Novels by CHICHI

Karla’s povI sat up slowly, my body aching from the therapy session earlier, but I wasn’t alone. My eyes were locked on Alaric who was just standing against the wall, legs crossed at the ankle and his arms loosely folded over his chest. He had been silent for so long now but I couldn’t tell what he was thinking about since he’d been staring blankly at the floor.The atmosphere of everything felt like it was closing in around me.“Why didn’t you go back down and stop the fight?” I eventually spoke out to break through against my own tormenting thoughts.He sighed and shrugged. “I don’t care what they’re doing.”I scoffed. “They are your brothers. You can’t say that about them. You need to do something or they’ll kill each other.”“Look, I just didn’t want to get incomes in thier madness. That’s all.”“You can’t stand aside and watch them tear each other apart. Can you?”“Let them fix their problems themselves. I’m not interested in being involved, I said this before and I won’t say it

Axel’s povI felt my insides burning when I heard that as I tried to keep myself calm. I knew he sounded bitter and furious but why was he on my case. I had done what I had done to save the pack and I regretted it. He didn’t need to make me feel like shit.I turned to see Kai by the door.Not that I blamed him. I’d known this would happen, after everything that had gone down, I hadn’t expected my brothers to forgive me so easily.I clenched my fists but said nothing. I knew he wasn’t done.“I thought you were banned from leaving the palace.” He stepped closer. “Or did father just decide that you weren’t threat enough? Maybe you sneaked off as usual the the coward you are.”“That is enough Kai,” I sighed. “I came to see Karla.”Kai laughed in a mocking way. “Oh, so you went to do your good deed for the year? Is that it? How did you manage it this time? You almost get our whole pack killed and yet still think you should be here?”“She is my mate,” I said in anger. I was losing grip on m

Axel’s povI sat by Karla’s hospital bed biting the edge of my lip. She turned to me and her eyes were dull and it was impossible for me to interpret her expression. The light fell on her face in soft shadows, but she did not look any paler.“I heard the commotion outside,” she said with a soft voice. “The rogues… the attack. People are saying it was really bad.”I sighed and ran a hand over my face. “Yeah. It was.” “I don’t know what to make of it. Isn’t it kind of your job to make sure something like that doesn’t happen?”I nodded. If only I could tell her that it was actually my fault that it happened, but I kept quiet. I didn’t want to say anything to her and ruin the relationship we both had.“Look, I know but something’s happened and it’s not all my fault.”She laughed and sighed, “tell me what happened. I want to know.”I sighed again then and, as I did so, answered her in a low whisper. “Karla... surely you must know.”She shook her head. “No. I only heard that rogues got int

Axel’s povGuilt invaded my chest but I would not let up, “I was trying to fix it.”His jaw locked. “Well done, Axel. You made it worse.”I let out my breath, hands trembling. “I didn’t—”“Enough.”The single word caused my throat to close up."I'll handle the rogues," he said, and his voice was cold. Control had seeped back into it, but I didn't like what still lingered.“You’re grounded,” he said in anger.I started. “What?”“You heard me.” His tone was glacial. “You forfeited that right when you endangered this entire pack.”I ground out the words between grating teeth. “You don’t get to—”“I can,” he interrupted. “And I will.”I took a deep breath, my mind racing. “Father, please—”“Obey,” Axel. His voice was stronger now, and he was ready to enforce that. “Or I will make sure you do.”I gritted my teeth so hard it hurt.He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. It was the first time I’d ever seen him this pissed. “I don’t do this to you often,” he repeated, and his voice was so

Axel’s povAlaric groaned from the ground but managed to push himself up. “Got a plan?”Lysander rolled his shoulders. “Yeah. Don’t die.”I smiled. “That’s the plan.”With that we moved to engage. I went straight for his heart.The rogue alpha snarled as we swarmed him. He snapped his jaws at Kai, missing by inches as my brother rolled away and was back on his feet in a heartbeat. Lysander moved like a ghost at the man’s side, slashing again and again, but the rogue alpha barely flinched.I groaned as I pushed myself off the rubble, my bones aching from the impact. The palace wall had caved in where I had crashed, dust and debri surrounding me. My vision blurred for a second before I shook my head harshly, clearing my thoughts.I gritted my teeth, my body felt like it was screaming in protest as I tried to get back on my feet. “Damn it,” I muttered under my breath.I looked around to see me and my brothers were down and couldn’t do anything to defend the pack. We were so weak we were

Axel’s povWind rushed passed me as I landed in a controlled roll and came up on my feet. I ignored the pain in my legs as I drew my sword. A rogue lunged at me but it was his biggest mistake.I struck him across the chest and spun out of reach of his counter. My strike bit into his neck, and he gurgled a wet scream as he dropped to the ground.Before I could go further, a loud crash sounded behind me as my brothers joined the fight."You reckless idiot!" Kai hissed, slamming a rogue into the ground before snapping his neck."We're in this mess because of you!" Lysander growled, shredding open a rogue's throat with his claws.Alaric dodged a dagger and put his foot in his opponent’s gut. “What the hell made you think making a deal with rogues was smart?”“I didn’t know they would be this harsh!” I snapped, blocking a rogue’s blade with my own before shoving him back and driving my sword through his gut. “I thought I had it under control!”“Control? You gave them a reason to think we’r

Dacre’s povI was in the bath having my hot bath as I relaxed at the steam rising up.This was just what I needed. Nothing more. Just this and I liked it.When I was done, I grabbed my towels and walked out into my room to see my mother pacing around there.“What do you want now?” I asked as she looked at me in fury.“You stupid fool,” she growled. “You think you can counter my orders in my own house? You fire Carla? If you want to play that game, Dacre, you’d better be prepared for war.”“First off, it’s my house,” I corrected her. “You have your house. You should go to that.”I saw her mask slip as she frowned even more, this time with helplessness.“Also, war, mother?” I said, my voice calm. “It didn’t start when I fired Carla. It started the day Katherine disappeared. You just didn’t know you were already in it.”Her eyes narrowed. I could see the calculations going on behind them. She was getting used to me being the frustrated son, the one who moped and punched bags. This calm,

Dacre’s povI looked up and used my towels to clean my forehead.“I asked for the head maid. Not you. Go and call her.”A thin, superior smile touched her lips. It was the same look Renee got when she knew she’d won a point. “I am the head maid now, sir.”The words didn’t register at first. It was so absurd I almost laughed. “What did you just say?”“Madam Zelda and Miss Renee felt a… change in management was necessary. I’ve been appointed head of household staff.” The anger that had been a steady burn in the gym suddenly went ice-cold. What did she mean? So first off Katherine has run away then grace was removed as head maid. Something was definitely going on. “My mother. And Renee.” I said it slowly, letting each word land. “They appointed you. Head maid. In my house.”“It was felt that a fresh perspective was needed,” she said, her chin lifted. “To better align with the family’s future.”“The family’s future,” I repeated, my voice dangerously quiet. I walked slowly towards her

Dacre’s povThe air in the garden was too still. Too heavy. I took the smell in and felt the roses and freshly cut grasses mock me.Staying in the house was a bother for me. I preferred staying in the garden away from my mothers prying eyes.i looked around as I saw that while I had been off commission, my mother had turned this to her domain. With every bush trimmed into submission, every flower bed a riot of color that somehow felt… orderly and wrong.I couldn’t stand the house. The silence in there was worse. It was a silence that screamed of her absence. So I’d come out here, to the white gazebo where the little white flowers were finally starting to bloom. Our spot. Mine and Katherine’s.I sat in the bench as it freaked under my weight. I remembered when we had stayed here during my break and I had enjoyed her company. I had been a terrible lover and I regretted why I had gone ahead to make her life even worse than it already was.It didn’t make sense. None of it. Disappear? With

Dacre’s povThe first thing I noticed was the pain. It wasn’t really strong pain any more, just a dull throb, deep in my chest and left shoulder. The room was too bright. Someone had opened the curtains again. I’d told them not to.Another day then. Sunlight poured over the ludicrously thick rug on the floor. Little motes of dust swam lazily in the beam, making more use of their existences than I was currently doing with mine lying here on the bed being healed.Which is basically a polite way to say “wait, don’t do anything”.Without a knock, the door just opened. Obviously. It’s our house according to her.She was there, against the doorway light showing softly behind her. Her eyes scanned over me like I was a piece of art that had been badly damaged and poorly restored. Disappointment washed right off of her."The financial advisors were here this morning," my mother said, not quite entering the room. Just her head poking through a crack in the door. "I told them to go."I didn't re

Katherine’s povThe moment I got there, I saw him sitting on the porch as I ran to hug him.“Are you okay?” I asked while he nodded with tears in his eyes. I didn’t wait as I got out my key and opened the door to let us in.I couldn’t believe all this rubbish had been going on and it was now he was calling me. Where was he? He had left my place weeks ago and throughout that time he was being maltreated why didn’t he call me? Why was he showing up now?"Jordan?" I said, too sharply but surprise does that. "What are you… get in here. What’s wrong?"He didn’t look at me, just rose and we snatched his bag and he went out ahead of me into the living room. The air around him was charged with it, all static and sad feeling, so I shut the door behind us hard even though there was no one else home to hear.He stood in the middle of the room.Then he sank onto the couch, the springs groaning under him, and he put his face in his hands. His whole body just… folded. It wasn’t loud. There was no

Katherine’s povThe hum of the office was a good sound. It was the sound of things working. Of people being bright and clear, keyboards clacking and a project in its groove. I stood in the doorway to the meeting room as I leaned by the wall to listen in on their conversations. My workers were talking about things that I had no care for but they were my workers and I was trying to build a relationship with them so I had to listen.“—so I told Fred we’d be shipping this week,” said Marcy, one of the old workers before I bought the place, with an assertive finger at her monitor, “and that I think that betas-per-developer charts are going to end up better than years past.”A laugh went around the room. “Alright, alright, enough gloating,” I said, stepping in. They all looked up, a little startled, they didn’t know I had been listening. The last CEO liked silence and fear much better than donuts and actual human conversation. “Seriously, though. I know the last few weeks have been chaos.

Author’s povThe police quickly surrounded Daniel, cuffing him as he groaned on the floor. Blood trickled from his nose, and his face was twisted in anger and humiliation.“You’ll regret this, Xander!” Daniel spat, glaring up at his brother.Xander leaned down, his expression calm but firm. “Regret? That’s something you should feel for all the lives you’ve ruined. It’s over, Daniel.”As Daniel struggled against his restraints, the head of police stepped forward. He pulled out a list of charges and began reading them aloud.“Daniel Clarkson, you are being charged with the following: the kidnapping of Mrs. Wright, the attempted murder of Xander Clarkson, embezzlement from your family’s company, obstruction of justice, and numerous other crimes. You’ll be facing a long time in prison.”Daniel’s face contorted with rage. “None of it is true!” he shouted. “This is a setup! You’re all working against me!”“Your corrupt cop was also seen running off and right now he’s willing to testify agai

Author’s povMrs. Wright sat in the dark room, straining her ears for the movements of her captors. It had been a few hours since they taken her from her old place and brought her to this new place, hours marked by terror and solitude and confusion. But something inside had changed that night. Something told her she couldn’t be captive anymore. With newfound resolve, Mrs. Wright steeled herself and tiptoed to the door.The house was still; her captors didn’t suspect a thing when they had gone to bed earlier. Mrs. Wright cautiously unlocked the door, afraid of its creaking as she turned the knob to let herself out into the night air that was cool and freeing.She was done hiding. This time, she was going to save herself.The road stretched before her was infinite in the dark. She knew that with each step she took away from her prison it was another opportunity to get to her son and get out a solution. Her heart was beating both in fear and anticipation of the worst. She ran through t

Daniel’s povI stormed out of his office, hot blood rushed through my veins. How dare he? Who the hell does this man think he is? Some kind of a superhero coming to ‘save’ the company. He was going too far and asking too much. I got out of the company and headed for my car as I sat down there and leaned back in it. I was so angry I couldn’t hold myself back.My hands gripped tightly around my steering wheel; those knuckles were all white as if they were screaming ‘help!’ in some invisible way. In anger, I punched my steering wheel a couple of times before leaning back in my seat.I then turned the ignition and drove directly to the warehouse where I had everything under control—my men, my operations, and my future. It was a sanctuary of sorts for me, a place where I could reorganize my thoughts and plans without any distractions or disturbances. A couple of my men were already there when I arrived.They all stood up as soon as they saw me enter, feeling the unrest radiating off me. “

Audrey’s povI clearly remembered the drive to the cabin that morning. I’d driven so slowly, looking in the rearview mirror every few seconds to make sure I wasn’t being followed. The streets had been practically empty, but everything had felt still and foreboding because of it. When I had gotten to the place, I had parked a few hundred meters from the cabin itself, hiding my car behind some trees before continuing on foot.The closer I got to the cabin, the more uneasy I felt. Something was very wrong. The place looked abandoned—deserted—but it wasn’t just that. It was something else; something I couldn't explain.“Mrs wright?” I asked while staying at the door and knocking. I hoped no one would bash my head in as I opened it inwards as it groaned under my hand as I gave it a push so I could step inside.The sight that met my eyes made my stomach plummet. The entire cabin was in shambles. Furniture was flipped over, papers were strewn across the floor, and a faint acrid smell wafted

Xander’s povI sat in my office, the door closed behind me as I went through the financial reports once more. My anger simmered beneath the surface. It was bad enough that the company was in such a state, but the audacity of the board to act like nothing was wrong infuriated me. My father had worked too hard to build this company, and I wasn’t about to let it crumble under their watch—or Daniel’s.Just as I was contemplating my next move, there was a sharp knock on the door. Before I could answer, one of the board members stepped in, closing the door behind him. He was an older man, someone who had been with the company for decades, yet his face now looked pale and nervous.“Mr. Xander,” he started, his voice shaking, “I need to talk to you.”I reclined back in my chair, signaling for him to continue. “What is it?” I questioned, but I already knew he didn’t come here to help me with anything but to stress me.The man hesitated, and then he leaned forward a little. “I think you should

Xander’s povI was in my company office gazing at the files lying on my table. My secretary had compiled every possible document pertaining to the financial record of the company and I was growing more angry after going through it. How was it not tallying? Who drew this large amount of money, the supporting bills and receipts were in no record?I could see lots of money being removed from the company but there was no mention of them being used for the company again. Why was this a thing?I called for my assistance as she appeared before me.“Is this all?” I asked as she nodded.“Yes, Mr. Xander. I think this is all there is available in the system…”“You think?” I interrupted her as she gulped.“It is all I could find in the system.”I leaned back in my chair and drummed my fingers on my desk. “This doesn’t make any sense… Someone has been withdrawing money at absurd rates recently, and with no record of what it’s being used for? How the hell does that work?”She didn’t answer, but sh