JUSTINI stood by the door, not saying a word. Her words got to me. Two years ago when she had killed them. Two years ago when she had taken them away from me. Two years ago when she became a murderer. For a long time during those two years, I hated my father for giving her such a short sentence. I would have made sure she had rotted in jail for what she had done. She would have died along with them but now she was claiming I hadn't believed her. Without turning to face her, I whispered. “Two years ago, you ruined my life, Astrid.” The words had to be my undoing and I was instantly transported back to that very day. FLASHBACK I stared at her picture one last time, feeling butterflies forming in my stomach and for the nervousness to kick in. It was one year already and I couldn’t be happier. My relationship with Audrey was nowhere near perfect but she was it for me. This was definitely the kind of surprise she would love on our anniversary.I checked my watch, pleased that everyth
ASTRIDSomeday, they would all believe me. When the truth finally came out and they realized I had been telling the truth all along, they would believe me. I would love to see the expressions on their faces as I informed them I would be leaving, never to return.Each and every one of them would know just how much they hurt me and this time, the hate would be reflected in me and not in them. It would finally be their turn to be hated by me. For now, however, I needed to uncover the truth. I sat in my hospital bed with the diary open across my lap. I had tried reading through to see if there are places I had missed that might hold any information that could be useful. The door opened and I raised my head, thinking it had to be the doctor or one of the nurses but Jonah walked in instead. Why is he here? Is he here to hurt me?“Oh, you're awake.” He stated and I nodded twice, sitting up just in case a need for flight arose. He might have saved me but that didn't mean he couldn't hurt m
JUSTINI stumbled into the house, still upset with Astrid. For some reason, my mind kept going back to her and while I was furious, there was a lingering worry in my heart. She had been stupid enough to leave the pack alone to go search for whatever she wanted to and while that was a stupid move on her part and extremely reckless, I couldn't stop worrying about her even when I refused to let myself care for her. “Justin…” I looked up to see my father seated in the living room. This was odd as he was either always in his office or bedroom with my mother. “We need to talk for a moment, son.” He said to me, I watched his expression and saw that he did seem to have a lot on his mind as well. I walked further into the room before noticing there was someone else in the room. Astrid's father. I raised a brow, then frowned but didn't say anything. “I'll give you two some space.” My father-in-law spoke but my father was quick to stop him. “No, you should be here. This involves her too…” Her
ASTRIDI couldn't help but wonder if my mother-in-law actually knew the kind of person Asta was. I was certain she wouldn't be smiling at her if she knew she had walked in with a murderer. Asta, on the other hand, was smiling with a crazed look on her face. I hadn't noticed just how insane she actually looked when she smiled before but now it was clear as day. The evil was there to see if you knew what you were searching for. My heart was in my throat, and I could feel it becoming a bigger knot by the second. What did they want with me now? I wondered. My breath hitched when Justin’s mother walked over to me. As she bent close to my ear, I saw the smile she had come in with slip but she covered it up immediately with a brighter one. “Oh, Astrid, how are you feeling now dear?” She faked a concern that I was sure even Asta could tell was not real. “I hope you’re feeling a lot better…” I was stunned for a second and couldn't process what this was all about. Was she being nice to me be
JUSTINI waited by the door, trying to see if Asta was going to do anything since neither of them had seen me at first but the tears rapidly falling from Astrid's face spurred me and I walked in. “Asta. What are you doing here?”I saw Asta freeze for a moment before saying something to Astrid who looked absolutely terrified. I couldn't hear what was being said but if Astrid really thought Asta was the killer, then this had to be traumatizing for her. It was obvious that she needed help but couldn't say anything, no doubt that that was Asta’s idea if Astrid had been telling the truth. “I just came by for a little chat with Astrid. You know, to remind her of the past.” She threw a glance at Astrid who looked like she was minutes away from crying out in pain. Why does it feel like she’s lying? Something was wrong with Astrid but I couldn't pinpoint exactly what it was. My heart squeezed painfully, mirroring the pain she felt and I wondered what that was about. I walked to the side of
ASTRIDI sat up straight when the doctor came in. He was here to check my vitals like he had promised to. I was relieved to see that most of the injuries had healed up and the rest were on the process as well. “Your vitals are good, Astrid. I think its safe enough for you to be discharged today.” Oh thank Goddess. I was starting to hate the hospital now. “All you have to do is make sure you rest a lot and stay protected since you're almost always in danger.” I nodded at the doctor's instructions but I knew well enough that rest was not a luxury I could afford at the moment, especially with my mother-in-law set to make matters worse for me.“This means I can take her home with me right now, yes?” Justin asked from where he was perched at the edge of the bed. He hadn't left since he told me about the deal and I didn't know how to feel about his continuous presence. It seemed like he would always be with me from now on and the thought of that did not sit well with me.I knew that the mi
JUSTINI dropped to the bed, not uttering a sound. What happened earlier ran through my mind. I didn't want her here for any other reasons other than what would be beneficial for both of us if this plan was going to work. She’s supposed to be here so I would be able to keep an eye on her and also so no one would be able to find out about our plans. How was I supposed to protect her when she didn't want to be here? Also, it would be very suspicious of I met her outside of the house. There were bound to be wrong ideas sprouting, ideas we wouldn't be able to dispute without raising more suspicions. However, I couldn't take not seeing her. Other than the need to protect her, I had this growing sense of need ever since my father asked me to mate with her. It was almost like I wanted her and the thought of that made my wolf excited. Heck, it made me excited too. I just couldn't give in to the need. I mustn't. Not wanting to dwell on these new feelings, I left my room. Maybe if I caught
ASTRIDIt was officially obvious that Justin had lost his mind. He didn't seem to know what he was doing as I tried to push him off me. He wouldn't budge no matter how hard I pushed. Instead of getting off me, he raised a hand and I flinched, worried he was going to hit me but he used it to cup my neck instead. My heart raced at the thought of what was going to happen and I wanted to shake my head, but couldn't as there was no space to. This can't be happening. I thought. It was unlikely that it would happen. He hated me and I hated him for everything he had put me through. How would this happen between us?His lips were mere inches away from mine and I knew I had to do something or at least say something. “Do you really want to kiss the girl who killed your mate?” Like always, the words had an effect on him and he snapped out of whatever had been going on with him. He backed away from me, angry. I preferred his anger to whatever had been going on earlier. “Get out of my room.” I
JUSTINMy heart was pounding against my chest widely and a strange feeling settled over me as my eyes drifted from my father to my mother . I had never seen my parents so- tense like that before, the seemed so bothered about something I couldn’t understand why it was. My father’s jaw was tight and my mother’s lips were pressed together in a tight line as if she was trying to hold back her words. For the first time in my entire life, it seemed like there was an unresolved issue lingering between them, something neither of them wanted to talk about.My mother sat down and my father sat beside her, he held her hands tightly as if to anchor him. Then with a small sigh, he started talking. “There’s something I haven’t told you before and I guess this is the time for you to know, Justin,” he let out, his voice firm but I could tell the tension underneath it. “Years before I met your mother or even began dating her… I used to date a witch.”I frowned at what he said, refusing to believe his
JUSTINI knew something was off about that girl right from the start. And right here, she proved me right the moment she disappeared. Of course, she was a witch but why had she come here only to disappear? Why show herself now if it wasn’t a part of some plan?I turned around and saw Astrid with wide and startled eyes, a million thoughts were swirling in her head. I could hear her thoughts and she was back to thinking about her wolf, back to believing she needed a witch to fix whatever was wrong with her wolf. But not this witch. Raina, Sasha, or whatever she called herself. She was the wrong person for that. A very wrong one and I had this feeling she was dangerous too. It was clear too.I walked to Astrid and placed my hand on her arm, but her mind was too preoccupied with what she was thinking she knew about Raina. “Astrid,” I whispered through our link. “Look at me. She is not the witch you're looking for, snap out of it, baby. Raina is a liar and a friend of Hunter’s. She can’t
ASTRIDI was sure it was him- or at least, I thought I was. Maybe it was just my mind playing tricks on me, spinning my fears into shadows outside the window. I didn’t feel safe. Not anywhere. Not anymore. The only place I felt safe was in Justin’s arms. But what are we going to do now?I was trembling and crying quietly into his chest as he held me tight, his hands rubbing my back up and down soothingly. The only thing that comforted me was his presence and the warmth of his body. Not even a minute later, the room was filled with everyone else. The door burst open, and my parents and Justin’s came inside. I could feel their eyes on me, I could see the worry in their eyes and I started feeling overwhelmed. “What happened?” Justin’s mother asked, her voice laced with concern. “The fucker was here,” Justin replied her, his voice was strained and I could tell he was trying to control his anger. “Astrid saw him.”They all let out a low gasp immediately the words came out of Justin’s m
JUSTINI was torn between staying with Astrid to protect her and the baby and going over to where Hunter was to confront him. I felt that familiar feeling of fear and all my body became tense as my mind started racing, calculating the risks. Under no circumstances must Hunter find out about the baby. If he found out, his games could get dirtier, more dangerous, and I could not afford that. Not now. Not ever. I pressed a kiss to Astrid’s temple, she was too focused on her ice cream, completely unaware of anything happening while mine was melting in my hand, dripping down my fingers. So, I got to eating it and took my eyes back to where Hunter was, but he was gone like he had never been there. I turned Astrid and tried to get her walking so we could get out of there but she wasn’t budging. “I want another one,” she whined, holding out her empty cone. I forced a smile, trying to keep my fear out of my eyes and our link. “We have to leave sweetheart,” I said, my voice steady despite th
JUSTINWith an opponent hot on my heels, I ran across the pitch, the wind whipping over my hair. I didn't care that running had scorched my lungs and pushed my legs to the breaking point. There was only one thing on my mind- reaching the goal post. I focused, dodged an opponent and narrowed my eyes. And Immediately I got to the goal post, I swung the pusher against the ball straight into the net. The stadium exploded in cheers as soon as the ball got past the goalkeeper and into the net.Victory. I turned immediately to the stands, my eyes searching for the one face that made this whole moment worth it. Astrid was there, her eyes shining with pride and a big smile playing at the corners of her lips. I blew her a kiss, grinning like a fool. I could barely hear my teammates rushing towards me, to celebrate with me. The championship game had just started and this was our third win. I ran to where she was in the crowd in the stand as soon as the game ended. I immediately lifted her int
HUNTERI stared at Raina and her mother, Celeste, with a bored expression plastered across my face. The room felt suffocating with their presence, their very existence was dripping with deceit. If there was one thing I had learnt from dealing with these two, it was that they were up to something. The fact that they had the audacity to show up at my pack unannounced only confirmed my suspicions. Whatever they were planning, I needed to figure it out- and fast. I had zoned out for a moment, allowing the dull hum of their voices fade to become background noise, but then, Celeste called my name, snapping me back to the conversation. I blinked, trying to focus on her as she spoke. “Hunter, we heard what happened,” she said with sympathy in her voice and I rolled my eyes. “So, what are your plans now?” She asked, her voice smooth and practiced. It was as if she was trying to sound genuinely concerned, but I knew better. I could see the calculation in her eyes, the way her lips curled into
ASTRID "It was- I…” I opened my mouth to respond, but then it hit me. It has actually been a while. I stared up at her, my eyes widening as a wave of terror and bewilderment passed over me. With my heart pounding, I muttered, "It can't be." “We have… well- it can’t be what I’m thinking right? I mean yes, we have done it a few times. Well a lot since that day but could I really be?” My heart was beating fast against my chest and the room bounced a little in my eyes. Goddess.She nodded knowingly. “There is a high chance,” she replied. “I have a few pregnancy test strips in the pack’s first aid kit downstairs. You stay put, I'll go and grab one for you.” I nodded in response.As she left the room, I felt my mind waving. This was exciting, but also terrifying. This was not the right time at all. A lot was still going on. Hunter was still out there. What if he found out? And school- oh my God, I still had two years left. How was I supposed to manage being pregnant and finishing school? I
ASTRIDA few weeks has passed since I found out about my adoption, Hunter’s intentions and Justin getting hurt. My relationship with Justin had gotten even better and it was flourishing. Even now, I was still in shock at how much had changed so quickly. I no longer felt the weight surrounding me, and for the first time in my life, I felt like I fit somewhere. My relationship with my parents was… progressing. Slowly. But, we were getting there. The hardest part, though, was trying to get used to Justin’s mother change in attitude and how she was so sweet to me now. I was finding it hard to accommodate her but I was sure I’d get there eventually. Justin had helped me pack my things back into the Alpha’s home after everything had settled down and it felt good to be back, surrounded by people that cared about me. And I could always see Justin and not wait or count down until time I would get to see him. Everything was going well. All was well. But there was a nagging feeling at the back
ASTRIDBest news of the year. Hell, best news of my life. She loves me.Astrid, the girl who always made my heart race, who kept me awake at night, and haunted my thoughts whether she was around or not, had finally confessed to loving me back. I felt a raw, powerful feeling go through my veins as soon as she finished speaking. A high I hadn't felt in years. It was taking up all of my mental space, making the physical anguish I was experiencing seem unreal and distant. I forced myself up, scowling at the way the stitches were pulling at my flesh, ignoring the pulsating pain in my ribs. Astrid, always the worrier, immediately moved to get me to lay back down. She attempted to gently lead me back to the bed by saying, "Justin, you're still hurt." But I would have none of it. Grabbing her wrist, I pulled her in until she was inches from my face. I could smell her skin, that subtle aroma that always made me crazy, and I could feel the warmth of her breath. She made an effort to make me