Jessica’s POVAlthough Anastasha would act like a bitch most of the time, we all knew that it was just her mask to protect her fragile heart. After the tragedy she experienced before, being betrayed by her own mate who killed her entire pack, I salute her for being so strong and brave.Despite that, she could still love and express it.“Just because she wasn’t whining or being dramatic like most girls doesn’t mean she isn’t hurting,” I told Wendell.He leaned back on his chair. “She isn’t serious. She’s just being like that to cope with everything.”I huffed and looked at him in disbelief. Shaking my head, I affirmed Anastasha’s earlier words. “She’s right. You have a heart of stone.”“Enough of that! Why did you come here?”I squinted my eyes and walked toward the sofa, sitting on it. He’s definitely avoiding the topic.Because of his usual stoic facial expression, even though I’ve been serving with him for three years, I still couldn’t read him enough to know whether he had feelings
Jessica’s POVThree years agoI woke up from the coldness that touched my skin. Moaning in pain that’s radiating all over my body, I slowly opened my eyes.It's been three days since the White Clan found me. Because I didn’t have my wolf yet, my healing process from thee beatings and the impact on the water was still almost fresh in my body and I’ve been on bed rest since then.“Don’t move, you’ll reap open your stitches.” I heard that she’s Anastasha and that she’s the best tracker in the group.Because she’s also the only woman in the clan, she’s the one who has been taking care of me. Although she seemed distant and was acting a bit of a bitch, I could feel that she actually cared more than she let on.“I…” I tried to speak but instead of words, all that came out of my lips was moaning as I felt the bruises on my body.She raised her eyebrow at me, finishing re-dresing my wounds. Standing up, she said, “Do us both a favor and don’t try to speak if you still can’t handle it.”‘And t
Zane's POVLeaning on my wooden desk, I stared at the closing door, where Tessa's figure slowly vanished, wondering how on earth she could have so much effect on me while…“Did you hear what that bitch said to me?”I slowly shifted my gaze to Morgan. She was fuming mad. Her cheeks were puffed, her eyes were sending lasers, and she pointed a finger at where Tessa was earlier.For three years, she stayed in this pack, and I let her. But with all those years, she never had the same effect as Tessa had on me. She couldn't make me feel excited or eager to pull her close to me.Seeing her only makes me more annoyed than ever."Zane! Are you hearing me?" Morgan snapped her fingers at me, looking at me with blame."Why are you here?" I impatiently asked before turning around and going back to my work.It's better for me to drown myself in work before I lose control and run after Tessa… Jessica…'How could you change so my, Tess?' That question kept bothering me, but she was right.She's not u
Jessica's POVFury and disappointment surged all over me while I watched Alpha Ralph slowly vanish from my eyes.One inch! My arm was outstretched in the air and just one inch away from gasping his hand, but I still failed.I never felt more disappointed and blameful toward myself right now than ever.My chest rose and fell heavily as I looked down on the cliff, which was covered with mist below. I vowed, "I'll find you, Alpha Ralph, and once I do, I'll make sure you pay for everything you did.""Great, just what I needed," I commented after turning around and finding about ten members of Silver Rogues surrounding me.At least I got someone I could vent all the fuming rage building up on me.Stretching my neck, I swiveled my Scimitars and pointed at them. "What are you here for?"They still had their masks on, hiding their face. Looking at each other, they nodded, and I knew instantly that talking with them would be a waste of time.Most of them pulled out knives or swords. Still, the
Tessa’s POVIt was my eighteenth birthday, and I was at a party, but it wasn’t for me. In fact, I was pretty sure no one else knew today was my birthday, not even my father.I stood at the corner of the venue, awkwardly wearing a blue halter top dress that flowed up to the middle of my shin, which complemented and matched the color of my eyes. Despite that, I still felt severely out of place as I attended the wedding anniversary feast ball for Alpha Eric and his Luna, Paige.Alpha Eric was the de-facto leader of my pack now that my father had pretty much signed away his ruling rights to him in exchange for business favors and protection.Usually, I would have been excluded from this sort of event as my father couldn’t tolerate the thought of people seeing his omega daughter. I spent most of my days confined to our small room while he actively attended pack events.With today’s grand event, though, Luna Peige personally invited every one of Alpha’s family under their territory protecti
Tessa's POVI raised a hand to my burning cheek, blinking rapidly at the tears filling my eyes as Eric glared down at me, chest heaving. He had been the one to kiss me, and all I did was return it.Why was I being slapped?Paige got down from the stage and hurried over to us, vengeance alight in her gaze. She wrapped herself all over her husband, who happened to be my mate, causing my wolf inner pain.I did my best not to react to her overflowing display of affection toward him. She hugged and kissed his face while glaring at me. I reminded myself that I couldn't allow my wolf to attack her, knowing that I would be defeated.“How could you throw yourself on my husband like that, especially on our anniversary and in our home?” Paige started but was interrupted by my father, who hurriedly approached us and immediately grabbed my arm. He pulled me back and faced the angry couple himself instead.“Alpha and Luna, I’m sure Tessa is as surprised about the mate bond as you are. Why don’t we
Tessa’s POVIt was a long walk, but I managed to drag my exhausted body all the way home. I got in the shower and changed into my night clothes, ready to go to bed, until I heard a knock at my door.“I need to talk to you,” my father gruffly said before his footsteps disappeared down the stairs.With a deep sigh, I followed after him. He sat in his chair in the living room and eyed me over his glass of gin. The joyful glint in his eyes made me uncomfortable because most things that made him happy tended to bring me great discomfort.“I’ve secured a very special opportunity for you.” I looked at him, confused, and he was eager to fill in the blank spaces. “Starting tomorrow, you’ll work as a maid at the pack house.”I gaped at him in shock. “What? Why?”“To get you in the same vicinity as Eric, of course,” he replied as though it was obvious.I glared at my dad. “He doesn’t want me around him!”Why should I be the one to compromise for his sake? I wanted to reject him, and yet they see
Tessa’s POVI huddled in the corner of the cell, arms crossed over my face to prevent the little gnats that infested the space from reaching me there.It was my third day locked up like an animal in this filthy cage after Paige had caught me almost having sex with her husband. I was well and truly miserable, and there was no end in sight. Not that I deserve an end to this torment.I pretty much earned it, at least from Paige.Despite the days that have passed, I could still vividly remember the shock and anger on her face when she walked in to see us tangled together like that.When she looked at Eric, her profound disappointment and hurt affected me more than I cared to admit. She hated my guts, but I couldn’t blame her for it. I would hate any woman who put me in such a position as well, mate bond be damned.I tried so hard to resist the bond that day. I wasn’t the type of girl who went about destroying other people’s relationships. I didn’t look at guys with girlfriends, much less