The memory was so vivid, almost like a movie playing in my mind.I remember being shocked at his recovery. I’d never seen a human heal so fast. But that was only the tip of the iceberg.When he’d finally woken up, he was fully prepared to tear the hospital apart to get to Marina.He’d called her his mate. Which could only mean that when she said we were both his soulmates, that’s what he had meant all those years ago.“Trying to wrack that pretty little head for anything to dispute what he’s saying?” Marina snickered, waltzing into the room like she owned the place.I lifted my head, staring into her icy blue eyes. They lacked warmth, and I wondered why she hated me so much when I had been the one kept in the dark all this time.“Nothing to say?” she shook her head, arching a brow.“Why would you do that to him?”The question had been burning in the back of my mind. In all honesty, Marina had consistently done things that would hurt the man that she claims to love in an attempt to hu
I couldn’t speak coherent words at the moment, so I chose silence. Each time I thought I might try to speak; sobs rocked my body. I hated that this was the moment that James chose to come home.For years, I’ve managed to keep my feelings in check. I never wanted him to see me as weak. Not only that, but I needed to harness every ounce of strength I possessed just to make it through those years.After a while, James sat across from me on the floor of our kitchen. His long legs stretched all the way from the island to the opposite counters. He didn’t try to force me to talk or ask any questions, he just kept me company in the silence.“I forgot the sugar in my shortbread cookies,” I whispered, needing to break that silence that stretched between us. It was the first thing that came to my mind, despite the looming bomb that James had dropped on me earlier in the day.“Can’t you just add it now?” James questioned, sounding genuinely confused.My lip quivered as I finally raised my face fr
How can a day start so perfectly, only to turn into an absolute shit show in a matter of moments. And it’s only gone downhill since then. Marina forced my hand this morning when I wasn’t ready. When Rosalind wasn’t ready. And now, as I sit on the floor of my own fucking kitchen; I can see that she’s hanging on by a thread. I had next to no relationship experience before the attack on my pack. I was waiting for my mate, and then my mate was in a coma, and I was so angry at the world, that I didn’t bother putting in even an ounce of effort when it came to my marriage with Rosalind. She was the perfect wife. I see that now as I sit across from her, staring at her tear-stained face. Rosa was always there when I needed her. She took every demand that I made with stride and put in her all despite my overly shitty attitude. She spent hours preparing for galas and events, slapping on a fake smile, and laughing at my fake jokes for the greater good. For this fucking stupid image that I’d be
“Can you talk to your wolf?”The way that he'd spoken about him like they were old friends made me think the answer would be yes, but there was so much I didn't know.James’ large hand engulfed mine as we walked away from the house and towards the trees that filled the back part of our property. The leaves had turned various shades of reds and yellows, and would soon fall off the trees, tumbling to the ground until spring. Fall was always my favorite season because from the balcony of my room, the view was breathtaking. I’ve considered pulling out a canvas and paintbrush, and painting the view, but it’s been years since I’ve bothered with art. “Typically, yes. But I’ve not been able to communicate with Onyx since the attack.”I didn’t miss the sadness in his voice as the words left his mouth. He told me earlier that his wolf was like his other half and losing him felt like he’d lost a piece of himself. “What is that like?” I peered up at him just as a smile overtook his face. “He
James’ grip on my hand slowly loosened before his hand fell from mine followed by a halt in his steps.The sun fell through the veil of trees, created these beautiful sun streaks that appeared opaque. Like you could reach your hand out and feel the rays themselves. It was beautiful and created the illusion that this moment was anything other than what it was.My heart ached with every beat in his silence.“The Moon Goddess doesn’t give someone two mates typically.” His voice was barely above a whisper and the words didn’t do anything to soothe over the pain that filled my chest at his avoidance of the question.“But she did to you…”Now my voice was barely above a whisper as the words left my lips.James kicked a rock, his eyes following the way it tumbled through the dirt before opening his mouth again… only to close it before anything came out. His fingers pushed through his hair before turning towards me, “I’m usually not one to be at a loss for words.”I could feel his nerves, but
Rosalind said she was tired and needed to rest, but I didn’t buy it. I knew she’d retreated to her room to wallow in her tears.Our conversation took a quick turn earlier, just as I’d expected, and the moment the question left her lips; I knew that I couldn’t give her the answer that she was looking for.My back hits the leather of my office chair as I lift my feet onto the edge of my desk.I’ve decided that the Moon Goddess has it out for me. She mated me with not only a witch, but a human.Reaching up, I scrub my hand over my face, groaning as the chair leans further back.I don’t have a fucking plan for this. I thought I’d be mated to some Alpha’s daughter or something that would make a hell of a lot more sense than whatever this is.“Fuck,” I leaned forward, slamming my fists against the desktop.My fingers dialed the only person I knew that could figure shit out when I needed it, “Mr. Wood, what lovely endeavor does your bank account allow today?” Dante chirped through the other
I heard the sound of the punching bag for two hours before James finally stopped last night. Then, like usual, he spent thirty minutes in the shower, but this time; he didn’t sing.That was something I didn’t realize how badly I clung to prior to leaving the first time. Then when I’d come back home, I found myself smiling as I lingered just far enough away to still hear him while being undetected.But last night…. I heard nothing.My eyes widened as I caught a glimpse of myself in the bathroom mirror. The whites of my eyes were bloodshot, and my under-eye bags had bags from how puffy they were. My tears had created a damp spot on the left side of my head, and the hair had flattened against my scalp.After a quick shower, I walked to my closet only to realize that I’d never made the time to remove all of the clothing that Marina had damaged.Closing my eyes, I took a leveling breath. I wasn’t going to continue to let her affect me.I grabbed the robe hanging in the bathroom, tying it o
After spending the day rummaging around an endless string of shops, I’d purchased replacement clothing as well as the sexiest dress I’ve ever tried on.James texted me while I was out and told me he’d be by to get me at six for the event he was taking me to.I’d curled my hair into soft waves that I’d pinned into a low pony. My eyes were more natural, focusing on lashes while choosing a red lip to go along with my dress.The dress itself hugged my body like a glove. The low, square neckline left little to imagination as well as the double slits in the front. I had to wear a thin black lace thong so that nothing would show when I walked. The dress itself was a satin black slip dress with a red lace overlay.The splurge of the day wasn’t even the beautiful dress. It was the six-inch red bottomed platform Louboutin’s that made the muscles in my legs look amazing beneath the slits.Today felt like a new day for me.As I carefully walked down the steps, the front door opened, and in walked
Another day, another bottle. Glancing around my apartment, I internally cringe at the mess. Am I fucked up? Is that even a question anymore? I snort at my own thoughts. I’m definitely fucked up. As I go to stand, my head swims with dizziness, sending me hurdling back onto the couch where I’d fallen asleep last night. My back aches like nobody’s business considering I’m six foot four, and around two-hundred twenty pound. Couches aren’t made for men like me. I peer over the back of the couch to my kitchen. The digital numbers on the microwave sway from side to side, two of them merging into one. It’s twelve thirty. Practically another day gone. I’ve been here before. Years ago, I ended up with a short stint in rehab. I’d paid my dues, said all the things I needed to say, convinced the doctors with a good old fashion lie, and boom, I was all better they said. I’d say the jokes on them, but really, the only joke is me. Rosalind was always the star in our household. I didn’t hate
“Did she complete the task?” Marina speaks through gritted teeth as James walks me back inside the warehouse blindfolded. He didn’t bother zip tying my wrists, as I was being cooperative. “Flawlessly,” James purred, and I heard a relieved sigh fall from Marina’s lips. “What is with that necklace?” I question now that we’re no longer at the bank. Not only that, but James’ mood tanked after three separate people asked for photographs with him as we left the bank, so I didn’t bother asking on the ride home. “Nothing that concerns you,” Marina snapped, and I heard her step closer, grabbing James and planting a sloppy kiss on his lips. The act was intentional to grate on my nerves, and I wanted to claw her eyes out. I wasn’t jealous any longer, but it still stung having your failures rubbed in your face. “My father thought it concerned me,” I interrupted their make-out fest, causing James to let out a groan, “I don’t remember you talking this much.”“My talking didn’t seem to bother y
James white knuckles the steering wheel. My normally relaxed husband is glancing around every few seconds as if the boogeyman might step out of the shadows at any moment. If only he realized he just needed a mirror. “Are you paranoid?” I wring my hands in my lap. Noticing the raw skin around my wrists, I tugged the sleeves to the cardigan James gave me before we left. Couldn’t have anyone at the bank seeing the marks left behind by my dear husband. Though he told me if anyone noticed, we like it rough in the bedroom. My stomach recoiled at that thought, but I nodded in agreement. The job was simple. Go to the bank, smile, pretend that we’re a loving couple, and get the contents of the lockbox. I’d done this dance with him many times in the past, I just never imagined I’d be back here.“Why would I be paranoid?” he snapped.“You just keep looking around. Checking the rear and sideview mirrors,” I purse my lips, “I doubt anyone is looking for me.”“I’m not taking any chances.” His
“I’ve brought you clean clothes. There is a basin shower through that door.. Which stays open,” James carefully sat a pile of clothes down beside my leg, pulling a knife from the breast pocket of his suit. He looked like his normal self. His hair was messily pushed back in that effortless style he was famous for. The five-o-clock shadow that painted his jaw yesterday is gone, and he’s wearing another one of his expensive suits.“I’m going to cut you free and you’re going to walk straight into that room, clean yourself up, and then we leave. Got it,” his hardened eyes were on me, and I was taken back to a time where I’d seen this man’s true colors for the first time.“Rosa!” James’ shout echoed through the house. I was downstairs in the kitchen preparing a nutritional shake for Marina. “ROSA!” His voice was harsher as he called my name for the second time, and I grabbed the shaker, shaking it as I rushed up the steps, taking them two at a time. “Yes?” I whispered, my voice meek as I
James disappears for the evening, but not before dragging Shawn’s limp body back to the pole opposite of me, and zip tying his hands to it. Hot tears have streamed down my face, as they had for the last few hours. Or maybe it had only been minutes. Time strapped to this pole, with the only light being the flickering one in the corner, is relative. Shawn must have one hell of a concussion from the accident for the following two blows from James to have kept him out this long, and fear grips my heart. Does anyone realize we’re missing? For all they know, Shawn is taking time off, likely with my father covering for him unknowingly after what happened at the restaurant and no one would be looking for me outside of James, and he’s the reason I’m here. Maybe Chris, but he’s been in a constant state of drunk since finding out about us being werewolves, so I doubt it. If he’s called, he’s not worried yet. In the past, I’d go days without responding to anyone, and now I’m kicking myself
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