MasukTESSAâThis is what youâve been dealing with since last month? And your husband just lets it slide?" Irene demanded, sharp with concern. "Whereâs your assistant, Tessa?âI offered her a reassuring smile and told her I was fine, though she wasnât convinced. She insisted that, being in my first trimester, I should be resting in bed all day instead of running around like this. But I couldnât bring myself to do that. After the doctor confirmed that the baby was strong and the pregnancy healthy, Iâd thrown myself back into my Luna duties as if nothing had changed.Frederick hadnât been pleased, of course. He wanted me to remain in the mansion, away from the endless stream of meetings and complaints that came with leadership. In the end, we reached a compromise; my office at the central headquarters was relocated to the mansion so I could continue working from home.âBut as for the meetings and those people who always find something to fuss about,â Irene continued, crossing her arms, âyou s
ODETTEI smiled at him, a shudder of relief constricting my chest.âY-you⌠you donât know how relieved I am to see you,â I breathed, my voice trembling. âIâve been wandering alone, scared, and numb for days.âI closed the distance between us, my fingers trembling as they brushed along the hard lines of his face. Tears welled in my eyes. For days, confusion had been my only companion. I had sought help wherever I could, only to be met with silence. But tonight, Selene had finally answered my prayer.âGabe, said something,â I whispered, patting his arm softly when he didnât respond. He only stared at me blankly, his eyes stripped of warmth and somehow, that emptiness unsettled me more than anger ever could. âArenât you happy to see me again?âBefore I could finish, he swatted my hand away, roughly.In the next heartbeat, his fingers closed around my arm, iron-tight, his voice a low, dangerous growl. âYouâŚââY-yes. Itâs me⌠weâre together now. Iâm free. And no, I donât want us to be apa
GABRIELâIâve done my part and helped you as much as I can,â the witch said, her deep violet eyes locking onto mine as her fingers tightened around my hand. âBut the final step is yours. If you know the one whoâs used you, taking advantage of the mate bond like this, find her. Iâve helped dull your wolfâs instinct to crave what you shouldn't, but you must be the one to end it.âI nodded, a heavy weight settling in my chest.This is the third time we met and she always told me the same thing; that I should reject Odette.Maybe the pain would tear me apart, maybe it would be worse than anything Iâd ever felt before. But this was what I had to do. What I shouldâve done long, long ago.âI'll pray you can heal from the heartbreak quickly,â she said with a playful wink, though her voice softened with sincerity. âItâs not an easy step to take. But remember, you can always come to me if you need help.âDespite the intimidating aura that surrounded her, her demeanor was surprisingly light, and
BRIDGETThe pair of blue eyes staring back at me from the mirror was glassy with shock and grief. Tears slid down my cheeks, tracing the long scar that ran from beneath my right eye to the edge of my jaw. I didnât bother to wipe them away anymore. My trembling hand brushed against the matching wound along my back. Stitched, yes, but the doctorâs work couldnât erase the evidence.What Gabe had done to me would never fade. The marks of his fury were carved into my skin, branded into me, etched there for eternity by the man I loved.Love.The word itself made my chest ache. Now that I finally had the guts to admit it, I felt utterly foolish. Pathetic, even. My once perfect, beautiful self couldnât make him love me, and this broken body, marred and ruined, certainly never would.âAre you alright? Youâve been in there too long, Iâm getting worried!" The door burst open, and Velmaraâs voice broke through my thoughts. She stopped short the moment she saw me. Her expression faltered. âAre
GABRIELâHe began to open his eyes..."The voice came from somewhere close. My lashes fluttered, and I forced my eyes open a little wider. The light above was too blinding, or maybe it was just that Iâd been swallowed by darkness for too long.Shapes began to form. People gathered around as if my waking was some kind of miracle. Their stares pressed against me, curious, cautious, maybe even fearful.âW-where am I?â My voice came out rough like it hadnât been used in years.âEasy,â A man in a white coat said. âDonât move too much, youâll only hurt yourself.âHe was right. The moment I tried to sit up, a sharp, merciless pain lanced through my chest. I sucked in a breath, wincing, and looked down to see thick layers of bandages wrapped tightly around me everywhere.âWho managed to injure me?â The doctorâs brow furrowed. âYou donât remember anything?âI closed my eyes, trying to drag the fragments back from the haze. And then, like a dam cracking open, it all began to flood in. I was re
VELMARAâAre you lyingâŚ?â Ireneâs voice came through the phone, sharp with disbelief. âDonât tell me youâre lying.ââWhy would I? What do I gain from spreading Tessa's fake pregnancy news?"There was a beat of stunned silence before Irene let out a dramatic groan. âGoddess! Why did it have to happen while I was away? I wanted to be there, to see it, to celebrate it! Luck really isnât on my side. I hate this.âI couldnât help but laugh softly at her frustration. âThen come back soon. Youâll make it before the babyâs born, right?ââOf course. I wonât be gone much longer,â she promised, her tone brightening with excitement. âThis calls for a grand celebration. All the Alphas from every pack must be invited!ââI doubt Frederick will agree to that. Heâs been ridiculously protective ever since he found out his Luna was expecting. There are guards posted outside Tessaâs chambers day and night; sheâs practically under house arrest. I can barely even see her these days,â I sighed. Tessa migh







