ISABELLA'S POV ~"Ryan?!" I shrieked, my voice cracking as I leapt from my chair. My hand flew to my mouth in shock, my eyes wide and glued to the screen before me. "Oh my God, oh my God!" I muttered in disbelief, unable to form a coherent thought.Ryan rushed into the room, a look of concern etched on his face. "What's wrong? What happened?" he asked, his voice edged with panic. He strode over to the laptop, his eyes flitting between the screen and my face, trying to piece together the puzzle of my frantic outburst."Oh my God, Ryan, it's true!" I cried, my hands trembling as I gripped his face. My voice was tinged with disbelief, my eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I got selected, just like that! Just like that, Ryan!" I repeated, my words escalating into a near-yell as I grappled with the sudden, overwhelming reality of my success.Ryan placed his hands on my shoulders, gently but firmly, in an effort to steady me. "Hey, calm down. What's wrong? You're crying.”"I'm just so happ
ISABELLA'S POV ~Cindy's grin sent a shiver down my spine as she twirled a lock of hair around her finger. Her lips curled into a serpentine smile, revealing a hint of malice. My stomach knotted as I caught sight of Noah's expressionless face, his icy gaze fixed on me as if he could see right through me."Hello there," she purred, her long painted fingernails waggling in a mocking wave. With a flick of her fingers, she motioned for me to step back. "Take two steps backwards for us, would you?"The room seemed to shrink around me as all eyes turned in my direction. My cheeks flushed hot with humiliation as I realized that my enemies had the upper hand. Oh goodness!I could feel Cindy's eyes burning into me like a predator stalking its prey. Every muscle in my body tensed as I fought to keep my fear in check, afraid that any sign of weakness would only fuel her amusement."Good," she purred, her fingers dropping to her side as she shot me a condescending sneer. I felt my jaw clench as s
NOAH'S POV ~"What?!" I snapped, my voice ringing out like a gunshot in the silent room. I whirled around to face my assistant, who stood petrified beside me, her face a mask of fear as she cowered in my presence. I slammed my tumbler onto the desk, causing her to jump back a step."I'm... I'm so sorry, Alpha." She stammered, her eyes cast down to the ground, too scared to meet my furious gaze. "Miss Isabella has arrived."My fingers dug into the tumbler, the knuckles turning white with rage as I glared at my assistant, my eyes burning with a murderous rage. She could sense the storm brewing within me, but I didn't care. I was about to lose control, and it was all Isabella's fault.For fuck's sake! I knew she was here, I had heard her giggle, and my ears had instantly picked her voice out of the thousands of people milling around the building. Fuck! I should have called her, tried to start a conversation, but that asshole, her husband, had stopped me.That fucking husband of hers, who
ISABELLA'S POV ~“Excuse me, you worthless bitch!" Ryan spat out, his voice dripping with venom as he turned to face Cindy, who had been walking away. I could feel my heart pounding as I watched the scene unfold before me. Cindy froze in her tracks, her entire body tensing up. She whipped around to face Ryan, her hands bawled into tight fists and her eyes flashing with rage."Did you just call me a worthless bitch?" she seethed, taking a step towards him. Ryan met her gaze with a cold, hard stare.“What? Are you deaf now? You can't hear me? Or is that just your fragile ego trying to protect you from the truth? I'll speak slowly then, just for you: You. Are. Nothing." He clicked his tongue like he was bored to death, just merely by speaking to her. I clamped a hand over my mouth, utterly stunned. I had only ever seen him be ruthless once before, when he had beaten up Noah, but I had never thought him capable of such icy coldness. Watching Cindy tremble with anger, I couldn't help but
ISABELLA'S POV ~Hell seemed like a preferable alternative to this. Even the Devil might have shown some mercy, but here, I was trapped in my own personal version of hell—and there was no escape in sight. The meeting had been a disaster, and Cindy’s jealousy and animosity towards me had only intensified. And to add insult to injury, there was Noah, continually popping up like a bad penny, adding fuel to Cindy’s already burning rage.I glanced at my watch, my stomach rumbling with hunger. Breakfast had long since become a distant memory, and lunch seemed like a pipe dream at this point. Instead, I found myself sweating in a dusty storage room, shifting piles of useless files. As I wiped the sweat from my forehead, I couldn’t help but seethe at the unfairness of it all.With the last file finally in place, I wiped my hands and stormed back to Cindy’s office. I knocked sharply on her door, but it was already ajar. Inside, Cindy sat at her desk, typing away on her laptop.She didn’t even
ISABELLA'S POV ~“Yes, I’m on it,” I ground out between clenched teeth. “I’ll send it right away.”Cindy let out a grunt that could have passed for a laugh, if laughter weren’t the furthest thing from her mind. “Better for you,” she said, and the line went abruptly dead.With a sigh, I turned back to the living room, my heart sinking as I saw that Ryan was nowhere to be found. But I wasn’t ready to give up just yet.Sliding onto the plush carpet, I dragged my laptop bag closer, my hands shaking with urgency as I booted the device. The screen flickered to life, but before I could even type in my password, a hand slammed the laptop shut, the sudden motion jolting me out of my skin.I gasped, turning to see Ryan looming over me, his face a mask of frustration and fury. “You’re working?” he demanded. “In that state?”“I have to,” I insisted, gesturing to my still-soaked clothes. “Cindy needs this by tonight.”His hands clenched, and I could see the muscles in his jaw tighten. “She’s not t
ISABELLA'S POV ~I swallowed uncomfortably, my neck craning to see Ryan's expression. But all I could see was his steely glare. His jaw was clenched tightly, as if he were trying to keep his rage contained. I quickly averted my gaze, struggling to remain calm as Cindy's words continued to sting."I heard you," I said sharply, cutting Cindy off in the middle of her rant. Cindy growled in response, but I refused to engage in a battle of words.My heart pounded in my chest as I hung up the phone, ending the call with a frustrated sigh. I rubbed my temple, leaning back against the headboard and trying to calm my racing thoughts.Turning to Ryan, I saw him stand. His expression was still cold, his movements calculated as he cleared the plates and then stretched my limbs. He pretended not to care about the outcome of the call, or perhaps he didn't want to hear my decision. Ryan always read me like an open book, and I knew he knew what I was going to say."Ryan?" I called out, my voice barel
ISABELLA'S POV ~My jaw tightened; my face carefully blank while Cindy continued to make a scene. Through the transparent door to the office, I could see other employees walking by, throwing curious glances in my direction.The urge to defend myself rose within me and I parted my lips to speak, but Cindy cut me off with a raised hand, her eyes flashing with fury. "Don't even go there," she hissed, silencing my attempt."There's no need to explain your tardiness to me, I already know!" she yelled, her voice echoing down the hall.My cheeks burned with anger, my hands clenching and unclenching. I knew this was not just about my tardiness, this was about our shared past. This was Cindy's opportunity to settle some old score, some ancient grudge. I felt my chest tighten, my fists itching to lash out at her."Your incompetence is not just a stain on your own character, but on the very fabric of this organization," Cindy spat, her eyes burning with rage. "You have proven yourself to be an u
RYAN'S POV~There was something wrong. Deep in the pit of my stomach, I could feel it like a thousand needles prickling against my skin. Something was not right with Isabella, but she had been so happy to go back to work that I hadn't had the heart to stop her.Damn it, I cursed inwardly as I sat behind the wheel, my knuckles white as I gripped the steering wheel. Why hadn't I insisted that she stay home? That I would provide everything she needed? I could afford it, hell, I could buy her the damn company if I wanted to.Isabella was a force to be reckoned with, and I respected the hell out of her for it. She wanted to make it to the top on her own merits, not because of who she was with or who she knew. And as much as I wished she would lean on me, I knew that wasn't who she was.But as I watched her disappear from sight, my heart clenched in my chest, a feeling of dread washing over me.Shit! I should have stayed longer.And yet I didn't.I had waited outside the building for an hou
ISABELLA'S POV ~"Do you have her?" a voice hissed, its familiarity sending a chill down my spine.“Yes we do, sir." Another replied.My head pounded like a war drum, each thud sending a wave of nausea through my body. I tried to open my eyes, but the world was a blur of spinning shapes and colors. Through the haze, I caught glimpses of faces - sinister, leering faces that seemed to loom over me like vultures.My throat felt extremely parched, I opened my mouth to utter just a word when a command followed next, “Knock her unconscious, we're almost at the venue."My heart dropped and yet I couldn't even protest or try to move. Before I could think of reacting, a hard surface landed once again at the side of my head, where a throbbing pain was occuring. Everywhere turned entirely black once more.~ ~ ~The more I tried to sit up, the more my head throbbed, sending spikes of pain through my skull. But as I glanced down at my hands, I froze in h
ISABELLA'S POV~"Please, everyone, be still," the man commanded, his voice carrying across the room. "I am Leo, as you know, the investor in charge of this project. I assure you, there will be no interruption to the progress of the pack. However, we have become aware of a serious incident, and we are taking all necessary steps to ensure that it does not happen again." He paused, his eyes momentarily locking with mine before sliding away. My heart skipped a beat.Why did it feel as though he was speaking directly to me?“In conclusion of what's been said, it means there would be a fair competition, with the winner becoming the new chief designer," he said, his voice carrying a hint of finality. "That's fair." A small smile played across his lips as he addressed the group.I found myself unable to look away from his face, my eyes locked intently on his features. What was it that I was searching for? My heart pounded with a growing sense of unease as I tried to place the source of my dis
RYAN'S POV~My gaze immediately snapped to the door as the sound of bare feet padding away resonated through the room. I caught the shadow of Isabella gliding away, and a small, involuntary smile curved my lips.Quickly, I shook my head and shifted my focus back to the stove, tasting the dish and ensuring it was perfect for my beloved wife. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine cooking for a woman, let alone with such tenderness and love that she’d savor every bite.I turned off the stove, fishing for my cell phone in my apron. After several rings, my brother's slurred voice echoed through the line. “Shit! Always ruining my morning with your calls. Can’t I get any rest from you?”I rolled my eyes, not in the mood for his games."I called you to inform you that George must be dismissed immediately, while you give an adequate replacement of Cindy as the chief designer." I ordered. "You’re aware of what happened with my wife. I won’t tolerate a repeat of that. You are the primary inve
ISABELLA'S POV ~I held my breath as a wave crashed over me. Hot spasms rolled through me as I climaxed."Good girl," he praised as my orgasm subsided, my muscles clenching around him. After a few moments, I opened my eyes blearily, realizing that he'd pulled his pants off. A pleased, knowing look crossed his face.“You're mine now.”Our mouths collided together, tongues immediately tangling with each others as the hunger grew stronger, fiercer.I pushed my pussy harder against his hand. "Please," I begged. "I want...""Huh?" He asked, clearly enjoying my torment. "Tell me exactly what you want.""Fuck me, please," I sobbed desperately.Finally, he bent down, licking my ear lobe. "Soon, baby" .Moments later, he was kneeling above me, his cock thick and veiny. He stared hungrily at the outline of my tits which bounced invitingly in their bindings. Taking my ankles in his hands, Ryan placed them behind my ears. If I hadn't been already soaking wet, having both of my knees drawn back to
ISABELLA'S POV ~I tremble as I cling to Ryan, my heart racing and my mind reeling. I can still feel the lingering touch of Alex, the memory of his leering gaze and the threat of violence still fresh in my mind. But Ryan's presence is a balm to my battered soul.He holds me like I'm a fragile piece of glass, his arms cradling me as if I'm the most precious thing in the world. He holds me so close that I can feel his heartbeat against my chest, a steady rhythm that calms me and reminds me that I'm safe.As the Uber pulls up to our home, Ryan doesn't let go of me. He carries me to the bedroom, my arms wrapped around his neck, my face buried in his shoulder. I feel protected, sheltered, as if the world can't touch me when I'm in his arms.Ryan carefully lays me down on the bed, his face a mask of concern and love. Despite the blood that stains his clothes, he doesn't let go of me. He knows that I need him, that I need his strength and his love to chase away the darkness that still linger
ISABELLA'S POV ~And then, something changed. The evil grin on his face vanished, replaced by a look of shock. He took a step back, pointing at me in disbelief."You're… Oh shit! You're Isabella?" he stammered, his voice betraying his surprise.But I couldn't respond. My lips, like the rest of me, were paralyzed. I could only watch, my terror mounting, as Alex straightened, his shock giving way to a calculating gaze.Alex suddenly threw his head back, his wicked laughter filling the room. He clapped his hands together in glee, shaking his head in disbelief."I must say, I didn't expect to find you here," he said, his voice dripping with dark humor. "You've proven to be quite the slippery prey, but it seems fate has brought you back into my grasp. And this time, I won't let you escape unscathed.”Tears streamed down my face, their salty warmth mingling with the dread coiling through my body. I could only watch, paralyzed, as Alex gloated over my fate.“I'll admit, I was disappointed wh
ISABELLA'S POV ~"Shut the fuck up, you bitch!" Alex snarled, flinging me into the room. My heels, already shaky, betrayed me, and I hit the ground with a hard thud, my face smashing against the ground and bruising my nose. I broke into sobs, crawling away, my body trembling with fear and pain.Memories of the past, dark and twisted, rose up in my mind, threatening to overwhelm me. I shook my head, trying to push them away, but they wouldn't be silenced. For goodness sake, they just wouldn't be silenced!"No, no, no," I whispered, my voice barely a whisper as the sobs wracked my body. I knew I couldn't break down, not now, not here, but my mind was spiraling into darkness.I had to fight, had to get away, but the terror was suffocating, overwhelming."Fuck!" Alex spat, his blood spraying the tiles. I watched the droplet fall, my body tensing as he growled, his eyes full of murderous rage. He wiped the blood from his lip with his sleeve, his gaze settling on me, sending a chill down my
ISABELLA'S POV ~The van ride seemed to drag on for an eternity, each bump in the road jostling my already frayed nerves. Finally, we arrived at our destination and George stepped out first, barking orders to the driver before shooting us a withering look."We're made to go on a dinner with some of these investors," Susan, who has remained stiff since we began the journey, suddenly spoke up. I bit back a retort, my jaw clenching in anger. But what could I say? We were trapped in this nightmare, at the mercy of George and his nefarious plans.The van door swung open and Susan and I stepped out into the fading light of day, walking towards the luxurious entrance of the five-star hotel. In my hands was a small card, indicating the table where we were expected to dine with our assigned investors. I gripped it tightly, my knuckles whitening as fear and dread raced through my veins.I tried to convince myself that I wasn't terrified, that my nerves weren't screaming with panic. But deep do