Dealing with the expectations of leadership and the weight of legacy, Tyler has an unexpected interest in Mila. We will have to see if she reciprocates it.
MILA“Mila, this place looks amazing,” Laura gushed as I walked into the new headquarters of our operation. It had only taken three hours to bring everything over from the orphanage to the house in the woods. The transformation was astonishing: the once-empty space was now buzzing with energy and purpose. I gathered everyone around the table in the living room that was covered with fashion sketches, mood boards, and other things in case someone came looking. I placed the board that mapped out the plan we had for everyone.“Alright,” I said, my voice steady with determination. “Let’s go over what everyone is doing.”Laura placed the touchscreen laptop in the middle of the table and projections displayed in front of us. “This is an outline of both MoonCrest and Grand Mountain packhouses and offices,” Laura said, pointing to the different areas of the outline. “We have the tech to eavesdrop if necessary but we have to get inside.”“I’m sure I can get a meeting with both,” I said, glanci
MILAThis would have been the perfect time to have a decoy I thought as I smiled and waved at Tyler and his new woman. I have never seen someone clinged to another the way this woman was and Tyler’s face was definitely a cry for help. Help I didn’t want to give. The closer they got the more Tyler’s face changed from desperation to admiration. I wasn’t all that surprised. Camile picked out a cute ensemble today. She needed to be in charge of everything and it felt good being dressed since I do most of it when I’m working. Today she put me in a thin-knit turtleneck under an oversized boyfriend button-down, a leather miniskirt paired with tights, thigh-length boots. This was a season for layers and by the look on Tyler’s face, he was taking off each one with his eyes. This wasn’t good I thought looking down at the pills in my purse.“Emilia. Fancy seeing you here.”“Alpha Tyler, I would say it’s a pleasure but you know,” I replied, forcing a polite smile. There was a quiet moment as the
GABEI heard a crash from inside the office and instinctively stood in front of Noah. Mirabella scrambled out of the office, clothes and hair disheveled. I reached out to keep her from falling on the ground and she jumped away from me.“Mirabella, what’s going on?” I asked, helping her to a seat.She was about to say something when she looked behind me. I turned to see the concerned look on my son’s face and went to him.“Hey, it’s okay buddy,” I said, embracing him. He was never a fan of loud noises. “How about you stay out here with Mirabella? She can show you how to play those cool games on my phone, okay?”I ushered him towards Mirabella who gave me a sympathetic look. I knew that meant Arianna was in a “do not engage” mood, but I wasn’t that kind of partner. If she was in pain and I could help, I would always lend a hand. I cautiously opened the door and saw Arianna pacing near her desk, phone pressed to her ear.“I don’t care if she was more famous than the Kardashian sisters,” s
MILAAfter what felt like an eternity of waiting, I was finally granted access to the packgrounds and led to the packhouse. Even though I didn’t have many memories from before the accident, this place felt strangely familiar. The moment I crossed the threshold, I sensed a pull deep within me that I couldn’t quite describe. Even Rayne commented on it.“It’s not like a mate’s bond but more spiritual,” she remarked as I pulled up to the packhouse.The packhouse stood majestically at the edge of the dense forest, an imposing structure blending rustic charm with modern elegance. Its exterior was constructed from large, rough-hewn logs, giving it a sturdy, timeless appearance. Stone chimneys rose from the roof, which was a mix of wooden shingles and metal accents. The sprawling building had multiple wings, each with large, panoramic windows that offered views of the surrounding wilderness. Ivy climbed the walls, and flower boxes filled with vibrant blooms adorned the windowsills, softening t
MILA“Just act surprised.” Camila linked me, sounding calm and reassuring. That was all I needed to know to get into character.“Camila!” I gasped, allowing my voice to tremble with the right amount of shock. My eyes widened in shock, taking in the chaotic swirls of red, yellow, and blue paint that covered her from head to toe. Almost like a mad artist used her as the canvas for abstract art. It was almost comical, but the look in her eyes told me that this was all part of her plan.“I’m so glad you’re here,” Camila said, beaming as if this situation was the most normal thing in the world. “The tour was boring but the West Wing was interesting.” She gave me a pointed look, and I knew exactly what she was hinting at. That was our destination. “I wanted to add a personal touch, you know, so people could know I was here.”“Okay,” I said, looking at the behemoth that was standing behind her. His presence was commanding, and I could feel the weight of his gaze as he assessed me. There was s
MILAI barely had time to duck behind a nearby bookshelf before the door swung over. I cursed myself for not having a scent mask spray in my bag. I calmed myself, hoping my heartbeat was faint to their ears, though theirs were moving too fast for mine to matter.Where are you? He’s getting suspicious,” Camila said, her tone edged with urgency.“Just hurry up before Alpha Gregory comes back,” a woman’s voice urged, ushering a man into the room.“Why do we need all this information about MAD Stylez anyway?” the man asked, his voice carrying a note of frustration.“Who knows and who cares?” the woman snapped back, clearly eager to get out of there. I heard the sound of a drawer opening and then closing with a soft thud. “Wait, do you smell that?” The man asked, sniffing around the room. “It’s a sweet scent and the presence feels… off.”He moved towards my direction as I flattened myself against the wall. IF he got too close, I'd have to use Rayne’s power to knock him out, but the woman a
MILAI stood at the head of the table, every eye on me, waiting for my lead. I looked over the details and dossiers of my targets, feeling the pressure of this journey on my shoulders. This was my plan, my revenge, and I had to make sure it went off without a hitch. “Okay, people. Time for Operation ‘Get Daddy’!” I announced, trying to cut through the nervous tension in the room. Predictably, the room filled with groans and laughter.“No way in hell I’m calling it that,” Alex said, shaking his head.“More like Operation Zaddy,” Camila laughed, picking up Alpha Gregory’s dossier. “In another dimension, Alpha Gregory could get it.”“Hey, I still have young ears here,” Laura complained, shooting a disapproving look at Camila. “Can we not?” Jenna muttered, her face scrunching up in disgust. “I just threw up in my mouth.”“Geez, fine,” I smirked, raising my hands in mock surrender. “We’ll table the name for now.” The laughter faded, and I felt the atmosphere shift. “So, I have a meeting
ARILuna Emily truly outdone herself for the ceremony, transforming the typical sterile conference room into a curated oasis. The air was rich with the intoxicating scents of jasmine and vanilla, adding an air of sophistication to the already lavish setting. Every detail, from the sculpted hedges to the towering floral arrangements, screamed elegance and exclusivity. I moved through the crowds of industry elites, investors, and of course, the students of the school. I offered smiles and nods, basking in the admiration and subtle envy that followed me.Wearing one of my own designs, a stunning emerald-green dress that hugged me as if it were made for a goddess, I made sure every bead caught the light with each step. The diamond earrings I chose to wear were a quiet reminder to everyone present of the life I lived–the life they wished they could have.But as usual, my father’s voice cut through my moment of glory. “Make sure you’re on your best behavior at this ceremony, Arianna,” he sai
MILAI leaned back in my chair, tapping a pen against my chin as I studied the sketches laid out before me. The designs were flawless, innovative–exactly what will impress Deveaux. Yet, none of it would matter if I didn’t have the right model to bring them to life. Good thing, I had the perfect person.“We have a problem.” Camila rushed into the room, tapping away on her tablet.“You say that like it’s something new.”Camila laid the tablet in front of me. The screen cycled through different news outlets of my past work with many models.“Why are you showing me pictures of my past work?”“Because of this, Amira backed out and now.”Camila tapped the screen and pictures of Amira and Arianna popped up everywhere. She was working with Arianna now.I dropped the pen onto my desk, looking at Camila. “What?”“The contract we sent failed through.” Camil crossed her arms, a mix of frustration and concern in her eyes. “Word got to her that you once chose Zuri over her a few years back. Amira
ARII could see everyone’s eyes on me. Once Tyler left, Emily moved us to the Alpha’s office. Troy sat in the chair with Emily standing behind him. Her lips were pressed into a thin line, her arms crossed tightly across her chest as she looked between us.I sat in one of the chairs as Gabe stood by the door, his jaw set tight, his eyes fixed on some distant point beyond the window. I knew this moment would come, I was hoping for it. Maybe his parents could talk some sense into him.“Gabriel,” Emily finally broke the silence, her voice carefully controlled but trembling at the edges, “surely this is something we can talk through? Divorce is… drastic. Unnecessary.”My heart pounded in my chest. “Yes,” I added quickly, stepping closer to Gabe. One look from him made me stop. “We can fix this. I can fix this. Gabe, please.”His expression was blank. He didn’t flinch or soften. “No, Arianna. This isn’t something to fix. It’s over. My decision is final.”Final.The word echoed in my mind,
TYLERI played with the egg yolks on my plates, the fork scraping softly against the porcelain. My appetite had long since disappeared, replaced by a gnawing ache in my chest that had nothing to do with hunger. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t get Mila out of my head. The heat of her skin against mine, the way she compelled me to bid her every command, the way her touch trembled with a desperation neither of us could name–a fire that burned between us but never seemed to satisfy her. I knew it was because of her bond with Gabe. It was always him.Even with me, she was still tethered to him. But if she kept coming to me instead of him, didn’t that mean something? I clung to that shred of hope like a fool, convincing myself that maybe–just maybe–she was waiting for me to prove I was the better choice.Then her words came back, slicing through my fantasy.“If I ever become someone’s Luna… it will be with someone who doesn’t cover up other people’s messes.”My jaw tightened. The mem
MILAThe sweet scent of sweat and sex hung heavy in the air, mixing with the faint, lingering traces of pine and earth drifting through the open window. The warm breeze did nothing to cool the fire raging beneath my skin. If anything, it only stoked it.A muffled sound pulled me back to the moment. I glanced down to see Tyler shifting beneath me, his wrists tugging against the bindings securing him to the chair and the gag in his mouth. Right. I had come here, needing a release. How long have we’ve been at this? I wondered. I straddled him, my skin slick with perspiration, but the fire in my veins refused to die down. My heat clawed at my insides, demanding more. “It won’t stop until he accepts our rejection,” Rayne voiced inside my head, edged with frustration. “You know this.”I bit back a growl. I knew. Goddess, I knew. Fucking Gabe. Even thinking his name made my chest tighten with something that was equal parts anger and longing. My body burned for his touch, for his scent, for
MILAA sharp beep woke me up in the middle of the night. One of the many computers I’ve been watching lit up. The motion detector feed from the cemetery flickered to life. I watched the screen until a scrappy figure moved towards the tombstone. The shape was unmistakable.Him.“Got you.”I geared up before leaving, making sure I had everything to keep my presence concealed. Couldn’t have Zeke or Tom or any of the patrols knowing I was there. Then there was Gabe. I hadn’t seen him since that day. I shook my head. No time to think of him.Moments later, I found myself at the cemetery, moving towards my faux grave. Just as I hope there he was, blending with the shadows before settling on the two graves.Frederick.The man who cradled me as a child. Who once carried me on his shoulders, feeding me cotton candy. The man who mourned a fake daughter as I did a fake father. The necklace around his neck glowed as he placed more flowers on the grave.Flowers for his mate.Flowers for me.The ac
GABEI leaned back in my chair, eyes fixed on the laptop screen. The shit that happened a few weeks ago burned into my memory as I watched Arianna beat Mirabella senselessly, and Gregory standing there with a cruel smile. My jaw tightened. I had the evidence–proof of their true nature. But what now? Exposing them would definitely bring a fallout, but the thought of protecting Mila outweighed the risks. With a deep breath, I clicked send, forwarding the video to Mila. The ball was in her court now. A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts. He expected more paperwork, another demand that Gregory had over the transition of the company. With the recent investigation over Alpha Frank’s dealings the board made an unanimous vote to make me the face of the company. Though I knew Gregory needed a safety net to place all his holdings with me and keep the council from seizing it. The door opened and Laura walked in. Her eyes scanned the room before settling on me with a knowing look.“Laura,
TYLERI swear I could feel the coldness from Arianna’s stare from the other side of the room. She leaned into Randall, whispering something before casting another glance my way. A knot in my stomach. Were they plotting something against Mila? I needed to stop them before they had a chance.“Right, Tyler?”Mila’s voice pulled me back to reality. I blinked, realizing I had completely turned out of the conversation. Desperate to cover my distraction, I said the first thing that came to mind.“Of course, anything you say.”Laughter rippled through the press around us, an inside joke I wasn’t in on. I turned to Mila, silently asking for an explanation.“I told them you’d say exactly that if you weren’t listening and that’s how I get my way,” she said with a knowing smile.I chuckled, rubbing the back of my neck. “Caught me. I’ve got a lot on my mind.”“I bet,” one of the press members said. “I hear you’re in for some serious competition now that your brother is taking over the Mora company
ARI“Arianna!” I blinked, noticing my stepmother looking at me with confusion. “Snap out of it. People are always watching us, and I can’t have both you and your sister looking like asylum escapees.”I looked around, briefly remembering where I was–another charity event for a cause she neither knew nor cared about.“That would be an upgrade,” Gregory scoffed, his glass of whiskey swirling with a slow, measured agitation. The man was just never happy. Even after I’ve done everything he asked me to, somehow he was still disappointed. I glanced over at Amber, who was sitting, staring blankly into the distance. She hadn’t been the same since Frank’s sudden departure. Even her husband, Harry, called it quits. Apparently someone leaked the photos of her affair and he had divorce papers wired to her the next day. Francesca had all but drugged Amber into compliance, upping her meds until she was little more than a shadow of herself. I watched as her fingers toyed with the edge of her napkin
ARIThe tires of my car crunched over the loose gravel as my driver pulled over to the desolate warehouse. My father’s voice over the phone echoed in my mind–cold, clipped, and commanding. Get here. Now.He offered no details, but he didn’t have to. I knew that tone. The same tone he used whenever I stepped out of line, but for the life of me, I couldn’t think of what I did this time. I absentmindedly touched the diamond necklace Gabe gifted me as an early birthday present, though it wasn’t until next month, but at least it was calming. At least I had him in my corner. I got out of the car and walked through the heavily guarded door. My stomach was in knots when I entered the open space and the echoing sound of fists meeting flesh guided my gaze.Father stood in the center of the warehouse, his knuckles stained red as he drove another blow into the face of a man bound to a chair. I stopped walking when I realized it was Alpha Frank. He was barely recognizable.Blood streamed from his