Eloise’s expression was heavy, her words sharp like a dagger. “My biggest mistake was falling in love with you.” The seriousness in her voice, the coldness in her eyes, sent a shiver through Ainsley. It was the same Eloise he had once known, the one who had stood before him, time and again, passionately declaring they were destined by the Moon Goddess. She had insisted that they were mates, meant to be together forever.But now, the same woman who had once clung to him with unwavering belief, was telling him she was wrong. That she had made a mistake. What did that even mean? Ainsley thought, his chest tightening as confusion and pain coursed through him. She was going to correct her mistake? She had spent so much time convincing him that they were everything to each other, only to now tell him it was all a lie?He didn't understand. His heart twisted painfully, an ache that seemed to come out of nowhere. It was as if something inside him was unraveling, and he couldn't stop it. But o
Eloise's heart was heavy with an overwhelming sense of defeat. The fight within her seemed to vanish, drained away by a force beyond her control. Why resist? She thought, as her shoulders slumped in resignation. Let him pull me along, like a puppet on a string. When he’s finally had enough of me, when he doesn't even want to look at me anymore, I’ll quietly slip away.The thought of leaving, of finding some peace, was almost a comfort. At least it would be on her terms, and not at the whim of someone who had never truly cared for her, someone who believed she was just another possession to be discarded when no longer needed.But then, Ainsley’s voice shattered her dark thoughts. "Eloise, stop cursing Aura. She’s dead, and you’re still alive. Don't you think it's pathetic to be consumed with hatred for someone who isn’t even here anymore? It’s not worth it."His words were an unexpected blow. For a brief moment, Eloise felt a flicker of something. Did he care? How could that be? How co
Pamela was shoved to the ground, but instead of anger, she felt an unsettling stillness. She didn’t move, only stared up at Gary, her heart heavy but resolute.“Gary, calm down,” she said softly, her voice steady despite the tremor in her chest. “Listen to what Eloise has to say. You shouldn’t have hit her. No matter what happened, she didn’t deserve that.”Eloise stood there, pale as a ghost, her body frozen with shock. She reached down to help Pamela, but before she could, someone grabbed her wrist. The grip was firm and harsh.“Don’t touch my Luna with your filthy hands!” Gary’s voice was sharp, cutting through the tension in the room like a blade.Eloise stood frozen, filthy hands? She shook her head slowly, unable to respond with words, her body trembling as the words hit her like a slap. How could he say that to her? She was his daughter, his flesh and blood, yet she was nothing but dirt in his eyes.With a hollow laugh, she spoke through clenched teeth. “Alpha Gary... I agree w
Pamela bent down, her trembling hands reaching for Eloise, who had collapsed to the floor. Eloise didn’t resist; her body sagged beneath the weight of the years she’d carried. She slowly lifted her head, her eyes hollow with a coldness that seemed foreign to the mother who once held her in her arms.Eloise tried to speak but only a broken, hoarse sound came out. She winced, her throat raw, but even at that moment of pain, she knew she could not hide the damage in her voice. It was a voice ruined by years of neglect, imprisonment, and hardship. A voice no parent should have to hear.Pamela hesitated, then placed her hand on Eloise’s shoulder. But her touch wasn’t comforting; it felt like a cold reminder of how disconnected they had become. Eloise raised her head fully, her gaze locking with her mother's, her breath coming in shallow gasps.She stopped trying to hide the cracked, broken sound of her voice. She realized something: they weren’t here to show concern for her at all. No one
Gary couldn’t believe what he was hearing. The words hit him like a freight train. Did Eloise just say that Ainsley owns Club Scarlet Heart? Ainsley? The Alpha of the Litha Night Walker Pack?Gary, the Alpha of the Golden Moon Pack, couldn’t process this fast enough. He was used to being in control, to commanding the situation. But this… this left him scrambling. He quickly tried to gather his thoughts. But as the pieces fell into place, his face twisted with rage. He growled, "Bitch! You’ve crossed paths with Alpha Ainsley again?"Eloise felt the bitter sting of his words. Her chest tightened with disappointment. Is this really how he reacts? Is this really the first thing he thinks of when he hears Ainsley’s name?She couldn’t believe it. He wasn’t concerned about her. About what she had been through. He wasn’t even concerned that his daughter had been imprisoned. No, what bothered him was Ainsley. Is that all that matters to you?Eloise fought to swallow the lump in her throat, tryi
The night air was thick with tension as Gary’s car came to a stop, the wheels grinding to a halt next to Alex. The distance between them felt like miles, the silence hanging heavy, but Alex didn’t move. He stood rooted to the ground, watching as Gary hesitated before getting into the car.Gary’s eyes flickered briefly towards Alex, his face filled with guilt and something like regret. With a deep sigh, he finally spoke, his voice heavy with an emotion Alex couldn’t place. “Beta Alex,” he said, looking at him through the windshield. “We failed to raise that girl right. Everything that happened to Aura... was all her fault. I’m sorry. I’m truly sorry.”The words were like a cold slap, but they didn’t sting as much as they should have.If Eloise were here, she would be devastated too, Alex thought, the anger churning in his chest. But she wasn’t here. She hadn’t confessed her own sins, and yet, her father stood there, offering up apologies for her. How many times has he been asked to tak
Ainsley slouched back in his chair like it was his throne, the weight of his thoughts pressing down on him like a lead blanket. The flickering light from his desk lamp cast shadows across the room, but none of them could match the dark cloud hanging over his mood. Eric broke the silence, his question hanging in the air like a stubborn fly."Ainsley, it’s not because of her, is it?" Eric asked, his finger tapping out a beat on the desk. The rhythm was annoyingly steady, like a metronome ticking down to his doom.Ainsley didn’t budge. He didn’t even flinch. His gaze was as cold as a freezer in Antarctica. Jacob, on the other hand, was practically vibrating with curiosity. He leaned in, practically licking his lips. "For her? Who? Spill it, man. Who are we talking about?"Eric’s stare never wavered, but Jacob’s playful smirk was the real problem here. "Alpha Ainsley, have you found your mate? Who’s the lucky lady? What pack does she belong to? When can we meet your future Luna? Are we ta
"If I were you, I’d send her away," Eric’s voice sliced through the heavy silence of the room. His gaze held no warmth as he thought back to Ainsley "She had a lot to do with Aura’s death, you know. And you, Alpha Ainsley... You’re just shocked by how much Eloise has changed. After all, the two grew up together. You’re just shocked by what she’s become. That’s all."The words struck Ainsley like a punch in the gut, yet he said nothing for a moment. His chest tightened, but he couldn’t bring himself to argue. He simply murmured, “Let me think about it.” His voice sounded hollow to his own ears.As the Alpha of the Litha Night Walker Pack, Ainsley had been conditioned from childhood to believe that mates were unnecessary distractions, that emotions were weaknesses. He’d grown up to be a leader, not a lover, and for the longest time, he hadn’t even questioned it. But now... Now, the walls that had kept him distant from everyone, from her, were crumbling. Eloise, the very woman he had onc
Time passed slowly.Eloise glanced at her wristwatch again, her brows knitting in frustration. The ticking felt like it echoed louder in the room than it had any right to, like each second was dragging its feet, deliberately mocking her patience. She shifted slightly in her seat, the silence becoming more stifling by the minute. Ainsley sat across from her, completely still, his small eyes trained on her face with an eerie calmness.The shrill ring of her phone startled her.Her body tensed instinctively. She snatched the phone from the table, her thumb sliding across the screen to answer.“Are you here yet?” she asked sharply.From the other end, Eric’s voice came hurried, uneven, and heavy with movement. He was clearly in motion. “I can’t come,” he said, no greeting, just urgency. “I’ll leave Ainsley with you for now.”Eloise shot upright. “Wait a minute,” she snapped. “Leave him with me for now? Isn’t Hank there?”She heard the sigh in Eric’s throat before he spoke. “Hank isn’t fre
Stepping aside, Eloise said in a formal tone, “Let me introduce you. This is Jack Ray, the representative of our partner.”Mandy, blinking in confusion, stepped forward and extended her hand politely. "Hello….."“Mandy, I’ll follow the project this time,” Eloise cut in swiftly, not allowing her to finish.Mandy froze, utterly bewildered.Eloise leaned close and whispered in her ear, “I’ll explain after we get back.”Jack personally walked them all the way to the car, his gaze never leaving Eloise until she disappeared from his sight.Inside the car, Eloise slumped back against the seat.“Have you met Jack before?” Mandy asked curiously as they neared the Moonlight Garden. “I thought I was going to be in charge of the project?”Eloise forced a smile. “Don't misunderstand. There are certain things about this project I need to handle personally. You've been working so hard, Mandy. You deserve a break.”Mandy still looked unsure. “Okay… but rest well after this problem is solved, okay?”A
The secretary suddenly stood up, her voice hurried and apologetic. “I’m sorry, Mandy." Our president said he wanted to meet with Ms. Anthony alone to seek cooperation this time.”Eloise, Mandy, and the other Anthony Group representatives exchanged confused glances, uncertainty flickering between them. What a strange request! Suspicion brewed silently in the air.Mandy parted her lips to protest, but Eloise reached out, stopping her with a firm hand. “Take the others out of the conference room,” she instructed quietly, her voice calm but commanding.“But…” Mandy’s brows furrowed in deep worry. She didn’t want to leave Eloise alone.Eloise looked at her steadily, her gaze unwavering, burning with determination. “Mandy, you know how important this cooperation is to me.”It wasn’t just important to her; it was crucial to the future of the Anthony Group. It was everything.Mandy hesitated a moment longer, then finally nodded. “Let’s go,” she said, her voice reluctant. She signaled the othe
Ainsley was in a pitiful state; his clothes soaked through, his shoes worn out beyond recognition. He must have been searching for her for a long, long time, wandering alone through the rain.“Get in the car,” Eloise said urgently, her voice cracking as she took his trembling hand.Leading him carefully, she guided him back to the car, shielding him as best she could from the relentless rain.She pulled open the back seat door and gestured for him to climb in. But Ainsley stubbornly shook his head, water flying from his wet hair.“No,” he said firmly.“Why?” Eloise asked, frowning deeply, confused by his sudden refusal.“I don’t want to sit in the back seat, I want to sit there.” He pointed insistently at the passenger seat beside her.Eloise blinked, momentarily stunned. She didn’t quite understand what difference it made, but for Ainsley, it clearly meant everything.“I want to sit next to you,” he said seriously, his eyes locked onto hers, filled with an intensity that surprised h
“No reward?” Ainsley’s mouth trembled, and he looked like he might burst into tears at any second.Eloise bit her lip hard. “Of course, you get a reward. Like I said, you did great.” She reached out and ruffled his hair. The next moment, she froze as Ainsley, clearly overjoyed, rested his head contentedly on her shoulder.Just then, Eric came up behind them, his voice low. “Everything’s ready, we can send it now.”No one spoke. The tension in the air was almost unbearable as they quietly got into the car. As the vehicle rolled down the dark road, Eloise stole a glance at Ainsley, who had already fallen asleep beside her.He used to occupy most of her life — in every memory, every thought. Now, the air inside the car felt stifling. Eloise turned her head sharply to the window, blinking hard. He couldn’t remember anything.All the entanglements they once shared ; love, hate and pain, now belonged to her alone.The car headed farther into the remote outskirts, taking a dark road lined wi
Eric hesitated, concern flickering across his face, but finally he nodded and stepped out, shutting the door behind him with a soft thud. Silence swallowed the room. Eloise stood motionless for a long, long time. The steady beeping of machines was the only sound, each one a harsh reminder of how fragile life was.Finally, she moved. Slow, heavy steps carried her to Ainsley’s bedside. She reached out with a trembling hand but stopped an inch from touching him.Instead, she sank into the chair beside him, folding her hands tightly in her lap to hide how badly they shook. She didn’t cry. She didn’t scream. She just sat there, hour after hour, her eyes never leaving his broken body.Five days and nights blurred into each other.Every time Eric or Jacob tried to pull her away, she stayed rooted there.“Won’t it hurt her if she doesn’t cry?” Eric asked once, whispering in a low voice, watching her through the window.“I’ve been through worse,” Eloise heard it she croaked, her voice raw and
“I want shoes to match,” she said softly.“Yes, ma’am. Right away,” the shop assistant said, hurrying off.Mandy walked closer and touched Eloise’s arm gently. “Eloise... are you sure you’re ready for this?”Eloise turned her eyes toward her. There was no hesitation in them. Only a fierce, burning determination.“I have to be,” she said, her voice almost breaking. “I don’t have a choice.”Mandy’s throat tightened. She wanted to hug her, to pull her back, to stop her from going, but she knew she couldn’t.Just then, Eloise’s phone buzzed.Mandy immediately grabbed it from the counter and handed it to her. “It’s Jacob,” she said quietly.Eloise answered on the second ring. “I’m ready.”“Good,” Jacob’s voice came crisply through the speaker. “A car is waiting for you outside. Your passport and visa are in the car. You’ll be taken directly to a private jet. You need to leave within the next twenty minutes.”“Understood,” Eloise said without hesitation.“And Miss Anthony... don’t be late,”
Mandy, who was driving, opened her mouth, only to realize she couldn't find a word to comfort Eloise. She knew Eloise too well, so she didn't feel the need for words to comfort her.The Anthony Group had many problems. Perhaps they had been overlooked, or perhaps Gary didn't think they were serious. Mandy was a little worried about Eloise, who was in the backseat. When Eloise was busy, she worked almost suicidly. Mandy thought she was supposed to hate Ainsley. After all, he was the one slowly forcing an extroverted woman into a corner. In all of Metrocity, Ainsley was the only person who could corner Eloise. But now, Mandy felt grateful to Ainsley. At least he would come on time to pick Eloise up for lunch and dinner, or Eloise would be too busy to eat.Mandy accompanied Eloise to work for several days, and Ainsley did not appear during this time.Eloise knew he was on a business trip.It wasn't the first time Ainsley had been on a business trip. Before, he'd call her no matter where
"Ainsley WIlliams! Damn you! "You promised me!” Eloise’s eyes blazed red with fury, veins visible on her temples as her body shook violently.Her scream echoed so loudly throughout the room that the light on the ceiling trembled from the force of her rage. She kicked at the bed frame, sending it crashing against the wall with a loud bang. The curtains flapped wildly in the air from the force of her movements, as if they too were disturbed by the storm erupting within her.The pain that flashed through Ainsley's eyes nearly froze him in place. His breath caught, but he focused hard on what he was doing, refusing to waver, even though guilt was clawing through his chest.Then her voice ripped through the room, raw and shattering, “Ainsley! I hate you!”Ainsley's eyes were filled with unbearable pain, the kind that didn’t show in blood but hurt worse than any wound. He clenched his jaw and abruptly lowered his head. Without a word, he pressed his lips to the scar on the back of her waist