KNOX It's been six hours since Thalia was rushed to the hospital, and four since the doctor let us see her. Ryan, Nova, Amara and I surround her hospital room while she just lays in the bed which makes her look so small and frail. She's still unconscious but the doctors swear both she and the pup are fine, I even had my pack doctor Madison come here to aid the other doctors because I trust her work, and believe in her methods. The doctor said she bled due to stress, and knowing I've been the biggest inducer of her stress has done something to me. I have this pain in my chest that won't go away, it intensifies each time I hear her name or think of it. I feel like crap, but if the need had been there I would have chosen her over our pup, I would rather she walk out on he own than take the pup from her. My words must have hurt her, I put both her and the pup at risk and now I don't know what to do. Amara came to the hospital a few hours ago, she and Nova are closely watching Thalia
The words hit me like a thousand bricks to the head. I sit there, frozen, her voice echoing in my head long after she’s turned her face away. She doesn't know, she thinks the baby—babies are gone. In her head, they couldn't have made it through the blood, screaming and chaos. I want to correct her, I ache to tell her. To see her eyes taken with something other than pain, to watch life crawl back into her bones but not only do I not deserve the satisfaction, but the way she’s looking at me right now as if I’m the ghost that haunts her dreams makes me stop. She hates me as much as I long to hate her or even more and right now? I hate myself too. I hate the way I hurt her, the way I didn’t protect her from herself—or from me. “Thalia,” I call out, in an attempt to tell her the truth but when she looks at me with her teary eyes and tear-stained cheeks, the words get stuck in my throat. “Everything is okay,” I tell her but it's more for me, to ease some of the guilt that comes
THALIA The moment is perfect. No, correction—it was supposed to be perfect but it's not. I'm losing my sanity, the last bit of it that's left after my mate openly admitted to cheating on me because I never can be good enough for him or the ideal expectations of his pack. All the pain I've felt over the last couple of years was to be erased by today but instead it piled up into one and hit me in a gaint wave. It's simply not fair, today was supposed to be the happiest day of my life, the day I was to meet the perfect little gift the moon goddess sent me but it's turned into nothing but a tormenting stillness. My gaze shifts from the bright pink walls of the hospital room to where my best friend stands, her back to me while she talks on the phone. Even there I can see the same color wall taunting me, its the exact shade of my daughters nursery. I push myself off the bed and walk towards Mariella, her whispers now loud enough for me to hear. “No, please come and see her. Thalia
Thalia.” Mariella interrupts, “Go and see her. See your daughter even if it's the last time please go and hold that little girl.” “No.” I shake my head, falling to the floor in tears. Mariella saw Arabella and hasn't stopped sobbing since, I can't see her. I want to but it's selfish to have her murderer hold her or prepare her for cremation. “Don't bring or let her near me. I can't look a her, please understand Knox. Leave me alone, you can bury her or cremate her but just don't—” Knox's face twists with contempt. “How could you even say that..” he trails off, for the first time since he heard I was pregnant, I see him cry. “You know what, Thalia? I wouldn't even dream of letting you anywhere near my daughter.” I nod, tears streaming down my face while I refuse to look at him. I can't decide what hurts more between losing my daughter or the way he looks ay me. “I prefer it that way.” “I can't believe I fell in love with you, you keep telling me I'm harsh but it's you that need
KNOX The last few days have gone by fast, but not fast enough because I couldn't bring my daughter back home. My heart bleeds for her, I failed her as a parent by choosing Thalia as my life partner. I've always hated Thalia, long before I knew she was mate but ever since I fell prey to the mate bond and my wolf's need for her I've never seen anything she does as wrong. I was thinking with my dick and now she not only hurt me and my wolf but our daughter too. The cold eyes that stared at me telling me to bury or just cremate my daughter are far from what I fell for. My whole world started and ended with her, everyone knew it and she exploited that. I made one mistake, months ago and her thirst for vengeance has me drowning in a pit of anguish. Thalia did warn me she would get back at me, make sure to hit me where it hurts the most and she did exactly just that when she refused to see our daughter, refused to hold her like a mother should. “You're out of control, Knox. He didn'
“Who is he?” “My mate.” she lowly whispers, “He said he wouldn't be available and is traveling in another country but he's here.” Thalia looks awfully comfortable with the foreign man, this isn't the depressed girl Mariella has been painting her out to be. If anything she looks happy, content with what she has done to my daughter and I. “I'll call him.” Mariella snarls, dailing his contact but I don't see her, I'm too busy watching Thalia with a building rage. The man leaves her and she grins politely as he steps away. “Baby.” he responds, out of view but Thalia's in sight. “Tell me you have a twin identical to you right now or I swear to God, Nate.” “Baby, what are you talking about?” Mariella huffs, “Why are you flirting with my best friend? I told you she's not in a good place right now and how the hell did you even find her?” “Thalia and I go way back and I wasn't flirting. Where are you? We need to talk, I came to talk about our relationship I can't go on lik
A light tap on my door nearly startled me. “Umm, Eliza. I've got to go but send the schedule to Amara and I will handle the rest.” “But Thalia-” Eliza whines, right before I cut the call. Whoever it is on the other end of the door knocks again but his time I'm there to open it. My assistant stands on the other end, a tablet in hand and yellow roses in hand. “From Keir.” she grins, placing the flowers in my hand. Kier is my boyfriend, we met when I was college and had one night stand since then he has not left me alone. I didn't think I could get into a relationship after leaving Flame Valley but with Kier, I'm good its what I deserve. The only thing bigger than his dick is his ego but I can live with that. I take the flowers from her, and peek at the note in the flowers. 'Pretty flowers, for my pretty girl.' I read the card in his voice, a neverending apology. “Amara, do we have something planned this morning?” I frown, shocked to see her in my house so early. Surely Keir
“Alpha.” she calls, and with that my stomach sinks. It's him, it's alpha Knox Winslow. My mate, my deceased daughters father, my villain, my hero and right beside him Ryan, his beta. I swallow the huge lump that forms in my throat when his eyes meet mine, glaring with the same animosity as the day I lost our daughter. Fighting hard to not recall every insult, taunt and atrocity he's uttered to me since four years ago I gulp once again. “Knox, this is Rose.” Cassidy's gaze shifts to me. “Rose, Alpha Knox, the best man.” Knox glares at me throughout Cassidy's introduction. I take my time to eye him, to appreciate the way he's visibly grown now. The moon goddess has favorites and trust me, Knox Winslow is number one through five on that list. The man is flawless, perfect even with his tremendous ego. Knox takes one step forward and out of habit, I take one back. “Run, Thalia.” “What?” Cassidy snorts. Ryan tugs at Knox's arm, his gaze pitiful when he looks at me. “Knox, not he
The words hit me like a thousand bricks to the head. I sit there, frozen, her voice echoing in my head long after she’s turned her face away. She doesn't know, she thinks the baby—babies are gone. In her head, they couldn't have made it through the blood, screaming and chaos. I want to correct her, I ache to tell her. To see her eyes taken with something other than pain, to watch life crawl back into her bones but not only do I not deserve the satisfaction, but the way she’s looking at me right now as if I’m the ghost that haunts her dreams makes me stop. She hates me as much as I long to hate her or even more and right now? I hate myself too. I hate the way I hurt her, the way I didn’t protect her from herself—or from me. “Thalia,” I call out, in an attempt to tell her the truth but when she looks at me with her teary eyes and tear-stained cheeks, the words get stuck in my throat. “Everything is okay,” I tell her but it's more for me, to ease some of the guilt that comes
KNOX It's been six hours since Thalia was rushed to the hospital, and four since the doctor let us see her. Ryan, Nova, Amara and I surround her hospital room while she just lays in the bed which makes her look so small and frail. She's still unconscious but the doctors swear both she and the pup are fine, I even had my pack doctor Madison come here to aid the other doctors because I trust her work, and believe in her methods. The doctor said she bled due to stress, and knowing I've been the biggest inducer of her stress has done something to me. I have this pain in my chest that won't go away, it intensifies each time I hear her name or think of it. I feel like crap, but if the need had been there I would have chosen her over our pup, I would rather she walk out on he own than take the pup from her. My words must have hurt her, I put both her and the pup at risk and now I don't know what to do. Amara came to the hospital a few hours ago, she and Nova are closely watching Thalia
Hey wonderful readers, I hope you’re all doing amazing mentally, physically, and emotionally (because these characters sure aren’t helping with that, are they?). I am dying to know how you are feeling about the story so far. Who’s your favourite character? Who’s making you want to fling your phone across the room? Are Thalia and Knox making you scream too, or is it just me?? How’s the pacing—do you need more heartbreak, fights, or more kissing (or all)? Let me know in the comments and leave me a review, I’d love to know what’s got you hooked or raging. Thank you for reading, supporting, and choosing to fall into the chaos with me.♡ With love and just a dash of angst, XO, Athena.❦
MARIELLA The sharp snap of the bullet tearing through the paper is the only thing that calms me but not today, I don't vengeance know what to do. I've been at the shooting range since I heard about the secret Knox has been keeping from me. I was having the best day, knowing I settled Arabella's obsession with Thalia but then a certain someone called and told me they overheard another say that Thalia was rushed to the hospital with Nova, and Alpha Knox and that was merely the opening statement, the final straw for me was learning she's pregnant. That bit of information turned my spa date into a rage outlet activity. I went to the shooting range, with Kennedy who has been nothing short of N instigator. I've stuck seven pictures of her on the body targets I paid extra for and so far, four are down, this little ritual of mine is practically more sacred today but with each shot, I'm reminded Thalia is still alive because none of the dummies bleeds like I know she would. “I hate
I knock on the bathroom door twice, my knuckles stinging slightly from how hard I'm knocking. “Thalia? Are you okay in there?” I knock again, but I hear nothing. The restaurant has one bathroom with two stalls, and Thalia is the only one with the keys. Something feels wrong; it sends alarms ringing in my head. I rush to the reception for the spare key, but then it dawns on me that I didn't try to open the door, so I head back and twist it open. Thalia is on the floor when I get in, cradling her knees, arms wrapped around them while staring into nothingness. “Thalia, you had me worried.” I sigh, “What are you doing on the floor?” She doesn't answer, nor react to my presence. I crouch down beside her, tapping her shoulder, “What's wrong?” I ask, only then does she acknowledge me. She stares at me, eyes wide and distant. I start to panic, this doesn't look or feel normal. “Are you okay?” “Call Knox,” she swallows. Knox? What did my idiot brother do this time, did he scold her for
“Maybe if he wasn't my chosen then I'd be happy.” I swallow, I picked Aaron for a mate, my ancestors really cursed me there by crossbreeding with lycans and interfering with the perfect assortment by the moon goddess. Okay, maybe not perfect, there's Thalia and Knox are proof even the moon goddess can get things wrong. “You know, I would have waited for my fated mate or died waiting, anything would be better than this.” “Aww, I'm sorry, Novie.” Thalia caresses my arm. “I wish I knew what to say but my love life is a bigger fuck up.” “True,” we share a laugh. “But I am fine, I'll get over him and start over, just me and Katie Rose...” I trail off, forgetting he will always be around because we share a child, and he will torment me with that. “It's not your fault, you're not wrong for wanting a peaceful life.” “I'm wrong for not forgiving him,” I admit. Many women would overlook this and hand him a second chance but I'm just not there yet, I don't think I'll ever be there. “No
“Calm down,” I tell her, watching how easily her emotional state has escalated. I'm just trying to find something that works for me and my children and not having her around worked just fine for me. “No, you,” she points at me, shaking still. “You don't tell me what to do, you're sick! I just found out you knocked up for sport, tortured me because I didn't get pregnant when you hate me for killing our child?” “Thalia,” I warn, not liking the way her breathing pattern has quickened with each word she says. “Sorry, touchy subject, I know.” she nervously laughs, misreading my concern. “But I'm not giving up my baby to some sadistic psychopath with had a brain cell.” I ignore the jab at my intelligence, and still unsure of why she's so upset when she's mentioned she doesn't want a baby. “You yourself have expressed your need to not have a baby, if you give the child to me I'll raise it better than you can.” I tell her, knowing the example of my parenting is sitting at home happy a
I lift her and sit her in my lap, holding her close while I try to find words that won't sound too resentful. “Your daddy doesn't like your auntie Thalia and when you're so close to her, it hurts him. And me too, she's nice but she can be very bad sometimes.” “Why?” “I don't know,” I sigh. “But if you want to go to school, and be a flower girl in Mommy and Daddy's wedding then you have to stop liking Thalia.” I prompt, watching her frown, her gaze a multitude of unspoken questions. “If you do that, I can convince Daddy to let you go to school.” She frowns, “But Mommy, I like her.” “So I do,” I frown. “But if you really want to go to school, and get that pretty dollhouse daddy said no to then you have to stay away from Thalia and treat her like strangers.” Arabella doesn't respond, she's been wanting to attend school since she
MARIELLA When I arrived yesterday morning, Alpha Knox had already left the pack house and he came back really late. Unfortunately for me, I was awake at the time, trying to sort through the clothes I purposefully disorganized to keep myself busy. He said he wanted to talk when I was free so I've kept myself busy, all day. Whatever he wants to say to me I don't care, I don't want to hear it because it will push him further from me. For the past two hours, I've managed to hide out in my room while Nova plays with the children. I'm checking out wedding magazines when someone knocks on my door, I want to pretend I'm asleep but whoever is on the other side knows I don't go to sleep before Eleven thirty, everyone in the house knows. Hiding in the closet or under the bed is a considerable option but when they knock a second time, I'm inclined to answer. “Come in!” I yell, watching th