Chapter 42Dahlia.My eyes went up abruptly right after hearing that voice. How could I forget? It’s the same voice that ruined my trip here once she revealed just who she is.“Cathy!” Tatum looked at her with eyes wide in surprise.Catherine raised an eyebrow, narrowing his eyes at her brother who abruptly withdrew his hand away from me, making me all but sigh a breath of relief.“I-I…uh,” I tried to explain when Cathy lifted her hand, stopping me from saying more.“No need to explain. I see what’s going on here.” Cathy sneered, directing it towards her brother who avoided her gaze since the moment she stepped in our view.She smiled warmly at me, making me feel somewhat fuzzy deep inside. Her kind, warm smile reminded me of my mom, although she’d often scold me, not letting me off the hook whenever I did something stubborn.She shifted her gaze to Tatum. With a raised brow, hands on her hips, and a big scowl on her face, she looks like she was ready to go all out on scolding her son
Chapter 42Dahlia.Catherine, who insisted I call her Cathy, dragged me across every floor and every damn corner of the mall looking for the perfect ballgown. Apparently, her father heard that I was back in town, and he turned out to be best friends with my mother from childhood. Although I was not sure why my mother forgot to mention that part to me. Dad was all she ever talked about, she never mentioned having any other friends beside him, I mean friends of the opposite gender.So, in honor of my homecoming as well as another mysterious surprise announcement for Catherine, he decided to put on a ball for both of us, at midnight.It’s weird, right? I don’t even know the guy, and I’ve only met Catherine a week prior, and now I was about to have a ball intended for me, and Catherine.It would be a whole lot embarrassing if I didn’t go, since it was partly meant for me, and I have no other plans ruled out in mind. So, I said yes.“Yes. Why not?” I smiled at Catherine who was sitting acr
Chapter 43Dahlia.“You must be Dahlia.” He spoke, his deep voice sending me chills.He extended his hand, quite large which is to be expected from a bulky man like him. A warm, welcoming smile split on his face.Catherine nudged my elbow, snapping me out of my trance. “Oh, uhm. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Sir.” I said and gripped his hand. I used Sir because I didn’t even know his name, which was my regret because of all the long hours I spent with Catherine this morning, I never even asked for her father’s name.He smiled, shaking my hand.“Please, call me Damian. I’m Catherine’s dad.” I nodded at him in politeness.“I’ve heard a lot about you from Scarlett, and my daughter.” He said, and I smiled. Scarlett was my mother’s name. Judging from that he used my mother’s name so casually, they must have been very close. I know that because Scarlett is not my mother’s first name, but second. And the only person who used that around her was my Dad. I can’t believe my mom knows someone
Chapter 44Dahlia.Damian smiled as he walked over to the railing where I was leaning on, his eyes scanning the forest below us.I closed my fists into balls, pursing my lips into a line. “How did you meet my Mom?” I asked, my heart pounding hard in my chest, not knowing why I felt all anxious around an older man. Well, not only is he an older man but the Alpha King himself. A smirk tugged on his lips. “Hm. Where to begin?” His eyes glistened as he looked deeper into the forest, as if in deep thinking. I waited patiently, giving him time and space to recall whatever he had with my mother. A few moments pass, when he lets his eyes glide from the forest before raising his gaze to lock with mine.Badump. “Scarlett was my best friend. My only friend back in the day.” He smiled, and I lean in attentively to hear more of his words.“Well, let’s just say I was the biggest introvert you could possibly meet in high school days. I never really learned how to speak with people other than comm
Dahlia.My heart thumped and thumped as I looked down at my closed fists. Not that I was anxious, it’s just that moments after sitting in the car, I felt a piece of paper in my hand. A note… Obviously, the note must have been slipped into my fingers by Damian, which is why I can’t stop hyperventilating in the car. I can’t wait to open it once I get home.Catherine went nonverbal the entire ride, and I didn’t say a thing afraid it would only make the air more awkward. Nearing my house, I hear her phone vibrate and she picked it up nonchalantly. Her screen was visible as she was sitting right by my side, and I saw her father’s nickname pop up on the screen.Daddy. My lips pulled into a thin line as the urge to call him the same thing suddenly came over me. I mentally shake my head, when I heard Catherine click her tongue.“What’s wrong?” I finally asked.Catherine sighed. “Dad is moving the ball to tomorrow midnight. He didn’t even say why.”I didn’t say anything. What was there to sa
Chapter 46Dahlia.I stared down at the note, blinking. Swallowing the lump in my throat, I wonder why he wanted us to meet. I licked my lips dry, my hands shaking when I folded back the note.Three knocks on my door had me gasping with a mini-heart attack. I crumple the paper in my hand, turn, and open the door.My eyes settled on Hades’ and Valerian’s obsidian eyes. I bit my inner cheeks when I see the silent rage in their eyes.They did not let me say a word as they forced themselves into my room, shoving me back that my ass bounced on the foot of the bed. I looked up in time to see they have locked the door and ushered themselves in.“Get out.” I hissed, baring my teeth as I do not appreciate being broken into my own room, even if these two sexy hunks technically own the house I sleep in.“Answers first.” Hades growled back, instantly making me shut up with the outrage in his voice.“What were you doing in the Alpha King’s Kingdom?” Valerian was quick to ask, and my eyes dart to h
Dahlia.“There, you’re done.” Lola’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I was too occupied with my thoughts, thinking about what Hades said about Damian. The look in their eyes were too real to ignore. They wanted to warn me from him, but why?Lola smiled in the mirror, while I looked at myself, unable to believe what I see.I look beautiful. And not with my usual make up. To me, mascara and lipstick were enough to get me through the day, but this…This is on a whole new level.I smiled, turning to Lola. Wrapping my arms around her waist, I tugged her sidewards towards me. I felt like wanting to give her a hug.Although I told her I was going to do it by myself, she insisted to help. “I’m sorry for being an asshole,” I apologize, referring to the entire day of ignoring her when I found out she was Valerian’s mate.Lola patted my head.“It’s okay. I get it.” She sighed, her words prompting me to look at her in mild shock.“You know, even if we are mates, I don’t feel it.” I swivel
Chapter 48Dahlia.“Thanks, babe.” Cathy giggled as she gracefully slipped out of the car with the help of Hades.I open my eyes and see his gaze is on her now, my heart sank. I know I wasn’t imagining it when his gaze locked on me. A part of me still wanted his attention, though, but I couldn’t do that to Cathy.When Cathy was in level with Hades’, his eyes suddenly traveled back to me and winked.‘You look gorgeous, little flower.’ His compliment sneaked into my mind like a soft purr as he tugged on the mind link. ‘Thank you.” Was all I said as a response.I let Lola go first, so I could go last. I didn’t have a partner anyway. It was Atlas and Lisa, Hades and Cathy, then Lola and Valerian. That’s how it’s supposed to be.Once they all left the car, I gather my bearings and step out, my heels tapping on the stone floor. “Man. Am I lucky or you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met?”I spin on my heel, my eyes moving past Hades and Valerian before they locked.“Tatum?” My brows
Dahlia’s POV:Tatum held me gently and softly as he led me into the woods. He said he wanted to show me something. So I shrugged and let him take me there. Where we are going I had no idea, but I trusted him. He’s my mate, after all. My wolf purred feeling his body close, his scent, his fingers intertwined with mine. My wolf especially loved his scent. The more he got close, the more she purred and my body burned with desire, a need. Glancing over at him, I felt my heart thump and throbbed at the same time, knowing soon I would have to reject him. Then, guilt washes over me. Immediately, I looked away. I internally sigh, pondering over what I should do next.I have to reject him. I cannot and will not live through a year keeping Tatum around with no real intention of accepting him as my mate. I made up my mind after I left the house and got off Hades’ lap. Yet, I felt guilty.Is this the bond flowing through my veins making me feel these things or is it something else?My wolf huffe
Dahlia’s POV:I held my breath when he leaned in and sniffed me. Please don’t recognize his scent, I pray over and over in my head as my heart thumped.But to my surprise, he pulled away as if it was nothing. He revved the engine before punching on the gas.I secretly let out a sigh of relief. Thank goddess he didn’t pick up his scent. I have no idea why I was so scared of him finding out, when I should be upfront and just tell him already. My wolf howled in my head, preparing for what was to come. I told her my plans. I was going to reject him. I was going to reject my mate.I couldn’t find the perfect time to do it because he was sort of in a beast mode since this morning, making me wonder what has gotten into him that got him so riled up.Looking over at him driving, his eyes straight and focused on the road, I felt the urge to ask. Then I looked away, deciding against it. However, each second that passed my conscious was surely eating me up.There’s clearly something going on wi
Chapter 58Danielle’s POV:“You’re late,” he snarled. I quirked my brows, puzzled by his sudden change in attitude. Still, I felt an urge to apologize because of how angry he looks. “I’m sorry,” I slump my shoulders. I hear him sigh as he walks over to me. He takes my hand in his, making me look up. “It’s fine,” he grumbled, but his the expression on his face told me he was really unhappy. I peeked at his face but he suddenly turned away. Strange. Every time I see him, a smile is always plastered on his face. I wonder if there’s something that got him so riled up today. Nonetheless, I let him drag me to some café. He went ahead and ordered two strong-ass coffee drinks without asking me. I shrugged, thinking he’s probably in too much of a bad mood to ask. I let my gaze linger to the glass beside the counter, and my mouth watered at the sight. They displayed cheesecake tarts and other varieties of pastries such as croissants, which is ultimately my favorite. I know Tatum wa
Dahlia’s POV:Sauntering down the staircase, I spot my brother Atlas making coffee when he looks up and smiles at me.“Good morning,”I make my way over to the kitchen, glancing around looking for trouble.“Where’s your lovely luna?” I asked mockingly. Actually, I regretted calling her that because now I wanted to puke.Atlas took a sip of his coffee before answering.“How should I know?”I arched a brow.“She goes out in the middle of the night to who-knows-where, she never tells me anything,” he shrugged, sipping from his coffee as he sat on one of the stools at the island. I examine his appearance. His hair is disheveled, looking like someone had run their hands roughly through it and there were visible scratch marks on his neck. Those cannot be mistaken for an accident. If anything, he’d been in a sexcident all night long.“Really?” I scoff, my eyes looking pointedly at the visible scratch mark on his neck. He noticed and laughed, then goes to say something when his gaze went over
Valerian’s POV:I blinked my eyes. The sunlight pressing softly on my face had me pulling my brows in confusion and irritation.“Too bright,” I murmured under my breath, groaning as I turned over and buried my face in the pillow.Who the fuck pulled the curtains so early in the morning? I groan, annoyed that someone came into my room and messed up my fucking morning.“Good morning,” A soft, tiny voice whispered into my ear, making me jolt awake and look into her direction. My eyes widened at the side of a goddess. Her blonde, curly hair cascaded down her body in beach waves. Her freckles were more visible in this light, and her eyes twinkled beautifully as they reflected the sun’s blinding light. Cherry on top, she’s naked. So fucking naked as my eyes roamed down and further, right where I remember tasting her last night.Wait. I vaguely remember going to this room, and…Oh, yeah. It was Hades who asked me to trade places with him and even get someone to make me look like him as cover
Dahlia.It was just like that movie I saw the other night, where the woman plays coy and continuously provokes the man until he is no longer able to take it, and decides to take the prize for himself. Compelling her to give in, making her crave for more than just a tease here and there. I was that girl. Right here, right now, I want every inch of his body even if it means committing a sin. The world is sinful in its own damned, selfish ways. What is one, harmless sin, more?I lock my thighs around him, wrapping him as if I was afraid he’d escape and run off to some mating ceremony, getting mated to a girl that is not me. I won’t allow it.He’s mine. I growled as I met each of his thrusts. As he pounded into my flesh, I rocked my hips against him, just as desperate, just as passionate as the lust swimming in his beautiful eyes.I have never seen eyes like his, or Valerian’s. Not even Tatum’s is as unique, and I find myself drawn to them every damn time. It is why I can’t resist him.
Dahlia.I spent the day with Tatum, feeling like I’ve known more about him than I could in a lifetime. He told me all these fun stories, he’s even good at jokes, too. Even better trying to make a straw still standing on his tongue leaning his head back. He’s quite the joker, and I’ve never seen this side of him before. The first time we met, I was too distracted to actually see him for him. He’s my mate, and I know it’s the right thing to do; giving him a chance. After all, my biggest long-time crushes are unavailable now, leaving me all alone and trapped with this buzzing feeling, a part of me that craves them with every square inch of my body. I wanted them, but they were not meant for me. I tried wrapping my head around that fact by meeting up with Tatum when he rang me in the morning. He’s quite adamant in taking me out on a date, and he said it so sweetly and charmingly I couldn’t say no.Afterwards, he even walked me home and shared some funny stories with me on the way. I feel
Chapter 53Hades. I looked everywhere in this big-ass mansion, roaming around upending every nook and cranny of this place when I have to. Much to my dismay, I found nothing.Fuck. I ball my hands, feeling them shake uncontrollably by my sides. I couldn’t shake off the anger that’s bubbling inside me now and I want some sort of release. Leaning against the stone wall in this big-ass mansion, I swivel in my heel before landing a powerful, rage-filled punch on the wall. It cracked a little, but I didn’t give two shits if it cause the whole wall before me to collapse. Hell, I’d love to see the whole kingdom crumble if it meant finding her here. If it wasn’t for the Alpha King threatening to cut his funding and withdraw all his vital investments from our pack, I wouldn’t be having this fucking problem. And there’s the matter with my father, who indebted everything to him in the first place, making us a dependent pack. Let’s not forget his adamance in my marrying any she-wolf and providi
Valerian’s POV“Cover for me.” My brows raised.“Come on, man. It’ll just be until I find Dahlia.” I growl at him in frustration. When Dahlia walked away, he dragged me in this room and asked something of me that I promised myself never to do.“No fucking way.” I would rather make myself look like the old man in the wheelchair, sitting idly with a cigar in his fucking mouth.“No one will notice! Besides, you and I both know we look really alike if we try to look like the other.” I sighed. He’s right. We call ourselves brothers, rarely twins. But there’s no escaping that our features are fucking identical.“Fine, fine. Only until you find her.” I growled, watching as the smirk returned to his lips.“Very good, then. I’ll call her in.” Like he said, a woman with pencil straight hair and formal clothes marched in. I look at Hades in annoyance. He knew I fucking didn’t like it when a woman other than the little flower touched me.She must have noticed my displeasure as she laid her bag