RyderIf I could ask for one thing right now, it would be the chance to go back in time and correct my mistakes.That night with Alexis was a mistake.Trusting her father was a mistake.Hurting Sarah and pushing her away was a mistake.Too many mistakes made already. And I was about to make another if I let Sarah have her way.I had stayed awake last night and yet, I could only come up with the lamest plan, involving the one person I hated and couldn't even afford to trust.I paused on the front steps, taking in deep breaths before uncorking my water bottle and gulping down.“Where have you been?” A voice startled me.A shadow emerged and the light from the porch cast a warm glow on my unexpected companion.It was Ava.I cocked my head at her in confusion. Her question was unexpected, bizarre even. Slowly, I continued my ascent to the front porch, ignoring her.She blocked my path. “She is gone.” Flatly.What was she talking about? And why was she waiting for me, out here in the fark
Ryder My lips quivered with disgust. “Tell me again, Zane, when did you come up with this speech?”“This isn't a speech. For the safety and growth of this pack, it is in everyone's best interest that you step aside for someone more capable to take responsibility.”I laughed, although it held no humour, it held traces of my anger. “Everyone? Who have you been talking to?”“Everyone… including the people of this land who you seem to have so confidently forgotten about, because of your heart. Tell me, Ryder, is she truly worth it?”I clenched my fists, fighting to keep my anger on hold. “You think I’d risk everything for her if she wasn’t?”Zane took a step closer, his eyes narrowing. “Love isn’t enough to lead a pack. You need to be able to make tough decisions without letting your heart cloud your judgment.”I did that once and where did it land me? Right here, in this mess. But I couldn't blame Zane. He knew nothing about it.Still, I won't let him tear my pack apart because of ignor
LucasIt felt stupid, standing here, staring out the window while my whole world was falling apart. But that has been my routine for the past week, except today was different.“About time,” I muttered, my eyes trailing the pickup truck that had just pulled in.“I’ll see her in the study,” I spoke to the guard standing at the entrance. “Don’t let her take a step to any other part of the house, except it leads to the study.”I caught his silent acknowledgement as I walked passed.There was going to be a lot of explaining and screaming and I wasn’t going to be the one doing either. She’d betrayed me and this time, she was going to serve as an example to anyone who might be harbouring thoughts of that nature.Especially, her worthless father!The door creaked open, jarring me from my thoughts.“Lucas.” My name rolled off her tongue like a plead, much to my annoyance.But her appearance caught me by surprise.“Alexis. Welcome home,” I replied sarcastically, my eyes slowly taking her in.S
SARAHI can recall every moment I dreamt of this happening. Every nightmare haunted me with this possibility but I would wake and he would kiss those fears away. I had dreamt of it but my dreams hadn’t prepared me; it was worse.He was my nightmare, in the flesh, staring down at me.****I followed Ryder straight to his study. My heart beat painfully against my chest as I slammed the door shut behind me.“What was that you displayed in the hall, Ryder?” I asked breathlessly, exhausted not from walking too fast but holding back my emotions.“Exactly what it seemed to you.” He spoke, standing behind his mahogany desk, his hands jammed into his pants. “You’re to vacate this house. I’ve set up plans for you in the city with Trevor. He will see to it that you are settled in nicely.”I stared at my mate in shock, with no words to express my disbelief. “Ryder...” I called softly.No response.“Ryder!” I repeated, my voice a notch higher as I walked towards him. “If this is a joke, this is th
SARAHRyder growled loudly, butting heads with the stranger. The heat in the room increased as their wolves threatened to break free. The growling intensified.“Stop!” I yelled, placing my hands against my ears.“Stay out of this, Sarah,” Ryder spat in my direction. “This doesn't include you.”“It does, Ryder…damn you! It does.” I let my tears fall freely. “You're tearing our home apart and breaking my heart. Don't you see it?”I took a tentative step towards him, hoping he would meet me halfway. He didn't bulge. The pain I felt was overwhelming my senses. I couldn't breathe properly so I took short breaths.“We have nothing binding us together, Sarah! Our union was never blessed by the goddess. You are wolfless, Sarah.”I wiped my tears with the back of my hand. “You can say all you want but I'm not leaving. This is my house too.” I spoke, my body trembling from exhaustion. “I gave you five years of my life, subjected myself to various healers and doctors just so I can conceive yet
RYDERSleep eluded me tonight. I pulled the covers aside and stood up. The thought of Sarah occupied my mind. I knew she was excited to celebrate the anniversary with friends but I had made other plans.The anniversary party had been the perfect place to execute them. It was like killing two birds with a stone; denounce Sarah as my mate and introduce Alexis to the world as my Luna. I have held up my path of the deal, now it's time for them to do the same.It was supposed to buy me time to strategize, knowing Sarah was tucked in somewhere safe. I had planned everything perfectly with the help of my beta, Trevor. Now, everything has been destroyed before it even began.I had met Alexis at a business meeting. She had stood in her father's stead, Regan Blackwood(Alpha of the Blackwood pack). They have been pushing to merge with my company, SC Enterprise (Stormclaw).Alexis was meant to be a one-night stand. The sex had been incredible. Better than I had imagined. All that perfect skin a
Sarah I was sitting next to Lucas in the back seat of the car. He had dragged me out of bed in such a hurry that I didn't get to wash my face because it took me forever to pull myself away from the bed. “You're extremely quiet. Did you have a good night's rest?” he spoke up, breaking the silence between us. My eyes were still laden with sleep. Last night was a nightmare. Literally. I wasn't in the mood for a conversation, so I said nothing. But Lucas wouldn't take the hint. He tapped my hand, lightly. “Was it to your comfort?” he continued, unbothered. “ I know you came into luxury when you married Ryder but five years is enough time to know the taste of finer things.” It had crossed my mind that he might have been aware of my past. But it was way too early for me to have a decent conversation and my head sat heavy on my neck. Every part of my body ached and the hard leather seat of the car did nothing to ease it. “Yes, the room was pleasant,” I replied softly. “But my disco
Sarah My eyes fluttered open, greeted by the bright light from a window. Still woozy from the sedatives packed in my system, I tried to recollect the events of the past hour. Then, like a cruel punch, the memories came flooding back—the argument, the push, the unbearable pain. I struggled to sit up but my body protested against every movement. The door to the room swung open and the doctor walked in, closely followed by a woman. “Ms Willow,” his voice sounded cherry, a bit too cheery. “I'm Dr. Adian. I'm glad to see you awake. The sedatives are beginning to wear off. How are you feeling?” “Better,” I lied. Partially. “That's good.” I watched as he whispered to the nurse. I sat perfectly still, like a statue, dredging to ask the question that plagued me. He pulled me out of my misery. “Ms Willow, we have good and bad news. The good is you've sustained nothing major, just a slight concussion. And the bad news is we couldn't save your baby. The fall was fatal—” His voice faded