EDWARD’S POV"You asked to see me, Edward," Jaxon said as he walked into my office, bowing in greeting.I nodded, motioning him to the chair across mine. "You may sit." He obeyed."You may have seen or heard about the news circulating through several packs about my wife." I said. "Yes, I have.” He leaned forward. “Just a few minutes ago I was wondering what you planned to do concerning these rumors. They are quite vulgar. And although I know they are false, I still think something needs to be done about them."I leaned back and smiled. This was one of the reasons why I made Jaxon my Beta. He was smart and sharp, knowing exactly what to do and being able to differentiate right from wrong. "Good. That is why I asked to see you. Do you know which particular news network broadcasted these lies?""I do. I already instructed my secretary to prepare a list, and so far, the only networks are: Break News, Sky News, and Al Blue News."I nodded. "I will use them as perfect examples, so that nex
CLARA’S POV "Isn't that Beta Jaxon's driver?" Lydia asked, pushing her face to the window as she pointed at the car in the distance. We were seated in my car en route to Al Blue News office building. I turned to see who she was referring to. The car she motioned to was driving out of the building as we spoke, but I knew nothing of Beta Jaxon's driver, so I couldn't really say anything about it. "I think you might be mistaken," I told her. "What would a member of our pack be doing here?" Lydia craned her neck further out the window, eager to confirm. When she pulled back into the car, she faced me and shook her head. "I am a hundred percent sure that's him. He used to work for the Alpha before as well. I could recognize him anywhere." I didn't want to dwell on a random person right now. Plus, we were here for a reason, and I didn't want us to get distracted. "Whether it's him or not, that's not important. We are here for important business. Just forget about that. Let's
CLARA’S POV "I think you should get the pharmacist fired," Lydia said as we climbed into the backseat of the car. My mind whirled with thoughts as I tossed my options around in my head. I hadn't forgotten the role that pharmacist played in my misfortune all those weeks ago. But, was getting her fired enough punishment for that? The woman had blatantly refused to help me before I miscarried, and that was something I would never forget. Even though it might have been too late to save my baby, her help would have stopped me from crying and bleeding out on the street. I could have gotten some decency instead of the stares and disgrace I'd endured on the street. And to think that she was a woman. My fists clenched. I couldn't let that slide. After a few minutes of driving, we arrived at the pharmacy. I exited the car with my bodyguards and Lydia in tow. We walked into the pharmacy, and just like I prayed, the person at the counter was the same lady who had ignored me. A fla
NATE’S POV "Let's toast to the downfall of that bitch!" I laughed raising my glass to clink Isla's. Isla laughed as we sipped on our wine. We were seated in my office celebrating the success of our plan. I was confident it was going to go accordingly, but I hadn't anticipated just how well it would play out. It was even better than I expected. I'd heard from my sources that the news affected Clara so much that she went missing for hours. It had left her a mess, to say the least. Laughter bubbled in my throat as I imagined her crying and walking through the forest, trying to take her life. I almost wished I'd been there to watch, but it was satisfying nonetheless. "That bitch had no idea who she's dealing with. She must have thought her petty quality inspection would hurt me, but oh, she had no idea how far I could take it. Now she's the one crying," I laughed. "Even with all the money and power she has attained, she's still so dull and stupid. She couldn't even think of a g
CLARA'S POV I could see the anger flashing in Nate's eyes as I called the director of health. Mr. Gregory was the director of health for the territory, meaning that he could overrule an Alpha's orders regarding health matters. The only person he was inferior to was the Alpha the territory, Edward, my husband. And it was clear by the look on Nate's face that he knew this. I put the phone on loud speaker so the entire room could hear the conversation I was about to have with Mr Gregory loud and clear. "What can I do for you today, Luna Clara?" He asked. "I need you to file for the suspension of licence of a certain Mr Albert who owns a pharmacy in Breakstone Pack. I also want his pharmacy shut down due to his inability to render unbiased health care and services." I demanded. "Alright, Luna Clara. As long as you are the one asking me to do it, I will get it done immediately without further questions." Mr. Gregory responded. With a smile, I ended the call. Albert's smi
NATE'S POV "How could she do that? How could she fucking do that?!!" I screamed, flinging the glass cup in front of me so hard that it smashed against the wall and shattered into pieces. I landed a violent kick to my desk, sending it tumbling down to the ground. There was so much pent up rage in me, I had to let it out somehow. That fucking bitch. Oh, how I wanted Clara's head on a platter. I couldn't believe she did that to me. I couldn't let her get away with it. I just wouldn't. "Nate…" Isla called out to me, her voice shaky. She was standing at a corner of my office, trying to calm me down. But it proved usesless because I was irritated by the sight of her face. I wasn't in the mood to see anyone around me right now, least of all, Isla. She took a timid step toward me. "Nate, please just try to ca–" "Don't fucking tell me to calm down!! How do you expect me to calm down when that low life bitch is trying to humiliate me in front of the entire pack?! That bitch has g
CLARA “I heard you visited Breakstone Pack today.” I was leaning against the counter in the kitchen, sipping from a cup of chamomile tea and watching Edward quietly from over the rim of the ceramic. “And you also purchased the Al Blue News building?” Edward pressed on, his expression stoic and unreadable as always, the last words coming out as a question. Why couldn’t he just act human, even once? Would it actually kill him to show a bit of emotion? “Are you stalking me now?” I returned, wrapping my palms around the warm ceramic cup. He sighed, threading his fingers through his hair. “Stalking you?” He queried, his brows raised in incredulous curiosity. “I’m only looking out for you, Clara. And besides, we’re married to each other, so there shouldn’t be secrets between us.” At his words, I scoffed, setting down the cup on the countertop. “Secrets?” I asked, raising a brow, “That’s rich coming from someone who has his emotions bottled up and has refused to let me in on
EDWARD’S POV I lifted the wine glass to my lips and took a sip, letting out a tired groan. Jaxon, who was seated opposite me on the rooftop of the penthouse, cocked an eyebrow. “Is everything okay?” He asked, “You’ve sighed at least twenty times since we’ve been here.” I sighed again, looking away. “I’m fine, Jaxon.” The wind blew against my face, ruffling my hair, and I wasn’t comforted by it, as I usually would be. I was restless and troubled about this new development. And I just couldn’t understand why Clara had seemed slightly offended, disgusted and uncomfortable at the idea of intimacy. What was so wrong about it? Moreover, we used to like each other. Wasn’t that right? So, what was the problem? “I don’t think you’re fine,” Jaxon argued staring at me. “Because it’s been a while we sat together like this to have a drink, and we both know you mostly drink when you’re—” “I said nothing’s wrong,” I interrupted abruptly, and Arthur, who stood beside me with a b
Edward’s POVI walked into the room where the man we’d captured was being kept and tortured, my eyes taking in his bloodied frame.Jack was the man that had tried to kill Clara and Lydia, and he has refused to spill the name(s) of who had sent him.No matter how much he’d been beaten and battered, he’d remained mute and only continued to plead incoherently.Immediately, my shadow fell on him in the single-window room, he lifted his head and saw me standing there, cowering back in fear and visibly trembling.I stared hard at him, my jaw set in a grim line.Why is he so scared if he isn’t willing to talk? What is he ao afraid of? Who is he so afraid of?Perhaps he was holding onto something… holding back something…Rolling up my sleeves, I beckoned to the men standing outside the room, and they entered immediately.“Shave off his head,” I ordered, nodding towards Jack, who started to whimper pathetically, shaking his head.“No, p-please,” he cried, trying to scamper backwards. “Don’t do
Clara’s POVI let out a deep sigh, placing both hands on my waist in a tired stance.I was taking a walk with Edward, and as much as I used to enjoy doing this with him, I honestly couldn’t say the same now.I was completely exhausted. But he couldn’t even tell…“Come on,” he urged, trying to take the hand on my waist.I sighed again, reaching up to push back my hair. “I’m pregnant, Edward,” I rasped out, spreading my palms, “unlike you. So I don’t expect you to understand what it's like walking miles, whilst having a baby in your womb. It’s not freaking easy.”“You’re right,” he replied, a small smile staining his lips. “That’s why you have me, to help you.”He reached down again and gently took my hand in his, guiding me forward. “We still have to get to that hill, remember?”Sighing, I let him guide me, taking slow, painstaking steps towards the direction he guided me, until the hill came into sight.Finally, we got to the hill, and I let out a deep breath, appreciating the feel of
Nate’s POV I glanced over at the ginger-haired woman with an average bump, my jaw ticking as I contemplated if she was the right fit for the job. No—if she could execute the plan the way to my satisfaction. I cleared my throat loudly, drawing her attention. “So,” I started, “let’s go over the plan one more time.” She nodded, turning to me. “First off,” I pulled up my sleeves, counting off on my fingers, “you barge into any news network and demand to have an interview. Now, why do we need an interview?” I spread my palms, “to expose me,” I added almost immediately, in response to my question, as I pointed at my chest. She nodded, following closely. “When an interview is granted,” I continued, “you’ll claim to be carrying my child, and I’ve been sending just $10,000 monthly, for support.” “Obviously,” I scoffed, “the amount is outrageous already, and people would think you’re just being selfish, but that’s not the point here.” “The point is,” I drew closer, “to show that I have
Nate’s POVI glanced over at the ginger-haired woman with an average bump, my jaw ticking as I contemplated if she was the right fit for the job.No—if she could execute the plan the way to my satisfaction.I cleared my throat loudly, drawing her attention.“So,” I started, “let’s go over the plan one more time.”She nodded, turning to me.“First off,” I pulled up my sleeves, counting off on my fingers, “you barge into any news network and demand to have an interview. Now, why do we need an interview?” I spread my palms, “to expose me,” I added almost immediately, in response to my question, as I pointed at my chest.She nodded, following closely.“When an interview is granted,” I continued, “you’ll claim to be carrying my child, and I’ve been sending just $10,000 monthly, for support.”“Obviously,” I scoffed, “the amount is outrageous already, and people would think you’re just being selfish, but that’s not the point here.” “The point is,” I drew closer, “to show that I have a baby o
Clara’s POV Henry and I stared at each other for what felt like forever, my eyes burning with anger, his full of something else. Maybe surprise that I wanted to see him. Finally, he sighed, leaning back with a shrug. “Fine. I’ll tell you, since you’re so desperate to know.” I couldn’t help the small sigh of satisfaction that slipped from me as I leaned back in my seat, folding my arms. “I’m all ears.” “But first,” he said, smiling, “Why are you so covered up?” He raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Let me guess, you don’t want to be seen with me?” I shot him a glare, my lips pressing into a tight line. “That’s not important right now.” He shrugged again, biting back a laugh. He signaled the waitress, ordering an iced coffee and a bagel, then leaned forward, clasping his hands on the desk. I watched him, trying to decide if I could trust anything that came from the mouth of someone so… off. There was something unsettling about him with each se
CLARA’S POV A rush of adrenaline coursed through my veins. My eyes flew open, and I could feel something stirring deep inside me: a soft, steady thumping. Was that… my wolf? Lying against Edward’s chest, I lifted my fingers to my neck, gently caressing the bite mark. Then my hand drifted to my chest, pausing over my heart, feeling the pulse beneath my skin. Yes… that was truly my wolf. “Clara…” A faint, almost whispering voice called to me, and I jolted upright, clutching my chest as my heart hammered wildly. Was that her voice? Edward stirred beside me, his gaze sharp and cautious as he watched me. “Is everything okay?” I nodded shakily, rubbing my palms against my chest to steady myself. “Yeah, I… I think I just heard my wolf’s voice.” My words were breathless, disbelief still clinging to them. Edward’s eyes widened, and he quickly propped himself up. His hand gently covered mine, his touch warm and comforting. “And I think I can feel her too,” I added, my voice barely a
CLARA’S POV I leaned against the balcony railing, looking down at the patio below. For a brunch we’d thrown together just days ago, the turnout was incredible. Like Lydia suggested, I had to put myself out there before launching my company and the first step was this brunch for women in business. Lydia had sent out invitations and they’d shown up in numbers. More than I expected. More than I could have hoped for. I was impressed and grateful. And, if I was being honest, a little on edge. The patio was packed with at least two hundred women, maybe more, each one a business owner from different packs. Soft music drifted from the speakers, mingling with the low hum of conversation. On one side, rows of neatly arranged tables stretched out, white cloths draped over them, wine glasses catching the sunlight. The whole setup looked… perfect. I ran a hand over my dress, taking in the scene when Lydia’s voice suddenly cut through my thoughts. “Luna,” she said from behind me,
CLARA’S POV I leaned against the balcony railing, looking down at the patio below. For a brunch we’d thrown together just days ago, the turnout was incredible. Like Lydia suggested, I had to put myself out there before launching my company and the first step was this brunch for women in business. Lydia had sent out invitations and they’d shown up in numbers. More than I expected. More than I could have hoped for. I was impressed and grateful. And, if I was being honest, a little on edge. The patio was packed with at least two hundred women, maybe more, each one a business owner from different packs. Soft music drifted from the speakers, mingling with the low hum of conversation. On one side, rows of neatly arranged tables stretched out, white cloths draped over them, wine glasses catching the sunlight. The whole setup looked… perfect. I ran a hand over my dress, taking in the scene when Lydia’s voice suddenly cut through my thoughts. “Luna,” she said from behind me,
NATE’S POV I got home late, the weight of the day still hanging off my shoulders. Amanda’s arrival had gone smoother than I expected, and now it was time to deal with the loose ends. One, in particular, had overstayed her welcome. Isla. She was on the couch, curled up like she owned the place, watching TV and eating grapes. As if she wasn’t the biggest disappointment of the year. I didn’t wait for her to notice I was home. “You’re done,” I said flatly as soon as I entered. She looked up at me, confused for half a second. “What?” And then, like she suddenly remembered I was just coming back, she stood up, drawing close to me. “You’re late today. Work must have been stressful.” She moved to touch my face but I hit her hand away. “You’re leaving tonight.” I told her firmly, trying not to sound irritated as I felt. “You failed to do the one thing I kept you here for. You’re useless now.” She paused, as if trying to make sense of what I said. “Excuse me?” “You couldn’t