Emma was waiting anxiously in the living room for her husband, Lucus, to come home from his office. It was their monthly routine to visit her in-laws, Lucus parents, in their home in another city for the weekend.Emma and Lucus were arranged to be married to each other by their parents, despite the Alpha being against this idea at first, but they ended up getting married anyway. Emma knew that they were not in love with each other in the beginning, but for Emma, she was willing to try to make their marriage work, even when she wasn't sure that Lucus had the same intention for their marriage in the past as Emma. After knowing that the baby is his, Lucus didn't say anything, but Emma knows that the Alpha is angry with her.They have been married for one and a half years now, but Emma didn't feel any progress in closeness or intimacy between them. Of course, she didn't count how they had sex for the first time in their marital life just two weeks ago, and that too.Lucus came home too dr
"Emma..." Emma heard Lucus call her when she was going to enter their room after everyone decided to retire for the night."Yes?" Emma turned to Lucus and asked, as expected. She's wondering what Lucus wants to say to her now. Was Lucus aware that Emma was feeling down because of his attitude towards her during their dinner and after that, when they were all sitting and talking together in the living room?Lucus opened the door to their room and held Emma's hand to get her inside with him. Emma could feel how her heart was beating faster just because of a small gesture like this from Lucus. Once they were inside and closed the door, Lucus let go of Emma's hand and turned to see her."Um... There's something I want to discuss with you once we're back home," Lucus started.Emma tilted her head a little bit, curious. "About?" She asked."About our marriage and this relationship." Lucus replied to her with a solemn expression; his eyes never left Emma's face.Emma felt quite taken aback a
Even seeing a glimpse of Lucus naked body didn't give her any more feelings of longing or desire within her heart, like it used to in the past. Emma's heart was just too numb and too cold to feel any positive emotions after all of this. It's funny how human feelings can change 180 degrees within a matter of a few minutes.She then suddenly felt that she had enough, and she wanted to escape from this place. She didn't want to have anything to do with them anymore. What's the point, anyway? At the very least, Emma had shown them that he knew about their sin and hoped they would carry the guilt all their lives for hurting him in the cruelest way possible.Right now, she just wanted to turn back and walk out of the room, out of this house, and end every relationship she had with this family. But adding to her miserable state, her body was moving too slowly, so Lucus caught her before she could run away."Emma..." Lucus called her out while grabbing her elbow, preventing her from walking o
The place that Emma has managed with care and utmost attention to every detail, so she would always feel comfortable, at ease, and homey every time he came back tired from work, The place that she took care of with the hope that someday it might become their happy and comfortable place together the place that someday Emma hopes could eventually become home for both of them.So how could he? How could he dare to taint all of her works, her sweats, and her good intentions for him, then bring his secret lover to their home, to her home?After the silence that felt like an eternity for Emma, he could see Lucus lowering his head and finally nodding."God..." Emma rasped, then looked up to the ceiling of the room to hold back her tears that kept pooling in her eyes from falling. He was not worthy of her tears! And Emma knew that now."When?" Emma suddenly snapped while glaring back at Lucus again. She needed to know. Because she is always at home, she would know if Lucus brought another per
"No! They know nothing!" Lucus replied instantly; he didn't want his parents to get involved in his mess as well. "Please don't think badly about them. They genuinely like you and are happy with our marriage!" He added."It's all on me. Everything is on me." Lucus convinced Emma and took the blame, and Emma chuckled again. What a twist of fate!So he took the blame for everything alone? Even though that woman was equally guilty,'Did he really love her that much?' Emma smiled ironically at herself.Emma lowered her head, then laughed softly at herself while shaking her head in disbelief. She entered this marriage with hope, then she came out of it with a damaged heart, broken trust, and shattered dreams."Okay." Emma finally nodded, defeated. Her heart hurts. Her body was tired, and her head was throbbing. She just wanted to end this right now, fast and clean."My lawyer will contact you about the divorce... And you can pack my things or arrange for movers to send them to my lawyer."
"Zia, I cannot go back to his apartment wearing this." Emma insisted, tugging once on the silky green shirt that clung to her body as though it were a second skin. "And don't even get me started on these.""What? I think they enhance your ass; it's totally perfect." Zia said, taking the opportunity to admire her ex-sister-in-law's pregnant belly."Why can't you just mend my jeans and sweater?" Emma asked for what must have been the third time that morning."I've already told you why. I got rid of them earlier." Zia smirked. "Plus, I think that this outfit is much more pleasing; my stupid cousin needs to know what he is lacking.""Did you really have to rip my clothes?" Emma grumbled as she sipped her coffee."You weren't complaining last night when I ripped your wedding dress." Zia smirked as she gently tugged the almost empty cup from Emma's hands and placed it on the kitchen counter behind her. She drew her hands along the thin silk of Emma's shirt and grinned. She could feel everyt
"See, you've disgusted your mother-in-law too; it's only a matter of time before others begin to realize what a disgusting pansy you are.""Hey!" Zia spoke sharply. "Don't you dare-""Shut up, Omega." Damon sneered. "Do you also get paid for sex? Is that it? Did you also let others buy your services? Or is you are paying you to sleep with Alpha?""Wow, uncle, I think now I know why Lucus is like this." Zis said. To Damon, Zia appeared calm and in control, almost stoic. Emma, however, could see the rage coursing through her, the pure fury of her loved one being torn to emotional shreds."What? I doubt it. Apparently, you are also like her—some Alpha slut." Damon snarled. "She'll drop her pants for anyone with a wallet full of money and a dick.""What? Why are you saying these things?" Emma pleaded; she could feel the tears rising, and Zia moved closer to her, trembling with rage."Because that's all you are now. That's all you'll ever be seen as. Why else would you sleep with other Alp
2 days Later;"Don't move too much," Zia says, though it's muffled since it's pressed firmly into her neck. They've been laid together, unmoving, for what feels to Emma like hours, but that still doesn't seem like long enough.She can't get over the warmth of having Zia in her arms, pressed right up against her, like she has no intention of ever letting her go again. Which is fine by her, Emma thinks, stroking his hand wide on her back. Zia shuffles into her like she wants to get even closer, and Emma can find no objection to that either."How long?" she starts to say, struck with a sudden dryness in her throat. She clears it, coughing painfully, and tries again, even as Zia is lifting her head up. "How long was I gone?"Emma keeps her question vague because she doesn't really want to think about where she's been or how long she's been away."Too long," Zia answers, her eyes falling to the way Emma swallows and dragging herself up to her knees, though still holding on to her waist as
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