Lily"Right on time Miss Grace." Alexander said, his voice ringing clear through the silence.I didn't speak, didn't respond. My gaze was fixated on him. Daniel Bennett, seated in a chair.He was far from the man I saw before, or even the celebrity pictures Marina used to show me. His face was swollen, a large purple bruise present. Though his hair was styled and face made up, the bruise remained present. Even then, there lay a smug grin on his face. Swallowing the knot in my throat, I closed the door behind me and approached the large table, trying to maintain my composure despite the mounting tension in my body. Nathan nodded at me in acknowledgment as I sat down next to him. I hoped that his presence would provide some support. To my dismay, his face held no expression, added to the uncertainty of the situation and made me even more unnerved.His job was also at stake, for defending me.And the reason for it all was…I clenched my jaw as I met Daniel's smug, unrepentant smile. I
Lily The entire room was filled with silence as Daniel remained resolutely on the ground.Alexander punched him. Holy shit. He punched him!It was so sudden that I didn't catch it, much less believe it. The man I knew was usually composed and calm, so what on earth did he…On that thought, nevermind. I pushed away all previous thoughts in favor of looking at him.Tingles spread through me at the sight. His jaw was clenched, his hair in slight disarray.‘He looked hot.'Looking down at his fisted arms, a zing of heat ran through me.Looking down at his fisted arms, a zing of heat ran through me.I must have been insane to feel this way about violence. Yet it didn't stop the curling sensation in my belly.My thoughts came to a halt the moment I spotted movement.Daniel slowly stood up, stumbling back and forth like a drunkard. There was no doubt that the punch hadn't left him winded.It took a few more seconds before he stayed in place. His face, still contorted in pain, twisted with i
LilyOut of all the strange things that happened, that dream was the second strangest.I couldn't get that dream out of my mind or the imagery of Alexander and the wolf. No matter how hard I tried, it lingered like a melody in the back of my mind.How had I thought of that? What did it mean? All those questions remained unanswered.It didn't help that now I had a pretty long time to think. After the incident with Daniel Bennet, there were no longer any meeting calls for the past few days. On one hand I welcomed the reprieve from the constant movement abd the distance it brought between Alexander and I.I was attracted to him. Hell, I was sure there were plenty of people, it made no difference. But I worked for him and was carrying his child.“Lily?” Sooner or later I was going to face him again. “Lily?” A warm touch suddenly appeared on my arm. Turning immediately to the source I met Lisa's green eyed gaze. She looked concerned.‘Oh no.' Remorse instantly washed over me once it all
LilyI walked into the cafe, spotting Malina immediately. She waved excitedly my way, ushering.e to her table.The moment I came close enough, she pulled me into a tight embrace.“It's been ages since I last saw you!” she groaned into my neck.“I know, I know.” I muttered in turn.It had indeed been a long time. The little time left in the week didn't help. Finally on this Saturday afternoon could I actually talk to her. There were plenty of things we had to catch up on.After we settled in we started our conversation with my pregnancy.“You don't even look different.." She marvelled, eyeing my body. “It's still too early to show." I said, nudging her slightly before looking down. “Once I start showing, I don't know what I'll do.”“Hey, don't get yourself down.” her voice cut off my pessimistic thoughts. “Besides, there's always a way with clothes."I smiled at her assurance. "Thanks, Malina."Our conversation shifted as she asked about how I was daring with the pregnancy.In turn
LilyYes.I groaned against the feeling of his warm lips running over my neck. Warmth. Heat. That was all I felt.And it was wonderful.His rumbling body hovered over mine. His voice was a deep rumble, whispering my name and that single word.“Lily"“You're mine."“Mine…"“Miss Grace?"The voice made me jerk. I whipped my head to see Mr Gallagher, one of the department heads, facing me.“Are…you okay?" He asked tentatively, concern on his face.Swallowing through my nerves I worked up a slight shaky smile.“Yes. I was just caught up in something.” I mustered.Before he could reply and ask anymore questions I handed over the document I intended to give to him, giving him the instructions relayed by…him.Once I was left alone in my office, I let out the breath I didn't realise I was holding, turning to my laptop to type out yet another report.‘I miss the days he barely came into the office.’ I thought fervently.I couldn't believe there was a time I wondered the opposite. Now it just s
LilySitting back in my office I ran my hands through my hair. At this moment the entire world seemed too quiet. I couldn't think, couldn't work properly whilst my mind remained in endless worry.The limbo I had achieved with Ron reflected it all. My entire conversation with Ron, like with most things lately, hadn't really gone exactly as planned. That wasn't really a bad thing though. If I was being honest with myself I walked into that conversation expecting the worst.Shutting my eyes, I relived the moment that occurred several minutes ago.…..Flashback It felt like an eternity before he'd responded, his expression so difficult to decipher.“I…” he trailed off, leaving me in more suspense “I don't know what to say."He wasn't visibly angry, rather he had looked more…distant. That didn't stop the lingering fear that gnawed at me. He could just tell anyone my secret and there was nothing I could do. "Ron, I'm really sorry I didn't tell you earlier," I apologised, shifting my gaz
LilyI opened my eyes blearily, blinking back to reality. Darkness was all that surrounded me. My nd widened in alarm. Where was I? How had I gotten-‘oh’ now I remembered. ‘Oh No.' My breathing became haggard, there didn't seem to be an air. Dread filled me. I tried twisting my head—“Ah!” I yelped from the striking pain. Why did it hurt?With laboured breath I gently moved my bound arms to my neck. Gently touching the part that hurt the most, it was swollen.I dropped my hands as slowly as I could without causing any more pain. I needed to calm down. Struggling now would only make things worse. ‘Easier said than done’ a part of me thought almost hysterically as I tried quelling the panic inside me. Each breath I took sent a shot of pain into my lungs. I shut my eyes tightly, recalling the lessons I learned. By the time I counted to twenty the panic subsided and I could think clearly. I struggled to sit up before looking around. With time my eyesight had cleared and I could d
LilyI groaned as my eyes cracked open, adjusting to the light. As I looked fully, shock ran through me at a single realization.This wasn't my room.I looked around the room, most especially the bed I was on. It was the biggest and comfiest bed I'd ever been in. I didn't get too far.Before I could even take a single step, pain shot through my back and neck. I reached towards my neck, only to hiss back in agony, there was something there. My kidnappers… that man…the wolves…Alexander My blood ran cold at the reminder of what I saw. Who I saw.My three assailants, dead and the two wolves…Were Alexander and and Nathan . All of it came rushing back. Those…people, they'd killed them, all of them without any mercy and I had seen it all happen.There was definitely something wrapped around my neck, it seemed to be some type of bandage. ‘Who put this on me?’ I wondered but with the pain came the memories. As I struggled to sit up, a knot in the pit of my stomach formed. I didn't know
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