LYZAThe door creaked open, revealing the silhouette of Philip, a chill ran down my spine. His face twisted into a sinister grin, his eyes gleaming with a malevolence that sent shivers through my already shaken form. He was the embodiment of a wicked antagonist, straight out of a nightmare.I strained to articulate my words, my voice trembling with a mix of anger and fear, but Philip merely chuckled, relishing in his cruel game. He taunted me, claiming he couldn't comprehend my muffled pleas. His laughter grated on my nerves, a twisted melody that underscored his malevolent intentions.With a twisted satisfaction, Philip removed the tape that had silenced me, his smirk growing wider as he allowed me to speak. I glared at him, my eyes burning with a fiery rage that demanded answers. This man, who had been a stranger just moments ago, had betrayed my kindness, exploiting my goodwill for his sinister agenda."How dare you, Philip!" I spat, my voice laced with indignation. "How could you
DANTEI paced back and forth in the office, my eyes constantly glancing at the wall clock as each minute ticked by with agonizing slowness. Lyza was never late, let alone two hours late for an important meeting like this. Something wasn't right, and my worry grew with each passing moment.I tried to convince myself to stay calm, to trust that there must be a reasonable explanation for her absence. Perhaps there was an unexpected complication, a delay beyond her control. But the nagging sense of unease gnawed at me, refusing to be silenced by logic.I reached for my phone, my hands trembling slightly as I dialed Lyza's number. The sound of the dial tone seemed to mock me, a constant reminder of the unanswered call. I tried again, hoping for a different outcome, but the result remained the same—her phone was out of coverage.My mind raced with countless possibilities, each one more troubling than the last. What if something terrible had happened to her? What if she was in danger and una
LYZAI struggled against the restraints, my heart pounding in my chest as Estella's anger escalated. The fear and confusion were etched across my face as I desperately tried to make them understand that I had no knowledge of what they were accusing me of. But their relentless pursuit for answers pushed them further into darkness.Estella's grip tightened on my hair, yanking my head backward. The cold, hard drum pressed against the back of my skull, causing chills to run down my spine. My eyes widened in terror as I realized what they intended to do.The room fell silent, save for the sound of water dripping rhythmically onto the drum's surface. The tension in the air was suffocating, each passing second feeling like an eternity. Estella's cold eyes bore into mine, demanding a response that I couldn't provide."Speak, Lyza!" she hissed through clenched teeth, her voice dripping with venom. "Tell us what we want to know, or this drum will become your worst nightmare! Don’t make me mad,
LYZA “I know I owe you an explanation, my daughter, Anna,” Estella smirked at me. Daughter? What? A wave of emotions crashed over me – disbelief, anger, and a deep-seated ache that I couldn't quite place. The very core of who I believed myself to be was unraveling before my eyes. "I'm not Anna! I’m not your daughter! I'm Lyza Pressman!" I protested, my voice quivering with a mix of frustration and confusion. Estella's eyes bore into mine, an unsettling mixture of triumph and malice dancing within them. "No matter what you say, Lyza. I knew it. You can't lie to me. I know it's you, my always good daughter, Anna!" My fists clenched, nails digging into my palms as her taunts grated against my already frayed nerves. "Stop talking too much! And tell me the fuck you want!" I shouted, the words escaping my lips before I could even fully process them. She chuckled, seemingly unfazed by my outburst. "Well, you are right. But since I'm too generous, I will tell you the truth about yourself
DANTEThe weight of worry sat heavily on my shoulders as I stood there, my gaze fixed on the empty space that Lyza should have occupied. The minutes ticked by with excruciating slowness, each second intensifying my concern for her safety. It was as if the walls of the room were closing in on me, suffocating me with the uncertainty of her whereabouts.But between my frantic thoughts, a familiar voice cut through the haze of anxiety. Leonora Taylor, a respected figure within the pack, had arrived on time. Her concern was evident in the lines etched across her aged face."Dante, is it true? Lyza is missing?" Her voice held a mixture of worry and empathy, her eyes reflecting the genuine concern she felt for both Lyza and me.I offered her a tight-lipped nod, my voice carrying a heaviness that mirrored the turmoil within me. "Thanks for the concern, Leonora. But yes, she's missing. She didn't show up."The kindness in Leonora's gaze softened her features as she stepped closer. "I'll help y
ANNA "Hey! Wake up!" I heard my father's voice while I was deep in slumber. Suddenly, cold water splashed on my face, jolting me awake. Gasping for air, I struggled to open my eyes. Even though I had only slept for two hours, I had to help my mother with errands earlier. I was so exhausted and desperately needed rest, but my father was purposefully trying to wake me up. "Father, do you need anything from me?" I asked him politely, despite my soaked clothes and mattress. He smirked at me, indicating that he had something up his sleeve. "Yes, I need your help. The Lycan Prince and his mate's engagement party is today, and they need a servant. One of the housemaids didn't show up." My father was hoping that I would go there and replace the housemaid. However, it was already 9 pm, and I just wanted to relax. "But, father, it's my day off today. Can I just take this day to rest?" I asked him, hoping to avoid going. He looked at me with anger in his eyes. "When did you learn it was oka
"Congratulations, Dante! I'm happy for you and Darlyn. You make such a stunning couple," Mrs. Smith, one of the company investors, beamed with delight. The engagement party was in full swing at Rossi's Mansion, and the celebrations were in honor of Dante's fiancée, Darlyn Taylor. But Dante could never think of Darlyn as his true mate, despite what their fathers had arranged. The marriage between them was a mere formality, a ridiculous agreement made by their family. He could never force himself to love her, no matter how beautiful she was. There was no deep connection between them that he could feel, no matter how hard he tried. Darlyn, the daughter of Leonora Taylor, the successful entrepreneur and female Alpha of the Red River Pack, had always been kind and thoughtful towards him. Yet, Dante could never bring himself to like her daughter, and he didn't know why. But as the future Lycan King of the Black Pearl Pack, he couldn't refuse his father's request and risked putting Darlyn
ANNA As I arrived at Rossi's Mansion, I couldn't help but marvel at the sight of wealthy families from various clans, all elegantly dressed in their evening attire. Unfortunately, I couldn't say the same for myself. My clothes were old and shabby, hand-me-downs from my mother, and I couldn't afford to purchase new ones. Thankfully, the head of the servants had provided me with a maid's uniform, which helped conceal my ragged appearance. Although I had seen the exterior of Rossi's Mansion on several occasions, I had never set foot inside until today. To say that I was awestruck by its grandeur would be an understatement. The mansion was nothing short of a seven-star hotel, with exquisite granite tiles that even reflected my own image. As I entered the restroom, I was taken aback by its size. It was larger than my entire room! I couldn't help but realize the power of money and the impact it could have on one's life. Just then, Rizza, a kind servant, called out to me, "Anna, have you