Carena:โAnswer me,โ she insisted, and Sawyer finally opened his mouth to reply.โI think you should go back home and sort things out with your boyfriend,โ he said calmly, slipping his hands into his pockets.Her body relaxed, and she scoffed, taunting him for not being able to secure her."Knew it," she taunted. "And you should go home to your crying mate and take care of her as if she were some teen," she hissed."She's not here, so don't drag her into this," Sawyer said as he stepped away from her.It was odd how he suddenly changed his tone. From being overly concerned to not even looking a bit worried for her.Even she kept staring at him as he turned around to leave. I didn't want to confront them because there was nothing worth discussing.It's not like what she said was untrue. I have been so desperate to live the life of a teen in love that I forgot my age.Throughout my teenage years, I had the responsibility of my stepsiblings on me.I never got to make friends or even focu
Carena:If I was upset with Sawyer before, now I was even more worked up. But not just at him, at my own self. Why did I go from one abusive partner to one who could've been happier without me in the picture?I didn't even find Sawyer at fault because if he was doing all that to be a good husband, he was doing a great job. But sacrificing his own desires and wishes to make me happy made me feel heavy-hearted.I stayed in my bedroom, waiting for Sawyer's return home. However, he never showed up, and nobody bothered to ask if I wanted food or not until Janine knocked on my door and entered with a tray of food."You skipped lunch and even the evening tea. They had a little party in the hall, why didn't you come?" Janine was the only one who showed care, and sometimes I wondered if it was only because she was supposed to take care of everyone."Nobody informed me," I said, "was Sawyer there?" I inquired."Nope, he actually never came back. But didn't he tell you he'd be staying at the hot
Carena: โHuh?โ he asked again.โI want to run some tests and--,โ as I started to talk about the topic, he hushed me.โWhere did this topic come from?โ he asked, confused.โI have been thinking about you and Ashley and I--,โ I bit my bottom lip, feeling like I was saying too much. I needed to shut up.โListen! I am not in the mood or in a condition to have a talk about anything with you or anyone right now,โ he said. โI came to the hotel so that I donโt have to hear you whine about anything.โI frowned, feeling offended. โReally? Okay! Then I will give you space.โ With that, I hung up the call. I knew I had angered him because he called me so many times after that.However, I had a feeling he was calling me to give me a good scolding, but I wasnโt ready for it.So, after I changed into my nightgown, I lay alone in bed while the pillow soaked up all my tears.โHow do I make my presence known?โ I asked myself, writhing uncomfortably in the bed. The fact that Sawyerโs family was so again
Carena: โYou never want children?โ I continued to pester him.โYou forgot to accept my gift yesterday,โ he changed the topic and brought up his gift, placing it on the table for me to open.My eyes were glued to the box, but I was actually zoned out, thinking about our future.โBut I want to get treatment so that I can have children with you,โ I continued, watching him open the box himself. It was a beautiful diamond bracelet with stars hanging down.โIt will look good on a fragile wrist like yours,โ he said as he helped me wear it. After a few seconds of silence, I gulped.โThank you! It is beautiful.โI didn't know if I was able to show gratitude properly because my mind had been blocked by all the thoughts of so much happening around me.โCarena! If you want treatment and want babies, I will have no objection. I will be supportive of you,โ he finally answered my question.โBut you wanted babies with Ashley,โ the minute I said that, I watched a distasteful frown appear on his foreh
Carena: I followed Sawyer, and the others trailed behind us. As soon as Sawyer stepped into the guest room, he reached out his arm to halt everyone else.โEverybody! Get out!โ he shouted, causing us to exchange glances, wondering what had transpired inside.โEveryone, back to the hall. We'll return once we've sorted this out,โ Jack stepped forward to make the announcement, as Sawyer seemed too preoccupied, looking visibly shaken.Everyone else departed, leaving only Sawyer, Jack, and me. Even Tabitha didn't linger; I knew she couldn't stand the sight of blood, so she left with the others.With everyone gone, I watched Sawyer rush inside, seizing the opportunity to enter the room and confront a horrifying scene. Blood was everywhere, and in the middle of it all, on the bed, lay Ashley in her own pool of blood.I couldn't help but gasp, immediately muffling the sound with my hand.โHey, calm down, look away,โ Jack tried to reassure me, but I instinctively stepped back from him. I obser
Carena:It's been a whole two days since Sawyer never returned. I was sending him food, but he wasnโt touching it. The lunchbox would come back full, and well, the driver was instructed by Lord Rennick not to drive me to the hospital specifically.When I complained to Sawyer, he told me I should stay at home and not worry too much. Ashley was finally brought home today, and I couldn't muster the courage to go see her being held in Sawyerโs arms.Her room had been tidied up on the orders of Jack, which I guess really upset Sawyer at one point because it was a crime scene. But then after Ashley woke up and gave her statement, there wasnโt really much left for anyone to investigate.โMark rap*d her and tried to kill her. When he realized how bad her situation got, he ran away,โ Janine told me, standing in the doorway and watching me sit on the couch and stare at the cold food in front of me.โI really hope she feels better,โ was all I could say.The last two days had been so hard on me.
Carena: Sawyer had asked for some time from the council while he figured out what needed to be done. I had heard some gruesome details of what happened to Ashley and how her boyfriend had used a bottle to assault her until it broke. There were pieces everywhere, and it made me feel bad for her. But that didnโt mean I would hand over my mate to her.โUgh!โ Sawyer was pacing from one corner of the room to the other while I sat on the sofa near the window, watching him wander around.He finally stopped and grabbed his phone to call someone. It was a warrior he summoned to his bedroom.A few minutes later, a young man in his late twenties appeared before Sawyer.โJared! I have a favor to ask of you,โ I frowned, watching Sawyer sit down with Jared, keeping his head down.โYour Highness, you can ask for my life, and I wonโt complain,โ Jared replied softly and gratefully.โI heard you havenโt found your mate yet. Iโm afraid it will be hard for you to do that, but someone needs saving,โ Sawy
Carena:"Tell me!" she screamed again, making me uncomfortable with how much pressure she was putting on him.He stood tall, watching her beg and even grab his collar. But then he slyly slipped his hands into his pockets and glanced my way."That's not possible, Ashley. He already has a mate," I said, stepping in because it felt wrong to stand by while she begged him to ruin my relationship by accepting her.She turned to me and growled, her eyes showing a level of anger I'd never seen before. "And you will decide that?" she hissed under her breath."She is my Luna, Ashley. Just because you're in pain right now doesn't mean you get to disrespect her," Sawyer stated harshly, making her step back from him. The hurt in her eyes was mixed with betrayal.I didn't want her to feel left out or rejected, but she left me no choice."Then I'll leave for the facility," she muttered under her breath, her eyes silently shedding tears while she kept a straight face."You won't. I've arranged everyt
Carena: โI have put them to bed; weโre all set,โ Sawyer announced, his shirt disheveled before he quickly straightened it, though he didnโt roll down his sleeves.I gave him a smile and got up from my seat to welcome him. He took the main chair, and I sat down beside him, wearing a beautiful red dress.โYou are the best father and husband,โ I whispered, leaning over to kiss his cheek while the maid served us food.โYou two need to get a room,โ Ronan joked, making us smile and turn to him. He looked so happy with Yamin. The two had welcomed twins--a baby girl and a baby boy--last year.โAnd my brother is truly proving himself to be a good role model too,โ Payton added proudly.Lady Jane smiled at her sons, delighted with their perfect lives.โAnd Payton is taking good care of business,โ Louis grinned at her, giving her a wink. I knew something was brewing between the two, and they had recently opened up about it. They were set to get married in two months.I didnโt think there could b
Carena:โWhat do you mean?โ My heart revived even more, my grip tightening around my child.โKelly, donโt fucking make up stories,โ Jack yelled, his fists clenched.โI am not. You fool. You really bought my lie about Carena being so powerful to get pregnant already and then giving birth in seven months. Carena didnโt have a proper sense of date and time because there were days she would sleep without waking up for two days. But you, you knew everything. Yet you didnโt question anything?โ Kelly smirked at Jack, who was finally hit with the realization.Thatโs when my baby let out a little cry and opened his eyes. He had the same eyes as Sawyer.โHe is my baby?โ Sawyer rushed toward me, taking him from my hands and then smiling, โNo wonder I felt such a strong connection.โโNo! You did not betray me like that,โ Jack yelled, rushing to wrap his hands around Kellyโs neck, but Martin raised his legs and kicked him, making Jack drop back like a pathetic weakling.โHow dare you--,โ it was as
Carena: After I beat him up, Sawyer handed me my baby while he tied the couple to a tree. I was curious about what he was planning to do.โI am so sorry I got you into this mess,โ Kelly cried to Martin, the two tied side by side.โNo! If I have to do that again, I will do it. All for you,โ the guy was hopelessly in love with her but also an idiot for partaking in her crazy schemes.She was a doctor; if she had remained committed to her job, the two would be living a very good life by now.While the two cried and talked, I held my son and smiled with teary eyes. My baby was perfect. There was no way he was Jackโs child. How could such a beautiful baby belong to that monster?โMy perfect child,โ I cried happily, rocking my baby in my arms. All these months, not once did I hate my child. I had grown so much in love with my baby that I didnโt understand why and how."Why would you want us dead? You already have your baby and your mate by your side now. Don't you have everything already?"
Carena:He was watching me with so many emotions in his eyes. In that moment, Jack and the others decided to flee because they knew they couldn't fight Sawyer.Jack was so frightened that he didn't even wait to grab me. Instead, he just started running after seizing Kelly.โMy son--!โ I yelled, but before I could get up, I saw Sawyer gesture for me not to go after them.โThey cannot escape the woods.โHis confidence made me sit back. But what about my son? What if they hurt him?"Sawyer!" I uttered his name as he deepened his stare into my eyes, filled with nothing but love for me."My love!" He knelt down and instantly pulled me into a warm and comforting embrace."No! Don't touch me before you know my truth." It broke my heart that even after our reunion, I had to keep my distance from him.He needed to understand that I had given birth to Jack's child so he could decide whether he still wanted to be with me. It would shatter my heart if he didn't want to stay with me, but I could n
Sawyer:โRonan, keep your eyes peeled at the border. Make sure your men remain hidden in dugouts around the portal,โ I advised him as we marched away from the entrance. Tonight was the Wolf Moon, and after midnight, I knew Jack would arrive with Carena. Certainly, Jack would use Carena to try to lure us away so that he could cross the portal, but I would jump right in with them. That was the plan.โI have informed my guards not to stop them from enticing the bridge, but do let us know when they arrive,โ Ronan confirmed. I didn't want to provoke Jack into attacking Carena out of anger. Of course, he would threaten us with her life when he was surrounded by the warriors.โYamin is taking care of the roads--โ Suddenly, Ronan's voice began to fade. My mind started to wander off, and I knew it wasnโt the first time this had happened. I had felt this before, only when someone stepped into my woods--the woods of which I was king.โThey are here.โI closed my eyes, focusing on the whispers of
Carena:โAHHHHH!โ My screams had deafened me at this point. The pain was unbearable, and being out in the wild was not helping at all. I was worried for my baby and how giving birth in the wilderness would negatively impact everything. Dr. Kelly had asked Jack and Martin to grab some supplies while she assisted me with the delivery.โJust keep going. I know you can do it,โ she said, rubbing a damp cloth over my forehead in an attempt to comfort me, but I was far from comfortable. The open air and sky, combined with the fact that my mate was not with me, broke my heart.โWhy canโt we go to a hospital?โ I asked, letting out heavy breaths, but the pain kept intensifying.โBecause Sawyer must have informed all the hospitals and packs about you and Jack,โ she replied. โBesides, we are passing through Sawyerโs pack, so--โ The minute she said that, goosebumps covered my body. I looked around and noticed the woods. What the hell!We were in the terrifying part of the woods? The crazy and poss
Carena: Jack was shocked to see the old man confronting him. It seemed like Jack had run out of words.โI donโt know what you are--talking about,โ Jack tried to sound normal, but none of the words he uttered came out in a confident tone.His hesitation alone gave him a guilty appearance.I had stepped way back from them while Dr. Kelly ensured she stayed with me."I heard it all. You played me only so you could use my kin to escape the werewolf world--the world where you have messed up so much that you canโt even remain in it anymore,โ Vincent finally seemed to have caught on to Jackโs scheme.It took him months and many wasted attempts to open his eyes. But what struck me as odd was that Jack steadily fixed his posture and approached him.For someone who had been caught in a lie by his only support, he was remarkably calm.โI think youโre taking this way too seriously. Itโs not that grave of a matter,โ he placed his hand on Vincentโs shoulder, but Vincent shrugged it off aggressivel
Carena:"What did you just say?" he asked, a harshness in his voice warning me not to say the wrong thing."Jack lied to you. He told me that if he told you the truth, you would kill me and my baby." I gulped, realizing it could be true. I was taking a risk here. If I wasnโt pregnant, I would have found a way to escape the chains and transition. But that was no longer an option."Huh!" He looked rightfully confused. "You are the reason my poor daughter is dead. Sawyer killed her because of you." Now that we were talking, he started revealing what he truly thought of me.The fact that he claimed Sawyer had killed Tabitha proved that Jack had lied to him about many things."Thatโs not true. Listen--" I took a deep breath, knowing I was about to admit who was really responsible for Tabithaโs death and the deaths of his other children.His expression grew even harsher as he continued to watch me, waiting for an explanation as to why I believed Jack had been lying."Tabitha did cheat on Ja
Carena:I was heavily pregnant and miserable, but I kept going for the sake of my baby and the hope of seeing Sawyer again one day. I just didnโt know how he would react to the fact that my child belonged to someone else.โYou shouldnโt starve yourself,โ the maid they had hired for me said, causing me to roll my eyes.I didnโt get along with any of these people.They were all enemies of both me and Sawyer, working for that despicable man.โIโm full,โ I sighed. โBefore you start lecturing me, I had breakfast less than two hours ago,โ I scoffed, irritated.She rolled her eyes and left the hut. We had been on the runโor rather, they had kept me on the runโfor months.Every time Sawyer got close, they would pack up and flee again. Theyโd managed to evade him many times by threatening my life, and of course, Sawyer always relented.โHey,โ Jack entered, having taken care of the food and other necessities for the night. He smiled at me.The mattress I sat on was uncomfortable, lacking the fa