Carmine’s jaw tightened, his expression hardening into one of barely controlled rage. But even with that fury burning in his eyes, he didn’t take Clyde’s bait. Instead, he straightened his shoulders and forced a cold, humorless smile. "I’ll wait to read the address on that invitation card," he shot back, his voice icy. "Make it hurry then." With that final, cutting remark, Carmine ended the call, the screen going black in an instant. The silence that followed was deafening, pressing down on me like a heavy weight. For a moment, I just stood there, staring at the dark screen, my mind racing and emotions tangled in a knot I couldn’t untangle. The tension in my chest tightened until it felt like I could hardly breathe. Clyde, on the other hand, seemed entirely unfazed by the tense exchange. He let out a satisfied chuckle, clearly pleased with himself, as if this entire twisted interaction was nothing more than a source of amusement for him. “Well, that went better than expected,” he mus
It’s been a while since Clyde and I publicly announced the news of our marriage. Time seems to have flown by since that moment, and it’s hard to believe how quickly things have progressed. We’ve put a lot of thought into the upcoming wedding, understanding how crucial it is for both of our futures—not just on a personal level, but for our broader goals too. That’s why we decided to invite several influential figures to the event. Forming alliances with powerful people is essential for what we aim to achieve. Having the right connections can open doors and provide support that we couldn’t manage alone. The marriage itself feels more strategic than personal. Clyde and I speak to each other only when necessary, focusing on what needs to be done rather than on each other. Our conversations are short, direct, and often about the arrangements or plans involving those we’re aligning ourselves with. Despite the limited communication, there’s an unspoken understanding between us about the imp
Shaking off the lingering unease, I left the room, hoping that a change of scenery might help clear my head. As I stepped out, the maid that Clyde had personally appointed greeted me with a gentle smile. There was warmth in her expression, a softness that felt almost out of place in this cold, calculated environment. It was a small, fleeting gesture, but it helped ease some of the heaviness weighing on me. She’s always like that—polite, considerate, almost as if she’s trying to offer some sort of comfort in a world where everything feels rigid and controlled. I nodded in return, acknowledging her presence. I smiled back at her, trying to match the warmth she offered despite the tiredness I felt creeping in. “Did you not get any sleep again?” she asked gently, her face etched with concern. There was a softness in her voice that made me feel like she genuinely cared, a rare thing in a place where almost everyone wears masks. I let out a small sigh, feeling the weight of exhaustion
The room was wrapped in an almost suffocating silence. The only sound that broke through was the faint, rhythmic scratching of Clyde’s pen against paper. The quiet was so thick that it felt like it had a weight of its own, pressing down on me, making every breath seem louder than it was. I could feel the seconds ticking by, the tension growing as I struggled to find the right words. Clyde didn’t seem in any rush. His eyes remained focused on the documents in front of him, his hand moving smoothly as he wrote. I wondered if he was deliberately dragging it out, waiting for me to crack under the pressure of the silence. He had a way of doing that—forcing others to speak first, making them reveal their cards while he kept his own hidden. When he finally noticed that I wasn’t saying anything, he paused and slowly turned his head toward me. His gaze was sharp, a little impatient, but still cool and composed. “Weren’t you supposed to tell me something?” he asked, his tone flat but with an e
When I finally stopped, the silence in the room thickened. I could feel my heart racing, the adrenaline still humming in my veins from the strength of my own determination. I waited, watching him, uncertain how he’d react. Then, slowly, something shifted in his expression. A smile began to curve his lips—not just any smile, but one that held a certain weight behind it. It wasn’t the usual smirk he wore when he was amused or pleased with himself. No, this smile was different. It was a smile of approval, of pride. There was something almost darkly encouraging about it, like he was silently acknowledging the fire in me, the resolve that matched his own ruthless ambition. For a brief moment, I saw a glimmer of respect in his eyes, as if he was proud of what I’d become, proud that I was no longer the frightened girl who could be easily swayed or intimidated. He didn’t have to say it out loud, but that smile told me everything. I’d proven something to him in that moment—that I could be jus
I sighed, feeling a wave of frustration wash over me as I tried to maintain my composure. “Clyde, do we really need to do this?” My voice was firmer now, carrying the weight of my exhaustion. “Can you not be serious for just one time?” I met his gaze, hoping my words would finally break through that playful façade he always wore like armor. But instead of answering, Clyde threw his head back, and to my surprise, a genuine, full-throated laugh burst out of him. It wasn’t the mocking, sarcastic chuckle I’d grown accustomed to, nor was it the cold, calculated smile he used to unsettle people. No, this was different. It was real, unrestrained, and full of life—like a side of him I’d never seen before. I was stunned into silence, completely caught off guard by the sudden shift in his demeanor. For a few moments, I just stood there, watching him laugh as if the weight of all our schemes and secrets had momentarily lifted off his shoulders. There was a warmth to it that made something insid
His hold was possessive, a silent declaration of what he was capable of when he chose to be. But there was also a softness beneath it, something that felt almost… protective, even if I knew better than to read too much into it. His face was so close to mine now that I could feel the warmth of his breath brushing against my skin. It was an oddly intimate moment, especially given how we usually kept a distance from each other—both physically and emotionally. Our eyes remained locked, the intensity of our stare unbroken. I could see the flicker of something in his gaze—interest, curiosity, maybe even amusement. But behind all that, there was also a hint of danger, the reminder that this was still Clyde, a man who never fully revealed his hand. Neither of us said a word. We just stood there, our bodies pressed together, our gazes boring into each other’s souls as if trying to find whatever truth lay hidden beneath the layers of pretense and manipulation. It felt like a game of who would
His eyes were filled with a storm of emotions, and the one that stood out the most—intense and undeniable—was lust. It was as if every hidden desire, every unspoken word, was right there in his gaze, pulling me in, daring me to match his intensity. And to my surprise, I did. My own eyes locked onto his, refusing to look away. I could feel my chest rising and falling with each ragged breath, the rhythm of my breathing quickening with every second that passed. The air around us felt thick, charged with an electricity that seemed to crackle between our bodies. My heart pounded in my chest, echoing the turbulent emotions swirling inside me. The closer he got, the harder it was to keep my composure, to remind myself that I was supposed to be in control here. But all thoughts of control started to slip away as his right hand, which had been resting firmly on my waist, began to move. It was a slow, deliberate motion, one that sent a shiver racing down my spine. I could feel the heat of his
For two years, everything had remained stagnant and unchanging. Despite the passing of time, there was an overwhelming feeling of stagnation in the air, as if time itself had ceased to move forward. My sister, who had once been a vivacious and energetic individual, now seemed to have lost all her vitality. She appeared lifeless and devoid of any joy, as if something deep within her had been snuffed out.All of us, her family and friends, watched helplessly as she slowly withered away. We saw the light in her eyes gradually fade, and her once radiant smile turn into a mere facade. It was clear that she was struggling under the weight of some heavy burden, but none of us knew what it was, nor how to help her.It wasn't until one day, after years of keeping her emotions bottled up inside, that she finally broke down and confessed everything to Fenrir."I can't take it anymore," she cried out, tears streaming down her face. "I'm leaving this pack, and I'm leaving you."The words hung in t
"Then I hope to see you at my wedding, 'father'!" I spat out the word 'father' with all the bitterness and resentment that had been building inside me for years. Carlo's presence, once a looming figure of authority, now elicited nothing but contempt. His eyes blazed with fury, a storm of anger swirling beneath the surface. I could feel the intensity of his glare, a searing heat that threatened to consume me whole. In that moment, if looks could kill, I would have crumbled to dust under his gaze alone. With a menacing step forward, Carlo moved to confront me, his body tensing with restrained aggression. But before he could reach me, Carmine intervened, stepping between us with a firm resolve. "Enough, Carlo," Carmine's voice rang out, authoritative yet tinged with concern. His stance was protective, a barrier between me and the father whose control over my life had finally slipped away. Carlo's jaw clenched as he regarded Carmine with thinly veiled disdain. "She belongs with her fa
In that very moment, a palpable sense of concern radiated from him towards me, an unwavering testament to the depth of his worry that persisted even to the present instant. It was as though his thoughts had formed an unbreakable connection with my well-being, transcending time and circumstance. The sight before me, the ascending trail that we embarked upon, seemed to mirror the journey of our camaraderie. As each step led us higher, so too did it elevate the emotions that bound us together.Gazing upon the majestic expanse around us, a cascade of emotions surged within me, threatening to spill over as tears welled up in my eyes. The vista that unfolded was not merely a panorama of nature's grandeur, but a reflection of the intricate tapestry of our relationships. The towering peaks echoed with the laughter we had shared, and the sprawling valleys whispered secrets we had entrusted to one another.As the sun cast its golden rays upon the landscape, illuminating even the crevices hidden
In that instant, the room seemed to hold its breath, as if the universe itself were awaiting your response. But it wasn't just a query that I posed; it was an exploration of the intricate layers of my affection. My mother, with her unwavering support and boundless care, had molded me into the person I had become. Yet, you, my love, had carved out a niche within me that was uniquely yours, painting the canvas of my life with hues of passion and understanding.The notion that my concern could be compartmentalized, limited to just one person, felt foreign to the very essence of who I was. You see, dear love, my heart was a vast expanse, capable of accommodating the most profound adoration for both my mother and you. It was as if the tendrils of my affection had intertwined, creating a delicate dance between the woman who had given me life and the person who had breathed new meaning into it.So, as I stood there, the words hung delicately in the air, an invitation to delve into the depths
Carlo's words sliced through the air, sharp and cutting. "If I knew you were alive all this time, I would have done it way too soon," he remarked, his tone devoid of remorse or empathy.I felt a surge of anger rise within me, threatening to spill over. How could he be so callous, so indifferent to everything that had transpired? His lack of remorse only fueled my frustration, intensifying the urge to lash out.I clenched my fists, struggling to contain the torrent of emotions swirling inside me. The temptation to slap him, to make him feel even a fraction of the pain he had caused, was almost overwhelming.But I held back, knowing that violence would only escalate the situation. Instead, I met his gaze with a mixture of defiance and disbelief."You don't care about anything," I accused, my voice trembling with restrained anger. "You abandoned me, Carlo. You left me to fend for myself."His expression remained impassive, unmoved by my accusation. It was as if my words were mere echoes
The kiss had been brief, fleeting, but its impact lingered in the charged air between us. As I pulled away, I couldn't help but notice the intensity burning in Clyde's eyes. There was a fire there, a raw desire that sent a thrill through me, even as my heart raced with uncertainty.The flames in his gaze seemed to grow hotter, more insistent, mirroring the rush of blood in my veins. My pulse quickened, matching the rapid beat of my heart as I struggled to catch my breath.With soft, deliberate steps, Clyde closed the distance between us once more. Before I could react, I found myself pressed against the cool solidity of the wall, his presence overwhelming and intoxicating.His proximity sent a shiver down my spine, igniting a whirlwind of emotions within me. There was something magnetic about him, something that drew me in despite my better judgment. His touch was gentle yet possessive, a silent declaration of his desire and determination.I met his gaze, my own eyes searching his for
I sighed heavily at his question, feeling the weight of exhaustion settling over me like a heavy blanket."Clyde, do we really need to do this?" I asked, my voice tinged with frustration. "Can you not be serious for just one time?"To my surprise, instead of the usual indifference or defensiveness, Clyde's head tipped back and he burst out laughing. It wasn't his usual fake or sarcastic laughter that I had grown accustomed to. This was genuine, unguarded laughter—the kind I had never seen from him before.His laughter filled the room, echoing off the walls and mingling with the tension that had been hanging between us. I couldn't help but feel perplexed, unsure of how to react. This unexpected display of emotion was like a crack in the facade he had always maintained around me, revealing a side of him I hadn't known existed.As Clyde's laughter slowly subsided, he looked at me with a faint smile playing on his lips. There was a warmth in his eyes, a softness that softened the edges of
I was confused. The whirlwind of emotions swirling inside me was almost too much to bear. It was as if my heart and mind were at war, trying to make sense of the situation. I felt a sharp sting of rejection that cut deeper than I expected. Despite having no romantic feelings for Clyde, the hurt I experienced was real and piercing. As I stood there, lost in a haze of my own thoughts, I didn't realize that my emotions were manifesting physically. It wasn't until I felt the warmth of a tear trailing down my cheek that I became aware of it. The tear seemed to hold all the confusion and pain I was feeling, and its sudden appearance startled me. Clyde's voice broke through my fog of thoughts, but it wasn't the comforting sound I had hoped for. "Did you not hear me?" he asked, his tone cold and distant. The chill in his voice made it clear that he regretted ever touching me. His words cut through me, amplifying the hurt and confusion I already felt. In that moment, I could see the regret
Damon was angry as he walked away leaving Elevena with Noah. He didn't care what everyone would think but when Peter whispered him that it isn't the right time he stopped.Elevena ran after him saying she doesn't care how he treats her because she knows how much he love her.She was lying one after another because if she won't they will suspect them for acting as they are in love when in truth they aren't.She knew when this will happen no one will blame Damon but her. No matter how hard she try because in the end one wrong step and she will be the one to bear consequences."Damon wait for me," Elevena yelled but he didn't stop and went straight to his personal room, specifically made for him only.Elevena didn't care if she was allowed to enter or not and went inside after him.Damon was furious after seeing her Noah. He was feeling weak as his emotions took over him. he wasn't thinking straight and he knew this is not how he should do things.He couldn't be weak over a girl who alre