The pulsating music and flashing lights engulfed me as I danced with Heart inside the vibrant bar. Yet, beneath the façade of revelry, my heart remained heavy with the burden of an arranged marriage I never wanted. Maximo's rejection of our bond and his constant anger whenever I was near had left me disappointed and drained. I tried to please him, but it seemed like an insurmountable task.
"Cza, can you believe this night? It's like the universe conspired to give us the best party ever!"
I suddenly giggled at what my best friend have told me while we are in the middle of the crowd. I brush my hand through my hair. "I know, right? What about we do this more often?" I kidded when I know to myself that the idea seem impossible.
Tonight is just my impulsive escape from the new world I am currently in. Tomorrow, I will wake up with a heavy heart again, having no choice but to go home where my husband is.
To where Maximo is. What could he be doing tonight? Probably he's home again, but cuddling with Jasmine. The vampire whom he loves.
Sheez.
I get back to my reverie when I saw Heart twirled and giggled, her carefree spirit infectious. Seeing how my best friend is here with me while I am in this broken state is already a big deal. I could not ask for any friend in this world if I have her.
She is more than enough for me.
We keep on bouncing with other people in the middle of the dance floor, my best friend keeping me company while also winking at every man she saw in the pool of people.
"Hey, Cza, did you see that guy over there?" I followed the side where Heart is referring.
"He's been eyeing you all night!" She exclaimed to my ears but still keep her bounce on the rhythm.
"Oh, stop it! You're just trying to get me into trouble." I mumbled before sipping on my cup of beer for the nth time.
This is my sixth, I am still sober.
"No, seriously! Look!"
She pointed discreetly in the direction of a handsome stranger who was definitely stealing glances. "Forget about the husband who doesn't want you, Honey, go find a man who'd be willing to go over heels for you! You're a Lewiston and you let that jerk ruin you?!" She scoffs, raising her red cup. "Fuck you, Montenegro!" She screamed at the top of her lungs and just like that, the music boomed louder this time, as if what Heart did just spiced and hyped everybody in the dancefloor.
As the night wore on, the alcohol in my system dulled the ache inside me, and I found myself dancing with other people on the crowded floor, just like what Heart wanted me to do.
The man whom Heart was referring to earlier is already dancing behind, stealing glances while I just return a smile.
"Hey, enjoying so much?"
I nod my head and continued dancing.
Amid the laughter and cheers, I felt my phone vibrating in my pocket, but the stranger behind me pulled me close, making it impossible to check.
"You're a fantastic dancer. I can't take my eyes off you."
I look at the person behind me. The same man who has been eyeing me since earlier.
I giggled. "Thank you, you're not too bad yourself."
"I'm Zach."
"What?!" I screamed because I didn't hear him the first time.
I saw him smile and grip me on my waist, making his way closer to my ears. "I'm Zach, you?"
Oh.
"Call me Cza," I said.
We both grooved with the music and start getting wilder together with the crowd.
The alcohol coursing through my veins blurred my senses, and I found myself enjoying the attention he lavished on me. His touch sent shivers down my spine, and I suddenly felt a rush of excitement.
Zach moves close to my ear. "How about we take this somewhere more private? I promise it'll be even more fun."
His words enticed me, and in my drunken state, I was tempted to accept his invitation. After all, what did it matter? Maximo didn't care for me, and I just wanted to forget.
I lost everything to Maximo, followed the so-called marriage rites, slept with him the first night, and then what? He left me the next day, still naked, and I was crying.
"Cza?"
Gracious, I get lost in my thoughts again.
I forced a smile. Two can play this game, Montenegro. If you don't want me, someone will.
"Sure, why not? Lead the way."
In my intoxicated state, I played along, allowing him to touch my waist and sway to the beat. The crowd egged us on, turning the dance into a more intimate and passionate display. Lost in the illusion of freedom, I engaged in flirtatious conversations, escaping into a world where Maximo's rejection and anger held no power.
When we are close to getting out from the sea of people, a hand yanked me away from the crowd, jolting me back to reality.
"She's not going anywhere with you." A voice roared.
There stood Maximo, his normally grey eyes now blazing with a fiery golden-yellow hue, a telltale sign of his wolf's anger.
What is he doing here?!
"Maximo, what are you doing?"
I asked in a shaken voice, trying to still act cool but his eyes screams anger that I could not even add a single word to my sentence.
My heart raced in fear as he held my wrist tightly, his gaze unyielding. The once electrifying atmosphere in the bar turned tense and silent, the music fading into the background.
Shit. We are getting attention!
"Cza!" I can hear Heart call me.
"Is this what you've become, Lewiston? Flirting with strangers on the dance floor?"
"I-I was just having fun. Why are you so angry? It's not as if you care anyway." The last sentence came out in a whisper.
And why am I even explaining my point?!
Maximo's jealousy and possessiveness were evident, but the emotion behind his anger was far from love. He was holding on to me not out of affection, but out of a sense of dominance and control.
"You're my wife. You belong to me, not to any other man in this place."
His words stung, reminding me once again of the suffocating reality of our forced marriage. My heart ached, torn between wanting to escape and wanting to make things work with him.
He looks at Zach standing next to me with dominance. "Fuck off."
When he was about to pull me from that place, I keep my best to stand on my ground and didn't let him take me with him.
I resisted. For the first time.
"Maximo, I can't keep living like this. This is all so unfair to me." My voice shakes.
His grip on my wrist tightened, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of pain in his eyes. But it was quickly replaced by his cold exterior, and he pulled me closer, possessively claiming me as his.
"Didn't you understand? You're my wife, and you'll do as I say. Let's leave the fuck off this place or I'll rip everyone in this place." Maximo whispered. "Don't make me mad, I was calling you for the nth time, and seriously? I am really enraged..." His grip on me tightened more. "Test me,"
His words left me feeling trapped, suffocated by the expectations placed upon me. But deep down, I knew I couldn't give up on finding a way to mend our shattered bond.
The bar resumed its lively atmosphere, as we finally headed outside. I heard Heart calling me from behind but I could not find myself to stop either, Maximo is pulling me with his tight grip on me.
"Montenegro, get off Cza!"
I look at my best friend and she is having a hard time running to follow us.
"Maximo, Heart is behind."
"That human has been brainwashing you!"
"She's my best friend, don't talk to her like that."
"I can kill her in a sea—"
"Shut it."
I face Heart when Maximo finally stopped.
"Fuck!" She exclaimed, breathing heavily.
"I'll see you in school, Heart. I'll call Cze to fetch you."
"What? You are really going with that son or a b—"
"Heart..." I motioned her to stop talking, which she obliged with an obvious heavy heart.
"Fine. Call me when something happens."
"You really think I will kill her?"
"The look on your face earlier certainly tells me!"
"You're feisty —"
"Let's go, Maximo."
"Cza will leave you, and you will root alone, good for nothing wolf!"
As the car pulled into the driveway, a heavy silence filled the air between Maximo and me. The ride back home had given me time to gather my thoughts and summon the courage to confront Maximo about this fucked up and strained relationship. I heavily sigh while looking in front of our dark porch and closed door. It's now or suffers forever, Cza. I face my husband but before I could even utter a word, he swiftly exited the car, slamming the door shut—leaving me speechless with my jaw dropped to the ground. What the hell?!He has the audacity to be the one to be angry? For what reason? I was the one being belittled by him, rejected and neglected, and now he's acting I have done something worst!I hurriedly get out of the car and called after him, but he paid me no heed, striding towards the house with determined steps."Maximo, let's talk!" I exclaimed, following closely behind, while my heart is pounding in my chest, unsure of how this conversation would unfold. Maximo never lay a
The knock on my door jolted me awake from my restless slumber. Groggily, I stumbled towards the door, my mind still fuzzy from the few hours of sleep I had managed to get. I slept almost four in the morning, sulking and crying and whoever the person behind the door was, I would surely break the leg.I am sure as hell that this could not be Maximo. That man hasn't been in my place.I am yawning while opening the door and met with the sight of Maximo standing there, dressed impeccably in his white suit, ready to face the day.My still sleepy and obviously puffy eyes grew big because of his sudden presence outside my room.And at this early hour?!Why are you excited, Cza Georgianne? A voice inside my head intervened which lead me back to my senses."Can you prepare breakfast?" That was a cold one, phew, but I am giving it to him.It's new! He doesn't ask me to cook for him. Why the sudden change of mood? Did he realize that he went overboard last night?Although his words were curt and
My heart raced as Maximo's voice from the other line seem to echo through the living room. Despite my trembling hands, I remain my composure to answer while my voice quivered as I called his name. His words were sharp, his tone colder than ever. It was clear he was angry, but I couldn't bring myself to care anymore. I had endured enough pain from the previous night, not to mention the indifference he have shown towards me earlier. I cooked for my husband and his mistress! Any person who is in the right mind would not do such a thing. How could they? "I said, where are you?" his question is demanding, his voice cutting through the silence between the lines. My eyes look around unable to answer him. I hesitated, unsure of how to respond. My mind raced, a million thoughts colliding, but I found myself unable to form a coherent sentence. If I tell him where I am, he will go ballistic, I am certain. He could not know that I am inside Heart's place. He may cause huge trouble and I c
Maximo's arrival was like a storm ripping through the tranquility of Heart and Heath's place. I don't know how or when it happened, but the calmness of the place was disrupted when he suddenly arrived at the place. The force of his werewolf strength shattered the gate and splintered the wooden door, leaving chaos in his wake.I ran headed to the living room and saw him on the threshold, his eyes blazed with a fierce golden fire, his rage palpable and uncontainable. I felt a chill race down my spine, my heart pounding in a mixture of fear and dread."Maximo!" I called out, looking back at the shred of wood on the ground.I was in the kitchen, talking to Heath but Maximo's sudden entrance froze me in my tracks. My heart clenched as I saw his eyes locked onto mine, his anger a tempest that threatened to consume everything in its path.Instinctively, I take a few steps, my fingers trembling, desperate to intervene before Maximo's fury escalated. But on my third step, Heath moved faster,
The woods stretched ahead, a labyrinth of towering trees and dappled sunlight. I tread cautiously, my heart pounding with each step. Maximo and Felix's hurried departure fueled my curiosity and worry. Something was amiss, and I couldn't shake the feeling that I needed to find out.Who is the Rivertide Pack? What happened to them? I wanted to know! I could not live like this knowing that I married a next-in-line Alpha and I have no clue about how his world works! I may be a human but I am also a wolf. I still have a place in his world. Despite the tension and crying I had earlier, my curiosity weighs heavy. Since I drove with Maximo back home, my car is left at Heart and Heath's place. I booked an Uber and the driver dropped me off at the edge of the woods, and I pressed on, determination lending strength to my legs. The forest floor was a carpet of fallen leaves, muffling my steps. His car is also outside this forest so I am sure he's just around here. As I ventured deeper, an ee
The woods stretched ahead, a labyrinth of towering trees and dappled sunlight. I tread cautiously, my heart pounding with each step. Maximo and Felix's hurried departure fueled my curiosity and worry. Something was amiss, and I couldn't shake the feeling that I needed to find out.Who is the Rivertide Pack? What happened to them? I wanted to know! I could not live like this knowing that I married a next-in-line Alpha and I have no clue about how his world works! I may be a human but I am also a wolf. I still have a place in his world. Despite the tension and crying I had earlier, my curiosity weighs heavy. Since I drove with Maximo back home, my car is left at Heart and Heath's place. I booked an Uber and the driver dropped me off at the edge of the woods, and I pressed on, determination lending strength to my legs. The forest floor was a carpet of fallen leaves, muffling my steps. His car is also outside this forest so I am sure he's just around here. As I ventured deeper, an ee
Maximo's arrival was like a storm ripping through the tranquility of Heart and Heath's place. I don't know how or when it happened, but the calmness of the place was disrupted when he suddenly arrived at the place. The force of his werewolf strength shattered the gate and splintered the wooden door, leaving chaos in his wake.I ran headed to the living room and saw him on the threshold, his eyes blazed with a fierce golden fire, his rage palpable and uncontainable. I felt a chill race down my spine, my heart pounding in a mixture of fear and dread."Maximo!" I called out, looking back at the shred of wood on the ground.I was in the kitchen, talking to Heath but Maximo's sudden entrance froze me in my tracks. My heart clenched as I saw his eyes locked onto mine, his anger a tempest that threatened to consume everything in its path.Instinctively, I take a few steps, my fingers trembling, desperate to intervene before Maximo's fury escalated. But on my third step, Heath moved faster,
My heart raced as Maximo's voice from the other line seem to echo through the living room. Despite my trembling hands, I remain my composure to answer while my voice quivered as I called his name. His words were sharp, his tone colder than ever. It was clear he was angry, but I couldn't bring myself to care anymore. I had endured enough pain from the previous night, not to mention the indifference he have shown towards me earlier. I cooked for my husband and his mistress! Any person who is in the right mind would not do such a thing. How could they? "I said, where are you?" his question is demanding, his voice cutting through the silence between the lines. My eyes look around unable to answer him. I hesitated, unsure of how to respond. My mind raced, a million thoughts colliding, but I found myself unable to form a coherent sentence. If I tell him where I am, he will go ballistic, I am certain. He could not know that I am inside Heart's place. He may cause huge trouble and I c
The knock on my door jolted me awake from my restless slumber. Groggily, I stumbled towards the door, my mind still fuzzy from the few hours of sleep I had managed to get. I slept almost four in the morning, sulking and crying and whoever the person behind the door was, I would surely break the leg.I am sure as hell that this could not be Maximo. That man hasn't been in my place.I am yawning while opening the door and met with the sight of Maximo standing there, dressed impeccably in his white suit, ready to face the day.My still sleepy and obviously puffy eyes grew big because of his sudden presence outside my room.And at this early hour?!Why are you excited, Cza Georgianne? A voice inside my head intervened which lead me back to my senses."Can you prepare breakfast?" That was a cold one, phew, but I am giving it to him.It's new! He doesn't ask me to cook for him. Why the sudden change of mood? Did he realize that he went overboard last night?Although his words were curt and
As the car pulled into the driveway, a heavy silence filled the air between Maximo and me. The ride back home had given me time to gather my thoughts and summon the courage to confront Maximo about this fucked up and strained relationship. I heavily sigh while looking in front of our dark porch and closed door. It's now or suffers forever, Cza. I face my husband but before I could even utter a word, he swiftly exited the car, slamming the door shut—leaving me speechless with my jaw dropped to the ground. What the hell?!He has the audacity to be the one to be angry? For what reason? I was the one being belittled by him, rejected and neglected, and now he's acting I have done something worst!I hurriedly get out of the car and called after him, but he paid me no heed, striding towards the house with determined steps."Maximo, let's talk!" I exclaimed, following closely behind, while my heart is pounding in my chest, unsure of how this conversation would unfold. Maximo never lay a
The pulsating music and flashing lights engulfed me as I danced with Heart inside the vibrant bar. Yet, beneath the façade of revelry, my heart remained heavy with the burden of an arranged marriage I never wanted. Maximo's rejection of our bond and his constant anger whenever I was near had left me disappointed and drained. I tried to please him, but it seemed like an insurmountable task."Cza, can you believe this night? It's like the universe conspired to give us the best party ever!"I suddenly giggled at what my best friend have told me while we are in the middle of the crowd. I brush my hand through my hair. "I know, right? What about we do this more often?" I kidded when I know to myself that the idea seem impossible. Tonight is just my impulsive escape from the new world I am currently in. Tomorrow, I will wake up with a heavy heart again, having no choice but to go home where my husband is. To where Maximo is. What could he be doing tonight? Probably he's home again, but cu