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My heart doubled a beat when my eyes returned to rest on him, and I found him watching me, but unlike others, he wasn’t clapping; he was just watching me intently, like I owed him something, like I took something that was his.I wasn’t hallucinating when I saw him at Domino’s many days ago. Seeing him here today told me what I had seen was him. He was there that afternoon, watching me like he was doing now.He looked the same way he did when I had seen him then and also in my dream. He had longer hair and trimmed beards, unlike five years ago, but didn’t look to have aged a bit since then.His appearance now meant I was no longer safe with my son. Five years ago, I said goodbye to him and thought I would never see him again, but here he was at the place I least expected.This was my nightmare becoming a reality, and there was nothing I could do.“Zera, they are waiting for you.” The host whisper-yelled at me, forcing me back into the reality of my surroundings to know I wasn’t in the r
It wasn’t an imagination I could snap out of, nor was it a dream I could wake up from. I couldn’t pretend that he wasn’t here either, because he was here with me. This was real. Aaron Hart stood closer to me than ever. I could feel his heated gaze watching my every move, wanting to see my next reaction.I turned from the elevator to face him and found a look on his face I couldn’t figure out.“Zera Adams.” His deep, hoarse voice called out like we had scores to settle, and shivers ran down my spine. His voice had been my downfall in the past, and even now, it still is.“You look amazing,” he said, and his eyes dragged over my body like it was on full display for him. “Indeed, the years have been kind.”I swallowed.I left him in my past five years ago, and ever since then, I have avoided anything and everything that would bring him back into my life. Now here he was, standing before me and staring me dead in the face, like he could see my very soul.I needed to gather my courage and fa
The organisers held a meeting the following week. It was headed by the vice chancellor, Tobi Akindele. He used the opportunity to thank everyone at the university who dedicated their time and effort to seeing the success of the event held. According to their report, this year’s fundraiser generated twice the revenue of the last. That made it the most successful they have had since they started. It was an excellent step in the right direction for the university.Being part of the movement gave me a sense of pride, and knowing I helped make education easier for someone made me happy.My joy, however, decreased when I learnt the largest donor for the night was Mr Aaron Hart, with over $200,000. This also differed from his other pledges during the many events that took place.I saw everyone cheer, and though I felt happy because this was something good for the university, it wasn’t good for me. I knew who Aaron was, and I knew what his presence meant, so even while others cheered and clapp
His eyes flickered as he stared at me, as if trying to figure something out. Whatever he searched for, he didn’t see it. At least, not before we got interrupted.“Ah! There he is. I thought you wouldn’t make it,” the vice chancellor, Mr Tobi Akindele, said, coming in from behind and offering him his hand for a shake.Aaron’s attention shifted from me over to the middle-aged man, and a smile came onto his face. “Good morning, Mr Akindele.” They shook hands.“Good morning, Mr Hart.” Tobi turned his attention to me. “This is Aaron Hart,” he told me. “Mr. Aaron Hart, this is...”“Zera Adams.” Aaron beat him to the introduction, and that made him raise a brow of interest. “You two know each other?”I moved to say, “We met at the fundraiser.”Aaron said, “We have a bit of history,” at the same time.Well, I didn’t think this would go well, and so far it hasn’t.“Okay, that’s good then.” Tobi said, brushing off what Aaron had just said lightly.It wasn’t good, but it would be less complicated
There was silence in the few weeks that followed. I had initially thought Aaron’s presence at the fundraiser or the university would turn my world upside down, but as it turned out, it didn’t. I saw him a few times after that day, but only in professional settings, which came as a relief to me.Still, I couldn’t take chances. Diya made a schedule for picking Zion up from school, and in the last few weeks, we have all stuck to it. From Mondays through Fridays, each person was assigned to pick him up and take him to their place until the evening, and I’d go over to pick him up and bring him home. The only days I had to pick him up were Fridays because both Diya and her parents were busy that day. Lionel got discharged from the rehabilitation hospital last week, and he was slowly getting back into the outside world. Although I could fit him into this schedule, I knew it was best to leave him out for now.With Aaron being out of the picture for the last few weeks, I could conclude that he
I drove over to the school as fast as I could, and it surprised me that I didn’t get pulled over by the cops for overspeeding all the way here. I guess the odds were in my favour. The one thing on my mind was Zion, my son, who had displayed violent traits, something he had never done since he was a child. I tried to think of any reason that would have led him to be so violent that he’d take another kid to the school clinic. I didn’t mean to cast blame, but all my mental fingers pointed at me. Perhaps I missed clues and hints on how to deal with him and this side of him. I missed the clues.I didn’t raise him in a toxic environment, and I raised him to always be good. Always be kind in your dealings with others. I taught him what right and wrong were and ensured, to the best of my knowledge, that he followed the right path.Maybe he was responding to the change that had taken place in the last few weeks. Not only did I almost stop picking him up from school, but I also started dating Da
He stood in a blue shirt and trousers with his back to the car and his arms crossed over his chest, and I knew he was waiting for me.This was the wrongest time to meet up and the worst place to meet because things were beyond my control.My heart squeezed in my chest at the sight of him, and our eyes locked. He had the same formal and blank look he’d had on his face when we interacted with each other at the university a few days ago.After almost a minute of a locked gaze, his eyes wandered from mine, travelling down to Zion, whose small hand I held onto. I could see the flicker of emotions in Aaron’s eyes at the sight of him. These emotions ranged from surprise to confusion, a bit of pain, and then anger. His teeth clenched, and his breathing grew laboured.I knew he knew at this moment that Zion, my son, was his.It wasn’t hard to guess. Zion was his father’s son and had all his features, from his eyes to his smile and his face. My son barely looked like me, and I knew Aaron’s reali
Part 3Eight-thirty p.m.I stared at myself in the mirror, taking in my reflection and wondering if how I looked was okay enough for my meet-up with Aaron Hart. I was in a black silk dress with a hollow chest that showed just a hint of my cleavage. It had slim hands and left my shoulders bare. The outfits hugged every curve I had from top to bottom. It doubled in size after I had Zion, and though I thought it would leave in due time, it hadn’t. I wasn’t complaining.My dirty blonde hair I held up my hair in a loose bun, letting a few curls fall onto my shoulders. I applied a little make-up and touched my lips with red lipstick and my lashes with black mascara. I needed to look my best, and though I felt as if this was too much, I reminded myself that the man I was going to meet was Aaron Hart. He might have seemed like a normal man five years ago, but he was a businessman and a multimillionaire, and I didn’t want to appear wretched before him.However, tonight wasn’t about me; it was a
Eight months later,“I know you’re there; you can come out of hiding now.” Zera said before turning to the mirror she stood in front of.Diya came out of the spot where she had hidden herself beside the door since her arrival a minute ago.“Zera. Hey.”“This baby might have robbed my other senses, but I still have a strong sense of smell. I sniffed you out the minute you stepped into the hallway.” She said this and turned to Diya in her white dress, which stopped over her knees.Diya looked ready for the day, and here she was, not even recognising herself in her dress. She had chased Aaron out of the room because he kept complimenting her overgrown bump and calling her beautiful. She didn’t feel beautiful, and she felt he only said it to make her feel better. That infuriated her and made her send him to Zion’s room.Davine told her eight months ago at the Hart Lab opening that she was a few weeks pregnant. Of course, she didn’t believe him because she was a sage and also because her bo
The Dominio pack has experienced peace like none other since the rest of the packs that survived the war moved back and continued their lives on their own. “Do I look presentable for the night?” Zera asked, turning away from the mirror to face Aaron.He glanced at her from head to toe, and there was satisfaction on his face. “You know, you always look presentable.”She rolled her eyes, giving her silver sweetheart dress one last glance before stepping away from the mirror. “I think you might be talking about yourself, Mr.”He smiled cockily. “I will take it as a compliment,” he said as he brushed over his grey suit. “Shall we go?” he asked, extending an arm to her.“Yes, we shall.” She accepted his hand, and together they stepped out of the room.The opening of Hart’s lab was a small ceremony, but many dignitaries from all over the world welcomed it. After the war, Damor began his work of testing the lab and going through the final reviews. It took him three months, and though he had
Aaron, just like Damor, had moved to attack Lucius, but his minions were willing to put themselves in the way. He had taken down three werewolves, one sage, and is currently battling another sage. It was easier said than done because, unlike the first sage he fought, this one seemed stronger, if there was such a thing. His healing abilities were kicking in to repair the damage to the broken bones and ribs, but they were not fast enough for the assault his body was taking. The sage had kicked the golden dagger away, and he was forced to fight with his hands, which wasn’t a fair fight.“You’re the alpha Aaron from the strongest line?” The sage, who had told him his name before the battle but didn’t care to keep it in mind, spoke. “This is a joke. You do not pose any threat to our alpha.” He spat on the floor.Aaron laughs, and this made the sage raise a brow. “What is so funny?”Aaron pulled himself to his feet and asked, “If I pose no threat, why does your so-called alpha want me dead
The entire pack was already outside as the night came along. Many had already been training for hours and didn’t see the point of going inside. A lot took it as their last day and just trained, regardless. They had a point; they didn’t know the numbers of those coming against them. It would be safe to consider giving it all, even though they wouldn’t make it out alive. That would be the right way to go.They noticed the presence of Aaron, and those training out in the open field paused and stepped back from each other.“The enemy will be here any minute. They will come with forces stronger than ours, probably more savage than ours; however, there is something they don’t have. The zeal we have.” They mumbled their agreement with his words.“They are coming with the sole aim of taking control, and we will fight with the sole aim of living. They do not get to decide our lives. I know many of you are scared, but so am I. I am afraid, but with that fear, I will use it to fight this battle,
Four nights later,Agitation grew within the pack after the fourth night came, and no attack from the Legion of Sages followed. It created doubt in the hearts of many, as they wondered if Lucius was even going to attack. No one slept as they anticipated the attack throughout the night, only to be proven wrong twice.Aaron had nothing to tell the pack; he had known that Lucius was not a man of his word, and this was to be expected. It didn’t mean he wouldn’t attack, but he wanted to play with them first, stretch their patience, and see how far it would go.Zera didn’t care that Lucius didn’t attack; she saw it as an opportunity to train Lionel. She had seen him battle Aaron days ago and thought he could do better with a little training. Though she didn’t get the chance immediately, she got it the next day and has trained with him since. She set out as soon as the day broke and has been at it since. She didn’t see them losing to Lucius despite his advantage, and he also wanted to think
Lionel took it better than Zera had initially anticipated because he just nodded and said he was fine with it. She didn’t want to believe his words, but she had to trust that he was telling the truth.When Manon finally arrived, Lionel was one of those to welcome him, as he had no prior visit to this one. There was no bad blood or grudge held, or at least she couldn’t see it.He shook hands with Manon and told him he was the luckiest man alive to have Sesi as his mate. Then he told him to take care of her, or he would hunt him down and kill him. It was a threat, and from the sound of his voice, he was dead serious. That should have been Aaron’s line, but Lionel didn’t care; he said it. He obviously still cared about Sesi and wanted only the best for her.Manon nodded and told him he would not forget his words in case he ever did something to hurt Sesi. Lionel tapped his shoulder and walked away.Zera turned to Aaron and asked him if he had any threats left for Manon, and he shook his h
Aaron was barely awake when he felt a hand on his body, and it wasn’t just any hand, but an arousing one. His skin tingled at the contact, and he squirmed and moved to continue the sleep, assuming it was just a dream. The touch came again, and this hand knew his body well. It knew all the right places it needed to touch and how softly and firmly he wanted each part held. A moan erupted from his mouth, and his eyes opened to find Zera between his legs. He drew a sharp breath at the realisation of what was happening.“You’re awake,” she said, grinning at him, and then stroked him at a medium pace.“Were you hoping I wouldn’t?”“I hoped you would stay asleep a little longer; bite me,” she said.His hand reached out to stroke her face lazily. “With that mouth of yours, I will do whatever you tell me to.”She chuckled and took his head into her mouth. “Fuck! Oh my, Zera, that feels so good.” He moaned, and his head fell back into the pillow, and his eyes fluttered.“Do we have time for thi
With Alpha Kol’s permission, Aaron sent the members of his pack along with the members of the Dominio pack later that day. They went out in threes following his instructions. The reason was because he knew the packs outside might not want to follow the words of the members of the Domino pack to join forces; however, with the presence of the members of the retribution pack among them, their messages would be accepted in a different light. The retribution pack members will help convince the other pack Alpha to join forces in the coming war once they learn about the enemy from them.While at home, he tried to prepare himself.“Am I overthinking this, or is Ivan an even bigger dick than I am on my dick days recently?” Damor asked, stepping into the study and shutting the door behind him. His presence and words moved Aaron’s attention to him. “Ivan had changed a lot, ever since he had ventured into the past of the wise ones, just moments of their execution. It was sure to happen. Whatever
Getting a letter from Alpha Lucius was the last thing Aaron expected the next day, but it came in the morning. No one knew how it came, as Nigo and Lawrence, the betas on watch, had seen no one drop it and only saw the letter much later into the dawn of the day.Greeting Alpha of the Dominio Pack, I would use this as a formal announcement since you already know and there is no point in hiding and seeking anymore. We are coming for your blood first, and then your head next. You have these last four days to put all your houses together. Because the cleansing is coming. You had luck taking out my favourite sage girl, but I will attack with a legion of sages, and I would love to see you die trying to take them down. I wish you all the best, but cleansing is a natural order of things, so there are no hard feelings.Your friend, LuciusAaron squeezed the letter after reading it and tossed it to the ground.The arrival of the retribution pack as well as the presence of Alpha Viktor over the