I searched my brain for answers. Okay maybe she was just walking him to where he was seated, she did that for Luke and I afterall, but where was the tour guide who was supposed to be on his arm? And why was she holding onto him in that way? But more importantly why were they walking in the direction of our table? The entire Hall suddenly felt very hot. I felt panic rising in my chest, I clenched my fists and shut my eye, I could feel two pair of eyes on me, I knew it was Luke but I didn't want to see the concern on his face right now. It would confuse me even more. With every step they took in our direction my heart hammered, my palms produced more sweat, I took another gulp of water as they got seated, with Mac intentionally taking a seat close to me, closing all my thoughts with his presence. I felt a bit dizzy from the strongness of his cologne, there was a conflict in my belly over the one I had somehow gotten used to today and the one who sat beside me right now, I didn't want
I didn't stop running. Even when I felt the gush of wind greet my nostrils, even when the light drizzle slapped my skin, even when my eyes burned with all the tears I refused to cry and made me momentarily blind, I didn't stop. Someone was tailing me. I could feel it, I assumed it was Lola because she was the only one I could manage to out run with ease, but I didn't want to speak to anyone right now, I just wanted to breathe. What the hell was going on? one moment Mac was treating me like something with no worth and the next moment he wanted to claim me? Why did I feel more like a possession between those two men and what did Luke have to do with this. I dashed my foot against a stone in my haze, sending my entire balance off the charts. I closer my eyes and prepared my body for the hard collide with the granite ground, instead as always strong pair of arms wrapped around my torso and held me up just before I hit the ground. I looke
I couldn't stand on my two feet. It felt like the earth around me was bouncing beneath my feet, I placed a shaky finger on my swollen lips in remembrance of the kiss. it really happened. The hottest and most intense kiss of my life had happened and my body couldn't get adjusted to the absence of that looming presence and the flush of that full pink lips on mine. My knees were weak and riddled with desire, my pupils had dilated as the last words he said to me played over and over again in my head. It sounded like a love confession, but to me? The intensity and force with which he said his words had me shivering involuntarily. I wrapped an arm around my body.I could tell he meant every syllable, every line and every word of what he said. Even though it sounded like a rehearsed speech I could tell it came straight from his heart and I didn't know what to do with all of that. Most importantly I had no idea what to do with the knowledge that I cried while he kissed me like his life d
My first thought and suspicion was Luke. He was a man of his tricks afterall as he had repeatedly said to me. It made absolute sense that he would shield us and protect the drama from spilling. The news of two powerful Alphas bickering at a dinner table because of some lowly girl would definitely make headlines, and not for the best reasons. But when did he do it? and how did I have no idea? Mac must have known all along, surely he would not have let himself lose control that way in front of so many people, but I didn't know. Once again I was left in the dark. I closed my eye in frustration and slowly sleep took over my consciousness.****I awoke with a jolt, and the speed at which my body moved caused my head to hit a wall. I winced and checked my surroundings, I fell asleep so fast last night I had no memory of how it happened. My phone pinged from somewhere on the bed and I ruffled my sheets to find it. The time was 7:51 am. I checked my time table quickly. I didn't have classe
" Don't tell me that is who I think it is," Lola gasped. I could only stare in return, and when she noticed I was lost for words, she asked again " Girlll, is it?" I nodded numbly, still in the trance of the whole thing because It actually worked! It worked! I was freaking out inwardly. It worked! Lola's delighted squeal filled the room as she laughed away. "Someone's finally going to get some action," She teased in a sing-song voice " Not me!" I denied it, covering my face with my palms as she continued to make sexual remarks. It made me remember our kiss. I touched my lips absentmindedly and wondered if we would talk about it today, crap. I left out that large detain in responding. I didn't want to talk about it or even think about it, I wanted to forget that it ever occurred. It wasn't something that was easily forgettable and the very thought of it always sent my body into a state of want and desire that was foreign to me. " Already touching your lip in preparation?" She
A black Audi vehicle was waiting for me when I got outside the building. It honked immediately as I came into view, and I walked over to meet the smiling face of a young man. "Fiona?" His voice was warm and friendly. He smiled curtly I nodded. Rubbing my palms together, I was starting to feel the chills. My nerves were getting the best of me. " I am Mark. I was asked to bring you to the office. Please get in" He held open the car door for me and closed it shut. The moment I walked in, I found myself blushing. He skipped over to the driver's seat, and we began the journey. Soon trees, bushes, and signs of distant places began to give way to city lights and bustling streets. I looked out of the window all through, trying to familiarize myself with the surroundings, trying to contain my awe as we drove further into the heart of the city, and also trying to keep track of where we were headed. We had been driving for over thirty minutes, and I kept glancing at Mark in the mirror. Coi
"Have your seat." His commanding voice brought me out of my reverie.I blinked back from my haze and made a shaky walk to the comfortable leather armchair I had eyed earlier. Luke walked to his huge chair and sat, pinning me with his eyes. Once more, his presence enveloped the room and swallowed me whole. I had a hard time recollecting what it was I came here for as he stared at me. His gaze was intense and hooded, I had no idea the kind of thoughts running through his mind, and it frustrated me because I knew about what I was thinking, and nothing about what I was thinking was holy. I looked away from his piercing gaze and focused my attention on the ground as if I only just found the marble floors exquisite and fascinating. I could still feel his gaze upon me, so I decided to speak, I was the one who requested this audience anyway. " Did you have one of your men kidnap my roommate?" You would think I know how to keep my mouth from getting me into trouble by now, I don't.
The look on his face was murderous, but still, it was nothing that I was familiar with. The few times I had made Mac get this angry the look on his face had been death frightening. This wasn't exactly the death-frightening glare but it was frightening all on its own. "What are you doing there?" He thundered. My legs carried me up, and I smiled sheepishly trying to come up with an excuse or a well-thought-out lie to give " I was just going through some of the history books you have here, Is this you?" I pointed at the picture still in my hand. One of these days my mouth was going to get me in deep shit, and I just knew it. "Fiona" I could tell it was a warning " Get up" I stood up without hesitation and he walked over to where I was, snatched the picture and placed it back into the envelope with a composure that had me trembling. I could feel the anger coming off him in waves as he walked to sit down. I cursed myself mentally for making this all awkward, His motioned for m
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