AlexeiGold accents catch the light from a massive chandelier that looks like it belongs in a royal palace. Tables are set up around the edges with crystal glasses and too many forks. The floor gleams, polished so bright it almost reflects your thoughts, while the soft music drifts through the room.The suit I’d originally picked out? Yeah, it wouldn’t have cut it.Not that I really care about impressing anyone, but being Beta means more than just standing behind my Alpha. I carry our pack’s image on my shoulders too. Eyes are always on us when we’re off our land. Every move, every word, every damn wrinkle in my jacket, people take it all in.Sophia knew that. That’s probably why she showed up with that tux, smug as hell like she’d seen this moment coming before I even thought about it.And fine. I’ll admit it. I’m glad I wore it.However, this whole Full Moon Ball thing still feels a little strange to me. Because sooner or later, we’ll shift and go for a run in the woods like the wil
AlexeiI’m half-dressed and standing in front of the mirror, towel hanging from my neck, shirt unbuttoned, hair still damp from the shower. The bathroom’s steamed up, so I crack the window to let some of the heat out while I run a hand through my hair to push it back.There’s a black shirt and dark slacks lying on the bed. Nothing fancy, but clean and sharp. It’s comfortable, and I don’t feel like putting more effort into tonight than I already have. It’s just another event, another pack, another bunch of strangers I’ll probably never see again.Still, I’m not rushing. My wolf’s a little twitchy, pacing in the back of my mind like he doesn’t know what he wants. I try to ignore him, focusing instead on rolling my sleeves just right when I hear the knock at the door.Not loud. Just a soft, familiar rhythm.I know it’s her before I even reach for the handle.When I open the door, Sophia stands there holding a garment bag, her lips pulled into a tight, knowing smile.I lean against the fr
Alexei I sit on the couch in Mikhail and Sophia’s room, one ankle resting on my knee, arms stretched along the backrest. Mikhail’s in the shower while Sophia’s checking in with the pups. I look around th room and take in everything. The place is nice. Big windows, elegant furniture, too many pillows on the bed. My own room isn’t anything less than this. If you ask me, it’s far too big for one person, but I guess all the guest rooms are designed the same way. Big, luxurious, clean. But still… there’s a kind of warmth in it. You can feel it in the colors, in the little details, like someone actually cared enough to turn this into more than just a guest space. Like someone tried to make sure it feels like home. However, my mind is not on these things... it is on something else. Everything here looks perfect. Feels polished. Everyone we met was kind, welcoming. Nothing out of place. Except one thing. That empty chair at the dinner table. I lean forward, elbows on my knees, fing
AlexeiAs soon as we cross into Adolphus Pack territory, I notice the difference.The land isn’t marked by gates or fences, but everything about it feels intentional. I sit up a little straighter in my seat. Mikhail glances at me, but says nothing. We both know that look. We're in someone else's territory now. Doesn't matter how friendly things are... we still stay alert. My wolf pushes closer to the surface. Not aggressive. Just alert.He doesn’t like the fact that we’re somewhere unfamiliar with our Luna sitting in the backseat. This isn’t our land. It isn’t our people.I feel the low hum of him just beneath my skin, pacing, ears perked.The borders are clean, patrols are present but relaxed, and even the forest looks... well, taken care of. Like someone actually trims the wild here. The roads leading in are paved and smooth, not something you see often in pack lands.They’ve only been here a short while, but it’s obvious that they’ve got money. And they know how to use it without
AlexeiMikhail doesn’t say anything at first.Silence stretches between us, heavy and tense.His eyes stay locked on mine, and I can feel it. That tight, dangerous calm that says he’s two seconds away from flipping the whole room.I see the muscle twitch in his jaw.Then he speaks, and his voice is low. Too calm. The kind of calm that’s way more dangerous than yelling.“What do you mean… she’s with someone else?”And yeah, he’s gonna blow eventually. Not now, but when he does, it’s gonna be bad. For someone.Right now, though, he’s pulling it in because he’s trying to be the friend I know he is. The brother who shows up, even when he's pissed.He’s probably going through every name and face in his head, wondering who the hell dares to be with someone who was fated to me.And knowing him, his brain’s already working through every way to fix it. And by fixing it, I mean someone might end up dead.Holding his gaze, I lean forward a little, elbows on my knees, fingers laced.“Aren’t you ma
AlexeiI walk into chaos.There’s shouting, laughter, the sound of tiny feet thudding across the floor. Something crashes in the distance. And weirdly, it all makes me smile.This is what I think a home looks like. A real home. Happy. Loud. Messy. Full of life. No one would ever believe this is the same place that used to feel like a dark cave five years ago. Back then, everything about it felt hollow. Like it had been abandoned by joy, now it’s bursting at the seams with it.“Alexei, catch him, don’t let him go!”Sophia’s voice cuts through the noise, and I react on instinct. I bend just in time to scoop up the little tornado flying my way... Reid.Sophia was pregnant with Reid when the hunters attacked.None of us knew.She and Mikhail kept it quiet, and I understand why.Because Anastasia lost her pups, and both Jake and she were hurting.Mikhail and Sophia didn’t want to cause them more pain. That’s just who they are. Especially Sophia. Always thinking about other people, even when