Cynthia Dion: I stood in the corner of the room, silently observing him as he got ready, charging his phone and stuffing his pockets with cash. I didn't want to get in his way or irritate him. I would be relieved when he left."Is the food ready yet?" Mr. Holt inquired while waiting for Charlotte to prepare the lunch box. This time, however, I didn't ask if he was going to the hospital."I'll be back home tomorrow night," I overheard him say to Charlotte."Can I go home? My father is sick--" Charlotte was outside the room, talking to him while holding the lunch box in her hands."Sure, you can," Mr. Holt replied as he approached her, adjusting his belt. While taking the lunch box from her, he brushed his hand against hers.I observed her lower her head awkwardly and steal glances at me from the corner of her eyes."Do you need money? You should take some fruits for the old man," Mr. Holt suggested, pulling out his wallet and giving her some money, once again purposely brushing the ba
Cynthia Dion: I knew he was chasing me when I heard the growls behind me. If he let his wolf take over, he wouldn't just catch me, but also rip me apart. He was an alpha, and I was nothing.My heart was racing inside my chest, and I had to get to my room and contact Mr. Holt. I sprinted like a madman, making a beeline for my room.Thankfully, I didn't stop or freeze. As I caught sight of my room in the distance, it felt like a glimpse of heaven.I rushed inside and pushed the door closed with all my strength.I had just about survived when the door couldn't fit into the door frame. That's when it hit me. He'd slipped his foot inside, preventing the door from slamming in his face.Our eyes met through the partially open door, and he leaned against it. I knew he'd caught me again."Cynthia!" He repeated, placing his palm on the door and pushing it open. "I just want to talk to you."My physical strength didn't help me at all. His muscles and dominance were renowned throughout the pack,
Zeon Holt:I arrived at my workplace and took a seat to unwind. The food was in the package I had prepared for Maleeka, or at least that's what I had told everyone. That's when my security guard entered the room, holding it."Sir, what should I do with this?" he inquired."Put it here," I grumbled, rolling my eyes. Did I have to spell everything out for them? These ignorant folks, including those siblings and Cynthia, who seemed to cry incessantly, really got on my nerves.The irritating family's issues and the constant presence of their royal guards only added to my existing frustration.As soon as I settled in and leaned my head back, I had this strange sensation as if someone was watching me."Are you going to keep staring at me?" I asked, slowly opening my eyes to gaze at her.She was standing in the corner, shrouded in darkness as usual."You're not going to say anything?" I inquired, observing her shake her head.Just seeing her again was enough to make my broken heart feel whol
Cynthia Dion: He gazed at me, his expression filled with deep pain. Every time I looked into his eyes, I sensed impending disaster. I couldn't tell if it was his inner turmoil or just my own anxieties, but it appeared as if he was grappling with an internal conflict.He clasped his hands together, intertwining his fingers, and said, "I've reached the point where I believe I should clarify why I did what I did. In essence, I want to explain my actions and the reasons behind them."I watched as he slowly covered his face and closed his eyes, as though he needed to muster his courage before discussing it."Cynthia, you ruined my sister's life," he repeated his initial statement, which hardly justified his actions.He had acted with full awareness, as if he had control over my life and possessed all the knowledge about us. Perhaps he expected me to defend myself, but I was not to blame.I was tired of repeatedly assuring him that I had no interest in Mr. Holt. "I've told you numerous tim
Cynthia Dion: "Now you're going to claim you didn't send this?" Atticus groaned, his eyes brimming with both sorrow and anger. His connection with me as a mate, along with his affection and concern for his sibling, were the two emotions he harbored."That can't be true," I exclaimed when he replayed it, because every droplet of water that had poured from the shower that day had now tainted me instead of cleansing me. I had to shield my ears from the sound of that shower water."Stop it now! Ple--ase!" I cried in sobs. For a moment, it felt like my body was laid bare for everyone to see, just like in that restroom."But that's not even half of it; you aimed to traumatize my sister for no reason, and yet, every time she sees you in pain, she desperately wants to help you. Do you not realize how different you are from her? Why did he choose you when she's so loving and kind, and you can be cunning and crude?" Atticus crouched down beside me and shouted.I wanted to know that too. Why am
Cynthia Dion: I paced around the outdoor dining table while Charlotte arranged the food, pondering the recent events in my life."Anyone would react the way he did, but what did he mean by his sister having good news and me not hurting her again?" I whispered to myself, my gaze fixed on the grass. It didn't make sense to me. In Atticus's eyes, though, I appeared to be a twisted and cruel person, and all the evidence seemed to support that. I only wished he could have explained everything he knew instead of storming out.I didn't expect him to reveal the extent of his sister's suffering because, in his view, that might bring me joy."Ma'am! The meal is ready," Charlotte said with a smile, and I called her back as she turned to go.“Thank you,” I nodded, thinking if I should ask her about Atticus."Charlotte! Is Alpha Atticus joining me for dinner?" I inquired. What else does he have against me? I need to know.She replied, "He hasn't been eating much lately.""Please let him know that
Cynthia Dion: "Yes, I admit I called Mr. Holt that evening because it seemed like my only option. I asked him to talk to my father and convince him to let me out of my room so I could go back to school. I knew my father would listen to him because they were always like close friends. My father also enrolled me in his school to prepare for the competition because he was determined for me to win the prize no matter what. I didn't hide anything, and as he patiently listened to me, I felt very comfortable. All I could do was share my feelings and then hope and trust that he would believe me. "Atticus! Mr. Holt gave me a ride that day when I was bullied at school. I didn't know about his marriage, and I didn't really care. The way he talked, it always seemed like he was living alone. Mr. Holt was at home when I got there that day, and I had this feeling like someone was watching me while I was in the shower. You can see that the recording suddenly stops because I realized something was
Cynthia Dion: "I earned this participation pass, and if I don't take part today, the instructors would be disappointed and probably bully me," I tried to explain, but all he did was shake his head in response to my concerns."Cynthia! Why do you defy me? Didn't I mention how much I dislike it when people challenge my decisions?" He tilted his head, gazing at me intensely; it reminded me of the time he had accidentally spilled scalding broth on my face."Mr. Holt, please!" I was overwhelmed with emotion and wanted to cry right then and there. I had fought so hard to earn this opportunity, and now I was considering giving up?Mr. Lowell and Ms. Kylie will be devastated; they'll never trust me again. And I wasted a spot that could've gone to a deserving applicant instead of someone like me who was intentionally avoiding the game."Hush! The contest will be dangerous; you might get hurt if you play anyway," he said, glaring at me and pressing a finger to his lips.He then straightened hi