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
SORAYAWhat had come over him? I thought to myself as I watched them. I was confused as to the reason why Xaden would give Celeste his word so easily. Not only had he offered to accommodate Celeste even when I was heavily against it, he went as far as to offer her a ride to help move her belongings. This was Celeste! The fact that she had saved her life, didn’t make her automatically forgiven for everything she put them through.I watched with contempt as they continued to talk, laughing heartily like old friends. I was painfully aware of the fact that they were indeed old friends—friends who had been married for a long time.“Xaden.” I called out to him, without sparing Celeste even a glance. “Remember you said we had to get Kaylee. I’m sure you have appreciated her enough and I think Celeste would be able to find her way.”“Uhh...you’re right, just one moment. Celeste was just telling me she had lost my number so I’m collecting hers.” He said as he looked over at me. He took my han
SORAYA“Xaden, that’s not what I’m...” I tried speaking before Xaden cut me off again.“You do not fucking run towards the direction of danger like some hero Soraya! You could have been killed had Celeste not shown up and that is the God’s honest truth Soraya!” He yelled but I noticed his expression soften a bit. “Soraya, to be frank, I do not care where Celeste came from or how she suddenly found herself there but I’m glad she was there. I’m glad she was there to keep you safe. And for that, I would do anything, even give my word at a moment’s notice.” I tried to compose myself as Xaden’s eruption had completely caught me off guard. Celeste hadn’t even moved in yet and there was already yelling. “I’m happy she was there as well Xaden.” I began as I steadied myself. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful for what Celeste did. But even in the unlikely chance that she has no ulterior motives, your ex moving in with us would be still be a big no no Xaden. Why can’t you understand how that m
SORAYAHe didn’t come back. Xaden really walked out without sparing me as much as a second glance. He was clearly okay with them sleeping in separate bedrooms for the night—I would give him the space he seemed to want so desperately.I definitely didn’t like this. I already expected some sort of tension to arise with Celeste about to move back in, but I didn’t expect Xaden to behave this way. It made me worried for what was to come when Celeste was finally in their face all the time.Celeste had definitely manipulated events to turn out this way. I couldn’t for the life of me understand how she was able to stage things so perfectly but I was going to find out. I needed Xaden to see her again for what she actually was.She had definitely been clever with her plans, using Xaden’s love and need to protect me at all times against him. It was really cunning but she must have made some sort of mistake somewhere and I was going to fish it out. I needed to, my safety and that of Kaylee’s depe
SORAYA “Bu...but he invited me over. Surely he couldn’t just disappear like that Soraya. I think you’re personally doing this to spite me.” Celeste said curtly, trying to look over me, into the house.“I couldn’t care less what you think Celeste. I honestly couldn’t even if I tried. Now please explain to me what this monstrosity of a dress is?” I asked as I stared down the dress again. If you could even call it that. She definitely picked the most seductive dress she could lay her hands on. I stilled myself as I felt the last bits of my patience escape. “Well Soraya. Despite the fact that you’re being an ungrateful little girl, we should be celebrating!” She said, trying to patronize me. “You get to see another day thanks to me. I feel that calls for celebration, hence the dress. I felt the three of us could have a nice little candlelit dinner as adults and forget the past over a bottle of wine. If I remember correctly, Xaden always had the best taste in expensive red wine.” She fin
SORAYAHow could I have been so gullible? I thought to myself as I scrubbed the blood frantically off my hands. It had almost dried, forming a sticky crust over my fist and palms, making it almost impossible to get off. Gosh darn it!I looked up and opened the top drawer above the sink of the guest bathroom and took out a hard sponge.This would have to do. I thought as I soaked it in soap and scrubbed furiously. The blood had started to come off albeit slowly.This wasn’t me. Celeste was gradually turning me into a hollow shell of myself and I knew I needed to be more patient in my approach to her. What happened today must never repeat itself again. Celeste would never get under my skin like that again.It still felt like a dream. How did things get so utterly screwed up? Celeste definitely pulled a fast one on them. From being hated by Xaden and the pack to Xaden actually inviting her over, lifting her up and taking her inside. It was absolutely unreal and I hoped that I would wake
SORAYA Xaden stopped and turned but only motioned for me to go ahead with what I had to say without saying a word.“Why our bedroom?” I asked, genuinely unhappy. “Why did you have to set up and nurse Celeste in our own matrimonial bedroom Xaden? Why don’t you realize how disrespectful that is to me?”Xaden seemed to ponder on my words. Actually taking them in and processing them. His expression softened but he didn’t move a muscle.“I do not do this out of disrespect to you Soraya. I’m doing this out of appreciation for Celeste. That is all Soraya. She saved your life and because of that, I am beholden to her. I gave my fucking word Soraya” He said with a sombre tone and I realized that he actually believed what he said. He was actually just standing by his word to Celeste but he was still allowing himself to be manipulated and it pissed me off. Celeste was using his belief against him and he was unwavering in his decision.“But you could have set her up somewhere else. Anywhere else
XADENDid I make the right decision? I thought as I skipped down a small flight of wooden stairs to the basement. Soraya seemed to be extremely unhappy with my choice to accommodate Celeste and a part of me could relate to her resentment. It was rather odd to say the least but I really wished she could understand where I was coming from—I mean, the woman did save her life. I hated fighting with her and I hated it more that Kaylee had to witness all of that. She may not be old enough to understand what was going on or why mummy and daddy were yelling at each other but it still wasn’t a good look. Hopefully, all of this would blow over soon and Soraya could come to appreciate Celeste and maybe even tolerate her. I know I did. I was beginning to see a side of Celeste I hadn’t seen in years. The side of her that wasn’t so spiteful and petty. I was beginning to see the friend and partner that I had formed a marriage pact with all those years ago. When she was much warmer and highly protec
CELESTE What a show that was! I thought excitedly to myself as I retrieved two clear crystal glasses and a bottle of absinthe from the living room side bar, Xaden had requested for the strongest stuff I could lay my hands on. Seeing Soraya completely stranded, scared and afraid had filled me with so much ecstasy that I thought I would burst. Nothing could have prepared me for it, Xaden definitely did not pull any punches and I loved every bit of it. There was however one little bump in an otherwise flawless plan, he didn’t have the guts to send the bitch packing. He could have ranted for as long as he wanted and even tried to come up with valid reasons as to why he couldn’t kick her out but in the end, I knew there was a part of him buried deep down that still cared for her even when he thought she had been unfaithful to him. I didn’t worry much about it, in no time, I would smother whatever little feelings he still harbored for her until I was the only one he saw, until I was the on
SORAYA“Now tell me, is there anything I have not done or sacrificed for your protection and that of Kaylee? Or is there even any request you may have made that I have ever deemed as insignificant?” “No there isn’t. You have been most generous and I am grateful for everything.” I said as I threw a look of disdain at Celeste who was already seated and crossing her legs, obviously savoring every bit of that moment. She was having the time of her life at my expense and she wasn’t going to say one word. She wouldn’t risk undermining Xaden again and so she simply kept quiet and enjoyed the show.“Have I not been fucking good to you? Have I not been a loyal mate and genuine partner?” He asked, staring at me like he couldn’t even recognize the woman in front of him.“Xaden please, if we’re going to do this, can we not do it right in front of your ex wife?” I asked, while the pain of the way he looked at me threatened to bring me to my knees.“The same ex wife who got wind of all your escapa
SORAYAXaden’s voice rang out through the halls with such an intensity that it had sent shockwaves thrusting throughout my body and the ominous tone with which he yelled, echoed throughout the space and filled it with a scary ambience. In all the time I had known and been with him, I never heard him sound so furious or intimidating. Sure, he normally had the occasional outbursts and feats of rage but there was something different this time around, this time it seemed as though the fire in his voice would never be palliated. I felt my lips twitch and my fingers tremor in fearful anticipation of what was to come, it definitely was not going to be pleasant.I was still set up in the kitchen with Melissa and had almost rounded up with the pastries we spent the better part of the evening preparing. I had put so much effort into them and now it seemed like in the end, it would all be for nothing. I was still going to get them done and Melissa could keep them for all I care, she worked just
XADEN “You can be honest Dax, you don’t have to be brutal about it.”He paused momentarily, thinking over what he had to say. “If I’m being honest, I wouldn’t say my advice on this would be the most insightful but from the way I see things, I don’t think Soraya is or will ever get over Celeste living in your house. It’s just not right, I mean I don’t even live there and I really find it repulsive. I can’t possibly imagine how hard it must be for her to wake up to that everyday.”“Well, it seems you ended up being brutal with your honesty Dax.” I began, stifling a smile. “The thing is, that is what she said and I don’t believe it one bit. She may not have been comfortable but I knew she was already coming around to tolerating and ignoring her. No—this is more than that, this is definitely something deeper. The switch was too sudden and that’s completely out of character for her. There is something afoot Dax, I’m just finding it hard to place my finger on what it is.”“Like I said boss
XADEN To say that I had the faintest idea of what has been going on for the past three days would be an obvious lie. One moment everything seemed to be fine with Soraya and I thought we were finally in a good place and the next, it’s almost as if her mind did a complete one-eighty and I couldn’t even recognize my mate anymore.I had gone above and beyond for her protection, pulled strings to organize a lavish and fancy dinner for her, I even kept my distance from Celeste, choosing to move her away from the masters and still, it’s almost as if it wasn’t enough. There was something definitely wrong with her and whatever it was, she was choosing not to tell me. If she wouldn’t spill, then I guess I would just have to pry it out of her when I had the chance. But how could I even possibly get the chance? She refused to move back into our room, refused to cook and eat together as a family, it’s like living with a completely new person.Screeeeeech!I quickly slammed on the brakes of my SUV
SORAYAI didn’t know how George had done it but he somehow managed to drop Kaylee off and still get me to the university in time for lectures. Xaden sure knew how to employ those who were the best at what they did and our movement this morning was quite hasty. I couldn’t say the same for the classes though, the entire process just seemed to drag on for hours as lecturers replaced one another in a frenzy. I was grateful for the close of day and quickly made my way to the parking lot. I located the car parked in a corner under a tree shade and hurriedly walked up to it before knocking on the driver window.“Did you wait here all day?” I asked, looking over at George who had his hat hooded over his face and the driver seat reclined. He had probably been napping. He jumped up with a start and quickly adjusted his seat.“Sorry about that ma’am.”“Don’t apologize for resting, I mean what else would you do here all day? So you just stayed here waiting for me?”“Yes ma’am, those were my dir
SORAYA Morning definitely couldn’t have come faster. I thought as my eyes opened to the soft glints of the early morning sun that slowly filled the entire room. The cool fall breeze softly sipped in through the open window and caressed my skin with a tender feel. It was a beautiful morning and I couldn’t even appreciate it, all I felt was an heartache that threatened to tear me apart.I hadn’t had much sleep, how could I? When Celeste had made sure I heard everything that was going on during their dinner, even while I did my very best to ignore. She wasn’t kidding when she said she would be keeping me here simply for the fun of humiliating me and last night was seriously a test of my patience, I didn’t know how much more of it I would be able to take.With every laughter and happy moment that they seemed to share, an equal of amount of pain shot through my body and just seeing them cozy up to each other like that was simply too much to bear.I promptly got out of bed and went into th
SORAYA“Wow! I pulled a lot of strings to get that Italian chef flown in and you’re just going to spit it right back in my face huh?”Damn! He got me Italian food?! What a dreadful waste.“I’m not spitting anything in your face. I just said I’m not in the mood, surely you can understand that right?”“Oh I understand quite alright. I understand perfectly that you’re just a cocktease! Don’t let the door hit you on your way out.”“Okay then.” I whimpered as I moved slowly towards the door.“And since I can’t cancel the booking, I’ll still have the chef come over. I’m sure Celeste would enjoy some good food since you would be too busy not being in the mood.” He called out after me. He wanted to hurt me just like I was hurting him but at least I was pretending and he was just being a dick.“You can go to hell Xaden!” I said, choking down my tears.“You first Soraya!”I stormed off and pulled against the bedroom door before shutting it loudly as I stepped into the hallway.“Well, well, well
SORAYA I remained in the kitchen, standing there transfixed, like a deer caught in headlights. I was definitely caught by surprise with what I had just seen. I couldn’t believe it and yet I knew it was true, I mean I saw it with my own eyes.I could feel every hair on my body stand, my mouth suddenly went dry and palms were sweaty. My heart raced and my breathing felt forced, I felt like I was having a panic attack.At that moment, it felt as if time slowed down and I couldn’t help but hold onto the counter for support lest I fall flat on my face. My mind raced and Celeste’s words rang loudly in my head. Stay away from Xaden! Those were her words and she wasn’t one to trifle with her instructions. I felt choked for air and all of sudden I was light headed. The evidence was clear, clear as day and it was good, really good. She had caught me in such a compromising position that Xaden wouldn’t even think twice to dispute it. He believed so much in the things he saw and as long as his