BastienI look over the estate that’s become more than just a piece of land to me. It’s a symbol of everything I’ve fought for, everything I’ve won and lost. The air’s cool and crisp, the kind that reminds you you’re alive. Standing on the balcony, I watch the night settle over the estate. The transformation of this place, of my life, still catches me off guard sometimes. It’s like the Goddess herself scripted this crazy turn of events.I can’t help but think about the twisted road that led us here. Losing my first mate, then finding Anya, it’s a hell of a story. Anya, brought onto that auction stage by her bastard of a father, in a place where she should’ve never been. I didn’t even blink before stepping in to save her. It was like some primal part of me roared to life, demanding I protect her. And now, looking back, it’s clear as day – she was meant to be in my life.Anya’s decision to become a shifter hits me again as I stand here. She’s tough, doesn’t back down from anything. Th
Anika/AnyaThe blinding lights of the stage hit me even harder than my captor did an hour ago. All eyes are on me as I stand in nothing but a low-cut chiffon dress, barefoot, and a face full of makeup to cover my cuts and bruises.“Don’t do anything to her face, assholes!” one of my captors had said, but the damage had been done. All because I had been too out of it to notice what had been done to me… What they would still do to me.I landed in Las Vegas yesterday, ready to celebrate my 21st birthday with a few close friends. Everything was perfect until we reached our final hotel bar crawl. We ordered glasses of champagne, and when I got up to head to the bathroom, a hand clamped around my mouth, and darkness took me before I could scream for help from Liev, my personal guard.Guards, you ask? Well, my name is Anya Popov, and before my abduction, I was the only daughter of a Russian Pakhan Alpha - a mafia princess for a better term. The only difference is I’m human - a flaw to a grea
Anya/AnikaI sit down on the couch and wrap my arms around my body even though I don’t feel cold. The suite’s rich color scheme feels oppressive—deep burgundy drapes, gleaming black marble floors, and exquisite gold accents. The scent of cedarwood and vanilla wafts through the air, offering a slight relief to my overwhelming anxiety.The minutes stretch on, each moment amplifying the tension, which coils in my stomach. I contemplate running, but deep down, I know there’s no escape from Alpha Bastien Ioannides. His reputation, which is whispered in the dark corners of mafia circles, precedes him. A man of control, with an icy exterior that would send shivers down anyone’s spine.But as I feel the first wave of tears coming on, a noise behind me makes me spin around. My eyes widen when I see a heavily pregnant woman behind me, looking at me as if she can see right through me.“Hi…?” she says while standing at the one-seater. “Are you okay? Who are you?”Those tears now fall freely as
Bastien The weight of the recent events weighs heavily on my mind as I walk toward my office. The familiar dark wooden panels and the soft hum of the dim lights overhead usually brought a sense of comfort, but tonight, they were mere distractions. My mind drifts back to the woman I saved at my auction; the doll with the midnight black hair and piercing blue eyes. Something that innocent shouldn’t have been there, and I still don’t fucking know why. Anika, or whoever she claims to be, is a mystery wrapped in a riddle. The way she spoke, the nervous flicker in her blue eyes, every move she made screamed that she was hiding something. And I, who had always prided myself on being able to read people, found her unreadable. As I settle behind my desk, the door to my office opens without a knock, revealing Andrej, my most trusted Beta and close friend. The look on his face confirms my suspicions. “Bastien,” he begins, his normally calm voice laced with urgency, “We ran a complete searc
Anika/AnyaThe morning light filtering through the thick drapes did little to ease the anxiety that knots my stomach. The plush bed, with its satin sheets, felt like a cage despite its luxury. I barely slept, the events of the previous night replaying in my mind over and over. Alpha Bastien’s questioning gaze, and the stark realization that I was far from freedom.My reflection in the ornate mirror opposite the bed showed a pale face, dark circles under my eyes, and disheveled hair. Is this how I looked last night? God, I need to shower and get out of these clothes.A soft knock jolts me from my reverie, and I sit up. Before I can respond, the door opens, revealing Alpha Bastien, his presence immediately filling the space. His tall frame is clad in a crisp suit, but it’s his eyes, dark and probing, that catches my attention. There is a quiet intensity about him, and I felt like an open book under his gaze.I swallow deeply, instinctively pulling the sheets closer around me. Bastien’
BastienI had hoped that seeing Niko would offer some form of reprieve, but the reality was that it only served to intensify the uncertainty and concern of the entire situation.Niko is the first to break the silence as I sit down fow lunch with him and Mia, his tone teasing but laced with genuine concern. “Here I thought you’d wear a happy expression after your auction. Not enough assholes selling their souls?”A wry chuckle escapes my lips, the irony of the situation not lost on me. “Good to see you walking around again, little brother. But no, I’m currently buried under the stress of what happened at my auction.”Niko’s brow furrows, his gaze piercing. “What’s that supposed to mean?”Taking a deep breath, I laid out the details. “Diavolos snuck a woman into my auction; apparently, I had given my go-ahead because it was the fifth year of my success and, I quote, ‘anything goes’.”Niko’s reaction is immediate and visceral. “A fucking... wait, is she a human?”I nod, feeling a weight
Anya / AnikaThe room feels colder, emptier, as the heavy door closes behind the brothers. My chest tightens, each breath a struggle, as the weight of their words suffocates me. Mikhail? Dead? The very thought pierces through me, a blade sharper than any knife. Tears blur my vision as I sink to the floor, the plush carpet doing little to comfort my breaking heart. My breaths come in short, ragged gasps. Mikhail was more than just a brother. He was my confidant, my protector, the gentle hand that guided me through the rough terrains of our complicated life. Memories of us when we were younger flood back, of stolen moments laughing in the gardens, of whispered secrets under the stars. How could he be gone?Does my father know about his death? The pit in my stomach grows, churning with dread and guilt. The two Alphas have to be lying, creating a twisted narrative to toy with me. But why bring up Mikhail and the mysterious Mia? My brother had his flaws, but he respected women. The con
Anika / AnyaAnother day spent pacing the floor and slowly going insane. It’s been three days since I last saw Bastien or heard anything from him. There’s a guard outside my door who brings me food during the day, even though I was told I’m allowed to walk around.As I sink onto the floor yet again, I hear the door opening and jump to my feet. It’s my guard.“The Alpha wants to see you in his office,” he says, then cocks his head for me to follow him.My heart skips a beat. This is it — another unwanted interaction with the man who claims to own me after three days of silence. I can’t let him see how he’s getting to me. Taking a deep breath, I force my legs to carry me as I follow the guard to his office, each step echoing down the marble corridors of the penthouse.As I enter, the office feels like a stronghold within a fortress—dark wood, leather-bound books, and walls adorned with art that probably cost more than a small country. Bastien is seated behind his desk, shrouded in the