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Chapter One Hundred and One
Last Updated:
2024-02-04 12:16:16
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Once rejected, twice shy Chapter One
Reese’s POV“Happy Birthday!” The chorus of voices had Reese frozen in her steps. She blinked her eyes as people swarmed her and she laughed. She was finally eighteen and the whole day her mother had gone on and on about being able to find her mate.“Thank you,” Reese said through a smile as she hugged Cleo, her best friend of ten years.“So … any enticing smells?” Cleo had that devious glint in her eyes and Reese had to laugh.“There are so many mingling scents in this hall, it’ll be impossible to smell anything other than food, sweat and your horny pheromones.”Cleo’s mouth gaped open and she slapped Reese on her shoulder. “My pheromones smells awesome, I’ll have you know.”Reese shook her head with a smile. She loved Cleo, even though Cleo had no shame, no filter and cared absolutely nothing about what people thought of her. She’d felt her mate die on her eighteenth birthday three months earlier and then decided she was going to be the kind of woman that enjoyed her life with whome
Last Updated : 2023-10-30Once rejected, twice shy Chapter Two
Reese’s POVTwo years later …Reese closed her eyes and let her senses take over. The music pulsed and sweat ran down the back of her neck. Bodies grinded, sensual moans could be heard, at least, that's what she envisioned and the bass thumped off the walls of the club. Reese didn’t want to feel, didn’t want to think, she just wanted to be.Bryan Bergenson would return from Alpha Camp tomorrow and she was not looking forward to it. She didn't want to be there anymore, didn't want to see him and she knew that sooner or later, she would have to.Cleo, her best friend of ten years, signaled for them to head back to the bar. The bartender was cute, he had the sensual brown eyes, a mop of unruly, longish brown hair and his smile was panty melting. He grinned at the two of them and leaned over the bar.“What can I get you two?”“Two slammers and keep ‘em coming!” Cleo said loudly.Reese laughed then as he quirked a brow at them and poured bourbon into two shot glasses. Reese closed her eyes
Last Updated : 2023-10-30Once rejected, twice shy Chapter Three
Reese’s POVThe car smelled like new leather, mint, a slight hint of bergamot and sex. The sex part might have been her, but what the hell. The mix was intoxicating and the man next to her was sex on two legs. She felt slightly nervous but the alcohol that had taken the place of the blood in her veins pushed her to bravery.“So, where am I going?”Reese blinked. His voice was rough and the timber spoke of unbridled passion. “Uhm … the nearest motel is fine.”Mr Knight glanced at her and sped down the street. A few minutes later he pulled into the parking lot of a motel that was surprisingly clean and safe looking. He huffed out a laugh, glanced at her again and shook his head.“Stay here.”Reese had no objections to staying right there. She had no idea what was in those slammers she’d drank, but her body felt sensual, like the lust switch had not just been pressed on but thrown into overdrive.The passenger side door opened and Reese looked up but his eyes were transfixed on her thigh
Last Updated : 2023-10-30Once rejected, twice shy Chapter Four
Reese’s POVReese groaned and stretched her arms over her head. She was deliciously sore and her eyes snapped open as her phone rang again. That’s what had woken her from the most amazing dream she’d ever had. She groaned again, the man even had a dimple. Damn phone!“Hello,” Reese grumbled into the phone when she finally located it under her pillow. How had that happened?“Girl, where are you?” Cleo sounded exasperated and Reese felt guilty for all of five seconds.“Where were you last night? One moment you were on the dance floor and then poof, gone, nothing,” Reese said.“Oh, right, I kind of ended up at this dorm house,” Cleo said and laughed.Reese looked around at the unfamiliar room and gasped loudly. “I … uhm … I had way too much to drink last night so I came to a motel. Where are you?” Fuck, that was no dream, was it?“Out looking for you. Your dad even phoned me because apparently some little hussy has to get home for a very important meeting!”“I didn’t forget.” Reese looke
Last Updated : 2023-10-30Once rejected, twice shy Chapter Five
Reese’s POVThe Alpha family was herded inside and led to the living room. Reese felt like she was on display as Troy kept staring at her. She felt almost naked, remembering the things he’d done to her, the things she’d done with him. Oh, goddess, could it get any worse? Her cheeks felt on fire.“Reese,” her father hissed and she snapped out of it once again. What the hell was wrong with her today? Was she still drunk? She could only wish.“Good afternoon, Alpha Madden and Luna Madden, it’s a pleasure to meet you both,” Reese said and bowed her head respectfully.Troy looked at her unashamedly and she gritted her teeth. “Alpha Troy, welcome.” Her eyes blazed into his and she quickly looked away as she saw the amusement etched there. Bastard.“It’s so nice to meet you, Reese. I’ve heard wonderful things about you,” Luna Madden said with a smile.“Oh, like what?” Reese asked.Her mother laughed then and stepped in front of Reese. “How about we sort out drinks. Any preferences?”Her fath
Last Updated : 2023-10-31Once rejected, twice shy Chapter Six
Troy’s POVTroy watched the house disappear in his rearview mirror as he drove away from the Willowby house. Her father was a typical former Beta and her mother seemed genuine, caring and warm. He smiled as he thought about Reese’s reaction when she first saw him on the porch.“Call Drake,” Troy said as he drove towards the territory border. His parents would return after they’d made copies of the contract which he’d already signed. and met with the sitting Alpha.The phone rang over the car speakers and Drake’s voice filled the interior. “Is it a done deal? Was she swooning at the sight of the mighty Troy Madden? Did she slip down her seat in want?”Troy laughed loudly. “Don’t be an idiot. She doesn’t want to marry me.”“Hmm, she’s a smart girl.”Troy chuckled again. “Woman. She’s a smart woman.”“You didn’t tell her the real reason you asked for this arranged marriage, did you?”“Nope and I’m not going to. You’d like her actually. She’s feisty and witty and very nice to look at.”“S
Last Updated : 2023-11-01Once rejected, twice shy Chapter Seven
Reese’s POV“So it’s a done deal?” Reese asked as she leaned against the doorway of her father’s study. The Alpha family had left twenty minutes earlier and she had only now come down from the patio.“The contract’s signed. You will marry Troy Madden in seven days,” he said.“Seven days! Why the hell so soon?”Her father quirked a brow and sighed. “That’s what he wanted. Troy insisted on it being as soon as possible. You and your mother will work with Luna Madden and on Tuesday we will travel to the Black Claw territory and you will complete the ceremony on Sunday.”‘Fuck my life,’ Reese thought to herself.“Why did Alpha Victor order this? I mean was it sanctioned by the Elder Council or just Alpha Victor?” Reese needed to know, sure, her father kept telling her the same thing but she still didn’t understand it.“Reese, you said yourself that your mate moved on, that means he won’t change his mind and retract his rejection, right?” Reese nodded her head, he’d already marked Michelle
Last Updated : 2023-11-02Once rejected, twice shy Chapter Eight
Troy’s POVTroy stood in his office and looked out of the window at the glittering lake that sparkled as the sun rose over the horizon. His pack lands were the largest in the continental US and in a few days he would have the added strength of a Luna.He’d been the sitting Alpha for five years minus the two years he’d spent at the Royal Pack when his father had stepped in as acting Alpha with Drake by his side. He’d never regretted the time spent with the King and it wasn’t public knowledge what he’d done there but warriors talked among themselves and word got out about his exploits, the battles he’d fought and the warriors he’d trained there.The door opened and Troy turned around. Drake, his Beta, closed the door behind him and leaned against it, crossing his arms over his chest. Troy’s broken hand hung down his side, the dried blood still coating his knuckles.“I thought you wanted this whole arranged marriage.” Amusement tinted Drake’s words and Troy cracked a grin.“My fist ran i
Last Updated : 2023-11-03
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Once rejected, twice shy Chapter One Hundred and One
Reese’s POVWhen the air fryer pinged, she pulled the drawer open and turned the basket over onto a bowl. She started grinding up the dried petals. Russo just watched her as she kept it up until the petals were ground into a fine powder.She mixed it with a little water and mixed it until it was a smooth paste. She didn’t let up or rest once, she just kept on working. After an hour, she was finally happy and she sat down on the swivel chair and wiped her forehead with her arm.“What now?” Russo asked her.“Now we administer it and wait. I should’ve known sooner, Russo, so many people died because I couldn’t figure this out,” Reese said.“Let’s go see if it works,” Russo said and stood up.He carried the tray with the small bowls Reese had separated the paste into and they headed back to the infirmary. It was nine pm and the streets were quiet as Reese power walked to the building in front of them.She headed straight for Troy’s room and Russo placed the tray down on the trolley table
Once rejected, twice shy Chapter One Hundred
Reese’s POVFor a few moments outside of Troy’s room, Reese couldn’t move or breathe. She wasn’t sure what it was but she was certain that maybe their baby had something to do with Troy wanting to get better. It was one of the biggest blessings for an Alpha, a son to take over from him.“Let’s get you back, Reese. It’s been a long day for you,” Russo said.“I want to check in on Max as well. He has no family here and Troy would want me to,” Reese said softly.“A quick check in, you need to go rest, this emotional rollercoaster isn’t good for the baby,” Russo said.Reese gave him a small smile and nodded her head. She did feel tired and the constant hope and worry were wreaking havoc with her system. She wanted to take a long, hot bath and sleep. Every night she had the same hope, that Troy would magically be awake the next morning.Russo led her just three doors further and opened the door. Max lay alone in the room, looking much the same as Troy had. His oxygen had lowered to 39% and
Once rejected, twice shy Chapter Ninety-Nine
Reese’s POVNothing changed over the course of the next week and Reese felt like there was nothing more she could do to help. She’d exhausted all her options and every mix she could think of had no effect on the patients.Her stomach had gotten a lot bigger over the last two weeks and she’d felt her baby move. Dr Tyrell came up to the Alpha Suite, after Russo had made sure that he was completely sanitized, to do ultrasounds and check on her.They had over fifty people in the hospital now as the flu spread and Reese cried herself to sleep every night. She was the key, so why wasn’t she finding it? She was pissed off at the world and her biggest fear was that Troy would die.Russo had limited her to one visit a week and she was due to go see Troy again after lunch. News had spread and the whole pack knew that Troy and King Maximilian were in isolation rooms and that they were stable for the moment but incapacitated.Drake hardly seemed to leave the office and a conversation with Emily h
Once rejected, twice shy Chapter Ninety-Eight
Reese’s POVThe combinations she’d been working on had kept Max from deteriorating further but it wasn’t healing him. It kept him in a sort of limbo and Reese was grateful for that at least. It gave her some time and she spent every free hour in the lab.Reese pushed herself away from the microscope and her hand rubbed over her chest. Russo was at her side instantaneously, his hand at the small of her back.“What’s wrong, Reese?”“I don’t know. It’s a weird sensation …” Reese turned wide eyes towards Russo. “It’s not me, it’s Troy, something’s wrong with Troy!”Reese was physically lifted from the floor as her legs automatically started moving towards the door. “No, Reese! I can’t let you expose yourself!”“Russo! Put me down immediately!” Her nails clawed at Russo’s arms but he held firm.“Not a chance, Reese! You are my first priority. Troy’s in good hands!”A scream tore from Reese’s throat and her body sagged against Russo’s. He didn’t let go of her, he just tightened his arms and
Once rejected, twice shy Chapter Ninety-Seven
Reese’s POV“I’m okay, Reese, I promise. It’s just a cough and you know Tyrell. He’s going to monitor me and everything will be fine,” Troy said.“I’m coming to see you,” Reese said.“No! You are not coming anywhere near this infirmary. I’ve given Tyrell permission to intubate me the moment I collapse. Keep yourself and our baby safe, promise me, Reese.”Reese tried not to cry but the tears didn’t obey her silent order and they ran down her cheeks unchecked. “I will, I promise.”“Good. It’ll only be for a few days. Drake will be acting Alpha and he has orders to lock you in our suite if you don’t do this for me, okay?”Reese nodded her head, knowing full well he couldn’t see her and she clenched her eyes tight. “Okay,” she finally whispered.“I have to go now,” Troy said with a sigh and the call ended.Reese sank down against the wall and lowered her head to her knees and cried. In that moment, she hated Amber with everything in her. It was her fault that Troy was sick, her fault that
Once rejected, twice shy Chapter Ninety-Six
Troy’s POVTroy ran down the hall when he reached the other side of the floor and the door opened as he neared. Max was sitting on the couch, fully alert now with an oxygen mask over his face. He was a little pale and his hands shook but otherwise he looked okay.Max pulled the mask away from his face and looked at Troy. “I’m not going to the infirmary.”Troy gritted his teeth as he looked at his long-time friend. “Yes, you are. You are not dying, Max. I won’t allow it!”“If I get any worse, I’ll go but not before it’s absolutely necessary,” Max said.“Fine,” Troy relented and leaned against the wall.The other men in the suite didn’t look pleased but they refrained from saying anything because Max was their King and his word was the law. Troy didn’t like it one bit. Max needed to be monitored because he couldn’t let Max die on his watch.“The moment he so much as wheezes, I want him in the infirmary, you hear me?” Troy’s eyes darkened as he looked at each man.“Yes, Alpha. I’ll drag
Once rejected, twice shy Chapter Ninety-Five
Reese’s POVThe week progressed slowly and then on that fateful Friday morning all hell broke loose. Amber was the first one to die from the flu. Her body was moved to the morgue and Dr Tyrell had taken precautions even in the autopsy room and wore protective gear to do her autopsy.They all knew the cause of death would be carbon dioxide poisoning. It had taken Amber eight days longer to die than victims from other packs and that was due to Reese’s plants. She hadn’t liked Amber, but she hadn’t wanted her dead.Troy hadn’t reacted, at all. He nodded his head and went to his office. Reese felt morose and knew that he had to feel something. She was sure that he was hiding his emotions so as not to upset her but this wasn’t something she’d be jealous of.He’d loved her at one point and they had been mates with no rejection between them. She wished he’d talk to her and tell her how he felt. She watched him every night as he ate. The exhaustion was there because Troy never stopped.He wor
Once rejected, twice shy Chapter Ninety-Four
Drake’s POVThe days seemed to drag by. Work was trickling to a slower rate although they were kept busy with conference calls and meetings over Skype. They still had business dealings out in the world and they couldn’t just stop working. Humans weren’t affected by this flu epidemic and it made things difficult for them.At night he’d lie in bed next to Emily and think about the rising numbers of deaths in other packs and wondering what made them so special to hold the key. He’d already figured out that Reese would somehow come up with a cure.It was taking time though and he was worried about the sick warriors they had in the infirmary. He didn’t want any of his people to die, except maybe Amber. He didn’t care if she died, not after the shit she pulled.He shifted on his side and stared into Emily’s open eyes. Her hand cupped his cheek and he gripped it tightly. “What’s bothering you?”Drake sighed internally. “Besides the cock talk? Not much, really.”Emily smiled and his heart flu
Once rejected, twice shy Chapter Ninety-Three
Reese’s POVRusso dressed Reese in a rainsuit with a mask, a plastic shield over the mask and a hairnet. She had to wear medical grade gloves and make her way to the lab in the mornings. She tried to stifle her laughter as Russo trudged behind her, the plastic of his own rainsuit squeaking with each step.“What’s the hairnet for?”“I have no fucking idea but it covers your hair, don’t bitch about it,” Russo said and adjusted his own hairnet.Reese laughed as she stopped inside her office and Russo started disinfecting everything. He did that every single day, even though nobody else came into their office or lab. She felt fine and even Troy had been cleared by the doctor.The number of sick had risen to twenty, all of them warriors that had worked shifts in the dungeon and had had contact with Amber. She was their patient zero and for now it seemed that the many respiratory plants were helping and the patients in the infirmary weren’t doing too badly.“All clear,” Russo said and took
