ISLA'S POVThe scene in front of me was devastating.I might have hated Stephanie for betraying me and pretending to be who she wasn’t, but I couldn't shake off the thought that she was once a friend as I turned to look at her.She had changed and didn’t look like the person I had known. Her features were different.“Throw her into the woods,” Axel instructed his guards, “And make sure you don’t leave until she’s eaten by some animal.”The guards nodded, carrying Stephanie away, and then Axel turned to face me. He moved closer, wrapping me into an embrace.“I’m so glad that you’re safe,” He murmured before placing a kiss on my head.It was the sweetest thing I had seen Axel do. Maybe the fact that he had almost lost me made him realize a lot of things.“How did you even find me?”“I used the mate haunt. I discovered you were missing after I sent Ray to inform you about the kids.”“The kids? What happened to the kids?”“Stephanie had tried to drown them,” he deadpanned.My face fell. “W
ISLA'S POVI was glad that Dante obeyed my words and left, and my only concern was if he would truly stick to his words.“I will see that he lets you be.”Axel's voice drew me out of my thoughts, and I faced him with a smile.“Thanks.”I closed the door behind me, and I was finally able to take the nap I desperately needed.The next time I woke up, the sun had gone down, and I was confused about how long I had fallen asleep.I was still trying to figure it out when I heard a knock on the door, so I drew my dress tightly around my body and proceeded to the door. When I opened it, my anger resurfaced.“Dante! I made it very clear that you should leave.”“I know you did, but then I realized that you haven’t rested after everything that happened. That’s why you acted that way,” he said, looking me straight in the eyes. “We are adults, Isla, and matters like this can be handled with any fuss, and I got you this.”I didn’t realize that his hand had tucked behind his back until I saw him str
ISLA'S POVDante was back once again.It was like he wasn’t going to take no for an answer.“I’m back, my love,” he slurred, moving close to Axel and me. “Did you miss me?”I inhaled a stench coming out of his mouth. He was drunk.“Guards!” Axel called out. “Take this man out of my palace.”“Axel, he’s in a poor state. I don’t think -"“- He needs to go!” Axel interrupted in a firm voice and then turned to face his guards. “Seize him.”They bowed their head before turning to apprehend Dante forcefully, and then they dragged him out of the palace.“I’m going to be back, and I’m not going to stop until I prove to you that I’m worthy of your forgiveness.”“This is madness!” Axel said once Dante had left our sight, “Pure madness.”“If you say so!” I said calmly.“It seems his little act is beginning to soften you!” He arched a brow.“It’s not. I want him to be as far away from me as possible. But it’s dark, and he’s in a vulnerable state. We can’t just leave him out there like that.”“Whe
ISLA’S POVFor the first time ever, the Pack Annual Mating Ceremony was being held in the Alpha’s home. I never went to these things. They were designed to make me feel out of place.Pack events were considered a time of fun and enjoyment for werewolves, we’re social animals after all. But to me, it was just a bigger opportunity to be dragged through the mud.And people were good at it, always making me feel weaker and more left out than I usually was.As an Omega wolf, frequenting these kinds of things was a big no. The odds of me leaving tonight’s event with my own mate were slim to none. A frown pulls down the corners of my lips.It’s such a cold evening, and I’d rather be anywhere else at the moment.The cream-colored double doors slide open automatically once we reach the entrance. Rebecca links my arm in hers, pulling my body closer. She can barely keep her excitement on a leash.That makes one of us. I didn't lie about wanting to be elsewhere. Earlier today, I had no dress for
ISLA’S POVHis lips mold over mine, creating such a delicious friction as he drags and pulls. I sway on my feet, but he holds me upright with a fist in my hair.I should stop this, I know I should. But I can’t for the life of me bring myself to pull away. It feels too good, too right.I moan into his mouth. It’s such a needy, foreign sound that seems to ground me, and pull me into the reality of the situation. I push at his chest, but he either doesn’t notice, or chooses to ignore.I break away, tossing my head to the side and inhaling a much-needed breath.Unfazed, he buries his face in my neck, sniffing me. His nose traces around the juncture of my throat, making my eyelids flutter shut.His hands trace down my body, moving over my waist as he pulls me closer into him. The heat radiating from him sears through my clothes.I feel so breathless and wanton, but I know this isn’t right.“Stop,” I breathe. “Wait.”Abruptly, he halts his movements, but he doesn’t take his hands off my bod
ISLA’S POV:He stands by the foot of the bed, eyes trailing down my backside, over my legs and back up to my shoulders. He rubs a hand over his jaw, shaking his head slightly as if to clear his mind.He looks so entranced, so in awe. Because of me. I face him fully, letting my hands drop to my sides. A new-found confidence surging within me. He doesn’t waste the opportunity, his eyes bouncing left and right between each breast as he pulls his bottom lip into his mouth.Gingerly, I walk to him, stopping when the tips of my bare feet touch the tips of his dress shoes. He holds my gaze, sliding off his jacket and tossing it on an armchair.He cups my chin, leaning down and pulling my mouth towards his. The kiss is soft, unlike the one we shared on the balcony. He licks at my seam with his tongue, asking for entrance.I part my mouth, and he slides his tongue against mine. Warmth bubbles in my chest, the taste of him making me feel like I’ve had another six glasses all over again.His c
ISLA’S POV:My eyelids flutter open, I shield them from the sunlight seeping in through the window with my hand. Rolling onto my side, I notice the soreness of my body.The sensitive flesh between my legs, but most of all, the fresh mark throbbing against my neck.I smile softly into the pillows, inhaling Axel’s delicious scent.I stretch my arms out, reaching for him on his side of the bed, but come up empty. I blink an eye open. The sheets are ruffled and cold, like he’s been gone for a while.Rolling on to my back, I halt my movements when I catch sight of him in the center of the room, wearing nothing but boxer briefs, his hair tumbling over his shoulders.He’s walking in a straight line, hands on his hips as he paces back and forth.“Morning,” I say with a smile, sitting up on the bed.He stops, turning to me, just now realizing I’ve woken up. His eyes trail over me in his bed. Taking in the ruffled sheets and the clothes strewn all over the floor.He looks away from me, going ba
ISLA’S POV.The walk to my house was filled with laughter and people taking pictures of me. They wanted to probably tell their friends about me, my walk of shame. Once again, I’d be the gossip of the town.A lowly omega rejected by her mate. Yet, I thought my life couldn’t get any worse.A seasick sensation settles in my stomach, I try to calm my breathing. But it was an effort.I was In pain.My wolf was in pain.A sound resounded through my door. I paused out of instinct, holding my breath.What if they had followed me home, just to make sure they’d see me at my weakest moment?“Isa, it is me” The familiar voice of Rebecca broke through the barrier my door had created.I hesitated for a moment. I didn’t know if I wanted her to see me this way. Standing up from the floor, I headed to the door and let her in. She was part of the people I could trust. She and Kate.I looked behind her, expecting Kate to follow suit into the room. No one was behind her, leaving me to wonder if the news