Celeste’s POV Something was wrong. The way she acted unsettled me. Her eyes flickered with fear and anxiety, betraying an unease she couldn’t quite hide. And then, that strange question about working for me—so improper, almost desperate. I watched the way her chest rose and fell steadily, her eyes blinking rapidly as she fisted her dress and forced out a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. I craned my neck to the side, studying her face in suspicion as she scratched her head nervously. My instinct wasn’t wrong, and it has never been wrong. Firstly, she took a long time before she opened the door and all of this meant that she had lied to me when she said she wasn’t quick to open the door because she was half-asleep. She was doing something behind that door—Something that she didn’t want me to see. I raised a brow, a smile creeping through the corners of my mouth while I glanced over her shoulders. “Are you sure you are okay?” I could see that glint of anxiousness fla
Thorne’s P.O.V The door swung open as Celeste stormed inside, gripping a necklace that dangled from her hands. My gaze coasted over to her as she marched towards me with eyes blazing with fury. “What is this, Thorne?” Her chest heaved up and down. “Did you give Freya this necklace or did she steal it? What am I even saying? She stole it because you would never give her something this precious to her” “She deserves to be punished. You can't let this slide!” A smile crept at the corner of my mouth because it was just the reaction that I had expected from Celeste. The longer I stared at her, the more anger surged through me, my mind spiraling back to everything I’d uncovered about her. When she pulled up that mental issue card against Rayna in a bid to exonerate herself, I had this thought nudging at the back of my mind that something was wrong. My mind was so unsettled that I could hardly sleep until I was forced to visit the mental institute myself while giving strict
Freya’s P.O.V For days, I had still been dazed about the way Celeste had confronted me. The murderous glint in her eyes still sent shivers down my spine as her long claws pressed hard against my skin, almost digging into my neck. At that moment, I saw a scary Celeste— A terrifying image of her that I couldn't get rid of. As I wrapped my arms around myself, Astrid’s warning flashed through my mind. I had always known that there was something weird about Celeste. Her niceness when she was supposed to be angry felt just too calculated and cold for me. Since she yanked that necklace off my neck, I haven't seen her and I couldn't help but be glad for the peace I had enjoyed for the past few days. And then Thorne… I stopped in my tracks immediately, trying to push back the memories that flooded through my mind. The images of his lips crashing on mine and the way he had violated my very existence were seared into my mind. I tried so hard to get rid of it, but I couldn't.
Freya “Anika, is that you?” My heart palpitated, fear clawing at the back of my throat as her eyes locked onto mine. Thorne’s words faded into the background, replaced by a single, overwhelming thought— my life would be over if this woman kept coming toward me. Sweat trailed down my forehead and the more my heart thrummed, she walked towards me. My lungs hitched, and a distressed breath escaped my lips. I thought this was going to be the end for me until a boy who seemed like he was in his teens rushed to meet her, panting heavily. “Aunt” He gasped for breath, grabbing her gently by the wrist. “You can't go around the mall without me. What if you ran into something? Don't forget that you are blind and…” As soon as those words slipped out of his mouth, relief flooded through me and I almost collapsed to the ground but at the same time, my heart shattered into pieces. What did he mean by she was blind? She yanked her hands away from his grip, her lips wobbling. “L
Freya I stared out the window, watching as the maids trooped in and out of the castle, holding luxurious fashion bags and all of that. Celeste was preparing for her anniversary with Thorne, and she seemed invested in everything that she shared with Thorne. But, I couldn’t say the same for the other person. Thorne. With an exasperated sigh, I glanced over my shoulder, stealing a look at the man lounging on the edge of the table, casually absorbed in his book. The more I stared at him, the more my mind was swamped with confusion because wasn't it ironic that while Celeste was busy with the preparations for the anniversary party, Thorne was always here? In his free time, he would check up on me. Before he leaves the castle, he would check on me. Thorne’s recent shift in behavior wasn't only scary but suffocating at the same time. I squinted my eyes suspiciously, trying to study his face and decipher what could be going through his mind. The more I stared at him, the m
Thorne Sparks— That was the only thing I felt around Freya. Anytime she was near, my heart would race like galloping horses and the only thing I wanted was to be around her. It was weird that I always felt something lit up in my heart when she was around, or could the mate bond be the reason I wasn't thinking straight? Maybe it didn't matter, perhaps what mattered was the fact that something in me yearned for her—Her mind, body, and soul. She brought alive something that I never knew existed in my heart. Something so pure and lovely that I had never felt around Celeste. From random kisses to frequent sex—I had never been this drawn to someone all my life so much that the only thing that occupied my mind was her. And right now, she had bewitched me so badly that as I was on a business call, the only one that I could think of was her. “Don't think about her, Thorne” I muttered to myself, tightening my grip around the phone that pressed to my ear as my eyes squeezed
Celeste’s P.O.V A wave of anger coursed through me as I watched the delicate white flakes swirling in the wind. The more I watched the snow, the more my pulse quickened. Why now? Why would it freaking snow when it was two days to my anniversary? I rolled my eyes, closing the drapes while running my hands through my hair. “Why couldn't it have snowed after Thorne’s and my anniversary?” “Now I have to watch the snow with him when I have no plans of stepping out of my room today” A painful groan rumbled from my throat as I made way for the walk-in closet. I rummaged through my wardrobe, pushing a pile of clothes aside while reaching for the long faux fur coat that Thorne had given me as a gift last winter. Thorne and I had this tradition of watching the first snow of the year together. It was a tradition that we have upheld for years and right now, the whole snow-watching thing was starting to get boring and frustrating for me. If it weren't for the fact that he
Freya My growing attraction to Thorne wasn't only intoxicating, but it was scary at the same time. What we were doing was so wrong, yet with every passing day, I could see my conscience slipping away and the walls around my heart crumbling down. The way his eyes would always light up whenever he looked at me. The way being around him always made me feel butterflies and the feeling of his skin against mine. Bliss. The fact that I felt attracted to the dangerous man who could harm me if he discovered my identity was deeply alarming. But at the same time, I couldn't deny the attraction that I felt towards him, and this was due to the mating bond—A bond that I hated and loved at the same time. I was jolted out of my thoughts when Astrid shook me by the arm. “Why are you smiling? Is there someone who is making you this excited?” I chuckled, yanking my hands off her grip. “What are you talking about? I wasn't smiling” Astrid wriggled her finger at my face. “You are and
Freya’s P.O.V A giddy rush coursed through me as I reached for the black coat hanging from the rack. Just as I pulled the coat from the rack, my phone buzzed in my other hand and I set the coat back. It was Alexandro who was calling. A smile crossed my face at that moment, swiping through my screen before pressing the phone to my ears. “Hello, Alexandro…” The smile on my face faltered when the urgency and fear laced in his voice took me aback because what in the world was going on? Did something bad happen to him? “Where are you? I need you to remain wherever you are, and I don't want you coming to the bakery” He rushed while I raised a brow in confusion, running my hands through my hair. “Can you calm down and talk to me, and shouldn't you have left already? You told me that you would be leaving soon…is there anything wrong? Did something bad happen at the bakery or is this one of your pranks again?” With that same urgency in his voice, he responded. “Freya, you wou
Thorne’s P.O.V The sound of a car screeching to a halt filled my ears, breaking through my train of thoughts on how to deal with the disrespectful woman who had called me a pedophile. Hannah handed over the bag containing bagels to Enzo while I turned, hoping that it was the boss who was here. However, it was a black supercar and my heart sank down my stomach in disappointment. I hoped that it was her so that I could confront her but since it wasn't her car, I was about to turn away when my heart turned cold in my chest and I froze. A man dressed in white pleated pants and a white t-shirt with a scarf hanging loosely around his neck came out of the car. He removed his sunglasses, running his hands through his hair while I stared at him with my mouth parted slightly in shock. Because what was this? How was this even real? Maybe I was starting to have an issue with my eyesight because there was in no way that this man was the one standing next to the car. He locked his ca
Thorne’s P.O.V How in the world didn’t I check the business card? For the days that the business card was in my possession, I was oblivious to the fact that the business card was that of Fefe’s Sweet Corner Bakery. For a weird reason that I couldn’t place, a smile spread through my face. I was so confident that this wasn’t a coincidence at all. This was nothing but fate. However, the excitement that surged inside of me was soon cut out by Enzo’s words that filled my ears. I raised my head, shooting him a glare, while he tensed before he forced out a smile. “Did I interrupt something?” He said awkwardly. I raised a brow. “What sort of question is that?” “Well, you have been staring at that with this excitement on your face…” His words trailed while he glanced at his wristwatch. “And you have been staring at the business card for ten minutes now” “With the way you have been staring at the card, one would think that you would be reconnecting with your love there” My eyes
Freya’s P.O.V A bright smile formed on my face, glancing at the clock that ticked slowly before turning and shooting a wink at Hannah who stood behind the counter. “I have a good feeling about today, Hannah?” I almost squealed in excitement. She now sat weakly on the wooden chair behind the counter, her shoulders slumping as she heaved an exasperated sigh while shifting her gaze back to what she was recording. “I don’t have a good feeling about today” Her tone was void of life and energy. I chuckled, stalking towards the counter before leaning forward. “But you looked forward to me hiring a part-timer. Aren’t you excited anymore?” “The workload today is already stressing me out. Can the part-timer start working today?” “That would be tomorrow and good news, I spoke to Alexandro and Elsie about it, and they suggested that hiring two more people would be okay and…” Before I could complete my words, the door swung open, and I turned, almost yelling. “We are closed for now…
Freya’s P.O.V Peeking through the kitchen window, I took a glance at the quadruplets who ran around with bubbles floating around them, their laughter echoing in the yard. The gardener watered the flowers, a soft grin spreading across his face as he playfully popped a drifting bubble. Amusement lingered in his expression for a moment before he refocused on the task at hand. Their joy was contagious, and I couldn't help but be glad that they didn't fight today. Because they got into fights every minute. Sliding back to my chair, I scrolled through my phone, trying to select the perfect gift since Elsie’s birthday was coming up in the next three days. However, I couldn't focus because of the burning gaze of Hannah whose eyes singed my cheeks. I heaved an exasperated sigh, placing my phone on the table while she pursed her lips slightly and hung her head low. “What is it, Hannah?” “I am sorry” her voice was barely above a whisper. “You took me as a family even though I am
Thorne’s P.O.V Fixing my gaze on the woman who panted heavily as she struggled to catch her breath, she stood in front of me, her chest heaving up and down as her hands tightly clutched her chest. She straightened, cussing under her breath before she ran her hands through her hair frustratedly and a groan escaped her. “How could they be so fast? Why can’t I even catch them?” She mumbled and at that moment, she turned, her eyes locking into mine while she froze. She took me aback, walking towards me. “Earlier, I saw you talking to the children. Who are you, sir? Because I have never seen you around here…” I cleared my throat, fixing her a stern gaze while slipping my hands down my pocket. “I came here for business, and I am just meeting the twins for the first time. Isaac and Iris mentioned something about buying a new leash for the dog…” “Twins? What twins are you talking about?” I raised a brow in confusion. “Isaac and Ivy…” Before she could respond, I had already d
Thorne’s P.O.V My face scrunched in disgust, swiping fast to clear the offending image of her from my screen. She just celebrated her wedding anniversary and to think that she was heavily pregnant—only for her to send pictures of her bare thighs with the caption ‘Do you miss this? I would have come to you if you called, but you broke my fingers for a woman who left you in the end’ “Celeste,” I muttered through gritted teeth. This wasn't even an obsession at this point. This was pure madness. Her audacity to even send such a raunchy picture as this after what she had done to my sister, Sadie. She got some nerves. “What do I do with her?” I tossed the phone to Enzo who sat across from me, holding a chess piece. He caught my phone, his eyes darkening with every second that his gaze lingered on the phone’s screen. A growl rumbled from his throat as he ran his hands through his hair frustratedly. “Can you permit me to end this woman’s life? You should have killed her then
Freya’s P.O.V “Bye…” The quadruplets waved from the school bus window while I blew them a kiss, watching their bus until it disappeared around the corner. As soon as they left, anxiety crept at the back of my neck while hoping that they enjoyed the rest of their days in school like the first one. I also hoped that Iris would be able to connect with her friends at school. After hearing about the difficulties she faced on the first day in school, I spoke to her teacher, who assured me that she would address the situation with the girl who had made Iris feel left out. I trusted that with some guidance, Iris would find her place and feel more at ease this year. She also promised to invite the girl’s parents, and I couldn’t help but wish that things would go on well. Heaving an exasperated sigh, I turned, and my heart almost leaped into my throat as I was startled by a playful voice behind me. “Boom!” Placing my hand on my chest in a bid to steady my breathing, I whipped a
Thorne’s P.O.V Empty— That was the perfect word to describe the current situation in my life. Actually, no, that was basically what my life was filled with now. Nothing but emptiness. Ever since Freya left, my life had remained frozen in time. Nothing made sense without her being around, and no matter how much I tried searching for her, I couldn’t find her. I had searched the ends of the earth for her. I turned the world upside down searching for her, yet all my efforts came to nothing. Alexandro, my long-time enemy turned friend, had helped in finding her, and he even went as far as checking if there was a high chance that she was captured by the Lycan King, but he had found nothing. I even waged war against everyone that I thought might have a hand in her disappearance, but all my attempts all led to a dead end. Like that, I had been stuck trying to unravel the mystery behind Freya’s disappearance and the memories of her that I couldn’t let go. I wasn’t sane anymor