Ella“Your mother?” I asked, shooting Logan a quizzical look. “What does your mother have to do with this case?”The weight of Logan’s gaze was palpable as he began to speak. “The land... it’s more than just an asset, Ella.”His voice was soft, yet there was an undeniable intensity lurking beneath. I leaned forward, genuinely intrigued. His usually unreadable face hinted at vulnerability, a side of him I had yet to see.“My mother used to own a shop there,” he started, pausing as if gathering his thoughts. “It was her pride and joy—a little sanctuary away from the chaos of the world. It was the last piece of independence she had.”I watched him closely, the atmosphere thickening with every word. “Your mother? But I thought she was always... well, with your father.”“She was,” he replied, hesitating slightly. “But before the overwhelming demands of our family took over, she had that little shop. My father made her leave it behind. She missed it every day.” Logan’s fingers tightened on
EllaThe early morning mist hung low in the air as I approached the courthouse. Its grand stone steps and impressive facade were familiar to me now, having spent countless hours within its halls.However, today was different. Today, the weight of the impending trial pressed heavily upon me, making each step feel just a bit heavier.It had been a month since Logan told me about his second case. A month of hard work, of stone walls and questionable morals. No matter how much I tried to convince him to reconsider his stance on the case, he wouldn’t budge.And eventually, I gave up.Before I reached the grand entrance, a figure leaning against one of the building’s pillars caught my eye. Logan.Even from a distance, the tailored fit of his suit accentuated his stature, and I had to admit, he looked especially handsome. His posture was relaxed, hands buried deep in his pockets, but there was a tightness in the set of his shoulders, a hint of unease that I hadn’t seen before.Over the last
EllaThe familiar rap of the gavel echoed through the room, announcing a brief and sorely-needed break.“We will resume in fifteen minutes,” the judge declared, eyes scanning the crowd for any signs of objection.Logan and I quickly retreated from the central floor, seeking a quieter corner of the bustling courthouse.The weight of the recent testimonies bore down on me. My head was full of images of the struggling tenants, their tales of hardship, and most of all, the young boy with Leukemia and his resilient mother.But it was the mask of indifference Logan wore that disturbed me the most.The courthouse buzzed with activity as people got up to take their breaks, but in the midst of the chaos, I found a small, secluded alcove in the stairwell. The hushed voices and distant murmur of conversations created a curtain of white noise, but it was quiet enough for what needed to be said.I motioned for Logan to follow me, and although there was reluctance in his stride, he didn’t resist. A
EllaThe closeness was stifling. The proximity of our bodies, the heat radiating from Logan, the intensity of his gaze—it was all too much.The moment we stepped away from each other, a fresh wave of cool air seemed to sweep through the dimly lit stairwell. I could feel the flush on my cheeks, a stinging reminder of just how close we had been.I swiftly adjusted my blazer, using the action as a pretext to collect my thoughts. Glancing at Logan, I shot him a dirty look.“Logan, if you ever get that close to me again, trying to use your body to intimidate me or whatever it was you were doing, I swear, I’ll rip our contract to shreds and refuse to work with you again.”He raised a brow, his features sculpted, his piercing eyes still locked onto mine. “Intimidate you? Ella, I wasn’t trying to intimidate you.”I scoffed. “Oh, please! What would you call it then?”He took a deep breath, his jaw clenching as he searched for words. “I can’t help it, Ella. I’m an Alpha. It’s... it’s instinctua
EllaThe door to the bathroom swung shut behind me with a quiet click, muffling the ambient sounds of the courthouse’s busy hallway.For a moment, the silence was overpowering, offering a brief respite from the chaotic world outside. Cold tiles met my stiletto heels, and I leaned over the sink, staring at my reflection. My usually vibrant eyes looked dull, and trails of tears had smeared my makeup slightly.Taking a deep breath, I let the weight of my emotions wash over me.I turned on the tap, letting the cold water rush over my hands before splashing some onto my face. Each droplet felt like a tiny balm against my heated skin, a fleeting relief from the oppressive weight of guilt that threatened to crush me.“Why did I ever think this was a good idea?” I whispered, the weight of my decisions bearing down on me. My wolf stirred, a familiar presence at the back of my mind.“We wanted to make a difference, remember?” she murmured, her voice as gentle as a summer breeze.“But like this?
EllaThe courthouse’s archaic clock chimed, echoing through the expansive corridor. Warm sunlight filtered through the stained-glass windows, casting a kaleidoscope of colors onto the cold marble floor.The hum of hushed conversations filled the hallway as I pushed my way out of the bathroom. In a few minutes, I’d be back in court, facing another round of the tumultuous battle between Logan and the local tenants.I wasn’t looking forward to it; not in the slightest. And I especially wasn’t looking forward to it after my emotional conversation with Miss Smith in the restroom.Logan’s tall frame called out to me from the end of the hallway. “Ella,” he said, a strange sense of what almost sounded like remorse in his voice, “I’d like to talk to you.”The sunlight filtering through caught the flecks of gold in his blue eyes, but they bore an uncharacteristic uncertainty to them.“Oh, god,” I thought to myself as I approached. “What is it now?”“Does he look… remorseful?” Ema asked, perking
EllaInside the confines of the counsel chambers, the atmosphere was saturated with apprehension. Heavy curtains blocked the outside world, leaving the room bathed in a warm, golden glow. Oak bookshelves, lined with hefty legal volumes, lined the walls.Between Mr. Grayson and myself sat a polished mahogany table, its surface gleaming in the soft light.“This is a… shock, to say the least,” Mr. Grayson said, fidgeting with the cufflinks of his pristine white shirt. “Mr. Barret, if I may ask: what changed your mind?”Logan smirked. “I like to keep some things close to my chest, Mr. Grayson,” he said, shooting me a sideways glance. “But know this: I am being genuine. No strings attached.”Mr. Grayson shot me a look, silently asking if Logan was telling the truth.I nodded, fingertips pressed against the table’s smooth surface. “My client is completely serious, Mr. Grayson.”Mr. Grayson sighed contentedly, leaning back in his chair, the soft creak of leather echoing my own thoughts. Besi
EllaAs I processed Logan’s sudden invitation for drinks, an unfamiliar warmth spread across my cheeks. I was caught off guard by the sudden sense of attraction that bubbled up within me.The frivolous, detached mobster I had become accustomed to seemed to have been suddenly replaced by a more thoughtful, almost vulnerable man. And despite my inner reservations, I found myself intrigued by th