**CONTENT WARNING: This chapter contains suicidal thoughts that may be triggering to survivors.**Some time laterAdeaEvery day that passed could be the day he would throw my door open and save me. Every night that welcomed me could be the night that he charged the castle with his men. I looked at the mirror, but didn’t look at my face. I kept my eyes locked on my hair. The tension mixed with excitement buzzed through the air.I failed to remember how many days had passed since the night Alpha found me in his mate’s room. I vanquished the memories of that night and the nights that followed. Beta had been by my side. The moment I started to lean on him, Alpha… Alpha… No bad thoughts, no evil thoughts, not today. Tension mixed with excitement as it buzzed through the air. I fought and failed to stop my leg from bouncing.Butterflies threatened to break loose as they fluttered against my stomach. Their need to get out matched my own. The only difference is my nails had splintered and cr
**CONTENT WARNING: This chapter contains suicidal thoughts that may be triggering to survivors.**No.Not today.Stay focused, stay alert.I’m slipping and I said I wasn’t going to do that today.He was coming and I couldn’t be unaware.I had to be as much myself as possible.I don’t even know if I still remembered how…He was coming and he would save me.I’ve been here for so long I can’t even remember how long its been. My concept of time was lost and I didn’t bothe
**CONTENT WARNING: This chapter contains suicidal thoughts that may be triggering to survivors.**This wasn’t the first time he made demands regarding my wardrobe. I usually had to undress after we were alone. I would assume the submissive position or set myself where he wanted. Looking down at the only clothing I would be wearing tonight, I grimaced. I suppose it could be a lot worse. He could have me walk there completely in the nude. The front didn’t have any buttons or a tie to cover my body, so I would be exposed. Exposed, but still covered. I nodded my understanding before looking up at her.“Is this where you prefer me, sister?” I taunted. She glared down her nose at me, a small smirk pulling at the corner of her lip. She enjoyed seeing me down here, on the ground, beneath her. My eyes w
**CONTENT WARNING: This chapter contains suicidal thoughts and violence that may be triggering to survivors.**I was to always wear a corset in the event that Alpha stopped by during the day. I began to loosen the rest of them and my breasts popped free as the corset fell to my sides. Reaching up, I pulled the thin strap that held it to my body. My breasts pebbled from the cool air. I took a deep breath as it fell to my hips, the only thing left to do was pull my arms out of the off-shoulder sleeves.It fell to the ground and I stared at the intricate blue and light pink flowers that stared back up at me. When I’d discarded every article of clothing, I wrapped the cloak around my shoulders. I reached up and pulled the ribbon, it loosened, and my hair fell in curls down my back.He told me he would be here…He told me he’d come for me…He said he was coming…The anger I had stomped down was resurfacing. Was it normal for me to hate the person that was also my reason for living? His let
My lips parted as Ava’s body went slack and she crumpled to the floor. I was stuck between crying and laughing as I stared at her sprawled across the floor. I smelled him before I saw him. He smelled of fresh-cut grass and pine and I wanted to cry as my gaze locked with his. A sound stuck between a cry and a gurgle died in my throat. As much as I wanted to touch him, feel him, kiss him I stayed rooted where I stood. My eyes landing on him, drinking up his features, those obsidian eyes, and thick red lips. His beautiful black hair was pulled back in a low ponytail, and his strong jawline and sharp nose were breathtaking.This was a dream, wasn’t it?If this was a dream I never wanted to wake up.The pull to close the distance and feel his arms around me were too much, but the fear of this dream ending when I touched him kept me from taking a step. A low growl rumbled in his chest as his gaze lowered down my body. His gaze promised pain, so much pain.“Princess,” he murmured.Goosebumps
**CONTENT WARNING: This chapter contains violence that may be triggering to survivors.**I held on tight as I ground against him with every need fiber of my being. He growled possessively in my ear and I made a bold move and kissed his lips, his jaw, his chin. Slowly, my kisses trailed down his neck and he groaned. I swallowed down a sob. I was already ugly crying, both tears and snots ran down my face. I was thankful, so thankful he was here. I pushed against his chest and obsidian eyes stared down at me.“We don’t have time for this right now. We should get out of here,” I whispered.His eyes dipped to my neck and chest. I could see the anger burning bright in his eyes and I knew this conversation wasn’t over. I would tell him everything and anything as soon as we were far away from here. My feet touched the ground and I turned from him, but a tingle on my wrist pulled me back. Large hands framed my face and I gasped as he leaned down. He pushed his forehead to mine, his nose to min
**CONTENT WARNING: This chapter contains violence that may be triggering to survivors.**We were caught now, we weren’t escaping, and there was a very high chance that we wouldn’t live to see a new day. Guilt washed over me. I had doomed my mate and sealed his fate. We were taken into the room she had come out from. I was unable to break free from whatever hold she had on me. My jaw dropped as we descended stairs to a floor I didn’t know we had. When we hit the landing, my heart raced as I realized where we were. I’d been here once, but had been so drunk with pain.We were in the dungeons below the castle. There were no windows, no outside light, and no real furniture other than the one in the middle of the room. It was a metal table bolted to the ground. The walls were littered with chains, weapons of torture, and toys meant for pleasure. I gulped as I looked around the room. This was a room for prisoners. I watched as my mate was thrown against the wall.He was powerless to do anyth
**CONTENT WARNING: This chapter contains violence, sexual assault, and violence that may be triggering to survivors.**“You tried to leave me,” Alpha huffed.“I.. I… I did,” I whispered.“You still love him.” It wasn’t a question. “Not for long,” he growled.The witch turned and headed toward a table that I hadn’t noticed by the stairwell. I didn’t see it at first. I watched as she made her rounds down the line, picking up things she needed. When she was done, she headed back my way. Her hair started flowing as she began to chant an incantation. She dipped her hands into a bowl, lowered herself, and began to paint something onto the floor. As she made her way around the table, I realized she was making a circle. I’ve never seen a witch before today, but I know that something is going on.I don’t know what’s going on, but I know it isn’t good. She throws something into the air and when it comes down, it lands on my bare chest and belly. She disappears out of view and I lift my chin, so
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