EZRA
“Hey,” I say groggily, sitting up from the bed.
I thought I’d imagined Phoenix getting up from the bed and leaving the room, then sneaking back in but her absence in the bed couldn’t be missed.
She freezes in her step then keeps walking to the bed. She appears beside me, looking like an angel with her bed hair and slightly sleepy eyes.
“Hi, you’re awake.” She sounds shocked which ma
EZRA“Ezra?” Phoenix snaps her fingers in front of my face.I nod, blinking until I am able to focus on her again.“Yes, I’m listening. Keep going.” I shake my head.“There was this voice in my head, another wolf. Amara, she started going crazy all of a sudden.”I half listened to all she was saying because I already knew where that was heading.What Nate said he was
PHOENIX Ezra wouldn’t lie to me. Ezra would never lie to me.The thing is I don’t want to believe him anymore, not because I don’t think he is not telling the truth but because I know it is the truth. And it hurts.It hurts so bad that I have to plead with him to stop when he said my parents weren’t my real parents.I could live with anything but that, I don't even want to hear it. I wish I could delete from that memory.I wish I could delete everything he has said tonight and just go back to how things were before this afternoon.I even wish I hadn't slept, this wouldnt have happened if not for that.How is it that whenever something good starts happening in my life, it never lasts? Am I cursed to never be happy?Like he could read the thoughts running through my mind, Ezra wrapped me in his arms. He rubs my back soothingly, muttering words of affirmation.If this was any other day, it would have worked but he has too many things for me to feel better from just his words.When a cho
PHOENIXThe room grows silent, heavy with the words I just uttered.I have shut that part of our conversation in a part of my mind. I don't want to let myself visit that truth until my parents are here.I don’t know what to refer to them as but whatever they might say, they are the parents I have known all my life. And they will always be that.A part of me is hoping they’ll say it is all just a lie and they are my parents.I don’t know how to feel or what to say about the new development in my life.I just hope that when tomorrow comes, everything will be clearer.I almost forgot I asked a question when Ezra answers.“We haven’t been able to get them, but soon.” He inhales deeply. “I’ll do everything I can to find them, baby, I promise.” He pecks the crown of my head.We both get lost in our thoughts and the room grows silent again, the only thing that can be heard is the sound of our individual breathing.It might sound cliché but it almost sounds like we are breathing in sync.Ezra
PHOENIXI spent the next morning anticipating the visit from my parents.I didn’t realize how much I missed until I heard they were coming. Then I felt like a terrible person because who forgot their parents.Ezra being the amazing person he is, tried to make me feel better by saying it was normal, I had been caught up with many things, going through changes.It barely made the self loathe leave but I appreci
PHOENIXI almost run into my parents’ arms when I see them sitting in one of the multiple drawing rooms in the palace.I’d immediately forgotten all I was worried about when I caught sight of my mother.I don’t care what I was told, she is still my mother and nothing, not even a stupid DNA will change that.She notices me first, I see when she tugs dad’s arms and they both stand up.
PHOENIXWe talk about everything and nothing.Really, it felt like the only thing we didn’t talk about was the most important of it all.Dad warmed up to Ezra pretty quickly which I didn’t find surprising. Ezra has a way of making you like him without even trying much and in the few minutes that they all met, they drifted off from one topic to the other.It was all going well when all of a sudden, realization dawned on us. As if all at the same time, the room went silent.I felt when the energy changed, almost immediately, anxiety made my hands feel clammy and nervous energy filled the room.The tension was so thick that it could be cut with a knife.Ezra is the first to break the silence.“I have a meeting with my father but I’ll be back in the next hour or so,” he said the last part while looking at me. “You need time to talk. I’ll come back as soon as I’m done there.”I nod slowly, licking my lips that suddenly felt chapped.I’d chosen to sit in between my parents, not because I di
PHOENIXMy eagerness to hear everything about my parents—actual parents diminished with the excitement of having the parents I know with me.I rested in my mum’s arms like a kid again the entire time we were together.“Kiddo,” I heaved a sigh when dad spoke.His tone was serious and I know the little hope I had of living in this bubble and never having to confront the truth was being disturbed.He seems to notice my lack of eagerness to have the conversation because he gave me a small sad smile when I looked at him.“We do have to talk, sweetheart.” Mum nods in agreement, still gently stroking my back.I heaved another heavy sigh before sitting up. I shoved my cold hands under my thighs and sat on them.“Okay,” I mutter, licking my lips and looking anywhere but at them.Mum is still beside me, she gives my shoulders a reassuring squeeze when she notices how I was bouncing my legs with nerves.She always seemed to know when I wasn’t okay or I was feeling scared and anxious.Did we real
PHOENIXTalking to my parents made me feel better about everything and when they explained—and assured me, that everything is fine, it felt like none of that even happened.When Ezra returned, about three hours later, we sat and shared a drink—I didn’t drink—and they spoke, and got to know each other more.I can’t put to words the emotions I felt seeing him interact with my parents, zero veil of formality, it was as if they have known each other for all their lives.“I love seeing you happy,” Ezra said to me much later in the night when we returned to his—our chambers.I turned to face him from my position near the mirror.I got a sudden burst of energy to deal with my hair that is resembling a bird’s nest more and more every day.“Yeah?” I ask, with a small smile playing on my lips.He nodded, watching me with warmth and adoration and something else that I can’t place my finger on.“Yes, it is what I live for.” His voice took on a husky edge that never fails to make me quiver.He com
PHOENIX It felt like I had been sleeping for years on end, and when I finally woke up, my entire body felt fatigued. Too heavy for me to lift even a finger. Ezra was beside me, he was wide awake and he was just watching me. I was aware of his presence, even in my unconscious state and that just made me realize how extremely lucky I am to have him in my life. “Hi,” he whispers, moving closer and pulling my body to his. I sigh when I feel his warmth surround me. He felt like peace, like home. “Hey,” my voice was weak from lack of use so I cleared my throat and tried again. it wasn’t any better not that he seemed to mind. “I feel like I have been sleeping for years.” I mutter, stretch and yawn as my bones make satisfactory pops all around. I felt slightly better after that stretch. “Three days,” Ezra says, his voice gentle and calm. I knew something was wrong from the way he sounded. Pushing back the heaviness I was feeling and the voice in my head telling me this was going to b
EZRA We have Alejandro and Hank in custody now, with audio and video proof of them admitting to all the things they had done.Yesterday had taken multiple unexpected turns but it turned out perfectly well if you asked me. I just had one thing to cross off my list before I can finally be at peace.I’m careful as I get out of bed. Phoenix is sleeping beside me. She has been out since last night when we came back with Nate and the cars they brought with them. I refused any medical checkup and instead stayed by my mate's side until she was cleared.The doctor, who thankfully knew what was happening, had stepped in for their actual doctor. They couldn’t deal with her face to face beforehand since they didn’t want their identity to be known, which made it easier for that to happen. A little overhaul and show of power by Nate had the actual doctor spilling, which allowed them to bring our doctor in.I was only able to alert Nate of what was happening but the second they drugged me, our conn
PHOENIX Alejandro is your typical bad guy, who would sit for hours and tell you how he came up with his perfect plans, the steps he followed, the moves you made that made it easy for him to win.I think I fell asleep five times during his anecdote, and each time I woke up, I prayed he would be done but my prayers weren't answered. We were all exhausted. In fact, he was the only one that didn’t seem tired of hearing himself.I started to feel sorry for him, because he clearly had issues. I couldn’t pinpoint where it stemmed from but he was more than due for therapy. And thanks to his torture, we all might too.“Enough.” Alpha Hank growls, getting off the wall he’d been resting on during his brother’s long history lesson.I have to admit, that is the one twist to the story I didn’t see coming. And though it doesn’t seem that significant, something tells me we need to be careful. I still have those dreams I’m not sure I translated well.At least, I feel better knowing Ezra is going to b
PHOENIX“Are you okay?” the doctor asks, looking over her shoulder in fear.“Do I look okay to you?” I mutter drily. I know I sound like a bitch but I couldn’t care less what she thought of me right now.She heaves a sigh and comes to stand in front me, she rethinks and immediately steps back, putting a little space between us. I only rolled my eyes because if I wanted to get to her, I would have since when Alpha Hank and Sibel’s dad were here. I’m not scared of them, even in the slightest bit.I’m biding my time because if I let whatever I’m feeling crackling under my skin take over, then I would rather it be worth it. I have a feeling there will be no going back from there.“You’re right, that is not the right question.” She huffs out a breath.I watched her, trying to look past the anger I’m feeling at her betrayal, to try and give her the benefit of the doubt but it doesn’t work. Maya just wants to tear her apart and it is taking everything I have in me to stop her from acting on
EZRAJax is losing his mind not knowing where Phoenix is or how she is managing.I’m calm for some reason, because I know she is alright. I don’t know how I know it, but I just di=o.‘Calm down, she is fine.’ I reply in a calming way, hoping it would help him relax but he just growls at me too. I sigh and throw my head back then almost immediately regret it when the wood dug into the back of my neck.They could have at least gotten comfortable chairs if they wanted to kidnap me. The chair is the most uncomfortable I have ever sat in.‘How can you be calm at a time like this?!’‘I trust Phoenix, if she was in danger she would have reached out to me by now.’ He just grunts. Not believing what I’m saying, or more accurately it wasn’t enough to make him calm down.‘And how can you be of help? Last I checked, you’re tied up.’‘I have you,’ I say with a small laugh. ‘I’m kidding.’ I immediately add before he does something dumb like try and hit me. Which is impossible but annoyance is a gre
PHOENIX I was tied up. It was the first thing I noticed when I woke up.I panicked immediately and tried to fight against the restraints but it was pointless. I didn’t even think to check to see if the person that has me tied up is still here. I just knew I needed to get out of here, I didn’t know how but I’ll be damned if I stay here for any moment longer.Ezra! The realization makes me stop struggling. I look around the room frantically, trying to see if I can see him but I’m alone.Everywhere is dark, if not for my wolf vision, I wouldn’t have been able to even make out anything.I’m on a wooden chair that is not comfortable in the least and my hands are tied behind me, so tightly that I fear that if I move the wrong way, I will pull them right out of their sockets.I couldn’t believe Jake’s dad was doing this. I didn’t even understand what he meant by the power I had was his. I never wanted it, but now that he so obviously wants it so he could hurt more people. He would have to k
PHOENIXI thought I was hearing things when I heard my old alpha’s voice. Jake’s dad. But when I turned, almost completely confident that I would find a different person, I saw him and my blood immediately went cold.Ezra’s hands tighten around me like he could feel the same negative energy I feel rolling off the man in waves.For the entire time I dated Jake, I wouldn’t say we were particularly close with his dad. I stayed away from him as much as I could because he just had this scary aura I didn’t like. Now, I’m seeing it as a different thing, especially as he bares his teeth in what I assume was supposed to be a smile.“What are you doing here?” I ask, my voice shaking slightly.He looks down at me, literally, and his lips turn down in distaste. He never really liked me but he never openly hated me. He just made it clear that he didn’t care what his son did with me. He looked like he wanted to slit my throat right now.“Shu—”“I would be careful how I finished that sentence if I w
EZRA Multiple times, I almost stopped Phoenix so I could kiss her and many more things. I managed to get my wolf to shut the hell up. This is extremely important for her—for both of us and our life. Our future.“Do you know where you’re going?” I ask her, circling my arm around her waist and pulling her to my side. She stretches and covers her mouth with her hand, yawning loudly.“I think I do,” she rests her head on my shoulder. I kiss the top of her head and hum in response.“I should have let you sleep more,” I murmured, steering her away from a tree root she hadn’t noticed.“I’m fine.” I only hum in response.She is stubborn but I loved her determination. I don’t know how she is doing it but i commend her hard work and efforts.Dealing with uncertainty and not knowing what to do or what is going to happen sucks. I’m unable to focus on anything, my mind is constantly running, thinking of things that could go wrong or another threat toward her.We have gone far from the main buildi
PHOENIX “Are you okay?” Ezra asks, his voice shaky as he holds both my shoulders. He wraps his arms around me, looks over my body, he is touching every part of me like he doesn’t even know where to check or where to stop.I’m not looking at him, instead I’m staring at his back, right at the large imposing building I have never seen before. We are not at the palace, this place looked unfamiliar but I feel like I have been here before. I feel the same feeling of déjà vu and I shake my head.“Phoenix?” I look back at Ezra, his amber eyes are filled with worry and he is panicking. I can read it in his body language.“I’m fine.” I’m surprised by how steady my voice sounds. “What happened?”I move out of his hold, a pained look crosses over his eyes but he doesn’t reach out for me, instead he stood to his feet when I did the same. Still standing at a safe distance, he reaches for my hand which I don’t offer.The way he looked like a scorned child made me feel bad but I don’t let that emoti