LOGINLILA'S POVHis presence feels uncomfortably invasive, and I can smell his scent now, clean and woodsy, but it's nothing like Wade's darker, more commanding presence.I inch a step to the side, putting distance between us, and I feel his eyes tracking the movement."I'm impressed," Trent remarks, apparently oblivious to, or more likely, enjoying, my discomfort. "I didn't think anyone in this house knew how to cook besides the maids."I glance at him briefly, keeping my tone light."You underestimated me then.""Maybe I did." His smile widens. "But you can't blame me. You don't exactly look like the kind of woman who spends much time in the kitchen."My cheeks flush, and I'm not sure if that's supposed to be a compliment or an insult.It feels like both."Looks can be deceiving," I murmur, turning my attention to the stove."They certainly can," Trent agrees, and there's something in his voice that makes me think he's not just talking about cooking.The silence that follows is heavy, aw
LILA'S POVI stretch my arms above my head, feeling surprisingly energetic as I sit up in bed.The morning light filters through the curtains, soft and golden, and for once, I don't feel like death warmed over.Maybe it's because I actually slept last night instead of lying awake overthinking every single thing that's happened in the past week.Or maybe my body's just finally adjusted to the chaos that is my life now.Either way, I'll take it.I swing my legs over the side of the bed, my toes touching the soft carpet, and my mind immediately wanders to last night.To Trent.Wade's younger brother.I still can't believe Wade has a brother. Actually, I can't believe Wade has any siblings at all. He's always seemed like such a lone wolf, no pun intended, that the idea of him having family beyond his intimidating Alpha father feels surreal.And Trent is... different.A younger brother who’s so different from him it’s almost hard to believe they share the same DNA.Where Wade is cold and r
CONNOR'S POVA feeling I don't want to admit.Because past the rage, past the humiliation, and past the need for revenge...There's still that possessive pull.That part of me that remembers Lila in my bed. Lila making me breakfast. Lila looking at me like I was her whole world.Mine.She was mine first.And seeing her with Wade, seeing her look at him with those same eyes, feeling her slip further and further away...It's driving me fucking insane.I want to destroy her.But I also want her back.Want her on her knees, begging for forgiveness, begging to come back to me.The contradiction sits heavy in my gut, and I shove it down, focusing on the anger instead.The anger is easier.Simpler."It has to be perfect though," I state, forcing my voice to stay level. "No loose ends. Because if Wade suspects we're involved in this, he'll come for us."Amber frowns, considering."What if we made Lila look really bad in front of Wade?" she offers carefully. "If Wade thinks she isn't who he be
CONNOR'S POVI slam the front door so hard the frame rattles, and the sound thunders through the apartment like a gunshot.Fuck everything.Fuck this entire damn day.Amber's on the couch, her phone glowing in her hands, and she jumps at the noise. Her face lights up when she sees me, that eager smile spreading over her lips as she sets the phone aside."Baby! You're home!" She bounces up, practically skipping toward me. "I've been waiting for you. How did everything go with your dad and…"I don't respond.Can't respond.The rage sitting in my chest is so thick I can barely breathe around it, and if I open my mouth right now, I'm going to say something I might regret.Or maybe I won't regret it.Maybe I'll mean every fucking word.I brush past Amber without looking at her, my eyes scanning the living room, and I spot it.A glass sitting on the side table.Empty.Useless.Just like everything else in my life right now.I grab it, my fingers closing around the cool surface, and for a se
WADE'S POVMy entire body tenses."Stay away from her, Trent," I bite out, the words coming out like a warning before I can think better of it.Trent's eyebrow arches, interest sparking in his eyes."Interesting," he murmurs, leaning forward slightly. "Very interesting.""There's nothing interesting about it.""Oh, there's definitely something interesting about it." His grin turns wicked. "Wade Cross, getting all territorial over a woman? I haven't seen you act like that in... what? Years?"My jaw sets like I’m holding something back.Fuck.I shouldn't have reacted.I shouldn't have let him see that Lila gets under my skin.But it's too late now.Trent's watching me with that keen, assessing gaze that misses nothing, and I can practically see the wheels turning in his head."Who is she?" he presses, his tone lighter now, teasing. "New girlfriend? Flavor of the month? Someone you're keeping on the side?""None of your business.""Come on, Wade." Trent leans back, crossing his arms behi
WADE'S POVThe second Lila disappears up the stairs, I let my mask drop instantly.My expression hardens, cold enough to freeze hell over, and I turn the full weight of my attention on my younger brother.Trent's still standing there with that infuriating smirk on his face, hands casually tucked into his pockets like he doesn't have a care in the world.Like he didn't just show up unannounced at my house and immediately start eye-fucking my mate.Fake mate, I correct myself.But Trent doesn't know that.And he sure as hell doesn't need to know that."What do you want this time?" I say, my voice flat and cold.Trent's smirk widens. "Hello to you too, big brother. Missed you too.""Cut the shit, Trent." I cross my arms, my teeth tightening. "You never show up unless you need something. So what is it? Money? A favor? Someone you pissed off and need me to clean up after?"It's not the first time. Won't be the last.Trent has a habit of getting himself into situations that require my inter







