Cynthia Dion:I maintained my composure and fixed my gaze on Mr. Holt, who kept his head down, engrossed in his meal."I don't think I can go anywhere right now," I said softly, "The school is starting again, and I've already missed many days. I don't want to miss any more classes or training sessions." I uttered these words, a subtle reminder of the promises he had probably used to deceive me.He mumbled, still not looking at me, "We can discuss it later," but I had piqued Maleeka's interest. She appeared shocked to hear the word "school" coming from my lips."Are you kidding me?" Maleeka hissed to herself, trying to take in what she just heard. She was like a ticking bomb and the worst part was that I cannot even blame her for showing so much frustration. "She's planning to go back to school. You're aware that she can't, right?" Maleeka scowled, displaying clear resistance."Why not?" This time, I asked her directly, as her interference in my affairs had been ongoing since the morn
Cynthia Dion: "You brought this trash here at last?" Atticus yelled, turning to face me. He didn't appear surprised or startled; instead, he seemed furious. He also seemed well aware that I was now Mr. Holt's wife.Pointing at my face, he continued, "And you." The fear that surged within me was so paralyzing that I couldn't utter a word. I just stood there, feeling as though my entire world had crumbled."I warned you to stay away from my brother-in-law and to stop ruining my sister's life over and over again, but you didn't listen. You're going to pay for this," Atticus's menacing threat and his rapid approach towards me compelled me to spring to my feet and wrap my arms around myself.Mr. Holt quickly rose and rushed over to stand between us, ensuring that we couldn't make eye contact."She's my wife now. You can't treat her like that," Mr. Holt hurriedly interjected.My mind was racing with a whirlwind of thoughts and worries. One of them was why Mr. Holt had pursued me when he kn
Cynthia Dion: I didn't know what to cry about - losing my first mate or having to interact with him every day while carrying the shame of breaking into his sister's house and even taking her partner? Or was it the fact that Atticus, my own partner and the one who had kidnapped me, was now passing judgment on me for marrying his brother-in-law to save myself from further humiliation?"Take a deep breath, Cynthia," Mr. Holt said gently as he helped me settle into the bed. I had been sobbing and hiding my face in my hands the entire time. Why was I feeling so vulnerable when I didn't want to be?"It will all work out perfectly. I've been taking care of the company for them, so they can't force us out," Mr. Holt whispered, attempting to hold my hand and speak softly. But I discreetly pulled my hand away from his. He might not have realized that he was a significant part of why I felt so upset in that moment."Did you know," I asked him quietly. To see him clearly, I had to keep wiping th
Cynthia Dion: I didn't want to upset him; after all, he was my sister's ticket to happiness and financial security.He persisted, and I couldn't help but feel nauseated. Internally, I was screaming in agony as he continued, and the revulsion I felt brought tears streaming down my cheeks. He had turned out to be the biggest mistake of my life, and unfortunately, I was now trapped in this situation."Maybe Maleeka was right," he groaned. "I shouldn't have spoiled you, ahhh!""So, you wanted to use me as security without giving anything in return?" He grumbled and made snide comments throughout. "Luckily, I know how to settle debts," he remarked. I wished I could pass out from the disgust because those were the longest and most repulsive minutes I had ever experienced."Do you want to swallow?" Suddenly, he left the decision up to me. When I shook my head, he did what I hoped for - he stopped and withdrew, releasing only onto my cheeks."Ahhhhh!" His final moan pierced my ears, sending
Atticus Snow:"So you let her go. But do you think that will be enough to stop her from pursuing him?" Enzo asked me as we both sat down on the grass and watched the sunset. I hadn't been able to look myself in the mirror but what I did was something very important for me. I couldn't see my sister crying every day. Despite me warning Cynthia to stop seeing my brother-in-law, she wouldn't comply.I didn't have an answer to his question, but I knew that I was hurting deep down inside. However, Cynthia's betrayal had left me with no choice.I did what I had to do to prevent her from going after that man. I wished I could solely blame that man, but Cynthia was also at fault."I don't know, and I don't want to dwell on it anymore. I'm pretty sure she won't return to school, and I suppose that will help me stop thinking about her," I said, avoiding Enzo's gaze."What do you think will happen to her now that she's back in her neighborhood with that mark on her wrist?" Enzo asked, studying my
Cynthia Dion: My body felt like it was floating, supported by his hands, and I could barely stand upright."Ho-me," I nearly whimpered, struggling to stay conscious but failing as I started dozing off."Cynthia? What happened to you?" His grip on me weakened, and his voice turned more concerned.He gently placed me down instead of pulling me up, and I didn't even flinch."Cynthia!" He softly slapped my cheek to rouse me."What did he do to you?" The slight concern in his voice brought tears to my eyes. They had pushed me to the point where every little thing mattered deeply to me. His fingertips then brushed against the mark on my neck as he turned my face to the other side. "You're having a reaction to the mark," he grumbled, and soon, the concern in his voice faded away."Huh!" he scoffed when he realized it was merely a reaction to the mark Mr. Holt had inflicted on me against my will. As I heard his footsteps leaving the room, receding into the distance, a warm tear rolled down m
Cynthia Dion: "Come on, don’t be such a buzzkill," he muttered. "Why is my mark getting infected?" I asked persistently when he continued to ignore my question. "What do you mean by it being infected?" he scoffed, feigning ignorance about my concern. "I had a fever today and I blacked out because of it," I recounted the day's events and simultaneously quizzed him. "Once your wolf awakens, you'll be fine. It's because you lack a wolf," he confirmed my suspicions, but I remained uncertain about trusting him. "You knew this would happen if you marked me without my wolf? Why the heck did you mark me then?" I rose from the bed, my voice laced with frustration as I confronted him. He nonchalantly shrugged his shoulders and replied, "I didn't know," but his eyes betrayed the truth hidden behind his words. "How can you not be aware of these things when you're in charge of an academy and a professional trainer?" I pressed, my anger and frustration mounting as he continued to blatantly
Cynthia Dion:After Atticus remained silent and Maleeka shot Zeon an angry look, Mr. Holt shifted his approach."What if he changes schools? It might be easier for him to adapt," Mr. Holt proposed. He reclined back in his chair, gesturing repeatedly at Atticus, who sat upright, his face lowered, and his breath quickening."He's the Alpha King. He can't leave his pack," Maleeka countered, observing Mr. Holt scrunch his nose.The argument was becoming excessive and absurd at this point. Even Atticus appeared worn out by it all."It's fine! Nobody needs to change schools. You two can stop now," Atticus put an end to the argument with a grunt, his eyes shifting to me, implying that this whole conflict was because of me."Ah! The food is here," Mr. Holt cheered like an excited child as he glanced at the dishes."Cynthia! Fill your plate now. You've probably never seen this much food before," Mr. Holt's remark drew Maleeka's attention. If she thought we were a happy couple, she would now wi