ANMELDENIris's POV"I still doubt they'd hire me.""You're not losing anything by trying."The first woman sighed. "I suppose."As they stood to leave, the brown-haired woman noticed my nearly empty bowl, and how fast I had finished the contents inside. Our eyes met briefly. Without saying anything, she walked to the cashier."I'd like to pay for her meal too."I quickly stood. "No! You don't have to!"She smiled warmly. "Just let me handle it."Before I could object again, she'd already left.I hurried after her. "Wait!"She turned."Thank you. I really mean it. I'll pay you back. I promise."She laughed. "I'll hold you to that."Then both women disappeared into the afternoon crowd. I never even learned their names but I memorized their faces.That evening, the café owner approached while I finished wiping tables."You mentioned you didn't have a place to stay?"I shook my head.He scratched his chin thoughtfully. "My sister rents cheap rooms to poor students. It's nothing fancy, but it's cl
Iris's POVThe excitement I had felt stepping off the train disappeared within minutes. My backpack still hung over my shoulder but everything important was gone.I searched every pocket over and over again, hoping I had simply misplaced them, but the truth was someone had cleaned me out before I even realized it.I laughed bitterly. "So much for surviving on my own."For a brief moment, I considered calling Mom. I had memorized her number. All I needed was a borrowed phone and she and Dad would have me home before sunset.But I clenched my fists.The first challenge was finding somewhere to sleep. By late evening, I stood outside a modest family-owned hotel near the train station. I contemplated for a while before I entered.The elderly owner smiled politely. "Checking in?""I..." I hesitated. "I would be but….""My cash and credit cards were stolen."His smile faded sympathetically."I don't have any money right now. But..." I straightened my shoulders. "If you let me stay tonight,
Kristian's POVI had dismissed the rest of my convoy after leaving Pillar Holdings, only one vehicle followed at a respectable distance. I had intended to go by the city highway, driving alone usually gave me space to think.For years, running Blackthorne Pack and Pillar Holdings had consumed my entire life. I almost never had time to myself, or to pay attention to the noble ladies I was matched with. That was until I met Iris.Ever since, I was never the same. My thoughts constantly revolved around her. If I wasn't thinking of her, I was thinking of our future together. I always hoped to see the day when I would embrace her in my arms.The traffic light ahead turned green and I pressed lightly on the accelerator.That was when Inferno abruptly gr
Iris's POVBy the time work ended, it was early in the evening, around 3 pm. I shut down my computer, organized the medical files on my desk one last time, and switched off the lights in my small office.Even now, it still didn't feel real. I had a private office and three times my previous salary.Everyone in the department was still whispering about it. Some believed I had bribed someone while others insisted I was secretly dating the Head of Human Resources.I sighed quietly as I slung my backpack over my shoulder.The last thing I wanted was special treatment because of Kristian. I had left home to prove I could survive on my own. Not because I was Alpha Percy's daughter or King Cyrus's granddaughter.And certainly not because I happened to be the Wolf King's mate. I wanted people to recognize Iris.Nothing else.As usual, I walked toward the nearby bus stop. I didn't mind public transportation, the ride gave me time to think.Besides... Even after receiving a salary increase, I
Kristian's POVA knock sounded on the office door."Come in."Harrison entered carrying several folders. Unlike everyone else in the company, he didn't stand on ceremony around me. He had been my Beta since we were teenagers.If anyone could speak to me without fear, it was him."The new reports are promising, we have increased our earnings by a half."He placed the folders on my desk before dropping into the chair opposite me."Everything is looking good."I nodded. “ But more investments should go towards the medical research team, I have heard rumors that a new variant of mutant wolf has been spotted in the northern continent.”For the next thirty minutes, Harrison proposed different ideas. He spoke while I reviewed each proposal. Everything proceeded smoothly until another knock interrupted us.My secretary stepped inside. "Sir.""What is it?" I looked up from the files.She hesitated briefly. "Alpha Benjamin of Red Crescent Pack has arrived."My expression immediately became st
Iris's POVI couldn't find words so I bowed deeply. "Thank you."Unfortunately...It took less than an hour for the entire department to learn the news. The moment I carried my belongings into my new office, conversations stopped.One senior researcher frowned. "That's her office? She's just an assistant."Another crossed his arms. "I've worked here for nine years. I still don't have one."Someone muttered, "My salary hasn't increased."A woman nearby scoffed. "Mine neither."By lunchtime, the whispers had become impossible to ignore."I heard her salary tripled.""In only three weeks? That's impossible.""There has to be another reason. I've never heard of assistants receiving offices."Neither had I. I quietly organized medical reports, pretending not to notice the stares through my office window.Later that afternoon, I walked into the staff lounge to refill my coffee and the room fell silent. The kind people used when they had been discussing someone.As I poured hot water into my
Rue’s POVThe lecture hall was still buzzing with conversations when I slipped my books into my bag. Life at Golden League University was everything I had once dreamed of: the challenge, the high standard of education. It has only been a month and we were already preparing for an exam.As I steppe
Aiden’s POVThe sound of her voice, detached, calm and out of emotion replayed in my mind like a song stuck on repeat.Stay away from me. Focus on Haven. She’s the one you chose. Live with that.In a way, her words hurt me more than they ever could. I had stood there, staring at her retreating figu
Rue’s POVThe hall held its breath. Every gaze was pinned on the elder clutching Marcus’s decision, the parchment trembling in his hands.“After due consideration…” his voice rang out, weighted and deliberate, “…Alpha Marcus has chosen to award the partnership to Percy’s company.”For a moment, a h
Rue’s POVBy the time I found Bella and Iris waiting near the exit, the blaring alarms had died off. Bella was nervously tapping her feet, hands akimbo, while Iris had her eyes trained on the main exit.“Finally!” Bella exclaimed, walking forward towards me. “What on earth took you so long? Do you







