"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
ALPHA THORNE'S POV'You can't do this to our mate' my wolf screamed in my head but I wasn't listening. He was only saying this because she was our mate, wearing our mark. 'That's the main reason you shouldn't be doing this. How will people perceive you? That you had your mate whipped?'I didn't care what people said or thought about me. They were in charge of their thoughts so they could think whatever. But our pack had an image to hold. If it were any other person they would have gotten more than ten lashes of the whip. I had it reduced because she was my mate but I couldn't let the act of stealing go unpunished. This was the second time. What was I teaching the pack? That it was okay to steal?"You are foolish," my wolf said. He was letting emotions cloud his judgment. I didn't rule like that. If it were any other person, I would give them the same punishment. "You wouldn't do this to Rachel" I paused. Of course. I loved her and....my wolf cut off our connection. The moment the
I felt like hell when I finally woke up, unable to move an inch because of the pain. Eiza was beside me each time I woke up, encouraging and taking care of me. Others dropped by but I was mostly unconscious to hold any conversation with them. Eventually, I was fully healed and came to move about on my own. "What do you want to do today?" Eiza asked. I thought about it. What could I do? Lessons? I had lost interest in that but I knew it wasn't a good idea to stop. They were skills I could learn that would be good for me in the long run. It wasn't because I hated Thorne and it was he that organized it that I had to ruin my lessons. "I think a lesson today. Wade must be back now" she nodded. "They haven't been doing any lessons though. Torren wanted to wait until you were better" I nodded. "I'll help you bath," she said and I accepted her assistance. After I was cleaned and dressed, I had my breakfast. While I was eating, I felt Eiza's gaze on me and I sensed she wanted to ask me s
"I...I...it's" the servant girl stuttered and I looked at Thorne who was vibrating with rage. I wondered what could possibly be happening right now. It was never a good thing when he was so angry like this. I looked around the table and noticed a few seemed to have dreadful looks on their faces. "Fucking answer" he yelled and yanked her up, his fingers digging into her arm, that had to be painful. I had a moment of fleeting concern for the girl but quickly dismissed it. She was the same person who lied about me stealing. "Where did you get this?" he asked and I looked at it again. It was a necklace with a missing pendant...Wait a minute, was that the same necklace I had been accused of stealing? My eyes widened in shock and I moved closer. How was it with her?"Answer" he yelled in her face and Diedre marched forward. "Brother I think you...""Shut the fuck up" he growled at her and she jumped back eyes wide with fear. This was the first time I had ever seen such a look on Diedre.
ALPHA THORNE's POVHer words hit me, making me feel already worse than I did. Her own room? She wanted to put more distance between us. 'With good reason' my wolf growled angrily and he has every right to be. Everybody did. Especially her. They warned me against my actions but I was too blinded by my anger. Too consumed by a fucking piece of jewelry. She begged me to believe her but I just didn't. And now to find out the truth. 'You're only sorry because you discovered she never took it. No matter what, you should never have whipped your mate. That's fucking crazy. Even the most barbaric bastards would never do something like that. Can you imagine the pain she must have gone through? You were supposed to protect her but you hurt her severally' I listened to my wolf's rant, knowing he was right. I should never have made a grave mistake like that. But what could I do? It was too late. All I could do was try my best to make her forgive me and never let her go. I couldn't. Despite my re
Things had been going well. I've had a peaceful and quiet life and I realize that I enjoy it so much. Better than the one I had before. I didn't see Thorne around or deal with bothering about what he liked, wanted, or cared about. I was just living for myself which is what I should have been doing since the beginning instead of seeking validation from people who don't even matter. I picked up on planning the ball. It was my duty after all. Unlike what I thought, Diedre had not been put in charge of it so it was easier to pick up from where I left off. Torren was helpful of course even though he didn't agree with me continuing but because I was doing it, he offered his help continuously. I was yet to see Nyla and I hoped she was okay because it was unlike her to be away for this long. The door to the tutoring room opened and Wade entered with Torren, a smile on his face. I smiled back. "You haven't come for a few days""I was unsure if you would want to have classes" "Why not?" I ti
"Nice to meet you" I smiled at him and he returned it. After the introductions were over, we both sat down in our seats and the meal started. Everyone seemed to be excited about Matthew and I wondered where he had been all this while. I couldn't help glancing over in his direction curiously every few moments and it was in one of those moments I saw the look shared between Torren and him. I was amazed and also curious about what made my friend smile so brightly. I would have to ask him tomorrow when I have the time. For now, I just had to get through this dinner quickly and go back to my bedroom. So as soon as the second course was done, I stood up to excuse myself. Thorne didn't stop me but as I made my way down the hallway, I heard his voice and I came to a stop."Are you feeling alright? You didn't wait for dessert" "I'm fine. I just want to sleep" With a heavy sigh he nodded and when I turned around to leave, he didn't stop me which surprised me. Eiza came to the room a few minut
The party had already started. Soft music travelled through the air and I could hear it from my bedroom through the open windows. Guest had started arriving but I was yet to go down. "And done" Eiza announced, stepping away from my hair. I looked at the masterpiece she had crafted, admiring the neatly styled hair and the little curly strands falling over my face. "It's beautiful" I smiled at her and she smiled even wider. "What's left, you should..." she was interrupted by a loud knock and the hair on my skin stood in attention. He was here. She moved to open the door but I stopped her."Pack up and go to sleep""I can wait for you until...""No. You've done enough for tonight. You should get rested. Eat something and go to sleep. I'll see you tomorrow" "Okay. Goodnight" I stood up, looking at myself over in the mirror. The red look looked sinful against my skin. The chest area is open and my breasts showing. I had never dared to wear something as bold as this before but I was gla
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