ALEXANDER'S POV I woke to an empty bed again and nearly panicked as I sat up in a hurry and jumped out of bed. I threw my clothes on as quickly as I could from the day before. I didn't have time to change into fresh clothes because I was in a hurry to find Melissa. All I could think about was that damn empty closet and how I felt that day and the days that followed. I never wanted to feel that pain ever again.And just when I ripped open the door, I heard Melissa's laugh echo up the stairs and into my ears. I let out a sigh of relief as I pushed into the hallway and went downstairs. I heard her, but I still needed to see her.She was in the kitchen, flipping pancakes with Damien and Johnny sat at the counter drinking coffee and still looking through boxes from the office.I cleared my throat as Evie spun, smiling warmly at me."Good morning. Coffee?"I shook my head. I didn't want coffee. I wanted her.I rounded the island and placed my hands on her hips, forcing her to look at me. S
"Hey, I'm Gearhead. You don't need to know my real name", They shook hands before he shook Johnny's next. "I'm with the club."Damien nodded to his chest. "I can see that." Then he looked at me. "Not to sound rude or anything, but I felt like we had this under control."I tried to speak but Alexander quickly cut me off. "When I get my hands on that Milo prick, I want a brother at my side, not one of you."Damien glared at Alexander. "I thought we had an agreement that I was going to help you take that fucker out?"Gearhead laughed. "Hey, you can still help." He patted Damien on the shoulder, getting a glare in return.I groaned, smacking my hand on the counter. I was sick of all the male testosterone-butting heads in my house. They all jumped and stared at me."We're done with this conversation. Damien, when it happens, we'll see where you're at. But we won't stop from killing him so you can get in your fancy car and drive over to wherever we're at." I turned to Alexander and Gearhead
MELISSA'S POV "Alexander," I breathed, trying to think of what to tell him. How did I tell him these were both a mistake? That I was forced?As I looked down at the photos, I noticed the one of Milo and me was taken when we first got together, back when I thought he was a normal human being. So of course, I looked like I was enjoying myself, and I had been actually. The photo of Damien and me looked to be taken right before Milo revealed himself; a moment I knew I enjoyed. Two photos that showed me with two other men and clearly not thinking about Alexander."Explain," he snapped, stepping back to run a hand through his hair, "I feel like you've lied to me. Deceived me!" He shouted, making me jump. "These photos here show me that you clearly enjoyed being with them. Are you really as trapped as you're saying, Melissa? Or is this some sick way of crying on my shoulder and making me feel sorry for you because they don't want you anymore?"I felt like he slapped me across the face. How
Gearhead nodded. "True, but so did you...""I had to. There's a difference.""Is there, though?"I sat there and thought about his words. I had moved on physically but not emotionally and I probably never would."I hear what you're saying, Gearhead, but it's different. I was forced to move on. He chose to." Gearhead shook his head. "That's where you're wrong.""What?" I was confused. How was I wrong? Dusty had a new old lady, how was that not moving on?"He doesn't love her, Evie. It's not my story to tell otherwise I'd tell you so you wouldn't hurt so much, but really, it's something you should hear from Dusty. Don't give up on him just yet, Melissa. He's doing his best to survive."I shook my head. "I don't know what to do anymore," I whispered, fighting back the sob lodged in my throat. "I'm so lost.""Of course you are, but that's why we're here. You don't have to be afraid anymore. It's over."I was about to speak when I heard the front door open and Damien's voice drifts through
"She's been through a lot, sir.""She's always been through a lot. She's the daughter of a biker for fuck's sake. Has she stopped crying yet?"I had to laugh at that one. As much as Melissa tried to hide her emotions, she really sucked at it and everyone knew how emotional she really was, especially me."She..." I wasn't sure how to answer that, "sure, boss. I'll keep you posted. I have another phone call to make."Axel groaned, "It better not be to who I think it's to.""Yeah, it's her." I swallowed."Don't fuck this up, Alexander. We're too close to cracking this shit wide open."I groaned at Axel's words. I wasn't sure what was worse; that Melissa kicked me out of her condo because I was with Mandi or the fact that my relationship with Mandi was a giant lie and a cover. I wasn't into Mandi at all. I was simply playing her to get intel on her brother and the club from the northern chapter. Apparently, Jimmy had further dealings and I was sent to sweep her off her feet and hope she t
Our procession moved in silence. Everyone seems to understand that a wedding during war is a joyless affair. Although the war has raged for generations, the new king of our enemy has made it worse.To be the darkest of those already living in the shadows, it made my skin crawl to think of the blood on his hands. Deep in the north, the shadow elves plotted against my father's kingdom. And after the death of their last monarch on the battlefield, his heir was carving a path of carnage through the land.Even now we were far too close to the border with the north than I had ever been in my entire life. As a princess of Mithra, I had spent my entire life in the kingdom of Sunlight, Galad. But now that things were desperate, my father was sending me to marry a Mithran Duke whose army we desperately needed to turn the tides of war.Here I was riding in a gilded carriage that might as well have been a pretty cage, sitting in silence with two handmaidens who spent the time on needlework. The y
Looking around, it appeared we had a clear shot into the woods as long as no one spotted us. The shouts of men dying and steel against steel were at our backs, and I knew we couldn't look back now. So many of the guards assigned to protect my journey were already dead and Xiomara was missing. As we skirted around the bodies, I had to hold in a scream as a wet hand snaked out and wrapped around my ankle. I looked down to the bloodied bodies in horror as I realized it was Xiomara that was holding onto me. She was covered in gore and barely recognizable anymore. Blood trickled from her parted lips as she turned up from the soaked ground to look at me. Her eyes were empty, and I didn't think she would actually recognize who it was she had a hold of until she whispered her last words to me. "Hide princess. The hunt has begun." And then the light in her eyes flickered out before her feeble grasp on my ankle fell away. "Oh, gods save us!" Nadene cried at my side. I had never witnessed som
"Well, what do I see here?" A deep and sensual voice questioned from beneath that dark helmet. He took a step forward and I clambered back on my elbows as if I stood a chance at getting away. "Is this a little sun elf royal I've caught?"The tone of his voice sent my blood boiling. As if he was a predator mocking his prey. Despite the fear wracking my nerves I managed to scrunch up my face into a sneer at him. It was harder for me to see in the dark but I'm sure the Shadow King could see me perfectly in the moonlight.He sheathed his sword and crouched to the ground at my feet. I wanted to kick him, but my body was now frozen with fear and a cold sweat formed on my skin. "Now I wonder, what it is a little thing like you is doing this close to the border? Don't you know there are monsters out here?"The growl in his voice mocked me and my heart dropped through my chest like it wanted to leave my body. "You're the monster!" I spat back."Hmm, a feisty one," his gloved hand reached out f