XADENI stood behind her door, hearing her loud sobs and whisperings to our baby. So this was what failure felt like, after putting in a whole lot of effort and time. Who was I kidding? Two years was an awfully long time to be alone. With a kid. Every night as I lay in bed, I continuously wished for something different. A second chance. I would sacrifice being the Alpha just to be with her. I wanted my destiny changed overnight. I prayed to the moon goddess for help. Nothing happened.I sat down on the stairs, holding my hand to my chest in a bid to ease the pain. I had not just been stabbed by anyone. She had the greatest influence over me and she was using it well. I mean, I was the Alpha, and a few words from her had me struggling with movement. Even after Celeste had gotten what she deserved, she'd played her part to the end. I was ruined. Soraya hated me. No, she loathed me. And everything was my fault. I never wanted to be the cause of her pain. I just wanted a happy home and
XADENAnd yet, here he was. He arched a brow. "You're not the only one who can handle a tracker. I've been following you. You're not doing too well, Xaden."I took the shot in one go and pushed the cup towards the bartender. I felt tipsy now and I was happy I was almost at my limit. I smiled. "If you didn't come here to help then why are you here?""What do you need help with?" James asked still on his first cup. What a slow ass. How can one sip a shot? You were supposed to drink it all. "Tell me how to fix the mistake that is my life." "Why would you think your life is a mistake?" He gulped down his own drink and I smiled again, almost laughing. The James I knew was not much of a gentle man, I learnt drinking from him. "Because it is. It's either that or I have been cursed in some way." I placed my head on the counter and drew little circles around the cup I had been drinking from. "Is this about the rumours that have been going around? We both know that Celeste was a monster. W
SORAYAI broke him. I pushed the door open behind him, refusing to look into his eyes, as I didn't want to break myself. Xaden looked like he'd been drained of life with my last statement. My wolf tumbled from being so close to him but I ignored her completely. I didn't have a choice but to set myself free. He was intoxicating me. His constant decisions, made for mostly only his benefit, were hard to adapt to. He caused all this mess in the first place. How do you propose when you don't even have a relationship? What prompted him to take that step? I wish I could find out. Voices in my head were getting louder. "You're a bad mum," They said. "You don't love yourself, You think this is the best for Kaylee?" I wanted to scream again but then Xaden would be convinced I was going crazy. The look in his eyes didn't make anything better. I felt worse. Every goddamn time. I wasn't fast enough. I didn't want him to meet me like this. I wasn't ready for a full discussion with him. No matter
SORAYAI sincerely hoped Jeremy wasn't planning anything funny. Now I'd seen Xaden all soft and sad, but it didn't wipe out the memory that I had of him. He was the fucking goddamn Alpha! What was Jeremy thinking saying things carelessly like that? What if Xaden saw the text on my phone? The last time they met, the threat in his eyes was not so welcoming. I didn't want any harm to come to Jeremy. Xaden was dangerous and he had the influence to support it. I had a thought to text Jeremy back but I brushed it off. Text him back? Communication was the biggest risk I could take right now. Things were just getting good, I couldn't sacrifice that because I had to save someone.As much as I longed to see Jeremy again I really hoped these were empty threats that he was making. I looked at the text on my phone again and deleted it. It was better if I didn't know anything about it. I looked outside the window and sniffed in the cool evening air. We'd been riding for a few hours now and it was
SORAYAXaden was now laughing at my sudden change of expression. Tch. I didn't blame him. It was funny. I smiled back, a little embarassed that he'd figured out what I was doing. "What's so funny?" Now we were having a conversation. Way to protect yourself girl!"You, Trying to stay mad at me." He was close to me now, looking down and pointing at my nose. I felt a little poke behind my dress. Oh Soraya! How could you forget you have a kid? "Mama. Mama." Kaylee was poking me and pointing at a particular door that had decorations in front of it. What was that about? "What is it, Kay?" I bent down to hear her properly. "Mama." She pointed to that door and I noticed the decorations were a bit attractive. I tapped who was busy on his phone. "What's in there? Kaylee wants to go in there." "Oh about that. I was just about to tell you. It's like a kids section." Xaden picked Kaylee up and she giggled calling him Dada. They were so cute together. "A kids section?" I was a bit confused. W
SORAYA"I remember... you mentioned him to me before. But not the details..." Xaden sipped his coffee looking rather chill. I had completely forgotten that on our first meeting after that night, I told him about.I nodded, biting my lip unsure of where to start. His expression wasn't helping either. But he wanted to talk about this. He wanted to know didn't he?"Well uhm. I found out Liam was my mate in highschool..." I started, the memories of that phase of my life hit me. "I thought we were good together," I took another bite and watched as Xaden listened keenly. He was actually interested in what I had to say. "Go on..." He pressed, his voice strained. I didn't feel pain concerning Liam anymore. Infact, it was a little embarrassing to talk about it. But I did anyway. I felt myself warming up to Xaden more than I thought possible, given our past. I had agreed to give him a chance. I'd have to open my heart so I could trust him again. "He got accepted in Elite and he left. I applie
XADENI followed closely behind her, looking sideways searching through with my eyes. It could not be what I was thinking. Kaylee couldn't just disappear. There was no one here to take her right? I walked faster now, catching up to Soraya as she muttered things I couldn't understand, looking everywhere and pointing at almost everything. She was losing her mind. I had to be stronger for her. But how could this be? I left her with Kaylee. There was no one else here except for the workers I hired. That was unless, one of them was responsible for this. Had Kaylee been kidnapped? A million thoughts ran through my mind as I walked with Soraya looking everywhere possible. She kept muttering things but my hearing was blocked out. I had to focus with all my senses or I could lose them too. My daughter is missing for fuck's sake.After walking around for about twenty minutes, I held Soraya by the shoulder. She stopped walking and turned to me, her eyes were already reddened from too much cryi
XADENMy eyes fell to the floor. I wasn't expecting such harshness, but then again I had said too much. Soraya was right. What was I thinking? For all I knew, this could be Celeste's handwork or her bastard father, Malcolm. I should have killed them myself on sight. “We'll, find her, I promise.” Dead or alive, we will find her. Hopefully alive.Dax arrived almost an hour later and he walked towards me. "How did you get here so fast?" "We flew here, boss. Time is not on our side and we're not familiar with this area. You're going to have to come with us." I looked at him and back at the door. There was no way I'd just leave. I approached the door one more time. I needed this woman to know that I wasn't going to let her go. "Soraya, baby, Dax is here. And I would have to go with him to look for her. I need you to stay here, while I get our baby girl back. Okay?" My chest ached from reminding her of the unfortunate situation we were in. I wished she would talk to me. I waited for a fe
SORAYAI tried to make a stance and defend myself to the best of my abilities. I wished with more than anything in me that Xaden would find me right now. I could really use the help. I watched as the Rogue continued to run at me, preparing to pounce. He came at me, claws first as he dove over a vehicle that separated us. I closed my eyes out of instinct as I waited for the killing blow. It never came. All I heard was a sharp wince that seemed to come from the Rogue as it collided with something—or someone.I opened my eyes, promptly locating the rogue on the pavement. He was been pounced on by someone. I couldn’t make out who exactly but I silently thanked them—feeling extremely lucky for their timely intervention.I moved slowly towards them and I noticed that it was a woman. She continued to beat the Rogue savagely. Clawing and biting at it with every intention of killing him. When the Rogue stopped struggling, probably from passing out or dying, I tried to thank her for coming to
SORAYAI quickly located the car in Xaden’s parking spot after a brief glance around the lot. It was a little corner spot that overlooked the faculty and I made my way to it before unlocking the trunk. I retrieved two large picnic baskets and set them down gently on the floor beside the car.It was really nice being out of the house again. Kaylee definitely needed it but I may have needed it more. The poor kid, it’s unfortunate she has to grow up in such less than ideal conditions. But at least for today, she could be happy playing in the sun and feeling the wind on her face. The atmosphere was clear and the sky was blue with very few clouds, it was perfect for a little family day out. The morning sun shone brightly, it’s golden rays sparkled with radiance. I felt renewed and content. Life couldn’t be better. Our enemies seem to have all been defeated and the pack finally accepted me as their Luna—I couldn’t explain the feeling I felt. Celeste had been banished, along with her father
MALCOLM“Can I see some Identification?”“Definitely. Uhh...let me check...” I stumbled through my jacket pocket and retrieved my business card. It still had the dark moon insignia from our previous business together.Thank the blessed goddess.She picked up the card and glossed over it intently, resigning only when she found no faults with it.“Well, it seems authentic to me Mr Malcolm. Being affiliated with a pack, especially one as influential as the Dark moon pack, gives you certain privileges.” She started as she folded her arms across her chest. “One of those privileges is free passage to and from the borderlands as long as you don’t plan to stir up any troubles there. However, it is my job to keep you informed on how dangerous a place it can be.” She said, looking up again. “Everyday, we are swarmed with reports of many going in, and only very few returning. Do you understand what I’m saying Mr. Malcolm?” She inquired as she made eye contact with me. I remained silent. I knew t
MALCOLMI mustn’t fail her. I must not fail Celeste again. I thought to myself as I made my way to the corner closet. I had to get her the yellow wolf’s bane even if it meant breaking the rules and crossing the border.Failing her would basically spell doom for me. Money was drying up fast and the business was basically dead in the water. Those spineless cowards! The community Pack leaders and the Alphas. Refusing to do business with me because they were afraid of him. Afraid of that bastard Xaden! I sighed at my impossible situation, knowing it was all my doing. This was all by my design. They would however be sorry in the end. Those spineless fools! When Xaden was finally back on my side. They would then understand the true meaning of pain.I drew out a large suitcase out of the closet. I didn’t know how long I was going to be gone. It was going to be dangerous. But I needed this. Desperate times required that I suck it up and get my ass across the border.What had I been thinking?
JEREMY“Where are you?” I asked, speaking into my phone and attempting to dust off my shoes as I entered the building. It was futile. I disposed of them and put on some hiking boots that had been left by some of the other groundskeepers. He was holed up in the basement. I found a small flashlight and went down the flight of stairs. “Cyrus..” I called out, peering in the dark and reaching for a light switch. Turning it on, the dark and dingy basement came to full view, completely lighting up. I spotted Cyrus sitting in a corner of the basement, clutching tightly to a steel black box. He was bruised and bloodied badly, looking quite roughed up.“Boss..” He managed to call out to me as he fumbled to get to his feet. He placed the box on a wooden slab, turning it to face me.“What the fuck happened, Cyrus?” I looked him over. He seemed to be healing but not quite fast enough. His jacket was completely shredded and he seemed to have lost an eye. I looked over at the box. I picked it up a
JEREMY“Take me back to the compound!” I said to the driver as I walked out the cemetery gate. I had been quiet in my arrival, slowly creeping up on him, startling him. He was leaning over the bonnet, probably smoking.“Arrgh...yes Sir...right away sir.” He said, dusting off the ashes and crushing the cigarette butt.It had such a rancid smell.“You were gone for quite sometime sir. I was beginning to worry but you’ve warned me never to interrupt you when you visited, no matter what.” He said looking at me and gesturing me into the car as he pulled the door open.“Yes I was and you were right not to disturb me.” I said, looking up at him. “I took sometime because I needed to take sometime and that’s the end of it.” I said, making my way into the car and pulling my phone out from my pocket as he locked the door.“Yes sir.” He said and made his way to the driver seat. I had indeed taken quite some time. The sun had set already and we slowly approached twilight. The autumn falls made e
CELESTEThe things I had done for him. He drove me so crazy and what was crazier still, was that I would do it all over again without missing a beat. That was how much I wanted to be with him.My train of thought were completely cut off by movements in the front porch. I heard someone stumbling against the door. It was probably my father again. He had been a loose cannon of recent, drinking himself rotten, only able to feel a little buzz with each binge. He was taking it hard. Business had basically grinded to a stop as he could no longer namedrop Xaden to the surrounding communal packs. He had become a disgrace, a pariah, almost executed even had it not been for the benevolence of Xaden and my own naïvety. The packs didn’t want to work with him for fear of Xaden and the humans would not work with him for fear of the packs. He was lost.It was his fault. I thought callously as I finished the last bit of scotch in my glass. He was a stupid man and the architect of his own misfortune. W
CELESTEThings had begun to fall pleasantly into place and it seemed like for once, the fates were finally on my side. I thought to myself as I took a swig of scotch before setting the glass on the counter. The bottle was almost empty and I let out a low growl—father couldn’t even afford to replace our liquor anymore.I poured myself another cup and made my way to the couch, kicking off my shoes and reclining into the sofa.The moon goddess was however very gracious to me. Even from the point of despair and sadness, a ray of hope seemed to burst through, casting away the shadows and banishing my worries.Jeremy. I thought to myself trying to remember the series of events that had led up to today’s meeting.I had been so down and bad, almost depressed to an inch of my life—how had things gotten so bad, so fast? I had it all. Everything I could have ever wanted lay in my hands and I lost it. I still could hardly believe it. Where had it gone oh so wrong?Soraya. I bit my lip at the thou
XADEN“Well hello Mr. Professor.” Soraya said, fondling the threads on my robe and wearing a mischievous grin. She drew me closer for another passionate kiss. “Lupine would be perfect for a little picnic and Kaylee could play with other kids.” She said as she hugged me tight. She had needed this. “Thank you Xaden. I’ll go get dressed.” And like that, she was gone. Hurriedly making her way upstairs.“And I’ll get the car ready!” I managed to call out after her before looking over to Kaylee. She was playing with her spork, messing up her leftovers.“And as for you little lady...” I begun, picking her up. She giggled loudly.“...we’re going to get you in a nice little dress.” She was on my shoulders again and we headed for the nursery. I could only stare blankly, in total awe, as Soraya made her way down the stairs. She was wearing a bright yellow maiden gown and a sky blue cashmere scarf. Both colors looked marvelous on her and she was radiant. I could fall in love with her all over aga