(Grace's POV)"Sleep a little longer."These soft words whispered by Ethan were definitely not meant for me. Our mate bond had existed for years, yet he had never held me like this while sleeping. As for a gentle morning nuzzle, a sign of affection between mates, that was utterly unimaginable between us now.I was certain: in his sleep, Ethan had mistaken me for Olivia. I pursed my lips, my emerald eyes slowly reddening with unshed tears. The phantom touch was a cruel reminder of the intimacy our broken bond lacked.Cora, my wolf, whimpered inside me, confused by the mixed signals. The scent of our mate was all around us, his arms protective and warm, yet we both knew this tenderness wasn't truly ours.I fought a wave of rejection and gently pried myself from Ethan's embrace. I was acutely aware of every point of contact, desperate to erase the feeling.His hand, resting possessively on my waist even in sleep, slid away as I carefully lifted it. The faint rustle of the sheets s
(Grace's POV)"Next month is Grandma's seventieth birthday," Uncle Robert announced, his tired eyes brightening momentarily as we gathered around the kitchen island at the Morgan Ancestral Home.Aunt Heather nodded enthusiastically, her recently tanned face glowing in the warm evening light. "We should host a grand celebration. The entire pack would want to honor Eleanor."I smiled, watching my grandmother's face scrunch up in protest. Despite being a respected pack elder, she'd always shied away from extravagant displays."No need for anything flashy," Grandma Eleanor insisted, waving her hand dismissively. "Just a meal together as a family is enough."Uncle Robert shook his head firmly. "Mother, turning seventy is significant for any wolf, especially a pack elder. We need to mark the occasion properly.""Robert's right," Aunt Heather chimed in, already pulling out her tablet to make notes. "Nothing over-the-top, but certainly more than just a family dinner."I placed my hand g
(Grace's POV)I drove away from the Crescent Moon Equestrian Center, my hands gripping the steering wheel too tightly. The image of Ethan, Emma, and Olivia riding together—the perfect family portrait—burned in my mind.Where could I go now? The thought of returning to the Morgan Ancestral Home crossed my mind, but without Emma, I knew Grandma Eleanor would worry. Her concerned eyes would see right through my brave face."Are you alright, dear?" she would ask, and I wasn't sure I could lie convincingly today.Charlotte was busy with her family this weekend. Dominic had mentioned a territory meeting with neighboring Alphas. Everyone had somewhere to be, someone to be with.Everyone except me.The realization settled heavily in my chest as I drove aimlessly through the Northern Territory. Cora whined softly inside me, feeling my isolation as keenly as I did.My phone buzzed with a text from Martha: "Young Miss Emma will be staying with the Alpha King tonight. Should I prepare your
(Harrison's POV)I looked at Alpha King Ethan Silver as he extended the crystal wine glass toward me. The yacht's gentle rocking beneath our feet matched the uneasy rhythm in my chest."Thank you," I said, accepting the drink with a slight nod.The toast had barely ended when Quinn Sullivan sidled up beside me, his eyes dancing with mischief. "You seem off today, Harry."A single glance passed between Ethan and me—loaded with unspoken questions. The Alpha's piercing gray eyes held mine for a beat longer than necessary.I sipped my wine, keeping my voice steady despite the flicker in my gaze. "Am I?"Quinn raised an eyebrow, his lips curving into a knowing smirk. "Really?"The evening breeze carried the scent of salt and expensive perfume across the deck. Yacht lights reflected off the dark water, creating an illusion of stars beneath us."You've been distracted since you arrived," Quinn pressed, swirling his drink. "Something on your mind? Or someone?"I maintained my composur
(Grace's POV)I stared at my phone in disbelief, though I shouldn't have been surprised. Olivia Stone's smooth voice flowed through the speaker, as familiar as it was unwelcome."Hello? Who is this?" she asked, though I suspected she already knew.I swallowed the bitter taste in my mouth. After all, Ethan and Olivia had grown so close they were practically inseparable these days. So what if she answered my mate's phone? It was hardly the first boundary she'd crossed."I'm looking for Alpha King Ethan," I said, keeping my voice steady despite the storm brewing inside me.My wolf Cora paced restlessly, sensing my distress but unable to do anything about it. As an Alpha's mate, I'd learned to maintain composure even when my insides were crumbling."He's occupied at the moment," Olivia replied, her tone cool and professional. "You can tell me if you wish, and I'll pass along the message."Of course he was occupied. He was always occupied when it came to me."It's a private matter,"
(Grace Morgan's POV)When I arrived at Silvercliff International Airport in the Northern Territory, it was already past nine in the evening. Today is my birthday, a day I used to look forward to every year, but no longer do.I unlocked my phone, finding a flood of birthday messages from colleagues and friends. Nothing from Ethan. My mate. My husband. The Alpha King who had once promised to cherish me.My lips curled into a thin, self-deprecating smile as disappointment settled heavily in my chest. How ridiculous that it's been seven years since we mated and I'm still holding out these stupid hopes for Ethan.The drive to Silver Manor passed in a blur of city lights and shadows. When Martha Wilson opened the door just past ten, her shock was impossible to disguise."Madam Silver, you... why are you here?" Her eyes widened, hands fluttering nervously at her apron."Hello, Martha." I tried to smile, but it felt brittle on my lips.The large house felt unusually quiet. There w
(Third-person's POV)A little past nine in the evening, Ethan Silver and his daughter returned home. Emma Silver clutched at Ethan's coat hem as she stepped off the car, moving with deliberate slowness.The night air was crisp against their skin as they approached the grand entrance of the Manor. Emma's small fingers tightened around the fabric of her father's expensive coat, her eyes darting nervously toward the windows."Is Mom still here?" she whispered, her voice barely audible even in the quiet night.Ethan's jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. "Let's go inside and see."Despite her mother's presence earlier, Emma had refused all night to return to the Manor. Olivia Stone had crouched down to her level, tucking a strand of hair behind Emma's ear with gentle fingers."Mom came just to keep us company," Olivia had explained softly. "If we don't go back tonight, she'll be sad."Emma's green eyes—so like her mother's—had filled with uncertainty. She'd turned to her father, tugg
(Jackson's POV)I stared at the resignation letter in my hands, still warm from Grace Morgan's touch. The crisp paper with its neat signature seemed to carry more weight than it should.As one of Alpha King Ethan Silver's primary Betas, I was among the few who truly understood the strained dynamic between our Luna and the Alpha King. Everyone in Ethan's inner circle knew his heart wasn't truly bound to Grace.Since their mating ceremony, he had treated her with cold indifference. He rarely returned to their shared den when she resided here in the Northern Territory.To bridge this growing distance, Grace had joined the Silvercliff medical technology enterprises, working within our pack's vast medical division. I remember how she had initially hoped for a position closer to Ethan's sphere—perhaps as a senior aide or leading healer directly under his command.Ethan had refused outright. Even when pack elders subtly nudged him toward including his mate in his inner circle, he remaine
(Grace's POV)I stared at my phone in disbelief, though I shouldn't have been surprised. Olivia Stone's smooth voice flowed through the speaker, as familiar as it was unwelcome."Hello? Who is this?" she asked, though I suspected she already knew.I swallowed the bitter taste in my mouth. After all, Ethan and Olivia had grown so close they were practically inseparable these days. So what if she answered my mate's phone? It was hardly the first boundary she'd crossed."I'm looking for Alpha King Ethan," I said, keeping my voice steady despite the storm brewing inside me.My wolf Cora paced restlessly, sensing my distress but unable to do anything about it. As an Alpha's mate, I'd learned to maintain composure even when my insides were crumbling."He's occupied at the moment," Olivia replied, her tone cool and professional. "You can tell me if you wish, and I'll pass along the message."Of course he was occupied. He was always occupied when it came to me."It's a private matter,"
(Harrison's POV)I looked at Alpha King Ethan Silver as he extended the crystal wine glass toward me. The yacht's gentle rocking beneath our feet matched the uneasy rhythm in my chest."Thank you," I said, accepting the drink with a slight nod.The toast had barely ended when Quinn Sullivan sidled up beside me, his eyes dancing with mischief. "You seem off today, Harry."A single glance passed between Ethan and me—loaded with unspoken questions. The Alpha's piercing gray eyes held mine for a beat longer than necessary.I sipped my wine, keeping my voice steady despite the flicker in my gaze. "Am I?"Quinn raised an eyebrow, his lips curving into a knowing smirk. "Really?"The evening breeze carried the scent of salt and expensive perfume across the deck. Yacht lights reflected off the dark water, creating an illusion of stars beneath us."You've been distracted since you arrived," Quinn pressed, swirling his drink. "Something on your mind? Or someone?"I maintained my composur
(Grace's POV)I drove away from the Crescent Moon Equestrian Center, my hands gripping the steering wheel too tightly. The image of Ethan, Emma, and Olivia riding together—the perfect family portrait—burned in my mind.Where could I go now? The thought of returning to the Morgan Ancestral Home crossed my mind, but without Emma, I knew Grandma Eleanor would worry. Her concerned eyes would see right through my brave face."Are you alright, dear?" she would ask, and I wasn't sure I could lie convincingly today.Charlotte was busy with her family this weekend. Dominic had mentioned a territory meeting with neighboring Alphas. Everyone had somewhere to be, someone to be with.Everyone except me.The realization settled heavily in my chest as I drove aimlessly through the Northern Territory. Cora whined softly inside me, feeling my isolation as keenly as I did.My phone buzzed with a text from Martha: "Young Miss Emma will be staying with the Alpha King tonight. Should I prepare your
(Grace's POV)"Next month is Grandma's seventieth birthday," Uncle Robert announced, his tired eyes brightening momentarily as we gathered around the kitchen island at the Morgan Ancestral Home.Aunt Heather nodded enthusiastically, her recently tanned face glowing in the warm evening light. "We should host a grand celebration. The entire pack would want to honor Eleanor."I smiled, watching my grandmother's face scrunch up in protest. Despite being a respected pack elder, she'd always shied away from extravagant displays."No need for anything flashy," Grandma Eleanor insisted, waving her hand dismissively. "Just a meal together as a family is enough."Uncle Robert shook his head firmly. "Mother, turning seventy is significant for any wolf, especially a pack elder. We need to mark the occasion properly.""Robert's right," Aunt Heather chimed in, already pulling out her tablet to make notes. "Nothing over-the-top, but certainly more than just a family dinner."I placed my hand g
(Grace's POV)"Sleep a little longer."These soft words whispered by Ethan were definitely not meant for me. Our mate bond had existed for years, yet he had never held me like this while sleeping. As for a gentle morning nuzzle, a sign of affection between mates, that was utterly unimaginable between us now.I was certain: in his sleep, Ethan had mistaken me for Olivia. I pursed my lips, my emerald eyes slowly reddening with unshed tears. The phantom touch was a cruel reminder of the intimacy our broken bond lacked.Cora, my wolf, whimpered inside me, confused by the mixed signals. The scent of our mate was all around us, his arms protective and warm, yet we both knew this tenderness wasn't truly ours.I fought a wave of rejection and gently pried myself from Ethan's embrace. I was acutely aware of every point of contact, desperate to erase the feeling.His hand, resting possessively on my waist even in sleep, slid away as I carefully lifted it. The faint rustle of the sheets s
(Grace's POV)Twenty minutes passed with excruciating slowness. I sat with Victoria in the grand sitting room of the Silver Ancestral Estate, the silence between us punctuated only by the ticking of the antique grandfather clock.The sound of tires on gravel finally broke the tension. Victoria straightened immediately."They've arrived," she announced, rising with surprising agility for her age.The massive oak doors swung open, and there stood Ethan, his commanding presence filling the entryway. Emma peeked out from behind him, her small face lighting up at the sight of her great-grandmother.Victoria's stern expression melted instantly. She swept forward with open arms, gathering Emma into a warm embrace that spoke volumes about where her true affections lay."My precious girl," she cooed, tousling Emma's dark hair. "I've missed you terribly."Emma giggled, nestling into Victoria's embrace. "I missed you too, Great-Grandma!"After a moment of indulgence, Victoria turned towar
(Grace's POV)My face flushed crimson as I hastily clutched the torn edges of my robe together. The hallway suddenly felt too bright, too exposed, as if a spotlight had been trained directly on my humiliation.Harrison's eyes widened for a fraction of a second before he quickly averted his gaze. His broad shoulders turned to shield me from view."I apologize," he muttered, his voice gruff with embarrassment.Margaret Wilson rushed forward, her hands fluttering anxiously. "Oh dear! Let me help you, Luna!" She tried to arrange the torn fabric, but only made it worse.Never in my life had I felt so vulnerable, so utterly exposed—especially not in front of Harrison Crawford. My heart hammered against my ribs so hard I thought it might burst.My fingers trembled as I pressed them against the torn fabric. Every instinct screamed at me to flee, to hide from the mortification burning through me like wildfire.Instead, I steadied my breathing and lifted my chin with practiced grace. Year
(Grace's POV)"Abigail." Harrison Crawford's deep voice cut through the moment as he approached with quick strides. His tall figure loomed over us, silver-gray eyes filled with concern as he reached for the little girl in my arms. Abigail immediately stretched toward him, her small hands grasping at his shirt.Only after taking her did Harrison seem to register that the child was completely soaked. "This is...?" His voice carried its usual edge of suspicion when addressing me.I hadn't expected the child to be his niece. The coincidence felt almost surreal, like fate deliberately throwing us together."She fell into the thermal pool," I explained, keeping my voice even despite the tension. "I saw it happen and pulled her out before she could swallow too much water."Harrison's expression shifted subtly. The perpetual coldness he directed at me softened, if only by degrees. He seemed to assess me anew, as though seeing beyond his usual prejudice."...Thank you," he murmured, a
(Grace's POV)The elevator doors opened to reveal Ethan and Olivia standing side by side in the lobby. Their wolves' scents intermingled in a way that spoke volumes about their closeness, the intimate connection between them unmistakable.Dominic paused beside me, sensing the awkward energy. "This... what a coincidence?"Ethan's face remained impassive, his wolf Logan's powerful presence filling the confined space. "It is quite a coincidence," he replied coolly, deliberately avoiding my gaze while standing protectively close to Olivia.My wolf Cora whimpered inside me, feeling the sting of rejection from her mate.Dominic cleared his throat, projecting diplomatic calm. "There are many of us; how about you two go ahead, and we'll wait for the next one?""All right, see you next time," Ethan replied with a curt nod."See you next time," Olivia added with a polite smile, her elegant presence brushing past me without acknowledgment.The elevator doors closed again, and our group ha