All Chapters of FALLING FOR THE ALPHA'S SHADOW: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Seren's POV"Miss Halliwell! You're just in time for coffee!"I cringed inwardly the moment I heard Evelyn’s singsong voice echo from across the lobby. My boss stood beside her, beaming like it was the highlight of his day to hand me that steaming latte. I forced a polite smile and kept walking toward my office like I hadn’t heard either of them.Too early. Too tired. Too much emotional residue from last night’s dream.“Good morning,” I muttered, giving them both a nod before reaching for my office door like it was a lifeline.No such luck.Before I could even settle into my chair, the door creaked open again and in strolled Mr. Miller, latte in one hand and expectation written all over his face.“Seren,” he said with that too-friendly tone, “I need a favor.”I didn’t even sit down. That phrase—I need a favor—never came without strings. And judging by his hopeful expression, this one was going to come with chains.“I haven’t even had a sip of my caffeine yet,” I warned, shrugging off

Seren’s POV"Mom, are you ready?"Dorian’s voice pulled me from the storm in my mind. He stood in the doorway of my room, backpack slung over one shoulder, his hopeful smile doing little to ease the dread curling in my chest.“Yeah,” I said, though it felt like a lie. “I’m ready.”He stepped in and gave me a firm side hug, grounding me for a moment in his warmth. “Everything’s going to be fine. I won’t let anything happen to you.”I smiled tightly and stood from the edge of my bed, where I'd been sitting with my palms pressed against my thighs, trying to breathe through the panic. “Funny, I thought I was supposed to be the one reassuring you.”He laughed, and there was no fear in it—just the easy confidence that seventeen-year-olds wore like armor. “I’ve always got your back. Always.” Then, without waiting, he grabbed my last suitcase and disappeared down the hall.I lingered for a second. This house—the creaky floorboards, the faded photos on the wall, the smell of old coffee and lem

Seren's POV"Where is his office?" I asked, voice sharp, arms crossed, and eyes locked on the Beta like I dared him to challenge me.Beta Vaughn blinked in surprise. “I’m sorry… what?”“Mom, maybe—don’t,” Dorian said, his voice low with warning.I kept my stare on the Beta. “I said, where is Alpha Kairos Aspen’s office?”Vaughn cleared his throat. “First floor, last door on the left.”“Thank you.” I turned on my heel before either of them could say another word.I’ve dealt with Alphas before. Arrogance wrapped in muscle and entitlement. I grew up under one. I married one. I survived one. I wasn’t going to let another try and lord over me just because he wore a title like a crown.“He is devastatingly attractive, though,” Lily—my wolf—murmured in my head.“Yeah? So are hurricanes. Still dangerous,” I snapped back.By the time I knocked on his office door—more like slammed—I was a storm of my own.“Come in,” his voice called out, low and composed. Too composed.I marched in, shutting th

Seren’s POV"You seriously think I’m going to play by his rules?" I muttered under my breath, my fingers flying over the keys of my laptop with more force than necessary."He's not just playing... he's perfect," Lily, my wolf, purred dreamily from the back of my mind, her voice syrupy with longing.I rolled my eyes so hard it hurt. "Perfect? He’s an arrogant, bossy, overbearing Alpha who thinks the world should kneel at his feet.""You noticed his feet too, huh?" she teased."Focus, Lily. We’re not here to ogle; we’re here to survive," I growled internally, shutting her out as best I could.Slamming the enter key a little harder than necessary, I focused back on the screen, scrolling through spreadsheets. I should’ve been unpacking, settling into this so-called ‘safe house’ the Aspen pack so generously set up for Dorian and me. Instead, I was burning with resentment, digging through numbers for Mr. Dillinger's messy personal finances.The soft thud of footsteps pulled me from my thoug

Seren’s POV"And we still need to find you an ice rink before you start climbing the walls," I teased, nudging Dorian with my elbow.He chuckled, brushing his hair out of his eyes. “Definitely. I might even look for a summer league to join.”“You play hockey?” Pax’s eyes widened as he thumped Dorian on the arm with a grin.“Yeah,” Dorian shrugged, like it wasn’t a big deal. “Hoping to land a scholarship. College isn't exactly cheap."My heart warmed at the casual pride in his voice. All the sacrifices we made were worth it to see him thriving.Kairos folded his arms, studying my son carefully. “And what’s the plan? Professional hockey star?”Dorian shook his head. “Pediatric surgeon. Hockey’s just something I do for fun — when I have time.”Kairos’s eyebrows lifted, clearly impressed. “Ambitious. I respect that.”Before I could blink, Kairos added, “Come to my office this afternoon. I’ll have your training schedule ready—and a work roster if you’re serious about that summer job.”Dori