Chapter 88
– ELENA
The villa looked like something out of a travel magazine–terracotta tiles, palm fronds swaying gently in the salt–heavy breeze, a glittering private pool framed by limestone and lush tropical blooms.
It sat on the very edge of the resort property, past the winding golf cart trails and through a discreet wrought–iron gate. You’d never know it was here unless you were told to find it. That fact alone should’ve made me pause.
But Aiden had been so excited, bouncing at my side with his towel slung over his shoulder and goggles already on his forehead.
Pierce stood waiting on the front steps, dressed in tailored linen like he belonged here. He smiled broadly as we approached, arms outstretched in welcome. “You came,” he said, like we were old friends. “And right on time. A perfect day for swimming.”
Aiden raced ahead. I followed more slowly, my eyes taking in the villa’s structure. It was all
high walls and shaded terraces, the ocean just visible beyond the palms. Isolated. Quiet.
“I’ve set you both up by the pool,” Pierce said, gesturing grandly. “Drinks are ready, towels laid out, and my grandson will be out shortly. He’s been dying to meet Aiden.”
“Thank you,” I said carefully.
The poolside setup was picture–perfect. Cushioned lounge chairs. A low table with tall glasses of something cold and citrusy. The surface of the pool shimmered like melted sapphire in the sunlight.
Aiden wasted no time stripping off his hoodie and cannonballing into the deep end with a gleeful shout.
I sat down slowly, scanning the perimeter. The villa backed up to a cluster of trees and wild brush, but the path from the gate was wide and clean. Still, something itched at the back of
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Chapter 88
my neck.
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There was a wolf stationed near the outer wall. Just one. Tall, rangy. Shirtless. His posture was relaxed, but he didn’t move, didn’t speak, didn’t smile.
Just watched.
“Is that your security?” I asked, nodding toward the man.
Pierce glanced over. “Ah, yes. Don’t mind him. I like to keep a few extra eyes around. You
never know who might wander too close to the property. With humans and all that, you jus
never know.”
I pretended to nod, but my stomach tightened.
I reached for the drink beside me–bright orange with a twist of fruit on the rim—and took
a small sip. Sweet. Too sweet. Like syrup laced with something metallic underneath. I
grimaced and set it down, my stomach tightening.
“Mom! Watch this one!” Aiden called, kicking up water as he prepped another dive. “Ten out of ten, you’ll see!”
I gave him a thumbs up, then picked up my phone, keeping one eye on the man leaning casually against the far wall. He looked relaxed, hands in his pockets, sunglasses perched low on his nose. But something about the way he kept glancing toward the back of the property didn’t sit right with me–like he was keeping time for something I couldn’t see.
Pierce went over and talked to him for a moment, their words too low for me to hear.
I opened a new message to Mason and typed quickly.
Me: Just checking in. How are you?
Me: We’ve been invited to a private villa at the edge of the resort. Being rented to a wolf named Pierce. He says he’s from a pack called Blackwood.
Me: Ever heard of it?
Chapter 88
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Aiden surfaced with a splash, beaming, the straps on the sides of his goggles flapping and dripping water. I gave him a quick wave, then turned my gaze back to Pierce just as he reached my lounge chair.
“You look like you could use something stronger than juice,” he said with a warm chuckle, nodding toward the glass I’d barely touched. “Too sweet?”
I hesitated. “A little,” I admitted.
He smiled, the kind of polite, practiced grin that didn’t reach his eyes. “Tends to be that
way with tourist bars. No one ever teaches them restraint.”
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