ADDISON COBBLER'S POV It was too early to sob. The black swan mask I had on for the masquerade party I threw for Jace concealed my anxiety and tears. Jace didn't show up. Forty minutes into the party the object of my affection wasn't there. "Call him again!" I snapped at Nate, my irritation revealing I had zero tolerance for anything that second. "If he doesn't show up, you're going to make refunds until the last cent of the money I spent on this bash!" "Addie!" Ophelia chided gently. Nate stuffed his hands into the pockets of his pants, nodded, and excused himself to make the hundredth phone call. "You shouldn't talk to him that way!" Ophelia pressed behind the Minnie Mouse mask. "Shut the hell up!" I snapped and stomped away. I returned to the grand hall where more than a hundred guests were gathered, masks on their faces and champagne flutes being carried around by the stewards. The event planners delivered their part. The stylists, everyone else met their deman
CARLY WOODS POVThe steady sound of a heartbeat against my ear and the slow strokes of a large hand caressing the softness of my brunette hair pulled me back from the peaceful sleep I was in. I was still very tired and sore from the early birthday sex Jace and I were entangled in.That man had one hell of a stamina. He took me to different clouds of ecstasy and bliss. I was completely spent and worn out before Jace pulled me into his rock-hard chest and wrapped his strong masculine arms around my waist.Too tired to get up, I pushed more into his hard chest, rubbing my face on his chest like a kid, a light groan escaping my throat.Jace let out a chuckle, pulling me closer to place a kiss on my head."Look who finally decided to wake up.""Yeah, if you were in my place after,- umm, you know, um, yeah. So you'll equally be tired." I stumbled over my words heat taking my tired face that I hid in his neck, my arms thrown over his neck.Jace lets out a laugh, "After what my dear?" His tea
CARLY WOODS POV"Hey Carly, look at me, you'll be fine okay." I heard Jace's frantic voice as he pulled me out of the backseat of his car before rushing towards the entrance of the pack hospital where some nurses and a doctor were waiting.Ian was in the driver's seat while Mia took the passenger seat with tears streaming down her face.My hands grasp around my neck and chest as I whizzed out not able to come up with anything.The nurses rushed to us with a wheelchair as a doctor I wasn't familiar with tried taking me from Jace's strong arms that held me securely to his chest.Jace growled at him before carefully placing me in the wheelchair, "Baby, you'll be fine okay? I'll be here throughout." The desperation and pure fear in his stormy green eyes tugged on my heartstrings.More tears streamed down my face at how broken and lost he looked when he placed a kiss on my head, his hand gripping the back of my head. Was it just because of his unborn child or if somewhere in his heart, h
CARLY WOODS POV"What? It's the truth, Carly, you're nothing but a slut, a home wrecker. Our life was wonderful and the best until you sauntered your way into it, wreaking havoc in your wake."Something must have transpired between her and Jace outside the party that made her so mad that the rim of her eyes was beginning to turn a deep shade of red.I didn't care about her nor about who got her panties on a twist. "Where'd you get that from?" I queried, my voice was impossibly low, eyes fixed solely on the all too familiar object in her hand. Whatever she had to say wasn't making any sense to me.Addison noticed what was worthy of my scrutiny, looking down at her hand she held up the item of my interest to her face, a smirk on her face."You mean this?" And that was the brown leather watch I'd gifted Jace for his birthday.Now broken by a single strap.Did Jace give it to her? If he didn't like it he would've just said so instead of giving it to Addison to help him dispose.My heart
JACE BALDWIN POV"Alpha."It's been more than an hour since Carly was rushed into the emergency room. It's been an hour since I waited out here for the door to open back and reveal my little Omega.I'd done my fair share of imprinting my footprints on the hallway after pacing the floor until Ian complained about my actions making him dizzy.My eyes were locked on the light blue wooden door that separated me from Carly, my feet tapping relentlessly on the concrete hospital floor as I waited for her."Alpha."Hopefully, the baby wasn't affected by Carly's breathlessness or was he? Maybe that was what was taking them forever to open the damn door and grant me access."Alpha Jace."I wasn't sure if I had it in me to forgive Addison if anything were to happen to that child. She knew more than anyone how much that child meant to me and the pack. Was it so difficult to let Carly be? The girl tries everything within her to avoid her, but she has sworn to make her life difficult when the girl
CARLY WOODS POVWaking up the next morning, too tired to crack an eye open I groaned nuzzling my head into the soft pillow wincing at the mild headache that was building up as memories from the night before rushed back, hitting me hard like a brick in the head.Geeze, last night was the most terrible night of my life with all the drama and near-death experience.I tried rubbing my fingers on my temple to ease some of the pains but the action was hindered by the weight on my right hand.Startled, I pulled my eyes open to see a mop of caramel blonde hair that belonged to alpha Jace, my stomach did a double flip at his sleeping form, thick dark lashes almost touching his cheekbones.I wasn't too surprised about him being here, though he should have gone home to sleep in the comfort of his bed not waste his birthday night at my side in the hospital.Sighing, I sat up slowly, my eyes examining the blinding white walls of the room. There was an ugly yellow clock attached to the wall beside
CARLY WOODS POV My head whipped around in the direction of the annoying voice. "Carly? Is that you?" "I'm sorry ma'am but I think you have me mistaken for another person," I said in hopes she'd leave me alone. But when did I ever have my way in things? "Don't you dare pull that shit on me young lady, I know it's you. The world can't make two of the same damn mistake now, can it?" "What do you want?" I snapped at the woman in her early fifties who stood in an expensive and classy black dress that made her look scream money. Mrs Miller or should I say Ophelia's mother who happens to be my mother's elder sister. Mrs Miller and my mother had never seen eye to eye and that was one of the few things I noticed as a kid when I still had my both parents with me. Aunt Kathy as she loved to be called was one of the people that couldn't wait for the sand on my parent's grave to be filled up before she started physically abusing me. She had offered for me to come leave with th
CARLY WOODS POV"Carly." I felt a tender touch on my cheek, light knuckles stroking against my soft skin. "Baby wake up." Soft fingers trailed along my jawline and I sighed in contentment, leaning into the warm touch.I heard Jace's deep chuckle before I felt his wet lips on my forehead."Come on, little Omega." He said, his fingers sneaking into the back of my head.When my eyes flickered open the first thing I saw was the warm smile on Jace Baldwin's face, his beautiful set of green eyes that stared softly into my tired and sleepy face.My face crinkled as I yawned into his face, not a bit bothered about covering my mouth. That must have grossed him out enough to lean away from my face."We're here." He said, placing one last kiss on my head before pulling back a bit to give me a view of the cool scenery."Where are we?" I asked when I noticed the unfamiliar environment.I must have slept off a long the way to wherever we were going.I blinked once then twice in confusion, trying t
CARLY WOODS POV I couldn't believe walking away from all this would be this easy. I didn't know where to go from here but I had to figure something out before it was too late.I didn't want to be in the middle of nowhere when night washed over with the thick cloak of darkness. The decision to leave was great but right now it didn't seem too awesome to journey alone to an unknown destination."Being the Alpha's fiance does have its perks you know? I've taken care of the patrol team in the south and Southeast borders the decision on where to go is up to you." Addison had said when I told her escaping a pack as big as Brookside was a dumb move only an idiot would try considering.I went south, and I wasn't too surprised when I didn't come across any patrol guards anywhere by the borders. Addison was a woman that wasn't afraid to make demands from anyone and she knew how to use her soon-to-be Luna to her full advantage.Because of my pregnant state, I couldn't run far, so I settled for
JACE BALDWIN'S POV It was noon the following day yet, there was no trace of Carly anywhere in the pack, there was no report of rogues sited anywhere around the pack.Order then Ian and I spent our entire morning searching every possible place for the missing pregnant young woman, I had my trackers and a search team parading everywhere nook of the pack. "She was heading south when I saw her yesterday evening." "It's been a while since I saw Ms Woods.""Maybe she ran away with another man."The words from some people I questioned did nothing to ease the growing tension I felt neither did it ease the tightness in my chest. I didn't want to believe the worst."I think there'll be a clue in her room." I reasoned after six long unfruitful hours of a wild goose chase."You think she ran away?" Ian asked his tired voice doubtful yet there was a slight hope that he wished she didn't."I don't know what to think, man. I have a gut feeling she wasn't abducted, I don't know how, maybe it's an
ADDISON COBBLER POV As the night dragged on, I watched in silent amusement as Jace tried to figure out what was going on with Carly's sudden disappearance from the house. "Give it till the morning Alpha, I'm sure she'll come back from wherever she went." Nate tried to reason with Jace but he was too far gone in his anger. "Gemma Nate is right, Carly loves disappearing to unknown places whenever she wants to be on her own." The gentle voice of Carly's friend piped in making me smile inwardly because they were unknowingly buying me enough time to get the omega as far as possible from the Brookside pack. "Where is the most common place she visits during one of her 'I want to go M.I.A'?" Jace asks the young omega his eyes are the darkest shade of black I've ever seen on him. Jace had requested she come to the mansion as soon as possible. He needed all the information he could gather before deciding whether she was abducted or hiding out somewhere. I knew better. Another r
The study room grew unnaturally quiet as the raven-haired woman rushed back into the room with her report."Carly enjoys spending her evening in the movie room or library.""Yes Alpha, I'll be right back."She pivoted back out of the study and immediately, a light chitchat started between the other occupants of the space.Ian and I discussed quietly the possible outcome of these meetings, if indeed a rat was residing in the Brookside pack, we were about to find out.Addison relaxed into her seat, her arms crossed under her boobs effectively pushing the twins into her face with a blank look on her face. Looking at her closely, I could detect amusement in her demeanor even though she tried hiding it from everyone.Nate sat quietly not engaging anyone in a conversation. His eyes were trained on the door in anticipation.My eyes stayed glued on Julian as he talked with Stan and Jean. The slight chuckle he released annoyed me beyond words as I imagined him smiling at my Carly after making
All eyes turned towards the door as Addison strutted into the study, the heels of her shoe clicking on the hard surface of the floor. "What are you doing here?" I mind link her as she stands beside the warrior commander, silently asking for him to evacuate the seat for her."Luna's responsibility." She chirped back, rolling her eyes at me but glared at the man who paid no mind to her.Addison rested her hand on the back of the seat, "It's common knowledge that the Luna is to sit beside her alpha, so I'd you don't mind, go grab one of those empty seats for yourself." I was taken aback by the boldness Addison possessed to waltz into my meeting room without an invite and try to cause a commotion."Ms. Cobbler, until the Luna ceremony please, know your place on the leadership board of the pack.""Addison now isn't the time for your Melo drama, show a little respect for my leaders and find yourself a seat or get the fuck out of here now." Not wanting to embarrass her before my guest, I s
JACE BALDWIN'S POV Last night I couldn't sleep much, and it had everything to do with little Ms. Omega whose thoughts kept swiveling around my head like a whirlwind. I had to first take a cold bath which did nothing to help circulate blood from my south region to other veins. I should have closed my damn mouth and gone with the flow but I had to bring up the bulky mated wolf whom she was involved with. I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel stupid from her reaction to the topic of her boyfriend, she had laughed as if I said the most stupid thing in the book.I wouldn't have had a peaceful night with her wrapped around my arm all night long with in-between love but I got what I deserved for talking without thinking. Well, there's always another day. Maybe I'll have to make the move today instead of running away from the golden offer.That fucker warrior was going to suffer for going after a woman that had my mark on full display.I left the mansion quite early this morning for an earl
CARLY WOODS POV "I want to help you, Carly." What could she possibly think she could help me with? And what makes her think I could accept any help from her? If I was certain of one thing, it was that Addison's sleeves were always filled with mischief and I wasn't about to indulge in whatever ploy she had this time.I noticed she came alone unlike when her two little puppy dogs always wag their tails around her like an obedient dog."What makes you think I'm in dire need of your help?" I asked, shoving another forkful of fruit salad into my mouth. My taste buds couldn't get enough of the juices that dropped on my tongue from the various fruits I combined to make up the small bowl of salad.My eyes stayed glued on Addison as she carefully pulled one of the unoccupied wooden seats, my legs were crossed on one of the empty seats, the half-eaten plate of salad rested casually on my left hand while the stem golden fork was held loosely on my right hand."Oh trust me you do." She smirked
There was a brief silence from the other end and I waited patiently for his response. I didn't know what decision he was going to make but I was hoping he at least tried to ponder on it."How will that help with anything? Not all women are willing to attack a punching bag and get tossed into a tree, you know?" Beta Ian questioned but I could hear the wheels in his head turning as he tried analyzing the offer I presented to him."It's not a matter of who is interested in breaking a nail or whatnot." I paced around the warm fluffy rug that was laid on the living room floor. "It's about finding the earth wolf." I flipped my hair over my shoulder. "Everyone becomes stronger the more they're involved in physical and mental training, think about it, if she's in this pack, her abilities will heighten during training and she won't be able to hide it from anyone anymore."I noticed the clanking of utensils in the kitchen came to a stop and I slowly made my way there to see what Alice was keepi
CARLY WOODS POV The sound of plates and utensils clanking in the kitchen reached my ear as I sat silently in the living room gazing into my phone that was on the dial. It was weird that I didn't find any tangible information about this mystery wolf in any books. What was going on? I had a feeling someone took the initiative to rid the library of any book that mentioned the earth wolf. I was sure enough to bet my entire wardrobe of no fancy dress. I felt bad for the not-so-lucky woman who was blessed with the earth powers because the number of perverted and selfish men who wanted her was enough to make up a little pack. "To what do I owe this pleasant phone call?" The deep male voice that I was slowly getting used to resonated from the other end of the phone. "I thought maybe I should call to find out how many pieces those rogues ripped from you yesterday." I smiled, leaning back into the warm couch, my free hand rubbing the still-growing bump in my stomach, clear evidence of t