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The Gathering
Last Updated:
2024-04-09 23:19:46Related chapters
A Marriage of Convenience Worth it
The look on Alpha Conan’s face was worth whatever repercussions that might follow my comment. His jaw tightened as he tipped his face up, as if that would make him seem tougher than he actually was. His navy-blue eyes sparked with fury as his cheeks flushed crimson. James’ fingers brushed the inside of my thigh, and I glanced over, seeing him smirking at me. “Excuse me?” Conan muttered after opening and closing his mouth like a fish out of water. I widened my eyes, playing into the fake nicety, “Did I misunderstand what you’d said before? It seemed as if you were disrespecting my mate, but he’s an Alpha, just like you.”The tense moment was broken when Alpha Xaden began speaking through a microphone. “Welcome everyone to the eighty-sixth annual Gathering of the wolves,” he started as applause sounded around us.“Tonight, we celebrate the Goddess’ gift to us. Whether you are already mated, or searching for your other half; she has blessed us with the gift of eternal happiness and
Last Updated : 2024-04-10A Marriage of Convenience Changing(James POV)
The soft music surrounds us as I hold Rosalind in my arms. Her skin is so warm and soft everywhere my fingers touch.I’m fascinated with her. For years, I was blinded by anger. I was angry at the world, angry at whomever had brutally attacked my pack, but most importantly; I was angry at the Goddess. She’d given me a mate, only to take her away almost instantly. My bond with Marina was short lived. The pull, the sparks, the desire; it was all so brief I hardly remember it. I spent years longing for those tiny moments back. Hours I spent by her bedside, praying to our Goddess to bring her back to me, only for her to send me a second mate who just so happened to be my own wife. I don’t like to believe in fate, but for some reason, Rosalind was placed in my path on that fateful night. As if the Goddess had planned it all so perfectly. If only she’d offer me some guidance now. “Are you sure this is real?” Rosalind’s soft voice reaches my ears despite the noise all around us. Her face
Last Updated : 2024-04-11A Marriage of Convenience Bitter pill
My breathing halted as James’ fingertips pulled the thin fabric of my thong to the side. The cool night air sent a shiver down my spine, but the heat from James’ hands as they gripped my thighs sent warmth throughout my body. I’ve never done anything like this. Not sexually or anything in such a public space. I’ve imagined James between my legs hundreds of times over the last few years, but nothing compares to the way it feels right now. Even with the looming threat of someone finding us, I can’t bring myself to stop him. A man like James doesn’t get on his knees. You kneel for him. He demands attention. But as his emerald eyes clash with mine; I realize that he’s offering me an exchange of power. “What do you want, Rosalind?” My name rolled off his tongue in a deep rasp as if he were barely holding it together. I released a shaky breath as he pressed his lips against the inside of my thigh. “I need words, sweetheart. Tell me what you want,” James nipped my skin, sending another
Last Updated : 2024-04-13A Marriage of Convenience Feel everything
The entire ride home was silent. Not another word was spoken between the two of us, but words weren’t needed.I could feel everything. He was second guessing everything that had happened between us and all it took was a single tearful phone call from Marina.James couldn’t look at me, not that I wanted him to. My eyes were probably bloodshot from fighting the tears that threatened to spill down my cheeks. I hated crying in front of him. There was a time years ago that I’d promised myself I’d never cry in front of him again.That was after he’d called me into Marina’s room to berate me for not making sure that her pillows were changed. He was so angry, telling me that I was an incompetent doctor and he’d regretted choosing me as his wife.His words broke something in me that day, and tears streamed down my cheeks.That had made him angrier. He scoffed at me, shaking his head as he told me how pathetic it was that I was crying when I was awake and well.I didn’t know that man anymore. O
Last Updated : 2024-04-14A Marriage of Convenience Always win
The sound of loud knocking against the front door had my face scrunching in pain. Every bang bounced around the inside of my skull, creating one of the worst headaches I’ve ever experienced.My eyes were still closed, and after a few tries, I forced them open to see that I was on the floor of the foyer.Lingering crackles from the fireplace even irritated the throbbing in my head.“Rosa,” Chris’ voice came from the other side of the door, “We’re going to be late.”Late? The expensive empty bottle of wine stared at me from where it was tipped over on the plush rug. It was as if it were staring at me, reminding me of my poor decisions last night. Especially now that Chris is at my door for some reason saying that I’m late for something.Pushing myself off the ground, I wince, feeling the intensity of my bad decisions last night.“One minute,” my voice sounded foreign and scratchy.“Could you at least let me in while you finish getting ready? It’s raining,” Chris groaned.Scooping the b
Last Updated : 2024-04-15A Marriage of Convenience Keep it together
I glanced in the fold down mirror of Chris’ car, wincing when I saw my reflection in natural lighting. My eyes still held tinges of pink streaks and the puffiness hadn’t gone down at all.The only consolation is that Chris wasn’t lying about his hangover cure. My stomach was no longer rolling with nausea and my headache had dulled down to a brain fog.“Do you think it’s frowned upon to wear glasses inside of a church?”Chris snorted, “Yes. But who the fuck cares? If his almighty greatness can forgive murderers, he can forgive you for wearing sunglasses to church.”My whole body deflated at the thought of my mother ordering them off before ranting about why in the world I thought it would be appropriate to not only wear the sunglasses, but to get drunk enough to need them the night before Easter.I spotted her the moment we stepped out of the car. My mother was wearing a beige satin dress with long lace sleeves. Her shoes matched perfectly, and it appeared she’d called the on-demand ha
Last Updated : 2024-04-16A Marriage of Convenience Changed everything
“I’m going to plead the fifth when I’m asked about you assaulting that car,” Shawn smirked.“The car deserved it,” I groaned, “The door is locked, and I need sunglasses.”Shawn’s brows pinched together before he reached up, removing the pair atop his head, and outstretching his arm. I walked over, grabbing the pair, and quickly placing them on my face. They weren’t my typical style, but it will do for now.“Why do you need sunglasses?” Shawn closed the distance between us, pushing the pair to the top of my head.“I might be hungover, and my mother might be projecting her insanely oppressive thoughts into my orbit.”“Chris didn’t make you one of his famous smoothies?” Shawn snorted.I scrunched my nose, and my tongue somehow tasted the disgusting concoction, “He did. But I’m not entirely cured, and I can’t handle saving face today around my mother.”“What is she on about now?” he questioned, never breaking eye contact. Normally this level of attention would make me uncomfortable if it
Last Updated : 2024-04-17A Marriage of Convenience Mind won the battle
“I’d like to sit next to my wife,” James’ deep voice spoke through gritted teeth. The way he says the word wife with so much possessiveness sends a shiver snaking down my spine. My body reacts to the deep gruff of his voice, but I don’t want it to.I don’t want James to have an effect on me. I don’t want his voice to make my body shudder. I don’t want my thigh to heat where he now rubs against it because Shawn scooted down.“Sorry I’m late,” James whispers against my ear, sending another traitorous shiver throughout my body.My mother dips her head forward, “James dear,” she coos looking starry eyed, “I’m so glad you could make it.”Her fake kindness grates on my already tattered soul. But it’s not her I’m focused on. My father’s head is turned towards us, and his eyes are trained on James. This isn’t the first time I’ve seen him look at James in a way that screams his dislike for the man, but the emotion shining in his eyes is new.He catches me looking and instantly, his features so
Last Updated : 2024-04-18
Latest chapter
A Marriage of Convenience Something is up(James POV)
Confusion swims in my gut.Marina smells intoxicating, her scent swirling around me as fresh as the day I’d turned eighteen. I’m fighting the war inside my mind to keep my distance, but I’m weak, and Onyx feels trapped.Rosalind is watching our interaction, and the combination is making my head throb.“I don’t get it,” Marina whispers, shaking her head. Her pale blue eyes shimmer, and I know she’s hurting. The urge to wrap my arms around her is compelling, but I fight that too.“Rosalind is my mate. I have no doubt in my mind. Neither of you are willing to share, so I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place.”The engine to my Audi roars to life, and before I can fully process what’s happening, my eyes widen on Rosa’s tear-filled gaze in the driver’s seat.Gravel flies in every direction, some hitting my shin, but I don’t give a fuck. I’m chasing the car, “Rosa, wait!”“James!” Marina shouts at my back, her voice laced with fear, when Rosalind almost hits me putting the car in drive.I
A Marriage of Convenience Moments
One of my leggings was cut to the knee and the other was soaking wet, clinging to my thigh like a second skin. Normally, I’d use the opposite leg for leverage, but at the risk of popping my fresh stitches, I fall back onto the bed.Shawn returns with the scissors, moving to kneel in front of me for the third time today before our eyes lock and he offers me a small smile, “I won’t look.”My chest flutters as I stare into eyes I’ve known all my life.“It’s not like you haven’t seen me before, Shawn.”He chuckles, “That’s fair. But I know you, and I won’t look.”The backs of my eyes burn with unshed tears, and I pull my teeth between my lips, nodding.Shawn grips my pants at my ankle, carefully sliding the sharp end of the scissors beneath the hem. An involuntary shiver sends goosebumps spreading across my skin.His brows pinch together with concern as his movements halt, “I didn’t poke you, did I?”“The scissors are just cold.”Shawn lets out a relieved chuckle, “Once we get you out of
A Marriage of Convenience Blood Loss
“What were you thinking, Rosie?” Shawn easily scooped me up, carrying me to his bathroom, and carefully deposited me onto the porcelain countertop.I feel the warm sticky sensation of blood against my foot, and I know my wound is worse than I initially thought.Shawn squats down, his large frame crowding the bathroom despite the fact that it’s the size of a small bedroom. He removed my shoe first, reaching beneath me to dig out a first aid kit, and dug out scissors.Our eyes met, his asking for permission, to which I nodded, and he cut a line down the seam of my leggings, revealing my very bloody leg.“Shit, Rosie,” he mutters, “This might be something you need to go back to the hospital for.”I grimaced at the thought. I knew for a fact that would be one of the few places James would check in his search for where I’d gone. Unless he already knows I’m here, which would be really bad for Shawn.“Nonsense,” I grit my teeth, the adrenaline of stealing James’ car wearing off, and allowing
A Marriage of Convenience The perfect husband
“James,” Marina coos, “Baby, they won’t let me through.”Her voice grates against my eardrums and I fight the rising anger that simmers beneath my skin.“What are you doing here?” James’ tone is lethal, startling even to me. I’ve never heard him speak to Marina in such a tone, but I won’t lie when I say it filled me with satisfaction.Her pale blue eyes shift to me sitting in the front seat, narrowing for a fraction of a second before she returns her gaze to James. Her bottom lip trembles, and I watch as the actress puts on the perfect performance, “I came to check on you and Raslind,” she whispered, pronouncing my name incorrectly. “I came by the hospital, but you weren’t there. She didn’t tell you?”James ran his hands through his hair, and I was desperate to know what was going through his mind. I knew from experience that once he started showing his nervous tic, I was never sure what was going to come next.“I made it very clear that you weren’t welcome here any longer,” James sur
A Marriage of Convenience Liar
“You should have called, Rosa,” James glanced over at me. His hand rested atop my thigh while the other gripped the steering wheel, “I was worried sick.”“I didn’t think about it,” I whispered, feeling guilt seep beneath my skin. I hated lying to him, and I felt even worse that I’d dragged Dante and Joanne into lying with me. “I’m sorry.”The words tasted bitter on my tongue. I wasn’t a liar, but the last few months I’d found myself keeping more to myself. Hiding things that I wouldn’t normally hide.I didn’t like it.James squeezed my thigh, “Don’t be. Dante was right,” he sighed, “I overthink and you’re an independent woman. It’s something I love about you.”I bring my hand to his, interlocking our fingers, “I get it. Especially with everything that just happened. I assumed I was safe with them.”Another lie. The pit in my stomach grows with every understanding word he speaks, and every lie that rolls with ease off my tongue.“You are,” he chuckled, “I have great family. And they lo
A Marriage of Convenience Fear and fury(James POV)
I’ve dialed Rosa at least ten times.Ten fucking times my calls have gone unanswered.Even my earlier text asking her if she wanted her regular from her favorite Chinese restaurant went unanswered.Pulling up her contact, I click on the map of her location.“What the fuck?”My knuckles grow white as I grip the steering wheel with new force. Why the hell is she with Dante and Joanne? Did something happen at the house?A lethal combination of fear and fury floods my veins, and I press my foot against the accelerator, zipping around cars without caution. I don’t fucking care.‘I would have felt if she was in danger,’ Onyx tries to reason with me, but I tune him out. I’ve relied on him in the past and look where that got me….. And when was he the voice of reason? He’s an animal with one thing on his mind and that’s making sure Rosalind is kept safe and sound within the walls of our home.He expressed interest in chaining her up a few times, which I shut down for obvious reasons. But if sh
A Marriage of Convenience Caught
“You brought your idiot brother?” Dante groaned as he opened the front door.“Nice to see you again, too,” Chris muttered.“I’m sorry, Rosalind,” Dante dipped down, whispering in my ear, “He asks far too many stupid questions.”“What is that delicious smell?” Chris has long forgotten Dante’s comment as he heads towards the kitchen, inhaling deeply.“My lovely mate is baking. Something about keeping Rosa happy,” Dante shrugged, “I’m starting to think it’s a ploy to get me fattened up, though.”“Hey now,” Joanne calls from the kitchen, “You can’t blame me for all that.”Dante gasps, “Woman, don’t you start insulting me in front of my daughter in law.”Joanne rounds the corner of the kitchen, wrapping me in a tight hug, “I’m so sorry about what happened to you,” she pulls away, keeping her hands on my shoulders, “If you need to stay here to feel safe, there is always space for you.”“Thank you,” I whisper, my emotions flooding me as I stare into her motherly gaze.“Pumpkin,” Dante chirps
A Marriage of Convenience Hear you out
Dante sighed on the other end of the line, and I bit my lip, wondering if he would actually turn me down. There was a good chance that he did, and fear gripped my heart at the thought.“Are you trying to get me on James’ bad side?” he grumbled, his voice laced with irritation.“Will you do it, or not?”If I spent all day explaining the reasons that James might be upset, I would certainly talk myself out of taking charge, but I needed answers.“Can you meet me at the cabin?” Dante groaned, and I gasped in surprise, which he must have picked up on because he grunted, “I’m not agreeing to anything yet, but I’ll hear you out.”“I’ll be there asap.”******“What’s with the rush?” Chris groans, wiping the tiredness from his eyes.“I can’t drive and my driver is in the hospital. You were my only option.”Chris turned towards me, narrowing his eyes, “Gee, thanks. You could have called an Uber driver!” he shook his head, “I don’t get paid enough for this.”“It’s clearly stated in your brotherly
A Marriage of Convenience Guilt
“I’ve increased security and will be checking in hourly. Are you sure you’re going to be okay?” James held my annoyed stare, knowing that nothing was getting in or out of these walls without him knowing.He held up his hands in mock surrender, “Fine. FINE. I get it,” he stepped towards me, his large frame crowding my space. My butt hit the counter and my crutches fell to the ground. James lifted me with ease and placing me atop the cool, granite countertop. A shiver rolled through my body as the chill seeped into my skin, “I’m allowed to worry about you, you know?”“Worry all you want, but don’t stop letting me live. Please. I’ll be fine and I trust that all of the additional security measures you’ve put in place will keep me extra safe,” I pecked his lips, attempting to pull away quickly, but he grabbed my face, crashing our lips together in a searing kiss.James held me there until we were both breathless, and my chest ached from the lack of oxygen.“The office can wait,” he growled
