MAMA MELLY GAVE me a gentle smile after that. I know she's doing this for me to let me forget about my problems in the meantime. While cooking, Aunt Cora entertained us with stories about when she was younger. I have learned that their family owned a pastry shop. It is where she and Mama Melly used to play when they were little. When Mama Melly turned eighteen, her mother took her to the House of Salvatorri to work there as a cook. Aunt Cora was then left in Ashwood to manage their pastry shop."What happened to your pastry shop?" asked Ayla."Our pastry shop was destroyed during the Blood War. It was the most unfortunate event for our family. We weren't able to fix it because our money was not enough. But it's okay now. I have spent years saving money and now I have enough to rebuild our family legacy.""How about your family, Aunt Cora? Are they still alive?" I asked because I don't remember seeing them. "Hmmm, my parents are no longer living. The only family I have left is my ol
TAKEN "LUTHER?!" I UTTERED in disbelief.I couldn't believe it. This man in front of me. Is he really the same man I met thirteen years ago? But judging from his blue eyes I think I saw a glimpse of the young man I met before."Done checking me out?" he asked with a hint of conceit. I blink my eyes and cleared my throat before speaking. "How come you're here? And where have you been all these years?" I asked with confusion. His smile widened and I noticed how amusement filled his eyes. "Calm yourself, woman. I was just following someone and unexpectedly, I found you."I am still in a daze seeing him. I wish to speak and press more questions to answer my curiosity but I can't seem to find the exact words to say. I admit that I hope to see him but I did not anticipate seeing him most unexpectedly. "I--- I never saw you again after I helped you with your wounds. What happened to you? Are you staying here in Ashwood all these years?" "Why do you wanna know?" he asked while raising hi
"STEP OUTSIDE!"A lean man with tattoos on his arms ordered us but we were too scared to step outside the carriage so he forcefully yanked Ayla and Mama Melly.Ayla shrieked in pain and fear. Mama Melly then abruptly rushed to her. I wanted to help them but a man, with a mocking expression on his face, suddenly block me with his sword, pointing at my throat. "Step outside from the carriage," he ordered.Slowly, I went outside while forming my hands into fists. The moment I step onto the ground, the lean man with tattoos whistled. On cue, men with weapons, with the same tattoos emerged from the shadows.My eyes widened when I realized what their tattoos means. It's an arrow and a sword depicted together with a gothic letter R in the middle. These men are rebels!"The master will love this. Let's bring them to our hideout. Take them to the wagon," one of the rebels ordered."NO!" I shrieked and elbowed the man who was holding me on my left arm. He lost his grip on me as he fell to hi
SAVED"A-ALPHA?!" THE MAN uttered in disbelief.All three men are fixed in their places, the room is silent, and all I can hear is Lucien's snarl. Then, when Lucien growled loudly, his warriors stormed in with glowing eyes and sharp claws.They fought with the rebels while the others helped Mama Melly and Ayla. Lucien tried to approach me, but the man in my cage grabbed my arm, and as I got to my feet, he wrapped his right arm over my neck."Don't come any closer! Or I'll blow her head off!" the man yelled while pointing a gun at my head."L-Lucien..." I uttered in fear. Tears then started to drip down my face."It's okay, sweetheart. I'm here. I won't let this bastard hurt you again. He won't have his chance... EVER!" Lucien uttered dangerously.My breathing hitched when I heard the gun click. Fear then surged in my body when he slowly points his gun at Lucien. "If you plan to come any closer, I will shoot you instead and I'm certain you will die instantly because the bullet I'm usi
HE SQUEEZED MY hand before speaking. "I wanted to talk to you about what happened two days ago; I wanted to explain and tell you everything because I don't think I can go another day knowing you're angry at me, but Nana told me you went to Ashwood. But night came and you're still not back. I was filled with worried, and I have this weird feeling in my chest. I felt odd and anxious for no reason. My hands feel cold, and my heart was beating loudly and I can almost hear it. So, I left with some of our finest warriors because I know something was not right. I managed to trace your scent and I was--- I was frightened when I found out where those cretins brought you," he muttered with gritted teeth.I noticed how his eyes grew darker so I hugged him to calm him down. "It's alright now, Lucien. I'm back in your arms. Remember what I said before, whatever happens, wherever I am, we will always find our way back in each other's arms," I told him lovingly. He let out a sharp breath and nods h
MARK ME"W-What are you talking about?!" I asked, completely bewildered. "You heard me... b-beg?" He deeply sighed. "Yes, sweetheart. I heard you that night, not only that, I also felt your pain."He took my hands and played with my finger after. But his words made me think deeply. "If you heard me then I'm not hallucinating, too," I uttered under my breath."Hallucinating about what?" he asked, his forehead forming a knot. "I--- I think I heard you, too." His eyes widened in shock after hearing what I said. "I also heard a voice that night before I lost consciousness," I added as I tried recalling the events before. "I said... I'm sorry," he whispered. I gasped softly after he said those. But what he said what true. The voice I heard uttered 'I'm sorry'. And those were the last words I heard before I succumb to darkness. "After knowing your pain I made another decision I never thought I will do."I faced him. I don't know what else he did but the longer we talk, the louder my
"IT'S NOT LIKE I am suspecting but... I noticed something in Lucien's eyes whenever you and he spent time together. Something I've never seen before. That's how I started to wonder, what if you are Lucien's mate?" She chuckled lightly. "As you continue to stay here, I witnessed before me the changes in your relationship with my brother. I haven't told you about this but I actually made some investigation into your life before. And I was shocked at what I found out. The night Lucien tried to cut his red string was the same night you felt that pain. The kind of pain that only a mate can feel whenever he or she is rejected. So, I confronted Lucien about it but my brother is hard-headed and he was consumed with the fear of losing you. He thinks you'll leave him the moment you'll learn the truth. But, Ysobella, what he did, I know it's wrong. He kept things from you but he only did it because he loves you. He loves you like he never loved anyone before."Despite the pain I felt, I still f
MARKED "OWN ME, LUCIEN... mark me." Lucien cursed after I said those words. His grip on my waist tightened while his breathing became rough. His eyes are also filled with emotions that I am very well familiar with. Soon, his lips descended to give me a fiery kiss. I felt his tongue knocking for an entrance seconds later so I opened my mouth to give him what he wants. His tongue explored my mouth like he was looking for something. His callous hands started to explore my body with sensuality. Shortly, his lips moved to my jaw, slightly biting it. He then trailed his lips to my neck, sucking it. "Ahh..." A soft moan escaped my mouth when his hands groped my breasts. I was too clouded with the sensation he was giving me. I tried grinding on his lap which earned a groan from him. My eyes then rolled and I sigh in pleasure when I finally felt his hardened member between my legs. Lucien's hands are now groping my butt cheeks, so I doubled my pace to entice him further, and after th