로그인** 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
**Stella's POV** Shawn lifts me onto the conference table in one smooth motion, and I gasp at the cool glass beneath me. This is insane. Absolutely insane. The glass is cold against the back of my thighs, a sharp contrast to the heat pooling in my core. "Someone could walk in," I breathe, even as my legs wrap around his waist. "Then you better be quiet." His mouth finds my neck, and I have to bite back a moan. My fingers fumble with his belt while his hands push my skirt up around my hips. We're frantic, desperate, the risk of being caught adding an edge to every touch. I can hear voices in the hallway— A reminder that we're not actually alone, that discovery is just a door opening away. "Shawn—" His name comes out as a whimper when his fingers slide my panties to the side and finds my clit. "Shh," he warns, but there's a smile in his voice. "You have to be quiet, remember?" He's teasing me. Getting off on my struggle to stay silent. I should be annoyed. Inste
**Stella's POV**(The next day)"So tomorrow, the council will review all the evidence we've compiled." Diane taps a thick folder on the conference table. "Your health , financial stability, your living situation, and your emotional readiness to care for Noah full-time."I nod, trying to focus on her words instead of the anxiety churning in my stomach.The conference room at Ace Industry is exactly as I remember it—sleek glass table that reflects the morning light, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city skyline, leather chairs that probably cost more than most workers' monthly salary. I sit at the head of the table, and that alone feels empowering, but strange. My father's three lawyers—Diane, Lauren, and Patricia—flank me on either side, documents spread across the polished surface like battle plans. Because that's what tomorrow is, isn't it? A custody battle.I sigh softly and look at Shawn who is sitting quietly in the corner by the window, observing. He drove me here this
**Cole's POV** "You're finished?" She's propped up on one elbow now, staring at me with an expression I can't quite read. "Already?" "Yes." I frown. "Why wouldn't I be?" "It's just..." She bites her lip. "That was really fast, Cole. Like, under two minutes." Irritation flares. "I had a long day. I needed release, and I got it. What's the problem?" "Nothing, I just—" She sits up fully. "Maybe if we tried different positions, it would last longer? Be more... satisfying for both of us?" What?! Is she not satisfied? My jaw clenches. "No." "Why not?" She shifts to face me. "We always do the same thing. What if we mixed it up? Tried something new?" "Because this works," I say firmly. "This is how it's supposed to be done." "But Cole—" "I said no, Sabrina." My voice hardens. "I don't need to try anything new. What we're doing is fine." She's quiet for a moment, and I can see her weighing her words. "Is it though?" she asks carefully. "Fine, I mean?" "Are you saying y
**Cole's POV** "No." The word comes out sharp and final. Sabrina blinks. "But—" "I don't want a new heir," I cut her off. "I want Noah. He's my firstborn son. He carries my bloodline. That matters." "Oh." Her expression shifts, something calculating flickering in her eyes. "I see. Of course." She moves closer, her hands sliding up my chest. "Well then, we'll just have to make sure she doesn't get him back. But in the meantime..." Her voice drops to a whisper. "I came here to help you let off some steam." "I said later." I start to turn away. "In the bedroom." "Why does it always have to be in the bedroom?" Sabrina snaps suddenly, all pretense of seduction gone. "Can't you be more adventurous? Do it right here in the office? Spice things up a little?" I stare at her, caught off guard by the outburst. "Is this all you gave Stella too?" she continues, her voice rising. "Always in the bedroom? Always so boring and predictable?" Something inside me snaps. I move faste







