I don't think you should leave." Grace spoke as she held my hair backward while I retched into the toilet bowl. Her words unsettled my stomach and I felt another wave of puke threatening to spill out if I wasn't careful so I shook my head slowly."What do you mean by no? You do know that I mean well right? How would you say that you want to leave in this condition? At least, I can't be free to release you, I don't know what anyone else is saying." She said and I stared at her. Why was she yelling into my eardrums? I was pretty sure that she was thinking of a way to probably bundle me to the doctor's unfortunately, she couldn't do that."See, Ember, I..." " Think that I should be left alone for a minute, please. I can't deal with this right now." I replied and retched again. I sighed as she passed me a paper towel which I dabbed my mouth with, flushed the bile, and finally rose.I was lightheaded and my legs felt like jelly. They couldn't support my weight. I touched the wall for sup
Ember's POVSaying goodbye had a way of messing with one's mental health but there was something that I vowed not to do which was to think of the past.The wind blew against my skin as the driver sped down through the street and I was left with a sense of a mixture of both relief and wonder. Will this really happen? Me leaving my husband's house? Never in my wildest dream did I think it possible but as things were right now. It was done and dusted.The next agenda was to make sure that I kept my life on track. There were a lot of things for me to do and sulking was not part of them.I remembered the way Grace hugged me earlier like her life depended on it. It was amazing, sweet and I almost felt like staying back just to enjoy her company but I remembered that it wasn't enough reason to make me want to live in an unwanted place.Whoa! I sighed when the breeze became a tad bit too much. I wound up the windows as I dreaded my parents' reaction. My father especially. He would be very unh
Ember's POVI felt like a ton of bricks just hit me and my mouth refused to close. "Pregnant?" I whispered as if saying it aloud would render it null. "Are you serious?" The doctor stared at me with a raised brow and waited for a minute before talking. "Yes, ma'am. You're six weeks pregnant." Oh my goodness. I had been pregnant all these while yet I didn't know. How cool was that? My hands flew instinctively to my stomach as I cushioned the pup that was growing in my womb. It was a massive shock to me and I didn't hear the other things that she was saying."Please give us a minute." I heard my dad say and I raised my head to see what was happening.My eyes widened considerably as I stared at the almost empty room, my father's eyes bored into mine and a small smile broke out on my face before a burst of great laughter ensued. "I'm pregnant, Dad. Can you believe that?" I muttered and came down from the bed trying to slip my fee
"Your beloved is here." My father announced as he barged into my room."Top of the morning to you, too Dad," I replied sarcastically but he didn't get the point, instead he shot me a reprimanding gaze. "Why are you still in bed? I told you that he would be arriving today, didn't I?" He queried me and I stared at him blankly. "Well, I'm pregnant, the doctor says that I should rest a lot." "You're not an invalid." "I guess I am seeing that I'm being shipped off to some stranger," I muttered and he stared at me with contempt in his eyes which I ignored. He brought it upon himself. I couldn't pretend that I was happy marrying a man who I had never seen. I wasn't even interested in marriage if not for the unfortunate circumstances.My father's eyes narrowed at me in anger but I care less " You will not embarrass me, Ember." He growled and I nodded. He was refusing to see the point. I wasn't also ready to marry just anybody. I had not even considered the terms and conditions of marryin
A small clearing of throat made me realize that I was just staring at him. He was a tall man with a broad chest. A bit tapered on the waist with beards that could compete with the length of my hair. He looked... Wild?My eyes traveled from the top of his head to the sole of his feet marking all the features, checking to see if he was worth my time one bit. At the end of the day, I discovered one thing. He was a strong man. The way his knuckles clenched, I saw his muscles bulging in his arms and I smiled.Good! This man's house would be a perfect hideout from Xander. His aura was very strong almost taking up all the space in the room. These hands must know how to wield dangerous weapons of war. Was he an Alpha? I wasn't sure that I had heard his name before.I heard another cough in the distance and I finally lifted my head to meet his inspecting gaze. He was probably assessing me to see if I was worthy to be his mate. Since this was not a bond from the goddess, it was surely going t
Ember's POV"Why don't you have a conversation with your groom?" My father suggested with an unusual excitement before exiting our presence. We were plunged into silence, assessing each other. He had penetrating eyes and an intimidating aura so I squared my shoulders. I was not happy being left alone with him for two reasons. First, I didn't want to make small talk. We could just skip all this part and go straight to the wedding. Secondly, I didn't want to give room for him to ask me questions about my chastity. I wouldn't even mind skipping the wedding although I knew that my father would flip. When I mean flip. He would lose it totally and I was here for it. "So, you are a virgin huh?" He began. My eyes widened as my heart also responded by palpitating at the lies that I was about to spew. It was my father's fault who was trying too hard to sell me out to his preferred candidate. I didn't know why he was hell-bent on making this work. I chuckled softly. " No, I'm not but I'm no
Ember's POV"And with that, we present to you the latest couple. Mr and Mrs Williams!" The priest announced.Two hours later, I was being shipped off to my husband's house. The wedding was a knit one and I wasn't even interested in having it publicized. "You'll be fine. Have a nice life." My father had bade me when he hugged me and I nodded in faux agreement. Of course, he'd think that I would be happy.I entered the car and watched as the driver ignited the car and zoomed off. My house got smaller as he sped away. I felt a nudge and I looked up at the stranger that I was going to live with." Care to share your thoughts?" He inquired and I chuckled softly trying to play things cool. "What do you think? I mean, can you guess?" I joked and he shook his head at my cavalier tone obviously not expecting the switch because I was looking morose just a few minutes ago.Well, welcome to my world. A land of unpredictable outcomes. " So, what are you thinking about too?" I inquired.He shrugg
Ember's POVI woke up to the grumbling of my stomach and I was a bit pissed at the way it was growling. I felt a presence beside me and I cringed. I finally did it with this man. It was probably the most distasteful thing I had done in my life because I was feeling very weird. My heart was palpitating when he thrust into me. My skin crawled and I felt as though I was committing the worst crime in history.He was what some women would call a Trojan horse but I felt impaled instead and was busy thinking about his member impaling my child. I didn't want her to dislodge from her anchor. Yes, I just had a feeling that the child was a female. "you are awake." He replied and I nodded, then he shuffled towards me, and turned my head towards him. "Are you shy?" "No," I replied inwardly but decided to change my lingo. I could flow with that. "Kinda. How'd I do last night." "Technically, it was morning. It's still five a.m." I tried to smile but ended up grimacing. " Yeah..." "Your stomac
Ember squealed. "You're a naughty boy." She replied when Xander took her inside the shower. "We are too old to be having these sessions." She replied. Xander didn't think that anything was wrong with him wanting to have an alone time with his lovely wife so he smiled at her. Ember smiled at him. "I'm sorry, I was just kidding." She told him.His eyes crinkled with mirth. "I know, right. I don't even care about what you want to say but I believe that you will enjoy today's session. It promises to be mind-blowing." He bragged. She smiled at him while stroking his beards playfully. "Do you even know what this means?" She teased him.Xander peeled off the dress from her shoulders quietly and stared at her figure. "You look exquisite. I don't think I've seen anyone like you." He muttered softly while smacking his lips for effect.She rolled her eyes at his words. He would say anything just to have his way with her. "What do I expect? It's been almost twenty years." She complained.Xande
Sixteen Years Later, Dennis bounced into the room dripping with sweat and ran down to the kitchen to get a bottle of water from the fridge but met a restriction. He looked up and saw his twin brother staring at him with a glare. "Take a shower instead, you'll feel calm." He said.Dennis went mute for a minute before throwing a punch at him but his brother was faster and had predicted the move so he ducked at the last minute."Get away from the fridge, both of you!" Ember yelled and they jumped apart. She saw that they were mad at each other which made her worried. "You too are supposed to have each other's backs not be a thorn in each other's flesh." She whispered. She was trying so much to raise children who were devoid of hate and malice. The Alpha position was an edgy one which she hoped that they didn't fight each other for but coexisted perfectly together. "Why do you feel the need to show your powers when you are supposed to be each other's best friends?" She demanded The
Three years later"Mummy, can I have a taste now?" One of the boys asked and Ember shook her head, looking down at him with a smile as he had his hands around her legs."Don't be such a baby. It's not ready yet," His twin replied, rolling his eyes as he crossed his arms. The one who had his hands around Ember's leg, shot his brother a glare."Well, I wasn't talking to you" He snapped and Ember downplayed a smile threatening to form on her lips.She stirred the pasta, before turning around to face the boys just in time, when her favorite head came into her view.Xander's hair was disheveled and sticking out. He looked like he just walked out of the shower. He rounded the counter, wrapping his arm around her waist, pulling her flush against his body."This smells delicious," He closed his eyes, taking a sniff. His stomach growled in response and Ember laughed."Easy there, big boy. Soon" She muttered.Xander leaned into her, brushing his lips against the shell of her ears."But taste be
Ember's POV. A pang of headache hit me as I felt my eyes open, my legs shaking beneath my gown. Everywhere seemed black, but the sun rays through the barred hole on the door shone brightly. I strove to stand up, taking what felt like an eternity to raise a leg. Something that felt like shaped iron clashing against each other rang in my ear, and I felt compelled to know what was happening outside. I sprinted toward where the backdoor was, my legs shaking after every step, my heart racing faster with every step I took. The sound of crashing iron and steel and the rise of cries grew closer and thicker with every step I took. I had no idea what was happening outside, all I sought was to escape from this dungeon. Most of the guards were distracted by what was happening outside, none were looking my way. I guess it was lucky, and a chance for me to escape. I walked toward the exit door, but just as I reached there, the roar of a wicked smile halted me in my spot, and I was force
Xander's POV. I was seated in my palace when an emissary holding a sealed letter was brought before me by one of my pack guards. As the emissary approached, I could sense a mix of curiosity and unease from my pack members "Greetings, Alpha Xander. I bring a message from Trent's pack." He fretted going down by reclining his head onto his knees. I took the letter, breaking the seal. My eyes scanned the parchment, and my gut twisted with every word. Trent was declaring war on us. I called a gathering with my elders. We sat in a circle, the letter passed among us. "This is madness," One of them growled. "Trent knows we won't back down." "We need to prepare for battle," Another suggested, her voice steady. "Gather our strongest warriors, Xander. We'll show Trent the strength of our pack." "I'll start scouting for allies. We can't face Trent's pack alone." I looked at my elders, determination burning within me. "We'll defend our pack" The elders nodded in unison, and I k
Ember's POV I walked down the hallway slowly, this part of the house seemed to be more empty than the path I walked through once I reached the end of the house. I frowned wondering what wild goose chase Ellie sent me on. Xander wasn't here. Why would she send me here for no reason had she completely lost it? angry I turned to leave when I spotted Trent standing there with a wicked smile on his face, holding a sword. My stomach dropped knowing there was no way this was going to end well. “Trent! What are you doing here?” He smirked, the glint of the sword reflecting in the fading light. “Hello, Ember. Fancy meeting you here.” I took a step back, feeling panic rising. “Where’s Xander? He’s supposed to be here, did you do something to him?” Trent chuckled, his voice dripping with malice. “Oh, Xander isn’t coming. Ellie sent you her for me. I’m the one you’re dealing with.” Realization hit me like a punch to the gut. Ellie must have played me, setting me up for Trent. My instinc
Author's POV. Xander walked hurriedly towards the port. He had booked a safe passage through the tunnel for Ember. It had not been cheap, but he knew it was going to be worth it since he was sure she would appreciate his efforts in helping her get her complete freedom. He arrived at the spot they had both agreed that they would meet. The port was mostly deserted at this time of the day so it was going to be relatively safe and easy for her to wall around without being found by people who work for Trent. He stood around for the next ten minutes, stifling the anxiety that was quickly growing in his chest. After ten minutes, he started to call her name as he looked around the area. It could have been possible that she had missed her way and was staying at another spot instead of the one they had initially agreed to meet. She was supposed to have been here. They had agreed that they would meet at that spot and he had been exactly on time. If there had been any delay or anything t
Ember's POV. I wasn't moved by her words because I knew that I had a higher backing that would help me out when it was time. All she just needed was the go-ahead from me. Then I knew that she would be able to go ahead to focus on getting the answer. I chuckled softly and looked at her. "Did you want us to respect you, Ellie? You should accord yourself some respect." I told her and she looked at me. "Who the hell are you?!" She challenged me. Her eyes flared at me and I smiled at her. "Are you my husband's concubine?" She asked and I held myself from saying just like you were. That would be a big slap on her face which I didn't really mind though. I liked the fact that she was really struggling to make it work. I didn't care about her and all that she was doing. All I wanted to know is that there would be a need for us to just stay for a while and rest before finally talking about our past life. In just a few years she would be controlling the whole arena but if I stood up rig
Ember's POV. I couldn't help but feel very remorseful when he came close to me. I was a bit skeptical in the beginning but after a while I finally realized that there might be something missing which I wasn't taking into cognizance. Xander reclined into the seat as he stared at me but I maintained his glare. He wasn't going to unnerve me. So what if he didn't sleep with her? All of this was still his fault. If he had not taken those steps when he finished getting her pregnant, then maybe I wouldn't resent him this much. "You didn't defend me when I needed you the most, I don't think you remember that incident, or do you?" I asked him and he shook his head. "I don't think I do. Why would I purposely not want to talk to you? I was under an influence and believe me when I say that it's something that I regret till this day because of this now we are in deep shit. Call me sentimental, but as much as I hate this man I don't feel like harming him at least not yet, do you underst