AdeaGabriel stared back at me with kind eyes and a crooked smile. I couldn’t believe that happened to him. I hadn’t seen him once the night of the celebration. It all made sense and I can’t help but wonder who he faced off against. My room served as a box than I had been imprisoned in, but he was actually locked in a physical box.“You’re a better friend that I’ve been. I don’t deserve you. I’m sorry for what happened to you. I’m glad you were found. Are you okay?” I asked.“I’m f—”“I’m grateful they found you too,” Odis murmured.Somehow the two of us forgot about the Betas presence. We turned and looked at him, but he stared at Gabriel and only him. It made me want to smile. I knew that look, that was love. Beta Odis was madly in love with Gabriel and I wanted to squeal for him. I look back and forth between the lovebirds.“Time is almost up and you are supposed to be fitting her,” Odis said.“I took her measurements a month ago, but I’ll be measuring her again and making adjustme
AdeaThe reality of my situation and where I am floods back in. That was the sad thing about being happy. It doesn’t last forever and when it’s gone, everything else comes crashing down on you threatening to squash you beneath the pressure. Gabriel’s bright smile falters at the look on my face and his eyes saddened. I took a deep breath to steady myself and forced a smile back on my face. He stepped out of Odis’ hold and toward me.“Is there anything I can do?” Gabriel asked.Unsure of how to answer I glanced behind Gabriel at Odis. He lifted his chin and stared at me. Odis may feel strongly for Gabriel, but that doesn’t carry over to me. What he feels for me, if anything, would be duty. The string that tied Odis to me was fragile and hadn’t been strengthened. I was his Luna, but I was still an outsider. He was the Beta of Crimson Moon, his alpha’s second in command, and loyal to Ethan.It wouldn’t be wise for me to carry on a conversation about escaping in his presence. Escaping may
Adea Gabriel took my measurements and he asked me what my favorite colors were. He was insistent on making a few dresses in the color and styles that I wanted. He straightened and walked over to his parchment that held my measurements. I assured him that there were already plenty of dresses to choose from. I wouldn’t need anything more other than the dress he needed to make for the meeting. When he turned around his eyes were filled with worry. “What is it?” I asked. “Making changes to your dresses won’t be a big deal, but the amount that I will be taking off is alarming. How could you have lost so much in so little time?” Gabriel asked. “I didn’t notice that much of a change. As you can see, I’m usually in my nightwear,” I murmured. Gabriel held my gaze and I was thankful he didn’t look over my clothes. “Not today,” he said haughtily. He ran over to the crate filled with dresses and began pulling out a few. Maroon, pink, black, he pulled about every color out of the crate. I wat
Adea“The Alpha wants to confirm if you are,” Odis said.And just like that I was thrown back into the black pit of despair that was my life. My shoulders slumped, my eyes dropped, and I swayed where I stood. When I didn’t say anything else, Odis turned from me and reached for the handles. Both doors were pulled open and Odis stepped aside for me. When I found my balance, I lifted my chin, and walked through first.Was my life a joke for those in power?Did they enjoy playing with me and mapping out my life for me?Would I ever be free from the strings that tied me to him?This shouldn’t have been as big a surprise as it was. I knew the chances of my belling growing round with his child were high, but I refused to dwell on it. If anything, I pushed it from my mind daily.Over the last month, I hadn’t thought about anything. My strings were pulled and I walked. I kept my strength for when I faced Ethan, but after what happened the other night I wasn’t sure how I felt about myself. I di
AdeaThe fire in the fireplace flickered, but I felt cold as I waited to hear what the doctor had to say. He placed my hand on my lap and released me. I took a shaky breath as I looked up into his unseeing eyes. I wanted, no needed to know as much as I didn’t.“Please,” I whisper.“You are not with child,” Doctor James announced.“Thank the Goddess,” I sighed.I curled my hands into balls and slumped where I sat. I knew the chances of hearing that I was with child were high. A wave of relief washed over me and I took a deep breath and exhaled, thankful for the lack of news. I doubt I could stomach having to carry Ethan’s child. I glance over to Beta Odis to find his eyes glazed over. I wanted to laugh, instead, I settled for smirking.Good. I’m glad he’s telling his alpha the good news.I watched Odis’ face to see if I could see his features change with his alpha’s reaction to the good news. While he was distracted, Doctor James leaned close, feeling his warmth I turned back to face h
AdeaThe shoes Gabriel gifted me clacked against the floor as I followed Odis toward the dining hall. My eyes darted to the glass-stained windows and outside to where the moon peeked through the windows. Since I had come of age I haven’t shifted. I don’t know why I haven’t and I don’t know how not shifting will affect my wolf. What I do know is that the thought of losing her completely haunts my thoughts.The fun I’d had this morning felt like a distant memory as dread seeped into my bones. Happiness was a forbidden fruit and I’d had a small nibble. I swallowed down the lump in my throat as we came to a stop in front of the doors.The warriors posted outside bowed and pulled the doors open. Beta Odis stepped aside and I bit down on my bottom lip to stop it from trembling. I took a deep breath and grasped at the mask that was my savior when I faced my captor.I refused to call him by name because the more I said it, the more it floated through my mind, the more I allowed myself to beco
AdeaOlivia’s words didn’t make sense and she didn’t say much more. When she did speak she talked in riddles. How could I remember someone I had never met before? She was a mystery and I couldn’t help but feel drawn to her. I’m not sure what it was. I glanced at Odis but he avoided looking at me. He was quiet and his attention remained on the plate in front of him. Olivia looked upon Odis with interest. The sound of a fist slamming on the table caused me to jump.“I grow tired of waiting for your attention to drift my way,” Alpha growled.My mouth dried and I dragged my gaze from Odis and Olivia and instead, focused on him. You would think that he would be at ease, or at least relaxed with Ava here, but that isn’t the case. Alpha is upset and on edge, I can feel the animosity in the air. I recognize that look in his eyes—he hungers for me. Every nerve in my body itches to run and my brain screams at me to listen. I fight the urge to avert my gaze.“I didn’t know I was supposed to bow
AdeaAlpha did not address me for the remainder of the dinner. He spoke to Beta Odis and Olivia about his plans for tomorrow. Ava didn’t eat I remained quiet as to not draw any unwanted attention to myself and pushed the food around on my plate. I wasn’t sure if I believed Alpha when he said that he would be there tomorrow. I didn’t believe that I would be able to see him tomorrow. I’d waited so long for new from him and prayed to the Moon Goddess to no avail.A cup was placed in front of me and I lifted my chin, only to realize that the room was quiet and the only people left in the dining hall were me and Alpha. When had they left and how long have we been here? I had to be exhausted from today’s events to not have noticed. As much as I told myself that I knew that something was amiss.I looked back and forth between him and the goblet of the red liquid that could help me through the rest of this miserable night. Without a second thought, I picked up the cup and brought it to my lip