Erica:I glared at Pearl from head to toe and she did the same to me. We were stuck in a deadlock and I could feel the heated tension in the room. I could hear her breath heaving angrily as her eyes fluttered in their sockets in anger.“How are you doing, Pearl?”“Oh for fuck's sake!” She yelled angrily.She looked over my shoulder at Dante furiously.“How the hell could you bring her over again?! Wasn't bringing her to one party not enough? I didn't think that I would have to see her poor, ugly face here in our house! And I don't understand why you are without a shirt, Dante! Did you sleep with her?!”I rolled my eyes nonchalantly and readjusted my bag on my shoulder.“I think I shall be going now …”“Like fuck you are! You aren't going anywhere !”I scoffed in anger and tried my best to keep my rage from rising.“I doubt you are comfortable seeing my face in your home. So why not allow me to do you the favor of seeing myself out .”She tossed her bag to the sofa beside her and walke
Clarissa:I was at the mall in sunglasses.Even though it was evening, I couldn't risk anyone recognizing me. Only the Goddess knew how many people knew Erica and my affiliation to her.I already had a lot of shopping in my arms. I bought as many stylish clothes and bags as I could.I had the feeling that I had visited every designer and bought at least one of the outfits: Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Versace, Givenchy, Gucci, you name it.I even surprised myself by buying things that I never thought I would ever be able to wear. I had lingerie, high-heeled shoes, and sexy bathing suits in my shopping.I stopped at another store and a dress caught my attention. I adored it on the mannequin and wondered if Lorenzo would think it was pretty on me.I looked at my phone and saw that I had barely scratched my budget and I could fit in a few extra things.I walked into the store and was greeted warmly by the shop attendant.“Good evening, Miss. Welcome to Lady Fashion. What would you like to buy
Erica:Pulled up to the driveway and sat in the car. I was exhausted. My dress was torn and it had a bloody hole in the middle.I reached over to the back but couldn't find my coat, Lorenzo's coat, that I had worn to the party. Where was it?I sighed and found an old shirt in the back and pulled it over my head. It covered the hole well enough and I planned to dash upstairs before the kids could see it.I got out of the car and went inside and the kids were excited to see me. The house wasn't as messy as I thought it would be and I gave them all a big kiss for being so responsible.Elma didn't hesitate to jump into my arms, much to her brother and sister's dismay. They asked her to leave me alone so that I could rest but she clung to me like a koala.“I guess we are all ready to go out."“Yes!!"The cheer was loud and unanimous. Even Elma was excited.I excused myself and headed up to my room to change. I dashed up the stairs as fast as I could so that Elma wouldn't catch up to me.I s
Erica:“Erica? Erica ?”I was pulled out of my thoughts by Javier staring at me, as well as the kids. I gave a nervous laugh and tried my best to collect my thoughts.I didn't want Javier coming with us, but at the same time, I didn't want to seem rude. He seemed like a nice guy and I was certain that there was not going to be an incident where I would end up fucking him.If anything, he was way better company than Dante. Maybe that was what I needed: some good company.“Hey, Erica,” he started softly. “You seem a little hesitant about me coming along with you and the children. I don't want to force your decision. I can go if you like. I have…”“No, no, no,” I said, holding his arm tenderly.I looked up at him and was once again captivated by his warm golden eyes and his handsome face.“I would be delighted for you to come along with the kids and me. I've been stuck in some bad meetings this week and some good company would do me a lot of good.”I watched his lips curl into a smile a
Erica:I paid for the toys and we finally left the store. My stomach growled and so did the kids.“It seems that you all are hungry. I know a great Chinese place where we can have something to eat.”Javier offered to take us and I was so happy that the kids didn't say anything to him, though I could tell that they were excited to go.“You know that you don't have to, Javier. I can take the kids out to get something to eat. We wouldn't want to burden you any more than we already have .”Despite how happy I was that he offered to take us out for dinner, I didn't want to be a burden to him. We only just met at a party and he had already followed me and the kids to the toy store.“Nonsense. I wouldn't mind taking you and the kids out. It would be my treat and besides, you could share some of your architectural ideas with me over dinner. And I know a place where the children can play a little while we talk. I doubt they would want to be bored with business discussions.”I turned to look at
Clarissa:I was in my hotel room all day the next day.I felt scared leaving; I still couldn't get over the fact that Erica nearly saw me at the mall last night.I lay on the bed and stared at the ceiling. I had never felt so bored in my life. I was living in a large hotel room and had enough money to buy and order whatever I wanted, yet, I didn't know what to buy or what to order.I tried on all the clothes that I bought last night at the mall and they all fit me perfectly. I wore them one by one and twirled in the mirror and imagined how happy Lorenzo would be seeing me in them.Now and then, I would imagine him holding my waist and kissing my neck, telling me how beautiful I was and how much she loved me.I would feel his hand on my arm and when I reached out to touch him, I was jerked from my thoughts and I realized that I had been lost in a daydream, that none of it was real.I did have some fun with the lady at the front desk. She had called me a dirty and ugly bitch the first n
Clarissa:I got dressed and headed down to the front desk.Once again, I got the opportunity to relish the look of astonishment on the receptionist's face. I couldn't seem to get enough of it.I went outside and flagged down a taxi. He pulled up right in front of me and gave me a seductive glance.“Damn! And where do you think you are going this fine evening, beautiful ?”I was about to reply to him but I suddenly realized that I had no idea of the clubs that were in town.As I continued to think, I caught glances of him staring at me and licking his lips hungrily as he savored my body.Finally, I gave up and leaned in seductively, trying my best to act enticing.“I am kind of new in town. Do you know any good clubs that you can take me to ?”I flashed a smile and I watched in delight as the cab driver unraveled at my seductiveness. “Of course I do. But for a beauty like you, it might cost you.”I rolled my eyes and smiled again.“I think I can pay the fare .”He pointed to the back
Dante:I was alone in my study and suddenly the door burst open.“Dante!”The voice was so familiar but I didn't even bother to raise my head from a document that I was perusing.Strong perfume filled the air and I felt the presence of two people in the room.They stood there watching me with irritation but I was determined not to give them the time of day. I had more important things to do than get myself involved in a meaningless squabble.“Dante, I am talking to you. Can't you hear me?”The voice came again and I could feel myself slowly losing strands of my patients. I gripped my pen a little harder and heard the frail plastic crack a little under my grasp.“Dan…”I slammed my hand down on the desk and looked up at the impudent figures that were glaring down at me.My sister, Pearl, stood defensively in front of my desk while Laura took shelter behind her but was still glaring at me ferociously.“What do you two want? Can you see that I'm busy?” My voice was rough and dismissive.
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