INICIAR SESIÓNPercy’s POVI was just getting off work and I happened to see a familiar figure entering a club. I didn’t remember deciding to find Aiden. But somehow, I ended up standing across from him anyway.The air between us was heavy, charged with something volatile that neither of us bothered to hide.He looked worse than the last time I had seen him. Disheveled, eyes bloodshot. Jaw clenched like he was holding back something barely contained.“You look pathetic,” he said coldly.I didn’t respond. Didn’t bother because I wasn’t here for empty insults.“You lost her...i can see the signs.”Now that comment landed.“And you think that makes you better?” I asked quietly.His expression darkened.“At least I didn’t lie to her.”My hand curled slightly at my side.“You didn’t have to,” I replied, my voice low. “You did worse.”He took a step forward. “And what does that mean?”I laughed softly because the irony was almost unbearable.“You had her,” I said. “Completely without question.”My gaze sh
Rue’s POVI had just finished reviewing the southern pack’s proposal for the third time when my phone rang.For a moment, I stared at the screen without moving. I didn’t want to answer it. Didn’t want anything to interrupt the fragile structure I had built around myself these past few days. But when I saw the name, Nate, Percy’s beta, I hesitated.Then answered.“Rue...” His voice was strained.“He’s drunk.”I closed my eyes.“I don’t...”“He’s not listening to anyone,” Nate cut in quickly. “He won’t let anyone near him. He’s been like this all night.”Silence stretched between us and I could already feel the pull. The dangerous, familiar pull that made me want to go to him.“I’m not the right person to call,” I said quietly.He paused for a few seconds then said dejectedly, “He’s calling your name.”My grip on the phone tightened.I shouldn’t go, I knew that. I had made my decision to walk away. But…“Okay.” The words left my mouth before I could stop them.His bedroom smelled like a
Percy’s POVI did not remember how long I had been standing there. Time had lost meaning the moment she walked away.The door had closed with a soft, almost gentle sound, but it echoed in my mind like something that refused to fade no matter how hard I tried to chase it away.She’s gone, the thought came uninvited.At some point, I found myself outside her place. I didn’t remember making the decision to come here, didn’t remember the drive, the turns, the passing streets. All I remembered was the unbearable silence that had followed her absence.Even if she wouldn’t open the door, even if she wouldn’t speak to me, even if she hated me. I just… needed to be close.The night air was cold but I didn’t feel it. Rain began to fall at some point but I didn’t notice. Or maybe I did, and it simply didn’t matter.Because nothing mattered anymore except the door in front of me. The door that separated me from everything I had almost had.I knocked a number of times until my fingers got numb. Th
Rue’s POVI had always believed that the worst kind of pain was the kind that came suddenly, like the tearing of flesh, the snapping of bone, the moment the wolves sank their teeth into my hands and stole my future.I was wrong.The worst pain was the kind that came quietly… patiently… and then stayed.It settled into my chest as I stood there, staring at nothing in particular, feeling something inside me collapse in slow, irreversible silence.Percy, a man who had always met everything with calm confidence, with control, with quiet certainty...had hurt me for the first time.I didn’t remember leaving the hotel room. I didn’t remember the corridor, the elevator, or the way my feet carried me outside.All I remembered was the way my heart felt, as though something had wrapped around my ribs and was slowly squeezing the air out of me.By the time I stopped walking, I was already inside Percy’s packhouse. The fact that I had moved in with him dawned on me with a heartbreaking clarity.
Percy’s POVI had never driven that fast in my life.The city blurred past me into buildings, lights and people. None of it registered because my mind was already there. In that hotel room.My grip tightened on the steering wheel.“Damn it…”I had always known this day might come. And yet, I had still delayed it. I still told myself that it wasn’t the right time. I was so afraid of losing her that I kept this secret for this long.The car screeched to a stop. I didn’t wait or think. I got out and ran.The elevator felt too slow and the hallway too long. And when I finally reached the door, I didn’t knock, I pushed it open.Standing there was Rue, her posture defensive, and facing her was the boy. He looked calm and unbothered, like he had been waiting for this exact moment. For me.My chest tightened.“Stop.” I said louder than I intended.Rue turned immediately and her brows furrowed.“Percy?”But I didn’t look at her, my gaze was locked on him.“Don’t say anything.”But he didn’t l
Rue’s POVThat night, after everything had settled, after the noise of the city, after Haven’s public tantrum, after Percy’s declaration that still echoed in my chest, I found myself sitting alone by the window.I touched the pendant at my neck, the one that held my father’s ashes. My fingers lingered there.“Dad…”I whispered softly as a faint ache rose in my chest.“If you were here…”Would you approve?A part of me wanted his guidance and reassurance.My lips curved faintly. “He’s nothing like Aiden.”The comparison felt inevitable. He was everything Aiden had failed to be. And most importantly, he chose me every time without hesitation.I exhaled slowly.“If I marry him…”“This won’t be like before.”Because this time I wasn’t walking in blindly.A quiet knock buzzed me from my thoughts.I frowned slightly as I picked it up and unlocked the screen.It was an anonymous email and the subject line alone was enough to send a chill down my spine.“Alpha Cyrus’ secrets.”My fingers tigh
Aiden’s POVHaven was sprawled across the couch, a face mask plastered to her skin, cucumber slices sliding down her cheeks. The soft blue glow from her tablet illuminated a dozen open shopping tabs.My phone kept ringing.“Aiden, hang that up,” she said lazily, not even looking at me. “It’s probab
Rue’s POVThe first thing I did when I got to Percy’s company was check the contract clause.“Wait,” I murmured, tracing a finger along a paragraph.A discrepancy—minor to most, fatal to anyone with any experience. The proposed royalty clause from one of the shareholder’s sides contained a hidden o
Rue’s POVThe salt-sweet breeze brushed against my face as I reclined on a sunbed, the sound of waves dissolving my thoughts into something almost… peaceful.Three days ago, Bella had called me, and I knew mischief would be involved.“We’re done with the project! Let’s celebrate.”I had hesitated a
Rue’s POV“You’re dismissed,” the old Alpha said firmly. “And don’t think for a second I’ll recommend you elsewhere. This pack needs no man who can’t tell right from wrong.”The butler fell to his knees, his forehead nearly touching the ground. “Please, Alpha! Mercy! I’ve served this household for







