I am excited about the next chapters. Be assured we will experience the encounter from both Adrian and Harper's point of view before we find out what Miley knows. đ¤đ¤đ¤đ¤
~Harper~ A spank on my butt was enough to silence me even though I was still mad. I wondered what the arrangement was with Justin and Liam, but I was mad. Adrian had a lot of atonement to do, and I wasn't going to let it go easily. I heard my cousins and friends laugh and chuckle while Jacob engaged Justin and Liam in conversation. I couldn't listen in much since Adrian was whisking me away, riding on his shoulder. I bet that is the best way to put it. It was a very bumpy and uncomfortable ride. I was glad I didn't eat anything on the flight, or I would have thrown up all over him. He deserved that kind of mess for what he put me through. Adrian carried me up the stairs, and we came to a halt at the door. Upon entering the room, he gently placed me on the bed, and I promptly sat up, determined not to display any vulnerability. I smoothed out my dress as I was aware he had caught a glimpse of my panties, yet I remained unfazed. I was on the verge of speaking when he preempted m
~Adrian~ The intensity of fire and anger in Harper's eyes told the whole story. She was furious. Had it been the other way around, I would be too. It was unfair to leave her in the state I did, in Grizlo. I couldn't fathom why I didn't call, but I suppose I was apprehensive of this very moment. I feared that she might have reached a point where she was ready to let me go, that loving me and being with me had become wearisome, and she might decide to part ways. I should have reached out, perhaps invited her to Lumas. I eventually did, but by then, too much had transpired in her mind. She had already completed her emotional journey on the matter, and the blame rested squarely on me. When I sought Jacob's help to request permission for her from her alpha and brother, I understood that I had only one opportunity to rebuild her trust and salvage what we had. I had to give it my all. Hearing her pour out her emotions got to me. I rarely shed tears, but seeing how I made the woman I lo
~Justin~ Jacob led us into his living room after Adrian had spirited Harper away. It was evident that Harper was carrying a heavy burden of pent-up anger, making me anticipate a lengthy absence. The complexity of their relationship remained beyond my comprehension, but I held out hope for a swift resolution. Dealing with two lovesick, broken-hearted individuals was a situation I wanted to avoid, as it proved quite tiresome, especially when I was already dealing with my own stress. Sophia remained by my side as we settled into Jacob's living room. The presence of his artwork and paintings on the walls indicated that this was still Jacob's home, leading me to believe that his arrangement with Adrian was sudden. I wasn't sure if it was wise to fully trust Jacob with sensitive information, so I signalled my team to allow me to handle the conversation. One thing was clear: whoever had framed Adrian had ulterior motives, likely connected to power and authority, unless it was a personal ven
~Justin~ The room fell into a solemn silence as we absorbed Jessica's emotional account. Her words were accompanied by tears and hiccups, so we had to listen carefully to grasp all the details. "May I add something?" Liam asked through our telepathic connection, and I granted him permission. "If the matter was pending investigation, then why wasn't the investigation conducted thoroughly?" he inquired. "We had no leads. It reached a dead end. If it was a setup, it was executed with precision. It appeared entirely credible. The offer of Luna status seemed like the only way out, but then two other girls came forward. I didn't know them, and I'm not even sure where they are now, but it complicated the situation further. With the compelling evidence provided, it became evident that Adrian had a recurring pattern, sealing his fate. We chose to leave things as they were, and everything fell silent," Jessica explained, and I leaned forward. "Except it wasn't silent. Recently, Miley has be
~Harper~ Adrian didn't take the revelation well. Honestly, I thought he would be relieved, but he was angry, so angry that it scared me. I had never seen him angry before. He got off the bed and walked to the window of his room. I knew it was so he could think and calm down. So, I held back and did not follow. "She told you all of that?" he finally asked, looking at me. He stood naked by the window, handsome and calm. Dark hair touseled but still sexy. I couldn't help myself but join him. Wrapping the sheets around my body, I got off the bed to join him at the window. He faced the window, his back toward me, Not looking at anything. There was nothing to see but an empty gazebo in the middle of the garden. His mind was wandering. I knew he was angry. "Yes," I replied, standing behind him. I wrapped my arms around him and rested my head against his back to calm him down. He caressed my hands that were wrapped around his stomach while I held on tight. "So why is Miley sending
~Adrian~ The day had been eventful, and it seemed all my troubles had come to a halt. Knowing I wasn't guilty of violating anyone lifted a heavy burden from my chest and boosted my confidence. Although it was hard not to tell my cousin, I had to trust Harper. She was my mate, and listening to her was crucial. I wasn't going to be like other men who never listen to their women and do whatever they like. We were equal partners in this, and her opinion was just as important as mine. Trusting her, I opted to hold my tongue. Telling Jacob I would be staying at my father's house was necessary. I could see he still wanted Harper. The longing and hurt in his eyes said it all. There was a time when I would have felt guilty about it. I was stupid enough to even attempt to reject my mate for his sake. I tried to push her to him severally but not anymore. Looking back at my actions, I felt really stupid. Yes, I was grateful for him. Both he and Aunty Jessica had shielded me from whatever
~Sophia~ Sharing a room with Justin had me in knots. The room was big, but I knew it would feel small. It just had one kingsize bed, and we were both going to share it. I knew he was being a gentleman by offering to stay on the couch, but for someone his height and frame, the couch would have been very uncomfortable for him. When I offered to stay on the couch instead, I meant it. I was small, and it would fit me nicely, but he refused. I know I shouldn't be thinking certain thoughts, but I had butterflies in my stomach, just thinking we would be sleeping on the same bed. This was special because it was an unusual feeling. Normally, the thought of being isolated in a room with a man scared the hell out of me. But with Justin, it was different. I found myself longing to spend time with him, looking forward to his daily visit. He had been patient with me, from barely speaking a word to becoming a chatterbox. Thinking about it, he was what I needed to heal, not that stupid therapist w
~Justin~ I must admit the condom incident was a bit awkward. I could tell the shift in the atmosphere after it, and even though Sophia tried to mask it, I could tell it made her uncomfortable. I was embarrassed. I had lots of them in there, and they have been in there for as long as I can remember. My mother had placed them there for reasons best known to her. I remember the day vividly. I was going to Cain's Island on vacation, and my mother had poured a few packs of condoms into my bag and pleaded with me to bring a nice girl home. The moment was still fresh in my memory. I had laughed and told her I wouldn't use it, and here they were. They were probably expired, if they expired. It baffled me why I never got to go far with anyone. My friend once told me that I overthink things until I think my way out of everything. To me, starting a conversation with someone just because I want to fuck them is tedious, and knowing I wouldn't settle because I was waiting for my fated way o
Thank you all for supporting this story and helping me to bring the characters to Life. It was an amazing journey, mainly because of the overwhelming support I got from all of you. I truly appreciate it. I am grateful for every comment, vote, review and purchase. It kept the book alive.Wild Hearts will be released next week, and Dark Obsession will be released this week. As much as I would love to please everyone, I can only write one book at a time So I planned to go with Wild Hearts, but since some of you have already started Dark Obsession, I will release it and continue to write it gradually. I have decided to run with both books. Once my schedule is better, the update days will improve. For those who are wondering about Dark Obsession, It is a standalone, and you do not need to read Forged in the Flames to enjoy the story. I would love feedback and hope the energy will be the same in that book. I am counting on your support and encouragement. Thank you. đ đ đ¤
~Sophia~ Justin's kiss was sweeter than the last I remembered. He had stayed away from me for a while, and I was mad at him for it, but I knew he would make it for my eighteenth birthday. I knew he would come, and I anticipated it. He stayed away mainly because he didnât want to cross the line, but tonight, fate told us it was okay, and we embraced it. My tears could not stop flowing. They were tears of joy and relief. I was grateful. So grateful. Justin lifted me in his arms and carried me inside; my eyes remained fixed on him, not caring about the surroundings. I knew he had put a lot of work into it, but we had to finish our unfinished business before we attended to the other stuff. His gaze remained on mine, making me giggle. âYou look so beautiful tonight, Sophia,â he said, and I was glad he liked the effort. It was for him. Laying me on the bed, he kissed me and travelled from my neck to my sweet spot. Justin was a guy who liked to make out a bit rough and overwhelming, b
~Justin~ I stayed away after we had solved the case and made all the arrests. Things had not ended well for many people who were on the wrong side of the law. For the rest of us, we had moved on. Rachael ended up with her mate, who happened to be a Stepanov from one of the ten Ruling houses in the west. It was as if she knew she was meant to be with a great man all along, and fate had answered her prayers. As much as I did not want to discuss the punishment for the criminals, I just have to say most of them had been killed. There were scheduled executions for most of them, as there were many. The King wanted everyone involved to pay, no matter how small their part was. Fortunately, Uncle Vino had pushed for Jessica, something I knew Jewelles had everything to do with. She got fifteen years of sentencing, not after they asked Adrian and Rachael if they were okay with it. They both had moved on and didn't care what happened to her, so she was lucky there. At least she will get to see
~Liam~ One week passed, and Adrian Jacob, Harper and Jewelles returned to Lumas. Our parents had made a series of arrests. The activities were all over. Underground warehouses were found, crime lords were arrested, and factories were shut down. Unknown to my father, this operation started shortly after they defeated Yuri, and it was started by none other than Walter Armstrong, Nelson's lab technician, who messed up the D3 formula and destroyed Cones Village. The real reason behind the ban. Apparently, the defective D3 did not come from Nelson's lab but from one of Walter's makeshift labs that he tried to pass off as Nelson's goods when he was building his crime Network. Unfortunately for him, he was apprehended and locked up. His mate, Natasha Armstrong, being his partner in crime, feared that the law would catch up with them, so she faked her death, abandoning her children with lots of unpaid debts and an uncertain future. The cold-hearted bitch did not bother to look back. Nata
~Jewelles~ A week had passed since we discovered the truth, and our parents worked tirelessly to arrest all implicated. During the arrest, we discovered an underground recruitment for warriors. We might never know what the sick bastards planned, but I was glad we could trump their plan before it was in motion. The biggest mistake they made was to take Sophia. If that parcel hadnât been delivered to Luna Glenda, the traitor and murderer, we wouldn't have been the wiser, and they would have gotten away with their crimes unnoticed. As much as Jacob hid his pain, I could see it. His mother was one of the people who would receive a long sentence. She would have been executed, but I had pleaded with my father to put in a word for her for Jacob's sake. Jacob didnât ask me to do it, but I knew it was eating him inside. He found out what I did this morning, flipped and hasn't spoken to me. It has been a long, agonising day. Jacob was also yet to seal the deal. He was mad at me for taking m
~Charlotte~ After spending time with everyone in the garden, Caspian and I decided to retire. Our parents were so busy with arrests and judgements that we did not have a general dinner, but it was okay. Snuggled in Caspian's Arms in our room. Aunty Tamia planned to give Jewelles, Harper and me permanent rooms in the estate. They wanted us to always have a reason to come home with our mates. I could understand, and I appreciated it. Our rooms were still being renovated; they were in the Delta wing of the mansion. Many rooms were unoccupied there, and since our family was expanding, we would be given rooms there. All of us, including the guys. That way, we will all be in one wing when we are around. I could not believe everything was finally over. Although there had not been any sentencing yet, our part of the investigation was over. Our parents had dreaded it leading to war, but it didnât this time. It might have if they had successfully mass-produced their Agk32 to create an army.
~Justin~ While Sophia was with her father. I decided to make some plans. The case seemed closed on our side. We had finished the initial assignment, which was figuring out what happened that night. Uncle Sylvester had also explained that only people with jurisdiction can interfere with the case onward. There wasn't much to do but pick up the people mentioned. It was over, meaning an alpha would be appointed for Grizlo. It meant we would have to get to our normal lives, and I could not see a normal life without Sophia. I was nervous now that her father had been found and he would be free. I wondered if she would feel the same. I hoped to drag the case a bit longer, but it was impossible. I decided to call the staff at my house in Lucland to fix the place up. I wasnât sure why, but I knew that once Sophia turned eighteen, I would not hesitate. She had asked me about where I lived in Lucland. I planned to spend time with her there and live with her in the near future if she would hav
~Justin~ It was time to question Mike, and Noah was the first to link me. Of course, he would be eager. He had a theory, and Mikeâs account would help him fit the pieces together. His reasons differed from Liam's and mine. Mike was a puzzle Noah and Sebastien wanted to solve, while we wanted to find a way to save Sophia and exonerate Mike if he was innocent. Jellewes came with Lily to get Sophia. My entire team would have to be present at the questioning, so Harper and Jo would not be available. I needed Lily and Jewelles to help take her mind off what was happening. Jewelles and Lilly planned to keep her occupied until after the questioning. I thanked them for their kindness. Although Lisa's team were not invited, Lisa insisted to be a part of it. My sister was overzealous like that. I couldn't wait for her to settle down and get on with her life. Tanya had returned home to her mate. The entire ordeal with Harper had shaken her completely. I doubted she would be volunteering for a
~Justin~ After planning our questioning strategy with my team, I spent time with Sophia. We planned to question Mike in the evening to avoid dragging the investigation too long. Adrian wanted to take Harper back to Lumas in two days. Likewise, Jacob and Jewelles, so I knew we had to move quickly. Although I hoped they would stay a bit longer. It was fun having them around. I didn't feel so old. Usually, I was forced to act like an uncle to my cousins, and that made them uncomfortable around me, and they saw me as boring, but with Caspian, Adrian, and Jacob in our team, I was more comfortable now. I had also made new friends who were now part of my family. Caspian wasn't leaving until the case was done, but I hoped Adrian and Jacob would stay a bit. Not that I will tell them. Sophia had spent the morning with the ladies. Harper had come to get her, and I think it helped her a lot because she felt a lot better knowing Harper and Lily were fine and werenât traumatised by the inciden