CLAIR I got up from my bed and headed for the bathroom. I think last night was the first night I was able to sleep peacefully without waking up in the middle of the night since I left Jake’s territory. And even though I still have pain in my chest, at least I was able to rest for hours. I rested my hands on the sink counter and looked at the mirror. I saw the same face I’ve been seeing for the past few weeks - hollowed eyes, too high cheekbones, and thin cheeks. My small face became smaller. I bit my lips hard to bring color to them, but it didn’t help. I still looked like I’d been driven over by a big truck. I looked dead. I splashed my face with water to wake me up when a memory from last night came flooding in. Aaron was here. Shit! Did he find out? What did Jake say? I grabbed my toothbrush and brushed my teeth in a hurry before putting my day clothes on and rushing out of my bathroom, only to stop in my tracks at the sight of my bedroom. It was a total mess. My clothes were
JAKE If this party wasn’t held on my behalf, I would be sitting in my office, alone. I hated parties like this, and that was the reason I never attended one, unless I was obligated. I didn’t see the need for this, knowing that I would pursue Clair once she came back. I had already made up my mind. I wanted Clair and no one else. But since the invitation went out weeks ago, there was no way this gala could be canceled. I raised the glass in my hand to my lips, taking a slow sip of whisky as my gaze swept the ballroom, oblivious to the female who clung greedily into my arms as if I would flee. I might soon. She was boring me to death with her complaints about the other she-wolves around us. She probably thought that by degrading the others, she was putting herself in a higher spot in my list. But there was no list. I only have one spot, and it was already reserved for Clair. My thoughts drifted to my Gamma, while the female continued to chatter beside me. I still haven’t seen Aaron
JAKE I have never felt more conflicted in my life than I feel right now. The turn of events kept flashing at the back of my mind, and I had been sitting in my office for the last three hours after the gala ended. Before the gala, I was sure that I would not have my fated mate for my Luna. But I didn’t know what I wanted anymore the moment I saw her tonight. I thought I had everything planned out, but the Goddess kept messing with my plans.I thought I was in control until she walked in tonight, looking like a goddess of her own in that blue-silhouetted midnight gown that did nothing to hide her curves. She looked perfect. Everything about her was mesmerizing. And her sweet smell, her smell, had always enticed me but this new scent she carried around had me addicted in a second. I had to control myself and my wolf from jumping on her and taking her to my room so I could have her just for myself. I wanted to dig my nose into her skin and take all I could from her. Not to mention th
CLAIR As soon as I woke up this morning, I cornered Dad before he could leave for work. I wanted to know more about him and Mom’s family. I didn’t tell him the conversation around it at Jake’s party, and just told him I wanted to know out of curiosity. And this was what I found out. Dad belonged to an Alpha family. Uncle Theodore was the firstborn Alpha son and was supposed to be the next Alpha of the Dark Forest Pack, but unfortunately, their pack was attacked while Dad and Uncle Thedorore were away. The then Alpha, Carlos Montrell, my grandfather, died on the spot, and the new Alpha took over. It was the reason Dad and Uncle Theodore were taken by another pack, but eventually, Uncle Theo decided to live with humans when his fated mate turned out to be a human, Aunt Laura. My mom, Camilla, on the other hand, was the eldest daughter of the famous Alpha Thaddeus of the Night Howlers Pack. My mother was supposed to be the chosen mate for Alpha Argon. So, my mother was sent to the
JAKE. Five minutes before eight in the morning, I was already sitting by the steps of the packhouse. I was supposed to be with my warriors for debriefing, but the way my Beta, Gavin, delivered his story about how Clair rendered him speechless last night left me with no choice but to wait for her or my Beta might flee for his life. Not that I was forced to meet her today. The truth was, despite the fear of facing Clair, I would rather spend the day with her than with those other Alpha Females my Beta had set me up with. Clair. My feisty little mate. I shook my head, smiling at the thought of her scaring the hell out of my Beta with just her words. Gavin could be playful when he wanted to be, but he was more like me — a man with no emotions most of the time, and nothing bothered him except my Alpha tone. I wasn’t sure if he was enamored with Clair or if she did scare him because he went ahead and revised my schedule today to accommodate Clair’s request. I mean, Clair’s demand. I w
CLAIR. "You may not want me, but I’ll make sure someone else will see my worth!" I stood up from where I was sitting and moved away from him, walking toward the stream while pulling my shirt over my head to reveal my red bikini top. I stopped just beside the deep part of the steam. My hands gripped the waistband of my shorts, pulling them lower on my legs, and bending as I lowered them to my feet, fully aware that I was showing him my naked ass. My bikini thongs didn’t cover anything at all. "What the fuck are you doing?" I heard him ask with a hitched breath. I turned around and put my hands on my hips, standing proudly in my red bikini, which leaves nothing to the imagination, before licking my lower lip. "I need to swim, Jake. I feel a little hot just thinking about the possibilities of another Alpha touching my..." I was not even finished with my sentence when a loud growl erupted in the air as strong arms swept me away, taking me with him and landing us in the water. Fear cr
JAKE. I shifted and ran away from her, confused by the emotions that she stirred in me. I hated the fact that I wanted her out of my life, but I hated myself more for hurting and pushing her away because, in reality, I knew I wanted her. All of her. I’d been an Alpha for ten years, and nothing or no one made me feel alive the way she did. But being together would not guarantee that I would remain sane for the rest of my rule. She was already starting to break me down. She was making me weak. And I shouldn’t let her do that. I shifted back to my human form and walked naked inside the packhouse toward my office. I went inside and slammed the door. My Beta, who was already waiting with my shorts, threw them at me as soon as I entered. "It looks like it didn’t end well." He said with brows furrowing. "You disturb us." I scowled at him. "You asked me to remind you." He shook his head, a smug grin on his face. He waited for me to take my seat before he continued. "We can just cancel
CLAIR Three days had gone by since that disastrous breakfast with Jake. I hadn’t seen him since that day, so I spent most of my time training and volunteering at the daycare. Tonight will be a full moon. Four pups were expected to shift, and I convinced Aaron to let me join him since he was the one overseeing when pups shifted for the first time. He would be helped out by two other warriors. Glaiza would be among the pups shifting tonight. I worked with her at the daycare, and we’d been spending a lot of time together for the last couple of days, so when she told me she would be shifting, and how scared she was, I volunteered to stay with her. And I was glad Aaron let me join. I wanted to let Rain out. It has been a long time since she went out for a run. Of course, I had to make sure Jake wouldn’t be around, or it might not end well if Rain saw our mate. Luckily, Jake had to attend some meetings in the nearby town and wouldn’t be back until midnight. Then shifting would be done