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
It wasn’t a scheme and Darci wasn’t lying- shocker, right?The sounds of wolves tearing into each other in the background and the Alpha jumping in using his Alpha command was the highlight of the call before Alicia rushed off to the pack house. She jumped off her moped and burst through the doors until she was in the living room, where everyone was standing tensely.Fred was hunched over on the floor, leaning against the back of the sofa, clasping at his bloodied neck, shirtless, revealing the scratches and bite marks from his attacker. Tom was looming over him, his lips bloodied, also shirtless, chest heaving as he glared down at the Beta. Henley and Brock were by his sides; they no doubt tried to intervene before Alpha Valko arrived. Their clothing was torn, with cuts running down their sides.Even with the bloody scene before her, Alicia couldn’t believe her eyes. Tom had seriously attacked Fred?Emma glared at Alicia like it was all her fault her husband had been attacked. “Are yo
Alicia dropped her bag on the floor, staring at her dreary room. She’d only been in that StarBnb for a few hours and never got to use that comfortable bed. It was all she could think about as she sat on her single bed, the springs already digging into her backside uncomfortably.If Alicia hadn’t insisted on returning to the studio to collect her things, she’d be stuck in this place with the same clothes until Rowan returned- if he returned. She’d spent the night with the man and did look up to him in terms of his achievements in a short time, but she didn’t know Rowan besides that. He probably changed his mind after seeing the drama unfold in the pack house.There was always drama unfolding at the moment. Alicia covered her face, not willing to look at her surroundings. She wanted to refuse Alpha Valko and Beta Fred, but Fred’s words came to mind again:“That won’t be necessary. Alicia doesn’t need to be locked in her room. She knows there will be punishment if the King finds out she
“Alicia!”For the love of the Moon Goddess! What now?!After another restless and awful night’s sleep, Alicia tossed the covers from her, the shrill voice of Emma not allowing her to rest a moment more. She couldn’t sleep now after hearing her call her name multiple times until the door burst open. Her heart was almost bursting from her chest, and she was ready or not-so-ready for another war, clutching her phone as a means of a weapon aimed at whoever opened the door.Emma’s head popped inside the door frame, and she scowled at her daughter. “What are you still doing in bed?” Her tone was clipped and icy—the usual, but a little more aggressive than usual.“Sleeping?” Alicia answered in confusion, her voice a little wispy from sleep as she squinted at such a tyrant first thing in the morning. This wouldn't be happening right now if she was in that lovely studio.Actually, why was Emma here?Emma never came into her room. If she wanted her attention from another part of the mansion, sh
Rowan didn’t need a tour of the pack house, he’d been there before, and he didn’t want to see his brother or that twerp, Tom. He was stuck inside that house, and Rowan didn’t want Alicia anywhere near him. It took a lot of effort to restrain himself from going inside there and ripping him limb from limb.In time, maybe he will. It didn't have to be straight away...Rowan's plans would come together, and Valko, Tom, and the King wouldn’t be such nuisances anymore. Rowan smirked at his thoughts and then looked back at Alicia, who had been walking quietly beside him, hand still in his, blushing as she stared at her feet. They were walking slowly, thanks to those monstrosities of heels.Alicia looked beautiful, but those heels were not made to walk in for long, especially if they weren’t in her size. Rowan wanted them to walk around a little first so others would see them together. He was about to lead her to a bench across the road so she could sit, but Alicia spoke first, blurting out i
“They still talk about you,” Alicia whispered, dropping her gaze to their connected hands. “Does it not frustrate you? Do you not want to change anything? We aren’t the only ones that have been mistreated, Rowan.”Rowan smiled. “Why don’t we go for a stroll? It’s getting a little stuffy in here.”Alicia knew then that he wanted to continue the conversation elsewhere. Where better than the forest? She didn’t hate the idea.She loved being in nature and enjoyed the grass and dirt between her toes. Obviously, she couldn’t do that now and would have to walk in these heels. But if it meant she could spend time outside with Rowan, talking, then she wouldn’t mind the blisters and cramped toes.As sunlight gently filtered through the shadowy forest, the duo strolled leisurely, partly due to Alicia's heels and partly because they simply desired an uninterrupted stroll together, away from prying eyes. They didn’t venture far before Rowan growled and kneeled in front of her, hands gripping her a