LEILA MILLERI let out a moan as Matt sensually placed his hands on me, breaking our kiss. His electrifying touch sent waves of desire coursing through my veins. I felt the heat formulating between my thi-ghs. Just as I was about to kiss him, he suddenly stopped and left me.I frowned, we've been a couple for almost 2 years now, but lately Matt's gotten weirder and weirder.I lay beside Matt, my body still warm from our time together, but my mind buzzed with restless thoughts.As a werewolf, I couldn’t help but want my mate to mark me as his. But he hasn't done that to me yet..Matt is not my fated mate, but both of us don’t care about it. I might not have a fated mate, but I had Matt, a man who made me feel like having a mate was more than just about fate.I wasn't a member of this pack 2 years ago when I was attacked by rogues at the pack border. But I was luckily saved by Matt. I remember vividly when I slowly opened my eyes after being injured and unconscious, I saw that Matt sm
Before, he'd been too busy convincing the pack to accept my rogue status, but lately, it was all about his uncle. Matt had mentioned him before, and I tried to understand, but recently, he spoke of him more and more, as though his Uncle Sebastian were a lofty figure suddenly within reach.Alpha Sebastian, from what I knew, was Matt’s mother’s brother, and he controlled territories larger than those of our New Moon Pack. I’d heard of him even back then; the stories painted him as ruthless and fearsome. At the time, I hadn’t given him much thought. But with Matt’s recent obsession, it was becoming too much.Matt kept mentioning how he wanted to prove himself to Sebastian—not just for himself, but for the Alpha of our pack as well. Alpha Sebastian’s power and territory grew alongside his company, and our—or rather, their—New Moon Pack wanted to form an alliance with him, hoping to climb higher up the ladder.Since Alpha Ferris, New Moon’s Alpha, couldn’t secure the d-eal, Matt thought h
All I know was that my heart was in pain, immense pain that I had no recollection of how I went back to my room, or how I managed to make it through the night. By the time morning came, the sun filtered through the slightly opened curtains, peeping in soft golden lights across the room, a huge contrast to what my heart was feeling. The spot beside me on the bed, where Matt should have been, was cold and empty. I felt none of the warmth I’d once enjoyed waking up beside him.He hadn’t returned early last night, and even when he finally did, I couldn’t find peace, couldn’t sleep. His words from when he left echoed in my mind, his flimsy excuses taunting me.He had told me his great uncle, Sebastian Salvatore, would be in town soon to expand his business. In Matt’s world, that meant he needed to be on his best behavior to get on the man’s good side. He mentioned needing to ensure everything was perfect for the meeting.But after what I’d discovered, I knew it was a lie. He left to see h
As Gracie and I had agreed, I was dressed and ready for a night out by 6 p.m., ready to let loose. I’d chosen a slinky black halter dress that hugged my body and accentuated my curves, reminding me of the confident, bold woman I used to be before I met Matt.The reflection staring back at me in the mirror looked like a stranger—a bold, beautiful woman I hadn’t seen in a long time. Matt had preferred a more subdued version of me, so I’d molded myself to fit that image. I’d become the perfect, timid mate, trying to be everything he wanted. I should have known I’d never be enough.A car honk sounded outside, signaling Gracie’s arrival. I grabbed my purse and phone, adjusted the straps on my heels, and headed for the front door. I didn’t bother leaving a message for Matt. He hadn’t been home all day, and frankly, I didn’t care whether he came back or not. All I cared about was getting out.I spotted Gracie’s car parked outside and made a beeline for it. She rolled down the window, waving
The nightclub’s music thumped through my body, but all I could focus on was the haze in my head. How did I end up here? Oh, right—Matt. His lies, his excuses, all his fake promises. “Working for his uncle” or “expanding his business”? Yeah, sure. He was probably with her. Just the thought made me throw back another drink, trying to drown out the anger.Was he with her now? Laughing, touching her? My chest tightened. I needed to stop thinking about him.I had thought that Matt would be the one. He seemed so gentel and kind, but I guess that wasn’t the case. After this, I felt like never falling in love again.Gracie grabbed my hand and pulled me to the dance floor. “Come on!” she shouted over the music. I followed her, letting the beat take over. For a moment, I could forget. The crowd, the rhythm—it all blurred together, and I felt like myself again.After a while, I left the dance floor, the drinks catching up to me. On my way back, I crashed into someone—hard. My ankle twisted, and
The air in the room is heavy with the scent of our bodies merged together, the tension between us so thick and suffocating it filled every space of the room. His hands wee every where, sliding over the bare skin of my thighs and pushing the hem of my dress as his lips became more intense, kissing me deeply, and his scent overwhelming me as a whole, stealing every bit of rational sense left in me.I was left with no thought but that of him in that very moment, his body on mine, his intoxicating sense that drowned me in him. His lips moving on mine were rough, insistent, and I let myself drown in it…in him too.I am not sure how we ended up in one of the rooms at the club, a vip room I supposed but my brain was too much of a mess and a haze for me to recall exactly how the events escalated. One minute we were kissing in the hallway, and the next, my back was hitting the bed as he hovered above me, his entire being taking me away to nirvana. Most of the alcohol was out of my system by t
Matt: Reply me immediately you see my messages.Matt: I mean it, Leila.If I was not in my right senses up until a while ago, and I am not, the messages cleared the entire fog of lust on me. My stomach twisted in uncomfortable knots, and the surge of desire vanished as cold clarity dawned on me on what I was just about to do.Fuck, what was I just about to do? What was I doing? I was about to cross a line, a line that I could not come back from. No matter how upset I am, I should not have stooped down to Matt’s level, this cannot be the answer. Two wrongs do not make a right.I hesitated, my breath uneven as I looked back at the man. His eyes were on my phone, his expression hardening and growing even more colder than ever. There was a flick of something that masked his expression, almost like a realization suddenly dawned on him and almost as my touch burned him, he withdrew his hands back, his intensity cooling.Without a word or so much as a look spared in my direction, he straight
LEILA MILLER The morning might filtered through the opened windows as I stepped into my house with Matt of two years. Except today, the usual enthusiasm and affection I had for this place I had poured my all into making it my home is no longer there, and in it's stead, the weight of everything from last night weighed me down as well as everything that has happened in the past few days as well. My head is throbbing, a full reminder of the mistake I had almost made last night. I had not gotten a wink of sleep last night entirely, simply tossing and turning in Gracie's Bed where I had seemed shelter the night before, not wanting to return to this place with my thoughts scattered all over like that. Despite Matt's message, I could not stand to look at him or seal with anything that has to do with him in any form last night really, especially not while still under the influence of alcohol. Now though, as I walked into the room, something within me has shifted, more like a fierce de
LEILA MILLER.My lower lip was between my teeth as I stared at Sebastian's card, the words circling in my mind. I wanted to throw his bouquet and card too, but something inside of me fluttered in ways I couldn't quite explain. But as I made up my mind, I let out a sigh, and the door opened just in time to see Kiana."Miss Reed?" She stepped in and said, "You wanted me to take the roses out?" with her brows drawn together as she gazed between me and the flowers.Dropping Sebastian's card back into the bouquet, I nodded and said, "And the lilies too." I stated that as I was determined to discard it.I would not be swayed that easily; the thoughts of what happened in the past came flooding in, strengthening my resolve.Kiana's confusion was evident on her expression, and I could understand why. She is someone with a simple mind and thought. To her, getting two bouquets is probably the best way to start the morning. To me, it is nothing but a constant reminder of what I was made to go thr
LEILA MILLER.Sebastian left shortly after breakfast, leaving me stunned by his sudden confession. I did not know what to make of it, or how to wrap my head around it really. Everything that happened in the last twenty-four hours seemed like a messy blur to me, almost as if it happened all in the blink of an eye—as if I am living a dream. After a while of simply sitting there staring at nothing, I decided to get up and get ready for the day. I am late already, and I hate being tardy. So, I made my way back to the bedroom, took a shower, and the changed into a work outfit of my choice. I did however decide on a high neck blouse, just to cover up the marks that decorated my skin. It took me less than an hour to get ready, and by the time I was done, i picked up my car keys on the way out before heading down to the underground parking lot where I got into my car, and then drove off to work. My apartment is not far from the office, just about fifteen minutes drive if there is traffic, an
LEILA MILLER.His words brought me out of the trance I was lost in for a moment, and then I blinked, my lips parted as I released a shaky breath. My eyes then narrowed at him, though I did not exactly push him away. "You did not answer my questions," I pointed out.He hummed, as if he was aware of it. And then, one of his hands went to my waist, slipping under the shirt so his bare hands touched my bare skin, and I found myself swallowing down a lump, suddenly beginning to feel hot all over again--and judging from the look on his face, he is very much aware of it. "How was your night?" He asked in that same husky tone. "How are you feeling now?"I sighed, but decided to answer after all. "I am fine," I said, trying to keep my expression blank. "But you need to leave," I said, "I have to go to work, and you do as well." I saw the time on the clock earlier, it already is past eight in the morning--making us both late for work.But here we are, acting as if we do not have work to head to
LEILA MILLER.I let out a sigh as I opened my eyes, only to be greeted by the faint glow of light peeking through the drapes. As I drew the pillow in my arms closer to me, I closed my eyes once again and let out another sigh of relief and satisfaction. However, I stopped when I smelled something.Taking another smell of the scent emanating from the pillow, my eyes sprung wide, and sure enough, it was Sebastian's... I was reminded of everything that had happened the previous evening, as though the aroma had opened the gates to memories that came flooding in almost instantly. From his picking me up from work to the fundraiser dinner, to dress shopping at Lerouxe, and even sleeping together.I clenched my eyes shut immediately, silently screaming in my head as I realized I had slept with Sebastian after all. Blood rushed to my cheeks as I buried myself under the pile of duvet before I realized there was no point in regretting really. What is done is done, and though I still feel like sma
SEBASTIAN SALVATORE DE LUCA.I caved into my desires after all. I was not sure what was the final breaking point for me exactly. Was it from being ignored by her throughout the night since the mention of Anastasia? Or was it when I saw her being hit on by that drunk man? I am not sure exactly, it could be it all to be honest.But as we sat in that car, on the way back to her house, I held onto the very last thread of patience I have before I would do something i definitely would not regret. Her scent was too strong, it was messing with my senses. I could not stare at her, I dared not to because by doing so I would be losing that bit of composure I have always prided myself in having.I could feel her gaze on me occaionally, but i forced myself to keep my gaze out there, exhaling a few calming breaths to myself. As much as it was torture itself, I still wished the ride was longer because way too sooner than I would have liked, the car pulled up in front of her apartment, and she stepp
LEILA MILLER.Not in the least bit able to think clearly. Sebastian devoured my lips so quickly that I had little time to respond, and I was forced to yield to his touches.The only thing that came to me in the hazy mess that was Sebastian was his kisses, his touch, and the way he made me feel hot and fuzzy inside. When I tried to kiss him back, I was unable to equal the passion of his kisses, but I was able to free my hands from his and wrap them around his neck.I knew that I should keep my distance, pull away, and keep him at arm's length, but none of those things mattered to me in this situation. I am not sure whether I was caving in because I am too caught up in lust, or whether my heart was starting to sway to him but I knew one thing for sure: I am craving his touch, intensely so.So, I melted in his arms, throwing away all those thoughts that were making me second guess the situation, and simply caved into the passionate kiss. Sebastian's lips finally left mine, allowing me t
LEILA MILLER With one hand holding onto the stranger’s hand, Sebastian pulled me behind him with his other hand, so his body was shielding me from the man. He towered over the man, his hand twisting his arm in a position that is certain to be anything but comfortable, judging from the look of pain that took over the man’s features. He was quick to start pleading, “Look, bro, I am sorry, I did not know she is with you. Please. Let go.” Sebastian twisted his arm further, and even I started to feel bad for the man because I cannot imagine my hand being twisted in such direction. I could not see Sebastian’s face, but when he parted his lips to speak, I could detect the fury in it. His voice had dropped octaves lower so only the three of us could hear, and there was a low growl in his voice that I knew his wolf is about to show. “Or what?” Sebastian repeated his earlier words to me, as he stepped closer to him, the man’s body shaking. And then I heard it. The sickening sound of b
LEILA MILLER After Sebastian won that bid, the bidding continued with other displayed items but none caught my attention again. If anything, my mood has dampened significantly, an unwanted thought crossing that mind that what if, Sebastian got the set for that Anastasia of his. I intended to keep her issue out of my mind, I truly do. However, it just kept coming back, and in the process, ruining my mood. At one point, I decided I needed a break from the environment there, and so, pushed my seat back in an attempt to get up. Sebastian’s voice came finally, stopping me. “Where are you going?” He grumbled, his voice low, though still not sparing me a glance. I wanted to ignore him, but something in me did not allow me to. So, I found myself responding. “The restroom.” I said simply. He did not respond, or even acknowledge me, making my frown deepen. Sighing, I threw him a slightly pointed look, before I got out of seat and then walked out of the hall, asking one of the waiters
LEILA MILLER.Anastasia. The name of the lady that has apparently been by Sebastian’s side for the longest time. I felt the way his body stiffened beside mine when the name was mentioned, and the visible change of the air around us.Through the corner of my eyes, I watched his expression hardened, and my own lips curled downwards into a frown as the tension began to set in. Opposite me, the expression on Mrs. Robert’s face showed that was exactly what she wanted, it was the reaction she wanted to get from him.Sebastian’s response however threw her off balance, and before she could find her footing or her husband offer to aid her, Sebastian pulled me away from them, leading us towards the designated table for us as the event was about to officially start.It was not intentional. It really was not. But the mention of the lady served as a wake up call to me. That the short moment we shared earlier at Lerouxe is nothing more than just an illusion, and I am yet again reminded of the actua