“you were at work.” I defend myself, he wasn't supposed to be here and neither was I. “I was.” he grunts, grabbing me by my thighs and dragging me. “But now I'm back and this..” he trails off, studying the state of my panties. “I don't want to run into you in my house.” “I can't promise.” I bite out, an honest truth. Knox will have to deal with my presence for a little while longer because I can't break my bond with Nova. A cold sting lands on my ass. “Really?” “Nova needs me.” I yelp, the sting of his hand against my ass sending shivers down my spine. He pulls me down further, and hoovers over me. I watch as he leans into me, smelling me. “Oh, damsel.” “Knox, please.” I cry out, unsure if it's for him to stop or continue. All I know is having this close clouds my brain, and my judgment, it makes me question my existence. “I don't want to touch you but I also can't hear you whimper for another second, you're pissing me off.” I whimper, grinding against his thig
THALIA Two days later, I'm no longer in heat with only a few symptoms lingering. It's been great feeling relief free while dedicating my time at work to avoiding Knox as best as I can. Not just him, but literally everyone from his pack because I didn't want them to smell him on me. I've been wallowing in guilt, and self pity while stuffing my face with caramel and cheese popcorn, an accidental flavor discovery that I've grown obsessed with. Considering I'm a stranger to the kitchen, this meal has carried me through the days, with everything else I attempt to make nauseating me. That's how bad I am in the kitchen, I can't smell my own food. I'm licking the last of my popcorn coating off my fingers, my eyes glued to the TV when a knock brings me out of my daze. I'm not expecting any guest, and not many people have this address so when another knock lands on the door, I assume it's a delivery of some sort, seeing I've been shopping online a lot. “Keir.” my mouth hangs open, t
His hand wraps around my ponytail and he pulls, forcing me to look up at him. “You disgust me, Rose. You're such a fucking slut, always enticing men and now you've upgraded to fucking them?” Fury flickers in his gaze, his chest rising and falling heavily, heavier than my sobs. For a moment, he seems to hesitate but his hand lifts, aiming for my face. “No, Keir please, please.” I beg, blinking through my tears. “Not the face.” “Who not?” he growls, “Maybe I should smash your face so other men won't find you fuckable.” I shake my head, shielding my face from his blows until he finally grabs my arms, shoving me against the wall. “I'm sorry, please don't hurt me on the face.” “Hurt you?” he snarls, “What about me? You're in enduring a physical pain that will fade in a matter of hours, but me? You've hurt my heart Rose, my soul. How the fuck am I supposed to heal from that as easy as you will.” “You know I'm your girlfriend, not his. I hate him” I gulp, my voice cracking wit
KNOX Thalia is missing. No, maybe that's a little bit of an exaggeration but she isn't at work and no one has heard from her. Thalia has a routine, she comes into the office every day at the exact same time, eight twenty five, and not a minute later or earlier. Yet today, her arrival is long overdue, she was supposed to be here for a meeting over an hour ago but she didn't show up, and the client is suing me for over three million in damages because Thalia couldn't do her job right. I assigned the case to her thinking she could handle it because if anything, her countless wins over the past month have placed her capabilities in my highest regard but I guess I was wrong about her yet again. Being upset over the client isn't the main source of my anger, the main source of my anger this morning is aimed at Thalia being M.I.A. My assistant has called her phone countless times, Ryan too, and not once has she picked up the darn device. However, her assistant has been here all morning, h
Ryan scrambles to help her, trying to do damage control when no one asked him. “I'm sorry, Thalia, he-” “Ryan.” I call out, stopping him from making apologies to Thalia in my name. “I’m fine.” I hear Thalia say just as the elevator doors open. When I step inside I get a clear view of Ryan rushing to meet me and Thalia picking up the documents around her with nobody but Amara aiding her. She did this, she's the reason but her assistant offers to help her. Ryan makes it just before the door closes, the heat of his gaze burning into me as I scroll aimlessly on my phone. “What is the matter with you?” “I did nothing wrong.” I scoff, unable to fathom how he's forever blind to her faults. If I didn't know better, I'd say my Beta is in love with my ex. “You didn't have to be rude to her.” I sigh, pocketing my phone. “And what do you think I should have done? Should I have kissed her feet and licked the ground she walks on?” “Why not?” Ryan smiles, ignoring the elevator doors o
NOVA Ryan’s birthday is in a few days and he has insisted on not wanting a party which I have agreed to but as the official family planner? I simply saw an opportunity to give him a surprise party. However, planning a surprise party for him when I'm under the same roof as him is going to be difficult, more so because of the kids. And yet, here I am, shopping for party decorations with both kids, under the guise of a co-workers birthday. I did purchase a few things online but there were some things I couldn't find hence the store runs. This is my third store this morning and I still can't find the right color balloons, which means I have to go to yet another store but just in case, I purchase three sets of backup apple green balloons. “Okay, that’s it. ”Mommy, look!“ Katie Rose squeals, heading straight for the wings on her left. Arabella giggles, spinning to show off the wings they somehow managed to put on each other while I struggled with the right color strings and ballo
Thalia laughs, and Keir grins widely, holding her closer. ”Hey, you're that boy in Val's phone!“ Bella says.Katie Rose giggles, “He's not in the phone, silly.”Keir looks down at the two troublemakers standing on my left. “And who are these cute little, umm…“ he trails off, his gaze shifting between Bella and Thalia the Bella again, he repeats the cycle, unmissable confusion in his gaze.It's more than clear to anyone who meets Bella she looks like Thalia, but Knox has forbidden us from saying anything about that. ”I know,“ Thalia nervously laughs. ”Babe, you should see her mom. The resemblance is-“”It’s scary, flower.“ he finishes for her”Umm,“ Katie Rose muses, “Who is Flower?”Thalia's cheeks flash as she raises her hand. ”Me, that's what he calls me.”Why?” both girls ask, making Keir laugh.”Because he's my boyfriend.” Thalia tells them, but that only makes Katie Rose scrunch up her nose.”You're prettier than flowers,” Katie Rose shrugs.”Yes, and she's Auntie Thalia Rose.“ B
“What?” I peek into the mirror, catching a dreadful look in her eyes. “To be the auntie,” she snorts. “Since I will never be a mother I guess I have to settle for being the cool Auntie.” “Thalia.” “I'm fine, I like it.” she sniffs, and I feel something sink inside me. Shame? Regret? Sympathy? I don't know, it could be all. “Your brother was right, I don't deserve to be a mother but I'm good Auntie. This is my role in kids' lives, always the Auntie, never the Mom. And best of all, I get to spoil all my nieces and nephews.” “You make an amazing mom, Thalia.” “No thanks,” she bitterly laughs, choking a little. “There is a little bit too much trauma surrounding that experience for me and on the bright side, I don't have to deal with Knox on a co-parent basis.” she hisses. “Umm, what's for lunch?” she asks, noting my silence. ”Chicken wings.” “How about a milkshake?” she muses, trying to sound optimistic but a known sadness still lingers in her voice. “Thalia that's
KNOXI'm a mess.My bond to Thalia is trying to overpower my hatred for her but unlike four years ago, I'm a rational man. I can't let her get to me, not after what she did to my daughter, it's not unheard of for some women to behave that way towards their pups but I didn't foresee that from Thalia. Even now, she plays nice with children, confusing me even more. I can't wreck my brain thinking why she did it because the last time I did, it nearly cost me my pack, and my people's lives. Thalia all that, my enemies knew I was weakened in a way, and every life that was lost while I was drinking and cussing her name weighs heavy on my conscience. There's something about the way she acts that makes me lose my sanity, all logic, it all gets blinded by something. It's like she's fragile, yes that's it, that's how she lures me in. Just like two nights ago at Ryan's birthday party, she appeals to my Alpha nature and I stupidly fall for it, I'm a sucker for the way I could effortlessly bring
“Run?” I turn around to find Beta standing behind me. “Hi,” I nervously laugh. “Great party huh?” “It would be if you weren't running from me.” “I wasn't, you were busy and my job was done the second you were surprised.” He nods, watching me. “So you hang out with me because Nova asked?" “Yes and no.” “Help me understand Amara, I'm not too good at this type of thing.” Cute, he must be bluffing because he's very popular with the ladies. “I did it because I like hanging out with you.” “Why?” he asks, his lips twitching with a smile. My cheeks heat up as I find the courage to look him in the eye again. “You know why.” “Hmm, but I need you to say it, sweetheart.” Ugh, moon goddess, this man. You did your triple big one with him, there's no faults to him even his pushing me to admit my feelings is insanely attractive. “Because I like you, Ryan.” This time, he grins, his gaze searching mine and I can guess his next word before he speaks. “Why?” “Oh, you're maki
My heart does this thing where I feel like I might die from too much excitement but it only makes me weak in the knees. She claimed me, she called me hers and I would love nothing more than for her to be serious about that statement. Nikolai frowns, “Come on, share the good guy.” “No. We are leaving before you infect him with loser. “I'll see you tomorrow night?” No, what's tomorrow night and why is he saying it with that wide smile? “Yes, I love you.” she smiles, going in for the hug he begged for earlier. My heart is shuttered, until he speaks, leaving me speechless. “Love you too lil sis.” His sister, that explains a lot—Not. If Niko has zero ops, then Amara must be dead and if he has a hundred then trust Amara recruited ninety-nine more. “Ryan, he reaches for my shoulder but Amara is quick to seat it away. “Don't touch him, Niko. You already got me one for three.” Nikolai smirks, “Ryan if you're being threatened to hang out with this menace, let me know. You're officiall
RyanThis might just be one of my core memories, I initially planned to seek Amara out at the game but sitting next to her? Premium experience.Tearing up my tickets was the best thing Arabella Venus and Katie Rose have ever done for me, it not only provided me with a reasonable excuse to give my buddies, but it put me in the best seat in the house, right next to Amara.This town is the primary Vulture fan club, so that puts Amara in the 0.8 percentile of people who hate the club. Still, that didn't make her shy away from yelling, screaming, and bullying the Vultures each time they scored. Nikolai, the star of today's match was her biggest victim, she nagged, called his tricks sheer luck, and booed at his every score and honestly it was so hot to watch. Much to her dismay, my team beat hers by a whopping six points but it didn't affect her mood, she has been invariably cheerful.“Do you want to go ?” I nudge her, watching the way she peeks at the queue to the locker rooms.“No,” she
MARIELLA Alpha has been ignoring my calls, and Arabella is restless, awaking every half hour if not an hour at best to ask if her daddy is home yet. This has made it hard for me to fall asleep either because she comes looking for me to ask again and again. Nobody knows where he is, and this isn't the first time this has happened so I sit in the dimly lit kitchen, scrolling through my phone with a cup of coffee in hand to reward myself for putting Bella to sleep for over an hour now. It's nearly four in the morning, maybe I can go back to sleep, but I can't risk being awakened by loud sobbing at my bedside. My lips stretch into a wide grin, my cheeks undoubtedly flushed from the dirty thoughts I get looking at a picture of Alpha Knox, shirtless. The creaking sound of the kitchen door opening wipes my smile away, my hand grips my mug tighter, ready to swing at the intruder but when I see him, my nerves calm immediately. He doesn't notice me, I watch him stagger as he enters the
“Not particularly, I just meant that—” Ryan chuckles, winking at me, “I'm kidding.” “You know, the downside of this efficient work you've accomplished is you won't have anything to do for the next two months. Our schedule was cleared for at least seven months.” Amara reminds me, of a detail I missed when I was plotting to complete the project fast enough to get me away from Knox and my bitter-sweet memories attached to Flame Valley. “I guess I'm finally taking time off work.” I shrug, the idea itself sounds ludicrous. If I'm not in a courtroom or handling legal aspects of our pack negotiations, who am I? Amara laughs, ostensibly unconvinced. “Oh please, attorney T.R Laurel doesn't rest. You'd work in your sleep, let's face it, you're not normal.” “That's not true,” I frown. “I know how to be normal.” “Rose, you work on your off days.” she sighs, leaning back in her seat. “You're the prime definition of a workaholic. Pull up a dictionary and there you are, at the top, and
THALIA I walk into the boardroom with supreme urgency, I shouldn't be here but Alpha Ezra canceled because Luna Serenity got worse. Everyone from Flame Valley is in their seats when we arrive, but none of them expect to see me but Knox seems pissed at my presence and it's not because I'm nowhere dressed for the meeting. “Good afternoon, all.” Amara greets, settling down beside me. “Sorry, I'm late. Shall we start?” “Where's Alpha Ezra?” I don't look at him as I answer, “He had an emergency so I'll be substituting for him.” “An emergency?” he scoffs, “He should have communicated with me before resorting to—” “His wife is sick, you insensitive psycho.” I snap, my tone surprising even myself. He's not here because he didn't want to cancel yet again.” Ryan clears his throat, “I'll get the projector.” “Thank you, Ry.” I smile, my voice much softer and calmer as opposed to when I spoke to Knox. Ryan leaves, and Amara gets to work on connecting with the rest of our team
Mariella’s lip curls up with contempt, “You look lovely, princess.” she feigns a smile. “You did so good, Arabella.” Nova praises. “I'm sorry I made a fuss.” she pouts, looking up at Rose.” “It's okay, I know you were scared but you need to remember that even if it seems like a bad day, you'll be fine, smile and keep your chin up because when the sun comes up tomorrow, it'll be a new day.” Arabella nods vigorously, “Okay, auntie.” “Mommy, can we surprise Daddy with my hair?” Katie Rose asks Nova. “Yep, I'll call him when he's out of surgery.” Nova smiles, petting her head. “Is he okay?” I frown. “Yes, he's the surgeon.” Nova laughs, noting my confusion. “Er, so what are we doing next?” “Thalia and I were going to get our nails done.” I tell her, “We want to look deadly in court.” “That's great, Mariella you could use a new set.” Nova’s head tilts, looking at Mariella's nails. Mariella glares at her, “This is new.” “It's pretty. “ Rose smiles. Nova shrugs, her eyes twin
AMARAThalia and I are getting our hair done in preparation for tomorrow's meeting, she went first and immediately buried her nose in a gossip magazine. I'm checking my hairstyle when a familiar face pops up behind me in the mirror.“Nova!” I call out, whirling around. My squeal alerts Thalia too.Nova smiles, waving at me while the little girls with her squeal. “Hi, Amara.”“Auntie Thalia Rose!” both girls scream, running to meet her.“hi, darlings,” Thalia matches their excitement. “I love your matching dresses.”“Thank you,” they say in unison, hugging Thalia. I turn my attention to the Thalia lookalike. “Hello.” she grins, looking even more like Thalia.“Amara, this is Mariella, Knox's finance, his kid. My kid.” Nova tells me, gesturing to each individual. My gaze gets stuck on the kids, one looks very much like Thalia.“Say hi to my friend.” Thalia prompts.Nova's daughter stares between us, scratching her head. “Are you a lawyer too?”“Yes.”“Cool.” They both swoon, “I'm Katie R