Chapter 11

POV: Liam

I woke up with a sharp inhale, my body tensing as if I had just been thrown into a battlefield, I tried to adjust myself before opening my eyes. My first thought was Vanessa. My second thought was—I had no idea where the hell I was.

The ceiling above me was white and smooth, unfamiliar. The bed beneath me was absurdly soft, wrapped in silky sheets that didn’t smell like my mate. A cold wave of frustration slammed into me. I sat up abruptly, scanning the massive bedroom. It was huge, modern, sleek, all gray concrete, black and white—cold and lifeless. Not the sturdy wood furniture I was used to. No scent of fresh earth, no warmth of the pack. Just metal, glass, and artificial perfection that felt utterly foreign.

I swung my legs over the edge of the bed and stood, my movements stiff. Something was… off. I reached for my wolf, but there was no familiar presence, only a faint instinct, a whisper of what he once was. No magic. No wolfs. That’s what Aaleric said. I clenched my fists, breathing through the uneasy sensation.

I had known things would be different here, but this? This was unsettling.

A knock on the door made my muscles tense. The door swung open, revealing a young man, with dark hair and eyes, in a sharp suit, holding a tecnologic rectangle in his hands and a steaming cup of coffee.

He had the air of someone who was used to running things efficiently, but the moment his gaze met mine, his eyes widened in barely concealed panic.

“Good morning, sir!” he greeted quickly, then he stopped and tilted his face studying me, before clearing his throat. “You… you look—well, different today.”

I stared at him. “Who the fuck are you?”

He blinked rapidly, clearly caught off guard. “Uh—James. James Whitmore. Your chief of staff. And personal assistant. And damage control specialist.” He gave a tight smile. “We’ve worked together for years?” His voice rose slightly at the end, as if hoping I’d suddenly remember.

I did not.

Of course I did not.

“Where am I?” I demanded.

“Your penthouse, sir. Downtown. The Nightfang Tower. You own it. Well, technically, you own half the city, given your real estate empire, and of course, you were the mayor—”

“Mayor?”

James let out a nervous chuckle, shaking his head. “Alright, definitely too much whiskey last night. Again.”

I narrowed my eyes. “I didn’t drink any whiskey.”

James snorted. “That’s what you say every time.”

I exhaled sharply, trying to suppress my growing impatience. “None of that matters. I need to find someone. Immediately.”

James hesitated. “Ah. A woman, I assume?” His brows lifted slightly, as if this were a common occurrence.

“Vanessa Cameron,” I said, her name alone making my chest ache. “Find her. Now.”

James let out a nervous laugh, then stopped when he realized I was serious. “Uh, sir, that might be a bit difficult. There are thousands of—wait, Cameron? As in the lawyer?”

My body went rigid. “You know her?”

James’ eyes flickered with recognition. “Vanessa Cameron… Right, she’s the lawyer leading a lawsuit against your company. Something about land protected for environmental reasons.”

Of course she was. A flicker of pride and amusement stirred in me. Even in this world, she was fighting for what she believed in.

“I want to meet her. Immediately.”

James sighed. “Sir, that might not be so simple. It’s a legal case—your lawyers were handling it.”

“Then I’ll go to the trial.”

James blinked. “You… want to attend the hearing? In person?”

“Yes. When is it?”

He checked his tablet. “This afternoon.”

My heartbeat kicked up. She was so close. Hours away.

James hesitated. “Sir, before that, you have a few urgent matters to handle—city issues, business decisions—”

“I’ll take care of them,” I said, my instincts kicking in. Even lost in this world, I was still a leader. Still an Alpha.

James gave me an appraising look, then nodded. “Alright. I’ll have everything prepared.”

I dressed carefully, choosing my outfit with deliberate precision. A part of me still felt lost in this world of glass and steel, of quiet machines and artificial hums. But none of it mattered.

This afternoon, I would see her.

My heart beater fast just as the thought of seeing her.

She was here. Fate had led me straight to her.

Or so I thought.

I arrived at the courthouse, my stride confident despite the storm raging inside me. James walked beside me, rattling off details about the case, but I wasn’t listening. I only cared about one thing—Vanessa.

The moment I stepped inside, heads turned. Some of my lawyers were already there, their expressions flickering between surprise and confusion at my unexpected presence. They greeted me with professional nods, but I barely acknowledged them. I was used to attention, but I wasn’t used to what came next—people raising their phones, whispering, some even asking to take pictures.

James leaned in. “Sir, just—nod, smile, act normal.”

I exhaled sharply, forcing myself to follow his advice. Human world nonsense. None of it mattered.

And then—I saw her.

Vanessa.

My heart stopped, my breath caught in my throat, my mind spiraling and my vision blurred.

She walked through the hallway with absolute confidence, her navy-blue suit hugging her frame in a way that was both professional and devastatingly beautiful. Her golden hair was pulled into a bun, revealing the graceful curve of her neck. Every movement she made was precise, firm yet effortless. My mate. My heart clenched so tightly I thought it might stop beating altogether.

A tidal wave of love, relief, and raw instinct crashed over me, erasing all logic. I moved before I could think, my feet carrying me straight to her. In seconds, I closed the distance, wrapping my arms around her and pulling her against me.

Goddess how I missed her.

Her scent. Her warmth. Her body against mine. Perfection.

“Vanessa,” I breathed, my voice breaking with emotion. “You’re here.”

Then—she screamed.

A second later, she shoved me away with surprising strength, her brown eyes wide with shock. “Are you completely crazy?!”

I blinked, reality slamming into me like a freight train. My instincts had taken over. I hadn’t thought—I had just felt. I had forgotten that, in this world, she wouldn’t remember me.

Vanessa took a step back, glaring at me like I was insane. “Why the hell is Liam Nightfang hugging me?!”

Her voice rang in my ears, but one thing stood out—she knew my name. My heart leaped with desperate hope. I clung to it like a lifeline, my lips curling into a small, hopeful smile. “You know me?”

She scoffed, crossing her arms. “Of course, I know you. You’re the mayor. And the man I plan to destroy in this trial.”

My heart cracked. No recognition. No warmth. Just cold, professional determination.

The hope shattered.

My chest tightened, the pain sharp and deep. She didn’t remember me—not as her mate, not as the man she had once looked at with love in her eyes. To her, I was just an opponent. A name on a lawsuit.

A voice called out from the courtroom. “Mr. Nightfang, we’re ready to begin.”

Vanessa turned without another word, walking toward the trial with the same fierce determination I had always loved about her.

And just like that, she was gone.

I stood there, frozen, struggling to breathe.

James patted my shoulder. “Well… that could’ve gone worse.”

I shot him a glare. He cleared his throat. “Or, you know, better. Definitely better.”

I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to move. This wasn’t over.

Not even close.

Chapter 12

POV: Liam

I didn’t do well in the courtroom.

I was used to leading, commanding. Not sitting back while people debated. So when my lawyer started droning on about company policy, I cut in.

“This land isn’t even viable for development,” I said flatly. “Why are we fighting this?”

The entire legal team turned to me in horror. Vanessa, across the room, narrowed her eyes.

One of my attorneys coughed. “Sir, we’re arguing that—”

“I don’t care,” I interrupted. “We’re dropping the case.”

Dead silence.

James muttered, “What the fuck?”

Vanessa blinked in disbelief. Her lawyer looked equally stunned.

“Sir—” one of my attorneys started.

“I said, we’re dropping it,” I repeated. “Vanessa Cameron wins.”

Gavel. Case closed. Done.

The judge finalized the ruling, and just like that, Vanessa had beaten me in court. A small, satisfied smile played on her lips, though her gaze flickered with confusion. James, on the other hand, looked like he was questioning all his life choices.

The moment we stepped outside, I made my way to Vanessa. I needed to fix what I’d done earlier.

She turned as I approached, arms crossed, watching me warily.

I took a slow breath, recalling Aaleric’s advice. Be patient.

“I owe you an apology,” I said, keeping my voice steady. “For earlier.”

Her eyes narrowed slightly. “I’m listening.”

I had to come up with something. “I… had a dream about you. And it felt so real that when I saw you, I forgot it was just a dream.”

Vanessa’s lips parted slightly, caught off guard. She hesitated, then let out a small, disbelieving laugh. “I’ll be honest, I wasn’t expecting an apology from you.”

I tilted my head. “And why is that?”

“You don’t seem like the type,” she admitted, but there was no bite in her tone. “But… I get it. I’ve had dreams like that before, where they feel too real.”

A memory surfaced—her voice from another life. Sometimes I have dreams so real, I wake up confused…

I murmured, “Yes, you do.”

Her brows knitted. “What?”

“Nothing.” I exhaled. “Listen… I’d like to make it up to you. Maybe over coffee sometime?”

Her eyes blinked hard, and then her polite mask slid back into place. “That’s… kind, but no.”

A polite rejection. No hesitation.

My chest ached. This was going to be harder than I thought.

I watched as she walked away, the scent of her lingering in the air. Fate had brought me here, led me straight to her.

But fate wasn’t going to make this easy for me.

The trial was over, and I had lost—no, I had let Vanessa win. My lawyers were still gaping at me as if I’d just lost my mind instead of a lawsuit. James, on the other hand, was staring at me with an expression that was equal parts baffled and impressed.

As we stepped outside the courthouse, James let out a slow breath, adjusting his tie. “Okay. I have to ask.” He turned to me, squinting. “Was that—was that for a woman?”

I didn’t respond immediately. I was still watching Vanessa’s retreating figure, the way her movements were confident and graceful at the same time. The way she didn’t even glance back at me. My chest ached, but I forced my expression to remain neutral.

James groaned, running a hand down his face. “Oh, of course. Of course. I should’ve known. The great Liam Nightfang doesn’t just roll over in a legal battle unless a woman is involved.” He shook his head. “Unbelievable.”

“She’s not just any woman.” My voice was quiet but firm.

James sighed, crossing his arms. “Alright, listen, boss. I don’t know what kind of whirlwind romance you think you’re about to have, but from what I just saw? You are losing.” He pointed a finger at me. “And you don’t strike me as the type who enjoys losing.”

I clenched my jaw. “I’m not.”

“Then you need a new strategy. Because, and I say this with the utmost respect, you scared the hell out of her back there.”

I exhaled sharply, rubbing a hand over my face. “I know.”

James nodded. “Good. Step one: don’t do that again.”

I shot him a look, and he quickly continued. “Step two: Stop acting like she’s already yours. Right now, she thinks you’re just some hotshot CEO-slash-mayor who nearly tackled her in public. That is not a good first impression.”

“She’s my mate,” I growled under my breath.

“Yeah, well, whatever this means, she doesn’t know that,” James shot back. “So unless you want a restraining order, maybe start with small talk?”

I folded my arms, frustration simmering beneath my skin. “Small talk.”

“Yes, you know, normal human interaction,” James said, exasperated. “Ask her about work. Make a joke. Compliment her—not in a creepy way, just a normal ‘Hey, I liked how you crushed my company in there’ kind of way.”

I scowled. “I don’t play games.”

James threw his hands up. “It’s not a game, it’s basic social skills! You’re trying to win her over, not… claim her like some medieval war prize.”

I narrowed my eyes. “So what do you suggest?”

James took a deep breath, as if bracing himself. “Alright. Here’s what you do. First, give her space—don’t smother her. Second, find a way to spend time around her naturally. Maybe there’s another case, maybe there’s an event. Something that makes you seem like you just happened to be there.”

My frown deepened. “You want me to manipulate her into seeing me?”

James groaned. “No, I want you to not be a lunatic.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “Look, impress her. Show her you’re not just some billionaire suit with a God complex. Find out what she likes. Maybe—just maybe—don’t make everything about you.”

That hit me harder than I expected. I wasn’t used to this. In my world, love wasn’t something you earned. The bond was there, undeniable, instant. But here? Here, I had to fight for it.

Fight for her.

I straightened my shoulders, determination settling in my chest. “Fine,” I said. “I’ll do it your way.”

James eyed me warily. “Your version of ‘my way’ or the actual way?”

I didn’t answer. Instead, I turned my gaze back to where Vanessa had disappeared, my heart steadying with renewed purpose.

I would earn her. One way or another.

I was counting the minutes to the next day, I didn’t have time, but James guarantee to me that interaction with her in the same day I hugged her would be even worst. So I wait, I was patient as Aaleric advise me, but I lost a whole day.

I was getting out of time.

I adjusted the cuffs of my suit, rolling my shoulders as I stared at my reflection. The tailored black tux fit perfectly, exuding power and control—two things that usually came naturally to me. But tonight, none of that mattered. This wasn’t about dominance, or leadership, or even strategy. This was about Vanessa.

I straightened my tie, inhaling deeply, but the scent I craved wasn’t there. My wolf was just a ghost of himself, a distant instinct clawing at me, screaming for me to win her back. And I would.

James, sitting on the edge of the couch in my penthouse, scrolled through his tablet, rattling off everything he had dug up on Vanessa. “Alright, so here’s what I’ve got. Vanessa Cameron—animal lover, environmental warrior, legal prodigy. She’s fresh out of law school but already landed a job at one of the top firms in the city. Brilliant, stubborn, and absolutely terrifying in a courtroom, as you’ve personally experienced.”

I shot him a look, but he only grinned. “Oh, and she’s got a soft spot for big dogs. Huge animal rescue advocate. The charity gala tonight? It’s for one of her favorite organizations. She’s been volunteering for them since college.”

My lips twitched slightly at that. Even here, even without her memories, she was still the same. Passionate. Determined. Fighting for the things she believed in.

James smirked, watching me. “You know, it’s weird. I never thought I’d see Liam Nightfang—the most powerful man in the city—standing in front of a mirror, getting ready for a party like it’s his high school prom.”

I turned slowly, leveling him with a look. “I will throw you out of that window.”

He snorted. “Right, but then who’s gonna get you into this party?”

I exhaled sharply, turning back to the mirror. “She’s going to be there. That’s all that matters.”

James sighed, standing up and grabbing his suit jacket. “Yeah, yeah. Just promise me you won’t do anything insane. Try not to scare her off this time?”

I said nothing. Because honestly, I couldn’t promise that.

I was nervous.

The fucking Alpha was nervous.

I felt… insecure? I never felt like this before, but for her it’s worth it.

We arrived at the venue, a grand hall filled with chandeliers and the scent of expensive champagne. The moment we stepped inside, heads turned. Everyone looked at me. People whispered. Some approached with smiles, others with curiosity, and the women smirked. I was used to it.

James leaned in. “Remember—don’t pounce.”

I rolled my eyes. But then—

I saw her.

Vanessa stood near the bar, talking to an older woman. She wore a black gala dress, tailored to perfection, and hugged her curves, and I let my memories flow when I remembered our moments together, her golden hair swept into a bun. She was poised, beautiful, stunning, graceful, every movement effortless. My chest tightened, my pulse hammering.

My breath caught in my throat.

She was here. And tonight, I would get one step closer to bringing her back to me.

Chapter 13

POV: Liam

The party was in full swing, chandeliers casting a golden glow over a room filled with the city’s elite. James nudged my shoulder as we scanned the crowd.

“Okay, she just messed you up, didn’t she?” James smirked. “She’s in your head. You look like you’re about to fight someone, and we’re at a charity event.”

I rolled my shoulders. “This is ridiculous.”

“No, what’s ridiculous is you acting like you can just walk up and claim her like some grand prize. That’s not how human dating works.”

I gritted my teeth. “I’m aware.”

James ignored my irritation, his eyes locking onto Vanessa. She stood at the bar, talking to another woman, sipping something dark in a glass.

“Alright, here’s the plan.” He gestured toward the bar. “You go up, order a drink. Don’t talk to her directly.”

I narrowed my eyes. “That’s idiotic. Of course, I’m going to talk to her.”

“No, you’re not. You’re going to let her talk to you.” James crossed his arms. “You won her last trial, remember? She’s going to have something to say about it. Let her start the conversation.”

I exhaled sharply. “And if she doesn’t?”

James shrugged. “Then you drink your whiskey and wait for her to look at you. Once she does, then you make your move.”

I glanced at Vanessa again, my instincts roaring to claim her attention, to make her see me, but I forced myself to nod. “Fine.”

“Oh, and if she asks why you’re here, say you made a donation,” James smirked. “Which, by the way, you actually did—so it’s not a lie.”

I sighed, already regretting this. But I wasn’t here for myself. I was here for her. And if patience was what it took, I’d find a way to have it.

James straightened my jacket lapels and stepped back, eyeing me critically. “Alright, boss. Just follow the plan. Keep it cool, don’t go full bossy on her, and most importantly—do not scare her.”

I scoffed. “I don’t scare women.”

James lifted a brow. “You don’t mean to. But let’s face it—your presence screams. We’re aiming for conversation.”

I exhaled sharply and turned toward the bar, where Vanessa stood, engaged in quiet conversation with another woman. The moment I stepped forward, I felt it—her gaze. It crawled up my spine, a whisper of recognition even in this world. I reached the bar, ordered a whiskey, and turned my head just enough to catch her staring. She didn’t look away.

Instead, she smirked. “Well, well. If it isn’t the man I destroyed in court.”

A slow grin tugged at my lips. “I dropped the case. That’s hardly a victory.”

Her brown eyes gleamed with challenge. “Oh, so you admit you lost?” She tilted her wine glass to her lips.

I turned fully toward her, leaning on the bar. “I admit that I made a strategic decision. Big difference.”

She let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. “So what’s a powerful CEO like you doing at a charity event? Buying out the organization and turning it into a real estate project?”

I smirked, taking a slow sip of my whiskey. “I made a donation.”

Her eyebrows lifted. “Did you now?”

I nodded. “Supporting a good cause.”

She tilted her head, clearly not convinced. “How generous.”

I felt the conversation slipping through my fingers. My wolf growled, restless. She wasn’t warming up. I clenched my jaw, trying to reel myself in, when my eyes fell on her wine glass.

Red.

A flicker of memory surfaced—back at our first lunch together, she telling me her tastes, and in our first lunch where I choose a smoky Syrah specially for her. The scent of it lingering between us, right before Nyxara took her from me. I inhaled sharply and said, “Always red, huh?”

Vanessa’s eyes widened slightly, lips parting.

I let a smirk return.

For the first time, she looked a little thrown off. Then I took another shot in the dark. “Let me guess. Smoky Syrah?”

She froze for half a second. Her fingers tightened around her glass. “That’s… not exactly easy to find.”

I lifted my glass. “It’s my favorite too.”

She blinked at me. Just for a moment, I could see it—the tiniest crack in her armor. I stilled, hopeful. But then—

“Vanessa!” A male voice interrupted, breaking the fragile moment.

A man with dark hair and eyes, in a sharp suit approached, smiling as if he owned the ground he walked on. My entire body went rigid. I recognized this feeling—pure, unfiltered jealousy. I wanted to rip him away from her, to bare my teeth and remind him exactly who she belonged to. But I couldn’t.

James, having clearly read my expression from across the room, materialized beside me at lightning speed. “Mr. Nightfang,” he said smoothly, clapping a hand on my shoulder, “we need your presence over here. Some important donors want to meet you.”

I didn’t move. I was locked on the man, on the way he leaned a little too close to Vanessa, like he had the right—

James squeezed my shoulder hard. “Now.”

I exhaled through my nose and forced myself to step back, though every cell in my body protested. Vanessa glanced at me, her expression unreadable, but I saw it—the tiniest flicker of curiosity.

She wasn’t as unaffected as she wanted to be.

Good. This wasn’t over.

The organizers announced that the dogs will be presented and I must confess I was curious. The moment the handlers brought in the rescue dogs, the room filled with excited barks and eager tails wagging. The well-dressed crowd let out murmurs of amusement, some stepping back as the large, energetic dogs were paraded through the ballroom. But the instant they caught sight of me, everything changed.

My wolf Alpha energy was there, even here, they could feel it.

Their ears perked. Their noses twitched. And then—chaos.

The handlers barely had time to react before the dogs lunged toward me, leashes straining, paws scrambling against the polished floor. Their excited yips and whines echoed through the hall as they fought to reach me.

The event organizer, a middle-aged woman in an elegant gown, gasped in horror. “Oh, Mr. Nightfang! I am so, so sorry—they never react this way! I don’t know what’s gotten into them—”

I crouched, ignoring her panicked apologies, and held out a hand. The dogs broke free and swarmed me, their warm, furry bodies pressing against me as they licked my face, jumped onto my lap, and wriggled with uncontainable joy.

The room collectively held its breath. Then I chuckled. “They’re the real stars here,” I said, scratching behind a Labrador’s ears as it let out a happy groan. “Let them enjoy the ball too.”

Laughter rippled through the crowd. The tension in the organizer’s face melted into relief, and the handlers exchanged amused looks. People started taking pictures, murmuring about how unexpected and charming the scene was.

And when I looked up, I found Vanessa watching me.

She wasn’t laughing like the others. No, she was smiling—soft, small, and almost… curious.

James had told me not to push her too hard tonight, but I wasn’t done yet.

After the dogs had been led back, I made my way to the bar. A rare smoky Syrah caught my eye, one I knew she would love. Without hesitation, I bought the entire bottle, pouring two glasses. Then, instead of seeking her out, I placed one glass at the edge of the bar, right where she could see it, and leaned back with my own drink in hand.

It didn’t take long.

From across the room, Vanessa’s gaze flicked toward the bar. Then to the glass. Then to me.

I didn’t move. Didn’t say a word.

I was being patient as James told me, but I must confess was difficult.

A beat passed. Then another. And then—

She excused herself from the group she had been speaking with and made her way over, heels clicking softly against the floor. She picked up the glass, inspecting the deep red liquid before raising it to her lips.

She took a slow sip, letting the taste settle, before turning those warm brown eyes to me. “You do realize this is the most expensive wine on the menu, right?”

I smirked. “Would you rather I bought you something ordinary?”

Her lips parted slightly, then pressed together as she studied me, the push-and-pull energy between us crackling in the air. She took another sip, savoring it, before finally speaking. “It’s a good choice.”

I leaned in slightly. “I have good taste.”

She scoffed, rolling her eyes, but she didn’t walk away.

For a flicker of a moment, I thought I was winning. And then—

Another man approached her, placing a hand on her shoulder.

Why this again?

I had no idea who he was, but the territorial growl almost rumbled from my throat. I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to stay still, to keep control. Not here. Not now.

James must have sensed the shift in my energy because, out of nowhere, he appeared at my side, clearing his throat. “Mr. Nightfang, they need your presence over here.”

I exhaled sharply, then tilted my glass toward Vanessa. “Enjoy the wine.”

She watched me, her expression unreadable, as I let James pull me away. But even as I stepped back into the crowd, I knew one thing for certain.

She wasn’t mine yet.

But she would be.

Chapter 14

POV: Vanessa

The moment I saw him, my heart nearly stopped.

A strange sensation coiled in my stomach. It wasn’t nerves. It wasn’t even irritation. It was… curiosity. And maybe something more dangerous.

Liam Nightfang.

He was standing there, sipping whiskey like he owned the place. Which, given his track record, he probably did.

I wasn’t sure what I expected when I walked into the charity ball tonight, but it certainly wasn’t to run into him. The man I had faced in court yesterday, the man who had dismissed his own case and, in the process, completely derailed my confidence in what I thought I knew about him. And now, here he was, standing at the bar, perfectly at ease in a sharp black suit that fit him far too well, his presence just as commanding as I remembered.

I tried to ignore the way my skin heated at the memory of the last time I was this close to him—the trial. The way he had looked at me, the way he hugged me. That moment had been a shock, and I hadn’t been able to stop thinking about it since.

It wasn’t just the unexpectedness of it; it was the way my body had reacted. The way my breath had caught, the way my fingers had curled against his chest before I forced them to push him away. He smelled good. Too good. A mix of cedarwood, something rich and deep, and an undertone that was uniquely him. It made my pulse quicken in a way that was entirely inappropriate. My mind had screamed that it was wrong, that this was a man I barely knew, a man I had just won a case against, and knew from the news. And yet, my instincts—some buried, primal part of me—had whispered that it was right.

Shaking off the memory, I turned back to my co-worker, Claire, who had been watching my reaction with open curiosity.

“You know him?” she asked, sipping her cocktail, her eyes flicking between Liam and me with obvious interest.

I sighed, setting my own drink down. “Sort of. He was the one on the other side of my last case.”

Her eyebrows lifted. “Wait, you mean that guy? The one who dropped the case?”

“The very one.”

Claire let out a low whistle. “Damn, Vanessa. I thought he was just some rich CEO, but he’s him?” She gave him a long, appraising look. “That man is ridiculously hot.”

I rolled my eyes, but I didn’t disagree. That was the problem. “And he is the mayor,” I added, taking a sip of my wine. “So, yeah. Not just some CEO.”

Claire grinned. “So let me get this straight. He’s rich, powerful, insanely good-looking and apparently interested in you?”

I shot her a look. “Who said he’s interested?”

“Oh, come on.” She waved a dismissive hand. “Men like him don’t just drop cases for no reason. He did it for you. And now, here you are, running into him at a charity event? That’s not a coincidence, honey.”

I shook off the memory and took another sip of my wine, turning slightly as I chatted with a colleague from the firm. But somehow, my eyes kept drifting back to him.

And then he turned.

Our gazes collided, and for a moment, neither of us looked away.

He took a step closer, and I raised my glass, tilting my head with a smirk. “Well, well. If it isn’t the man I destroyed in court.”

A slow grin curved his lips. “I dropped the case. That’s hardly a victory.”

I arched a brow. “Oh, so you admit you lost?”

He leaned against the bar, completely at ease, and for some reason, that made me feel unsteady. “I admit that I made a strategic decision. Big difference.”

I laughed softly, shaking my head. “So what’s a powerful CEO like you doing at a charity event? Buying out the organization and turning it into a real estate project?”

He smirked, taking a slow sip of his whiskey. “I made a donation.”

I lifted an eyebrow. “Did you now?”

He nodded. “Supporting a good cause.”

I studied him, trying to decipher his motives. “How generous.”

The conversation was light, but there was a weight beneath it, an unspoken tension neither of us wanted to acknowledge. And just when I thought the moment might slip into silence, he glanced at my glass.

“Always red, huh?”

I blinked, momentarily thrown off. How did he—

Before I could ask, he added, “Let me guess. Smoky Syrah?”

I froze, fingers tightening around the stem of my glass.

How the hell did he knew that?

“That’s… not exactly easy to find.”

He lifted his own glass, a smirk playing at his lips. “It’s my favorite too.”

My breath hitched, just for a fraction of a second. How did he know? No one ever guessed that. Most people assumed I was a fan of sweet wines or the standard Merlot. But smoky Syrah? That was personal. That was specific.

Before I could dwell on it, a voice interrupted.

“Vanessa!”

I turned, finding a familiar face from my firm approaching, Mathew, smiling brightly, one of my colleges from the office, a boring lawyer who always wanted to talk about his car. I greeted him, but out of the corner of my eye, I saw Liam stiffen. His entire posture tensed, his jaw locking in place as he stared at the man like he was assessing a threat.

Oh, my God. Was he jealous?

Before I could analyze that, apparently, his assistant appeared beside him, clapping a hand on his shoulder. “Mr. Nightfang, we need your presence over here. Some important donors want to meet you.”

Liam didn’t move at first. His gaze remained locked on my colleague, his expression unreadable. Then, after a pause, he exhaled sharply and let the guy steer him away.

I was istenng to Mathew talk about his boring car, when there was a sudden commotion near the stage where the event organizers had brought in the rescue dogs.

Or, rather, where the rescue dogs had spotted Liam.

I turned just in time to see a pack of excited dogs yanking against their leashes, their handlers struggling to keep them under control. They weren’t going for the guests, the food, or even the toys—they were all focused on him. And to my complete and utter surprise, instead of looking annoyed or uncomfortable, Liam simply crouched down, opening his arms as the overexcited dogs practically tackled him to the ground.

A ripple of shocked laughter and gasps spread through the crowd. The handlers were panicking, trying to apologize, trying to pull the dogs back, but Liam just waved them off. “They’re the real stars here,” he said, scratching behind a golden retriever’s ear. “Let them enjoy the ball, too.”

I felt a small smile tug at my lips before I could stop it. He looked… different like this. Not the powerful CEO. Not the untouchable politician. Just a man covered in happy dogs, letting them nuzzle and lick at his face like he wasn’t above them. Like he belonged there.

I could get lost in that sight, but my pulse had picked up for reasons I refused to acknowledge.

I couldn’t help it. I smiled.

And then he looked up.

Our eyes met across the room, and for a moment, everything else disappeared. The music, the chatter, the clinking of glasses—it all faded. His blue eyes locked onto mine, intense and unreadable, and my breath hitched. I should have looked away, and broken the moment, but I didn’t. I couldn’t.

Later, I was in the middle of a conversation when I felt it. A pull. A shift in the air.

My gaze flicked toward the bar.

Liam was standing there, leaning against the counter, a glass of deep red wine placed deliberately beside him. He wasn’t looking at me, but the invitation was clear.

My pulse betrayed me, quickening against my will.

Excusing myself, I walked over, my heels clicking softly against the floor. I picked up the glass, letting the scent of it wash over me before taking a slow sip.

It was perfect.

“You do realize this is the most expensive wine on the menu, right?” I said, raising an eyebrow at him.

He smirked. “Would you rather I bought you something ordinary?”

Something about him intrigues me like he put a target on me and I was his own goal, at the same time I knew he could have all women in the world, so why me?

I hesitated, studying him. He was watching me with that unreadable expression again like he was seeing something deeper, something I wasn’t sure I was ready for him to find.

I took another sip, letting the smoky, velvety taste settle. “It’s a good choice.”

He leaned in slightly, voice lower. “I have good taste.”

I scoffed, rolling my eyes.

But I didn’t walk away.

For a moment, the push-and-pull between us crackled in the air, charged and electric. And I hated how much I liked it.

He was a challenge, and I love challenges…

Then, just as I was beginning to let myself sink into the moment, someone placed a hand on my shoulder.

I turned, and Liam’s entire body went still.

Tension rippled through the air, sharp and undeniable. His expression didn’t change, but his eyes darkened, his grip on his glass tightening.

Before I could fully process it, someone called him. “Mr. Nightfang, they need your presence over here.”

Liam exhaled, tilting his glass toward me. “Enjoy the wine.”

I watched as he disappeared into the crowd. But even as he walked off, I could still feel him.

Watching.

Waiting.

My grip tightened slightly around the stem of my glass. He was unreadable, infuriating, and yet…

I took another sip, pretending it didn’t shake me as much as it did.

This man was dangerous.

And not in the way I originally thought.

Chapter 15

POV : Vanessa

The scent of freshly ground coffee filled the air as I stepped into my favorite café, the bell above the door chiming softly. It was the morning after the charity Ball, and I was still shaken. The lingering feeling of that magnetic pull, the way Liam Nightfang’s presence had consumed me, was impossible to ignore.

I needed normalcy. Routine. Something to ground me.

“Dark coffee, please,” I told the barista, forcing my voice to sound steady. Something strong, something simple, something to snap me out of whatever spell my mind was weaving.

Sliding into my usual seat by the window, I wrapped my hands around the ceramic mug, staring out at the bustling city street. I had spent the entire night trying to rationalize what happened. The way my body had reacted to him. The undeniable force between us.

It was just a strange attraction. Nothing more.

A cup landed in front of me with a soft thud. Not my black coffee—this one was lighter in color, frothy, with a sprinkle of spice on top.

I turned, ready to tell the barista they had the wrong order, but before I could fully face them, the scent hit me.

Not coffee.

Him.

That intoxicating, familiar scent—woods, spice, something unmistakably Liam.

My gaze lifted, and there he was, standing beside my table, staring down at me with that unreadable expression. His sharp suit, the way he seemed so effortlessly composed, only made me feel more off-balance.

“Cardamom latte,” he said simply, his deep voice curling around the words.

I froze.

My favorite.

Not my everyday choice, but the one I indulged in when I wanted to treat myself. Something personal. Something no one knew.

How the hell did he know?

Before I could form a response, before I could demand an answer, he turned and walked away, settling at a table two spots from mine. His assistant—a sharp-looking man in a suit—sat across from him, already deep in discussion.

He didn’t spare me another glance.

I stared at him. At the broad line of his shoulders. At the way he leaned back in his chair, fully engaged in whatever conversation he was having.

And something inside me burned.

I wanted him to look at me.

What the hell was happening?

The curiosity gnawed at me, unwilling to let go. Before I could talk myself out of it, I was pushing up from my seat, crossing the small distance between us. Without asking, without thinking, I slid into the chair across from him, interrupting their conversation.

Liam’s brow arched in amusement. His assistant, however, didn’t seem as pleased, his expression tightening with confusion.

“How did you know?” I demanded.

Liam tilted his head. “Know what?”

I exhaled sharply, irritated. “That my favorite coffee is a cardamom latte.”

His lips curved into a slow smirk. Damn it. He looked entirely too good smirking like that.

“I had a hint.”

“A hint?” I repeated, narrowing my eyes. “So first, you just happen to show up at the same charity ball as me, then you somehow know my wine preference, and now you’re here, at my favorite coffee shop, knowing exactly what I order when I want to indulge?” I leaned forward, my voice lowering. “Are you stalking me, or what?”

The second the words left my mouth, I regretted them.

Liam Nightfang was one of the most powerful men in the city— the mayor, a CEO, and not someone I should be accusing of stalking in a public place. But instead of being offended, he chuckled.

He chuckled.

What the hell?

With a lazy gesture, he pointed to the large building across the street. Nightfang Corporation.

“My office is right there,” he said smoothly. “This happens to be the best coffee in the area. And as for the charity ball, I was invited because of my donation.”

Oh.

Oh, God.

I glanced at the towering building, the reality of my words hitting me all at once. Heat flushed up my neck.

“Sorry,” I muttered, scrambling to stand. I didn’t know what else to say. I just knew I needed to get out of there, away from his knowing gaze and the way he made me feel entirely too exposed.

I turned and left before he could say another word.

But as I stepped out into the street, gripping my untouched cardamom latte, I knew one thing for certain—Liam Nightfang was getting under my skin.

And I hated it.

Almost as much as I didn’t.

I slammed my office door shut and leaned against it, pressing my palms flat against the smooth wood. What the hell was that?

Heat still crawled up my neck as I replayed the scene in my head—me marching over to Liam Nightfang’s table, demanding answers like some kind of crazed woman. And him, sitting there completely unbothered, just smirking at me like he had me all figured out.

God. And then I ran.

I groaned, squeezing my eyes shut. I wasn’t the kind of woman who got flustered over a man. I wasn’t the kind of woman who let herself get tangled up in the memory of a smirk. But Liam was different. He got under my skin, and I hated it.

“You look like you’ve just committed a crime.”

My eyes snapped open to find Claire leaning against my desk, arms crossed, a wicked grin on her face.

I cleared my throat and straightened. “What are you talking about?”

Claire tilted her head, her eyes dancing with mischief. “You’ve been in some kind of daze since you got here. Staring into space. Sighing dramatically. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were daydreaming about a certain someone.”

I scoffed, making my way to my desk. “You’re delusional.”

“Oh, really?” Claire tapped her chin. “Then why did you just jump three feet in the air when I spoke?”

“I was deep in thought,” I muttered, dropping into my chair.

“About him?”

“No.”

Claire gave me a knowing look. “Liar.”

I busied myself with turning on my computer, ignoring the way my heart stuttered at the thought of Liam’s intense blue gaze, the way his voice had wrapped around me like silk when he said, ‘Cardamom latte.’

Damn it.

Claire gasped, pointing a dramatic finger at me. “Oh my god. You are thinking about him.”

“I am not,” I lied, horribly.

“You so are! Oh, this is delicious.” She clapped her hands together, practically bouncing in place. “Okay, spill. What happened?”

“Nothing happened.”

Claire narrowed her eyes. “Vanessa.”

I sighed, rubbing my temples. “Fine. I saw him at the coffee shop this morning.”

Her grin widened. “And?”

“And he… ordered my favorite drink. Without asking.”

Claire blinked. “That’s it?”

“That’s it?! Claire, he knew my drink. My not-everyday drink. My ‘only-when-I-want-to-enjoy-myself’ drink. How?”

She shrugged. “Maybe he’s psychic. Or maybe he just pays attention.”

I frowned. “Why would he pay attention to me?”

“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because he’s into you?”

I rolled my eyes. “He’s the mayor and the CEO of a massive company. He’s not ‘into me.’”

Claire hummed, unconvinced. “Or maybe he just happens to be a ridiculously powerful man who has taken a keen interest in a very stubborn, very in-denial woman.”

I opened my mouth to argue, but she cut me off. “Tell you what—next time he asks you out, you say yes.”

I nearly choked. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me.” She crossed her arms, a challenge gleaming in her eyes. “If he asks you on a date, you go.”

“Absolutely not.”

Claire smirked. “Why? Afraid you might actually like him?”

I scoffed. “No.”

“Then what’s the harm?”

“The harm is that I don’t date men like Liam Nightfang.”

Claire wiggled her brows. “Men like him? You mean rich, powerful, devastatingly handsome men who look at you like you’re their next meal?”

I groaned. “Claire.”

“Vanessa.”

I exhaled sharply, rubbing my forehead. “Fine. If he asks me, I’ll consider it.”

Claire grinned triumphantly. “That’s all I needed to hear.”

I shook my head, but I couldn’t ignore the tiny, traitorous thrill that ran through me at the thought.

Not that he was going to ask me out.

Right?

I was finishing up some paperwork when Claire leaned over my desk, a knowing smirk on her face. “So, happy hour’s set. You’re coming, no excuses.”

I rolled my eyes, pretending to be more focused on my computer screen than I actually was. “I never agreed to that.”

“Oh, but you did.” She tapped her chin as if deep in thought. “Something about promising me that the next opportunity for a date, you’d take it. And since our dear Mr. Tall, Dark, and Broody is clearly haunting your thoughts—”

“He is not,” I interrupted quickly. Too quickly. Claire’s smirk deepened.

“Mmhmm. That’s why you’ve been staring into space like a lovesick teenager since yesterday.”

Before I could formulate a cutting response, a deep, rich voice sent a shiver down my spine.

“Miss Cameron.”

I froze. My fingers stiffened over my keyboard as my heart lodged itself in my throat. No. No, no, no. He couldn’t be here.

Claire, on the other hand, looked absolutely delighted as she turned toward the doorway. “Well, well, well. Look who decided to visit.”

Summoning every ounce of composure I had, I turned my head slowly. And there he was.

Liam Nightfang stood in the doorway of my office, looking completely out of place yet perfectly at ease. His presence filled the room effortlessly, making my already too-small workspace feel suffocating. Dressed in an expensive black suit with his usual commanding air, he was an infuriating mix of elegance and danger. And worse? He was staring directly at me, his lips curved in a knowing smirk.

I cleared my throat, sitting up straighter. “Mr. Nightfang. To what do we owe the pleasure?”

“Your boss invited me,” he said smoothly, stepping further into the room. “We needed to finalize the paperwork for the trial I dropped.”

Of course. Because life clearly wasn’t done torturing me.

I forced a polite smile. “That’s very generous of you. I’m sure everyone appreciates it.”

“Oh, I’m sure they do.” His gaze flickered over me, amusement dancing in his eyes. He knew exactly what he was doing. “Especially you, Miss Cameron.”

I refused to take the bait. “Well, I do like it when my cases resolve quickly.”

“I imagine you do. Efficiency must be very important to you.”

Was he teasing me? Oh, he was definitely teasing me. And I hated how my skin prickled under his attention.

Before I could come up with a clever retort, Claire practically bounced between us. “Perfect timing, actually! We were just planning a happy hour after work. You should come.”

I snapped my head toward her. “Claire—”

Liam’s eyes never left mine as he tilted his head slightly. “A happy hour?”

Claire nodded enthusiastically. “Yep. A bunch of us are going. You should join. Right, Vanessa?”

I wanted to strangle her.

I turned back to Liam, forcing what I hoped was a casual smile. “I’m sure he’s far too busy. He runs an entire company, after all.”

Liam hummed, as if considering. “Actually, I could use a break.”

My stomach dropped.

“Great!” Claire clapped her hands together. “We’ll be at Haven Bar. Seven o’clock.”

“I’ll be there.” Liam’s voice was smooth, unhurried. And then, as if he hadn’t just completely derailed my evening, he gave me one last smirk and turned to leave.

As soon as he was gone, I turned to Claire, horrified. “Why would you do that?”

She grinned mischievously. “You can thank me later.”

Chapter 16

POV: Liam

I had no idea how James convinced me to play it this slow, but somehow, I was following his plan. Barely.

The coffee shop had been a calculated move, but not one I handled well. The moment I saw Vanessa sitting there, lost in her thoughts, I almost walked straight to her table. James had to physically hold me back.

“No, boss. Don’t do it,” he had muttered under his breath. “Just leave the coffee. Make her wonder. That’s the key.”

So, with every ounce of strength I had, I placed the cup on her table and walked away. I didn’t say anything except, “Cardamom latte.”

I saw the confusion flicker across her face before realization hit. And that reaction alone made the effort worth it. The moment her lips parted in shock, I wanted to lean in, to tell her how I knew, to watch her expression shift again.

But I sat down instead, two tables away, pretending to focus on James while my wolf that now it’s a instinct, clawed at my mind. I didn’t hear a damn word James said because all I could think about was her.

And then she came to me.

It was overwhelming—the scent of her, the way she demanded answers. I could barely control my smirk when she called me a stalker. If only she knew the lengths I’d gone to just to find that coffee shop.

The lie came out so easily. Pointing the building with my name across the street.

A complete fabrication. But, thankfully, I had the resources to back it up. Nightfang Enterprises had buildings all over the city. It wasn’t a stretch to say I had one nearby. She relaxed after that, even laughed, said sorry—and that was the moment I knew I had an opening.

James set up the meeting at her office. The trial had already been settled, but I didn’t care. Any excuse to see her again. And when I walked in and saw how she stiffened, how she tried to play it cool but failed—

It made every frustrating moment of waiting worth it.

Then her colleague, Claire, invited me to the happy hour.

And I knew that was my chance.

Now, standing in front of my closet, I exhaled slowly, trying to steady myself. I was not a man who got nervous. I had led my pack through wars, negotiated high-stakes deals, and taken down enemies with my bare hands.

But this?

This was something else.

“Relax,” James said from the doorway, arms crossed. “You’re acting like a teenager getting ready for his first date.”

I shot him a look. “I don’t do dates. This isn’t my territory.”

“That’s why you have me,” he smirked. “Now, listen up. Tonight, you don’t overwhelm her. You don’t press too hard. She needs to come to you.”

I pulled on a black shirt, rolling the sleeves up slightly. “She already came to me once.”

James gave me a flat look. “Because she was suspicious. Not because she wanted to. We need her to want to. So, you challenge her. Be intriguing. Be a little mysterious. Don’t be completely available.”

I adjusted my cuffs, considering his words. “A challenge, huh?”

“Yeah. Make her work for it.”

I smirked. “You sound like a damn relationship coach.”

“That’s because you’re completely hopeless when it comes to dating like a normal human being.”

I laughed under my breath, but he wasn’t wrong.

Then he grew serious. “Sir, If you want to win her, you need patience. No claiming. No chasing. One step at a time. A win tonight would be a kiss. Nothing more. Kiss her, and then leave. Make her think about you afterward.”

That sounded like torture.

I wanted her. All of her. But I clenched my jaw, knowing he was right.

James watched me for a moment, then sighed. “You’re already in too deep, aren’t you?”

I didn’t answer.

Because we both knew the truth.

Vanessa was already mine.

She just didn’t know it yet.

And tonight, I’d make damn sure she started to.

The bar was buzzing with energy, laughter, and clinking glasses, but the moment I stepped inside, the air shifted. Eyes turned in my direction, instinctual reactions to my presence, but none of it mattered. Because my eyes found her immediately.

Vanessa.

Vanessa sat at a high-top table, laughing at something her friend said, her blonde hair cascading over her shoulder, her lips curled into a smirk that made my chest tighten.

Dressed in a black suit that hugged her in all the right ways, she exuded confidence, power—gods, she was breathtaking. Professional, sharp, entirely out of place in a casual bar, yet somehow the most captivating thing in the room. My wolf that is now just an instinct, stirred inside me, possessive, hungry, but I forced myself to stay cool.

I made my way to the group, keeping my steps unhurried, controlled. James had advised me to remain mysterious, to take my time, and I’d listened—for the most part. But being near her? That was a test of my restraint I wasn’t sure I could keep passing.

She met my gaze, something unreadable flickering in her warm brown eyes. Interest? Annoyance? Curiosity? I hoped for all three.

“Didn’t take you for a happy hour kind of guy,” she said, taking a sip of her drink. Her voice was steady, but the way she tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear told me she wasn’t as unaffected as she wanted to be.

I smirked. “I’m full of surprises, Vanessa.”

She scoffed, but there was amusement in her expression. “Are you?”

I leaned slightly closer, lowering my voice just enough to make it intimate. “Guess you’ll have to find out.”

Her throat bobbed slightly as she swallowed. I could sense her heartbeat picking up. The tension between us was electric, thrumming beneath every exchange, every glance. And then I saw the perfect opportunity to up the stakes.

“Let’s make a bet,” I said casually, taking a sip of my drink. “Who do you think will leave first?”

She raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Why?”

“Just for fun.” I shrugged. “I say Claire. I’ve seen her disappear to the bathroom more times than I can count.”

Vanessa snorted. “Please. My money’s on Matthew. He’s had two drinks and already looks ready to pass out.”

I smirked. “Alright, then. If I win, you dance with me.”

She narrowed her eyes playfully. “And if I win?”

“I’ll buy your drinks for the rest of the night.”

She pretended to consider, then held out her hand. “Deal.”

I took her hand in mine, holding it just a little longer than necessary. Her pulse jumped. I felt it. She pulled away first, but not before I saw the way her pupils dilated, the way her breath hitched ever so slightly.

The night went on, conversation easy, teasing, full of stolen glances and fleeting touches. But I was always aware of her, of the way her body turned slightly toward mine when she laughed, the way her eyes flicked to me when she thought I wasn’t looking. And then, just as I predicted, Claire stood, stretching her arms with a groan.

“I’m heading out,” she announced.

I turned to Vanessa with a slow, knowing smile. “Looks like you owe me a dance.”

She glared at me, but there was no real heat behind it.

The night continued, the tension growing, our banter like a game neither of us wanted to end. But too soon, she glanced at her watch and sighed. “I should go.”

I wasn’t ready for this night to be over.

“I’ll walk you out.”

She hesitated, but I could see she wouldn’t refuse.

Outside, the night air was crisp, and without thinking, I shrugged off my jacket. “Here.”

Vanessa blinked at it, then up at me. “I don’t need—”

“Take it,” I said simply, draping it over her shoulders before she could argue.

She exhaled sharply, something unreadable flickering in her eyes. I let my fingers brush against the fabric at her shoulder, just for a moment, before stepping back.

“You lost the bet,” I reminded her, a slow smirk forming on my lips.

She let out a breathy laugh. “You’re seriously going to make me dance right here? In the middle of the sidewalk?”

“No music,” I murmured. “No audience. Just us.”

Her gaze locked onto mine, uncertainty flickering for just a second before she let out a resigned sigh. “Fine.”

Then, I stepped closer.

“There’s no music,” she pointed out, a slight waver in her voice.

“We don’t need it,” I murmured.

I rested a hand on her waist, and she hesitated only for a moment before placing hers on my shoulder. The second she touched me, heat surged through my skin. Her scent—warm, soft, uniquely her—wrapped around me, and I clenched my jaw to keep myself in check.

We moved slowly, an unspoken rhythm between us. The world faded, the chatter from the bar becoming a distant hum. All I could focus on was her—her warmth, her touch, the way she fit perfectly against me.

I leaned in, my lips brushing her ear. “See? Not so bad.”

She shivered, and I knew it wasn’t from the cold.

She tilted her head up slightly, her lips parted just enough to tempt me beyond reason. My fingers brushed the small of her back, and her breath hitched. I could feel her heartbeat against my chest, fast, unsteady, mirroring my own.

She wanted this.

I wanted her.

I leaned in, so close our noses brushed. Her eyes fluttered shut for half a second, her grip on my shoulder tightening. My lips barely grazed hers—

A car horn blared.

Vanessa jumped back, blinking rapidly, as if snapping out of a trance. Her taxi had arrived.

I exhaled sharply, forcing a smirk to hide the frustration burning in my veins. Instead of stealing the kiss I craved, I pressed a lingering kiss to her forehead, letting my lips drag just slightly against her skin.

She shivered.

I exhaled slowly, forcing a smirk as I pulled a card from my pocket and slipped it into her hand. “Call me when you’re ready to lose another bet.”

Her fingers curled around it, her lips parting slightly as if to say something, but she didn’t. She just nodded, slipping into the cab.

As the car drove away, I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. My time was running out. I needed to make her mine before it was too late.

But tonight, I had won.

And that was enough.

She still had my jacket.

And I still had time.

But not much.

Chapter 17

POV: Liam

I tried to focus on the reports in front of me. The numbers blurred together, another endless set of figures from the mayor’s office, proposals for new infrastructure, economic developments. I should have been paying attention. I should have been thinking about the future of this city, my duties as CEO.

But all I could think about was her.

Vanessa.

It had been less than twelve hours since I last saw her, and I was already restless. She had left with my jacket, and now that simple fact was driving me insane. She had my scent on her, carried a piece of me with her. Did she notice? Did she think about me the way I couldn’t stop thinking about her?

I tapped my fingers on the desk, trying to push away the urge to reach for my phone. She had my card. She could contact me. But what if she didn’t? What if last night was just a moment for her and nothing more? What if I was losing her before I even had a chance?

James, who was going through his own files, sighed without looking up. “You’re fidgeting.”

“I don’t fidget.”

“You do when you’re waiting for a certain someone to call.”

I narrowed my eyes at him, but he only smirked. James had known me for too long, and in moments like these, it was annoying.

“I don’t have to wait,” I muttered. “You already found her number.”

“And you’re not going to use it.” He finally looked up, his expression firm. “You need to let her come to you.”

“I don’t like waiting.”

“You don’t like losing control.” James leaned back. “But if you push too hard, she’ll resist. You have to let her think she’s making the choice. That’s how you win her over.”

I exhaled sharply, leaning back in my chair. He wasn’t wrong. Vanessa was stubborn, independent. She wouldn’t fall at my feet just because I wanted her to. But knowing that didn’t make waiting any easier.

I was about to snap at James for another distraction when my phone buzzed. My breath caught as I grabbed it, my heartbeat kicking up.

Vanessa: I have your jacket.

The tightness in my chest loosened, replaced by something almost giddy. She texted me. She reached out first.

I could already hear James shifting in his seat, undoubtedly watching me with amusement. I ignored him as I quickly typed back.

Me: Then we should have lunch today so you can return it.

I barely hit send before James groaned. “Too soon. Too eager.”

I scowled at him. “She texted me first.”

“Yes, about a jacket, not a date.”

Before I could argue, my phone buzzed again.

Vanessa: I can’t at lunch. But dinner works.

Dinner. I had her for the evening.

A slow, satisfied smile spread across my face. James sighed in exasperation, rubbing his temples. “I can already see your ego inflating.”

I ignored him as I typed back.

Me: I’ll pick you up at 8.

She didn’t argue. Just sent back a simple:

Okay.

My wolf instinct purred in satisfaction. This was progress.

I turned to James, my mind already racing with plans. “Find me a restaurant.”

James arched a brow. “You’re a billionaire with a real estate empire. You have personal chefs. Why do you need me to—”

“Not just any restaurant,” I cut in. “It needs to have the best smoky syrah as a wine option. And blue cheese risotto with honey on the menu.”

James blinked. “That’s… oddly specific.”

“She likes it.”

He stared at me for a long moment before shaking his head with a low laugh. “You are so far gone.”

I didn’t deny it. Vanessa was everything I had been waiting for, everything I never thought I’d have. And tonight, I was going to make sure she knew it.

The moment Vanessa agreed to dinner, everything shifted. My entire day, which had been spent juggling meetings, signing documents, and dealing with an endless stream of calls, suddenly had a singular focus—tonight. James had already anticipated my reaction, sighing heavily the moment I turned to him with that determined look in my eyes.

“I need the perfect dinner planned,” I said, standing from my desk, already picturing every detail. “Somewhere intimate but elegant. And it must have smoky syrah wine and blue cheese risotto with honey.”

James pinched the bridge of his nose. “Of course. Because you just so happen to know her favorite dish.”

I smirked. “I pay attention.”

He muttered something about me being an impossible romantic but still pulled out his phone, making a call.

Within an hour, I had exactly what I wanted—a private rooftop dinner at one of the most exclusive restaurants in the city. The entire top floor was reserved, a table set under the stars, city lights flickering in the distance. It was quiet, elegant, the perfect place to keep Vanessa focused on me and only me.

By the time I arrived at her apartment to pick her up, I was as composed as I could be. But the second I saw her, I felt that restraint waver. She wore a fitted black dress, sleek and professional, yet devastatingly alluring. I realized then—I was in trouble.

But it’s not just that. It’s the way her lips part slightly in surprise, the way her brown eyes flicker over me, the way she holds my jacket in her hands like she’s been thinking about me too.

I step forward, offering my hand. “You brought my jacket,” I say, smirking.

“You did leave it with me,” she replies, lifting an eyebrow. “I figured you’d want it back before you forgot it existed.”

I take it from her, but instead of putting it on, I drape it over my arm. “I had a feeling you’d take good care of it.”

“You clean up well,” she teased, stepping closer, her scent wrapping around me like a drug. “I was starting to think you only owned dark suits.”

I chuckled, offering her my arm. “I aim to impress.”

She huffs a small laugh, shaking her head. “Shall we?”

As we drove, the air between us was thick with anticipation. She kept stealing glances at me, biting her lip as if trying to figure me out. I thrived on it, on the way she was drawn to me despite her stubborn resistance.

When we arrived, she let out a soft, impressed whistle. “A rooftop?”

I shrugged, guiding her to the table. “I like privacy.”

She smirked. “Right. Privacy. You sure this isn’t some elaborate seduction attempt?”

I leaned in, letting my voice drop just enough to make her breath hitch. “Would it be working if it was?”

She rolled her eyes but didn’t move away. A win.

The moment she sees the blue cheese risotto with honey on the menu, she glances at me, suspicion in her eyes.

“What?” I ask, playing innocent.

“You picked this place, didn’t you?”

“Is it a crime to choose a restaurant with excellent taste?”

She eyes me but lets it go, taking a sip of her smoky-syrah wine. “Fine. I’ll admit, this is… really nice.”

Dinner was effortless—filled with teasing banter, small touches that lingered just a second too long, and moments where she forgot to hold herself back. When she took the first bite of the risotto, her eyes fluttered closed, and a quiet moan slipped past her lips. I nearly lost my control right then and there.

“This is…” she sighed. “Ridiculously good.”

I smirked. “I had a feeling you’d like it.”

Her eyes narrowed slightly. “You keep doing that.”

“Doing what?”

“Knowing things about me before I even tell you.”

I sipped my wine, keeping my expression unreadable. “Maybe I just pay attention.”

She hummed, watching me closely. “Or maybe you’re just used to getting what you want.”

I tilted my head, considering her words. “Not always.”

That answer seemed to throw her. But before she could push further, I changed the subject, keeping the tension just high enough to make her restless.

The conversation flows easily. We tease, we challenge, we dance around the undeniable pull between us. She tries to act indifferent, but I see it in the way she leans in when I speak, in the way she touches the rim of her glass absentmindedly when I look at her. It’s there—the spark, the unspoken need humming between us.

When dinner ended, I wasn’t ready for the night to be over. So I led her to the edge of the rooftop, the city sprawling below us.

Vanessa walks toward the edge, staring out over the skyline. “This is incredible.”

I don’t look at the city. I look at her.

“I’ve seen better,” I say.

She turns, catching my eyes, and something shifts between us. Her expression softens, like she’s seeing me differently now. A slight breeze lifts her hair, and I have to fight the urge to reach out and tuck it behind her ear.

Then, quietly, I add, “I prefer looking at you.”

Vanessa exhales a short, breathy laugh, but there’s no teasing in her eyes this time. She looks at me—really looks at me—and I know she feels it too.

I want to touch her, but I hold back. Instead, I say, “This… it’s different with you.”

She tilts her head, surprised. “Different how?”

“Like I’m not in control,” I admit. “And I always thought I needed to be.”

She stares at me for a long moment. Then her gaze drops—to my lips.

I feel it then, the shift in the air, the pulse of something inevitable. But I won’t take this moment from her. I won’t rush it.

So I wait.

And then she closes the distance.

And the moment her lips touch mine I almost lose my mind.

Chapter 18

POV: Liam

The kiss is slow at first, hesitant, like she’s testing the fire between us. But then my hands find her waist, pulling her closer, and it’s like something inside me shatters. Desire, relief, raw desperation—I pour it all into the way I kiss her, in the way I cradle the back of her head, holding her as if she’s the only thing anchoring me to this world.

Her fingers slide into my hair, sending a shiver down my spine. She tastes like wine and something uniquely hers, something I could drown in. I want more—I always want more with her—but I know this has to be enough.

When we finally part, she exhales softly, her forehead resting against mine. I could stay like this forever.

“I don’t want this night to end,” I murmur.

She swallows, her fingers still curled against my chest. “Me neither.”

I rested my hip against the guardrail and pulled her into me. She didn’t resist—she simply melted into my hold, her warmth seeping into my skin, her scent wrapping around me like everything I wanted, everything I needed. I held her close, cradling her as if she were something fragile, something precious. Because she was.

I kissed her again, tasting her, losing myself in the softness of her lips. Goddess, how I had missed this.

Neither of us wanted the night to end—we even admitted it out loud. But it had to.

I wanted to take her with me, to make love with her until her scent is stucking into me.

But I know I couldn’t, I need to follow the plan. I need to wait, I need to make her fall in love with me.

When it got late, I took her home. At her door, she hesitated, her fingers lingering over the handle. I saw it, felt it. So I reached for her arm, gently pulling her back to me. She turned, and without a word, I brushed my fingers along her jaw, tilting her chin up before I stole one last kiss. Slow, lingering, but restrained—my lips moving against hers with quiet desperation, with the promise of everything waiting between us.

And when I finally pulled away, I savored the taste of her, knowing she would, too.

As I walk away, I already know I won’t be sleeping tonight. Because time is running out, and I still don’t have her heart.

Yet.

Two days left.

And she was slipping through my fingers.

I had to make her fall in love with me.

But tonight, I was happy with the way she had looked at me—with the way she had melted into me, even if just for a moment.

Because I knew one thing for certain—Vanessa Cameron was mine.

She just didn’t know it yet.

The moment I woke up, I could still feel her. The warmth of her body against mine, the softness of her lips, the way she had melted into me as if she belonged there. As if she knew it, too.

I exhaled sharply, running a hand through my hair as I sat up. I was happy—truly, deeply happy—for the first time in years. But beneath that happiness, a cold weight pressed against my chest. Two days. That’s all I had left.

The thought sent a sharp wave of desperation through me. I needed more time. I needed her to be mine.

I pulled out my phone, ready to text her, to ask when I could see her again, but James cleared his throat behind me. “No.” I sometimes didn’t heard he coming.

I turned, raising an eyebrow. “Excuse me?”

“No, boss,” he repeated, arms crossed. “You cannot text her today. Two dates in a row? Too much.”

I scowled. “That’s ridiculous. We kissed last night.”

“Exactly,” he said, unfazed by my glare. “Which is why you don’t chase her today. Give her space to miss you.”

I let out a slow, frustrated breath. He had a point.

But that didn’t mean I liked it.

“Then what the hell am I supposed to do?” I muttered.

James smirked. “You send her flowers.”

I stared at him. “Flowers.”

“A beautiful bouquet, a simple thank-you note. Nothing too much.” He held up a hand, cutting off my next protest. “Trust me on this.”

I clenched my jaw but nodded, signaling for him to make the arrangements. Within the hour, an elegant bouquet—roses, peonies, and white lilies—was on its way to Vanessa’s office, along with a short, handwritten note:

Last night was unforgettable. I can’t wait to do it again.

And then I had to wait.

I hated this.

Hated every second of it. I was a man of action, a leader. I took what I wanted, fought for what was mine. But this—this waiting, this restraint—was teaching me something. I was learning patience. I was learning to give her control, even when every instinct in me told me to claim her now.

Hours passed. I tried to work, tried to focus on my responsibilities, but my thoughts kept circling back to her. To that moment on the rooftop. To her scent, her touch, her lips.

When my phone finally buzzed, I snatched it up so fast James actually sighed.

Vanessa: Thank you for the flowers. They’re beautiful.

Relief.

Pure, unfiltered relief. But before I could type my response, James held up a finger. “Wait.”

I narrowed my eyes. “James.”

“You answered immediately last time. Make her wait a little.”

I gritted my teeth, shoving my phone into my pocket. Minutes crawled by like an eternity.

Then, finally, I typed back:

Me: I’d love to do it again tomorrow.

I didn’t have to wait long this time.

Vanessa: I’d like that.

A slow smile spread across my face.

James clapped a hand on my shoulder. “Alright, boss, tomorrow’s the night. You go all in.”

Tomorrow was my last chance.

I had one night left to make her fall for me.

Waiting was torture.

The moment Vanessa agreed to another date, my mind had already started racing. Our last night had been perfect—but tomorrow night had to be unforgettable. This was my last chance. The thought sent a sharp, anxious pulse through me. I’d never needed anything the way I needed this. The way I needed her.

James and I spent the evening planning every detail. If I wanted this to be the best night of her life, I had to think about everything. The experience. The anticipation. The feeling she’d have when she thought of me long after tonight.

“Details make the difference, sir” James reminded me. “We want her thinking about you all day.”

The next morning, before she even had a chance to step into her office, I sent her a cardamom latte. No note this time—just the coffee, the exact way she liked it. I knew she’d remember that night at the bar, how I had noticed her strange yet specific taste.

It worked.

Not even an hour later, my phone buzzed.

Vanessa: I see you remember my peculiar taste.

I smirked, imagining the small smile on her lips as she took her first sip.

Me: Of course. I’ll pick you up at seven.

Now, all I had to do was make sure tonight was perfect.

The sun was just beginning to set as I adjusted my shirt, pacing near the penthouse windows. The skyline stretched out beneath me, golden light spilling across the city. Everything was ready.

First, the helicopter ride.

I wanted to take her above the world, to show her a view she’d never forget. Just the two of us, flying over the glittering city, where the world felt small and endless at the same time.

Then, back to my penthouse.

A personal chef had been hired to prepare a private dinner—something intimate, something that would make her feel special, like she was the only person in my world. Because she was.

Tonight, I wouldn’t hold back.

Tonight, I’d show her exactly what she meant to me.

And maybe—just maybe—she’d fall for me the way I’d already fallen for her.

I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the cuffs of my shirt with slow, deliberate movements. The fabric felt strange against my skin, as if it didn’t belong to me—just like this world didn’t.

This was it.

My last day here.

I should’ve been preparing for this moment, but nothing could have readied me for the weight pressing on my chest.

I don’t know if Vanessa love me.

And because of that, when I closed my eyes tonight, when sleep finally claimed me—I knew I’d be gone. And she can go with me…or not.

I swallowed against the lump in my throat, pushing away the pain that threatened to consume me. I had one last night with her. One final chance to be the man she wanted. Not her mate. Not her Alpha.

Just Liam.

And before I left, I had to make sure she was taken care of.

I turned away from the mirror and grabbed my jacket, heading down the hall to James’ office. He was exactly where I expected him to be—sitting at his desk, tapping away at his laptop, utterly oblivious to the storm raging inside me.

“James.” My voice was steady, controlled.

He looked up, surprised. “Boss? You need something?”

I hesitated for only a moment before stepping inside and closing the door behind me. “I need you to do something for me.”

James raised an eyebrow but leaned back in his chair, folding his arms. “Okay. What’s up?”

I exhaled slowly. “I need you to take care of Vanessa.”

A beat of silence stretched between us before he frowned. “Take care of her? What do you mean?”

“If something happens to me,” I said, my tone firmer now. “If I disappear, or if anything changes—you make sure she has everything she needs. Money. Contacts. Security. She can’t ever struggle. Promise me that.”

James’ frown deepened. He sat forward, his sharp eyes narrowing in confusion. “Sir, what the hell are you talking about? You’re standing right in front of me. You’re healthy. You’re fine. Why would you disappear?”

I clenched my jaw, weighing my words. There was no way to explain this to him—not in a way that would make sense. James didn’t know who I really was. He didn’t know that I was living on borrowed time in a world I didn’t belong to.

But I needed him to trust me.

“Just promise me,” I said, quieter this time. “No questions. Just—promise.”

James studied me, his expression shifting from confusion to something more serious. He had worked with me long enough to know when I wasn’t playing around. He didn’t understand, but he could see that this mattered.

Finally, he sighed, rubbing a hand down his face. “Alright. If something… happens to you, I’ll make sure Vanessa is okay.”

Relief flooded through me, but it was bittersweet.

“Thank you.”

James let out a short laugh, shaking his head. “Sir, you’re acting like you’re about to get abducted by aliens or something.”

I forced a smirk, but it didn’t reach my eyes. “Something like that.”

He huffed. “You’re being dramatic, but whatever. Go enjoy your date.”

I nodded, turning toward the door.

One last night.

One last memory.

And then… I’d be gone.

Chapter 19

POV: Liam

I arrived at her apartment exactly at seven.

Vanessa was already waiting by the door, and when she stepped out, my breath caught. She wore a fitted dress, simple yet devastating, it made me remember the first time I saw her, at the Moonball in her red perfect dress. Her hair cascaded in soft waves, and her warm brown eyes locked onto mine with a mix of curiosity and excitement.

“You look beautiful,” I said, offering my hand.

She hesitated—just for a second—before slipping her fingers into mine. “Where are we going?”

“You’ll see.”

The moment we stepped onto the rooftop helipad, she let out a soft gasp.

“A helicopter?” she asked, glancing at me with wide eyes.

I smirked. “I told you tonight would be special.”

As the rotors whirred to life, I helped her inside, making sure she was secure before taking my seat beside her. The moment we lifted off, Vanessa pressed a hand to the glass, watching as the city unfolded beneath us.

“This is incredible,” she murmured.

I leaned closer, my lips near her ear. “Just wait.”

We soared over the skyline, the city lights flickering like a sea of stars beneath us. As we passed one of my newest skyscrapers, I pointed it out. “That one is mine. Finished last year.”

She turned to me, arching a brow. “Are you just going to show off all your buildings?”

I chuckled. “No, just the important ones.”

We flew farther, nearing the outskirts of the city, where the land stretched wide and open. Vanessa suddenly pointed down.

“There,” she said, excitement in her voice. “Do you recognize it?”

I followed her gaze, my chest tightening as I saw the familiar stretch of land—the one I had once fought to develop.

“This was supposed to be your biggest project,” she continued. “But when you dropped the case… I made sure it was protected.” She turned to me, smiling. “It’s an environmental reservation now. No one will ever touch it.”

A deep warmth spread through my chest. I had given up that land for her, without a second thought. And now, seeing what she had done with it, I realized it had been worth it.

I looked at her, my voice quieter now. “You did that?”

She nodded. “I know it mattered to you once. Now, it matters in a different way.”

Emotion swelled in my throat, unfamiliar and powerful. I had fought for so long, always taking, always winning. But Vanessa—she fought for things in a different way. She made me want to fight with her, not against her.

I reached for her hand, lacing my fingers through hers. “Thank you.”

She didn’t pull away.

The helicopter turned back toward the city, and when we approached my building, the pilot smoothly landed on the rooftop. The moment we stepped out, Vanessa glanced around, realizing where we were.

“This is your building?” she asked.

I smirked. “One of them.”

I led her downstairs, straight into my penthouse. The doors slid open, revealing the vast, modern space. Floor-to-ceiling windows framed the skyline, the city glowing beneath us. The air was filled with the scent of fresh roses and something rich and savory from the private chef in the kitchen.

Vanessa took a slow step inside, her eyes sweeping over the elegant space. “Okay… I’ll admit it. I’m impressed.”

I leaned against the doorframe, watching her take it all in. “Good. Because I want you to feel like you belong here.”

She turned to me, her gaze unreadable. “Liam…”

I stepped closer, my voice lower. “Tonight is just for us, Vanessa. No pressure. No expectations. Just you and me.”

She studied me for a long moment, then exhaled softly. “Okay.”

A small victory. And one I’d make sure lasted the entire night.

Dinner was perfect.

The private chef had outdone himself, serving a meal that was nothing short of exquisite. Vanessa and I ate, drank, and talked for hours, the conversation flowing effortlessly between teasing banter and deeper moments that made me want to pull her closer and never let go.

She laughed more than once—really laughed—and every time, I felt something shift inside me, something dangerous and permanent.

I was completely and utterly gone for this woman.

By the time we finished dessert, a rich chocolate mousse that she claimed was “almost as good as the one at her favorite café,” I found myself watching her more than I should have. The way she licked the spoon. The way the candlelight flickered against her warm brown eyes.

She was breathtaking.

I leaned back in my chair, swirling the last of my whiskey in my glass. “There’s one last thing I want to show you before the night ends.”

Vanessa raised an eyebrow. “Let me guess. Another one of your buildings?”

I smirked. “No. Something better.”

I stood, offering her my hand. She hesitated for a moment before slipping her fingers into mine. That small, willing touch sent heat rushing through me.

I led her through the penthouse, past the sleek, modern living room and toward the hallway that led to my bedroom.

She stopped just outside the door, crossing her arms with a teasing smile. “So this is your big surprise? Bringing me to your bedroom?”

I chuckled, stepping closer. “You wound me, Vanessa. At least see the view before you accuse me of anything.”

She rolled her eyes but followed me inside.

The room was dimly lit, the city lights streaming in through the floor-to-ceiling windows. But it wasn’t the room I wanted her to see.

She caught sight of the balcony and walked straight to it, pushing open the glass doors and stepping outside.

I followed, watching as she leaned against the railing, her eyes widening as she took it all in.

The city stretched beneath us, endless and glowing, the skyline shimmering like something out of a dream.

“Liam,” she breathed, her voice barely above a whisper. “This is… incredible.”

I stepped behind her, my body pressing gently against hers as I placed my hands on the railing beside her. My lips brushed the shell of her ear as I whispered,

“If you want, all of this could be yours. I just want you to be mine.”

She inhaled sharply, her breath catching in her throat. Slowly, she turned to face me, her gaze searching mine.

Something passed between us in that moment—something raw and undeniable.

This time, it was me who closed the distance.

I crashed my lips against hers, claiming her the way I’d wanted to all night. She didn’t hesitate, didn’t pull away. Instead, she melted into me, her arms winding around my neck as my hands gripped her waist, pulling her flush against me.

A low growl rumbled in my chest as I deepened the kiss, tasting her, taking her in. I slid my hands down her hips, gripping the back of her thighs.

She gasped against my lips as I lifted her effortlessly, her legs wrapping around my waist like she belonged there.

Because she did.

I carried her inside, straight to my bed, never once breaking the kiss.

This was just the beginning. And tonight, I was going to make sure she knew exactly what she meant to me.

Chapter 20

POV: Liam

Having Vanessa in my arms was indescribable.

It was like ascending to heaven and knowing I’d never have to fall back down.

She melted against me, her body reacting to my touch, giving herself to me so freely that it stole my breath. And that—that—was what truly unraveled me.

I kissed her with everything I had, pouring every ounce of passion and love into it. This past week—this journey of trying to make her fall in love with me—had changed me. It had stripped me down, remade me as a man, as an Alpha, as something more human than I ever thought possible.

Because of her, I had become vulnerable. I had lost control.

And the strangest part?

I liked it.

I liked how she made me feel untethered, how she challenged me, how she stole the fierce control I had always wielded so effortlessly.

I deepened the kiss, claiming her mouth, tasting the sweetness of her lips as she opened up to me. Her tongue tangled with mine, soft and needy, perfectly in sync. A low growl rumbled in my chest as I slid my hands down her back, mapping every curve, memorizing every inch of her.

When I broke away, I trailed kisses down her jaw, her collarbone, until I reached the delicate curve where her neck met her shoulder. My human teeth scraped against the spot where my mark should be—where I hoped it would be one day.

Vanessa shivered at the touch, a small gasp leaving her lips.

I pulled back, locking eyes with her. Those warm brown eyes, darkened with desire, stared back at me, full of trust, full of something deeper that made my chest ache.

Slowly, deliberately, I slid the straps of her dress down her shoulders. The memory of doing this the first time flashed through my mind, but now, it meant even more. This wasn’t just about desire—it was about her.

Vanessa moved her shoulders, letting the fabric slip down inch by inch, revealing her bare skin to me.

She was stunning.

I let my gaze roam over her, making sure she saw the adoration in my eyes. And then I kissed her again—fiercer this time, more intense, full of all the emotions she had awakened in me.

As our lips moved together, my hands trailed lower, cupping her breasts, molding them to my palms. Perfect. She was made for me.

I took one of her peaks into my mouth, teasing her with my tongue, savoring the way her breath hitched. When a soft moan slipped from her lips, I nearly lost control right then and there.

I groaned against her skin, moving to her other breast while my fingers hooked into the waistband of her panties.

I slid them down her hips, and as I pulled the fabric away, my hand moved back up just as slowly, brushing against her inner thigh, teasing, building the anticipation.

When I finally reached her center, I paused, looking at her—really looking.

Her face was flushed, her lips parted, her gaze heavy with love and need.

I wanted to burn this moment into my memory forever.

I brushed my thumb over her slick heat and cursed under my breath.

“So wet for me,” I murmured, my voice rough, thick with desire.

She whimpered in response, her body arching into my touch.

I circled her clit with slow, deliberate strokes, watching as her lips parted with a breathless moan. Then, unable to resist, I lowered my head and replaced my fingers with my mouth.

The taste of her—fuck, I had missed this.

Vanessa’s hands flew to my hair, gripping tightly, holding me there as I devoured her. The way she trembled, the way she gasped my name—it was addictive.

I slid a finger inside her, curling it just right, knowing exactly where to touch, exactly how to unravel her.

And then she shattered.

Her hips bucked, her body convulsing as waves of pleasure rolled through her. But I didn’t stop. I wouldn’t stop.

I kept going, kept touching her, until she broke apart for a second time, her cries filling the room.

Only then did I pull away, kissing my way back up her body, tasting every inch of her until our lips met again.

She moaned into my mouth, still trembling, still lost in the pleasure I had given her.

But then, with that fiery independence I adored, she started undressing me.

Her fingers made quick work of the buttons on my shirt, sliding it off my shoulders. I helped her, tossing it aside, before she reached for my belt, unbuckling it with a confidence that made my cock twitch in anticipation.

When she finally freed me from my pants, her gaze dropped to my length—and she smirked.

“I don’t think it will fit,” she teased.

I chuckled, pressing a soft kiss to her temple, then her nose, then her lips.

“I know,” I murmured against her mouth. “But you’ve got this.”

She positioned me at her entrance, her breathing uneven, her eyes locked on mine.

And then, slowly, I pushed inside her, feeling her warmth, her tightness, her perfection.

It was exactly how I remembered.

Only this time, it meant everything.

At the moment I completely filled Vanessa, I stopped.

I stopped and looked at her because it was almost too much. Too intense. Too overwhelming. Too perfect.

She lay beneath me, her skin flushed, her lips parted, her brown eyes heavy with something I couldn’t name—something I wanted to name but feared I didn’t have the right to.

I wanted to say something. To tell her what she meant to me, what she had done to me, how I was a man undone in her hands. But no words could capture this, so I did the only thing I could—I moved.

Slowly.

Deliberately.

I pushed forward, feeling every inch of her, savoring the way her body welcomed me, the way she fit around me so damn perfectly that I knew, deep in my soul, there was no one else.

No one but her.

Vanessa inhaled sharply, her nails digging into my back, holding onto me like I was something she didn’t want to lose. Please don’t let me go, I wanted to whisper. Not yet. Not ever.

Her breath hitched as I thrust deeper, our bodies moving together in a rhythm older than time. I found the curve of her hips, gripping tightly, needing the anchor, needing her. And she gave it to me.

We moved in sync.

Perfectly.

I watched her, memorizing every reaction, every flutter of her lashes, every arch of her back. The pleasure inside me built, coiling tight, hot and fierce.

I kept moving, unable to stop, unable to want to stop. This—this—was everything I had craved in the weeks without her. Her scent, her warmth, her body wrapped around mine.

And it wasn’t just the pleasure. It was her.

Vanessa’s breath came in uneven gasps, her body tightening around me. She was close—I could feel it, sense it, the way her thighs trembled, the way her hands clutched at me, desperate, needy.

I reached down between us, found her swollen clit, and brushed my fingers over it in slow, teasing circles. She gasped, her legs tightening around my waist, pulling me in deeper.

“Liam,” she moaned, my name falling from her lips like a prayer.

That was it. That was everything.

Her body convulsed, her walls clenching around me, drawing me deeper into the spiral of pleasure. The sight of her coming undone beneath me, the feel of her trembling against me—it shattered whatever control I had left.

I let go.

A deep, guttural growl tore from my throat as I followed her into bliss, my release crashing over me like a tidal wave. I buried myself in her, my forehead resting against hers as we panted, bodies shaking, hearts racing in unison.

She smiled then—soft, breathless. And when she kissed me, slow and sweet, I felt something dangerous bloom inside my chest.

Hope.

Chapter 21

POV: Liam

We collapsed together, tangled in the sheets, limbs entwined, still catching our breath. I didn’t know how long we lay there. Minutes? Hours? It didn’t matter. I lost track, just like I had our first night together.

I lost track of how many times I made love to her tonight. How many times she whispered my name. How many times I claimed her over and over again. But I wasn’t sure if it was only the lust, only the desire, or something more.

Maybe it was because I missed her.

Maybe it was because I couldn’t stop touching her, couldn’t stop memorizing her, terrified that when I woke up, she would be gone.

Or maybe… maybe it was because I didn’t want to sleep.

Because if I slept—if I closed my eyes—I would wake up in my world.

And my world might not be hers.

If she wasn’t in love with me, if I had failed, then I would go back alone.

And that—that thought—hurt more than I could ever put into words.

We lay tangled together in the quiet aftermath, our bodies exhausted, our skin still humming from the love we had made. My hand rested on her hip, my fingers tracing slow, reverent patterns across her bare skin. She shivered under my touch, but she didn’t pull away. Her own fingers sketched absentminded circles over my chest, delicate and unhurried, like she had all the time in the world.

I buried my face in her hair, breathing her in. Committing her scent to memory. If this was the last time I would ever hold her, I needed to take everything in—every detail, every sensation—so that when I was alone, when I was lost in my own torment, I would have this to hold onto. I had to burn this into my soul because if I left without her, if she never came back to me, this would be all I had.

Sleep was creeping in. I felt the weight of it dragging at my limbs, but I fought against it. I knew what sleep meant. When I woke up, I would be gone. And she… she might not follow. She might not even want to.

I had nothing left to lose.

“Vanessa,” I said, my voice low, barely above a whisper.

She lifted her head slightly, just enough to meet my gaze. Her warm brown eyes, so full of life, locked onto mine. I wanted to drown in them. To never forget them.

“Yes?” she asked softly, resting her chin on my chest, a small, sleepy smile curving her lips. “What do you want to know?”

I almost lost my nerve. Almost. But I had to know.

“One more of your specific tastes for food?” She teased, my lips quirking up despite the storm inside me.

She laughed lightly, and even now, even with everything weighing on me, that sound made something inside me warm. But it was fleeting. Because this moment… this moment wasn’t light. It wasn’t easy.

I ran my fingers through her hair, savoring the silkiness of it, the way she leaned into my touch. And then, before I could stop myself, I asked her the question that had haunted me from the moment I first saw her again in this world.

“Do you love me?”

The air in the room shifted.

Vanessa stiffened, the playfulness in her eyes fading, replaced by something else—something hesitant. She turned her head, resting it against my chest instead of looking at me.

“This is the most awkward question to ask after sex, Liam,” she said, her voice quieter now, almost… unsure.

I waited. Prayed. But when she finally spoke again, her answer was a single word.

“No.”

It shattered me.

I felt the pain physically, like a blade sinking deep into my chest, twisting, ripping something vital apart. The air was gone from my lungs. The blood in my veins turned cold.

No.

But then she added, like some half-hearted condolence, “But I like you.”

Like me.

A cruel, meaningless consolation for a man who had waited lifetimes for her. For a man who had given her his heart, his soul, his everything.

I swallowed hard, forcing myself to breathe. To keep my voice steady. “Are you happy here?”

She hesitated. Like she didn’t quite understand the depth of what I was asking. But then she answered.

“I always dreamed of being a lawyer,” she said, her voice distant, thoughtful. “So I went to college. I graduated with honors. I got a job at a firm I like, with people I like. I do my dream job. I make a difference in the world, exactly how I wanted. I have my charity work. I fight for the things I believe in, the things I love.”

She took a slow breath. And then she said the words that unraveled me completely.

“So, yes. I am happy here.”

A cold, numbing kind of silence stretched between us.

Her words sent a chill through me, but at the same time, they grounded me. She was happy. Here. In this world. Without me.

And that meant I couldn’t take her away.

Even if it killed me. Even if it tore me apart. Even if I would never recover.

At least she would be happy.

And if that was all I could have… if I could no longer hold her, no longer hear her laugh, no longer touch her, then at least I had this moment. At least I had the memory of her in my arms, of her whispering my name in the dark, of knowing—if only for a brief, fleeting time—what it felt like to have her.

I once had her.

And now, I had to let her go.

Sleep came for me like a slow tide, pulling me under, and I welcomed it. My limbs grew heavy, my breathing matched hers, and for one last time, I let myself exist in this moment—with her. I inhaled deeply, drinking in her scent, burning the warmth of her skin into my memory. I clung to it, desperate.

Because I knew this could be the last time.

I closed my eyes.

And then—

Darkness.

A sharp pain tore through me, like invisible chains yanking me backward. My body jerked, limbs stretching, the warmth of Vanessa’s touch ripped away in an instant. I gasped, but no air filled my lungs. My heart pounded violently against my ribs, and a suffocating force dragged me away from her.

No. No, no, no!

My eyes snapped open, and I was no longer in her bed. No longer tangled with her, feeling the rise and fall of her breath against me.

I was back.

The cave around me pulsed with flashes of blue and white magic, flickering like dying embers. The spell that had tethered me to her world was unraveling, its energy lashing at my skin, burning, tearing—severing the last connection I had to her.

Panic shot through me as I whipped my head around. Desperate. Searching.

Vanessa.

Where was she?

I reached out, my hands grasping at nothing but cold air. My chest heaved, my mind screaming for her, but the cave was empty.

Just me.

Alone.

And the hollow, unbearable truth crashed down on me.

She was still there. And I was here.

Without her.

Chapter 22

POV: Liam

Darkness.

Then—pain. A sharp, gut-wrenching pain that tore through my limbs like someone had grabbed me by the soul and ripped me from my body.

My eyes shot open, and I gasped, choking on the cold, damp air.

The cave.

I was back.

Flashes of blue and white magic still crackled in the air, dissipating like the last remnants of a nightmare. My heart pounded violently in my chest as my eyes darted around, searching—desperate.

Vanessa.

Where was she?

I turned in a frantic circle, my breath shattering in my lungs. The stone walls of the cave loomed around me, the flickering torches casting eerie shadows—but she wasn’t here.

She wasn’t here.

The realization slammed into me like a blade straight through my chest.

She was gone.

I fell to my knees, the impact reverberating through my bones, but I barely felt it. My hands dug into the dirt, fingers curling like claws as I tried to breathe, tried to make sense of the unbearable emptiness crushing me.

Gone.

I had lost her.

A strangled sound ripped from my throat—a broken, wounded thing. My mate. My mate. She wasn’t supposed to be gone. She was supposed to be with me.

My wolf howled inside me, feral, agonized.

I pressed my palms to my face, fighting back the wreckage of my own grief. I had held her in my arms. I had touched her, kissed her, loved her. And now, she was nothing but a memory. A dream that had ended too soon.

I would never hear her laugh again. Never see her roll her eyes at me. Never get to touch her warm skin or watch her sleep beside me, curled up like she belonged there.

I had failed.

A shuddering breath tore through me, but before I could fully succumb to the abyss of my own despair—

A rush of magic filled the air.

My head snapped up just as another wave of blue and white light crackled through the cave. The force of it sent dust and pebbles skidding across the stone floor, lifting my hair with the static.

And then—

A shape.

A figure materialized in the center of the cave, right where the magic was strongest.

Vanessa.

For a second, I didn’t believe it. My breath locked in my throat, my heart slamming against my ribs.

She stood there, wide-eyed, breathless, disoriented. Wearing the same clothes she had when she was taken from me.

I couldn’t move. I couldn’t think.

Then her eyes lifted—those deep, warm brown eyes full of tears. And when they locked onto mine—

I shattered.

A broken, wrecked sound escaped me as I lunged for her, my arms wrapping around her body with desperate force. My hands dug into her back, her waist, her hair—anywhere I could hold onto her.

I buried my face in her neck, breathing her in, my body shaking violently.

She was here. She was real.

And then I felt it—her arms wrapping around me just as fiercely. Her hands fisting my shirt, gripping me like she was just as afraid to let go.

“I—” her voice broke, muffled against my shoulder. “Liam—I—”

She didn’t have to say it.

I felt it in the way she held me.

In the way she trembled in my arms.

She had chosen me. Even there, even without the bond—she had chosen me.

I crushed her against my chest, my hands stroking the back of her head as I rocked her, my breath uneven, shattered.

“I thought I lost you,” I rasped, my voice raw, wrecked. “I thought—I—”

Her fingers curled tighter against me. “You didn’t.”

I swallowed hard, pressing my lips to the top of her head, my heart hammering against hers.

She was mine.

And this time, I wasn’t letting go.

She was still in my arms.

I couldn’t stop holding her, couldn’t let go even for a second. The thought of losing her again made my chest tighten painfully. My hands ran up and down her back, memorizing the feel of her, the warmth of her skin, the steady rise and fall of her breath.

But then, she pulled back just enough to look at me, her brown eyes searching mine, full of something I couldn’t quite place.

“Liam…” Her voice was soft, hesitant, but filled with certainty.

I swallowed hard, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “I’m here.”

A shaky breath left her lips, and then—she smiled. A real, bright, heart-shattering smile.

“I remember everything,” she whispered.

My breath caught.

She closed her eyes for a moment, like she was pulling the memories forward, letting them settle into place. “I remember my life here… the Moon Ball, meeting you, feeling that pull to you like nothing else in the world mattered. I remember how I felt when I saw you—how I knew, deep down, that you were mine before I even understood what that meant.” She opened her eyes again, her fingers trembling slightly as they traced along my jaw. “And then I remember waking up in the human world, and it was… different. Like a part of me was missing, and I didn’t know why.”

My grip on her tightened. “Vanessa…”

She shook her head, her eyes misty but filled with something fierce. “I remember how you found me. How you nevergave up. How you made me fall in love with you again.” Her lips parted, her voice breaking slightly. “You had every reason to walk away. Every reason to think I’d never love you back, but you stayed. You learned my world, you adapted, you fought for me.”

A ragged breath escaped me as I cupped her face, my forehead pressing against hers.

“I would have stayed forever if that’s what it took,” I whispered.

She let out a small, broken laugh. “You idiot,” she murmured, but there was so much love in her voice that it nearly wrecked me.

I closed my eyes, holding her even closer. I wanted to stay in this moment forever, to breathe her in and never face what came next.

But I knew better.

Nyxara wasn’t finished.

The ache in my chest hardened into something sharper—determination.

Vanessa must have felt it too, because she pulled back slightly, her expression shifting.

“We can’t leave things like this,” she said softly. “She stole my memories. She cursed us. She almost destroyed everything we were meant to be.”

The cave was alive with the hum of power. Ancient magic crackled in the air, thick and heady, as the gathered mages and warriors whispered among themselves. We had just returned from the human world, yet there was no time to rest, no time to process the sheer gravity of what had happened. We had won Vanessa back, but the battle was far from over.

Aaleric stood before me, his expression both knowing and urgent. “You need to mark her. Now.”

I glanced at Vanessa, whose warm brown eyes widened slightly at the directness of his command. She was standing close to me, the heat of her body seeping into mine, grounding me in a way nothing else could. I had nearly lost her—again. And yet, here she was, whole, safe, and mine.

Aaleric continued, his voice measured. “Your bond is already strong, forged through everything you’ve been through. But the mark will solidify it, making her untouchable to any magic Nyxara might still possess. She took everything she had to cast Vanessa into the human world. She’s weaker than she’s ever been. We need to act before she regains her strength.”

Vanessa exhaled, looking between us. “So… she’s vulnerable?”

Aaleric nodded. “Yes, but not for long. She spent centuries preparing for this, gathering power, ensuring she could strike when the moment was right. She broke into the pack house, a sacred place, and cast a spell strong enough to sever your mate bond temporarily. That cost her. If we strike now, during the daylight, we have the advantage.”

Magnus crossed his arms, his stance rigid. “Then we go all in. We take our strongest warriors and tear her apart before she even knows what’s coming.”

Before the human world, I would have agreed without hesitation. A direct attack, force over strategy—that had always been my way. But I wasn’t the same man I had been before Vanessa. I had spent that week learning patience, understanding that brute strength alone wasn’t always the answer.

I shook my head. “No. We plan this carefully. Rushing in without a solid strategy could backfire. We don’t know if she has traps, hidden allies, or a last reserve of power. We need to draw her out.”

Magnus frowned. “Since when do you hesitate? You’re Alpha. You strike first, kill first.”

A small smirk pulled at my lips. “Making Vanessa fall in love with me took patience. Vulnerability. I’ve learned that some things are worth waiting for. We need to do this right.”

Vanessa’s gaze softened, her fingers brushing my wrist, the simple touch anchoring me.

Ein, standing beside Magnus, smiled. “He’s right. We can’t fight her on her terms. We have to force her to fight on ours.”

Aaleric nodded. “Agreed. We will strategize, lure her into daylight, where she’s weakest. But first—” He turned to me, his blue eyes gleaming. “The mark, Liam.”

I turned to Vanessa. My mate. My love. The woman who had undone me in ways I never thought possible.

A small, amused smile played on her lips. “You don’t have to look so serious. I’m not exactly fighting you on this.”

A low growl rumbled in my chest. “You say that now.”

Before she could react, I moved, swift and sure, grabbing her by the waist and hauling her over my shoulder.

Vanessa let out a startled yelp. “Liam!”

The cave erupted in laughter and knowing smirks, but I ignored them.

“You’ve done this before,” Magnus said dryly.

I shot him a look. “And I’ll do it again.”

Vanessa smacked my back, though there was laughter in her voice. “Liam, put me down!”

“Not a chance, little wolf.” My grip tightened around her thighs as I strode out of the cave, heading toward my chambers. “You’re mine. It’s time the world knows it.”

She huffed, but her scent wrapped around me, warm and intoxicating, and her pulse beat in sync with mine. No more running. No more obstacles. Tonight, she would bear my mark, and I would bear hers. And nothing—not magic, not fate, not even time—would ever separate us again.

Chapter 23

POV: Liam

I didn’t put her down until we were in our bedroom. Our bedroom.

I had spent two agonizing days here without her. Two days of emptiness, of a hollow existence where everything felt wrong. And now, she was back. She was in my arms, in our home, in our bed. The moment she returned, it was as if the shattered pieces of my soul snapped back into place. I had healed. I had become stronger. And it was all because of her.

I laid her down gently on the bed, my eyes never leaving her. She was still wearing the clothes from our last dinner together before she had been torn away from me. The last night I had held her, kissed her, before the cruel hands of fate had stolen her from my grasp.

But we were different now. Changed. Stronger.

She knew it. I knew it.

And it was time. Time to claim her. To mark her. To make her mine in every way.

I took a breath, my gaze drinking her in as she lay beneath me, her warm brown eyes locked onto mine. There was so much there—desire, longing, raw need—but beyond that, love. A love so deep and unwavering that it stole the very breath from my lungs. And admiration. She admired me. I could see it, feel it, and it shook me to my core.

I covered her body with mine, bracing myself on my forearms as I hovered over her. Her scent wrapped around me, intoxicating, pulling me under. And then, she moved.

Slowly, she reached for my shirt, her fingers skimming over my skin as she pulled it up and over my head. Then, with a quiet, aching sigh, she tugged me down to her and kissed me.

But this kiss was different.

It wasn’t the desperate, frantic clash of mouths that we used to share. It wasn’t just about hunger or passion. It was that—but it was also something deeper. Something softer. Something unbreakable.

Love.

God, I loved her.

I kissed her back, my tongue sweeping into her mouth, tasting her, exploring her. She was mine. Finally. And I had won her twice.

My lips traveled from her mouth to her jaw, her collarbone, then lower—to the soft, delicate spot between her neck and shoulder. The place where my mark would be. I scraped my teeth lightly over the skin there, teasing, provoking, making her shiver beneath me.

Her sweater was in my way. I gripped the fabric and pulled it up, stripping her bare, exposing every inch of the woman who belonged to me. Her pants followed, then her panties, until nothing separated us.

I took a moment, just looking at her.

My mate. My beautiful, fierce, incredible mate.

I reached for her ankle, brushing my face lightly against her skin before pressing a kiss there. Then another. Then another, trailing my lips up the inside of her thigh, feeling her tremble beneath me.

I could do this forever. Worship her forever.

And then, I did.

I parted her thighs and buried myself between them, licking, kissing, sucking, pulling every desperate moan from her throat. She arched beneath me, her hips moving in a silent plea for more. And then, with a shattered cry, she came, her body trembling, her release flooding over me.

The sound, the sight of her undone beneath me—it was the most perfect thing in the world.

I licked my lips, savoring her taste before looking up at her. She was utterly wrecked, her hair wild, her lips parted, her eyes hazy with pleasure. And still, she wanted more.

With shaking fingers, she reached for me.

She peeled my shirt off first, then my pants, then my boxers. And when she finally took me in her hands, wrapping her fingers around my length, I swore I almost lost it right there.

But it was nothing compared to the moment she took me into her mouth.

A groan ripped from my chest, my hands tangling in her hair—not to control, just to ground myself, to keep myself from falling apart too soon. She worked me slowly, perfectly, building the pleasure until I was at the edge. But I couldn’t let this end yet. Not like this.

I pulled her up, guiding her over me until she straddled my lap. She reached between us, positioning me at her entrance, and then she sank down onto me.

The guttural sound that tore from my throat was completely animalistic.

She was tight, warm, perfect—everything.

She moved first, setting the pace, chasing her own pleasure, taking exactly what she needed. And I let her. I let her take control, let her ride me, let her push us both closer and closer to the edge of oblivion.

But then, I couldn’t hold back anymore.

I flipped her onto her back, taking over, thrusting into her deep and slow. Her legs wrapped around my waist, pulling me in, making sure I was exactly where I belonged.

And then—she tilted her head to the side, baring her neck to me.

The gesture hit me like a blow to the chest.

Vanessa Cameron—strong, independent, fearless Vanessa—was submitting to me. Offering herself to me. Trusting me.

I didn’t hesitate.

My canines descended, sharp and ready, and I bit down, piercing her skin right where my mark was meant to be.

The moment her blood touched my tongue, I was lost.

Her taste—her essence—was the most perfect thing I had ever known. She cried out, her body convulsing beneath me, her walls squeezing me as she came hard, pulling me over the edge with her.

I threw my head back, groaning as my own release tore through me, overwhelming, blinding.

But it wasn’t over.

I turned my head, baring my own neck to her. An invitation. A plea.

Her canines descended, gleaming in the dim light, and then—she bit me.

A sharp pain, followed by a wave of indescribable pleasure that stole the breath from my lungs.

We were marked.

Bound forever.

I felt her kiss my brand-new mark, felt the way she rested her forehead against mine, grounding us in this moment.

This perfect, sacred moment.

I tightened my arms around her, holding her close, breathing her in, feeling her heartbeat against mine.

She was mine.

I was hers.

Forever.

---

The night was cold, but the fire inside me burned hotter than ever. Every step I took toward Nyxara’s lair was fueled by the rage that had been simmering in my veins since the day she took Vanessa from me. Tonight, I would end this. Tonight, she would pay.

I kept my expression locked in fury, letting the darkness of my grief and rage take center stage. To the world, I was a broken Alpha, left with nothing. That’s the lie I wanted Nyxara to believe. My pack believed it too. Only a select few knew the truth. And even then, only I knew the depth of the storm raging inside me.

The cave loomed ahead, hidden deep in the mountain, an unholy place where shadows whispered secrets of evil. My warriors followed in silence, their movements precise, deadly. Aaleric walked beside me, his presence a reminder of the power we carried, the magic we would wield tonight.

I entered alone, the air thick with the scent of decay and dark magic. The second I stepped into her lair, I felt her presence coil around me like a serpent. Then she appeared, standing in the dim light of her cursed flames, her black robes swirling around her like living shadows.

She smirked. “Ah, Liam. So predictable. You think you can hurt me when you’ve already lost the one thing you lived for?”

I clenched my fists, letting the lie settle between us. “You took everything from me.” My voice was raw, filled with the anger I didn’t have to fake. “You took her from me, and now I will take you.”

She laughed, slow and mocking. “You’re blind with rage, Alpha. That makes you weak. And weakness gets you killed.”

I let her believe it.

Then, I reached into my coat and, in one swift motion, pulled out the vial. The liquid shimmered like molten gold even in the dim light. Her smirk faltered for the briefest second, her dark eyes narrowing.

“What is that?” she hissed.

I didn’t answer. I hurled the vial to the ground.

The potion exploded, light flooding the cave like the sun itself had been unleashed. Nyxara shrieked, stumbling back as the brightness engulfed her, searing her darkness, weakening her magic. The shadows that clung to her peeled away like mist before a storm.

At that exact moment, my warriors surged inside, their shields raised, forming an unbreakable circle around her. Aaleric and the mages took their positions, their voices already murmuring the spells that would end her reign.

Nyxara recovered quickly, her fury crackling in the air. “You think light will be enough?” she spat, her hands raising, magic forming at her fingertips. “You think you can defeat me?”

I stepped forward, standing taller. “No,” I said, voice calm, assured. “But we can.”

And then Vanessa stepped into the cave.

Nyxara froze.

Her eyes widened, realization slamming into her like a physical blow. She had miscalculated. She had lost.

Vanessa was here. With me. By my side, where she belonged.

Pride swelled in my chest, more powerful than any rage I had ever felt. She was fierce, standing in the glow of the daylight potion, her brown yes burning with the same fire that had drawn me to her from the moment I first saw her.

Nyxara’s face twisted in fury. “No,” she whispered. “Impossible.”

I let my smirk spread slow and victorious. “You underestimated her. You underestimated us.”

With a single nod, I gave the signal.

The second vial shattered against the ground, and the warriors lifted their shields. The reflected light magnified, bouncing off the silver barriers, amplifying it, turning the entire cave into a searing inferno of daylight. Nyxara screamed as her magic crumbled, her power failing her. She lashed out, dark tendrils of energy whipping toward us, but Aaleric and the mages countered, their magic colliding in a thunderous explosion.

It wasn’t easy. She fought with everything she had, her shrieks filling the cavern as the battle waged. But she was losing. I could feel it. She knew it too.

Vanessa moved beside me, her hand brushing mine for the briefest second. That single touch sent a surge of strength through me unlike anything else. She was here. She was mine. And together, we would end this.

One final push. Aaleric roared, his magic flaring, and the warriors closed in. The last of Nyxara’s power shattered, and with a final, ear-piercing scream, she collapsed, the darkness folding in on itself.

Then, silence.

I exhaled, chest heaving, adrenaline still pounding through me. The cave was still, the only sound the breaths of my warriors and the crackling of the dying light. I turned to Vanessa.

She looked at me, and in her gaze, I saw everything. Love. Strength. Victory.

I pulled her into my arms, pressing my forehead against hers, grounding myself in the one thing that mattered most.

“It’s over,” she whispered.

I held her closer. “We won.”

Chapter 24

POV: Vanessa

Epilogue

If someone had told me a year ago that my life would look like this, I would have laughed in their face. But as I stood on the balcony of the packhouse, overlooking the land that was now my home, I knew I was exactly where I was meant to be.

The war was behind us, and peace had settled over the pack. Liam and I had stepped fully into our roles as Alpha and Luna, leading side by side. I still practiced law, but my main focus had shifted to my duties as Luna—working with Magnus and Ein to strengthen our pack, helping our people grow, and standing beside Liam as his equal.

And I had never been happier.

Liam was a force of nature, ruling with strength and compassion. He was my mate, my best friend, my partner in everything. Each day, I fell more in love with him, and each night, he showed me just how much he adored me in return.

And now, we had another reason to celebrate.

I turned from the balcony to find Liam standing in the doorway of our room, watching me with that smoldering gaze that still made my knees weak.

“You look deep in thought,” he said, crossing the room and wrapping his arms around me from behind, his lips brushing against my neck.

I smiled, placing my hands over his. “I was just thinking about how perfect everything feels. How lucky I am.”

He chuckled, pressing a kiss to my temple. “I think I’m the lucky one.”

I turned in his arms, looking up into the face of the man I loved more than anything in the world. “Liam, there’s something I need to tell you.”

His brows furrowed slightly, concern flickering in his blue eyes. “What is it, love?”

I took a deep breath, my heart racing with excitement. “I’m pregnant.”

His entire body tensed, his eyes widening in shock. “What?”

I laughed softly, nodding. “We’re going to have our babies, Liam, and if the prophecy is right it’s twins. The prophecy… it’s coming true.”

For a moment, he just stared at me, his expression unreadable. Then, without warning, he lifted me off my feet, spinning me around in sheer joy. A deep, rumbling laugh erupted from his chest, filled with pure, unfiltered happiness.

“Twins,” he breathed, setting me down and cradling my face in his hands. “Our children. Our future. Vanessa, you’ve just made me the happiest man alive.”

I felt tears sting my eyes as I wrapped my arms around him, burying my face in his chest. “You already were.”

He kissed me then, slow and reverent, as if he were sealing this moment into eternity. And as we stood there, wrapped in each other, I knew that this was only the beginning.

Our love had defied fate. Our bond had conquered darkness. And now, together, we would step into the future—stronger, united, and ready for whatever came next.

---

End of book 1… But of course, it’s not over… Book 2 it’s already here in my profile. Fated for two…. Hope you fall in lov with the twins the same way you did with their parents.