Nate’s POV Many years ago. I sat behind my desk in my office, going over some files, when a knock sounded on the door. A second later, my secretary, Veronica, breezed in carrying a mug of coffee on a small tray. “Your coffee, sir,” she said, dropping it on the desk, and I nodded. “Thanks,” I muttered, “you can leave now.” As she walked away, her hips swaying from side to side, my eyes followed the jiggly movements, mesmerized by the beauty of it. My groin hardened the longer I looked, my dick starting to crawl around in my pants, and when she was almost at the door, I gave into the temptation and called out to her. “Veronica.” She turned, her brows cocked. “Sir?” “Why don’t you come a little closer?” I asked, beckoning on her with a finger, and although a fleeting look of surprise crossed her features, she came towards the desk slowly. “Come over here,” I pressed, directing her to move around the desk to where I sat, and after she obeyed a little reluctantly, I n
EDWARD’S POV I hesitated in front of the mirror, adjusting my tie as I debated whether to check on Clara before leaving for the business meeting. I glanced at my watch, my brows furrowing at the time. 7:15 A.M I wasn’t even sure she was up yet. Would going to her room make me seem too clingy? Maybe. I could just send my regards through Jaxon. I turned to leave, ready to find Jaxon and give him instructions, but I hesitated again, remembering I wouldn’t see her all day. The meeting might stretch into tomorrow, meaning she’d be alone for twenty-four hours. Could I really go that long without seeing her? I sighed, adjusting my suit, frustration settling into my bones. Agitation, confusion, desire—I couldn’t believe these were my thoughts before a business meeting. Clara had seeped into every part of me, consuming my senses completely. Before we signed the contract, I told myself I wouldn’t overwhelm her, that I’d keep my distance. Because if I gave in to how I truly fel
CLARA’S POV I stared at the list in my hands, disbelief settling deep in my chest. It contained the names of possible suspects behind the last attack on me—the shootout that had claimed the lives of my driver and bodyguard. “You really did it, huh?” I said, glancing up at Lydia. She sat across from me on the garden terrace, her hands folded on her thighs, with a satisfied smile. “Yes, ma’am,” she replied bowing slightly. Shaking my head, I couldn’t hide my admiration. “I thought you’d take some time off because of what happened and how traumatic it was. But instead, you put this together? How did you manage it so quickly?” She shrugged. “I only used a few minutes of my leisure time, Luna Clara. It wasn’t a big deal.” I gave her a pointed look, knowing better. Lydia wasn’t the type to rest when there was work to be done. She had likely lost sleep over this, refusing to stop until she had every possible lead. But I chose not to press her on it. “I’m really impressed.” I
EDWARD’S POV As the car rounded the next corner, bringing us closer to the Estate, my gaze flicked to the small bags beside me. A satisfied smile tugged at my lips as I rubbed my forehead. I’d spared no expense in choosing gifts for Clara. I couldn’t wait to give them to her, all of them, including the ones stacked in the trunk. Would she love them? And if she did, would she smile the way I hoped she would? I had wanted to see her reaction when her favorite flowers I ordered for the garden arrived, but they had been delivered while I was at work. She had called to ask why I’d bought them, and I couldn’t tell if she was impressed or not from her voice. I could have said they were for her, and I got them because she loved to spend time in the garden pavilion. But I felt it was too much, considering she was still healing from her divorce back then and had her walls up. But now, she was finally over that jerk. Other thoughts crept in as I glanced at the bags beside me agai
NATE’S POV The air in the room felt suffocating, sweat forming beads on my forehead despite the air conditioning. My heart was racing and several questions flitted into my head. Unable to answer them and knowing they couldn’t help me either, I turned to Serena. “I’m sorry, but our partnership has come to an end,” I said, standing off to the side with my hands shoved into my pockets. She straightened from where she’d been leaning against the wall, confusion flashing across her face. “What?” She took a step closer. “I’m not moving forward with our deal.” I repeated, my tone clipped. She blinked, looking stunned. “B-but why?” she stammered. “Edward will be captured soon. Everything we planned is falling into place. So why—” “It doesn’t matter why,” I cut her off. “What matters is that it’s over. Do you understand?” Her gaze narrowed suspiciously as she shook her head. “Something doesn’t feel right,” she muttered. “Do you know something I don’t?” I exhaled sharpl
CLARA’S POV “Before the startup, I need to put myself out there.” Seated behind my desk in the office Edward had provided, I studied the list in my hands while Lydia typed furiously on her laptop from the couch. “It’s important to set things in motion before we officially launch,” I continued. “We need to attract investors, both foreign and domestic.” “I have a few ideas,” Lydia said, glancing up from her screen. “Let’s hear them.” I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the desk. She picked up her laptop and walked over, turning the screen toward me. “Since your goal is to promote women in business, you should start showing support before the official launch. It’ll help establish credibility and build trust.” I pulled the laptop closer, nodding as I considered her words. “That’s a great idea. It’ll make the transition feel more organic when the company goes live.” Encouraged, Lydia placed her hands on the desk, leaning in. “You could also offer loans and business gra
EDWARD’S POV I tilted my neck from side to side, feeling the stiffness and ache from yesterday’s fight. Damn… I should have listened to Clara when she told me not to come to work today. But I couldn’t just sit at home trying to heal when there was so much to handle, so much to figure out. Like Serena. I was still trying to understand why she had sent those men after me—why she’d tried to have me captured. I didn’t want to believe it was because of Clara or my rejection. Could she really go that far? Still lost in thoughts, the phone on my desk vibrated, and I glanced down, looking at the caller. Jaxon. “Jaxon,” I answered. “Any news?” “Serena has been arrested,” he reported. “She’s in pack enforcement custody.” “Good.” I rose to my feet. “I’ll head over now.” I strode out of the office, taking long, quick strides toward the parking lot. The moment my driver spotted me, I snapped my fingers. “Get the car running. We’re heading to the pack enforcement office.
EDWARD’S POV I strode into my office, my head throbbing. No matter how hard I thought about it, I couldn’t put my finger on who had helped Serena. I knew she got help from someone but figuring out that person was turning into a big, distressing task. The usual enemies came to my mind, but something gnawed at me. I couldn’t help but wonder if there was someone new in the picture. Someone I didn’t know about? What would their motive be? What did they want from me? I lowered in my seat, still thinking. Then the intercom buzzed, pulling me from my thoughts. I pressed the button, listening as my secretary’s voice filtered through the speaker. “Alpha, there’s a guest asking to see you.” He said. “Does he have an appointment?” I asked. There was some brief hesitation from him. “No, Alpha,” he admitted. “It’s Alpha Carter. He seems… agitated.” Alpha Carter. As expected. “Send him in,” I ordered. Moments later, the doors burst open, and Alpha Carter stormed in, his fa
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
EDWARD’S POV Just as more emergency vehicles were pulling into the hospital wing of the Estate, I rushed in through the main entrance, feeling even more frustrated. I hurried into the wing, my eyes quickly catching the panic in the air. I looked around the hallways, filled with people groaning on both my left and right. Most of them were throwing up badly, dropping to their knees. It was complete chaos in here. I saw some doctors and nurses helping the poisoned victims who were too weak to move, guiding them into the wards. As I moved quickly through the hallways, I noticed almost every ward was packed full of sick people. This was horrible. What made it even more disturbing and upsetting was that most of the people vomiting so terribly were important figures in the territory—Alphas and Lunas of high ranks. I shook my head at the sight, my fingers curling into fists at my sides, wanting nothing more than to catch whoever was behind this. Even while I was worried ab