As the sun rose, the ceremony finally kicked off. After seeing off the guests from last night, I headed back inside to refresh. Once inside, I made my way upstairs to change. The distant hum of music drifted up from the ceremony below as I showered. It felt good to finally wash away the stress of the past few days. I dried my hair quickly, eager to join the festivities.Slipping into a white maxi dress with delicate straps, I couldn't help but notice how it hugged my curves. It seemed almost inappropriate for a mourning occasion, but I didn't mind. After all, appearances were everything.The food was being taken care of by one of the ladies, and soft music filled the air. Guests began to arrive, all dressed in white. Not a child in sight, probably because everyone knew there was bound to be some drama. With Natalie's history of affairs with both father and son, it was hard to imagine things going smoothly. We made sure to keep the gossipy, jealous women and envious men off the guest
As I navigated through the crowd of women and men, I made my way into the long hallway that led to the bathroom. The hallway was lined with three regular bathroom stalls and two fancier ones. Since I was technically the host, I opted for one of the VIP toilets located at the end of the hallway. Struggling with the zipper of my dress, I pushed open the gold-colored door to the VIP bathroom. The bathroom was surprisingly spacious, almost like a small bedroom. It boasted multiple sinks and a full-length mirror, with enough room to comfortably accommodate three or four people.Finally managing to grasp the zipper, I drew it down with a sigh of relief. Just as I was about to turn the back of the dress to the front, a knock sounded on the door.“Who is it?” I called out, curious as to who would interrupt me. This wasn't the only bathroom.“It's Zara, Luna,” came Zara's worried voice from the other side of the door. “Would you like me to get you a new dress?”I considered her offer for a
Victor pushed farther into me, curling inside me as he sealed his mouth over my waxed lips. Sucking and nibbling his face against me until I couldn't hold it any longer and cried as my orgasm exploded into his mouth. I rode his face all through my first release. He pulled off me with a pop and guided his mouth to my lip. “Taste yourself. You taste so fucking good.” He said between the kiss pushing the cum off his mouth and into mine.It was strange.He pulled away, helping me down from the slab before unbuckling his belt and removing his pants.“Turn over,” his voice was husky as he instructed, and I complied, stepping out of my dress and laying on the slab with my chest down and my as pushed up. I glanced back to watch him roll on a condom.“Did you also fuck with Natalie in the bathroom?” The question slipped out faster than I intended, fueled by the memory of our previous argument about her.His dark chuckle sent a flurry of butterflies through my stomach. “Jealous?”“You didn't an
The ceremony concluded just a few minutes past twelve o'clock. It was supposed to end right on time, but Ms. Dorothy's son accidentally locked himself in the bathroom, causing a slight delay. We spent valuable minutes searching the venue for him. Unfortunately, Dorothy couldn't track his scent because he had doused himself in some inexpensive cologne he found at school. It took us a while, but eventually, one of the waitresses informed us that she had seen him heading towards the bathroom earlier.We finally located him, sweaty and struggling to breathe, and immediately rushed him to the pack's clinic. A few of Ms. Dorothy's friends joined them and provided support along the way. With them taken care of, the rest of us focused on tidying up the area. We asked the maids to start cleaning up as everyone else began to leave, the chaotic events of the day finally coming to an end.The party wasn't too eventful, except for Penelope causing a scene. She was upset because I mentioned that Da
"Cause of death: wolfsbane and possibly pain," one of the councilmen read aloud, his voice echoing in the tense silence of the room. He paused, then read the words again, his brows furrowing in confusion as he tried to make sense of the information presented before him.He stared at the paper in disbelief, his hands gripping it tightly as if trying to crush the words printed on it. “How the heck did a rogue coat wolfsbane on its claws? That's impossible,” He half-yelled, frustration and confusion evident in his voice.As I mulled over the information, I couldn't believe it either, It is nearly impossible for a wolf, rogue or not, to come into contact with even a small amount of wolfsbane without suffering severe consequences. The mere thought of a wolf breathing in half a pinch of the toxic herb sent shivers down my spine. The mental and physical breakdown it would cause was beyond comprehension. It was like flirting with death itself.But then again, nothing was impossible in the wor
Latisha didn't reveal who was responsible for Natalie's demise, nor did she mention anything about the rogue. Instead, she simply suggested that tonight, being the night of the full moon, would be a fitting time to perform the ritual and lay Natalie to rest. So we all got ready for it. Damon sent words to everyone and I decided to pay Cecil a visit, Natalie's death did but her hard.Once dressed, I made myself a simple breakfast and took a moment to gather my thoughts before heading out to visit Cecil.Her home was a grand duplex nestled among lush greenery, with sprawling gardens and ornate architecture that spoke of old-world charm. The driveway was lined with majestic oak trees that looked similar to ours, their branches reaching out to create a canopy overhead.Pulling up to the entrance, I took a moment to admire the beauty and designs. I rang the doorbell and waited for her to open.“Luna, you made it just in time” Cecil greeted me warmly as she opened the door, she was dressed
After treating myself to some ice cream and snacks, and splurging on more dresses that made a very serious dent in my bank account, I ran into Victor at the snacks store. Turned out he had a meeting nearby and was waiting for his driver to bring his car over. When he saw the bags I was holding, he insisted on buying me even more things. So, by the time I finally got home, it was already four in the afternoon, my trunk was filled and so was the back seat of my car, and I had to rush to get ready for the burial.According to Berry-woods pack's tradition, when burying someone whose cause of death is still unknown or wasn't natural, wearing a bright outfit was considered a big no-no. It's like sending them off with the acknowledgment that we're still in the dark about what happened to them.It might sound weird, but I had the perfect outfit for the occasion, it was one of the dresses Victor bought for me was a bit revealing, with no sleeves and these small holes at the sides of the waist.
So the machines and everything else we needed would start rolling in within a week. We even discussed renting out the other hall and offices adjoined with this one if Elizabeth and Jennie decided to jump on board with us.In a week or two possibly after everything is settled, Cecil will go to file a trademark application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for our brand and every. She suggested I went with her, saying I was reputable enough to handle it. But honestly, I wasn't too keen on the idea. I don't want news of me getting my way easy to be flying around, especially when it came to business matters.After finishing up some emails, I packed up my things and headed out of the store. Cecil, being the sweetheart she is, offered to give me a ride home and maybe even stop by for some hot tea.As Cecil locked up the shop, I waited in her car parked out front. The streetlights cast a faint, soft glow over the quiet sidewalk.I watched as Cecil hurried over, her b
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