Aliyah "NO!" I screamed, banging at the bars to stop him, but it was too late. His body crumpled to the floor like a ragdoll, the silver blade protruding from his chest. I grabbed the lock, but it was securely fastened, preventing me from opening the cell door. "You can't die until you tell me the truth!" "Aliyah!" Brayden's voice suddenly boomed from behind me. Startled, I turned to see him sprinting towards me, his eyes wide with shock as he cupped my face, tapping his fingers against my cheeks. "God, I thought this douchebag had hurt you. Are you okay?" "He's gone and he took the truth with him!" I sobbed on Brayden's chest and he held me tightly. "He… he ended himself. It just happened so suddenly. I don't understand why he did it!" Brayden's grip on me tightened as he whispered, "We may never know the truth now, but we'll make sure justice is served for what he's done," he reassured me and wrapped his arms around my waist. "Let's get out of here, Aliyah. I don't want you to s
Aliyah I blinked in the mirror. Where did that voice come from? "Mate." My breathing came to a halt, realizing that it was coming from my head, and I could hear it every time I gazed at Brayden. Beads of cold sweat formed on my forehead as I struggled to comprehend what was happening. “Aliyah, you okay?” Brayden gently asked me, noticing my bewildered expression. When our eyes met in the mirror, I gasped when the voice said it again. This time, it was louder and more distinct, causing goosebumps to rise on my arms. "Mate." It almost hurt my ears, I untangled myself from Brayden's embrace and rushed out of the room. 'Why are you running, Aliyah?' Finally, the enchanting voice said something other than the word, 'mate'. Its tone was soothing, almost pleading, but I couldn't bring myself to stop and listen. “Aliyah, wait!” Brayden called, but I was already running towards the main door as I tried to escape the confusion and panic that consumed me. “Who are you?” I ask
AliyahAshton gazed at me, and his eyes narrowed after noticing my shirt. I wished he hadn't assumed I'd slept with Brayden. If I could only read my mind…"What brings you here, Your Majesty?" Brayden said. There was a hint of sarcasm in his voice."You know why I'm here," King Ashton huffed. His steps were heavy as he strode towards us. The veins in his arms were bulging, and his hands were clenched into tight fists. His face was contorted with anger, as though he were on the verge of exploding.I took a step forward to talk with him, but Brayden stopped me. "Let me handle this.""But he's going to hurt you. Please let me explain the situation to him so no violence occurs."I pleaded."Violence is something that we cannot avoid, Aliyah. It's better for me to confront him and try to diffuse the situation before it escalates any further," he said.I couldn't help but notice some changes in Brayden's behavior. Before, he was impulsive and quick to react, but now he seems calm and compose
Aliyah "To bring us all back together?" I frowned, trying to comprehend the value of the seer's words. "Yes," she confirmed. "The universe has a way of correcting imbalances and reuniting what was once separated. Your bond as mates is a testament to that." I exchanged a glance with Brayden and King Ashton, noticing that both of them were as confused as I was. The seer continued, "It is rare for the universe to intervene in such a way, but when it does, it signifies a powerful connection that cannot be ignored." We all sat in silence until King Ashton finally spoke up. "So, what does this mean for us? What are we supposed to do now?" The seer smiled knowingly as she shifted her gaze toward each of us. "You must embrace your bond and trust in the path that has been laid out for you." "So we will share Aliyah? Is that it?" Brayden inquired, contacting his brows with a furrowed brow. I gulped when the seer nodded. She was supposed to explain what was happening, but then her answers
Aliyah "How's your trip around town, Aliyah?" Seer Tasha asked with a wide smile. She led me to the dining table and pulled out a chair for me. "I've been eagerly waiting to hear all about your adventures. "Thanks, Tash. I settled into the chair, and just by seeing the foods she prepared for this lunch, I could tell that she had put a lot of effort into making it special. The aroma of the dishes filled the room, making my mouth water in anticipation. I took a sip of the water first and said, "The streets of this town are vibrant, Tasha. The locals were friendly and welcoming. And you know what? I was planning to apply for a medical job in this town, and knowing that there is a hospital nearby gives me peace of mind. At least I can still do what I love while living here." Tasha smiled and replied, "That's great to hear! This town seems like the perfect place for you to pursue your medical career. Plus, the warm hospitality of the locals will make your job even more rewarding." "That
Aliyah"What if we build a cabin here, right by the water? We could wake up to this view every morning," Ashton whispered, leaning his ears closer to mine. "I've read that those houses near the water are the most peaceful and have a calming effect on the mind.I laughed, saying, "As if Jadeisles isn't surrounded by water and serenity already. But I have to admit, waking up to this view would be a dream come true." I could already imagine the peaceful mornings spent sipping coffee on the porch and listening to the gentle lapping of the water against the dock.I felt like time was frozen as Ashton and I gazed out at the serene water flowing gently by. We perched on the edge of the dock, our feet dangling above the water, as his arms wrapped around me.In this moment, my heart felt nothing but happiness and contentment. It wasn't because of the perfect surroundings but because of Ashton's presence and the love that enveloped us."Would you like to swim?" Ashton whispered in my ear. I cou
Aliyah The bears were huge, but Ashton's wolf was more massive and agile. He darted between them, snapping and snarling, trying to keep them at bay. I watched in silence as he fought off the bears, his fur bristling with ferocity. Each swipe of his powerful paws sent the bears stumbling backward. But there were too many of them, constantly pressing on, and I knew we couldn't outrun or outfight them all. Ashton went back in my direction. He nudged me, urging me to climb onto his back. I mounted him, holding on tightly as he sprinted away from the relentless bears. We raced through the forest, Ashton's wolf effortlessly maneuvering through the dense underbrush. Finally, we were out of the woods and back to the house, safe from the pursuing bears. We went straight to my room, and I immediately felt the stickiness of sweat and dirt on my skin. Ashton was peeking from the window while I quickly peeled off my clothes. He was still in wolf form; maybe he was still keeping watch for any sig
AliyahThis was Ashton's third day. I walked him through the lively town square, which was full of people going about their business. The environment was friendly and inviting, and I could see Ashton's curiosity as he looked around."Everyone seems really nice here," he remarked, his hand never leaving mine as we moved through the crowd."They are. It's a close-knit community," I agreed, smiling at the familiarity of it all. As we walked, I pointed out different landmarks to him, like the small hospital where I'd be working as a medical staffer during my stay with Tasha. His eyes lit up when I mentioned it, and I could tell he was genuinely happy for me."Sounds like you'll be doing some good here," he said, giving my hand a gentle squeeze.
HeatherI cupped my mouth, and tears streamed down my eyes after reading the paternity test result Olga had given me."It's… It's 99.9% accurate," I managed to choke out. "So Dunstan is wrong. He doesn't own any of my kids. They are all fathered by Ivik." I smiled widely, but tears still continued to flow down my face. The truth finally lifted off my shoulders, removing the confusion and doubt that had plagued me for so long."I told you, girl. Everything's going to be alright," Olga said, patting my shoulder. And then we both gazed at the triplets, who were playing board games on the living room floor, their laughter filling the room. Toby also joined them, although they still didn't know that he was their uncle, despite the fact that he was just their age."So when are you telling them that Ivik is their real father?" Olga inquired.I exhaled heavily. "If not for Dunstan, maybe I had
That night, as Ivik and I were already in bed, we held each other tightly, finding peace in each other's presence. Ivik was brushing my cheek with his thumb; his touch was gentle and comforting. He was smiling, as though he had finally found the missing piece of his heart."Are you sure about giving a chance to Sierra?" Ivik asked."It's not about her, Ivik," I said, giving him a small smile. "It's about the kid. No matter how troublesome his mother is, the child is innocent and deserves a chance at a better life. We can't let our personal feelings get in the way of doing what's right for them. Plus, he's our kid's uncle. Don't you want to introduce him to them?"He nodded with a sigh. You're right. And I'm exhausted of hatred. There's no good in holding onto grudges and letting them consume us." Ivik shifted and laid closer to me, facing me. "I want our kids to grow up in a world where love and understanding prevail. But that doesn't mean I will not punish Sier
HeatherI sat on the grass for a while, running for my breath. Sweats kept on pouring down my face, evidence of the intense training I had just completed. The sun was beginning to set, but its warm glow still illuminated the horizon, creating a beautiful golden hue across the landscape of Crimson Groove.Ivik walked toward me, giving me a bottle of water as he sat down beside me. His own face was glistening with sweat, but he seemed unfazed by the strenuous training. "You did great out there. I can tell you've been working hard to improve your skills."I smiled gratefully, taking a sip of the refreshing water before responding, "Thanks, Ivik. Your training sessions have really pushed me to my limits, but it's all worth it to become a better fighter.""Being a fighter doesn't just require physical strength and skill, pumpkin," Ivik replied, tugging a small strand of my hair playfully. "It also requires mental fortitude and determination. You've been a figh
HeatherWhy was this happening to me? I didn’t do anything wrong. I didn't step on or hurt anyone. I achieved my dreams without causing harm to anyone. Yet, here I was, facing a situation that seemed completely unfair and undeserved.As Dunstan touched me in a way that I didn't like at all, I felt my heart race with fear and anger. I felt like my power was taken away from me. When will this be over? I'd prefer to pass away right now than allow Dunstan to completely violate me."Stop," I muttered. Goosebumps were forming on my skin as he kissed me on the neck."You used to admire my company, remember?" Dunstan whispered. "Why change your heart now?"I shut my eyes, trying to block out his words and the memories of a time when I felt safe and comfortable with him. But no matter how hard I tried, the fear and anger continued to consume me."I'm taking you now, love. I promise, you're going to love me forever."A loud
HeatherI woke up in bed, and when my eyes adjusted to the lights, I realized I was still in the same hotel room where I had been before. I could feel the effects of whatever Dunstan had injected me with. And though I was already conscious, my strength had been completely drained. My mind was foggy, and my body felt heavy, as if I had just run a marathon."Ingesting even a small amount of pure aconitine or the plant itself can be fatal, as it can paralyze respiratory or heart functions." Dunstan walked over to me, and I tried to press myself against the headboard, desperate to put as much distance between us as possible. "You see, my dear, I have complete control over you now. There's no escape." "You're lucky to be alive, though. But don't think for a second that I won't finish what I started.""So what will you do? Examine me in the laboratory like some sort of experiment. Or maybe you'll just dispose of me like a piec
HeatherI woke up in the middle of the night, and my body was still exhausted from how many times Dunstan had urged me to have s*x with him. Although it was consensual, it felt like I was making love with a stranger, leaving me feeling empty and disconnected.Tears escaped from my eyes as I went to the kitchen. My body was wrapped in a blanket, leaving the sleeping Dunstan exposed on the bed. As I made myself a cup of tea, my eyes caught sight of Dunstan's laptop on the table, some papers were scattered around it. So he still worked after our last encounter, which made me very tired.Curiosity got the better of me. I couldn't resist the urge to take a peek and see what he had been working on.I sat at the table, forgetting about the tea that I had just made. As I opened the laptop, a rush of guilt washed over me, but my curiosity was greater than my conscience. The screen displayed a document titled
Heather“What are you doing, Amanda?” Ivik pushed Amanda, and that was the moment he noticed me, shattering in the corner.“Heather…”“S-so this is what you call a show?” I squeaked, clutching my chest in disbelief. “And you are so dedicated to it that you continued to act even without an audience? Who the hell are you fooling, Ivik?”I glared at Amanda, but she only turned her back, clutching her head as she leaned against the wall. “What can you say to yourself, Ms. Miller?”“Heather, babe, you’ve got it all wrong!” Ivik strode to me and immediately cupped my face. His touch made me flinch, as though I had been burned. “I’m not fooling anyone, especially you. Look, we don’t have a relationship. This is a misunderstanding.”“You are right, Ivik. This is a misunderstanding, because I had misunderstood your actions towards me!&rd
Heather“Good evening, Mr. Fisher and Ms. Everest.”The receptionist and other hotel staff welcomed Dunstan and me in the function room of Hotel Grandeur. Dimmed lights and soft music playing in the background created an elegant atmosphere in the room. Everything my eyes could see exuded luxury and sophistication.“This way, please.” The receptionist led us to a table near the center of the room, where Dunstan pulled out a chair for me.Despite my perfect environment, I felt lost and out of place, consid
HeatherI had no idea how long I had been gazing at Dunstan. The truth was, I wasn’t sure if I heard him right, since my mind wasn’t in the mood to comprehend such things.“Are you alright, love?" Dunstan cupped my face as he frowned. And then he smiled.and directed us towards the bed, so we could sit on its edge. “Forgive me if I cannot wait until I return, but I cannot bear to leave you like that. I realized I wanted to stay by your side and make sure you're still here," Dunstan confessed. He gently brushed a strand of hair behind my ear."Why would I not be okay, Dunstan? I asked, chuckling."You seemed lost in your thoughts and distant," he explained, concern evident in his voice. "I just want to make sure you're truly okay, my love." I looked up at him, still wondering what had gotten into his mind. He seemed different, almost desperate. I gathered t