“Is it okay for your guests to see me here?” I could feel his gaze on me as I stood there, waiting for an answer to my question. The silence stretched on, and instead of a response, he just looked at me, taking in my tired appearance. Then, without a word, he headed to the coffee maker. I watched as he brewed two cups of coffee, and then he held one out to me. “Coffee?”I shot him a look of disbelief. “Seriously? Victor, I just had a miscarriage, and you're offering me coffee?”His eyes widened in realization, and he seemed flustered. “Sorry, I-I didn't know,” he stammered, almost dropping both cups, he then quickly poured them into the sink in his haste.Both cups!I gestured to the sink, shaking my head. “You didn't have to throw both cups – you know what? Forget it. Just answer my question.”He hurriedly wiped his hands, apologizing repeatedly as he did so. I waited patiently, trying to keep my frustration in check as he fumbled around.Finally, he spoke up. “I told Damon to leave
After finishing my chocolate and binge-watching a series of Korendramas, I spent the rest of the morning cooped up in my room. I whiled away the time, staring at the ceiling. When Zara showed up with lunch around one o'clock, I wasn't particularly hungry, I barely had any appetite. Despite that, I managed to eat a little of the casserole and drank the apple juice, leaving not a drop in the cup.Deciding not to bother Zara to clear the plates, I gathered the tray and utensils and made my way to the kitchen. As I entered the living room, I noticed that the guests had already left, leaving only Ashley behind, tapping away on her laptop. Victor was also nowhere to be seen.As I entered the living room, Ashley glanced up briefly and gave me a slight bow before returning to her tasks. She seemed completely absorbed in whatever she was doing, tapping away at her laptop with intense focus. I figured she must be dealing with something important, given her serious demeanor.Understanding that s
After stepping out of the store, I realized I forgot a few items. So, I turned around and went back inside. I headed straight to the sanitary section and picked up some tampons, heat bags, tissues, and a roll-on. The last heat bag I had was no longer useful, so I needed a new one.While I was there, I also grabbed a few sodas for the kitchen fridge, even though I knew I wouldn't be drinking any. With my purchases in hand, I made my way back to the entrance and stepped outside once again, ready to head back home.I climbed into the car after the driver helped load some of the groceries into the trunk and some into the back seat. As we began driving back, I rolled down the windows to let the fresh air in. The gentle breeze almost lulled me to sleep as we drove along. Twenty minutes later, we arrived home, the road was clear and the driver had taken a shortcut.Once we
I woke up to a disorienting haze, unsure of the time or my surroundings. My vision was blurry, and it took a moment for everything to come into focus. As clarity slowly returned, I realized I was surrounded by the frantic voices of Victor, Zara, and Ashley. They sounded panicked and worried.The room was dimly lit, with shadows dancing on the walls from the soft glow of a lamp in the corner. The air felt heavy with tension, and I could sense the urgency in their voices.Struggling to sit up, I rubbed my eyes and tried to make sense of the situation. It was clear that something was wrong, but I couldn't quite grasp what it was. My head throbbed with a dull ache, adding to my confusion.I struggled to comprehend the flurry of words swirling around me until a few seconds passed. Through the haze, I noticed a woman dressed in a black polo shirt and ripped jeans standing
I started eating the carrots, focusing on the familiar taste and texture to distract myself from the awkwardness of the situation. From the corner of my eye, I noticed Victor making his way to the vanity table. He placed the vitamins down with a thud, the sound catching my attention and startling me a bit.What was that for?As he returned, his presence loomed over me, making me acutely aware of his proximity. I could feel the firmness of his abdomen against my knees, causing a slight flush to rise to my cheeks. He reached across to grab the paper from the other side, his movements deliberate and controlled. With a quick glance, he scanned the contents of the paper before carefully folding it and tucking it away into his pocket.“You sure know of all the ways to end me” He sat at the corner of the bed. “and you alm
I woke up alone in bed, feeling a bit disoriented. Victor wasn't there, and I couldn't help but wonder where he had gone off to. Curious, I decided to ask Zara, who was probably busy tidying up the living room as the shuffling and brushing sounds didn't seize until I came out of my room.Her back was facing me.She quickly turned when she heard me approach and slightly bowed.“Good morning Luna, I hope you had a good night”“Oh, thank you, I noticed Victor wasn't in when I woke up” I pointed to my door. “Neither is he in his”He slept in my room, so there was no way he woke up and decided to sleep in his.I didn't think so.Zara nodded with a gentle smile. “Both Alpha Victor and Ashley went to the hotel together, he said something about coming back earlier so that you two would go to the meeting on time.” she replied. “Oh, and he made breakfast before they left.”I nodded, taking in the information. It made sense that Victor had somewhere to be. “Okay then”“Is there anything else y
We arrived at the pack house earlier than expected, and it seemed like everyone else was already there, chatting and laughing. Except Damon.Not surprised.I tried to respond to the greetings as we entered, but my heart wasn't really in it. All I wanted was to find a seat and disappear into the background.Damon, as always, had to make his honest alpha slash honorable entrance. He leaned in to place a quick kiss on my cheek, and I had to fight the urge to vomit. His fake smiles and public displays of affection made my skin crawl. But what bothered me more was Victor's reaction, or lack thereof. Instead of his usual trying to hold himself back from punching Damon and the jealousy in his eyes, he just stared ahead, seemingly lost in thought or interested in the room decor like it was his first time being here.I squirmed in my seat, feeling incredibly uncomfortable being so close to Damon. It took all my willpower not to bolt out of the room and retreat back to the safety of the penthou
I felt myself being gently placed on the bed, the mattress soft beneath me. Someone draped a warm quilt over my body, cocooning me in its comforting embrace. A soft, short cold sensation brushed against my forehead, making me shiver slightly before I drifted back into sleep. I gathered a few things for the short journey ahead the next day. Winter boots, thick clothing, my trusty winter coats, my medicine bag and some other essentials. I made sure to pack lotions, the new tampons I had bought earlier, a heat pad, and a few nightwear sets. I knew I might need to stay a couple of days, so I packed enough essentials to last me three or four days.I was heading to visit my mother and planned to stay at my Grandma's half-abandoned house. I stuffed some toiletries, makeup, and extra lotions into another bag, along with a few more changes of clothes. It took some effort to double press the bag closed. I glanced around the room, trying to make sure I hadn't forgotten anything, when the
Leo’s POVShock couldn’t even describe how I felt when Michael and Greg were in the same room as us. It was hard not to show my displeasure as I watched them sit eagerly, rubbing their palms at the delicacy presented to them. While Michael was just interested in whatever this was, Greg cast furtive glances at me, but I paid him no attention.The least he could have done was to have informed me beforehand that my best friend had offered him an invitation to have dinner at the house. I could have told him to decline. If he had, Michael would have done the same, and I wouldn’t have had to watch Lila so uncomfortable.She squirmed in her seat, not looking up from the table. Her plate was empty, as she had yet to take what she wanted. But she had already been accosted, so I doubted she was interested in whatever was in those dishes.“This is amazing,” Michael gushed like a child who had just been handed his favorite candy. “I’m sitting in the same room as Leo and Armani. I can’t wait to te
Ana stepped into the pharmacy on her way to Victor's, with a sense of urgency. She made her way to the counter, her eyes scanning the shelves until she found what she was looking for. Birth control pills. She grabbed a pack, paid for it quickly, and left the store, her mind already focused on the night ahead. Hoping no one's attention was in her.Once outside, she took a deep breath and fished the packet out of her bag. She popped a pill into her mouth and swallowed it dry, anticipating her arrival at the mansion. She could feel the excitement building, a mischievous smile playing on her lips as she imagined what was to come.Arriving at the house, she let herself in with the spare key he had given her. The house was quiet, save for the soft hum of voices coming from the dining room. She walked in and found him sitting at the dining table, engrossed in a live Zoom call. His laptop was open in front of him, and two businessmen were visible on the screen, discussing some important matte
After getting the things he needed at the store, Carlos' uncle, Frances decided not to drive straight home if maybe not. Instead, he took a detour to a dimly lit tea shop. He parked in front and walked on foot to a bar a bit farther away. It might be calculated move on his part, a way to throw off anyone who might be following him.Entering the bar, he found a secluded corner and settled in, ordering a few less alcoholic drinks. He knew he needed to stay awake, and nit get drunk. As he sipped his drink, he kept an eye on the door, waiting for his contact to show up. He was told this bar sold cookies, and despite the unusual setting, he couldn't resist ordering some.An hour passed, and there was still no sign of his contact. He ordered another drink, more out of a need to maintain his cover than a desire for alcohol. The bar was a typical dive, with dim lighting and the smell of stale beer hanging in the air. He tried to stay calm, but the wait was beginning to get to him.After wait
Ana spent the rest of her morning and early afternoon in blissful solitude. She played games on her phone, The hours slipped by unnoticed, and soon she felt the heavy pull of sleep. Without bothering to change, she curled up on her bed and napped.When she woke up, it was late afternoon. The house was quieter now, the bustle of the morning's chaos having subsided. She stretched and took a moment to reorient herself, then decided it was time to freshen up and shake off the remnants of sleep. She wanted to make the most of her remaining free time before the annual packs' meeting.She dressed up in a casual chiffon dress, applied a little makeup, grabbed her bag and left her room, moving quietly through the house. She tried her best to avoid any lingering annoying family members, not wanting to risk another confrontation or forced interaction, or even an insult regarding her choice not to get pregnant. As she stepped outside, the cool afternoon air greeted her. Smelt like summer was just
The girl jumped, her face paling as she stammered an apology and quickly scurried away. Ana watched her go, irritation still simmering. She put in her key, twisted until she heard a click and then shd pushed the door open, entering her sanctuary. She took a moment to breathe, willing herself to calm down. The last thing she needed was to let anyone down there see her rattled.She freshened up quickly, splashing cold water on her face and running a brush through her hair. She changed into something more presentable, even though the effort felt wasted. These breakfasts were always the same—forced smiles and shallow conversations, or just them plainly trying to piss her off Descending the stairs. Damon was seated at the head of the table, with Catherine by the left, there was someone else by the right and he gestured the lady to move when he saw me approaching.Well, let's just not start on the part where he just acted nice and weird, like he's been doing lately.Victor, predictably, wa
The next morning, Ana lounged in the living room, munching on popcorn while Zara massaged her feet. She watched as Catherine, always the attention-seeker, prepared an extravagant breakfast. As usual, Catherine had invited almost the entire Pierce family for a feast without bothering to inform anyone beforehand. It was such a Catherine thing to do—spontaneous, inconsiderate, and utterly exhausting for everyone else involved.The kitchen was a chaotic mess of clattering pots and pans, the smell of cooking food thick in the air. Selene and the other maids bustled around, trying to keep up with her relentless pace. Ana watched them with detached amusement, knowing full well that any call for help from Catherine would be met with thinly veiled disdain.Catherine, in her own world, directed the maids with sharp commands, her voice carrying over the noise. Ana knew better than to engage. She had learned long ago that nothing she did would ever be good enough for Catherine, and she had stoppe
In the dimly lit warehouse, the men lounged around, a sense of nonchalance hanging in the air. The men were taking a break from their gruesome duties, their faces reflecting a mix of boredom and tiredness and maybe a bit sleepines. The smell of sweat, smoke, and faint hints of blood filled the room."Hey, you got another one of those?" one of the men asked, nodding toward a cigarette as he sprawled on a worn-out couch."Sure," another replied, tossing him a pack. "We're gonna need something stronger if we have to go back to work soon.""Tell me about it," the first man muttered, lighting his cigarette and taking a deep drag. He exhaled slowly, the smoke curling up towards the ceiling. "I’m tired of babysitting that old woman. shouldn't we just clear her. I wonder why she's here.""Seriously man, but orders are orders," the second man shrugged, leaning back and closing his eyes. "Besides, we’ve got that other guy to keep things interesting."In the corner of the warehouse, their other
Ana woke up early the next morning, the soft morning light filtering through her bedroom window, she was driven home last night after dinner by Jules under Victor's order since he refused to let her hail a taxi. She stretched, shaking off the remnants of sleep. Today was the day she would prepare for the annual packs' meeting, an event that required her to be both presentable and versatile. The meeting was a significant occasion, filled with formal discussions and various activities, and she needed to look her best, but to beat the gossips and also build her confidence.As she dressed after freshening up, her thoughts turned to her wardrobe. Many of her clothes seemed dull and uninspired, and so was the ones she bought earlier for the meeting. She decided it was time to update her collection. Grabbing her phone, she made a quick list of the essentials she needed: a few new dresses, some casual outfits, and accessories to match. She also noted that she might need a couple of versatile
Lucas stood up, pondering her words. He exchanged a glance with the leader of the men, who gave a slight nod."You did the right thing by telling us, Maria," Lucas said. "We'll make sure your grandchildren are safe. But you need to understand that if I find out you lied, your grandkids wouldn't be safe in my hands either"She nodded vehemently, tears streaming down her face. "I swear, everything I just told you is the truth. Please, just protect them. They’re all I have left."He gave her a small, almost pitying smile, that to a normal eye would look a bit forced. "Very well then. We'll do our best. Remember, Maria, trust is a fragile thing. Don't give us a reason to break it.""I promise, I'm not lying"As they left her alone in the warehouse, her heart sank into a deep pit of despair, her mind racing with thoughts of her grandchildren. Outside, Lucas walked briskly to his car, which was parked just outside the warehouse. He climbed into the driver's seat, leaving the door open for a