Amelia awoke and felt Gabriel’s arm across her chest. She slowly opened her eyes, still a little groggy from the drug. She turned her head and saw Gabriel’s sleeping face, inches from hers. He stayed with me all night, she thought as she looked at his gorgeous skin and thick, dark eye lashes. Something tugged at her heart. Nostalgia? But you don’t love him anymore. She resisted the urge to reach out and stroke his cheek. He looked so sweet and handsome, there beside her, fast asleep. But you don’t love him anymore. The weight of his arm across her chest felt so nice. You don’t love him, Amelia. You can’t. Amelia looked to the ceiling. She felt protected, lying there beside him. His breathing was easy and slow. He had been so loving to her last night. So kind. She’d never felt so cherished by him. But you don’t… She reached out to touch his cheek. Love him… Her heart yearned.
Amelia took Gabriel’s hand and looked him in the eye. “I want to thank you,” she said softly. Her voice was genuine. “For what?” Gabriel asked, confused. “For today,” Amelia sighed. “For taking the time to show me around. I just..I..” Amelia faltered. “Go on. You can tell me,” Gabriel urged. He couldn’t help notice how nice her hand felt in his, warm and comforting. “Being with you today, it’s made up for some of the past pain I felt, when we were together.” Gabriel winced. It was hard for him to hear about how much he’d hurt her. He didn’t want to interrupt Amelia, though. She continued. “I’m so glad we could have this time together. This is how I want to remember us. Like this. Happy.” Gabriel lowered his head and nodded. He understood what she was saying and it hurt. She was right, it was nice to have such a lovely day together, but the way she said it – well – it sounded so final. And he wasn’t willing to
Jonathan led Amelia directly out of the restaurant, leaving a flabbergasted Gabriel behind. Truth be told, Amelia didn’t mind leaving with Jonathan at that moment because things were getting a little too tense and confusing between herself and Gabriel and she was unsure of how to react.“You can ease up a bit on the grip,” Amelia complained. Jonathan was holding her hand a little too tightly. She could sense he was angry, but she had no idea what about.Men, she sighed to herself.“Okay, we’re safe now,” Amelia said sarcastically. They were outside the restaurant. Jonathan dropped her hand and she rubbed it. “Now please tell me what you’re doing here.”“You’ve been gone for two days. From the office. Olivia said you were here.” “Uh…okay. But you’ll need to elaborate a little more. Why did you come here?” “I heard Gabriel was here,” Jonathan said bluntly. Jonathan had his eyes fixed on her. It made her somewhat uncomfortable. He was always direct, and s
Amelia had barely been back when there was a knock at the door. She was surprised to see Jonathan, his arms full of boxes. “What do you have here?” Amelia asked, her eyes wide as he stumbled into the room. “Oh, you know. Just some clothes and stuff for our meeting tomorrow.” Jonathan set the boxes down on the table and began pulling out beautiful clothes. Amelia eyed the cashmere suit skeptically. “For me? But I have clothes.” Although that suit really is to die for….She couldn’t resist rubbing the fabric between her fingers. There really is nothing quite as exquisite as cashmere. Jonathan seemed to ignore her comment and instead opened a blue velvet box and proceeded to pull out a drop-dead gorgeous string of pearls. “Authentic or synthetic?” Amelia asked, reaching for the pearls. “Authentic,” Jonathan said, handing the pearls to her. Amelia held them up to her neck. Okay, that cashmer
Sephora suggested they all go downstairs to their private cinema to watch a new movie that had just come out. “It’s getting rave reviews,” Sephora said. But Amelia was at her wits end. She had come here to discuss business, not gush over gazpacho and watch cinematic blockbusters. “That sounds lovely. Really it does, Sephora. I’ve been wanting to see Where the Heart Roams for a few weeks. But I have some ideas for the resort and I insist we discuss them.” Amelia’s voice was steady, but she smiled pleasantly at Sephora. Sephora eyed Amelia up and down. She wasn’t used to having someone insist on anything when in her company. She appreciated the young woman’s persistence. She dabbed at the corner of her mouth with her napkin, then placed it down slowly. “If you insist, then I oblige,” Sephora remarked. “However, the dining room table is no place for business. Please, let us retire to my study. We can discuss things there.”
“She doesn’t like me, does she?” Amelia asked. She was on her way back to the resort with Jonathan. She’d been hoping that Sephora would want to talk more about her proposal after the garden, but she hadn’t. Instead, she’d shaken Amelia’s hand and thanked her for coming. “I think she liked you just fine,” Jonathan said. He could see the disappointment in her face and he tried to comfort her. The truth was, though, his mom had no intention of helping Silvermoon and he knew it. Should I tell her? It seems cruel to let her hold onto hope. He turned and looked at her. Concern was etched into her soft features. He wanted nothing more than to hold her in his arms and wipe that concern away. “Really? So you think she’ll consider working with us?” Amelia asked, hope flooding her gorgeous eyes. He didn’t have the heart to tell her the truth. It really had nothing to do with Amelia. Not personally, anyway. He thought back to when his father had been k
In the three days leading up to the presentation, Amelia did everything she could to prepare. She felt her chances of being awarded the project weren’t high, but she was determined to try her very best anyway. She worked late into the night, fueled by coffee and Chinese take-out. Olivia became her right hand man, staying with her well past midnight, helping her create the strongest presentation she could.Finally, the day of the presentation arrived. Olivia met her at her office door.“All set?” Olivia asked. She smiled widely. Amelia was grateful to have such a supportive friend.“All set,” Amelia confirmed, even though she felt anything but. “Still no word from Mandrake Enterprises?” Amelia asked as they got into their car. She already knew the answer but she was hanging on to a tiny thread of hope. Olivia shook her head. “And Jonathan? Did he say why he wasn’t coming with us? Or when he’d arrive?” She hadn’t seen Jonathan for two days and she didn’t know why. She’d se
The press conference finished up in a blur of blinding camera flashes and loud reporters yelling questions. Once the media was satisfied that they had everything they needed, the organizers excused themselves to discuss the bids. “The winner will be announced this evening at the banquet. We sincerely hope you will all attend and thank you for your presentations,” the CEO smiled. Amelia was exhausted from the tension and anxiety of the day, but after a quick rest back at the hotel, she and Olivia got all dolled up for the banquet. They both looked like a dream, Amelia in a sleek, floor length silver gown and Olivia in an A-line vintage blue satin dress. All eyes were on them as they made their way through the lobby and into the banquet hall. Amelia is immediately met with Magnus. He takes his hands in hers and smiles broadly. “My darling princess. I am so incredibly proud of you. I knew you could win the favor of Mandrake. Just as I knew y
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