Ares' POV Every part of me wanted to be with Valerie but instead I found myself reluctantly trailing behind the escort, hijacked by a meeting I'd rather not attend. The grand corridor seemed to stretch on forever, finally leading us to a secluded room heavy with the pungent smell of cigar smoke. "Mr. Dante," I greeted the elderly man seated in a lavish gold and grey fur-adorned chair, his expression as stern as the atmosphere. My attempt at a warm smile fell flat, and I sensed a tension that went beyond mere business. "I intend to withdraw from our partnership, Mr. Ares," he announced, his voice firm but laced with a hint of hesitation. I feigned neutrality, though my instincts screamed that my father's influence was at play. "May I inquire as to why, Mr. Dante?" I asked, my hands spread in a gesture of curiosity. The old man puffed on his cigar, his eyes narrowing as he exhaled. "It's my prerogative, Mr. Ares. I have every right to pull out. Don't I?" "It's a
I had walked into Daniel's house, a house which I once lived in. I had many dreams for me and Daniel in this same house, a house I imagined to have our children in, a house I imagined to have a happy home like every normal female wolf out there but I guess all that was cut short now. It was no longer possible with him."Shall we go in now?" One of the guard's voices distracted my thoughts. I had forgotten all about going in as I looked over the whole building.Just as I was about to speak, a man approached us."You're Miss Valerie, right?" He asked politely, and I nodded in response. He must be a new recruit. It made me wonder what Daniel did to people that worked here before."Mr Daniel is waiting." He said, sending a smile at me as we all walked in but I immediately signaled for the guards to stay out. Daniel wouldn't dare hurt me inside, I was no longer that weak and naive woman he was married to.As I and the middle aged man entered, my eyes caught the changes in the home I once l
I never imagined someone so independent, so determined to survive on his own without his parents' wealth to depend on. Ares was different, I could tell as I looked up at the strong, tall building standing right in front of me. He had established such a magnificent image on his own.I wonder how much effort he must have put into this company all by himself. I really wouldn't be impressed if his father didn't help him out, not even adding a penny to establish his company.As I walked all the way to his office with his secretary's assistance. I was intrigued by all that I saw. Very hardworking, busy employers he had. They almost didn't notice me walking into the office with how busy they were. Or was Ares just a cruel boss who loads them all with work?He could be, with the way he talks to me. Asking me if I was really keen on exacting my revenge on Daniel or not and with the way he asked me to come out of my room so he could teach me how to shoot a gun. Who exactly was l training to kil
"My answer remains the same. No!" his response shocked me"No?""We will find another way. And that's final Valerie."This is unbelievable! Ares was unbelievableI sat there on the passenger's seat, completely worthless to control his 'another way' of securing a chance of a perfect revenge.I wanted him to see things on my side. It was all too fast and absurd to have his babies but didn't he see it as a good thing too. Wasn't he planning to have kids one day? At his age, I've never seen him around any lady since we met.And I was quite starting to think if he wasn't straight. It was absurd the way I thought about it too, to have his baby. But I had no other option but this.And what was his option? To find an IVF donor. Shocking this was, it's not a sperm donor for me, but an egg donor for him. He didn't want me to get pregnant for a random wolf because I still had a future ahead of me.We drove around the pack territory, walking into several centres and it was like fate was on my sid
"Everything about this place icks of incompetence." Ares grumbled as he looked over the window, watching the rain pour down heavily. It seem to have angered him so much that he yanks the curtains closed."We should have left when I said so." He complained. Was he blaming me now? The nerve!"Under this heavy rain? You certainly don't want to last long, do you?""And what does that mean?" He asked and looking at his face, he was agitated. I thought wisely to choose my words carefully."You wouldn't be able to drive under this heavy rain, Mr Ares. We'd just get into an accident or something before we get to our destination." I said boldlyAres scoffed. "An accident? If that was the case then I would have died a long time ago." He said, taking out his phone from his pocket as he sat at the edge of the bed. What did he even mean by that?I laid down my handbag by the headboard of the bed, taking out my phone. It was late in the evening, I needed to shower even though the weather was a bit
He's been silent for days now, silent about what had happened between us at the donor centre. We got intimate, didn't that mean anything to him? Was I being all greedy now? Though I had made it clear that it was all for the good of the revenge plan, I knew I wanted more than that. I wanted him."Hello???" Ares waved his hands across my face, handing me the air pistol."My turn?"He nodded. As I took the weapon from him, going right in front of the target board. I shot at it but it wasn't as good as the last time."Shoot again!" Ares ordered. I shot again as instructed but still I failed to hit the point. I gave up, I probably wasn't in the mood to do this."What's wrong with you?" He asked, almost concerned. I furrowed my brows. Of course you know what's wrong with me, it's you, dumbo!"Nothing. I just need to rest, maybe." I answered him calmly, more like I wasn't interested in talking to him because I was upset but he didn't notice that."I'm still waiting for my father to request
I was going to say something when I saw Val's body tense up. Following her gaze, I immediately knew why. Instinctively, I pulled her close, holding her waist and looking into her eyes more intimately than I did on the night we had sex. "I'm here, don't be scared." I said, and immediately it sounded so cheesy to me. Did it just come out of my mouth? A lot has really been happening to me since that sex with her, I couldn't explain it. "Hey Uncle... and his lady or perhaps, escort." Daniel said, approaching us where we stood. Did he just refer to Valerie as an escort? I clenched my fist. Ares, we are in public, calm down. "Ignore him." Valerie whispered. "Still reeled that I'm with your ex wife, huh? You don't have to be. I'll take better care of her." I paused and scoffed. "Hold on, it's not like you even took care of her but rather you stole from her and tried to kill her and now, look at you, spending it all on your next victim." "What the hell?" The lady beside him excla
As I slowly opened my eyes, the bright light of the morning sun greeted me, illuminating the unfamiliar surroundings. I was met with a colourful array of male blazers hung on a cloth rack, a stark contrast to my own bedroom.The realisation dawned on me that I was in Ares' bedroom, and my gaze instinctively shifted to the empty space beside me. He had already left for work, leaving me to sleep in peace. I admired his considerate nature and work ethic, a trait that set him apart from his nephew.The scent of his masculinity lingered in the air, a reminder of the passionate night we shared. I smiled to myself, feeling grateful for the blissful experience.After freshening up, I made my way to the living room, where I was greeted by the maids' cheerful salutations. "Good morning, ma'am," they chimed in unison, their respect evident in their bowed heads.As I entered the dining area, a sumptuous breakfast spread lay before me, a feast fit for royalty. I couldn't help but wonder if the mai
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