NADINEI thought it was going to take a while for Kai to come back so I was surprised when he came back when I was still checking myself in the mirror. I wanted to ignore him but the moment I caught the sight of him entering the waiting room through the mirror, my throat eased and I don't know when the words eased out of my mouth."Back so soon?"He raised his brows, a confused look marring his face, "what do you mean?"I looked away from his piercing eyes to focus on my gown but it was futile but he was everywhere, larger than life itself and it was impossible not to pay attention to him when he looked like that. "I mean I thought it'd take you guys quite a while to relieve the steams and all those testosterone between you guys."Jesus Christ, keep quiet, Nadine. What are you saying?He looked more confused and he leveled me with a questioning look and I should have gotten that as the cue to keep quiet but instead, my mouth just had to continue running. "I thought once you guys at
Knock, knock.I was barely awake and the knocks on the door seemed like miles away. I groaned and the door flung open. The knocker took it as a yes. Sara's shape came into view with her gracefully carrying a tray of sandwiches and bacon. The warm smell of creamy latte filled my nose and my stomach grumbled in confrontation.I slightly opened my sleepy eyes and could see Sara trying so hard to tiptoe because she did not want to disturb my sleep. She carefully placed the tray on the bedside table. I turned over to the other side of the bed and closed my eyes firmly. I was eager to get some more sleep before taking my breakfast. For what could be counted as minutes, I waded in and out of sleep.The gentle slam of a distant door woke me up again. I had not heard Sara leave the room nor when she closed the door. I opened my eyes fully and absentmindedly gazed at the mahogany wardrobe at the posterior end of the room. It was an Urban Outfitters inspo just like the ones I had always saved on
NADINE"Levi, is that you I see?" Mama Teresa's small love-shaped face contorted into a scowl and her hands akimbo.The young man Mama Teresa called Levi turned the corners of his lips down and furrowed his brows as he moved closer to Mama Theresa."Yes, mama. You look ravishing as usual." He attempted to pull the old woman's small frame into his arms. The latter held up a hand signalling him to stay where he was. A look of disappointment swept over his face yet he had an amusing smile plastered on his lips."But not ravishing enough to have you come over and ask after me, uhn?" Mama Teresa protested.Levi thrust his palms forward in a pleading stance and bowed his head slightly."You have to forgive me, mama. I have had a lot to do lately." He sounded quite apologetic. "Who am I to abandon our beautiful, never-too-old Mama Theresa?" He held his head up now, giving the old woman the widest grinMama Teresa cast him a disbelieving look. "Young man, do not try to flirt with me to get on
NADINEKai's eyes had turned fiery red as he advanced towards us. With his nose flared and palms clenching and unclenching, he looked like he was about to rip Levi's head off. The two were of equal height and had the same body mass, I feared I was about to witness a bullfight.Levi's hand still rested gently on my shoulder and although it was meant to be comforting, he seemed to keep there to get on Kai’s nerves and he was succeeding.He didn't make any attempt to take it off even after Kai barked at him to do so. The huge smirk on his face did not waver and he stared at Kai like Kai was some kind of irrational kid who was busy throwing tantrums around.Kai stopped right in front of Levi, breathing and fuming into the latter's face."What the hell do you think you're doing in my house?" He bellowed.Levi slowly removed his hand from my shoulder and turned his whole body to Kai. He folded his arms, heaved a deep sigh and shook his head slowly."Breathe, tiger."Kai raised a brow which
NADINEIt was way past midnight and I just couldn't get myself to sleep. I sighed noiselessly but I could still hear my breath. The room was pitch black like I liked it to be while sleeping. But I wasn't just in the least comfortable.The events which happened earlier seemed like I was in a fast-reel movie. A movie where I happened to have no lines and had no idea how I ended up there as a character.How ever had I ended up here, in this weird world where I know nobody and everything looked so unreal? I hadn't envisioned my life going through this nightmarish path.Perhaps I should have just stopped pursuing the dream of building Eden City, maybe I would not have been in this state I am right now. All I have ever wanted was to be a successful architect, to live a satisfying life and to have the money to travel to as many countries as possible.Back home, I kept wondering whether I would even be missed at all. My life was like a straight line, from my work to my apartment.Thinking ab
27KAII’ve been in a sour mood since I came back home to meet Levi in the house and not only did he have the audacity to barge into my house unannounced, he had the nerve to put his hands on Nadine’s shoulders. Her shoulders. The memory made my blood boil and if it wasn’t that Mother Teresa was around, heaven knows what I’d have done to Levi but one thing was certain, he wasn’t going to leave here in one piece. Calm down, buddy, it was just a harmless friendly gesture. It’s not that deep. I ignored my wolf that was trying to be a voice of reasoning because I knew Levi like that back of my palm and I knew nothing was harmless about him. Even if he was going to get destroyed in the process, he wouldn’t mind sabotaging me just to get the satisfaction of seeing me ruined. What he had against me was that strong. If he had to go through some crooked ways just to get Nadine away from me even though he knew I needed her to make Eden City survive, I knew he wouldn’t hesitate to do that.
NADINEMinutes had passed before I realised I was still behind the door of my room. I had practically raced from the kitchen back to my room and slammed the door shut as if to shut out the feelings brewing inside me. I noticed I had been holding my breath and I quickly took in large gulps of air.What the hell was I thinking?This was someone I had vowed to stay away from and had pure disdain for. An animal! I touched my lips and realised they were swollen from the kiss.I was totally dishevelled. His entirety had carried me away and I couldn't but succumb to the way his lips and tongue violated my mouth. I had laid myself bare to the desire to take him in, to give the will to explore every nook and cranny of my body.I made my way to the bed, laid on my back and stared straight at the dark ceiling. The memory of the kiss kept reeling back and I didn't make any attempt to push them away. I remembered every detail and I longed for a redo.Jesus Christ, what is wrong with me?I had neve
EMILYThe umbrella shed behind the director's bus was my only solace at the moment. When the meteorologist had claimed the weather would be friendly, he omitted the part of friendly enough to melt you down. The sun was bent on forcing the tan on everybody this afternoon. And I wanted none of it today. The entire crew was acting all slow and annoying.I reached out for the chair under the shed and my assistant was beside me in seconds, with the big rechargeable fan I so much needed at the moment. But I felt my space violated by her presence. Neither the shed nor the fan could calm the storm brewing in me.It has been a few days since my encounter with Nadine and Kai at the store and I swore that day had been the worst day of my life. The thought of being abandoned by Kai even after professing my love for him filled me with spite. Spite directed towards that stranger he claimed to be his mate. I found it hard to admit I was threatened by her presence, her beauty and even her status with
NADINETwo years later…It was Mama Teresa's fifty-fifth birthday and we took the time to celebrate it by having a poolside lunch.Sara had taken her time in having her styled in a trendy organza outfit and insisted she did her nails. She was a professional at it now, exploring new designs and working closely with her favourite designer Emily had introduced to her.And now she was right here, carrying around my baby boy. Collins who was on his way to becoming a two-year-old.He was the cutest baby ever and hardly gave anybody trouble. He smiled at every given moment and was rarely cranky. He had an uncanny resemblance to Kai.When he had come out of me, I had held the most beautiful being I had ever set my eyes on and a little dimple had shown when he smiled at me.Kai's eyes had melted when he first beheld his son. He had cradled him and sat somewhere far away from him, simply staring at the little bundle of happiness in the Cruz family. Collins Cruz.Kai never stopped being the perf
LEVIAfter everything had settled down, I had just one goal. To get Emily.I continued sending her gifts and even though she wasn't rejecting them, she persisted in ignoring me. She still wouldn't return my calls and texts but I was unperturbed. I knew her, she was trying to admit to herself she wasn't into me so badly. Then she had started coming around to my place at late nights, pushing her body against me, and me having no total power to resist her.Every time we had had some mind-blowing sex, she was in no time to talk, and even if she was there, it was to tell me not to give meaning to whatever just happened between us after which she would storm out.I didn't want to be on a pure sexual vibe with Emily. I wanted more. I wanted love.In an attempt to keep riling her up, I stopped at one of her shoots and the moment I came into plain view, her eyes had risen to meet mine but she looked away immediately.It was an outdoor shoot for a footwear brand. And she looked mesmerising in
NADINEI never would have called myself a resilient lady until the issue with Lucas trying to become the most powerful wolf, not only in Eden City but also taking over the real world.And one sickening thing about the whole issue had been finding out Lucas was the one behind it. I could never have imagined.The moment I had woken up in a dark room when the abominable wind grabbed hold of me, he had watched me with the most sinister look I had ever seen.I remembered calling out to him and telling him to save me but he had grabbed me by the hand and shoved me down roughly instead The memories run a shiver down my spine every day.I could remember our conversation back at the bar months ago. It had been one of the many reasons I had decided to stay back at Eden.But it had all been a crafty ploy to get closer to me. The feeling of being used took a long time before it wore off me.Kai made sure not to allow me to watch his public execution the night after being rescued. He had been bent
KAI"Kai", Adam called my attention, apprehension corroding his face. I looked up from where I stood with Emily."It's up, the full moon is out" His voice was filled with dread. I felt my stomach knot even after Emily had told me something stronger than the mate bond could break the barrier and that is if I loved Nadine unconditionally.I knew I loved Nadine. I did with all my life.But I felt helpless, How do we go about it? I was lost in my solitude of thoughts, staring anxiously at the moon which had now risen in all its glory, its heavenly glow wafting through the entire City.The whole room was lit with its embers. And I silently prayed to the moon goddess as I stood there. Just then, Lucas' voice came cascading through the whole house again."It was a pleasure seeing you people work tirelessly, You are a very poor team, I must say. " He said mirthlessly before he gave out a screeching laughter, mocking us."Don't touch her, you madman" I roared, banging the walls and windows. I
KAIWe headed out for a hunt. The hunt for the maniac who took Nadine away from me.Adam had suggested going around the abandoned buildings on the outskirts of Eden City and the houses of the council members. It wasn't no Old Monroe, it was someone we all knew.I had been at the council meeting once when Emily told me about the involvement of one of them. I had tried feeling something, looking for just anything, any slip-up to get who it could be.I had them oblivious to the whole matter. It was better that way. I couldn't trust any single one of them. They all looked fatherly and greeted me warmly without no hesitation.Even Elder Will, who was always on board with conspiracy theories didn't look a bit like a madman. I gave up on reading their faces.Going to their houses now could tip the maniac off. If there had been note time before the full room, we could have run wires around their houses but it was not needed anymore. We only had less than three hours till the full moon came up
KAIMy eyes widened as her statement sank in. It was the last thing I was expecting to hear. My mind went blank for a few seconds as I stared into her face which was turning concerned.But she had been at the pharmacy days ago. But it hit me, she had brought a thin paper bag. And I hadn't bothered to ask her about it. Inwardly, I berated myself for not paying much attention ever since Emily told me about her visions.I felt helpless and wasn't even trying to get a grip on myself. And now a life was being developed in Nadine, a life we had both brought into living. And god dammit if some elder was going to prevent me from seeing my first seed.Nadine touched my face and shook me lightly. She must have thought I had relapsed into myself as I stood there, watching her with unmetered surprise."I'm pregnant, Kai" She reiterated before pulling my palm sliding it down her stomach, and smiling weakly,"I need to stay here and fight whatever is coming with you…We are going to be together,
KAII felt utterly helpless as the days surmounted, slowly leading to the next full moon. As each day passed without finding out who could be threatening Nadine's life, it had me becoming increasingly worried about her. I made the whole situation oblivious to her.I couldn't afford to get her nervous. She watched me closely and I knew she could detect something going on but she made no mention of it.And I was glad she didn't. I was mostly locked up in my study, a whole mind map laid over from the information I had just gotten about Nadine's ancestry.I had set up a contingency team with Adam, Emily and Levi. Emily was inherently valuable to the group, mostly because she was the one with the visions that could guide her into finding out the culprit.We needed her badly and she readily agreed to help. She came around to the house, exchanging pleasantries with Mama Teresa and Nadine with a look of guilt strewn over her face.When thoughts of the things she had done corroded my mind, I c
KAI My hands rimmed firmly on the steering wheel as we drove back home. And Emily's words corroded the entirety of my mind. Nadine immediately asked me what she had come for when I got back to the car. I shrugged and smiled at her,b3fkre squeezing her open palm as softly as I could. "It's nothing, she is just reporting some stuff on her job. You know she's a custodian." I replied, feeling guilty for lying to her. She let out an ohh and watched me pasely before I turned my eyes back to the road. From the corner of my eyes, I could see she was about to say something else but decided against it. I tried to bring up random conversations which she engaged in with me but I kept zoning out, my mind preoccupied with the looming danger that could affect the love of my fucking life in a few days if Emily was telling the truth. And I cursed under my breath. Emily had better be joking about this. I didn't need any more terrible occurrences happening again, not with Nadine again. Who the hel
LEVIThe colour on her face drained the moment she turned around and saw me. I smiled widely at her, ignoring Kai's scornful look behind her at the drama unfolding in front of him.I couldn't believe she had actually announced to Kai that I was her boyfriend. Inwardly, I was conflicted about whether she was trying to show Kai she was already over him or she really meant what she said."What are you doing here?" Emily said in a low tone which clearly carried hostility but I was untethered. I took her hand and pulled her gently towards me before wrapping an arm around her slim waist, an action causing shock to ripple through her body.And I knew my answer was somewhat in my favour.I hadn't been following her. I had not even seen her for days now but I was constantly sending her gifts at work and home.The situation had plainly presented itself when I was returning from work and I saw her car, one I could recognise anywhere, slide into Kai's company.I stopped and watched how she hurrie