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Chapter Thirty-Four
Last Updated:
2024-10-29 19:42:56
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Once rejected, twice shy Chapter Thirty-Five
Troy’s POVTroy leaned over the bed and kissed Reese’s forehead as she slept. He left the suite and met Drake in the small foyer. He was still in his pajamas and he handed Troy a travel mug of coffee. “Let me know when you get there.”“Don’t let Reese eat alone in the dining hall. Amber’s been playing nice but just for in case,” Troy said.Drake nodded his head and grinned as Troy stepped into the elevator. “So, no kissing?”Troy chuckled and raised his middle finger as the doors slid closed. Two warriors waited for him by the front door of the packhouse and one opened the door of the SUV they’d be traveling in. Troy slid into the backseat and looked up at the large sliding doors on the balcony of his suite.There was no light on and he felt satisfied that he hadn’t woken Reese. She spent too much time in her lab and even Julian struggled to coax her out of it. She only left if Troy himself went to get her for lunch or dinner.They drove the two hours to the city in silence and stoppe
Once rejected, twice shy Chapter Thirty-Six
Reese’s POVReese and Drake sat in the kitchen of the Alpha Suite and stared at nothing in particular. Reese was still pissed off and it seemed so was Drake. They hadn’t heard from Troy and it was nearing dinner time so she walked to the fridge and took out a chilled bottle of wine.“I don’t want Julian as my Gamma anymore. I don’t care about his position or if he was born into it or whatever but I don’t want him near me,” Reese said.Drake stood up and took the bottle from her hands and proceeded to open it. “Don’t worry about that. Julian will be lucky if Troy lets him stay in the pack after that stunt.”“Anything from Troy?” Reese asked but she knew the answer to that already. Drake’s phone was on the counter and hadn’t made a peep in hours.Drake poured her a glass of wine and left it out on the counter. He had a feeling she was going to empty the whole thing. Reese gave him a brief smile and emptied the glass in one swallow. It was going to be a long day.“You should eat somethin
Once rejected, twice shy Chapter Thirty-Seven
Troy’s POVTroy tilted his head upwards, letting the scalding water beat down on him. He was pissed off, so pissed off that if he’d let his wolf take over, they’d be picking Amber up in pieces. He’d woken up that morning, naked and in her bed.He could smell her scent all over him and even though his memories were fuzzy and everything seemed hazy, he knew he’d had sex with her. He could smell it in the air, smell it on her and in an instant he’d had her pinned down on the bed, choking the life out of her.He’d stopped just before he’d cracked her windpipe, fuming with rage. “I’ll fucking end you for this.”With that he’d stormed out of her suite only to find Drake in his room with Reese. He’d known why he was there, but he didn’t have to be happy about it. Amber had clearly drugged him and he needed Reese to hear him out.Amber had made him a cheater and now Reese hated him. He hated himself and he was surprised Drake hadn’t taken a swing at him. He toweled himself dry in the bathroom
Once rejected, twice shy Chapter Thirty-Eight
Reese’s POVShe had promised herself she wouldn’t cry in front of him. She loathed his presence, loathed that she craved his presence. Asshole! She sat in her office and willed herself not to cry. He’d slept with Amber, his mate. She should’ve expected it, she should’ve known it would happen.Why was she so unlovable? She hated how much it hurt and how much his voice made her feel safe and warm. She wasn’t safe with him and she cursed the mark on her shoulder, cursed Troy and his stupid penis too.Her office door opened and she froze but sagged backwards in relief when it was Drake that stepped inside. “Luna Madden …”“Don’t fucking call me that!”Drake smiled and then straightened himself. “Luna Reese, Alpha Troy is waiting in the foyer for you. We’re ready to leave.”“You’re coming with us?” Reese was hopeful because she really didn’t want to be alone with Troy, anywhere.“You’re short a Gamma since Troy transferred him to Stone Link,” Drake said and chuckled.“What’s wrong with Sto
Once rejected, twice shy Chapter Thirty-Nine
Bryan’s POVThe scent of blood filled his nostrils as he stood under the scalding water in his shower. Beta Willowby had put up a good fight but he was older now and no match for an Alpha, not a young one in shape like Bryan was.The stupid Beta had refused to tell him who Reese was supposed to marry. He’d smiled while blood dribbled down his chin and told Bryan to go fuck himself. His temper had flared and in a rage he’d shifted into his wolf and tore his throat out.He closed his eyes and wondered how Reese felt when the familial bonds snapped, one after the other. He would’ve preferred for her to have been in the pack, to run to him to heal her little broken heart. He would have distracted her with his cock, jammed tight down her throat.Bryan felt himself stiffen at that thought and he gripped his cock at the base with one hand. ‘Soon, little Reese, very soon,’ he thought to himself. His strokes became faster and faster as he pictured Reese on her knees, tears in her eyes and he c
Once rejected, twice shy Chapter Forty
Reese’s POVShe inadvertently squeezed Troy’s hand when the vehicles stopped in front of the Beta House. She had no idea how she was supposed to keep herself together. People stood on the porch but she knew their bodies weren’t there anymore.“You don’t have to do this right now, Reese.” Troy’s thumb rubbed circles into her hand and she looked down briefly.“I have to,” she whispered.“Okay, I’ll be with you every step of the way,” Troy said and she nodded her head. “Drake, speak to whoever’s in charge and find out what they know.”Troy opened his door but he kept a firm grip on Reese’s hand. Russo walked on Reese’s other side and she was glad now that he was there. He shielded her from view and spoke to the warriors on her behalf. Troy had only nodded his head at Russo, giving him the go-ahead to proceed.She walked into the house and inhaled sharply. She could smell their blood. Her body started to tremble and Russo looked at her over his shoulder. “Give me the word and I’ll get you
Once rejected, twice shy Chapter Forty-One
Troy’s POVTroy climbed out of the SUV and watched as Russo opened the other door for Reese. She was completely hidden by his bulk and Drake brought up the rear. He didn’t like being in White Moon territory, neutral alliance or not.“Alpha Bryan, thank you for receiving us into your territory,” Troy said and walked ahead towards where Bryan stood.“Alpha Troy, welcome to White Moon Pack, I just wish it was under better circumstances,” Bryan said and the two men shook hands.“I would like to see the reports from the investigation into what happened to Reese’s parents,” Troy said.“Of course. The Omegas have prepared rooms for all of you. I’m sure you’d like to freshen up before dinner,” Bryan said.“Thank you,” Troy replied.“Reese,” Bryan said and took a step towards her.Three growls made Bryan stop and look at each man in turn. Troy, Drake and Russo’s eyes were dark and Russo had an arm in front of Reese. Drake flanked one side and Troy had moved as well. Bryan was so shocked by thi
Once rejected, twice shy Chapter Forty-Two
Bryan’s POVBryan stalked out of the Alpha suite, anger pulsing through his veins. Luna! She’d been gone for three weeks. How the fuck was she already married and to Alpha Troy of all people? He was so furious that he didn’t even register the footsteps behind him.In his office, he poured a generous amount of whiskey in a tumbler glass and emptied it. The door to his office closed behind him and he turned with dark eyes that blazed in anger. Michelle crossed her arms over her chest and glared at Bryan.“What was that back there? I thought you wanted to make Troy and his entourage feel welcome!” Michelle’s voice grated on his nerves and the angrier he got the harder his dick got as well.“I don’t have to explain myself to you!” Bryan’s voice was low and dangerous and Michelle knew that he could snap at any moment.“I don’t know what the hell’s going on but you couldn’t keep your eyes off his wife! He noticed, Bryan!”Bryan was in front of her in the blink of an eye, his hand curling ar
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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
