Chapter 148

Ana’s POV

Charlie was deep in thought on the way home, but he kept my hand in his. He had wrapped me up in my coat before we left, and I was warm, despite the thin dress. The pictures had come out perfectly, and I wanted them all. I couldn’t believe how well they had come out. I looked beautiful, my hair and makeup were perfect for my vision. I had the flowers from the shoot distributed around the company. They were gorgeous and didn’t need to go to waste.

I rubbed my stomach as the baby kicked. He was more active than ever, and I knew that he was going to be a handful. I couldn’t wait to meet him. I hoped he looked exactly like his father. Charlie was so excited to meet him. He spoke to him every night, and the baby always responded to his voice, kicking up a storm.

“Mommy, why is your face all red?” Felix asked from the velvet armchair, blinking sleepily. “You look like a tomato.”

“Uh… probably just a little warm,” I said, forcing a laugh and pressing a hand to my burning cheek. “Come on, let’s get you ready for bed.”

He tilted his head, clearly unconvinced. I grabbed his overnight bag and led him to the bathroom.

Once he was clean and tucked under the down comforter, I leaned over to kiss his forehead. “Sleep well, baby.”

“Goodnight, Mommy.” He yawned wide and drifted off almost instantly. ·

I climbed into the massive bed on the other side, but sleep didn’t come.

Alexander’s voice, his expression, his scent–it kept looping in my head like a stuck record.

Cedar and lavender still clung to the air around me.

I turned over with a frustrated sigh.

If Alpha Alexander…

God, I really wish my wolf was awake.

She would know what to do.

The moment the water touched my skin, a biting chill cut straight through me, like a blade slicing into my bare soul. The cold coursed down my spine, dousing the wildfire of desire that had been raging inside me–at least for now.

With a sweep of my arms, I glided through the water, my body slicing clean lines beneath the surface.

Ripples shimmered beneath the moonlight, casting sharp shadows over the water–broad shoulders, chiseled chest, and defined abs surfaced and submerged again like a predator moving through the night. If there were any females standing on the edge of the pool right now, they wouldn’t be able to tear their eyes away. The weaker–willed ones? They’d be soaked just from looking.

After all, I’m every she–wolf’s fantasy–Alexander Blackwood, current Alpha of the Blackwood Pack and the highest–ranking Alpha in the North American Council. The most powerful resources of the largest wolf pack in the world are under my command.

But I don’t care about any of them.

The only one I’ve ever wanted is Summer.

She was the flutter in my chest when I was young. Even though we’re not fated mates, my wolf chose her when I first caught her scent at seventeen. I thought we’d bond, build a life, raise a pup together.

But that dream shattered the night of the Moonlight Festival, when she met Alpha Foster–that bastard who never even looked at her properly. She knew he didn’t love her. Still, like a moth to flame, she threw herself into his arms.

When she told me she was going to marry him, I nearly lost my mind. We fought, tore each other apart. The connection we once shared splintered into pieces, and I swore I’d never say her name again.

But when I saw her at the airport, I realized–I never let her go.

She’s not the same Summer she used to be. She’s thinner now, her eyes dimmer, a shadow clinging to her that won’t let go. The proud, radiant woman I once knew–gone.

I didn’t ask questions. I just told Ethan to dig. Before the plane even left the tarmac, I had him activate our most discreet intel network. I needed to know what happened during the six years she vanished from my life.

My wolf growled, yanking me out of my thoughts.

[You should be on your knees at her feet, licking her wounds, not in here trying to suppress your instincts.]

[I can’t,] I gritted my teeth, jaw clenched tight as my Adam’s apple bobbed. [She’s still healing. If I go to her now, I’ll scare her away.]

[That’s bullshit,] my wolf snarled. [She wants you. I can feel it.]

My fingers curled into fists, grabbing the towel beside me and wringing it hard. I thought of holding her earlier, how that long- lost closeness had surged through me like electricity. My cock had hardened instantly, thick and aching with need.

My wolf had howled in my head, begging me to pin her against the wall, to mark her, to take her–make her mine again. Make her my Luna.

But I didn’t. I couldn’t.

I was terrified of chasing her off again.

I could’ve summoned any compliant she–wolf in the pack to my bed within fifteen minutes, as I had on countless other nights.

But I didn’t.

Because she was here. Under this roof.

So I swam. Again and again, trying to burn off the desire boiling in my blood.

My wolf growled in frustration. [Coward. Keep stalling like this, and another male will slip in.)

“I won’t let anyone touch her,” I snarled under my breath. “But I won’t hurt her either.”

“Alpha.” Ethan’s voice rang from the edge of the pool, cutting through my clash with my wolf.

I opened my eyes and turned to him. He stood tall in a black suit, expression grim, a thick folder in his hand.

“The report’s ready.” He handed it to me, his voice as calm as ever, but I could see the fury burning beneath his eyes.

I climbed out of the water, wrapped a towel around my waist, and took the folder. Droplets slid from my chest onto the cover as I flipped it open, my fingers trembling.

Her life in the Silver Creek Pack was appalling.

All of her assets had been seized by the Foster family. Her title as Luna? Nothing but a hollow name. She wasn’t even listed in the council registry. Not once had she been allowed to represent the pack. She was treated like furniture–no, less than that. Even low–ranking Omega servants had more presence than her.

“This is real?” My voice came out low, a rasp scraped from the depths of my throat, each word edged with barely contained rage.

Ethan nodded, his eyes heavy. “Confirmed by multiple sources within the pack. On the surface, Silver Creek appears legitimate, but under the table, they’re dealing in black market trades. And the worst part-” He flipped to the next page, pausing. “You need to read this yourself.”

I looked down.

My eyes scanned the densely printed lines, and my fingers tightened, knuckles turning white.

During her pregnancy, Alpha Foster had administered high–dose suppressants to regulate her heat and hormone cycles, deliberately destabilizing fetal development. She suffered a miscarriage last year–premature labor–but was denied any proper recovery time. Instead, she was forced to continue fulfilling administrative duties within the pack.

My chest split open.

A raw, bleeding wound.

“He’s a dead man,” I growled, the sound torn from deep within my chest. It was harsh, primal–thick with rage.

My wolf echoed with a snarl. [Tear out his throat. Now.]

I forced myself to breathe, clenching my fists until the folder crumpled.

“Don’t worry,” Ethan said coldly, his voice like frost creeping across winter glass. “Alpha Foster will pay for this. But you need to stay focused. She’s not free of him yet… Not legally.”

“We have the best legal team in the world,” I said, voice like ice. “She’ll get her divorce. I can wait. But this time, I’m not letting her go.” Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn find✦novel.net

This time, I’ll make sure the world knows-

She’s mine.

Forever.