News came in after I decided to double check and put a call to one of the pack warriors who were supposed to guard the border to confirm if it was true, that was a ridiculous request because I literally saw it on the news.Callum second in command was the one running the errands because Callum was still on the ‘find-who-killed-natalie’ search. It turned out that, yes a couple of hiker did die near the west border, but the death was connected to something else so the eyes of the curious people were off the pack, a few reporters and cops came though, but it didn't go too far and Damon had to come back from wherever he went to, to sort the situation, he couldn't give Victor the work because that man has been busy all day, I couldn't believe how packed his schedule was.He was never free for a full day, just a few hours and the he is back to work.Has he even eaten? Probably not. So I put a call through to his assistant to tell her I was coming and she shouldn't tell Victor as I wanted t
“What are you doing sitting on the stairs?” I climbed the first and second steps and waited for her to move out of the way.She slowly got up. “I'm sorry but I can't let you in, Luna. The alpha is currently in and busy with a serious matter”Serious matter, in our bedroom.And I couldn't go in.“Sorry? You said I can't what?” My grip on my bag tightened. I suddenly saw Zara approaching from the background door, she must have heard what Selene said.Selene continued. “You can't go in” She hesitated before adding. “Luna”Zara took my bag from me and faced Selene with a grim expression. “Step aside, Ms Getty or I'll be forced to make you” I could see the surprised flash in Selene's eyes. Yes, Zara was an ordinary assistant and Chambermaid but she was as strong as she could be, I stopped sparring with her when she almost broke my bones. She was more capable than any guards I carry.Selene look at her ridiculously. “Can you please not interrupt. I'm just doing my job”Zara scoffed in resp
I left the room with a heavy heart, knowing what I had to do. Slowly, I packed at my shoes and stuffed them into a big box and began then move my things. Each item I put outside the room felt like a piece of my life slipping away.“Are you sure about this, Luna?” Zara's voice was soft as she watched me pack from outside what's now Damon's room. She was holding a large red box that had all my books.I nodded, unable to meet her gaze. “I have to do this. It's for the best.”Once everything else like the dirty clothes, files and documents was packed, I moved to the other room. It felt strange to be in a new space, unfamiliar and empty. But I knew it was necessary for my own sanity.“Do you need any help arranging your stuff?” Normally, she wouldn't have asked, but I guess she saw how alone I want to be at the moment. “No, I think I can manage,” I replied, trying to sound more confident than I felt. I started by cleaning the room, wiping away the dust and cobwebs that had accumulate
The morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the room as I groggily reached for my buzzing phone on the nightstand. Cecil's name flashed on the screen, and I answered after yawning and wiping the drool off my chin.“Ana, it's Cecil,” Her voice crackled through the line. “Just wanted to let you know that the people have started bringing in the equipment for the store. Elizabeth and Jennie are already here, ready to get things set up.”I pulled the phone away from my ear to check the time.7:56I placed the phone back on my ear.“Thanks for the heads up, Cecil. I'll be there shortly.” My voice was groggy and she must have known because she asked me to take a quick bath and be there.After hanging up, I dragged myself out of bed, feeling the weight of exhaustion settling over me like a heavy blanket. The events of the previous night had left me drained both physically and emotionally, but there was no time to dwell on it now.In the bathroom, I stared at
I woke up at home the next morning feeling surprisingly refreshed. Damon wasn't home, which was a relief. I had breakfast and took my time enjoying it, savoring each bite as I planned out my day.After breakfast, I decided to spend the morning ordering a few more things to add some final touches to my bedroom. I browsed through different online stores, scrolling through pages of curtains, throw pillows, and rugs, searching for the perfect pieces to complete the cozy atmosphere I had in my head.After much deliberation, I finally settled on a set of curtains in a soft, neutral color, a selection of throw pillows in coordinating patterns, and a plush rug to add warmth to the hardwood floors. With my shopping list complete, I proceeded to check out, eagerly anticipating the arrival of my new purchases.Since the items I ordered might take long and would possibly require pick-up, I decided to take a stroll downtown to the aesthetic store to get some room decor designs. .Upon arriving at
“Good afternoon, this is The Grand Platinum Hotel, how may I assist you?” came the voice of the receptionist from the other end of the line. Her voice tiny. “Hello, This is Zara Valentine, I'd like to make a reservation for tomorrow,” Zara replied politely, her grip on the phone tightening. “I'm sorry, but all of our suites have been booked for tomorrow,” The receptionist informed her. Zara's expression fell slightly, but she quickly regained her composure. “Okay, thank you for letting me know,” She said before ending the call. Without skipping a beat, she moved on to the next hotel on her list, dialing the number. They picked at the first ring. “Good afternoon, this is The Royal Hotel, how may I assist you?” The receptionist greeted. “Hi there, I'm Zara Valentine and I'd like to make a reservation for tomorrow,” Zara repeated her usual request. She sounded like a broken record. After a brief pause, the receptionist responded, “I'm sorry, but we're fully booked for tomorrow. But
As Victor and I chatted on the phone, he suddenly mentioned something about a red carpet party for CEOs and wealthy businessmen. He said it was going to be hosted outside the country, and he was planning to book a hotel to stay at before and after the occasion. At first, I hesitated. Going to a high-profile event like that wasn't exactly my cup of tea. But then, I thought about how much fun it could be to spend time with Victor in a new and exciting place. It was tempting. So, after a moment of consideration, I agreed to go with him. I mean I could also broaden my business. “Sounds like it could be interesting,” I said, trying to sound enthusiastic. “When is it happening?” “The night after Christmas,” Victor replied. “So, we'll be leaving tonight. We're taking the plane, as it's outside the country” I nodded, processing the information. “Okay, I'll start packing then. Am I also packing dress up for the occasion? Or not” I chuckled. “Not like staying and snacking all night in the h
As the car rolled to a stop at the airport, I glanced at the digital clock on the dashboard. It read a few minutes to nine. With a deep breath, I gathered my belongings and prepared to step out into the calm atmosphere of the terminal.Exiting the car proved to be a bit of a challenge, as it was a tall vehicle and I needed some assistance from the driver to help my way down. Once on solid ground, I thanked him and retrieved my bags, ready to begin the next leg of the journey.The airport didn't buzz with activity as it should, no sound of the usual chatter and the hum of engines that was supposed to fill the air. Neon signs illuminated the terminal, casting a colorful glow over the dark area. I made my way through the large wooden boxes that scattered around, didn't know the use or what was inside, but it was there. I followed the signs that pointed towards the departure gates.After a bit of searching, I spotted Victor and his assistant standing near the entrance to the lone open pla
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