Francesca usually did not like to socialize, but after meeting Tristan earlier, she needed to immediately wash off his scent from her skin. It was exhausting, trying to keep up with superficial conversations that drop as soon as you utter the first word. She didn't know how Betas, the Packs' advisers, go about doing it every day. Still, Francesca trudged on, also hoping that the activity would help her forget Tristan's plan in the meantime. She'll worry about it when it's time to.
"So, how long have you been married to Alpha Stefano?" one of the guests in front of her asked. From her accent, Francesca could guess she was from the Brooklyn pack. She forgot the girl's name seconds ago though.
"Three years."
"How is it?"
Francesca hesitated. She didn't know whether to laugh or cry at the ignorance.
As if summoned by the topic of the conversation, Francesca sensed Stefano creep behind her, whispering in her ear, "Are
Francesca did not answer. Gianna was a friend and she could trust her. But she decided to not tell her friends about Tristan."So, that's it. You're not going to answer me?" Gia looked angry and hurt. "You know what. It's fine, Cheska. We may have been through hell together, but at the end of the day, we save our own hide, right?""That's not--""It is. From your silence, I know that's exactly what's happening right now." "So what did he tell you? I bet he made the exact same promises that Stefano did the first time.""No, Gia, listen to me--""I'm letting you do whatever you want. But Mira knows about this too.""Mira?"Francesca began to worry even more. Amongst them, Mira was the one who badly wanted to get out. She often ended up confined in bed for days, having Epsilon healers fuss over her from wounds that she sustained trying to escape Stefano countless times."That's right, Cheska. Yo
She's beautiful, and not in the drop-dead gorgeous kind of way, which Tristan had always found to be unsettling. She's beautiful in the quietest way, if that made any sense. Like how the full moon just sits there in the sky, every night, calm and serene, yet you can't help but notice it. Even her name was beautiful. Francesca. Tristan shook his head. That was so...cheesy. When did he start thinking like this? Apparently, she made him all gooey too, aside from being absolutely angry. "Fuck." Tristan muttered to himself, remembering how furious he was when he learned that Francesca was Stefano's wife. His father used to say that an Alpha generally lives his life not knowing when he will find his mate, but when he does, it would be the most glorious thing to happen in his life. Francesca did not only bring Tristan that joy. She also brought him devastation. But their connection was a promise that could never be broken, and Tristan was hell-bent on wi
A strained silence covered their table. Kaya smirked while Langdon gaped at Tristan and Stefano. Lionel, on the other hand, let out a low whistle as he tried to contain his excitement, "Damn, man." "True. This is definitely getting interesting. Unfortunately, I have to go to a meeting." Kaya replied, standing up and giving Langdon a pat on the shoulder, "Make sure to tell me what happens, okay?" Kaya resigned herself from the table and out the room, Tristan and Stefano barely glancing in her direction. They were still glaring at each other, neither of them wanting to back down. "Show me your cards, Stefano. What's taking so long?" Tristan challenged, tapping his own cards, which he had placed face-down on the table. Stefano growled at Tristan, "This whole time, you were trying to take her from me." "Technically speaking, you had no right to claim her in the first place," Tristan commented calmly, but his eyes were not
"It needed to be done," Francesca said as she stared in the mirror. She was still in her wedding dress, even an hour after her Christian wedding with Stefano because her husband had asked her to. Though raised a Christian herself, Francesca could not help but feel relieved that it was the only tie she had with the Alpha. They were not mates so they could not be married at the altar of the moon goddess. And for a werewolf, that was what mattered the most. She could get out of the arrangement easier. "It didn't have to be you, Cheska." Julio Lopez frowned behind her. Julio was her Dad's friend and became her guardian since his death. He was a balding man in his fifties, with permanent worry lines on his forehead, brought about by being in charge of a ward as reckless and as brave as Francesca, he always said. "You know none of the others wanted to do it, Uncle. I had no choice." Francesca told Julio, "It's the only chance we have of fr
Francesca's wolf shot out from the shock, within a second, her sharp nails clawed at Stefano's face. But Stefano did not fight back. He held her, soothingly trying to cradle her head. "Shh...shh...it's okay." he whispered in her ear, "Qin ai de, it's me." Francesca stopped at that voice. That was her mate's voice, not Stefano's. She realized she had her eyes closed the whole time she was attacking him. A relieved sob rose from her chest, and she fell into Tristan's arms gratefully. He caught her as if she weighed nothing, showering her face with kisses. He untied her hands quickly and Francesca touched his bleeding face, wounded by her blind assault. She was about to apologize when the cuts faded away. Alpha's healing. "I'm okay, my love," Tristan said, smiling at her like she was the moon. Francesca's sobs could not be controlled now that she remembered that she has her mate. She couldn't believe she almost killed hersel
Tristan rolled on the ground as the wolf launched itself on top of him, narrowly avoiding getting pinned down by the animal. Francesca screamed in fright, seeing the wolf reached out to Tristan's arms with its teeth. But her mate was quick to shift, protecting himself with the tough arms of his wolf. Fully shifted, Tristan pulled his arm back, prepared to attack. But Francesca's own wolf, deeply troubled within her, throbbed in recognition at the white wolf. "No, Tristan. It's Mira. Don't hurt her!" Francesca shouted, but it was too late.Tristan struck and the white wolf flew to the other side of the ground. "Mira!" Francesca called out her friend in concern. She was about to approach Mira when Tristan stepped in front of her, keeping her at bay. "Tristan, please." Francesca grabbed at his silky black and white fur, begging him to stop again. But the brown eyes that reflected back at her were unforgiving, and Francesca knew she could do noth
"Welcome home." Tristan's voice was full of relief and love, it tore at Francesca's heart. She finally opened her eyes, revealing the beauty of Tristan's enormous Manhattan penthouse to her. The interior was so sleek and polished, so very different from the coarse Victorian interior of Stefano's house. "I haven't cleaned in a while so the place looks a bit messy." Tristan apologized, gathering her tired body in his strong, warm arms. Francesca noticed that he was naked, probably freshly shifted back into his human form, and she couldn't help but blush as Tristan carried her into his bed. He wasn't as huge as Stefano, but she liked his lean, muscled body and the way it pressed against her own. "Thank you, " she murmured, deeply appreciating how gentle Tristan was with her. Francesca wanted to kiss him, to show him how happy she was that they were finally together. But she cried instead. "Hey, it's going to be okay, Francesca." Tristan soothed as he
Lynn and Francesca found themselves in the kitchen, where Lynn insisted on cooking for Francesca."So, I'm confused." Francesca started.Lynn waved at her to come closer to the kitchen island, "Okay. What about? Let's clear that right up."