The bitter November wind cut through my threadbare coat as I pushed open the creaky door of the 24-hour diner, the warmth from inside fleetingly caressing my cheek. Glancing at a watch, I noted my shift had lasted from noon until just now, 10PM. It was always the graveyard shift for me easier not to deal with the judging eyes that way.I sat down on the curb around back, letting the door swing shut behind me, muffling the clanging and sizzling sounds of the small kitchen inside. I unfolded my paycheck with trembling fingers. $180. Not much, but if I budgeted carefully, it would cover food for the next week.The wind picked up, seeping through holes in my sneakers. I couldn't afford new clothes or shoes, not when every cent went to keeping my small family afloat. I used to have dreams of college, a career, mate - but those evaporated the night a gas explosion killed my mom. The night that I got blamed for being the murderer. It didn't matter that I was innocent, that it was a freak acc
The frigid wind cut through my thin jacket as I hurried down the dark sidewalk. The streetlights cast eerie shadows, making me flinch with every movement. But I didn't dare slow my pace. I had to gather my belongings and leave town before my stepdad returned from his usual late night at the bars. Tonight he had crossed a line even my numb spirit couldn't ignore. The hollow eyes staring at me with twisted intent would haunt my dreams forever. If I stayed, he would eventually succeed in carrying out his vile threats. The thought made bile rise in my throat. As the sagging outlines of my building came into view, I paused, listening for any sound within the dingy apartment. Silence greeted me. Slipping inside, I rushed to grab my meager possessions - some clothes, toiletries, the wad of cash I had hidden away, and a photo of Mom. My only memento left of her. Zipping my backpack, I headed for the door before my stepdad appeared. I had no solid plan, just knew I must get far away from
Alpha Kai's searing gaze held mine, ruby eyes assessing his new possession. I scarcely breathed, frozen under that relentless scrutiny. What did the notorious Alpha intend for me? Silence reigned but for the thunder of my heart. His lip curled slightly, nostrils flaring as if catching an elusive scent. Those burning coals swept down my scantily clad form, lingering on the graceful curve of my neck. I shuddered despite the warmth flushing my skin. His presence overwhelmed, pressing down like an oncoming storm. My limbs shook with the desire - no, need - to bare submission, offer everything to this powerful creature. Alpha Kai crossed the room in swift strides until he towered above where I knelt. His large hand roughly grasped my chin, tilting my face further into the light. I glimpsed angular features, proud brow, and firm jaw before searing heat branded my mouth. He kissed me brutally, all teeth and tongue, staking claim. And my traitorous body responded, arching into him,
KIA’S POVI took long strides, exhaustion seeping through my bones. All I want to do is to slump into my plush cushion, soft and inviting. My wolf perked up, suggesting we seek comfort in the arms of our mate. He has not shut up about last night’s experience, and he wants to spend time with her wolf. “ I can’t let that happen,” I thought to myself. This could be one of the despicable tricks of the elders. “ Yes, that’s it. She’s a breeder, and she should be treated as one,” I muttered to myself as I climbed the stairs. I could hear movements in the office, and I hastened my steps, but I was brought to a halt by the loud shattering sound from the office. I rushed and opened the door and was surprised to see two frightened blue eyes staring back at me, mouth wide open with trembling lips. She reeked of fear, and I just wanted to comfort her that minute. “I thought I told you to stay in your room and rest today.” My eyes darted across the mess surrounding her, and anger and fury r
TRACY’S POVI stared into the empty space beside me and memories of last night flashed hazily in my mind.He tended to my wounds. I never would have thought that the ruthless Alpha would ever do that. He was so gentle, my whole body was on fire. I felt tingles every single part he massaged. I didn’t even know when I drifted into sleep.“ How can one’s hands be rough and magical at the same time”, I thought to myself.“Why did he do that?”, I couldn’t bring myself to answer this question that ran through my mind, He couldn’t possibly care about me. I remember the way his eyes bore into my soul, he looked confused. I was confused too because there was no profound explanation for why he was tending to my wounds. A look flashed in his eyes but before I could recognize it, he blinked and looked away.“Was that care I saw in his eyes”, I would just wait until I encountered him again to know if he at least cared.I was brought back to my senses when I stared into the empty space. Of cours
“Get out of here!” his voice boomed. I couldn’t believe my ears. I rose into action immediately. I hurriedly picked up my lingerie and rushed out of the room. He was breathing very heavily, eyes tightly shut. Slamming the door behind me, I sprawled on the bed, holding back the tears threatening to fall. How did my life suddenly turn this way? I moved from being free to being an Alpha’s prisoner and plaything. We were having fun, he enjoyed it, I saw it in his eyes, and he ordered me out just like that. “Did I do something wrong?” I thought as tears rolled down my cheeks. I didn’t try to stop the tears from flowing anymore. My wolf comforted me, although she seemed upset about something else. I could feel it, but I wouldn’t worry about that now. I was drained, and I felt like shit I cried myself to sleep and was woken up by loud barks of order by Amber.“You little Wench, I will pull down this door if you don’t get your ass out here now!” I jumped up like I got stung by an inse
KIA'S POV.I did not want to admit that I was worried about her, My wolf claimed that she was our mate but I could not really feel the mating bond, but all I knew was that I cared for her.Slightly. Yes, just a little bit.When I entered the kitchen and saw how she was trembling in fear because of my presence, I was suddenly overwhelmed with a confusing anger.The reason for my sudden anger was not known but I was just very angry. Why was she trembling? Was she also scared of me like other women? Was that it?A sigh escaped my lips and I finally held in my anger, wasn't that what I wanted? For her to be scared of me? Yes, I wanted her to be scared of me, so that she wouldn't be able to report anything to those that sent her.Of course, I was sure that some people send her. That was the main reason why I could not trust her.Also, she could never be our mate like my wolf kept saying, if she was, I would have known and felt the bond and also, she would have told me.No,I did not think t
TRACY'S POV.I was surprised when the unfamiliar man said that there was a spy among the guards. I could feel the Alpha's anger as it pulsated through him like an heartbeat and I could not help but shrank back into my seat.He was always very scary when angry, I was not sure of what he could do, so the best thing I could do was to keep quiet and keep my distance, so that he would not vent his anger on me.The more the unfamiliar man talked, the angrier the Alpha became, I gripped the hem of my gown tightly in nervousness, the temperature of the room suddenly went down dramatically and I shivered, goosebumps rising from my body and my eyes darted around, not daring to look at the Alpha, lest he turned to me and accused me of been rude.There was nothing that man could not do when he was angry, the rumors about him could not help but rise in my head and my heart skipped a bit.'He's our mate, you don't have to fear him.' Crystal said but it was as if she was also not sure, her voice was
Kia's POVThe elders were still very much in shock that I had a son."Honestly, exactly how long is it going to take them to get used to it?""We have to run a DNA test immediately," one of them said."Get on with it already! How many times have you said that?" I asked. "Or are you scared of finding out the truth?"He bared his teeth at me, but I smiled smoothly. I had nothing to fear since I had done all my preparations and I knew the truth.My confidence was probably disarming to them, but they still went ahead with the DNA test."Come along, boy," one of them said to Kian.I looked to my side at him. "Go on now. They won't hurt you. You'll be back with us before you know it." He nodded silently and went along with the elder."Are you sure this is not a bit too rushed?" Tracy asked."I'm sure," I said. "I guess what, I've never been happier in my life." I leaned in and kissed her on her cheek.She seemed a little nervous accepting the kiss from me. I could see clearly in her look th
Kia's POVEven after waiting for someone, he did not show up, and I began to wonder whether something was wrong. The boy had finished telling me his story, and now it was my turn. He looked at me expectantly."Before we have this very serious conversation," I said, "since he is not here, I think we would just do it without him."I looked at him seriously. "Now, are we going to have to do it a second time because he is not here? Because you have two people to apologize to.""No," she said. "Never mind that.""All right," I said."I'm sorry," she said."Sorry for what?" Kian asked her.A single tear streamed down her cheek as she spoke. "Your father is Kia here," she pointed a finger at me. "I've kept the two of you separated for so long now, and I'm very sorry about it."He looked stunned, but I wasn't surprised at all. After all, I had figured it out myself.She looked at me, her eyes pleading. "I'm so sorry," she said. "I am ready to accept whatever punishment you have for me," she s
Garvin's POVArriving at the hospital, I found myself walking straight towards Tracy's ward. Right now, I hardly knew what I wanted or why I was here. What I did know was that I had only an hour to spend. After that, I'll go back to the office to see how far we are with the documents and the secretary.I felt really excited to give the secretary the job of spying on the elders because I knew that it would surely be very fun."Yes, and then I will order her to deny any connections with me immediately if she gets caught," I thought, the plan making more and more sense in my mind. The more I thought about it, the more excited I became."Who knows? They might have information about who sent her to them," I thought. The thoughts were very exciting to me.Shaking all of them out of my mind, I focused on the task at hand. Right now, I was in the hospital to find Tracy, wasn't I? To confront her about the life-changing news that she had hidden from me for so long.She was going to pay for it
Kia's POVI kept on checking my watch, waiting for Garvin to come before I broached the subject with her. After all, it would not be a bad idea for me to finish the topic once and for all when he was here. It was going to be a very nice party, and I was probably going to enjoy it.No, I realized, looking at her face. I was not going to enjoy anything about the Great reveal. It was going to hurt to hear it from her that I was the father of the boy. And him coming here could make the environment a lot more tense than it should be.Tracy was looking at me. I could feel her eyes. I wondered whether I should glance up to meet them and whether she would see the betrayal in mine. I had been waiting to confront the topic ever since, but now I found myself backing out. Later, there was no rush, after all.She was looking at me, staring intently, so much that I had to look up at her.Our eyes met, and I couldn't help but feel a crushing sorrow mixed with disappointment at the crimes she had com
Garvin's POVI tried to collect my thoughts and keep my composure while sitting in the office. The files that I had to keep on signing were a consistent source of annoyance, especially now that my mind was in another place. Now, I had a lot of things to worry about apart from the inconsequential office work."What are those elders up to?" I thought, knowing that they would not come here for something as trivial as Tracy. Last I checked, they did not really care.The door opened, making me really consider getting another secretary for myself. Somebody that was more docile, somebody that was polite and cautious enough to freaking knock on the door before entering."Yes, do you want anything?" I asked, not in any way hiding the irritation in my voice."There are a few more documents for you," she said in a little voice, as if that would pacify me."Are they for me to sign again?" I asked."No," she said, "they are for you to read."My eyes narrowed as I observed her. "Are you seriously go
Kia's POVI waited patiently for the boy to begin telling us what he had in mind. Maybe it had to do with what he said, that he would rather talk to his mommy about.He hesitated, looking at me, feeling his eyes resting on me. I looked away for a while, wondering about the best way to deal with the situation. I was definitely going to hear what he wanted to say, even if I had decided to let them have their peaceful private conversation. Now that I knew I was his father, I couldn't keep myself out of his life for much longer."I should stop pretending," I thought, looking at them, and showing that I knew he was looking at me."Oh, is it a private conversation?" I asked."I told you before, I want to talk to only mommy about it," he said."Fair enough," I said, "after all, I am just a distant relative." I zeroed my eyes in on Tracy, and as she opened her mouth, not waiting for her to say anything, I got up and walked out of the room. Calmly, I would just have to listen from outside the
Kia's POVWhen she gave me the confirmation that she was able to finish her food, I found myself relaxing. Well, that meant that she'd gain a lot of strength and then I could ask her a lot of questions, didn't it?He ate calmly, and I watched her intently, not knowing what I was looking for. Soon, all of a sudden, she started to choke."Dammit, I should have thought about that," I thought, getting up immediately, looking around for water. Surely, there was a sink in here.After scanning the entire room with my eyes, I found out that there was none."I'm pretty sure that hospital wards are supposed to contain sinks for water," I said, even as I stormed out of the room in search. "Like, what are they supposed to do if the patient suddenly wanted to vomit or to clean up his face? There needed to be a sink in it.""Or is this place a very cheap one?" I asked, trying to figure it out. "If it was cheap, then it made sense why they were not able to provide all the rooms with all the necessar
Kia's PovEntering the room, I immediately fixed my gaze on her. I wanted to know whether she was awake or asleep. Honestly, I did not know which one I wanted more at this point. I definitely wanted to talk to her and pour out my frustration, but at the same time, I wanted to run away from that conversation as far as possible. Kian jumped on her bed with a happy expression on his face. 'No boy, you don't want to wake her up if she is still sleeping.' I said in my head, the words refusing to come out. Maybe I wanted her to wake up after all. She did not react, meaning that she was still sleeping. At least I had some time to prepare my mind.I looked down at the bag in my hand. It contained the food I had bought from the restaurant. It is sure to calm me down, I thought. I came nearer and sat on her bed, observing her as she slept just as I had done for the past couple of days. Shaking my head in disappointment, I left and pulled out a chair from a corner of the ward. I looked aroun
Kia's POVEven I couldn't figure out the reason why I was on my way to get every pasta by myself instead of just ordering it online. Or maybe I should give it to a servant to get it; any one of those options will do, but I found myself going personally."Do I just want to get out of our presence for a while?" I asked, featuring her face, my mind stuck on the face that had hidden away so many secrets from me. Who knew how many were still hidden?"Uncle, you're not focusing on your driving," Kian said. I noticed that the car was driving slower and slower because I was applying pressure to the brakes subconsciously. In addition, the car was already turning towards a gutter."I'm sorry," I said sheepishly as I adjusted the car. "Maybe I just need a little rest.""Not just rest, you need plenty of rest," he said, his voice cheerful. The joy in his voice almost made me happy. Almost."I think that is the restaurant we are looking for," he said, pointing.Through the rearview mirror, I could