StrugglesElara's POV:After I left the hospital, I wasn't done digesting Harden's recent threat when the news of father's health hit me like a sledgehammer, shattering the fragile facade of hope I'd clung to all this while for his sake. I received a call from Jason who said that father's condition deteriorated in prison.Desperation swirled within me as I racked my brain, thinking of every possible option to save him. If he continued to stay in prison, I doubted he'd be able to survive it, yet there was nothing I could do. Jason had earlier said that he knew someone, and they could arrange for father to get proper treatment, but it would cost a lot of money—about $10,000. I'd never thought of so much money in my entire life and had nowhere to get it. Still, I needed to save my father. After a long while, I made the gut-wrenching decision to sell our house, hoping to save him.Before my father was demoted from Beta, we had a house where we lived. After his sickness worsened, we moved
I am your DoomArthur's POV:I was driving past the city when something caught my eye. I saw Elara Williams, or someone with the same figure as her, in the bakery across the road. At first, I didn't believe it, but my wolf was more adamant than I was, so I had to confirm. On reaching the shop, I guessed right; it was Elara. The first thing I asked myself was what she was doing here.Dressed in a messy uniform and flour-filled apron, she stood with some guy who looked pretty old. I was going to ignore it at first, but then I heard something; they seemed to be having a small argument.Still not able to digest the fact that she's probably working here, I found him raising his hand on her, threatening to hit her while she recoiled. My hands shook in spasms, and I immediately became infuriated. He had the audacity to raise his hand on her. My wolf was agitated, pushing me to step in and break his fingers—those ones he lifted to threaten her. The only thing I wanted to do was put him in his
I'll Find Another OneElara's POV:The drive to my house was filled with lively conversation, creating an atmosphere of camaraderie. After helping me again, I realized it would be rude of me not to do something to thank Arthur for his constant kindness."Thank you for constantly running to me in my time of trouble; you've helped me so much that I can't count. I'd like to invite you to dinner," I said, biting my lower lip as I anticipated his response, which never came. I took the courage to speak further, "Anytime you're free would be fine.""Tomorrow night...?" Arthur suggested, more like a question. A wide grin adorned my face as I echoed, "Tomorrow night.""I'll come then," Arthur said. He got out of the car and came to my side, opening it like a proper gentleman."Elara, if you ever need my help, don't hesitate to call me. Tomorrow, Elias will get you a better job. How much are you looking to earn? $5000? Or-"I quickly interrupted him. "Don't worry, I'll find another one soon. Ev
AbductionElara's POV:I opened my eyes, feeling a sharp pain at the side of my head while trying to take in my environment. I attempted to recall the last thing that happened before I blacked out but was interrupted when I heard a familiar voice – Caitlin's. She screamed so loud that it alerted a group of men who came rushing into the room.My eyes scanned the small, dark cubic space with an impeller on one end providing the only space for sunlight. It seemed to be a storeroom, filled with sacks and a very dusty environment.To my surprise, I realized I wasn't taken alone. The last thing I remembered was being forced into a car with a cloth over my face until I lost consciousness. We were surrounded by scarred-faced men with matching tattoos and piercings – some sort of gang with a dreadful appearance."What the hell am I doing here?!" She yelled, drawing attention. I wished she would quiet down so I could gather my thoughts, but she continued to blabber."I demand to be released! Do
RescueElara's POV:As expected of Harden, the dutiful son-in-law of the Dawn pack, he chose to save Caitlin.After the phone was cut off, I bowed my head in regret, wondering what my whole life would've looked like if I had come from a better family, one who could protect me from harm. One with so much influence that I didn't have to worry about my circle. One with so much power that I would have gotten married to my fated mate without him denying me to choose another."Fredrick, in two hours, gets the girl ready," said the one who I had come to notice was the boss around here because of all the commands he had been giving."Both of them?""No, the razored-tongue. This one has no one to come for her, poor girl," he tsked with a pitiful expression, walking up to me, he stretched his hand forward to stroke my hair while I made every effort to get away from him, trying my best not to anger the beast in him. My body trembled as I shifted with a small wince escaping my lips.All my life,
Sweet MandarinElara's POV:As we exited the storage room, a group of Arthur's men rushed to further protect us. I recognized faces from the store, those who were there before Caitlin was taken. They all appeared battered with bloody faces and clothes, clearly brutalized. It didn't seem like they were alive, which worried me. With a furrowed brow, I continued to stare at them, unable to take my eyes off them.Arthur leaned in and said with a sinister smile, "Don't worry; they aren't dead YET." His emphasis made me realize he had other plans for them. "Don't look at their hideous faces anymore, so you don't get a nightmare." He teased, and I weakly smiled back.Arthur's Gamma stepped forward, "Alpha, we've managed to capture all of them, along with the ransom your brother-in-law paid," he informed."Where's Caitlin?" Arthur asked with a serious face, and his gamma responded, "She went with your brother-in-law. He dropped the money and left before we arrived." Arthur hummed softly befor
I Don't Need You(Warning: Chapter contains mature content.)"Baby, can you touch me?" Caitlin asked again. Her eyes flicked downward, and her lips curved ever so slightly. This time, she took the initiative to act first; her hands skillfully went down to unbutton my shirt as she spoke, "I was so scared back there, and I could only think about you, Harden. I'm thankful that you came."My thoughts were scattered all over the place, and it agitated me to have her hands—anyone's other than Elara's—run over my body. I grabbed her hands and held them up, wanting to get her away from me. However, the look on her face was pitiful. She looked clueless, confused, and had no idea why I did that. Maybe I shouldn't punish her for something she knows nothing about. She just got out of the kidnapper's clutches and must be traumatized, which is why she needs me.I held both her wrists with one hand; my other hand aggressively brought her face to meet mine, and I kissed her violently, licking and suc
Flooded EmotionsElara's POV:Just when I thought Harden was here to hurt me again, Arthur barged in, standing between both of us and giving me the courage to speak up. I turned to Arthur, pressed my hands to my head, and gave myself a small head massage, expressing my stress due to Harden's presence."What's wrong, Elara?" Arthur asked. I lowered my tone, enjoying our small display of closeness by having his hand wrapped around my waist, "Please ask him to leave; I can't deal with all this right now."Immediately, Arthur turned to Harden, "You heard her. She needs space to recover. It's best if you leave," he stated sternly.Harden stared hard at me, waiting for confirmation, I guess he couldn't believe his eyes that I could act this way. Arthur was here, and he dared not lay his hands on me. My lips curled with a slurring smile that only he would notice, and I rolled my eyes at him."You heard him, leave," I added. Harden continued to gape at me, paused for a moment, and then was ab