"You can still do that," Emma says curtly. "You can still bring Moni here after the divorce," she adds next.There's a moment of pure stillness in the air as Lucus registers Emma's words; his eyes narrow down, and then he asks, "What divorce?" Lucus questions come in such a way that he strongly presses on every single syllabus and enunciates them."Our divorce." Emma answers casually, like it's not big news and they're just conversing about the weather. "I mean, that has been the plan all along, right? This marriage serves only to please your dad. We're getting a divorce once dad gives you your shares; you said so yourself. If we stick to that plan, it's actually long overdue. So, I've already talked to my lawyer. I believe she'll contact you soon.""What the hell, Omega?" Lucus voice raises, and he steps closer to Emma, whose response is to back towards the Catalpa.Emma sees how Lucus brows narrow, and she can almost see the fire burning in Alpha's big eyes. She doesn't know why, bu
Emma wonders why she wakes up the next morning. Can't life work like a game and just stop and restart each time she reaches a low point? Maybe she'd do better the next round.She stretches her limbs and groans at how sore they are. Only when she's taking her shower does she realize that her throat isn't doing any better either; each time she swallows, it feels like her throat is being dragged down a grater.When she gets to the office, Emma resumes her pending work. She pulls out the folders that Lucus needs to look at today. There's a new proposal from a company called We Corp. on anticoagulant drugs. Emma had already briefed Lucus about the proposal sometime last week, and the Alpha had a short meeting with their representative a few days before they launched Apex. However, Lucus hasn't given Emma any input from that meeting yet, so Emma needs that to be done and documented today.Not long after Lucus comes in, Emma is called into the office. So readily, she walks in with all the fi
Moni presses on the pedal like that's going to help with her fuming heart. She drives down the lane without a single care as Emma's words keep playing in her ears. It really breaks her heart to find out that Lucus refuses the divorce like this. This only confirms her suspicion that Lucus has feelings for Emma James.Moni swears that she loves Lucus more than anything—maybe after his money, but still.Deep down, she knows that she's wronged the man for having an illicit affair with someone else, but Moni can't help it when the spark between her and Lucus is long gone. It started as a bad decision one night when she was drunk and Mark was high, looking at her with heavy lidded eyes. But the subsequent decisions after that were not made while she was drunk or Mark was high. It just feels right to let go and give up all care.Sometimes it feels like Mark gets her and makes her feel heard more than Lucus does.Things changed after Lucus took over as Will's CEO. He had always been occupied,
Even from behind, Emma can tell that Lucus is fuming. His neck is rigid, and his shoulders are square and tense. The way he approaches Sebestian screams danger, and his words come out menacing. "I thought I made it clear enough to stay the fuck away from my Wife! You chose the wrong time to mess with me because right now I swear I won't hesitate to break your neck."Lucus lowers his body and grabs Sebestian by his collar before shoving the other harshly against the nearest wall in their hallway, very much like what Sebestian did to Emma mere minutes ago. The moment Sebestian's body hits the wall, Emma hears something crack, and Sebestian's loud whimpers fill the empty hallway."I- Arghh, I still have your secrets, Lucus! I'd run to your mother right after this!" Sebestian's poor attempt to play his card doesn't bother Lucus, not one bit.Instead, Lucus lets out a harsh breath and narrows his eyes on the other "You are bloody wrong about Emma being someone trivial. She's my wife, and I
When Emma awakens again, her muscles are screaming in pain a few hours after midnight. She jostles under her blanket, and it takes quite some time for the surroundings to settle in. Then Emma realizes that she's been sleeping on Lucus lap. The Alpha is right beside her on the bed, asleep in a sitting position. Emma suspects that sometime during the night, she scooted closer to Lucus and subconsciously used the man's laps as her pillow.She tilts her head up, looking into Lucus tired face. Lucus must've been staying up later into the night, worrying about her, judging by how lethargic and swollen her eyes look. Slowly, Emma raises a hand to touch Lucus cheek."Hey, Lucus."Her husband jerks awake out of that, eyes red and tired. Still half awake, Lucus tries to give his whole attention to the Omega, panicked hands roaming all over Emma's body. "What? What is it, Omega? Are you alright? You need something.""Hey, hey. Lucus, calm down," Emma tries, slowly rubbing on Lucus neck. "I'm fin
One Week Later: -He's tucked into a warm embrace, an arm holding her loosely against a strong, muscular chest. A leg is thrown over his own. He's quite literally stuck in Emma bodily warmth. Not that he complains. He's just...He's got no clue where they stand. For all he knows, this whole night was simply Emma way of making sure Lucus has a good time while she is losing virginity.That's probably it, to be honest. He couldn't comprehend why Emma would sleep with him otherwise. Him. Lucus. Lucus slowly woke up his eyes scanned the room. Oh, right it's just a dream he was at Moni. And for some reason he really wanted to leave."Morning baby Alpha." Moni said excitedly hugging Lucus torso."Morning Moni how did you sleep?" Lucus tiredly smiles.Moni sits up and grabs her phone. "Yea good but anyway, I really like these bags and I was wondering maybe you can spoil me a little" She smiled innocently kissing Lucus cheek.Lucus sighed, he knew she was going to ask for something but that's
Why can Lucus only think of her? Whenever he was alone, Emma would always be on his mind. She was always the person that had been on his mind since he could remember, but why?"Emma, I need you, but I am so confused.""These bags are so heavy," Emma whines. Alex rolls his eyes, then spots a cute café."Let's have a little break, hey?" Emma nods eagerly to sit down, and Allen goes up to buy their drinks and food."So, Seth called me and told me that Lucus came over to the office the other night; he was really distressed and looked lost," Alex says calmly, but Emma stays silent."Have you guys talked?"Allen shakes her head slowly. Alex sighs and leans back into the chair with his arms crossed."I've known my brother, and he never changed, and you also are like him. Both of you need to stop beating around the bush and actually communicate. Tonight, at the party, you two should really talk about everything alone. Not with me, not with Allen, and especially not with Moni around, and if sh
The guy got into Emma's face with a smirk."Moni is disappointed, sweetheart; you failed to keep the secret, and now she will make your life a living hell until you leave Lucus alone." Then all Emma could see was a fist coming toward her. Maybe she deserved it; maybe this is what she deserved for being selfish and actually trying to help herself.Emma waited for that fist to come, but it never did. She sat up to see Lucus on top of the guy, beating him senseless. Emma tried to get up to get Lucus off that guy, but Alex came and picked her up bridle style, taking her away from the fight, and Allen followed them."Wait! Alex," but he didn't say anything; he just focused on getting Emma out of there.okay with hfollowed, hers followed, but only Simon wasn't there. They got into one of the guys cars and drove off. Allen was asking if Emma was okay with him still holding her close, but Emma had no energy to speak anymore. Everything that had just happened had completely sucked all her ener
The air was filled with the subtle scent of lemons and candle wax.Gold tapestry runners featuring Batik motifs graced the tables by the entranceway to the hall, and crystal vases filled with white roses spilling out sat atop them, while bouquets of white roses wrapped in blue silk ribbons decorated the ends of the old wooden pews. The early morning sun shone through the stained-glass windows of the wedding hall and reflected pretty images onto the floor of the hall. Dozens of candles in every size were placed on the altar, ready to be lit when the ceremony started; they would lend a soft and warm glow to the happy couple as they stood before friends and family professing their love for one another.Zia studied the decorations with a critical eye—everything had to be perfect. She had pale yellow roses braided into her long dark hair and her dress, a long column of silver—not quite white and not quite grey—that shimmered under the lights with every moment. Satisfied that everything was
A small family could be heard all the way down the street from their apartment. A toddler was throwing a fit by the sounds of her crying and screams, and two people could be heard arguing."You! Get out of my home now!!"Emma hissed at her father, who was standing a few feet from his daughter and granddaughter, sporting a scowl.Emma was doing everything she could not to gently set her daughter down in her playpen and lunge for her father's throat. Nadia is now four years old; she's grown to be a beautiful toddler. She was clinging to her mother like her life depended on it and was crying hysterically. Emma was rocking back and forth in his arms and glaring at Robert in hatred."That thing is an abomination. She shouldn't even exist!" David spat, glaring at the toddler in disgust.The toddler whimpered at the insult and clung even tighter to her mother. Emma was enraged and could barely control herself. The only thing keeping her from screaming at her father was the little girl in her
Emma complied, taking the last few steps towards Lucus. The Alpha pulled her into his arms, stroking her back lovingly. Emma wrapped her arms around Lucus as well, not able to prevent the smile she was holding back from spreading across her face. Lucus suddenly felt tense. Emma looked up at him and noticed a sour expression written across his features."What's wrong, Lucus?" She whispered."Nothing."Emma glared, not taking too kindly to being lied to. Lucus sighed in defeat and met her gaze. His eyes held so much sorrow and fear. "I'm not a good father," he whispered sadly.Emma gasped out in shock. How could Lucus think like that? It's not like someone can go from never being around children to being an expert on them in only a few weeks! Lucus was being too hard on himself, setting his expectations too high. Emma would do everything she could not to let Alpha beat himself up over not being experienced with kids."Lucus, you love both Clary and Nadia to pieces! How could you say tha
Lucus made quick work of her shirt as well before Allen returned with a white hospital gown. Lucus lifted Emma up slightly so she could slip it on her. They had just laid Emma back down when a door burst open and the doctor walked in. She was wearing her pale pink hospital gown and white flats.She came strutting through like she owned the place. She shoved Lucus and Emma aside, making her way over to Emma. She was currently panting and sweating as if she had just run a marathon. She grabbed one of the towels from the nightstand and dabbed it with some of the cool water in the bucket. She wiped the sweat rolling down her face before she began setting up everything she would need for the delivery.The group sat there for the next hour and a half. It was silent. Allen was in the other room talking to Alex, who had arrived ten minutes beforehand. Emma had requested that they leave the room. She didn't feel comfortable with anyone witnessing her give birth to the baby other than Lucus. Sh
A tap on Lucus window startled him out of his thoughts. He saw a woman in her forties with messy brunette hair standing in front of his window with a takeout bag. He rolled the window down, and she shoved the food at him. He rolled his eyes as she walked away. He looked down into the bag and noticed something strange.There was only lava cake.He snatched the bag and stormed out of the vehicle and into the restaurant. He slammed the bag on the counter in front of a startled-looking employee. She had her purple hair tied into a bun, and her green eyes were wide. He felt no remorse."I have been to two different Burger King's! I've had soda spill on my shirt, and then an old woman slapped me in the face! I got pulled over by a cop who vandalized my car and gave me a seven-hundred-dollar ticket simply because I'm married to Omega! Now your ignorant people make me pull off to the side to wait for onion rings that I've never received! I demand three large orders of onion rings, another sli
5 Years Later:"Lucus!"Omega sighed, placing her rainbow-striped bookmark in her fantasy drama novel. She strode out of her office and into the living room.His Alpha was sprawled out on the sofa, his chin in his palm, as he watched an episode of Modern Family. Emma was wearing nothing but an oversized hoodie and a pair of grey shorts. Despite the baggie hoodie and fluffy red blanket covering her torso, her nine-month pregnant belly was obvious.They'd wanted to be married for a little while before they had another child. So, after two years of traveling the world and going on many fun adventures, they settled down back in their apartment with Clary. They then proceeded to make mad, passionate love all night long. It was more overwhelming than any other time. Of course, it only took one round to impregnate Emma, but once they got started, they couldn't get enough of each other."Yes love?" Lucus asked.He couldn't help but eye the dozens of candy wrappers strewn about the floor. The
The whole idea had been Allen's.When she'd suggested the idea to Emma—to celebrate Clary's birthday in a cute and fun way that the little one could enjoy—she hadn't come up with anything wrong with it.Neither of them had taken in Alex as a factor, though. Which, between the three of them, they really should have?"I don't think that outfit is appropriate for children."Lucus raised his eyebrows in confusion. He gestured to Clary, who was clad in dark blue denim jeans and a deep green knit sweater, before turning to Emma with an expression that suggested he really thought Emma had lost her mind this time."I meant yours," Emma explained, pointing to Lucus bright yellow skin-tight jeans and glaringly obvious rainbow singlet, which he'd paired with a deep red jacket and black shoes."We're going to a zoo, Lucus, not a nightclub."Lucus pouted, and Emma sighed."Just dress it down a little for me today." She asked. "Please? I'll let you choose my outfit another time if you do this for m
"Where are you getting it?" Zia asked Emma, taking a cotton ball and dipping it in antiseptic."On my wrist," she says, holding out her right arm. Zia nods, wiping the skin of her wrist beneath her palm.She puts the cotton ball down and then purses her lips."Could you... I might need you to swap chairs with Lucus; I don't want to do this upside down."Emma nods. "Of course."She and Lucus switch, darting past each other. Lucus raises his eyebrows, hoping to get something out of either of them, but neither Zia nor Emma say a word."This is borderline torture." He complains, flopping into his seat. Zia smiles sympathetically, as if to say "This wasn't my decision".Emma just looks a little nervous."So, I'm going to outline the drawing in marker first, so you can be certain of its placement, and then if you're happy, I'll start." Zia explains.Emma nods, her eyes darting over to Lucus before returning to Zia. She smiles encouragingly, picking up a black, fine-tip, skin-safe marker and
"You want to get a tattoo?"Out of all the things Lucus ever thought he'd hear Emma say, getting a tattoo was not even a registered possibility."Yes." Emma nods, and Lucus knows Emma enough to accept that she's being completely serious."But you already have my mating mark on your body." Lucus states. He folds his hands behind his head, leaning backwards against the headboard. He had a feeling this conversation would be one he'd need to be relaxed for."Well, yes, but that's not the same." Emma replies. He sighs as Lucus raises his eyebrows."Mark's fade; some are permanent, but not all of them, and they're different. Mating marks speak of my mating. Tattoos are something that both of us can have, and it's more special and ... forever."Lucus leans over and kisses Emma's bare shoulder."You genuinely want this?" He asks to be certain. There's a warmth flooding him just from hearing that Emma wants to get something permanent that they can both share. Something different that no other