Ellison smirked and thought, Ainsley, it turns out you can't say no to the Moon Goddess' arrangements either. If you had known this was going to happen, would you have been so cruel?Ellison was very shrewd. He had deduced from Elijah's behavior that Ainsley had changed his attitude toward Eloise. He muttered to himself, “I was wrong to think that Aura was Ainsley’s weak point. Behind her angelic face, she was actually an evil woman. No wonder Ainsley didn’t do anything about Aura’s terrible death." His eyes were shining with excitement, and he was eager for the next challenge.Ellison dialed a number immediately. With a sly grin on his face, he told Alex, “Got it, Ainsley has already accepted Eloise as his mate.”As soon as he finished speaking, he heard the sound of something falling to the ground through the phone. Alex, who was on the other end of the line, lost his grip on his phone, and it fell to the ground.After a while, he trembled, bent down to pick up his phone, and said, “
Ainsley yanked the car door open, slid into the driver’s seat, and sped off without a second glance.“Fuck” Hank cursed under his breath, jumping into another car to follow.But Ainsley was driving like a madman, his rage fueling his speed. Hank could barely keep up.Then, suddenly… screech!Ainsley slammed on the brakes in front of a building, tires screeching against the pavement.Hank watched as he stormed inside.“Miss Anthony, here is your new driver’s license.”“Thank you…”Before Eloise could finish speaking, a strong hand snatched the license away. She turned sharply, ready to protest… then froze.Ainsley Williams!Her lips turned deathly pale.“Why are you here?” she whispered, her voice barely audible.His icy gaze locked onto hers. “Are you trying to run away from me?”“No, I’m not,” she denied, but her voice wavered.“No?”Ainsley lifted the license between his fingers, his smirk razor-sharp. “Then tell me, Eloise… what’s this for?”Eloise’s stomach dropped. He wasn’t stupi
Their lips fused together. Eloise couldn't move her jaw at all, so she could only let saliva drip from the corner of her mouth. This wasn’t a kiss. It was punishment.Torture.Eloise shut her eyes, forcing herself not to shed a single tear. She had long since realized her pain meant nothing to the man in front of her. Or rather, the beast in front of her.Inside Ainsley, Adrian stirred. She’s trembling! She’s afraid of us.Ainsley could feel his wolf’s anguish twist through his mind like a blade. Adrian ached for Eloise in a way that Ainsley didn’t fully understand.Why does she always flinch away? Adrian’s voice was pained. Why does she fear us when all we want is to protect her?Ainsley’s grip on Eloise tightened. His lips pressed against hers, not just with punishment, but desperation, possession, obsession.Eloise, don’t do this. Don’t make us villains.Adrian’s pain merged with Ainsley’s fury. He had gone mad the moment he found out that she had gotten a new driver’s license. She
The car drove toward the Iron Gate, and the Alpha’s villa of the Litha Night Walker Pack stood as organized and pristine as Eloise remembered it. She couldn’t help but glance over her shoulder. Through the back window, she watched the black Iron Gate slowly close behind her.From today on, I'm just a caged bird. She closed her eyes, forcing back the tears that threatened to spill. When she opened them again, she was obedient Eloise once more.Ainsley caught every flicker of emotion on her face, and for a fleeting moment, guilt flashed through his eyes.I'm sorry, Eloise, but I just don't know how to keep you around. I want you to love me like you did three years ago.“Our mate is suffering. Why can’t you make her happy?” Adrian's voice thundered in Ainsley’s mind.Ainsley clenched his jaw. Because I love her. I'll never let her go.His grip on the steering wheel tightened, his knuckles whitening. He felt himself slipping; drowning in an obsession he could no longer control.“Alpha Ain
With a heavy heart, Alex walked silently over to the sleeping woman and stood by the bench, his resentful eyes fixed on Eloise’s face.After staring at her for a long time, he finally spoke. “Wake up.”Eloise stirred at the sound, pulled from the depths of her sleep.As soon as she opened her eyes, she saw Alex standing beside her. Instantly, her drowsiness vanished.She opened her mouth but hesitated. What could she even say to Aura’s brother?Apologize? But why should she? She was the one who had been deceived. Why should she bear the weight of someone else’s sins?Slowly, Eloise lowered her head and remained silent. Alex’s sharp gaze bore into her. He had waited three years for this moment, for whatever excuse she might give him.“Miss Anthony, don’t you have anything to tell me?”Eloise parted her lips, but no words came out.She could easily offer a meaningless “I’m sorry” to anyone, to ease their anger, to lessen her burden. But Alex… Alex was different. He was Aura’s brother. An
At that moment, the sound of the hairdryer still buzzed in Eloise’s ears. It was a dull, mechanical hum, one that had accompanied her every night, just like the heavy weight in her chest.Like always, she sat on the edge of the bed, her damp hair clinging to her skin. She lowered her gaze, staring at the delicate fabric of her nightgown. The new nightgown… Ainsley bought for her.Behind her, he held the hairdryer, its warmth brushing against her scalp. The fabric in her lap was soft, expensive & exquisitely made.But why does he think I like pink?A bitter smile tugged at her lips.It’s funny how I don’t even have the right to choose what I wear, let alone the color I prefer.The warm air ghosted over her shoulders, but it did nothing to chase away the chill beneath her skin. The hum of the hairdryer filled the silence between them, stretching, suffocating.Her fingers clenched around the silky fabric.Then suddenly, a silent, lifeless smile appeared on her lips. Tears glistened in her
Ainsley stared in disbelief at Eloise, who at that moment was so lovely, yet so strange to him. His eyes were full of pity. Eloise gritted her teeth. She was a sensitive and delicate person, able to sense the emotions in Ainsley’s eyes. However, she couldn't believe that she was the reason for such changes.After all, it was Ainsley who had pushed her step by step into the miserable state she was in today. He was the main culprit in everything.“Alpha Williams.” She approached him again, her movements slow, deliberate, each step a silent promise of something forbidden. She wrapped her arms seductively around his neck. At this point, she was half-kneeling on the bed, her hands tangled behind his neck, her head slightly bowed, her lips barely inches from his skin.“You are my sugar daddy. I still owe you a lot of money, Alpha Williams, you are just lying down on my bed like this… isn’t that a sign that you want me?” she murmured, her voice dropping into a husky whisper.She tried to igno
Ainsley felt physically satisfied. At that moment, they both reached a climax at the same time.As they panted, experiencing the pleasure of their bodies, their hearts broke."Ainsley, I hate you," Eloise said hoarsely.Ainsley's fingers trembled, but he still managed to wipe the beads of sweat from her forehead.There was something inexplicable hidden behind his deep eyes, something that confused Eloise. However, the moment she looked into them, the familiar pain resurfaced from her numb heart, piercing her with sharp clarity.Three years ago, just a single glance from him could make her heart race. She had naively believed he was the mate chosen for her by the Moon Goddess, that their love was destined. She never imagined he would be the one to bring her such endless pain.Ainsley ran a hand over her forehead, wiping away the sweat."Don’t touch me," Eloise snapped, pushing his hand away. She glared at him coldly, even as he hovered over her. "Alpha Williams, I hate you. And I will h
“Ainsley,” Eloise covered her eyes as if hiding her pain. “I’d rather be the one who lost my memories.”She hoped there was a reset button. If she pressed it, her life could restart from the beginning.“Eloise, don’t cry. It’s my fault. I was wrong.” Ainsley panicked.Eloise closed her eyes, tears streaming down her face. “You just don’t get it, do you? I’m tired of this.”She loathed Gary the most; he drained the company's capital and turned the Anthony Group into an empty shell.“Eloise, I was wrong.” Ainsley was bewildered and didn’t know what to do. He could only hug Eloise tightly. She didn’t push him off immediately.Eloise's lips curved into a mocking smile. Ainsley called her as if he were calling the love of his life.“Let me go.” After a long moment, she gently pushed Ainsley away from her warm embrace. “Ainsley, don’t take cold showers again.”Eloise spoke to Ainsley as if nothing had happened. Only she knew she still had unfinished business.That was the reason why she cou
“Ainsley,” she said, firmer this time. “Stop pretending to be asleep.”There was a pause. Then, a shuffle near the bed.“... I didn’t mean to wake you,” Ainsley’s voice finally came, low and unsure.“What are you doing here?” Her voice was cold, flat and irritated.“I couldn’t sleep,” he replied, glancing up at her. “I was cold… and scared,” Ainsley said.“There’s a couch in the living room,” Eloise replied.“I didn’t want to sleep alone.”She narrowed her eyes. “So you chose the floor next to my bed?”He gave a small nod.She exhaled sharply. “You’re unbelievable.”“I can leave if you want……” He moved, but she stopped him.“My feet are cold,” she said instead.Ainsley looked startled. “Y-Yeah? I can fix that!”He quickly knelt beside the bed and took her feet in his hands, rubbing them gently.“Your hands are warm,” she muttered, surprised.“I didn’t want you to feel cold too,” he said. “It’s not right.”A moment passed. Then: Eloise asked “Have you remembered anything lately?” she a
Eloise looked meaningfully at Mavis, a sharp smile playing on her lips, though her eyes remained distantly calm and calculating.“So what now? Are you threatening me with the Anthony Group?” Her voice was smooth, but each word struck like a polished dagger, honed over three years of silence.Mavis folded her arms tightly across her chest, trying to look composed, but her jaw twitched. "Eloise, sue me. Go ahead, I dare you. By the time that happens, everyone will know the Anthony Group is nothing but a polished shell with cracks running deep. You’ll lose everything you’ve ever clung to."She stepped forward, her lips curled into a twisted grin. "So tell me, can you still look me in the eye with that attitude? That high-and-mighty, untouchable tone?”The hate in Mavis's voice wasn’t subtle. It was raw and boiling.'How dare she still act like she’s better than me?' Mavis’s inner voice raged. 'She used to be humble, almost pitiful. Now look at her…cool, powerful. And somehow, after every
Eloise collapsed to the ground, her heart racing. Ainsley knelt beside her, panting.“You’re such a bad girl,” he groaned with a crooked grin.She blinked, then laughed. The sound surprised even her.They leaned on each other as they walked home. Eloise winced with every step.Inside, she locked the door behind them and turned to Ainsley. “Why were you there?” She asked with a frown.He looked sheepish. “From the balcony… I watched you leave for work. And I wait for your return. I always have.”Eloise froze. That… she hadn’t expected.“I’m not stalking you,” he added quickly. “I just… feel safer knowing you made it home.”Her throat closed. She didn’t speak.Later that evening, after cleaning Ainsley’s wounds, Eloise sat in her office, the silence pressing on her.Jacob had just finished a quick check-in. Mandy arrived, knocking gently.“Find the leak yet?” Eloise asked.Mandy sighed. “No. It’s like they vanished.”“Stop the investigation.”Mandy blinked rapidly. “What, why? Shouldn’t
When she arrived at the Anthony Group, Mandy’s jaw dropped and her eyes were wide open.“Miss Anthony? You’re here early.”“Give me the proposal for the Jack Ray partnership. "I need to reconsider several details to make it profitable,” Eloise said.“But… are you sure you want to review that again?” Mandy asked hesitantly."I think they'll be delighted to see a revised proposal, especially one that could bring more profit for both sides. Mandy, in this world, no one walks away from money."Mandy blinked. That wasn’t the Eloise she knew.“O-okay,” she stammered, retreating. She wanted to pull Eloise out of her emotional spiral, but hearing her talk business with such coldness was unnerving.In the office, Eloise sat across from Jack Ray.“I’ve outlined the additional terms for the partnership. These revisions will double our projected profits. Mr. Jack, you should reconsider before dismissing the offer,” she said.Jack frowned, visibly disappointed. Can’t we just talk like two people,
The bedroom door creaked open. Eloise looked up from her book, startled. Ainsley stood there, his face unreadable, a folded blanket in his arms. Without a word, he stepped in, laid the blanket on the floor beside the bed, and began unrolling it with deliberate care.“What are you doing?” Eloise asked, her brow furrowing.Ainsley lay down on the makeshift bed, turning his back to her.“You're not allowed to sleep here,” she said in a cold and dispassionate voice. “Ainsley, go away!” she shouted, frustration bubbling over.However, Ainsley sat up abruptly, glaring at her. “Just send me away tomorrow! I don’t care! But don’t think you can kick me out tonight!”Eloise was taken aback. It was the first time eight-year-old Ainsley had raised his voice at her.“You want to kick me out. You're sick, and no one will take care of you. You're unreasonable!” he shouted again.She stared at him, speechless. The room fell into a tense silence, the only light coming from a dim night lamp.Suddenly,
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