LOGIN***SHANIA***A smile crept onto my lips just as I left Lucien in his study. His face after I kissed him turned something in me I didn't know. I started this thinking I might regret it, but now, I don't even think I can stop if someone asks me to.I galloped giddily as I used my wolf sense to trace Bale's scent to the room Ciara showed him. I stopped in front of the door, inhaled slowly, then walked inside. Bale sat on a black couch next to the bed with his head buried in his palms. He raised his head as soon as I stepped inside, and everything about his expression told me that something wasn't right. “Aww… my baby. What's wrong?” I asked, feigning care.He exhaled slowly and threw his face to the other side.I rolled my eyes and muttered under my breath. “Such a kid.”Then I darted towards him and wrapped my arms around him. “What's wrong… baby?”He turned at once in anger. “You know I told you it was a bad idea to come here, right?”I exhaled, running my fingers through my hair. “Y
ELIAS’S POVHe smiled and stared straight into my face. “Because you're mine and mine alone,” he said. “I'll help you solve the case you'd been chasing all this while. In return, you'll give me something that I want.”My stomach twisted with irritation, but I asked anyway. “And what do you want?”Lucien scoffed and lifted his chin slightly. “I thought you were smarter than that, but since you want me to spell it out for you, I will… I want you to be my husband.”“What?” My brows pulled together, and I slammed my fists against the table. “Are you out of your fucking mind? If you continue with this, then I won't have any other choice but to get physical with you.”“That's exactly what I want,” he smiled, and I felt my stomach knot. “But I'll help you right now and convince you later to be mine.”I didn't say a word… Maybe I couldn't. I just kept my eyes on his every move, and silence stretched between us.After a few heartbeats, he leaned forward gently against the table, his gaze locke
AURORA'S POVI froze as soon as Ronan told me those words—Someone who wasn't supposed to be at the hospital at that moment was there?“Let's go right now,” I muttered, looking at Ronan right in the face. “I want to know exactly what I'm dealing with.”He held my gaze for a bit, then nodded. “Okay.”We darted out of the house right after that and hopped into the car without saying a single word. I rested my head against the window as I stared at the city blurring past me in streaks, mind completely focused on Ronan’s conversation on the phone. I glanced at Ronan sitting beside me, and he looked composed as ever—shoulders firm and eyes focused on the bath before us.After what felt like a long drive, we finally arrived at the hospital. I quickly placed my hand on the door handle, about to pull it and exit when Ronan pulled me back.He looked right into my face, and my heart thumped. “Don't bother… I'll get the door for you.” Then he exited the car, rounded it, and opened the door for me
***ELIAS***Several heads swerved, staring at me as I pushed the cathedral's door open. The chapel was filled with the city’s most powerful men—judges, police captains, syndicate heads, financiers, politicians—every one of them dressed in expensive suits.I didn't allow their stares to slow me down.I walked straight up the aisle until I reached Lucien. He stood near the altar, eyes calm—measuring every one of my steps.I pulled the warrant from my coat and held it up close to his face.“You’re under arrest on suspicion of human trafficking, drug dealing, and fraudulent acts.”A small smile touched his lips as the cuffs clicked around his wrists. He didn’t resist. Didn’t even look surprised.“Guess you’re finally getting what you've always wanted, Detective?” he said quietly.“You can save it for the station,” I shot at him.Two officers stepped forward and took hold of him. The murmurs in the cathedral grew louder as we turned and walked him down the aisle. Dozens of powerful eyes fo
***ELIAS***I picked up my phone again. Damon’s picture lit up on my screen.“I know you're hurting,” Samantha's voice came from behind me, as she placed a hand on my shoulder. “But you need to put your all into this operation.”I sighed heavily as I tugged my phone away. “You're right.”I straightened in my chair, facing her. “Do we have a warrant for arrest?”“Yes,” Samantha responded, lifting the arrest warrant. “The magistrate finally approved it.”A smile curled at the corner of my lips, despite how wrong it felt.“Get me a black suit ready,” I instructed, taking the warrant from her. “We have a wedding to attend.”“Sure,” a smile, tugging at her lips as she left.The smile vanished as soon as she left my office.***I stepped out of the office, the moon was pale and barely visible. The cold night air felt heavier than usual. I walked toward my car, fingers searching for the car key in my pocket, when I suddenly felt eyes stabbing me. I turned immediately, and a shadow shifted b
***LUCIEN***“Don’t you think you’re making a mistake?” Derrick’s voice came from behind me. “That detective has been after you for years.”“All the more reason to proceed,” I said, eyes still on the chessboard.He stepped closer. “What exactly is your plan? Why make a fake wedding public?”“The less you know,” I replied, rising from my seat. “The better.”He opened his mouth to press further, but I raised a finger and he stopped.“What about the preparations to meet Roosevelt?” I asked.“All set, sir,” he said, bowing his head slightly.I walked toward the door, then paused as something crossed my mind.“Get me a perfectly tailored white suit,” I said, a faint smile touching my lips before I stepped out.The hallway was long and silent, giving me enough time to settle my thoughts. I turned toward the hidden chamber and pushed the door open.A scrawny man sat strapped to a chair in the center of the room. His eyes widened the moment he saw me.He began to tremble.“Don’t be afraid,” I







