I'm currently in traffic on my way home from work. If I get home early, I will upload the last chapter. I will also reply to the backlog of comments from my co-writers. Thanks to all of you for making this experience fun and also encouraging me. đ¤đ¤
~Justin~ Two peaceful days slipped by as I observed Sophia gradually regaining her strength. Though the spark in her eyes had yet to return, I found solace in our shared understanding of time's healing power. She had started consuming small portions of solid food and occasionally graced us with a faint smile when Charlotte fed her, but her words remained sparse and her silence profound. At this rate, I harboured doubts about acquiring crucial information within our time constraints. Our focus remained fixed on the warehouse, and I firmly believed that the other captives still languished within its confines. Naturally, a search for the missing slave had been initiated; evidently, she held some significance in the eyes of her captors. It was evident that we needed to expedite our efforts if we intended to rescue the remaining victims. To achieve this, we would have to gently coax Sophia into revealing the information we required. In addition to our efforts, we conducted a trace on th
~Justin~ I sat in silence, my patience unwavering as I waited for Sophia to unravel her story. Anxious about what I might hear, yet clinging to the hope that her words would provide a much-needed breakthrough, as we were currently at a dead end. "My father returned home that night covered in blood and tears," she began, her voice filled with a mix of anguish and determination. "He was weeping, and my mother became frantic. At the time, I was in the living room, watching television, but when my mother asked me to go upstairs, I remained frozen." She continued, recounting a moment that had left an indelible mark on her life. "I had never seen my father covered in blood before. I had never seen him cry, but he was crying." Sophia's voice quivered with emotion as she described the scene. "My mother moved closer to him, but he shook his head, begging her to stay away." She then began to narrate her father's frantic words, her eyes glistening with tears. "He said, 'I had no choice,
~Liam~Two days had elapsed, and my patience held steady as I awaited Justin's return with Sophia. Uncertainty hung in the air, but one thing was certain: I felt immense relief knowing that she was finally safe. They had chosen to extend their stay in Cains by an additional four days, which meant it had been a little over a week since they had found her. I refrained from dwelling on the potential horrors she might have endured. Instead, I clung to hope that joyful memories could eventually overshadow the past.Numerous questions swirled in my mind. Were her parents still alive? What had become of those responsible for the ordeal? My phone conversation with her had provided some solace when I heard her laughter. Although she wasn't quite her former self, it was evident she had a profound story to share. Sophia made a concerted effort to ease the situation, and I held onto the hope that, with time, we could help her rediscover happiness.Josephine has been one of the most significant sou
~Liam~I found myself staring at the computer screen in utter shock, grappling with the implications of the email. I knew Racheal Armstrong was a friend of Justin's, but had she confided in him about her past and what she had endured? I turned to Josephine, who appeared somewhat tense."What's running through your mind, Jo?" I inquired, and she shrugged."This is happening way too fast, but there doesn't seem to be any immediate gain for Miley or Racheal in doing this," she responded, echoing my thoughts."It does seem rather premature, and perhaps they are displeased that Jacob didn't make Adrian face the consequences of his actions," I mused as I pushed back from the table. Josephine got up from my lap. My urgency to check on Harper and discuss the matter of Adrian was mounting. We couldn't afford this kind of attention right now. If Adrian's character was truly questionable, Harper needed to find other ways to express her rebellion against our father. Adrian was a dangerous man."Wh
~Sophia~ I could have never imagined a day when freedom would be mine. Hope had grown dim amidst the chaos of my existence, and I had resigned myself to the idea of death's arrival, yet it continually eluded me. No matter how desperately I extended my grasp, it remained just beyond my reach, a cruel mockery. Those heartless souls who had taken and traded me ensured it stayed that way, compelling sustenance into my body merely sufficient to preserve life. Over time, I surrendered the futile struggle and clung tenaciously to the fragile thread of existence, nurturing a fervent desire for eventual retribution. Little did I realise that such an opportunity would eventually manifest itself. I had been under the impression that Liam had abandoned the quest, and strangely, I found a sense of relief in this, knowing that they intended to exploit me as bait to ensnare him. I had resigned myself to the belief that I had been forsaken, and when they traded me away, I assumed my fate was sealed
~Liam~ Following my conversation with Harper, I recognised the need to put the matter concerning Adrian to rest. The determination in my sister's eyes was crystal clear; she wasn't willing to let him go, regardless of whether we supported her or not. I understood that the best way to be there for her was to respect her decision and offer my support, even if I felt uneasy about it. However, I couldn't ignore the nagging concern about this Racheal woman and her involvement in the situation. It struck me as peculiar that she hadn't seen fit to mention it to Justin. Did he already know, or was she perhaps too embarrassed to bring it up with him? I anticipated getting to the bottom of this when he returned. "I have no choice but to support you, Harper. If your feelings for Adrian are this strong, then I'm with you all the way. We'll dig into the events together," I assured her, and she wiped away her tears, nodding gratefully. "Thank you, Liam. Honestly, I think you should meet him. He'
~Sophia~ Saying I was nervous would be an understatement. Positioned within Grizlo's airport arrivals section, I found my stomach swarming with butterflies. These were not the pleasant, fluttering kind; instead, they brought forth doubts and anxieties. I worried that someone might recognise me and apprehend me or that I was putting those around me in danger. There was also the fear of acknowledging everything I had missed. I stood there, my anxiety palpable, and clung to my coat like a protective shield. Using my bony fingers, I pulled the coat tighter around me as if it could envelop and conceal me completely. But who was I fooling? It was all a product of my own imagination. "Are you alright, Sophie?" Justin's voice jolted me from my sombre reverie, prompting me to turn and meet his gaze. Concern was etched across his face, leaving me to ponder whether it was my demeanour that had provoked it or if he was grappling with his own inner turmoil. He extended his hand toward mine, and
~Sophia~ Liam stood tall, exuding his usual handsome charm. He appeared more mature in a truly captivating way. Though the smile I believe he had before I opened the door had disappeared, I refrained from probing further. My gaze averted, I retreated into the room, fidgeting with the wig atop my head, eager to shield my face. The disguise still clung to me, as I hadn't found a moment to remove it. "Not pretty anymore, han?" I nervously quipped, met with his silence. He followed me into the room, closing the door gently behind him. At that moment, I wished the ground would swallow me whole, consumed by both shame and anger. I waited for him to break the silence, but he remained mute. Instead, he drew me into his embrace, enfolding me in his strong arms. "Goddess, Sophia," he finally uttered, his voice trembling. Tears welled in my eyes as I clung to him, unable to hold back my emotions. "I'm grateful they found you," he continued, his voice shaking with emotion. "Thank you, Li. Th
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