F O U R T E E N . Dahlia. My mind has been in other places for the whole flight. Sure I was mentally preparing myself to see the guys soon. I just did not expect it was going to be this soon. Besides, I wouldn’t know what to say. Hey, it’s me. Remember me? I was the school’s only virgin before you took my virginity. Ack, stupid, stupid, stupid. I bet they wouldn’t even recognize me, and I am having high hopes for that. My naturally dark brown hair has been dyed black. It has also grown longer and reached way past my waist. I have even spent countless hours in the gym to shape my body and I am proud to say my hard work has paid off. Now I look more mature, not the innocent little Dahlia everyone in the pack knows me by. Maybe once Atlas sees me, he would let go of the idea of his sister being ‘little’ anymore. I am not little. I’m a grown who has grown needs and desires. My heart is beating a thousand times faster. I feel like it’s going to explode any moment if
F I F T E E N . Dahlia. They pulled me to a flashy sports car. The roof is missing, but I figured it was one of those cars that automatically opens and closes the roof with some button or something. I was actually relieved they brought this kind of car. It would save me from the awkwardness of being in a tight, closed space with just the two of them. The ride over to my brother’s new house was quiet, but I was grateful for it. I noticed the guys exchange looks and glances every now and then, but I ignored it. Looking out the window, I closed my eyes and enjoyed the wind caressing my hair. For a moment, it was peaceful. Until the car came to a stop in front of a mansion. It looked neat and modern. Exactly my brother’s sense of style. I got out of the car without delay and moved to the glove compartment to retrieve my stuff but was stopped by a large hand wrapped around my wrist. “Let me help you with that.” I glanced over my shoulder. It was Hades. There’s a look on
S I X T E E N . Dahlia. “What did you say?” My lips quivered as I asked. My gaze was set on Atlas. Guilt covered his features, as if he knew this was coming. Atlas reached for my hand but I pulled it away before he could grab it. “In my office, Dahlia.” He said softly. My blood run cold as a thought consumed my mind. It can’t be. He must be joking, right? Nonetheless, I followed him to his office. I could feel everyone’s gazes digging into my back, but I chose to ignore it. Once inside, I turned around and faced Atlas head on. “Tell me.” Atlas’ eyes are dropped to the ground in front of me, unable to look at me in the eye. “Tell me, Atlas.” I repeated. His jaw clenched. Slowly, he lifted his gaze to look at me. “Mom died, Dahlia.” He finally announced. My stomach dropped. Everything around me stilled as time froze for a fraction of second. “H-How?” I stuttered. “Mates, that’s what happened.” He sighed, running his hands down his face. “When father
S E V E N T E E N . Hades. The second we saw her in the airport for the first time in four goddamn years, everything just seemed to fall into place. Finally, she’s back. And about damn time. Our balls have gone blue the first year she was absent in our lives. Atlas started sensing something was suspicious about the fact that we’re not getting any sexual action for months. We never told him we were fantasizing about sharing his sister every fucking day. When we got to the airport, we had arrived just in time to meet her. At that moment I knew… I just knew that I needed to have her. No, Valerian and I both needed her. We agreed that no other girl is good enough for us, but fuck it. I just had to go ahead and mess it all the fuck up. There she stood. Her hair was dyed black and cascaded down her waist in beautiful waves. Her eyes still sparkled with that same innocence she had back then. I noticed she started wearing light make-up, which suited her all the more. Then my eyes
E I G H T E E N . Dahlia. I was behind Atlas when a tall, sexy blonde sauntered into the room with her head held high. Her blue sapphire eyes rounded in delight as she caught sight of the guys, or one of them. “Baby!” She squeaked and practically threw herself onto Hades, who catches her looking shocked. His eyes land on me and I quickly looked away. Tears burned the back of my eyes as I tried to look anywhere but at them. This sucks. I know, and I know I don’t exactly have the right to be jealous or anything but I just am. I can’t help it. Anger coursed through my every vein at the though of Hades betraying me. How could he? How could he take another girl to be his girlfriend? That should have been me kissing him all over beside Valerian. Believe it or not, the three of us had something special that night. I felt it and I felt it deeply. I cannot be mistaken. Somehow, we found our way back to each other and now this? “Sorry, did I make you wait?” She asked while making puppy e
N I N E T E E N . Dahlia. My eyes immediately went wide. A gasp already forming at the back of my throat but was stopped by none other than Hades. This dangerously sexy, alluring man who had lured me right into his trap. He was kissing me. In order to prevent me from doing something impulsive with my mouth, he covered it with his. The kiss was deep, intense, yet passionate in the same way I hadn’t really expected from him. Hades had always been the charming one of the two, and he always made girls fall hard for him before he eventually takes two steps back and stomps on their hearts, crushing them into bits of pieces until they are left almost unrecognizable. I struggled beneath him, trying to skim my way out of this hot mess where our tongues tangled and lips tasted one another like we have been deprived of something extremely essential to live. And I had just found out now, that it was his breath, his tongue, his lips, and hot tangled mess of a kiss that I’ve been missing
T W E N T Y . Dahlia. “Hi!” I whipped my head in the direction of the voice. To my dismay, I see Cathy walking over to where I was seated in a somewhat secluded chair in her barbecue party. Atlas told me how she was so adamant to invite me to her place when she heard I was coming home, when all I really want was to go straight to back or better yet, visit my Mom while I’m still here. Nonetheless, I pulled a fake smile before she approached. “Hello.” I greeted curtly. There was no need to introduce myself. Based on her actions, I think she has an idea of who I am. “May I?” She smiled, glancing at the empty chair beside me. I shrug. “Sure, go ahead.” She plopped down on her ass and scooted closer, making me real uncomfortable. “So, you’re Dahlia?” She asked, and I looked at her. Is this some kind of a joke she’s trying to pull? Atlas already introduced me to her in his house. But very well, if she wants to play pretense, then two can play at this game. “Yeah, how d
T W E N T Y – O N E . Dahlia. “Mate.” We said in perfect sync as the man looked deep into me. And just like that, time became frozen like ice. It’s as if there was only him and me as everything else faded into the background. My wolf, Diana, finally awakened, sniffing the air before she finally recognized our mate that was gifted to us by the goddess. Holy shit, this is really happening. The tall blonde with deep blue oceans for eyes stepped up to me. “Nice to finally meet you, mate.” He smiled. A smile that I must say would have made high school girls swoon. “I…” My throat went dry when I suddenly heard Valerian growl so deeply. Only to realize he had growled at me through mind link. It was quickly followed by Hades who growled in a much lower, quieter voice, yet no less threatening. I glance at them, for a fraction of second, and noticed how their eyes blazed like raging fire. They’re trying to warn me. One step towards my goddess-given mate, and I’d be fac
Hades’ POV“You have some fucking nerve, don’t you!” He snarls menacingly as he stomps over to me. I throw my hands in the air, a sign of my submission towards him while I step back slowly.His eyes bleed black as he glares daggers at me.“Get the fuck out of my sight before I have you killed! After that, I’ll have your pack killed as well,”My jaw clenches. No alpha should let anyone threaten his pack before him and let him get away with it, but this situation falls different. My pack literally lives off of his supplies and provision. Our father, before handing the title over to me and Valerian, filed for the pack’s bankruptcy, only we managed to save it thanks to the Alpha King’s tremendous help. Until I can pay him back and get the pack running on its own funds and thriving businesses, I am forever indebted to him.“Please, hear me out. It’s about Dahlia,” He growls ferociously, looking like he was about ready to lunge at me when Cathy jumps out of nowhere. Her small bump is on di
Hades’ POV:“Any news?” Lola asks, looking at me. Her brows were creased with worry. Atlas was right behind her, and I see him lift both his hands in an attempt to caress Lola’s arms, but stopped in mid-air before taking a step back. I can feel my wolf roll his eyes, now that we know he actually has a thing for Lola, and for god knows how long, it is starting to feel really uncomfortable with Valerian glaring daggers at him, and his mate. Yet he doesn’t say anything or do shit about it either because with all our dirty laundry piled out in the fucking open, no one has got the say on anything. I shake my head, trying to get it together before I fucking explode from the lava of anger deep inside me. On second thought, I may just have to shift and hunt her down myself. It’s been nearly three weeks and we got no fucking lead!I have been driving back and forth to the mansion, but each time I turn the car around and drive away. How the fuck am I supposed to face him when my pack’s safe
Chapter 99Dahlia’s POV:‘This is good, right? The Alpha King is coming,’ My wolf says to me, making my brows pinch.‘Maybe he can help us?’ she whispers. I shake my head at her, looking into my reflection in the mirror. I have just finished my make-up, and now I am ready to put on the dress.‘You heard him, Diana, we’re not getting out of here.’ I tell her, feeling her whimper at the loss of hope in my words. I wasn’t going to give her false hope or some play-pretend fantasy that we could even step out of this room without him watching us. We know what he is capable of, he has shown us, and with him repairing the bond, I doubt there was escaping him now.‘We’ve already gotten Ayesha and Felicia killed. They’re dead because of us. I don’t want us making it any worse.’ I say as I move to the edge of the bed, my legs cramping for a second and I wince. My body freezes as pain shoots up from my leg. I grit my teeth, not wanting to make a sound knowing Tatum might barge through those do
Dahlia’s POV:“What are you waiting for?”I step back, staring at him as he leans against the wall by the door.He waits, raising a brow at me before glancing down at his watch.“Clock is ticking, Dahlia. You have ten minutes,” he snaps at me.I quickly jump to my feet and hop under the shower, not wondering anymore about his kinks and why he loves watching me use the bathroom. He has seen every inch of my body by force, what more does he want? Turning the hot shower on, I go to pull the curtains but Tatum’s growl stop me.“Leave it on,” he snaps, my hand freezes in the air before I retreat back under the hot shower. Trying to ignore his presence, I grab the soap and lather my body with it. I shower as quickly as I could seeing as I only got ten minutes, and this is the first shower he allowed me in days. Lifting my head, I revel in the feeling of the water dripping down my face and silently pray he lets me shower again. I stink, that much I figured after seeing the color the water t
Dahlia’s POV:Tears prick the back of my eyes, and when I start blinking, I gasp as Tatum growls and snatches my throat, shoving me back against the giant bed he has imprisoned me in. Pain instantly rushes to the back of my head from the impact, and I winced.“I knew it,” he spits at me, while I stare back wide-eyed.“Tatum—” I choke.“You still like him, huh?” he snarls, and slowly I could feel him tightening his grasp, almost as if he was planning on squeezing the life out of me.Yet I wanted to scoff at the remark. Like is more of a weak word. Love, I love Hades, more than anything. Him and Valerian before he chose another path. And all that’s left was Hades. Despite his tricks and playfulness, I knew he would always fight for me.I choke, and close my eyes. Slowly, I could feel my breath leaving me little by little, feel his anger rushing out of him and rolling over me in waves when two knocks comes to the door.Then he grows and shoves me back again. I hear a thud and a crack onc
Dahlia’s POV:One week later.Hours passed, yet I wasn’t sure what time it is, though I could see it’s already late into the evening. It is dark outside, and pouring with rain. I am sitting upright, naked on the bed Tatum and I used to share, until now. This bed means nothing to me any more than a fucking prison bed, as he had me cuffed to one posts. My arms are outstretched, and I bet my hands are already turning purple from how tightly he had it cuffed. Tatum has never let me out of his sight after we attempted the escape, not once had he let me out of the room to speak to the women, which worried me since I heard nothing, not a sign that would tell me they were outside my door or anything. Although I settled it was a good thing, since it means he hasn’t hurt them. It was the only thing that kept my sanity intact inside the confines of these four ugly walls, which seemed to be caving in around me each passing day.The only time he has let me out of these painful handcuffs was when
Dahlia’s POVEverything stills, and we all turn to Thalia who shakily stood up from kneeling.“Please, punish me instead,”I look at Tatum horrified, who tilted his head as he raised an eyebrow at her.“Oh? Playing the good mother now are we?” he chuckles, before turning to Ayesha and dragging his hard nail further along her neck. Ayesha now lets out a scream which makes Scar let out a roar before plunging forward, but was stopped by all the women surrounding her. Her eyes flickered to her wolf’s, and I know it is not her in control now but her wolf, her need to protect her mate dominating her own.Tatum glares at Scar, shaking his head, and I growl, slowly taking a step toward him.“You never learn, do you Scar?” he chuckles, while Scar all but growls, bloodlust raging through her eyes before she was ripped back by the women forcing her down.Ayesha whimpers for her, and lets out a gasp when Tatum pulls her a little closer back against him. I growl.“And Thalia, allow me to think abo
Dahlia’s POV:Just when I thought he would never let me go, he releases me making me drop to the ground with a loud thud. My hands immediately go to my neck, tracing his fingerprints I am sure are now embedded into my skin with how tight he had me in his grip. And for the first time, I suck in air so deep than I ever needed to in my life, as I chased my breath.I hear Diana growl in my head, outraged our mate would hurt us, but he was mate to us no more. I felt the bond sever, meaning I would no longer have a connection whatsoever with him anymore. Tatum cemented my decision when he brought his knee up and kicked me, throwing me back a couple meters away while I was still catching my breath. Clearly, the man doesn’t play fair.I try to get up, but Tatum’s foot suddenly smashes into the back of my head as he stomps on my head like people normally do with the butt of their cigarettes. Diana snarls and all but spits curses at him.“Fucking b*tch, think you could reject me and get away
Dahlia’s POV:“Think you can run away from me,” he growls, and the women all took a step back yet when they touch the border, their bodies freeze yet again. Tatum laughs.I turn my gaze to him when he snatches the amulet so easily off his neck and threw it to the ground. We all watched as he stomped over it, twice, thrice, and retreats to reveal he had now broken the amulet in tiny little pieces.He growls at the last stomp, and huffs, running a rugged hand through his hair before shooting me a pointed look.“Fucking bitch, you dare run away from me,” he snaps, and my wolf winces when he curses us the way he did.I choose to ignore him and instead quickly glance at the women shaking from head to toe.“Come on, you can still make it,” I tell them, but not one of them moves even an inch from their spot. I am the only one standing past the border, which means I can shift anytime and run, only without the women I came all the way here to save. “Dahlia, you don’t understand,” Felicia whim