I didn't expect him to chase me, but the realization that he wasn't going to hurt all the same. I stomped out of the hallway seething in anger from the scene I had just fallen victim to, I cursed my curiosity for landing me in positions that caused my heart to ache all the time.I didn't know when I broke into a run, my eyes stung but this time the tears lined their way out of them as I ran with whatever little ounce of dignity I had left. I took the stairs two at a time, and I didn't bother to respond at all when the Butler called out to me. Did he call me to his house to see this? Knowing that I could not keep my curious self in one place? It was a flimsy thought, but with all I had seen, I couldn't put it past Mac to act so petty and mighty and take immense pleasure in crushing my heart. Seriously Fiona, did you expect him to chase you after you left like that? I shook my head at my own ignorance foolishness and blind optimism, This was all on me. Mac had shown me his true color
I slept with the burning feeling of his actions burning in my chest. But surprisingly, I woke up feeling better and less disturbed about the things that happened yesterday. Amanda was out when I got in, and thankfully, I was able to avoid her questioning gaze, Father had come in quite late, too, and only dropped to wish me a good night before retiring for the day. I still had no idea about my laptop and how I was going to retrieve it, or if it was even possible. I had lodged a complaint on the website, and I was told that a customer service agent would respond to me, but it's been forty-eight hours, and I've heard nothing from them. And quite frankly, I am beginning to lose hope that they'd ever respond. I headed straight for the kitchen after brushing my teeth, in the heat of yesterday and all its drama, I couldn't bring myself to swallow anything so easy to say, I was starving, and I had no idea what to eat. I settled on cereal and was munching slowly on the dining table, scrolli
I walked out of the store in a daze, still trying to process what had just happened. True to his word, Mark was patiently waiting outside for me by the time I was done window shopping. I didn't dare take something else with the bill of the laptop and phone burning a hole into my bag. I didn't know why he would act that way, If I were being honest, I didn't mind the money. I could tell this would save Father from the extra cost that wasn't planned for, but I still didn't know how he would feel about Lucas making the payment. He opened the car door, and I got in, feeling a mix of gratitude and confusion. As we drove away from the mall, I couldn't help but wonder why Lucas was being so kind to me. I wondered if he had some hidden agenda, but I couldn't figure out what it was.Mark didn't say a word during the drive, but I could feel his eyes on me in the rearview mirror. It made me uncomfortable, so I leaned my head against the window and closed my eyes.When we arrived at my apartme
His fixed gaze held mine for more minutes than I liked, the sensation of his touch sent sparks flying in several directions inside my body. I yearned for more of that touch, the explosive fireworks that caused a riot in my belly the moment his skin touched mine. I yearned for the completion of our bond, for him to claim me and take me as his, and as if he could read my thoughts he let go of my hand and took a step away from me bringing me forcefully out of my delusion. Right. We're back to where we were.I stared at my feet because I didn't trust my eyes not to betray me, and I just wanted this to be done and over with, I just wanted him to say whatever he wanted to say so I could leave his sight and put an end to the obscenities that were currently dancing through my mind."I didn't intend for you to see that," He stated, burning holes in my head with his stare " I don't know why you went around opening doors in a house that isn't yours." The anger was back but it didn't last long.
Everything in my life was going at the pace I didn't expect, suddenly Mac was showing up one day with a mouth full of half apologies and an offer for redemption, and Lucas was still the brooding, sexy man doing so many things that made me question what reality I was in.It felt like I had landed hot on my ass in some alternate universe, and I had no idea what to do to get myself back to where I could recognize, it was all because the two alphas suddenly thought I was the most fascinating thing on the earth, or at least they acted like it.Father had told me last night that Mac sent for me once more, he had gone eerily quiet since his audacious rendition, and I started to believe he regretted it until I got the news. I didn't give myself any room to overthink or celebrate things this time after knowing how the last time I was at his house ended. All the times I had visited that house had ended in one misery or the other, the only exception I could think about was when I met Lucas,Thi
The look on the Butler's face was almost enough to convince me of the sincerity of Mac's confession the previous day, I watched him with my brows raised as he approached me with a small smile—the very first of its kind. Father had left with Mr. Ashen as soon as we arrived, so it was just I who was being led inside, which made me wonder why he bowed his head even lower than before. Did the news get out that fast? Did Mac mean it, or was it merely a statement that he made? I didn't know if he was capable of being good and genuine, I didn't know if this was all some ploy he had meticulously skimmed. The look of the house was getting familiar because I no longer stared at the expensive chandeliers in sight as I walked, instead, I focused on where I was being led to. As I was guided into the grand dining hall, my eyes widened in awe at the sight before me. The room was more luxurious than any other I had seen before, mainly because it was a dining room. Its walls were adorned with ta
I got up immediately he walked in. I was expecting us to be led somewhere else but he motioned for me to sit while he took a seat too. The whole thing felt very formal, and it revealed to me how much of strangers we still were even though we had a number of encounters in the past. I cleared my throat as I watched him take a call across the room, wasn't he too busy for this?It still felt like too much of a dream to have his attention like this and to be able to hold it, I didn't know whatever was responsible for this change, but I wanted to keep it up and see where things go at least. I studied his stoic face as he walked back to sit down, thinking of all the times his stern face had been unfeeling and brutal toward me, and all the looks he gave me in anger and irritation. Looking ar him right now, I struggled to reconcile the image of the two personalities but I failed. I thought about All the times that I had gotten the lesser deal of his generosity, it led me to my very first qu
I was beyond shocked when Mac asked if I would like to stay for lunch but I accepted to stay anyway.I was reveling in the attention he gave me now and swearing to make the best of it despite any other things I had in mind.He left for a meeting but promised to be back just in time for Lunch, so to make myself busy I wandered around the room I was left in aimlessly, moving from one comfortable sofa to the other, genuinely glad for the privacy.My vision of Lucas began to change slowly with all he had said, It was more hesitant than it should have been. it wasn't abrupt because I still doubted most of it. My intuition protested against his judgment but my brain told me things would be simpler if I just believed him and complied like I was supposed to. and the only reason I had for that was the fact that he was my mate. I didn't give it much thought the moment he left the room, one thing was clear he was somewhat trying to dampen the image of Luke but if only he knew, he need not try. I
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