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
SORAYAMy whole body shook with fear as I listened to the voice on the other end of the phone. It was cold and threatening. My mind went blank as the realization of the entire situation hit me. Kaylee had been kidnapped. My baby did not drown or wander around, she had been kidnapped. My eyes widened as I glanced at Xaden, shock rippling through me. Or was it the fear that immediately ate me away. I caught the same blank expression on his face. Why did this have to happen to us every time? My mouth was wide open, but nothing formed. The horrors I faced when I was kidnapped confronted me in my mind, I was too shaken to speak. All I could think about was Kaylee, how strangers scared the shit out of her, her calling for me and not getting any response. I refused to imagine the things they could do to her. Goddess please. My mind flooded with questions, asking myself how and where I went wrong. I knew it wasn't the Xaden situation, this target had meant to hurt me specifically. Why else
SORAYAHow could someone love another so much and still harbor this much hatred? Xaden made me feel different all the time. My rage towards him was different, more heightened with intent to keep hurting him. My love for him was different, causing me to be blind to obvious reasons why I shouldn't be here. Maybe I just wanted this to work. I mean, there was no such story of a third mate right? It was my last chance. We didn't like the same things and it made everything between us harder. Each argument left me feeling more annoyed but somehow I still managed to love him. It was infuriating. He could easily possess the whole of my mind with a single touch on my skin, causing my thoughts to circle around him. When he kissed me, I went blank completely. He knew exactly how to handle me. He never had the right words to say when we were fighting. Just spilled whatever came to his head. I was so worried about Kaylee. I didn't want my baby to die. "I'm coming with, Xaden. She's my daughter a
SORAYAMy mind was blank and my face felt like it was on fire. I had the strongest urge to dig my nails into my face and peel it off. I'd cried too much and the salty tears had dried, leaving streak patterns on my face.I thought back to when I was pregnant. I looked at my bump everyday and told myself repeatedly that I had made a mistake. For the first five months I struggled on my own, working menial jobs to pay the hospital bills. I was super depressed, considering the fact that I was separated from my second mate. I focused on building my hatred for Xaden. But no matter how hard I tried, there was still a part of me that wanted to wait for him. Celeste had told me lies about him. I was pregnant with a strong hatred for Xaden. It was hard to forget about everything at once. I loved Xaden from the minute I met him. The attraction between us was strong and soon enough, we were all over each other, as mates should have been. But now I was being punished. Punished for getting down a
SORAYAI groaned as the man dragged me out of the room and shoved me into the open chilly air..I shivered a little because of the change of temperature.“What's going to happen to my daughter?” I demanded but the man responded by pushing me into a black SUV parked in the corner.As soon as I got in, a paper bag was wrapped around my head, restricting some of my air flow and plunging me into darkness.I heard the doors of the car close and my mind began to race. It didn't help that I couldn't see anything.I was starting to think this was a bad idea.Trusting strangers was obviously a bad idea but I had been pushed into a corner and had honestly been hoping they'd keep their end of the bargain but judging by their rough handling, I was starting to rethink my stupid decision.“Please, let me go. I did as you instructed.”I pleaded again but neither of the people in the car said anything. It was radio silent but that didn't deter me at all.“Are you listening to me? Please, say something
SORAYA“That is not a good enough reason to be yelling at a child, Jeremy. And she's Xaden’s flesh and blood, his daughter. Not yours!” I spat, still trying to wrap my head around what was going on.“Where the hell was he when you needed him? When you fucking went into labor, when she took her fucking first steps? I changed her dipers, and took turns with you to make sure she was okay the fucking times she got sick. Now you allow him to fucking come into our lives like he fucking deserves it?” His voice boomed through the entirety of the house, doing nothing but scaring Kaylee even more. He was traumatizing my daughter and I hated him for it.“I told you not to bother with all those things then didn’t I? I told you it was something her father was supposed to do and I didn’t want you to feel obligated to raising her. And you know why? Its fucking because of this…” I screamed back, enough was enough now. I was tired of all of this. I gritted my teeth in inexplicable rage and fury. He sm
XADEN“What are you doing?” I asked the two huge looking men who were walking towards me with an iron rod. They both grabbed my arms, shoving me out of the house and dragging me into another room.“Shut the hell up!” One of them growled, raising the metal rod to strike me. “Where are you taking me?” I demanded, trying to get out of their hold but failing horribly.“I said, shut the hell up. Are you deaf?” The second gritted out, striking me with the rod again.“Fuck!” I growled, trying not to scream at the impact. He was purposely hitting the pressure points in my body that hurt to death.“One more word from you and you are dead, do you hear me?”“Fuck you!” I spat, ignoring the pain that roared through my body, both physical and emotional.I was still trying to wrap my head around what had happened and I still couldn't believe what Soraya had done. She left me.“You best watch your mouth before we watch it for you,” the first man spoke again, this time holding a baseball bat. He swu
XADENHospital. I fucking hated that word, much less the place. It was the last place I wanted to be right now. I was sure it wasn't going to mend my broken heart.Dax panicked - well, as much as a 6’3 bodyguard could panic – as he fished his phone from his breast pocket. I grabbed hold of his arm, pulling, barely. I didn't want to go there.“I’m fine…” I managed to choke out even though I could barely keep my eyes open.“Fuck no, clearly you're not.. Your vitals are something else. Your heart rate is low, don't even get me started on your breathing. It's not normal and you're losing consciousness and fast…” his words sounded muffled. I could barely make them out. I shook my head slightly, refusing at all costs to go anywhere that wasn't home.Home I thought I would end up sharing with her.“What did they even do to you man?” He hissed, propping my head to his chest. His fingers pressed the side of my neck, barely above where the injection sunk in.“Tran…tranquilizer,” I strained, fo
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