Twenty-four fucking hours she’s been gone.And I’ve been watching her location, so I know she’s still at Shawn’s apartment, which makes my blood boil.‘Might I remind you of my offer,’ Onyx adds unhelpfully.‘No, you may fucking not,’ I snap, ‘While I’ve considered it more times that you might believe. It’s not an option.’He doesn’t understand.Rosalind would hate us if we hurt him, and the last thing I need right now is for her to have any more reason to push us away.I need her like I need oxygen. Every second that passes without knowing that she’s still mine makes my chest feel like it’s going to explode.My phone rings, and I snatched it up without looking at the caller ID, “Baby,” I whisper, but my relief is short lived, “Mr. Wood,” my assistant speaks nervously, “I have Jeremy Red in the lobby asking for a meeting with you. Do you want me to send him away?” there is a pause, “I see that you have your schedule blacked out for today.”The muscles in my jaw are set tight, and my t
My phone has so many notifications, it’s glitching out.The background photo of James and me on our wedding day is covered by a string of green phone and text notifications. Most are from James, a few from Chris, and one from my mother.“That thing hasn’t stopped going off all day,” Shawn’s leaned against his island countertop on his elbows, ordering food for us from his phone.“James doesn’t like to take no for an answer,” I sigh. Embarrassment quickly settles beneath my skin. I’d done a good job hiding the reality of my relationship for the last three years with everyone around me.I could win an award for my fake smile and loving body language. No one questioned us except for my father, and I think that boiled down to a general dislike of James, and not because he actually cared if I was happy or not.Shawn let out a low growl, his phone clattering to the granite, before banging his fist against the surface. It wasn’t angry, but more out of frustration. “Can we pretend for a moment
Shawn doesn’t mention the kiss, or my rejection.I’m still reeling from feeling his lips on mine. I have wanted that kiss for so many years. So many years I dreamt of how his lips would feel on mine, but now that it finally happened…. I feel dirty because of it.I’m married.The sound of Shawn’s phone startles me, and I drop mine to the floor.“Mr. Red,” Shawn starts, before letting out a soft laugh, “Jeremy. You know I’ll never get used to that.”I hear the booming sound of my father’s laughter on the other end of the receiver, and a fresh wave of hurt washes over me.My father and I have been close my entire life. Every time mom would put me down, dad would pick up the pieces, and yet I find his action unforgivable.He treated me as if I’d made up the pills in my head. And at the time, I’d thought maybe he was right. Maybe I had just taken too many ibuprofens, or mom was feeding me the newest diet fad pill.All of those theories came crashing down the moment I opened that safe, repl
Shawn stands just outside of his bedroom doorway, tight black slacks stretching over his muscular legs, and a white button down... That is currently unbuttoned, showing off the killer body that he’s worked so hard for in the NFL.His hair is styled with just enough gel to smooth it, but not enough to look like he tried too hard.Adult Shawn is far better looking than teenager Rosalind ever conjured up in her immature mind.He arches a brow, beginning to button the shirt, and I clear my throat, “You are…. Dressed up.”“I can stop by your condo on the way. Your father wants to meet at that French bistro in the city.” Shawn’s eyes crinkle as if he knew where my thoughts had just gone, but he doesn’t comment, allowing me to remain flustered.“I’m going to need to,” I glance down at Chris’ clothing barely hanging onto my body, “On second thought, maybe I should go like this. My father deserves the embarrassment of being seen with me at my worst.”“You look amazing,” Shawn hesitates, and I
Time stands eerily still as my vision tunnels on my father’s face.I feel the warmth of Shawn’s hand gripping mine beneath the table. I think he’s talking, but I can’t make out what he’s saying.Everything outside of my father’s face feels like a blur.“What did you say?”My voice sounds foreign, and I blink rapidly, hoping that I’m just in some dream where I’ll wake up, and this entire moment will have just been some horrifying nightmare.“I’m sorry, Rosa,” my father’s mouth moves, and I focus on reading his lips because sounds still aren’t registering properly, “Marina Norconia is your half-sister.”“I…” I turn my head towards Shawn, whose eyes shimmer with concern. “I don’t understand. She…” I swallow down what feels like thick sand in my throat, “Marina is my sister.”I want to run and vomit into the nearest trash can, but I’m not sure my legs would move if I tried.Everything that I’ve known my entire life truly was a lie.I thought finding out that I was a supernatural being was
‘You were a fool to let her stay with the football player,’ Onyx snarls, his voice lethal. The sound of it bouncing off the inside of my already aching skull, and I just want to tune him out.Déjà vu smacks me in the face because I’ve been here.Onyx isn’t a normal wolf. He’s an Alpha with an untamed side of him. We didn’t spend long together before the attack that left him locked away, but for months, I wasn’t myself. I was Onyx.He’d taken over my body, leaving me locked away, and fighting every moment of the day.I feel him now, his strength, pushing to the forefront. Without Rosalind, I’m going to be overpowered before too long.‘Rosalind made it clear she needs space. If we want her to come back to us willingly, we need to give her that.’‘Who said anything about willingly?’ the low growl that rumbled through my head sent shivers down my spine.Onyx would find no issue taking Rosa as prisoner.I dial her number again, my call log filled with her name only, but it goes straight to
My head swims with pain and confusion. I’m slumped over, I know that much, but I can’t find the strength to open my eyes or lift my head. Each time I try to circle back to how I ended up like this, it’s empty. My shoulders ache, but I can’t move my arms to relieve the pain, and my leg is damp and throbbing. “Rosa,” Shawn croaks out, and I force my eyes open, wincing when a flickering light in the far corner assaults my eyes. Forcing my head from side to side, I don’t see him, “Shawn, where….”His fingers brush against mine, and I realize in that moment that I’m tied to something. A pole most likely, given the cool metal against my wrists. “Are you okay?” his voice is gravelly, and I hear the wince he tries to hide. “My head is killing me, and I think my stitches busted. You sound like you’re in pain.”Shawn lets out a low chuckle, coughing as the noise slips from his lips, and I realize what a stupid question that was. A tear-filled smile pulls on my lips, “Okay, I get that was
That. Bitch.I’m thankful to Shawn for the surge of confidence when it comes to cursing because I should have known.“Happy to see me?” Marina’s voice coos from across the large space.“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me….”Marina huffs out a laugh, rolling her eyes, “What happened to Mrs. Goodie Two Shoes?”Shawn’s fingers grip mine tightly, “When James finds out what you’re doing, he’s going to finally get rid of you for good.”I want to cry.Marina snorts out a laugh, “Oh, you poor, stupid boy. James isn’t coming to save you,” she shrugs, “Either of you.”Her smug attitude is grating on my nerves, and I desperately wished that I hadn’t been a coward all this time and showed her what I was capable of prior to being strapped to this damn pole.“It’s pathetic that you couldn’t face me without crashing a car into me tying me to a pole.”She walks closer, her sharp features illuminated by the flashing light in the corner. Marina was beautiful in an unconventional way. She reminded me o
Rosa looks so…. Pained. Her eyes shimmer with so many emotions, I don’t know which I like best. Fear or anguish. Probably fear. The thought of her at my mercy gets me off, and if Marina weren’t watching, I might give Shawn a little show with my sweet wife. “James,” her voice softens, and I almost fall for the act. I’d actually started to fall for her, beyond the wretched mate bond. “Why are you doing this?” She sounds so small right now, but the reality is that she’s of the Red bloodline. Her namesake makes me sick, and no matter how much the bond pollutes my mind, she’ll always be the enemy. Rosa’s father took everything from me. My family. My pack. My friends. It’s all gone because he was bitter and jealous. The reality fucking hurt, but it was as if everything slowly snapped into place. Marina was right about everything. I squatted down, keeping an eye on Pierce. He might become a problem with Onyx locked away, back in a cage. He’s been fighting to come back to me, but he’s
My lips part, my eyes widening as the familiar voice steps out of the shadows. I stare into emerald, green eyes that I’ve found solace in so many times over the last few years. Eyes that have looked at me with so much emotion that I feel like I’m drowning. Eyes that have stared up at me from between my legs. Eyes that have pinned me beneath a lust filled haze. Eyes that shine with amusement now at the pain that marred my features. “Surprise, sweetheart,” James steps closer, his expensive, French loafers echoing through the room like a haunting drum.Thud. Thud. Thud. Have you ever fallen onto your back when you’re swinging so high on a swing? You make it to the top, only to have your butt lift from the seat, and you free fall to the ground. The impact steals your breath away, making your vision darken around the corners. Twenty seconds pass and you still can’t breathe. A minute and you’re finally staring up at the sky, inhaling the oxygen that you were once robbed of. That’s how
That. Bitch.I’m thankful to Shawn for the surge of confidence when it comes to cursing because I should have known.“Happy to see me?” Marina’s voice coos from across the large space.“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me….”Marina huffs out a laugh, rolling her eyes, “What happened to Mrs. Goodie Two Shoes?”Shawn’s fingers grip mine tightly, “When James finds out what you’re doing, he’s going to finally get rid of you for good.”I want to cry.Marina snorts out a laugh, “Oh, you poor, stupid boy. James isn’t coming to save you,” she shrugs, “Either of you.”Her smug attitude is grating on my nerves, and I desperately wished that I hadn’t been a coward all this time and showed her what I was capable of prior to being strapped to this damn pole.“It’s pathetic that you couldn’t face me without crashing a car into me tying me to a pole.”She walks closer, her sharp features illuminated by the flashing light in the corner. Marina was beautiful in an unconventional way. She reminded me o
My head swims with pain and confusion. I’m slumped over, I know that much, but I can’t find the strength to open my eyes or lift my head. Each time I try to circle back to how I ended up like this, it’s empty. My shoulders ache, but I can’t move my arms to relieve the pain, and my leg is damp and throbbing. “Rosa,” Shawn croaks out, and I force my eyes open, wincing when a flickering light in the far corner assaults my eyes. Forcing my head from side to side, I don’t see him, “Shawn, where….”His fingers brush against mine, and I realize in that moment that I’m tied to something. A pole most likely, given the cool metal against my wrists. “Are you okay?” his voice is gravelly, and I hear the wince he tries to hide. “My head is killing me, and I think my stitches busted. You sound like you’re in pain.”Shawn lets out a low chuckle, coughing as the noise slips from his lips, and I realize what a stupid question that was. A tear-filled smile pulls on my lips, “Okay, I get that was
‘You were a fool to let her stay with the football player,’ Onyx snarls, his voice lethal. The sound of it bouncing off the inside of my already aching skull, and I just want to tune him out.Déjà vu smacks me in the face because I’ve been here.Onyx isn’t a normal wolf. He’s an Alpha with an untamed side of him. We didn’t spend long together before the attack that left him locked away, but for months, I wasn’t myself. I was Onyx.He’d taken over my body, leaving me locked away, and fighting every moment of the day.I feel him now, his strength, pushing to the forefront. Without Rosalind, I’m going to be overpowered before too long.‘Rosalind made it clear she needs space. If we want her to come back to us willingly, we need to give her that.’‘Who said anything about willingly?’ the low growl that rumbled through my head sent shivers down my spine.Onyx would find no issue taking Rosa as prisoner.I dial her number again, my call log filled with her name only, but it goes straight to
Time stands eerily still as my vision tunnels on my father’s face.I feel the warmth of Shawn’s hand gripping mine beneath the table. I think he’s talking, but I can’t make out what he’s saying.Everything outside of my father’s face feels like a blur.“What did you say?”My voice sounds foreign, and I blink rapidly, hoping that I’m just in some dream where I’ll wake up, and this entire moment will have just been some horrifying nightmare.“I’m sorry, Rosa,” my father’s mouth moves, and I focus on reading his lips because sounds still aren’t registering properly, “Marina Norconia is your half-sister.”“I…” I turn my head towards Shawn, whose eyes shimmer with concern. “I don’t understand. She…” I swallow down what feels like thick sand in my throat, “Marina is my sister.”I want to run and vomit into the nearest trash can, but I’m not sure my legs would move if I tried.Everything that I’ve known my entire life truly was a lie.I thought finding out that I was a supernatural being was
Shawn stands just outside of his bedroom doorway, tight black slacks stretching over his muscular legs, and a white button down... That is currently unbuttoned, showing off the killer body that he’s worked so hard for in the NFL.His hair is styled with just enough gel to smooth it, but not enough to look like he tried too hard.Adult Shawn is far better looking than teenager Rosalind ever conjured up in her immature mind.He arches a brow, beginning to button the shirt, and I clear my throat, “You are…. Dressed up.”“I can stop by your condo on the way. Your father wants to meet at that French bistro in the city.” Shawn’s eyes crinkle as if he knew where my thoughts had just gone, but he doesn’t comment, allowing me to remain flustered.“I’m going to need to,” I glance down at Chris’ clothing barely hanging onto my body, “On second thought, maybe I should go like this. My father deserves the embarrassment of being seen with me at my worst.”“You look amazing,” Shawn hesitates, and I
Shawn doesn’t mention the kiss, or my rejection.I’m still reeling from feeling his lips on mine. I have wanted that kiss for so many years. So many years I dreamt of how his lips would feel on mine, but now that it finally happened…. I feel dirty because of it.I’m married.The sound of Shawn’s phone startles me, and I drop mine to the floor.“Mr. Red,” Shawn starts, before letting out a soft laugh, “Jeremy. You know I’ll never get used to that.”I hear the booming sound of my father’s laughter on the other end of the receiver, and a fresh wave of hurt washes over me.My father and I have been close my entire life. Every time mom would put me down, dad would pick up the pieces, and yet I find his action unforgivable.He treated me as if I’d made up the pills in my head. And at the time, I’d thought maybe he was right. Maybe I had just taken too many ibuprofens, or mom was feeding me the newest diet fad pill.All of those theories came crashing down the moment I opened that safe, repl
My phone has so many notifications, it’s glitching out.The background photo of James and me on our wedding day is covered by a string of green phone and text notifications. Most are from James, a few from Chris, and one from my mother.“That thing hasn’t stopped going off all day,” Shawn’s leaned against his island countertop on his elbows, ordering food for us from his phone.“James doesn’t like to take no for an answer,” I sigh. Embarrassment quickly settles beneath my skin. I’d done a good job hiding the reality of my relationship for the last three years with everyone around me.I could win an award for my fake smile and loving body language. No one questioned us except for my father, and I think that boiled down to a general dislike of James, and not because he actually cared if I was happy or not.Shawn let out a low growl, his phone clattering to the granite, before banging his fist against the surface. It wasn’t angry, but more out of frustration. “Can we pretend for a moment