"I hope you don’t mind, but I don't think it’s a good idea for you to visit Grandpa’s house dressed like that," Hunter remarked as they arrived at his home on the campgrounds. Instead of taking Aleah to the Guevarra family's house as originally planned, he decided to bring her to his place instead.
"I don’t feel like going there either," Aleah replied softly, turning her gaze out the window. She could already imagine Aunt Melissa's scolding remarks, and frankly, she wasn’t in the mood to face that.While staring out the window, Aleah noticed something unusual—a woman was standing outside their gate accompanied by a soldier."Are you expecting someone?" she asked, glancing curiously at Hunter."No," Hunter replied, his brows furrowing. "What do you mean?""Someone is waiting by the gate," Aleah clarified, nodding toward the figure outside.Hunter followed her gaze and immediately looked toward the gate. His expression"Aren’t you happy that we still have family? I’m happy staying with Ate Aleah and Kuya Hunter, but it’s different when we’re with our own family, isn’t it?" Dahlia said softly, her words striking a chord in the room. Aleah bit her lip, struggling to contain her emotions after hearing Dahlia's heartfelt words."You have to decide, Ramil. Your siblings will follow whatever you choose," Hunter said calmly. "Whatever decision you make, we’ll support you. But make a decision that you’ll have fewer regrets about.""If we go with you," Ramil began, his voice steady but firm, "can you promise me that my siblings won’t cry or be sad anymore? After everything they’ve been through, I won’t allow anyone to hurt them again.""Why else would I go through all this effort to find you?" Marisol responded, her voice filled with sincerity. "Of course, you’re my family. I will do everything I can to make sure you’re
When they arrived at her grandfather's mansion, the first thing they noticed was the presence of police officers in the grand living room. Daniella, Melissa, Albert, and even her grandfather were there, and his expression was unmistakably filled with anger. It was the first time police officers had ever set foot inside the mansion, making his fury palpable.As Aleah and Hunter stepped into the lavish room, Aleah immediately sensed the intense gazes of everyone in attendance turning toward her. Instinctively, her hand sought the sleeve of Hunter's jacket, gripping it tightly as if seeking comfort or stability in that moment of unease.“Captain, Sir,” said one of the two officers, standing straight and saluting Hunter. Hunter immediately recognized them—they were the same officers from the precinct on the day of the incident. They were also the ones Dennis had entrusted with the knife used in the crime. Hunter returned their salute, his expression calm but
"Alpha Hunter!" Claire exclaimed in surprise as Hunter entered Missy's private room. Rafael was present at the time, having taken over for Trisha. Claire was there to check the child's vitals and ensure she had fallen asleep. The child had been crying endlessly because of what happened to her mother, and no one could comfort her."How is she?" Hunter asked, his gaze shifting to the sleeping child."She's finally asleep now. It's good that she could rest, but she still refuses to speak. As for Mario, he's close to being discharged. He's regained his strength after the operation," Claire replied."I’ve already asked Trisha and Joyril to investigate the two policemen you mentioned. I’ve also ordered an investigation into the missing evidence," Hunter said firmly."If this child won't speak and the knife remains missing, Aleah will surely be in danger," Rafael said, his voice full of concern. "By the way, how is she?" he asked."She’s not doing
I'm glad to hear that man has finally been caught," Dennis said as he visited the hospital where Missy was staying. In just a few more days, the child would be discharged. She seemed happy, especially with the attention and care they were giving her. Dahlia had been visiting as well, and it seemed she was slowly recovering, even though they all knew she was still grieving the loss of her mother."I'm sorry I couldn’t do much for you," Dennis admitted, his voice tinged with regret. "Even though people call me a genius and my father is a judge, I wasn’t able to do anything to help you.""Don't think like that," Aleah said with a reassuring smile. That smile—so warm and radiant—made Dennis pause. Why couldn’t he take his eyes off her face?"Ah, by the way, have I mentioned that Dahlia’s aunt is planning to adopt Missy? They’re already working on the paperwork so she can bring Missy into their family. Isn't that wonderful—"
"Aleah," Claire gasped, her voice a mix of surprise and concern as she caught sight of Aleah in the emergency room. She had been engrossed in her rounds, her focus fully on her patients, when the sight of Aleah stopped her in her tracks. Without hesitation, she hurried toward her cousin, her mind racing with worry."Aleah!" Claire called out, her tone edged with panic. "Why are you here? Did you get into trouble again? Are you okay? Should I call Alpha Hunter?" Her words tumbled out in quick succession as she reached into the pocket of her crisp white coat to retrieve her phone. Her fingers fumbled for a moment, a reflection of the concern etched on her face.Before Claire could make the call, Aleah gently took her hand, stopping her. Her expression was calm but reassuring, a stark contrast to Claire's evident alarm. "It's okay. I'm fine," Aleah said softly. Her voice carried a steadiness that immediately caught Claire's attention. "I was just helping a pregnant woman I sa
Oh, you’re finally here!” exclaimed a man with a welcoming smile as he approached Sebastian and Damian’s family, who had just arrived at the private island. The family had traveled on a luxurious yacht that docked elegantly at the shore. As they stepped off, their eyes widened in awe at the breathtaking beauty of the island. It was a paradise of modernity and nature combined, showcasing cutting-edge architecture harmoniously blending with lush greenery. Everything—from the sophisticated facilities to the latest tech gadgets—spoke of a place that spared no expense in maintaining its elegance. The air was filled with the sweet scent of the sea, mingling with the fragrance of tropical flowers that adorned the pathways.The staff and personnel lined up to greet them with warm smiles and polite bows. They exuded kindness and professionalism, making the family feel instantly at ease. While everyone on the island was aware that Sebastian’s friend wa
"Wow!" Aleah gasped, her voice filled with wonder as they stepped into the room Hunter had arranged for them. The soft glow of the setting sun bathed the floating cottages in a golden hue, their reflections shimmering on the tranquil water below. Standing on the veranda, she gazed at the endless expanse of azure, her heart swelling with awe."Do you like it that much?" Hunter's voice was low and warm as he approached her, his presence grounding her in the moment."I do," she said, her eyes sparkling as they met his. "Aside from our trip to Sta. Lucia, this is the first time I've been somewhere so breathtaking." Her smile was radiant, a reflection of her unfiltered joy."You’re like a child seeing the world for the first time," Hunter teased, his lips curving into a soft smile. "You should see yourself in the mirror.""Sorry for being so simple," she murmured, her cheeks tinged with a delicate blush. "It’s just that I’ve never been to a place lik
Aleah couldn’t stop contemplating what had happened earlier. Why had Hunter reacted the way he did to her actions? She bit her lip as guilt gnawed at her. Deep down, she knew she had been wrong, but a part of her had hoped—no, expected—that he might appreciate what she had done. Instead, his harsh words cut through her like shards of glass. They stung more than she cared to admit. She sighed deeply, her shoulders sagging under the weight of it all.“That sigh seems pretty deep,” a familiar voice broke through her thoughts.Startled, Aleah whipped her head around to see Dennis walking toward her, a kind smile on his face.“Senior!” she exclaimed, blinking in surprise.“You can call me Dennis. No need to be so formal,” he replied with a chuckle, lowering himself onto the sand beside her. His relaxed demeanor contrasted with the tension she was carrying. “What are you doing out here? Shouldn’t you be
When Aleah stepped into Hunter's house, she was greeted by all their friends, including Francis, whose face lit up at the sight of her.“Aunt Aleah! You’re safe! I’m so sorry I couldn’t do anything to protect you,” Isaac said, his voice laced with guilt. “But I promise, I’ll start learning martial arts right away. Next time, I’ll be the one keeping you safe.”Aleah smiled warmly, holding his hand. “That’s so sweet of you, Isaac. I’m just glad we’re all okay.”Francis approached them, his gratitude shining through his words. “Aleah, because of your courage, my family and I are safe. I owe you more than I could ever repay.”“Thank you for everything, Aleah,” Aurora added, stepping closer with a bright smile. Aleah nodded at them, her heart full of gratitude.“Some things never change, huh?” Elara teased with a knowing smile as she looked at h
I’ll end this right now!” Jonathan snarled, gripping the paddle so tight his knuckles turned white. He raised it, ready to strike Hunter again. But before he could swing, Aleah threw herself in front of Hunter, wrapping her arms around him tightly and squeezing her eyes shut. “Wha—” Jonathan's words froze mid-sentence as a firm hand grabbed the paddle. Aleah's eyes snapped open, and there stood Charles, holding the paddle steady. “You need to stop this, sir,” Charles said, calm yet commanding. “Who the heck are you?” Jonathan asked, his confusion evident as he took in the newcomer. “I’m Officer Charles Cordero with the Astral Guardians. Alpha Hunter’s mentee and personal aide,” Charles replied coolly. “Charles…” Aleah whispered, relief washing over her voice. Charles yanked the paddle from Jonathan’s grasp and shot a look at the group of men who had attacked Hunter. As his eyes shifted to an intense, glowing blue, fear spread like wildfire, and the men scatt
"Don’t let him fool you," Jonathan said, his voice sharp and commanding. "I’m the one who saved your life. You owe your second chance to me, Aleah, so you should be listening to me." His eyes burned with intensity, and for the first time, Aleah felt fear creep into her chest. The look in his eyes was unsettling, almost as if he was silently declaring that she wasn’t allowed to leave.Hunter stepped forward, his expression calm but his voice firm. "I don’t know why you’re so desperate to keep my wife away from me," he said, his gaze unwavering. "But I’ll say this—I don’t like what you’re doing."He took a deep breath, his features softening as he turned to Aleah. His voice was gentler now, filled with quiet conviction. "Aleah, I’m holding back my anger because I don’t want to hurt you. I won’t force you to remember me, but your heart already knows. It always has. We share something unbreakable—a b
Hunter and Charles wasted no time heading to the small town where Aleah had been spotted. It was late afternoon, and Aleah stood by the shoreline, watching the sun dip below the horizon. The golden light bathed her as the wind played with her hair. Watching the sunset had become her refuge—a quiet moment where she wished, over and over, for her memories to return.As soon as they arrived, Hunter’s eyes locked onto a familiar silhouette standing by the water. Her long hair flowed in the breeze, and his heart leaped at the sight. His lips curled into a soft smile as he recognized her. Slowly, almost reverently, he approached her. The anticipation was overwhelming—he’d spent countless sleepless nights worrying about her, praying she was safe. Now, here she was."My Love," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. He reached out, wrapping his strong arms around her. Those arms, so familiar, sent a jolt through Aleah. "I’ve missed you," he added,
"What are you doing out here?" Aleah’s soft voice broke the silence. She found Lucinda sitting outside, staring off into the distance."Just getting some air. Why are you here?" Lucinda asked, her tone distant and detached."I needed some fresh air too. I’ve been feeling a little suffocated," Aleah replied gently."You’re doing better now, aren’t you? So why haven’t you left yet?" Lucinda asked suddenly, her words sharp and unfiltered."Huh?" Aleah blinked, surprised by the shift in her tone. Lucinda’s bluntness caught her off guard."You don’t remember anything, sure, but you’re not helpless. Why don’t you go look for your family?" Lucinda said, frustration creeping into her voice."And where am I supposed to start? You know I have no clue!" Aleah shot back.Lucinda narrowed her eyes. "Maybe you’re just using your memory loss as an excuse to stick around here. Be honest—do you like
"You're so stupid!" the furious woman exclaimed as she struck Lucinda on the head. "I told you not to put vegetables in the sinigang because I can't stand their smell, but you still did it!" she said angrily. In her rage, she flung the contents of the bowl, its freshly cooked soup still steaming hot. Some of it spilled onto Lucinda's hand."Ouch!" Lucinda cried out as the scalding liquid touched her skin."What? Does it hurt? Are you complaining?" the woman sneered."N-no, ma'am," Lucinda replied weakly."I can't understand Jonathan," the woman went on. "How could he marry someone like you? My son is intelligent, but I can't fathom why he chose you—uneducated and dumb," she spat out venomously.Lucinda stood there quietly, listening, but inside, she was overwhelmed by pain. This was just another day of enduring her mother-in-law's cruelty. Ever since she and Jonathan had married, the woman had been nothing but harsh to her.Aleah happened to walk
The rain was pouring heavily, accompanied by thunder and lightning. Aleah didn't know where to go; she kept running aimlessly. The area was covered with grass and thick bushes, making it difficult for her to move. Her clothes got caught on the plants, and she stumbled several times. Her arms and legs were scratched and wounded by the sharp foliage.Because it was dark and she had no idea where she was heading, Aleah didn't notice the cliff in her path. She tripped over a protruding rock and fell, rolling down uncontrollably. Her clothes got snagged and ripped during the fall. When she finally stopped tumbling, she landed in a single spot—at the bottom of the cliff."Zen," Aleah called out her husband's name as she fell. That was the last thing she remembered before her vision went black.“Hah!” Aleah jolted awake, her chest heaving. “Ow, my head...” she groaned, instinctively reaching for her scalp. Her fingers brushed against a bandage.
Hunter got a call from Rafael, saying the senator fought back when they tried to arrest him at his house. He managed to escape, and now the cops were on his tail. Without a word, Hunter grabbed his things and left. Michael and Samuel didn’t ask questions; they just followed their Alpha like always.Hunter headed straight for the airport, like he had a sixth sense about where the senator might be. He wandered around, scanning the crowds, until his eyes zeroed in on a man in a big hat and a scruffy beard."Hey, where do you think you’re going?" Hunter said sharply, stepping in front of the man. Michael and Samuel exchanged puzzled looks, wondering why Hunter was stopping him.Out of nowhere, Andrew stepped forward and landed a solid punch on the guy. The impact sent him flying, knocking his hat clean off. Michael and Samuel stood frozen in shock—it was the senator, the very man they had been hunting down. Hunter’s fists clenched, his anger boilin
During a conference, Hunter announced that a warrant of arrest had already been issued against the senator, along with solid evidence to prove the senator's crimes. Hunter also revealed that they would not only file charges for rape with murder, but would also include kidnapping in the list of cases stacked against the senator. However, the senator vehemently denied the allegations against him.The senator claimed that the prosecutor was merely doing this for attention. He also accused Hunter of aiming to make a name for himself. Furthermore, the senator denied the accusation that he abducted the family of Hunter's older brother.“Why did you bring us here?” Aleah asked in confusion when the senator and his men took them to the wilderness.“Your husband is too stubborn. He doesn’t care even though we told him we have you; he still pursued the case against me,” the senator snapped angrily.“He’s not a weak soldier, Mr. Sen