AmberThe warmth in her voice soothed me just enough to keep my legs moving. We walked up a flight of stairs and down a quiet hallway before she stopped in front of a door. “This is your room, Amber,” she said, opening it.I stepped inside hesitantly, my breath catching as I took in the sight of the room. It was massive—far bigger than anything I’d ever experienced. The walls were painted in soft pastel hues that seemed to radiate warmth, and the bed in the center of the room was covered in a luxurious white comforter that looked impossibly soft. A plush rug sprawled across the polished wooden floors, and the window was enormous, letting sunlight pour in and casting a golden glow over everything.A chandelier hung delicately from the ceiling, its crystals sparkling like stars. There was a vanity table in one corner, complete with a mirror framed in gold, and a small seating area with a cozy armchair and side table near the window. The scent of fresh flowers drifted from a vase on the
AmberThe moment I felt the bond open up, I froze. My heart skipped a beat, my breath caught in my throat, and a sickening wave of dread washed over me.Then it hit me—Rayne’s emotions. They weren’t subtle or soft. They slammed into me like a tidal wave: raw, undiluted hatred and malice. It was so strong, so venomous, I could barely breathe under its weight. My body trembled, and my mind raced as the feelings seeped into every fiber of my being.He hates me. He loathes me.I panicked, shutting down my side of the bond as quickly as I could, cutting off the flood of emotions before they could drown me completely. My hand trembled as I pressed it against the wall, trying to steady myself, but nothing could stop the suffocating weight in my chest.My own mate.The realization clawed at me, sharp and relentless. My own mate hated me with such ferocity that it left me breathless. Why? What had I done to deserve this? My mind spiraled, and the thought emerged like a dark shadow in my mind:
AmberDr. Ichika’s eyes darkened with concern, but she didn’t interrupt.“Those horrible Alphas kidnapped me,” I continued, my voice shaking. “They dragged me to an abandoned building. They… they…”The words wouldn’t come. My throat felt like it was closing up, and my chest heaved with sobs.“You don’t have to say it,” Dr. Ichika said softly, her voice full of understanding.I nodded, clutching the tissue like it was a lifeline. “It was so brutal, so excruciating that I passed out. I thought I was going to die. But someone must have found me and brought me to the hospital. I don’t even know who.”The room fell silent except for my ragged breathing. Dr. Ichika let me cry, her presence steady and comforting.When I finally calmed down, she spoke. “Amber, what happened to you was horrific, and no one should ever have to endure what you did. But you’re still here. You survived. And that tells me just how strong you are.”I wiped my tears, my chest still aching. “But the bond… It’s always
Rayne I was worried about Reed. I had every reason to be, he had never behaved like this before. After that phone call two weeks ago, I hadn't heard from him again despite trying to contact him nonstop. For whatever reason, he refused to go home and his mum was getting worried because he hadn't reached out to her once and his phone was constantly on voicemail.I knew I hurt him deeply and he had every right to be mad at me but making his family worry was going a little overboard. I was ready to write another long ass apology message that would probably be left on read just like the rest, when my phone suddenly buzzed with a new notification. It was a message from Reed. Room 807, Grand Haven Hotel. That was it. No greeting, no explanation, just an address. I didn't think twice, I grabbed my car keys and got into my car, quickly finding the location of the hotel on my GPS and driving there. The hotel was pretty far from his home, a place I could have never guessed he could be hidi
RayneI exhaled sharply, my body thrumming with frustration, guilt, relief—all tangled together. “I just want us back,” I admitted. “I want you, Reed. Only you.” I looked into his eyes, searching for something—anything that would anchor me.Reed’s lips curled into a small, knowing smile that sent a shiver down my spine. “Oh, Rayne…” He reached up, his fingers brushing my jaw. “You’re mine. You’ve always been mine. I would never let you go. Not even if it kills me.” And then he pulled me down. Our lips met in a crash of heat and desperation. I groaned into the kiss, cupping his face as he tangled his fingers in my hair. The taste of whiskey lingered on his tongue, intoxicating, but all I cared about was the way he melted against me. The way he fit perfectly in my arms, like he was made for me. Reed let out a soft whimper as I deepened the kiss, tilting my head to claim him fully. His body pressed against mine, warm and pliant. I slid my hands down his sides, feeling the way
Rayne “That's it baby, hump my hand. Take it in like a bitch in heat, my little cockslut. Let me hear you, sweetheart. I'm gonna make you scream my name. Your voice, your moans, your whimpers— they all belong to me. You're gonna make those sounds only for me, is that clear, baby girl?”He nodded and I smacked his ass hard with my free hand, the sound reverberating around the room.“Use your words. I wanna hear you say who you belong to.” I growled.“All my… All my sounds are for you, I belong to you Alpha. Only you.” He admitted bashfully and I resumed fucking him with my fingers. He mewls.“Want your cock. Alpha… please, please fuck me. I'll be your good little Omega, just fill me up and fuck me stupid.” He begged prettily, shaking his ass like a whore and who was I to refuse him?I freed my cock from my pants. I was rock hard with excitement, hot and throbbing and so ready to bury all of me in Reed's sweet hole.I withdrew my fingers from his hole and he whined, his rim clenching a
AmberA sharp, searing pain tore through me, dragging me out of my sleep with a strangled gasp. At first, I thought I was having another nightmare, but this—this was so much worse.My heart felt like it was being ripped apart, an invisible force clawing at my chest, crushing my ribs until I could barely breathe. My throat tightened as a scream built up, but all that came out was a choked whimper.Then came the burning.A fire ignited at the base of my neck, scorching through my skin like a branding iron had been pressed against it. My mate mark pulsed with an unbearable heat, radiating pain down my spine and into my very bones. I clutched at my neck, fingers digging into the scarred flesh as if I could claw it off—tear it from my body and free myself from this torment.I wasn’t stupid. I knew exactly what was happening.Rayne was sleeping with someone else.The bond made sure I felt it.A dry sob tore from my lips. My vision blurred as hot tears spilled over, tracing burning paths dow
AmberMy hands wouldn’t stop trembling.I clenched them into fists, pressing them against my lap to still them, but it didn’t help. The hospital waiting room felt too bright, too sterile. The steady hum of fluorescent lights buzzed in my ears, mixing with the faint murmur of distant conversations. The sharp scent of antiseptic burned my nose, making my stomach churn.I shouldn’t be this nervous.Beside me, Ichika sat with her usual calm presence, her warmth grounding me even as my anxiety spiraled. She noticed my fidgeting and reached for my hand, lacing her fingers through mine and giving a reassuring squeeze.“You’re going to be okay,” she murmured. “Dr. Eden is a good friend of mine. He’s the best at what he does, and he’ll do everything he can for you.”I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. I wanted to believe her. I really did. But the thought of walking into a room with an Alpha I didn’t know made my skin crawl.Even if this doctor was supposed to help me, the idea of bein
AmberEvalie blinked up at me, visibly confused, the way kids often get when something doesn’t click right away. Her little brows scrunched, and I could almost see her mind turning the words over like puzzle pieces that didn’t quite fit—yet.I smiled gently and tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear.“You know how the other kids in your school have two parents?” I asked, voice soft, steady, though my heart pounded like a drum. “Well… that man from earlier—he’s your other parent. He’s your daddy.”She went very still.The silence that followed was thick. Not heavy exactly—just full. Like the air was holding its breath. I braced myself for her confusion, maybe even tears or questions I wasn’t ready to answer. My stomach clenched. I shouldn’t have waited so long. I should’ve told her sooner, eased her into it. But there was no going back now.Evalie’s lips parted slightly as she processed it… and then—without warning—her entire face lit up.“Really?” she whispered. “I have a daddy?”Be
AmberIt was happening. No more delays. No more hiding.Tomorrow at 10 a.m., I’d walk into that courtroom and face Rayne for the first time in seven years—not as a broken Omega begging for mercy, but as Evalie’s mother fighting for the right to keep her child safe.The weight of it settled over me like a thick, scratchy blanket I couldn’t shake off. After Reed’s impromptu and unpleasant visit last week, the house had been blessedly quiet. No more knocks on the door. No more unwelcome Alpha energy polluting my space. Just peace—and tension so sharp it made my spine ache.Still, I had done what needed to be done. I’d contacted Ina like Ian suggested.From the moment she heard the details of my case, Ina had been all in. It didn’t take much convincing. The second I mentioned Rayne’s name and the pack he was from, she was intrigued. When I explained what I’d been through—the assault, the threats, the power imbalance, and Evalie being the child in question—Ina’s voice grew tight with purpo
AmberReed’s face twisted with rage, eyes flashing like a cornered animal. I saw it— the mask crack. The real him bleeding through.“You slut,” he hissed, venom coating every syllable. “You fucking whore. You always were. Pretending to be some innocent little victim when you’ve been spreading your legs for whatever Alpha shows the slightest interest. Don’t act high and mighty with me.”I said nothing.“You think I don’t know how you got where you are?” He sneered, stepping closer. “You fucked your way through med school. Slept with the right people. Used that pathetic Omega allure of yours to get whatever you wanted. That’s what you do, isn’t it? It’s all you’re good for.”Still, I said nothing. But my hand was tightening on the doorframe so hard my nails were digging into the wood.He leaned forward, eyes dark. “You think this little war you’ve started is noble? That you’re some kind of martyr? You’re not. You’re just a selfish, bitter bitch who can’t handle the fact that she lost. R
AmberI had just gotten off the phone with another lawyer Ichika had managed to reach out to. So far? Things weren’t looking good.They acknowledged I had a solid case—on paper. But in reality, not many lawyers were willing to go up against the literal Alpha of the Pack. Alpha Rayne Hunter. The man had too much influence, too much reach. “It would be bad for business,” one of them said. “Dangerous even.” Another admitted, “Our reputation could suffer long-term if we cross the wrong people.”Their voices blended together into a nauseating chorus of fear and cowardice. It stung. I knew this wouldn’t be easy, but the sheer number of rejections was exhausting. And the ones who did consider the case? They were even worse.There was one woman in particular—an Omega, like me. I’d thought that would make a difference. I’d thought she would understand. I don’t know what I expected—compassion, maybe? Solidarity? But what I got instead was gall.The nerve.She had the audacity to chastise me. To
AmberI didn't want Evalie to grow up without me, to ever think for a second that she was unloved and unwanted. I knew exactly what that felt like— I had been abandoned by my own father and brothers—and I would never wish it on my worst enemy.I squeezed my eyes shut, a sob ripping from my chest.This couldn’t happen.I couldn’t let it happen.I almost gave in to the panic, to the devastation — but then a warm, steady presence unfurled inside me, strong and unyielding.Irma.My wolf growled low in my chest, fierce and protective, wrapping around me like an unbreakable shield.“No,” she whispered, her voice a steady thrum in my head. “We are Evalie’s mother. We raised her. We protected her. He cannot take her from us.”She released bursts of endorphins and they washed over me like waves, calming me down and reminding me of happier times. I had flashes of truth — Evalie's little arms around my neck, her sweet giggles filling our home, her sleepy "I love you, Mummy" whispered against my
AmberRayne had been quiet since his abrupt visit, and it was unsettling.I wasn’t sure what I had expected after that day — maybe for him to show up at the hospital, lurking by the emergency entrance like some stubborn shadow. Maybe he'd camp outside the house, demanding to see Evalie. Maybe he'd blow up my phone with calls or texts, shouting accusations. I even thought he'd try to contact Evalie somehow.But he didn’t.Not a call.Not a visit.Nothing.Just silence.And while a small part of me was grateful for the peace, I knew better than to trust it. I knew it was too early to celebrate, too naive to hope that it was over.This — this eerie stillness — it felt like the proverbial calm before the storm.A heavy, loaded quiet that pressed against my chest like a hand waiting to shove me under when I least expected it.I tried to shake the feeling, tried to convince myself I was just being paranoid — that maybe Rayne had gotten the closure he needed. Maybe seeing Evalie, even from a
ReedThe wait was the worst part.I sat on the edge of the bed, bouncing my leg anxiously, staring at the clock on the wall like I could will it to move faster.Rayne had gone to that bitch's house.To see their daughter.And I hated it.I hated sitting here helpless, not knowing what was happening. It twisted my stomach into knots, made my skin feel too tight for my body.But there wasn’t much I could do at the moment.Not yet.Soon, I promised myself.I was still coming up with a plan — something perfect, something flawless that would get rid of the problem once and for all.And when I enacted it, it would be final.Amber wouldn’t even know what hit her.I clenched my fists so hard the bones cracked.I needed to distract myself before I lost my mind.Grabbing my phone, I opened a shopping app, aimlessly scrolling through page after page of random crap—kitchen gadgets, wireless earbuds, luxury sneakers, designer watches.I wasn’t really seeing any of it. My mind was too full of Rayne
AmberAs soon as Ian was certain I could stand without collapsing, he quietly led me inside.The moment the door closed behind us, the world finally went still.No more growls, no more tension thick enough to choke on. Just Ian’s solid presence beside me, guiding me with gentle hands toward the living room.He helped me sit down on the couch, his movements tender, careful like I was made of glass.“Are you alright?” Ian asked softly, crouching in front of me, concern etched into every line of his handsome face. “Did he hurt you?”I shook my head, my voice barely above a whisper. “No. I’m okay.” My hands were still trembling slightly from the hormonal rush, but I forced a small smile. “Thanks to you.”He exhaled, visibly relieved.“I’m just glad I got here when I did,” he said, sinking down beside me. He stayed close, but not smothering, giving me space without pulling away completely. “What happened, Amber?”I stared down at my hands in my lap, picking at an invisible thread on my jea
AmberRayne’s hands flexed and unflexed at his sides like he was barely leashing a monster inside him.The tension crackled between us, thick and ugly. I knew he could overpower me physically if he wanted to. He was stronger, bigger, an Alpha in his prime. But there was no force on earth that could make me willingly hand Evalie over to him.We glared at each other, the silence blistering."You think you’re doing her a favor?" Rayne said, his voice dipping low and cruel. "Keeping her from her own blood? You’re screwing her up more than you know."I flinched, but didn’t move. "Better than letting her near a man who almost ruined her mother’s life," I retorted harshly.Rayne’s face darkened."She deserves to know who I am," he growled. "She deserves a father.""You forfeited that right the moment you abandoned me," I fired."You think you can just erase me?" He snarled, his voice vibrating with rage. "Pretend I don't exist? Pretend she doesn’t deserve to know her real father?"I stared h