Lorenzo's POVI woke up in and felt a searing pain shoot through my entire shoulder.“Ahhhh!"I stopped moving and collapsed on the bed as two nurses came rushing in.“Mr. Lorenzo. Are you alright?"I hissed angrily. Did I look alright?The nurses checked my arm and checked the monitor that was beeping on my left side.“You are in a stable condition, but we advise that you try not to move so much. We had just managed to get the poison under control."I breathed angrily and turned to look at my injured shoulder. It was a bright purple, as well as the arm attached to it.I knew I had been shot but what the fuck was in that bullet.“What happened to me?" I asked the nurse.“You have Wolfbane poison in your body. Analysis shows that the bullet that shot you was coated with it."I sighed and eased back into the bed and allowed the nurses to do their job. Someone was trying to kill me. I knew it. I had always had the feeling.I lay there and let my thoughts wander. I couldn't remember much
Chapter 170Erica's POVThree days had passed and I hadn't heard from Dante or anyone else.I was healing nicely and so was Dr. Blake. Since we shared the same room, we talked a lot and most of the conversation was me apologizing to him for nearly crushing him.I expected him to be resentful but he was surprisingly very chill and cool about the situation.“I have told you for the umpteenth time, Erica. I'm fine. You don't have to worry."As much as I was grateful, I was ashamed and sunk into my bed.The hospital staff had finally opted out of cuffing me to the bed and they attended to me with less fear.My mother came around more often, with the kids. And as much as I loved to see her, her presence reminded me of the empty void I had in my heart due to the absence of my father.Each time I remembered him, tumultuous thoughts seized me and I could feel my wolf raging inside.The door creaked open and my mother walked in with the kids tagging along behind her.They soon left her side an
Dante's POV“Yes… I would like a meeting…what do you mean? No! You work for me and I will not tolerate it! I pay you good money! Fine. I expect you in three days.”I pressed the red button and ran my hands through my hair. My skin felt hot as I seethed in anger. That damned lawyer! I expected him to come today.I sat down on my chair and my thoughts buzzed like an old static TV. Erica had my kids this whole time and she had kept them away from me.I didn't know what it was but my fingers clenched tightly. Was it fear? Regret? Anger?I sighed and buried my head in my hands. I just wanted my kids back and I was willing to do anything to get them…“Alpha Dante?"I raised my head and saw my Beta standing at the door. His face was stern and his aura was grim. He had been that way for as long as I had known. It was an unsettling feeling but I knew he was angry with me.“What is it?" I snapped back.“The council wishes to see you."I rolled my eyes. I thought we had been over this. Couldn't
Erica's POVI sat on the bed, twiddling my thumbs restlessly. I was all alone. It has been three days since Dr. Blake was moved to another ward.He insisted on staying with me but I couldn't allow it. I was a danger to him.The thought was painful but I couldn't forget how I almost attacked my mother and kids.“Elma…”Her name slipped out, and I felt a wave of calm rush over me, and my twiddling thumbs became still.I could still feel her hug around my knees. Tears came to my eyes."Miss Erica?"“Yes."I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand and turned to the door. A nurse, holding a clipboard, walked in and she had a smile on her face.“We have reviewed your files and we are discharging you today. You are all better. Your mother had already signed the paperwork."I didn't know if I should smile or not. I couldn't face my mother or my kids. Not after what nearly happened.“Miss Erica?"I looked up at the nurse, tears pricked my eye and her bright smile faded into a line.“I… I might
Erica's POVI froze. My heart raced and I was silent. My throat felt dry and itchy and my head scratched as tension continued to build up.I… I hadn't seen Javier since my wedding. No calls, texts, and…“Miss Erica? Should we let him in?"The nurse’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts and I started at her, my head still buzzing and trying to make a decision.“Isn't Javier the man that came with Clarissa? Did he know that Clarissa was cheating on him with Lorenzo?" My mother asked me.I swallowed hard. I wasn't sure but I felt that he knew something that I didn't.“Let him come in."The nurse nodded and left the room and I gripped the sheets hard with a mix of anger and hate. I had so many questions to ask him.There was soon a soft knock, and the door opened, and a head poked in. His golden, honey-colored eyes caught me off, guard. I could still feel the warmth in them but now, it was unsettling and sinister. Something about it wasn't right.“Erica…”"Javier.”I couldn't hide the cont
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
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
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
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