Morning came with me in the bathroom, washing my face. There was a surprising brightness to my face as I had slept well for the first time in a long while. Using the comb on the bathroom sink, I brushed my hair, taking out the tangles. Once I was done, I sniffed my underarms and winced at the pungent odor. I spotted his deodorant and contemplated using it. Shaking the thought away, I used water to clean myself up. I stepped out of the bathroom, wiping my hands on the cloak and discovered Connor going through my things. “What are you doing?” “How long has this chicken been in your bag?” He asked. “That’s none of your business.” I hurried over and snatched the bag away. “Leave my bag alone.”“The smell is disturbing. Come out for breakfast.”“Aren’t you supposed to be starving your hostage?”“I’m not a witch,” he argued then stepped out. I checked the chicken and took a bite. I spat it into the bin immediately. It had a weird taste and my bag smelled like fried chicken. The smell o
“What are you doing?” I demanded and pulled away from him. A pool of wetness was beginning to spread between my legs. “Head straight to bed once you’re done.”“What if I need to use the bathroom?” “It’s down the hall.”“Okay.”He lingered for a bit before leaving. Nothing was resolved. Nothing was explained. That strain of enmity hung between us inspite of how horny being beside him made me. It also made me realise how long since I had been pampered in bed. A cold shower should do it. Then I remembered I could not take off the cloak. Couldn’t Uncle Al have given me a necklace or something? This is fucking messed up shit. I trudged back into the office after cleaning up and lied in the sofa. As soon as my head touched down on my bag- the makeshift pillow, I drifted off to sleep.The room grew so cold, I could see my own breath. I stood up and spotted Connor approaching with a grace I’ve never seen, his posture mirroring that of a great leader, or a conqueror. “I’ve missed you.” Hi
I woke tangled in sheets, spent, pleasured and alone. Running my hands through my hair, I remembered how rough last night went. I was red-bottomed and sore but regretted nothing. It wasn’t everyday I could get what I desired. Even if I end up dying, I was happy I spent a long night in his bed. I giggled when I saw the red rope still on my wrist. Climbing out of bed, I decided to dress up and clean before Connor stepped in. I was picking up my torn dress when he entered with a breakfast tray. A storm of emotion briefly passed behind his impassive face. He gave my body a bold, sweeping gaze that made me shudder. Connor dropped the tray on the stand then swept me into his arms. An hour later, my legs were like jelly. Connor fell back into bed breathing hard, a hand over his eyes. Lying on my side, I curled up and raised my head to look at him. His half-lidded eyes slid closed as he breathed my name. “Hm?”“Have your breakfast. It must be cold by now.”“Thank you.” I sat up and picke
Stepping out the bathroom after bathing, I came to the two brothers chatting king in bed. I tied the towel in place on my hair, feeling a blush rise. To think I slept with the two brothers in less than twenty-four hours. That was brazen of me. “Will you keep standing there or join us?”“I'd rather put on clothes.” I focused on the torn dress and sighed. Maybe I should put on one of Connor’s. “Could you lend me a shirt?”“Nah,” Reed said, sitting up. “You look perfect this way.”“I need a shirt,” I firmly repeated.“Geez, fine.” He unbottoned the one he wore and held it up. “Here.”Connor watched with amusement as I walked over to collect his brother’s shirt. No matter how I see it, I felt like I was being played. And those marks on Reed’s chest, where did they come from? Were such scars on Connor too?“You could give me a clean one,” I mumbled, putting it on and enjoying the earthly scent of him.“Want an apple?” Connor asked, raising a red apple towards me. I froze, appalled by the
An apology. That was the easiest shit anyone could ever do especially when you’re wrong. Hurting someone you like and not apologizing, was shooting a poison dart at yourself. Even if I was the one who said the words, I seemed to be the one hurting more. Reed turned red at the sight of me everything and Connor who had probably overheard everything, took the neutral route. But his piercing gaze put more pressure to the wound I put on myself. Reed treated me like the hostage I was and even worse. I thought I would feel less shame if I was treated this way but it was worse. Having Reed stare at me with such contempt made me shiver. I rubbed my feet with my hands to keep them warm from the cold. Locked alone in the basement with only a shirt on was speaking volumes. For hours, I watched the door and listened for movement. The basement was lit by a single bulb and there was only one small window. Nothing interesting was going on outside to capture my attention but it did help me deciphe
My limbs ached in the best and worst way possible. Morning met the three of us on the basement floor, limbs entangled while cuddling against one another. There was movement on the floor below but it looked like the people present got the warning not to disturb.There was also movement in my bowels. I needed to pee. The bathroom was on the second floor and I could not make it there without being discovered. The men who laid on either side of me, pressing against my body, slept like newborn kids. I tried removing myself from their grip but it was futile. “Pst!” I flicked a finger on Reed’s forehead. He frowned in his sleep then smiled, snuggling closer. “Morning, my love.”“I want to pee.” “Connor, wake up,” he groaned. The other brother sat up immediately, rubbing his eyes. “I’ll go get rid of them.” Disturbed, I watched him leave without his clothes. How come he was so in touch with his nudity? In a few minutes, Connor kicked out his guests with a single order. They listened with
“Did you find anything?”“Nothing.”I felt discouraged. That shit was going on while I was in Arth too. Was there no proper investigation done concerning it? Well, it did look like they were more concerned with threatening my life than ensuring the safety of the witches. “But my spies think there is something strange going on in Arth.”I straightened up at his words and searched his gaze for more. His stance at the table made me nervous as he shuffled his feet from one spot to another. “What? What is it?”“It soeems like your Father is looking for you.” He rubbed his chin while his other hand gripped the edge of the table. “The men are no longer fighting back and I’d like to think they no longer have manpower but it looks like it has all been dedicated to looking for you.”I watched him closely. Reed knew something, I could feel it in my gut. He stared back, innocently as if he had nothing else to say. “What? What are you not saying?”“It might be just a rumour,” he said with a shr
“Geez, man. I was just saying. Fine, I’ll go downstairs.” His words were quickly followed by departing footsteps. “That was close,” I murmured.“He has your scent now. Five people have your scent now. It won’t be easy to deny you when they find out the truth, Phoebe.”“Just go. I’ll be fine here.”Child-like giggles and a playful roar rose up to the study. I wanted to peek at the window to watch the unusual sight but Connor held me back by the arm.“I can’t believe Liam brought his kids too.” “Wife?”“Killed.”“Oh.”“Not by witches though.” I don’t why that statement brought relief but it did. Regardless, I shook my head and said, “I wasn’t thinking…”“No? It looked like you did. Ella got cancer and died three years ago.”“It must be hard.”“It is. His kids, Ginny and Rue Rue would want to sleep over.”“Why?”“Because they always do. I got to go. Stay out of sight.” He placed a kiss on my cheek before leaving.A chorus of 'Uncle Connor’s rose from the two kids downstairs. I did exa
When Morgan left, it felt like life pushed me back into my reality. Wiccan terminologies and slangs I thought I had forgotten came out of me as Morgan and I chatted, and reminisced about the good old days and the things that happened in my absence. The house buzzed with everyone talking about their day, well except Claire. She stalked Morgan out of here. A mail arrived an hour later, requesting all Alphas to be present for a meeting that evening. The sudden call turned the atmosphere tense as everyone realized the cause and could only imagine the outcome. I catered to the potions and charms Morgan made, keeping them in a safe drawer in my room. The strong colors showed the potency and strength the potions held. It would be possible to protect the house and everyone in it with these alone. “Are you hiding in here to cry now that your friend is gone?” I laughed at Jess words as she walked in into the bedroom. “Reed and Connor said to check in on you. They would have done so themselves
I pulled Morgan into a hug once more. It felt as though he might disappear if I take my eyes off him or let him go. He laughed and held me steady, reassuring me. I drew back and took another look at him. He dressed in casual clothing and boots but his exhaustion was clear as day on his face. “If I knew I would be missed this much, I will stay away longer,” He joked, his gaze shifting to the giggling babies. “Aw, babies. Any of these happen to be yours by any chance?”“No.” I picked up Pete from the hastily made bed of soft towels and pillows. “This little guy is Pete and the other is Theo.”He shook his head and refrained from carrying the baby. “Babies are cute to look at but I don’t know how to care for them. That is Ace’s job.”“Try it! He’s soft and cuddly.” “And easy to drop.” He rejected the offer once more. “When will you start popping out yours?”Turning Pete to rest on my chest, I threw Morgan a scowl. “Why are you here anyway?” “Wiccan envoys from Arth decided to drop by
The construction of the safe house came along faster than we expected. Rhys and Liam worked as contract construction workers in a private company. Their knowledge was useful in gathering materials and putting in the work to build the shelter. I tried to help by lifting tools and joining materials together. When my usefulness was outdone by the werewolves’ strength and speed, I resigned to working with Orion to get more provisions. As we began to offload the groceries into the car, the shadows suddenly spread across the ground. The wind picked up, bringing with it a storm of dust. As I shielded my face, my clothes pulled against me. I helped Orion get into the backseats of the car to hide out. “I don’t believe this change in weather was included in the weather forecast this morning,” he said, coughing. My nose itched as I looked at the dark sky. The clouds covered the sun, blocking away rays that attempted to escape. The sand storm might have been overlooked by the forecast team,
“Where have you been?” I grabbed the demon by the collar of his shirt, demanding. “I asked you a question, you damn demon!”“Go easy on the shirt. It cost me a lot.” He grabbed my wrists, loosening my grip on him. “I ventured a little farther and got captured.”“What? Who did it?” I noticed the dark blood prints on his shoes and knees of his white trousers. “Why is there blood on you?”“Calm down, Princess. Some of it isn’t mine.” He sighed heavily, running his hands through his hair. “I took a small vacation back to hell to regain some of my awesomeness.”“Quit saying shit and tell me what happened.” I offered him a glass of water then wondered if demons needed to drink water at all. Lucas drank greedily, and wiped his mouth when he finished. “Some crazy witches caught me, the ones serving the ‘Lord’ and tried to use me to do their dirty work.”“Tried?”“They used me to do their dirty work, okay? Murder, extortion, anything you can think of. It was awful not having a free will.”
I felt awful. A person being happy about someone else’s misfortune has a price. Having a conscience does little good and gives little benefits but it pays. It pays to have people be indebted to you. Okay, that’s enough with this terrible monologue. But I was right. Those two blondes are twins. The cab stopped in my familiar, middle class town. I stepped into Jess’ clinic and found it empty. There was no sign of struggle or blood. Taking a deep breath, I pushed myself into thinking she stepped for a moment. Making use of the private bathroom, I showered and changed into some dress I found in a lost and found box. The bell at the door jingled as the door creaked inwards. I stopped mid-twirl and stepped towards the entrance. “Doc is out at the moment,” I said, sweeping my hair into a messy ponytail. “Oh, it’s you guys.” “You sound disappointed to see us.” Connor carried in a gift basket while Jess held a bouquet of fresh flowers. “Where did you go earlier?” “Out and about.” I look
"Is that a limo?" The nail file fell to the clean tiled ground with a sharp clang. I gawked at the sleek black, long vehicle parked in front of the clinic. I scurried to the door, gawking at the extravagance. When Alpha Simon said he would send transport, I did not think he would send a flashy one. This was highly unnecessary. What if my mates were present? How did they even find me? “Jess? I’ll be back in a few.”“That,” she pointed at the limousine. “…is for you?”“Surprisingly so.” I turned to grab my purse. “Could you not tell Connor and Reed about this? Ill let them know myself when I get back.”“But what if they drop by?” she asked, darting another look at the vehicle outside. The suited driver stepped out of the car, and came around to wait at the passenger’s door. “Make up an excuse. I am sorry about this and thank you, Jess.”“But where are you going?” she yelled as I dashed out of the clinic. “Be careful.”Climbing into the vehicle, I waved her bye. Settling in, I came f
The day to intrude on Alpha Simon came sooner than expected. I took a cab, growing unsettled by the minute as the vehicle entered the next town. I had the cab pull up in front of the town's hall. When I got off, my plans suddenly seemed childish. What was I thinking? How am I supposed to find an Alpha in a town of many people? What was I going to do, walk in and ask for a Simon? There could be a thousand Simons in this town for all I knew.I watched people come and go, unable to tell the difference between them. They could all be normal people, wondering if I was the weird one. I brushed my hair out of my face, irritated by the afternoon breeze. I really should not be here. Pulling out my phone, I looked for a cab to get me back home. A shadow cast over my figure as someone fell in step beside me. "The Alpha bet you would be here but I did not believe him."Startled, I flinched at the low voice and looked at the bearer. It was the Mohawk dude from the other day. His piercing gaze sh
"Reed explained the situation to me. I do agree it's important to calm everyone down." She peered at me with a firm gaze. "I believe you have been explained to how the process goes." "Yes," I replied. "This might be a source of discomfort to you, baring yourself to wolves at a time like this. Don't worry though. The test will take place before the council and some by this time next week." I nodded in understanding. "I can't wait to get this over with." "If you don't mind me asking, have you come in contact with any witch since your banishment from Arth?" "No, none." "Strange," she mused. "Pardon me but when Arth is this quiet, its people are up to no good." "I like to think they are just healing from the mess. Besides, they have a serial killer bound. They are probably preoccupied with investigating than planning another attack." "Let's hope so." Her grave tone tugged at my nerves. Connor grabbed my hand and gently squeezed. I might have been banned from Arth but my friends h
In bed, I curled up in Reed's arms, browsing celebrity gossip on his phone. The evening found the Pack House quiet after the departure of Simon and his men. Connor, Jeremy and Rhys went to make sure they were truly good from our lands and scurried around for signs of another invader. Simon have no other information other than what he wanted from us: me. From his manner of speech, it seemed to be something of grand scale. If it was, Alpha Simon should know that I do not bear powers that made a witch a master of the elements. Before I retired, I sent Lucas on a spying mission. He had been keeping an eye on the imprisoned witches who continued to work in secret. I paused in my reading, feeling Reed's hands venture under my night gown and massage my breast. It reminded me of how long it has been since we last made love. With everything that has been going on, it seemed like the last thing on anyone's mind. Besides, the kids are right next door. I could hear them reading a book with Lia