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62. The First Step
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The Alpha's Bounty: His Runaway Luna 63. A Friendly Interrogation
AellaI sit quietly on the couch in Roman’s office, flipping through an old issue of a nature magazine as he pores over some documents at his desk. I’m used to these moments—the weight of his responsibilities as Alpha often leads to late nights and busy mornings. But it’s a life we’ve built together, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.“You know, you could make this magazine collection a little more interesting,” I comment, giving him a playful look.He glances up from his work, an amused grin lighting up his face. “What, you’re not enthralled by the mating rituals of the North American beaver?”“Absolutely riveting,” I retort. “But I could use some variety.”The door swings open just as he chuckles, and Kaden steps inside, a solemn expression on his face. “Roman, I’ve got news,” he begins, then spots me on the couch and blanches. “Aella, hey.”“Hey, Kaden,” I greet him, closing the magazine and setting it aside. “What’s up?”Kaden looks at me, no look isn’t the right word, he visi
The Alpha's Bounty: His Runaway Luna 64. A Crack On The Surface
AellaThe walk back to the office is a weighted journey, each step heavier than the last. The information that Esteban gave me has caused my mind to start whirling.Vasily’s thirst for power knows no bounds, and it’s disconcerting how easily he’s manipulated Diego. I reach Roman’s office door, taking a deep breath before walking in.Roman and Kaden are deep in deliberation. Their brows are furrowed and the atmosphere is thick with tension. Papers are strewn across Roman’s desk, maps and charts outlining the territories of various packs and cartels. “We can’t just march in there, Ro,” Kaden is saying, pointing at a section on the map that marks the Ladron Cartel’s land. “It’s suicide. They outnumber us.”“I’m aware, but sitting on our hands isn’t an option either,” Roman retorts, raking a hand through his hair, his rings glinting under the light. “If we don’t act, Vasily plays his hand, and we become sitting ducks.”Kaden sighs and leans against the wall. “We need a mole, someone on t
The Alpha's Bounty: His Runaway Luna 65. I'm A Fucking Idiot
RomanThe door clicks shut behind Aella, and I’m left standing in the suffocating silence of my office. What the hell just happened? I ask myself this question, but deep down, I know. I saw it—the flash of terror in her eyes, the way she tensed up. How could I be so fucking stupid?She saw Vasily when she looked at me.My fist collides with the wall, a sharp pain radiating up my arm. But it’s a good pain, a welcome distraction from the emotional shitstorm swirling inside me. “Dammit,” I curse under my breath. I should’ve known better. I’ve been an Alpha since I was a pup, raised to read people, to read her. And still, I forget. I forget what she’s been through, the invisible scars Vasily left on her.I flex my hand, testing the knuckles. They’re fine. I’m fine. Except I’m not. None of this is fine. I stand there, my fist aching from the punch, the dent in the wall a testament to my screw-up. “Damn it all,” I mutter, pacing the room. This was supposed to be simple. All my years of
The Alpha's Bounty: His Runaway Luna 66. Alpha Javier
Aella Two days later, we find ourselves in a black Escalade, driving toward the restaurant where the meeting is to take place. Roman’s knuckles are white on the steering wheel, and Kaden has an air of alertness that borders on tension. Roman decided to meet Alpha Javier in his own territory as a sign of respect. Both Kaden and I hate this, but Roman was adamant it had to be done. The car is filled with the smell of Roman’s cologne, a woodsy aroma that usually comforts me, but today it seems to amplify the gravity of the situation. “We’ll be alright, Aella,” he says. “Trust me.” Kaden, sitting shotgun, looks over his shoulder and nods in agreement. “We’ve faced worse, right? A sit-down with another Alpha should be a cakewalk.” “I wouldn’t go that far,” Roman murmurs, pulling the Escalade into the valet area. “What are the odds that Javier is setting us up?” I can’t help but ask, breaking the silence that has enveloped the vehicle. “Low, but not non-existent,” Roman answers, ey
The Alpha's Bounty: His Runaway Luna 67. A Beta's Sacrifice
AellaAs we walk back to the car, the weight of the new revelations sinks in. “You were almost married off to Diego,” Roman says, his voice bordering on fury knowing I would have been someone else’s. “That fucker Leonardo truly is a snake, no offense, baby.”I shake my head. “And Lily… I can’t believe this is happening to her,” I murmur.“We’ll fix it,” Roman promises, his grip tightening around mine. “I’ll see if I can get her out of there. Fuck knows what’s she’s been through.”The moment we’re sealed inside the Escalade, I can feel the tension rise like steam from a boiling pot. Roman jams the key into the ignition, turning it so violently it’s a wonder the car starts at all. The engine roars to life, but instead of shifting into gear, Roman swivels his head to fix Kaden with an incredulous glare. The tension is palpable; you could cut it with a knife.“What the actual fuck, Kaden? You offer yourself up for marriage like it’s some sort of goddamn business deal? You could’ve at lea
The Alpha's Bounty: His Runaway Luna 68. Second Date
AellaI have a date tonight with Roman and I’m feeling extremely anxious about it. He said that he never gets to spoil me, so here I am, nervous as he opens the Maserati’s door for me.I’m still trying to catch my breath as I slide into the plush leather seat of his car. My Alpha is a striking figure beside me, his blonde hair falling rebelliously over his forehead in that ‘Roman Way’, catching the dim light of the car’s interior. His green eyes meet mine for a moment, sparkling like emeralds, and my heart does a little flip. He looks impeccable in that fitted suit, every inch the powerful, confident Alpha he is.“Is this what I have to look forward to? You stealing all my attention by looking this drop-dead gorgeous?” Roman grins, starting the car with a soft roar that vibrates through the chassis.I chuckle, touched by his compliment. “And here I thought I was the lucky one, being chauffeured by a man as handsome as you.”“Ah, flattery,” he smirks, expertly maneuvering the car onto
The Alpha's Bounty: His Runaway Luna 69. Meeting Of Alphas
AellaTwo weeks have passed since the meeting and Roman’s presence had been more contemplative, as if he were turning over a complex puzzle in his mind. We’re expecting Alpha Javier and his sister Elena. Kaden’s potential future wife.They’re visiting our territory, a return gesture of respect that Roman showed him. Elena was as much a mystery to us as a locked book. Today, that book would be opened, and we’d all take our first look.I know the fact that the meeting is here gives Roman a sense of control that he finds absent when dealing with unpredictable variables. The room is elegantly decorated, from the crystal chandeliers to the embroidered tablecloth—this may be a meeting of Alphas, but it’s also a show of power and tradition. The air smells of aged wood and subtle lavender, a scent designed to put anyone at ease. Still, Roman looks like he’s preparing for battle, his jaw set, eyes like a hawk. Kaden, too, stands tall and imposing, yet there’s an underlying spark of excitemen
The Alpha's Bounty: His Runaway Luna 70. Simmering Fear
RomanOne day until Kaden gets married, and I’m twisted into a fucking nervous pretzel.I’m in a hotel room with Aella, its elegance almost suffocating with the weight of tomorrow’s event. The window curtains are drawn shut, the dim light casting a soft, mellow glow and the king-sized bed, covered in silk sheets, looks inviting, but neither of us feels like sleeping just yet.Aella is standing at the window overlooking the city lights, her posture tense, her eyes clouded. I know her well enough to gauge the storm brewing in her mind. I smell it, too—the anxiety, the fear, clinging to her like a second skin. It’s an odor I can’t stand, and it’s not one that belongs to her. I know she’s terrified about the possibility of seeing Vasily again at the wedding celebration tomorrow. That bastard took her for whatever twisted plan he had, and the scars are still there. Emotional scars that I’d do anything to erase.I set my cell phone aside and walk over to her, wrapping my arms around her fr
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