Ricky’s POV
“What about the dream I had, Ricky?” Jules said. “I dreamt that we all died and you’re not taking it seriously.”
Everyone fell silent absorbing Jules’s words. I glanced at his face, I could see the raw emotion on it. He wasn’t teasing, he meant every word he had said.
I had never seen him this frightened over a dream, we were used to his occasional dreams which we often joked about as future proclamations as they often came to pass but he had never been so absorbed in any of them the way he was now.
If he thought I was going to take his dream literally, he was wrong. I had no plans of dying away from home.
Ricky’s POVI could barely sleep after I dismissed everyone after the little discussion we had in the corridor over an hour ago. I spent the rest of the morning alternating between taking short naps and spending my hours awake staring at the darkness and thinking about possible scenarios on how the meeting would play out and the common theme of all of my thoughts ended in disarray.Also, I couldn’t stop thinking about what Cole had said, if we were in their shoes, we would have taken them out immediately after they settled in and that would’ve been done by now already.But that would be only true if we didn’t mean what we said by wanting to help but we’ve been here in their territory for a couple of hours and they haven’t come to ambush us.
Ricky’s POVI nodded and made my way inside the limousine with Cole and Jules following suit.Within a minute, we were pulling out of the driveway en route to the mansion.We decided to take an extra car with a handful of our soldiers if things went south, we were going to need backup.Jules kept on looking out the window, trying to see if he would be able to spot anything out of the ordinary. I had taken extra measures to ensure that we wouldn’t have to worry about things like this even before we arrived, as I would hate for anything to happen.“You do
Ricky’s POV"Is there’s reason you couldn’t play the perfect host and welcome us in yourself? You're not supposed to be so hostile during the first meeting now, are you?" I asked.I gauged his demeanor as I took in his guarded stance, watching as his fingers hovered a few centimeters above his waistline.My best assumption was that he had a weapon concealed in his suit jacket just like I did."I'm not going to guess, I'm not going to assume, I'm going to tell you the truth. Your presence here has nothing to do with love or longing, it has to do with your bruised ego and the help that my fiancée has agreed to render to your pack. It took me a while but I thought about it over, and over and over again
Ricky’s POVI was used to being placed in tight spots. The kind that gets you killed faster than you can blink. My mind had been going over different new scenarios in my head on how this would end and none of the options assured me. During one summer many years ago spent in the middle of the forest with my uncle was when I understood the power of leverage and patience, it was there, and then I had it all figured out. My plan for coming here was a calmer and safer one, one that needed patience to execute and that was a virtue my brothers solely lacked which was why I would be our spokesperson.This wasn’t going to be a straightforward transaction, I knew this because once upon a time, my father had taken me to a similar transaction that he conducted and I was fortunate enough to learn
Ricky’s POV“In the spirit of putting things behind us, I would like to start afresh on a new page. You know?” I begin.I was trying to warm up to him to make him realize that we didn’t pose any threats. It was important and it would prove useless if my brothers and I wanted to be successful in our endeavors here today.“In that case, I must tender my apologies.” The Alpha said.“Whatever for?” I said. “You have done us no harm since we arrived in your pack last night.”“Notwithstanding, you have to admit that it was rather insulting not to be at the door when you arri
Shannon’s POVThe dining room fell silent as soon as I walked in through the doors. I had wanted to come in as quietly as I could but given that they were all familiar with my scent, it was pointless. I could hear them arguing tersely as I made my way towards the dining room, the discussion was getting harsher and it was seeming like all hell would be let loose any moment from now.My eyes landed on Ricky’s as soon as I turned toward the table. He looked just the same way he was when I left but instead of looking at me with hatred in his eyes like he had done while we shared the same home five years ago, it was one of shock and utter disbelief.I didn’t want to make things up but I couldn’t help but think he aged a
Shannon’s POV“If only you’ll hear us out, Shannon,” Ricky stood up from his chair and his brother did the same.“Guards!” I yelled and a number of them made their way into the room.“Hold them!” I said, pointing at Ricky, Jules, and Cole.“We don’t mean you any harm, we swear on the memory of our late father,” Ricky said.Alpha Robin had been the only Mayert who was kind to me and I mourned his death after I heard the news. I knew he would’ve died heartbroken over how his sons had ruined his legacy.&ld
Shannon’s POVThe Mayert brothers’ temper had gotten the best of them and I couldn’t fault them because I was pushing them to the wall, just like I wanted. Dealing with the Mayerts was a whole lot of work but this time around, they were outnumbered in wit and effort just like I wanted as well. “We will not take no for an answer, Benjamin.” Ricky slammed his fist on the table, making me jump in surprise. “We came here for one thing and one thing only and we’re going to it by any means necessary, just tell us what you want.” “Benjamin has nothing to do with this, Ricky. If you want anything, you’ll have to ask me and as it stands, I don’t think I’m inclined to give you what you want,” I said as I watched Ricky’s eyes grow wide. “This wasn’t the agreement, you brought us all the way here because you want to help us and you have to stick by it,” Ricky said. “And that is—““The last time I checked, I hadn't left the room yet.” I cut in, my voice rising a notch as I sought to get him t
Shannon’s POVIt was midnight already. The maids had returned to my room two hours earlier to help me get ready for my wedding to the Mayert triplets alongside my seamstresses and a couple of other servants. They had forbidden me from lifting a finger to help myself so I had resorted to staying put unless I wanted to risk the ire of the women helping me dress up and I wouldn’t even dare to do that. At the stroke of midnight, I was standing at the entrance of the hall already adorned with palatial decorations with cascading floral arrangements hanging from every side of the grand room, sparkling white chandeliers hung high above with delicate draperies completing the settings designed to evoke an atmosphere filled with love and warmth.A group of violinists was positioned at a corner, setting the tone for the exchanging of vows that were about to take place. We were five years late, but this was the perfect time for it to happen. It was better late than never and there was no bette
Shannon’s POVI couldn’t believe that this was how my life was going to end up. A few hours ago, I thought that I would eventually have everything that I had always wanted out of life but Joshua handed me a reality check. I hadn’t seen Eve since I sent her to deliver the letter to the Mayery triplets so I had no way of knowing if she succeeded or if she had been killed before she even got there. I had no idea if my son was dead and Joshua was merely forcing me to do this to keep me by his side. I was completely hopeless and powerless in this. I stood in front of the officiating chief with Joshua standing opposite me, he had a huge satisfying smile on his face and I wanted nothing more than to wipe it off his smug face. “You need to say your vows, Shannon,” Joshua said, his smile never leaving his face. As I opened my mouth to speak, a familiar scent wafted through my nose and I felt joy wash over me. If they were here, it meant that they had gotten the letter and had rescued our s
Ricky’s POVI couldn’t believe what I was holding in my hands. Had he been lying to me all along? No, no. I couldn’t believe it. There had to be some sort of explanation for what was going on currently and that meant I had to speak with her immediately. There had been a mixup somewhere during the night and I had to get to the root of it all. “She played us all, Ricky,” Jules said. “Jules might be right this time around, Ricky. We thought we had her back and we were ready to show her that the past will never happen again, what did we do wrong?” Cole asked. “I don’t think this is real. I don’t mean the letter — I mean the whole scenario. Just yesterday, she told us about our son and she was willing and eager to get into a relationship with us and this morning, she’s getting married to Joshua. C’mon, boys. I need you both to think critically about this before you conclude.” I said. “You think she’s being blackmailed or worse?” Jules asked. “That’s my best guess but we need to see h
Shannon’s POVI nodded. “So this culprit behind what I’ve been experiencing, is the same person who forged this letter and brought Melissa here?” “Yes, it’s the same person,” Ricky said. “Tell me who this person is and I’m going to have them dealt with,” I said, already getting furious. “Joshua,” Ricky said. “He’s being the flashbacks you’ve been having and after following him for the past couple of days, we’ve also figured out that he wrote the letter and he has spies in your household, in my pack, and Melissa’s camp as well. That was how he was able to set up all of these with ease.” I paused. Joshua and I hadn’t been seeing eye to eye on several things for the past few weeks after I turned down his proposal but would he ever go to this length to punish me for rejecting him?“Are you sure about what you’ve just said, Ricky?” I asked. “I swear on my life, Shannon. Joshua is behind all of these. He doesn’t want to see you with anyone other than himself and he’s willing to do anyt
Shannon’s POVI couldn’t categorically tell what was happening but I knew that a lot of things were changing. I had been plagued by things from the past, things that served as a reminder of how hurtful my past had been, and no matter how I tried to stop them from happening, I couldn’t do anything about it.Before the past couple of days, things with the Mayert triplets had been smoother than they had ever been for the past five years but the flashbacks and reminders that I had been getting were forcing me to remember how they used to treat me all those years ago. I didn’t know what to do or how to stop it so I decided to stay away from them to regain my sanity. Maybe then, I would have an idea about what the fuck was going on because as it stands, I didn’t know what to make of the entire situation. “Are you sure about doing this, Ms. Shannon?” My maid asked as she brushed my hair. I had instructed her that I didn’t want to take any calls from the Mayert triplets and I didn’t want t
Shannon’s POV“What do you think you’re doing?” Joshua asked as he walked into my tent. He was visibly pissed and I could understand his anger. I had pulled him out of whatever he was doing and brought him here under the guise that we were going to war and now, I was pulling out before we even had a chance to fight. “I don’t think I have the stomach for this conversation anymore, Joshua. I understand that you’re pissed but this isn’t what I need right now.” I said. “If you’re thinking of shutting me out like you always do, it’s not going to work today, Shannon. I need answers and I need you to give them to me.” Joshua said defiantly. He wasn’t going to budge and we might just as well get over with this as soon as we possibly can. “So tell me what you want to know and I’ll answer your questions,” I said, gesturing to the empty couch in front of me. “Everything, Shannon. I want to know everything.” Joshua said as he sat down. “Everything? I don’t know where to start and—“ “You l
Shannon’s POV“And you think it’s going to happen in a day or two days?” I asked them.“No, we don’t. We don’t want you to make a decision about forgiving us here and now because we don’t want you to be under any pressure of any form, so we’re going to let you take your son and go home.” Ricky said. “And what happens next?” I asked. “We’re going to call you once again, for the last time, to know what your decision on the matter is. It’s not going to be an easy decision to make and if we were in your shoes, we would feel exactly how you’re feeling at this point.” Ricky answered. I paused for a bit, their words swirling around in my head. Had Melissa done all of these because she wanted to ruin both of us or what was her end goal? Truth be told, it was pointless now. The ruse had been discovered and there wasn’t any need to go to war over a lie. Maybe by the next time we met, we would have a lot more to talk about and indeed, there was a lot to talk about. “A couple of days for m
Shannon's POV"We have nothing to talk about, Ricky." I sighed. "Just tell me what you want and I'll give you in exchange for my son's safety." "Don't you still get it, Shannon?" Ricky said."What are you talking about? There's nothing to be understood here, this is a simple negotiation that you've been dragging on for minutes now. Are you keeping me here on purpose? Is there something you have planned?" "If this were to be five years ago, your son would've been killed, and not just that, you'd have been tricked to come here under the guise of us wanting to return your son and when you come, you'll be beaten, and battered, then forced to surrender if you want to see your son alive and when you do, I'd have killed him in front of you before killing you as well. I hate to paint this vivid imagery of what we would have done but you know this is the truth.” Ricky said.I shivered slightly as his words registered with me.He wasn't telling a lie, five years ago, this is what they would h
Shannon's POVI knew how to get into the pack without anyone seeing me as I had done it a thousand times five years ago whenever I tried to escape being bullied by the Mayert triplets. It was pointless to have told Joshua about where I was going, it would've led to a lot of arguments that I didn't have the stomach for, not when I had no idea what was happening to my son at this point. I didn't want to imagine the worst but Ricky's letter had been very convincing and I had to force myself to believe everything he had said in it because the truth was that, I had no other choice. If this was a trap, Joshua would come for me and he would bring the pack down with fire and brimstone if that was what it would take for him to avenge me. Aside from the fact that I was scared for my son, I was also scared that the Mayert triplets would eventually figure out the secret I had kept from them for the past five years. As I had predicted, it had been easy to bypass their security and it would've