All eyes fell on Alicia in the pack house, the weight of their stares pushing one foot behind the other. The hesitancy transformed into a rush as she abruptly turned and fled, her steps brisk, ignoring Tom's call out to her. Other than her ex-boyfriend, nobody tried to stop her from leaving the pack house. Yet they also allowed her to leave without touching her or trying to send her off as a breeder.Rowan’s threat worked. Of course, it worked; Alicia just hoped it would last until he returned. Would he really return? She was anxious all of a sudden, worried that her mate didn’t want to deal with such family drama. Other than their night together, Rowan seemed quite closed off, a no-nonsense guy, certainly much older and mature than, well… He didn’t act like a complete douche like everyone else in that mansion!And he sure as hell wasn’t the oldest there.Alicia stopped on the steps, her breath leaving her in a rush. She watched as she saw Rowan’s town car driving away along the long
Before Alicia could make it halfway across the driveway and to the front door, the sound of an engine roaring and purring as Darci’s sports car swerved into the driveway, almost hitting Alicia in the process. She jumped back, alarmed at her sister’s aggressive behaviour. Darci slammed the door shut and marched towards her, somehow quite speedy in those heels.“Stay away from my fiancé!” She shrieked, eyes wide. “You homewrecker!”Me? A homewrecker?!Alicia stared at her like she was nuts. Perhaps she was? There was something utterly wrong with her sister. Maybe she was on something? Her eyes were so bright, and she was so sure about herself as though she’d been in a relationship with Tom this entire time and she was the other woman.“Stay away from Tom!”Erm…. Tom was following me?“You will not ruin our relationship!” Darci continued while Tom watched, his mouth slightly agape as he looked between the sisters. Alicia was pretty sure his balls were growing smaller the longer he stood
Flinging the door open, Rowan stormed into his office, unbuttoning his suit jacket before flopping down into the leather chair behind his desk. Unlike his brother’s packhouse, Rowan’s was warm and comforting, with slabs of stone, woodwork, and wooden floors that harmonised perfectly with the surrounding mountains. The whole packhouse had a rustic charm, and his office space, where he spent most of his time besides training, was precisely how he liked it.With a high vaulted ceiling with exposed wooden beams, expansive floor-to-ceiling windows behind the desk overlooking the mountains and serene lake, a spot he frequently stared at while he was lost in his thoughts. The opulent desk was in the centre of the room, rich and dark, intricately carved, commanding attention to anyone entering the room. The leather chair was large, big enough to fit his broad frame. Adjacent to it stood a grand fireplace, and before the desk, plush leather armchairs sat.Opposite the fireplace stood a well-st
The following day, Rowan watched his warriors train on the field. Their grunts and gasps for breath along with the scent of their sweat and blood whirled around with the chilly breeze. The Alpha stood there, muscular arms crossed, wearing nothing but a black vest and tracksuit bottoms, expression stern. Droplets of sweat kissed his shoulders from where he’d trained and fought earlier, a good workout with his Gamma and aiding with demonstrations to the younger warriors.Rowan didn’t sleep well. All night, he’d been tossing and turning in his overly large bed, his body craving a particular silver-haired blonde. Even after washing away her scent, he couldn’t calm his beast or his racing heart. Mates shouldn’t be apart, and now he knew why. He was anxious about Alicia.When dawn broke out, the birds waking with the early morning rays, Rowan gave up on trying to sleep and was one of the first up, besides his men on patrol, and began working out, needing to get rid of his pent-up energy, po
Rowan grabbed the stripper’s wrists before her hands could touch his neck where they’d been aimed. “Alpha,” he growled. “Now get off.”Cherry gasped, her cheeks flushing as Rowan lifted her with one hand wrapped around both wrists and plopped her down on the sofa beside him. “My Alpha,” she breathed, her arousal and perfume nauseating Rowan.Voss gave him a sharp look, and the Alpha sighed. He wasn’t a dick to women, but he didn’t want to be touched. “I’ll pay for your time, but I do not need a lap dance or anything else for that matter,” Rowan clipped, finally putting his phone away in the inside pocket of his jacket.Cherry leaned towards him, pushing her breasts together so they almost spilt from her bra, a finger running down his shirt. “Are you sure? I don’t mind. For you, I’d dance for free, Alpha.”“We’re here on business,” Rowan replied, ignoring her advances. “I’ve been told you know something about Blue Crescent.”At the mention of Alpha Valko’s pack, Cherry stilled, though
Waking up in her dull room felt a little surreal after everything that had happened. Where it had only been a week since discovering her now ex-boyfriend was cheating on her, getting kidnapped to be sold to another Alpha as a breeder, meeting and sleeping with her mate, and returning to the pack.With a sigh, Alicia got ready, finding the quietness of the house strange. Anxiety clawed up her throat as she finished pulling her hair back into a braid, the silver and pale hues shimmering in the only sunlight peeking through the tiny window at the top of the room. They had yet to appoint a date for the marking ceremony and it worried her, Rowan left the pack and she hadn’t heard anything from him.Alicia pushed her worries aside though as she snuck outside, avoiding her parents who she knew was waiting for her in the dining room. Their voices travelled to the hallway, discussing what they were going to do next. Hopping onto her moped, pushing her thoughts aside to the last time she sat on
Fortunately Alicia looked up a cheap StarBnb when she stopped off to sit on a bench on the side of the road. They accepted her almost immediately, clearly needing the money and when she called to confirm it was definitely okay that she came over within the hour, it seemed unbelievable. Yet here she was dropping her bags down in the studio flat she booked for a week.As she stared at the studio, the wooden floors, small open space living room, kitchen and bedroom, a small smile broadened on her lips. It wasn’t technically hers but she wouldn’t have to worry about running into her sister, running into Fred and Emma. Here she could relax.Or relax until she finds something more suitable for the long run. There was no way she could afford a StarBnb. They were pricier than renting, and she couldn’t find a place to rent in such a short time. Either way, she was not returning to that damned place.Emma, Fred and Darci might not have been able to hurt her, but their spiteful words finally wor
Alicia’s shoulders sagged as Tom walked into the parking lot, his body growing smaller until he climbed into his car. Turning around, she almost jumped after finding Ryan right behind her, hands on his hips, glaring at her, red-faced.“Ryan, it won’t happen again-”“Don’t. I gave you a chance, and all you’ve done is bring drama into my diner with that boy.” He shook his head. “He’s not just anyone either, Ali. He’s an Alpha. Look!”He waved his hand in the direction of empty tables with unfinished meals, some cash left and others without any. “You’ve scared off my customers!”“It won’t happen again! I promise! Please.” Alicia gripped his arm. “I need this job, Ryan.”Ryan shook her off him and looked away. “I can get another pretty face to fill your position without this BS. Sorry, Ali. You’re fired. Give me your apron, and I’ll give you your money by the end of the week.”Alicia stared at him in shock, tears springing to her eyes. She watched his hand reach up, waiting to retrieve th