~SELENA
"Please leave, I don't want any trouble," I said calmly, but she chuckled in response. "I see you've grown little wings after tasting my man—"
"He is my mate," I angrily cut in, but she scoffed. "Oh really? Now show me the mating mark," she taunted, purposefully sweeping her hair backward.
My heart sank at the sight of the mark on her collarbone, but before I could defend myself, she grabbed my hair with a grip so tight it felt like she could rip it out. I winced in pain as she spoke, her words dripping with venom.
“Now listen carefully, you shameless whore of an omega. I suggest you leave this pack because the moment he officially makes me his Luna, I'm going to make you suffer for seducing him,” she seethed, releasing my hair with enough force to send me stumbling back on the mirror
It shattered and its shards cut into my skin.
“Weak, worthless piece of shit!" she spat before storming out, slamming the door behind her.
The stains of the insults she threw at me were all over my soul like mud prints, and the only person I could think about in this threatening situation was my unborn baby. I have passed through hell enough already, and I don't want the same for my baby.
I want my baby to grow up in a safer environment, far away from dangerous people like her, and since Hunter had chosen his woman over us, then it's best I seek safety for my child somewhere else.
~HUNTER
As I stood before the dressing mirror, adjusting my cufflinks, the door creaked open, and I glimpsed Nadia's reflection as she entered my room.
Approaching me, she flashed a smile and wrapped her arms around my waist from behind, her breasts pressing firmly against my back.
“You smell nice," she murmured, planting a kiss on my back.
“What's on your mind, Nadia?" I asked, amused.
“Can't you tell?” she teased. I turned to face her, grinning.
“Looks like you're craving me,” I remarked.
“Okay, that's was fuckin accurate," she admitted, laughing.
I leaned in to kiss her lips.
"Let me help you with that tie," she offered, taking it from me. As she began to knot it, she asked, “So, where are you off to, looking so dashing?”
“Care to guess?" I teased.
“You know I'm terrible at guessing," she replied.
“Well, I've finally decided to meet your father," I revealed, and her eyes lit up. "Does this mean you're ready to make me your Luna?"
“I have always wished to make you my Luna, Nadia. It's just that I have been busy with the pack and all,” I lied.
Nadia had been kept in the dark about my curse because I always ensured she was out of town every full moon. Although she had confronted me about rumors of me behaving wildly during those times, I had managed to convince her they were all false.
Making her my Luna would mean she would have to stay under my roof, and eventually, she would discover the truth about my curse. That had always been my fear. However, since Selena's presence had proven to minimize my curse, I believed it was now the safest time to tie the knot and be with her.
“I understand, Hun. But my Dad is now skeptical about our marriage because of the news about you going insane on a full moon,” she explained.
“They're baseless rumors, Nadia. Don't pay attention to them,” I reassured her.
Adjusting my collar, she replied, “I know, I'm certain they're rumors, but my Dad… you know, he wants to see for himself that you're nothing like what the rumor is all about.”
“So, your Dad wants me to prove myself to him?”
“More like.”
"Alright, fine. I will go see him in the next full moon," I said, and she sweetly smiled.
She tiptoed, and we indulged in a passionate kiss after which she handed me my briefcase and said with a flirtatious smile, “Make sure you come home early. I will be preparing something delicious tonight.”
“Sounds more like sex, but either way, I'm in," I grinned, and she chuckled.
I said my goodbyes and made my way out of the room. In the hallway, I came across Liam, who bowed and took the briefcase from me. As we headed to the car park, he reported, “Alpha, we have a problem.”
“Don't you think it's too early for problems and—”
"Alpha, we can't find Selena,” he cut in, causing me to pause from entering the car. "What do you mean you can't find Selena?” I asked through gritted teeth, causing him to cringe in fear.
"Speak!” I roared when he failed to answer.
"I think she ran away, Alpha.”
My eyes widened, and my hands balled into fists.
“You punk!" I threw a punch at his face. “She managed to sneak out because you're incompetent. Just this one assignment and you messed it up.”
"Damn it!” I vented my anger to the car, hitting the bonnet. “Go search all the rooms right now!"
"We've done that, Alpha. There is no sign of her anywhere, but I managed to find this in her bathroom,” he said with a grimace, touching his burst lips while handing me the item.
“What the hell is this?" I asked, frowning at the item.
“It's a pregnancy test strip. Alpha, I think Selena is pregnant." I was shocked to the bone by the news.
My eyes softened for a moment, but then my anger resurfaced. Maybe she took a walk around or something, I thought, trying to calm my angry wolf.
Nevertheless, I reached for my cell phone and called her contact. Relief washed over me as the call immediately connected.
“Selena, I need you back home immediately.”
"I'm not coming back to that bondage you call home,” she replied, sounding angry.
"What are you saying, Selena? I've always given you everything you ask for. What the hell do you mean?” I muttered angrily.
She began sobbing as she replied. “Yes, you gave me everything, but you never loved me. You used me!" My frown deepened as she added, “You've chosen that woman of yours over me.”
Fuck, how did she find out?
No, no. This can't be happening right now. I can't lose her just yet.
“You should reject me this instant because you will never get to see me again—"
I cut her off, anger bubbling in my tone. “I’m never going to reject you, so make your way back home this instant.”
“And why should I do as you say? So you can end up inflicting more pain on me? Haven't you had enough already?” She choked out her words in tears, causing my wolf to whimper. “I, Selena Lopez, reject you, Hunter—”
“I reject your rejection.” Just when I was about to say more, my ears picked up a commotion from the other end of the call. “Hello?"
“Selena?" There was no response, and at that moment, my wolf growled. It was a signal Selena might possibly be in danger. The next minute, the call disconnected, leaving me uneasy.
I tried calling her again and again, but it repeatedly redirected me to drop a voicemail. My frustration hit the roof, and I sent my phone crashing against the wall, smashing it beyond repair.
I turned to Liam, who looked like he was going to wet his pants the next second.
“Cancel all my schedules for today. I need every wolf unit in the streets immediately. We must find Selena before dusk.”
~NADIA Observing the showdown with Hunter's charity case was quite the entertainment. I didn't anticipate her level of boldness, but I was surprised to see her visibly shaking in her boots after just a taste of what I had in store. She seemed obedient, but that was to be expected. After all, she was a slave—obedience was in her DNA. She'd eat dirt if her master commanded it. I hoped she heed my orders while I was still being nice, because by nightfall, she would have nothing less than ten stitches for daring to disobey me. Maybe… she would consider reporting me to Hunter to get off the hook. I eagerly awaited to see her make that choice. Knowing Hunter would always support me, it would only add more humiliation to her miserable life. Even if Hunter only acknowledged her as his plaything, I still didn't like the sound of it. Why did he need some wretched slave to satisfy his cravings when I was at his beck and call? At this point, I couldn't help but think there were more reason
~SELENA I let my legs carry me wherever my mind wandered. I had wandered a mile away from Hunter's packhouse, feeling a bit lost. I hadn't walked this much or had this much freedom before, except for the few hours I spent on a date with Hunter. Now, I wasn't just confused about where to rest my head tonight; I was scared. I was starting to think leaving the pack's shelter was a mistake. ‘No, Selena.’ Elsa, my wolf sternly rebuked me. ‘You did what was right. We have to protect our pup from people like her'. Elsa' words brought a swell of determination into me. She is right. I had to protect my baby, even if it meant facing the unknown of the night ahead. I've heard scary stories about what happens to young women on the streets at night, I've never experienced it and I just hoped I wouldn't run into any of those men. Though it was still early in the day, I couldn't shake off the worry. My legs felt weak as I walked down the sidewalk, not knowing where to go. I had no family or
~HUNTER The search for Selena has really worn me out. Running through the woods with my pack earlier today left my limbs feeling like jelly. The moment we entered the woods, I could tell she wasn't there. Her scent was nowhere to be found. Still, I made sure my pack searched every nook and cranny while Liam and I scoured the city with the patrol wolves, hoping to find a clue of her whereabouts. But it's like she vanished into thin air. Now, all I can do is try to track her cell phone. Maybe she's still carrying it. But what about that commotion earlier? What if she got caught up in it? My wolf has been on edge since she disappeared, growling non stop. Thinking about it, I can't shake the fear that she might have been caught up in the commotion. The thought of it is unbearable for me. With worry gnawing at me like this as I imagine the worst scenarios, I doubt I'll be able to close my eyes, let alone sleep soundly for the next few weeks. I leaned back against the headrest, an
~HUNTER. Stopping mid-way in such an intense moment with Nadia was very unlike me. As I ordered her to get into some clothes, her expression soured. Her frustration was clear, a look I hated to see on her beautiful face. However, I couldn't wait a minute to appease her. I grabbed my shirt and headed for the door. My steps on the polished marble floor were heavy, mirroring my anticipation of finally finding Selena. Bringing her back home where she belongs. Once before the large door of my study, I pushed it open and entered. My gaze immediately fell on Liam. Standing beside him was an unfamiliar face, looking battered as if he had wrestled with lions. I could sense he wasn't a werewolf, possibly human, and that made a slight frown settle on my face. “What's he doing here? Who is he?" I asked, utterly confused. “He's the man we saw with Selena's phone. But he's denying knowing about Selena's disappearance," Liam explained, and a low growl escaped my lips as I moved closer to the ma
~SELENABeeping sounds filtered into my hazy state as I fluttered my eyelids open, squinting in between as I tried adjusting to the sudden light that almost blinded me.Fully adjusting to the light, my gaze swept across my surroundings, every item it met made my mind foggy, clouded in bewilderment and anxiety – anxiety in the sense that I just realized I was in a hospital and possibly in danger.And bewilderment in the sense that I don't know how I landed in the hospital bed. I tried recalling what had happened. Why was I here? And how come?But my mind was blank like a sheet of paper. I couldn’t remember anything. I tried reeling back my memories, but a sudden sharp ache stung me at the side of my head, eliciting a loud groan from my lips.The pain worsened the more I tried digging up my last memories. It was as if the pain was punishing me for trying to recall.Unable to bear the ache, I submitted to it, giving up on recalling. My gaze drifted around my surroundings once again, but
~NADIA Oh no!My hands grew sweaty and clammy as I fiddled with my phone. Quickly, I took a silent, deep breath to calm the tension in my stomach and forced out a nervous smile as I stepped closer to him.His eyes remained bloodshot, amplifying the nervousness I tried to conceal with each step towards him.Stopping before him, with my breath caught in my throat, I inquired, “Hunter? Are you–”He gravely cut me off, stepping away from the doorframe. “What are you still doing here? Didn't I tell you to go back to your room and give him some space?"Oh, right.The knot in my stomach loosened instantly. I breathed a silent sigh of relief that he hadn't overheard my conversation. I know Hunter too well to predict he wouldn't take things lightly with me, especially when the issue is what is getting him all riled up…“And who were you talking to on the balcony?" he demanded, catching me off guard.I squeezed my fingers, searching for the right words. “I-I was talking with… Um… Father. He wa
~KILLIANAbruptly, I stood transfixed on my steps as Jack's words left me stunned, locking eyes with the woman before me. She looked like a hot mess, her blonde hair disheveled like a bird's nest, her face as white as snow with heavy dark circles underneath her eyes.Her hazel eyes were supposed to be beautiful, but they looked dim and had lost their gleam. They were filled with pain and confusion. If not for the thrill I felt the moment Jack announced her as our mate, I would have mistaken her for a ghost.She looked like a ghost… or was I mated to a ghost?The thought pushed my feet into motion as I closed the distance between us in three long steps and grabbed her hand, making her flinch.She looked overly scared, but I couldn't care less at this point. I just needed to know if she wasn't a ghost.Feeding my curious thought, my grip lingered around her wrist as I tried to feel her pulse. She had a pulse. A very weak one.I unclasped my grip and shoved my hands into my pocket, final
~NADIAPulling my car over in front of the local clubhouse, my face scrunched up in disgust as I glanced around the front yard. People ceaselessly milled in and out of the club, while the rap song blasting from inside threatened to damage my eardrums.My skin crawled as I noticed how untamed the environment was. Being here felt incredibly uncomfortable, but I had to do what I had to do to stop Hunter from finding that miserable woman, even if it meant paying a visit to hell to make it happen.And that's why I'm here. Jaxon wasn't replying to any of my calls, and I quite understand why he didn't. It's been ages since we last talked, considering how things ended up between us.I had checked his apartment earlier, hoping he'd be there, but his neighbors attested he had moved out of the location. I couldn't think of anywhere else he could be except here, because the last time I checked, he used to own this place.A sigh escaped my lips as the thought of him likely not lending me help abrup