Author: Momo Chan

Prologue 1 How does it feel when the person you love leaves you alone with kidnappers? I loved Matthew Harrington for seven long years. As the heir of the Harrington Group, he was wealthy and powerful. Yet, he didn’t want to pay any ransom when I was kidnapped. Even his attractive secretary suggested that it could be a chance for me to learn my lesson. He agreed with her. And just as he wanted, after I managed to escape from hell, I finally learned my lesson and became obedient enough to never dare to love him again. But out of the blue, he started crying and begging me to treat him like before…   *** The day I walked into the city barefoot, it made headlines. I’m Skylar Brown, the adopted daughter of the Harrington family, and I got kidnapped a few months back. I was a mess, wearing torn clothes, covered in dirt and stink, with my feet all scarred up. I ran back in shame. The reporters were all up in my face, snapping pics like there’s no tomorrow. I stayed cool though, not letting them rattle me. Skylar Brown was gone, just like that. That glamorous, simple-minded, and proud girl was gone. Those kidnappers and Matthew Harrington destroyed her. Soon, a group of bodyguards in black suits led me through the packed crowd. The captain was named Noah Smith. I knew him. During the seven years when I pestered Matthew, he often showed me to the doors of Matthew’s office and apartment. To be exact, he dragged me out those places because I kept pestering and annoying Matthew. “Miss Brown, Mr. Harrington’s waiting for you in the car. Please come with me,” Noah said. When Noah saw me, he was shocked. He never expected to see me looking so messed up. I nodded and lifted my messed up foot, leaving bloody footprints on the road. Pain? Nah, didn’t feel a thing. This little journey was a cake walk compared to my escape route. Noah trailed behind me and couldn’t help blurting out, “Miss Brown…” I didn’t even bother responding. Did he feel sorry for me? He must be grateful ’cause I learned my lesson. No more pestering Matthew or causing him any trouble. As I hopped into the car, I caught sight of Matthew rest in the seat, eyes shut tight. Hair all neat and sharp features on point, dude looked like a model. When I vanished, he must’ve been feeling all peaceful and zen, like never before. He was in tip-top shape. Hearing the commotion, Matthew slowly popped open his eyes. He near didn’t recognize me. “Skylar?” I nodded, all obedient-like. I learned to play nice. I used to think I was the Harrington family’s golden girl, acting all proud and bossy as if I was their real flesh and blood. But after that kidnapping ordeal, I realized my life was in their hands. If Matthew didn’t cough up the ransom, I could’ve been dead any second. Matthew frowned with displeasure. “Why did you make yourself like this?” Like this? Like what? A lunatic? Or a beggar? I ran for miles, stayed awake day and night, and had to be on guard not just against kidnappers, but also against wild animals in the suburban mountains. When I was thirsty, I drank rainwater. And when I was hungry, I scavenged food from highway trash bins. It’s enough to drive anyone insane. I knew Matthew blamed me for causing trouble for his family’s company, specifically because I appeared in front of the media in this state. “Sorry for that…” For grossing out you, bastard. Matthew was taken aback for a moment, then smiled. “She was right. You’ve learned some manners.” I didn’t understand what Matthew meant. The door closed and the car started. Suddenly, Matthew reached out his hand towards me. I instinctively recoiled into the corner. He stopped abruptly and said with disdain, “Skylar, you smell.” Maybe it was because the car had no fresh air. Matthew finally noticed the awful odor coming from my body. It was a mix of blood, sweat, and garbage. Hearing his words, I subconsciously moved away from the seat, but the car was unstable, so I ended up kneeling down. “S…Sorry… I won’t dirty the seat. I’ll just…” Kneel here. My knees were in pain from the bloody wounds inflicted by the kidnappers’ thin steel needles. They blamed me. I wasn’t important enough to Matthew, so he didn’t pay the ransom. They thought it was a waste of time, so they took their anger out on me. I couldn’t stand up, so I knelt in that cramped space. Matthew was furious. “What are you doing? Go back to your seat!”

He ordered me, but he thought I was dirty and didn’t offer any help. I had to obey his command. It took a lot of effort to prop my body up and sit back down. Due to the pain and low blood sugar I had been experiencing, I couldn’t help but burst into tears. Matthew always ignored my tears. They annoyed him. But for the first time, he threw his handkerchief, which he had used to wipe his hands, at me. I clutched the clean, white handkerchief tightly. In the past, I would have been overjoyed, but now, it only reminded me of how dirty and destitute I was. Noah glanced at me through the rear-view mirror. I lowered my head. Perhaps he had never seen this humiliating and pitiful side of me.   Back at the Harrington Manor, Matthew told the maids to take me to the bathroom to freshen up. I declined their help and only allowed them to pick out a dress from my old wardrobe. They searched for a while and eventually found a simple, long-sleeved dress that resembled a school uniform among all the fashionable clothes. There was no set definition for a student’s dress style, but as I looked at myself in the mirror, I realized that I looked more like a student now than I did in the past when I dressed more flamboyantly. Before being kidnapped, I had received an acceptance letter from a top design school abroad. It had been three months since the registration deadline had passed. “Thanks.” The maids were surprised. They didn’t expect me to thank them. After everything I had been through, I understood that I was no different from them. They were maids hired by the Harrington family, and I was a daughter they had brought in. When I pushed the door open, I saw Matthew waiting for me on the stairs. He was leaning against the railing, lazily eyeing me up and down, and sneering, “Skylar, what are you doing? Why are you dressed like that?” Was the dress unfashionable? Matthew believed that I was trying to get attention with this childish behavior, but in reality, I just wanted to cover up the scars on my body. I followed Matthew into the quiet dining room. He motioned for me to walk ahead, and then I saw his parents, Yannick Harrington and Danielle Harrington, sitting at the dining table with worried expressions. As soon as Danielle saw me, she got up and hurried over. She walked unsteadily and leaned on another woman for support. “Mrs. Danielle Harrington, don’t worry. Miss Brown has come back safe and sound. Miss Brown, Mrs. Danielle Harrington has been so worried about you that her hair has turned gray.” I recognized the woman. She was Matthew’s secretary, Alyssa Davis. Alyssa had silky hair and was dressed in a simple turtleneck sweater and jeans. She wore a beautiful rose gold necklace around her neck. I was safe and sound while Danielle’s hair turned gray. I was the victim, but Alyssa seemed to imply that I was an ungrateful daughter of the Harrington family. Danielle cried as she held my hands, and Alyssa tried to comfort her. But I couldn’t cry. I looked at Matthew, and his expression seemed to suggest that I was heartless. Finally, Yannick interjected seriously, “Stop crying. Let’s sit down for dinner with Skylar.” Danielle wiped her tears. “It’s my fault. I’m sorry for putting you through this, Skylar. You must not have eaten well these past few days. Come on, I made your favorite clam chowder.” She pulled me to sit between Yannick and herself. Matthew sat across from me, and Alyssa sat next to him. We looked like a “family”. I looked at the food with a good color and a sweet smell. I almost forgot what normal food looked like. I wanted to throw away the fork, grab the food with my hands, and stuff it into my mouth. The closer to the urban area, the stricter the sanitation management was. Gradually, I couldn’t find any garbage or food, so I was hungry for almost three days. I had to allay my hunger with leaves. Under all eyes, I restrained myself and shoveled the food into my mouth with the fork. But I saw Alyssa’s mocking eyes. She took small bites elegantly. Seeing this scene, Matthew disliked me more. However, under Danielle’s instructions, he had to put some meat on my plate. I thought I could gulp down the most unpalatable food, but looking at the tempting meat that Matthew placed on my plate, I felt sick. “Skylar, help yourself. Matthew knew you liked it and asked me to make it for you.” No, it was not true. Matthew didn’t know what I liked at all, but I knew his preferences. For example, he liked rose gold best. Seeing me hesitate, Yannick asked with concern, “What’s the matter, Skylar? Did you quarrel with Matthew on the way back? Do not worry. I will punish him after dinner.” “Dad!” Matthew shouted. Maybe it was because he felt embarrassed in front of Alyssa. I didn’t speak and shook my head. I held back the feeling of nausea, took the meat with my fork, and put it in my mouth. But the moment I swallowed, I spat it out.

Matthew was astonished. I immediately stood up from the chair, buried my head in my hands, and hid in a corner. “Sorry. Sorry… I will eat it. Don’t beat me!” Everyone was shocked. Danielle cried again. She walked over and hugged me. “Did those people abuse you? Skylar, tell me.” With a worried face, Yannick brought Matthew over. Matthew frowned without saying a word. His face was gloomy. What happened? The kidnappers threatened the Harrington family that if the ransom was not paid, they would abuse me. Why did Danielle ask me whether I was abused? They should all know that! Eating rotten food wasn’t abuse for me, cuz I had to eat garbage just to stay alive days ago. But what really scared the living daylights out of me was that my destiny was in the hands of Matthew. The bad guys were negotiating with him, but he coldly abandoned me. He held nothing but disdain for me. Maybe that’s why I felt sick to my stomach.   After dinner, Yannick called me into his study. Yannick, who usually had a serious demeanor at work, asked me softly, “Skylar, you’ve had a crush on Matthew since you were kids. Do you still like him now?” I vigorously shook my head, wincing as the wound on my face throbbed. I had been infatuated with Matthew for seven years, always putting myself down, but I never learned my lesson. That’s why I ended up suffering through hellish revenge and torture. I couldn’t dare to like Matthew anymore. After I gave my answer, Yannick pondered for a moment. He said with pity, “Ah well, forget it. Even if you can’t be our daughter-in-law, you’ll always be our daughter. You’re a kind and beautiful girl. Matthew isn’t good enough for you.” He took out a bank card from the drawer. “This is what your parents left for you. There are four million dollars in it. They wanted me to keep it safe for you and give it to you as a wedding gift when you grow up.” The ransom was also four million dollars. During my days of being kidnapped, I had complained about my parents for leaving me alone in the world and allowing me to endure such torture. But it turned out they left me with a fortune that would let me live comfortably. They loved me so much. I bit my thumb and chewed on it to hold back my tears. “Thank you, Yannick.” It was already eight o’clock in the evening when I left the study. On my way to my room, I bumped into Matthew. He knew I was going back to my room, and his tone was incredibly gentle. “Alyssa will be staying in your room tonight. You can take the room next to mine.” So it turned out he came for Alyssa. I nodded and went in the opposite direction. When I first moved in with the Harrington family, Matthew despised me and moved to the room farthest from mine. But my room was decorated by a top luxury designer hired by the Harringtons, and it was much nicer than the guest room. I couldn’t refuse Matthew. After all, it was the Harringtons’ house. After taking a few steps, Matthew stopped me. “Skylar, why are you suddenly so obedient?” I turned around and saw a mocking expression on his face, mixed with a hint of concern. “I… I’m sorry…” I stammered. Besides apologizing profusely, I didn’t know what else to say to Matthew. “This is the third time you’ve apologized to me today. You’re acting really strange.” Matthew approached me, leaning over to touch my forehead. I quickly dodged his hand as if I had been shocked. My legs went weak, and I barely managed to hold onto the railing in the corridor. Matthew looked at me as if I were crazy, growing impatient. I struggled to keep my voice calm and said, “I… I’m going to move out tomorrow. I already told Yannick.” I thought Matthew would be happy and let me go when he heard the news, but he unexpectedly became furious. “Move out? Why? I just let Alyssa stay in your room for one night. She’s a guest. What’s the big deal?” I frantically shook my head. “No, you’ve misunderstood.” Matthew walked towards me with a scowl, grabbing my wrist and dragging me towards the room at the far end of the hall. “Come with me. We need to talk.” A wave of fear washed over me. I cried and pulled out the bank card that Yannick had just given me in the study. “I’m sorry, I have money. Please don’t hurt me.” “I have money. Don’t hurt me.” Matthew turned around in astonishment. I had collapsed on the ground, with my wrist still held high by him. “Skylar, what are you saying?” I had bitten my lips until they turned blue. As Matthew approached me, memories of what the kidnappers said started flooding back. They called me a clingy dog of the Harrington family. “Matthew, no. Mr. Harrington, I won’t bother you anymore. I promise, I won’t.” Finally, Matthew realized something was off with me, and his movements became gentler. He held onto my waist and lifted me up from the ground. The sensation of being weightless made me instinctively wrap my arms around Matthew’s neck. His serious expression softened a little. “Skylar, I never said you were bothering me. I just…”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MyFiction” app 🔍 search for “397451”, and watch the full series ✨! #MyFiction #BillionaireRomance #B×G #Bully #Empath #sad #protective #ForcedLove #LoveAfterLoss

I came across a test for boyfriend loyalty online. So the next day, while we were shopping together, I deliberately put the hairband I just bought into his coat pocket. On the way, I made an excuse to go to the restroom and secretly observed him. I saw him put his hands into his pockets. Then he suddenly looked puzzled and took out the hairband. To my surprise, his expression changed abruptly, and he quickly walked over to a trash can and threw away the hairband. My heart skipped a beat. Jackson might be really cheating on me.

My boyfriend has a pursuer. It’s an average girl who is not good-looking, but she has persistently liked him for ten years. At first, he was annoyed with her and always told her to go away. But later, I saw the nickname he gave to that girl on his phone. He called her: “Sweetheart.”

On our fifth wedding anniversary, Howard said he wanted to hold a grand wedding for me. He told me he regretted not holding a wedding back when we got married, and he said I would be the most beautiful bride in the world. Then on the day of our wedding, he received a text message and hurriedly ran off. I chased after him in my bulky wedding dress, and he comforted me, saying, “Vivian, there’s something important at work, I have to go first.” He lied, but I didn’t expose him because I had cancer and I was dying.

I had been with my boyfriend for three years when I discovered that all of his social media accounts were named, July. I thought it was because he loved the way “July” sounded, so I never asked him why he stuck to the name. It wasn’t until our wedding day when his ex-girlfriend sent a gift with the name “July Payne” on it that I realized something was off. That’s when it finally hit me – he loved using the name July because it was his ex’s name. At that moment, my heart sank…

Lila’s POV Today I had my first kiss. It wasn’t planned. It was also with a complete stranger. I’ve always had my first kiss envisioned from the moment I learned what real love was. I imagined the sparks we would feel as we share that passionate moment. I imagined what my wolf would feel like when she recognizes him as our mate. Going to a large college, I thought I would at least find one person that would make me want to give him everything my heart had to offer. But I never felt what my mother felt for my father. I’ve had a boyfriend for a couple of months, but it still never felt right. I keep thinking that when I turn 18 and get my wolf, maybe she would recognize him as our mate. Maybe he’s the one I’m supposed to be with for the rest of my life, even if I don’t see it yet. But the moon goddess thought otherwise. As I walked through the halls of my school, Higala Shifter Academy, I paused when a familiar sense washed over me. My boyfriend, Scott, was nearby, and he wasn’t alone. The halls were growing quiet as students went to class. It was only the sounds my heartbeat left as I made my way around the corner, only pausing when I heard a familiar giggle of a she-wolf, Sarah, and the husky growls of Scott. “You are so naughty, Scott,” Sarah chuckled. “Only for you, babe,” he replied, muffled as her lips closed around his. At that moment, I felt sick to my stomach. My next class, ceramics, was with Scott. I didn’t even want to take that class, but he thought it would be fun to take a class together. I was an art student, so I agreed. As I stepped away, I paused as I saw a tall and broad gentleman across the hall, staring in my direction. Our eyes met only briefly and I had to admit that he was strikingly handsome. “Oh, Scott. Stop it. You know we can’t be seen together. What if your girlfriend finds us?” “She’s in class. She’s never late. You don’t need to worry.” My heart was heavy in my chest, but also a wave of fury and resentment crossed me. A crease formed between the gentlemen’s brows. I realized tears had escaped my eyes. They weren’t so much as tears of heartbreak, more like tears of disappointment. I wiped my face with the back of my hand and was about to walk past him. I didn’t want anyone to see me like this. Just as Scott came around the corner, I felt him freezing as he saw me. Sarah stood beside him, and I heard her gasp. I met her beautiful blue eyes. “Lila?” Scott breathed, staring at me in shock “What are you—” Before he could get the entire question out, I turned to the gentleman beside me, placing my hands on his shoulders and pulling him toward me. He went easily, though his eyes showed nothing but confusion. I closed my eyes tightly so I wouldn’t have to see his expression any longer. Then, our lips touched. His lips were soft, and they tasted so sweet, almost like marshmallows. However, his lips remained unmoving. His hands rested lazily by his sides, though mine moved comfortably around his neck. My heart was beating rapidly in my chest. I had no idea what I was doing. I’m not sure why I did it; maybe to hurt Scott. Maybe because I was sick of holding out for something that might never be good enough in comparison to the role models I grew up with. Either way, I seized the moment. Though, I had no idea who this man was. I pulled away from him, breathlessly gazing up at his grey eyes. They were growing darker as he stared into me. I wasn’t sure what lingered in his gaze, but he didn’t pull away from me. My hands continued to rest behind his neck, and I realized I was pressing my body into him. My face grew warm as I stepped away, touching my fingers to my lips. That was my first-ever kiss. What. Did. I. Do? “I need to get to class,” he said, his tone was low and almost husky. That was the first thing he’s ever said to me. I was too stunned at my own actions to even ask him what his name was. But I nodded, brushing my dark hair out of my face with my fingers. Scott and Sarah had already gone to class. I turned away from him, without saying anything and went in the direction of the main office. All I could think about at that moment was getting out of my next class. I couldn’t face Scott again after that. Even as I walked away, I could feel the gentlemen’s eyes on the back of my head, watching me. … “Unfortunately, there’s only one class available. All other seats are filled,” the receptionist, at the main office, said, glancing at her computer. “And what class would that be?” I asked, trying to keep the tears from resurfacing in my eyes. “Shifting and Combat,” she answered, staring up at me. “Would that be all right?” Shifting? I had yet to obtain my wolf; so, that class might be difficult. However, I was skilled in combat. “Anything but ceramics,” I said to her in return. She frowned for a moment. “Is everything all right, Lila? You aren’t being bullied in that class, are you?” She asked. “I can give your father—” “No!” I said quickly; the last thing I wanted was for my father to find anything out about what had happened. He was the head of the Alpha Committee and worked closely with Scott’s dad, another Alpha. “It’s nothing like that,” I assured her. She looked unconvinced, but she nodded just the same as she looked back at her computer, typing away. She soon printed out a new schedule, handing it to me. “You are now in Shifting and Combat 101 with Professor Enzo. It’s in the school arena. You can head there right now.” The arena was on the opposite end of the school; I’ve only been there a few times to practice my combatting. But how was I going to get through a semester of shifting classes when I couldn’t even shift? My 18(th) birthday was only a few days away; I was supposed to be heading home for the weekend to celebrate with my family. I thought I would have obtained my wolf by now, but I was mistaken. I was the youngest wolf to get accepted into the Higala Shifting Academy; one of the largest schools for werewolf and bear shifters. I was also the only one who didn’t have a wolf yet. But that didn’t mean I was incapable. Like my mother, I am a Volana wolf. Volanas are more powerful than regular wolves. The moon goddess had gifted us with many different abilities. Although, I haven’t received these abilities just yet. However, I’ve studied and practiced my entire life, with some of the greatest gamma warriors and my father, on how to fight and defend myself. I reached the arena and stood outside the doors; I could already hear the growling of wolves as they practiced their combat with one another. Stepping inside, my eyes scanned the area briefly. Not one wolf was paying me any attention, they were fixated on each other. They were large and ferocious looking; it reminded me of the gamma training I used to watch growing up. Stepping further into the arena, I allowed the door to shut firmly behind me. The biggest wolf stood on the far side of the arena, overlooking the combat unfolding before him. That had to have been the professor. He was a beautiful dark wolf that almost looked blue from the crystal lighting that danced off his thick fur. His dark eyes scanned the arena briefly before they landed on mine. He looked oddly familiar; it wasn’t until he shifted back into his human form that I realized who he was. It was him… The man I kissed only moments ago in the hallway. The man I had given my first kiss to, was my professor.

Lila’s POV I couldn’t believe that the man I had shared my first kiss with was my professor. Suddenly, it felt like the arena wasn’t big enough. Professor Enzo was extremely handsome and incredibly muscular. I ran my eyes from his gorgeous grey eyes down to his incredible 8 pack abs. His arms were large, and I could see small veins appearing around his biceps. His dark, wavy hair was kind of shaggy, dancing around his broad and manly features. He had sweat beading on his forehead and dripping down the side of his face, and some more sweat on his chest, dripping down his torso. My face instantly began to redden as he walked toward me. “Can I help you with something?” He asked, raising his brows, and meeting my eyes. “Sorry; I just transferred to this class,” I say to him, showing him my printed schedule. “I’m Lila…” He looked at the schedule briefly; silence growing thick between us as he pulled his eyes from the schedule and back onto my face. “You can join the other students,” he said, turning away from me. My eyes widened as I glanced at the others who were still fighting in their wolf forms. I swallowed the lump that had formed in my throat. “Actually, I can’t shift,” I say quickly before he’s able to walk away. He freezes; for a moment, I thought I heard a low growl in the dept of his throat. “What?” He asked in a disbelieving and slightly annoyed, tone. He turned back and I saw that his grey eyes were now dark and threatening. “What do you mean you can’t shift?” “I mean… I haven’t gotten my wolf yet,” I tell him, biting my lip hard. He glanced down at my mouth, staring as I chewed my bottom lip nervously. I could feel heat circulating my features. My heart was pounding so quickly and loudly against my chest, I thought he would be able to hear it. “Why are you in a shifting and combat class if you can’t shift?” “I’m good at combat,” I answer. “Just because I don’t have a wolf doesn’t mean I’m not capable. I’ve been practicing my entire life. Let me show you what I can do.” “I don’t have time to babysit,” he muttered, sounding incredibly annoyed. “Besides,” he added. “I don’t have a partner for you. All my students fight in their wolf forms.” “I can train with her,” a she-wolf said as she shifted back into her human form. She had a kind face; her hair was short and dark. Her eyes were big and brown, with long lashes. She was looking at me fondly with a sweet smile. “I don’t mind,” she said again, pulling her eyes from me to look at Professor Enzo. “Fine,” he said. He walked away without another word. “I’m Becca,” she said, holding her hand out for me to shake. I took it, returning her smile. “It’s nice to meet you,” I say in return. “I’m Lila.” “Oh, trust me, I know exactly who you are. I also hear you are one of the best fighters in this school. Professor E. would have been stupid to turn you away.” I couldn’t help but laugh at her words; this was my first year at this school and I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised that word travels fast. I’m known around Elysium for my combat and clever mind, but we weren’t in Elysium. We were in Higala. The largest city outside of Elysium. “I appreciate your kind words,” I say in return, and I meant that. She went to say something else, but her words fell short when we heard another, more familiar, voice. “Well, look who it is,” Sarah scoffed. “If it isn’t the little slut; coming to play with the big dogs?” I rose my brows; she was calling me a slut? After I just caught her making out with my boyfriend? “Though I shouldn’t be surprised,” she said, her tone growing icy as she glanced behind her shoulder at Professor Enzo who was staring in our direction with a crease forming between his brows and his frown deepening. “Considering how much you like Professor Enzo; it’s a no-brainer that you’d transfer to his class.” “I’m here to practice my combat skills, like everyone else.” This made her laugh. “Please; the only skills you are practicing are the skills with your lips.” “She’s actually a very capable fighter,” Becca chimed in. “That’s rich coming from a lowly Omega,” Sarah sneered, causing Becca to flinch. “Your kind shouldn’t even be allowed at this school.” Becca looked genuinely hurt by her words. “Ew Sarah, why are you even talking to that Omega?” Another girl said, stepping beside her. Both girls laughed and I saw Becca’s face reddening as she lowered her gaze. “Omegas are nothing but trash,” Sarah agreed. “But what’s worse than an Omega is someone who can’t even shift into their wolf. It’s no wonder your boyfriend wanted my lips instead of yours.” I stepped in front of Becca, blocking her out of sight of the other wolves. “What gives you the right to decide if an Omega is capable or not? I happened to have seen her fight only moments ago and she seemed quite capable to me. It’s my understanding that we are at this school to learn. So, let’s not cause issues for one another,” I said, staring around at their faces. “As for my boyfriend goes…” I say, meeting Sarah’s eyes. “He’s clearly not man enough to be able to handle me. So, he’s all yours.” Without another word, I grab Becca’s wrist and pull her along with me to a different part of the arena and away from the nasty she-wolves. I got another glimpse of Professor Enzo as we passed, and I thought I saw a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “Thank you for standing up for me,” Becca said in a low tone once we were a distance away. “I’m used to being bullied though. Omegas aren’t typically liked around here…” I rose my brows at her, confused. “Why?” I asked. “Some of the best wolves I know are Omegas. They are incredibly kind and genuine. Don’t let bullies like that make you think otherwise.” She beamed a wide smile at me; I could tell she felt a lot better. “It’s obvious some people here don’t recognize you as Alpha Bastien’s daughter. Let’s show them what you can do!” I smiled at her words; that sounded like a perfect idea. I couldn’t shift into my wolf form, which meant, I needed to wow them in other ways. I faced Becca, getting into the stance I was most comfortable in. Soon, we were both fighting. She managed to dodge most of my attacks. However, I was holding back a lot. I didn’t want to hurt her. I dodged her attacks with ease; she couldn’t even come close to me. I could feel the eyes of the other students on me, their mouths gaping as I did an acrobatic move. Something I’m sure none of them were expecting. I did a front flip, kicking my legs out and purposely missing Becca by a hair. Though, it frightened her enough to stumble backward and lose her footing. I grabbed a sphere off the wall of weapons, twirling it in my hands quickly, doing a somersault and twirl move. She dodged the first attack thinking I was aiming for her head when I was actually aiming for her feet. So, she tried to dodge but instead tripped, falling to the ground again. I stepped, lightly, on her chest, pinning her to the ground with the sphere pointed directly at her. She stared up at me with awe; everybody gasped. I looked around, almost forgetting that there was an audience. None of them spoke for a long while until a couple of them clapped. Then, almost everyone started cheering. Everyone except Sarah and her friend. I smiled pleased, taking my foot off Becca, and helping her to her feet. “That was incredible!” She breathed, staring at me with wide eyes. “It was nothing,” I shrugged, putting the sphere back on the rack. I turned to see Professor Enzo staring at me; his arms folded across his chest and his face expressionless. Before I could approach him and ask him what he thought, I heard beeping going across the arena. I frowned as I realized it was everybody’s phone. As they all went to check their phones, I heard the gasps and saw the shocked expressions. Becca covered her mouth with her hand as she stared at her own phone. “What’s going on?” I asked, glancing over her shoulder. As soon as I saw what they were all looking at, my heart plummeted into my stomach. It was a picture of me… kissing… Professor Enzo.

Lila’s POV “Everybody needs to get off their phones!” Professor Enzo’s voice was deep and boomed across the arena. I couldn’t even move; my entire body felt frozen as I stared at the picture on Becca’s phone. I glanced around the arena only to be met with a bunch of curious and shocked expressions. Everybody was staring at me. Sarah and her friend were chuckling as they were glaring at me. “That’s one way to get ahead…” I heard her muttering. Professor Enzo grabbed Becca’s phone to look at the photo; I hadn’t even realized he was approaching us. His jaw twitched as he took in the photo. “This is terrible photoshop skills,” he said, shaking his head as he gave Becca her phone back. “You can clearly see the outlining around my body. Someone is really trying hard to spread nasty rumors.” Everybody pulled their eyes from me to look back at the picture, assessing it. “He’s right… this is terrible photoshop,” someone murmured. “How pathetic. Why go to that many lengths to spread this kind of rumor?” another said, shaking their head. Sarah’s mouth was nothing more than a thin line as her obvious plan was unraveling. I couldn’t help the smile that twitched at the corner of my mouth. “I almost thought for a minute that you actually kissed Professor Enzo,” Becca laughed from beside me, averting my attention from Sarah to her. “Although, I wouldn’t have been surprised. He’s so handsome. Anyone would be lucky to be able to kiss him. A lot of women around here want to.” “Really?” I asked, raising my brows. “Because of how handsome he is?” “That and because he’s very young; he’s only 23,” Becca explains. My eyes widened; I knew he looked young, but I didn’t think he was that young. “He’s also the strongest and toughest professor at this school. Which is to be expected considering he is an Alpha.” “He’s an Alpha?” I asked in surprise; I had no idea. He must know my father then. I couldn’t help but look back at Professor Enzo who was busy showing some students new moves. “Yes,” Becca answered. “I believe he’s the Alpha of the Calypso Pack.” The Calypso Pack. That was the pack my mother was born in; her parents were from the Calypso Pack. I remembered, from when I was young, that their former Alpha was Blaise, the most powerful shifter in the universe. I wondered how Enzo became their Alpha. The thought was quickly brushed from my mind as class concluded. “I’m starving…” Becca said as she gathered her belongings. “We should get some lunch.” “I’ll be there in a minute,” I tell her, glancing over my shoulder at Enzo who was typing something on his phone. He had a stern expression; his eyebrow twitching only slightly. “I need to talk to the professor about something.” “Okay,” Becca said giving me a half-wave. “Then I’ll see you in a bit.” She turned and left the arena with the others, leaving me alone with Professor Enzo. “Professor?” I say, stepping closer to him. He glanced up at his phone to look at me, narrowing his eyes. “I just wanted to say that I’m sorry for this mess…” “It’s been dealt with,” he muttered, showing me his phone. “I got the picture taken down.” I rose my brows in shock; that was so quick. When he saw my shocked expression, a smirk appeared on his lips. “I know the guy who runs this platform,” he explained. “He took it down without question.” “Thank you,” I said to him, feeling an overwhelming sense of relief. I went to turn away, but his voice stopped me. “I was trying to figure out why you looked so familiar to me and then when I saw you fighting, I realized who you were,” he said. I could feel his eyes on the back of my head and knew how intently he was staring at me even before I turned around to face him. “You are Alpha Bastien’s daughter.” It wasn’t a question. I nodded my head once. “You know my father?” “He’s one of the strongest and fiercest Alphas,” Enzo said; his expression was hard to read. “I can tell that you’ve trained under him.” “For my entire life,” I say, staring down at the ground almost sheepishly. I wasn’t sure why I was feeling embarrassed suddenly. “My father is my role model… as is my mother.” He said nothing to that; he just stared at me for another short while. Soon, he turned away to clean up his belongings. I stood there for a moment, unsure of what to say. “I’m actually having a birthday party this weekend,” I tell him before I could grasp what I was saying. His body tensed for a moment, and he looked over his shoulder to glance at me. “A lot of Alphas will be there. I’m turning 18, so it’ll be a big bash in Elysium. You’re invited, of course. All Alphas are.” “Is that so?” Another smirk appeared on his lips, causing my heart to somersault. “Yes,” I answer, pleased that my voice didn’t sound strained. “Of course, you don’t have to. But I figured I’d offer the invite.” When he didn’t say anything in response, I took that as my cue to leave. I turned away, feeling awkward, and started to walk toward the exit. “Should I bring anything?” He asked before I could leave. I paused; my breathing got caught in my throat. “Just yourself,” I say, instantly regretting how lame I sounded. I left without another word. … “I can’t believe my daughter is turning 18,” my mother breathed as she wrapped me in her arms. I smiled into her embrace. It felt good to be home after a few weeks of living at the academy. Higala Shifter Academy was about an hour’s drive from Elysium, so I had to live in a dorm room. I tried to come home most weekends though. “How do you feel? Any changes?” My father asked, eyeing my features carefully. I thought about it for a moment before answering; typically, when a wolf was about to make an appearance, it could be felt. I shook my head, sighing in defeat. “I feel the same,” I answer. “Maybe I won’t get a wolf.” “Don’t say that,” my mother said with a frown. “You’ll get your wolf and you’ll be stronger than ever.” “Your mother is right, Lila bean,” my father chimed in. “It’s in your DNA.” I knew they were right; I was just being impatient. I wanted my wolf so badly that it was driving me insane. I was hoping that once I got my wolf, I would be able to sense my mate and get Scott’s betrayal out of my mind. I looked between my parents who loved one another so much; it pulled at my heart. Even after everything they’ve been through in their entire lives, they always stood by each other. My father said that a mate bond is the strongest form of companionship. He’s proved that repeatedly; even when my mother pulled away, he always went after her. He never gave up. He’s loved her unconditionally and I admired that so much. I aspired to have that more than anything. But without a wolf, I felt like that was impossible. “Guests will be arriving soon, Lila bean,” my mother said, giving me a fond smile. I stared myself over in the mirror one last time; I was wearing a silky pink and black dress that flowed evenly around my knees. My father had already gone to greet some of the Alphas that already arrived. My mother stood behind me, staring at me fondly with tears welling up in her eyes. “I’m so proud of you, you know,” she breathed, wrapping her arms around me, and giving me a tight hug. The two of us looked a lot alike; I had her dark hair and fair features. Most importantly, I had her Volana eyes. One violet and the other blue. She released me and draped an arm through mine, pulling me along with her toward my bedroom door. I could already hear the guests piling into the foyer of the packhouse. “Oh, I forgot to mention. I invited my professor as well,” I tell her. She paused for a moment and glanced at me. “Actually, he’s the Alpha of the Calypso Pack. Enzo.” She rose her brows. “Alpha Enzo is your professor?” She asked; she didn’t sound displeased, just surprised. “I never took him as the kind to be a professor.” “Do you know him well?” I asked, peering up at her. She thought about it for a moment before answering. “As well as I can I suppose. He’s the son of the former Alpha of the Calypso Pack, Blaise.

Lila’s POV My mother took one look at my face and started laughing. “Why do you look like you’ve seen a ghost?” She asked. “Enzo is Blaise’s son?” I asked; I was completely and utterly shocked. “I had no idea he had kids.” My mother nodded. “I don’t think Enzo was ever close to his father,” she explained. “I believe he lived with his mother in a different pack. When his father died, he went back to Calypso. Being Blaise’s only living relative and all.” “If I had known he was Blaise’s son, I wouldn’t have invited him. I’m so sorry…” “Sorry? Why are you sorry? I’m glad you invited him. Your father will be pleased. He rather likes Enzo. Said he has a good head on his shoulder. He’s nothing like his father, that’s for sure.” “So, we trust him?” I asked, raising my brows. “Lila bean, we can’t fault Enzo for something his father did. You should know that better than anyone.” She gave me a small smile, staring around my concerned face. She placed a hand on my shoulder, causing me to meet her eyes. “I promise, if there’s something you need to be concerned with, I will tell you,” she said gently. “But for right now, there isn’t. Enzo is not a villain. Those days are behind us.” I felt better knowing she wasn’t worried. I trusted my mother more than anyone. “So, when were you going to tell me about Scott?” My mother asked as we made our way out of the apartment. I paused and turned to her. “How did you know about that?” I asked. One of her eyebrows went straight up as she looked me over. “I’m your mother; you can’t hide things from me,” she replies. I wanted to laugh; she always knew when something was going on. “Does dad know?” I asked. “Do you not want him to know?” “I just don’t want to make the Alpha committee weird is all,” I tell her. “Because Scott’s dad is a member…” “Your father is extremely professional. He would let something like that intervene with his work,” she said in return. “But I won’t say anything if you don’t want me to. I’m assuming we won’t be expecting Scott tonight then.” It wasn’t a question. I turned away and walked down the stairs to greet the guests that have arrived. The first person I saw wasn’t surprising. Brianna. My best friend. She ran to me, wrapping her arms around me, and nearly knocked me off my feet. I laughed at her excitement. “Oh my goddess, Lila!” She cooed happily, twirling me around. “You look stunning! How do you feel? Do you feel 18?” I sighed, shaking my head. “I feel the same as I always had,” I tell her. “I was hoping I was going to get my wolf today…” “You still might,” she assured me, giving me a broad smile. “The day is still young. Regardless, you are going to get your wolf and it’s going to be glorious when you do!” Brianna had gotten her wolf a couple of months ago and she hasn’t stopped talking about it. She describes it as having a real genuine best friend who knows you from the inside and out. Then, she paused when she saw my face and added, “no offense. It’s just different… you know.” I assured her that I didn’t take offense to that, and I knew what she meant. My mother told me about a time she thought she lost her wolf for good. It was like losing a part of herself. Her mind was so quiet, and she felt so lonely. “Your father made me feel less lonely,” she added. That was exactly the kind of love I wanted; I wanted someone to make me feel less lonely even if I didn’t have a wolf. But I also really wanted to meet my wolf. I wondered what she would look like. What she would sound like. I wondered what her name would be. Soon, the packhouse was filled with those I love; my mother brought out a huge cake. It was red velvet with chocolate frosting; my absolute favorite flavor. When everyone sang happy birthday, I grew teary-eyed. For a moment, I forgot all about Scott’s betrayal. I forgot all about my wasted first kiss. Until he walked in. At first, it was just the strong scent of marshmallows, but then I saw him standing at the doorway of our packhouse. He wore a dark button-down blazer and dress pants. His hair was still shaggy, but he wasn’t covered in sweat this time. He was greeted by a few Alphas, including my father. I watched as the two shook hands; my father had said something to him that I couldn’t hear. My mother stood by my side instantly. “Enzo’s looking rather nice tonight,” she said from beside me. “Yeah, he is,” I admitted to her. “I wasn’t really thinking he was going to show up.” “Your Alpha Bastien’s daughter; of course, he’s going to show up when invited. Almost every Alpha is here.” I thought about our shared kiss a couple of days ago and my face grew warm at the memory. But then I remembered that Enzo was Blaise’s son. I don’t think he knew what had gone down with his father and my parents. I don’t even know if Enzo knew that I was a Volana wolf. We aren’t that common, and most don’t know what we look like at first glance. I wondered if that would even matter to him. I always had this strong idea of what true love would look like. My parents have true love; that was always the vision I had for myself. I wanted someone who loved me just as much as I loved them. Who would do anything for me. Someone that would die for me. But I don’t envision Enzo being that person. And I wasn’t even sure why. I guess I never really envisioned Scott being that person either. Enzo’s eyes scanned the room briefly as the Alphas continued talking to him. It was like he was looking for something. As soon as his eyes landed on me, it was like he found it. His eyes darkened only slightly. I gave him a polite smile, hoping that my face didn’t reveal my thoughts. His face remained expressionless though; he eventually pulled his eyes away from me to speak to the other Alphas. The nerve of that guy. It was my birthday, and he couldn’t even come over to greet me? “Happy birthday, kiddo,” my uncle Aiden, the beta of the pack, said as he approached. He gave me a quick hug. “Thanks,” I say to him with a broad smile. “How did you manage to get Alpha Enzo to show up?” He asked, following my gaze to Enzo who still paid me no attention. “That guy hates parties.” “How do you hate parties?” I asked, raising my brows. “He’s always been odd like that. Ever since he was a kid. He’s always only had one focus and that was to get to the top. I admire his ambitions honestly, but it would be nice to see him smile once in a while.” “He doesn’t smile?” “I don’t think I’ve ever seen him smile,” Aiden answered. The only type of smile I’ve seen him do was smirking. I thought he’s come close to a real smile when I told Sarah off in the middle of his class, but I was probably mistaken. As I looked back over at Enzo, he was looking directly at me. … Third Person POV “She completely embarrassed me in the class,” Sarah cried to her new boy-toy Scott. She doesn’t think of Scott as her boyfriend, she just wanted to see if she could steal him away from Lila. Which she did. Ever since Lila started going to the academy, everyone’s attention has always been on Lila. Sarah used to be the best student and now it was Lila. Sarah used to be the center of attention, but now all anyone ever talks about is Lila. She doesn’t care that Lila is Alpha Bastien’s daughter; she doesn’t have a wolf so that makes her a nobody in Sarah’s eyes. She’s worse than an Omega. “You should have heard what she said to me, Scott,” Sarah continued to huff. “She also said that you weren’t man enough to handle her.” “Says someone who wouldn’t put out,” Scott said with an eye roll. “Just forget about her. Who needs her.” “You’re right…” Sarah agreed. “But that doesn’t mean I’m going to stand for it.” “What does that mean? What are you planning on doing? “I overheard her talking to Professor Enzo after class today. She invited him to her birthday party.” “Okay?” Scott urged. “I think it’s time we crash a party.”

Enzo’s POV 12 year earlier “Enzo…?” My mother woke me up during the night, tears filling her big brown eyes, and dripping delicately off her long and dark lashes. I groggily woke, to find her standing over me. “Mom?” I asked, peering at her through the dark of the night. It was cold; we didn’t have much heat in our small home. We didn’t have much money to afford heat, but my mother never made it seem like we were poor. “What’s wrong?” I whispered to her, not wanting to wake the others that resided in the house. “Your father is dead…” she said softly, her voice quivering. She was frightened. But of what? “He’s gone, sweetheart,” she said again. From what I had heard of my father, he wasn’t a good man. He left my mother pregnant, rejecting her, and forcing her to live in another pack. She would often refer to him as a monster. “You are the only living relative left…” She continued. “His Beta is coming to collect you. You must go with him…” “What?” I asked, sitting up quickly in bed; she shushed me, wrapping her arms around me. “I know this is sudden. But you must be the Alpha of Calypso. I never wanted this for you so soon, my baby.” I had no idea what it meant to run a pack and be an Alpha. I was at a loss for words, and I had to admit, I was terrified. It was only yesterday that I was running around with my friends and being a kid. Now this time tomorrow, I would be in a whole different pack and acting as a leader. None of this was making sense to me. “You’ll be coming with me, won’t you?” I asked, my words trembling. She cried harder and shook her head, holding me tighter. “I’m afraid I can’t,” she told me hoarsely. “My place is here. And yours is there. You are going to be an incredible Alpha, Enzo. Way better than your father ever was. You are going to do amazing things with your life…” “I can’t just leave you,” I whispered, tears filling my own eyes. I didn’t often cry, even at a young age. But the thought of leaving my mother behind in this hell hole tied my stomach into a large knot. “I need you to listen to me,” she whispered, taking my face into her hands. “Your father had done a lot of wrong in his life. He hurt a lot of people. You’ll probably hear a lot about him once you get to Calypso. He’s the reason wolves like us live like this… because he wanted so much that he took everything from everyone. But you, my darling Enzo, can restore things and make things better for all of us…” “But how? I’m only 9…” I said, I couldn’t keep the worry out of my tone. “What can I do to help? Why can’t you come with me?” “Your father has made it too dangerous. There are those who still wish to do us harm. His followers are now scrambled, still lurking in the shadows. But you can make things better. You can bring them to light. You can work hard and become more powerful than your father ever was. You can protect those who live like us… You can use your powers for good.” “I promise,” I whispered, hugging my mother tightly. “I won’t let you down. When I get to the top, and I will get to the top, I will come back for you. I will punish those who did us wrong and I won’t stop until this kingdom is safe again. I will undo what father did.” … “Alpha Enzo? Did you hear me?” The voice of Bastien interrupted my train of thought. I glanced around at the conference table that the other Alphas on the committee were gathered around. They were discussing the Shifting and Combat course at the Higala Shifting Academy and how the original professor had died during a rogue attack. Bastien, the head of the committee, was about to appoint a new professor. I already knew he was going to appoint me; he would have been stupid not to. I was one of the strongest and best Alphas for the job. Besides Bastien, I was the toughest and fiercest Alpha to walk our lands. But I still had a long way to go before I outranked my estranged father who died when I was 9. “You need me to take over as the professor,” I said, leaning back in my seat. It wasn’t a question, nor was it an offer. Bastien looked at the others who had fallen silent long ago. “Yes,” Bastien answered. “Would you be willing to do that?” I didn’t have a choice; I was the youngest Alpha on the committee. And the newest. I was still technically on the probationary period, and I couldn’t refuse them if I wanted to climb my way to the top. However, the thought of teaching annoyed me. It was impossible to teach students to do what I do. Surely, their amateur combat will get to me. But just the same, I nodded my head. “Yes, sir,” I finally said after a long pause. “The student council will want to speak with you. I’ll let them know to expect you.” The meeting concluded and I could already hear the others speaking about going to the local pub later that evening. “Alpha Enzo, you going to join us for once?” One of the Alphas asked, hitting me on the back of my shoulder. “Or are you going to come up with some lame excuse?” “Yeah, Enzo. Come on! It’s Friday. Let’s have some fun. You are still young. Live while you can!” The last thing I wanted to do was go to the pub with a bunch of drunk Alphas. What I really wanted to do was return home and read a book and rest for the evening. I was exhausted from training and meetings all day. I don’t usually have time for myself and when I do, I don’t like spending it with those I spend all day with. “I’ll pass,” I say to them as I finish packing my stuff in my briefcase. “Maybe next time.” I always say, “maybe next time” knowing I don’t mean those words. They don’t argue though; they look at one another with a frown before leaving the conference room. “Hey Enzo, wake up,” I hear Bastien behind me, following me out of the door. I slow my pace so he can catch up. “I really appreciate you taking one for the team. I know teaching isn’t your thing, but I think this might be good for you.” “I appreciate the opportunity,” I say to him, and in a way, I meant that. I could prove myself to him and to others. I could practice my skills and better myself. “Honestly, maybe it won’t be that bad,” I smirked. Bastien laughed, clapping me on the back. “You might even have fun,” he told me with a grin. “I couldn’t think of a better Alpha for the job. I can already tell; you’re going to do great things. I’m glad to finally have you on the committee. Enjoy your weekend. The student council will be expecting you at the academy on Monday, bright and early!” … I took Bastien’s words to heart; he believed that I could do great things in my future. Just as my mother believed. I didn’t want to let either of them down. But still, there was a part of me that worried if I was going to do any better than my father. My mother was right; as soon as I became the Alpha of the Calypso Pack, I started hearing rumors about my father. Things I never heard before; things I don’t even think my mother knew. Like the fact that my father died because of his love for a Volana wolf. I never even heard of a Volana wolf before and there was a part of me that didn’t believe they existed. As far as I knew, it was only a myth. But I’ve heard the story from different sources. My father had fallen in love with a Volana and because of that, he lost his life. It was love that made the most powerful shifter in the universe weak. I wasn’t sure if it was because Volanas were the most powerful type of wolves in the world, or because of love itself. But either way, I swore to never allow what happened to my father to happen to me. Which meant I vowed to never fall in love. It complicated things when I stepped into the house of Alpha Bastien, on the night of his daughter, Lila’s, 18(th) birthday, and my wolf was in awe of her beauty. His husky whisper made my entire body freeze and my skin crawl. “I can feel her… our mate…” Shit.

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I pretended to be my sister and looked after her blind fiancé for a hefty sum of five hundred grand. When he finally regained his sight, I vanished without a word. Fate brought us together again at a press conference. I was just a nobody journalist, and he had risen to power in the wealthy Sinclair family. “We heard your fiancée took great care of you when you were sick. Can we expect a wedding soon?” He smirked and flashed his engagement ring on camera. “Real soon.” As he spoke, I was the only one who noticed his gaze drifting towards me every now and then…

I was married for a whole ten years, but my husband and I lived completely separate lives. He was head over heels for his secretary, while I had a bunch of younger guys on the side. I thought things would stay the same. Until I met a guy who didn’t care about my money but actually wanted my love and to marry me. It really hit me hard. So I told my husband I wanted a divorce. He lost it, wrecking the entire house and yelling at me, “How dare you take him seriously!?”

Felix saved my life and took me in when I was ten. So, when he asked me to go to jail for Yulia, I did. “I’ll marry you once you’re out,” he said. Three years later, I was released. He held a grand wedding for me. But I told him, “Sorry… but I don’t want to marry you anymore.” Right in front of everyone, I jumped off the tallest bridge.

Ella It was well past midnight, and I was still stuck in the office. The glare of my laptop screen was almost a comfort, a sign that I was working hard, that I was progressing. “Almost done,” I murmured to myself with a sigh as I rubbed my tired eyes. Such was life for me, though. At this point, I was getting used to spending all of my time here at the law firm. As a rookie lawyer, I never expected to be treated like a queen, but surely they could see me for more than their errand runner? “Could you get these photocopied for me, Ella?” James had asked earlier that day, handing over a stack of case files as if it was just assumed that I would be the one to do it. And so I did, along with a dozen other tasks that didn’t particularly scream ‘lawyer’. But I believed, perhaps foolishly, that perseverance would earn me respect and better opportunities. It was my first year out of law school, after all. What did I expect? The soft hum of the janitor’s vacuum cleaner interrupted my thoughts. It was already almost one o’clock, and my body was reminding me of its need for sleep with every aching muscle. I stretched and started packing up when my phone buzzed with an incoming call. The screen read Mom & Dad. Sighing, I picked up. “Hey, you two.” “Ella? Are you at home now?” my father Edrick’s voice came through, a mix of concern and mild frustration. “I’m still at work, Dad,” I replied, my voice laced with exhaustion. “Ella! It’s way past midnight!” my stepmother Moana chimed in, her voice a rich, melodic alto. “I know, Mom, but I’ve got a ton to do.” Moana. She was my stepmother. She used to be my nanny for a short time, but in a whirlwind romance, she and my dad got married and had my little sister. Moana was more of a real mother to me than my own biological mother could ever be. Hearing her voice on a night like tonight was a comfort, but I couldn’t deny the fact that I was a little annoyed at my parents’ overbearing tendencies. They meant well, but sometimes they forgot that I was an adult who was capable of taking care of myself. “Such a dangerous city to be out in so late,” my father murmured. “You remember the news from last week?” I sighed. “Yes, dad. I remember. That was all the way on the other side of town.” “It doesn’t matter, Ella,” my dad said, sounding exasperated. “That supermarket owner was held up at gunpoint. Gunpoint! I don’t need my little girl being in danger—” “Dad, I love you, but I’m not defenseless,” I protested. “I know.” My dad paused with a chuckle. I could imagine Moana standing beside him, her freckled hand touching his shoulder as she shot him a look as if to say ‘Enough, Edrick.’ “But you’re still my little girl,” he continued.

“I know, dad,” I replied, smiling slightly as I slipped my laptop into my bag. “You always make sure I don’t forget.” Moana’s voice chimed in then. “Just get an Uber, Ella. Don’t walk or take the subway. Okay?” “Alright, alright,” I relented, smiling. “I love you both.” “We love you too. Stay safe.” My stepmother’s voice held a warmth that always managed to seep into my heart. They hung up, and I shook my head. They would never change. I could have the life of luxury, protected and pampered in my dad’s penthouse. He was one of the most affluent Alphas in the world: the CEO of WereCorp, and the heir to the Morgan family fortune. I was his heir, and I had just as much claim to that company and fortune as he did. The offer was always there, on the table. At any moment, I was more than welcome to go home, walk in my father’s footsteps, and work toward being the next CEO while living a life of boundless luxury. But I chose this. I chose to stand on my own feet and make my mark. I chose to go to law school, move to this new city that desperately needed lawyers, and work my way up. I didn’t heed my father’s advice that night. After spending the past twelve hours sitting in a basement office with no window, the night air was refreshing. As I stepped out into the chilly night air, a gentle mist of rain dotted my skin. I opted to walk. The shadows and sounds of the city didn’t scare me. They were simply part of the pulse, the heartbeat of a world alive even in darkness. “You should listen to your parents, Ella,” my wolf, Ema, said, her voice echoing in my mind. She had been there ever since I could remember, a constant companion, a friend, a voice of reason. “It’s fine, Ema,” I replied. Talking to her in my mind was innate, just as it was for most werewolves. My lips never even twitched. Sometimes, when I was little, I accidentally talked to her out loud, but that was normal. Ema responded in a low growl. At first, I thought that she was growling at me, and I rolled my eyes and kept walking. But that shifted when I heard whispers, shadows converging around me. “Look what we’ve got here. A lone wolf out in the night,” a gritty voice mocked. The Rogues. I could sense their intentions, the greed in their eyes. I tightened my grip on my bag. “Stay back,” I warned, baring my fangs. A grin spread across the leader’s face. He was an ugly sort, with a big scar running across the diagonal of his face. “Make us, little girl.” They closed in on me. With lightning reflexes, I aimed a punch at the nearest one, who crumpled. “Shit!” one guy said, his eyes widening. “Looks like we’ve got an Alpha here, boys? Who would have thought? Today’s our lucky day!” My punch only spurred on the rest. They came at me from all sides, even more fervently now that they knew my status.

The realization hit me. They didn’t just see a girl. They saw a potential bounty. An Alpha beneath the guise of plain attire. Rogues in my home city were often confined to one district, which was typically guarded heavily by the police. Many of them were drug addicts and petty criminals. Here, they were still drug addicts and petty criminals—but there was no ‘district’ to keep them in. They roamed freely, and the local law enforcement had their plates too full to keep watch over every Rogue for thievery and muggings. More Rogues came out of the shadows. A whole gang of them. They were all sneering, chuckling, flashing their menacing teeth and scarred faces. “Back off!” I growled, feeling myself begin to shift as my instincts from years of Alpha training began to kick in. “I’ll take every last one of you down!” As my warning echoed throughout the dimly lit alley, a palpable tension settled. The leader just smirked. “Little girl thinks she can fight, huh?” He lunged for me. I dodged in a swift motion, using my elbow to strike him squarely in the jaw. He staggered back, pain flashing momentarily across his face. But I had no time to relish in the small victory, as another Rogue lunged at me from behind. Twisting around with grace and speed, I caught him by the wrist, flipping him over my shoulder. His body crashed into a nearby pile of cardboard boxes. But I was heavily outnumbered. My Alpha skills only drew more of them out of the shadows, intrigued by my prowess. To them, a long Alpha female was a walking goldmine. They thought I had money. I could feel them closing in from all sides, their sneers and mocking laughter fueling my anger. I launched a series of kicks and punches. Each movement was precise and targeted. I managed to land blows on two more Rogues, but fatigue was setting in, and there were just too many. One Rogue managed to grab my arm, pulling me off balance. I could feel the tide turning against me. I wrenched my arm free, but I was pressed up against the wall now with nowhere to go. “She put up a good fight,” the leader said, wiping a bit of blood away from his lip. “But not good enough.” Suddenly, the roar of engines pierced the night. Three black Bentleys emerged, surrounding us, throwing light over the alley. I raised my arm to shield my eyes, blinded by the light. And then from the light came a scent. It was so intoxicating that I felt my knees go weak. Strong arms wrapped themselves around me while I was still reeling. “Touch her, and it’ll be the last thing you do,” a deep voice growled. The Rogues dispersed like rats, disappearing into the shadows. I turned, meeting the gaze of my savior. Tall, with deep-set eyes and an air of command. There was no mistaking it. A force deep within me stirred. My wolf acknowledged the bond even before my brain could process it. “Mate,” Ema hissed. “You,” I whispered, lost for words. The stranger’s lips quirked into a smile. “Me.” Fate, it seemed, had a funny way of making introductions. And just like that, in the heart of the dangerous city, beneath the cloak of night, my journey as a lawyer intersected with the path of destiny itself.

Ella “It’s him,” my wolf, Ema, hissed inside my head. “Our mate.” “It can’t be,” I responded. “This stranger? You must be wrong.” And yet, as I stared up at the man, his piercing eyes bore into mine with an intensity I had never experienced. He was breathtakingly handsome. “My wolf senses you must be my mate,” he murmured, voice a husky whisper. So my wolf was right. His wolf sensed it, too. For a moment, everything around us faded. Our lips met, and the world seemed to catch fire. This wasn’t any ordinary kiss—it was fueled by the blessing of the mate bond, a once-in-a-lifetime connection in today’s overpopulated werewolf world. My parents, being fated mates themselves, had always told me about the overwhelming pull of the bond. I had never truly believed it until now. As our lips locked, electricity surged between us. Each touch sparked a fire that threatened to consume us both. It wasn’t just a melding of mouths. It was a collision of two souls recognizing each other across lifetimes. The sensation was overwhelming, intoxicating. The warmth of his lips, the slight catch of breath, and the gentle tug of desire left me reeling. Every fiber of my being focused on that one connection, the bond sealing with a fervor that whispered promises of forever. At the same time, I felt a sudden connection between us. It was his voice, his emotions, flooding into me. “My mate,” I heard his velvety voice echo in my ears. “How nice to finally meet you.” I had heard before that a first kiss with a fated mate established a Mindlink, a way for the mates to communicate and sense each other without uttering a single word. It was a strange feeling, to be suddenly connected like this. But at the same time, it felt euphoric. Breaking away, breathless, I took a moment to really look at him. He gazed down at me with a pair of cool blue eyes, like the ocean on a clear day. He sported a head of jet black hair, which stood in stark contrast to that blue. But the way he was dressed was equally intriguing. His sharp suit screamed luxury, distinct from the others around him dressed in black. The glint of an expensive watch caught my attention, something that my eye had been trained well to recognize having grown up with generational wealth. But what puzzled me more were the men surrounding us, dressed uniformly. Each of them pretended not to see us, but their very presence raised so many questions. Who was this man, and why did he have so many bodyguards? “Why are you out alone this late?” His low, almost husky voice pulled me back from my thoughts. “Overtime,” I responded, my voice a little shaky from the aftermath of our kiss. “New to the city?” he inquired, raising an eyebrow. “How’d you guess?” I smirked, but there was genuine curiosity in my tone. “No resident in their right mind would be out alone at this time,” he said, a shadow crossing his face. “Let me drive you home. We can get to know each other a bit more on the way.”

Despite the strangeness of hopping into a car with a man I had only just met, something told me to trust him, even if only for the drive home. He was my fated mate, after all. As we settled into the plush leather seats, he glanced over. “Are you an Omega or a Beta?” he asked abruptly. I frowned, taken aback. “Why isn’t Alpha an option?” He pointed to the tear in my sleeve, to the plainness of my clothing. “Even if you were, I could tell what you truly are.” “And what would that be?” I asked, cocking my head to the side. He scoffed. “A peasant, clearly.” His presumptuousness irked me. “Who are you to judge?” I retorted. Suddenly, he leaned toward me. He took hold of my chin, not roughly, but still forcing me to look at him. “Apart from my parents, no one speaks to me this way,” he said coldly. “Now answer. Omega or Beta?” I swatted his hand away, the heat of anger replacing the earlier warmth. “Why does it matter?” His eyes darkened. “If you’re an Omega, it’s worse than I thought.” “Worse?” My voice trembled with indignation. “Everyone, regardless of their rank, has value. Are you suggesting otherwise?” He leaned in. “You must know I’m an Alpha. If you were a Beta, it would be one thing, but not the end of the world. But an Alpha like me, if he chooses an Omega as a mate, it’s… complicated.” “But why?” My mind raced. “Everyone dreams of finding their fated mate regardless of rank unless they’ve already mated with someone else. Are you already engaged?” He laughed bitterly. “No,” he said, his voice dripping with condescension, “but I know who I’ll marry. She’s an Alpha, new here, like you.” I gaped at him. “And she’s just going to fall into your arms?” He shot me a confident smirk. “I always get what I want.” The audacity! My initial attraction to this man quickly turned to disgust. I averted my gaze, staring blankly out the window, the neon lights of the city blurring past. The silence in the car was palpable, a dense fog of tension that seemed to thicken as we passed by streetlamps and neon signs. The soft hum of the engine and the occasional distant honk outside were the only things to fill the silence. I could feel this man’s heavy gaze on me occasionally, but I kept my eyes fixed on the window. I only just met him, and he was my fated mate, but I already disliked him. It was possible to reject a fated mate. I could reject him, and it would break our bond so I would be free to find someone else. Whoever else I found wouldn’t be fated to me, but it would be better than… whatever this was. Hell, I would rather be alone than be with some arrogant jerk. “By the way,” he said, breaking both the silence and my train of thought. “What’s your name?”

I huffed and folded my arms across my chest. “I’m not telling you. Since it’s apparently so important and crushing that I’m just an Omega, then my name shouldn’t matter, should it?” “Come on now…” He leaned closer to me, his scent filling my mind once more. It was intoxicating, dizzying. “Don’t be like that.” I huffed again and leaned away, keeping my gaze fixed on the window. “Fine.” The man let out a low growl and leaned back in his seat. “Have it your way.” The rest of the ride was silent. When the car halted, I was in front of my apartment building. It was a small building within walking distance of the law firm, and I had chosen it precisely for that reason. There was nothing special about it, it was just a brick building, a few storeys tall, with an iron gate across the front door. When my parents saw it for the first time, I thought that my dad would have a heart attack. Moana, however, just laughed and took me out shopping for protective supplies: a big bat flashlight that could easily bash someone’s skull in (as well as provide light), a can of pepper spray, and a special mechanism that could go inside my door between the wall and the lock so that someone couldn’t open it from the outside, even if they had a key. I always appreciated her openness to my freedom to experience the city on my own, and I cherished those items that she bought for me in case they really would come in handy someday. “Well… Here you are, I guess.” The man leaned forward, peering out the window with an obvious look of disgust on his face. “This is the right place, right?” I nodded, swinging the door open. “Yep. Thanks.” Without another word, I got out, desperate to put distance between us. But a hand on my arm stopped me. “Wait.” His voice caught my attention. I froze, not turning just yet, but curious nonetheless to hear what he had to say. “I recognize that you’re my fated mate, and there’s no denying that. I can’t just let you walk away, so let me make you an offer that you can’t refuse.” I turned, ready to snap, but his next words caught me off guard. “I’ll give you a million dollars a year. To be with me. In private.” I stared at him in shock. The audacity! Did he just propose…? “Are you offering to make me your mistress?” He hesitated, then nodded. His cool blue eyes slowly looked up at my apartment building, which he viewed with an obvious look of disgust on his face. “With that kind of money, you could change your peasant life.” My blood instantly began to boil.

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