“I'm getting fed up on this matter,” I sent my reply and sighed, staring at my sad self in the mirror.
Everything was going well before our marriage so what went wrong? Did I become ugly to him? Have I become boring and irritating in his eyes? Did I somehow do something to offend him? Is that what caused all of these awful treatments?
A chime from my phone brought me out of my reoccurring thoughts.
“I've told you to find yourself another man, V. You can't continue living like a nun for crying out loud. Aren't you tired of being celibate despite having a husband?”
“How can you advise me to cheat on my husband?” I sent my response and hers came almost immediately.
“How are you sure your seemingly busy husband isn't cheating?”
I shook my head, typing and reminding her of what his father or the Alpha would put him through if they heard about him cheating. He just wouldn't try it.
“You know some parents publicly act like they hate it but support it in private right?” She replied again and I let out a hot breath.
"I know, I know," I typed back, frustration evident in my words. "But I just don't think it'll happen. He just wouldn't risk it."
My friend's response popped up almost instantly. "Then you need to take matters into your own hands. Show him what he's missing. Bring the spark back into your marriage."
“Like I haven't been trying to do that already,” I wanted to type as I read her words. It wasn't the first time she had suggested something like this, but this time, it seemed different. Desperate times call for desperate measures, right?
"I don't know," I hesitated, my fingers hovering over the keyboard. "Do you really think that'll work despite all I've done in the past?"
"Trust me," she replied confidently. "Men are simple creatures. Appeal to his primal instincts. Give him something he can't resist."
Her words echoed in my mind as I stared at my reflection. Maybe she was right. Maybe this was exactly what our marriage needed. A jolt of excitement, a reminder of the passion we once shared. Something out of the ordinary. Something different from what I've been doing. But what?
With a newfound determination, I made up my mind. "Okay." I typed back, my heart racing with anticipation. "But what do you suggest we do now? All our past plans failed woefully…"
“Hmm," she said and I could hear her sigh from across the screen. "He has an office, right? And you still have the aphrodisiac I asked you to buy two weeks ago. It's simple. Go to his office unannounced. Surprise him with a little gift—yourself. Give him a little something to boost his desires. Then, seduce him. Make him forget about everything else."
“What if he's in a meeting? Or stuck till nighttime?”
“Then that's perfect. Get in, prepare something to ease his mind, and add the aphrodisiac to it. Once that's ready, walk-in seductively, give it to him with a peck, and wait for the magic to happen. Trust me when I say he'd take a break just to have a piece of his wife.”
It sounded risky, but at this point, I was willing to try anything. "Alright," I agreed, feeling a surge of adrenaline coursing through my veins. "I'll do it."
I logged off from the chat site and set my phone aside. This was it. This was my chance to reignite the passion in my marriage of two years.
But as I began to prepare myself for the task ahead, doubts crept into my mind. What if it didn't work? What if I made a fool of myself? What if...?
“Valerie,” my wolf called and I shook my head. No. I couldn't afford to entertain those thoughts. I had made my decision, and I was going to see it through.
With a deep breath and a few words of encouragement from my wolf, I turned away from the mirror and headed for the door. It was time to make my move.
My heart raced as I stepped out of the private elevator onto the top floor of my husband's office building. The familiar sight of his workspace greeted me, but to my surprise, it was deserted. The quiet hum of the air conditioning was the only sound echoing through the empty corridor. I went out too and it was the same thing. Empty.
Panic began to creep into my mind as I went back to his office. Where could he be? Had he left for the day already? Or worse, had he caught wind of my plan and deliberately avoided me? What if...?
I quickly pulled out my phone and dialed his personal assistant's number, my fingers trembling slightly as I waited for him to pick up.
"Hello?" came the voice on the other end, professional and composed as always.
"It's Valerie," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “I am trying to reach my husband but it's not connecting. Neither is the office line. Do you know where he went?”
There was a brief pause before his assistant spoke again. "Oh, Mrs. Allen, I'm sorry I didn't inform you earlier. Me, the Boss and the rest of the staff went to our branch office for an emergency meeting. We should be back soon."
My heart sank at the news. So much for my well-planned surprise. "Do you know when you'll be done?" I asked, trying to keep the disappointment out of my voice.
"We should be back within the hour. Hopefully, before then the boss will be able to return your call" his assistant replied. "Is there anything I can help you with in the meantime?"
I hesitated for a moment, considering my options. I could leave and come back later, but that would mean wasting precious time. No, I had come here with a purpose, and I wasn't going to leave empty-handed.
"No, that's okay," I said finally, mustering up a smile. "I'll just wait."
"Alright, just let me know if you need anything," his assistant said before hanging up.
I sighed and pocketed my phone, glancing around the empty corridor. It seemed like I had no choice but to wait. But as I settled into one of the nearby chairs, determination flickered in my eyes. I may have hit a roadblock, but I wasn't about to give up. This was just a minor setback, a delay in my plans, nothing more.
With a deep breath, I leaned back in the chair and waited for my husband to return, ready to execute my plan as soon as he walked through that door.
As I sat behind my husband's desk, waiting for his return, my mind raced with thoughts of what I would say and do when he walked through that door. But as the minutes ticked by, impatience gnawed at me, urging me to take action.
With a shaky breath, I reached into my purse and retrieved the small bottle of aphrodisiac I ordered. The brown liquid inside shimmered faintly in the soft glow of the office lights, and I couldn't help but wonder if today was the day he'd finally unleashed his beast.
Carefully, I uncorked the bottle and poured a few drops into a glass of orange juice and the rest into a cold juice in the freezer. As the liquid dissolved, a heady aroma filled the air, sending a shiver of anticipation down my spine.
But before I could second-guess myself, I downed my portion of the drink in one swift gulp. I didn't expect the feeling to come almost immediately and to dull it a bit, I rose from the desk and began to pace around the office, the click of my heels echoing in the empty space.
I began to feel hot and as I made my way towards the window, my foot caught on something. A loose floorboard perhaps, and I stumbled forward, reaching out to steady myself.
To my surprise, the force of my fall triggered a hidden mechanism in the floor, causing a section of the wall to slide open with a soft hiss.
Curiosity piqued, I stepped cautiously into whatever it was, my heart pounding in my chest. The insides were dark and the air was filled with mixed scents. As my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I gasped in shock at what I saw before me. Rows of neatly hung clothing lined the walls, clothes that I washed, spread, and ironed with my own two hands.
My husband's clothes! I knew he had a room where he spent most of his nights, so I wasn't surprised at that. What surprised me was the lingerie, the pajamas, the sex toys charging in the corner, the used condom pack lying on the floor, and everything a lady who's been denied her husband's touch shouldn't see in his office room.
And at the center of it all stood a small table, upon which lay a framed photograph. No doubt it was my husband, Daniel, but he was locked in an embrace with someone else, another woman.
My breath caught in my throat as I reached out to touch the image, my fingers trembling with shock, fear, and a lot more.
But before I could reach the picture to see who my husband was cheating on me with, a deafening explosion rocked the building, causing me to scream and tremble in fear. I dashed out of the room to find the whole building disintegrating, brick by brick.
"Oh no," I immediately yelled, rushing towards the exit, and the last thing I remembered was trying to leave the building in one piece.
Valerie.I slowly blinked my eyes open, the harsh glare of the hospital lights assaulting my senses. Panic surged through me as I realized I couldn't move or speak, my body seemingly paralyzed from the neck down. Even my eyes stopped opening after a few seconds.But before I could fully comprehend what was happening to me, I heard the sound of footsteps approaching, accompanied by the familiar voice of my husband, Daniel.“Don't you congratulate me! The girl is alive!” My husband hissed, but somehow I was able to hear it. “Valerie is awake despite the explosion? How on earth is that possible?” The voice almost yelled in shock."I don't know. But she's still unconscious," he muttered, his tone filled with annoyance. “I also want to know how it is possible that she didn't die like she was supposed to."My heart skipped a beat as his words sank in. What did he mean, "supposed to die"? Was he responsible for the explosion that had torn through the office building? His office building? I
Valerie“Where am I?” I half winced and groaned while my eyes adjusted to the sharp blinding lights of wherever I was.Remembering I was being chased to be killed I snapped up immediately, looking around and panting like a five-year-old who had a nightmare about her dog's brutal death.I noticed the difference in the walls, curtains, and practically everything else and I was a hundred percent sure I wasn't in my old hospital room. But it was definitely a hospital.Thinking Daniel finally caught up with me, I carefully began to unhook myself from every goddamn machine, ready to escape for the second time today.“Oh my! What are you doing, ma'am?” A woman came in trying to stop me. “He told me you'll try to run. Can you give me a moment to explain,” she quickly blurted after seeing the fear on my face but that didn't make me pause. “You're safe. Master brought you here for treatment, and you've been unconscious for two days now. No one is going to hurt you, not while the Master is here
Valerie.“Say something, please,” I begged as he was still silent.“Daniel transferred everything you inherited to his name. He's the current owner of everything your parents worked for.”My heart sank like a stone as my brain processed everything Ares just said. Daniel transferred the shares that I haven't even been able to access to himself. It felt like a betrayal, a knife twisting in my gut.“You're joking, right?” I forced myself to ask but Ares didn't respond or give any facial movement. I felt as though the ground had been ripped out from beneath me, leaving me suspended in a void of disbelief and despair. How could Daniel, the man I had loved and trusted with all my heart, betray me in such a cruel and calculating manner? He knew they were the only things I had to remind me of my late parents and he took them?Tears welled up in my eyes once more as I struggled to process the magnitude of his betrayal. I felt like a puppet whose strings had been cut, left to flounder in a worl
A part of me shattered knowing one; I have no proof of Daniel actually trapping me in that building or any proof of him cheating with that lady, as it was all destroyed during the collapse. Neither could I get the recording of everything he said in the hospital. “All proof is gone… and I do not have a lover. But if I can find one and get pregnant, would we be able to get the properties?”The lawyer thought about it for a moment and nodded, telling Ares it’s possible only if I can be with child. Ares simply nodded before the Lawyer excused us and he looked at me with narrow eyes. I knew the question he was going to ask before he even said it- how on earth am I going to get pregnant?“You,” I whispered, using all my will to maintain eye contact with him. “With your help, I’ll…” I didn’t even complete my statement when he stood up and walked out of me. I groaned and leaned back, knowing fully well he interpreted my words as me wanting to get pregnant for him. I purposely made it sound
I shook the thoughts of Ares wanting me away. I was overthinking the situation. Once I calmed my racing brain, I wore the robe and called the maid to take me to the dresses and I was wowed. It was a closet, almost similar to the mother in-law's. i was lost in the beauty of the dresses that I asked if Ares had a party planned. I ended up picking something casual when I heard it was just lunch then I got ready, all while caressing the marks from the building accident wondering if truly I want those marks to fade away or not.As I descended the stairs, I noticed Ares waiting for me, his eyes locking onto mine for a brief moment before I looked away, feeling a flutter in my chest. I approached the dining table, where he sat, his smile warm and inviting."There was no need to wait for me," I said, taking my seat.Ares chuckled. "It's no trouble at all. I'm not famished, so let's enjoy our meal together." He gestured to the plates, and our cutlery clinked against the fine china as we began
Showing up to my jerk of a ex-husband together with his powerful uncle should surely be a good thing, a sweet opening for my revenge.A little touch up on my face to look better, and not badly injured like he'd expect me to be after he tried to kill me. I looked too good now, a perfect makeup and a beautiful black dress delighted the mood even better.All this would certainly be a slap on Daniel's face. I couldn't wait for it.Suddenly there was a knock on the door."Ma'am Valerie." A maid called out."Come in." I ushered her in while fixing back the makeup items into its kit.She entered, bowing in respect. "Sir Ares wants you downstairs already." She announced."Yes, I'm all done now." I stood up to my feet. One last look at myself in the mirror before I walked away."You look gorgeous ma'am." the maid complimented just as I stopped at the door."Thank you." I smiled at her as she departed, leaving me to descend down the stairs. I looked around for Ares but he wasn't in the living r
"Enough, All of you," Alpha Allen thundered. "What in the name of the goddess is happening here? Who or what causing the commotion in my house?!" Alpha Allen addressed us, his voice tinged with annoyance. He walked towards the table, my eyes met his for a quick second but I guess I was hard to notice me with all the makeup on my face."I'm sorry father, it's just this..." Lucas began his taunt but he was cut short too soon."Arghhhh... cut it out Lucas and have your damn seat." Alpha Allen cautioned him.Lucas, embarrassed, looked at our direction, a fleeting anger shown on his face."I've called you all here to have a nice meal as a family. The world knows the conflict hovering in this family and I tell you all, I'm not ready to have my legacy go down the drain because of you dumbos""I wonder what we'd call the father of dumbos!" Ares muttered and I found myself playfully hitting his leg. "What was that Ares? Got something to say to us?" Alpha Allen asked, looking at our direction
Ares’ answer came in the form of a cold silence that screamed if you don’t get me what I want, I have no reason to help you either."Not to worry, I'll do it." I finally broke the silence as we pulled up to the house but he still didn’t say a word to me. As I lay on my bed, I couldn't help but think about the agreement I had made, and how daunting it seemed. Why did I have to be the one to do it? Couldn't he take care of it himself?My mind wandered back to the previous night, and how Ares’ behavior had taken a drastic turn. From sweet and endearing to bossy and demanding. I shook my head, finding it almost laughable because it seemed everyone who had Allen blood in them had this feature embedded in them."There's no time to waste, Valerie. You've agreed, no turning back," Ares’ words from last night echoed in my mind and I knew whatever this seal was, it was important. My thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. I sighed, it was probably one of the maids again."Are you st
Valerie's povThe next day, the hospital room was flooded with a soft, early morning light. I sat up in bed, feeling the remnants of exhaustion from the previous day's emotional rollercoaster. Ares was by my side, as promised, his presence a steady anchor in the sea of uncertainty that had surrounded us.The doctor entered the room, a kind smile on her face. "Good morning, Valerie. How are you feeling today?""I'm feeling better," I replied, my voice stronger than before. "Still a bit tired, but much better.""That's good to hear," she said, pulling up a chair beside the bed. "Before we discharge you, there are some important things we need to discuss regarding your pregnancy. It's crucial that you follow these guidelines to ensure both your health and the baby's."Ares leaned forward, his expression serious and attentive. I felt a rush of warmth at his dedication, and he held my hand firmly, grounding me.The doctor began outlining the necessary precautions. "First and foremost, rest
Valerie's povPain shot through my head as if a sledgehammer was dislodging it. I gasped and sat up, my body drenched in sweat, my mind a fog of confusion and fear. The room was stark and sterile, the fluorescent lights above me harsh and unrelenting."Ares?" I croaked, my voice barely a whisper. Just as I spoke, the door creaked open, and Ares rushed in, his face etched with worry and relief."Valerie!" he exclaimed, hurrying to my side. His hands trembled as he reached out to touch me, but I flinched away instinctively. The hurt on his face was palpable, a mirror to the pain I felt inside.My mind raced to piece together what had happened. The last thing I remembered was going to the garden. I had slipped, and then everything went blank. My hands flew to my belly, a desperate need to feel the life growing inside me. Tears streamed down my face as I realized the implications of my fall."Valerie, please talk to me," Ares pleaded, his voice thick with emotion. But I couldn't form the
Ares povI waited in the sterile, cold waiting room, every minute stretching into an eternity. Each second that ticked by felt like a needle puncturing my heart. Valerie's lifeless body haunted my thoughts, and I couldn't shake the image of her pale face. My mind raced with a million thoughts, but one dominated them all: this was my fault."Damn it, if only I was ready to read with her. It's all my fault," I muttered under my breath, my voice choked with guilt and regret. Tears, hot and bitter, welled up in my eyes. For the first time in years, I cried because of someone. Valerie had found a way straight to my heart, and it was now, in this moment of crisis, that I realized just how deeply she had embedded herself there.The thought of losing her or our unborn child was unbearable. If anything happened to them, I would never be able to forgive myself. I felt helpless, sitting there, unable to do anything but wait. An hour went by, gurneys passed by, and doctors in masks hurried throug
Ares povAs I left the room, a sense of urgency gnawed at me. I needed to find Valerie, to explain everything to her, to make sure she understood. I went to her room, my footsteps quickening with every step, but she wasn't there. The neatly made bed and untouched belongings only heightened my anxiety. I checked the kitchen next, hoping she might be preparing one of her favorite herbal teas, but again, she wasn't there. The air was filled with a stillness that seemed almost unnatural.I hurried to the drawing room, the place she often retreated to for a moment of peace, but it was empty too. The room, usually so filled with her presence, felt cold and uninviting. Panic began to claw at my insides. Where could she be? I was about to head upstairs to grab my phone, thinking maybe she had left a message or a clue about where she had gone, when a piercing scream echoed from the garden. The sound was followed by the frantic shuffling of feet on gravel.My heart pounded in my chest as I race
Valerie's povEach time I visited Alpha Allen's house, I couldn't help but notice how much nicer he seemed to get. It was as if he was making a concerted effort to win me over, and I had to admit, it was working. The kindness and warmth he showed were a stark contrast to the stories Ares had told me about their strained relationship.The next day, I found myself standing at the grand entrance of Alpha Allen's estate once again. The sun was shining, casting a golden hue over the lush gardens that surrounded the mansion. As I approached the door, a sense of anticipation and determination settled over me. Today we would be talking about how Ares might want to help him though it'll e extremely hard for him to even hear his father out for a second time.The servants greeted me with smiles and respectful bows, their demeanor as welcoming as ever. It was clear they had been instructed to treat me with the utmost care and consideration. I couldn't help but feel a bit flattered, though I knew
Valerie's povI sighed to myself as I unwrapped the blanket and reached out to the other side of the bed, only to find it empty.A small grunt escaped my lips as I sat up, running a hand through my hair. Once again, I had fallen asleep in Ares' room. The thought made me blush heavily as I swung my legs over the edge of the bed and stood up.His scent lingered in the room, a comforting reminder of the man I had come to love so deeply. I made my way to the bathroom, the cool tiles under my feet waking me up fully. A quick glance at the clock told me it was late morning."Ares must have gone to the office already," I murmured to myself as I stepped into the shower. The warm water cascaded over me, washing away the remnants of sleep. I let my thoughts drift to Ares, his smile, his touch, and the way he made me feel like the most important person in the world. He has proven himself to be everything.I took my time in the shower, letting the water soothe my muscles. When I finally stepped o
Valerie's povI sighed to myself as I unwrapped the blanket and reached out to the other side of the bed, only to find it empty.A small grunt escaped my lips as I sat up, running a hand through my hair. Once again, I had fallen asleep in Ares' room. The thought made me blush heavily as I swung my legs over the edge of the bed and stood up.His scent lingered in the room, a comforting reminder of the man I had come to love so deeply. I made my way to the bathroom, the cool tiles under my feet waking me up fully. A quick glance at the clock told me it was late morning."Ares must have gone to the office already," I murmured to myself as I stepped into the shower. The warm water cascaded over me, washing away the remnants of sleep. I let my thoughts drift to Ares, his smile, his touch, and the way he made me feel like the most important person in the world. He has proven himself to be everything.I took my time in the shower, letting the water soothe my muscles. When I finally stepped o
Are's povSitting at my desk, I couldn’t help but smile. The office was quiet, a stark contrast to the usual bustling energy that surrounded the turnaround firm I owned. It was a sanctuary of sorts, where I could immerse myself in the relentless pursuit of saving struggling companies.Today, however was different as my thoughts were far from the chaos of balance sheets and rescue plans. I held a newly framed photo of Valerie, my heart swelling with an emotion I never thought I’d feel again: love.I'm really surprised I could actually still fall in love after what happened before. I don't even want to be reminded again.Valerie had entered my life unexpectedly, turning my world upside down in the best possible way.Firstly she was just a pawn in my game but now I got to say, she'd be my end. The photograph captured her essence perfectly — her radiant smile, the way her eyes seemed to hold a universe of warmth and compassion.I still couldn't believe how quickly I had fallen for her, bu
Valerie's POVAs I leaned my head into the soft leather of Ares' car, a wave of tranquility washed over me. I'd never felt more at peace. A smile crept across my face as I thought about Alex. That little boy had found his way into my heart faster than a freight train. Most people would think I'd resent him because he's my ex-husband's love child, but that wasn't the case at all. He's such a sweet child who didn't deserve to see any more of Daniel's wrath.I ran my hand unconsciously over my belly. The thought of my own baby filled me with joy. I couldn't wait to shower my child with so much love that they'd likely feel overwhelmed by it. I smiled and turned to Ares, who had been watching me intently."Lunch?" he asked, breaking the silence."Alright, dear, we'll go to a restaurant!" I nodded happily and turned to stare out the window, watching the landscape blur as we drove.When we arrived at the restaurant, I insisted on a more casual place. I didn't want too much attention, and I'v