CARLY WOODS POV I sat quietly on the kitchen stool, slowly sipping on the bottle of water I placed before me.It was eerily quiet in the house. Alice was yet to return from her leave, there was a guard or two situated outside the house as usual.I had yet to set my eyes on Jace after last night's ordeal which to me was pleasant because I had nothing to say to him and I didn't want to deal with the awkwardness that I was sure would zoom in with him.Bored out of my mind, I took a walk to the park and enjoyed the warm and comfortable scenery with birds chirping up ahead on tree tops, sun rays glistened the green blades of the grass. Few people scattered around the entirety of the park, it was a school day, and children and teenagers were all lost in the school's bustling hallways or classrooms or doing whatever made their stay there worthwhile.I fed the crackers I brought with me to the pigeons by the tiny pond while lost in the darkness of my thoughts.Last night opened my eyes wider
ADDISON COBBLER'S POVI have to say, going to Lady Baldwin was the last thing my mind resorted to. Jason was gradually flipping sides without knowing the effects his action caused.I had sold a different story to the former Luna which she bought without questioning his son, then that little bitch had to open her mouth.It may not have turned out the way my mind played out but it was better than the worse scenario my mind played out as well."Take them all to the guest room on the ground floor, it shouldn't be difficult to get out from there."I stood in the middle of the neatly arranged room, the bed looked like it was pressed with a hot iron after it was laid, the tiled floor reflected my face from how clean it was polished out, and there was no single dust on any surface, even the massive wolf image on the portrait at the head of the bed looked glossy.The door to the closet was open and I had a few men gather everything from there to the guest room.Carly was too much of a low life
We all quieted down as we started with the heirloom tomato salad with burrata cheese and balsamic glaze. The sound of our silverware was the only sound that wafted amongst us.I had to give it to the head omega, she knew how to whip up a good meal. The silence was a comfortable and peaceful one. It feels like ages since we sat together like this for dinner. Just the gang.If Jace requested a full-course meal for our friends in silent apology, I wonder what he has in mind for me.A coy smile snuck up my face, as I shoved my fork into the heirloom tomato before bringing it to my mouth."We should go on a vacation somewhere exotic for a week. What do you guys think?"Ophelia's annoying voice cut through the peaceful silence that washed over us, my eyes slicing at her.Does this girl sometimes speak from her ass? We knew we needed to unwind after all that had gone down this past month but now wasn't the best time for that."Yeah, we'll have a full week getaway, sunbathing and tanning by
JACE BALDWIN POVStorming out of the dining area that was the size of a regular restaurant, I found my feet taking me down the path that leads to the library, but I had zero interest in reading so I pivoted to the training grounds.A few men who enjoyed training at night bowed in respect as I padded toward the gym area. I needed some time alone, the privacy the open grounds wouldn't provide."Out!" I growled at those who were running the treadmill, lifting weights, or doing goddess knows what and watched in angry silence as everyone scrambled around the place like headless chickens.Matching forward to the red punching bag that dangled from the ceiling, I threw my fisted hands into its arduous surface. I was too piqued to acknowledge the slight sting of my splinted flesh. I needed to burn off some steam.I was doing this for her.The misery in her eyes when I asked her to not come before me for anything was something I never wanted to witness in her eyes but I had to for Addie's sake
CARLY WOODS POVMy stay in the library made me feel good as I got lost in a romance novel I laid my hands on. It was quite intense and stimulating and I felt like sneaking it out with me.It was late in the evening from the grand clock that was attached to the library wall.9:27 pmI had to return to the safety of my room.I walked briskly down the large hallway that led to the ground foyer, my light blue Converse tapped against the floor, and my eyes hastily scanned through the ancient picture frames of all the past alphas of Brookside pack that were attached to the long hallway walls.With Very little time at my disposal, I made a quick dash to the kitchen bustling with omegas cleaning and arranging the place while some kept running in and out with trays of food for the in-house diners.I saw the middle-aged woman shouting out orders to her team on what needed to be done. "My goddess, to think it'll get better by the years." I heard the dark-haired woman mutter under her breath."Y
With no other presence in the house, I focused my attention on the body lying in a weird position, one of his legs was stuck behind his butt, the other bent awkwardly by the knee. His left hand lay a few inches from his head, while the right rested on his stomach."Jace?"I was so scared for him to put into mind how he'd react to me calling him by his first name.Jace had shown how far he'd go to push me away by changing my room the very next day he commanded I address him as an alpha.I must say, I was hurt when I realized he cleared out my room and shifted my stuff to a smaller one at the end of the ground floor hallway.The window view of my new room wasn't as great as the previous one that overlooked the woods, this one gave a view of the mansion's thick and heavy two-leaf brass gates. "Jace? Can you hear me? Wake up!" I shook his shoulders but knew he couldn't hear a thing, judging from how relaxed the taut muscles on his shoulders were.Cradling his head into my chest, "Come on
There was a distant look on the Beta's face as we sat wrapped up in grave silence after I related what happened to them.I knew he was worried about his friend collapsing after a long night of rest."He'll be okay right?" I mumbled, sniffing into my fisted hands that took comfort under my nose."You care about him don't you?" Do I care about him?Did I care about the man who was ready to shove me head-first into the shallow waters of depression? He knew the level of damage the death of my son would inflict on me, he knew it would break me but he didn't care.He was all about how much he could take never concerned about the impact his choices and actions would leave behind.But, he cared about Addison and how hurt she'd feel if her child was taken if her child was murdered in cold blood by his father.Despite my hate for the alpha, a part of me still cared.A part of me wanted no harm to come to him other than his karma.If he should suffer, then I must consciously be the force behin
I plop back down in frustration and a burning urge to shove Nate off a cliff. I wasn't always this vengeful but that man makes me want to pull my hair sometimes.Ugh, the nerves of him. Who does he think he is, retrieving my things from the nurses to lure me into his bed?I'll get it back, one way or the other but I'll get it back, he just waits.Beta Ian and Doctor Allen were still in Jace's office talking about the alpha's health. Hopefully, they'll tell me what he was down with.Without knocking, I silently sneak into the small confines of my room that still had Jace sleeping in.I trod in slow and silent steps to the huge manly figure that barely fit into the small single-sized bed that was pushed up against the wall. His face was pale but relaxed and peaceful with no trace of his signature worried frown or the smile that usually crept up his handsome face. His soft caramel mane was pressed into the soft pillow."Hey, what happened to you?" I whispered, threading my fingers throug
JACE BALDWIN POV It was a Friday and Mr. Nelson the trainer fixed another combat session for the women. It was a way of keeping them interested and competing since most of them wanted nothing to do with fights.I didn't want to make an appearance since it wasn't necessary but Ian demanded I did because of some words going around that I was in a coma.That must have been the reason I got different surprised looks and gaps from some people.Some people just didn't have what to do with their lives.I didn't sleep much last night because my mind kept wandering around what Carly and her boyfriend were doing. Somewhere around 4 am, my brain finally shut off from exhaustion and I slept off, only to be woken by an angry Addison.Damn it, can't a man take a few hours without any drama?"I'm going to fucking kill that little shit, you left me to come to sleep in this cramped space with her? How dare you?" She screeched, stomping towards the closet door that was ajar from the night before."CA
CARLY WOODS POV The next morning, the bright sunlight that shone without mercy from the opened blinds pulled me out of my peaceful slumber.I was in one of his white shirt he allowed me borrow from his wardrobe, my hair stick around in everything direction.Beta Ian and I had spent a few more hours in the open bar, talking about random things.He pushed me to tell him the problem between the Alpha and me, and I told him there wasn't any.Honestly, there weren't any problems between us. I told him Jace simply drew the boundary in our arrangement. He had Addison whom he was engaged to be married to then came the dare that ushered me into their picture-perfect life.Or not so perfect life.I didn't make the mistake of asking him about the curse or the earth wolf. Beta Diaz was a smart fellow, he was quite an observant fellow.The woman in question who prompted my visit to the bar left an hour later with one of the men she was drinking with.I didn't say anything to Ian, though I asked
"It's nothing, Ian."I wanted to tell him I asked her to keep away from me but knowing Ian, he was going to over-analyze the situation and make it be what it wasn't. I couldn't tell him or anyone else for that matter. At least, not now."I'm not one to pry so I'll leave you to it, but whatever it is Jace, I hope you made the right decision." He said picking up the bowl of popcorn from the counter. I followed shortly after his retreating figure to the movie room where the gang was lounging around.The choice of movie did not interest me so I blocked out the voices that resonated from the sound system, relaxed my stiff shoulders, and shut my eyes while leaning my head on the backrest of the theater seat, my mind got stuck on Ian and Allen's words from earlier."Never seen a woman who isn't your mother going all out in worry for you, not even Addie. The little princess almost ripped my head with her hands.""That's what I thought until I was at the receiving end of her anger.""A spit
JACE BALDWIN'S POV As the darkness receded, giving room for consciousness to creep in, my ears tingled alert to my surroundings.I could hear the clanking of plates in the kitchen, and the sound of four sets of heartbeats beating at different tempos and rhythms.Confusion washed over me in waves as my mind reeled on who could be in my home.The door opened the second my eyes decided it had enough of the darkness that lurked within."Look who gave Hades a tease." The relief in Ian's voice and the sarcastic smile on his face made a weak smile indent on my face."What the hell happened?" I asked, a little confused as I looked around the foreign room that seemed to be the smallest in this house. "I don't remember coming here.""You don't remember what happened before you passed out? How are you feeling by the way?" He came close, clapping me on the back. "A little weak man but I'm good, it's been a while since I passed out from this," I said scratching the back of my head."It'll be alr
The car drive was silent as Beta Ian drove the short distance to the pack house, I looked out from the tinted window at the glowing lights that illuminated the dark streets from the tall buildings."Thank you," I muttered when he pulled up in his reserved spot in the parking lot."Take care, and don't do anything stupid."Gathering my bag that lay by my feet on the car floor, I swung open the door and stepped out into the cold night air, slamming the door shut.Glancing over my shoulder, I saw the Beta drive off into the dark street as I made my way into the pack house where I'd bid my time.Didn't he say he had a business to do here?The pack house was big enough to accommodate hundreds of wolves though most mated wolves would rather buy houses outside for privacy. But teenagers and young adults prefer the pack house because of the endless dramas that characterize the pack house.It was mandatory for high-ranked wolves like the Alpha, Beta Gemma, and head warrior and the rest had spe
Fluttering my eyes open, I looked around my surroundings and realized I was comfortably sleeping in a clearing.Darkness was slowly taking over from the brightness of the day's sun and the warm breeze was also gaining a few cold streaks as the minutes progressed. The wind picked up its tempo whispering soft melodies that compelled the leaves and tree branches to wave, clap, and dance to the tempo the soft wind set as it swifts past them going wherever it pleased.When I left the Beta earlier, I had no idea where I was going but I found my feet leading me into the woods. I kept pushing my way further into the bush as the calmness and mysteries of the dense wood kept beckoning me.My puffy eyes ached from the sunlight that shone unapologetically on everyone and everything that came under its radar.Avoiding a conscious Jace and a possibly moody Addison was a smart move and I pat myself on the back for taking the decision whenever the thought of me going to see the Alpha pops in my head
I plop back down in frustration and a burning urge to shove Nate off a cliff. I wasn't always this vengeful but that man makes me want to pull my hair sometimes.Ugh, the nerves of him. Who does he think he is, retrieving my things from the nurses to lure me into his bed?I'll get it back, one way or the other but I'll get it back, he just waits.Beta Ian and Doctor Allen were still in Jace's office talking about the alpha's health. Hopefully, they'll tell me what he was down with.Without knocking, I silently sneak into the small confines of my room that still had Jace sleeping in.I trod in slow and silent steps to the huge manly figure that barely fit into the small single-sized bed that was pushed up against the wall. His face was pale but relaxed and peaceful with no trace of his signature worried frown or the smile that usually crept up his handsome face. His soft caramel mane was pressed into the soft pillow."Hey, what happened to you?" I whispered, threading my fingers throug
There was a distant look on the Beta's face as we sat wrapped up in grave silence after I related what happened to them.I knew he was worried about his friend collapsing after a long night of rest."He'll be okay right?" I mumbled, sniffing into my fisted hands that took comfort under my nose."You care about him don't you?" Do I care about him?Did I care about the man who was ready to shove me head-first into the shallow waters of depression? He knew the level of damage the death of my son would inflict on me, he knew it would break me but he didn't care.He was all about how much he could take never concerned about the impact his choices and actions would leave behind.But, he cared about Addison and how hurt she'd feel if her child was taken if her child was murdered in cold blood by his father.Despite my hate for the alpha, a part of me still cared.A part of me wanted no harm to come to him other than his karma.If he should suffer, then I must consciously be the force behin
With no other presence in the house, I focused my attention on the body lying in a weird position, one of his legs was stuck behind his butt, the other bent awkwardly by the knee. His left hand lay a few inches from his head, while the right rested on his stomach."Jace?"I was so scared for him to put into mind how he'd react to me calling him by his first name.Jace had shown how far he'd go to push me away by changing my room the very next day he commanded I address him as an alpha.I must say, I was hurt when I realized he cleared out my room and shifted my stuff to a smaller one at the end of the ground floor hallway.The window view of my new room wasn't as great as the previous one that overlooked the woods, this one gave a view of the mansion's thick and heavy two-leaf brass gates. "Jace? Can you hear me? Wake up!" I shook his shoulders but knew he couldn't hear a thing, judging from how relaxed the taut muscles on his shoulders were.Cradling his head into my chest, "Come on