Alex My anger seethed and boiled over after Gianna’s revelation. I felt a sweat break out across my forehead, like even my blood had loosened and was bubbling under my skin. "What the fuck do you mean by you let him touch you?" I bellowed, waving my hand in the air as if she could see me through the phone. I was beyond frustrated, pacing back and forth like a caged animal. I couldn’t believe what she had just admitted to. Then Alexis walked in, her curious gaze instantly making me feel exposed and uncomfortable. I couldn't let her know the truth about Gianna—not now, not ever. We’d worked so hard to keep Gianna's identity hidden. If Alexis found out, it would shatter her; she’d think I’d lied to her, and that I was unfaithful, a total fraud.My mind replayed Gianna's words like a broken record: "Byron touched me.”Why did she let her guard down like that? Of all people, how could she allow that bastard get close enough to weaken her? I was so damn mad at her, and my frustration clo
AlexisI gazed at Alex, taking in his calm, sleeping face. He looked so peaceful, lost in his dreams, a beautiful sight.My lover. He lay on his side, and his chest rose and fell in a soft, steady rhythm. His hair added a certain ruggedness to him, making him more captivating. Even in his sleep, he held a quiet beauty. The sheets were loosely draped over him, wrinkled from our time together.The TV flickered softly on my side of the bed, but I'd turned down the volume, respecting the silence he seemed to crave. I snuck in the blanket, but my gaze drifted back to Alex. Yes, Byron was handsome and more refined, his looks polished and groomed to perfection, but Alex had this natural, effortless charm. His rough edges, that bit of wildness, made him endlessly attractive.I watched him, knowing he always needed space when sleeping. He never liked to be held in his sleep, saving that closeness for when he was awake and aware. Respecting his habit, I lay beside him. My mind drifted back t
Alexis I was in an extremely dark mood that no one could reach through, and I knew I was being irrational by leaving, but I needed to create a huge space between me and Alex. I rushed out of the room to the retreat center, needing to get Valen and leave before Alex caught up with me. I spotted my son laughing with his friend Jennifer, his eyes shining with excitement. My heart ached, knowing that I would soon dampen his spirits.I waited until he finished breakfast, observing him from afar while feeling so disappointed about how Alex could deceive me like this and hide such a big secret. If he could do that, then I couldn't trust him. After Valen finished breakfast, I approached him, trying to sound cheerful."Hey, buddy, I'm sorry, but something came up, and we have to go." He flung his arms around me, then pulled away when I said that."Why, Mommy?"I scooped him up and savored the warmth of his hug. "I'm sorry, but I have to go. I think I have some stuff to do at the shop." The li
AlexI clenched my phone, staring at the screen, and felt my irritation rise with each second. I’d been calling Alexis for hours, and it went straight to voicemail every time. A dozen things I wanted to say piled up, but I knew she hadn’t even bothered to read the messages I’d already sent. I scrolled through our last few texts, replaying our recent conversations. The silence gnawed at me, turning my irritation into something sharper, something I needed to release. I threw my phone onto the bed and exhaled sharply, rubbing my temples. I couldn’t just sit around waiting for her to respond finally.I grabbed my gym bag and headed out. The gym was empty enough, and the steady beat of music echoed around me. I needed to let off steam, to channel everything into something physical. As I wrapped my hands, I could feel the tension coiling in my muscles, ready to snap. Each punch into the bag was a release, and the sound of leather on leather helped me take the edge off.I pounded the bag fo
Alexis Gripping the steering wheel, I sped down the road toward my parents’ house. My foot pressed harder on the gas pedal as if the speed itself could help release the storm building inside me. The tires roared over the asphalt, and I barely noticed the scenery passing by – just flashes of trees and the road stretching endlessly before me. My mother’s betrayal hit me harder with every second, like a rusty knife twisting deeper each time I thought about it. It wasn’t just one lie or one slip-up—she’d built a whole damn house of manipulation and handed me the keys, expecting me to walk through the doors blindfolded. The anger bubbled up, thick, hot and ready to explode. I wanted to march up to her, drag each lie out into the open, and make her look at the mess she'd created. Let her choke on her own twisted, sugar-coated deceptions.When I pulled up to the house, I parked with a jerk, cutting the engine. My heartbeat thudded in my ears, matching the boiling rage inside me. I slammed
Alexis The Campbells gathered at Grandma Alice's house, and Byron acted like he'd already been stripped of his power. He kept pulling at an earlobe and directing a burning stare at the ground while his father tried to assure him that everything would be fine and that he would speak to the High Priestess. The living room felt like a frozen battlefield. Every corner was charged with a silence that was both cold and suffocating. Byron’s face twisted in a sulk. His disqualification knocked his ego down a peg, and here I was, expected to sit loyally by his side like some well-trained puppy. Loyal wife, supportive spouse—right, I was ticking all the boxes. Only my body had other ideas, leaning ever so slightly away from him as if the air between us couldn’t handle his inflated self-importance. If I leaned further, I’d be sitting in another room. My hands rested on my lap as I stared at my chipped nails, indicating that I needed a manicure."Dad, you have to do something," Byron kept sayi
Gianna's hand clenched and unclenched. She had a desire for vengeance and wanted to hurt someone, to see blood. Her annoyed glare was fixed on Byron. He pleaded with his parents, desperate for them to take it easy with her. She shifted her weight to one leg as her eyes flickered from Byron to his parents. In her mind, she analyzed them. Byron was a fool for calling on his family to beg her.Her gaze landed on Alpha Jacob, the self-proclaimed puppet master who always strutted around as if he held the world by its strings. He wore that smug, all-knowing smile that said he was leagues above everyone else, a true “man of the people.”Gianna could practically hear the fake laughter he’d offered anyone he thought he could use, flashing that insincere charm while plotting how he could turn their lives into pawns for his gain. When he glanced at Gianna, it was with this high-and-mighty look as if she ought to be thanking the moon goddess for breathing the same air. Gianna had to bite her ton
Byron stepped into the tiny changing room, barely glancing at the neatly folded surgical gowns stacked on the counter. As he peeled off his clothes, his gaze landed on the mirror, where a brutal, unfiltered reflection of his own hesitation and humiliation stared back at him. He took one reluctant glance downward, and there it was his disfigured testicles. His worst nightmare and a reminder of the failure he couldn’t hide. Every fluorescent light overhead highlighted each flaw, and every bit of pride stripped away as he stood there exposed.“Damn you, Alex,” he said under his breath. “Damn you a million times.”A small locker on the side held his personal items, where he placed his folded clothes, wallet, and phone. He slipped into the surgical gown, hating its thin, scratchy texture. It made him feel exposed. The medical personnel moved in the hallway. His parents stood by, offering gentle smiles and words of encouragement. His father's hand reached for his shoulder, squeezing it ge
Gianna Peter and I sat across from each other in the quiet room. The only sound between us was the rustle of tissue in my hands. I sniffed, wiping my nose and feeling the remnants of my earlier breakdown.Peter crouched in front of me with a smirk creeping onto his face.“Look at you,” he said softly. “I never pictured you to be so emotional.”“Oh, shut up,” I muttered playfully, tossing the crumpled tissue into a nearby trash can.“Come on, big girl, hug it out,” Peter said, spreading his arms wide. Unable to resist, I chuckled and closed the gap between us. His arms wrapped around me, warm and secure, pulling me into a hug that felt like home.I let myself melt into him, breathing his scent and relishing the quiet strength of his embrace. His hands cradled my face, and his lips were on mine before I could say anything.The kiss was soft and unhurried, carrying a passion that made my knees weak. His eyes were filled with sincerity when he pulled back.“I’m falling in love with you,
GiannaMy chest caved, and I couldn't maintain eye contact with Alexis and Alex after Peter had dropped that bombshell about us being mates.The tent felt suffocating, and his words kept ringing in my ears: Gianna and I are fated mates.The silence in the room was so thick, like the awkward cousin at a family reunion—uncomfortable and making everyone wonder who would break the silence first.My eyes darted to everyone's reactions. Alexis stood still, her eyes dimmed with shock. Alex looked utterly perplexed, his gaze bouncing between Peter and me as if waiting for someone to yell, Gotcha!Lisa's shock was the loudest. Her face paled, and her lips parted as though she were going to scream, but instead, she let out a low gasp followed by a horrified look. Peter's mom stared at her son, her face slack with shock.And then there was Peter. His eyes burned with the fire of someone ready to fight for what he believed was his, and he held my hand, ready to shield me from whatever backlash mi
Peter My nostrils flared with anger, and my heartbeat pounded. Lisa screamed trouble ever since the moment she stormed toward us. It was one thing for her to feel the silent talk of abandonment ever since I met Gianna, but this was an explosion I hadn't seen coming.Her voice, like nails on a chalkboard, grated on my ears. I'd never seen her like this—loud, volatile, and uncouth. She was a far cry from the sweet girlfriend I knew her to be—or maybe I hadn't known her as well as I thought.My anger wasn't from the embarrassment, for I didn't give two flying fucks about these people here except for Alexis. My rage was because Lisa made Gianna appalled. She looked away and rubbed her hands against her clothing as if trying to rid them of something. She would have done that if she had the power to melt into the shadows and disappear. Anger bubbled under my skin at how mortified she looked."Why would a high-class lady like her want anything to do with you?" Lisa asked. "What could you po
Gianna The reception hall buzzed with life. Laughter, cheers, and the over-enthusiastic guests filled the space. The older ones munched on their food while the younger ones danced on the floor, gyrating to some recent hit from the live band.Leaning against one of the columns, I sipped on a glass of sparkling water. Alexis didn’t need me anymore, and my legs almost gave way from standing in my ridiculous heels for hours. I had since changed into flats and let my poor toes breathe.A smile crept onto my lips when my gaze landed on Alex and Valen dancing together. The sight of father and son tugged at my heart, and I was genuinely happy for Alex. The little one had been giving him such a hard time for months.Watching them now, with pure and cheerful laughter ringing out and the pride on his father’s face, made me smile. Alexis had found her happiness, and she so deserved this perfect moment.“What’s a beautiful woman like you doing standing by herself?”I turned my head to find Louis,
AlexisThe morning of day seven arrived like a whirlwind, filled with nerves that hung heavy in every cell of my body. My room was a chaos of curling irons, foundation brushes, and bridesmaids humming around me like bees.Despite my usual nonchalant attitude, I couldn't deny how anxious I was. It tightened around my chest and shocked me. For someone who had always claimed she wouldn't be bothered by society's expectations, today felt different, and I wanted everything to go right.Already feeling cranky because I had been awake since 4:00 AM, I was mentally ticking off every item on my checklist while the hairdressers and makeup artists were doing their thing. Gianna was helping some of the maids steam the bridal gown and the bridesmaids' dresses.“You look like a queen already,” Gianna said as she walked past me. She perched on the edge of the bed with a grin, trying to distract me. Then she leaned closer and whispered, “What’s the first thing you’re doing after this whole circus is
Lying in Peter's arms felt like I had just entered heaven. His heartbeat thumped steadily beneath my ear, and I rested my head on his chest. His fingers traced lazy circles on my back, lulling me into a sense of peace I hadn’t felt in years. For once, my worries seemed like distant shadows, temporarily banished by his warmth.“Is this what you were trying to give up? This bliss?” Peter teased, breaking the comfortable silence.I sighed and tilted my head to look up at him. His eyes sparkled with mischief, but I could see the sincerity beneath. He pleaded with me, silently asking me to see the world as he did.“As much as I enjoyed our little…session,” I began with a teasing lilt, “things aren’t as straightforward as you think. There are stakes we need to overcome.”“Like what?” he challenged, raising an eyebrow. “Because right now, I can’t think of a single thing worth ruining this for.”“For starters, your girlfriend,” I said, sitting up and pulling the blanket closer around me.Pete
GiannaPeter kissed me and lifted me into his arms when we entered my room. It was a kiss to end all kisses, a soft press of lips to lips. I melted instantly, wrapping my arms around his neck and pressing myself as close to him as possible. He held me tight against his body, and his lips moved gently against mine, tasting each dip and curve. A moan escaped my lips as his hands trailed down to rest at the waistband of my dress. His fingers slid under the hem and slipped along the smooth skin of my thigh, causing my knees to buckle."Fuck, Gianna. You're perfect. No wonder everyone wants to be in bed with you," he murmured, his breath hot as it brushed against my cheeks and neck before burying his head between my breasts.I ran my hands down his chest until I reached the buttons of his shirt and unbuttoned them before sliding the garment from his shoulders. The cool air hit my heated skin, causing goose bumps to rise. I wrapped my arms around Peter's waist and pressed my mouth eagerly
Gianna The party was in full swing, and I tried to blend into the background. The room was lively and filled with laughter, and I did my best to stay out of the spotlight. My eyes wandered to the far side of the room, where Oscar was talking animatedly to a girl. He was leaning far too close, flirting with her in his typical style. I rolled my eyes. The spoiled brat didn't deserve an ounce of my energy, and the only person I felt pity for was the girl who must be thinking she had hit the jackpot.Alex's boisterous voice cut through the crowd and pulled my attention. He was standing beside his bride and gesturing dramatically. "Seriously, look at her. She's the most beautiful woman in this room," he declared, earning a round of applause, chuckles, and whistles from his friends."Alex, you are super hyper and happy. Can't you see how Alexis is subtle because she knows your flattery is not a big deal to her?" one of the guys said, but Alex waved him off."You better not be fooled by tha
GiannaThe wildlife reserve stretched out in front of us. It was an endless expanse of greenery dotted with open fields and enclosures for animals. I loved the smell of fresh grass, but initially, when we got here, I was skeptical. Peter forced me to stay. I wasn’t much of a wildlife enthusiast, and the idea of spending my day surrounded by animals wasn’t exactly thrilling."Trust me, you will have fun," Peter had said, and I rolled my eyes.But as we ventured deeper into the reserve, his infectious excitement began to chip away at my reluctance. I gasped when I saw zebras lying lazily in the distance. A few giraffes towered over the bushes, stretching their necks gracefully to nibble on the leaves of acacia trees."Look at that one," Peter said, pointing at a particularly playful baby giraffe galloping awkwardly beside its mother. "Reminds me of how I was as a kid."I suppressed a small laugh. We moved to an enclosure where a family of meerkats stood upright, peering cautiously at us