LEVI EDELMAN “Why did you keep ignoring me…” I whispered, my gaze flicking to her, lingering. “When you’re this worried about me?”I knew the moment she stepped inside, I had just kept quiet purposely. I heard every one of her words, and I couldn’t help but flutter my eyes, hurt by the fact that she kept ignoring me, but cried when she saw me sick. Her face was pale, her eyes wet and swollen, strands of hair sticking to her face from the sweat and tears. My gaze dropped, and the sight of her soaked-through blouse clinging to her skin, outlining every curve, sent a sharp ache through me.Her bra was visible through the thin fabric, the soft curve of her breasts rising and falling with every desperate breath she took. My throat tightened, not from pain, but from the raw, quiet need building inside me.I tilted my head slightly, my voice low and hoarse but steady. “Did you come in here looking like this on purpose?”She flinched, her cheeks flushing instantly, and she shook her head. “
LEVI EDELMAN I held Gia in my arms, her body still warm against mine, her breath coming out in soft gasps. I could feel her heart beating fast, and I couldn’t help but pull her closer. My hand gently traced her skin as I whispered, “Are you sore?”She didn’t answer right away. She looked down, her cheeks flushed, and I could feel the hesitation in her body. She was too shy to speak, and I didn’t want to push her. Instead, I just tightened my hold on her. After a second, I gently scooped her up and carried her into the bathroom. I could tell she was feeling unsure, but I didn’t want her to worry. “We’ll take a shower,” I said quietly. “You don’t have to be shy.”“I don’t want to bathe with you…” Her voice was small.I stopped, holding her for a second, studying her face. “There’s nothing to be shy about,” I assured her. “It’s just us.”I could see the doubt in her eyes, but she didn’t argue. She trusted me. That was all I needed. I turned on the shower, letting the cold water run as
LEVI EDELMAN“You don’t have to look at me like that,” I muttered, not looking up. My fingers drummed lightly on the edge of the plate in front of me.“I wasn’t.” Alan blinked, caught.“You were,” I said quietly. I finally looked at him. “I’m fine, alright? You don’t need to worry about me.”He held my gaze for a second longer than I expected, then he nodded, though I knew he didn’t believe me. And I couldn’t blame him.I shifted my eyes toward Gia. Her hand moved slowly with the fork, poking at the vegetables on her plate, barely eating. Her hair was still damp from earlier. I remembered the way the water ran down her skin. The way she avoided my eyes when I held her in the shower.Now, she wore my shirt so big it looked like a gown on her, and she looked smaller than usual. She looks tired too. In a way that made me feel guilty.I heard a foot step turning back to see Maddison striding it. What was I thinking before? She never plays with her stomach. “I see you all couldn’t wait fo
Gia O'LEARY My eyes stayed on Maddison as Mia spoke, and I watched the change in Maddison’s face. She was shocked, I could see it clearly in her eyes, and that shock snapped something in me.“Don’t utter rubbish, Mia,” Maddison snapped, her voice sharper than it had been before. Her words felt like a slap, but Mia didn’t look scared of her, though her hands were trembling just a little, and she met Maddison’s glare head-on.“I’ve seen the ring on your finger multiple times, Lady Maddison,” Mia said. Her voice wasn’t loud, but I’m sure everyone could hear her. “I know it’s yours, that’s why I brought it for you in case you’re looking for it.” “No!” Maddison replied sharply. “I’m not looking for any rings. Have a problem with that?” Maddison raised an eyebrow for some seconds then turned back to leave, but Mia was fast enough to halt her in a spot by her word. “I think it's your favorite ring since you wore it more than four times in a week.” My heart skipped, and I found myself
GIA O'LEARY“Why are you asking such a question? I just told you I clearly don’t know what you’re talking about!” Maddison denies again. “I’m asking because this ring… It’s yours?” Levi’s voice was calm, but I could feel the tension in his shoulders. He was trying not to jump to conclusions, but even he looked like he already had one.Maddison didn’t answer. She just stared at the ring in his hand, frozen like she couldn’t believe what she was seeing.I stepped forward. “Don’t waste your breath, Levi,” I snapped, not even bothering to hide the heat in my voice. “She’s the one who stole the herbs. That ring is proof.”“Gia, calm down. Let her speak.” He frowned at me, his voice soft but firm. I clenched my fists at my sides, trying to breathe through the anger rising in my chest. Maddison had played us all for fools. I knew it in my gut. She stood there, pretending like she didn’t understand anything. Pretending like the ring wasn’t hers.“Let me see the ring clearly,” Maddison final
GIA O'LEARY I grabbed onto the shiny pole in the center of the curbed area in the strip club, just as every other night, this was supposed to be easy. My eyes scanned my audience through my mask, a habit to be certain no one in the crowd was familiar enough to recognize me even with the mask on. I was on display just as every other Friday night, the sickening gazes of these lustful men devoured me ravenously like cackling flames, their leering faces bore unmasked lust. Cheers erupted from the crowd, 'Black Swan' getting chanted from the dark corners of the bar, excited to finally have me on display for them. Wild display. The dim lights cast a golden glow on my skin, accentuating every curve in me as I twirled around the pole. I knew all of the regulars by heart, these boisterous lecherous men ogling at every move I made by the pole were regulars. But tonight, the sudden change of air at the bar stemmed from the unfamiliar face in the VIP area, his piercing green eyes dwelt on
GIA O'LEARYIt was almost morning light when I slipped into my bedroom. I closed the door and rested against it, releasing the trapped air from my lungs as I stood unnaturally still by the closed door. What just happened?The night had grown into something else, something fierce. I kissed a man. I kissed someone for the first time. And I liked it. A lot. No. This was wrong. My eyes screwed tight as though to fight the sizzling thoughts plaguing my mind, the electrifying feel of his rough palm trailing every inch of me, flooding my entire body with heat. What was absolutely wrong became the prickling sensation between my thighs as I conceived these thoughts. Forgive me, sweet goddess but this was a sin too great to resist. To shake off. Keegan didn't want me around his other five daughters because I was a runt. He feared this energy might rub off on them and worse, I was a constant reminder of how tragically his mate, my mom, died so he offered me the antiquated garage to stay In
GIA O'LEARY The tall and imposing doors of the grand hall went open and Keegan led the way in with Madeleine, his pride and joy, clinging to his side, looking more beautiful than ever."Here comes the High priest and his holy maidens!" Emory Rhode, a gregarious man plunged forward to welcome us. I instantly recognized him. The slightly balding man was a regular at the strip club. A pervert to the core. Although I performed every night with my face concealed, I still hid my face with my shawl, afraid of getting recognized. A few pack nobles came forward to welcome us, treating us like we were daughters of the moon goddess.Alpha Levi was a recluse, none of my sisters and I knew what the ruler looked like yet, my sisters were already wedded to him mentally. I chuckled. Just then, the babbles and cackles in the hall ebbed and this made my soft chuckles ring loudly. "Excuse me?" Emory asked, "Is something funny?"His condescending tone and cold eyes made it plain he already knew I
GIA O'LEARY“Why are you asking such a question? I just told you I clearly don’t know what you’re talking about!” Maddison denies again. “I’m asking because this ring… It’s yours?” Levi’s voice was calm, but I could feel the tension in his shoulders. He was trying not to jump to conclusions, but even he looked like he already had one.Maddison didn’t answer. She just stared at the ring in his hand, frozen like she couldn’t believe what she was seeing.I stepped forward. “Don’t waste your breath, Levi,” I snapped, not even bothering to hide the heat in my voice. “She’s the one who stole the herbs. That ring is proof.”“Gia, calm down. Let her speak.” He frowned at me, his voice soft but firm. I clenched my fists at my sides, trying to breathe through the anger rising in my chest. Maddison had played us all for fools. I knew it in my gut. She stood there, pretending like she didn’t understand anything. Pretending like the ring wasn’t hers.“Let me see the ring clearly,” Maddison final
Gia O'LEARY My eyes stayed on Maddison as Mia spoke, and I watched the change in Maddison’s face. She was shocked, I could see it clearly in her eyes, and that shock snapped something in me.“Don’t utter rubbish, Mia,” Maddison snapped, her voice sharper than it had been before. Her words felt like a slap, but Mia didn’t look scared of her, though her hands were trembling just a little, and she met Maddison’s glare head-on.“I’ve seen the ring on your finger multiple times, Lady Maddison,” Mia said. Her voice wasn’t loud, but I’m sure everyone could hear her. “I know it’s yours, that’s why I brought it for you in case you’re looking for it.” “No!” Maddison replied sharply. “I’m not looking for any rings. Have a problem with that?” Maddison raised an eyebrow for some seconds then turned back to leave, but Mia was fast enough to halt her in a spot by her word. “I think it's your favorite ring since you wore it more than four times in a week.” My heart skipped, and I found myself
LEVI EDELMAN“You don’t have to look at me like that,” I muttered, not looking up. My fingers drummed lightly on the edge of the plate in front of me.“I wasn’t.” Alan blinked, caught.“You were,” I said quietly. I finally looked at him. “I’m fine, alright? You don’t need to worry about me.”He held my gaze for a second longer than I expected, then he nodded, though I knew he didn’t believe me. And I couldn’t blame him.I shifted my eyes toward Gia. Her hand moved slowly with the fork, poking at the vegetables on her plate, barely eating. Her hair was still damp from earlier. I remembered the way the water ran down her skin. The way she avoided my eyes when I held her in the shower.Now, she wore my shirt so big it looked like a gown on her, and she looked smaller than usual. She looks tired too. In a way that made me feel guilty.I heard a foot step turning back to see Maddison striding it. What was I thinking before? She never plays with her stomach. “I see you all couldn’t wait fo
LEVI EDELMAN I held Gia in my arms, her body still warm against mine, her breath coming out in soft gasps. I could feel her heart beating fast, and I couldn’t help but pull her closer. My hand gently traced her skin as I whispered, “Are you sore?”She didn’t answer right away. She looked down, her cheeks flushed, and I could feel the hesitation in her body. She was too shy to speak, and I didn’t want to push her. Instead, I just tightened my hold on her. After a second, I gently scooped her up and carried her into the bathroom. I could tell she was feeling unsure, but I didn’t want her to worry. “We’ll take a shower,” I said quietly. “You don’t have to be shy.”“I don’t want to bathe with you…” Her voice was small.I stopped, holding her for a second, studying her face. “There’s nothing to be shy about,” I assured her. “It’s just us.”I could see the doubt in her eyes, but she didn’t argue. She trusted me. That was all I needed. I turned on the shower, letting the cold water run as
LEVI EDELMAN “Why did you keep ignoring me…” I whispered, my gaze flicking to her, lingering. “When you’re this worried about me?”I knew the moment she stepped inside, I had just kept quiet purposely. I heard every one of her words, and I couldn’t help but flutter my eyes, hurt by the fact that she kept ignoring me, but cried when she saw me sick. Her face was pale, her eyes wet and swollen, strands of hair sticking to her face from the sweat and tears. My gaze dropped, and the sight of her soaked-through blouse clinging to her skin, outlining every curve, sent a sharp ache through me.Her bra was visible through the thin fabric, the soft curve of her breasts rising and falling with every desperate breath she took. My throat tightened, not from pain, but from the raw, quiet need building inside me.I tilted my head slightly, my voice low and hoarse but steady. “Did you come in here looking like this on purpose?”She flinched, her cheeks flushing instantly, and she shook her head. “
GIA O'LEARY My hands lingered at the back of my bra, the hooks stubborn against my fingers. I paused, biting lightly on my lip, my thoughts still tangled up in everything that had happened today. My chest felt heavy. I was still trying to undress when the door burst open so fast it slammed against the wall. I jumped, pulling the fabric against my chest, startled by the sudden sound.Maddison stood at the door, the rage in her eyes shooting forward to me. She clenched her teeth as if she were trying to hold back his anger. “What did you do to him?” Was the only word she uttered, her eyes darting across the room. “What did you mean?” I raised an eyebrow clearly confused about his statements. “It’s your fault!” She yelled. “It’s because of you. Because of your incompetence… his condition got this bad.”My heart stopped and my body went rigid. I stared at her, her words repeating over and over in my head.“What do you mean?” My voice came out low, almost broken. “Maddison, what are
LEVI EDELMAN The moment my fingers moved down her pants, her body jolted, and she pulled back slightly, breathless. Her palms pressed against my chest, pushing me away, but I didn’t let go. I could feel her heart pounding under my hand, her body trembling slightly. Her face flushed, and I couldn’t stop myself from watching her, the heat between us almost unbearable. Her breath was coming in shallow bursts, and I could tell she was fighting to keep off from me. “Levi…” Her voice was weak, barely steady, but it struck me deep. “We can’t…”I searched her eyes, the hunger still burning inside me, even as she pushed me away. But the moment she made that move, I stilled, my hands frozen in place, though I didn’t release her. My pulse was erratic, my chest tight with conflicting emotions. I wanted to pull her closer, to feel her body against mine again, but something inside me fought against it.“If this is the only way you’ll talk to me,” I said, my voice low, hoarse, “then I won’t hesita
GIA O'LEARY I didn’t mean to cut into the interview like that.The words had just slipped out of me before I could stop them. The whole conversation sounded so stupid to me. They stood there asking if the pack should worry about Levi, as if he were some fragile glass figure about to shatter. I couldn’t hold my tongue, not with them standing there throwing questions around like that.But now, as I sat quietly beside him, I couldn’t stop thinking about it.The interview went on for a little while after that. They asked a few more questions, less bold this time, as if my words had cooled their curiosity. Levi answered some of them with short, polite replies, though I could feel his gaze shift toward me now and then. I didn’t look back at him. I kept my face still, my hands folded over the small purse on my lap.When the interview finally ended, the real reason for being there started. The whole room smelled of polished wood and expensive cologne. I sat beside Levi the entire time, pret
LEVI EDELMANThe moment I saw her step outside, my breath stalled for a second.Gia walked down the steps with her chin held high, dressed so simple yet so beautiful it almost felt like the world slowed around her. The soft breeze caught strands of her hair, brushing them gently against her cheek, and for a second, I forgot about everything.All I could think about was how I’d let my temper get the best of me last night.I hadn’t meant to leave her room like that. I only wanted her to understand, but the more I tried to explain, the more it felt like I was losing her. I knew she didn’t trust Alan, and maybe I was a fool for believing she could see him the way I did.&n