~BREE~
My legs were shaking; I could barely hold my weight, but knowing better, I took the pain and forced myself to stand on my feet because that's all I could do. Alpha Zander didn't give a shit about me, so crying or falling to the floor would just give him a reason to punish me. “Alpha Zander,” someone pushed me off the way and rushed to Alpha Zander; I guess he mind linked him and asked him to come here. “Kaden,” Alpha Zander sounded like he was in a little pain, but he did well to mask it as next he stood to his feet, and I don't know why, but I was now watching his every move. He whispered something in Kaden's ear, which he didn't need as he usually said, and did anything in front of me. “You piece of shit! You…” I wasn't expecting Kaden to kick me in the stomach, as when the pain hit me, I fell on my knees and held my stomach, which felt like it busted from the inside—a man's kick is painful. “You killed them for yourself; I bet you're a witch or something because how did she know she was your mate?” He turned to Zander, who didn't care as he sat on my small bed and ran his hands through his hair. “Maybe she forged the bond I don't know, but all I know is that she can't be my mate.” I couldn't believe my ears. I mean, why would I forge a mate bond just to be with my tormenter? “And she's going to confess,” Beta Kaden said, then walked to me. My hands were still on my stomach as I still felt the pain, but he didn't care. He held me by my hair, causing some strands to fall off, but it didn't bother him as he pinned me against the wall and then demanded I tell him the truth. "Who the fuck are you working for, bitch?” he yelled, and I shook my head as the tears I once held in slowly rolled down my cheek. No, it wasn't the pain that made me cry but the fact that my mate watched me being hit by another man and he did nothing. I thought mates were supposed to protect you; I thought they were supposed to be there for you not to watch you in pain and, most importantly, not to cause you pain. Well, I guess that's just a belief because your mate is surely your worst enemy; your mate is your nightmare. “Tough huh? Let me just... ” He didn't finish his sentence as he raised his left hand and used the back of his palm to hit my cheek, which was so painful that I felt a buzzing sound in my ear. He didn't give me a chance to feel more as his hand landed on my other cheek, then another, and suddenly I lost count as all I heard was the sound of his hand meeting my cheek, the buzzing sound in my ears, and then the pain. Pain. The sharp stinging sensation that I was now starting to feel—I know I should be used to it as I've gone through this over and over, but it had been a while since someone repeatedly slapped my face. Lately, my torturers have been using knives, daggers, and all torturing tools as they didn't want to get their hands sore. Only Zander enjoyed using his hands as he took me as a punching bag. My face felt sore; my skin was throbbing, and from experience, I knew it would take two weeks to recover. I couldn't even imagine the bruises his rough hands would leave. "Oh, she's challenging me,” Beta Kaden said with a smirk on his face. My eyes were barely open, but I could see his face. He yanked my hair and then raised his hand, which was in a fist, but just as his hand was about to reach my face, Alpha Zander stopped him. “That's enough. I will deal with her myself later. My mate is on her way. I don't want her to suspect anything,” Zander said, and Kaden hesitated but freed me, which was rough as I fell to the floor. “Whatever you say, Alpha,” Kaden said as he fixed his shirt collar. “Good, tell Stephen to call the witch; it seems her stupid wolf has returned; we need to take care of that as soon as possible,” he said as he walked toward the door. Reaching it, he turned and looked at me. I had Rain, so I could feel his gaze on me. “She must be ready; I would like to see her face when I announce my engagement to everyone,” he said, and I don't know why the words pierced through my heart as my chest tightened, so I had to gasp for air. As if rejecting me was not enough, now I had to watch him embrace another she-wolf.~BREE~“I won't come back here.” Kaden's voice brought me back to reality as I struggled and stood on my feet before I made my way to my bed, where my bag was.“Ouch!” A whimper escaped my lips as I tried to clean my cheeks, but they were sore from the slaps.‘I'm so sorry, Bree. I'm sorry I'm weak.’ Rain apologized, but it wasn't her fault. I didn't want her to take account of Zanders' behavior, but unfortunately, I couldn't say the words as I was in so much pain, and with Kaden's warning, I quickly got to my bed and opened my bag; nothing was in it since I didn't have anything. The only thing I had was my old jeans and a tee; those were the only belongings I had, including the clothes on my body, track pants, and a white tee, which Kaden gave me earlier as I would be serving his guest and I couldn't look dirty.I walked to the little mirror and looked at my reflection. I know I always looked messed up and bruised, but looking at myself like this on my birthday was heartbreaking, and
~BREE~I don’t know for how long I’ve been locked in this dark room, but it must have been for hours as it was getting darker and darker. I used to be afraid of the dark, but not anymore; now it was just something that gave me peace. Yes, my once-fear became my peace, as at least in the darkness I would forget about my misery and try to live another person's life.If you ask me, I won’t even know when things started to go wrong—was it when my real parents died? When I met Jocelyn? When I got into that fight? Or when I mistakenly served Amber the wolfsbane? I honestly didn’t know, and I didn’t want to give it much thought.I turned to the old woman whom I’d been calling since I got here, but there was still no response. Maybe she had died because the smell in here didn’t just feel like rats; she was dead as if she had been asleep, I could have heard her snores.The thought of her death caused tears to roll down my cheeks freely; she was my only hope, and I once promised to get her out
~BREE~I was too tired to think of that, and even if I wanted to, I knew I couldn't go anywhere as my legs were sore, so I crawled toward a tree, when I reached it, I closed my eyes as the words came naturally on my tongue.“I Aubree Swan an Omega cut ties with the Moon Valley pack; from this day forward I should no longer have anything to do with anyone that comes from that pack.” I instantly fell back as soon as I was done saying that, as I felt my body being ripped apart and I didn't know if I was seeing things, but a shadow-like creature came out of me and disappeared in thin air.“Ouch!” I whimpered in pain as I felt the same stinging pain from when Zander rejected me. I knew this was a pain of cutting ties with the pack; the Moon Valley hasn't taken me in as their own, but I've been there for years, and it naturally became my home.I needed to rest, even if it was just for a few minutes. I didn't know where I would be going from here but wasn't losing hope. I was sure after a na
~BREE~Despite everything I went through, I've never for once thought I would wish this upon myself, but here I was wishing the floor would open up and suck me in. I couldn't go with Alpha Asher; he was a monster, and I didn't want to lose my body parts. Death was way better than this.Everything happened so fast that next I found myself seated in his limo. He was internally staring at me; his stare was burning my skin and I felt it tingle. I was so nervous that I wished Rain was with me; she was smart and could keep me company; she could tell me that everything was going to be okay even when I knew it would not. My life didn't turn upside down, as it already did years ago; now it flipped to the negative side because this was far worse than being in the Moonvalley pack.Even deep in my thoughts, I didn't miss his voice when he said we had arrived. I looked up at him as he was sitting on the seat across from me, but I quickly looked down as our eyes met—he hadn't stopped staring at me
~ASHER~My left hand trailed the corners of the glass as I used my right hand to hold the phone against my ear.“I’m sorry, Alpha; he was gone when we got here.”“How is that possible? Tyler, I thought you were smarter than that.” I was so upset that someone had gotten away from them.“I promise I won’t rest until we find him.”“I don’t expect you to; I’m only giving you twenty-four hours to find him Tyler if you don’t...” I didn’t need to finish that statement, as he knew what would happen to him if he didn’t bring me that asshole.“Got it.”“And don’t fucking call me until you get him.”“Got it, Alpha,” he said, and I let out a disappointing sound before I ended the call and took a swig of the whisky in my glass then placed the glass down and opened my computer and checked how much damage that asshole had done.I swear when I catch him, he will regret ever crossing paths with me. I will make sure to give him a painful death.‘We should have his head up as decoration,’ my wolf Tylan
~ASHER~Even Tylan seemed surprised but not against it, as he also wanted to figure her out, to figure out why my heart beat seeing her. That thing had never moved before; after I moved here, it had just become something I knew was there even when I couldn’t feel it.My eyes haven’t left her face since. She also looked at me, but just for a second as she looked down, something in me told me she was scared of me, which I understood as I was known for being ruthless—yeah I heard the gossip. I was sure she knew me, but I was determined to change that. I was determined to change it for her.I couldn’t sit and waste my time anymore, so when the waitress from earlier came to confirm if I wanted to purchase the woman, I stood up and told her I wanted to make the payment already.I guess this is what brought me here, her. She brought me here.After making the payment, a man delivered her to me. She looked scared of the man, so I took her from him and showed her to the limo. It was no surprise
~ZANDER~I took a swig of my whisky before I cracked it against my hand. I gritted my teeth until I saw blood dripping off my palm. An evil smile played on my lips. Seeing blood reminded me of the times I used to punish Aubree—the time blood used to drip off her skin. It always brought peace to me whenever she whimpered in pain. That bitch, I hope she's suffering wherever she is.How could she escape from me? How dare she think she can just run away without paying for all the pain she has caused me and my pack? She is going to pay. I will make sure that the knife goes deeper, even touching some of her guts. Maybe if I could have cut one of her legs or arms; this wouldn't have happened; she could be here serving as the slave she is.I hate her.I hate everything about her.How could the goddess mate me with her? I know I told Kaden that the bond might be forged, but I knew it wasn't. Goddess was playing a big one on me, and I will make sure Aubree pays for it.I don't even know how she
~ZANDER~I was confused, and so I asked Allison. Of course, I didn't tell her about Aubree being my mate; I used Jocelyn instead, “Since she was my true mate, I...” I walked to Ruby and placed my arm around her shoulders so she didn't feel bad when I mentioned that she was just a chosen mate. “I don't think Ruby can break it; she's my chosen and...”“And we are going to try anything,” Alpha Henry, my dad, cut me as he walked in; his pale green eyes were on me—specifically on my arm, which was still around Ruby's shoulders. “Ruby is your chosen mate; Lyn is dead no matter how much we loved her; we have to move on from her,” he said, and I nodded my head as he was right, but I didn't think I would ever be able to move on from Jocelyn. I loved her, and if I were to go back in time, I wouldn't have allowed her to go out with that bitch.“And besides, the pack elders just mentioned your mate; they didn't say which, so it can be any of your mates.” Luna Rosa, who was also my mother, said th
~BREE~I was in shock; I mean, how did that even make sense, beta betraying alpha? I've never heard of that, so it might be a mistake, or maybe my magic was failing me.“Alright, now we know for sure why Kaden has been weird.” I heard Zander say, which was still sounding so wrong to me, “Have one of the staff spy on them, and when Kaden leaves, you lock him up, and we'll take it from there.” Zander instructed before ending the call and turning to me.“Kaden betrayed you?” I wanted him to confirm it as this was too weird.“Looks like it, but we are not sure yet. For what we know, Jocelyn might threaten him or something,” he said, and I nodded my head. “Alright, do you want me to drop you off? I have some things to take care of.”“Yes, sure, and thank you,” I said as I didn't want to bother Jerry, and Antonio was the last person on my mind. Zander started the car, and before I knew it, we were on the road driving out of town.I was lost in my thoughts, still trying to wrap my head aroun
~BREE~I didn't want to overthink it, so I asked.“I honestly don't know, but trust me, I will figure it out. I will set you free like you want,” he said, and I nodded and cleared my throat before I asked about Isabella.“I know something is going on between you two.”“Yes… it was… Honestly, I don't know how to say it.” God, it's like he was shy of me; I mean, I was just a slave, a useless omega a few months ago, so this still felt unreal.“So you admit?”“It happened twice, but I promise that was it; I've avoided her since.”“Okay, so what was your plan?”“No plan. I mean, all I can tell you is to be careful with her; don't trust her.”“Why?”“It's a long story, but…” He stopped and apologized before he picked up his ringing phone. “Are you sure?” He knitted his brows, which made me wonder what was happening. “Alright, stay there.” And with that, he ended the call and looked at me.“Is everything okay?” I asked.“Yes, umm, Stephan just saw Jocelyn enter one of the nearby hotels.”“W-
~BREE~Zander didn't say anything for a moment as if rethinking.“This is not funny. Who's after me?” I asked.“Okay, calm down.” He said, “I was just wondering, but there's nothing to worry about; I won't let anything happen to you.” He said, confusing me because the Zander I knew never cared about me.“What do you mean?”“You will not understand.”“Yes, if you don't tell me. What’s going on, Zander?”“Okay, I... I just thought Jocelyn might try and attack you, and I just wanted to make sure you were okay.” He scratched his head.“I can protect myself, and besides, my mate is very powerful,” I said before clearing my voice and asking him to start as he wanted to go first.“I want to start by apologizing. For what I did, I am genuinely sorry. If there was something you wanted me to do, even cutting my fingers, I would do it. I was a fool and deserve any punishment you deem worthy.” I don't know why I allowed him to finish, but there's something about speaking from the heart. Yes, his
~BREE~I knew it would happen; I had just forgotten, as the past few days I've been slowly practicing the magic, how it worked, and all the tricks. That's how I learned how to lift and safely lend objects with magic, so I knew how to stop it, so I did, which even stunned Glinda more.“Oh my god!” She hit her head as if trying to concentrate; she was in so much shock.I didn’t have words to defend myself; instead, I ran my hands through my hair.“You... you're powerful?” It sounded like a question, “And I think you know what you are? Are you… a witch? Yes…” She came in front of me and eyed me as if trying to read me. “You are?” she said, but luckily a knock was heard on the door, which made me turn to it and ask the person to come in.“Mrs. Clark, Mr. Conners is here.” It was my PA.“Oh yes, send him in.”“We... we are not done?”“Sorry, my meeting with Zander is very important.”“Are you kidding me? This is what's most important now: with such power usually comes enemies, your life…”
~BREE~The times I've encountered Glinda, there was no day she looked this nervous, so it got me wondering if something serious had happened.“Please sit,” I said as my PA closed the door, giving us privacy.“I prefer to stand. It’s serious.” She answered, and I nodded, then asked her to speak.“You said it’s about the last time. Did you discover something else? I mean, I thought you gave up working for Asher after I asked you to leave last time, but for you to come here must mean it’s serious.”“It is, but before that, I made something for you,” she said and then reached into her backpack. I watched closely as she brought out a bracelet; it looked like the one Asher had on, except this one had a purple crystal. “It’s customized for you.” She said, handing it to me.“Oh, thank… thank you.”“With it, you can be close to your mate, even mate with no pain; it holds the waves.” She added, and I smiled as I worked it on my wrist. “There’s something I wanted to ask you… it’s regarding your
~BREE~ I waited for Isabella to come in, and when I heard the door open, I slowly turned and looked at her. “Aubree, you called for me? How are you? Did anything happen?” “You do realize this is the CEO’s office, right?” “Yes, I—” “And you didn't knock before coming in; I didn't ask you to come in.” “Yes, I’m… I–” “You're, nothing.” I cut her off: “Let this be the last time something like this ever happens.” “O-okay.” She looked confused. Of course she was, for the past days I've allowed her to come in even without knocking; I've seen her as a friend. That's another reason I kept her around, but after what Antonio told me, I guess it was time to treat her just as she deserved. “Yes, I want you to check all employee information; I want to know where they live, their children, and everything.” “What?…” She chuckled in disbelief, “I mean, we don't even need to know their first names, let
~BREE~I still couldn't believe what had happened earlier; I don't think I would ever be able to get over it. Like, what came over me? And Asher, he said we would continue this in the evening, but the truth was I was not ready to mate with him. I know Rain wanted to; I've starved her for years, but no, I couldn't.I jumped out of the bed and walked to the closet. I needed to distract my mind right now before I lost it because I couldn't take Asher off my mind; it was silly, but it was like I was now obsessed with him.I wore my office clothes, and when I was done, I picked up my handbag and left.As usual, I met Raven in the living room; she seemed to be arranging everything. Well, Tyler mentioned he called one of the pack maids to clean, so there was no need for her to do this.“It's already clean; stop wasting your time,” I said, which made her jump, as she didn't sense I was there.“How are you, Luna?” she asked after clearing her voice. I only nodded and headed for the door while
~BREE~Asher wasn't kissing me back; he seemed to be shocked. But, that didn't stop me as I sucked his lip even more because it was only that that made it to be less painful.“Aah!” I moaned against his lips at the pressure building deep within my core; it was now beginning to burn as I held tighter onto Asher's back, my nails slightly digging into his flesh.I kept kissing him, now slightly biting his lips, which got a reaction as he started kissing me back, not rough but gentle. It's like he was stopping himself. I opened my eyes and saw that his eyes were closed; his hands were running through my back but shaky.I was suddenly feeling better, so I pulled away my eyes, watching his closed ones. I thought he would stop, but he didn't; instead, he searched for my lips, and when he got them, he started kissing me, this time roughly.I kissed him back as I started to feel funny again, and before I knew it, I was off the ground but on the counter table, my legs slightly spread while he w
~BREE~“Ah.” I complained as I massaged my forehead, “Oh my god,” I gasped when what had just happened clicked in my head, “It was a vision...” I said in a low tone, “Zander and Isabella are sleeping together!” I said out loud as it all now made sense.Of course, that could be the only reason why Isabella wanted me to employ Zander even after she said he almost took advantage of her because they were together and she wanted him close.But still, it didn't make sense, as she's the one who gave me crazy ideas on how I would get back at Zander, so if they were together, why would she want to see him in pain?I swear nothing was making sense, but I was a witch. I didn't know how to use the magic yet, but I was sure I would find out. I will trick them into telling me everything. I mean, Zander wanted to meet me, right? Well, I might just get my answers in our small meeting.I was not that naive, Aubree. I had magic. I was a witch; witches were known to be manipulators, getting whatever the