Ainsley gazed at Eloise with a furrowed brow, his voice breaking the silence. “Why did you tear up the Cheque?”Eloise’s voice was steady, too steady, as though it were floating above the weight of the pain she carried. “It was just a piece of paper.”Ainsley couldn’t understand how she could speak those words with such calm. His eyes studied her, but it was as though he was looking at a stranger, someone who had mastered the art of hiding her suffering behind a mask of indifference.But Eloise’s despair ran deeper than any mask could cover. Beneath the surface of her calm demeanor, there was an overwhelming emptiness that ate away at her, suffocating her from within. She had given up everything, her pride, her dignity, her sense of self, only to watch it all slip through her fingers, powerless to stop it. And the Cheque… it meant nothing in the end. Her sacrifice had been for nothing. There was no redemption, no freedom, and at this very moment, all she could feel was the crushing we
Eloise clutched her chest as the pain twisted inside her, the emotional weight suffocating. Don’t bother. Don’t try to make him believe you. She repeated it over and over in her head, as though it could drown out the agony coursing through her veins. But no matter how hard she tried, the look on Ainsley’s face shattered her. The calmness in his eyes, the indifference to her pain, it felt like a punch to her gut. She was crumbling, unraveling in front of him, and he didn’t even care.Her voice broke through the eerie silence, sharp and mocking, cutting her deeper than anything physical could. "Do you think Aura was innocent? Do you think she was perfect? Let me tell you something, she deserved it. She deserved to die!"Eloise’s breath caught in her throat, her heart hammering. She didn’t know how to react. The words were so cruel, so final. And then, Ainsley raised his hand, as if to strike her. She froze, her body tensing in anticipation of the blow. Her eyes instinctively shut tight,
Rachael didn’t need Eloise to tell her about her past. She had already pieced it together herself. The hints had been subtle at first, but over time, they had become impossible to ignore. Eloise and Ainsley had a history. A deep, painful history that lingered between them like a shadow. Rachael had seen the way Ainsley’s gaze softened when he spoke about Aura, and how Eloise’s eyes would grow hard whenever the subject was brought up.Though Rachael had joined the Litha Night Walker Pack only two years ago, she had heard enough stories to understand the weight of Aura’s name. Aura had been the younger sister of Alex, the woman Ainsley had fallen in love with. But it wasn’t just a simple love story, it was a betrayal. Ainsley had rejected his fated mate, Eloise, for Aura. But then, one fateful night, Aura was murdered by rouges.It had devastated both Ainsley and Alex. And yet, Rachael had never understood how it had happened. She had heard about the strong protection from the Litha Nig
The Beta of the Riders' Pack suddenly snapped his fingers, a thought racing through his mind. "I remember something," he said, his eyes lighting up with realization. "George mentioned Eloise when he called."Theodore’s face tightened as the memory hit him. "Eloise? From the Golden Moon Pack? Isn't she supposed to be in the werewolf prison?" His voice faltered slightly, but only for a moment. "Call Alpha Gary. I want to hear it straight from him."The night was dark and still when the phone call to Alpha Gary finally went through. The sleepy, irritated voice that answered the phone made it clear this was a disruption."What’s so urgent? It’s late," came Gary's groggy voice.Theodore smiled thinly, his tone smooth but sharp. "Alpha Gary, are you asleep?"The voice on the other end was slow to wake, but the mention of Theodore’s name piqued his attention. "Oh, it’s you, Alpha Theodore," Gary responded, now more alert. "What do you need at this hour?"Theodore leaned back in his chair, en
The next morning, the soft light of dawn trickled through the blinds, illuminating Eloise's hospital room in muted tones. Despite the warmth of the sunlight, there was an overwhelming chill in the air. Eloise sat on the edge of the bed, her fingers gently tugging at the hem of her hospital gown, lost in her thoughts. The walls around her seemed to close in, as if they were a constant reminder of her past mistakes, the prison she had been trapped in for three long years.Eric entered the room, his footsteps deliberate and slow. He was carrying his usual aura of professionalism, but today, there was something different about him. Something was weighing heavily on his mind. As he looked at Eloise, his lips parted to speak, but his words seemed to falter for a moment. He cleared his throat and walked over to check her vitals.“You’re free to go, Eloise,” Eric said finally, as he jotted down a note on her chart."You’re healthy enough to leave the hospital. But I need to tell you something.
Eloise never wanted to return to those memories. She wished she could banish them, push them away like a forgotten dream, but they wouldn't leave her alone. They clung to her, sharp and relentless, as if they had a life of their own. The past wasn’t something she could escape from; it was a weight that pressed on her chest, suffocating her, reminding her with every breath that she had been deceived, betrayed in the most unforgivable way.Once, Aura had said to her, with a look of worry in her eyes, “I don’t like Alpha Ainsley.”At the time, Eloise hadn’t given it much thought. It had been a fleeting comment, a passing feeling. Aura was a sensitive soul, prone to moods, and her discomfort with Ainsley, the Alpha, was nothing more than a trivial concern. But now, those words were etched in Eloise's mind, haunting her. Why hadn't I listened?Then there was that other time when Aura had comforted her, speaking with the gentle care only a true friend could offer. “It’s okay, Eloise. You’re
Ainsley stood over Eloise, his gaze fixed on her still form lying on the bed. His eyes burned with an intense, aching regret, the sight of blood staining the corner of her mouth eating away at him.What have you done, Ainsleyy, can you hear her? She said she regretted loving us. If she hates us, we’ll be weak. Talk nicely to her, Adrian roared angrily at Ainsley and, for the first time, he didn’t snap at Adrian, he didn’t tell him to shut up. It was as though the weight of everything had finally come crashing down.Aura’s face, once so vivid in his memory, was now nothing but a blur. But Eloise, Eloise was different. For three long years, he had never been able to shake her from his thoughts.She’s not the same. Why is she like this?Eloise, so fierce and proud, had never been one to speak ill of others. But now… now she lay there, a shadow of the woman he once knew, and it broke something deep inside him."I can't bear to see you like this..." he murmured, his voice cracking with uns
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
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