MILAFinally something else I could focus on besides the files we found in Alpha Gregory’s office. I didn’t have a beach to work with for this event, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t create one. Every inch of this event had been designed to perfection, down to the placement of the lighting and the subtle gold detailing on the tables, and the diamonds on display. I’d walked through this space too many times to count, checking for any weak points Arianna could exploit. Then, to be extra cautious, I made sure not to invite her.Of course, Camila had questioned that decision. “Maybe you should invite her,” she had suggested with a knowing smirk. “Better to have your enemies where you can see them.”She was right. Because as much as I tried to enjoy tonight, something felt off. No amount of polite praise from the guests or the slight smile on Mister Deveaux’s face could shake the unease prickling at the back of my neck.“Lovely event.”The voice was smooth, deliberate. I turned, already bra
TYLERA text from some hacker had me following Amira and Lena down the hall into one of the rooms. I knew something was weird about that photographer. This text just proved it. They spent some time inside before leaving, the door was slightly ajar. Sloppy. Either they were careless, or they didn’t think anyone would question them being here.I stepped inside, eyes scanning the monitors that displayed the cameras covering the event. Nothing immediately stood out–until I saw a folder labeled Emilia.My stomach clenched as I reached for it. Flipping it open, I expected to see outtakes from the shoot. Instead, I found something worse—secrets. Photos that had nothing to do with modeling and everything to do with blackmail.The first image stopped me cold. Francesca, wrapped around an infamous therapist to the elites. His name alone was scandalous, tied to more than a few high-profile breakdowns. And beneath the photos, a mention of a video. My pulse hammered.Before I could flip through th
MILAEverything started out great. Until it wasn’t. It all happened so fast. First, the speech. I stepped onto the stage, ignoring the confident look on Arianna’s face. “This collection isn’t just about fashion," I announced. "It’s about the celebration of freedom. The freedom to take up space, to embrace every curve, every edge, every part of yourself without apology. For too long, we’ve been told to hide–to shrink, to fit into boxes that were never meant for us. But not anymore.”I gestured toward the models as they stepped forward, their confidence radiating with every stride. "Summer is about feeling light, unburdened, alive. Not weighed down by expectations or secrets we’ve been too afraid to let go of. This collection is about owning your truth–wearing it boldly, beautifully, without fear."Second, the show. The crowd erupted in applause as the models strutted forward, showcasing designs tailored to flatter and empower. Camila queued up the video of men and women wearing my cl
GABEThe control room was of course locked. I had tried warning the others that Arianna and my mother were up to no good. I just wished I’d figured out what they were planning before it was too late. The moment Brian failed to hack the system and shut everything down, I didn’t hesitate. I ran straight here.With a swift, brutal kick, the door burst open.The room was empty.Whoever had played that video had already fled.Grinding my teeth, I rushed to the controls, shutting down the feed as fast as I could. Every screen. Every angle. But it was too late. The screams from the other room were evident. The damage was done. Fuck!“Alpha Gabe?”Camila ran into the room just as I wiped the last screen. My jaw was tight, my hands clenched around the console.“Is that all of them?” she asked.I did one final sweep before giving her a sharp nod.“Why didn’t you warn us earlier?” The anger rolling off her was palpable, and I didn’t blame her.“I knew something was going to happen–I just didn’t
MILAMy hand was still pressed to Gabe’s chest. The fireworks still crackled overhead, but Gabe’s steady grip on my arms anchored me, his voice a distant hum cutting through the overwhelming noise.“You’re okay,” he murmured. “Focus on me.”I forced myself to nod, clinging to his presence. I hated this–feeling weak, feeling vulnerable–but the night had unraveled far beyond what I had prepared for. Francesca was probably dead. Amber was definitely dead. And Arianna…My gaze snapped to where I had seen Arianna last.“She’s gone,” Gabe said, following my gaze.Of course, she was. Just like with Randall, she always knew when to slip away before the damage fully settled. My stomach turned at everything that had happened. The system breach. Emily’s and Arianna’s coordinated attack leading to two deaths. What else could’ve gone wrong?Then I remembered what Amber said. They threatened my father if Gabe…I pushed off Gabe’s support, standing even as my knees wobbled. “I need to go. You can’t
LAURAI pressed my back against the cold stone wall of the packhouse, clutching the hacking device in my hand like it was the holy grail.Fuck. Why is this so scary?I took a moment to calm myself.No turning back, Laura. You can do this.I wasn’t just a hacker. No, I was a field agent. A spy. A legend in the making. And… caught if I don’t stop talking to myself and get a move on. Just think like Mila.Crouching low, I scurried toward the back door, the one I personally disabled the security cameras for. Did it count as cheating if I was the one who helped Gabe set up most of these security measures in the first place? No. Absolutely not. It was called working smarter, not harder.I carefully turned the knob and slipped inside, holding my breath as I closed the door behind me. Step one: complete.Step two: don’t get caught.I tiptoed down the dimly lit hallway, dodging the occasional patrol or house worker. The packhouse wasn’t exactly Fort Knox, but Emily was paranoid enough to make s
MILAIt was only a few minutes. That’s how long it took us to get from the orphanage to the packhouse. The grounds were eerily quiet despite the flurry of movement around us–guards murmuring orders, medical personnel working swiftly, and the distant wail of someone mourning. My stomach twisted as I took a step forward, my heart hammering against my ribs.We were stopped by the gates as Gabe spoke to the guards. I was too busy looking around, searching desperately for any sign of Laura. My heart was pounding, my breath ragged as I reached for my phone and dialed Camila.“Where’s Laura?” I asked as soon as she picked up.“Brian says her phone is still in Emily’s office,” Camila answered, her voice faltering. “Jenna and Alex are the way. They're bringing someone out on a stretcher, Mila.”Her voice broke and I nearly dropped my phone.No, no fucking way. “Gabe…” I said, barely a whisper.He looked at me, then followed my gaze. A stretcher was being wheeled out of the house with Arianna
GABEThe sound of laughter and quiet chatter drifted from the other room, a cruel contrast to the weight pressing down on my chest. Hundreds of pack members from all over showed up for my father’s funeral, their hushed conversations and forced condolences mixing with the steady patter of rain against the windows.I knew he was a well-liked man, but damn—I hadn’t expected this many people. The sheer number made the already stifling atmosphere feel even more suffocating.Luckily, my mother had taken care of everything, handling the arrangements with her usual poised efficiency. She even managed to get Tyler temporarily released for the service, a feat that shouldn’t have surprised me, yet did.“Don’t worry, sweetie,” my mother said after speaking with one of the councilmen. “Everything is going to be cleared up soon.”I let the words wash over me, too numb to dissect their meaning. Instead, I focused on the business, temporarily handing Alpha Gregory control of the CEO position. He had
MILAWhat the hell was going on? “Tyler, are you serious?” I asked, standing up from my chair.“Well then, if I knew this would give you a rise I would’ve said this earlier.”I rounded the desk, hitting him on the shoulder. “I’m serious, Tyler. What…why?”Tyler ducked away from my assault. “Turns out my dear mom has her claws in a lot more than I realized.”I took a slow breath. “Explain. Now.”He tossed a small, leather-bound notebook onto my desk. “Found it in my dad’s things. Before my mother’s little henchmen ransacked it. Notes, receipts, and transfers. He was funding something.”I flipped the notebook open and scanned the scribbles. Chemical formulas. Shipment records. Personal names and codes.“My mother’s company,” he said quietly. “She ran a private testing site in Alpha Frank’s territory. It was shut down quietly years ago after several test subjects reported… losing their wolves. Not just muted bonds. Total severance from the Goddess. Like the soul inside them was gone.”“
MILAI burst into MoonCrest pack hospital, sniffing out Alex until I found him.“Stick me with whatever needles you have to,” I yelled the moment I walked into his office. “I need to find out if that monster is my dad or not?”“Um, Mila. I’m with a patient.”I froze, finally noticing the young man slumped over in the chair across from Alex. I stopped myself from making a face at his appearance. He looked pale, lips tinged blue, and sweat clung to his brow. His eyes were the worst–sullen and dull. I smelled his wolf but it was faint and nearly silent.“Oh,” I muttered, stepping back. “Sorry.”Alex stood, placing a firm hand on the man’s shoulder. “It’s okay. Kevin, I’ll be back in a few minutes. Try to breathe through it. The serum needs time to work.”Kevin didn’t answer. His eyes were vacant like whatever did this sucked the life from them. Alex led me into the hallway and into another room that was empty.“Mila,” he said, “you really know how to make an entrance.”“Can you blame me
ARII still heard the muffled chaos outside the bathroom door, but it was nothing compared to my heartbeat thudding wildly against my ribs.I gripped the sink, trying to steady my breathing. In. Out. Calm. Stay calm.But I couldn’t.My father had looked at me like I was the enemy. Like I betrayed him. Me, the only one who actually stood by him. He thought I set him up.And knowing him… he wouldn’t hesitate to eliminate a loose end. He’d done it before. He’ll do it again.“I didn’t do this,” I whispered to my reflection. “I didn’t. I didn’t.”But my reflection didn’t argue. It just stared. Wild-eyed. Mascara bleeding. Lipstick smudged at the corner like a smear of blood. That’s when it hit me.The video.That moment–his office, his voice, the clarity of it. There were no cameras in that room. So how the hell had they–I froze. My mind rewound. Frame by frame. Frank’s body. The warehouse. The perfect angle. The same angle. Places I had been. I was bugged. That was the only explanation,
MILAThe room stilled.“What is this?” Gregory barked, looking around the room. I noticed how he subtly narrowed his eyes at Emily.Good. I wanted him to think it was her. For now. Murmurs filled the room as everyone’s attention was glued to the screen. It flickered again. Then came the audio–his voice. Clear. Calm. Cold.And damning.“The boat needed to go. Collateral damage is part of the price when you want to clean house. And the girl? She’s just like her parents–too dangerous to be left alive.”Silence swallowed the room. Then chaos.“That doesn’t prove anything,” Gregory shouted. “That could be anybody.”But the screen answered him. It split into two windows: one showed Gregory pacing in a private study, the second displayed spreadsheets, maps, and message logs–each one marked with timestamps and code names.The proof was overwhelming.Someone screamed. A councilman stood. Arianna’s mouth dropped open. Emily turned toward Gregory, the smile never leaving her face, even as she wi
MILAFrances and his assistant poured over the portfolio like it was a rare manuscript. I shifted in my seat, resisting the urge to glance at my watch again. There was too much riding on today–too much to still do.Frances finally looked up, his eyes twinkling behind those sleek, gold-framed glasses. “This is truly something special,” he said, tapping the edge of the page. “And the technology?”I straightened a bit, proud. “Smart fabric. Reactive threads that shift color based on light exposure and body temperature. The effect is subtle, elegant—like your vintage diamond collection. Sophisticated, but with presence.”Across the table, Emily’s jaw tensed. I caught the flicker of annoyance in her eyes and smiled, just a little.Frances chuckled. “Indeed, Mademoiselle. You’ve captured the season in a way that feels... alive.” He flipped another page, his gaze sharp but admiring. “I must admit, I’m surprised. After everything that’s happened lately, I expected something more... reserved.”
MILAThere was no gentle buildup this time. No teasing smile. No calculated flirtation. Gabe kissed me like he meant to ruin me–with a hunger that stole the air from my lungs. One hand tangled in my hair, tugging just enough to make my body jolt with need. I gasped, but he swallowed the sound, deepening the kiss, his tongue sliding against mine in a battle I was already losing.He lifted me effortlessly from the chair, setting me down on the desk as if he’d been waiting to do it since the moment he walked in. His body pressed against mine, all muscle and heat and quiet dominance.“See?” he murmured against my lips, voice dark and full of promise. “You like it when I take control. Don’t you?”And damn him–I did. My body answered before my mouth ever could, arching into him, fingers clawing at his shirt to pull him closer.“Answer me, Mila.”“I… do,” I breathed, the words escaping like a confession.Those words cracked something open in him. He kissed me again–deeper, rougher–his hands
MILATyler was, somehow, unexpectedly my hero.Not only did he make sure the publication printed the correct draft of the Aliz magazine–the one with my real Summer collection and not the tragic sabotage Lena tried to pass off–but he also made sure Lena got demoted. Now she was stuck shooting staged waterfalls and hotel breakfast buffets for the travel catalogue division. Honestly? Served her right for trying to cross me.Apparently, I had Amira to thank for that little coup.I still didn’t know how I felt about her. The woman switched sides like it was Fashion Week and loyalty was just another trend. But one thing I did know? She was in love with Tyler. Hopelessly, painfully in love. That might’ve made her dangerous–but it also gave me leverage. And I wasn’t above playing that card if I had to.“So… you think this will work?” Camila’s voice broke through my thoughts and I remembered what I was doing… or trying to do.“I don’t know,” I sighed, moving all the mockups for my fall collect
ARIThe diamond necklace with the crystal pendant glinted in the mirror, catching the light like it still mattered. Like it still meant something. Gabe had given it to me for a birthday present. Placed it around my neck himself. Told me I looked like someone no one would dare cross. It had to mean something, right? A gift that rare didn’t come without weight.So I wore it today–not for sentiment, but strategy.Let him see it. Let him remember. Let him regret.But he didn’t. He barely blinked. No hesitation, no flicker of guilt. Just another command over the phone and a condescending smirk on his lips.“Nothing a blow dryer can’t fix,” Gabe said, like I was already a mistake he was eager to forget.I could’ve slapped him. I should’ve. But I wouldn’t give him that satisfaction. It would’ve meant I still cared.I’d lose a hundred battles before I let him see me lose the war.When I stormed into my father’s office, he didn’t even glance up from his damned ritual–always washing his hands
GABEI barely heard the door open behind me before Arianna’s scent hit the air–a soft, artificial sweetness that never sat right. I didn’t turn around. I was on the phone, my voice quiet.“Just put on a suit. I need you to go over there and fix this. She doesn’t need to deal with this right now. So please handle it.”Arianna moved closer as I flushed the urinal and moved to the sink to wash my hands.“You know the symbols on the outside of the door are there for a reason,” I said, not glancing at her.“Were you talking about Mila just now?” she asked, arms crossing as she leaned against the door. I ignored her and walked towards the office. It's been a busy couple of days with the move back to the Mora company. “You’re really moving on that fast, huh?” Arianna asked, following me. “The ink on the divorce papers is still wet.”“Nothing a blow dryer can’t fix,” I smiled, hoping to get rid of her, but the look on her face told me otherwise. “Arianna, don’t start.”Her lip curled. “Disg