NOVASeeing Thalia again after being forbidden from going on the floor she works felt good. I am aware It's hypocritical of me to miss her, and as a sister and aunt I dislike everything that occurred but as a friend? I love who she is. She might have been a terrible mother, mate, or whatnot but she's a good friend. Ever since I saw her covered in cement, claiming Knox didn't push her which in certain he did, we've talked daily. And no, I've not missed how she's been trying to avoid me so I brought it up and we ended up agreeing to be friends again, even if she goes no contact when she leaves. “We should totally get lunch at Fenny's.” I offer, and Thalia gasps.“She still runs the place? I love her food.”“Well not technically but on Fridays she cooks and lucky for us I made a permanent reservation for every Friday.”Her lips pull into a smile, the happiest I've seen her in the two days we've been catching up. “Should we go right now?”“Yeah, but can we stop at the pack house so I can
I frown, my gaze shifting between Bella and Thalia. “Huh?”“She eats vegetables, so she's very pretty.” Bella explains and I finally connect the dots, she thinks Thalia is pretty and I always tell her pretty women ate and ate a lot of vegetables when they were young. “And her hair is shiny. Can I touch it?”“Bella,” Knox calls out in a panicked warning. “Come here.”“Just a tiny touch, tincy winy..” Bella pouts, flat out ignoring Knox.“Me too.” Katie Rose agrees, clapping her hands. Now both the kids are excited. Thalia feigns a laugh and squats down. “Go on.” she urges them, and they waste absolutely no time. They both stroke her hair and gush about how beautiful and soft it is. “I could do this forever.” Katie Rose sighs, pure satisfaction as she feels the strands of Thalia's hair.“Me too.” Arabella Venus agrees, looking up at Mariella. “Mommy you should eat some vegetables too like this lady. Your hair doesn't feel this nice.”I can't help but laugh at the remark. “Okay
Too many questions, too close to him to not fantasize about the accusation. “Because you can.” he snaps, and I hardly get to react or so much so as to get a word in before his lips crash onto mine. Claiming them violently, and too darn hurtful. He's giving me both pain and pleasure, kissing me while purposefully biting my lips and I'm too consumed by lust to notice. “You should leave my territory.” he bites. A moan slips past my lips, consumed into my mouth. “I can't, not yet.” “I hate you.” he snaps, shoving me onto the mattress where I land with a bounce. My rob wasn't exactly fixed for this, it comes undone the moment he throws me, leaving me bare on the mattress as he stares at me like exactly what I became years ago, his prey. “I can't stand you, Thalia Rose Laurel.” “I know.” I nod, licking my lips. He leans over me, grabbing me at the wrists and pinning them above my head. His gaze sweeps over my hard nipples, the way in which my chest rises and falls from being in hi
RYAN Thalia's assistant is quite the looker, and the brains on the girl simply make her way hotter than most girls who throw themselves at me. I'm not blind to the way she looks at me, but if I fuck her? It'll be a damn shame to ghost her, that too an impossible one. The best I can do is keep it professional between us, at least until the night before she leaves, I'm a patient man. “Ugh, Ruston needs to fucking quit. Look at how lousy he plays, he's dragging the entire damn team down with him.” Amara frowns, staring at the TV screen like she could just jump inside. “You see that?” she quickly turns to me before drifting back to the basketball game we're watching. “Useless. Height doesn't cut it alone, Niko! Fucking play for goodness sake you darn spoiled rich brat.” I can't help but laugh at her, despite her trash against my team and complaints about the team she's supporting losing not once has she drifted from the TV. She stares like she could just go and score herself the
THALIA Ever since I came back to Flame Valley I've been nothing but confused, I knew coming here would definitely mess me up in a way but things have gone from bad to worse and I'm afraid I'm becoming the girl my mother walked in half dead on. I promised myself I would never see that look in her eyes again because I don't want to hurt another person I love but I'm afraid I'm failing, I'm falling short of life. Even with my hair done and a pantsuit on, I don't recognize the woman I've grown accustomed to loving. I'm starting to feel just as stupid as Knox claims I am. Not willing to lose the one part of my life that pushes me to live another day, I call my therapist Lana. I have at least thirty minutes before we leave for the last of the Conference today, which I'm fairly looking up to. “Thalia.” Lana smiles at me from my laptop screen, looking as flawless as always. I wonder if that's why people like me trust her with our flaws because she eliminated any surface ones she migh
“Did you say something?” Knox glares, his eyes piercing.I nod, fully pumped on advice from my therapist. “I said I didn't offer, you bullied me into it, and honestly I'm quite sick of your behavior.”“Ms Laurel.” Amara hisses, warning me I'm poking the bear.“No, let me say this because if I don't say it today then he'll think I am okay with the way things are.” my gaze drifts back to Knox, noting Ryan's return which gives some sort of comfort. “I'm not.”I match his glare. “I'm so fucking done with you bullying me, trying to find faults in my work, which news flash!” I lowly chuckle, “There's none. There aren't any because I'm good at my job. I'm the god darn best lawyer in this region and if me not beating your top lawyers wasn't enough? Try a little Google search.”Ryan laughs, pulling Amara away. “Get in the car, star player.” and there goes my support team.Knox watches me, he didn't expect the outburst. “You should watch your fucking tone when you talk to me.”“I won't, because
“Family lounge!” she yells back, leaning towards the entrance. Knox walks in, hardly acknowledging me. “Where is my-what are you doing here?” he snaps, after taking a second look at me he realizes it wasn't just her here. “I'm just-” His gaze cuts to Mariella. “I thought I told you I didn't want her around my house and much less my child.” “She came to get Nova, they have plans.” Mariella swallows. “Bullshit, they see each other every fucking day, and th-” “I should have waited in the car,” I grumble, interrupting his useless point. Mariella jumps in quickly, “No. It's fine that you're here, right Alpha Knox?” “No.” Knox asserts, “Nova may have won the choice to keep her around but I don't think you should be buddy-buddy with her. Her bad influence could rub off on you, or worse on the kids.” Mariella gasps, “Alpha Knox, that's mean. Thalia-” “No. Knox is right.” I wave her off, causing both of them to stare wide-eyed at me. “I don't think this friendship
MARIELLA I have never wanted to hate Thalia but she makes it so hard for me with the things she does, for example sleeping with Knox. Of course, Knox is at fault too but Thalia shouldn't have told me. I knew they had slept together when Knox returned from the workshop, he smelled so strongly of her but I convinced myself it was because they were together the whole of the weekend and when we had sex, all my anxiety and suspicion died. He no longer smelled her like, there was only me and that was enough to ease my anxiety. However, Thalia's scent lingers stronger than mine ever does but as long as he doesn't smell like her I'm fine. However, I need to get used to seeing her and not being friendly with her. I spent too many years being nothing but a devoted friend and now it's an involuntary action but it has to stop, now. “Arabella's Mommy! Mommy!” Arabella screams, out of view but her voice keeps getting louder because she's coming closer. “Where are you?” she yelps, her voice
THALIA Nova invited me to the pack hunts, I was unsure how Knox would feel having me around but when Ryan asked me to join even though I wasn't shifting so my presence is practically useless, I gave it a second thought. Of course, I made the decision while shopping to get my mind off it but I'm here regardless. I stumble across the kids before I can lock my car, somehow they always notice me before I can. “Auntie Thalia Rose!” Katie Rose screams, jumping up and down. “Hi, Auntie.” Bella grins. “Would you look at that, it's two of my favourite girls in Flame Valley.” “I missed you, are you here for the hunt?” I nod, crouching down to their height. “You two are dressed so pretty.” “Thank you,” they both grin. I open my car and pull out two of the six teddy bears I bought today. “This one is for you, and this for you.” I grin, handing them a teddy bear in their favourite colour. “I love it!” Katie Rose squeals hugging the bear. Arabella is staring at hers intently, “
The delivery guy arrives just in time, he asks the receptionist for Thalia despite my attaching a photo when I ordered it. I longer close by to Thalia and Nova, and the way he laughs with her irritates me. “Miss Laurel, I have a delivery for you.” Thalia and Nova share a look before she turns to him with a warm smile. “I'm Miss Laurel but I didn't order anything.” “Well, it says here for Miss Laurel.” he shows her the tablet, trying to balance my order in his hand. Thalia stares at the drink in his hand and shakes her head, “No.” she stares back at it, she wanted this, I clearly heard her and Amara talking about this earlier and it's the one she's been having nearly every day with Nova. “you have the wrong person.” “Maybe it's Danielle on the upper floor.” Nova suggests. “Yes!” Thalia promptly agrees, somehow they've convinced each other they're both right. I'm left with no choice but to join the conversation, “I ordered it.” “You?” both Thalia and Nova gasp, their face
My answer is quick, “No! I promise I'm fine, it's just that I have so much free time and that's the only thing I could find to occupy my mind.” “Aren't Alpha Ezra's project manager?”l “I am, but Knox asked me not to go to work for a while.” Lana nods, “I see, and is that what you want too?” “No, I like working, just the feel of being around multitudes of work makes me relax.” I smile. “Then you should go, Knox can't dictate your life unless you let him. I hate to see you like this, you're backtracking your progress. You're a strong willed woman, you can't hand your captor the keys to your cage.” See? She's got such a way with words, unorthodox sometimes but still. “I will start going to the office again, I miss my lunch breaks with Nova.” Lana mirrors my smile, “Attagirl, I'm relieved our sessions aren't in vain. Don't let anything slow you down, work if you wish to but don't over exert yourself.” “I won't.” I confidently tell her. Despite what Knox thinks, I'm taking care of
THALIA I'm bored out of my mind sitting alone in my apartment, the ghost of all my bad decisions haunt me as I stare at everything that belonged to Keir. I can't help but wonder what would have happened to me and the pup if I stayed in that abusive relationship. Would I have lost another child trying to atone for those sins? The thought makes my stomach churn, Knox would have killed me for sure. Speaking of the baby daddy the moon goddess decided to punish me with, he's been texting me lately but one can tell from his texts that he hates me. I'm grateful he made himself scarce but texting me three times a day when I feel comfortable to have a doctor's appointment is unnerving. I'm scared of the doctor saying something I can't stomach, I'm trying so hard to be positive this time. I pick my phone up and Knox's text stares at me from the notification bar, I open it and close the app, opening my contacts. My finger hovers over my therapist's contact before I work up the courage to c
THALIA Day two of not being at work, and I'm beyond bored. I finally got to make use of my laptop and binged my new favourite show which happens to be Amara's favorite too. We're both fairly engrossed in the movie when a FaceTime call covers the screen, both of us groaning when my step-sister Silver's number flashes on the screen. Both Amara and I groan in irritation, Silver only calls me when she needs something or when she's gotten herself in a legal pickle. I love my stepdad his only flaw is his kids, with Silver taking the trophy. “Ignore it,” Amara says, reaching for my laptop to cancel the call. I catch her hand before she speaks. “I wish I could, but she going to keep calling me.” I sigh, accepting her FaceTime call. “Hi, Florentine.” I wave, feigning enthusiasm. “Thalia Rose!” she squeals. “You won't believe what happened,” she pauses, pointing at the camera on her phone. “Oh, the assistant is there.” Amara kisses her teeth. “I have a name, and the next time you call
KNOX The panic I felt when Thalia wasn't answering my calls was alarming. I left her multiple missed calls, it's also the first time I've called her so she must have not recognized the number. Still, I was about her and my pup, only to find her trying to escape the state. I was going to leave but I heard her stomach growl twice while we argued so I decided to cook her something. I've noticed she won't eat at work unless Nova or Amara drag her to lunch and we can't have that with the baby. She has kept her distance, packing her clothes and kissing her teeth loudly. I have no idea what she'd like to have, nor what foods make me nauseous but I use my knowledge from her first pregnancy. I avoid anything sweet and try to make her a mildly sour dish. My phone rings just as I'm about to make her an omelette. “Ry?” I answer, bringing the phone close to my ear. “Did you find her?” “Yeah, she was on her way to the airport,” I tell him, cutting up my onion rings. “Don't tell me you
“And what about what you did?” There it is, my one mistake in this life, my biggest regret and he just won't ever let it go. He will forever hold it against me and so I act unapologetic to feed his anger, it's justifiable, I hate myself for that too. . “Again with that?” I roll my eyes. I already begged and cried so hard but I still lack the power to go back to the past, you need to move on.” “Move on?” he scoffs, “You're not remorseful at all are you?” “No.” I swallow, blinking to stop the river of tears begging to flow. “I'm not sad she's gone. I occasionally miss her, I would have loved her, I would have adored her eyes, the sound of her laugh but it all reminds me it would come with a fucked up sadistic psychopath attached.” I glare, “You should be glad too, we'd have killed each other long ago.” “I was hoping you'd miraculously changed since finding out you're pregnant but I just can't trust you with my baby can I?” “Say your baby one more time.” I raise an eyebrow, my enti
THALIA Amara stayed the night with me, but I convinced her to go to the office today because someone from my team needs to keep an eye on things. She left me at eight in the morning and I immediately began plotting my escape. I spent the entire night thinking about my history with Knox and it all builds up to my leaving him. Accepting my situation has been hard but I can't deal with Knox again, the way he claimed the pup was his unnerved me. He's going to want to take the pup from me because he hates me and while I might not know what to do? I'll figure it out on the flight back home. I know he will come looking for me when he finds me gone so I'll have to find someplace else to hideaway, somewhere far and deserted. I booked my flight last night and it leaves in the next hour, in case Amara is tracking my phone, I've left it stashed under my pillow. I'm about to walk out the door, dragging my suitcase because I didn't know what to pack in it. “Going someone?” That star
Ugh,” he groans, his hand reaching between us. “You're so pretty when you beg.” I gasp when he pinches my clit between his fingers, my body twitching. “More,” I purr, hardly recognizing the primal sound that slips past my lips. Without warning, he thrusts inside me, pausing when he meets resistance. I haven't seen seen cock but it's huge, I tell from the way my pussy painfully stretches around it despite how wet I am. “Thalia Rose,” his eyes widen. We both know what is, and he felt it as much as I did. I pull on a brave smile, ignoring the sting between my legs. “I didn't say he fucked me.” Knox shakes his head, leaning down to kiss me on the side of my mouth, an inch too far. “You play dirtier than me.” Holding my gaze hostage, he continues to sink his cock in, inch by inch until I can't take anymore. “You're going to split me open.” I gasp. “You tricked me,” he pants, going even deeper. “I'll teach you a lesson about tricking me. Lift your hips,” he commands. I do as