As I walked out to the car, the cool evening air kissed my cheeks, and I spotted Killian sitting in the front seat, an inscrutable expression on his face. Behind him, Lauren and Jenny were deep in conversation, their laughter filtering through the air.Sliding into the driver's seat, I greeted Killian with a playful smirk. "Did you miss me, or were you reveling in the silence?" I quipped, teasingly raising an eyebrow.His gaze met mine, a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "You took your sweet time," he said, his a bit serious.The voice from the back seat, presumably Lauren, chimed in, "You should've called us to witness the epic Colin-roasting session. We would've brought popcorn."Jenny, who seemed equally invested in the conversation, added, "Yeah, a phone call would've been nice. I was missing my daily dose of Mellisa's sarcasm."Killian shook his head, a mock disapproval on his face. "It wouldn't have taken that long," he said, conveniently handing me a glass of

Before tying the knot with Killian, there's a prerequisite I must fulfill. The prospect of marrying the future alpha of a wolf pack comes with its challenges. According to Killian's mother, proving my worth is an essential trial. This involves venturing into his pack's territory, navigating the enchanting Solana forest—a mystical expanse. Both Killian and I must traverse this woodland to affirm our connection as each other's true mates.I turned to Killian with a raised eyebrow. "Magical forest, seriously? Are we going to encounter fairies and unicorns along the way?"Killian chuckled, his eyes sparkling with a mischievous glint. "More like mischievous sprites and perhaps an enchanted tree or two.""Enchanted trees?" I rolled my eyes. "Great. Just what every bride dreams of encountering before her wedding day.""If I accidentally offend a tree spirit, do you think it'll hold a grudge against our marriage?"Killian laughed, the sound echoing through the magical grove. "I'm pretty sure

Trapped in this stifling room, my body immobilized, my pleas echoing against the walls like a desperate symphony. I'm not one to easily admit defeat, but in this hellish confinement, my frustration reached a boiling point. "Mom, for the love of all that's holy, let me go! Melissa's in danger, can't you see that?" I roared, every fiber of my being aching to break free. Henrietta, my composed and infuriatingly calm mother, stood on the other side of the door. Her gaze, unwavering, met mine through the narrow gap between the frame and the door itself. A twisted smile played on her lips, sending shivers down my spine. "Patience, Killian. Your beloved Mellisa will be fine. Just a little longer," she replied, as if orchestrating some cruel game. Frustration clawed at me, my hands involuntarily balling into fists. "Damn it, Mom! My mark is burning. She's in pain. Why are you doing this?" I seethed, the weight of helplessness bearing down on me like a vice. Henrietta, ever the enigma, regar

In the midst of a heated exchange, George, his voice thundering with authority, berated Henrietta for her meddling ways, accusing her of driving both Killian and Mellisa to the brink of destruction with her relentless interference. "You've gone too far this time, Henrietta! Your incessant meddling has brought nothing but chaos to our family," he exclaimed, his frustration palpable.Henrietta, undeterred by George's reproach, fired back with a sharp retort. "Lane is nothing but a commoner, a mere opportunist," she countered, her tone laced with disdain. "Once Killian ascended to his rightful position as alpha, she'd do nothing but leech off the Anderson name, offering little in return."“And when did you decided that?” “The moment I saw her.” As George shook his head in disbelief, he brandished a stack of papers before Henrietta, each page filled with damning information meticulously gathered through his own investigations. "You're wrong, Henrietta. Dead wrong," he asserted, his voic

As Killian paced the room, his anxiety practically radiated off him like heat waves in the desert. I couldn't help but chuckle at his nervous energy. "Hey there, jittery groom-to-be," I called out teasingly, watching as he made another lap around the suite.He shot me a sheepish grin, running a hand through his tousled hair. "Can't seem to sit still, you know?"I raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise. "Really? I hadn't noticed," I deadpanned, earning a playful eye roll from him.Richard, Killian's loyal assistant and beta, entered the room, carrying a thick stack of papers. "The marriage contract, as requested," he announced, placing the documents on the table.Killian's eyes widened at the sight of the papers, his nerves kicking into overdrive. "Right, the contract," he muttered, fidgeting with the edge of his suit jacket.I shot him a reassuring smile, reaching out to take his hand. "Hey, it's okay. We've got plenty of time before the ceremony. Let's sit down and go through this toge