Lucian stood at the entrance of the hotel room, his eyes moving between Ainsley and the woman standing behind him.Both led powerful packs in Metrocity, and as rivals? Yes, but there was an unspoken bond between them as well. They were enemies, and yet, at times, they were also reluctant allies.His gaze shifted to Eloise, standing stiffly behind Ainsley. To his surprise, her ears were bright red, a clear sign of embarrassment.So, it’s her first kiss, Lucian thought with a sly grin. Interesting.“Hey,” Lucian teased, breaking the silence, “was that your first kiss?”Eloise’s face flushed a deeper shade of crimson. She didn’t answer, but her downcast eyes and the way she nervously shifted her feet were enough to confirm his guess.Lucian couldn’t help but smile, feeling a small, satisfied thrill. There was something amusing about catching her in such an awkward moment, but before he could continue his teasing, he turned his attention back to Ainsley.Ainsley’s cold gaze lingered on Luc
For a moment, Eloise thought she was already dead. The world around her was a blur, the air thick with the scent of earth and blood.Her body felt weightless, like it wasn’t her own. And then, the grief hit her a sharp, suffocating wave that made her chest tighten, her throat close. She couldn’t even pinpoint why she felt this way, but it was overwhelming.Maybe it was the loss of her wolf. Maybe it was the years of running, always running. Maybe it was the realization that there was no place in the world for someone like her.She tried to shake it off, but the heaviness lingered.Slowly, Eloise opened her eyes. The ground beneath her felt cool and soft grass.It took a few moments to register where she was. The sharp pain shooting through her body quickly brought her back to reality. Her ankle throbbed, and the blood soaking into her shirt made her stomach turn.You’re alive girl. That’s what matters.She took a deep breath, trying to clear her mind. Her wolf was gone. But somehow, it
Ainsley’s gaze remained fixed on Eloise, who was struggling weakly against his grip. Her trembling form, once filled with strength and defiance, now appeared fragile, shattered in a way that made his heart twist with something he couldn’t quite name. Satisfaction? Resentment? A mix of both, maybe."That’s right," Ainsley murmured with a cold smile, his voice laced with mockery. "A toy should act like one."He stepped closer, his hand tightening around her wrist as he pulled her toward him, feeling her stiffen beneath his touch. He exhaled a final puff of smoke from his cigarette, flicking it to the ground without sparing a glance. One of his men quickly took the cigarette from his hand, wordlessly.Eloise winced as Ainsley’s other hand moved to her chin, his fingers sharp as they tilted her face upward. She felt a jolt of pain as he moved her head back and forth, studying her expression. The cruel amusement in his eyes made her want to look away, but she forced herself to meet his gaze
Eloise could feel the weight of Ainsley’s words crushing her. "Do you still remember that you're a werewolf?" The cruel question hung in the air, a stark reminder of everything she had lost."You looked so cowardly when you were begging for mercy, which disgusts me." His voice was colder than she remembered, every syllable laced with contempt.She could barely breathe, let alone speak. His words cut deeper than any physical wound ever could. “If the members of the Golden Moon Pack knew that their Alpha’s daughter was so weak and incompetent, what would they think?” The disgust in his voice was palpable, and Eloise felt the sting of it settle deep in her chest.Her body swayed on its own, barely able to hold itself up. Her mind swirled in confusion and shame. She had hoped, in some corner of her heart, that Ainsley might show her some kindness. Some recognition of what they had once shared, but that hope was now shattered.The Golden Moon Pack. She could barely bring herself to think of
Everything Ainsley did seemed to push Eloise closer to her breaking point. He hasn't yet realize it, but buried deep inside him, despite the anger, despite the cruelty, he loved the proud, defiant Eloise.Once, when his bond with Aura had been a promise, she had warned him, “If Aura becomes your mate, I’ll abandon you!” But now, Eloise was a shadow of that woman, broken, humiliated, and desperate. She begged for mercy even when she had done nothing wrong.Ainsley, blinded by his emotions, didn’t understand the truth: he was the one who had changed her. He was the one who had broken her spirit, and yet, he wasn’t ready to face that reality. Not yet.In his mind, the humiliation was justified. He had every right to torment her. She had killed Aura. That was the reason. He could convince himself of that, at least. It made the darkness inside him easier to handle. But somewhere deep inside, another, more dangerous truth gnawed at him.What if it wasn’t just about revenge? What if the bitte
Eloise PovI winced as I tugged my shirt down, trying to hide the deep, jagged wound on my waist. It looked as if something or someone had savaged me, leaving a mark that resembled the bite of a wild beast. The wound was large and raw, a constant reminder of my tortured past.Racheal, who had seen her share of wounds as a fellow werewolf, immediately understood what this meant. The shape, the severity, it wasn’t just a normal injury.“You’re a werewolf?” Racheal asked, her voice filled with confusion and surprise. “Why can’t I sense it?”I didn’t flinch at her question, my eyes distant, lost in a place darker than any of them could imagine. I had been bitten by a wolf, and while werewolves had incredible healing abilities, able to heal from broken bones or nearly any wound we were also tied to our wolf counterparts. A werewolf’s healing was as much about the bond with their wolf as it was about the strength of their body.But my wound wasn’t healing as it should. Weeks had passed, mont
Racheal stepped out of her office; her eyes quickly falling on Eloise, who was standing at the doorway, her posture slumped from exhaustion. The sight of her made Racheal’s heart tighten. There was something about Eloise’s defeated demeanor that made Racheal want to reach out and comfort her."Come in, Eloise," Racheal said gently, her voice softer than usual. "Change into something more comfortable. There's a private bathroom here. You should shower and rest.""Thank you, Racheal," Eloise whispered, her voice tired. She didn’t refuse. She needed rest more than anything else. Her body ached from the constant pressure and humiliation she’d endured. Without another word, she entered the office, and Racheal turned to head back to the private room where Ainsley and Felix were.As she walked down the hallway, she could already hear the raised voices of Felix and the members of the Purple moon Pack. The tension in the room was palpable, and Racheal felt a knot form in her stomach.She pushed
Ainsley moved closer to Eloise, his imposing presence filling the small space between them. “Oh, Eloise, there are so many things I want from you. But for now, I simply want you to remember who is in charge here.”Eloise swallowed, feeling the pressure of Ainsley's proximity. She knew he was in control, and she also knew she couldn't let Ainsley see her give in to him.Eloise's body stiffened at his words, her mind filling with panic.Suddenly, she felt a warm body pressing against her back, and her heart began to pound in her chest. Ainsley's firm hand closed around her waist, sending a shiver down her spine.Eloise squeezed her eyes shut, feeling Ainsley's breath on her neck as she fought to contain the fear that washed over her.Meanwhile, Ainsley struggled internally with the fight between his human and wolf selves, each fighting to take control. Eloise's closeness intoxicated him with her scent, confusing him even further.His hands, guided by a desire he couldn't control, began t
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
The fall of the Anthony Group was no longer just a rumor, it had become a harsh, bitter truth echoing through every corner of Metrocity’s high society. Stock prices had started to tremble, investors were pulling out like rats from a sinking ship, and tonight’s extravagant banquet couldn’t mask the rot eating away at the core of a once-mighty empire. The air was thick with tension and forced laughter, the scent of overpriced wine failing to disguise the underlying stench of desperation.Michael Eliot leaned against a marble column; he stood silently at the edge of the lavish banquet, his tall frame cloaked in a sleek black suit that matched his mood. His fingers played with the rim of a half-empty glass of red, untouched wine since it was poured. On his other hand, a cigarette smoldered, forgotten and the ash dangling dangerously. He looked detached, like a man who had accidentally walked into the wrong life. He hated these gatherings. The fake smiles, the hollow toasts, the false cama