He didn’t wake me up,” Aleah whispered, her voice tinged with a mix of annoyance and hurt as she stirred awake. From the balcony, she caught sight of the horizon painted in hues of orange and purple, the sun slowly descending. Twilight was fast approaching. A heavy sigh escaped her lips as she decided to rise, the lingering ache of being forgotten gnawing at her chest. She took a long bath, hoping the warm water would soothe her simmering thoughts, before stepping out to face the evening.
As Aleah left her room, she headed to the wedding venue for the rehearsal. But when she arrived, an unsettling emptiness greeted her. The silence in the room was almost deafening, amplifying the loneliness she tried to push aside. With a deep breath, she made her way to the dinner hall, where the lively chatter of family members filled the air. Their laughter and voices intertwined like a melody, one she felt she could never be a part of.She lingered at the doorway, her steps"Oh, you’ve arrived!” Amanda exclaimed cheerfully as she spotted Hunter and Aleah entering the dining hall. The woman was approaching Sebastian and Damian’s table, carrying a tray of food. “Take a seat so you can eat,” she said with a warm smile.Aleah glanced over at Rafael and Claire’s table. The two waved at them, signaling for them to sit there.“Let’s sit by Rafael and—” Hunter turned to Aleah, ready to guide her to Rafael and Claire’s table, but he froze when Aleah suddenly sneezed. The sound drew everyone’s attention.“Don’t tell me you caught a cold from just a little rain?” Hunter teased, adjusting the jacket draped over Aleah’s shoulders. Aleah wiped her nose and sneezed again.“Do you have a fever?” Hunter asked, concerned by her sneezing fit. He placed his hand on her forehead and neck to check if she was running a temperature. The scene didn&rs
“Well, they’re at it again, huh?” Dennis’s father quipped as he joined them, his gaze falling on the elders engrossed in their chess game. Dennis followed behind him, but his attention was fixed on Aleah.“Are you feeling all right? I’m sorry, I didn’t—” Dennis started, his voice tinged with guilt.“It’s okay. I’m all right,” Aleah interrupted gently, flashing him a reassuring smile.“That’s a relief,” Dennis said, visibly relaxing.“Let’s eat, everyone!” Amanda called out cheerfully, having just finished arranging the food on a long table. At her announcement, everyone stood and gathered around, eager to dig in.As they enjoyed their dinner, the beach was filled with lively chatter and bursts of laughter. Aleah observed the joyful scene, a bittersweet smile crossing her face. She couldn’t help but think of her mother, who had stayed behind
The wedding of Daniella and Zane was nothing short of spectacular, a celebration that drew a glittering crowd of prominent personalities. Political leaders, influential business magnates, and distinguished Alphas from various packs graced the occasion, making it a confluence of power and prestige. Even several high-ranking military officers—acquaintances of the elder members of the families—joined the festivities. The wedding not only solidified the union of two powerful families but also boosted their prominence beyond the realms of business, spilling over into the political sphere. Some attending politicians were so impressed that they openly expressed their desire to see a member of either family venture into politics.Amid the revelry, Aleah found herself isolated, sitting quietly at a table while the rest of the guests mingled and celebrated. The family members were busy entertaining the high-profile attendees, leaving Aleah alone with her thoughts. She felt ou
"Hey," Hunter murmured, his voice low and steady as he gently tapped the young woman's cheek. He carefully laid her down on the bed, his movements deliberate, as though afraid she might shatter. He tried to rouse her, coaxing her to wake up and change out of her clothes, but her intoxication was too heavy, pulling her deeper into unconsciousness."Zen," she whispered, her voice soft and fragile, her eyes remaining closed."What is it?" Hunter asked, his brow furrowing as he knelt to remove her shoes. He worked silently, his hands steady, but she didn’t respond. His gaze lingered on her face, her features serene yet vulnerable, as if she were lost in a dream."What a drunkard," he muttered under his breath, shaking his head with a faint smile. Rising to his feet, he made his way to the bathroom, returning moments later with a damp cloth. He knelt beside her again, the cool cloth brushing against her flushed skin as he wiped her face with gentle strokes."Zen
"Benjamin?” Aleah exclaimed in surprise as she approached the gate of their home. Her voice trembled with confusion as her eyes met Benjamin’s figure, standing motionless just outside the property. His expression was inscrutable, his gaze fixed on their house as if lost in thought. The moment Benjamin spotted Aleah, his demeanor changed abruptly. He turned on his heel and walked away without uttering a single word, leaving her puzzled and slightly unsettled.Aleah felt an urgency to stop him, calling out his name and quickening her pace toward him. Yet Benjamin moved swiftly, increasing the distance between them until he disappeared from view. As Aleah stood by the gate, her mind raced—this was the first time she had seen Benjamin near their home. He had always seemed like someone who preferred his own company, avoiding unnecessary social interactions. This unexpected visit and odd behavior made her wonder what could have brought him there.Inside the hou
“They are after me. I need your help,” Benjamin said, his voice trembling as his eyes darted nervously around. Hunter frowned at his nephew’s words, bewildered by his frantic demeanor. Who was chasing him, and why did he appear so alarmed?“Tell me everything so I can help you,” Hunter responded calmly. “We can talk inside—” Hunter’s words were abruptly cut short as he studied Benjamin’s expression.It was evident that his nephew was running from something—or someone. Hunter couldn’t help but wonder: had Benjamin gotten entangled in trouble with rogues or some kind of syndicate?“No, I can’t. You might get into danger if they see me entering your house,” Benjamin interjected, his tone urgent, halting Hunter mid-sentence. Hunter’s mind began to whirl. What kind of mess had his nephew gotten himself into to appear so frightened?“Why come here if you’re
Any updates on the investigation I requested?" Hunter asked his team as he stepped into their conference room, where Rafael and the rest of the Astral Guardian members were seated. Hunter’s thoughts had been consumed by Benjamin ever since their encounter the day before. The young man’s troubled demeanor and Aleah’s cryptic warnings had sparked his concerns. To make matters worse, Benjamin had seemingly vanished—he hadn’t returned to the mansion, and all attempts to contact him had failed. Even his parents were growing increasingly anxious.As a law enforcer, Hunter felt an obligation to look into the situation, especially if his nephew was caught in a dangerous predicament. But beyond that, he couldn’t understand why Benjamin was being so secretive or who was chasing after him."It seems your nephew is in danger, Alpha Hunter," Joyril announced while activating the large monitor in front of the team. A map of interconnected data p
Aleah glanced toward the door of Claire's condo and said with curiosity, “It looks like you have a visitor.” She had just come over after her class to unwind and spend time with her friend. Since their return from the Espinosa family's private island, both Aleah and Claire had been caught up in their own busy schedules, leaving them little time to talk.“I’ll get it,” Aleah offered, looking back toward the kitchen where Claire was busy preparing snacks. The inviting aroma of freshly brewed coffee and baked pastries filled the air.As Aleah opened the door, the scene before her stunned her into silence. Benjamin, pale and visibly injured, stumbled forward and collapsed at her feet.“Benjamin!” Aleah exclaimed, panic rising in her chest as she knelt beside him. Her eyes were immediately drawn to the dark, spreading stain of blood on his abdomen. Her hands trembled slightly as she reached out to check if he was conscious.He
"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
Everyone in the emergency room—doctors, patients—turned their heads in shock at the deafening sound of a gunshot. All eyes shifted to the glass door just as a security guard collapsed outside. Moments later, a man in tactical gear stormed in, dragging another guard who was clearly his hostage.The room froze. Nurses and patient companions panicked, racing toward the door leading to another section of the hospital. But their escape was short-lived as more men blocked the exits, forcing everyone back. With every way out sealed, tension filled the air.“If you don’t want this to be your last day alive, you’ll do exactly as we say,” the masked man barked. His grip on the hostage tightened as he scanned the terrified crowd. “Nobody leaves until we get what we came for. Got it? And to prove we mean business...watch this.”Without hesitation, he jammed a syringe into the neck of the hostage. The guard's eyes widened in terror a
"Claire! Watch out!" Aleah yelled as a woman suddenly dashed onto the road. Startled, Claire slammed on the brakes, sending both of them jerking forward. Luckily, their seatbelts kept them in place. Once the shock wore off, Claire turned to Aleah with wide eyes."Aleah, are you okay? Did you get hurt?" she asked, clearly worried."I’m fine," Aleah said, brushing it off. "But… I think we might’ve hit someone.""I swear, I didn’t mean to!" Claire blurted, panic creeping into her voice."Let’s go check," Aleah said, already getting out of the car. Claire followed quickly. As they rounded the front of the car, they saw a young woman sitting on the road. She looked terrified, her blonde hair and blue eyes immediately marking her as a foreigner."Are you okay? I’m so sorry! I didn’t see you—" Claire said as she approached the woman."Help me," the woman whispered, her voice shaky. Aleah and Claire exchanged une
"Alpha’s not with you?" Claire asked as Aleah walked into the hospital for her check-up. Yesterday, her cousin’s appointment got canceled because of that hostage situation. She was sure Hunter would be with Aleah this time, but seeing her alone was a surprise."He’s busy at work. Don’t worry, I’m fine. My belly’s not that big yet, so I can manage. Besides, I just came from work myself," Aleah said with a light smile before glancing over at the doctors talking to Uncle Luis. "New faces over there?""Yeah, they’re researchers from Scotland. They’re teaming up with the medical staff here to work on a new medicine," Claire explained, stealing a quick look at the doctors chatting with her dad. Just as she finished talking, the group started walking over."I’d like you to meet my doctor, Dr. Claire Ramirez," Uncle Luis said, beaming. "She’s one of the best surgeons we’ve got in this hospital. And I’m no
Oh, Alpha Hunter. Have you been here long?” Trisha asked with a curious look as she walked in, files in hand.Hunter glanced at her briefly before speaking. “No, but you're right on time. I need you to grab the test results from forensics—the one for the new case we're working on. It’s important.”Trisha nodded and headed off without hesitation. Hunter watched her leave for a moment before focusing back on the task at hand.Yesterday, he’d been pulled into an emergency meeting with the Alpha King and Navy Vice Admiral. It had been about the chilling discovery of street kids’ bodies in an abandoned building. The Vice Admiral thought the case tied into Hunter’s earlier work involving the Iron Maiden and a band of pirates.Months ago, Hunter had been sent undercover to an island suspected of being the pirates’ lair. It turned out to be much more than that. The island, dubbed “Death Island,” was actual
“Is there anything you’d like to eat?” Hunter asked, his tone soft and thoughtful as he looked at Aleah. She shook her head lightly, her lips forming a faint smile.“Please, don’t worry about me. I’m really not hungry yet,” Aleah replied, her voice gentle as she turned her gaze toward Jestina and Dave.“That’s a shame. Alpha’s cooking shouldn’t go to waste,” Dave remarked, eyeing the dishes before them.“Don’t mind me—enjoy the meal,” Aleah said simply.“Are you absolutely sure there’s nothing you’d like?” Hunter asked again, his fingers brushing hers gently as he reached for her hand. Jestina and Dave exchanged a glance, quietly noting the intimate bubble the couple seemed to share.“Tama si Alpha Hunter,” Jestina chimed in cheerfully, leaning forward slightly. “It’d be such a waste if you don’t eat. If I were