LilyI looked out the window of the moving car as the rain drops scattered across. The air was cold, blowing floral scented breeze through my direction.I was rudely awoken early that morning after my endless sobbing the night before by a man I didn't know or recognize. He let me out with a single word.Just like the night after, Alexander was nowhere to be seen.With my fingers, I traced circles on the cold glass windows. The car slowly came to a stop. I couldn't let out a shaky sigh of relief. Finally, I was home. I opened the car door. As I stepped out, cold rain droplets tapped on my skin. I look up at the angry gray clouds, feeling the light drizzle shower my face.‘Of course it rained today. It's not like things could get any worse.'I tensed as the sound of the car door closing came behind me, followed by heavy footsteps. A slight shadow covered me surely and I couldn't feel the rain any longer.I looked up to find that it was an umbrella, held by none other than the strang
LilyThe next day, I prepared for work. Every single action was a weight in my senses, dragging me down. I couldn't see my world the same again.I arrived at work still brimming from the past day. Dread filled me as I looked up at the tall building.Yet it wasn't mine.‘Breathe in…out.'I repeated that mantra as I slowly walked into the luxurious building. I couldn't look at this place in the same way.A job I apparently didn't deserve.I wished I could storm into his office and resign. But now my future wasn't safe anymore. Not with those other creatures following me.Werewolves. Even though I had understood, the thought still made me shiver.Now I had to stay here and stick by him until this was over. Against my conscience, I had to follow his rules.The reminder put a bitter taste on my tongue.I didn't want to face him. Neither Alexander or Nathan.All my thoughts for them had shriveled up. Mostly with Alexander. Especially Alexander.The thought of seeing him again sent a coiling
LilyTaking a step forward, my anger and determination was like a burning flame inside me. The reminder of the despair I felt yesterday and his smug, commanding attitude now sent me over the edge.Shifting all my weight to one side I folded my arms as I neared him.“I survived well on my own without meeting you, so you don't have a say over my friends or my interactions.”“The feeling is mutual,” he said, tilting his head to the side “But you can't survive without my help, and I won't give it to you if you don't follow my rules.”“None of the 'rules' you gave me” I emphasized the word with as much disgust as I could muster. “Include interfering with my personal life, which is none of your business."“And you think it matters?” I reared back as he interrupted me.He leaned forward in his desk and I matched his stare with my own.“Would you rather they took the brunt of your problems? Better yet, who knows who can be trusted? What if the man you were laughing with so innocently helps
LilyHalf an hour before the meeting I was already there, paper at the ready to record the minutes. The silence was a brief reprieve as I prepared for what I would face, or rather, who.Time passed by blissfully quick. As minutes passed more people came into the meeting room, greeting me with nods and murmurs I quickly returned. Emily greeted me with a small wave, her dressing simple yet luxurious. In no time the entire place was full and every other person was seated.Finally, he arrived. My muscles tensed as before he came into view, as if it felt his presence before I could even process it.He was unfettered as always, with his dark suit and his dark hair styled with strands still managing to frame his face.‘Ass.' I thought to myself.I glared at him even though he didn't pass a glance my way, sitting down at the head of the table.Looking away my grip tightened on my pen I held. He didn't matter. I just had to get through this meeting to be done with him, at least for today.The
Lily‘Your body reacts to mine. Every. Single time.’‘Don't fool yourself into believing otherwise, Miss Grace ‘‘Mine.’A grunt left my lips. I slammed my hands into the table harshly, letting the pain sink in. Shutting my eyes tightly I tried to blank out my brain, but it failed.It didn't remove the thoughts swirling in my mind, neither had it done so for the past few days.I could barely focus on my work as thoughts of him came to mind.It didn't help that during the last meeting they had a week ago. Even in the night I couldn't escape him. In a twisted fashion the heated dreams I had of him only increased, haunting me for the rest of the day.The last time I was in his office, I felt his eyes on me whilst leaving. To my good fortune, Alexander hadn't contacted me directly since then. Go e were the constant interruptions in my office or demands. For the past few days, his contact was limited to phone calls and brief orders. I could manage it, even though the raspiness in his voic
34Lily‘No.’‘No, no no no.’I couldn't move, could barely breathe. I wished the place was different altogether so I didn't have to face this mortification.But this was reality. Nothing could be taken back. Especially not this.His hand was still there, still like a stone. It was then I noticed that he wasn't moving, not even taking a breath.‘He knows.’He was a smart man, as he never failed to remind me. I had no doubt that he was piecing it all together now.I couldn't be here while that happened. I needed to leave. Now.With newfound strength I pushed him away, watching him stumble backwards. It should have been strange, considering how built he was to waver so easily, but I could barely think anymore.I turned away and ran out of the office, slamming the door behind me. The sound rang across the hallway, but I didn't care if anyone had noticed.My lungs burned as I raced back to my office the fastest I could. I shut the door, closing my eyes against it. The surface around
LilyI stared in horror at the man in front of me. The man who I had considered a friend.He looked like a different person now with his face contorted into a look I had never seen before.My wrist still ached, a reminder of what he'd done. I never imagined that he would ever use force on me My stomach recoiled facing him in pure terror.“Haven't I done enough?” He asked, spreading his hands out.“After all this time I wasted. I've done everything to be a good and supportive friend. I listened every time you spoke, learned your favorite coffee and. Even when you acted like a slut and got knocked up, I supported you. Learning crap about pregnancy and buying all this pregnancy shit! I've been so good to you.” he said, his voice went up an octave.“And yet.” His focus returned to me, eyes blazing with anger. “I don't get anything in return.”I couldn't speak, still frozen under the shock of what he had done. I could only watch, body trembling as he began to pace in front of me.“You've
AlexanderI watched the slow rise and fall of her chest in silence. With how still and ashen she was, that was the only way of knowing she was still alive.We had long arrived in the mansion whilst she still remained fast asleep. My gaze drew up to her face.Her hair circled her like a halo. She looked so peaceful if not for the tear streaks marrying her face.The pack doctor came only minutes ago to check on her by my command. I knew it wasn't necessary. I could see that she was evidently fine.But I needed to make sure.Once she was done, her verdict was as I should have expected.“Aside from some signs of shock and bruising, she and the baby are alright.”The baby. My baby.Those words still echoed in my mind long after she left. Sat on her bedside, so eerily similar to the day I revealed her new reality.My gaze trailed down to the duvet where her hand was placed on, as though she instinctively protected it. There was no need to check again. I felt it while carrying her here. If
Lily“I know what my next question is.” I saidHe looked up from the documents while the taste omelette I'd just had was fresh in my mouth.He'd called me to his office again for breakfast. My instinctive refusal died at his stare. I had a feeling that this was going to be a regular thing.Without giving him a chance to speak, I asked.“Why did you choose me to plan the Gala?” I asked, “Was it because of our agreement or Emilia?”“Thays two questions,” he pointed out,“Oh,” I flushed instantly. I didn't know why I was so embarrassed when it was just a fluke but either way, I wasn't taking anything back. The seconds felt longer as I waited for his answer. I wasn't searching for validation, I just wanted to know.His icy blue eyes met mine.“I know you don't believe in what I say— for good reason, but that's the truth. I wouldn't entrust this to anyone else out of pity or a whim.” he said,“Every word I said in the meeting room was true. Your work as an event planner before entering t
LilyWhen dinner came hours later, I'd stepped down wearing the pyjamas I'd taken. There wasn't any need to dress fancy when there was nobody to impress.The air held that same awkwardness from before, yet my heart was more settled. Ignoring the tumble in my belly as I murmured a greeting, I focused on the food immediately for the second time that day to stave away the tension.I'd barely forgiven him, so I was far from eager to start a conversation. That is, until his throat cleared next to me.“How was work?” He asked“It was fine. I did everything you told me to.” I replied curtly before finally looking up to face him, “This isn't part of the deal.” I said. The clunking of cutlery stopped when he looked at me.“What do you mean?” he asked. Under his gaze I could only shrug.“We…we only agreed on you asking things regarding the baby. There's no need to make any other conversation.” I faltered at first, but at least I made my point clear. I was already weary of false pleasantries
Lily “What?” I gasped, were it not for her smile I would have believed it was a prank. But her expression remained the same. “It's true. I'm guessing it'll be revealed in a meeting later, so try not to act unsurprised.” she said as she pulled away. I could still barely catch up with her words.“But…why?” I asked incredulously. As far as this company was concerned, I was hired as a secretary. “I suggested it, but it was Alexander who gave the final call.” she replied, shrugging.My mind went blank instantly. Yes, I was an event planner before losing my job. Yes, I enjoyed it and despite my initial joy when I first got this job, I still couldn't compare it to the thrill. But why would he do this?And a Gala at that? I had dealt with planning for large parties and weddings, but a Gala wass something else, much less an Annual Gala of what was one of the largest conglomerate hotels.The real question was what he was thinking when accepting this. Did he decide this the night before afte
Lily‘Was I doing the right thing?’That was the first thing I thought the moment I locked my door. Leaning onto it, I closed my eyes.The buzz of adrenaline hadn't stopped racing and my thoughts were still going to haywire.It was Malina’s words yesterday that was the tipping point. She was trying to assure me that I could leave, yet it had done the exact opposite. Somehow her talking about ‘fathers’ sent a different trim of thought entirely. It remained stuck in my mind throughout and the day after, especially after the incident with Alexander.My mother raised me just fine and I hadn't borne any resentment, especially not after knowing the truth of his absence, but could I say the same for my child? Not to mention that he wasn't going to be entirely human in the first place. That issue had bothered me for the longest time, settling doubts even if I was stubborn enough to try to deny them at first. It wasn't just being a werewolf. Even if I was resolute on helping there was noth
Alexander ‘They were footsteps.’That was the first thought that entered my mind as I met her gaze. The tapping sounds were footsteps coming from her and I hadn't noticed it until she was right in front of me, just like the last time she was here. It was ironic. I'd been so focused on her that I didn't notice her presence until it was too late, twice.But then came the question; why was she here?Under the lights, she looked slightly flushed. I could sense her slightly quickened heartbeat yet her face remained neutral and expressionless. There was something different about her gaze. The hardness from the walls shed built up was still there, yet there was a hint of something else. Resignation? Curiosity? It took me a few more seconds to realise that I was openly gaping. Before the embarrassment could set in, she'd moved away, taking her place on the seat beside me, her usual place.I trailed her frame but then noticed the empty space on the table. I took action swiftly, sending a qu
Alexander “I would have thought you'd be asleep by this time.” He chuckled. It grated on my ears.“If you thought so, you wouldn't have called.” I replied smoothly, keeping the scathing anger inside.“So you were expecting my call then?”“My Beta informs me of every contact coming through the pack. You of all people should understand.” He chuckled again as if I'd told a joke and it took everything in me to not crush the phone with my bare hands.“Isn't that funny? My Beta has the tendency to run around, being in places he's not supposed to be in. He's quite a troublemaker you see.”A knot formed in my gut. Of course, now he would mention Sirius. He'd left the city anticlimactically after days of monitoring, less than a week after I'd moved Lily into my home. After his disappearance, there had been no other ‘incidents’, hunters or rogues or otherwise. His presence alone was proof of Marcus's actions yet now he was pinning it on Sirius being a ‘troublemaker’.“Does that explain his p
Alexander Ever since that night she suffered the nightmare, I'd been paying more attention to her. The only things I knew or wanted to know in the past were the things that I counted as important. Things to let me take advantage of her, but now I was taking notice of everything, even if it was in our spare interactions and my glances in meeting rooms.‘She bites her pen when she's nervous.’‘She knows that I'm staring at her.’‘She's stubborn. Immensely stubborn.’‘She's better at hiding her emotions than I thought.’As I continuously offered dinner and expectantly got rejected, I still kept that in mind, noticing what she often asked for and what the pack members brought her.“She prefers meat, no doubt due to the baby.”“She likes anything citrus aside from peaches.”‘She still isn't sleeping well.’I knew that her nightmares still persisted. Every night the tug of restlessness that woke me up told me so. I stayed at the locked door, wondering if it would be acceptable to break it
Lily In the night, I was prepared for another round of nightmares. Skipping over the melatonin, I silently braced myself for the semi-sleepless night.I woke up as usual in the middle of darkness. I didn't feel any different nor did I have a nightmare. Sitting up, I was about to pick up my phone when th I noticed the shadow beside me A scream nearly left my lips until I realised who it was. My fears instinctively turned to anger and hostility.“How the hell are you here?” I bit out, hostile despite my racing heartbeat.On the other side of the bed, sitting on the chair, Alexander stared agape, like he hadn't expected me to be awake.‘My suspicions were correct then,’ I thought. It came together, the slight hints of scent so faint I thought, hoped, was my imagination. The occasional feeling of warmth and the strange emptiness when I woke up.Not to mention the hints of voices I heard in my dreams. Comforting words I swore were just my imagination.‘I’m here. Nothing would hurt you,’
Lily“Alright then,” Claire smiled victoriously, “I'll leave you alone now.”I smiled tiredly as she packed up her tools, taking the empty dishes with her. Under Claire's instructions — which were more like commands, I was forced to take things easy, eating constantly and sleeping or relaxing every other time in-between. She often came over to make sure I was eating well.The results were drastic. The weakness that had plagued me for weeks faded during the first few days and I felt fuller. Even though I was set on going to work the day after the first few days, the routine hadn't changed. The results of her second search were partly disappointing yet not. I should have known that sleeping pills weren't allowed for pregnant women and the last thing I wanted was to endanger him in the first place. She gave me melatonin pills in its stead which was equally as effective yet I couldn't take them constantly. I didn't mind. Some sleep was better than none at all. Although napping in the