MasukEloise' POVThe night of Thrace’s birthday was a sight to behold.The pack had truly outdone themselves—banners draped from every building, lanterns glowing against the dark sky, filling the air with a soft, golden light. Music echoed through the village, wolves dancing, laughing, celebrating the young heir’s second year of life.Thrace was at the center of it all, as he should be.Dressed in the finest fabrics, his dark curls bouncing as he ran through the crowd, his laughter as bright as the moon above us.He was loved. Cherished.Safe.I stood beside Trent, watching as my son reveled in the attention, unaware of the heavy burden placed upon his tiny shoulders."He looks happy," Trent murmured.I smiled softly. "He is happy.""For now," Trent added, his tone darkening slightly.I turned to him, frowning. "What’s that supposed to mean?"Trent sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Nothing," he muttered. "Just—"The air shifted.A scent.A familiar scent.My blood ran cold.No.No.
Eloise' POVThe days blurred together, slipping through my fingers like threads unraveling from an old, tattered cloth.Everything had been moving too fast, like the universe itself was conspiring against me, pushing me toward an inevitable fate that I had spent years trying to outrun.And now, here we were—Thrace’s second birthday.Two years.Two years of hiding the truth. Two years of waking up every morning knowing that I was living on borrowed time. Two years of looking at my son, at his bright amber eyes, his sharp jawline—his father’s face—and knowing that if Cedrick ever saw him, my carefully built walls would crumble.I had never let it slip. Never let the possibility even exist. Not to Cedrick. Not to his pack. Not to anyone who might let a whisper slip through the cracks and lead the truth straight to him.Yet now, for the first time in two years, the walls were shaking.We were supposed to be celebrating.The whole pack had been preparing for this day for weeks—decorations
Eloise' POVI walked ahead, my footsteps deliberate, each one carrying the weight of my frustration. Behind me, Cedrick followed at a steady pace, his presence as imposing as ever, yet I refused to look at him because of annoyance.He was the one who insisted on coming along for this research, and since it wasn’t my decision, I felt no obligation to entertain him. The silence between us was thick, filled with unsaid words and unresolved tension that clung to the air like an impending storm.The narrow dirt path was lined with vibrant greenery, the morning dew still glistening on the leaves under the golden sunlight.The scent of fresh earth mixed with the crisp aroma of the Aksha plants nearby, a smell I had grown so accustomed to over the years. It should have been comforting, but with Cedrick trailing behind me, the air felt heavy, suffocating even.When we reached the research lab, the massive wooden doors creaked slightly as I pushed them open. The room was spacious, well-lit by t
Eloise' POVI stared at Trent blankly as he tried to ignore me. I followed him to his room just so we can talk about his decision.It is still quite not sitting right with me. "You knew he and I have a very fucked up story. Why would you even allow him to stay? Did you even realize that the two of us can potentially ruin each other again and there would be a much bigger problem?"He stayed silent. As if he was just there to listen to me vent out about my emotions and he does not know what to do with me.He is not obligated to explain to me because he is capable of making decisions as an alpha of our pack. However, as his sister who only cares about my child and my life, I do not want any connection with a person from the past."Can't I just fly far from here? Or maybe for a whole two months, I'll live somewhere else where that man won't be able to find me." I suggested.He turned to look at me and he sighed deeply. I don't know what was the thinking process for that but it seemed as t
The morning light filtered through the sheer curtains, but Eloise felt none of its comfort. She had spent the night tossing and turning, unable to escape the memories of the dance she had shared with Alpha Cedrick.She could not even let her mind rest with ease. Even if her eyes was closed, she can still see him.The feel of his hand on hers, the way his deep gaze bore into her soul—it left her breathless and conflicted.She exhaled deeply, trying to push the thoughts away. It did no good to dwell on them. The past was the past, and Cedrick had no place in her future.The only thing she had to worry about now was protecting her son, Thrace. Thankfully, he was still curled up in bed, sleeping soundly. If only she could be so lucky.Eloise sat up and ran her fingers through her long, disheveled hair before deciding to face the day. Wrapping herself in a simple robe, she made her way downstairs, hoping that breakfast and a warm cup of tea might soothe her nerves.She wanted something tha
Eloise' POVThe air was thick with anticipation, the warmth of flickering lanterns casting a soft glow over the dance floor. Music played gently in the background, a melody of old traditions and whispered promises, but all I could hear was the erratic beating of my own heart.Alpha Cedrick stood before me, his hand outstretched, an unreadable expression on his face. My first instinct was to refuse. To turn my back on him, to walk away before I lost myself in those piercing eyes once more. But I was the Luna now. My duty was to my people, and as their Luna, it was expected of me to entertain my guests.Taking a breath, I placed my hand in his, allowing him to guide me to the center of the floor. A hush fell over the crowd as we moved into position, all eyes on us. The tension between us was suffocating, pressing against my skin like a vice. I felt every step, every shift of his body, acutely aware of the man I had once loved with every fiber of my being.He led the dance effortlessly,







