Alfred stopped at Gabriel’s door, his head perched and ready to knock. However, the sound of really bad music coming from inside stopped him. He leaned his ear against the door to listen. It sounded like a piano, but whoever was playing it had no idea what they were doing. Alfred shrugged and knocked loudly, hoping his knock would be heard over the sound of crashing piano keys. Moments later, Gabriel opened the door just a crack and peeked out. “Oh, it’s just you,” Gabriel sighed, then he opened the door for Aflred. Sure enough, there was a keyboard in the middle of the room. Alfred looked around for the culprit that had been butchering what classical song that was, but Gabriel was the only one in the room. “Ummm. Care to explain?” Alfred asked, pointing at the piano. Gabriel looked sheepish. “Well, I’m, uh, I’m learning to play.” “The piano? You? Really?” Alfred was skeptical. Gabriel had mocked Jonathan jus
“Are you kidding me?” Alfred burst out. “Mickey Dean? Is here? Now?” Alfred was a little star struck. her party isn’t for a few days. What’s he doing here so early?” “It was part of the deal. He wanted to come early and ‘rest’. I’m sure that's the secret rock star code for ‘do drugs’ and party. But hey, he’s here right? I’m paying him a fortune, and we’ll have to hide him from Amelia, but I made it happen.”“So he’s going to play at Amelia’s party? Really? Gabriel, that’s so cool. Well done. She’ll LOVE that,” Alfred said, patting Gabriel on the back.“I have to go get him from the limo and sneak him up to his room. We can’t let Amelia know he’s here.” Alfred nodded and made a motion of zipping his lips shut. He followed Gabriel, shaking his head. Then he couldn’t hide his excitement any longer. He squealed and jumped up and down. “I can’t believe it! I’m going to meet Mickey Dean!” Gabriel just sighed and rolled his eyes. Outside, a long, s
Alfred was the last to be seated at the table, although he’s not far behind Mercy. Amelia and Jonathan were already half-way through a glass of wine. “I apologize for my tardiness,” Alfred said, picking up the menu and then putting it back down. No need to read it – he wanted filet mignon. Amelia’s treat, right? “It’s okay, Alfred,” Jonathan smiled. Alfred eyed him. He wasn’t exactly thrilled about having dinner with Jonathan. Gabriel was his friend and this felt a bit like betrayal. Bro code and all that. But it was a favor to his sister and who was he to deny Amelia a favor? “Well, Alfred, I assume you’ve met Mercy?” Amelia asked, her eyes shining with mischief. Alfred had the sinking suspicion this was a double date, but the look in Amelia’s eyes just confirmed it. Mercy looked down at her plate shyly. She really is beautiful, Alfred thought to himself as his eyes landed on her chest. Quite the looker, really. “Mercy is a musi
Amelia and Jonathan strolled along the lake. The lights from Jonathan’s stage twinkled in the background and the moon reflected brilliantly off the water. It was a beautiful evening. Jonathan reached out and took Amelia’s hand. His warm hand in hers sent a rush of emotion through Amelia. “You’re quite the little match maker,” Jonathan smiled. “Do you think so? Mercy seems so sad. I just wanted to cheer her up,” Amelia replied. “Well, I think Alfred is the right choice for that. He’s quite a character, you’re brother. The opposite of Asher.” They took a seat on a bench overlooking the lake. “Jonathan,” Amelia started. “I have something to confess. I saw you and Mercy together, on the stage, hugging.” Jonathan nodded and then turned to Amelia, locking his eyes on hers. Amelia’s breath caught in her throat. “And?” he coaxed. “I got jealous. But only at first. Only for a moment.” Jonathan continued looking into
Olivia strode into the restaurant, a wide smile on her face. She had good news for Amelia. She’s just heard from Asher back at headquarters and Amaya’s tourism inspection report had been so feeble, that the shareholders had actually snickered. Snickered! Despite her best efforts, Amaya was failing miserably in her plan to take Amelia down. Olivia walked with a buoyant step, eager to regale Amelia with this news. But as she walked into the restaurant, she stopped dead in her tracks. Amelia and Jonathan sat at a table, with Alfred and Mercy. Mercy? They were all dressed up, in elegant clothes. Alfred was smiling at her, as they clinked their glasses together. They were all laughing and talking, eating and drinking. Was this…was this a double date? Jonathan and Amelia? Mercy and Alfred? It sure looked like one. And to make matters worse, it looked like Alfred was having a fabulous time. Oli
Mercy didn’t know who Mickey Dean was. She never really followed pop culture. All she saw when she met him was a good-looking man in an expensive leather jacket and designer jeans, with tousled hair and a roguish grin. He pulled up a chair right beside Mercy, looked her square in the eyes and said, “Do you know how I can get a hold of God? I need to let him know he’s missing an angel.” Okay, so the pick-up line was a bit cheesy, but the attention made Mercy blush. Alfred, on the other hand, smacked the table and chuckled loudly. “Good one, Mickey!” Alfred smiled, clearly enamored with this mysterious man. “And what might your name be, you stunning little vixen?” “Mercy,” she replied, with a casual air. “Well Mercy me,” Mickey Dean said, “because I just found the hottest girl in the whole resort.” Gabriel huffed, standing at the side of the table. He rolled his eyes. Mickey Dean had a reputation as a player: t
Mercy panicked. He was blocking the door. There was no way for her to get out. And then, before she knew what was happening, he lunged at her and slammed her hard up against the wall. He pinned her arms over her head. “You gonna take off that dress?” he asked. “Or should I?” Mercy kneed him hard in the groin. He yelped out with pain, doubled over, and grabbed his balls. It was just enough time for Mercy to skirt around him. She ran for the door but he caught her by her hair, nearly sweeping her off her feet. He pulled her into his body and said menacingly into her ear from behind, “So you like it rough, huh?” Then he licked her neck all the way up to her ear. Mercy was shaking, tears brimming in her eyes. “No no no,” she whimpered, shaking her head. This wasn’t happening! How did she put herself in this situation? He stuck his hand down the front of her dress and pulled out a breast. He fondled it roughly while Mercy thought frantically - how do I get
Jonathan stood in front of the finalists for the Star Shine program. Today was the first official run-through, a casual dress rehearsal of sorts. He was poised to take detailed notes on each performance, so he could pass them off to the mentor he’d hired. The mentor would tweak the performance based on his notes while he and Amelia went to visit his mother at Blackseed. Jonathan buzzed with anticipation. Amelia! All to himself for two glorious days!. She’d been so distracted with the up-coming launch. He was really looking forward to some quality alone time with her. Of course, he had to tell his mother about Mercy - that he’d broken off his engagement. He flinched a bit at the thought. She wasn’t going to be very happy about that, and his mother had a vile temper at times. But still, it had to be done. His feelings for Amelia were growing stronger by the day. He had to clean this up so he and Amelia could have their best shot moving forward. The fi
A hush fell over the crowd. Jonathan stood strong. At once, he possessed the air of authority that only an Alpha had. “But you didn’t want it,” Lucas cried, shaking his finger at Jonathan. “You never wanted to be Alpha. You told me that. It’s MINE. I’m the new alpha. Not you.” “I changed my mind,” Jonathan said. Then he looked to Magnus. Magnus smiled at him and nodded. “Are you sure?” Magnus asked. “I am, your highness,” he replied. “Then it is with great pleasure that I introduce to you the new Alpha of Blackseed,” Magnus declared. The crowd burst into applause and Jonathan beamed. True, he had never wanted the role before, but things had changed. His people, his pack, they needed his help. “As the new alpha of Blackseed, you have my word that Blackseed will no longer be dealing with illegal potions. We will find a new enterprise, a new business. We will become a media conglomerate, under my rule.” Amelia s
“Everyone, gather around,” Magnus said, his Alpha King voice reverberating around the room. Everyone stopped and stared in his direction. Mercy’s news had been most shocking indeed. Magnus knew that Sephora was up to something but without tangible proof, there was no way to charge her. He had planned on launching an investigation into Sephora and her Blackseed Pack dealings, but now that Mercy had come forward, he didn’t need to. He had all the evidence he needed, and he knew where to collect more.The DJ cut the music. “I have an important announcement to make.” Magnus had wasted no time. He waited for the crowd to settle, some in wolf form, some still in human form. This was odd? What announcement? Right in the middle of the party? It must be very important if Magnus was announcing it in the middle of the party. “Something has recently come to my attention,” Magnus declared. “And it is something we MUST address immediately. There is a traitor amongst us.”
Gabriel pulled Mercy back to the party. He told her to wait here, he was going to talk to Jonathan. Mercy nodded. There was something about Gabriel that made her feel safe. She didn’t know him well, but he was an Alpha, and a strong one at that. So she did as she said. Gabriel made a bee-line for Jonathan. He pulled him aside and started talking to him. Jonathan’s eyes grew wide and he looked over at Mercy, shock on his face. Then Gabriel pulled him in closer and kept talking. Jonathan’s face changed and he started nodding along, obviously agreeing with whatever Gabriel was telling him. Then he smiled. The two of them came back to Mercy. “Mercy,” Jonathan said, reaching for her hands. “You could have told me. You SHOULD have told me. You can trust me. I’m one of your best friends.” Then he brought her in for a hug. It felt so good to be in Jonathan’s arms. He was her oldest friend. She had been terrified that he wouldn’t accept her when he found out sh
Gabriel and Mercy walked over to a quiet spot by the edge of the forest. “You know, don’t you?” Mercy asked, her eyes concerned as she searched his face. “Yes,” he said. “How did you find out?” she asked, already knowing the answer. “It was while you were playing. I realized, you were enchanting us. Mercy, you’re an enchantress?” Mercy looked away for a moment and he could see the pain on her face. “Not exactly,” she said. “Well, yes. But I didn’t know. I honestly didn’t know. It was Sephora. She kept my secret and then, at the warehouse, she…she told me.” “Your secret is safe with me, Mercy,” he told her. “Don’t worry about that. I won’t say anything.” She looked at him with gratitude on her face. “Is it..is witch blood then?” Mercy sighed. He already knew, so she might as well tell him. “Yes,” she said. “Sephora told me. I guess my mother was a witch. She fell in love with a wolf and they, they had me.”
Sephora grabbed Lucas by the arm and hauled him away.“I’m very sorry, Jonathan,” Olivia said. “This must be a bit shocking.”Jonathan nodded then he shrugged. “Not really,” he replied. “I think I’ve always known, deep down, that Lucas wasn’t her real son. It doesn’t matter. It doesn’t change anything. It does explain why he was so awful to me all those years, though. I guess he knew, too, in his heart of hearts. He was afraid I would take the Alpha role away from him. I still don’t want it though. He can have it. He’s still the son of a previous Alpha, right?”“Uh, I just thought of something,” Olivia said then, her face pale. “Lucas is my half-brother.” Everyone let that sink in. Then Alfred broke the silence.“Tough break, kid.” He laughed. “But you know what they say? You can’t choose your family.”“No, I guess not,” Olivia laughed. “But you can choose your friends.” Amelia and Jonathan smiled at Olivia.“I feel like I should go,” Agatha said. “I didn’t mean to cause any trouble.”
Sephora recognized Agatha the moment she walked in. That bitch! That human that stole her husband’s heart with her seduction? What was she doing here? Sephora’s mind flashed back to the day she found her husband was cheating on her was a human! Sure, Agatha claimed that he was keeping her there against her will, but she was lying. Sephora knew it. She was perfectly content in her little love nest. The cottage her husband gave her! And now she was pregnant? If the pack found out, Sephora would be the laughing stock of the entire pack! So she had quickly devised a plan. She would keep the baby and raise it as her own. Her husband could keep his pretty little human. Whatever. It didn’t matter. As long as NO ONE KNEW! But then she’d run away and people had found out. She’d gone straight to the Alpha King himself. Sephora had rejected it all, called Agatha a liar. Why would her husband, the Alpha of Blackseed, love a lowly human. It was preposterous! Most people had b
“Davison,” Agatha smiled. “Come, sit with us.” “Oh no, I can’t stay long. And neither can you. Olivia’s friends are waiting for her at the gala. I just thought I’d check in to see how the little reunion is going.”“Reunion? Dad, did you…did you know about this? That she was coming here tonight?” “Of course. I’m the one who invited her.” “What?”“She looks just like the pictures,” Agatha said, stroking Olivia’s hair.“Pictures? What pictures?” Olivia asked. Something wasn’t making sense here. Agatha told her she had left when Olivia was little. But these two were talking like old friends? “He’s kept in the loop,” Agatha smiled. “Over the years.” “Really?” Olivia asked. This was all news to her. “Yes,” Davison confirmed. “I’ve been in contact with Agatha over the years. She made a huge sacrifice, leaving you. So I made it my mission to keep her updated on you and your life.” “He sends me pictures. And tells me about what you’re u
Lucas. Of course. Olivia nodded. There had been rumors that Lucas wasn’t Sephora’s son by birth, which is why Lucas has been so mean to Jonathan over the years. Jonathan had told Amelia that his brother had even tried to kill him once. That’s why Jonathan had left the pack. It was ironic, because Jonathan didn’t even care about being Alpha. He didn’t want it. But it made sense now as to why Lucas was so aggressive and hated Jonathan so much. Deep down, Lucas must have known that Sephora was not his birth mother. Which meant he wasn’t the rightful heir to the pack, Jonathan was. So Lucas had tried to force Jonathan to leave, to get him out of the way, so Jonathan wouldn’t be a threat. This was all starting to make sense now. “It was a secret, one that I swore to keep.” “What happened after Lucas was born?” “I stayed. For a bit. I didn’t know what else to do. But he…he got worse. Meaner. More forceful. I told him I wanted to leave, and he threatened me.
Olivia stumbled backwards, shocked. “Mmmm, mother?” she stammered. Amelia grabbed Olivia’s arm to steady her. “That can’t be.” The woman looked uneasily at everyone in the wings. “Can I talk to you?” she asked, stepping towards Olivia. “Will you walk with me? So I can explain?” the woman asked. Olivia shook her head in disbelief and turned to Alfred. He smiled gently at her and nodded his head. “Give her a chance to explain,” he told her. “Trust me, I’m just as shocked as you are, love. But she deserves a chance to explain herself.” Amelia and Jonathan agreed.“I don’t know what’s going on, but I agree with Alfred. You should talk to her.” So Olivia left the wings of the stage and followed the woman to the bench overlooking the lake.The gala was in full swing inside and they could hear the music and the people laughing. It was a calm evening, and the water was so calm it looked like glass under the light of the moon. “I know this must be quite the