Eloise’s POV:His lips crashed against mine making me freeze, yet he deepens the kiss and I almost give in to it before everything within me screams that this is wrong and I come to my senses, shoving him away.“Dex!” I wipe my mouth with the back of my hand, and when I glance up to look at him, he looked hurt.“Do I repulse you that much?” he asks, taking a step forward while I take a step back.“What? No, Dex, of course not,” I pause, knowing I doubted that to be true. My entire body is shaking, and for the first time it feels as if looking at a stranger.He stops, and tilts his head. I could feel his aura pressing down on me like a dark cloud, and the wind was brewing against me.“Then why are you moving away?” he asks, and I look down to realize I have put a considerable gap between us.With a sigh, I move my gaze back to him.“Look, Dex, I appreciate everything you have done for us, truly,” I say sincerely, knowing I would not be where I am if it weren’t for him.I shake my head.
Eloise’s POV:The drive took about four and a half hours going back to the city. I received a text an hour ago, and saw it was my mom. She was waiting in the hidden café, and Dexter had to take the lengthy twists and turns around the border to avoid getting caught and in turn, alerting the Alpha who I hear now owns the city—Alpha Kaden. Good thing Dex knows someone on patrol today to cover for us while we enter the city.Dexter opens the door for me at the café and I walk in. My eyes scan the room before I eventually spot my mother sitting near the glass window. “Mom?” I call out first once I got closer, and I’m pretty sure she heard the crack in my voice as she turned around. Her eyes glowed and widened when she saw me, and she stood right before crashing into my arms, squeezing the life of me when she gasps and stumbles back. Her eyes drop to my giant belly, and I watch her eyes become glassy.“Look at you,” she sniffles. Dex and I both look at her looking like she’s about to tear
Eloise’s POV:Mom laughed whilst I still can’t believe she said that in front of my best friend. Thankfully, she said no more of the matter and we spent the next hour eating lunch and talking some more. Leaving the café, mom insisted I go to the doctor for a check-up. I had thought about it, constantly worrying about my babies since it has been months since my last one, so why not? My mom happens to know a doctor who agreed to keep my results completely off the record in case one of Kaden’s spies happen to be snooping around my mom, keeping tabs of her tracks.Dex drove us there without complaint, always flashing his friendly smiles and I was relieved. It took us another two hours to get there, and when we did, mom introduced me to her friend, doctor Kim.She was in her mid-thirties, and looked rather friendly. After a thorough check-up, she congratulated me, announcing three healthy little babies are definitely on the way. Mom took the news pretty well, and even cried knowing she w
Eloise’s POV:The next few weeks passed by like a breeze. After that day, Dex has been sweet and loving towards me, making me wonder if I just imagined the whole thing, him shouting at me in the car and targeting my babies. Yet, his actions in the past few weeks contradicted what he said. Making me question whether it was just hormones, making me exaggerate everything I see and hear. Dex never raised his voice at me in the five years we’ve known each other. In fact, he even bought a crib, and we had just finished setting up a whole room for the nursery once they arrive. To my confusion, mom hasn’t called me since. It was so unlike her, since the last time we saw each other, she was so excited about the triplets. I wondered while I went about my day in the house while Dex was out running his own errands. He doesn’t tell me where he was going so I wasn’t sure when he’ll be back, so I set out to cleaning. First, I cleaned up the kitchen and vacuumed the entire place before doing the l
Kaden’s POV:“Alpha Kaden, is something wrong?” I look up and see Alpha John, one of the alphas attending this council meeting, furrow his brows, watching me. My eyes scan the entire room to see the other alphas had stopped to look at me, before falling on my beta who was leaning against the wall, a confused look on his face. My eyes flashed dangerously, and I grit my teeth. My hand shaking terribly wrapped around my glass. A little bit tighter, and it would break.“Yes… Yes, continue.” I mutter. Even saying those two words took much effort as I fought against my wolf. He wants blood. And he couldn’t wait. I tap my foot on the floor impatiently, pretending to listen to Alpha John go on about a new law forbidding first-born females to be alphas. I would listen some other time but not now. Not when I’m this close to shifting and tearing into every alpha I see.Sweat trails down the side of my face, and my jaw clenches. This isn’t good. I have to get out of here before I fucking explod
Eloise’s POV:“I’m done being friendly.” He spits before his fist punches me in the stomach.My mouth falls open, and I drop to my knees.Yet my knees didn’t touch the ground as he catches me, his lips colliding with mine forcefully while I struggle with the pain through my stomach. Panic fills me as I think of my babies. My hand instantly moving to cover my stomach before he grabs my wrists, pinning them above my head. His knees press between my legs, the sudden movement doubling the pain making me want to crunch over, yet he refuses to let me go. He buries his nose in my neck and inhales loudly.“Dex, please,” I beg as tears stream down my face, dripping down my chin. He doesn’t listen and instead, he began licking and nipping at my skin. He let out a lewd moan that made my skin crawl for good reason.From the corner of my eye, I see him pull out a white cloth, and my brows push together.“Dexter?” Another wave of panic settles in my stomach, that gut-wrenching feeling telling you
Eloise’s POV:It was like a never-ending cycle. Not a day goes by without Dexter snapping photos of me, recording me and him while he makes me perform every sick fucked-up delusions he carved in his head. Every day has become a nightmare to me since that fateful night. Afraid he’d hurt my babies, I did everything he asked me of me. Anything just to keep them safe. Every night, his camera sits at the foot of the bed where I am strapped most time of the day, except when I ask him to use the bathroom. When I do, however, have to use the bathroom, I use it under his ever-watchful gaze, and without clothes as he prefers it that way.Each time he does, a part of me breaks, and my wolf once again disappeared after that night. The night she told me the truth about him. Dexter. It turns out it was him who spread those scandalous photos of me to the media, which in turn had be kicked out of my house, by my father and rejected by my mate. I should have known, I should have seen right through him
Eloise’s POV:The drive on the way was quiet. Too quiet. Dexter hadn’t said a thing to me in the past hour since we got in the car. Before getting in, however, my eyes wandered to the forest. For a moment, I thought I could make a run for it, but Dex was already watching me.“Don’t even think about it, El.” He says, his sharp gaze piercing into me, and I had no choice but to climb in without complaint.I thought about it, but I also knew what I would be risking. I drop my eyes to my stomach which is getting bigger and rounder by the day. After that punch, I was worried and felt that I needed to consult an obstetrician, yet I couldn’t bring myself to ask him. Maybe later, I will.Glancing at him, his eyes are on the road as he hums the same tune. A melody I have grown to hate. It was that tune I recall him singing the night of the scandal, and I knew it would haunt me forever.Each time I glance at him, I couldn’t help but stare. He seems happy, energetic even, yet everything he had do
Eloise’s POV:Once the other alphas decided upon themselves whether or not to make the challenge viable as well as its underlying conditions, they emptied the chamber and left.I could feel Kaden’s stare at me the whole time while settled on my father’s previous seat in the council. It was fun while it lasted. His irritation bled through his skin from the moment I accepted Alpha John’s challenge.Goddess knows how the hell I managed to dodge the glares he kept throwing at me in my spot. Even the other Alphas began strutting out when his aura has gotten stronger and stronger.I have to admit, his aura was strong. Perhaps one perk of being his ex-mate meant I was immune to his deadly gaze. And his scary aura.But my mind is too preoccupied with thoughts of my mother, who is now my main priority until I find a damn cure.I need to find out who turned her, how she was turned. Well that last part I have figured out from my father. I can’t help but feel guilty for everything that happened t
Kaden’s POV:It was my first priority to follow where Viktor was planning to take my mate. After what I found out about his reaction to the scandal, I did not want to take any chances.Hell, if I fucking knew she was pregnant, I would have hauled her out of there with her kicking and thrashing on my back. There’s a lot I could have done…That is why I am dead set on setting this right.Being head of the city council, I cannot miss any of this shit. Instead of me, I sent Colton to follow her.He had just mind linked me and said they were in their old house.‘I thought she was in the hospital?’‘I thought so, too.’ replied Colton, ‘Probably an at-home patient?’I furrow my brows.‘Relax, she’s safe.’ He assures me.I internally sigh. At least I know she’s still under my watch. The last vampire attack happened a week ago, chances of running into one now was zero to none. The area is secured, and with Colton around, I can set my mind on this damn meeting.Alpha John was driving me fucking
Eloise’s POV:The sound of my beating heart echoed in my ears, pounding fast and hard I was afraid my body couldn’t keep up. Everything I thought I knew suddenly shatters before me. Everything…How did this happen? How could this happen?All this time I thought they had moved on without me.I should have been there.For her. And as much as I didn’t want to admit it, for Dad, too. Regardless of what he did to me, I can’t say I don’t love him enough to forgive him.I can’t imagine what he suffered all these years. Losing the pack, his name, me, and now, Mum. It was a miracle no one else found out about her, until my father decided to show me himself.Adeline stirs. She can feel my frustration and guilt as I navigated my way into the woods and the darkness. I was determined to make my way back, but I hadn’t thought of using a form of transportation with the chaos surrounding my mind. I look forward, my chest heaving as the thought of shifting consumes me.‘Are you ready?’ my wolf asks.S
Eloise’s POV:Staring at the door, I could still hear her. Could still hear her silent cries and small whimpers, and the faint sound of her voice calling out my name.It breaks my heart to know she’s suffered like this. All these years…No wonder she has never reached out to me. She can’t.And the part of me that was angry at her for not trying to get into contact, vanishes.“Eloise, I—” my father speaks reaching out for my arm, but I yank it off and step back, away from his reach.“Does anyone else know about this?” I ask.“No, just me,” he answers, “And now you.”“Why did you bring me here?” I whisper.Removing my gaze from the door, I look at him.“This is the reason you gave up being Alpha,” I say, realization slamming into me.Dad looks at me, surprised. “How did you know?”I heard one of the warriors talking about it on one of their breaks. When I heard my father’s name, I can’t help but listen.“Doesn’t matter how I found out.” I say.Dad sighs, “I brought you here because I th
Eloise’s POV:She hisses and giggles, yet the bloodlust oozing off her was unmistakable.“When… How…” I glance at my father.“She was attacked,” my father says gruffly, his gaze on the floor. “Months after you were gone, we had a fight… That day, she was going to find you, but I restricted her from looking for you since news that rogue vampires are on the loose. She escaped,” he croaked, and I turn to see my father looking utterly defeated. So unlike the man I always knew as my father. Strong-willed, determined. Now he can’t even look at Mum.My heart broke and my eyes move to my mother.“She turned the day Kaden created that law.”“What law?”“Kaden,”“He ordered that any wolf turned vampire is to be executed. No exceptions.”The air in my lungs vanishes.“You’re going to kill her?” My voice shakes.“I don’t have a choice,” he murmurs, guilt wrapped in his voice.I whip around to face him, rage and desperation colliding inside me.“You had a choice when you locked her in a fucking ca
Eloise's POV:I should have known something was off when my father drove past the hospital. My hands grip the edge of the seat as I stare out at him, my pulse quickening with the serious look in his face.“Dad,” I say, my voice laced with suspicion.“This isn’t the hospital?”He doesn’t answer. His knuckles tighten on the door, his jaw locked in a tense line.“Dad.” My voice hardens this time.“You’ll see,” he mutters.Against my better judgement, I slip out of the car and face the house. The sight of it sends a wave of nostalgia crashing over me. But the comfort of familiarity is drowned by the unease twisting in my gut.Dad looks at me and turns on his heel. I hesitate before following him up the steps, my boots heavy against the wooden porch.“Why are we here?” I ask again, but my father is already unlocking the door. He doesn’t meet my eyes as he steps inside.“Come in, Eloise.”Every instinct screams at me to turn around. To run. But I don’t. Instead, I step inside. If he tries a
Kaden’s POV:Colton taps my shoulder, which is the only way I was able to snap out of my trance.“What’s going on, man? You tapped out,” he chuckles. I shake my head. When I turn, Viktor’s car had already driven off past the pack’s gates. I grit my teeth.“Want me to go after them?” Colton offers.I shake my head, “No. She’ll be back.”At least I hoped so.The look in her eyes when she told me about the rejection was so intense it left me speechless. Even my wolf was caught off guard.“Then I can keep watch on her little friend, Abbie. Her moves are pretty interesting,” My beta hums to himself and turns, practically eye-fucking my mate’s innocent friend. The little lady had no idea we were watching her as she moves to take over Eloise’s batch.Reminding me once again how she walked out on me with her father.I roll my eyes, “You mean how you’ve been watching her ass in every demo?” I scoff. Colton shrugs.“Maybe.”I shake my head. Still, Viktor mentioned Eloise’s mother.I didn’t know
Eloise’s POV:My heart clenched with worry, and my stomach sank. Mum? Adeline whimpered too.Mum and I managed to get into contact with each other three years ago. I told her about the rogues and the pack that consisted only of women. She also informed me that Dexter was arrested somewhere, but she wasn’t sure by which pack and for what charges. I was able to let out a sigh of relief once I found out about his arrest. But one morning, around the time she used to call me and see the pups, my phone didn’t ring.I thought she was busy, but the next week she never rang. Then, a week passed still nothing. Two weeks later, I can’t get through to her cell. She never rang after that.“What happened to her?” I ask, my voice laced with worry.Dread fills me at the thought of something happening to my mum, the one person who didn’t turn her back on me when the whole world did.My father clenched his jaw, and I could see he’s hesitating to tell me.“What aren’t you telling me?”My father looks aw
Eloise’s POV:“Eloise.” He calls out.I groan, turning and walking past him just as he comes forward to see me.“I’m busy.” I murmur, using him as a distraction to get away from Kaden.“I’ll wait.” I hear him say, but I pay him no attention.Instead, I walk to my trainees who were waiting for me outside.The amount of testosterone and battle of dominance in the pack training grounds was immense. Yet it was nothing compared to where I was sandwiched between the wall and his hardcore body.And those rock-hard, thick muscles bulging through his—Focus! I mentally slap myself. This is no time to be eye-fucking anybody. I have to focus if I wanted to go home before he could even blink.I force my gaze forward, refusing to acknowledge the way my pulse is still racing. If I let myself spiral for even a second, I’d be stuck there, replaying the moment where he was too damn close, where I almost forgot why I should hate him.I step into the center of the training grounds, my trainees already l