There were rumors floating around. I’d heard from Ava that early this morning two people were found in a compromising position in the dining hall. She went on and on about how insane it was like she wasn’t into it herself.“I heard the maid walked in on them. The scullery maid was on her knees and the tall devilish chef was seated on the table. You’d think father would punish them but he didn’t seem to care about it since he didn’t see anything.” Ava huffed.“Did you say chef?” I asked. There’s no way it’s my Shane but if it’s a chef, it has to be someone he knows. Maybe a friend.“Yes. He’s tall and has black hair. She thought we had a visitor since only alphas have dark hair.”My stomach churned. Was she talking about Shane? He was the only person she knew of outside of her family, Ethan, and the other alphas who had dark-colored hair. Guests hadn’t arrived yet for the celebration and this wasn’t making sense. It had to be Shane. I could taste the bile on my tongue and I fought the
Hours went by of sifting through all the dresses. Since he was here, Ava decided it would be best to get a few dresses picked out and fitted for when I was to leave and join Ethan’s pack. The thought made me cringe but we spent a few more hours choosing styles. Ava had to run to relieve herself and I was left with Gabriel. He walked over to me and started to take my measurements.“Excuse me,” he said. He looked around and when he confirmed that we were alone he whispered. “Are you in danger?” He asked“Would you be able to help me if I was?” I whispered back.He chuckled.“I might be.”“You could be a spy for all I know. A mole. Someone chosen by my father to check me out, feel me out before the celebration.”“I’m not.”“Am I to take the words of a stranger seriously? Am I to take you as a traitor lightly? Especially so on our first meeting?” I asked.“You make a point. I was only seeing if you were in danger.”“I will be but there’s nothing I can do about it. A woman doesn’t get to m
Later that night when the guests finally departed. Ava walked me up to my room and I bolted it shut. She left and when I turned around I almost screamed. Shane was in the room. I hadn’t expected him to be up here. I still hadn’t come to terms with the rumors or decided what I thought about the. Yet here he was, he had jumped up from the floor and scared the life out of me. What do I say? Do I say anything? Do I ask him about it? Or do I ignore it and pretend I didn’t hear anything? I shake my head. No. That’s not me. I may keep my mouth shut around everyone else but not around Shane, not with him. We talk, we don’t hide things.“What took you so long?” Shane asked. His lips were down turned and I wondered what peed in his soup.“We had guests.”“What kind of guests? Who?” Shane asked as he strode across the room to us.“What if she caught you here?” I asked. “What if she came in?”“She didn’t come in, did she?” Shane asked.I didn’t like my question being answered with another questio
“Listen to me! I didn’t want to hurt you, Adea, even though deep down, that’s what I want to do. I want to hurt you. I want to see you cry. I want to make you bleed. I’m a sick man, Adea. I’m sick and disturbed. There’s so much you don’t know about me. You don’t know how I can be or what I’m like. I’m a different man with you.”“So you’re not yourself. This isn’t who you are? Then who are you? If you’re not Shane, if you’re not the man I know, then who are you?” I asked.“I’m the devil.”“Goddess. Do you hear yourself? For fucks sake, LET. ME. GO.”“No. I’m not letting you go. I’m never letting you go. You’ll never be free of me.”I’m crying now. My heart and mind are at war with each other. I want to tell him to fuck off. I want to tell him to get out of my room. Hell, I want to push him from my window. But at the same time, I want to hold him close. I want to climb into his arms. I want to cry on his shoulder. I want to mark him and I want him to mark me. I want to make him mine. I
“I hate you. I hate you so much,” I cried. Shane didn’t say anything. He clenched his jaw as he stared back at me. “Is that how you like it?” I asked.“Oh, Adea,” he groaned. “I’m a sick man but I’ve tried to be good for you. I’ve tried to be… I’ve tried to be something I’m not. You’re so innocent, so precious. As much as I wanted to soil you, tarnish you, dirty you, I can’t.”“Is that why you haven’t taken me yet?” I asked.“It’s one of the big reasons.”We didn’t say anything more that night. We didn’t mention it and we didn’t mention the women but after that night, Shane never touched me again. Sexually at least. He didn’t take anything and didn’t give any. We cuddled, we snuggled, and we held each other but after that night it was as if we’d pulled apart. Stayed apart. As soon as I knew about the other woman, I couldn’t bring myself to touch him, taste him, kiss him but I still loved him all the same. He visited me every night and stayed until sunrise but he never made any moves t
Two days before the celebration, one year older, I stood at my window afraid. Afraid I’d never see Shane again. Afraid that something happened to him and that I would be forced to leave with Ethan. I waited with bated breath as the sun slowly lowered below the horizon. When the moon was high in the sky, I steeled my resolve and threw my leg over the window. Shane had climbed up and down from here time and time again. It was my turn to figure it out. I ignored the warning in my head screaming that I would plummet to my death. Slowly but surely, I somehow managed to climb down the walls. My feet touched soft grass and I let out a breath of relief when I was on solid ground. It was dark out, with nothing but the moon shining above me. I didn’t waste any time and ran through the fields. There had been times when I woke up after he’d left but not long after. I’d run to the window and watched as he walked back. I knew nothing of where he was from or where he lived but I’d watched him walk b
“You’re so impatient, Princess,” Shane murmured.“Don’t you think we’ve waited enough?” I asked.He doesn’t answer me but his fingers do. I raise myself up so his fingers can get in between my legs. He doesn’t hurry either, his fingers pinch the inner fat of my thigh and I groan. His eyes lit up as he took his time touching me, as if his flesh on mine made him a new man. As if it were a new thing, a new sensation he hasn’t felt before.“Damn it, Shane. If you’re not going to fuck me, I need you to touch me.”“Touch you?” Shane asked teasingly. His fingers poked my sensitive core and I jerked.“You’re a tease,” I pouted. Shane leaned in.“I did what you wanted, didn’t I?” Shane asked. His breath was on my cheek and a delicious shiver slid up my spine.“You know what I want.”“Do I?” Shane asked. “How rude of you to presume that I know everything.”“Shane!”“Tell me, Princess. What do you want?” Shane asked. His voice was the opposite of mine. It was calm and in control. Where my breath
Shane leans forward and presses a kiss to my forehead. We teeter on the edge of the abyss before he leans back and grips his cock. My eyes are on his thickness as he lines it up to my entrance. We stare into each other’s eyes as he thrusts into me. I knew he was big and I saw how hard he was, but I didn’t expect it to be like this. I feel it the moment my hymen tears. It’s done, he’s taken me but I don’t have time to feel triumphant. I don’t have time to feel like I’ve won and I don’t get to mentally laugh in Ethan’s face. No, I’m too lost. Ethan is the furthest from my mind. Shane’s cock in my tight cunt demands all of my attention.Pain, that’s all I feel as tears stream down my cheeks. There’s no way he could have prepared me for him. He drops his chest against my face as I scream. It’s muffled and I wrap my hands around his arms and dig my nails into his flesh. He doesn’t groan or yell at me. He takes it. He lifts himself up and stares down at me. Seeing the tears, he leans down a
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