My heart thumped in my chest as I walked closer to Ryan's office, every step feeling far stronger than the one before it. I became consumed with an aura of dissatisfaction that tore at me from the inside out. I had to be strong, though. My mom's security hinged on it. I opened the door to Ryan's office and looked around to see if he was there. With a chilly and cynical expression in his eyes, he was seated behind his desk."I'm here," I said, my voice steady despite the nervous flutter in my stomach. "I hope you're ready to fulfill your promise and release my mother."Ryan's gaze flicked up to meet mine, his expression unreadable. "I didn't imprison your mother, Audrina," he said, his voice tinged with annoyance. "But if you want to see her, she's right outside."My heart skipped a beat at his words, relief flooding through me like a tidal wave. Could it be true? Had my mother been here all along, just outside this very door?Without waiting for a response, I hurried over to the door
~Audrina~While they were still discussing God knows what, I wanted to eavesdrop, but it would be disrespectful, and at the same time, she would think that I didn’t trust her.“You finally did it,” my wolf stated with a hint of celebration laced in her tone.“Did what? I didn’t do anything.” I denied it, and I could already see the look on her face.“Well, you did, whether you fail to recognize it or not.” She countered.“I hope you finally celebrate when you get back to the pack house because you killed more than one bird with a stone.” She praised me so much that I suddenly remembered what I did with James.I prayed that he would find a place to forgive me.“I’ll try.”While we were still discussing, the door opened to reveal her presence, but she didn’t return with Ryan.“Mom, are you sure you are fine?”“Yes, I am, but there’s something you need to know; there’s no need to hide it any longer.”Furrowing my brows, I inquired, “What’s that? You can tell me anything.”There was reluc
~Audrina~As I was still contemplating on my decision, Ryan stepped back to grant me an offer.“I’m already aware of everything and I think the right thing to do is apologize for constantly causing a rift in your relationship.”In the past, I would have rolled my eyes, cussed him out and left but the sincerity in his tone didn’t let that happen.“Ryan is apologizing? I didn’t see that one coming.” I muttered, waiting a reaction that would counter his previous words but none came.“Yes, I am because I have realized my mistake.”“To be honest, I haven’t healed ever since the loss of Sarah, I went into drinking and even tried to patronize those strips in clubs but I saw her face everywhere..” he paused, laughing like it wasn’t a serious situation.“It’s crazy and I’m crazy for trying to force you into becoming her.”“It’s no doubt that you hate me but please, save my wife’s life and I’ll leave you alone for good, even compensate for the mental damages and the harassment.” He begged.I fo
~Audrina~My eyelids flickered open, and the warm glimmer of morning filtered through the curtains. As I took in my surroundings, disorientation flooded over me, and the events of the previous night faded from my mind. Next to me sat a tall figure, his silhouette outlined against the faint light. Even though he was already dressed, I couldn't help but feel uneasy when I saw him because of the little strain in his broad shoulders and the well-defined muscle shapes that suggested an unquestionable power.As I glanced at him, the sensation of our fingertips brushing prompted a crushing surge of passion to run through me. The fragrance of pine and earth filled the air, and a low growl from his lips.And when he looked directly into my eyes, a raw intensity like that of a predator sizing up his prey, and I knew that I might be lured in with his irresistible charm. Even with his face obscured by the darkness, I could see the harsh lines on his face and the suggestion of tension in his po
With the phone pressed to my ear, I could hear Nicholas's voice all around me, his words heavy and hanging in the air between us. However, my thoughts were elsewhere, caught in a storm of feelings and recollections that was about to take me over even as he was speaking.I was left with a painfully clear memory of every instant of last night's scene, which played out in my head like a menacing tune. The warmth of our bodies entwined in the dark, the feel of James's hands, the fire in his eyes, the dance of our tongues, the fullness of his shaft deep inside me. That brief diversion from the disarray of my everyday life was a passionate and perplexing time.But now that I could hear Nicholas's voice echoing in my ear, the truth of my predicament hit me hard. My acts caused me much shame and guilt, which felt like a quiet indictment of my own foolishness and frailty."I think... I think we should break up." His voice broke through the haze of my thoughts, his words hitting me like a physi
With rage pulsating through my veins, I glared at Paige, her denial ringing hollow in my ears. "You expect me to believe that?" I snapped, my voice laced with venom. "You're lying, Paige. You drugged me last night, didn't you?"Paige's eyes narrowed, her expression a mixture of defiance and disdain. "You're out of your mind, Audrina," she spat, her words dripping with contempt. "I would never do something like that to my own sister."Her refusal to admit the truth only fueled my anger further. Without hesitation, I lunged forward, snatching her phone from her grasp before she could react. With a swift motion, I hurled it to the ground, the sound of shattering glass echoing through the room.Before I could revel in my act of defiance, the door burst open, and our father, George, stormed into the room, his face contorted with fury. "What in the world is going on here?" he bellowed, his voice thunderous.Paige wasted no time in pointing an accusatory finger at me, her expression twisted
~Paige~I crept into Audrina's room last night, the blackness surrounding me as I tiptoed across the floor. There she was, sleeping sweetly on the bed, completely ignorant of the storm developing in my mind.“Just look at her,” I hissed, quietly walking towards her.“All innocent and charming; too bad you won’t know what hit you.” I whispered, fighting the need to let out a bitter laugh.I just couldn’t stand her, and if there was any length I had to go to make sure that she was removed from our lives for good, I would do it.“You don’t deserve to live, but I’m going to keep you alive for a little while till you beg for death.” I muttered, a sly grin tugging on my lips.Bastards weren’t supposed to have a chance at happiness, and I was going to prove that to her.With a steady hand, I retrieved the syringe containing the potion I had taken from the evil witch and said, “This will do the trick for now.”Gripping the syringe securely, I approached her bedside, my pulse racing with expec
~Audrina~I entered the corporate lobby while holding the check in my shaking palm. The smell of old coffee and polished wood wafted into the room as I walked up to the front desk, my heart thumping with anxious expectation.As I walked up, the middle-aged woman working at the reception looked up from her computer screen, her expression hard to read.With a hesitant "Excuse me," I said, extending the check to her. "I'm trying to find someone, and I heard he works here. Could you please assist me?As she accepted the check from my hand, the receptionist's eyes sharpened, and her lips tightened into a tiny line. She ripped it in half and threw the fragments back at me without saying anything. Her move was so abrupt and out of the blue that all I could do was look at her in disbelief."What? What was that for?" My voice trembled with disbelief and confusion as I mumbled.She gazed at me with hardly concealed disdain, her look intensifying as she didn't respond. "You need to leave immedia