SORAYA I had just given the performance of a lifetime. I thought to myself as Xaden took his leave, walking out of the nursery. I didn’t enjoy being deceitful to him but it wasn’t like he gave me much of a choice. Besides, what was I going to tell him, that I was already aware of what took his best trackers all night to figure out? And I hadn’t told him? His ego wouldn’t handle it well and he probably wouldn’t believe me anyways. Not when it still crucially involved Celeste. He appeared incredibly on edge as he walked out and Xaden was rarely ever on edge, dare I say he was never on edge. I have seen him worried before, angry to the point of rage and even spiteful, but I had never seen him frightful. There was definitely more to this feud he had with Jeremy than meets the eye and I knew it went way beyond me and Kaylee. That was however going to be a discussion for a later date, I wasn’t too hung up about it. It wasn’t a new thing for Alphas to constantly be at loggerheads, especial
SORAYA I exhaled gently as the relief washed over me. Anything that got her to wake up right now must also be prepared to feed her. She was definitely eating a lot more as she was maturing. The downside of raising a child I guess and I still wouldn’t exchange it for anything in the world, not for all the money in the world.Recently, I had been plagued with a disturbing anxiety that I simply couldn’t shake off. It was the kind of nervous feeling that clung to me like a fleece and I was constantly worried about her. If Celeste were to win and anything were to happen to me, she would have to grow up with Celeste as her care giver and the thought of that sent shivers down my spine. The thought of Celeste being the mother to my daughter left such a bitter taste in my mouth that I couldn’t help but gag whenever I imagined it. Of course Xaden would be here, but with his lecturing job at the Lupine institute and the various contracts he would be handling, he would hardly be present. Celeste
SORAYA “Mamaaa.....!!!”I woke up with a startle as Kaylee’s cries jolted me out of dreamland. Shit! I could have sworn that I had just shut my eyes a moment ago. I looked at my watch, it was almost a quarter past 1pm, I couldn’t believe I dozed off for that long.I picked Kaylee up and rocked her gently, swaying her rhythmically from side to side. She still wasn’t stopping, she must be incredibly hungry.“There, there..” I hummed, as I pat her gently on the back and stroked her hair.I slowly made my way to the door, tossing the book I was reading on the chair and picked up her bag. I had barely touched the handle of the door before it flung open and I was greeted with the unwelcome image of Celeste. For some reason, she was looking pissed.“I heard her crying from the living room.” She began, eyeing me before focusing her sights on Kaylee. “Shouldn’t you have been here with her? Where were you?”The nerve on this woman though. If it wasn’t so annoying, I would have applauded it! I
SORAYAAbout an hour later, Xaden walked in and I have half expected Celeste to come running down to report me. At this point, I wouldn’t put it past her.“Hey baby. You good?” He asked as he took his seat beside me and kissed me on the cheeks.“I’m great, I didn’t know you went out.”“Yes, I went to see about those enforcers and I got you a new driver. You are not to go anywhere without him. I’ve personally vetted him and he’s to keep his eye on you at all times.” He said, with a tone of finality. “At all times!”I bit my lip, I was so going to break that rule, starting today at least.“I mean, as long as you insist.” I said, giving him my most convincing look.“I am insisting and I’m dead serious.”“Really? I wouldn’t have guessed.” I said, smiling sarcastically at him.He smiled back, he couldn’t help it. He reached out to me and drew me in for a kiss. A longer one this time around.“You know I love you right?” He asked as he let go.“I know and I love you too.”“I just want to kee
CELESTE“Arrgghhh!!!” I couldn’t help but yell as I walked into the bedroom and kicked away at a chair, sending it flying across the room. I drew out my claws and started unleashing my anger on the drapes and tapestry, ripping them to shreds. I was beyond furious and I had basically made a mess of the entire room in rage.That bitch! Now she’s done it. What right did she have to speak to me that way? All I did was show concern for her child and she just couldn’t help herself, she had to rub my face in the fact that I had none of my own. This was my home before it ever became hers. I would definitely get my revenge on her.I was so mad right now that just getting her out of the house didn’t seem like it would be good enough for me anymore. I was beginning to warm up to the idea of actually killing her. Xaden would be mine again and I could raise Kaylee as my own. I would definitely be a better mother than Soraya could ever dream of being. It wouldn’t be easy though, Xaden would scorch
CELESTE The guest room was much smaller and a lot simpler than the master bedroom. It was clad with boring furniture and had a very pale look. I completely hated it and I was almost tempted to believe Soraya might have had a hand in the selection but I knew this was Xaden’s directive, he probably wanted to make her happy. I guess it would have to do for now.Compared to the King size bed in the master’s, this one had a queen and it had plain sheets covering it. There was a dresser set up on the far corner and a small mirror overlooked the sitting area. It was modest at best. I moved inside and had a feel of the bed, it wasn’t as soft or as comfortable and I cursed under my breath.What a shitty replacement! And Soraya would get to sleep in the much bigger and better bedroom tonight? That would only happen over my dead body.I felt my phone buzz in the back pocket of my jeans. I promptly retrieved it and glanced over at the caller.Mr Clayton, which was the way I had saved Jeremy’s nu
XADEN I stood on the front porch and watched absentmindedly as Dax’s black Range Rover SUV pulled up into the driveway. I motioned for him to make a turn around the back and find the garage entryway. He quickly located an empty garage and maneuvered his vehicle in. I had sent for him immediately I delivered the news on what he’d found out to Soraya. Even with the extra enforcers I had been able to secure to stand guard around the property, I could always rest easy with him by my side. I had the kind of confidence in him I hardly had for anyone except myself and you couldn’t blame me, getting decent help these days was harder than digging for water in an unforgiving desert. He wasn’t just my fiercest soldier and best tracker, he also gave the best counsel and maintained a level head at all times. His advice was exactly what I needed right now because I could feel my inhibitions slipping and I knew I was just one more provocation from declaring war on Jeremy’s pack. Jeremy, that pomp
XADENAn awkward silence filled the entire room when an uneasy atmosphere.“Yes, we’re clear.” He replied finally, albeit begrudgingly.“And no more alcohol for you. You are way out of line.” I said, smiling mischievously at him.“I wasn’t planning on drinking anymore, tastes like cat piss.” He said, smiling back.“It does taste like cat piss, doesn’t it?” I said amidst stifled chuckles and we both burst out laughing.“But on a more serious note boss, I hope Soraya wouldn’t be out too late and I hope she took a driver at least.” He managed to say as the laughter simmered down.“She wouldn’t dare leave this house without some sort of backup. I had emphasized on that in very clear and nonnegotiable terms. She should definitely be back any moment from now, we have a dinner date planned for tonight. Oh yes! Speaking of dinner, the second half of my voicemail message, did you get it done?” I asked, a look of anticipation forming on my face.“Oh definitely, the chef would be here by the eve
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