KNIGHT
Nirvana was fucking gorgeous, it should be a crime, and she wasn’t even aware how beautiful she was that she caught everyone’s attention. These guys had been warned beforehand to behave— this meant she was off-limits as Kailin’s best friend.
Despite only seeing her once, I couldn’t stop thinking about her. She had already become my distraction. And her name alone was like a nirvana to me, and I wouldn’t allow it to happen tonight.
The dinner went well despite the constant glaring coming from Kailin, warning me to be polite to her guest. I quickly left the dining room while McKaye and Kaleb showed the Blackwell wines to Nirvana.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Kailin followed me out.
“To my office.”
“You’re lying. You’re leaving.” She sounded disappointed.
I stopped and faced her, sighing. “I did my promise, Kailin. I showed up and introduced myself to Nirvana. I can’t stay here. I have tons of paperwork—”
“Boring,” she sang with an eye-roll.
“You can show her around or go downtown. Use the card, go shopping, and do whatever you girls do.”
“You can’t get out of our hair easily, Knight.”
Irritated, I drew a deep breath. “When you had visitors coming over, you never dragged me to join you. What do you want from me?”
“You like her, do you?” The logic irritated me because it was true.
“I’m a man, and I like nice women.”
She rolled her eyes again. “Don’t play dumb with me. I’m sorry, but you may be my alpha, I still call your excuse bullshit. Cut the crap, Knight. You’re attracted to her, but you’re scared.”
“I’m not. Now shut it. Tell your friend good night.” I walked away before she could hear my heartbeat.
Werewolves like us had excellent enhanced hearing compared to humans. We didn’t have to use a stethoscope to listen to a human heartbeat. All we needed was to focus.
“Then tell me what made you so busy. You are always talkative during dinner, but tonight, you seem off. What’s going on with you?” She still stalked me outside the house.
I knew Kailin. She wouldn’t let this one go until she heard what she wanted. So, I had to come up with another lie.
“I’m meeting someone tonight. Happy?”
Her brows met together. A deep frown appeared on her forehead. “You’re dating someone?”
“What’s wrong with me dating a woman I like? Besides, I’m single, and I have needs. And I don’t have to tell you my personal life, cousin.”
“You don’t date. You can’t fool me. You’re telling me this to excuse yourself because, let’s be honest, you like my best friend.”
I shook my head. “Whatever floats your boat, Kailin. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have somewhere to go.”
“So it’s okay if I let Kaleb pursue her?”
I hid my anger deep within me and suppressed the growling about to erupt from my throat. “I don’t give a shit, K. Kaleb doesn’t have a mate. Maybe she’s the one, and I’ll be happy for them if they become mates.”
“You’re such an ass.” She finally left, stomping away from me.
I went to my car, but McKaye was already there. “What’s wrong?”
“Are you okay?” he asked me, confusion brewing in his eyes.
“Don’t tell me you’re also concerned with my personal life.” McKaye was not as nosy as his sister, and he knew how to keep secrets. He was my best friend, after all.
“Why did you say that?”
“I don’t know. I think your evil twin is trying to set me up with her best friend.”
“And what’s wrong with that?” He stuffed his hands in his pockets as if listening to my business plans.
“I don’t want distractions, and I’m not up for relationships right now, Mac. I have so many things on my plate, and the last thing I want is a girlfriend wanting a dinner date, cuddling on a sofa while watching sappy movies, and joining me over business trips.”
“I don’t mind if my girlfriend is someone like Vana.” He shrugged his shoulders. “But she’s my sister’s best friend.”
“And so? Bro-code is overrated. If you like her, go ahead. You’re a mateless werewolf. Maybe you won’t be finding your mate for another ten years. Time for you to have fun.”
“You’re such a dick. I don’t want her to be my girlfriend. I was trying to convince you that you would look good together as a couple.”
“She’s human.”
“And?”
“You’re wasting my time.” I got in my car. “Warn everyone to be careful running into the woods.”
“They’re warned.”
“Good.” I sped up, away from the pack house. I needed to get drunk and find someone willing for a good hard fuck. The word someone did a clenching in my chest, and it irritated my infuriating wolf as well.
My wolf just growled at me.
“Shut the fuck up, mutt,” I growled back.
“Shit.” I stepped on the brake hard enough that the tires screeched against the pavement, and a smell of burning rubber hit my nostrils. “Don’t go back, asshole. She’s better to be alone without you.”
I drew a deep breath, thinking of how to get rid of her, but nothing came more logical than telling her face-to-face.
“Damn it.” I made a swift U-turn and drove back to the pack house.
I jumped out of my car and almost bumped into McKaye in the receiving area.
“Why did you come back?”
“Where’s your sister?”
“She’s with her gorgeous best friend.” Everyone seemed to piss me off today.
“Fuck,” I muttered under my breath.
“You wanna talk to my sister or her best friend?”
I eyed him suspiciously, but he only raised his brows at me.
“I just told K to meet me here. Alone. Up to you to do whatever you have in mind, Knight.” He patted my shoulder before he left.
“Shit.” I went upstairs towards the living area. Her scent became more potent, but she wasn’t there. I knocked on her door.
“Just a sec,” she replied from the room.
“What am I doing?” Before I could turn my back, the door already swung open.
The look on her face told me she wasn’t expecting to see me. Her sky-blue eyes widened slightly, partly surprised and thrilled. And then a crackle settled between us, warning me of danger.
“Knight? Are you looking for K? She just went down to see her brother.”
Goddess. Stunning didn’t fit to describe her. She was like she just came from a fairy tale land. I didn’t know if I should be relieved or terrified. What is the Moon Goddess’s mind giving me— fuck no.
She was not my mate.
Nirvana was not my mate.
She was just attractive.
That’s all.
“Are you okay?” Goddess, her voice was like a hot chocolate and a warm blanket in winter, and I didn’t even like hot chocolate.
“Yeah.” I took all my courage, even if it would hurt her. She would be better off without me. “I want you gone by tomorrow afternoon. I will buy a first-class ticket for you back to New York.”
“Excuse me?” Her eyes bulged out. The pain began brewing. She clearly wasn’t expecting to hear something harsh from me.
“You heard me. I want you to leave my property. You’re not welcome here anymore.”
“Asshole.” Unblinking gaze raked over me. Her jaw clenched as she breathed through her nose. “I know the first time I saw you, you’re a world-class jerk.”
“I’ve been called worst.” My reply came hard, and my face hot.
“I don’t need your ticket. I don’t need your damn money. I can go home just fine.” Her jaw snapped shut. I got the feeling that she was regretting her words.
“Good.” With my wolf growling and whining, my heart began palpitating, almost making it hard to breathe.
“Dickhead.” The door slammed shut before me, leaving me openmouthed in shock.
I deserved that.
NIRVANA What a jerk! Prick. Prick. Prick. I felt rejected. A sliver of pain pierced my chest. Disappointment seeped through within me. I didn’t know this guy, but his words hit different coming from him— they sliced right into my heart. And it felt like I’d known him for a long time, that he meant what he said. When Axell broke up with me, it didn’t hurt like this. What was with this man that caused me such agony? He was gone for a few minutes. His footsteps faded in the hallway, but his expensive taste of cologne still lingered in my head. When he knocked on my door, I was expecting an invitation, maybe a walk in the vineyards under the moonlight. Obviously, I was way over my head. But something must have happened after he left the dining room. I saw the rage in his eyes and the clenching of his jaw. Whatever enraged him that had twisted his boxers— if he wore one, had nothing to do with me. Maybe he just hated me. Perhaps he was just an ass. Whatever. I picked up my
NIRVANA “Anyone there?” I bent over to see who was on the other side but saw no one. Until a giant brown wolf appeared that almost gave me a heart attack. With my breathing stuck in my lungs, my heart pounded so hard, and my feet seemed rooted to the ground. My gaze was still glued to the wolf, and I had no idea there were wolves around here. And then the cracking sound of something broken pierced my ears— it sounded like bones crunching and excruciating. Goosebumps erupted all over my skin. Shocked, my eyes bulged out, but I couldn’t manage to blink or breathe until my lungs almost exploded and my chest began to heave. The wolf deformed before my very eyes. The bones cracked, and from the four-legged animal, it turned into a two-legged naked human in just mere seconds. It was not real. I was just dreaming, or the shadow was playing tricks with me. This was impossible. “Oh, no, no.” Shivering, I stepped back with my shaky knees and immediately crashed into something h
KNIGHT Shit. Things went out of hand quickly. She had just seen Gage shift, and she was terrified. Who wouldn’t be? She was human and only aware of our existence in fantasy, fiction books, and movies, and our representation was a terrifying beast that ripped human parts apart. And I pissed her off. It was better that way. She was away from our dark and dangerous world. She was better off out of my life. The longer she stayed at the vineyards, the harder it was to stay away from her. The pull was so strong it drove me crazy in just a little time I sat with her. She better hate me than drag her into my world. I dialed Alpha Califf, one of my allies. He had one of the biggest packs in the world, a witch coven, and the Lycan Alpha King at his disposal. “Knight, how’s life?” Califf found his mate, a lycan princess, Shadow Hawks, and they were stronger and fought enemies together. If I was being honest, I envied him that he had a stronger mate. Shadow was also a half-witch gif
KNIGHT “Yes.” I nodded glumly. “She’s better off without me. She’s—” “Human? Yeah. And the intoxicating mating pull was nothing I’d ever felt before. It was so strong I couldn’t control it, and it started to drive me insane.” “Poor thing. I won’t help you, Knight. You’re being selfish. Werewolves and Lycans can have human mates. It works just fine.” “Really?” I met her gaze. “What’s the lifespan of a human? She grows old, and I barely age. I can’t go through that. When my father died, my mother took her own life. And they were both werewolves and were strong, but my mother couldn’t handle losing her mate. She couldn’t handle the pain.” Every time I thought of having a mate, I saw my mother’s lifeless body in her bed as she took poison to end her life. “Is that why you don’t want a mate?” “Yes. We will both suffer in the end. Considering how weak humans are.” “You’re wrong. When Shadow lost her wolf and her ability, she did everything to fight against Aciano. She may not have wh
NIRVANA I felt so cold, my chin trembling. I was in my pajamas, barefooted, and walking in the woods alone in the dark. I couldn’t remember how I ended up in this place, but I had a feeling I was lost. I wrapped my arms around my body when chilly air seeped through my bones. My body shivered, and my breath steamed as I mindlessly walked through the dirt path. Then, a big gray wolf appeared before me. I stood frozen. My heart hammered as its dark eyes narrowed, and the rings around the irises glowed golden as if it just found its prey. I’d never seen a wolf so big before, taller, more robust, standing with pride, its fur shining against the darkest night. The wolf prowled, growling, exposing its long, sharp, white fangs. “Don’t hurt me!” I jolted up in bed from a dead sleep, drenched with sweat, still catching my breath. My heart pumped so hard in my chest till it was so uncomfortable. And my dream felt so real. “Oh, thank God.” I wiped off the beads of sweat all over my for
NIRVANA “Knight is visiting Blackwell Firm, and since I’m his assistant, I came with him and used his card to book a suite for myself.” I couldn’t help but chuckle. “You book a suite for yourself?” “That’s what we agreed upon, or I’ll leave the vineyards, stay with you, and find a job.” “Huh.” That was all I could say. “He’s loaded anyway. He has a penthouse here. He can stay there or book a suite for himself, but I didn’t.” Of course, it wouldn’t be a surprise, but Knight, besides his nasty, gruesome attitude, seemed grounded. Before I could reply, a knock on the door interrupted us. “That’s our coffee.” Kailin rose to her feet and went to the door. Since she was my roommate, she still had keys to our apartment, even if she left months ago. I was about to get up when I heard a familiar voice from my small living area. I was curious to know if it was still a remnant of my dream. I went to see if what I heard was right. “Be nice, or I swear to—” Kailin warned Knight when they
KNIGHT “What the hell is wrong with you?” Kailin was still pissed at me. I didn’t know what was wrong with me. It seemed that every time I saw Nirvana, the world stopped spinning, things suspended, and my mind went blank. The pull between us was getting stronger and stronger. I started to lose my mind, and it seemed that I was the only one who was affected. And it fucking drove me insane. “Don’t challenge me again, Kailin.” My warning didn’t seem to budge her. “You don’t wanna see me mad. And I’m still your alpha.” “Then tell me, why do you hate her so much?” “I don’t hate her.” “Then why do you act like she has some kind of infectious disease when she’s around?” “I don’t wanna talk about it. You can stay here if you want to. I’m just going to visit the firm. See you at lunch.” I was already walking towards the door when she held my arm. “What?” She sighed. “I apologize because you’re my alpha, but not as my cousin.” “Apology accepted, but don’t ever challenge me again, espe
KNIGHT “Mr. Blackwell, welcome to Case Restaurant.” He offered his hand. “Thank you.” I shook his hand hesitantly, but he was in a pack. I could smell that. “Oh, you two have met.” My cousin had just arrived, or she was already here. “Yeah.” I was still confused, and the man didn’t introduce himself. “I’m Case Woodrow.” He smiled as he must have seen the look on my face. “You’re the owner.” My pulse accelerated. I looked at Kailin, and she just shut her mouth. “Yes, son. And you’re an alpha.” “Yes. White Moon from California.” I paused for a moment to gather my bearing. “Can we speak in private?” “Of course. My office is downstairs. Follow me.” He gestured as he led me the way. Before Kailin could follow Case, I held her wrist. “You knew?” “Obviously, I can smell him.” I tightened my grip around her. “Are you going to tell me about this?” She met my gaze, and I instantly saw the guilt in her eyes. “I promised Case I won’t tell what we are to his granddaughter.” Case open