Trembling with cold and emotion, Tanner tried to steady his voice, "I'm not trying to challenge you, Gideon. I'm pleading for us to discuss this. Can't you acknowledge that I've always acted with her best interests at heart, valuing her safety as much as you do?"Gideon, his frustration observable, ceased his pacing and sank to the ground beside Tanner. He removed his own shirt and handed it to Tanner, who quickly pulled it over his head, seeking any relief from the biting cold.Tanner continued, the urgency clear in his tone, "Okay, yes, this was genuinely the first time she's kissed me on the lips since she was like 13. Since I recognized the potential complications. The very first time, Gideon. The first attempt she made since then and the first time I didn't stop it.""So, you're admitting that you let this happen?" Gideon's voice was a mix of inquiry and accusation.His guilt evident, Tanner met Gideon's gaze squarely, "I won't lie to you. Yes, I did. I wrestle with these decisio
The night of the full moon, indicating Avery's 18th birthday, was a culmination of anticipation and impatience on both their parts. Eagerly counting down the days, Avery could barely contain her excitement for this momentous occasion.Meanwhile, Tanner was caught in a storm of emotions, pacing the office floor in the pack house. His heart raced as he confided in Gideon and the other guys, 'I can't believe it's finally here... After 14 years, the moment has arrived. I've been dreaming of this day for so long.'Witnessing Tanner's restless energy, Thomas couldn't help but chuckle. "Boy, you need to stop pacing. You're making even me nervous," he joked.Gideon, observing the scene from his desk, shared in the delight. "Yes, Tanner, the day has... indeed come... and you've handled the journey here... with grace, except for a few mo..mo..moments that led to involuntary swims and such. I'm p...proud of you. Are you re..re...ready to embrace what comes next?" His eyes twinkled with a mixture
Avla's life was an intricate mosaic of shadows and whispers, woven by the thunderous roars of her father, Yorgan. Hidden among tall pine trees, their small, weathered house stood as both a sanctuary and a prison. Inside its cracked and stained walls, memories of happier times whispered their tales through faded photographs and worn furniture, now replaced by tension and despair. Her mother's death in a training accident when Avla was a baby had torn the family apart. Yorgan's soul, once filled with love and joy, had twisted into something bitter and dark. The years saw his sorrow ferment into anger, his voice, once tender, now filled with rage and condemnation. The sweet aroma of family meals had long since been replaced by the stench of alcohol and regret. Avla, now almost eighteen, was a pale shadow of a girl. Her blonde hair, tangled and neglected, framed a face that rarely smiled. She was meek, beaten down, her voice barely more than a whisper. She learned to endure Yorgan's
The Alpha's chamber was a place of solitude and contemplation. As Gideon sat at his intricately carved wooden desk, his mind was not on the stack of reports in front of him. Instead, he was lost in thoughts of Avla. Ever since he'd laid eyes on her, something had stirred deep within him—a magnetic pull that both excited and confused him.Though charismatic and charming, Gideon was known for his serious demeanor and take-no-shit attitude. Being the Alpha meant having to make difficult decisions, to lead, to protect. But the thoughts of Avla were like a melody he couldn't shake. He sensed a connection—a fated mate connection—and it both thrilled and terrified him."Why her?" he murmured to himself, his deep voice resonating in the quiet room.He knew Avla was special, but why would Fate choose her as his mate? She was shy, introverted, and carried the weight of dead mother. And yet, her strength and resilience drew him in, the way she carried herself, the way she looked at the world."I
The heavy thud of Yorgan's fist against the wooden table resonated throughout the room, its echo a haunting reminder of the force behind his anger.Avla's spine tingled with a sensation she had never felt before, even though she had seen her father angry countless times. This was something different, something more primal, more terrifying. His rage had taken on a life of its own, an uncontrollable beast that seemed to possess him. "What were you doing near the Alpha?" Yorgan's voice hissed through clenched teeth, every word dripping with venom. His eyes, once filled with the warmth of a father's love, were now narrowed into hateful slits that bore into Avla's very soul. "I was walking," Avla stammered, her voice trembling, barely above a whisper. Her heart pounded in her chest, and she could feel the fear in her throat, choking her words. "I didn't know he was there. I swear." Yorgan's face twisted into a cruel smile, his lips curling back to reveal teeth that seemed sharper, more
The journey to the pack house was an amalgam of emotions, a confusing mix of relief, fear, and shock. Gideon's towering presence, the Alpha, was a constant reminder of the brutality she had witnessed, of the danger she had narrowly escaped.Every step seemed to bring a new realization, a fresh understanding of the enormity of what had transpired.She had left her home, fled from her father's madness, abandoned everything she had ever known.And she was now with the Alpha. The very thought sent tremors down her spine, a mixture of awe and trepidation. Who was this enigmatic being that had saved her? Why had he intervened? What did he desire from her?Their path through the forest was punctuated by silence, each lost in thought, processing the raw, primal events that had unfolded. Gideon's face was set in a stern, contemplative expression, his eyes unseeing, lost in some internal battle."You're injured," Avla's voice broke through the quiet, her concern plain.His eyes snapped to her,
The late afternoon sun streamed through the windows of the pack house as Gideon led Avla down a long hallway filled with portraits of previous Alpha leaders. She couldn't help but feel a pang of curiosity mixed with nervous excitement. "You'll be staying here," Gideon announced, gesturing to a wooden door adorned with intricate carvings. His voice was gentle, but she sensed an underlying tension in his manner. Avla's eyes widened as Gideon opened the door, revealing a spacious room furnished with a large, plush bed, a writing desk, and a cozy seating area. The walls were painted a soothing shade of blue, and a large window looked out over the sprawling grounds of the pack's property. "It's beautiful," she breathed, taking in the warm, inviting space. She moved past him, her body brushing against his as she explored the room. He inhaled sharply, feeling a surge of desire that was almost painful in its intensity. "I hope you'll be comfortable here," Gideon said, his eyes
Early in the morning, before the first rays of the sun had begun to pierce the cool, dark night, Liam bounced into Avla's room with an energy that belied the hour. His face flushed with excitement, his eyes wide with anticipation, his voice filled with urgency. "Avla, Avla, wake up! It's training time, and you've overslept just like me!" he exclaimed, jumping onto her bed and shaking her awake. Avla, still caught in the tendrils of sleep, blinked and looked at him. Her mind was slow to catch up, her body reluctant to respond. But as she looked into Liam's eager face, as she took in his tousled hair, his rumpled clothes, his innocent smile, something stirred within her. A feeling that was both new and profound. She did not realize it yet, but it was a protective urge, a motherly instinct, a deep and abiding connection. She felt a warmth spreading through her chest, a tenderness swelling in her heart, a love blossoming in her soul. She reached out and ruffled his hair, her touch gen