Clarissa:I spent the day cleaning. My apartment needed some sprucing up. I had only been doing a light dusting for days.I fired up the vacuum cleaner and got to work. As I moved it back and forth in the living room, I couldn't help my brain going into overdrive.Lorenzo had called me this morning and had told me about Erica's incident. I was indifferent. I didn't care and I would have preferred if the bullet had killed her instead.I grumbled a little as I vacuumed. I had forgiven Lorenzo but I couldn't get the image of him proposing to Erica out of my head.Then there was that golden-eyed man who had offered to be my pretend boyfriend. He had brought an NDA a few days prior to the date and had me and Lorenzo sign it.He had asked that neither Lorenzo nor I could disclose whatever agreement happened between us and him.His golden eyes were warm but I could sense the threat in his voice as he spoke to us. I was filled with fear. I knew that he would have us killed if we said anything
Dante:For two whole days, I was calling Erica. She would pick her phone. It was Wednesday and I still hadn't heard from her.I called her again but just like the other times, there was still no reply.I was starting to get impatient. What was this? I had gotten a call from the police that there was a shooting at one of the intersections. I hadn't been able to look into it.I was restless and ill at ease. Anger bubbled inside me like a hot cauldron. I had asked Robert to compile a report for me concerning the shooting. He seemed angry about it and went to do it nonetheless. It was easy to tell that he was still on edge about Hazan. I couldn't blame him. I was certainly going to get a talking from him later.I sighed and felt the fury slowly ebb away. Erica didn't want to talk to me. It was possible that she had even changed her phone and numbers.Yeah.That seemed like the most likely case. I was a fool to not have found her house already.Lorenzo.The thought of him heated my blood a
Erica:I was in the sky and I found myself staring down through the window to the ground below. My heart thudded and I placed my palm on my chest–as if that would do anything.“Are you alright?"Lorenzo looked at me with a thin smile.“I'm good. Just a little giddy. That's all."I smiled back and he looked away from me, his grin disappearing almost immediately.I was distraught. I was finally on the plane, going to marry a man that I didn't love.The kids sat close to me. And they were all craning their necks over the iPad that I had given them.I looked at them and gave myself a reason to grin. My mother spoiled them rotten. They would be happy to see her.The air hostess brought us our meal and I urged them to tuck the iPad away and eat.“Ewww! Mum, what's this?"Elsa had her face twisted in disgust and I saw her hold up her spoon with small round black dots on it.“It's in mine, too."“And mine."Ethan and Elma also held up their spoons and were looking just as disgusted as Elsa wa
Lorenzo:I watched Erica disappear into her room. My stomach churned. I expected her to sit and chat with her parents.I said nothing and continued to eat. I had no idea what was wrong with her and I only hoped that her parents wouldn't ask me."Lorenzo, do you by any chance know what is wrong with Erica?"Her mother asked me politely as she wrestled with the triplets who were wrestling each other for her attention."She hasn't been feeling too well," I lied. "I think that she is a little overwhelmed by the early wedding plans. I'll check on her after lunch."Her parents gave a nod and exhaled in relief. The answer was satisfactory, but now, I was obligated to check on her.I tried my best to hide my anger about the wedding. So far, I had dodged questions about it and kept the conversations around work and the rebuilding of the pack."We cannot say how grateful we are for the aid we have gotten from you to fix the pack. They have been wonderful."I smiled warmly but smirked inwardly.
Erica:I was up in the morning. Part of me wish I wasn't. I groaned in pain and grabbed my head. It hurt so much.I stood up and walked to the mirror. Just as I had suspected, my eyes were red puffy, and my face was swollen.That's what I got for crying so hard last night. The thoughts began to flood me. My wedding with Lorenzo was in two days.I wished I could feel love for him, but I felt nothing. I was as empty as an old husk. He had been wonderful to me and the kids but despite all of that, I didn't care about him.Dante.He was in his pack. He had no idea I was getting married in two days. How would he feel? His kids?No. I swore that I wouldn't let him know. He didn't deserve them. He didn't!My door creaked open and I turned around in shock.“Dad?"He stood at the doorway. His eyes were a mixture of sadness and pride.I realized that he had seen my tear-ridden face, and I turned back around, my back to him.“I'll be with you in a few minutes. I'm…”"Erica, I was knocking for q
Erica:I stood in the mirror and stared at myself. This was it.The maid was on her knees, with a pin in her mouth, fussing over the hem of my dress.“I think it would be lovely if you allowed the dress to cascade around you. But it shouldn't be touching the ground. Something subtle and elegant."She looked up at me to get my approval and all I did was smile at her. Her face filled with color, and she began to readjust.As soon as our gazes left, the smile on my face disappeared and the solemnity returned. I spent the whole of last night crying. Lorenzo came in and he held me all night.It didn't make things better. I cried even more. The man that I didn't want to spend my life with has holding me gently and comforting me.“Lady Erica,–"The maid stood upright and I knew that he had finished her adjustments.“–what do you think?"I looked at the hem of the dress and marveled at her expertise. The hem of the dress was lightly brushing the ground all around me and my feet were still wel
Erica:“Dante?! What are you doing here?!”The guests looked puzzled and heads swiveled around and craned so that they could get a better view of what was going on.My face was flushed red. Was I happy? Was I mad? Was I sad? I didn't know!"Seize him!”My father rose from his seat and roared, pointing his finger towards Dante.The guards sprung into action and quickly held him down."Dad! No!”I tried to grab his arm but he shrugged me off. His eyes were blazing and Dante looked at me confused."You should have known your place! How dare you come here! Who invite you?!”Dante snarled and began to struggle with the guards. I caught his gaze and shook my head slowly. He was only going to make things worse. He couldn't fight.“Dad, please. Just let him go…”"I only sent you to him as an ambassador for the gem. I didn't expect him to come here–”My father turned and glared at me."–Did you invite him here?!”"No! I didn't…"“Then he is unwelcome! Guards! Take him away!”The guards began
Mystery POVI headed to my booked hotel. An assassin's work is never done.My journey was a joy. I reveled in the pleasurable sight of the pack burnt half to the ground.Sure, Alpha Rowland has begun to meticulously rebuild, but nothing could ever erase the cinders of the burning fires, bring back the slaughtered fathers, mothers, and children, and nothing could remove the fear that had seeded in the minds of those who remained.I got to my hotel. It was a beautiful place. Perfect height and distance from the wedding venue. No one would see me coming.The receptionist smiled warmly at me.“Name please.”I gave her my name and she looked it up. I caught her eyes staring at me. I smiled again. Once this was over, I would definitely reward myself with a little bed company."I'm sorry, but your room is already booked.”I hissed. That wasn't possible. I chose that room because of the proximity and angle to the wedding venue."Could we give you another room? We are sorry for the inconvenien
Dante’s POV“...And that was how the brave werewolf defeated the witch and her coven. The end.”I looked at the kids and they were all sound asleep. Ethan was snoring loudly and Elsa mumbled something adorable. They looked so wonderful. I wasn’t sure that I would ever get over the shock of them being my children. Erica had really raised them well.I tiptoed toward the door and was about to close the door behind me when I heard a voice.“Dad?”Elma sat up and looked at me with wide eyes. I thought she was sleeping wit
Javier’s POV “How are they doing father?... Yes, I am making progress here. You don’t have to worry about anything. I will get it done… Yes, she swallowed the bait. Women are so gullible… I know, father. I just need a little time. Yes, father.” The phone call ended and I was left by myself. My father had received Laura and Lisa. Things were falling into place nicely. My heart did a little thump. I hoped my father was treating my mate well. I could only imagine how many times she would have called. She was going to be so mad when I saw her. It would take a miracle for her to forgive me, but she would understand in the end. It was
Erica’s POVI looked at the number, stunned and in disbelief. Why was she calling me? Hadn’t she ruined my life enough? Wasn’t she and Lorenzo already tired of making a fool of me?I cut the call and placed my phone back on the bedside table. Dante looked at me in shock and made a reach for my hand but I pulled it away.“Who was it?”“None of your business,” I snapped, shifting away from him.“Erica, we need to be able to stick together and…”“Can you just leave me alone, Dante? We aren’t married. I barely recognize you as the father of my children, so I suggest that you keep your nose out of my business!”Ring! Ring!The phone began to buzz again and I fought the urge to pick it up. I trusted Clarissa and she made a fool of me. I wasn’t going to take any more shit from her or Lorenzo.Ring! Ring!I could hear the phone ringing louder and louder and I pressed my hands over my ears. I should have just put it on silent as soon as I touched the phone the first time. I feared picking it u
Erica’s POVI pulled my kids closer to me and glared at Pearl. I should have known that she would be here. I watched her lock eyes with Dante, but every few minutes, he would steal glances at me and my kids. I couldn’t explain how much I hated her.“Dante, I don’t know what she has done to brainwash you, but she is lying, and you know it. She is barren. She can’t have…”“I am not going to stand for this any longer, Pearl. These are my kids and if you don’t get out of my way, I’ll make sure that you are thrown out of this place.”His voice boomed and even the kids jumped in fright. They had never seen him this angry. Pearl stepped back and shot me a hateful look. I gave one back to her; the feeling was very mutual.He picked up Elsa and turned to one of the maids, ignoring Pearl’s presence completely.“Have the chef prepare dinner for the five of us. We had a long trip, and we are famished.”The maid disappeared into the house, and we followed her behind, as Dante pushed Pearl out of h
Dante’s POV“Uhmm… I believe we should get going. It is getting late and we… might miss our flight.”I watched Erica gently pull her hand from her daughter's grasp and grab her suitcase. My heart fell and her daughter looked confused. I sighed and was at the same time, grateful. It seemed she hadn’t told her kids about what happened between us. My heart pounded at the thought.It wasn’t too hard to see that they loved me. I could only imagine how much hate they would have towards me if they found out the truth.She took Ethan’s hand gently and they walked to the car that was waiting outside. From what I had noticed. He was the eldest of the three, and he was a spitting image of me, but I could see a bit of his grandfather in him. I could feel his heart inside of him.I watched the kids go after their mother but little Elma still clung to my fingers, looking up at me with a big smile. She was so sweet.“Elma, dear, could you please join your mother outside? I need to talk to your ‘fat
Erica’s POVI grabbed my suitcase and looked at the contents. I hadn’t even removed anything from it except the book. I looked at my clothes and sighed. I couldn’t believe that I was going to do this, but this was what was best for the kidsand my pack.I felt a tear come to my eye but I wiped it off. I shouldn’t cry. I should have known that it was going to come to this. I should have known that he would find out soon enough and that he would do anything in his power to get them back into his life. I couldn’t forget my meeting with him and the head of the council burst in. They looked ravenous and desperate, quite like the counselors in my pack who seemed very hell-bent on keeping me from taking over from my father.There was a soft knock at the door and my steady gaze was broken.“Come in.”The door opened and my mother opened the door and smiled sadly at me. I tried to give her a reassuring smile but my lips were trembling. It was like I was going back in time but it was a little d
Erica's POV"You just let him leave?! After what he did?! After the disturbance that he caused? I have never seen the level of such disregard at the Alpha's funeral. He should be ashamed of...""Enough!" I snapped at counselor Rufus. I was sick of his talking.He was lucky I was being civil. I should have spoken my mind the day we were planning my father's funeral.He looked at me with shock, but it soon morphed into anger and disdain."How dare you? I am the head of the council and...""And I am the daughter of the Alpha and the heir to his throne. I am well aware of who you are, Counselor Rufus and I assure you, you are beneath me."His mouth was wide and the murmurs in the crowd intensified. It was high time I put everyone in their place."I am my father's daughter and I want his cremation to be peaceful. I don't care for your gossip and back talk and anyone that dares to interrupt the decorum will answer to me..."I could feel my anger rising inside of me. I could feel my eyes glo
Erica's POVI stood there in the rain, staring at him. Was he out of his mind?! Did he think that he could just show up at my father's funeral unannounced and spew this bullshit? Hadn't he caused me enough pain already?I slapped him again and he let me. He didn't move an inch and moved his jaw in pain to readjust it.“You can hit me all you want, Erica. But I am not leaving here without the kids. You can't win this battle. I stated that are mentally unfit to take care of them and have a certain ‘illness’ that makes you lose control of yourself. You are a danger to them.”I was stunned."Did you just call me mentally unstable? You think I'm insane?!”I could feel my anger building. Who did he think he was?!“I didn't say that you were…”"Don't you dare think that you can play coy with me! You know what you implied!”I sunk my fist into his face and he reeled backwards. I watched as blood streamed down from his face to the puddle of water beneath our feet.He pulled his hand away and h
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