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 didn't wake her so early just to bring me his apology flowers. Amara has been my assistant for a year now and as good as she is at the job, even she can make an error on our busy schedule. Her hand goes to my forehead, and I frown. “Are you okay? It's two thirty in the afternoon and your bed is still unmade?” “Two thirty?” I snap, tossing the flower bouquet to the wall before rushing to my bathroom. “Amara, I have a flight at three!” “I know.” she seethes, walking right behind me as I strip my clothes, carefully setting them in a neat pile on the bathroom floor. “Fill me in.” Amara nods, looking down at her tablet. “Your 9am client's hearing was moved to next week Tuesday at eleven, and oh, the meeting with Alpha Ezra was cancelled because he went to see his nephew. You have four new client's, they've been on the waitlist for seven months, and yes I've don't the background checks and they're not trivial cases.” I nod, stepping into the bathroom. My career has been built on me not taking easy cases, I don't like easy wins because of the thrill I get from wining cases I have no shot at. I didn't even want to be a lawyer, I was going to be a pediatrician when I came home but my mother thought I wasn't stable enough to work with children and so pushed me into law school. My heart was still aching, all wounds raw like they are this day but I had to move on for Mother. I enrolled in the best law school and gave it my best, I took extra modules and within two and a half years I graduated top of all my classes. “That's all.” Amara grins, after reading to me three pages worth of updates while I shower. “Are you packed? I'll pack for you.” “Would you? Thanks, you're the best assistant to an assistant ever.” Amara sighs, a feigned response. “I know, that's why I upgraded your ticket from business class to private. So take your time, Attorney Laurel.” I finally relax, letting the hot water massage my body. I can't believe I nearly missed my flight. If not for Eliza's call I would have missed my girls trip. We've been planning the trip for over a year now and as much as I don't want to travel, I promised I would be there. My friend and favorite client is getting married, I will miss her destination wedding but I can't miss the bachelorette party too, I've had my schedule cleared for this very event. Amara has packed my suitcase by the time I'm done with my bath, and she's laid out a two piece suit for me to wear but she's nowhere in sight, with only her tablet on my bed to alert me of her presence somewhere in the house. I make quick work getting into the outfit Amara has chosen, the skirt sits above my knees, exposing half my thighs paired with a white tank top and matching jacket. The look is not court room appropriate but it's perfect for the bachelorette party. “Finally.” Amara appears from my walk in closet with heels in her hand. The fact that I don't even sense she could be in the room is a reminder of how large my bedroom is. “I've booked you an unber, rented a pink Mercedes for you to drive if needed in the three days you'll be away.” “Thank you.” I settle on my bed, taking the heels from her. “It's my job.” she shrugs, “Plus I love raiding your closets, I got myself a pair.” she grins looking down at the heels on her feet. She's a size bigger than me and so are the heels she's wearing. “Love my job.” “Did Keir say anything when he sent the flowers?” She shakes her head, “Only to make sure that you got them.” I sigh, Keir and I had a fight before he left for his shoot because he wanted me to go with him and I couldn't abandon my plans just because my boyfriend is acts green-eyed whenever I'm not in his sights. THALIA My flight landed two hours ago and within the first thirty minutes of me landing, I was dragged to the nightclub where the bachelorette party is being held. My first drink was on the limo and I haven't stopped drinking since then. Cassidy may not make the right legal decisions often but one thing she's unfailing at is having a good time. The bachelorette party was well planned out, from the choice of venue to the activities keeping us busy. It's like a sorority party, except here all the vibes are pure, I love it. I'm floating on air without a single care because in two days time I'll be back to being attorney Laurel, chasing after my wining streak. “So, how is that handsome snack you carry on your arm?” Sarang one of bridesmaids grins, watching me touch up my lipstick in the bathroom mirror. Keir, she means but honestly, I have no inkling about where or how he is because I've been overlooking his text and calls until I have enough sanity to reply. “I thought we weren't mentioning our men tonight?” Sarang sighs. “Right, let's go.” I stash my lipstick in the pocket of my jacket before following right behind Sarang. Sarang makes a joke about the last time we had a party like this one which led to me, Sarang, Cassidy and two others getting arrested for misconduct. I'm giggling at the memory when Sarang gasps. “Oh my God. It's Victor! And the groomsmen.” “Aww, he crashed her bachelorette party, that's so cute.” “Rose, Sarang!!” Cassidy yells over the same when she spots us. Sarang and I move close, and my full attention falls on the groom. “Victor, you're blushing.” “How could I not, do you not see how sexy my wifee looks?” Victor grins. Cassidy holds out her hand and points to her ring finger. “Fiance Vic. Hold on, let me introduce you to the rest of the bachelor party gang.” “The hottest alpha's, beta's and zetas.” Sarang swoons, “Wait till you see Flame Valley's Alpha.” “What?” I swallow, my voice merely a whisper. Flame Valley's Alpha? No, I must have heard wrong. It can't be, it's such a cursed coincidence. He can't be here, I didn't smell him, I still don't smell him. Not until Cassidy taps the tall man leaned against the wall of our section of the bar. “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.“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
“You let her win.” Ryan settles beside me, downing whats left of my drink. “Yeah.” I admit, swallowing past the bitter taste of my relinquished defeat. “Couldn't look at her face any longer.” Ryan laughs, “But you gave it a good five minute look huh?” I dismiss him, he never did get over her leaving me. “So, can I speak on her now that she's here?” “Go and talk to her instead of talking about her.” I snap, “My rule still stands, I never want to hear about her.” “Knox..” His lips stretch into a grin, am I amusing him? “I would talk to her but she seems busy.” He trails off, looking over my shoulder. I mirror his gaze to where Thalia is, laid up on the table with I shot glass on her tits. I don't reckon why or when I leave the bar, getting stopped by Victor, just in time before I flip the damn table Thalia is on. “Umm, Knox this means a lot. I know how you feel about the topic of her so Thanks for not killing her, man.” “Don't thank me yet.” I grunt, watching Thalia take a
There's a knock on my window which startled us both. “All the time!” Thalia groans, her frown flipping upside down when she sees who is out there. “Cassie darling, hi.” “Come on, let's get you to bed.” “No, I want to stay here.” she pouts, her head laying against my chest. Cassidy taps the window, “There's cherries.” she grins, and that's enough to make Thalia slide off my lap and out the car. I follow right after, heading straight to my bedroom to jerk off to the feel of my fingers inside her. I make quick work freeing my cock and begin to gently caress the length with the two fingers I just had inside Thalia's pussy. I fist my sore cock to the fresh memory of her whimpers as I fingered her and for a moment, I feel her near me, I smell her. The memory of her makes me come quickly, leaving me spent, with my cum on the floor as I lean against the bedroom wall. My cock twitches in my hand just as the door swings open, then shut by the time I shove my cock into my jeans. “
THALIAI awaken to the sound of echoes around me, not my usual bird sound alarm clock.I try to move but arms lay heavy on me, a familiar scent enveloping the entirety of me. One. Two. Three....fifteen. It takes me fifteen minutes before my eyes fly open at the realization of what—who that scent is associated to. Knox.With my heart pounding, I slowly veer beside me only to be met by the crook of his neck in my midsection. It's a dream right? It has to be, Knox can't be here with me, much less naked underneath the covers. I must have fallen asleep on the plane to Cassidy's bachelorette party...the party, no I already went. My memory seems to have hazed, with only the glares Knox shot at me emerging clear. I instantly lift his arm off me, careful not to wake him for obvious reasons. I notice my clothes are discarded near the bed with his at the door. "Run." His voice echoes my mind along with flashes of the entire night hitting me, worsening my headache.
KNOX I don't know if Thalia has awakened yet but I do know she is in Victor's room still. Ryan and everyone else stayed with her while I tended to Arabella. Seeing Thalia collapse in front of her scared her, and she had been asking if the woman was okay so I lied, I said yes despite not knowing. Mariella is pacing around the room while Arabella watches a cartoon on the television. “Quit pacing.” I order. “I can't, I'm nervous. That was Thalia, and she fainted when she saw Bella.” “Don't use my daughter's name in the same sentence as Thalia's name.” I warn. My tone seems to startle her despite the calm I'm portraying. “You saw the way she looked at her, she demanded her baby. Alpha Knox, what if she kidnaps Venus?” “She wouldn't dare.” I frown, I for certain that Thalia would never kidnap my daughter, and even if she did, I would ensure she lives to regret it. “She's crazy, I don't want this to affect Bella. I knew one day they would meet but I didn't think it would be th
THALIA I should have left when I got the chance but now, here I am spending time with my ex's fiance who happens to be my best friend. Not only that, but they both got to see me at my worst, having the worst panic attack I've had in years. So it's back to therapy for me, at least until I can hold my emotions again, which I was sure I could up until this morning. I've not asked her anything, but she's been talking nonstop, trying to engage me in conversation like the last four years didn't happen, like I didn't fuck her fiance all the way into this morning. Does she know? Surely, everyone here knows, my scent might be subtle on him but it's there, it'll linger for a bit longer just as Knox's scent lives on me, masking my own. “I wish you would have been there, it was amazing and it's where Knox proposed. I was a bit freaked out but he said he knew I was his last.” she grins, toying with her ring. Yes, I've noticed the large rock on her finger. It's hard to miss not because
Cassidy nods, Okay. You slept with Knox.” she nearly shouts, her lips stretching into a grin. “I was drunk.” I promptly protest. “Right ” she laughs, “Let's blame the alcohol for how you basically dry humped each other in the car.” “How could you let me do that?” “Me?” she snorts. “I tried to get you to come with me but you insisted. Hell, you left my bed to fuck him.” “Drunk decisions.” I shake my head. “This is why I don't drink. Keir will be livid when he finds out about this.” “Don't tell him!" She sits up, shaking her head. “Keir doesn't have to know.” “I can't lie to him.” “Okay, since you can't lie, tell me who's better in bed.” she grins, on the verge of absolute laughter “I'm not answering that.” I roll my eyes, now comparing the two in my head but if I'm being honest? Knox is incomparable, not only was he my first, but he just knows my body and better than Keir or any man ever will. And trust me, the orgasms are better when he fucks your senses too
“What?” I ask when I notice Ryan staring at me.“Nothing, just wondering if Bella knows daddy was putting in the hard work it takes to make a baby with-”“I swear to God, if you say her name..” I trail off on a warning.He feigns a gasp. “I thought we were allowed to say her name now.”“I see you ran into Nova.”“Yes, but do enlighten me.”“She walked in when Mariella was confronting me for fucking Thalia, something I don't even remember doing, mostly.”“And do you want to remember?” he studies me, “I can help you. The owner of the house we lived in has surveillance cameras around the house for security purposes when it's empty and you accidentally activated one.”“What?”Ryan nods, “Yeah. You and Thalia featured in what Cassidy and Sarang called Pornhubs finest material.”“You're shitting me.” My eyebrow lifts, but there's not a single hint of humor on his face. He grabs his phone and turns it towards me, on it an image of Thalia appears. She's laying down with me between her legs, m
“Novie? Are you okay?” Thalia repeats, her tone laced with concern. “Yes,” I nod, jumping off the bed. “I just remembered I have a proposal to submit at work, Knox might be here but he will still scold me.” “Okay, goodbye?” she calls out, but I'm already opening the door. My first instinct is to run to Knox, but I can't find him. The doctor says he went out to buy some special vitamins for Thalia. I book an Uber, my whole body shaking thanks to the information I just learned. The car couldn't go fast enough, in my opinion. My foot jitters the entire ride home, and when I'm finally dropped off, I nearly forget to pay the driver in my haste to find Mariella. “Mariella!” I scream, my voice bitter than it is most times I address her. This is someone Thalia trusted with her life, someone who betrayed her just so she can fuck Knox
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