MasukSORA.The bedroom door closed quietly behind us, and I finally took a breath.The wedding ceremony was beautiful and exhausting. Every member of the pack had come to offer their congratulations, placing a hand on my shoulder, wishing us good luck in marriage while I couldn’t take in a single one of their words due to the beating of my heart. However, all of this took a drain on me and I was finally gifted with the silence of the room that enveloped me."Tired?" Zane said from behind me, his voice smooth and light."Mmm." I walked to the vanity, my hands trying to undo the knot of the ceremonial jewelry—silver strands twisted with moonstones catching the lamplight. "I think my face froze into this weird grin."His laughter was soft and comforting. "It's a good grin.""Shut up."I leaned forward to put the jewelry into its little box, but it was then that I felt his eyes burning me.His intense gaze was following the line of my back to where my wedding pants clung close. The fabric of t
DAMIEN.I stepped away from the hall, while Raymond talked with Zane. Zane's eyes caught me and he acted like he didn't see a thing.I needed air and some space and by God, I would get it.I hit the stairs, taking two at a time down to my room and shut the door behind me, locking it, and leaned my forehead against the cool wood.My chest rose and fell while I breathed in deep to calm down. Something changed in the air - my scent. I caught a whiff, my usual orange and lime scent hinted at the beginning of my rut.It wasn't due until next week. My pheromones were strong and strangely sweeter on the nose, with an underlying mango scent. I raised my wrist and sniffed. It was coming from me."Could it be my cologne?"It didn't feel like it. Pushing it off to the back of my mind, I peeled off my tux jacket, tossed it over the chair and ripped my tie off. Then, I walked over to the window, and shifted the window open, letting the cool air brush my face.A knock took me out of my short moment
SORA.Tears continued to stream down her cheeks. I held her, comforting her like I would my own children. The fire inside me for her parents burned low. They had made her suffer. I didn't let go until she stopped crying. When she pulled away, she wiped her tears with her sleeve and gave a painful, teary smile as I touched her face. "You look just like him. The same eyes. The same chin."A nervous laugh escaped me. "Do I? I have your face, mom.""Yes, you do. But your eyes are his. They remind me so much of him.” She began to examine me. “And you turned out to be strong. I heard all about your life. Your kids. Zane. I'm very proud of you."Steps echoed in the hallway. I rose from the couch, pulling her up with me. "Let's get going. People are waiting to meet you. They'll be asking questions tomorrow."▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎The reception was almost over. Everyone had left except family. The lights were dimmed, and the tables were dotted with half-finished glasses. Zane took my hand in his, kissing
SORA.Holding onto her with all my might, my arms started shaking. Allison trembled under me as her hands gripped the back of my suit undershirt, as if afraid that I would disappear. Her tears were soaking through my shirt sleeve. With one hand still resting on her back and another in her hair, I breathed in the scent of her — lavender soap and cherries. Her omega pheromones, faint and soothing. “Mom,” I said. It tasted odd in my mouth; heavy and foreign. But it was a start.Pulling back slightly, she glanced up at me. “Sora, my boy. I never imagined that I would be able to say those words again.”We stood there in the silence of the guest lounge, listening to the music, laughter, glasses clinking coming up from the reception downstairs. Moving her gently, I helped her sit on the small couch near the window. She patted her dress nervously. I sat on the same couch, our knees brushing against each other."Tell me everything," I said. The words came out harsher than I intended. "Start
ZANE. Adam let Beauty carry the rings over. Raymond and Beauty handed them to us. Sora's hand shook as he took his ring from Beauty, and she noticed. Beauty whispered cheekily to Sora. "You are gorgeous, Papa." The audience cheered loudly in sweet harmony. “Aww!!!” Sora turned even redder. I took my ring from Raymond and whispered to Sora once more, “She's right.” Raymond picked Beauty up and went back to the line. Sora and I slipped the rings onto each other's fingers and listened to the priest's voice ring out. "I bless these rings and pray that you both are given the grace and faith to have a deep and true trust in each other. By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you married. You may kiss." I pulled Sora in by the waist. The crowd cheered as our lips met. The kiss stayed soft, gentle, caring, and refreshing. I pulled back. "I better stop here or there'll be problems." Sora giggled. I lifted him in my arms bridal style. The crowd rose to their feet, clapping and chee
ZANE. Two days later, I stood in the mirror adjusting my velvet blue tuxedo jacket. The fabric sat perfectly across my shoulders. Raymond walked straight into the room without knocking. I expected a quick congrats or some joke about finally tying the knot. Instead, he gave me a half-smile and reached out to pat my shoulder. I slapped his hand away hard and shot him the glare that said, watch where you keep your hands. Raymond sulked and dropped his arm. "He's avoiding you?" I asked. He nodded slowly, eyes down. I smiled wide. "I'm pleased." Raymond frowned deeply. I stepped closer. "Don't act out of hand. Today is my wedding day. I won't have any unsolicited drama." "I'll behave," he muttered. "You have to behave. You're my best man. Damien will be there too, so I don't want any mischief." I walked past him and out the door. Raymond followed without another word. We got into the car. The drive to the chapel took only three minutes. Guards bowed low as we stepped out. I stro
Chapter: 16 ****** ZANE: The woods were quiet, too quiet. No sound of animals or even birds. This was weird. There wasn’t even wind. There were just trees that stretched endlessly into the deep forest, their branches like skeletal hands reaching into the hazy sky. The ground was damp, the smell
Chapter: 14******ZANE:I wasn't even sure what I was about to ask when Sora bolted out the door like his legs were on fire, slamming it so hard, it shook the walls.And I just stood there, gawking awkwardly at the door.For a couple of minutes, I didn't move. I just stood there, staring at the pl
Chapter 12*****ZANE:“So let me get this straight,” Brandon said, laughing and leaning against the bar. “Your father isn’t giving you a choice on who to be with? That sucks, man.”I exhaled, staring at my reflection in the drink. “You have no idea.”Brandon laughed again. “But it’s kind of funny.
Zane.I stood in front of the mirror, staring at the bruises that had just suddenly appeared across my body. I was confused. Was I still dreaming, or was this just my imagination?But the truth was none of these occurrences are random.All the bruises mirrored Beauty’s injuries exactly—every mark,







