LOGINGianna.
The sunlight slipped through the curtains, warm and irritating. My body felt heavy, like I’d run miles in my sleep. I groaned, rolling over, and immediately regretted it. My skin was hot—too hot. It wasn’t just warmth; it was a slow burn that crawled beneath my flesh.
Oh, no.
“Don’t tell me—” I whispered.
It’s starting, Rory purred, her voice smug in my head. Finally.
I buried my face in my pillow, trying to shove the sensation away. The heat period. It was supposed to be mild. It had always been mild before. But now… now there was him.
Ivan.
Every time I thought about him, my chest tightened and that strange pull got worse.
I pushed myself off the bed and stumbled toward the bathroom. A cold shower—that would help. It had to.
By the time I got out, my hair was dripping, but the fire under my skin still lingered. I threw on a white tank and loose shorts, hoping the air would cool me off, but as soon as I stepped out of my room, I smelled him.
Smoke. Cedar. Something darker.
I froze halfway down the stairs.
He was in the kitchen, shirtless again, just sweatpants hanging low on his hips. His hair was a mess, damp from a shower, and he looked… relaxed. Too relaxed.
“Morning, ginger,” he said without looking up, pouring himself a cup of coffee.
“Don’t call me that,” I muttered, walking past him to grab some water. My throat was dry—everything was dry.
He smirked. “ Someone had a rough night.”
I ignored him, focusing on the glass in my hand. But even that small act was hard when Rory was practically humming in my head.
He smells good, doesn’t he?
“Shut up,” I hissed under my breath.
Ivan raised a brow. “Excuse me?”
“Nothing.”
He leaned against the counter, watching me over the rim of his cup. The air felt thick. Heavy. I could feel his gaze on my skin like a physical touch.
He’s looking at you, Rory teased. And you love it.
I swallowed hard and looked anywhere but him. “Do you mind? Some people like breakfast without an audience.”
He chuckled, low and deep. “I’m just wondering how long you’ll keep pretending you don’t feel it.”
My heart stuttered. “Feel what?”
He tilted his head, that arrogant smile still on his lips. “You know what.”
I turned to leave, desperate for distance, but as I passed him, his hand brushed mine. Just a second—just skin on skin—but it was enough. A jolt ran through me, sharp and hot.
“Don’t touch me,” I said, stepping back.
“Didn’t plan to,” he replied, his tone teasing, but his eyes darkened like he’d felt it too.
I forced myself to walk away, ignoring Rory’s delighted laughter in my head.
This is going to be fun, she sang.
“No, it’s going to be hell,” I whispered.
But even as I said it, my heart betrayed me—because deep down, part of me already knew Rory was right.
Will I survive this?
***********
It was midnight. I couldn't sleep.
I tossed and turned, the sheets twisting around my legs. The air was cool, yet my skin burned. It wasn’t just warmth — it was restlessness, a fire that refused to die down. My pulse raced, my breathing shallow.
The heat period.
It had always been mild before — a whisper of discomfort, easily ignored. But now… now it was unbearable. Every inch ached, my wolf restless beneath my skin, and it didn’t help that he was just a few doors away.
Ivan.
Even thinking his name sent a rush through my veins. I sat up with a frustrated groan and crossed to the window, letting the night breeze brush my skin. It didn’t help. Nothing did. My body was alive with need I didn't understand — I didn't want to understand.
Uhhh I still felt hot. I took off my top and threw it on the bed and almost immediately the door shut open. I immediately turned to face the window. Fuck!!!!! Ivan just saw me bare chested.
“Didn't anyone teach you to knock before barging in?”
Silence. My chest rose and fell in uneven breaths as I felt his presence behind me. Directly behind me.
“You'll only be in pain if you resist,”he said, his fingers already brushing my thigh, and I did nothing to stop him.
“Ivan—”I said to warn him but it came out more of a plea.
And then, I felt his lips on my neck. It felt like electricity had sparked beneath her skin, each nerve alive and trembling. The air thickened, heavy with the scent of him, with the pull of something deeper — instinctive, magnetic.
I should have pushed him away, I hated him. Right? But then I tilted my head, giving him better access. Well done Gianna.
“even your body can't resist me gianna”he whispered, in my ear, giving my ear lobe a teasing bite,then continued kissing my neck.
I couldn't speak, every word I thought I wanted to say caught in my throat. My hands had already dropped, his hands now found a way to my b****T, he caught my n****e between his fingers playing with it, while I bit my lips, trying hard to not make any funny noises.
His right hand slid down to my waist band and then he turned me around.
My lips parted and then he covered my mouth with his, my hands went to his neck pulling him closer, I wanted all of him. I couldn't hold back.
He raised me up and I wrapped my leg around him as he took me to the bed and let me down softly, then he met my lips again. The kiss wasn't soft, or slow. It was rough, laced with desire and hunger.
His hands roamed my body, he caught my waist band again and took the shorts off, before I could blink he shifted my panties aside and then I felt his fingers inside me, that did it.
“ahh”I moaned, as his fingers curled inside of me. He added another, causing me to release another moan.
“fuck Gianna. I'm making you sound like this,”he said, increasing the pace of his fingers.
“this won't do ginger, I want you.” he said, removing his fingers.
We want him too. Rory said.
He looked at me as if asking for permission and I gave him.
His lips met mine again and then I felt his huge member inside me, tears filled my eyes as I tried to adjust to his side.
“This your first?”he said, almost sounded like he was concerned.
“mmhmm”I simply nodded.
“fuck. You should have told me, I'd have
slowed down a bit—”
“I'm okay”I said almost too quickly. I didn't want to talk, not right now. Talking wasn't what we were supposed to be doing.
“You sure?”
“yes”he thrust in slowly, meeting my lips again. While I moaned in between kisses, he increased his pace. He thrust in faster and harder, while my nails dug into his back.
Pleasure. That was all I was feeling now.
Gianna. My whole body ached.Not the normal kind of ache. The kind that came from heat — from memories I couldn’t shake. The kind that still burned even after the fire was gone.I turned on my side and groaned. The sheets still smelled like him. My skin still buzzed, and no matter how many times I told myself to stop thinking about it, the memory of his touch kept slipping in — uninvited, unstoppable.It wasn’t supposed to happen.It wasn’t supposed to mean anything.I ran a hand down my face. “Get a grip, Gia.”I pushed out of bed and dragged myself into the bathroom, brushing my teeth like it could scrub the thoughts out of my head.Just as I rinsed my mouth, my phone began to buzz across the counter.“Hey, Mum,” I said, grabbing it and stepping out of the bathroom.“Hey, baby! How are you?” Her voice was bright, light, carefree. She sounded happy — happier than I’d heard her in a while.“I’m okay,” I said, forcing a small smile. “How’s the vacation?”“It’s going really well.” I co
Gianna. The sunlight slipped through the curtains, warm and irritating. My body felt heavy, like I’d run miles in my sleep. I groaned, rolling over, and immediately regretted it. My skin was hot—too hot. It wasn’t just warmth; it was a slow burn that crawled beneath my flesh.Oh, no.“Don’t tell me—” I whispered.It’s starting, Rory purred, her voice smug in my head. Finally.I buried my face in my pillow, trying to shove the sensation away. The heat period. It was supposed to be mild. It had always been mild before. But now… now there was him.Ivan.Every time I thought about him, my chest tightened and that strange pull got worse.I pushed myself off the bed and stumbled toward the bathroom. A cold shower—that would help. It had to.By the time I got out, my hair was dripping, but the fire under my skin still lingered. I threw on a white tank and loose shorts, hoping the air would cool me off, but as soon as I stepped out of my room, I smelled him.Smoke. Cedar. Something darker.I
Gianna. I woke up staring at the ceiling, sunlight leaking through the curtains. My body felt heavy, like I hadn’t actually rested.A knock came at the door.“Be down in five, Gia!” Mum’s voice sang, and then her footsteps faded.I groaned and dragged myself out of bed. After brushing my teeth and pulling my hair into a messy bun, I headed downstairs.Ivan was already there with Marcus and Mum. The first thing I noticed—packed suitcases.Mum went over to Marcus, wrapping her hands around his shoulders. “So, if you’ve forgotten, the heat period’s starting. Marcus and I are going away for a while so we don’t… disturb you guys.”The heat period.That time of the year every wolf dreaded. When instincts took over logic and our bodies demanded what our hearts might not be ready to give. It was nature’s way of reminding us that we were animals before anything else.For unmated wolves like me, the urges were usually mild—just a little restlessness, a few sleepless nights. Manageable.But now
Gianna.The kitchen was quiet when I walked in, just the hum of the refrigerator and the soft creak of the wooden floor under my feet. I reached for a glass and filled it with water, watching the ripples settle as I drank.That was when I felt it.That strange, almost electric awareness crawling up my skin. Someone was there.I didn’t need to turn around to know who it was. His presence filled the room like heat — heavy, deliberate, impossible to ignore.“Hasn’t anyone told you it’s rude to stare?” I asked, still facing the counter.I could almost hear the smirk in his voice when he replied, low and unbothered,“I don’t think staring at my mate is a problem.”My heart skipped. The glass nearly slipped from my fingers.I turned slowly, and there he was — Ivan Wolfe.His electric-blue eyes caught mine, unwavering, like he already knew every thought running through my head. There was a quiet confidence in the way he stood, hands in his pockets, white hair catching the light.Before I cou
Gianna.I had finally landed back in New Orleans — just that I wasn’t going back to the same home anymore.Can I even call it that now?The moment I stepped into arrivals, I spotted my mum waving a huge cardboard sign that said “Welcome Home, Gia Honey!!!” in bright glittery letters. I rolled my eyes. Classic Olivia Vale — dramatic and way too sweet for her own good.Before I could even process, she ran straight into me, wrapping me in one of those suffocating hugs.“God, these months felt like forever!” she breathed, squeezing tighter.“Mum— I can’t breathe,” I gasped.She finally pulled back and kissed both my cheeks like I was still five.“Jesus, Mum, that’s enough,” I muttered, rubbing my face.“Glad to see how much you missed me,” she said, pouting playfully.“Of course I missed you,” I said, and she beamed as if I’d just handed her an award.“Come on, come on, everyone’s waiting for you! I can’t wait for you to see the house, and Marcus, and Nina—she’s the head caretaker—”She r







