The events of the night have left me exhausted and emotionally drained. As the first light of dawn filters through the curtains, casting a soft glow across the cabin, I sit on the edge of the bed, my thoughts racing. Luke is still asleep beside me, his face relaxed in a deep, peaceful slumber. I can’t help but feel a pang of guilt for having disrupted our night with the chaos Donnie brought.I get up quietly, careful not to disturb him. My body feels heavy and sore from the adrenaline and fear of the previous hours. I walk to the small kitchen area, hoping to find some semblance of normalcy in making coffee or tea. My movements are automatic, my mind still replaying the scene from last night. The sound of Donnie’s voice, his desperate need to “protect” me, echoes in my mind. What could he possibly think is so dangerous that he’d resort to this?The soft clatter of the coffee maker fills the silence, a small comfort in this whirlwind of emotions. As I wait for the coffee to brew, I gla
My heart pounds as I climb the narrow steps leading to Donnie’s front door. The sun has dipped below the horizon, casting long, ominous shadows across the street. The evening air feels thick, making it hard to breathe. I glance at Luke beside me. His jaw is set, his eyes focused straight ahead, but I can feel the tension radiating off him. We talked about this, and Luke convinced me that confronting Donnie here, on his turf, is the best way to get answers. But every fiber of my being screams at me to turn around and run.The memory of Donnie trying to take me is still fresh—his rough hands grabbing at me, the sound of my pulse thundering in my ears as I fought to escape. And now, here I am, about to walk into his home, and I can’t shake the feeling that something terrible is waiting for us inside.Luke knocks on the door, the sound sharp and intrusive in the stillness. We stand in tense silence, every second dragging on, until finally, the door creaks open. Donnie’s face appears in th
As I pull up to Cheryl’s parents' house, I glance over at her in the passenger seat. She’s been quiet the whole drive, staring out the window, lost in thought. The streetlights cast a soft glow on her face, but I can still see the worry etched into her features. I hate leaving her like this, but she’s safer here with her family—safer than anywhere else right now.“I’ll call you as soon as I figure something out,” I say, trying to sound reassuring. “Just stay here and keep your phone close.” Swallowing the unease creeping up my spine. “Just…stay safe.”She hesitates for a moment, then leans over to kiss me on the cheek. “You too.”I watch as she gets out of the car and walks up the driveway to her parents’ house, waiting until she’s inside before I drive off. The Alphas’ den isn’t far, but the short drive feels like it stretches out for miles. My mind races with everything that’s happened tonight, everything Donnie said—or didn’t say. There’s something more going on here, something we’
I pull back slightly, tilting her chin up so she has to meet my gaze. “Then let’s take a break. Just for tonight. Let’s forget about Donnie, the job, everything. Just focus on us, right here, right now.”She looks at me, her eyes searching mine as if she’s trying to find the strength to let go, even for a little while. I smile at her, trying to lighten the mood. “Come on,” I say, standing up and pulling her with me. “I have an idea.”She raises an eyebrow, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. “What kind of idea?”“The kind that involves forgetting all the crap for a bit,” I say, leading her to the back door that opens out onto the patio. “You trust me?”She hesitates for a second, then nods. “Always.”We step outside, and the cool night air washes over us. The sky is clear, dotted with stars, and the sound of crickets fills the silence. I guided her over to the swing set at the edge of the yard, the one we used to sit on when we were kids. It creaks slightly as we sit dow
I’m driving down the winding road that leads to the forest retreat my family manages. The morning air is crisp, and the sunlight filters through the trees in a way that always makes me appreciate the natural beauty around here. It’s one of the perks of the job—the chance to be immersed in nature while handling the family business.My phone buzzes on the passenger seat, a reminder of the long list of tasks I need to tackle today. I’ve got meetings with suppliers, a review of the new renovation plans, and a check-in with the staff to ensure everything is running smoothly. It’s a lot, but it’s part of the job, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.I pull into the parking lot of the main lodge, taking a deep breath before heading inside. The place is bustling with activity, and I’m greeted by familiar faces—staff members who’ve become like family over the years. I get right to work, diving into the day’s agenda.By mid-afternoon, I’ve managed to get through most of my meetings and touch b
My mind is racing through potential scenarios and strategies, but I can’t shake the nagging feeling that we’re running out of time. Just as I’m about to make another phone call, the door to my office swings open, and Cheryl walks in, a bright smile on her face. She’s carrying a small basket of what looks like homemade treats, her eyes twinkling with excitement.“Surprise!” she announces cheerfully, stepping into the room. “I thought I’d bring you a little something to brighten your day. And, you know, maybe make the work a bit more bearable.”I blink at her, momentarily stunned. “Cheryl! I didn’t expect to see you today. What’s all this?”She sets the basket down on the edge of my desk and looks around the cluttered space with a playful grin. “Well, you looked like you could use a break. I figured homemade cookies and a bit of company might help.”I manage a smile, though I’m keenly aware of how much I still need to get done. “That’s incredibly thoughtful of you. I’m just a bit swampe
Raina shakes her head. “Not much, but I can tell he’s worried. The pack’s been on high alert, but they’re trying not to panic anyone. If there’s something bigger going on, they’re keeping it close to the chest.”A sense of unease settles over me. I’ve seen Luke’s tension, the way he checks his phone more often, the quiet conversations he has with his father and brother when they think I’m not paying attention. And now that Raina’s confirmed what I’ve been sensing, it feels like a weight pressing down on my chest.“What should we do?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.“Stay vigilant,” Raina says, her tone firm but comforting. “And keep your eyes open. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, let someone know. We’re in this together, Cheryl.”I nod, trying to take comfort in her words, but the gnawing feeling in my gut won’t go away. “I just wish I knew more. I hate feeling like something bad is coming, and I’m powerless to stop it.”Raina reaches out, squeezing my hand. “You’r
The world outside fades away completely, and it’s just the two of us, lost in our own private paradise. The romantic setting, the candles, the necklace—it all adds to the magic of the moment, making everything feel even more intense and beautiful.As we continue to kiss and touch, the intimacy we share feels more than just physical; it’s a deep, emotional bond that makes every touch, every kiss feel like a celebration of our love. Eventually, the intensity of the moment softens, and we find ourselves lying together on the couch, wrapped in each other’s arms. The firelight dances over us, casting a warm glow that feels like it’s part of our own little world. I snuggle closer, feeling the steady rise and fall of Luke’s chest beneath me in this quiet, intimate space, surrounded by the soft light and the warmth of our love, I feel a profound sense of contentment and happiness. The night passes in a comfortable blur of warmth and closeness. We drift off to sleep on the couch, wrapped in ea