The Alpha Only I Can See

ANASTASIA. The pack mansion has been awake since before dawn. Loud footsteps echoed through the halls, dishes clattering, servants rushing in every direction, voices overlapping like a storm that refused to settle. I groaned softly and pulled my blanket over my head.Today was Bella’s twentieth birthday.And judging from the chaos shaking the entire pack house, one would think the Moon Goddess herself was descending from the sky to celebrate it.I pushed my earphones into my ears and curled deeper into my bed, trying to drown out the noise with music, but even that barely helped. The walls practically vibrated with excitement.For Bella.Always Bella.The servants had been preparing for an entire week. Every corner of the pack house had been redecorated with fresh flowers and expensive ribbons. Last night, I had seen workers carrying crystal decorations inside while my brother supervised personally like this was some royal celebration.I almost let out a bitter laugh thinking about i

ANASTASIA.The entire room fell into a suffocating, dead silence. The music seemed to fade into a dull hum as hundreds of eyes turned to focus entirely on us. Out on the floor, Bella and Andrei actually stumbled, nearly losing their balance mid-step as they stared at Hector standing in my shadowed corner with disbelief. I didn't want to give them the satisfaction of seeing me shrink away. "I would be honored," I whispered, gently placing my hand in Hector's. His hand was massive, swallowing mine completely, and radiating a sudden, intense warmth that sent a violent jolt up my arm. As he pulled me into his space, the scent of him, crisp winter rain, cedarwood, and an intoxicating, dark musk hit me like a physical wave. We were so close my chest brushed his suit jacket. Everywhere his fingers touched my waist and hand, my skin burned, a fierce, crackling heat igniting beneath the surface. My inner wolf, usually quiet and suppressed, slammed against her cage, howling in a wild, sudd

ANASTASIAThe sharp, blinding ache behind my eyelids was the first thing that pulled me from the dark.I gasped, my eyes flying open, but the world was a distorted, dizzying blur of sterile white walls and harsh overhead fluorescent lights. The heavy scent of antiseptic and pack medicine burned my throat. I was in the hospital wing.As my vision violently swayed, two figures shifted into focus beside my bed. My father and Leo.For a split second, I was stumped by the expression on their faces. My father sat in a chair pulled close to the bed, his broad shoulders hunched, his hands clasped together like he'd been sitting there for hours. Leo stood behind him, arms crossed, jaw tight. Both of them were looking at me with expressions I barely recognized. When was the last time they looked at me like that? I wondered. When was the last time they looked at me at all?"Anna," Leo breathed, his voice rough as he leaned forward. "Thank God. You're awake."Father immediately stood, his voice

ANNASTASIA The dirty floor of the basement was always cold, but tonight, the chill seemed to seep directly into my bones. I lay curled on the narrow cot, staring blankly at the ceiling. My body felt weak. Days of hunger strike had drained everything from me. My head still throbbed from the chandelier injury. My vision came and went in waves of blur.But the physical pain was nothing compared to the hollow ache in my chest as I kept thinking about my father's words. ‘I've found you a fiancé. A good match. Your duty to the pack.’He was selling me off like cattle. And no one cared. No one ever cared.I closed my eyes. The tears wouldn't come anymore. I had cried them all out day.Then the heavy, metallic thud echoed from the top of the stairs.I flinched, my muscles tensing instinctively. The heavy wooden door didn't just open—it slammed against the wall with enough force to rattle the hinges. Sharp, furious footsteps began to descend the wooden steps, each vibrating through the floor

HECTOR It was already nighttime. The moon spilled through the window. The guest room was quiet, but the house was not.Through the walls, I heard it. Distant. Shrill. The sound of someone breaking things and screaming. It had been going on since I returned from Gregor room. The adopted daughter, I assumed. She was taking the news poorly.Ethan stood by the door, arms crossed. "The adopted daughter, I assume.""Most likely.""She sounds pleasant."I didn't answer. The screaming continued for a few more minutes before fading into muffled sobs. Then silence. Someone had finally calmed her down, or she had exhausted herself.The door burst open. Gregor rushed in, sweating through his formal shirt. His eyes were wild with panic."My deepest apologies, Alpha Hector. There's been a small disturbance. Family matters. Nothing to concern you."I did not respond to his words. I had no interest in his apologies or his excuses. "Have you informed Misty Hollow that the engagement is cancelled?"Gr