Aniston's POV I took the necklace from the guard begrudgingly. He would surely pay for his rudeness later. Picking up the helm of my makeshift curtain dress, I took off in a run leaving every other belonging behind. I was certain that the sourly looking keeper would care for them as if his life depended on it.The first place I rushed to as soon as I entered the castle was the Alpha's court. I was almost sure my father was going to be there. He was hardly anywhere else.I walked through the hallway and everything looked so different like someone made a conscious effort to redecorate. I even stopped once to admire the little things. The new stone carving that was lined at every pillar of the hallway and new curtains that were soft to touch. It reminded me of something. I don't know what exactly.It reminded me of something warm and inviting, then it dawned on me…it was a woman's touch, someone finally convinced Papa to add color to the castle.I resumed my journey to the king's court
Ari's Pov I entered my bedroom. I just spent an hour listening to Raven talk about fashion while making me watch a romcom movie in the living room and I was bored out of my mind. It was why I excused myself to take a shower. I was miserable and I knew it. Life without Aniston wasn't as easy as I thought it would be. And then there was also the little problem of being stuck between loving the girl I hated with every fiber of my body. I wished I could attach a single emotion to her. I wanted to hate her in totality or love her without regret…I wanted just one emotion for Aniston Powell because doing both was exhausting and I didn't know how much longer I could keep it up. Most nights I lay awake in bed thinking of her and hating myself afterwards. Not knowing what she chose over me was hard…harder than being bitten by a hungry python. I wanted Aniston to either break my heart in totality or heal what she broke. I pulled at my pants and unclad myself. I entered the shower but
Dev's POVI stared at my reflection in the mirror. I had no one to admit this to including my cousin Alyssa but I wasn't fine and I have lost weight too. Lately, nothing seemed to hold my interest, not work and definitely not the friends, Alyssa was convinced I was going to have some semblance of fun in a club with loud music.I wore the red slutty gown Alyssa gave to me and a pair of black heels. After making sure my make-up was perfect. I picked up the black bag on the bed and counted the money inside and as an afterthought, I picked the nude color bag on the floor, ransacked it until I found the extra cash I shoved into the bag. Before I left my room, I glanced at the mirror and nodded in affirmation. With the perfect brows, smoky eye shadow and red shade of lipstick, I looked perfect and there was no way people could tell I was broken inside or the fact that my father was the mastermind behind it.After locking the door, I made my way outside where Alyssa was waiting for me. I
Dev's POV I waited for the judgment, the grunting and the blame placing but none of it came. Instead he smiled warmly at me and he placed both hands into his pocket. It took a few seconds after for me to realize that none of that was going to happen. "Like you said you had to…I'm sure it wasn't that bad. We all have to do something we don't like for the greater good, I should know…" his voice faded away for a few seconds. "What the hell! I'm probably not going to see you again so I might as well tell you. I recently found a bloodless way to stop my pack from going to war with a ruthless pack…sure it cost my family…everything. My Nana is yet to say a word to me and my people can't be openly relieved hence they are termed cowards but I can live with the hostility because no one is going to die and that's good enough for me" I looked at him…at this stranger who opened up to someone he just met and I wondered whether I could do the same, just tell him what ails my heart in hope that
Dev's "What do you mean you need to go to Nigeria tomorrow?" I asked as I stared intensively at Ari.One second he was mute and the next he was barging into my room to say the most outrageous thing in the world.He went to sit on the only armchair in the room."I have made my choice, Dev plus the Alpha was really clear on his ultimatum - get married and start making heirs or go to Africa and take charge of the orphans…""I think I heard of that…the packs there in Nigeria are killing each other" I murmured. "So, he is sending you to a war zone for not getting married?" "No, he is sending me to a war zone for putting his pack at risk…for almost getting his sons myself included killed and causing him the inconvenience of rescuing me, his words not mine and truthfully, I think he was expecting me to choose marriage. Anyway, the war there is over and someone needs to rebuild and I guess that person is me"Ari's mood was apprehensive and his fingers were interlocked. My mouth was ajar in
Markle's POV I turned to walk away and I froze. Aniston stood not far from us with a blank face."Aniston?" I was surprised to see her and so was Alpha Alaric"Mark, please ask papa if it was an easy decision…killing me was it easy?"I felt my heart squeeze. How much of what he said did she hear?"Come on, Ani... let's go home. There is no point trying to understand how a father could do that to his child" I tried to take her hand and lead her away but she took a step back. "If you won't ask him, I will" she moved closer to our father."Was it easy, Papa?"Alaric reached out and touched her. He didn't answer her question but his silence was an answer.She nodded."I guess you and me both, Dad. You and me both"She turned and she fled. I was right behind her. I walked behind my sister. What was I supposed to say to make her feel better? She worshiped the ground our father walked on. I must have opened my mouth a million times but no words came out."Ani" I called out her name soft
Aniston's POV Petra, the omega who served as Anisa's servant plus playmate entered the room and she simply stared.What was it with girls and staring?!After a few seconds of not saying anything, she lowered her head in my presence, I guess she remembered I was the Alpha's daughter after all, no matter how dead Alaric wanted me to be."Miss" she murmured "Petra, any report about my sister I should know about?" I asked her.I was barely containing the anger that was coursing through my body. I couldn't believe that Anisa could say something so vile to me. She wanted me dead and she didn't hide the fact.My twin sister wanted me dead."You are not saying anything, Petra""It's…it's not my story to tell. You should talk to Anisa" "Well, it doesn't look like she wants to talk to me since she just stormed out of here. So, fill me in and that's an order"Petra stood upright like she was suddenly back to her senses and she stared at me with these cold eyes that told me she was just as mad
Ari's POV The flight from Astoria to Muritala Muhammad international airport in Lagos was surprisingly smooth.When We got off the plane, the guide I hired through the internet was there with a placard with my name.The man was average with a pot belly and cheerful demeanor. He smiled brightly showcasing what appeared to be white set of teeth and perfect dentition. He looked at the picture he was holding several times before looking up at my face. When he was satisfied that both the picture and the man were the same person, he waved vigorously at me.When we came close enough he took Dev's bags from her."Welcome sir, how was the journey sir? My name is Musa sir and I will be your guide" Musa chatted heartily without allowing me or anyone to respond.When I was able to get a word in, I told him."I think there was a mix up. We are not going to the place yet""You mean the orphanage, sir?" he asked with a raised eyebrow."Yeah, that. I am going to a hotel to have a good night sleep b