Willow's POV I glanced at the city skyline from my office window, thinking about how quickly things had shifted since partnering with Triple A Corporation. The deal had undeniably boosted my business, providing the sort of influence and connections I could have only dreamed of before. Yet, being involved with the three powerful triplet brothers who ran Triple A came with complications I hadn’t foreseen, and I didn’t want anyone else at my company to catch wind of our relationship. This was strictly business, or so I kept telling myself.The day was wearing on, and Ruby, entered my office, bringing her typical no-nonsense attitude. “Afternoon meeting with the board,” she announced, holding up a planner as if to prove that she had everything under control, just as always.“Thanks for the reminder,” I replied. “But listen, Ruby, no one here can know about the connection I have with the Triple-A owners. I don't want them to water down my hard work as evidence of having such men in my l
Chapter 16Hell Hath No FuryAsher’s POVThe phone slipped from my hand as Willow’s words echoed in my mind. A date? She had a date? Fury coursed through me like wildfire, igniting every nerve. I didn’t bother picking up the phone, I just turned and stormed out of my office, barely aware of where I was going until I found myself striding toward the training grounds, where I knew Aiden and Axel would be.There they were, standing side by side, aiming steadily as they shot arrows at the distant targets. The clang of each hit barely registered as I approached. The two of them glanced over when I got close, their expressions curious but unconcerned. That would change soon enough.“Hey,” Axel called, tossing me an extra bow. “Fancy joining us for some target practice?”“Not today,” I snapped, barely stopping myself from breaking the bow in half. “We have a problem. Willow is moving on.”My brothers’ hands froze mid-motion, their arrows poised to launch. Axel’s gaze sharpened instantly, whi
Willow's POV The room was aglow with chandeliers, crystal, and light sparkling across the expansive ballroom. I felt a little like Cinderella, stepping out of the car with Jason and Ruby, the weight of the evening buzzing through me. The dress, a deep red satin that clung to my figure and flowed around my feet was enough to make me feel glamorous, but also exposed. Jason glanced at me and muttered, “You look incredible,” before turning to offer Ruby his arm.The warmth in his gaze was genuine, and for a moment, it lingered, making me wonder if I imagined it. As quickly as it came, his expression hardened, replaced by a more professional detachment. The night was about networking, he’d reminded me, and I clung to that reminder now. I was here for work, not personal dreams or complications.“Come on,” he whispered, his voice confident as always. “You’re the CEO of Winterlock Pharmaceuticals. Tonight’s yours to own.”I squared my shoulders and tried to believe it. The lights, the laught
Asher's POV As soon as Willow stormed out of the gala, I knew our plan had worked. The mission to separate her from anyone she’d come with, to ensure she didn’t spend her evening in the arms of some overly friendly “Alpha’s son,” had been executed perfectly. Aiden, Axel, and I exchanged satisfied glances. But this wasn’t over yet. There was still one person who needed to be reminded of where the boundaries were. I spotted Benjamin at the bar. He looked mildly confused, maybe a little ruffled by the drama, but still composed. I walked up to him, letting my steps land heavier than usual as I came to a stop right in front of him.“Benjamin,” I said, keeping my tone civil, “could we have a word? Privately.”He hesitated, glancing at Aiden and Axel standing like shadows at my side, before nodding. “Sure. Follow me. You are being gentlemen now after being total assholes to me barely thirty minutes ago.” He protested but we ignored him, we had more pressing matters to address. He led us
Willow’s POV The door clicked shut behind me, and silence settled over my apartment as I let out a deep, shaky breath. After the gala, my nerves were still buzzing with a blend of anger and disbelief. I couldn’t shake the feeling of being trapped, cornered, and all thanks to the triplets. They had the nerve to make an appearance at an event I was attending, and not only that, they turned it into a spectacle that practically screamed: “territorial.” But I wasn’t their territory. I wasn’t anyone's. And the sooner they realized that, the better.I poured myself a drink and ran a hot bath, trying to scrub away the evening’s tension. The warmth wrapped around me, soothing my muscles, but not the storm of thoughts swirling in my mind. I wished I could forget the way Asher’s gaze had burned through me, or how Axel had watched me, almost daring me to resist them. I wished I could just erase Aiden’s smug grin from my memory. They were everything I wanted to escape, and yet…they were undeniab
Willow's POV The sunlight filtered softly through the blinds as I woke up, still groggy from the strange, restless sleep. I glanced around and found myself alone in the living room. True to their word, the triplets were gone. For a moment, I thought it had been a surreal dream, but the faint scent of their cologne lingering in the air and the sheets scattered on the couch reminded me that it was real.As I stretched and sat up, I spotted a note propped neatly on one of the sofas. My heart skipped as I reached for it, wondering if it was another one of their taunts. It read:"Willow, thank you for your kindness. We’ll find a way to pay you back soon. With love,Aiden, Axel, Asher."I shook my head, feeling an odd mix of relief and annoyance. I crumpled the paper and tossed it in the trash, refusing to let their charming words and smooth handwriting sway me. I’d had enough of the games they played, and if this was supposed to be a peace offering, I wasn't buying it.After tidying up t
Asher's POV The city lights stretched out beneath us, a sprawling sea of flickering bulbs illuminating the skyline from our penthouse. I leaned back into the plush leather couch, drink in hand, and took in the familiar sight of my brothers. After the chaos of the past few days with Willow, this quiet moment felt long overdue. Aiden lounged across from me, his focus split between his phone and his drink, while Axel, the schemer of the group, was looking pensive, the gears in his mind clearly turning.We were back here, together, but the issues waiting for us back home loomed larger than ever. And it was Axel who finally brought it up, the problem that none of us could dodge forever: the arranged marriage pact with the girls in our pack. The sheer thought of it grated on me. No matter how much I might try to push it aside, the obligation hung over me like an unwanted shadow.“We need a plan,” Axel began, tapping his glass thoughtfully. “Once we go back, our father is really going to pr
Asher’s POVThe tension in the air was thick as we walked through the estate grounds, past dimly lit pathways and the occasional chirp of a night bird. I could feel the weight of our plan pressing down on me, and I couldn’t help but wonder if we’d really thought this all the way through. Benjamin wasn’t the easiest person to talk to today, and if we wanted him to consider our proposal, we’d need a perfect balance of diplomacy and, well, a little luck.As we approached the fountain where he was standing, gazing at the rippling water, I knew he’d already sensed our presence. Benjamin turned, his expression guarded, hands tucked casually into his coat pockets. He looked at us with an arched brow, clearly unimpressed.“Well, well,” he said, his voice laced with skepticism. “Here we are again. What is it this time? Another one of your brilliant ideas that’ll make my life more complicated or you have decided that I do not deserve to see the next day for daring to talk to your mate?”I shot
Asher's POVI leaned against the cold stone railing of my balcony, staring out into the night, and trying to silence the thoughts that plagued me. I had tried to sleep, but every time I closed my eyes, all I could see was Willow, her smile, her laughter, and the way she looked at me as if I was the only person in the room. But now, the fear that she was moving on without me gnawed at my insides like a relentless beast.I ran a hand through my hair, feeling the weight of my worries. I needed to know what was happening with her, but the last thing I wanted was to disrupt the fragile peace we had managed to carve out in our lives. As I was lost in thought, I caught sight of a familiar figure stepping onto the balcony beside me.Axel, my brother, was standing there, a bottle of whiskey in hand. He looked as if he hadn’t slept a wink either. “Couldn’t sleep?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.He shrugged and offered me the bottle. “I figured I’d take advantage of the moonlight and
Willow's POVThe air was thick with the scent of damp earth and the faint rustle of leaves as I stood by the riverbank, a chill creeping through my bones. The moon hung full and bright above me, illuminating the water in shimmering waves that danced like whispers of magic. But there was something else in the air, an intangible force pulling at my very essence as if the night itself was trying to draw me in.My gaze turned toward the river, where I saw them, Daniel and Ella, my precious twins, sailing slowly away in a small boat. They looked so serene, their laughter echoing softly against the backdrop of the gentle ripples, yet something felt dreadfully wrong. “Daniel! Ella!” I called, my voice rising above the tranquil sounds of the water, but they didn’t respond. Their eyes were fixed on something far beyond my reach, something that captivated them entirely, and I felt a surge of panic flood through me.I couldn’t let them drift away. Without thinking, I jumped into the water, but a
Willow's POV The dream had felt so real, that I doubted if it had happened or not. When I opened my eyes, disoriented and still groggy, fragments of what had happened came crashing into my mind like a tidal wave. The sound of the gunshot, the tranquilizers, the kids running toward the gate, my voice screaming for them to run. The room spun as I scrambled to my feet. I felt the rush of adrenaline push me forward, ignoring the ache in my head, as I raced around the house, calling out.“Daniel! Ella!” My voice cracked, each shout louder and more desperate than the last. No answer. I tore through every room, my panic swelling as the silence around me deepened.Jason was stirring on the couch, rubbing his head, groggy. I barely noticed as he looked up, his eyes focusing on me with a mix of confusion and concern. “Willow, what’s going on?” he asked, his voice still thick from the tranquilizer’s effects.I couldn't hold it in. The words burst out, broken and raw. “They took them, Jason… the
The Beginning of the EndWillow’s POVThe day had a strange stillness to it, a calm that felt almost unnatural. I sat on the back porch, nursing a cup of tea and listening to Daniel and Ella’s laughter as they played in the yard. Watching them reminded me of simpler days, times I could never return to but held on to through moments like these.Jason and Ruby sat across from me, sharing in the quiet. Jason had insisted that I stay with him while everything blew over, and Ruby had seconded the idea with her usual no-nonsense attitude. It was safer here, they’d argued, away from curious eyes and too many prying questions. I knew they were right, and for now, it seemed like the best option."So, what happens if they find out, Willow?” Jason asked, breaking the silence.I looked up, caught off guard by the question. His face was serious, his eyes piercing as they searched mine. He didn’t need to say who "they" were, the triplets. My stomach twisted, but I forced myself to keep my voice ste
Easy Way Out Asher’s POVFor the first time in what felt like forever, we had some news that could work in our favor. Benjamin finding his mate in the eldest Luna was a blessing, an easy way out of a mess that would have otherwise been a nightmare to handle. The pack politics and our father’s plans to push her into a forced relationship were no longer relevant. Fate had made the decision for us, and that was something even he couldn’t argue with.With a strange sense of satisfaction and relief, Axel, Aiden, and I headed to Father’s office. We shared a glance as we reached the door, a silent agreement that we’d keep things straightforward and quick. It was rare to have the upper hand in a conversation with him, and we weren’t about to let the opportunity slip.I knocked twice, and after a tense moment, he called us in, sounding more impatient than usual. We entered, finding him at his desk, surrounded by a pile of papers and his usual sense of restrained anger. He didn’t look up, not
Asher’s POVThe drive back to pack territory was silent and tense. After tracking Willow down to Ruby’s mom’s place, we agreed it was time to back off, at least for now. She’d been through enough, and part of me knew she needed space. Willow wasn’t the same person I’d grown up knowing; something had changed her, fractured her, and there was a rawness to her that told me she needed a breather before anything else.But, like everything else these days, that decision came with a sense of dread. The pack had become a web of fragile alliances, personal vendettas, and bruised egos, where the slightest move could trigger chaos. My brothers and I knew it too well. I glanced at Axel, then at Aiden. Both wore the same expression I did, guarded, anticipating.When we finally arrived back at the estate, Benjamin was there waiting for us. His expression was hard, lips set in a line that I was coming to know well. He was more than irritated; he looked... resentful. And I knew it wasn’t just because
Chapter 26An accidental meetingWillow's POV The drive was short, but each second stretched painfully, every shadow and bump in the road making my pulse jump. The eerie delivery that had arrived at my office days ago, a package with dead, rotting meat still lingered in my mind. Someone was out there, someone dangerous, and they wanted to shake me to my core. As if I wasn’t already looking over my shoulder with every step. I tried to focus on getting to Ruby’s mom’s house to see Daniel and Ella, but a heavy feeling of being watched hung over me, close as a second skin.Without hesitating, I pulled my phone from my bag, my hands trembling as I sent my live location to Jason and Ruby. Within seconds, my phone rang, Jason’s name flashing across the screen. I pressed it to my ear, trying to sound calm, trying to keep the rising anxiety out of my voice.“Willow, what’s going on?” Jason’s voice was taut with concern.“I… I think someone’s following me,” I said, glancing into the rearview m
Chapter 25In the meadowAsher's POV The meadow stretched out under a twilight sky, and I could feel the weight of the day pressing on us all, though we tried to keep up the facade of calm. Benjamin had been pestering us since morning, demanding that we finally take him to meet the woman his parents had arranged for him. It was supposed to be a move to unite packs, to give him stability, and, frankly, to give us peace of mind that he’d stop meddling in things that had no business concerning him.We’d just left Willow’s office, and Axel’s nerves were frayed. Willow hadn’t been the same since the dead animal incident, and we were all on edge trying to figure out who’d orchestrated it. It was one thing to stir up trouble in pack matters, but sending such a morbid threat, took things to a different level."Would you just shut up for a second, Benjamin?" Axel snapped, his usually calm eyes filled with irritation. “You’re going to get your bride. Right now, we’re dealing with something big
Chapter 24Dread Willow's POVBy the time I got home, a hollow ache had settled deep in my chest, and each step I took felt heavier than the last. The image of that pink-wrapped box, once innocently cheerful, twisted itself over and over in my mind. It wasn’t just the sight of the rotten animal, its decayed form barely holding together in the tissue paper, it was the raw malice that came with it, the sharp reminder that someone out there wanted to hurt me. I’d thought I’d seen the last of these days, that the past was where it belonged, behind me. But it was back, lurking in the shadows of my life.Ruby had driven home with me, her presence a quiet comfort in the aftermath of the day’s horror. She busied herself in the kitchen, murmuring low into her phone, trying to set up some semblance of normalcy while keeping an eye on me. The smell still clung to my senses, ghosting through every breath. Despite the efforts of the Alpha’s security to sanitize my office, the memory remained sh