Chris’s POV “Good morning, sunshine!” Opening one eye, I saw Vivian sitting cross legged on the bed, looking way too chipper for 4am. In her hand, she held two cups of coffee though, which perked me up slightly. I leaned up on my arms but froze. My boxers were stiff. Did I cum in my boxers while I slept? Vivian sat there grinning. “Everything okay?” Shifting and keeping the covers covering my lower half, I sat up. “Yeah. Why wouldn’t they be?” “No reason. You just seemed a little weird for a second. Time to get dressed now, sleepy head.” I sipped my coffee. “You gonna sit there and watch me? Pervert.” “I already slept next to you like that. Doesn’t bother me.” “I’ll need fresh boxers, so unless you wanna see me in all my glory, I’d suggest turning away, Vivid.” Her eyes widened. “You just showered last night. You’re just saying that.” I reached down, pulling down my boxers and bunching them up and then throwing them across the room. Now
Vivian's POV31,768 pieces of rice. That's how many pieces of rice that jackass had me count. I was fuming by the end of the day, and I just wanted a hot bath.Throughout the day, I couldn't shake off what he told me about my parents. I resolved to put off seeking answers until the weekend, provided I had days off. Despite my eagerness for immediate answers, I understood the matter of creating every possible question to ensure precise answers. I had a hunch that my father wouldn't willingly divulge everything. Our relationship was never one where we openly shared our thoughts and feelings.A hand on my shoulder had me snapping, my fangs slightly extending and spinning around.Chris stepped back. "Didn't you hear me calling you?""I'm sorry. No. I was too much in my own head.""What happened?""Don't worry about it. Just another rough day with Zeke.""Want to talk about it?"I rolled my eyes and turned away, determined to continue the silent trek home. "I just said don't worry about it
Vivian’s POV “Let me run you a hot bath.” I looked over at Chris, a look of appreciation crossing my face. “That would be amazing. Thank you.” He rubbed my arm as he walked by. I headed toward the kitchen to start the oven and casserole I had waiting in the fridge for dinner. It’d be ready by the time I was out of the bath. Maybe after dinner, Chris would want to watch a movie. I plopped down on the couch to start browsing Netflix while I waited for the oven. After finding a movie about a shark that looked interesting, the oven was ready and I slid the casserole inside. Chris came out of the bathroom at the same time. “Your bath is ready. I’ll keep an eye on dinner.” I grinned at him. “Thanks. Timer is set.” When I entered the bathroom, I was taken aback. The bathroom was dark and set with candles. And the bath had bubbles and I could smell scented oils. It was honestly kind of romantic. Did he honestly do this for me? I didn’t give myself a chance to think too much in
Chris’s POV Vivid was silent getting into bed, keeping her eyes from meeting mine. I did catch her eyes glancing over my bare chest briefly but look away just as quickly. That was interesting. I laid back on my side of the bed, letting my mind wander to the scene in the bathroom wondering what had been going through her mind as she had her hands between her legs. Had she called out my name? Or was that wishful thinking on my part? I groaned and rolled over, squeezing my eyes shut. I needed to sleep and get images of her out of my head. ***** Vivian’s POV Growling woke me up. Directly in my ear. My eyes shot open. I felt hands on my hands on my hips as a dick was being rubbed against my back side. Vigorously. A hand reached around and groped my breast roughly, causing me to cry out in pain and pleasure. The hand froze. Chris whispered in my ear. “Vivid?” I hesitated. “Yes?” “I…I’m so sorry. I was sleeping. I didn’t mean to…” I grabbed his
Vivian’s POV Decorating the banquet hall wasn’t as aggravating as counting rice off the floor. It still brought a stab of jealousy knowing it was for someone Zeke was screwing, despite the mate bond being severed. I just missed my friend really. Not really the idea of being his mate. He had killed those feelings about him. “Could you hold the ladder for me while I hung the lights over the stage?” I turned to see Caleb balancing a ladder on one shoulder and a string of lights over the other. I’d talked to Caleb a few times and knew was carpenter but guess he got put on decorating duty for the day. I smiled, glad someone wasn’t treating me like I had the plague. “Sure.” He turned, careful to not swing and hit me with the ladder. I followed him over to the stage. “Thanks for not treating me like I have leprosy.” He set the ladder down, barely shooting me a glance. “It’s not your fault Zeke is an idiot.” His words took me aback. “What do you mean?” Caleb started his way up
Vivian’s POV“How’s everything going over here, lovelies?” Samantha called in a singsong voice as she joined us.Caleb and I looked at each other, rolling our eyes. I felt relieved knowing he didn’t think much of her either. “Everything is great, Samantha. Vi and I just got done hanging some lights and we were about to go grab some lunch.”Samantha stopped and looked between us, her eyes assessing. “Together?”I narrowed my own. Why was this any of her business? Why did she care what I did? Caleb leaned in, wrapping his arm around me. “Yeah, I was going to take her over to Ruth’s to grab a roast beef.”Samatha clasped her hands together, as if excited at the news we seemed to be getting along. “I’m so glad after my mate rejected you that you were able to find someone to take an interest in you, Vi. Two someone’s if I’m not mistaken. I believe I just saw Chris a moment ago.”My back stiffened. Chris. I forgot we were supposed to be in a fake relationship. I shrugged out of Caleb’s arm.
Chris’s POVI was an idiot. That was the resounding thought in my head as I saw Vivian and Caleb kissing on the park bench.They thought they’d picked the perfectly secluded spot to have their lunch date, but not when I anticipated their every move first. I was too far away to hear what was said, but either 1) she told Caleb we were fake dating or 2) Caleb had no morals. Either way, Caleb was a dead shifter by the end of the week.The only reason I didn’t run out now and give myself away was that I was calm and knew I needed to be more discreet. Rock was gnashing his teeth to attack now, and it took every ounce of willpower in me to keep him reigned in.I watched as they stood, saying their goodbyes. And, of course, that asshole stole another kiss from my Vivid. Of course, he did—the sleazeball. Vi watched Caleb leave, not leaving the spot they were just in for a while before sitting back down. Part of me wanted to rush out and confront her, but I remained curious about what she would
Vivian’s POVChris’s lips crashed into mine. He gripped the back of my neck, pulling me into him, deepening the kiss. He was angry, punishing me with his kiss. I responded, pouring my frustration into this kiss.He stepped back, breaking our kiss. I whimpered, disappointed. He smirked as he tore his shirt over his head, displaying his broad chest and abs. My jaw dropped slightly as I felt in-between my legs tingle at the sight. I mimicked him and raised my shirt over my head, leaving myself in nothing but my bra, watching as his eyes lowered to my chest hungrily. I slowly removed my bra, exposing myself completely. He couldn’t hold back anymore, and his lips reclaimed mine as his hands went to my breast, pinching my nipples and sending shockwaves straight to my core.He broke our kiss to start kissing down my neck and then to my chest, where he captured my nipple in his mouth, sucking it into his mouth, flicking it with his tongue while his other hand continued to pinch and roll the o
VIVIAN'S POV "Hello, beautiful," Chris whispered in my ear. "Hello, handsome," I whispered, trying not to wake our twin boys in the bassinet before me. I turned around, wrapping my arms around his neck, pressing my lips to his, and continued in a hushed voice, "Are our guests here?" He nodded. "They just made it. I think she and Killian are fighting, though. But she's as big as a house." I grinned. "He probably said something as stupid as you just said." Chris opened his mouth to argue, but I held my finger up. "Don't. Just accept that you shouldn't say a pregnant woman is huge and go on about your day." He shrugged. "You're right." I glanced at our boys before slipping past Chris and heading towards the living room, where our guests were waiting. Divinity and Killian tried to visit at least once a month when time allowed. Despite the demands of being Alpha and Luna of our packs
KILLIAN'S POV "Zeke is dead," Vivian stated. Chris stood there, covered in blood, Vivian, too. I listened as they both explained what had happened. Marcus was already on the way to the cabin to verify their story, but I was sure what they had said was true. I could already tell by Chris's new aura that what had happened was undoubtedly true. Chris had killed an Alpha and was now an Alpha. I narrowed my eyes at him, suspicious. An Alpha should never trust an Alpha who murdered another Alpha. But he had done it to save Vivian. So, I should give him a little leeway. Turning back to Vivian now, I brushed her shoulder, ignoring the blood that covered her. "Are you okay?" She nodded. "I'm okay now. Chris saved me. I was initially upset, but...it had to be done." Damn. Chris is saving the day, of course. I should have been the one to kill Zeke. Now Chris looked like a damn hero. Vivian stepped closer to Chris. Oh, no. Th
CHRIS'S POV "Have you seen Vivian?" Killian asked, running up to me. I held up my hands. "I've been waiting for her just like you have. I thought we were supposed to meet her in that backroom before the ceremony so she could tell us her choice. So obviously, no, I have not seen her." Killian looked around. "Marcus went to her room to escort her without an answer. Her bed was stripped. There could have been laundry done. But no one can locate her. I'm worried." My ears perked up. "You don't think it's highly suspicious her bed is stripped? And she's missing? Where's Zeke?" He scanned the crowd. "He's not here either." Fucking hell. Zeke had taken Vivian; I had zero doubt in my mind. It is evident that the choice was down to me, and Killian and Zeke had no chance in hell, and he must have realized that. Killian was running to Marcus, commanding him to get their soldiers in line to start hunting for Vivian.
VIVIAN'S POV Today is the day. The final day that everyone will be holding their breath around me, walking on eggshells. Afraid that I'll break. Tonight was the Blood Moon and when I'd finally decide on my mate and our future. I stared at the ceiling, holding my stomach, the butterflies refusing to settle. I just wanted to skip to tomorrow, when this was over and done with, and my future could finally start. Tomorrow would be a better day than today. I threw back the covers, swinging my legs over the edge of the bed. First things first, I needed to eat. Make an appearance, act normal, be normal. The party wasn't until tonight, and I couldn't just hole myself in my room all day beforehand. I'd been doing that for days already while I healed. I wobbled over to my dresser, finding a pair of leggings and a tank top to slip into, then a pair of boots I could also slip on easily. I wasn't going for fancy right now. I'd dress fancy and nice ton
KILLIAN'S POV I stared at the bottle in my hand. I could do this. I could do it. One day, we would laugh at this. She wouldn't even be mad, right? Not after a few years of happiness and bliss together. I stared harder at the bottle, willing to answer my questions. To tell me what to do. A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts. I hid the bottle under my pillow quickly before striding to the door and flinging it open. Divinity stood there, looking nervously at the ground. "Hello, Alpha; I came to check on you." I looked around to see if anyone was in the hall to see her at my door. "Come in, D. You don't have to call me that, ya know." She smiled at me, slipping inside. "Thanks, Killian. So, how are things going for Vivian? You think she's going to choose you?" "I don't know," I groaned, heading over to the couch and flinging myself down. She settled down at the table, where I had left uneaten food, picking at m
KILLIAN'S POV "He's back." "Who's back?" I asked Marcus. Marcus looked around, making sure no one heard him as he leaned in and whispered, "Caleb." I set down my fork. "Let's go. You didn't bring him inside, did you?" "Of course not. He's outside the walls with my men." "Good." Standing, I let him lead me, not paying attention to those we passed. Caleb had a lot of nerve showing up here. Vivian had told me about what had happened with Caleb after they'd left, and I had assumed he had either died or maybe run off with his tail between his legs. But he was showing up here for some reason. To beg for mercy? To try some underhand scheme again? Arriving at the gate, we nodded to the guards as they opened up. Marcus led me to the side, where a group of men was waiting. Right in the center, they held Caleb down on his knees. He looked like he hadn't eaten in a while, and he was filthy. He probably
VIVIAN'S POV Outside with Zeke had left me exhausted. And now I was ready for a nap. Zeke asked if he could nap with me like in old times, but I was a woman now. It felt wrong. So I declined. His annoyed expression didn't escape me. Crawling into bed, I curled up with my pillow and immediately drifted into dreamland.***** Burning. It was so warm. I looked around, and I was back. I was back to the day of the fight with Sarah. I looked down at my arms, and they were charred. Had I killed her already? This didn't seem right. Why was I standing? I saw her laughing at me; her skin was burnt, hair frayed, and barely sticking to her scalp. "Little baby Vivian is scared," she mocked. I was on the ground. Vines wrapped around my legs now. I couldn't move. When did I sit down? "I'm not scared," I argued. Sarah walked towards me. "You're scared to choose him. You're scared of what Killian might do to him." I cri
KILLIAN'S POV "Can I talk to you?" Vivian looked around me before nodding. "Sure, come on in." I stepped inside, resisting the urge to wrap my arms arounds her, holding her against me and never letting her go. But instead, I waited for her to motion for me to sit down and do the same. "So what's up, Kill?" I reached over, grabbed her hands, then stared at her and caught her eyes. "The Blood Moon is coming up. Are you any closer to a decision?" She pulled her hands from mine. "That's what this was about?' "The war is over. It's time to get things in order, and it's time to choose a mate, Vivian." Her eyes narrowed. "And getting me in line and mating with me is just on the agenda?" I reached for her again, but she just moved her hands. "No, it's not like that. I was also reminding you that the reasons you delayed before are no longer relevant. And you can focus on this—on us." "Yo
CHRIS'S POV "I think you should spend less time with Vivian and more time on getting better, Zeke," I said, narrowing my eyes at the food tray in his hands. He was, once again, bringing her breakfast in bed. Like he'd done several days in a row now. They were attached at the hip again. Just like they'd been in high school. It was getting under my skin. Zeke looked down at the food he was carrying. "Well, V doesn't quite feel up to taking her food in the mess hall, and someone has to bring her something to eat. And since you're busy doing whatever you're doing, I thought I was the best candidate." "I'm helping Killian and his pack reorganize after yours attacked them. It's a lot of work after your pack decimated their gate and set fire to a lot of their homes." Zeke flinched. "Look, that's not my fault. That's Sarah's fault. I was under a spell." "Which is why you should focus on getting better and not flaunting how well you are. You should at le