Erica:It was a new day with a new meeting with Dante, I was not excited about it but I was ready for it. I had gotten all I needed to change his stupid rule.The triplets were also excited to have a fun-filled day with their nanny Carissa.Strapped in a black, fitted skirt and a blue see-through top which I had paired with a black vest, I begged myself to be coordinated and not do anything stupid.I got into the car and went to his office. I was welcomed and showed to his office.I tried to act strong, I swallowed hard then walked into his office.“Hi.”“Your back huh?” he asked and I nodded.“Yes, now let’s talk business.” I had refused to take my seat instead, I had my hand folded underneath my breast.“Okay.”“I’ll start by telling you that you need me as much as my pack needs you.”“Really?”The sarcasm coming from him was annoying and I felt like smacking him hard on the head. “The only purebred female Alpha I know of is on the other side of the world, not even in this country
Dante With breathless pants, Erica squeezed out"Dante, I've been thinking about this moment for so long."Me too, Erica. You have no idea how much I've wanted you." I confessed with so much desire burning in my eyes."That's what I like to hear. It makes me wonder if we're both getting what we really want here." Erica said in a witty maneuver, but I was too consumed in what was at hand to bother myself with her mind games.Erica knew she had leverage with me, a way to persuade me that wouldn't be resisted under different circumstances. She couldn't deny the attraction between us, but it was more than physical – it was strategic."I need you, Dante. But not just at this moment... This contract - it could change everything for both of us." Erica purred seductively."Your proposal… It's tempting, Erica. But can we really mix business with pleasure like this?" I said but my body was more honest, quivering at her every touch.Yet my internal struggle mirrored Erica's own conflicted emotio
Erica:I can still feel the heat of Dante's touch on my skin as I walk through the door of our pack house. The way his strong hands roamed my body, the intensity of his gaze, the passion we shared - it's all I can think about. I know I shouldn't have let things go so far, but there's just something about him that makes me lose all control.Still, I try to push those thoughts aside as I'm greeted by the excited faces of my triplets. Elsa runs into my arms first, her little giggles making me smile. "Mommy, you're home!" she exclaims, planting a wet kiss on my cheek. Ethan is next, bouncing on his toes as he tells me all about their day. "We were going to go to the park, but Elma couldn't find her bracelet and got so upset that we couldn't go," he explains, his brow furrowed in concern.Sure enough, Elma comes barreling towards me, tears streaming down her face. "I lost it, Mommy! I can't find my bracelet anywhere!" she wails, clinging to my leg. I scoop her up, rocking her gently. "Shh,
Dante:I took a sip of my early morning coffee as I sat in my study lazily going through paperwork but ever so often getting distracted by the thoughts of Erica.Her presence here had brought back a lot of memories that I had been unable to control my desire for her. I was glad I wasn't the only one because she'd just been as willing to jump my bones as I had been to jump hers.A smile spread across my face as thoughts of her panting as I felt her appeared in my mind again.I wanted her, needed that feeling of her on top of me but I knew it would take some more convincing to get her back here.Still going over paperwork, the door to my study creaked open and I glanced up to find Laura sashaying towards me with a seductive smile on her face."Dante," she purred as she wrapped her hands around my neck from behind."I've been looking everywhere for you, I thought you were in some kind of meeting?"Her voice carried a seductive air to it that usually would make me hard but not today."No,
Erica:As my kids burst through the door, their laughter filling the room, my heart swelled with love. I embraced them tightly, showering them with kisses. But as I pulled back, my eyes fell on the bruises marrying Elsa's arm, and a wave of concern washed over me."Sweetheart, what happened to your arm?" I asked, my voice laced with worry."Where is your nanny?"Elsa hesitated, exchanging nervous glances with her siblings, before Elma spoke up, her voice trembling slightly. "Mummy, we have to tell you something," she began, her eyes brimming with tears.My heart skipped a beat as I listened to Elma's words, my stomach churning with fear. "What is it, sweetheart? You can tell me anything," I urged, my voice gentle but firm.Elma took a deep breath, her words tumbling out in a rush. ""Elsa almost got run over by a big black car today, mummy.”My eyes widened in shock as I listened to Elma, my heart pounding in her chest. "Oh my goodness," I whispered, my voice barely above a whisper. "
Erica:It was the next day and I settled into the business meeting with Dante, ready to discuss the usual matters concerning our pack. I was caught off guard when he abruptly interrupted me, his words sent a chill down my spine as he revealed the true purpose of our meeting."We need to get married" "What!" I replied."Dante, I thought we were here to discuss the war with Hazan?” My tone was laced with confusion.Dante's expression remained impassive as he cut me off. "I'm sorry, Erica, but that's not why I asked you here," he replied."The council of Elders has been pressuring me about our pack's future. They want to know when I'll be settling down and producing an heir."My eyes widened in disbelief at the unexpected turn of events. "I wasn't aware that this was on the agenda.” I forced out, my mind racing to process Dante's words. "I thought our focus was stopping Hazan.”“Yes, but the council.”“There’s no council coming in, Dante. Do you remember that we are divorced and the onl
Erica:As I pulled up to my house, I was puzzled to see Lorenzo's car parked out front. What is he doing here? We hadn't made any plans to meet. I took a deep breath and headed inside, preparing myself for whatever awaits.When I opened the door, Lorenzo was standing in the entryway. "Erica! There you are," he said, rushing over to me and wrapping me in a tight hug. I hugged him back, but it felt more like a formality than a genuine embrace. Something felt off.I glanced around the living room and noticed the kids weren't bouncing around excitedly like they normally do. They were seated quietly on the couch, barely acknowledging our presence. That was strange "Is everything okay?" I asked looking between Lorenzo and the kids."Everything's fine," Lorenzo assured me, but there was an edge to his voice that made me doubt his words. "I just wanted to see you. I was disturbed about how you sounded on the phone some days back. Is that a problem?""No, of course not," I said quickly, not wa
Lorenzo: I watched as Erica practically flew out of the house, wondering what on earth was so important that she had to grow wings and fly out of the house.Shrugging it off, I went to the living room to find Elsa and Elma playing with some building blocks.I approached the kids, hoping to play with them. The realization that they would soon be my adopted kids after I married Erica prompted me to try to get along with them."Elsa, Elma, what are the both of you building?"They both gave me a look that said they didn't want me there.I pursed my lips when neither of them gave me an answer, wondering what on earth I'd ever done to them to make them hate me so much."Okay…" I trailed off.Maybe I was overreacting, asking them what they were building when it was a doll house wasn't the right question."Um, can I play with you guys? You know back in my day I was known to be the building block champion of my time.""The building blocks are only enough for two people and that's Elsa and I,”
Laura’s POVI watched as Lisa and her father breezed through the crowd. It wasn’t difficult to tell that she was thoroughly bored. I couldn’t blame her. Her father looked like a stuffy stuck-up man.I turned my head and caught sight of Rusev watching me like a hawk. I grumbled. I hated him. Why did my mate think it a good idea to leave me stuck with him?I shadowed Mr. Hans as he dragged his daughter along, greeting dignitaries and other stuck-up people like himself.A waiter passed me and I grabbed another glass of champagne. How was I going to get Lisa away from her old man?My mind kicked into overdrive, and soon, an idea hit me. I sighed and winced in disgust as it continued to take shape in my head. It wasn’t pleasant but I had to do it. I guess that was one other purpose of the dress I wore.I took another sip of my champagne and strutted sexily towards Mr. Hans. He caught a glimpse of me through the corner of his eye and was soon fully facing my direction.A dirt smirk crept on
Erica’s POVThe guards stopped him before he could come any closer.“What are you doing here?!” My mother yelled as the guards blocked Dante’s path towards me.“I need to see Erica. This is important.”My mother’s eyes bore down on him. I turned away; I could barely look at him. Did he come here to ruin my fathers funeral as well? Wasn’t he tired of ruining my life?“Guards! Take him away!”They stormed up to him and Dante began to back away.“Erica! I need to talk to you! Tell them to stop!”His voice calling my name was driving me insane. It was because of him that my life was ruined. Couldn’t he just stop meddling in my life.“Erica!”The guards grabbed him and began to drag him away. I watched him as he struggled and yelled at me. The guests all watched in awe. I already had more than enough gossip circling around me. I didn’t want anymore.“Erica!”There was a gasp and the guards were on the floor. Dante had broken free and was dashing towards me. My knees began to shake. I wante
Laura’s POV“Room service!”I put on my bathrobe and walked to the door. I didn’t order room service. I clutched my robe tighter to my body and opened the door just a crack.A lady stood there with a box in her hands. Was that a delivery for me?“Are you Miss Laura?”“Yes.”I felt a little emboldened and opened the door a little wider. The lady was dressed in formal wear, a little too formal for her to be in the room service business.“I have a package for you.”She handed it to me, and I looked at the tag attached to it. I couldn't help but smile.“I may not be with you, but I want all eyes to be on you and for every man to drool at the sight of you and wish you were theirs. But they can’t have you. You are MINE. Mate.”I smiled and felt a warm fuzzy feeling bubble inside of me. He wasn’t here, but he knew how to make me feel like he was.“Thank you.”I hurried back into my room, trying my best not to squeal like an excited seven-year-old. I hadn’t expected a dress for the party. I
Erica’s POVMy fingers were trembling as I did Ethan's bow tie. I had tried not to cry. It had been hard to keep my emotions in check while we planned the funeral. Everyone was still scared of me but the condolences they gave brought tears to my eyes every time I heard them.Today would be the first time in weeks that I would lay eyes on my father’s body and would never see it again.“Don’t be sad, Mom.”Ethan pulled me into a hug as soon as I lifted my fingers from his bowtie. He was such a sweet boy.“I am fine, love.-”I stroked his hair and kissed it.“-Go and find your sisters while I get ready.”He hurried away and I was left alone in my room. I looked at the mirror one more time and noticed the tears in my eyes starting to fall. My mascara was slightly smudged and I hurriedly wiped my face and did a fresh application.My thoughts were weighed down by thoughts of my father. It was draining. I couldn't imagine how disappointed he was in me. Mom kept telling me that it wasn’t true
Clarissa's POV“Lorenzo, please wake up."I sat beside him as he lay on the living room couch with his head on my lap. His forehead was covered in sweat and his eyes were blank and white.My heart was racing. I didn't know what to do. I wanted to give him CPR, but I didn't know if what he had was infectious.I couldn't count the number of times I had placed my head on his chest to make sure that his heart was still beating. His breath was faint, and his skin was clammy and cold.I couldn't take this anymore. I should have called for help sooner and damned the fact that the entire pack probably hated us.My fingers shook as I grabbed my phone and began to dial the numbers.Suddenly, Lorenzo gasped and his eyes cleared up slowly. My fingers shook even more as I watched him silently take in the room.“Lorenzo," I whispered, terrified to the core.His eyes finally fell and focused on me. I held my breath.“Rissa?"He tried to sit up but I slowly eased his head back into my lap.“Don't try
Erica's POVThe meeting finally came to an end and I was grateful. I remained seated with my mother and we watched the counselors leave.Counselor Rufus gave me a death stare before he left the room. I turned to look at my mother and her face was impassive until we could no longer see his fake hair through the open door.“Good riddance!" she exclaimed, and her face relaxed, and she smiled at me.I returned with a nervous grin though my fingers were knotting frantically on my lap.“It's going to be alright, Erica. I will not let the counselors treat you like trash. They are just a bunch of old fools that are stuck in the past. I believe that you will make a good Luna."Her words made my nervous smile fade.“You know that I won't be a good, Luna. You saw how they looked at me. Everyone is afraid of me. I can't even get through the hallway without a maid or guard seeing me and flinching.”I lowered my head and heard my mother sigh. Her fingers intertwined with mine, stopping my frantical
Clarissa's POVMy eyes watered as I chopped up the onions. I set the knife down and paced around the counter as the broth bubbled in the pot.As I stared at the boiling pot, a flash of Erica came into my mind. Her monstrous form and the death of her father. The purple hue on his skin was exactly the same as that on Lorenzo's arm.It just didn't make sense. I asked my assassin to kill Erica. Why didn't he do it? Was he a fraud?I had tried to contact him severally, but his phone rang, and there was no answer. Had I been duped?I gritted my teeth at the thought and turned my attention to the bubbling broth. It was time to put the vegetables.The onion went in first, and then the carrots and peppers.This was my first time in Lorenzo's home back at our pack. It was beautiful. Luxurious, nothing like my home back at the pack Erica was sent to.My watery eyes scanned the room and I exhaled. There had been so much drama in just a few days.A shiver ran down my spine. I didn't expect to see
Erica's POVI walked to the meeting hall and felt my breath being hitched in my throat. The maids, as they walked past me, gave me terrified greetings and hurried off in the other direction.It did nothing for my nerves. I could only imagine what the council was going to say.I soon reached the door that led to the hall and stood outside of it for a while. My heart was racing, and I was clutching it with my left hand as if it would do something to make it calm down.“Easy, Erica. Easy. This is just a meeting. Nothing more."I pushed the glossy black wooden door open and finally walked into the room. As soon as I was guided across the carpet to My spot beside my mother, I could feel all eyes on me.It was so hard to fight the urge to look over the room. A few of the counselors were whispering as I walked in, and above three were staring at me, their faces white with fear.I sat down next to my mother and the seven counselors stood in greeting. The man who sat at my left-hand side was f
Erica's POVI lay in bed quietly. The silence in the house was thick, but I could hear the whispers of the maids as they passed my room door.They were all scared and I couldn't blame them.I had asked my mother to watch the kids for me while I got some time to rest. This all felt extremely overwhelming for me.I felt strange being here. My father was gone, and it was like a big chunk of the pack house had been ripped off.I buried myself deeper into my covers, the comforter soaking up my silent tears as they rolled down my cheeks.“I miss you, Dad. I am so sorry that I failed you. I… I was just so weak and I didn't know what to do…”The tears choked my words and soon burst out but were muffled by the comforter.If only he was alive, he would probably know what to do. I wasn't even sure about how to get the Living Gem. Worst of all, I didn't even know what to do with it once I got it.A cold draft of wind blew through the window, chilled my fingers, and dried up my tears, leaving stre