Henry's POV.- I can’t do this, I mustn’t. At once, I vacate the bed and disappear behind the bathroom door. By the time I return to the bedroom, I find my mate standing by the large windows. The white linen curtains float about her, giving me glimpses of her tranquil form as she gazes softly out the window with her arms crossed and her side leaning against the frame. I reach out to her through our private mind-link as I step away from the bathroom door. ‘Yumi?’ She regards me slowly and manages a smile as she averts her gaze back. Something feels off with her mood. Is she cross with me for earlier? ‘I’m not mad at you,’ Her voice debunks quickly, and she adds distractedly, ‘I was only recalling something.’ I don’t like the sound of her voice. She sounds regrettable, making my tension return as I zip in behind her and gently recall her frame back into the soothing wrap of my arms. I rest my chin on her head and growl with disapproval. “Are you thinking of Alistair?” I question, e
Yumi's POV.- Haa...I don’t think it stings so much that I might need him to carry me. So I shake my head languidly as he squeezes my hands. “You stay here with everyone. I’ll call you when I need you,” I assure him with a smile as I lean up, biting down a wince to peck his cheek. Henry reluctantly hums and I smile once more before letting my hands slip from his as I catch my dress once more along my departure, ensuring to dodge as many eager well-wishers as possible. - - Free from all the ecstatic merriment and blasting music, I sigh with fatigue slouching my shoulders as I come before the bathroom mirror. Staring into the mirror, my breath catches with awe to meet gazes with the Queen staring back at me. Henry flaunted his wealth in such a bedazzling burst for our wedding. My wedding dress was a fitting silver dress that flowed in very attractive silver waves, running over the floor in a length of ten feet. It had real diamond jewels stuck all around the v-neck, the intricate f
Yumi's POV.- The bed creaks, my shaking legs wrap around his lower back and I jerk my head back with a deep airless gasp that snaps my eyes wide and expands my neck as my hands grip the shits desperately. ‘Yumi!’ Henry blares my name across our private mind-link simultaneously with his insane thrust through my hymen. My entire body convulses responsively as I lose my mind, seeing nothing in my soiled vision but blinking stars as my chest heaves powerfully. I feel numb after releasing that pent-up fire swelling inside of me along his breach. Lying powerless against the sheets, I try to calm my erratic breaths as I blink lazily, trying to see my mate hovering over me. I’m too weak to muster speech as sensual tingles bathe my being. My breath and his fill the silence as his pulsing large arms slide beneath me and parcel me affectionately against his chest. We snuggle into each other, inhaling our scents without rush. I can feel him relax inside of me and I shudder with a bit of alarm
Yumi's POV.-Time to return to El Dorado. Henry’s tagging along to spend a week with me, he’s got a pile of work waiting at the branch of his Company over there. So myself, my besties and their mates as well as Eliza and hers, all leave in a convoy of three cars.Throughout the drive, I slide into deep sleep. Exhausted from keeping up with my Mate’s exasperating shenanigans. I have to grow a special tolerance for that obstinate Alpha. When my eyes come open next, I see I’m on my couch and I can hear sounds coming from my kitchen. I sit up with a yawn, looking about at first before setting my eyes on my body to see I’m in my strawberry-designed pajamas. “Buttercup?” I call, letting out another yawn along my languid rise. “In here, love. Making dinner!” He replies and I stand up at once. Henry’s a terrible cook. I race to the kitchen and meet his back to me. Joining him by the counter, I peer at what he’s doing to see he’s reheating pizza. “Yum~ You bought this?!” I ask in glee and
Yumi's POV.- "You sure you don't wanna go over to the other side? I don't want you feeling bored and left out. Moreover-” "Henry. I'll be fine on my own. You just go on ahead." I cut him a quick smile to convince him to let me remain here but he frowns instead. "Sugar, this meeting is going to take three hours at most. It's already excruciating to accept how long I'll be forced to be away from you, but you..." He groans, rubbing his face with little signs of frustration, and I pout. It's the United States Alphas' meeting today and just like almost all the Alphas present here, he brought me along. Since I can't go in with him, I opt to remain here in the grand courtyard and away from the other women, but someone just won't try to see things from my angle. "Babe... you'll be alone and all by yourself here," He speaks again, in a low and hurting manner that guilt-trips me. "Buttercup...just go, please. I want to be here and I don't mind at all. It's lovely here, the flowers are bea
Henry's POV.- I watch her from where I stand at the doorway. She pushes her glasses up her nose and flips a page to start writing. She’s been this busy since we returned to the Pack a week ago. Working on her school project. “You know you don’t need those glasses, right?” I walk in, gaining her attention. Yumi lifts her head to see me and smiles a little. “I’ve gotten too used to it…can’t help it”. “Take breaks occasionally. I know you need to work hard on this to get a good score…just, don’t stress too much,” I advise, stroking her cheek and she nods childishly. “I will…and I haven’t been paying you much attention too.” I blush, retracting my hand instantly and turning my back to her with a fake cough. She’s right on the mark, but I don’t wanna give her the opportunity to tease me. “Of course not. Take care, I have work to attend to. I love you”. “Love you too, Buttercup~”. My ears always twitch each time she calls me that. It sends tingles down my body and I love the way she
Henry's POV.- Yumi groans, turning in her sleep with a frown on her face as she searches my space with her hand coursing roughly over the sheets. Realizing I’m not there, her face squeezes more and I bite down a chuckle, watching her groan some more and groggily begin to rise. She yawns, stretching her arms out. Dropping her arms, she rubs her eyes and starts calling, “Buttercup.…” Ah~ I can’t resist her call. I walk over and lean over to kiss her forehead. “Morning, love. Slept well, beautiful? You seemed mad, baby…I’m here, Sugar-” “Quit it. So many names...” She pouts at me and I chuckle, moving to kiss her lips sneakily. I pull back and say, “Hurry and freshen up, we didn’t wake up early. It’s past 11”. “What?!” She flings the blanket off her body and dashes into the bathroom and I sit on the couch, laughing heartily at her gait. I leave when I hear Harvey’s voice calling me from downstairs and when I return, she’s pulling into a shirt of mine with long sleeves, over her ski
Yumi's POV.- “What did Drex do to you?” He asks and I freeze. Drex? He met with Drex? I fake a cough and bring myself turning away from him as I proceed to get off the bed from the other side slowly. I feel anxious and skeptical about telling him…about her. “Yumi, what’re you hiding from me?” His voice may be cool and low, but I know he’s counting it for me. If I don’t talk now, he’s gonna get offended and we both don’t want that. I gulp, finding it difficult to turn around and face him as I nervously try to piece a reply. “I…uh…he was um-” Suddenly, I feel his large hands on my shoulders and they yank me and turn me around. Forced to face him as he grips me by the arms and slams me down on the bed, angry eyes boring into me. I panic, heaving hard as his eyes rake my profile for any hints. “Alisa…Acton”. Just those two words and he freezes. Eyes wide with shock and bewilderment as he stares at me. Henry simmers down, leaving me and walking away from me. I sit up and pace after
“That settles it,” I let out a sigh as I lean back against the backrest, stretching and flexing my arms before I rise from my seat. I wonder if Weslee must’ve woken by now.Searching around with my eyes briefly, I smile when they fall upon a heartwarming sight. They’ve fallen asleep again. Don’t think I’ll be able to stop by the grocery store. I step around my desk and walk towards the kids asleep on the couch, with temples pressed against each other and their school bags on their thighs. Bending forward a little, I tap their cheeks gently to rouse them up. “Heather, Zachery, wake up. It’s time to go home.” “I wasn’t able to finish my lunch at recess. Can I eat it on the way?” Heather chirps as I buckle her seatbelt before buckling that of her younger brother. “Okay, honey.” She beams at me as I ruffle her dark bangs and step back to shut the door so I can get in and drive over to her older brothers’ school. There’s no need to pick up Yohan since his grandma already did. I watch t
Yumi's POV.- He’s not so surprisingly, an oddly familiar face. I suppose it’s because I’ve seen a few old photos to recognize him right away. And also, I avert my gaze slowly to the passenger side of the car and smile widely at the exit of his female partner. My mate moves immediately, unable to mask the sheer surprise that explodes onto his face as he swiftly approaches them. “Bloody hell, Aniki...” He sighs in a smiling voice. “I know Henry said they were gonna delay a bit, but he never mentioned you were the ones coming with them.” The attractive man hardens his expression upon Henry’s statement as they now stand before each other. Will you look at the looks on their faces? A cold standoff, really? “Um, Yumi...shouldn’t you do something about this?” Eliza nudges me and I turn to look at her and find her pensive. I huff and return my gaze along my response, “I’m sure it’s nothing serious.” Yeah, ‘cause right now, both men break the false tension to embrace each other with lau
Yumi's POV.- “Hardin! Get your brothers down for breakfast!” I yell from where I’m standing at the foot of the stairs. Hands akimbo while I wait to hear his response before returning to the kitchen. “Coming, mommy!” His response comes shortly after with the sound of a door slamming, and I shake my head as I turn around to return to my station where my 7-year-old daughters are. Marian and Marina are twins we adopted 5 years ago. We had rescued them from a fire that claimed the lives of their family and took them in since they knew no one and had no relatives. They’re human kids who attended my kindergarten and now, they’re my added joy. Both identical girls are adorned with reddish-brown curly long hair and sea-green eyes. Ever enthusiastic and inquisitive kids who love to help me out with every chore around the house. I smile and join them to set the long dining table just when the boys come running in. “Stop right there!” I halt the bustling little crowd with a hand out. Hardin
Yumi's POV.- “Don’t even think about it. Put that down- Now.” Henry glares threateningly at me and my hand quivers. He’s so scary. Solemnly looking into the big bowl of chocolate ice cream with a broken heart, I let the plastic spoon drop back in. I put on my puppy eyes, but he’s quick to dodge the shot and moves over the threshold. “Don’t let me catch you in this act again. I’ll be waiting outside”. Always so cold and stringent. I pout and depart from my precious bowl. I know why he’s being this way. Carrying our second baby, he’s being reminded of our first child we lost over a year ago. So he’s worn this sense of pensive responsibility over himself and is trying to protect me and prevent all odds. I can understand…I was equally hurt too. But…can’t you trust me, Henry? When I step out of the mansion, I’m met with the sight of my mate, exercising his alpha prowess, barking commands, and ordering reports. Henry…I suck in a slow breath, flattening a protective hand over my protr
Henry's POV.- “Hey, little brother.” I approach him and he frowns at me. He hates it when I call him that and it’s all fun for me. “Busy these days, huh? Haven’t seen you much lately. Pack issues?” I try to take a roundabout way about it and he nods softly, “Yeah”. “Rogues?” His aura shifts and so do his mood and expression. Maybe Martins was right in the end. The stiff look on his face says it all. “What is she to you?” I press forward, taking on a serious tone and he lowers his gaze, brows furrowing and I know he’s reluctant to tell me. I can only marvel in surprise. This is rather new and unexpected. I smirk inwardly, this might be interesting. Liam’s now keeping things from me. She must be special. I tap him on the shoulder. “No need to look all cryptic. Come on, dinner's about to start without us”. He only nods with a hum and proceeds ahead of me as I watch after him. If my guess is right, things are getting interesting here. “You stuff all of that into your mouth? Amazing
Henry's POV.- I chuckle lowly, a palm over my mouth so I don’t let the sounds out as I watch her in utter amusement. Yumi shoots an arm out of the blanket-roll she’s trapped herself in. Like an undead rising into life, her other hand shoots out and she moves in breaking attempts to lift her body off the bed. “Hen…ry.” Even her voice cracks like she’s just awakening from several years of slumber as half of her body emerges successfully from the blanket-roll. The sight is funny as she looks like a kebab roll. Ah…my thoughts are getting glazed over again. ‘Buttercup,’ She mind-links me and I smirk, defiantly moving from watching her to going to her aid. I come to stand next to the bed with my hands in the pockets of my sweatpants as I stare down at her, adoration coloring my vision. She twists her body so that she’s brought to lie on her back as she lets out a lengthy yawn, stretching her arms sideways with her eyes momentarily shutting. When she brings her eyes open, they give me
Yumi's POV.- “He was rescued by a member of Alpha Delano’s Pack and had been with him ever since, receiving treatment. The Alpha himself only recently found out and waited for him to heal first. After finding out his identity, they sent him here immediately”. I listen to Kendal’s explanation whilst the tears coating my eyes. Pushing a smile through to my face as I cry the words, “Bryan…I thought we lost you”. I vacate my spot beside Henry to reach for Bryan who receives my hands that squeezes his tightly as relief bathes through me. With a better smile, I say with warmth and gratitude, “Thank the goddess that you’re okay.” Then I avert my gaze a bit to smile at Eliza who steps closer, nodding at me as she clumsily wipes the tears from her cheeks. With Bryan’s miraculous return, it all just falls into place. I’ve got my friends, family, and the whole Pack…I couldn’t be any more grateful than I am right now. Thinking I can recline back to relax a bit, Zana and Zainab are quick to
Yumi's POV-“You’re a very selfish woman, Yumi…and I deeply pity myself…I fell in love with such a self-conceited woman….”He spits out with disdain and my already broken heart shatters into uncountable pieces. On an impulse, I dash toward him.My hands embrace him as I speak up in defense of myself.“No…no Henry. Don’t say that please…I…I was afraid…I failed you…I failed him…I failed me…I failed us…and I couldn’t keep him safe and alive….” I pour out and he just shuts his eyes, biting his lip as he remains still.I go on talking. “I didn’t mean to…it never occurred to me you were in so much pain…I’m sorry”.“It’s because you only keep thinking about none but yourself! You…you…made me regret us…” He strains, eyes open and lost.I shake my head desperately. God, I have wronged this man. He loves me to a fault and yet…all I do is bring him pain.But I won’t leave. I love him. I will show it to him…I won’t lose him.We can get through this…I have been blinded by myself and all I could se
Yumi's POV-“I’m sorry, Luna…we lost the baby”. The deluge of drowsiness playing me disappears in an instant and I feel everything in me collapse.At first, I’m quiet and the next second, I break into a hysteria. Screaming and shouting…unable to bear the weight of this excruciating pain. Then I’m held down by the nurses as the doctor injects me. They let go just when everyone starts coming in and my vision sways and blurs. I fall asleep.On my waking, I refuse all who come to see me and refuse to talk to anyone. Especially not to my mate. The one I’ve failed the most.“Your medication is here, Luna,” The blonde nurse says to me and I turn my neck to thank her.“Thanks,” I say in a shallow voice, feeling more depressed now. The Doctor walks in and she leaves after making sure I take my meds.He’s come to discuss with me about my uterus. I look at him who shares a look of improbability and I sigh, knowing what it is. “I see….”“But there’s a chance of healing. When it’s fully healed, y