The world went black the moment those words were out of his mouth, and as my world faded to black, all I could see was the blurry image of his face and the desperation with which I searched my thoughts, trying to clear my vision so I could at least know who was behind the suffering and agony I had gone through. Now that he had given me a blank check. The blood trickling into my nose from my brain had added a huge hand n stealing my consciousness as fast as it came. By the time I opened my eyes again, the sun was slowly setting in the sky, I knew this because the dim rays of light that entered through the windows were too dim to be noon or morning sun, so it was either really early in the morning or late in the day. My mind lit up with an idea as if I had only just realized, I heard the loud click of the door as they walked out of the room, which told me that they secured it fastly with a strong lock. But the windows, the windows, they were open and free. I could feel the fresh breez
As the realization of their intentions hit me, panic surged through my battered body. I couldn't let them leave me here to suffer further, to find another method to extract information from me. I had to find a way to survive. My panic must have sent my system into overdrive, coupled with the fact that the survival instincts which fed me hope to keep going had been stolen forcefully from under my grasp, so my body began to react and cave in the way it should have long ago, as I realized that I was completely doomed and alone. My breaths came out in shallow, weak attempts, and my hands shook uncontrollably. I suddenly realized that one of my ears was blocked, and deaf at the moment and the other kept ringing faintly, dulling the sounds around me to nothing more than a buzz as more blood dropped onto my nose, then onto my lips from my head, the rough way I landed must have split open the wound more. Darkness slipped into my vision instantly, as though it had been waiting patiently for
The room fell into a chilling silence, or maybe it was just my world that went completely still for a moment, so still I thought I had died, and the silence was a reward for my pain.But that silence was broken only by the labored breaths of Lucas and the wheezing noise my lungs made as they struggled to retain air. There was no distant sound of sirens piercing the night. I wondered if any help at all was coming. I could feel both relief and anguish coming off Lucas as he moved steadily."Fiona," he whispered, his voice laced with guilt. "I'm so sorry you had to endure this. I promise that whoever did this would regret it, and there would be hell to pay. You just have to make it out in one piece for me, baby, and You just have to survive this," His voice broke; "you have to"I could barely hear him, but the misery in his voice somehow connected with mine, telling me all the things his words were struggling to say. I tried to respond, but my voice barely carried a whisper. My body ache
Lucas's POV. The moment I got back into town, I knew something was wrong; everything felt off, the air was different, and there was a feeling of unease I couldn't shake off that something had gone terribly wrong, but I couldn't figure it out. I had been away on a business trip for two weeks, so coming back felt a bit weird, and I tried to assure myself that it was nothing more than that, but somehow I could not. So I got all the reports, and I went through every plan and proposal I had implemented over the past few months checking to see if there were any loopholes or any unfriendly things that arose in my absence but there were none. I had mark check on all the deals we were yet to close, and even the ones we had closed if an ally somehow turned into a foe, but everything was clean; there was nothing to relate the feeling to but I was still restless. I banged my hands against my desk, it stung, but I couldn't process the pain because I was restless. Since the moment she walked
Days turned into nights, and as I drifted in and out of consciousness, Lucas remained a constant presence, tirelessly caring for me. He nourished my body with small, comforting meals, easing the hunger that had gnawed at my weakened frame. He spoke soothing words, unraveling the layers of confusion and fear that had settled within my mind. I couldn't tell if it was due to the drugs in my system or the fact that I had become completely dependent on Lucas. I felt as though I couldn't do anything with him, but somehow we started to get closer. In moments of vulnerability, I began to share fragments of my own story, my hopes and dreams, and the reasons I had unwittingly become entangled in a web of secrets. Lucas listened intently, his eyes shinning with on empathy and understanding as I spoke. I sensed there was much more he wanted to reveal, but he held back, waiting for the right time yet listening to all I had to say with full and unwavering attention, even though sometimes all I di
" Have you shifted before?" Lucas asked as he walked out of the kitchen with two plates of food firmly placed on his hands. I watched in awe as he walked briskly over to where I was. Of all the things that fascinated me about him, the fact that here with me he was just Lucas was the top of the list. He did everything for me here; he cooked for me and took care of me, his default tone of authority and commanding aura had completely been deemed here, and the fact that only I got to see this side of him made me feel so excited and giddy like a child. I wasn't able to have any thoughts outside him because he surprised me with his actions every single time. "Fiona," He called. "Hmm?" I answered absentmindedly, a wistful smile coloring my lips. "I asked if you have shifted before." I shook my head, still lost somewhere in the wistful imagination I had entered and without any plans to free myself from the naughty thoughts in my head. "What are you thinking?" He asked, with his eyes s
My entire face up in flames as the realization of the awkward position we were in dawned on me but Lucas was not fazed at all. If anything, he looked amused and unfazed. While I on the other hand wanted to bury myself because I was drowning in sheer mortification. I tried to stand from his legs but his strong hand secured me. "You're only going to make matters worse" He teased, with a small smile coloring his face as I buried my face in my palms. Refusing to listen, I shifted to stand again and a small groan escaped his lips. I froze. His left hand tightened around my waist and his grip on my thighs was deathly. There was no hint of teasing in his voice now. "Fiona, Do you know what you're doing right now?""Let me go""You're only going to make this worse" His voice was huskier and thicker. The tension in the room suddenly became very thick as it hung heavy in the silence between us. His hard and laboured breaths poured out like a diffuser, making my cheeks as red as a tomato an
"I know what you heard" Lucas whispered breaths away from my face. "I know everything "My eyes widened in shock. "You do?""Yes, I do. It was a trap too" A gasp escaped my lips. I flung my head away from his tender touch. My eyes watering instantly as the realization of everything dawned on me. "All this while....""Yes, I knew. I just wished you didn't break my heart that way, I wished you trusted me enough to believe my intentions were true""I'm sorry" I sobbed "I know" "Will you punish me?" I asked through tears "What?" He sounded incredulous. "No Fiona, I won't " His large arms cupped my face and he wiped the tears streaming down gently " Shhh It's all in the past" I flung myself into his arms once more."Wait, how many people were in on this plan?" I asked on his hard Rock chest. "Just Mark and I" Lucas replied, then thinking of the question he turned to me with a raised eyebrow "Why?" "The people who captured me, they wanted to know what I knew about you. it's almost li
After the very intense and romantic dinner, which mainly consisted of Lucas staring at me with his electric blue orbs and me trying not to puke everything that had entered my belly due to the intensity in his eyes, he led us quietly back into the room where I perched awkwardly at the edge of the bed. "Where is everyone?" I whispered. I couldn't help but note the differences between his and Mac's houses. No pack members were sprawling around here, and no slaves or workers were moving to do his bidding. I was curious: was this how he lived as an Alpha?"I dismissed them," Lucas replied, dispersing the chaos in my mind. That made sense, I thought. Lucas continued to stare at me with something like longing in his eyes, and I had no idea what to do. He had said nothing would happen tonight, so why did he stare at me like that?As if sensing my thoughts, his long fingers wrapped around my jaw smoothly. " Don't think too much, just stay here with me." "What attracted you to me?" I whisper
"Oh, my goodness! I've told you, Amanda, I'm not going for something extra and shiny; I want something simple and nice!" She smirked as she handed me yet another one of her extravagant dresses. "You mean something cute and sexy?" My face went up in flames. "Oh my god! Amanda! For the hundredth time, we are not doing anything tonight!" "Oh yeah, and that's why you are spending the night with him?" "Urghhhh," I whinnied, covering my face with my hands at her absolute morbidity. It was practically impossible to win with this girl. In her most innocent voice, she added, "Well, since you claim it is nothing sensual, then you probably wouldn't want to wear a dress like this." She held up a red dress, and I lost my breath. "That's it," I whispered, and with one final squeal, I ran into the bathroom to get changed. At exactly seven pm, the doorbell rang, and Amanda ran excitedly to open it while I finished up my outfit. Spritzing perfume and taking deep breaths. I walked out to
Two weeks later, there was no word from Lucas. If I had not seen the weary news and heard the whispered rumors I would have been scared, but now I was more upset than anything. His plans were already in motion. It was one downfall to the other of the Ashen subsidiaries, and the tabloid made sure everyone knew. Between clans, they could tell that things were looking bad for the Ashens. Even though they played all the cards they had, Lucas was smarter, strategically utilizing all his inside men to break down the very foundation of their business. Father kept us updated as he continued working there, despite the fresh rage I had seen in his eyes after that discussion and the hunger for revenge for Mom. He kept us updated on the incessant fights that kept happening while also trying to gather some men who were formally of our pack before they became slaves as a means of survival. I sighed for the fifth time, watching as the red mother broadcaster spoke about an outbreak of fire in the
When I got in, Father pulled me into a big, tight hug that left me both shocked and in awe, and I went to bed tipsy with happiness and the euphoria of everything that had happened. Finally, it felt like everything was all coming together, so for that night, I swallowed the questions I had for Father and basked in the sheer joy in the air, falling asleep with a huge smile on my face and a weight lifted from my chest. Soon, very soon, we will all witness the heavy downfall of Mac and the entire Ashen family. ****** The smell of pancakes and bacon that wafted through the air the next morning told me of my sister's arrival. Father must have called them over last night, and that could only mean that we were having a family meeting. I jumped down from the bed, excited to see them and eat delicious food after such a long time. "Fiona darling," Giselle's slender arms wrapped around me as I stepped into the kitchen, looking as ivory and as beautiful as ever with that flowery scent that ma
The ride home was silent and filled with the many words and thoughts running through our minds. I finally had enough time to process everything Lucas told me, which was a lot. The plan was for him to drop me off, but I knew I was going to tell my family the truth about everything that occurred many years ago and find out why Father hid so many things from me. Even if Lucas was fine with being the bad guy and being blamed for things he had no hand in, I wasn't okay with it, and I needed to get it out.I glanced at the brooding man on the wheel. Ever since we managed to pry ourselves apart and his almost confession, he had been unusually quiet and even more brooding, like he was lost in thought in a space of his own, and I had no idea how to reach him. "What's going on?" I asked, turning to face him and taking him in more; we had spent the past days together, yet he still looked handsome in a new way. I still couldn't get over how handsome he was. I didn't think it would ever be somet
Somehow the kiss transcended from my little kiss as Lucas took control, fighting with every urge in his body against his wold from ripping my clothes and taking me, and I could feel it in every strain as he deepened the kiss, picking me up from the floor, I wrapped my legs instinctively around his waist as I went in for more, grabbing a handful of his shirt. The desire I felt eroded my senses, but I knew it was nothing compared to the one a person with full access to his alpha wolf felt; all I got from my wolf was an intense need and constant purring, which rang out as moans as Lucas raked his hands hastily from my back to my waist repeatedly.Carefully and still deep in the kiss, he led me back into the room till I was dropped softly against the soft sheets and towered by him. My heart seized as I stared at his almost black-blue eyes now, electricity running up and down his blue orbs and desire fueling them so passionately I felt dizzy for a second. My own need propelled me to wrap m
"No," Lucas thundered, taking my soft fists in his large ones. I expected this, so I didn't budge. I added calmly, "I wasn't asking for your permission, Lucas. I was simply letting you know I am all in on this." "I don't want to drag you down this path. The Ashens are ruthless and very crafty. You are not ready, and I would hate for any harm to come to you on my account." "You think I don't know they are ruthless? Do you think I have no idea how crafty they can be when I have been a victim myself? I am well aware, and it is my knowledge that fuels my anger." I paused, inhaling deeply. "I, too, have been offended, and I am itching for my revenge, So train me or protect me. Whatever makes you feel better, but know that I will not sit and watch idly, and I will make Mac pay whether or not you let me in on this. I will beat him at his own game," I fought. He stared at me warily for a while before heaving a breath and nodding. "I will not put you in harm's way, but I will train you we
Lucas didn't come in for at least twenty minutes, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't stop thinking about the big bulge in his pants when he walked out of the room. I had felt it earlier when I laid down, and now it has become the most fascinating and most terrifying thing to me, but I just couldn't breathe my head to kick out the thought.I lay beneath the duvet, covering my red-coated face and my swollen lips from the past few minutes, my heart was still racing as though I had just run a marathon, and particles of the lightheadedness I felt when Lucas was kissing me still remained. I missed him immediately when he left, as he walked out of the door, as soon as his hands left my body. I came to the slow realization that my feelings for Lucas were rapidly changing into something big and beyond my control it was only a matter of time before they blew up in my face. The air in the room still smelled like him, like wood and soap and masculine sweat and for a second I imagined hi
Lucas caught up with me in no time, but I refused to give in when his large arms encircled me again. I thrashed against his body and bumped into trees hoping to scratch and loosen his death grip on me. "I'm sorry, Fiona, But listen, Hear me out first," He said, not sounding a minute breathless or like someone carrying a thrashing girl. "No, let me go!" I thrashed and kicked around the open air "You're only going to hurt yourself, Fiona," Lucas growled. " Stay put and listen to what I have to say for your own sake." "No, you listen to me, Let. Me. Go." I protested. Lucas sighed and wrapped his hand even firmer around my torso. "Why do you choose the wrong times to be stubborn and throw a tantrum? Do you have any idea how difficult it has been for me to watch you fawn over someone as horrible as Mactervish?" He scoffed, then continued in a ludicrous manner, "Or should I speak about how worried I have been every second that you have spent with him? dined with him, sat with him, a