Emma's POV"You can't do that!" "I can. Stella is far better than you, I am sure she will love the kids more than you ever can.""Draven, why are you so cruel?" I touched the bridge of my nose and repeatedly told myself not to lose my mind. I looked up at him and said, "Okay, you can try whatever you want and I will do what I want. No need to fight."I laid down on the couch and did not even bother to look at what he was doing. I was so exhausted that I fell asleep as soon as I laid down.The couch was small but it did accommodate my frame, it was not as bad as I thought it would be.By the time I woke up, the sun was already painting the sky red. I stretched and got out to the balcony to see Draven sitting on the chair. The floor around him was covered with half-burnt cigarettes of different sizes.He was talking to someone on a video call. I turned around to leave, thinking that it must be some pack-related stuff but when I heard him call out 'Stella', I stopped.Stella said, "Drav
Emma's POVI crawled my hand to my phone which was lying on the bed next to me. It was an email confirmation for the role of the hospital receptionist that I had applied for, they had scheduled for the interview and I was summoned today. I rubbed my eyes, I hated attending interviews. The position for the nurse that I had back home had a tedious interview process which spanned for three whole days.I was so exhausted by the process that I even felt like quitting it midway.The interview was in the afternoon, giving me just enough time to tidy up the room and grab lunch from a local shop downstairs.I put on formal attire and pulled my hair in a ponytail. With modest makeup and a pair of heels, I was ready for the day.I put together all my certificates and identity cards, whatever I thought was necessary for the interview.I was feeling confident and happy about everything until I stepped out of the house.I could not find a ride!Maybe it was because it was lunch hours that no one w
Emma's POVThe call came in through the next morning. I had landed the job and I was super happy about it. The idea of going back to the hospital felt like peace.I called Natalie to share the happy news with her and as usual, she was excited for me too. We decided to catch up soon to celebrate this.I sat down on the couch, going through my call logs to find Alex's number. I was just about to click on his name when I received a call from an unknown number. Even though I didn't have this number saved, I could say who this was. My mood was instantly dampened and I was unsure whether to pick up the call or not.I decided to ignore it and they didn't call me back. I let out a sigh of relief and proceeded to call Alex."What's up?" He said as soon as he picked up the call. I smiled, "I have some good news for you. I got the job!""That's my girl! Congratulations." He said. Even though his tone was bland, I could say that he was happy for me too. Men suck at expressing their real feeling
Emma's POV"With Alex." I looked at Alex and smiled. He must have known by now who I was talking to.Asher asked, "Why? Are you guys going on a date?""What? No! Why would you think that?" I almost choked on my own saliva when I heard his words. I then explained, "I got a new job, so we are dining out to celebrate it.""Is that so?" He muttered and asked me about the job. After I explained the role to him, he said, "Aren't receptionists lower than nurses?""Yes, they are but this was what was available right now.""What about the job back in the city?" "I quit it." I said, earning severe backlash from the boy, "Mom, are you crazy? Why would you do that?"I replied, "I don't know when we will go back and I cannot find a job in the pack while still keeping that job. It's illegal."Asher was mum for a while and then asked, "Mom, did you quit the job to stay in the pack for us?""Does it matter…" I started but was cut off by him, "Mom, answer.""Yes." I admitted, "You see, sweety. Things
Emma's POVStella’s attention flung from me when Alex spoke up. She looked at him and asked, "Aren't you the guy who was with her that day? What was your name again?""Alexander Frost." Alex shook her hand and said, “You must be Stella. Heard a lot about you.”“Oh, is it?” She smiled and asked, “Do you work for Draven?”“No, I work at the council.”“Like… a clerk?” She hugged Draven’s arms and leaned against him intimately.Alex smiled and shook his head, “No, I am a member of the Council Board.”“Is it? You look so young to be a Council Member.” The girl was astonished and I did not blame her, even I had the same reaction when Alex told me his identity for the first time.Stella then said, “Were you guys discussing about the pack? Did I disturb the conversation?”“No, actually. The Alpha was asking me why I was here with his wife.”“His wife?” Stella immediately lifted her eyes to look at Draven, I could say that she was panicking right now. The man did not say anything but his eyes
Draven's POVStella was upset with me and I had to make up for it. I still don't know how I forgot to inform her that I won't be home that night. It was as if she completely slipped out of my mind.She was already juggling between the news of Emma's arrival and my two kids. The last thing I wanted to do was make her unhappy.I asked Roger to book us a reservation for the new restaurant where she had been wanting to go for a while. This date was not just to make her happy but also to get me back on track. Emma's arrival has messed something up within my head, I had to get it fixed.Stella was very happy when she got to know that I was taking her on a date. She immediately forgot that she was upset with me and got ready.Everything seemed to be perfect! I was with the woman I loved, I was going to have some good food and enjoy some good time. But like a tornado that has come to disrupt everything, I saw Emma in the elevator. Not just with anyone but him!She was wearing a wine-red dres
Emma's POVThe last thing I remember was trying to run away from the corridor. It was unlikely of Draven to let me off so easily and I was a fool to think that he had changed.He grabbed me and dragged me inside the men’s washroom, skillfully kicking the door shut."Draven! What are you doing?" He shoved me against the wall, letting a course of pain run down my body. I tried to remove my hand from his clutch but it was to avail.He said, "You really are too anxious to go back. We are not even divorced yet and you already want to hook up with other men."Was he serious right now? Was he jealous? I asked impatiently, "Draven, what are you upset about? Is it because I am capable of being happy without you or the fact that I am having dinner with Alex."If I did not know the real him, I would have seriously thought that this man had feelings for me. I knew how hard the past few years were. I was determined that I would never repeat my mistakes, nor think naively that I could make him l
The last thing I remember was trying to run away from the corridor. It was unlikely of Draven to let me off so easily and I was a fool to think that he had changed.He grabbed me and dragged me inside the men’s washroom, skillfully kicking the door shut."Draven! What are you doing?" He shoved me against the wall, letting a course of pain run down my body. I tried to remove my hand from his clutch but it was to avail.He said, "You really are too anxious to go back. We are not even divorced yet and you already want to hook up with other men."Was he serious right now? Was he jealous? I asked impatiently, "Draven, what are you upset about? Is it because I am capable of being happy without you or the fact that I am having dinner with Alex."If I did not know the real him, I would have seriously thought that this man had feelings for me. I knew how hard the past few years were. I was determined that I would never repeat my mistakes, nor think naively that I could make him love meI ha
Emma's POVDraven walked to the front and said, “I think that is enough. You will get dizzy.”“No, I am never getting off of this.” I said at the top of my voice. His face was clouding with worry seeing how fast this was going. He said, “Emma, I am serious. Get down! I don't have a good feeling about this.”“What are you worried about?” Just as soon as I said this, my hands slipped off the bar and I went flying off the swing.“Careful!” Time seemed to have slowed down as I found myself falling towards the ground. I closed my eyes, preparing myself to hit the ground but instead of the cold, hard ground, I fell on something soft but rigid.I stayed there for a while, feeling two arms tightening their grip around me. That was when I opened my eyes to see Draven heaving, there was a mask of fear and worry on his face.He somehow managed to work fast and grab me, saving me from falling off and breaking my nose.His clutch was so tight that I felt like my bones were about to crush. I was j
Emma's POVI asked, “So, you don't have any fond memories of your childhood?”“No. I think I don't even know what it is supposed to feel like.”I grunted, agreeing with him, “You know, I relate with you.”“You do?” He raised an eyebrow, “But you were in the pack and Gamma Austin looks like he is a good father.”“He was a good father to my brother, not to me. Even though they adopted me and let me live with them, I was still an outsider.”“I am sorry you had to go through that.”“No no! Why are you sorry? Even you had a shitty childhood growing up.” I smiled at him, “It used to bother me once upon a time but it doesn't matter anymore.”“Yeah.” He took the last bite of his meal and said, “There is nothing we can do about it. It's long gone.”I opened my mouth to agree with him but shut up immediately when I remembered something. I put down my fork and grinned at him, “Let's go!”“Where?” I got up from my seat and grabbed his hand, “Let's go!”“But your food…”“Let's go go go!”I starte
Emma's POVHe did not wait for me to say anything and got out of the car. He walked up to my side and opened the car door, silently asking me to step out.I crossed my arms and turned away, “No. I am good.”“You haven't eaten anything since afternoon.”“I am not hungry.”I heard his wolf groan in frustration but there was no expression on Draven's face. He was calm as usual.Just when I thought that he had given up, he swiftly unbuckled my seatbelt and picked me up in his arms again. Before I could even realize it, I was dangling over his shoulder and watching him carry me inside.“Draven, you creep! Put me down.” He turned a deaf ear against my protest and carried me inside the cafe. We were inside now and the weird way he was carrying me attracted everyone’s attention. The guests stopped what they were doing and stared at us in confusion.“Alpha?” One of the customers asked, “Is everything alright?”“Yes.” He replied, “My wife is just upset. You can all go back to your work.”My f
Emma's POVThe empty street was flooding white by the petite snowflakes and the temperature was dropping drastically. I was wearing a simple sweater and it did not prove to be very helpful in keeping me warm. In no time, I was standing on the street, covered in snow and shivering.Fifteen minutes passed by, and I still had not managed to find a cab for myself. They were just mercilessly driving past me, not even caring that I was all alone and freezing.“Hey stop! Please! Asshole!” I cursed at the fifth cab which drove past me.My fingers were numb at this point and I needed warmth. Even rubbing them together or keeping them under my arm wasn't helping me much.I turned around to look at the pack house, how badly I wished to run inside and take cover but my ego would rather make me collapse than ask for help. The snow seemed to be messing with the network reception, neither was I able to access the internet to book a cab or call anyone to come pick me up.I was truly stuck…There was
Emma's POVDraven and I continued with our work, even though we were in the same cabin, we did not talk. He was busy with his phone call meetings and I was busy with my head buried in the documents. He had just gotten off a phone call and had just kept his phone down. I asked, “Is everything sorted?”“Yes.” He nodded, “Everything is smooth so far. The extra reinforcement we are sending to the borders will reach there on time. I think everything is pretty much good. What about you?”“Just a few more documents and I am done too.”Draven nodded and leaned back on his chair, “Thank you for helping me out. I could not have done it without you.”I blushed; it felt good to have been praised by the almighty Alpha himself, who cherished his words like gold.In the past few days, while observing Draven and his work from a close proximity, I could not help but feel pity. Even when preparing for the festival, he had to go out every now and then to take care of his last minute Alpha duties. Even
Emma's POVA week passed by and I have no idea if Alexandr talked to Desiree or not. What I do know is Draven has taken back his case and he is no longer suing me. But he made sure to tell it to me clearly that if I try to pull any stunt on the day of the festival, he will make sure I pay for it.Asher and Ashel were excited about the festival, surprisingly. They were not looking forward to seeing their father but the festival itself. They had heard about it a lot growing up, and to experience it first-hand was something they were looking forward to.The costume that we wear on the day of the festival was specially made. Draven sent a dress designer to my house the very next day to get my measurements. He did not want any kind of delay or mishap on the day of the festival and was taking extreme precautions for it.Everyone in the hospital was pleasantly surprised that I would be hosting the festival this year and told me they were looking forward to it too.The whole pack was in the f
Emma's POVI squinted my eyes and shook my head in confusion, “Because of me?”She nodded, “Yes.” And proceeded to tell me what had happened and what all he had told her. I did not know how to react or what to say. To be honest, it seems reasonable. I would have done the same for him, I would never be friends with Alex's enemies. But how can I say it to Desiree without sounding mean?I replied diplomatically, “Maybe he is not trying to give up on his friend just like how you did not give up on Stella.”“No. You can't say that.” She protested, “Stella is in a coma, but I am here, talking to you and apologizing to him. Do you still think I support her?”What she said was thought provoking and I was rendered speechless again.Desiree said, “I know I have been troublesome in the past but it was just because of plain hatred. I am not heartless enough to support someone who tried to kill someone.”I nodded my head, “I think I might have had a wrong impression on you, after all.”“You do.”
Emma's POV“What is your relationship with Alexander Frost?” Desiree's sudden question caught me off guard. I countered her question with a question of my own, “Why do you ask?”I had many more questions in my head. Why is she suddenly asking about him? They don't even know each other.Desiree said in a rather rude tone, “Can you not give me the answer without knowing the reason?”There she goes, going back to her true rude self after pretending to be polite for so long. I shook my head; it must have been extremely exhausting to smile at her.I did not get angry. Instead, I said calmly, “You called me here to talk. I am not obliged to answer your questions.”I stood up, preparing to leave but she stopped me, “Wait. Where are you going?”“Home because this conversation isn't going anywhere and, unlike you, I have a job and I have stuff to do.”“Wait! Don't go!” She stood up, her tone mellower than before, “I am sorry. Can you not go?”I looked at Desiree and saw something on her face w
Emma's POV“What is your relationship with Alexander Frost?” Desiree's sudden question caught me off guard. I countered her question with a question of my own, “Why do you ask?”I had many more questions in my head. Why is she suddenly asking about him? They don't even know each other.Desiree said in a rather rude tone, “Can you not give me the answer without knowing the reason?”There she goes, going back to her true rude self after pretending to be polite for so long. I shook my head; it must have been extremely exhausting to smile at her.I did not get angry. Instead, I said calmly, “You called me here to talk. I am not obliged to answer your questions.”I stood up, preparing to leave but she stopped me, “Wait. Where are you going?”“Home because this conversation isn't going anywhere and, unlike you, I have a job and I have stuff to do.”“Wait! Don't go!” She stood up, her tone mellower than before, “I am sorry. Can you not go?”I looked at Desiree and saw something on her face w