Asher povI stood in front of the mirror, adjusting my cufflinks as I gazed at my reflection. The black tuxedo my brothers had picked out for me fit perfectly, accentuating my broad shoulders and lean physique. I smirked, feeling like a million bucks. The sound of a knock at the door broke my reverie, and I strode over to open it."About time you got dressed," I said, swinging the door open to reveal my brothers, Demian, and Mason, standing in the hallway, looking dapper in their own tuxedos. Demian's eyes sparkled with amusement as he handed me a black bow tie."You're wearing this," he said, his voice firm but playful. "No arguments."I raised an eyebrow, taking the bow tie from him. "You know I'm perfectly capable of tying my own tie, right?"Mason chuckled, leaning against the doorframe. "Yeah, but where's the fun in that? Besides, we brought your shoes, and Demian's been practising his shoe-tying skills."Demian shot Mason a mock-glare. "Hey, I'm a master shoe-tier now."I laughe
Thalia pov I stood frozen for a moment, my mind reeling from the four words that had just changed everything: "I have a mate." Asher's words echoed in my head, but my reaction didn't match the situation. Instead of backing off, a spark ignited within me. I knew he wasn't mine, but the challenge was too enticing to ignore. I will surely make him mine. With newfound determination, I pushed aside the lingering thoughts of our encounter and focused on finding my brother, Enzo. The vibrant party scene around me was a blur as I scanned the crowd, my heels clicking on the pavement. The music pulsed through the air, but I wasn't here to dance or have fun – not yet, at least. I had to find Enzo. As I navigated through the sea of people, a carefree couple twirling to the music caught my attention. They were lost in their own world, oblivious to everything else. Too lost, it seemed, because they almost collided with me. "Hey, watch it!" I warned, my voice sharp enough to cut through the mus
Isabella povI stood up, letting the weight of my thoughts press down on my chest as I held my breath for a moment, then slowly released it. It was infuriating that everyone seemed to know the details of my past, yet no one had the answers I desperately needed. Rufus, the stranger I had met just a few hours earlier, was attempting to help me. I moved closer to his table, my hand lightly resting on its surface as I watched him crouched down, rummaging through the disarray of bookshelves.“Don't worry, Isabella,” he said, his voice steady in spite of the chaos surrounding us. “I will find the book that explains how to retrieve your mate's memories after being reborn.” He hesitated, his expression faltering, and I could see a flicker of pain cross his face as a sharp edge from one of the shelves penetrated his hand.“Oh, moon goddess!” I exclaimed, rushing to his side. My eyes widened as I noticed blood steadily dripping from the wound, pooling onto the floor beneath him. I scanned the r
Enzo povI walked majestically, the glass of wine still clutched in my fist, my eyes scanning the crowd for a glimpse of Asher. My sister's infatuation with him was almost comical, but I had a different agenda. I wanted to see if the Alpha was still as weak as I remembered or if he'd grown some spine since our last encounter. My lips curled into a menacing smile as I giggled to myself, the sound barely audible but laced with mockery.Just then, a lady with fiery red hair waved at me, her soprano voice echoing through the crowds. "Hello Alpha, you look handsome." I smiled back at her, my eyes still searching for Thalia. At least my little sister had an "in" with Asher, given her apparent crush on him.As I made my way through the throngs of people, I spotted Thalia laughing and clinking glasses with Kelly, one of the pack members I'd specifically warned to stay away from my sister. My instincts kicked in, and I strode towards them, my long legs eating up the distance. Kelly's eyes flic
Isabella's POV:"Finally!" I screamed inwardly.Today was the day. My eighteenth birthday, and the day of the Mating Ceremony.A giddy thrill shot through me as I sat before the mirror, watching as my maid, Mae, braided my long golden locks. "I can't believe it’s finally happening," I said breathlessly. "Tonight, I might find my mate! Can you imagine, Mae? The Moon Goddess has already chosen someone for me. Someone meant just for me!"Mae chuckled. "I've never seen you this excited before, my lady. You always complained about the rules of the Pack, but now you’re eager for the one tradition you can't escape."I swatted her playfully. "Oh, hush! You know why I want this. A mate means freedom, Mae. It means leaving this house, escaping my father and Helen." I paused, then added in a whisper, "It means never having to be alone again."Mae's smile softened, and she nodded knowingly. She understood more than anyone what it was like living in this house under their ruleAs she weaved pearl
Isabella's POV:I didn’t sleep all night. I couldn’t.No matter how many times I tossed and turned, Enzo’s words haunted me, refusing to let me rest. I replayed the conversation over and over, trying to convince myself that maybe I had misunderstood him. But deep down, I knew I didn't.Enzo was in love with me.Not as a brother and not as a protector. But as a man.I pulled my knees to my chest and stared at the ceiling, my mind drifting, as it often did, to my mother.Who abandoned me when I was a baby. I had no memories of her—only rumors and the disgusted looks people gave me whenever they spoke about her. My father… Well, he never let me forget how much of a disappointment I was."A daughter of a whore," He once spat at me, his cold, gray eyes filled with disgust.I spent my whole life being unwanted, ignored, and barely acknowledged. Except when it was convenient for others. And then Helen came along—my father’s wife. She hated me more than he did. Treated me like I was filth. M
Isabella's POV:The room spun, and walls were closing in. I opened my mouth, but no sound came out.Asher was dead.Just like that.I don’t remember falling. One moment, I was standing, waiting for someone to tell me it was all a joke, that Asher was fine and on his way. The next, the world spun, my legs gave out, and everything went black.When I opened my eyes again, I wasn’t in my room. The scent of herbs and firewood told me I was in the healer’s quarters. Enzo was beside me, his hand resting over mine. I yanked my hand away like his touch burned me. He flinched.“You scared me, Isabella,” He murmured. “You collapsed so suddenly.”I didn’t answer. Helen’s voice reached my ears. “It’s a bad omen for a bride to lose her groom.”I turned my head slowly and saw her standing by the doorway, arms crossed, wearing the same smug expression she always had when I was suffering.Bad omen? I wanted to scream at her, rip her to shreds. But what was the point? Asher was dead. I had nothing le
Isabella's POV:I died. I remember dying.I remember the dagger slicing through my flesh, the way my body crumpled, my blood soaking into the floor. I remember Enzo’s scream, his trembling hands trying to hold onto me.I remember the darkness closing in, swallowing me whole.And yet…When I opened my eyes, I wasn’t in the abyss.I was staring at a mirror.A familiar mirror.I blinked rapidly, as my reflection stared back at me, but something was wrong. The blood—where is the blood? “Isabella, are you even listening to me?”I turned toward the voice, my heart hammering against my ribs. Mae stood behind me, her fingers weaving through my hair, humming as she styled it.This can't be possible, this isn't real.“You’ve been so quiet today,” Mae mused. “It’s your 18th birthday! You should be smiling! What if you find your mate tonight? Oh, imagine how magnificent that would be!”18th birthday?No. That was weeks ago.My voice trembled as I whispered, “What day is it?”Mae paused, her fing
Enzo povI walked majestically, the glass of wine still clutched in my fist, my eyes scanning the crowd for a glimpse of Asher. My sister's infatuation with him was almost comical, but I had a different agenda. I wanted to see if the Alpha was still as weak as I remembered or if he'd grown some spine since our last encounter. My lips curled into a menacing smile as I giggled to myself, the sound barely audible but laced with mockery.Just then, a lady with fiery red hair waved at me, her soprano voice echoing through the crowds. "Hello Alpha, you look handsome." I smiled back at her, my eyes still searching for Thalia. At least my little sister had an "in" with Asher, given her apparent crush on him.As I made my way through the throngs of people, I spotted Thalia laughing and clinking glasses with Kelly, one of the pack members I'd specifically warned to stay away from my sister. My instincts kicked in, and I strode towards them, my long legs eating up the distance. Kelly's eyes flic
Isabella povI stood up, letting the weight of my thoughts press down on my chest as I held my breath for a moment, then slowly released it. It was infuriating that everyone seemed to know the details of my past, yet no one had the answers I desperately needed. Rufus, the stranger I had met just a few hours earlier, was attempting to help me. I moved closer to his table, my hand lightly resting on its surface as I watched him crouched down, rummaging through the disarray of bookshelves.“Don't worry, Isabella,” he said, his voice steady in spite of the chaos surrounding us. “I will find the book that explains how to retrieve your mate's memories after being reborn.” He hesitated, his expression faltering, and I could see a flicker of pain cross his face as a sharp edge from one of the shelves penetrated his hand.“Oh, moon goddess!” I exclaimed, rushing to his side. My eyes widened as I noticed blood steadily dripping from the wound, pooling onto the floor beneath him. I scanned the r
Thalia pov I stood frozen for a moment, my mind reeling from the four words that had just changed everything: "I have a mate." Asher's words echoed in my head, but my reaction didn't match the situation. Instead of backing off, a spark ignited within me. I knew he wasn't mine, but the challenge was too enticing to ignore. I will surely make him mine. With newfound determination, I pushed aside the lingering thoughts of our encounter and focused on finding my brother, Enzo. The vibrant party scene around me was a blur as I scanned the crowd, my heels clicking on the pavement. The music pulsed through the air, but I wasn't here to dance or have fun – not yet, at least. I had to find Enzo. As I navigated through the sea of people, a carefree couple twirling to the music caught my attention. They were lost in their own world, oblivious to everything else. Too lost, it seemed, because they almost collided with me. "Hey, watch it!" I warned, my voice sharp enough to cut through the mus
Asher povI stood in front of the mirror, adjusting my cufflinks as I gazed at my reflection. The black tuxedo my brothers had picked out for me fit perfectly, accentuating my broad shoulders and lean physique. I smirked, feeling like a million bucks. The sound of a knock at the door broke my reverie, and I strode over to open it."About time you got dressed," I said, swinging the door open to reveal my brothers, Demian, and Mason, standing in the hallway, looking dapper in their own tuxedos. Demian's eyes sparkled with amusement as he handed me a black bow tie."You're wearing this," he said, his voice firm but playful. "No arguments."I raised an eyebrow, taking the bow tie from him. "You know I'm perfectly capable of tying my own tie, right?"Mason chuckled, leaning against the doorframe. "Yeah, but where's the fun in that? Besides, we brought your shoes, and Demian's been practising his shoe-tying skills."Demian shot Mason a mock-glare. "Hey, I'm a master shoe-tier now."I laughe
Rufus povI gently laid Isabella on the old wooden mattress, her pale face a stark contrast to the vibrant colours of my paintings. Damn it, I shouldn't have told her she smells like dust. The words had slipped out, and now... I paced back and forth across my room, my hair dishevelled, tension palpable. The weight of the situation bore down on me like a physical force.What the hell had I done? I grabbed my jacket, ready to bolt out the door and clear my head. But as I reached for the door handle, a voice stopped me. "Rufus, where's the black horse? I couldn't find it in the third room." I turned to face one of the stable guys, his expression expectant.I moved back, my eyes narrowing. "Check the fifth room," I said curtly, trying to keep my tone neutral. As we walked down the corridor, the guy's voice grated on my nerves. "Hey, Rufus, I'm thirsty. Can I get some water from your room?"My instincts kicked in, and I turned to block his path. "No, go get it from the kitchen," I said, my
Isabella povI crashed into a solid wall of muscle and strong arms wrapped around me, holding me steady. My heart skipped a beat as I hesitated to look up, fearing the worst. But the deep, rumbling voice that spoke was unfamiliar, and the words "Easy, niece." sent a wave of relief washing over me. I let out a shuddering breath and rested my head against his chest, feeling the warmth of his body seep into mine.As I stepped back, my gaze drifted up to his face, and I took in the rugged features - a strong jawline, piercing gold eyes, and a messy beard that framed his face. He was imposing, but his eyes were kind, and his voice was gentle. I moved back a little, still feeling a bit scared, and looked around. We were in a stable, surrounded by horses being groomed and fed. The scent of hay and leather filled the air."Don't be scared," he said, his voice low and soothing. "You're safe here." He guided me towards an old building, the wooden sign creaking in the wind. Inside, the space was
Isabella povI spun around, admiring my reflection in the mirror. The white knitted gown hugged my hourglass figure perfectly, and my shoulder-length hair framed my face just right. I couldn't help but feel a little smug about the changes in my body. Who knew being a werewolf would come with some awesome perks?Just then, my mom's voice drifted from the doorway. "You look beautiful, Isabella." I turned to face her, a smile spreading across my face. She was covered in flour, her hair tied up in a messy bun. I chuckled, feeling a surge of affection for her."Thanks, Mom," I said, trying to sound shy. "I get to have a proper introduction with the mother of the triplet alphas." My mom's expression turned serious, and I knew she was thinking about the last meeting that didn't exactly go smoothly."That's good news, I guess the last meeting with her didn't go well, huh?" I said, raising an eyebrow.Mom sighed, her eyes clouding over. "Let's just say it didn't exactly go as planned." She pau
Enzo pov INVESTIGATE I stood up, my eyes locked on the mysterious woman, and walked towards her with a mixture of curiosity and caution. As I approached, she turned her gaze to me, and our eyes met in a fleeting moment of connection. I forced a warm smile, trying to put her at ease, and sat down beside her."Hey, don't be nervous," I said, trying to sound as gentle as possible. "I don't bite." I chuckled softly, attempting to break the ice.The woman's gaze softened, and she smiled back at me, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "Thanks," she replied, her voice still echoing in my mind like a haunting melody.I studied her profile, searching for any resemblance to Isabella, but there was none. Yet, the similarity in their voices continued to intrigue me. Who was this woman, and why did she have such an uncanny effect on me?As Thalia handed her a glass of water, the woman's hands brushed against hers, and I noticed a faint tremble in her fingers. She was nervous, and I couldn't blame
MY SAFETY Isabella pov As I approached the meeting room, my heart pounded in my chest like a drum. Sweat trickled down my palms, and my mind raced with worst-case scenarios. What if they didn't listen? What if they rejected my explanation? I pushed aside the doubts and took a deep breath. I had to do this.The guards standing outside the door eyed me warily. "Isabella, you can't just barge in," one of them said, stepping forward to block my path."I need to speak with Asher and his brother," I insisted, my voice firm but shaking slightly. "It's about our pack's future."The guards exchanged a sceptical glance, but one of them nodded and opened the door. "Let her in," he said. "But be warned, Isabella, the alpha's not in a good mood."I took another deep breath and stepped inside. The room fell silent as all eyes turned to me. Asher's gaze locked onto mine, a mix of surprise and annoyance etched on his face. His brother, Alexander, leaned back in his chair, arms crossed."Isabella,