The ballroom glowed in warm candlelight and the radiant shimmer of magical orbs that hovered delicately in the air. It was a scene of splendor and elegance, wolves in finely tailored garments moving with grace across the polished marble floor, the sound of soft violins painting an air of civility over the tension that buzzed underneath. Becca walked beside Eugene, her arm securely linked with his, and both wore soft smiles as they mingled with the crowd.Eugene’s expression was calm, almost serene, but Becca could feel the tension in his muscles. Every step he took was calculated. Every breath measured. Yet she kept herself close to him, their linked arms serving not just as a show of affection but as an anchor. An assurance.Behind them, Max followed a few feet away, his posture stiff and his face furrowed in deep worry. Mira walked beside him, her gaze movinv from couple to couple before landing on Max. The concern etched into his features wasn’t subtle."Max," she said softly
The music of the ballroom had begun to rise in pace, a graceful but commanding melody moving through the air. Lights flickered softly against the high golden ceilings, and the scent of expensive cologne, perfume, and sweet wine saturated the space. Amidst it all, Jack moved like a man with a mission.He scanned the crowd, eyes sharp, his lips thinned. Alpha Desmond had vanished. One moment, he was at the stairs, watching Eugene and Becca with that sinister smile curling at his lips. The next, he was gone. Slipped into the crowd like a serpent through grass. Jack’s instincts were prickling. Something wasn’t right. He pushed past a group of laughing elders, muttering polite apologies, but his mind was already turning.That was when it happened.Jack turned a corner a little too quickly and collided into someone."Oh!"A gasp escaped the woman as red wine splashed down the front of her pink satin gown. She blinked, stunned. Jack’s eyes widened, horrified."I’m—I’m so sorry," Jack s
Becca led Eugene through the murmuring crowd, her hand still in his, guiding him toward one of the private rooms tucked away from the bright lights and curious eyes of the ballroom. The heavy door clicked shut behind them, sealing them in a hush of velvet shadows and quiet tension. As soon as Becca let go of his hand, Eugene took a step back, his chest rising and falling sharply.Then he exploded.“I should have ripped his head off,” Eugene growled, his voice low and guttural—less man and more beast. His fists clenched and unclenched as he paced the room like a caged predator. “I stood there, Becca, watching him smirk like he owns the godsdamned world. The way he looked at you, the way he talked down at me in front of everyone… if I hadn’t held myself back—”“Eugene—”“I wanted to kill him.”Becca froze. She had never heard Eugene talk like this. The calm, composed Alpha who always seemed to be in control now radiated pure, unfiltered rage. His voice carried the kind of fury that
Luna Seraphina led Desmond through the crowd of dancers and guests, her heels clicking softly against the marble floor. Her movements were poised and elegant, but there was an undercurrent of tension in the way she walked, as though she knew tonight would mark the turning point in their plans.She brought him to a quiet corner of the ballroom, hidden from prying eyes. The heavy curtains shielded them from the chaos of the night, offering them the privacy they needed.Desmond exhaled sharply, letting the weight of the conversation hang in the air. "I’m making progress with Eugene. He’s close to snapping. The cracks are showing. But Becca... she’s in the way," He muttered, his voice a low growl.Seraphina's gaze flickered to his, her lips curling slightly at the edges, her eyes narrowing with purpose. "I’ve been thinking the same thing," she replied softly, her voice almost a whisper. "She's a threat to everything we've worked for. If we don’t remove her tonight, Eugene will remain
The muffled hum of violins and polite laughter from the grand ballroom faded into the background as Mira and Max walked deeper into the marble-floored hallway. The soft tap of Mira's heels echoed against the walls, her mind whirling not with thoughts of Eugene or Becca, but with the image of Jack.Jack with Ava.Ava holding onto his arm as if she owned him, smiling up at him like she had known him for years. The memory of it burned behind her eyes.Max walked beside her, his strides quick and alert. He kept looking around, clearly agitated."We need to find Alpha Eugene before Alpha Desmond does something he can't undo," Max muttered under his breath, his eyes scanning the corridor ahead. "He’s been too quiet tonight. That worries me."Mira didn’t respond. Her gaze had dropped to the velvet carpet beneath their feet. Her heart was in her throat, her thoughts tangled in emotion.There was something about Ava that didn't sit right with her and she couldn't help but feel that Jack was
The warmth of Eugene’s palm lingered against Becca's as their hands remained clasped, their foreheads touching gently. The low hum of the distant music from the ballroom was muffled behind thick oak doors, wrapping the moment in a fragile silence. Becca could feel his breath on her face—steady, confident, and far too intoxicating. She had told herself this meant nothing. She was a healer. She was helping a man in need. That was all.It was normal for her, as a healer, to help someone who needed her so he can be well and that was exactly what she was doing. She told herself more times than she could remember.She also convinced herself she wasn't just helping Eugene but also keeping the other pack members safe because if things went out of control, it would be disastrous.She told herself she was pretty much a hero and that was all it was. Nothing more, nothing less.But her heart beat betrayed her.Eugene pulled back slightly and tilted his head, a mischievous smirk playing at the
Becca hit the cold floor hard, her knees brushing against the rough surface, her hands trembling as she held her stomach. Pain shot through her, but it was nothing compared to the ache in her heart. The grand doors of the Alpha’s mansion towered behind her, their golden handles glinting under the moonlight. But the beauty of the castle was a stark contrast to the cruelty of the man standing above her.Alpha Desmond.He looked down at her with disgust, his piercing blue eyes sharp and unforgiving. His dark hair fell over his face to make him look even more terrifying as his muscular body was towering over her. He was every bit the powerful ruler their pack revered—strong, merciless, and utterly ruthless.“Get out of my sight, Omega.” His voice was cold, void of any emotion. The words sliced through her like a blade.Becca clutched her breast, her breath coming in short gasps. “Alpha, please… I—”Desmond let out a cruel laugh, the sound echoing in the courtyard where his warriors
Becca gritted her teeth as she half-dragged, half-carried the unconscious man inside her clinic. He was much heavier than she had expected, his body packed with thick muscle beneath the robes he wore. Her arms ached, but she didn’t stop—not when his fevered skin burned against hers, not when she felt the unsteady rise and fall of his chest.Without hesitation, she put him onto her table.As she attempted to remove his clothes, a scent drifted toward her—faint but unmistakable.Her entire body froze.No…That scent.It was familiar. Too familiar.Her stomach twisted violently, nausea rising in her throat.It smelled like him.Like Alpha Desmond.A scent she had spent months trying to forget. A scent that haunted her nightmares. A scent that had once made her heart race with longing, only to now make her sick with anger.She stumbled back, her breath shallow. Was it him? Had Desmond come here in disguise? Had he—?No.She took a deep breath, forcing herself to think rationally. Th
The warmth of Eugene’s palm lingered against Becca's as their hands remained clasped, their foreheads touching gently. The low hum of the distant music from the ballroom was muffled behind thick oak doors, wrapping the moment in a fragile silence. Becca could feel his breath on her face—steady, confident, and far too intoxicating. She had told herself this meant nothing. She was a healer. She was helping a man in need. That was all.It was normal for her, as a healer, to help someone who needed her so he can be well and that was exactly what she was doing. She told herself more times than she could remember.She also convinced herself she wasn't just helping Eugene but also keeping the other pack members safe because if things went out of control, it would be disastrous.She told herself she was pretty much a hero and that was all it was. Nothing more, nothing less.But her heart beat betrayed her.Eugene pulled back slightly and tilted his head, a mischievous smirk playing at the
The muffled hum of violins and polite laughter from the grand ballroom faded into the background as Mira and Max walked deeper into the marble-floored hallway. The soft tap of Mira's heels echoed against the walls, her mind whirling not with thoughts of Eugene or Becca, but with the image of Jack.Jack with Ava.Ava holding onto his arm as if she owned him, smiling up at him like she had known him for years. The memory of it burned behind her eyes.Max walked beside her, his strides quick and alert. He kept looking around, clearly agitated."We need to find Alpha Eugene before Alpha Desmond does something he can't undo," Max muttered under his breath, his eyes scanning the corridor ahead. "He’s been too quiet tonight. That worries me."Mira didn’t respond. Her gaze had dropped to the velvet carpet beneath their feet. Her heart was in her throat, her thoughts tangled in emotion.There was something about Ava that didn't sit right with her and she couldn't help but feel that Jack was
Luna Seraphina led Desmond through the crowd of dancers and guests, her heels clicking softly against the marble floor. Her movements were poised and elegant, but there was an undercurrent of tension in the way she walked, as though she knew tonight would mark the turning point in their plans.She brought him to a quiet corner of the ballroom, hidden from prying eyes. The heavy curtains shielded them from the chaos of the night, offering them the privacy they needed.Desmond exhaled sharply, letting the weight of the conversation hang in the air. "I’m making progress with Eugene. He’s close to snapping. The cracks are showing. But Becca... she’s in the way," He muttered, his voice a low growl.Seraphina's gaze flickered to his, her lips curling slightly at the edges, her eyes narrowing with purpose. "I’ve been thinking the same thing," she replied softly, her voice almost a whisper. "She's a threat to everything we've worked for. If we don’t remove her tonight, Eugene will remain
Becca led Eugene through the murmuring crowd, her hand still in his, guiding him toward one of the private rooms tucked away from the bright lights and curious eyes of the ballroom. The heavy door clicked shut behind them, sealing them in a hush of velvet shadows and quiet tension. As soon as Becca let go of his hand, Eugene took a step back, his chest rising and falling sharply.Then he exploded.“I should have ripped his head off,” Eugene growled, his voice low and guttural—less man and more beast. His fists clenched and unclenched as he paced the room like a caged predator. “I stood there, Becca, watching him smirk like he owns the godsdamned world. The way he looked at you, the way he talked down at me in front of everyone… if I hadn’t held myself back—”“Eugene—”“I wanted to kill him.”Becca froze. She had never heard Eugene talk like this. The calm, composed Alpha who always seemed to be in control now radiated pure, unfiltered rage. His voice carried the kind of fury that
The music of the ballroom had begun to rise in pace, a graceful but commanding melody moving through the air. Lights flickered softly against the high golden ceilings, and the scent of expensive cologne, perfume, and sweet wine saturated the space. Amidst it all, Jack moved like a man with a mission.He scanned the crowd, eyes sharp, his lips thinned. Alpha Desmond had vanished. One moment, he was at the stairs, watching Eugene and Becca with that sinister smile curling at his lips. The next, he was gone. Slipped into the crowd like a serpent through grass. Jack’s instincts were prickling. Something wasn’t right. He pushed past a group of laughing elders, muttering polite apologies, but his mind was already turning.That was when it happened.Jack turned a corner a little too quickly and collided into someone."Oh!"A gasp escaped the woman as red wine splashed down the front of her pink satin gown. She blinked, stunned. Jack’s eyes widened, horrified."I’m—I’m so sorry," Jack s
The ballroom glowed in warm candlelight and the radiant shimmer of magical orbs that hovered delicately in the air. It was a scene of splendor and elegance, wolves in finely tailored garments moving with grace across the polished marble floor, the sound of soft violins painting an air of civility over the tension that buzzed underneath. Becca walked beside Eugene, her arm securely linked with his, and both wore soft smiles as they mingled with the crowd.Eugene’s expression was calm, almost serene, but Becca could feel the tension in his muscles. Every step he took was calculated. Every breath measured. Yet she kept herself close to him, their linked arms serving not just as a show of affection but as an anchor. An assurance.Behind them, Max followed a few feet away, his posture stiff and his face furrowed in deep worry. Mira walked beside him, her gaze movinv from couple to couple before landing on Max. The concern etched into his features wasn’t subtle."Max," she said softly
The heavy double doors of the Alpha’s study groaned slightly as Max pushed them open, revealing the spacious, dimly lit room within. The thick scent of cedarwood and a trace of something sharp—anger, maybe—hung in the air. Becca stepped in first, Mira close behind her, and Max followed them silently. The atmosphere was tense, as though the walls themselves had soaked in the fury of the man pacing before the wide window.Alpha Eugene stood stiffly, his back to them, his shoulders tight with frustration. The pale moonlight filtering through the tall windows struck the side of his face, outlining his clenched jaw. His hands were balled into fists by his sides. His chest rose and fell heavily, controlled but strained.When he heard the door close, he turned—and the moment his eyes landed on Becca, his expression darkened further."Max," he growled, his voice sharp. "I told you I didn't want to see anyone. Especially her."Becca stopped in her tracks, her heart tightening at the sheer
The golden chandeliers blazed above the ballroom, casting warm glows upon shimmering gowns, ornate masks, and regal suits. Becca stood beside Mira, locked in polite conversation with the charming and soft-spoken Lady Aveline.“...And what I’ve envisioned,” Becca said earnestly, “are smaller healing centers set up across the various towns. Clinics that don’t require permission or status to enter—just wolves helping other wolves.”Lady Aveline’s green eyes sparkled with interest. “That’s such a noble vision, my lady. It’s rare to hear someone in the Alpha’s court speak of the commonfolk with such passion. And it would certainly raise the morale across the districts.”Mira smiled, proud of Becca’s poise and clarity. “Luna Becca has always been someone who sees people beyond titles,” she added.Before Aveline could respond, a pair of elegant arms swept around her from behind. A rich, familiar laugh laced with subtle poison interrupted their calm.“Darling Aveline, I was wondering wher
Luna Seraphina, Alpha Desmond, and Jack moved through the crowd with a shared sense of triumph, their faces adorned with smiles.Desmond's broad shoulders held the weight of authority. His walk was confident, almost predatory, as if he had just claimed something precious. Luna Seraphina walked beside him, her regal aura matching her composure.Jack, on the other hand, felt the creeping tendrils of guilt wrap around him. His face was expressionless, a mask he had perfected, but inside, his heart churned. Jack swallowed, wishing desperately to be anywhere but here.Luna Seraphina leaned toward Desmond, her voice barely audible above the soft hum of the crowd. “Do you think he’ll come tonight?” she asked, her tone dripping with amusement.Desmond’s smile widened, a cruel edge to it. “Eugene?” he asked, his voice mocking. “He’s too scared to show his face, Seraphina. He knows what’s coming. By the time the full moon reaches its peak, he won’t be able to control himself. He’ll be a mo