I stepped out of Roland's car, my jaw dropping at the sight of Crystal Rose Mall. The gleaming glass structure stretched toward the sky, its petals-like fixtures catching the sunlight."Close your mouth before you catch flies." Roland's hand found the small of my back. My throat bobbed."I used to press my nose against these windows as a kid." I fidgeted with the hem of my simple black dress. "Never actually went inside." Well, my father never really allowed me outside most of the time at all.The automatic doors whooshed open, a wave of cool air scented with expensive perfume escaped. Women in designer outfits strutted past, their heels clicking on marble floors. A group of them gave me a once-over, their perfectly painted lips curling.The interior of the mall is a mix of modern and castle-like features. I shrank closer to Roland. "Everyone's staring.""Let them stare." His voice dropped lower, that dangerous edge slithering in again. "You're with me.""That's not as reassuring as y
"Or I'll break every finger you used to point at her." Roland's voice was soft and deadly, his words reverberating. He cleared his throat and I was snapped of my musing. "Perhaps this is the day I'll start getting creative when it comes to torture."The color drained from their faces as they spun around, turning away quickly. But he was faster. Roland towered over them, his green eyes glazed but still held authority. The casual charm was gone, replaced by something that made even my blood run cold."We didn't know she was with anyone-" the tall one, the first one who whistled at me, stammered."That shouldn't matter." Roland's hand shot out before I could grasp in what's happening, gripping the guy by his collar. "Apologize. Now.""S-sorry, miss!" The others literally tripped over themselves as they backed away.I flushed-not because of the male's apology but because of Roland's display of power."If I see you near her again..." Roland let the threat hang in the air with a brief pause
We stepped into the elevator, my mind still reeling from Jacob’s phone call. The silence stretched between me and Roland and the world around us until we reached the parking lot.“Why do I need protection, Roland?” I pointed a finger towards me. “What aren't you telling me?”Roland’s jaw tightened. He rested a hand on my lower back, guiding me toward his midnight blue car. “The Rose Sky Pack has been circling us like vultures. They want to tear down everything your brother built.” His voice dropped, a dangerous edge creeping in. “And now that you're back, they'll use any weakness they can find.”“Weakness?” I stopped, looking up at him. “I’m the weakness?”He spun me around swiftly, his hands gripped both of my shoulders. “Yes. They'll come after you to get to him.” His green eyes blazed like liquid emerald and that made my breath catch. “But I won't let them touch what's mine to protect.”I gasped at his possessive tone. The way he said ‘mine’ sent electricity down my spine.“Your b
Before I could reach for my seatbelt, Roland yanked open the car's door on my side. His arms slipped under my knees and behind my back, lifting me against his chest like a baby."I can walk.""I'm not taking chances, Farrah." His voice echoed in my ears where my head was resting against his chest."I can walk," I reiterated, this time with more steel in my voice. He only scoffed at my request.The packhouse's front doors burst open as Roland carried me inside swiftly. Pack's guards and Alpha's guards materialized from every direction, their faces solemn and dark."Secure the entire packlands," Roland barked an order. "Summon all the guards and warriors, make half of them shift. The other half carry guns loaded with silver bullets. No one gets in or out without my permission." His arms tightened around me. "Check every camera from the past six hours. I want to know how the Rose Sky Pack slipped through our pack unnoticed."My fingers curled into Roland's shirt without my noticing. Just
I followed Jacob and Roland outside. The evening breeze caressed my face as we stepped onto the lawn. A flash of light, then those in their wolf forms now stare back at us with their human eyes. Even their rigid postures and firm faces hinted at the fear shrouding them.Jacob's presence filled the night, darker and more menacing than the darkness all around us. The temperature seemed to drop several degrees, worsened by the already-cold evening. Even I shivered, and not from the cold-this was a side of my brother I'd never seen before.The side of my brother I don't think I can stomach seeing.Roland broke away from us, stalking between the lines of guards like a predator sizing up prey. His green eyes narrowed as he studied each face, lingering just long enough to make them squirm. Some couldn't meet his gaze, others tried too hard to appear innocent. While others...seemed to be a bit like me."Someone here," Jacob started, his voice cutting through the silence low and lethal, "has b
"Remember?" I furrowed my brow and narrowed my eyes, searching his face for any hint of familiarity. The green eyes, the strong jawline. I imagined Roland both in his cursed form and more-handsome form-nothing clicked into place."I see you didn't..." Roland's smile turned wistful. He bit his lip. "You used to visit near the Enchanted Forest. And I only watch you from afar. I always ask myself why would an Alpha's daughter would dare to step foot in our territory. Until I saw you wailing, the bruises on your face and arms-and I knew...you were looking for a death wish already even at such a young age.""My father is that cruel." I wiped a single tear from my eyes. "If only it wasn't for Jacob, I would've hanged myself in one of the Enchanted Forest's trees, or even drown in one of your ruthless rivers.""But you didn't." Roland's voice was shaky. "You didn't." He looked to the ground for a long time before lifting his face. "The first time I saw you, I knew you were my mate.""But I w
My fingers tightened around the phone. At least there was a bite of truth in his last sentence. "Then why are you calling me?""Your precious brother Jacob? He's in danger. And so am I." He laughed, cold and hollow. "Funny how things work out, isn't it? You're probably feeling betrayed, lost, sad, and angry."I swallowed and kept my voice low. "What are you fucking talking about, Heather?""Tomorrow, around four in the afternoon. Come alone." His tone turned threatening but also pleading. "And Farrah?" He added with a pause. "If you tell anyone about this call, if you bring anyone with you-your brother dies. Simple as that." "You're joking.""Try me. I've got nothing left to lose, sweetheart." Then the line went dead.I stared at my phone, hands shaking. The warmth from my moment with Roland evaporated immediately, replaced by ice now freezing my veins. What did Alpha Heather mean about Jacob being in danger and him dying?The threat in his voice had been real. Whatever game he was
"Oh Farrah...A few texts about your precious brother being in danger and you come running like an obedient little puppy," my ex-fiance's smile was wide as the ocean.My stomach dropped. Bile rising in my throat. The "your brother is in danger" story-it had been a trap. And I'd fallen for it completely."Seven years pretending to love you wasn't enough entertainment." His laugh echoed in the van. "I had to see just how far you'd go, how much of a naive you still are. How easily I could manipulate you one last time."I struggled against the bindings, tears soaking into the blindfold. The van hit a bump, my shoulder slamming into metal. Heather's laughter mixed with other voices I didn't recognize.My wolf growled in anger. "Why are you doing this?" My voice cracked, fear clawing at my throat."You'll know soon enough, sweetheart." The Alpha's voice held that same mocking tone that made my skin crawl.The van jerked to a stop. Rough hands grabbed my arms, dragging me across rough gravel.
Despite his gasp of surprise, I kissed him passionately and forcefully.While Miles and Nichole had only kissed for ten seconds, I kissed Clarke for more than thirty seconds, nearly snatching his breath and soul away.As soon as our lips parted, Beta Clarke came to his senses and pushed me away. Everyone was dumbfounded. Nichole was utterly shocked. And Miles...his furious stare could bring down the heavens.Clarke's past reprimands echoed in my head:"Gayle, how many times have I told you that Miles and Nichole are just good friends? Hugging your friends and kissing them is completely normal. I don't get why you're so jealous of them.""We feel sorry for Miles, dealing with a controlling and obsessive freak like you. He's got no freedom at all.""If it were me, I would have just left you and married Nichole. You two shouldn't even be together for eight years!"I looked at Miles with a triumphant gaze as I spoke, "Well, it seems I just did my own pre-wedding pack tradition of kissing
"Gayle, what's your deal?" Miles' breathing was uneven as he looked around and then back to me. "Okay, I'm sorry for the slap earlier but you triggered us!"Miles grabbed the bouquet from Nichole's hand and threw it to the floor, scattering the red and pink petals everywhere. The whole pack was just watching us beneath their gossipful noses.When I didn't answer, the Alpha finally lost his temper and shouted, "Gayle Snow, where did I go wrong?!"I let out a cold laugh as I closed the distance between us. "How could you be wrong, Miles? It's me who was always wrong, aren't I?" I paused as I glimpsed Nichole and somehow, she stepped back. "You're foolishly perfect, Alpha. There's nothing wrong with you."But Miles scented the sarcasm and the immense anger bright in my eyes. "Gayle, this is just a pre-wedding tradition. I'm sure the Snow Moon Pack also does that. Why are you angry?""I'm not. I'm just..." I threw Nichole a glance for emphasis. "I'm just tired."I want this drama to end s
The slap was full of anger and despise. Almost as if he was not the Alpha Miles I came to love for the past years.“And that,” I announced with a furious grin as I pointed at him, “ladies and gentlemen, is why I’m not fit to be married to Miles. I won’t marry an Alpha who beats his Luna in front of his pack.”“Miles!” Nichole’s call cut through the tension. And I saw how the Alpha’s expression softened at his bestfriend's behest. “Please,” she pleaded. I don’t know what she’s begging of him but it was enough for me to step back and clenched my fingers to a fist.Looking at both of them, it seems the Alpha I love only care about Nichole. It seems as if I never existed in his life even though I did everything I could for him. I offered my heart and mind and soul to him. I gave him everything I had. Yet, he only returned his affection to me for the first four years of our relationship. As soon as Nichole returned after studying from another pack, Miles changed. Everything fucking cha
"You should set that room on fire." Celia, my Beta and bestfriend, snarled beside me."No need for violence when their kissing is already violently against the ethics of to-be newlyweds.""It seems Nichole doesn't know what boundaries or respect are." Celia huffed, "And yet you're fine with that?"I shrugged and sighed, lowering my gaze to the floor as I massaged my forehead.In the past, I would have screamed at everyone and become the jealous violent monster Miles described me to be. It would have ended in an ugly pre-wedding party and an even uglier argument between me and Miles."It seems I'm the only one who doesn't know that Nichole and Miles are more than just friends-opposite to what he constantly growled at me."Celia scoffed, "You see the pack's reaction. All of them know what's between the two. You're just the one being fooled by your Alpha."Indeed, in the past years, Miles would often call me out for having dirty thoughts between him and Nichole. He would be utterly disap
Short Story's Blurb:Gayle's world shatters when her mate, Alpha Miles, chooses his childhood friend, Nichole, to spend the night before their wedding. When Nichole boldly asks if Miles would make her his Luna instead of Gayle, his response cuts deep: "I would."Crushed, Gayle forces a smile and claps for their union, knowing that tomorrow's wedding will never happen. With her heart broken and her place in the pack shattered, she's done pretending. The love she's held for eight years is no more, and she's ready to tear it all down. ***Chapter 1I watch as my mate and fiancé, Alpha Miles, kisses his childhood friend, Nichole, in front of me.“That was fun!” she chirped, as if I, the bride-to-be and her future Luna, wasn’t in the same room as hers. “If Gayle wasn’t here, would you make me your Luna instead?”I pretended I wasn’t stunned; I acted as if I wasn’t even in the room. I know each pack has their own tr
"Don't worry, I was once in a relationship like that," Alex explained as soon as we got to our hotel room. "They're dangerous, not because they're obsessive, but because they no longer see the need to respect you. They see you as a possession of theirs that they'll chase even to the far end of the world." "Thank you," I inhaled. I found myself wandering to the window and there, Jon was standing outside. Thunder cracked the distance and soon, the rain started to pour. Alex saw him too."See. That's why."I understood what he meant and right now, instead of hatred, I feel sorry for Jon. He no longer feels the need to live. He doesn't know how to let go as if what he and Emilia have possessed him with intense guilt that he thinks the only way to solve it is to prove to me we can still be together despite what happened.Well, what's done is done.I dialed Emilia's number and spoke in a flat tone. "Stop letting him go out and make a scene." Dr. Alex tossed me a subtle smile. I just shook
'It only happened once, Anastasia.' I chuckled mirthlessly at Jonathan's words earlier. Only the dead would believe his lies.Although it made me vomit, I gulped down the bile that rose to my throat at the foul picture I received."Really? Is this all that you can do, Emilia?" I texted the unknown number and then blocked it right away.I went back to sleep as though I just dreamed all of it.***Dr. Alex approached me the next day. The Dawn Thorn Pack wants a Head Nurse as their current Head Nurse resigned after being married to another pack's Alpha.Alex has approached me with several offers from other packs but I rejected all of them because I don't want to be far from Jon.Now that I'm free from him and single, I immediately volunteered for it even when he didn't offer it to me at first."As soon as they mentioned Head Nurse, I immediately thought of you. But then I remember you always rejected all the opportunities I laid before you so I didn't tell you right away. What makes you
As I had my breakfast the next day, I found out Jon was just staying in the room next to mine.He kept on eyeing at me like some dog who doesn't want his owner to vanish before his sight. He even stayed with me at the Dawn Thorn Pack's hospital to finish some paperworks before Dr. Alex dismissed us. The Alpha stubbornly stayed with me all day and then went home with me as well.I couldn't argue further so I just let him.When I got home, as soon as I opened the door, there were already people there: Jon's friends and Emilia, including Beta Homer.They have prepared a table full of delicious food as if welcoming Jonathan back that they're glad they've seen him again for so many decades.It was only three days.Even with the food's appetizing look and mouth-watering smell, I feel nauseous.Emilia instantly met my gaze. "The Alpha only went to Homer's house that day and now you have to be dramatic and go to another pack without the knowledge of the Alpha? As the Alpha's girlfriend, you
"I'm busy. Dr. Alex sent me to the Dawn Thorn Pack because they had some accident there and they need more stuff." I made my voice as bland and boring as possible."Ana-"Then I hung up on the phone without second thoughts.Dr. Alex told me I'll be in the Dawn Thorn Pack for three days, unfortunately.I told the Head of the Healers that it was actually fortunate for me.I was walking to the hotel that Dr. Alex had booked for the Dusk Rose Pack healers when I saw Jonathan in the lobby.He looked extremely disheveled as if he had been trapped in a cave for so long and he just got out.As soon as his eyes met mine, I felt shivers down my spine. Cold sweat starts to form on my forehead. Before I could turn around, he immediately lunged at me and grabbed my arm with such force that I cried. "Anastasia, are you avoiding me?""Of course, I am. We have already broken up and it is right that I avoid you and you leave me fucking alone." "Where were you?" his voice dropped to a whisper."From