~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
~Justin~ Adrain had brought an SUV. It had been a while since I rode in any. We were usually Van people because we liked moving about the place in groups, but I liked the SUV. Adrian did not bring a kappa or anyone with him. He meant it when he said the operation was covert. He was the one behind the wheels, and that said a lot about the kind of person he is. He was a hands-on man. Someone who did not mind getting his hands dirty and doing the job himself. If this was his trait all along, then it is possible that the criminals would not want him in charge. Who would have thought he would close down the airport and roads just to trap the criminals? He was indeed a dangerous enemy to have. "Does Miley live far from here?" Noah asked Adrian. "No, she lives on this side of town. Heard she bought the bungalow a few months after the incident. Rachael was still missing then. The bitch did not bother to look for her sister, I learned. Regardless I am still pissed at Rachael. If she meant
~Justin~ The living room was silent. It seemed we were all trying to process the entire thing. Was Miley telling the truth, or was she trying to drag Jacob's mother down with her? "Liar," Adrian finally said, and she shook her head, tears streaming down her cheeks, trembling in fear. "I have no reason to lie, Alpha. You should be able to sense if I am lying. I am telling you the truth. Jessica put me up to it. I swear. I can repeat this in her presence," She said, defending her confession while her tears poured. She was just as fragile as her sister but more wicked and selfish. "How the fuck did she know you?" Adrian asked a valid question because, under normal circumstances, Jessica would not know Miley. They were from different social circles. "She did not know me personally," Miley said and looked at me. "She commissioned the job," She said, and I frowned from curiosity. "Beta Ruben owned the bar I worked in. He was the one that gave me the offer," She said, and I was attenti
~Adrian~My heart felt as though it had turned to ice, mirroring the frozen landscape of my emotions. Miley's words echoed in my mind, leaving me in disbelief. The urge to label her a liar surfaced, yet a lingering doubt restrained me.Why would she fabricate accusations against my aunt and Beta Ruben? What motive could she possibly have to implicate them in my father's demise? Though a part of me acknowledged the potential existence of truth in her words, I found it hard to accept.As I observed Miley on the floor, visibly shaken and fearful, my thoughts drifted back to a morning when I woke up beside Rachael in the same bed.I recalled the fear in her eyes, initially interpreting it as anxiety about my actions. However, a new understanding emerged – she had been summoning the courage to accuse me.It suddenly clicked.If I had genuinely wronged her, she wouldn't have stuck around until morning; she would have fled, perhaps even reported the incident. I was oblivious during my slumber
~Adrain~In the aftermath of my revelation, my aunt sat in stunned silence, grappling for words that seemed elusive.The weight of her guilt was palpable in her expression.While I had already discerned the truth from the look in her eyes, I yearned for her to confess to her crimes.My intention wasn't solely to expose her, but rather to reveal the reality of her actions to her son.Despite my claims of indifference, Jacob still held significance to me, and I wasn't eager to make an enemy out of him. He was innocent in this intricate web of deceit, and losing him to the turmoil was an outcome I wished to avert."I can explain that part, Adrian. My mother meant well," Jacob spoke up, and I gestured for him to continue."Explain," I demanded."Well, as you're aware, Lumas tends to be overlooked. My mother wished for me to highlight the beauty of Lumas to Alpha Justin and Princess Harper. Our goal was to make the Royals understand that our territory is also developed, and they are welcome
~Adrian~Jacob fell into silence following my detailed explanation. He fixed his gaze on his mother, yearning for her to challenge my account. Perhaps there was a plausible explanation, a misunderstanding, or a setup orchestrated against her. The anticipation was apparent in his eyes as he sought an elucidation from his mother."Mother," he urged, breaking the silence that enveloped us, while I maintained my quiet stance.I sensed Justin's impatience, but for the sake of my cousin, it was imperative that he uncovered the truth and saw his mother for who she truly was.Jessica stayed silent, tears streaming down her face. She had hit rock bottom, fully aware of it, and the embarrassment of her exposure gnawed at her."We don't have time to spare, madam," Noah asserted, the urgency palpable in his words. They had more pressing matters and a significant case to unravel. My predicaments paled in comparison to the challenges in Russ and other parts of our continent. Yet, somehow, they regar