Hu:“Everyone has problems, Hu, and having someone to talk to about it is what makes it easier to cope.” I hear a crack in her voice, which makes me curious about what’s weighing her down. I want to know who or what hurt her, so I can teach them a lesson and protect her from whatever it is.“I know what it feels like, so I’m ready to be your comfort if you want me to.”I try to push away the thoughts of her being hurt, but they linger.My hands form a fist, and she reaches for it, sliding her fingers into mine, making me loosen up as she straightens them. Maybe if I get through my shit, she’ll tell me hers.“Continue, please,” she says, and I nod, swallowing hard as I try to steady my mind.“When I woke up, my mother wasn’t in the best shape. I was taken to rehab, and I hated my stay there. It was hell. I was forced to do a lot of things in the name of therapy. Worse, I had an outburst and injured someone.” I pause, forcing myself to breathe. “I hate my life most of the time, and it h
GINGER:Something hard and warm presses against me, the steady rise and fall beneath my cheek soothing in a way I don’t want to question. The scent is familiar, and before my mind fully wakes, I run my hand over it, letting my fingers trace the shape beneath me. It is hard yet soft in a way that my body enjoys.Then a low groan rumbles beneath my palm, causing my eyes to snap open. I am lying on Hu’s chest, my hand caressing his face.Panic strikes my chest, and I jerk up, scrambling away from him so fast that my back nearly hits the other side of the bed. My heart pounds as I stare at him. His hair is a hot mess, his lips slightly parted from sleep, but he looks so hot. Fuck, did I just say that?Oh, god.I bury my face in my hands, cursing myself. Why couldn’t I keep my hands to myself? Worse, why did it feel so good? I don’t even want to know if he was awake for it, because that would make me want to kill myself more than I already do.Caspian crosses my mind, and I slap my forehea
GINGER:“She’s really the coolest. My mom would send a driver or make Hu drive me home,” Hana says, and I force a smile at the mention of Hu’s name.“You don’t have to worry. I’ll help you get your bag,” she adds, and both Wendy and I glance at her.“So that you can meet my mom?” I ask, raising a brow.She shakes her head with her face contorting. “Because you’re my friend, and you need my help.” She throws an arm around my shoulders.“Just admit you have a huge crush on her mom and be done with it,” Wendy says, crossing her arms, her brows furrowed.“It’s not a crush! She just inspires me so much. She’s so young, badass, and coooool!” She drags out the last word dramatically, pressing down on my shoulders until I yelp in pain.“Sorry, sorry,” she apologizes quickly, pulling her hands away.“Her mom will be here any minute, and we should get back to class. Also, I hate restrooms,” Wendy mutters, making her way toward the door. Hana hooks her arm through mine, pulling me along with her
HU:I know I have broken every code among guys, and to be honest, I don’t feel bad about it. The moment I saw Ginger’s text to Caspian, I knew I had to do something. Classes are busy today, but I would give anything to make her feel better. Talking with her yesterday made me feel good, and I am not necessarily repaying her, but knowing she is in pain makes me uneasy.I have no idea how Caspian can sit through the entire school day with this information. Well, he doesn’t have sisters, but I do, and they are never in the best mood during their cycle. The first time Hana got hers, she rained down on the entire house. That same week, she was so emotional that everything at home made her cry. It’s a good thing I have two sisters because I know exactly what to do for Ginger, even though I have never helped mine—because no one would trust the dysfunctional child to administer care.“Thank you,” she mutters, and I look up to meet her eyes.She walks to the bed, sitting on it before I turn to
GINGER:I know Hu is like a ticking bomb, but I believe he is capable of so much more. He is just hurt, and he needs the right people—or person—to help him. I will not say I am the right person to help him, but I will try my best because I know how it feels. If I didn’t have Caspian, I do not know what I would be doing at this point because he keeps the ill thoughts of harming myself away.“Yes, we are friends,” he replies as his grip on the chopsticks loosens. My heart calms a bit, and I think of the best way to keep his mind away from whatever is bothering him.My mind keeps telling me to open up about my own problems, but I do not want him to freak out or tell my mum that I am hurting myself. It would weigh her down, as she has already been through a lot.The room remains silent for a while, and after a moment, I inhale sharply, then I speak.“Last night, you opened up to me about yourself, and I think it would be unfair if I said nothing to you.” He keeps his gaze on me without sa
GINGER:My heart thumps in my chest as the taxi comes to a halt in front of the house. I take a deep breath before getting out of the car, then slowly make my way to the front door. Just as my hand reaches for the handle, my mother pulls the door open, her brows wrinkled.“Hey, Ginger’s back!” she announces before I can say a word.I swallow hard as I hear Caspian’s voice in the background. My mother shifts to the side, allowing me to step inside while keeping her eyes on me, making it clear I’m in trouble. The moment I walk in, I spot Caspian by the living room door.“Hey,” he says in a low tone, cupping my face. I look into his eyes, trying to convince myself he deserves what he got for the way he treated me.“Are you okay?”“Yes, Ginger, are you okay?” my mother asks, her tone laced with anger, making me grab Caspian’s hand as I lead him toward the stairs.“Let me grab my backpack,” he says, stopping me halfway. As he walks to the couch to pick it up, I stare at my mother, who has
HU:The thought of Ginger and Caspian together makes my blood boil. As I pull up in front of my house, I spot Caspian walking back into hers. That should be me, but I decided to screw it up with my issues. Fuck, I hate my life, and I would give anything to be him.As I drive into the compound, my phone rings, and I glance at the screen to see Ruby’s name. Angrily, I shut it off and park my car. I get out, slamming the door as I march toward the house.I spot my mum in the living room as I walk in, but I ignore her and head straight for the stairs.“Good afternoon to you too, Hu,” she says, and I groan, turning briefly.“Good afternoon, Mother,” I say, then make my way upstairs before she can say anything else or engage me in an unwanted conversation. I rush to my room, shut the door, and walk to my bed.Ginger’s window is open, which makes me believe nothing inappropriate is going on. I lie down, shutting my eyes, trying hard to drift to sleep, but it’s almost impossible.At that mome
GINGER:Waking up with Caspian by my side feels right. I am not insanely attracted to him like I am to Hu, but I think I love it this way. There is no second-guessing if he loves me because, clearly, he cannot do without me, and he would do anything for me.His arms wrapped around me make me feel safe, and I would give anything to let this moment last.“Good morning, sleepyheads.” I hear my mother’s voice, causing me to flip my eyes open to see her standing by the door with a smug smile on her lips.I open my eyes properly, looking around to see that pillows are lined between Caspian and me. The feeling of him spooning me was just the pillows against my butt. His hands are on me, but he withdraws them as soon as he opens his eyes.We both sit up, and I glare at my mom, my brows wrinkled.“Good morning, Anna,” Caspian says, and my eyes widen. They’re on a first-name basis now? I know I disobeyed her, but she is trying hard to get to me, and, god, it’s working.“Good morning, Caspian.”
GINGER:Hu leads me upstairs to a room in the house, shutting the door behind him as we walk in. He finds the light switch, turning it on. At first, it feels like déjà vu, but then it strikes me. This is the room we had sex in on the first night at the welcome party.“I guess every beginning deserves an ending,” I say to Hu, who raises a brow, unsure of what I am saying. “Doesn’t this room look familiar?” I question, and he opens his mouth to speak, but then he realizes.A smirk forms on my lips as I walk to the bed, sitting on it, running my hands over the sheets. The exact sheet we did it on—or maybe they just have a lot of sheets in the same colour and design. Hu walks towards me.“Are you sure you want to do this, or will you walk away from me again after…” I barely finish my words when his hand fists my throat, swallowing the words with a rough, messy, and desperate kiss.His
Ginger:“Look, Caspian and Hu have been having a conversation for over ten minutes,” Hana says, but I refuse to take my eyes off the Monopoly board as I think it is just a lie to get me to fail.“That is goal one of this party achieved,” Wendy says, taking her eyes off the board, and when I see Hana isn’t trying anything funny, it dawns on me they are every bit serious.My attention falls solely on the two of them as their eyes remain on both boys. Then I turn slightly to see them discussing happily. This lifts off a heavy burden from my chest, which I didn’t know had been there for a while. Probably for months.“That brings us to phase two of this party,” Hana says, and I look back at them to see both of them glaring at me with what appears to be a forced smile.My brows furrow slightly. “What?” I ask.Hana lets out a sigh at first.“I know you have said a million time
HU:Left to me, I will not be at Caspian’s party. I wanted something for just Ginger and me, but I know this means a lot to her. I do not know what it feels like to have two mates, and I hope I never have to find out. Well, I won’t because I am so sure I do not have two mates.It is already time for the party, so I drive across to Ginger’s house. There she stands, dressed casually in a miniskirt and crop top, which strikes a few nerves I try to suppress as she walks towards the car. I open the door for her from inside—a little too jealous of her choice of outfit.“Hey,” she says, leaning in to kiss my lips.“Hey,” I mutter as my eyes descend to her exposed lap before going back to her eyes, which are still in mine.“Why are you looking at me that way?” she
GINGER:Today is Hu’s graduation. It is supposed to be a happy day for him, but his face has been gloomy from the start. I understand his fear, but he makes it look like I will run off with some guy before he blinks an eye. We are at the graduation ground, which is full of family, friends, and students, all waiting for the ceremony to finish.We are sitting in a special spot which is reserved for the Alpha’s family. Luna Holly invited us to sit with them because of my tie with Hu. Hana and Wendy are seated beside me.“You know it’s been more than two months, but I still cannot believe you are Hu’s mate, and I have been sharing you with him ever since,” Hana voices, seeing I will not take my eyes off Hu. Her words barely register in my mind as Hu’s name blasts from the speaker for the athlete's achievement award.He stands up gracefully, making his way to the stage with his face in a frown. He looks good in his blu
GINGER:Hu’s words hit me hard as a feeling of embarrassment warms my face. Anyone with self-dignity should walk away from someone who has such vulgar things to say in a demanding tone, reducing you to nothing. But even I question my self-worth. I should at least be scared, but my body finds him hot, and I imagine what he just said.“Sit exactly where I want—on my fucking cock.” His words replay in my mind like they have been branded inside my skull.Honestly, I have been turned on the moment I saw him doing bench presses. The way his muscles flexed with each rep kept sending untold sensations to my belly. His hands slip from my waist as he pulls away, walking back to the bench. I don’t know how he still looks so calm when I feel like I’ve been shaken down to my bones.Hu lowers himself onto the bench and spreads his legs slightly, resting his arms on his thighs. Then his eyes lock on mine again.“Now,” he says, his voice softer but still layered with that dominance that coils heat in
GINGER:Horror drains out of my body as I watch Hu’s face harden. I bet he’s really disgusted to see me like this. I know we’ve had sex and all, but maybe he hasn’t noticed how bad my body looks until now. He’s probably regretting being with me.“What are you doing?” he asks, crossing his arms, his brows knitting together.“I…I…”“Tried to wrap your entire body in tape so it could make you look better?” he questions, scrunching his face. “Why would you even think about that?” His voice goes an octave higher. “Have I ever complained about your body, or done something to make you think—”“This isn’t about you, Hu.” I cut him off in a low voice. My eyes sting, and my fingers tremble at my sides.“Then who is it about? Do you have some other guy out there you’re working so hard to impress right now? Tell me!” His voice spikes again, and it startles me. I take a step back, then another, my back brushing the corner of the wall.He stops, sucking in a breath, stroking his temples. He’s getti
GINGER:Sometimes, I cannot believe Hu and I are together. A part of me still feels bad for Caspian, but he hasn’t done anything off the charts. Each time I check on him, he says he’s fine, and I can only take his words. His relationship with Hu isn’t necessarily damaged, but I cannot for sure call them best friends. Hu, too, seems fine, and it is like I am the only person worrying about it.“Good morning, love,” Hu rasps, tightening his grip on my waist, and I turn to face him.“Good morning,” I reply in a small voice, and he goes silent, staring up at the ceiling. He has been like this for a while now. Each time we have a sleepover, I wake up to him staring into thin air, and sometimes it makes me think there is something bothering him.Of course there is, but I fear it has something to do with us.“I know I have asked a million times, but what is bothering you?” He shifts on the bed, directing his gaze at me with a smile on his lips. “You need to tell me, because I cannot help but
HU:The second her towel crashes to the ground, every ounce of restraint I’ve been clinging to disintegrates as I take in her bare form. I have had her before, but it was in darkness, and now I can see her clearly. She is everything I had imagined and even better. Everything about her is perfect—from the curve of her hips, her smile, her perky tits, to her smooth skin. And what makes it even better? She is all mine.She presses further into me, her bare skin grazing my shirt, and I grab her like I’ve waited my whole damn life for this—because I have. My hands slide down her waist, gripping her thighs, lifting her as her legs wrap around me. I walk us into the shower, not even bothering to shut the glass door. The warm water pours down over us, but it’s nothing compared to the heat tearing through my body. Her back hits the tile, and I take her mouth with mine—hungry, deep, and rough
HU:It’s been two days. Two days of Ginger explaining everything to me, and yes, it makes sense, but somehow I still cannot believe it. The thought that she is mine. That should be enough to silence every storm in my chest, but it doesn’t.I find myself even more troubled than I was, and each moment we spend together, I keep looking at her like she’s made of glass, like if I blink too long, she’ll vanish. I wanted her more than anything.I fought for her in ways I’d never fought for anyone. And now that she’s here, I feel… off. Like I’m not enough, or even doing anything right. I know it has only been two days, but it feels like an eternity and I already fucked up. I haven’t even marked her yet, because I’m scared of what will happen when we become infinitely tied to one another.Hearing her say she loves me is new to me each time, but