Novels by Bunmi

Andre’s POV Two Years LaterMy mother was upset that I had gone behind her back to sabotage her. To sell her company to that little brat—that is what she refers to Lana as now—who knew nothing about business, but I did not have to tell her that it was either that or see her remanded in prison. To watch everything I had and everyone I loved taken away from me. I did not need to tell her that we were lucky we had a choice. The poor girl had no choice back then and had to take life as it was handed to her. My mother would live—abort sourly—but at least she would still live. We could build back the company even if it took a long time. Thankfully, all she had back then was a minor heart attack. As for the little brat, Lana, she and Cameron got married two years ago and have spent the last two years of their marriage touring the world.I was envious of the love they found. The comfort they gave each other, the strength in their numbers, but as time went on, I too was beginning to live wi

Lana’s POV The house was still the same way I remembered it. The chairs, the arm stool, and the and the settees All of the arrangements were still the same, and it struck a chord of familiarity within me. I settled into the plush armchair and watched Andre move towards the bar, his demeanour calm and composed. It was hard to reconcile this composed man with the man I had known years ago. Andre returned with a glass of red wine, just the way I liked it. He handed it to me, then sat across from me. “Have you come to a conclusion regarding what we discussed?” I crossed my legs, one above the other, and stared blankly at him. “Regarding what exactly? The only thing I remember that we have yet to talk about are the kids and how we’ll split their days between us. Other than that, I don't think we have any unfinished business. Except you are talking about signing the documents, which would see me as the new CEO of Ranhold.” Andre heaved a long sigh and rubbed his temples. Was he beginnin

Lana’s POV We spent the next week gathering evidence against Freda and meeting with potential witnesses who could testify against her if we were to take her to court, but it seemed as though that would not be needed. It was some time towards the end of the week when what was going to be our break happened. It came in the form of André getting a recognition award. I had no idea what his relationship with Freda had been like following everything that had happened lately, so I cannot talk about that. But upon receiving the award, Freda was so happy with her son that she decided to allow him to make certain decisions that regarded the leadership of Ranhold. In the past, André had been nothing but a figurehead. Although he sat in the CEO position, his mother, Freda, usually handled all the decision-making, and everyone knew this. He was useless, and if it was important that his signature be appended to a document, he had to get permission from Freda first before doing it. But now, all

Lana’s POV Back at my apartment, we laid out all the new information we had gathered. It felt like we were finally making progress, and the weight of uncertainty was beginning to lift. But then a call entered my phone, which was going to either bring everything crashing down on us again or continue pushing us forward.We had laid everything on the table in front of us, and we were about to start sitting through them when the ringtone of my phone shattered through the peace, quiet, and anxiety that had settled over us. Sighing and thinking it was from one of my colleagues at Lukem, I pulled the phone from my pocket and paused when I saw the caller ID displaying on my screen.“Hmmm... Andre.” I said it out loud, alerting the other guys to who the caller was. Without waiting for their response, I swiped on the screen and placed the phone in my ear. “Hey, Andre.” I greeted. “What’s going on?”“I found something.” He announced. From over the phone, I could not make out the time of his vo

Lana’s POV Fred smiled warmly, taking a seat beside Clara. “It’s been a long time, Aunt Clara. We have so much to catch up on, but there’s something important we need to ask you about first.”Clara looked at him. “Of course, anything. What do you need to know?”Fred glanced at me, and I handed Clara the letter. “We found this among my father’s papers. It mentions a promise to protect you. We need to understand what happened.”Clara took the letter and began reading it. As she read through it, I noticed the change in her expression. She took a deep breath and glanced up at us. “This... this brings back memories I thought I’d buried. Your mother and Mr. West were the best friends I ever had. But there was more to it, and it brought trouble or would have brought trouble had Mr. West not decided to act in what he believed to be the best interest of everyone, including your mother. Fred’s face lightened up, as did mine. “What do you mean?”Clara sighed. “Secrets.” She whispered. “Anne an

Lana’s POVFred shrugged. “She hinted at societal expectations and family obligations,” he replied. “But she didn’t give specifics. I think she knows a lot more than she’s letting on.”I nodded slowly. “My father never mentioned anything about your mother or you and Kathy. And I started going through his papers; maybe I would find something.”Fred’s expression softened. “I’m sorry you had to find out this way, but it is not to be helped. I cannot say I know how you feel or what you are feeling right now. Finding out that a person you think you know has another side, which you have no idea of, can really do something to you.”I reached out and touched Fred’s hand briefly. “We’ll figure it out together. I have some of my father’s old letters and documents that might help us piece things together. Maybe we can confront Freda again with more concrete questions? What do you think? Right now, she’s the only person who can give us answers, and we are not even on good terms.”We returned to m

Loraine’s POV The next morning was unbearable. The packhouse, which usually buzzed with warmth and energy, felt cold and distant. My mates—Killian, Hunter, Kris, and Preston—were avoiding me, and it was eating away at my patience. I sat at the breakfast table, absently stirring my coffee. The boys had joined me in the kitchen but kept their distance, murmuring among themselves like I wasn’t even there. Hunter, who usually greeted me with a kiss on my forehead, barely glanced my way. “Good morning,” I said, trying to break the ice. “Morning,” Killian replied curtly, not even looking up from his plate. I clenched my jaw, setting my cup down a little too loudly. “Really? That’s all I get? Morning?” Preston sighed but didn’t meet my gaze. “It’s not like that, Loraine. We’re just trying to process everything.” “Process?” I scoffed. “There’s nothing to process because I didn’t do anything!” Hunter turned, his jaw tight. “We know that, but this situation is bigger than us now. Gideon

Loraine’s POV The loud crash jolted me awake, followed by shouts echoing through the hall. My heart jumped in my chest as I scrambled to sit up. For a moment, I wondered if I was dreaming, but when I heard Mabel’s frantic scream pierce the air, I knew something was seriously wrong. I threw on a robe and ran out of my room, almost colliding with Killian and Preston as they sprinted past me toward Mabel’s quarters. Kris and Hunter weren’t far behind, their expressions a mix of rage and determination. “What’s happening?” I called out, struggling to keep up. “We are under attack, Mabel's room again.” Hunter growled without looking back. I skidded to a stop, stunned. Under attack? That had to be one of her elaborate stunts to get attention. But as I hurried to her room, the sounds of a scuffle proved otherwise. When I stepped inside, chaos greeted me. Four masked figures were fighting viciously against the boys. Mabel cowered in the corner, clutching a blanket, her face streaked wit

Loraine’s POV I put on a war cry alarm to wake me gently the next day. Today was my chance to make things right. I had stayed up late planning a buffet and games, something lighthearted and fun to bring us all together. I needed to show Killian, Preston, Kris, Hunter, and even Mabel that I could put the past behind me and move forward with grace…. Or at least, that’s what I was PRETENDING to do. By the time I finished setting up the dining hall, I was exhausted but proud. The tables were arranged beautifully with plates of roasted meats, colorful salads, an array of desserts, and even a drink station. On the far side of the room, I set up games, everything from ring toss to trivia. It was perfect—a way to distract everyone from the mess I’d caused. When the Alphas walked in, their reactions made it all worth it. “Loraine, this is incredible,” Hunter said, his eyes wide as he took in the setup. Preston grinned, clapping me on the shoulder. “You’ve outdone yourself. Is this all f

Loraine’s POV That night, I paced my room, clutching my phone in my hand. The day had been a fucking disaster. Sasha, Chloe, the boys—even I couldn’t deny how I’d let my emotions get the better of me. Mabel, that two-timing bitch, had everyone fooled, and here I was, playing right into her hands. The only person who seemed immune to her charm was Chloe. I tapped her name in my contacts, the phone ringing only twice before she picked up. “Loraine? It’s late. What’s going on?” Chloe’s voice was sharp, but there was concern underneath. “I... I need to talk to you,” I said, my voice trembling despite my best effort to stay calm. “You’re the only one who hasn’t… fallen for Mabel’s act.” Chloe let out a low laugh. “That’s because I know her type. Spill it: what happened to make you change your mind now?” I didn’t hold back, recounting everything. How Mabel had twisted the narrative, the boys’ disappointment, Sasha and Mabel drifting closer together, and my growing isolation. I ended

Loraine’s POV After the disastrous scene in the dining room earlier, I knew I had to make things right. It wasn’t just about the boys chastising me or Mabel’s dramatic tears—it was about doing what was right. So, with my pride swallowed and nerves bundled tightly in my stomach, I found myself standing outside Mabel’s room. I took a deep breath and knocked. “Come in,” Mabel called softly, her voice full of hesitation. I pushed the door open to find her sitting on the bed, her eyes puffy from earlier. The sight of her made guilt gnaw at me again. “Mabel,” I started, stepping closer. “I came to apologize. I shouldn’t have snapped at you earlier. It was uncalled for.” Her lips parted in surprise, but then she offered me a small, gracious smile. “Oh, Loraine, you don’t need to apologize. I understand. You’ve been under so much stress lately—planning the wedding, managing the pack, juggling… well, everything.” I nodded slowly, grateful that she was letting me off the hook so easily.

Loraine’s POV Waking up in Hunter’s room— Sorry—our room now felt surreal. The warmth of the four men surrounding me was overwhelming but comforting. Hunter’s arm was slung over my waist, his face buried in the crook of my neck. Preston was curled against my back, his fingers resting lightly on my hip. Killian and Kris lay sprawled on either side, their breathing deep and steady. I hadn’t thought it would be possible to share a bed with all four of them, but somehow, it worked. Their presence was grounding, and the ache of being alone for so many years seemed to fade overnight. The morning light shimmered in through the curtains, bathing the room in a giddy glow. I shifted slightly, trying not to wake anyone, but as if they had a sixth sense for me moving away, Hunter groaned softly. “Morning already?” He mumbled, his lips brushing against my shoulder. “Barely,” I whispered, running a hand through his messy hair. “Good,” Preston murmured sleepily from behind me. “It me

Sophie sat in the bridal suite. The full-length mirror reflected an image she barely recognised—an elegant, poised woman clad in a stunning lace wedding gown that hugged her curves and flared out into a beautiful train. The dress, meticulously crafted, seemed to shimmer with each breath she took, and the delicate veil added an ethereal quality to her appearance. Her hands trembled slightly as she adjusted her veil, but a reassuring smile from Vivienne steadied her nerves.Vivienne placed a comforting hand on Sophie’s shoulder, her eyes brimming with pride. “You look absolutely radiant. Today is your day, and you deserve every moment of happiness.”Sophie turned to face her, tears threatening to spill. “I can’t believe this is actually happening. Sometimes, it feels like a dream.”Eliana could not hide the pride she felt or the joy; her eyes were misty with emotion. “You’ve come such a long way, sweetheart. Your strength and resilience have brought you here, and we couldn’t be prouder

Rhys and Sophie stepped out of the building, a sense of accomplishment in the air. Sophie had faced her past head-on, and Rhys couldn’t help but feel proud of her. “You see, it wasn’t that hard, and you handled it quite well,” he said, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze.Sophie glanced back at the building, her heart still racing. “Hey Rhys, would you mind waiting a minute? I need to see my mom before she leaves.”Rhys nodded, his eyes softening. “Of course. Take your time.”Sophie spotted Veronica walking out and hurried towards her, with Rhys following at a slower pace. The sight of her mother, the woman she had yearned to meet since she was a little girl, brought a flood of emotions. Veronica turned at the sound of Sophie’s voice, surprise and hope mingling in her eyes. “Sophie...” she exclaimed softly. For years, it had always been “Mrs. Veronica.” The simple word “mom” now seemed to hold a world of promise.Sophie took a deep breath. “I just wanted to say that I don’t hate you.

Five years later “Come on, Sophie, we’re going to be late.” Rhys called.“Be out there in a minute.” Sophie answered from inside.“Yeah, that’s what you always say." Rhys muttered under his breath; a light shuffle behind him caught his attention.“Sophie,” but he couldn’t get himself to finish the sentence; he wasn’t sure what he wanted to say or what the right words to use should be. You look beautiful, or you look stunning. No, those were not the right words to use.“Rhys, are you alright?” Sophie asked with concern written all over her face.“Yeah, sure, I’m fine,” Rhys stammered. “I just got something in my eyes.”“Let’s get going already; we are going to be late.” Sophie said that and moved away.Rhys sighed and followed her. Adrian died five years ago, and they had moved on. She moved on so smoothly that he wondered if maybe it wasn’t too fast. Still, he did not want to talk to her about it for fear that he was going to upset the balance that she had already found inside her.

“Adrian is dead.” Those three words sent a chill down Sophie’s spine, but they were not what made her pause or caused foreign emotions to creep up her chest, clawing at her heart. It was the look of freedom in her aunt’s eyes. The music in her voice as she announced the death of her husband. The bounce in her step as she approached them, arms wide, and a smile on her teary face. It was the fact that Eliana was happy about this and did not hide it that surprised Sophie. Her aunt’s body collided with hers, and Sophie sank into her embrace. The tears fell from her eyes, but just like her aunt, they were not tears of sorrow or mourning but tears of joy and celebration. For the first time in years, they both felt free, and they wanted the whole world to know. “I am sorry.” Eliana said it over and over again, pulling Sophie deeper into herself. If she could jump and touch the sky, she would. She felt as though she was on top of the world, as though a weight had been lifted off her sh

The meadow was still there when they arrived. Eerily quiet—the only thing that could be heard was the chirping of crickets and the lullabies of the birds. Every other thing stayed still; even the leaves seemed to join in the gloominess that had fallen over Sophie and Rhys. Gently, he set her on the stone beside the water and lowered himself beside her, his hand clasping her small ones. She was far away from here; he could see that. Her mind was elsewhere, perhaps relieving the traumas of the past. She bit her lips every now and then, and a throaty gasp emerged from her pursed mouth. Although her eyes were misty, she did not shed a single tear. He could not tell how long they sat there in the forest, him watching the water while she tried to make sense of her life. But after some time, he began to hear the song again. It was the same bird song that he had heard that night. It filled the night, enveloping all of his senses and shrouding him in a world where only he and her existed.

They had reached a point of no return. The truth had been bared for all to see, and the worst had been found out. Sophie thought of the photo of her mother, which she had always carried around, and the part that was torn off. The father, whom she had always wanted to meet, turned out to be the same man who molested her. She was ashamed, embarrassed, and repulsed by everything. There were no words to describe the things she felt—the thoughts that clouded her head, numbing her entire body and rooting her to the spot. Veronica herself could not believe what she heard. The fact that the first words she heard her daughter speak had to be something so atrocious, so vile. Words like that had no place in the world; they were to be sent to the deepest parts of hell, where every other bad thing was sent. Her eyes turned to her sister, Eliana. Judging her, questioning her—she would face Adrian later, maybe kill him—for now, she needed to understand if her sister did not see the monster they