CORAI swallowed hard as he turned to meet my eyes, his familiar mop of black hair falling on one side. I felt my breath hitch, my chest heaving lightly, even though I tried as much as I could to mask how much he still affected me.I held my breath as his eyes lifted to meet mine. The same blue green swirls that had swept me off my feet the very first day. The same blue green swirls that had the back of my eyes stinging with tears of hunger and yearning."Cora."My name didn't feel like my name when he said it. It felt like a million butterflies setting off in my stomach, a million thorns in my chest. A million scars on my heart.His lips parted, and I saw something flash in his eyes. Questions, and sometimes, they rolled over and masked what I felt inside.I was anything but fine without him.He blinked and turned away, and I saw him take in a deep breath, his head tilting upwards."My beautiful fiancee is here," Alpha Blake said, smiling.He stretched his hand to me. I gave a small
I sat on the dining seat long after Keanne and his date were gone, and I swallowed, turning to Alpha Blake."He is your son. What is this about his real father?"He looked up to me, his eyes filled with dark rage, his veins popping from his forehead. "Shut up."I swallowed hard, then lowered my head. "It wouldn't hurt to just....""I said, shut the fuck up! How is that my son gets to dictate my own marriage?!""He didn't choose it to be that way, Alpha. I am sure if Keanne could have this any other way, he would give you whatever you want for a loving father. I do not think..."He suddenly grabbed me by my neck, his fingers digging into my flesh. "Alpha...""You think you know anything? You think you can run your mouth because a measly omega like you gets to sit on the same table as an alpha?"I swallowed with great effort, my eyes stinging as I felt the tears forcibly pushed out of my eyes, my chest heaving for a gasp, a breath.Suddenly, he let me go on the floor like a rag doll,
CORA"There is really no other way out?" I swallowed on hearing Alpha Blake's voice. He was on the phone, his voice low, but I could still hear it from the door."Goddammit, Ken. You know I need to do this. I need to be a fucking family man to have it. Please, just..."I swallowed. A family man? "Talk to them. I am currently not there but..." He suddenly trailed off again, and I heard him clear his throat."I will call you back."I swallowed, taking a step back from the door. Before I could turn away, however, he had opened the door, his eyes meeting mine."Eavesdropping, darling?"I swallowed, pushing my hair away. I did hope he did not see the tremble in my fingers, however. "I...I was just... I just came back from my walk and..."He thinned his eyes at me, then gave a small sigh. "Actually, my dear. Come in."I swallowed hard as he stepped away from the door, his eyes holding a silent demand. I pushed my feet to walk despite the nervous cowering of my wolf, and I walked past him.
CORAI sat up on the bed, my hand reaching for the night light close to the bed. It came on, and I swallowed, my eyes fixed on it. The room was empty besides me, and it was the only place I could let my feelings flow.I swallowed, letting myself off the bed. The large mirror adjacent to the bed stared back at me almost accusatively, and I walked to it, my eyes taking in my own reflection.On one hand. There was Keanne. My mate who abandoned me. My mate who I...can't have. Then there is Alpha Blake. His father. The man I am bound to of mistaken will.If I had a choice, who would I choose? It was a question I could not answer. A question that haunted me till I slowly went down on my knees, tears filling my eyes, my hands covering up my mouth. I am weak, and I have never felt more vulnerable. I leaned back on the dresser, my chest heaving with tears, my body lightly trembling. By tomorrow, I will be a weapon against my very own mate, and I have never felt more like a traitor.
KEANNEThe bright lights of the morning felt like a dagger straight to my head. It wasn't really because I had drank, but because my wolf has never really liked the light.I am not a morning person, safe to say, and I pushed myself to stand, then closed the drapes, my eyes closed. It was late, I could tell and I said swallowed hard, then turned to the stairs. I had slept off on the couch, and my tie, the bottles, my shoes...I shook my head as I went upstairs, then without skipping a beat, walked into the shower. I peeled off my shirt, my reflection staring at me in what I thought was utter disappointment.I didn't mind it as I let myself out of those clothes, then closed NY eyes as the water pelted down my skin, scalding it. A weird feeling erupted inside me, something that I could only qualify ad being gloriously between pleasure and pain.And I liked it. The pain a little more.I turned to the mirror, my hair falling in front of me, my chest lightly heaving."This won't be easy...
CORAI watched him as he settled back, his gaze fixed on the other woman who had come with me. He didn't know I knew her, or that I knew why she was here, but he didn't need to.Not if I intend to keep him safe.I swallowed as he turned, meeting my eyes. He is still just as beautiful as I remember, and I am just as weak for him. I turned around, then nodded to the woman who had been on her knees earlier. It wasn't just me he had such a hold on. It was probably every woman he had ever met."It is crazy that I thought you would forget my name. I should have given myself a little more credit for what I make you feel."I turned to her. She is leaning, her cleavage on display, her eyes seductive. I pushed down the bile that rose in my throat, then turned away, pretending to listen to the other woman drill me about everything I needed to know.I was nervous. Once this dog cleared up, I would be in the same space with him and it would almost kill me. Because I can't stand it."You were righ
CORAI picked the files, then walked to the desk and table Angeline had hurriedly put up for me inside Keanne's office. According to her, the secretary's office has been unoccupied for too long and needs to be cleaned out, so I had t share with Keanne, if he did not mind.I was almost sure he would flip out.I sat on the chair and heaved a sigh, then pushed the lose strands of my hair back. Taking the leverage that I was alone, I quickly removed a few buttons, then sighed, feeling less tight. The bkuse was actually loose, but I felt suffocated. Maybe by the anticipation, the proximity.I leaned and started to go through the files. I couldn't make sense of them at first, until I started to check the audits as Angeline had requested. I grabbed a open and heaved a small sigh, hoping to the moon goddess that I wouldn't mess it up.Minutes dragged by, and I swallowed, feeling myself grow tired and tired. Numbers were never my thing, and when I looked up, I could see them doing a dizzying d
KEANNEShe held my eyes for a bit longer, her blue eyes swirling around, picking up the pieces of my scattered heart beat. Can I take you home?That was me mustering the courage that I hadn't a year ago. That was me mustering the bravery I should have used to wake her that morning and demand an explanation. But like a coward, I had run, because I knew just what damage she was capable of doing, and I knew that I didn't want to let her.She suddenly pulled away from me and gave a small sigh, her chest lightly heaving. I let my eyes drop, the enchantment that had passed between us for moments unknown to me broken.Her buttons were open and I could see the smooth skin underneath, the skin that felt heavenly in my hands.But red marks were splattered across, and I swallowed as another round of bile threatened throw me off."The bastard!" I heard my wolf scowl, and boy, did I agree.Had that bastard hit my mate?"I...I will be fine on my own."I swallowed, then moved away. "Sure. Why are y
Angeline arranged the gown around my feet, her smile small. She raised her head and then rested her hand on my stomach."You look absolutely beautiful," she whispered, smiling, her eyes crinkling at the sides."Thank you," I replied, then gave a small sigh. I was five months gone already, and I had a bulge. I looked into the mirror, my eyes squinting.It was all so beautiful. Angekine, our soon to be born baby."Are you okay?" I asked her, my eyes watching her. I saw her smile falter a little, but she nodded. "Yes. Thank you."I smiled and slowly turned away. After that birthday, a lot of things have become a little different. All of us had come out of it a little scarred, and even though Alpha Blake was given the death sentence, it had only made things a little sadder. I knew, left to Keanne and Angeline, they would have wanted a complete family with their father. It wasn't possible. At least not now, close to six months after his execution.I sighed, just as I heard the chords st
"Angeline!" Keanne yelled, and I immediately ran the short distance. Alpha Blake was on the floor. The drinks spilt around him, blood on his mouth and the white suit. Angeline was to his right, on the floor, her hair sprawled all over her.Aylen was on the ground, too, completely numb. And I wasn't sure who to attend to first.I ran to Aylen, but he wasn't moving at all. I immediately went to Angeline, my hands trembling. We had expected Alpha Blake's revenge, but never did we think he could lay a hand on Angeline. Never did we think he could want to have the cure so badly.Aylen was hurt, and he hadn't even healed Angeline yet.I turned to Keanne, who had now come to Aylen's side and turned him over.Aylen wasn't moving still.In one desperate attempt, I turned Angeline over, my hand reaching for her chest. I immediately started to pump, my lips sucked in, beads of perspiration covering my forehead. We couldn't lose her. Not after such a beautiful two days. Not when we were starting
"Blake," Keanne said, immediately pushing me behind him. I saw Aylen do the same, and I saw Angeline cling to his jacket, her eyes wide."You weren't content with just your betrayal. You had to force her to betray me, too? You had to take my daughter from me too?!"Keanne sighed, then took a step forward, daring Alpha Blake. "Betrayal? Is there a betrayal bigger than the one you meted out to your family? Is there a betrayal bigger than the one you gave to your pack?""Oh, shut up," Alpha Blake said, waving the gun. "Those omegas, you... you are all pure evil.""Blake," a member of the pack, Alpha Zane said, standing up. "If you want to put up a clown show, find a circus. This is neither the right place nor the right time to show everyone how much of a crackhead you have become."Alpha Blake froze before he slowly turned to Alpha Zane. "How about we start with you, then? Little bitch."Before any of us could speak, he levelled the gun at Alpha Zane who didn't even flinch, his eyes narro
CORAI woke up to Keanne running his fingers slowly on my arm, his head propped up on the other arm."What are you doing?"He sighed. "Admiring my wife. What's wrong with that?"I turned to watch him, then gave a small sigh. "No, you are panicking."He stopped, watching me for a long time, then broke into a smile. Without a word, he leaned and placed a small kiss on my lips."I am scared for my sister. And Aylen."I nodded understandably. "I know. And you have every right to be. Alpha Blake is unpredictable, and I hope he doesn't do anything."Keanne sighed. "We just have to do this. We have to do this to ensure our happy endings. All four of us. I want to be a father, Cora. I want to watch Angeline be rid of the darkness she had to live with just so I could become overpowered. I swear. There is nothing I want more. I look at her as she watches Aylen, and she looks like I know I do when you are here."I smiled. "I know. But I don't think Alpha Blake would do anything to her."His brows
CORA"Good morning," I said, moving to bury my face in Keanne's chest."Morning sweetheart," he grumbled, then moved a little. "How are you?"I sighed and then moved again, my hand coming to cover my face. "Tired. And we are not even halfway through the decor."He gave a sigh. "They will come fix it, don't worry. Want me to take you up?"I sighed, then sat up, looking around. Aylen and Angeline's blankets were on the floor, but they were nowhere to be found."Where did they go?" I asked, my voice still a little sleepy, but a lot more awake now.Keanne straightened, his eyes squinting. "Do you think they...""Made breakfast?" Came Angeline's voice, hardly contained with excitement."Yes, we did. Good morning, sleepy love birds." Aylen made a face at Keanne, who wasted no time to return it. It was crazy how much of children they could be when the situation wasn't forcing them to be adults.I smiled, then adjusted, my eyes falling on the large baking dish Angeline was holding."That smell
CORABy the time I got back down, the lights were turned off, and the decorative bulbs were turned on everywhere, Keanne, Angeline, and Aylen sitting around it. I walked to Angeline and handed her the blanket, a small smile on my lips."Here," I said, stretching my hand out to her.She looked up, then gave a slow nod and accepted it. "Thank you."Keanne tapped the space beside him, and I went over, then sat down, putting the blanket on my lap."What can I say? At least Aylen can breaathe now.""Stop," Aylen said, his eyes wide, his cheeks immediately reddening. We all burst into laughter, including Angeline, and he simply melted into her shoulder to hide his embarrassment. They were extremely beautiful, and I hoped they wouldn't have to go through the roller coasters that we did."Does Blake know you left?" Keanne asked when everywhere quieted down, his eyes lifting to meet hers.She swallowed. "He was... losing it.""Losing it?" I asked the question for everyone.She nodded. "He wa te
CORAKeanne held on to my thigh as he slowly drove. The silence was a little awkward, and I kept turning to Angeline and Aylen in the back seat. Aylen seemed pretty comfortable, while Angeline kept turning to him, her eyes big with adoration. It reminded me of myself and Keanne once.I gave a small smile, then slowly turned back to the front. Angeline would still be going back home, so we would drop her a few metres away from Alpha's place. We stopped, and Keanne turned to her, then gave her a small smile."If you need Aylen, he is with me now."She slowly nodded. "Thank you." Her voice was low, and she turned to Aylen. He said nothing, then went out and went around to open the door for her."We look forward to seeing you at the party, Angeline."She turned to me, then slowly nodded. My smile brightened, and she tried to return it. I understood her and knew she would need some more time to get used to us. She didn't need to get used to Blake since he didn't love her anyway. I watched
"She is here," Keanne whispered with a small chuckle. I looked down at him, and he looked to be enjoying it."You like this, don't you?""Mhm," he laughed again, then slowly helped me out of the lake. "Aren't you curious how Angeline is when she is in love?"I shrugged. "I mean, I am, but... well..." I trailed off. "I mean, well, when I first went to the office, I thought she had a thing for you."He turned to me, then broke into a low laugh. "Not to lie, I thought so too. That's why I took her to that dinner. Thinking back now, even her weird naive act made sense. Anyone with intelligence would see the strain in that environment."I snickered. "Sure, now it does."Silence fell between us, punctuated by the slow, unhurried footsteps. I knew they belonged to Aylen."Were you jealous?" Keanne suddenly asked, turning to me, mischief in his eyes.I rolled my eyes and punched his shoulder playfully. He laughed, just as I heard Angeline's voice. And we both went silent. "Never did I think y
CORAI watched Keanne slowly dress up, a glass of wine in one hand, his phone on the other. He kept having to drop his wine to pull up the trousers or to look for a shirt to go with it.I gave a small sigh, then grabbed a simple black button-down shirt for him to wear. He gave me an appreciative smile, then moved his hands briefly so I could help him wear it. I slowly buttoned it up, then tapped on his chest twice."You are my big man," I said, laughing. He broke into a smile, then turned his attention back to the phone. He was going over the details of the party, and right before he cut the call, he said he would leave the house open so they could bring some supplies he had ordered."Is that safe?" I asked, turning to him.He nodded. "Yes. Don't worry about it."I nodded, then followed behind him. I suddenly stopped, remembering the mystery guy. "Wait, what about Aylen?"Keanne stopped, then turned upstairs, just as the door opened, and Aylen slowly stepped out. He was wearing a simp