Crane stood at the head of his house like a king without a throne. The walls seemed smaller, the air heavier. His wolf sneered inside him."Stupid… clueless fool. You’ve broken her, now you think she’ll run into your arms?"Downstairs, Alex leaned lazily in his chair, smirking.“You look pale, Alpha. Didn’t sleep well? Or maybe someone’s ignoring you a little too much?”Yousef chuckled. “Give him time, Alex. Our great Alpha will figure out how to win her back. Maybe in the next century.”Crane’s jaw flexed, but he said nothing.The long dining table felt colder than usual. Silver cutlery clinked lightly, the only sound filling the room. Then the soft steps came — Lara and Peter.She sat gracefully, her head lowered, not sparing Crane even a glance.Crane cleared his throat. “Good morning, Lara.”She raised her spoon, sipped quietly, and continued eating as though no voice had spoken.The s
Corey slammed the car door shut and locked it, ignoring Selene’s gasp as he dangled the keys in his hand.“it's i and my brother’s fight, not yours. Stay here like a good girl, and I might just forgive you if this ends well.”His devilish gaze cut into her, sharp and commanding. Selene’s heart melted despite herself—she loved him most when he was like this. With a shaky nod, she surrendered, and Corey tossed the keys back through the window before striding toward the mansion.The house was dark, shadows clinging to the walls like secrets. At the window, Bruno stood stiff, his face grim.“You shouldn’t be here,” he muttered. “He’s not himself. I tried to convince him you would never betray him, but he won’t listen.”Corey rested a hand on his shoulder. “Don’t worry. He won’t kill me. He’s still my brother—and this time, I crossed the line.”Bruno’s jaw clenched. “But you haven’t fully recovered. Selene told me—Corey, let me go in with you.
The study was silent except for Corey’s ragged breathing. Vince stood in the doorway, his chest tightening as he took in the blood, the ruin, and his brother’s broken figure in the corner.“Corey…” Vince whispered.Corey lifted his head slowly, his eyes burning in the dim light. “Don’t. Don’t you dare say my name like that.” His voice was low, dangerous, each word dragging with fury.Vince swallowed. “I—I’m sorry. I didn’t—”“You didn’t what?” Corey snapped, forcing himself to his feet though his body screamed in pain. His shirt clung to him, soaked in red, but his presence filled the room like a storm. “You didn’t hear me begging for your help? You didn’t hear me calling for you while I was surrounded, bleeding, watching our men drop one by one?”Vince’s lips parted, guilt crashing through him. “I was with Selene. I thought—”Corey slammed his fist into the desk, wood splintering under the force. “You thought? While you were thi
Their empire wasn’t built in a day—it grew like mold in damp walls, slow and steady until it covered everything.By their third year together, Corey and Vince owned half the gambling dens in the lower quarters, a handful of brothels that raked in coin nightly, and a growing army of men who called them boss. Merchants owed them, guards bowed in silence, and whispers followed their names wherever they went.It was on one of those nights, after sealing a profitable smuggling route through the eastern docks, that a stranger approached—a young man with slick black hair, velvet gloves, and eyes too cold for his age.Greyhem Miles.He had watched them from afar, studying how the gutter-boys turned shadows into gold. And when he extended his hand, his smile was sharp enough to cut.“Gentlemen,” he said silkily, “I believe fortune favors those bold enough to seize it. And you… you two are bold.”---Their first deal with Gre
Corey pushed the door open gently, one hand holding Janis’s while the other carried the movie snacks they hadn’t even finished. She laughed softly, tired but glowing, her belly rounding beneath her loose dress.“Careful,” he murmured, helping her slip off her shoes before leading her toward the bed.Janis sank into the sheets with a sigh, her lashes heavy. Corey pulled the blanket over her and, for a long second, just looked at her—the faint pink in her cheeks, the softness that came only when she forgot her troubles.Leaning down, he pressed a kiss to her lips—brief, tender. When he pulled back, her eyes fluttered halfway open, and she gave a little smile, a blush lighting up her face.“Sleep,” he whispered, brushing a strand of hair from her temple.Minutes passed with him just watching her breathe until her breaths grew steady and deep. Then his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen—his jaw tightened instantly.Greyhem. Again.Suppressing a curse, he slipped out of the room, caref
The knock was soft, but heavy. James stirred awake, rubbing the sleep from his eyes before dragging himself to the door. Standing there was a hulking bodyguard, broad shoulders filling the doorway, his expression unreadable. Without a word, he handed James a sealed envelope.James tore it open and scanned the neat handwriting inside.> “Breakfast. My mansion. 8 a.m. – Vince.”James frowned. Vince. The name alone pulled his stomach into knots. He was supposed to visit Maya today. He hesitated, weighing his choices until his heart pushed him toward convenience. He quickly sent a message to the caretaker watching Maya, assuring her he’d come later, then dressed sharply.The bodyguard led him across town into a part of the city James rarely visited. It was quiet, secluded, with old trees lining the road like sentries. Then the mansion appeared. Tall. Brooding. Its gates swung open at their arrival, and James couldn’t stop the thought from escaping his mind:“These rich men… none of them l