing we needed right now was more attention."Alright, we need to disguise ourselves," I said, my voice firmer than I felt.Lydia nodded weakly, clutching at the remains of her dress. I glanced around the dingy room, looking for anything we could use. There was a pile of rags in the corner—old, discarded clothing. They were dirty and smelled of neglect, but they would have to do. I quickly grabbed a couple of pieces, handing one to Lydia."Put this on," I instructed, already pulling a tattered coat over my own bloody, torn clothes. We both moved quickly, driven by the need to escape as fast as possible."Do you think he'll come after us?" Lydia asked, her voice quivering as she changed into the rags.Her words left me confused. How could she think that a dead man could come after us? But then it sunk
Alexanders pov As I left the elders' council, the night draped the street in a shroud of shadows. Frustration ate at me. I had stayed back after the meeting to see if there was anything else they could tell me. I wanted to be ready for whatever was about to come so I could protect the ones I loved, but they told me nothing. Their cryptic warnings about the new threat had been useless. In my role as the Alpha King, I needed clarity and strategy—not riddles. The elders’ evasiveness had done nothing but heighten my unease.I decided to take the long way back to the hotel. It wasn't just for the sake of clearing my mind; the prospect of facing Cassandra immediately made my skin crawl.Something across the street caught my attention: two people standing in the dark. There was something about them that made me stop and watch them. Then, a familiar smell in my nostrils. I knew that scent anywhere. Walking slowly, I crossed the street, straining to hear their conversation. I couldn’t make ou