JUSTINThis just changed everything. How was this possible? In a flash, I saw everything and I finally made sense of a lot of things. I felt a connection greater than anything I've never felt with anyone, nor even with Audrey but maybe that had to do with the fact that Audrey was never my mate, Astrid was. Astrid is my mate. The thought kept ringing in my head over and over. But how was that possible? How had I not known all these while?I recalled the conversation I had with my father concerning the mate bond. I told him about the disappointment I had felt when I didn't feel overwhelmed by the fact that I had my mate but I loved her, Audrey. With Astrid, however, it felt right. Overwhelmingly right. I felt everything my father had explained I would feel and even more. It felt like it was always meant to be this way. I could only imagine just how much Astrid had suffered every time I made love to Audrey. The mate bond would have ensured she felt everything. Why hadn't she said som
ASTRIDSo, what if everyone now knew the truth? I was mad at myself for being so stupid, enough to let my lust get the best of me. How could I have forgotten about the fact that once mated, mates would be able to read through memories, all of it. Stupid. Stupid. I'm so stupid. It wasn't entirely my fault though. Justin was wrong to have gone through my memories like that. Especially since I didn't know how to block him out yet. I directed my anger at him, using that to propel me. I would be able to function better if I blamed him for this and not myself. “I'm done with him. At least right now.” I whispered to myself as I walked away from them. I knew Justin wouldn't let go of me that easily but I wasn't going to give up. I would find every means possible to get divorced to him. I halted, having an idea. The perfect person to make sure that would happen had to be his mother. I knew she would find a way to get him to sign the divorce papers without him knowing what he was signing a
JUSTINIt didn't matter to me that she hated me. I knew she would heal eventually but she just needed time, something I had more than enough to give. I kept my distance from her all morning. It was torture not to be with her as I wanted but it had to be done. I knew her well enough to know that she would get spooked if I pressed on too hard and if she hated me now, I shudder to think what she would think of me if I pressured her. During her first place, I checked on her through the door and saw her deep in a conversation with a male wolf I didn't recognize. A frown marred my forehead, pissed that someone was already capturing her attention when that was what I was till working on. If looks could kill, I'm sure the boy next to her would have been dead and buried but before I could act on my feelings, I heard Jonah's voice behind me. “You're a professional stalker now?” He was directly behind me and could see that I had been watching her. I rolled my eyes even though I knew he could
ASTRIDEven though I had been wary of his smile from the onset, Hunter turned out to be a nice person. Although the teacher had been saying something, he managed to talk to me throughout the lesson. “I'm Hunter. What's your name, stranger?” He asked. His voice was extremely nice and I found myself smiling back at him. He seemed like someone I would love to have as a friend. “Astrid.” I answered, simply. I wasn't sure what to after that but he had no problems with continuing the conversation. “I'm sorry I bumped into you earlier.” I shook my head immediately. “No, I bumped into you, I think. I wasn't watching where I was going to. So, it's not your fault.” I told him, feeling a sense to explain though I knew he was the one who actually bumped into me. “I think not. I did. So, I'm sorry.” I smiled at his insistence. “It's alright. You already apologized earlier.” I said and tried to turn back to the topic being taught. A few minutes later, he spoke again. “So, Astrid. Are all cl
JUSTINThere was definitely something wrong with this Hunter guy. I hated the fact that he constantly looked at me like he knew something dangerous. Something that would affect all of us. He seemed to walk around with a permanent smirk on his face. There was no way I was going to trust Astrid with him. Not because I didn't trust her, but I couldn't bring myself to trust him. I didn't trust that she would be safe with him. However, per her request, I left the room for them to study. I waited outside the classroom for them to finish. It was torture but I needed to be here when they were done. It was totally necessary. She was my mate and if anything happened to her when I could have prevented it, I would hate myself forever. The door to the classroom opened after what felt like hours and I saw Astrid pause briefly, surprised that I had waited but she decided to walk past me, pretending like she hadn't seen me or had decided not to acknowledge me. Hunter followed suit. I sighed befor
JUSTINI went back to the car to take mine and Astrid’s bag that she had left behind in a bit to get as far from me as possible. “Justin,” I heard someone call as I was making my way back home. I turned around to see that it was Audrey’s parents and they wore their arrogant look thinking they were better than others as usual. I might have added to their ego because I never really complained about their behavior but today was going to be different because I was so tired of the way they acted and it has to come to an end. “Justin,” Audrey’s father called again and I internally rolled my eyes, he walked closer to me again before he spoke up. “I want to discuss something important with you,” he let out and I frowned. “I have more important things to do, whatever you have to say can be said to my father as he is in a better place to answer to whatever you want,” I replied curtly.“I have tried to reach out to him to talk about it but he has not been answering and the only time he did r
ASTRIDI hated that Justin was now always around me, either stealing glances at me or trying to talk to me and that was the least of it. It also angered me a great deal that he thought apologizing alone would make me bury the hatchet. His measly apologies were pathetic compared to what I have gone through. Years of pain from him and everyone else and he, somehow at the back of his mind thought apology and act like I did not go through all I did? He must be joking and very stupid if he thinks that’s going to happen.It was not his fault for not knowing or recognizing I was not his mate but it was his fault for hurting me even when he had no reason to, he hurt me just because he wanted to or because he thought looking at me with a guilt ridden face was going to get through to me.“Would you at least come to the trial tomorrow?“His question echoed in my head and I wondered if I should go or not. I was dreading going there, to that hall where I was tried years ago and having to watch so
HUNTERShe was even more beautiful than her photos. I guess it was to be expected, I just didn't know she was going to be better in person. This was going to make my plan here better.I had waited a long time for this. I came here for revenge. They took her away from me when our relationship was at its peak and I needed to avenge her. She had been here for a mission and she was nowhere near being done when they murdered her in cold blood. Every single one of them involved in her death was going to pay. And soon too. But having met Astrid, I was confused whether or not to go through with the revenge right away. I couldn't stop thinking about making Justin suffer the same way he had made me suffer when he was with Audrey.Starring down at my phone, Astrid's picture smiled back at me and I made up my mind. I have to have her. Just one taste. But I had a feeling Astrid was the type someone could get addicted to. Maybe this was the fucking reason Justoin couldn’t leave her alone. And comp
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