The shock set in as my eyes tore open and was greeted by the morning sun, the weight around my waist was his arm, the arm of the man whose name I wasn’t even sure that I remember from the club last night, draped over my body as he still slept peacefully, snoring light and unmoving as I slipped out of his hold as quietly as possible. He drank a lot more than I did last night, it wasn’t a wonder that he was still knocked out compared to me who took a few shots and turned down the rest I was offered. I spared a glance around the big spacious room, my jaw slightly dropping at the sheer size of it, and due to the glass that made up half of the walls of the room, I got a perfect view of the city from up here but I didn't have the time to be enthralled by the sight as I hurriedly looked away.This was nothing more than a one-night stand and I had to leave before he woke up. A soft moan escaped my lips at the soreness between my legs as I tried to walk. I looked back at the man sleeping pe
It was three weeks after I submitted applications to different organizations when I finally got a call from one, asking me to come over for an interview. I was hoping that I wasn’t going to mess it up, seeing as I had spent most of my first months here working as a waitress—a job that I despised because of the rude customers and the drunk men who couldn’t keep their hands to themselves.Today was the first day of college and I didn’t know if I felt thrilled or nervous. Nevertheless, it didn’t quite matter. This was my first day giving myself another chance at starting all over and I had no choice but to look forward to it. I woke up earlier to the aroma of coffee. Usually, that smell would delight me, but today, I immediately felt a wave of nausea that hit me hard as a thunderstorm.Whenever I felt like this, it often meant that something wasn’t right or I was probably going to have a fucked up day. Every morning, it was a routine for me to start my day with a cup of coffee and Dani
“It’s barely 8:00 AM and my day is already ruined.” I sighed, running my hands through my already disheveled hair. I was already feeling exhausted and I just woke up. Maybe getting out of today had been a mistake, I should’ve listened to my instincts when it was trying to warn me that today was going to be a bad day and stayed in bed. I could always resume college tomorrow, it wouldn’t hurt anyone. “I know that look, Ari. And if you’re about to do what I think you’re planning, it’s not going to work.” Danielle said, her eyes glued to my face. “I’m not in the mood to argue with you, Danielle. Can you just let me be, please?” “I can’t do that, Ari. I’ve watched you in your lowest moments and I know how horrible it was for you, when you finally got over those dumb twins, you were at your happiest. I’m not going to let you slide down back there because of a loser like Tristan.”She had a fair point and it took a minute of scolding from Danielle before I saw it. “We better get dresse
“How was school today, Ari?” Danielle began. “I couldn’t help but notice the scowl you had on your face as you walked towards me.” “I met a rude guy in class today but I handled the situation perfectly, I don’t think he’ll be bothering me ever again,” I replied. “Someone has been making a statement,” Danielle laughed. “Did it happen in front of the whole class?” “I stared at her mortified that she would even think I was capable of doing such. “You’ve lost your mind, you know that, right?” I laughed. “I was only teasing you.” Danielle nudged my shoulder. “Tell me, how was your day at college today?” I asked. “Do you know Tyler and I share the same class—not all of them obviously, but we share a couple of classes.” Initially, I thought this thing she had going on with Tyler was going to be nothing more than a distraction at first, but over time, it had developed into a relationship and I was happy for her. One of us deserved to be happy, we both couldn’t be single and miserable
I shrugged off his hand and slammed the door shut before he had the chance to say anything else. I was fuming as I turned to face Danielle who had a worried look on her face and I couldn’t blame her. Everyone on campus would be intimidated standing in front of Zach and Zayn. They were simply breathtakingly beautiful and imposing as well, it wasn’t an exaggeration but they’d be at least three inches taller than the tallest person on campus. “Do you think they’re going to leave?” Danielle asked. I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t know why they were here and why they sought me out. It could be anything ranging from a serious matter to a prank like the one they carried out on me before I ran away. “I don’t know, Danielle. But if there’s one thing I’m sure of it’s that they’re not going to be here for long.” I said. I could always wait them out until they had to return to the pack. Also, they won’t be able to come here every day and I could live without seeing them every couple of ho
Ari"Hey, look what we have here," Zach sneered, his eyes scanning my outfit. "Little Ari, dressed in her usual rags."Zayn chuckled, his eyes gleaming with malice. "Yeah, she looks like she just rolled out of a dumpster."Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes. I tried to push past them when Zach blocked my path."Where do you think you're going?" he asked, voice dripping with condescension. “You can't leave so easily. Let's have some fun."“Leave me alone, please,” I cried out “Look at her crying, so pathetic,” Zachary spat out snickering while Zayn smirked. Their laughter echoed in my ears, sneers growing wider…wider until-I gasped awake, my eyes opening to bright lights. Taking heaving breaths I shut them tightly to calm myself.“A dream. It was all a dream,” I whispered frantically. Slowly the panic and memories waned and I began to calm down.It was more than a dream but a memory . Memories upon memories of torment. Of their presence. But things were different now. I was n
AriMy mom seemed oblivious to my shock, still smiling and chatting. Yet I couldn't focus anymore as I felt the car stop. What was going on?"Mom, are we making a pitstop or something?" I asked cautiously, cutting her off in the process as I tried to comprehend what I was seeing.Turning back to face her, I found hints of confusion on her face."No, sweetie, we're home.” She said and I blinked in surprise."Home?" I repeated. "But...but this is Alpha Jason's house.""Yes, it is.” her smile faltered for a moment before she nodded.I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. Alpha Jason had been the Alpha of the Silver Reed pack for as long as I could remember. Even before I'd left, there was one concrete fact. He was a widower ever since his wife died years ago and since then, he had never remarried. The only family he had were his twin sons…A chill ran through me. There was no way my mom could have married him…right?No way. I shook the thoughts away. I was thinking too much. It was
AriI had no idea how I found myself in the nearest bathroom by luck but I didn't care.Without hesitation I locked myself inside, desperation and panic brewing inside me. My mind was a mess and the cool bathroom tiles weren't enough against the storm raging in my mind.It shouldn't be. Of all the things I had anticipated, this wasn't ever in the cards. My mother had married Alpha Jason? Zayn and Zachary, my high school tormentors, were my mates?The universe had to be playing a prank on me. A shudder ran through me as the memories rushed back in full force, taking me back to when I was in highschool, constantly bullied for my poor clothes, my skinny appearance.The main perpetrators were none other than Zachary and Zayn. I had no idea why they hated me so much, yet from the moment I met them, they had their sights set on me. And nobody stopped them. Why would they when they were the sons of the Alpha, the most sought after and popular boys in school?Many even joined them.Those t
I shrugged off his hand and slammed the door shut before he had the chance to say anything else. I was fuming as I turned to face Danielle who had a worried look on her face and I couldn’t blame her. Everyone on campus would be intimidated standing in front of Zach and Zayn. They were simply breathtakingly beautiful and imposing as well, it wasn’t an exaggeration but they’d be at least three inches taller than the tallest person on campus. “Do you think they’re going to leave?” Danielle asked. I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t know why they were here and why they sought me out. It could be anything ranging from a serious matter to a prank like the one they carried out on me before I ran away. “I don’t know, Danielle. But if there’s one thing I’m sure of it’s that they’re not going to be here for long.” I said. I could always wait them out until they had to return to the pack. Also, they won’t be able to come here every day and I could live without seeing them every couple of ho
“How was school today, Ari?” Danielle began. “I couldn’t help but notice the scowl you had on your face as you walked towards me.” “I met a rude guy in class today but I handled the situation perfectly, I don’t think he’ll be bothering me ever again,” I replied. “Someone has been making a statement,” Danielle laughed. “Did it happen in front of the whole class?” “I stared at her mortified that she would even think I was capable of doing such. “You’ve lost your mind, you know that, right?” I laughed. “I was only teasing you.” Danielle nudged my shoulder. “Tell me, how was your day at college today?” I asked. “Do you know Tyler and I share the same class—not all of them obviously, but we share a couple of classes.” Initially, I thought this thing she had going on with Tyler was going to be nothing more than a distraction at first, but over time, it had developed into a relationship and I was happy for her. One of us deserved to be happy, we both couldn’t be single and miserable
“It’s barely 8:00 AM and my day is already ruined.” I sighed, running my hands through my already disheveled hair. I was already feeling exhausted and I just woke up. Maybe getting out of today had been a mistake, I should’ve listened to my instincts when it was trying to warn me that today was going to be a bad day and stayed in bed. I could always resume college tomorrow, it wouldn’t hurt anyone. “I know that look, Ari. And if you’re about to do what I think you’re planning, it’s not going to work.” Danielle said, her eyes glued to my face. “I’m not in the mood to argue with you, Danielle. Can you just let me be, please?” “I can’t do that, Ari. I’ve watched you in your lowest moments and I know how horrible it was for you, when you finally got over those dumb twins, you were at your happiest. I’m not going to let you slide down back there because of a loser like Tristan.”She had a fair point and it took a minute of scolding from Danielle before I saw it. “We better get dresse
It was three weeks after I submitted applications to different organizations when I finally got a call from one, asking me to come over for an interview. I was hoping that I wasn’t going to mess it up, seeing as I had spent most of my first months here working as a waitress—a job that I despised because of the rude customers and the drunk men who couldn’t keep their hands to themselves.Today was the first day of college and I didn’t know if I felt thrilled or nervous. Nevertheless, it didn’t quite matter. This was my first day giving myself another chance at starting all over and I had no choice but to look forward to it. I woke up earlier to the aroma of coffee. Usually, that smell would delight me, but today, I immediately felt a wave of nausea that hit me hard as a thunderstorm.Whenever I felt like this, it often meant that something wasn’t right or I was probably going to have a fucked up day. Every morning, it was a routine for me to start my day with a cup of coffee and Dani
The shock set in as my eyes tore open and was greeted by the morning sun, the weight around my waist was his arm, the arm of the man whose name I wasn’t even sure that I remember from the club last night, draped over my body as he still slept peacefully, snoring light and unmoving as I slipped out of his hold as quietly as possible. He drank a lot more than I did last night, it wasn’t a wonder that he was still knocked out compared to me who took a few shots and turned down the rest I was offered. I spared a glance around the big spacious room, my jaw slightly dropping at the sheer size of it, and due to the glass that made up half of the walls of the room, I got a perfect view of the city from up here but I didn't have the time to be enthralled by the sight as I hurriedly looked away.This was nothing more than a one-night stand and I had to leave before he woke up. A soft moan escaped my lips at the soreness between my legs as I tried to walk. I looked back at the man sleeping pe
We entered a club that was filled with people. Dim lights and loud music filled the atmosphere. I could feel people's lingering stares at us but I didn't know if they were good or bad. I knew their eyes were on me and I felt uncomfortable. I tried to push it aside and went to the dance floor with Danielle and Valerie walking ahead of me. Danielle had said that everyone’s eyes would be on us and she wasn’t wrong. It was almost like we stole the whole show as soon as we walked in through the front door.Soon my hips let loose and started swaying to the music playing. Danielle and Valerie left to get themselves drinks, they offered to get me another glass of wine but I turned down the offer and within a couple of minutes, they were gone but I didn't notice I was alone.I could see him watching me from the bar. I tried not to pay him any attention but it was difficult to ignore the intensity in his eyes. It was pretty obvious that he found me gorgeous and interesting, but I wasn’t inter
A couple of hours later I slipped into the dress I'd gotten earlier today after Danielle’s constant persuasion. I didn’t want to do this but it was pointless arguing, there were some fights you weren’t going to win and this was one of them. I smoothed out the dress and looked at my reflection in the mirror."I think it’s perfect, Ari. I really do. I think all you need now is just a little bit of makeup to make it look super perfect!" Danielle complimented me, giggling as she did. She was excited about the prospect of having out with Valerie and I, she loved to party whenever she could. She was very much my polar opposite in many things but I loved her dearly. Valerie grabbed one of my liners and walked into my bathroom with it. "Emergencies, I ran out of mine!" She called out at the top of her voice.I chose a pair of red stilettos to match my dress and then I sat on the bed to put them on.I hadn’t dressed up in a long time and I kind of liked this feeling. It was a nice distra
"Yeah, that too," I let out a long sigh, "I just can't believe that they would gang up on me like that, and with all their friends involved at that, I still can't wrap my head around that thought and the pain I feel every time I remember how stupid I was to have kept myself for them. A part of me knew it was stupid but at the same time, I thought that they would be the…""Right person," we said in unison."It really hurts, my heart hurts and the fact that they would do that to me after all we shared just sparks the thoughts that you can never really know who to trust or who is genuine, Well, except you and Valerie, I guess. I think I've been destined to remain single for the rest of my life, just like the sisters in the Catholic Churches I see around." I confessed, a sad pout on my lips as I looked up at her.I was being dramatic but I didn’t care."And who told you the sisters in the church aren't married or at least have someone they're fucking?" Danielle asked looking away from he
My feet tapped the ground continuously almost like they had a mind of their own as my mind continued to race, willing a mix of random unimportant things to fill it out with, that being the only thing I could do to keep it from venturing into dangerous territory, the memory of that image that felt like it'd been burned into my thoughts. A memory as fresh as the wound was. One of my friends was in my apartment and she was crashing out badly and I could relate with everything she was saying because I’d passed through the same pain and I hadn’t even started my healing process talk less of getting over what happened to me. “One of my now ex-boyfriends, Carter, was in bed with Alicia, my assistant from the bar I used to work at. Two years spent together, are now down the drain. Well, so much for the man I planned to spend the rest of my life with.I would not fault myself for wanting to wait until we got married, I wasn't some traditionalist stuck on some boring rules of religion. I grew