We stood there for a while and then we started walking. Genoveve was actually a very nice person and I enjoyed talking to her. We even laughed during our conversation, but all things come to an end and so we had to return back to the ball mostly because her mate had returned and wanted to see her and that means Thorne was also back downstairs. I let out a quiet sigh of having to return to the ball and be faced with awkward stares and questioning glances. But then I reminded myself that I hadn't actually been invited to this ball. I came on my own free will. I just had to find a moment to slip out without drawing any attention to myself. I was already having a headache. “Come on. Let's go” She entangled our arms and I followed her. As soon as we arrived at the ballroom, we were accosted by her mate, who enveloped her in a hug. I watched them awkwardly as they hugged. Something painful swirling in my chest as I saw their public display of affection. I looked away from them and my eyes
The bed was extra hard today. I cracked one eyelid open and the second and I was met with the view of Thorne's chest. A small squeal left me as I immediately rolled away, almost falling off the bed if not that he caught me with his hands. "Careful..." his voice still carried the gentle tone he had all night and I felt cautious. He lifted me up and both of us were now sitting, and facing each other. The sun was now streaking in which told me we were good hours into the morning. So why was he still in bed? I wasn't used to waking up beside him. "How is your head?" I looked at him confused. What was wrong with my head? "You drank quite a lot yesterday" right and it was expected that I would have a lot of headache today. But I felt normal. Not even the slightest bit of pain. Thorne's fingers brushed over my forehead. "I...I feel good" I managed to get out, my body too aware of his touch that it was difficult to form a sentence. "Okay. Hardin and Genoveve are leaving this morning. We'
I just walked and walked with no direction in mind but I kept moving. When I looked behind me, the pack house had disappeared. 'We should go back' my wolf said to me but I wasn't interested in going back. To what exactly? Boredom and loneliness. I'd rather be outside here. 'Thorne will...' I cut her off before she completed that sentence. Thorne will be angry. I didn't want to hear it. He was always angry anyway. All I had to do was breathe and he'll find a way to get mad at me for something as little as that. Besides, I was still on pack grounds. I was very sure of that and it wasn't like I was trying to escape so as far as I'm concerned, I haven't done anything at all. I heard the sound of waves and I quickened my steps. I was met with an amazing view of a waterfall. Who knew there was something like this out here? The sound of the water did something to my nerves and relaxed my nerves. I took off my slip-on and ran to the edge, sitting on a large boulder and letting my legs just s
A cold towel pressing against my forehead had me opening my eyes. Thorne was sitting next to the bed that I was now lying in. He must have moved me. I tried to get up but he pushed me back down gently. "Rest" his voice was also soft and I shut my eyes again. My body felt weak and the throbbing in my head remained persistent and unyielding. "Ava" he called softly and I opened my eyes. "I'm fine. Just a headache" I croaked and he snorted putting the damp cold rag on my forehead again. "It's still raining heavily" he informed me and I took note of the rain that was beating down on the roof of the house. "I can't send for the healer now but he'll see you tomorrow" I groaned in response. "You have to eat something. The soup is ready" I nodded and felt his presence disappear. I needed to sit up to eat. I had to help myself so I wasn't a burden to Thorne. I wasn't very successful in that area and he came back and found me, thinking I was trying to get out of bed. "I just wanted to sit
His kisses burned through me. Like hot lava melting my skin. I couldn’t get enough of him and his kisses. I never wanted them to end and with the painful realization that I had managed to catch feelings for a man who would never love me. I should have pulled away and gone to bed but I latched onto him, kissing him with the same intensity as he kissed me. I barely registered when he lifted me from the chair and carried me into the room, laying me on the soft bed. His fingers trailed under the clothes I had on and burned my skin.As his kisses continued down my skin, I tugged on his hair, pushing him closer to my neck. I couldn’t get enough. He mumbled something as he tried to get my clothes off. With the urgency, I was frightened he would try to tear it off and then I remembered that the clothes must belong to Rachael and something that seemed to have slipped from both our minds since we started kissing. We were in his ex-mates special place. Maybe it was lust clouding his senses. I
I woke up expecting to see that Thorne had gone. He never lingered in bed after sex and I was surprised to see him still there. The rain had ceased. Sometime in the early hours of the morning. That Thorne and I had collapsed in exhaustion, far spent out from fucking each other's brains that we fell asleep. He was gentle and rough at the same time, cautious but demanding. So far one of the best intimate experiences with him. Maybe it was much more intense because I finally found a name for the conflicting emotions I had been feeling. It made no sense because he had done absolutely nothing for me to fall for him. Except save me from my terrible family. But he had not been the best to me so why? Maybe it was the mark on my neck and bond that made me feel this way. Nevertheless, those were my true feelings and it posed as a problem for me. He could never love me back. How could I go on knowing that he couldn't return the feelings that I had for him? That he would always love another over
Planning a ball was harder than I bargained. Even with the extra help, it felt like I still had the weight of the world pressing down on my shoulders. Thorne asked but I refused to give in to temptation and tell him I was stressed. I wanted to do this. Our relationship only got better and I was happy. I was reading through the suggestions of one of the assistants when the door opened and Agatha marched inside. I was surprised to see her. I haven't run into her since the day after the last ball. She didn't cross my mind either since I had made up my mind to put some distance between us. "You're having the time of your life. Aren't you?" "What does that mean?" I asked, tilting my head up to stare at her. "I mean you've been having so much fun that you forget about me" Her tone changed swiftly when she spoke this time. "Not fun and I didn't forget you. I've just been so busy" she scoffed. "Busy planning a big ball. If that isn't fun I don't know what is""I guess. But it's really ve
"I told you she must have taken it" I heard Diedre's voice but I didn't turn. Couldn't turn up to look at her. My gaze remained on Thorne. Different emotions swirling inside of me, where did that come from? I had never seen it before. "How did this get here" he asked in a calm voice. "I...I have never seen that before""Then how did it get here Ava? This was in Rachel's room. Had been there for the longest of times. Why did you take it?""I swear to you, I didn't go there. I didn't take it at all""Then how the fuck did it end up here with you? Magic? I'm trying to fucking think about how this got here""It must have been what she was hiding when she was getting away," the servant said and I turned to her. "Enough. You and I know this is a fucking lie. I didn't go into any room. You didn't see me. Who put you up to this?""You're going to try and blame someone even when the evidence is clear? Who will you call now? Agatha? That seems to be the only name you call whenever you get int
When I finally got to the room and took a shower, I felt better and I sat on the bed. The door opened and Eiza came in, she had a smile on her face. "Good morning Ava. How are you doing today?""I'm fine Eiza. You look so happy this morning, care to share""I don't know the reason for my happiness. Maybe I just woke up on the right side of the bed""Are you sure or you don't want to tell me""You know I can't hide anything from you and if there was anything I would have told you the moment I entered here. Did you go for training today?""Yes, I did. I just arrived here before you came in""How did it go?""It went well" She clicked her hand like she just remembered something. "That reminds me, I saw Torren the other day. The day you went out with the alpha and he wasn't looking happy. I tried to ask him what was wrong and he was hesitant at first but then he spilled. He was very sad. Have you heard anything from him?""Yeah. Not too long ago in fact. I met him after training today.
"What?" I was shocked by his utterance. He was going to leave here? Why?"That's a rash decision Torren. Why do you want to leave? Where will you go to?"He shrugged. "I don't know but I'm going to leave here and I'll never return. Maybe Matthew would finally know my worth when I'm gone from here" he said bitterly and I didn't think that was a good idea."Don't go Torren. Will you leave everything behind just to prove a point?""Yes. Didn't you want to go far away just so Thorne could realize his mistake?""I didn't want to leave because I liked him, I wanted to leave because of the way I was treated. You of all people should know that. I regretted mating with him because I rushed into everything thinking he liked me. And look how it turned out in the end. It was never a good idea. Running away from it is never a good idea""Hut really, How is it any different from my own? If he doesn't come after me then I can move on. But staying here, grasping at straws and hoping he'll change" "
The next day when I woke up, Thorne wasn't by my side. I wondered where he could have gone or if he was in the bathroom. What if he regretted what happened last night?‘Why would he?’ My wolf asked annoyed.‘Again with your insecurities’ she huffed but I ignored her. 'No, I won't think about it. It was a mistake' I said to myself. 'It's too early this. The day just started' my wolf said and shut me out. 'I was talking to myself. Not you' I spoke but she was already gone. I removed the covers and stood up from the bed, I went into the bathroom to freshen up for the day. I was going to read some books to keep myself busy after my training session later. I went to take a shower and I couldn't help but remember last night and how Thorne held me. No matter how hard I tried not to remember it was just in my head. 'That's because you can't take him off your head' And she was back again. 'Stop it, I don't need your input right now. You always have a way of putting things into my head'
"W-What..." I stuttered, a bit alarmed by his sudden entrance but also self-aware because I was exposed to his gaze."I-I... had...." He stuttered, also unfocused as he gazed at me, coming closer and closer. I stood at the sad spot, my eyes following him as he drew nearer. The moonlight shining on him was intoxicating to look at. His body and huge frame were like a work of art as I gazed at him. When he was close enough, he wrapped his arms around my naked body and kissed my shoulder softly."You look so beautiful" I purred in his touch, pushing my body against his. My nipples had hardened into pebbles and brushed against the rough material of his shirt. "I've seen so many beautiful things in my life. Paintings... Even The view outside is breathtaking." He whispered reaching his hands up to touch mine."But not even the greatest painter in the world couldn't capture the breathtaking beauty of you standing in front of me right now." He whispered with a second kiss on my neck.My e
"Sorry," I apologized again, just for the sake of peace because with the look brimming in her eyes, she was out for trouble and I wasn't in the mood to engage her. "What exactly are you sorry for?" She snapped and I pressed my fingers against my forehead. She really was going to take the long road. "Diedre... this isn't....""I really want to know what you're fucking sorry about. Bumping into me and breaking with what I'm holding or you're sorry for not seeing. Are you blind?" She raged angrily."I just said I was sorry Diedre. You don't have to be rude about it" I raised my voice equally even though I regretted right after for engaging her. "Would the sorry pay for what I was holding, it's very expensive. Not like you can tell the worth of anything with how measly you are"I pinched my lips tightly together, trying to stop myself from exploding. ‘She’s not worth it’ I repeated to myself.“Do you even have the money to buy it or do you just go and steal my brother's diamonds like
Days passed after the incident with Henry and Thorne had contacted the other alphas, they were going to track down the others so they could stop the trafficking of young boys and bring all those who were involved in the disgusting trade to book, serving as a déterrant to others who would think not starting or engaging in something as horrendous as that against small children. I couldn’t believe what they had done all these years, the lives they had ruined. Children were taken away from their families and forced into the harshness of that business. I was alone in the room and I was bored, I walked to the window and looked out. Today looked dull and I was thinking of something I could do to keep myself busy. Eiza had only dropped by earlier in the morning but I was still sleepy so I asked her to let me be. I had yet to see her since that time. Torren would be occupied too. I huffed as I moved away from the window.Since I woke up extra late today, I haven’t done my morning routine and
ALPHA THORNE'S POVAfter speaking with Ava, and she fell asleep in my arms, I left the room. It was hard to convince Ava that I was fine even with the cut, I saw how worried she was but I needed to speak with Mathew. I needed him to clarify some things. I wanted to be done quickly and get back to Ava before she realized that I was gone. And again, despite the situation, I just wanted to go back to holding her in my arms. It’s been a long time since I got to hold her like that and be surrounded by her addictive scent. It wasn’t fun to throw that moment away for crisis. When I arrived at the front of my office, Busta was waiting.“Henry is in the dungeon. Is there anything you’d like us to do until you’re ready to see him?”“Have him bound and watched at all times. I don’t want him slinking out of our sight. He could be the key to cracking the trafficking case once and for all”“Of course alpha. Do you need any other thing? You were injured”“I’m fine. Get me Mathew immediately. We nee
“Are you okay?” I asked, my voice full of concern as I checked Thorne. He held onto the place where he had been stabbed, an annoyed look on his face.“I’m fine” he tried to smile but it did nothing to reassure me. The guards had grabbed a struggling Henry and dragged him away. “Are you fine?” Mathew tried to come close but he held up his hands stopping him. Diedre was crying loudly and I felt pity for her. She had just learned in the most cruel way how her mother had passed.“Let’s go” I tugged him gently and he let me take him away. I led him to his bedroom and sat him on the bed. The healer was called and the stab wound was attended to. He was in slight pain before the healer arrived and after the wound was treated he no longer felt pain, but he looked pale and I was relieved it wasn't something serious. I had been very scared when he was stabbed and I thought something was going to happen to him. I was supposed to be the one lying on the bed with the wound but he came just at the
Thorne came to me after I was dressed.“You look exquisite” he complimented as he kissed the side of my cheeks. “Let’s go” he offered his hands and I took it. We arrived at the large double doors and it was opened wide by the guards who stood at the entrance. We entered the dining and it was only Diedre who was seated, she looked shocked to see Thorne and I coming in together and holding hands. Thorne pulled out my chair for me to sit down and I sat before he took his own chair. "Good evening brother" Diedre greeted Thorne but he only acknowledged the greeting with a nod. I wasn't expecting her to greet me so I just kept quiet. But I felt her flare on me. The bitterness from her was reeking. One could perceive it from a thousand miles away. The servants started dishing the food at Thorne’s order. The others had not yet arrived. I wondered who the special guest was and why the person had not yet arrived. I wanted to ask Thorne about it but I decided to keep it to myself. If he de