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