Eric and Jacob were stunned at the same time, their eyes locking in silent understanding.No way! Jack, the notorious womanizer of the Sea Moon Pack, fell in love with Eloise?The thought hit them both like a slap, their minds syncing in disbelief. They read the same shock and confusion in each other’s eyes, as if the entire world had just flipped upside down.Jack’s question sent Eloise’s heart into an erratic rhythm. For a fleeting moment, she questioned if she had even heard him correctly.The moment the words left his mouth, Jack himself was taken aback. Why did I ask her that question?As much as he hated to admit it, the question had been lingering in his mind for far too long.Jack was no fool. When he realized where his thoughts had led him, he straightened, determined to own his feelings rather than cower from them. Adjusting his clothes with a forced nonchalance, he met Eloise’s gaze. “You used to make me something to eat every night. Is there any other reason besides
When Lucian pulled out the cigarette case, he also pulled out a lighter. Before he could react, Eloise snatched both from his hands. Lucian froze, his brows furrowing. “What are you doing?”Eloise stepped back, lit the cigarette with an almost lazy flick of her wrist, and took a slow, deep drag. White smoke curled from her lips as she exhaled, her sharp gaze cutting through the haze.“Alpha Astra,” Her voice dripped with mockery. “What do you really know about me? You don’t even know that I smoke, yet you assume the woman standing in front of you isn’t a gold digger?”She tilted her head, amusement flickering in her eyes as she observed his stunned expression. The swirling smoke wrapped around her like a veil, magnifying the cool disdain on her face.At that moment, she looked like a woman who had played this game before, who had seen men fall at her feet and had never once cared.She looked down at Lucian as if he were a foolish boy chasing something he could never truly have. “Go
Ainsley led Eloise out of the car.Eloise screamed, thrashing wildly in his grip. “I’m not getting off! Let me go!” She kicked and twisted, her nails digging into the car door as she struggled against him. Panic clouded her mind, and she didn’t care if she hurt him. She had to get away.Ainsley only chuckled, his voice dripping with amusement. “Oh? You don’t want to get off? But weren’t you just screaming to be let out?”Eloise’s body tensed. Her breath hitched before she spat, “Before I was thrown into that hellhole of a prison, didn’t you say I wasn’t your mate? Didn’t you reject me?”Ainsley’s smirk vanished. His voice turned deadly. “That was a mistake. And I’m correcting it now.”Eloise’s lips curled into a cold smile. “Funny. I’m correcting my mistakes too.”His eyes darkened. “From now on, you are my mate. You will be the mother of my children. You will be the Luna of the Litha Night Walker Pack.”Inside his mind, Adrian roared in agreement. “You should’ve done this a long tim
A sleek black Bentley cut through the moonlit boulevard like a silent predator, its polished body reflecting the cold glow of the streetlights. The tires screeched slightly as it rolled to a stop before the towering iron gates of the Litha Night Walker Pack Alpha’s grand villa.Ainsley stepped out first, his movements calculated and effortless, exuding an air of dominance that made the surrounding guards lower their gazes. He turned, reached into the car, and pulled Eloise out.She barely reacted. Her limbs hung limply, her head lolling slightly. Her silence was deafening.Alex emerged from the shadows of the villa’s entrance, his stance rigid as he approached. His sharp eyes locked onto Ainsley, then flicked down to the fragile figure in his arms."Alpha Ainsley, you’re back," Alex greeted formally.The words had barely left his lips when he caught the scent, Ainsley’s scent, thick and unmistakable, woven into Eloise’s own. His breath hitched. His fists clenched.His eyes widened, th
Ainsley’s eyes were cold and sharp, dissecting Alex’s every movement, every flicker of emotion. He wasn’t just listening, he was hunting for the truth buried beneath Alex’s words.Then, it happened. A fleeting shadow of malice crossed Alex’s face. Subtle, but there. Ainsley saw it. And he would not ignore it."Alex," he said, his voice dangerously low, "your hatred for Eloise is seething." I can feel it, and I can’t allow it. She is my mate. The Luna of the Litha Night Walker Pack. She will stay here, in my villa, by my side. You will never have the chance to harm her."The warning was clear. A promise wrapped in steel.Alex’s jaw tightened. His hands curled into fists, but he bowed his head slightly. He was barely holding back.Ainsley studied him further. Alex’s hatred was real, but there was something else. Something is missing. He had only told his grandfather about the investigation; he wasn’t directly involved in framing Eloise. At least, not yet."It’s late," Ainsley finally sa
Alex’s eyes darkened. He called out to Eloise, “Wait a minute!”He caught up with her in two steps and shoved a small ball of paper into her hand. His voice was fierce. “I’ll give it to you, but I still don’t trust you!”Without hesitation, Eloise unfolded the paper, revealing a small pill inside. She placed it on her tongue, letting it dissolve slowly. The bitter taste spread through her mouth, but she didn’t flinch. She kept walking. “I need more of that.”Alex stood frozen. He couldn’t believe what he had just witnessed. Eloise had taken the birth control pill in front of him, without a second thought.“No problem,” he spat. “I’ll prepare more for you.” His eyes flashed with anger. It would be better if you couldn’t get pregnant!Kevin had been watching Eloise from a distance. As she stepped into the hallway, he approached with a thick blanket draped over his arm. His voice was calm but concerned. “Luna, where have you been?”He wrapped the blanket around her shoulders, his actions
At dawn, Eloise closed her eyes on purpose and pretended to be asleep. "Wake up, Eloise." Ainsley pushed her gently.She rolled over, her voice drowsy. "Let me sleep a little longer."Ainsley chuckled. It was rare to see Eloise act cute like this, and something about it softened him. "Okay," he said indulgently. "I'll have Kevin prepare breakfast." Get up and eat later.""It's okay," Eloise murmured, pulling the blanket over half of her face.Ainsley’s eyes gleamed with tenderness. He reached out, brushing her hair back. "Be good." The bed shifted as he got up, and moments later, the sound of the door clicking shut echoed through the room.Eloise remained motionless, listening intently. She waited. Then, the faint hum of an engine drifted up from outside. She threw the blanket aside and stood by the window, watching the car disappear beyond the villa gates, her expression turning ice-cold.A soft knock interrupted the silence. It was cautious, hesitant.
Pamela hesitated but finally answered, “It's Chloe. She’s from the Darkmoon Pack.”A bitter chuckle escaped Eloise’s lips. Of course, Chloe was the youngest daughter of the Darkmoon Pack Alpha, a pampered girl, shielded by her family. It makes sense now why her name has never surfaced. The Darkmoon Pack had gone to great lengths to keep her out of it.Eloise turned back to Pamela, her voice like steel. “You said she saw the crime scene and claimed I framed Aura?”Pamela nodded. “That’s what she told us.”Eloise’s laugh was hollow. “Pamela, I want to know exactly what Chloe saw.”Pamela’s lips parted, but no words came out.Eloise’s patience snapped. “Did Chloe actually witness the crime?” Her voice rose, her chest heaving with suppressed fury. “Or did she just hear something and assume?”Pamela swallowed hard. “Hasn’t Alpha Ainsley told you about this?”Eloise’s lips curled into a smirk. Pamela already knew the answer. If Ainsley had told her, why would she be asking?Seeing Eloise’s
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