WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THIS ETHAN? lol
“I don’t want to go back to my room, I just left,” I said. “I could care less about what you want, Adea. You’ve proven that you can’t be trusted. I can’t have you wandering around alone, you need to be supervised. I can’t have you disappearing the day before the celebration,” Ava said. Her hand slid up her chest and gripped her throat. “Father would have my neck if I lost you again. No, you will go to your room and wait there until I come to you.” “Let’s get you ready. We don’t have all day,” Ava said. The snark in her voice was clear and I was ready to call it a day already. Gabriel turned and pulled dresses from the bag. “These are the ones you chose last time. I’ve had them tailored to the measurements we took. Which would you like to try on first?” Gabriel asked. “They’re beautiful,” I said as my gaze trailed over the dresses. “Thank you. The order doesn’t matter.” Gabriel nodded and picked up the first dress. “You can step in there and undress,” Gabriel said. “I can take you
“Take her upstairs,” Ava demanded. “She has a habit of slipping out, so guard her door. Don’t let her leave.”The two warriors nodded at Ava and turned to me. Before they could grab me I turned from them and headed out. Had I been born a man I would have been their leader, my father’s heir. The throne he sits on would have been mine. I would have been the next Alpha and been the one to govern over this pack but because I was a woman, I was nothing but a pawn, a chess piece. One to be sold off at the highest price. My only use was how my father wanted to move me across the board.The unfairness of it all was enough to cause my eyes to prick with tears. It wouldn’t matter who Ava was or if she was the favorite child. I had been born first, I should have had more say. I was the one who should have had the power. I held my head high as I led the way out. A few men ran in front of me and I was forced to follow them out. As much as I wanted to, I didn’t look at Gabriel as I walked out the d
Loud knocking stirred me from a dreamless sleep. The last thing I remembered was a sky painted with hues of yellow, orange, and purple. I’d cried myself to sleep. When the knocking continued, I opened my eyes and pulled myself up. I could hear my sister calling from the other side of the door. She’s one of the last people I want to see. The moon lit up my room and I wondered how long I had been asleep. I pulled myself from my bed and made my way towards the door. As soon as I unbolted it, Ava pushed her way in.“What took you so long?!” Ava yelled.“What do you want Ava? I’m too tired to deal with your bullshit. I thought you were going to come in the morning. This,” I pointed out the window at the moon, “is not the morning and I don’t appreciate you barging in. In case you forgot, this is my room.”“Where did you go?” Ava asked. She completely disregarded everything I said. Every time I think she can’t get any more annoying she proves me wrong. She’s far from my favorite person but
I’ve been staring at the wall for the last hour, maybe two hours. The paint is chipping and I know what I look like. I’m a sacrificial lamb awaiting to be offered up for the guest. What they don’t know is that I’m going to gut the guest. What they don’t know is that I’m not going to take it laying down. Today I have my game face on. I’m not going to let anything show. I’m not going to let them know that I’m hurting and I’m not going to let it show that I’m affected by them having Shane. Even though it’s all that I can think about. I cried so hard last night that my eyes were swollen this morning and my head was pounding.I didn’t lock the door last night after Ava left. There was no point in continuing to pretend that this room was my safe space. I was never safe and if anything they could have broken my door down. The child in me wished and believed that I was safe in these four walls but the adult I needed to be needed to accept the fact that this room was not my safe space. I neede
“The sooner you get that look off of your face the sooner we can get you ready,” Ava said. There wasn’t a hint of a taunt in her voice just facts.“And what look would that be?” I asked.“The one that says you’re heartbroken and you’re being offered up to the devil,” Ava said. She said it so matter-of-factly and she wasn’t wrong.“So you’re wanting me to—”“I want you to do what you know needs to be done. It isn’t just your life that’s hanging on your performance tonight. His life rides on it too, or have you forgotten?” Ava asked. I close my eyes and will myself not to lunge for her and scratch her eyes out. “We all know you don’t want to do this but we don’t care. Fix your face. You are of age now and you’re going to be whisked off. You’ll ride off into the sunset with a mate that’s also an Alpha. You can’t say the same thing about that pathetic excuse of a man downstairs, can you?” Ava asked. Inhaling slowly through my nose, I pray to the Goddess for patience that I don’t have, and
We walk side by side down the stairs. Our gowns trail behind us as we face today and what it’ll bring. I push the thought of Shane to the back of my mind. If I focus on him today I’ll cry and lose my composure. I need to wear another mask today. One of indifference and obedience. Two guards lead the way in front of us and two more follow close behind. The handmaiden wasn’t dismissed. She follows the guards behind us with her head bowed low. Today is a busy day and Ava insisted that we keep her by us. We’ll need help from someone who isn’t a man.When we reach the bottom, Ava takes a step closer and links her arm with mine. When I look at her she doesn’t return my gaze. She takes another step and pulls me along with her. It annoys me but I don’t let my mask slip. I keep my mask in place and follow her to the front of the packhouse. We’re to wait here until our father and his Beta show up. The guests will be arriving soon and breakfast isn’t on the schedule for today. The heat from the
For a second I don’t utter a word. I just stare at Ava, her cheeks flushed from a mixture of anger, jealousy, and embarrassment. The sun has the same effect on her, sweat drips down the side of her face and falls to the ground. Everything she’s ever done to me has me sitting back and enjoying every second of her fit. I can see her anger rising with my lack of response and it only makes this moment sweeter.“What’s the rush? Our guest of honor has arrived. We have more than enough time,” I said. “What do we even have to do?” I asked.“We’re going to be judging the others from higher ground,” Ava said.“You can’t be serious?” I laughed. When I looked at my sister the expression on her face answers that. She’s dead serious. “Why would we do that?” I asked.“It’s what anyone of high nobility does. Our guests have arrived and now we’ll go and judge them,” Ava said. She said it as if this explanation was enough to make me understand.“Skipping breakfast to greet guests is one thing. Continu
As soon as I’d taken my last bite my sister was on her feet. She barely ate any of her food. I’m sure the food wasn’t up to par with what she thought she deserved to eat. They weren’t even supposed to be cooking today. She should have just been thankful that they were there. Food that warms your belly is one of the little things in life that I look forward to. How did we grow up so different?I followed Ava as she walked out of the dining hall. The guards that had followed us out of my room were waiting outside. They stayed close as we headed toward one of the nearby buildings that was supposed to be used to entertain guests. We never really used this building, but Ava was walking toward it. I knew the large outdoor patio would be perfect for what she had in mind.As much as I’d hoped she would have given up on that part of the schedule I knew better. The guards opened the door and I followed her in. The building hadn’t been used but had servants to upkeep it. They’ve done a marvelous
Shane’s words are a shock to my system. Silence stretches between us, and I don’t know how long we sit there. I watched as he ran his lips against my knuckles before kissing the back of my hand. I can’t keep my eyes off of him, and as I stare at the side of his face, anger bubbles inside of me.What the hell is he thinking?Unlike the night I met him in this life, there’s no hate there. Shane emits love and patience, and if I hadn’t already spent the time that I had with him, I would have thought I was dreaming. His lashes are unfairly curled, his nose sharp, and as he straightens, I sigh as he runs his fingers through his hair. I don’t need memories of my past life to know that’s always been my favorite thing.Shane’s walls have come crumbling down, and now that I’ve got the man I love marked, and in bed with me, I can’t help but wonder why the fuck he’s here. His eyes meet mine and the corner of his lip pulls back until he flashes me with that panty-dropping smirk. Meanwhile, I’m st
Shadow ~ LivingstonCry ~ Benson BooneAdeaSilence. Absolute silence. I couldn’t even hear his breathing. One glance at his chest proved he hadn’t taken a breath since the words left my mouth. I waited for his answer, but his next breath was all I got before he lifted me up. Supporting my weight, he turned and walked to the sectional. With him leaning back, it felt good being in his arms for this conversation.“Of all the things you could ask…”“You said you’d answer anything,” I reminded.“I did.”“But not this?” I asked curiously.“I will. Just… give me a minute.”“Okay,” I breathed.Lowering my gaze, I gave him a second. My fingers danced along his defined abs as I waited. His chest rose and fell and I glanced up as he ran his hand through his hair. My favorite curl rebelliously dropping back into place on his forehead. His jaw ticked, and I wondered if it was that big of a deal for him to appear, what I would call, pissed.“You had come to stay with me. When I heard you were home
AdeaShane’s heat vibrated against mine. He fit perfectly. Everything had been going so well and now it felt like the ground beneath our feet was shaking. My natural instinct was to look at his lips, to reach out for him, to beg him to make it go away like he had in the truck on the way here. But the time for running had past, and this was a hurtle I couldn’t avoid.There was nothing that could make me feel better about this situation. Images of Shane fucking a multitude of faceless, hot, nameless women flashed one after the other through my mind. No one could make me question my self worth, but when it came to him, Goddess, it was impossible to see how I could ever be enough. Beka walking into the space that’s supposed to be mine set flame to the gasoline that lay at our feet. But, of course, instead of making it better, Shane outright admitted he’d been with women. I wanted to laugh. Knowing he’d probably never turned anyone down until today left a bitter taste in my mouth. It didn’
As soon as I came from the high Shane gave me, the anger came flooding back. And the bastard had the audacity to smile. I don’t know how he did it, but he saw everything. Well, I guess if we’d live multiple lives, he’d know everything about me. I didn’t understand why he could remember, while I couldn’t. His smirk turned into a shit-eating grin, pulling at both corners of his mouth, and my stomach flip-flopped. My pussy still spasmed in the aftermath of my orgasm, but Shane dropped his forehead to mine and laughed. I pushed against his chest, but with a twist of the wrist; I moaned and jerked against him. His shirt was soaked, and I spat it out. It was warm and wet where it fell against my thigh.Bastard.“What’s so fucking funny?” I snapped. Quickly, I swiped at the drool on my chin. The two parts of me waged a war; the one that loved him and the one that resented him. One second I was gushing for him and the next I wanted to punch the ass. His shoulders shook as he pulled his fingers
Shane’s eyes held mine and I tracked the movement of his tongue as it slid along his bottom lip. His head dipped as he lowered himself, as if he couldn’t get close enough. And I watched as he ran his hard, flat tongue up my spread lips. I fought the urge to close my eyes and throw my head back. The need to revel in the pleasure Shane gave me was strong, but I couldn’t. His eyes darkened as he closed his mouth and his throat bobbed. And I was thankful I kept my eyes on him. His lashes fluttered as he savored my taste. Shane was more beautiful than the paintings hanging on the wall. He was a work of art and I could stare at him for hours, days, weeks; however long I could.“More,” I demanded.A rumbling sound sent goosebumps down my arms. My lips parted as his mouth opened and his pink tongue darted out. My thighs shook as I watched it flick over my clit. I widened my legs; needy for more, so much more. My fingers curled against his scalp and I pulled on his hair. Willing him to give me
Aphrodite ~ Sam ShortInstinct told me I needed to protect myself. The need to wrap my arms around myself was strong, but Shane was everywhere. He lifted me and I wrapped my legs around his waist. My hands rested on his chest. He pressed a kiss to my hair, my forehead, my nose. Even as I wanted to escape this wretched feeling in my chest, I couldn’t help but burrow closer. My lashes fluttering to a close as he murmured my name. I swallowed the lump in my throat and let my hands fall as he placed me on the table.The sweet happiness that made me so giddy I ran from him was gone. And in its place a small hole. Pettiness, anger, and jealousy clawed at my chest. His shirt had ridden up less than an inch more and I would be on full display. My gaze trailed up the ridges and dips of his abdomen. Beneath the light, I noticed the light markings of scars on the back of his biceps and arms. Muscles turned to broad shoulders, but my gaze locked on my mark.Shane is mine.Always has been.Always
Go to Hell ~ LetdownAdeaThe silence was deafening. It was so still, you could hear a pin drop. Just an arm’s length away, his slow breaths filled the silence as Shane hovered behind me. I refused to look at him just yet. My emotions waged war within me. Did I want to yell or cry? I needed a moment. Closing my eyes, I took several deep breaths, trying and failing to calm myself down.Breathe in.1…2…3…4…Hold.1…2…3…4…Exhale.1…2…3…4…The damn breathing thing thing wasn’t working. Back when Gabe and I first came here, he taught me this breathing technique to help with my panic attacks. Instead of pushing thoughts of him away, it did the opposite. Every time I inhaled, I got lungfuls of Shane, his presence surrounded me. Demolishing the wall of safety I tried so hard to build up. As if he heard the wall come tumbling down, he stepped closer. The heat came off of him in waves, cutting through the short distance and caressed me. It was so hard to be mad at him, but my mind and
My skin heated, and it felt as if my blood were boiling. I don’t know which part I was more angry about. This woman being here in my space, the supposed plan to remove her from the premises, or the way Shane called her name. Was it a nickname? Maybe it was all the above that truly pissed me off. My gaze locked with Gabe’s and I gave him the ‘Am I the only one insane here?’ look, but he just shook his head reassuringly. So either I wasn’t, or the two of us were both equally crazy. Turning my focus back to Beka, I waited impatiently for what she’d say. My lip curled as she softened her eyes and pouted.“When you didn’t come back, I was worried. On top of that, you didn’t answer any of my texts.” She hunched her shoulders, making herself appear smaller. We’re taught this at a young age to show an aggressive male we were weak and meant no harm. My skin crawled as she leaned into him, invading his space. I bit back the whine in my throat as my insecure thoughts swirled through my mind.Is s
I am not okay ~ Jelly RollAdeaKorra caught her scent before I could, and she was seething. Alarm bells were going off. There was a female in our mate’s suite. I didn’t know when it happened, but we had claimed not only Shane, but this area as ours. Only those we allowed were permitted to be here, and this woman wasn’t supposed to be here. My wolf snarled and snapped her fierce jaws at the uninvited guest. Normally, I can keep her under control, but right now, it felt like we were one and the same.Her anger, her hate, her pain, her need to draw blood—all of it was mine.My eyes trailed up from her red Jimmy Choos, along her thin yet muscular legs, to the white skirt that left nothing to the imagination, past her breasts that were barely covered by an uncountable number of diamonds. Red-kissed lips with a perfect cupid’s bow jutted out in a pout that matched her heels, blue eyes that instantly zoned in on Shane, and too-straight princess blonde hair flowed down her back.Still, she wo