“You took so long.” Ava’s body curved along the door post like the curves of a water pool slide. She smelt nice and her intentions were clear and straightforward for the first time in a while but I didn't give in.I think the right word to use was I ‘couldn't’ give in. I didn't have the strength in me to start what I knew I couldn't finish.“For a good reason. Had to discuss some really important things that affected the trajectory of my work.” I gently pushed her offer aside along with the malicious body she brought it in and entered into the house. It was the end of hours of the night before the morning and I haven't found a way to sleep a wink. Something tickles the back of my head as I realize I never heard my door close. I turned around to still find her standing where I left her, her back wasn't even turned in the right direction.“Ana…what are you still doing by the door? Come inside.” I used a more commanding tone at the end from a lesson I learnt with her a week ago. She was
Katie's POV Mornings came with their own problems for me, for as long as I could remember.That's why I was always awake early to see what it had in store for me, preparing ahead of time. I need the time away from this but was Monaco any safer.As of now, I was standing in front of Donald in his study. To be honest I didn't think that it would be one of the things I would have this morning—at least, not like this.What was this interrogation session about?I was being warned seriously not to negatively influence their child, Jessica.“I promise I have seronegative plans about your daughter, she just felt bad for me for not having too many friends due to my terrible social skills and now wants me to try and at least make friends with her. Maybe I can pick you from there.” I finished with Joanna glaring subtly at me.Yes, she was also present. She always happened to be in the room at the time of my downfall, an observation I came to a full conclusion on after I was abused by the media
Katie's POV“Be weary of her, I don't like this…”Lucy said to me just a few steps away from the door. It made me stop in the step I was taking. I must either have been walking really slow or her room was just that wide. Honestly I think it's more to do with her room and less to do with the pace of my walking step because the journey to her closet and back to her bed was already ridiculous. Speak less of other points of the room away from the exit.“Is there any problem?” Jessica's voice snapped me back into reality, reminding me that I was still stalling in her room while having all of these thoughts running through my head at the same time.“I was just thinking…what happened between you and Ryan?” What?!Lucy was shocked. Even I surprised myself by spilling that of all the million thoughts I was having at the moment. I wouldn't lie that it wasn't something I thought about more often than not due to not seeing Ryan at
Katie's POV I walked out of her room with a reinforced backbone dedicated to not trusting Jessica. I don't know why I thought I was the only one getting all of her crazy side. Maybe Killian was right?Fuck, it hurt just thinking Killian could be right that I had learnt to spend so much time in my own head that I have learnt to become very passive with everything, and the things I didn't let go, turns out not to really matter all that much like I thought it all should. I ran my hands through my hair as the walls in my peripheral vision blurred and swooned in different directions until it came to a knowing that I had come in front of my door.Opening it, the bag I planned to pack still laid open on the bed and I felt helpless. Just staring at the bag, I realized my fate was so blurry even though the bag and I were within touching distance. I hated this.On instant, I picked up the phone and attempted dialing Shedrack's number first but something stopped me from going all the way with
Katie's POV “Who is there?” I asked, immediately sitting up. “Joanna .”Her voice felt like I was being poured cold oily water. It creeped all over my body, from my ears to my outer skin. For some seconds, all I did was stare at the door in absolute shock and wonder what could have brought her to my room at this time.The outing? It couldn't be. The last time I went out just like this, she didn't have much to say to me.The knock came again. This time it was louder and clearer, even though I couldn't say ‘I didn't hear it’ as an excuse. Then it to my dumb ass was still sitting on the bed thinking about repercussions of what could possibly happen if I did let her in. I didn't like the thought of my options, they all didn't sound good enough. “I am coming…” I tumbled out of the bed into the arms of uncertainty, looking around my room for an excuse worth the delay till I looked down at my clothes and started taking them off without even thinking twice.“You don't sound like—”“Sorry
Katie's POV “Well, the reason I came here was to say that and tell you that I have decided to join the team on the journey. I'm also going to Monaco.” Ryan announced, staring at me. Being already seated made it easier to be dramatic because there was a lot of need for it. I scrambled off the bed so I could be on my feet at once. He could tell already I wasn't in with the idea from the way I reacted.“I know, I know—”“No! You don't know. Because if you knew, and had any fucking respect for yourself, you would keep far away from this mess while you can. Don't you get it, she gave you a harsh pass, like a really terrible shitty pass but it is a pass nonetheless. Ryan, don't be stupid.” I exclaimed at him.To be honest, I didn't expect myself to be this passionate about it but after what Joanna just pulled on me, I couldn't help but see the whole ‘helping Jessica out’ as another trap. It was the most random thing that has happened and there was no day I didn't think of the multiple thi
Ryan's POV I walked out of her room with my head down. I closed the door and someone cleared her throat beside me.“Jessica…” She leaned against the wall of the hallway of Katie's room. She was dressed fully, ready to leave but somehow she was here instead of the living room or her room, or literally any other fucking place that wasn't here.Did she hear what I said to Katie??The thought hit me first the moment she smirked at me. She had this sardonic look on her face that creeped me out. I didn't want to continue whatever this was so I began walking away.“You know, when a maid told me that the son of the alpha was in our residence…I was honestly surprised. I mean, was the message not clear?” She chuckled behind me. I knew she was following me, her taunting voice kept scraping the back of my head and I couldn't stand one more second of it.“What?! What is it, Jessica?! What do hou fucking want from me?” I turned around, snapping at her with so much venom she flinched.“Oh so now y
Katie's POV“Yeah, you are right.” he said. “Come on, get dressed and let's go. You don't want to raise any more suspicions again.”By the time we got to the Jeep, the red Jeep that held so many memories it was hard to pinpoint when exactly I started getting used to hopping into the front seat so casually like my name was listed on the property.I was surprised Jessica, Ryan and Roman were already seated in the back seat, this time, Roman was seated in the center. Knowing the whole feud between them and how he hated the unnecessary drama, you would expect him to go for the window seat.“Alright guys, before we leave, I would need a picture of you guys together.” Ms Joanna strolled out of the house with a blue sun hat over her head, matching her dress in the most gradient pleasing way. She raised her face to the sun and flexed her perfect facial bone structure. Was it necessary? Of course not. But she did it because she could.I muffled my groan by biting down hard on my lower lip beca
Katie's POV We arrived in what looked nothing less of a castle with a Glass art dome at the top of it. I had no idea buildings like this existed outside the Red pack. Killian packed and ran around to open my door for me and help me down. I took his hand gracefully and allowed him to lead me right up to the stairs that led into the Castle-like building. I see why he was also excited. The place didn't seem like the kind of place just anyone could visit, but aside from that, the guards at the huge brownish gold double wing door in front of the jade green castle-like building all looked at me with eyes of amazement and wonder. The moment we were behind the huge door and it closed heavily beside us, blowing a gust of wind at our backs. “Is it just me or are those guards staring at me like I am some known person around here?” He looked down at me and smirked. “How long have I been asleep?” That's the first question that came to mind. Because it takes time for gossip to spread, but if it
Katie's POV I knew I was passing out a way longer than I was the last time because by the time I opened my eyes, not only did it look like another day was setting through the window of a strange room, but I was also laying down in a strange bed. A strangely comfortable bed. I turned my head to the other side, away from the window and saw the bed extend as far as it could. Where am I? I touched my face and pinched my cheeks. It wasn't a dream either. So this was definitely real, but it still didn't explain where I was or what was going on. But I had a feeling I was safe. I mean, the big room with not too many things in it smelt good, fresh too. Like it had just been cleaned up and sprayed with some air freshener not too long ago. It took at least a few minutes of snooping around before it clicked that I was in Killian's room. Or at least this was a room where he kept his stuff. Who am I kidding, his briefs were literally in the second layer of the drawer that was slapped against t
Katie's POV He immediately turned to face us, his eyes expanding as he looked to his minion for help but he continued to stand still. “Don't just look at them goddamnit, do something!!” He screamed desperately while the man continued to stand as still as the trees outside the tent. “I can't…” The man whimpered. The light illuminating the inside of the tent came from an orange bulb I had no idea was there the whole time. He looked between his minion, and then Killian and I, confusion fueling his expression to twitch between shock and annoyance. He couldn't bring himself to understand why what was currently happening seemed so strange. “Jules, I swear to—” he trailed off. “Killian??” He blinked twice, then his eyes went wide. “Katie…” He turned back to Jules, “But you said…” He trailed off again, turning back to us, obviously trying to understand what was happening. “I will help you catch up since your brain can't do the job. Beta Charles. You have been caught. Tada!!” Killian wa
Killian's POV I drove both my car into the woods opposite the bend that lent to the tent. I drove it up to a point I felt the visibility would be hard to notice in the thick of the night. The bus could stay where it was. It was a victim in the whole operation anyways. The other bodies I had to lift and dumb somewhere behind a large log of wood of a collapsed tree. After that, I would be left with dealing with whoever it was that was behind this operation. By the time I was back to the tent, she was sitting right in the center of the chair just as I left her, but this time, she lifted her head. Relief filled my body as I saw that she looked way better than I had left her. I mean, the swollen face was still sort of there but she didn't look like she was in pain. “Hey…” She said to me with a small smile. “You didn't think I was going to give in to them, did you?” She asked, after wincing at her attempt to smile. “I am just glad you are alive. My father would have had my head if somet
Katie's POV Just like that, I was a little girl again sitting between my mother's legs as she took care of my hair because none of the hairdressers in the pack were willing to make the hair of the child whose mother was said to be proclaimed a witch. I remember having to cry to my mother every time I got treated differently. And everytime, she would have that one same sad look in her eyes that would fall to the earth. Some days, she would spill tears onto them, other days when she was drunk enough—she was not even close to a messy drunk—she would just laugh it off with more strength and ask me to sit between her legs. There she would tell me about stories I have heard over a 100 times. The thing about these stories was that even though they were the same and I have heard them over and over, over the years, they always improved in detail. There was always something new to be made clearer about her story and not once did I ever doubt the stories she told me severally regardless of the
Killian's POV A whole survey began. Mel was alive. Even though my body was reeking of fatigue, I couldn't stop moving my burning muscles. I dragged both bodies I dropped in the woods somewhere farther away from the path that a car could come through in the woods, did the same to the bodies on the road while also checking their body for the mark of the special force. Each and every one of them had the mark, so it wasn't just a coincidence. They were all special force members acting like they were savages, under the control of…Anna Adam’s command, Shedrack’s mother. I always wondered how she was connected to all of this. Now I know how. She didn't have to deny it, It was clear now that she played her part in keeping me out of the pack. It was just sad that I was going to have to make an example out of her even after knowing her kid. I went into the car to check on Katie. I unlocked the door without announcing and they both screamed for their lives. “Hey hey…it's me!” I raised my han
Killian's POV My senses heightened as I tried to feel all of my environment, but I knew that was panic slippin into my blood streams. The urge to control what was beyond you was always a good prove that you were in the enemy's territory. The calm before the storm was over. Heavy feet landed onto the ground next to me and I didn't hesitate. I went straight for the kill, punching a hole into the wall of the shadow being standing in the night. The cry of pain cut out by my other hand while one was stuck in his gut. His ugly male breath poured in my face as I tried to lower him to the ground in silence without letting the others know. I was walking into a blind fight in enemy territory. I had no idea how many they were or what they were up to, but I knew they were close. The watch tower was never too far from the main camp. I took a deep breath, rubbing my wet arm against the tree and making sure that it stayed that way, away from me. I didn't want to keep wasting time over thinking how
Killian's POV One minute I am thinking about them, then next thing I know, they are flashing in my face looking straight out of a horror show. Katie's dark brown curly locks were wild on her head as she clutched onto Jessica, dragging her down just before I concluded the bend. I wasn't even done processing the fact that I had just seen them in the middle of the road, running in the middle of the freaking night. I collided with two bodies that forced me to bring the car to a halt. I couldn't help but wonder what just happened and where they came out from. One second the road was empty and now I was seeing at least four people. Their bodies dropped right in my face. I mean I was staring right at them when it happened and I wanted to pretend like it didn't just happen. It wasn't until Katie screamed at me, “Keep going! They are savages!” She really was the one I saw…I wasn't hallucinating. “Katie?!!” I called out to her, coming down from the car. “Killian?!!” She sounded so excited.
Killian's POV I was on my way following the same route to Stephen's bunker. The drive alone was way better and driving my personal car out of that godforsaken pack gave me even more reason to not return. I doubted I killed Ana, the fall was enough to make her pass out but not die. Being she was actively betraying me, they would probably find her before she loses more blood than she can afford. Her body was well rested on the ground next to her very ugly flower vase. I refused to not feel bad or guilty about my intrusive thoughts on killing her. But I wanted a ‘I told you so’ moment with my parents after all this was over. I pulled out my phone to call Stephen since Mel wasn't picking up. She wasn't a fan of calling and driving and that didn't come as a surprise to me. Stephen picked up after the first dial. “Hey…are you guys almost here??” He asked the question I was sort of going to ask him about Mel. “No…” I started, staring into the blaring empty road before me. “I am coming al