Novel-novel oleh M. Carter

Hope's POVI let the events of the day swirl down the drain with the water. I wish I could wash myself clean of everything, every scent of him, every touch, every kiss. It was too difficult to forget that night, how his touches had made me feel so important, how his kisses made me feel like I was the most important girl in the world.My hands scurried down to my belly, the only thing keeping me alive. It was almost impossible to think that something was growing inside me, a life of another form. A few months ago, I didn't even think I was going to see another day, but now, I had found my mate and I was going to be a mother.I stepped out of the bathroom, already used to the depressing nature of the walls and the sometimes awful smell that would breeze through the windows. At least, it was better than sleeping on a cold cell floor.I spied the black phone Draven had given to me and it roped with it, a memory of the entire day. I didn't know what to think of him, he was…eccentric to say

Orion's POVI stared at the phone and read the message over and over again, trying to make sense of what exactly it was. “Pay me or I'll tell Orion everything you did to his father and who you truly are!”My father? What did she do to my father? I didn't know how long she had been standing in the doorway till she ripped her phone out of my hand and my eyes landed on hers.“What is the meaning of that message?” I flung my feet off the bed and stood, moving close to her.“How dare you go through my phone? Did you read my messages? You don't have that right!” She yelled back at me and I was stunned. Was that all she would say?“Look, I'm sorry, okay? But who the hell sent you that text message and what did you do to my father?”She scoffed and rolled her eyes, walking toward her closet. I was not done with having this conversation. I trailed her as she slid into the small gap she opened at the door and almost slammed it in my face.I wedged my feet into the gap. The sting that racked my

Orion's pov I gritted my teeth, gripping the wheel so hard my knuckles ached. My mind kept replaying the way that bastard had looked at her, the way she let him—like a desperate whore. The sun was a blur of my rage and betrayal, blinding me as he drove home. I had ordered my men to shove themselves into the convoy because I wanted to be alone with Hope to fully address her as the vermin she was. The warriors had shared understanding glances and obeyed. Some subtly shook their heads knowing what was to come. I ignored it, I didn't give two fucks what people thought, but if they dared step out of line once, they would face immediate subjugation. "Slut." The word left my mouth in a sneer. "I should’ve known. Should’ve listened to Kaia." Kaia had warned me about the child, she had asked vital questions but I didn't listen. The more I thought about it, the worse it got. She had slept with that man even before our wedding. And now I was supposed to believe this child was mine? My stomach

Kaia’s POVAs soon as the door closed and Orion was gone, I flung the sticky sheets off my body. I had to pour a bit of water on the sheets and my body to ensure I was able to pull off the perspiration. There was gentle knock on the door and my heart skipped a beat, was that Orion? Had he come back to check on me so soon?“Who is it?” My eyes widened when I remembered I was supposed to be sick.I coughed and asked the question again in a sick voice.“Luna, I was asked to bring you some soup?”Oh, the maid. I scoffed and rolled my eyes, quickly changing from my sticky clothes before moving into the bathroom.“Come in and leave it on the table,” I shouted, then slammed the door. I heard the other door open and the footsteps of the maid as she walked into the room and dropped whatever she was holding.I pressed my ears against the door, straining to hear anything else after the door closed again for the second time. There was no one in there, I breathed a sigh of relief. I ripped the clo

Hope's POVI stared at his image in the mirror, my brain feeling like a blank canvas and my body was an empty husk. I turned toward the door, glancing at every corner of the room: there was no one else in the room with us. I swallowed hard and turned off the tap.“The men's bathroom is the other way,” I spoke softly without looking up. I didn't trust myself to hold eye contact with him, especially when that proud smirk was on his face.“I'm not lost, Hope,” he said. I didn't like how confident he sounded, it unnerved me for some reason. The way he said my name like he had known me forever.I quickly dried my hands and pushed myself away from the sink. I hit his body and I froze, he had moved closer to me…too close for comfort. He bent and I felt the tip of his nose grazing my skin, my entire body went rigid, like I had swallowed bags of concrete.“You smell good,” his hot breath fanned my entire neck. What was this? What was I doing? Orion was waiting for me and I was carrying his chi

Hope's POV“Emberfang?” I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper. A chill ran down my spine, seizing my entire body in an icy grip. No. This had to be a joke. Was Lucian toying with me? My breath came in short, shaky bursts as I slowly unwrapped my arms from Orion, dread clawing at my chest. My lips trembled, fear settling deep in my bones at the thought of returning to that hellhole—the place that had broken me piece by piece, the dungeon where I had wasted away for years. I would rather die than go back.“Yes…” the man drawled, his voice dripping with something unreadable.“Is your mate alright?” the so-called Alpha asked, his eyes flickering toward me. Before I could react, Orion’s hand shot out, gripping mine in a bruising hold. I winced, startled by the sudden pressure, my pulse hammering against my skin. My gaze darted between Orion and Draven, my chest rising and falling in quick, panicked bursts. I didn’t want to be here.“She’s not my mate,” Orion muttered in disgust.T