LOGINHis voice was soft when he asked, “Are you mad at Daddy?”My breath caught.I didn’t answer right away. I just held him tighter, brushing my lips against the top of his head, breathing in the familiar scent of shampoo and dreams.“No, baby,” I said finally, my voice barely above a whisper. “Just sad
ELENAHe said it. Just like that."Because I was a coward."And for a moment, I didn’t breathe. Didn’t blink. I just stared at him, this towering Alpha, folded in on himself like the weight of everything he’d done was finally more than he could bear.It wasn’t what I expected. It wasn’t defensive. I
DEREKI was more nervous than I had ever been in my entire life.And that included some truly horrible moments. Moments when life and death had been in the balance.Worse than when Aiden had been in the hospital, his little body limp and pale against white sheets, machines screaming at me that I mig
ELENA"I’m strong enough to travel," I said.The words came out firmer than I expected. My voice still felt like it didn’t quite belong to me—too quiet, too dry—but I forced strength into it anyway.My mother narrowed her eyes at me across the hospital room, arms folded, posture stiff with tension.
ELENAThe first thing I felt was cold.Not the kind of cold that settled into your bones. Not the chill of snow or wind. It was sterile, dry, antiseptic. The kind of cold that came from machines humming, filtered air, fluorescent lights. A hospital.I blinked slowly, and the world came into focus in
DEREKToday was going well.Which, lately, felt like a miracle.The meeting room was warm with early sunlight, and the Stormfang delegation finally looked less like they wanted to skin me and more like they might—possibly—listen. The Icelandic pack had been guarded since our arrival, especially with
ELENAThe night air was crisp as Logan guided Aiden and me to his car. The tension still crackled in the air, a lingering reminder of the chaos back at the boutique. My fingers trembled slightly as I adjusted Aiden’s seatbelt, my mind replaying Derek’s accusations over and over.“You were already ch
I exhaled slowly, keeping my expression cool despite the fire crackling beneath my skin. “That’s unfortunate for you, then. Because this dress is mine.” I said, turning my gaze to the Vanessa. “I love it, thank you.”Cassandra’s face darkened. “You’re still trying to provoke me, aren’t you?”I tilte
It was a masterpiece, if I did say so myself. Towering stone columns wrapped in twisting ivy framed the open-air space, their bases adorned with intricate carvings of wolves and moon phases. The lanterns I’d pictured looked lovely, suspended from hidden riggings, casting a soft, ethereal glow over t
ELENAThe moment Derek and I stepped onto the gleaming, polished dance floor, I hesitated. I wasn’t sure if it was the tension between us or the sheer arrogance on his face that made my pulse spike."Is Elena too afraid to dance with me?" His voice was low, an unmistakable challenge in it.I should







