As she stood before the wall-sized mirror, Killian’s reflection instantly appeared behind hers, his expression darkening into a sharp scowl.Confused, she hesitated. Did she really look that bad?“What the fuck are you wearing?” His voice was low, controlled, and sharp. In two long strides, he was behind her. Before she could react, he untied her high ponytail, letting her long hair fall against her back, shielding her bare skin.“Don’t ever wear something so revealing,” he growled into her ear. Isabella bit her lip shyly at his possessiveness, her heart racing at the intensity in his tone.As she turned to face him, she saw Killian’s jaw was tight, fists clenched at his sides. He was annoyed—clearly—and for some reason, that thrilled her in a way she refused to admit.“Why shouldn’t I wear this?” she challenged, a teasing smile curling her lips. “I like this dress. I’m wearing it to the festival,” she declared, savoring the way his expression darkened further.“What? Are you out of y
Isabella glanced at Rose, who shot her a mischievous grin, her innocent eyes sparkling with a secret thrill. Rose gave a playful wink and a cheeky nod toward the front seat, making Isabella shake her head subtly. She knew she had no choice—she had to go and sit beside that infuriating, yet magnetic, alpha. Sliding out of the back seat, she eased herself into the passenger seat, the soft leather cool against her skin. Killian leaned over, buckled her safety belt with a careful hand, then closed the door with a smooth, decisive thud. Without a word, he circled to the driver’s side. The engine purred to life, and the car glided smoothly toward the shopping center. But Isabella’s heart was racing faster than a jet. Just being this close to her mate was enough to send waves of tingles coursing through her body. Goddess, please help her! Because his intoxicating scent wrapped around her — intense, overwhelming — and every breath she took made her core ache with a need she desperately didn
After both Isabella and Rose returned from the training ground, neither of them bothered to shower or even change their clothes. They remained as they were, almost deliberately, both secretly reveling in the lingering scent of the men who made their hearts flutter with restless excitement.Rose invited Isabella to come to her room, and she followed without question. Once there, they sat quietly side by side, each lost in her own thoughts — thoughts that inevitably circled back to their men.The silence stretched on until a sudden knock at the door startled them both. They exchanged a glance, realizing they had been sitting there silently for hours.Rose got to her feet and walked over to the door. When she opened it, she found her mother standing on the other side.“Mother,” Rose greeted her with a smile, stepping aside to let Grace enter the room.“Rose, I came here to talk to you…” Grace began, but she stopped mid-sentence when her gaze landed on Isabella. “Oh, Bella, you’re here to
“No, I’m not avoiding anyone, princess,” Ethan replied, though his eyes refused to meet hers. Rose, however, caught the flicker of hesitation in his stormy gray gaze.“Yeah?” she narrowed her eyes, frustration sharpening her tone. “Then why aren’t you looking at me?” she challenged.Finally, his gaze lifted to hers, and Rose’s breath hitched under the weight of it. Goddess, one look from him was enough to leave her breathless—even though his face stayed unreadable and his eyes cold.“I was watching the trainees, for goddess’ sake, princess,” he said, his deep, masculine voice edged with annoyance. “Now, if you’re done with your childish accusations, may I take my leave, Your Highness?” The taunt in his tone was deliberate, meant to send her sulking away.But instead, Rose only pouted. “See? You are avoiding me,” she said, her innocent voice carrying that dangerous sweetness that always made Ethan fight back a groan.“What do you want?” he asked sternly.“Can’t you… talk to me… a litt
Isabella froze, unable to tear her eyes away from the man before her. Every taut muscle, the perfect abs, broad chest, thick, strong thighs—and the way sweat glistened on his tanned skin—made him look like a Greek god. Oh, goddess, help me, she thought, feeling her body betray her, reacting even though he hadn’t touched her.A sudden pressure on her hand—and then over her mouth—snapped her out of it. She realized she had been openly gaping.“Goddess, Bella, stop drooling over your husband. He’s yours, after all,” Rose teased, a mischievous smile on her lips. Isabella flushed crimson, embarrassed.“Why did you bring me here, to the training ground?” Isabella asked, her tone carrying a hint of annoyance. Still, she couldn’t help sneaking glances at her husband, watching him move with ease in just his boxer shorts as he guided the young wolves through their exercises.“So we can ogle some fine bodies,” Rose replied with a mischievous grin, her eyes darting around the training ground befo
Though Rose had insisted she was fine, Isabella could tell otherwise. Her legs carried her almost instinctively toward Rose’s room—she needed to talk to her.She hesitated before knocking on Rose’s bedroom door, waiting until it finally opened. The shock on Rose’s face made Isabella frown, though she kept her composure.“I know you’re not fine,” Isabella said, a hint of annoyance lacing her tone when she saw Rose’s red, slightly swollen eyes. She knew instantly that Rose had been crying. Stepping inside, she closed the door behind her. “If you want to cry, I won’t stop you. But I won’t leave you alone,” she added stubbornly.Rose’s lips trembled as emotions surged, and she suddenly threw her arms around her sister-in-law, hugging her tightly. Goddess, she loved her. Isabella was everything she could have wished for in Killian’s wife—the best sister-in-law she could ever imagine.Once, Rose had worried about her brother when he had stubbornly insisted on marrying Maya. She had never li