“Where are we going? This isn’t the way to the apartment…” I asked, eyeing the unfamiliar road winding away from the city lights..
Francesco only smiled, one of those quiet, knowing smiles that made it hard to argue with him. Without taking his eyes off the road, he reached for my hand and laced his fingers with mine.
“Dinner,” he said simply.
Dinner.
1 blinked, leaning back into the buttery–soft leather of the luxurious black car seat. A dinner date. Another new
experience. My heart fluttered at the idea.
Looking around, I let my fingers trail lightly over the polished interior. It was sleek, elegant… expensive. “I didn’t know you had this kind of luxury car,” i murmured.
He chuckled, eyes briefly sliding over to me. “No one knows. It’s hidden in the garage. I use it when I need to enter human territory… or pass through it.”
“Why?” I asked, curious.
A flicker of a grin touched his lips. “Not for show, if that’s what you’re thinking. It’s about safety.”
Safety.
That word seemed to echo in the car, wrapping around me like a warm blanket. Another thing I’d learned about Francesco–he was always cautious, always thinking ten steps ahead. He didn’t flaunt his power; he protected it. Protected me.
“How’s school?” he asked suddenly.
I nodded, smile tugging at my lips. “It’s… good. The best decision I’ve ever made was coming here.”
“I thought I was the best thing,” he teased, shooting me a mock–offended look that made me laugh.
God, he was different. Or maybe we were. This version of him–the one who jokes, who gently holds my hand while driving, who takes me on surprise dinner dates–was not the terrifying Alpha I’d heard rumors about. He was still powerful, still commanding, but around me… he was something else.
“What?” he asked, catching the way I was looking at him.
“You’re different,” I said softly.
He smiled, this time slower, deeper. “I guess… you’re the reason.”
My heart caught.
Francesco squeezed my hand a little tighter. “I always feel lighter when I’m with you, Ellaine.”
‘Kiss him.‘
Mika’s voice popped into my head so suddenly I nearly jumped. Shit, Mika!
‘You want to. Don’t lie to yourself.‘
I bit my lip, looking away toward the window just as Francesco pulled into a narrow road lit only by warm lanterns. “We’re here,” he announced, killing the engine.
Before I could open my door, he was already there, reaching to open it for me like a true gentleman. I stepped out, the cool evening breeze brushing against my skin. The scent of wolves drifted faintly in the air–guards, likely. He’d brought warriors. For me?
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10,00
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Chapter 28
“Where are we?” I asked, breath hitching as my eyes swept over the beautiful house nestled into the mountain’s curve. It wasn’t a restaurant. More like a private home. Cozy lights twinkled through the windows, casting a golden glow.
He took my hand again. “You’ll see.”
We stepped inside, and a round–bellied man in a crisp white apron stepped forward, bowing deeply. “Alpha,” he greeted respectfully.
“Lucio,” Francesco nodded. Then he turned to me, his eyes soft. “Ellaine, this is Lucio. The best Italian master chef in the region. Lucio, meet my mate.”
The man’s eyes widened slightly as he studied me. Then he bowed again, this time even deeper. “So, the rumors are true. It is an honor to meet you, my
Luna.”
Luna.
That word felt so foreign in my ears, like it belonged to someone else. Someone stronger. Someone worthy.
“Likewise, Lucio,” I replied quietly.
Francesco led me through the quaint house until we emerged onto a balcony that made me stop in my tracks.
“Oh my Goddess…”
The view was breathtaking–an endless stretch of mountains bathed in moonlight, a sea of stars above, and silence so profound it felt sacred. We sat down at a small candlelit table, and for a moment, neither of us spoke. He let me take it in, and I loved him for that.
“I wish I had my sketchbook,” I whispered, eyes sweeping the horizon.
When I turned to look at him, I found his gaze wasn’t on the view–but on me.
“You’re the most beautiful thing here, Ellaine,” he said quietly.
I didn’t know how to respond. No man had ever looked at me like that. No man had ever seen me like that.
Was this… what it felt like to be loved?
“Thank you, Francesco,” I said softly.
He blinked, surprised. “For what?”
“For being you. For showing me this. For making me feel like… I deserve it.”
He brought my hand to his lips, kissing it gently. “This is nothing, Ellaine. You have no idea what I’d do for you. With you.”
“I love that,” I said, and I meant it.
Dinner was served–homemade pasta, truffle risotto, and grilled vegetables seasoned to perfection. But honestly, the food became background noise to our conversation. We talked and talked, unraveling each layer of ourselves.
He asked about my hobbies
“Drawing,” I said, and he rolled his eyes playfully.
“I know that,” he laughed. “But what else?”
I paused. “I don’t know… I never really had time for hobbies. I just… lived.”
He nodded his head like he understood. Well.. I guess he do..
“Me too.”
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16:58 Sat, 12 JO1
Chapter 28
We stare at each other for a while before continue.
0975
Then, surprising ine, he confessed how he used to love riding motorcycles finding hidden places, chasing sunsets. But he hadn’t done it in decades.
“Maybe 1 could draw a hidden place, and you could take me there,” I said.
47 take you to every hidden place in Europe if you ask,” he replied without hesitation.
I told him I used to love cooking.
“Really?” he said, looking delighted. “Then next time, you’ll cook for me.”
“Only if you don’t die from it,” I joked.
“Challenge accepted.”
We lost track of time. Even after the plates were cleared, we sat there, learning about each other, laughing, falling into a rhythm that felt natural, easy.
Safe.
Iwas falling for him. There was no denying it anymore.
Meanwhile…
Back in Blackpine Pack, chaos reigned.
ད, ། ?
Smoke filled the air as rogue wolves launched a surprise attack. Screams rang out–mothers shielding their children, warriors fighting to hold the line.
The Pack House burned, flames licking at the sky.
Ruben stood beside Alpha Gregor and Beta Mason, fighting with everything he had. But the numbers were too many. The rogues didn’t want territory- they wanted destruction.
Then, bang!
A single gunshot cut through the night.
“DAD, NO!”
Kaithlin’s voice rang out like a dagger.
All movement stopped.
Alpha Gregor stood frozen, an open wound blooming across his chest. Blood poured freely as he staggered forward, then collapsed. The scent of
wolfsbane filled the air–poisoned bullets.
Cries erupted as warriors howled in grief. The rogues had done what they came to do.
They howled in triumph before vanishing into the darkness, leaving nothing but ash and pain behind.
Ruben dropped to his knees beside the fallen Alpha, eyes wild.
it was over.
Alpha Gregor was dead.
And the title of Alpha, by law and blood, now passed to him–whether he was ready or not.
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