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
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
“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
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