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, “
“Nothing,” she grins up at him. “Show me,” he orders. Arabella frowns, “I was showing Aunt Thalia.” she pulls out her hands, sucks in a breath and morphs her claws. “Tadaa.” “Where did you learn that?” “Over there,” she points, her gaze finding Knox again. “Are you okay Daddy?” “Yes, my little girl is growing up.” “I won't grow up, it makes you sad.” she stomps her foot. “He's not sad. He's happy and, pretty soon you'll be shifting like everyone.” “Daddy said I might not but that's okay because it makes me unique.” she beams. That's okay? No, it's not. My memories of being one of the bullied wolfless kids kick in and I want to snap Knox in half, even though he bullied me when I was younger. “Why would you say that, she's only three of course she's going to shift. She's already got her claws and she's growing big.” “So big.” Ryan ruffles her hair, making her pout. “Curiosity here,” he raises his hand. “Who said, I mean how do you know Bella's age?” “Daddy, Uncle
“S-she had no place to go,” he stutters. “it's only been a week and I swear to you I've not touched her, my sister is there too she'll tell you the truth. I swear on my daughter, you're the only woman that I love and it's killing me not having you with me every day.” “You made that choice, if you loved me you'd have thought about your actions.” “Baby, if I could turn back time...” he trails off, reaching for me but I take a step back. “I love you.” “Then choose me, if you love me you're going to put me first for once.” “I can't leave, Florence will—” “Stop. That's enough, unless it's about Katie Rose don't you dare call me. You'll be hearing from my lawyer soon.” I walk away, grateful most people are hunting so they can't see me cry. I missed out on Ryan's first kill of the night to talk to him, to spend time with him while he plotted to stick me in one house with what broke our marriage. I barely make it to my tent before I break down, crying on my knees when I bump into
Thalia shrugs, “Maybe the pup hates you, I know I do. And please watch your voice, someone might hear.” she whispers, her gaze wandering around, we're nearly alone, everyone around is either drunk or too consumed by their mates. “I don't care if they hear me.” “Oh, so that's why you haven't told Mariella yet?” she nods to herself “You want her to get wind of it, smart.” “Stop it.” I swallow, Mariella not being here has momentarily lifted a weight off my shoulders. Thalia frowns, “Stop what?” “Stop bringing Mariella up, she might trip and fall from all the thoughts you're giving her.” “I shouldn't even be talking to you.” she sighs, staring off into the river again. I watch her, the way her hair catches the subtle breeze, the way the moon shines almost directly on her face. She's beautiful, the most beautiful woman I've ever seen but her inside is ugly. My wolf laughs at me, for someone who should be having my back he's a fucking betrayer. “We felt her insides, there
He's going to scare me into a coma one of these days, why is he so sneaky, and adamant about being close to me? He points down and I roll the window down, rolling my eyes at the grim stare he's giving me. I don't know what he found to blame me for but I do know that I don't want to hear it, my day won't be ruined. Serenity woke up today, and nothing will take my smile away, this is an answered prayer that I will savour. “I don't want to hear it, I'm leaving.” I tell him. “Come and have breakfast.” he glares. “What?” I frown. “Breakfast? You're mad at me because of breakfast?” “I'm not mad at you, come on. Amara and Nova cooked.” I frown, the people he's mentioning were asleep when I left the campsites. There's no way they were able to cook anything at all, unless they went back to sleep after cooking. MARIELLA I try not to look at the man in my mother's basement as I put my clothes on. If I stare too long, I'll start to feel things that might comprise the smooth route
“Because you're licking that man's boots instead of working hard.” she counters, “You're a woman Mariella. The only man you know how to work can't be your mate, work them all to your side. Knox should be worshipping you, not the other way around. Stop playing coy.” I swallow, feeling like a child being scolded for never being good enough. “I am n-no,” I stutter. Mother nods at me, petting Priya. “Then what are you doing? Hmm, you're embarrassing me as your mother, your step sister laughs at you, she snagged her a beta just last month.” “And sister Mariella, you're prettier than sister Amrita.” Ignoring Priya I turn to my mother, “I can't choose my mate Mom. However, I can choose my second. Knox is my second, mother.” “Hmm,” mother nods. “Is your obsession with him fed by the fact that he belongs to Thalia?” “He doesn't!” I argue, my heartbeat picking up. “Mariella, what has gotten into you?” my mother's eyes widen, I never raise my voice at her but when she says things l
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
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
“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