LOGIN**Stella's POV** I sigh softly. "It's complicated." "I've got all the time to listen to how complicated your story is." I glance at her, then back at the road. "I reunited with my biological father. He's been helping me get back on my feet." Riley blinks. "Your biological father? But I thought Alpha Peter is your father?" "He is my stepfather," I correct. "He raised me, but we weren't blood-related." "Oh." Riley processes this. "That... actually makes a lot of sense now. The way he treated you sometimes. I always thought it was strange, but I figured it was just pack politics." "It was more than that." I don't elaborate more because I don't want to get into the complicated mess of my childhood right now. "But yeah. My biological father and I reconnected recently, and he's been... supportive." "Supportive enough to give you a black Amex card with no limit?" "Apparently." Riley is quiet for a moment. "So who is he? Your biological father?" I hesitate. This is the
**Stella's POV** Sophie leads Riley to the back of the store, showing her to a private changing suite that has a shower in the back. "Take all the time you need," Sophie says kindly. "There are fresh towels, toiletries, everything you might need. Just press the button when you're ready, and I'll bring in some options for you to try." Riley looks at me, her eyes still glistening with unshed tears. "Stella, I don't know what to say—" "Don't say anything. Just go get cleaned up." I squeeze her hand. "We've got all afternoon." She disappears into the suite, and I hear the shower start a moment later. Sophie turns to me with that same warm smile. "Can I get you anything while we wait? Coffee? Tea?" "Coffee would be great, actually. Thank you." "Of course. Make yourself comfortable." She leaves and brings me an actually good cup of coffee after five minutes and we chat casually while Riley showers. Sophie tells me about the store, how she started it five years ago after working in
**Stella's POV** "I understood." I meet the blonde assistant's condescending gaze steadily. "Will there be a problem?" The brunette exchanges a quick glance with her colleague before answering. "No, no problem at all. Though I should warn you, our return policy is quite strict. All sales are final." The implication is clear: Don't waste our time if you can't afford it. "That won't be necessary," I say coolly. "We know what we want." The blonde—her name tag reads "Jessica"—gestures vaguely toward a rack in the corner. "Well, we do have some items on clearance in the back. Perhaps those would be more... suitable for your budget?" Riley's grip on my hand tightens. I can feel her wanting to leave and escape this humiliation. But I'm not going anywhere. "We're not interested in clearance," I say firmly. "We want to see your new collection. The premium pieces." Jessica's smile becomes even more strained. "Of course. Right this way." She leads us deeper into the store, but her body
**Stella's POV**The guard yanks her head up roughly, forcing her to look at me.And my breath catches."Riley?"The name escapes my lips before I can stop it.Her eyes widen in recognition, then fill with tears. "Stella?""Riley Thornton?" I can't believe what I'm seeing. "Is that really you?"This is my childhood friend. The girl I used to play with in my stepfather's pack before life took us in completely different directions."Oh Goddess," Riley whispers, shame flooding her features. "Stella, I didn't—I didn't know it was you. I swear, I wouldn't have—""Let her go," I tell my guards.They exchange uncertain looks."Miss Matthews, she just tried to rob you—""I said let her go." I use my authoritative voice. "Now."Reluctantly, they release Riley, though they remain close, ready to intervene if she tries anything.Riley stumbles to her feet, swaying slightly. Up close, she looks even worse than I initially thought. Her cheeks are hollow, her eyes sunken. The clothes are hanging of
** Stella's POV** "Very much. Alphas have different fertility patterns. Betas are more predictable. Unmated rogues..." She shakes her head. "Unpredictable at best, dangerous at worst." I can't bring myself to reveal that I'm sleeping with Shawn. "Rogue," I finally answer. "Unmated rogue." Her eyebrows rise. "I see. That complicates things." "How?" "Rogues don't follow typical pack cycles. Their fertility can spike unpredictably, especially if they haven't mated regularly." She makes several notes. "If he's a rogue, I'll need his name. For medical records." "I'd rather not say." Dr. Winters looks up sharply. "Stella, if you're in any danger—" "I'm not," I interrupt quickly. "I'm safe. He's... he's a good man. I just prefer to keep this private." She studies me for a long moment, then nods slowly. "Very well. But if that changes, if you ever feel unsafe, you tell me immediately. Understood?" "Understood." "Alright. Next question: do you have any known mate bond?
**Stella's POV** The hospital smells like antiseptic and pine—an odd combination that's meant to be soothing but just makes my stomach churn with anxiety. I sit in the examination room, my guards stationed outside the door, trying not to fidget with the paper gown they made me change into. This was supposed to be a simple follow-up appointment. Check my injuries from the kidnapping, confirm everything's healing properly, maybe get cleared for full physical activity again. But I'm about to make it infinitely more complicated. The door opens, and Dr. Helena Winters walks in—a middle-aged she-wolf with kind eyes and salt-and-pepper hair pulled back in a severe bun. "Miss Mathews," she greets warmly, settling onto the rolling stool. "It's good to see you looking so much better. How are you feeling?" "Good," I say quickly. "Really good, actually. The bruising is gone, the cuts have healed. I feel completely back to normal." "Excellent." She makes a note on her tablet. "Your revie







