I stepped outside and the tension was palpable. Jalen, Cade, and Jaela were huddled together in a hushed conversation, their body language radiating unease. I approached them, my instincts telling me that something was off."What are you guys talking about?" I asked, trying to keep my voice casual.Jalen shot me a fake smile. "Nothing," he lied, but I could tell he was hiding something.Determined to get to the bottom of it, I decided to bide my time. I retreated to the kitchen where I spent hours working on my laptop, replying to emails, and updating my company's website. Exhausted, I reached for the orange juice and poured myself a glass.Just as I took a sip, Jalen's mum stormed into the room, dressed in black, her face contorted with anger. "How dare you use my husband's cup?" she snapped at me, her voice echoing through the room.I apologized, feeling my face flush with embarrassment, and quickly rinsed out the glass. "I'm sorry," I said, trying to make peace. "I've tried to mak

I arrived at the bonfire with Clarissa. The warm glow from the crackling fire illuminated her beautiful face, making her look even more stunning. She was wearing a light summer dress and I could feel the soft flicker of firelight shining on her skin.As we walked towards the group of my pack mates, I felt a strong sense of pride in my heart. I took her hand and pulled her close, leading her to the dance floor. The cool night air was blowing against my skin. She was a beautiful dancer and she moved gracefully in my arms. I was so in love with her and couldn't stop staring into her eyes, and I felt so happy just being close to her.As we danced, my pack mates started to cheer and call out to me, hailing me as their king. I paraded Clarissa as my queen and she was shy, but she laughed. I loved how she was always so genuine and down-to-earth, despite how wealthy she was. The night was going so well and I was so happy. Clarissa's soft lips pressed against mine, and I felt a rush of emot

After work on Monday, I drove to a grocery store for shopping. The store was bustling with people, grabbing their essentials for the week ahead. I navigated my way through the crowds, grabbing a basket as I went. The bright lights of the store illuminated the aisles and I took my time, picking out the items on my list.As I reached for a bottle of wine, I held it up to the light, admiring its deep ruby color. The label read "Cabernet Sauvignon" and I knew Jalen would love it. I placed it carefully in my basket and continued with my shopping.The whole weekend, I had been receiving calls and texts from Jalen. He was missing me and the house was lonely without me, he said. I couldn't help but smile at the thought of Jalen pining for my return.As I drove at night towards the Lycan pack, the air was crisp and the stars twinkled in the sky. I felt a sense of comfort knowing that I was heading back to my lover. The guards at the border greeted me with respect and bowed as I passed through

Cade and I drove in silence back to my pack the next morning, the only sound being the purr of the engine and the occasional hiss of tires on the road. I sat with my arms crossed over my chest, staring out the window listlessly. The world outside was a blur of lights and shadows, nothing holding my interest. My thoughts were consumed by Jalen and his infidelity. "Rissa, you have to believe me. When you were away and Jaela got her speech back, we went partying and Jalen got drunk with happiness. That was when Malory spiked his drink. He didn't even remember what happened that night," Cade tried to explain for the hundredth time. But I was tired of hearing the same excuses. I shook my head, "Even if that's what happened, he has broken our bond and I can't stand him anymore. Also, there's a baby in question." Cade sighed, "I know, Rissa. I just don't want to see you hurt like this." "There is nothing you can say to me that will make me change my mind, so just drive," I snapped, my v

As the morning sun filtered through the plush curtains of my hotel room, I woke up feeling refreshed after a long flight to Paris the day before. I stretched out my limbs and savored the feeling of the soft sheets of my king-sized bed as they enveloped me in a warm embrace. Despite the luxurious surroundings, I felt a pang of loneliness as I rubbed the sleep from my eyes. I reached for the telephone on the nightstand, dialled my family and waited for it to ring. The sound of Bryon's voice filed me with comfort. Although we only spoke for a few minutes, I felt my spirits lift as we chatted about my travels and plans for the day.As I hung up the phone, I changed into my running gear. The soft tank top and yoga pants felt comfortable against my skin as I got dressed. I grabbed my airpods and headed downstairs, eager to take in the sights and sounds of the city. The morning air was crisp and invigorating, and the sun was just beginning to rise, casting a warm glow on the streets outsid