He’s so early,” Aleah muttered while looking at the young man standing outside the car. As she gazed at him, she couldn't help but admire his stance. The young man's charm was unmistakable, and she noticed that passing young women couldn't resist glancing at him, clearly attracted by his good looks.“Who?” Elara asked, turning to look at the young man waiting for them. It was evident that Elara was taken aback upon seeing the young man, and it seemed to dawn on her that her beloved daughter was truly growing up.“Good morning,” Hunter greeted Elara politely as he and Aleah approached the young man.“Good morning. "You look busy; you could have asked someone else to pick up Aleah,” Elara remarked while watching Hunter load Aleah's luggage into the car's compartment one by one.Hunter gave Elara a warm smile as he closed the compartment. “It’s my pleasure to pick her up, Ma’am. I wouldn't wan
"Let's go," Luke said as he took the lead. Francis followed his brother, leaving Hunter standing there with clenched fists. Hunter wondered how he could ever forget his role in the Bryant family, as his brothers always reminded him of who and what he was. He knew they never liked him.Hunter was eight years old when he met Sebastian Bryant. At that time, he was in Japan, held by a group of yakuza. He didn't know who he was or where he came from. The yakuza who took him in called him "Zen." They were involved in illegal activities and were brutal, but they treated him well, especially the leader, who even considered passing the group on to him. However, due to a betrayal by one of the members, the leader was killed, and the group was captured by UN special forces. One of the UN special force leaders at that time was Sebastian. In addition to being the Alpha of the Silver Luminaries and the Leader of the Astral Guardian, Sebastian was also a member of the UN Special Forces, whi
Sir!” a young man greeted Hunter and saluted him. The young man who greeted him was tall and handsome. Hunter also returned the salute to the young man. “They are waiting inside,” the young man said. Hunter had just arrived at the Camp after dropping off Aleah at the University.“The Alpha King has also arrived,” the young man said, causing Hunter to stop walking. “It seems like you have something important to discuss since the Alpha King himself came here. Some of the Alphas from other Packs are also with him,” he added.“How’s the training going?” Hunter asked, ignoring what the young man said.“Some of the newcomers are having a hard time. They said our training course is brutal,” the young man said.“It’s brutal for those weaklings,” Andrew said and stopped in front of a door. “Continue to monitor their training,” Hunter said before entering the door
"How will I return to the mansion? I didn't ask Zen for directions or what vehicle to take. If I take a taxi, I don't know the address. I also can't call him because I don't know his number. So much for being Alpha's Bride. I know nothing about him. Why did I forget to ask for his number?" Aleah said while standing at the university gate. She had been standing there for almost half an hour, thinking about how to get back to the Bryant mansion. Hunter also didn't tell her if he would pick her up."I guess I don’t have a choice," Aleah said as she walked toward the bus stop. She thought about going to her mother's house instead. She didn't have any other options. Besides, she liked the idea of going to her mom's house because she wasn't comfortable at Hunter's house. As Aleah walked to the bus stop, she suddenly stopped because of the loud honk of a car. She was startled by the loud sound. The car stopped in front of her. She looked at it curiously as the blinds of the wi
"What's happening?" Aleah asked in confusion as she arrived at her mother's flower shop and saw police officers and an ambulance. There were also many reporters and media around. Upon seeing this, she hurried to her mother's flower shop to see what was going on. But the police suddenly stopped her. She tried to get closer, but the police prevented her from crossing the yellow line."Wait a minute. I want to know what happened. I'm the daughter of the flower shop owner. My mother is inside," Aleah said while struggling to get in. As Aleah continued to insist on entering, she noticed her mother lying on a stretcher being carried into the ambulance. She froze upon seeing her mother. She covered her mouth when she saw her mother's condition."Mom," Aleah said, immediately approaching her mother. She covered her mouth when she saw her mother's bleeding head and the cast on her neck. Aleah didn't know what to do; she attempted to touch her mother's head but was scared. Tears
Miss Aleah?” asked a nurse who approached the young woman. Aleah looked up as the nurse approached her.“This is for you.” The nurse handed Aleah an envelope. With trembling hands, Aleah took the envelope and opened it. Upon reading the contents of the letter, she dropped it immediately.“Why?” asked Alfredo, noticing his daughter's reaction. Hunter quickly picked up the letter and read its contents. It contained words cut out from a newspaper and a picture of the young woman with a large X drawn across her face. The message read: “This is just the beginning of your life in hell with the Demon.”“Who gave you this?” Hunter asked the female nurse.“A child,” the nurse replied. Hunter immediately stood up, ready to leave, but before he could go, Aleah grabbed his hand. Hunter turned to look at her.“It’s okay. I’ll be back,” Hunter said, gently taking Aleah&rsqu
Aleah woke up feeling an arm wrapped around her. When she opened her eyes, she saw Hunter's sleeping face. Shocked, she pushed him away, causing him to fall off the bed. Hunter woke up, equally surprised, and looked at her.“You---- How could you take advantage of me while I was sleeping? You're not just an Icy Demon Alpha, you're also a perv---” Aleah's words were cut off as Hunter stood up.“What a nice way to say thank you after I lent you my arms while you cried in your sleep.” Aleah froze, realizing what she had done. In her shock, she had pushed him off the bed.“You didn’t do anything?” she asked.“I am not desperate to take advantage of a child,” he said coldly. “My arms are numb, you ungrateful child.”“Child?” Aleah said in disbelief. “Did you just call me a child?”“It’s just us in this room. Who else would it be?” Hunter replied.“You….” Aleah said angrily, throwing a pillow at him. With quick reflexes, Hunter caught the p
People were in chaos below a building under construction when they saw a young woman standing on its edge. The only thing preventing her from falling was a chain attached to a crane above her. The situation was being broadcast live. Many reporters and police officers arrived at the scene, but no one could approach the woman because a man wearing a devil mask was being broadcast on a monitor next to the building. His voice was altered by a voice changer.From the large monitor, the masked man said that only Demon Alpha, Hunter Bryant, could climb the building. He warned that if anyone else attempted to rescue the woman, he would not hesitate to drop her from the building. The live broadcast revealed that the woman in danger was Aleah, a member of the Guevarra and Bryant families. Alfredo, who saw what was happening to his daughter, rushed to the scene with Meynard.Everyone watching the broadcast was waiting to see what would happen next. The man on the monitor said t
"Z..en?!” Aleah blurted out in shock as she caught sight of her husband walking into Dennis’ law firm office. What truly made her jaw drop was the young woman clinging to his arm. Just recently, Hunter had saved her from a dangerous businessman, and he’d shared her tragic story with Aleah. Now, it seemed, the woman was under military protection.“She’s our new client,” Dennis interjected, clearly picking up on the surprise plastered across Aleah’s face.“Thanks for taking this on. You’re the only guy I trust to stand firm, even against a brick wall,” Hunter said, his tone light yet full of confidence in the younger man.“Should I feel flattered or cornered?” Dennis quipped back.“Take it however you want,” Hunter replied with a small smirk, but he subtly shrugged off Aster’s hand when he caught the sharp daggers Aleah was throwing his way.“Let’s move this i
Bursting into the room, Hunter froze. On the bed lay Aster, bruised and battered, her face pale and terrified. She was clutching the sheets desperately, trying to cover herself. Hunter looked away immediately, scanning the room for something she could wear. His eyes landed on a cabinet. He crossed the room, flinging it open to grab one of the polo shirts folded neatly inside.“Here,” he said softly, holding it out to her.Her trembling hands reached for the shirt, but before she could put it on, she collapsed into him, her sobs breaking the silence. Hunter’s chest tightened as he hugged her close, his hand rubbing soothing circles on her back.“You’re safe now,” he murmured, his voice as steady as he could manage. “I’ve got you.” Aster’s sobs started to calm down, though her body still shook. “Can you stand?” Hunter asked gently. She nodded weakly and slipped on the shirt, but as soon as she tried
Mission again?” Aleah asked, catching Hunter just as he ended his call. He had only been back for a day, fresh from his last mission and finally meant to be on vacation. Yet here he was, barely settling in, already being pulled away again.Hunter glanced at her, guilt flashing in his eyes. He hated leaving, especially after they’d just made up. “I’m sorry, Lei,” he said quietly, moving closer to wrap his arms around her.Aleah shook her head, her smile bittersweet. “I get it. You never really stop, do you?” she said softly. “But that’s you—always ready to do what’s right. It’s one of the reasons I fell in love with you.”Hunter sighed, holding her tighter. “It’s Aster, the reporter. She went missing while investigating a drug syndicate. My team’s counting on me to help find her. I have to go.”Aleah’s heart ached, but she managed a small, brave smile.
"Hunter!" Elara gasped, visibly surprised when Hunter stepped into Antonio's mansion. "You’re here to bring your wife home, aren’t you?" she teased, a playful smirk dancing across her lips.Hunter nodded casually, his gaze steady."I heard about your mission," Elara continued, her tone softening. "It was all over the news.""Aleah—where is she?" Hunter’s voice carried a subtle urgency."She’s in her room. Go to her," Elara said, giving him an encouraging look. "You two need to talk. Don’t let a single day pass without working things out. It’s been three weeks, Hunter. Three weeks of distance and silence. And you’ve been away while Aleah’s... you know, carrying your child—""I know," Hunter cut her off, guilt shadowing his expression. "I’m sorry.""You don’t owe me an apology," Elara replied, shaking her head. "She’s waiting upstairs. Go make things right."Hunter gave her
"Alpha?!" exclaimed a task force member, including Rafael, as Hunter and the Vice Admiral arrived at their headquarters. Everyone was visibly shocked and confused. Just last week, the Vice Admiral had informed them that their Alpha was KIA (Killed in Action). But now, standing before them was Alpha—unharmed and very much alive. Their shock was such that it was as if they'd seen a ghost."You're alive?" Rafael asked in astonishment, staring at his friend in disbelief. Hunter responded with a restrained smile."Later. This isn't the time to be stunned. We still have work to do," Hunter said, walking inside. He turned to Charles and added, "Charles, set up everything in the conference room. We have something to discuss." He then approached Charles, tapping his shoulder. Unlike the rest, Charles was the only one unsurprised by the return of the man they had believed to be long gone."Yes, Sir!" Charles responded enthusiastically as he stood up."Hunter, wait!"
"KIA? What do you mean KIA? Who’s KIA?” Aleah’s voice cracked as she stepped into the living room, her eyes darting to Rafael, who was mid-conversation with Sebastian. Charles and Michael were also there, but their usual easygoing demeanor was replaced with somber expressions. It was as if a dark cloud had settled in the room.Hunter hadn’t been home in two weeks. Every time she went to the camp, the soldiers would block her path, telling her the Alpha wasn’t accepting visitors—not even her, his wife. She had tried to be patient, to understand, because deep down, she knew she still had a lot to make up for. But now… this? Her chest tightened as if the air had been sucked out of the room.“Aleah, dear…” Sebastian’s voice was calm but carried the weight of something heavy, something she wasn’t ready to hear.“No, no,” Aleah said, shaking her head as she took a hesitant step forward. &l
"Zen!" Aleah called out, her voice trembling slightly as she followed him off the bus. The weight of his silence during the ride there still hung heavy between them. Even his men, usually talkative, hadn’t dared to utter a word. The tension was thick enough to cut with a knife, and everyone could feel the storm brewing within their Alpha."Alpha Hunter," Aleah tried again, grabbing his hand gently to stop him. He froze at her touch, and for a moment, everyone else around them seemed to hold their breath.“We’ll head inside first,” Charles said, offering a quick salute. The rest of the Astral Guardians followed suit, their movements sharp and disciplined. Hunter returned the gesture with a curt nod, still silent."I’ll prepare the report," Rafael chimed in, saluting his friend. Hunter barely glanced his way, giving a small nod of acknowledgment before they all began filing into the camp.Aleah watched as Hunter pulled his hand from he
Aleah hunched down inside the van, trying to avoid the bullets tearing through. Two men hit the ground, lifeless. Chatles, perched on top of the bus, joined in firing at the attackers. Rafael and Hunter weren’t holding back either.Soon enough, Aleah's kidnappers started dropping one by one. The driver and his buddy in the passenger seat didn’t stand a chance either. Out of nowhere, Aleah gasped as someone yanked her out of the van."Stop! Stop firing!" a SWAT officer shouted, raising his hands. Carlos and his team noticed the man dragging Aleah and signaled for everyone to hold their fire."You piece of—!" Hunter growled, barely keeping his rage in check as he watched the man use Aleah as a human shield. The man dragged her further away from the van, pointing a gun at her head, facing off against Hunter and Rafael."What do you think you’re doing?" Aleah shot at him, her voice steady despite the fear in her chest. "You think they’re
"You’re being reckless again,” Hunter said, pushing himself off the hospital bed and letting go of Aleah’s hand. “You’re shaking, but here you are, worrying about everyone else’s safety instead of your own.”Aleah didn’t reply, but Hunter could see it—she was scared, terrified even. Yet, knowing her as well as he did, he knew she’d never ignore the injustices she witnessed.“What the hell are you doing? Get over here already!” the armed man barked at Aleah, his patience wearing thin. Aleah glanced at him briefly, then turned back to Hunter. The tension in the room was palpable; everyone inside seemed to be holding their breath.“Rafael, are you hearing me?” Hunter said into the device clipped to his ear. He’d been in the emergency room all along, tipped off that Shadow and the Iron Maiden’s operatives might target Claire after learning about Taniya. It had been days of stak