MALIK
Elizabeth finally texted back. But when I thumbed the screen open, disappointment flooded me. Another day, another negative answer. It was a sign for me to stop bugging her, but I couldn’t, even if I tried. The mate pull was more potent than me, and like any other wolf, I was a servant to the force.So far, her replies had gotten less cautious. The last few days had seen her opening up. She could be flirty but always retreated when I tried to steer us into deeper waters. I didn’t know how to handle this. I had never courted a woman, never had to learn because I didn’t think I would require the skill. I reread her reply to my offer of a date.
Elizabeth: Can’t make it. Got no clothes to wear.
We both knew that was a lie. First, I asked for her home address to surprise her, but she refused. I had the option of sending flowers to Fumi’s place, but that would be creepy. My constant stalking was already wearing Ansgar’s n
Malik was a gentleman. The epitome of perfection. When I told him I had nothing to wear, a big fucking lie, by the way, I didn’t expect him to offer to take me shopping for a dress. Lana said I could pick whatever I wanted, so I grabbed a pair of shoes and jewelry to match the dress. I didn’t know if those two were an item, but I wouldn’t overthink it. I refused to act on my jealousy like I refused to climb on his lap in the car and beg him to let me ride him like a horse.He made me feel things. Things only Waylen had come close to making me feel. Things I thought only Waylen was supposed to make me feel.What did that make me? In Waylen’s words, that made me a whore. I kicked memories of him out of my mind. My ‘supposed’ betrayal was not a reason for him to slut shame me. I would assume that was a thing with males given what happened at the stadium last week, but Malik was proving my theory about men wrong. He was a gentleman.
Moments after Waylen’s departure, I was still shaking. A hot shower didn’t help. That man was infuriating. He had a lot of nerves talking about dates and how I needed to listen.Bastard. Who raised that arrogant asshole? It couldn’t be Jack Parker. Jack was a better man than Waylen would ever be. I even had to sweep the mess he created on my floor.Ugh. I hated him. Landlord? Landlord, my ass. Now he cared where I had been? He didn’t call for a week! Maybe he didn’t care at all, and I was delusional. He only wanted to be sure I wasn’t fucking another man, distributing the ‘pussy’ he loved so much.The high from tonight’s date had worn off, racing out of my bedroom with the same speed Waylen exited the house. He had slammed the door so hard I expected it to break off its hinges. How could he be my landlord? Why was I so unlucky?He had a lot of things to learn, and Malik could teach him a fe
WAYLENI hissed in annoyance as my phone rang for the second time. Beth. How dare she fucking call me? I wanted nothing to do with her anymore. Maybe I did. But I was too pissed to think clearly. Malik Otis Sterling? Of all people, she went on a date with that murderer? Even compared me to him?My phone pinged. I was ready to toss it across the wall, but the message on my screen stopped me. It was from Evelyn. I opened the text, and my blood ran cold.Evelyn: I think there’s someone in our house.Evelyn: I’m scaredI gave Beth’s younger sister my number so she could call me if she wanted anything and maybe use her to keep an eye on Beth. But this sounded like an emergency. I dialed her number, but she didn’t pick up. Beth’s was next.It was unreachable.Len roared. My fingers tingled as my claws extended. I was out of the room in a flash. I didn’t have the location of their hou
MALIK“Elizabeth? Beth?” I patted her cheek gently, willing her to wake up so we could clean up. She was unconscious throughout the ride to my place. Her silence was a bonus because I didn’t have to answer questions I wasn’t ready for, but it was worrisome now. She stirred in my arms, and I adjusted on the couch so she didn’t fall off. “Miss Scott?”Her eyes peeled open. She stared at the ceiling and blazing lightbulbs. “Where am I?”“My house.” Elizabeth pushed one leg off the couch as she regained full consciousness. I missed the body contact as soon as she was entirely off my lap, but she was still close. Noting her confusion, I added, “You fainted.”She blinked slowly. Her movements slow as she tried to create more gap between us. Her hand went over her mouth, and she gasped.“You.” She pointed an accusatory finger at me. I had an idea what
Malik saw me naked and didn’t react. I closed my legs, annoyed at him and myself. Waylen would have acted differently, kissed me before taking me against that sink. Why was I upset when I always complained about his roughness? Because I wanted what he gave, even if I didn’t like how he took them.But my attraction to Malik made little or no sense to me. I liked him, alright. From our dates and chats over the month, I knew he was a cool person. Still, after everything that had happened tonight, my body should have shut down. I shouldn’t be horny or this tense.The sound of pouring water kept me awake. I rested my head against the headboard, my eyes so heavy I could barely see. My feelings were a mess. Right now, I was so wet I was certain I had soaked Malik’s towel. I wanted Malik to hold me. But I wanted to stay away. When someone helps you, you offer your gratitude and leave, not picture yourself in bed with them. Still, I couldn’t
Me: I quit my jobBecca: You did what?Fumi: Good for you. You complained that other time.Becca: Yeah but. But you seemed to be doing okay after that.Me: because I thought he had changed. Apparently not.Becca: are you okay?Fumi: do you need us to come over?Becca: I’ll bring wine. Chocolates too.Fumi: I’ll bring pizza.Becca: and sushi. You can cry it outMe: why would I cry?Fumi: because the job meant a lot to you?Me: I’m fine.Becca: liesMe: I swear on your Gucci bags and Fumi’s LV purses, I’m fucking fineFumi: oh, no. She said FUCKING fineBecca: yeah, I saw that too. We are on our wayMe: I’m not home guys. I promise, I’m fine. Let’s focus on your wedding.Becca: fuck that shit.Me: I just took a screenshot of this reply to send to MikeBecca: you wouldn’t dare
I exited the car before I did something silly. It was Monday, a few minutes past six in the evening, and I didn’t expect Waylen to be here. The building was empty except for the guard at the door. He let me in without so much as a fuss. Waylen mustn’t have told them he fired me. Or that I quit, whatever.My footsteps pounded loudly against the floor. In the silence, every sound seemed louder than it actually was. I arrived at my floor without a mishap, opened my door and tiptoed inside. My desk was as I last left it because I thought I would be coming back.The door to Waylen’s office was also closed. I wondered if he was in or had already left. Either way, I didn’t check to satisfy my curiosity. But my guess was on him being away. Typical him would have come out to haunt me. Or maybe he was finally listening to me and staying away. I found an empty box and emptied the valuable contents of my drawers into it. They weren’t much. The c
They say it takes a second for your life to be turned upside down. But in Beth’s case, it took one night. When an attack pushes her into Malik’s arms, she learns one hard truth: everything was a half-truth. Her world doesn’t belong to her alone. Werewolves exist. Her cocky, arrogant boss, Waylen, and the charming gentleman, Malik, who have spent weeks and months trying to woo her, aren’t fully humans. They are two of Indiana’s most jealous and possessive Alphas, and they want her. If Beth’s short stay as Waylen’s assistant has taught her anything, it’s this: Waylen Parker doesn’t share, even if the Moon goddess commands it. But when the council elder demands his mate's head on a platter, will he be able to set aside his pride and work with his rival—the very man he hates to save their mate's life? What about Beth? With her feelings torn between these two Alphas, she has a tough decision to make. Stand with her men and watch the people she cares about die? Or, choose the safest o