Heather"Actually, Dunstan and I do have children," I admitted. "But they're in good hands. My nanny is taking care of them while I'm away." I wanted to say no, but the thought of denying my kids made my heart ache, so I just claimed that they were Dunstan's kids. It was easier to lie and protect them from the truth about their real parentage.Ivik's eyes narrowed as we reached the healer's cottage. He clutched the door tightly while he asked, "How old are they?"His question took me so off guard that I stumbled for a moment before answering, "They're triplets, just turning five years old." Although I hated telling lies about my kids, I knew that Ivik would no longer think that they were his real kids.The dismay on his face made it evident that he was struggling to process the information as he frowned at me. He took a deep breath and finally said, "Very well."The heavy oak doors of the cottage swung open with a commanding creak, and as I stepped through them alongside Ivik, my sens
Alpha IvikI took a seat next to Heather on the couch, and she glanced away, seemingly disinterested in making eye contact. Despite her efforts to maintain a professional demeanor, her body language was doing the opposite. Her crossed arms and tense posture suggested that she was feeling uncomfortable or guarded. It was difficult for me to witness her in such a state, but I had to tell her the truth.“I can’t believe this, Ivik.” Heather finally spoke up, but her voice was shaking. “Why do you have to abduct me when all this time you know your father’s current condition?”“There are things you need to know about my father, about everything.” I gritted my teeth, itching to grab her wrist and force her to listen. “Okay, I lied. And I admit, I used my father as an excuse.”“Why!”“Look at me. Please.”I waited for her gaze, but I was hesitant and cautious. But when our eyes finally met, I could see curiosity in her eyes. She might have changed a lot. From the teen and tomboyish girl I on
HeatherI was standing outside Ivik’s bedroom door for a few minutes now, but I had no idea why I was there at all. Perhaps I wanted to console Ivik since he had no one to confide in, and I was head over heels furious at Sierra, too. I considered her my best friend, and even though I felt hurt when she took Ivik from me, I didn't confront her for him, and I decided to avoid being around them.I touched the door. The wood felt sturdy, like the wall I’d created around my heart to protect it from him over the years.“Come on in, Heather…”My breathing halted as I heard Ivik’s deep voice from the other side of the door. How the hell did he know I was here?I cautiously pushed open the door and found Ivik standing by the window, his back turned to me. With a fitted top and a pair of sweatpants on, his muscular physique was on full display. I slowly approached him, unsure of what to say or how to break the ice that had formed between us over time. He had gone tougher since the last time I s
HeatherThe cemetery was covered in a thick, cold fog that made everyone feel like they were being suffocated. Ivik stood on the edge like a rock. His face was blank as he watched his father's coffin be lowered to the ground.Slowly, I approached him, reaching out to rub gentle circles on his broad back in an attempt to offer some comfort. The firm muscles under his black suit tensed briefly at my touch, then relaxed. He stared vacantly at the casket until it was completely buried.Time went on, the minutes stretching into an hour since the last person offered their condolences before departing. The cemetery emptied, leaving Ivik and me alone with the whispering wind and the freshly turned soil. His silence was heavy. I knew that no words could truly ease his pain, but I hoped that my presence alone would provide some relief."Talk to me, Ivik," I urged softly. "You don't have to go through this alone."For a long while, there was nothing. No response. No acknowledgment. Then, as if t
HeatherSuddenly, a raindrop fell on my cheek, followed by another and another. Within seconds, the sky opened up, and heavy rainfall began again, pulling me out of my thoughts."Race you to the hut!" Ivik challenged me. His eyes sparkled with mischief, even as the rain started pelting down more heavily. With a loud, hearty laugh, he sprinted towards the old cabin where we had built our own kingdom all those years ago.Our laughter echoed through the forest as we ran like two kids escaping reality again. Mud splattered onto our clothes as we slipped and slid through the heavy downstream. By the time we reached our old pumpkin house, we were drenched and breathless.Ivik managed to push open the creaky door of the cabin with some effort, revealing a small space. We shook off the rain as we settled onto the worn-out floorboards."I can't believe it's still standing," I murmured, running my fingers along the carved initials on the wooden wall. "Who knew we were such good architects?""If
Alpha IvikThe gains and losses that should have caught my attention were just a blur of numbers in front of me. The numbers on the screen were interesting, but they couldn't compare to the pain in my chest. It had been there since Heather left for Los Angeles two weeks ago. Every figure I looked at was an attempt to dull the pain of her absence, and every mouse click was an attempt to take my mind off the desire that consumed me.If I were any other Alpha, I might have used force to keep her near and prevent her departure. But I no longer wanted to use force. Even though Heather was my fated mate, even though I sensed the love she had for me, I respected her independence too much to ever consider such an act. She couldn't feel our bond, which was alarming, to say the least. There had been moments when I could've taken her into my arms and claimed her as mine, yet I refrained. The scent of her lingered in my memory, potent and intoxicating; it had nearly driven me to madness."Alpha I
HeatherI was carrying a box labeled 'Mom's Essentials' towards the master bedroom when the triplets darted past me."Mom! Look at this place!" Luka buzzed in. He was always a whirlwind of laughter and boundless energy."Careful, don't run too fa—" My caution tapered off as I watched Luka disappear into the room. He had always been curious, but lately, his curiosity seemed to be growing alongside their growing independence."Wow," Avery breathed out, her eyes wide as they took in the spacious room with its high ceilings and elegant decor. Theo followed close behind. He wasn't as hyped as Luka, but his eyes sparkled with amazement as he surveyed the room.I placed the box on the dresser and turned just in time to see Luka leap onto the king-sized bed, bouncing slightly on the plush mattress. Avery and Theo settled on either side."Mom, why did we move?" Luka asked, tilting his head. "I had so many friends back there. Now, I gotta start all over." He dragged his last phrases, making his
HeatherI swiveled in my chair as I flipped through my patient's chart one final time. Two weeks ago, Susan's heart faltered on the table. I thought we’d lost her, but her vital signs surged back to life, and she made a remarkable recovery. Now, as I looked at her, she seemed to be a completely different person. The color had returned to her cheeks, and her brown eyes sparkled with vibrancy."I can't thank you enough. If it hadn't been for you, my grandmother wouldn't be here today, Dr. Everest," the teenage girl said with tears welling up in her eyes. She actually looked like her grandmother, only younger. "You truly saved her life and gave our family a second chance. We are forever grateful.""It was a team effort, sweetie. We all worked together to ensure the best possible outcome for your grandmother," I replied, meeting her sincere gaze. "But your grandmother is a fighter. She had as much of a hand in her recovery as any of us."The elderly patient, who was nestling in her wheelc
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