While Nikita was in the shower in the morning, I made lattes. When she came out of the bedroom, she was wearing my robe and her wet hair was twisted on top of her head and clipped in place. When I saw her, my heart pounded. She walked over to take the bowl-shaped mug I offered her and told me, "That smells great." As I gave it to her, I kissed her on the forehead and looked down as she laughed out loud. "You marked it with a dollar sign!" "You should know," I sniffed, "that latte art is a very well-respected form of art." And all of the best gurus swear by making your dreams come true." She smiled, but that nervous look was back in the back of her eyes. "We also plan to make a lot of money today. “Exactly.” As I went back to the machine to start my own latte, I said arrogantly over my shoulder, "I plan to fuck you, too, but that's harder to show in foam." She snorted, but then I felt her arm wrap around me, and she pressed herself against my back. "I'm always amazed by all of y
Sebastian looked at me like I had a second head. He said "Nikita" in a slow way. "What the hell are you saying?""You said you would marry me so we could save the others." More tears came out of my eyes, and I hated myself for being such a show, but my body stopped listening to me. "Because you needed protection from your mother until I could give it to you. But now I can!" I pointed to the table where we'd signed the papers that gave me and us access to a huge amount of money that was almost unimaginable. "No, Sebastian, I am not her. Your mother is not me. I won't—I won't make you marry me and give up everything you want just to keep other people safe!"He just looked at her for a moment. I stayed put and waited for him to figure it out. He'd do it. He'd figure it all out and get it, just like Aiyssa had told me. He would know that I knew this because I didn't tell him.The time went on and on. I wobbled on my feet, tired and sad in a moment that should have been a moment of victory
One of the many great things about having your own restaurant was that it was easy to plan a wedding in less than 24 hours. I knew the menu by heart and Sam knew what Fuzion had in stock, so between the two of us, it only took a few phone calls to bring in extra staff looking for bonus pay and take care of the reception side of things. Oh, and she called the bakery to order a bunch of rainbow-colored macróns instead of a wedding cake.Finding a ring was a little harder, but the third jewelry store I went to had a platinum setting with a cluster of raw diamonds that were big enough to make Nikita's ring finger feel heavy enough. I chose a plain platinum band with a smooth surface for myself and crossed that job off the list.I chose a plain platinum band with a smooth surface for myself and crossed that job off the list.I had many suits, so I let Nikita choose one for me. I was ready to spend a crazy amount of money to buy her a dress, but she said no. Instead, she had Wynette stop by
The wedding only had a few guests. Nikita invited only Wynette and Aiyssa because the rest of the pack was unable to make contact with her. Due to the fact that my family had basically shunned me, Sam was the only other person whose presence mattered anymore.When I arrived at the Taste of Magic, where the others were waiting for us, one look at Sam was all it needed for me to see that something fishy was going on."What did you do?" I demanded."Only what I promised," he grinned devilishly at me before continuing. "Let's go, this way to the second floor."Nikita and I exchanged looks, but we went ahead and allowed ourselves to be led to the same private room that we had utilized for our presentations the day before. A recognizable face was there, waiting for us, and it had been at least two years since I'd last seen it.“Zane?” I asked in disbelief.“Sebastian!” My twin brother reached out with both arms and gave me a bear hug."Why are you even in this place?" I was relieved to find
Even though it won't be likely for several years before The Inn at Barcombe is fully finished and operating at capacity, the first steps toward fulfilling this objective are currently in the process of being taken. Whether you decide to go back to the pack or to claim your membership in the pack from a distance, you will have access to the resources and protection that have been provided. Several panthers have found a home with us, and if other shapeshifters or humans make a formal request, we will gladly open our doors to them as well.I am aware that you have all been hurt, but I am powerless to make up for what you have lost. On the other hand, if you decide to return to your family, I will do all in my power to make sure that your future is safe. The development of a succession strategy has already begun. No matter what occurs, our pack will never again be frail or susceptible to being attacked by violent elements, whether they come from the outside or from within.Sebastian moved
The swizzle sticks in the drinks were in the shape of green cactuses, because it was only natural that they would be. When I told Teagan that she could choose where we would meet, I don't know what other outcomes I should have anticipated.The pub was a jumble of kitsch and Wild West cliches, and the walls of its Mission-style interior were littered with rusted saws, horse bridles, globe-less lamps, and a lot of other stuff that I couldn't even begin to name. The stools that ran along the long bar were a faded crimson color, and the seats were made of an uncomfortable molded plastic that had been carved and etched to resemble saddles.If I had made an effort, I could not have appeared any more out of place than I did."I'm speechless because I can't believe you wore a suit." Teagan rolled her eyes and then used her teeth to remove the sliver of strawberry that was attached to her swizzle stick. "And she placed an order for a mocktail."I immediately shot back in a defensive manner, "I
That night, as the conference continued after supper, I did my best to pay attention to what was being said throughout the session.In a normal situation, I would have found something like the discussion on guest engagement that I attended to be exactly up my alley. However, it was difficult to concentrate at this particular time.After it was finished, I gritted my teeth and made myself go to the after-hours cocktail reception even though I didn't want to. As I networked with other hospitality professionals, I made my rounds of the room while keeping my self-assured professional façade firmly in place. Once more, I took a few sips of a mocktail without much enthusiasm, which was something that I was positive would have driven Teagan to despair.My eyes were gritty and burning with tiredness when I eventually made it back to my room, and my body felt raw with the type of over-peopled burnout that is peculiar to introverts who have spent too long pretending to be extroverts without a b
I turned off my phone on purpose and didn't use it again until I was back inside Tucson proper. Though my dad never gave me the credit I deserved, he probably thought I didn't realize he had tracking apps installed on all company-issued phones. I was aware of his apps and how to get past them, and I also had a spare phone that I could use for covert purposes. When I wasn't working, my time was entirely my own.I slid out of the leased SUV and gave my phone a moment to connect and update all the apps before using it.Located in a cramped, low-slung plaza just off the main road, the coffee shop I had parked in front of was a small, independent establishment with an eccentric menu and decor.Strolling inside, I placed an order for a café breve and generously tipped the barista when it arrived. Out front of the store were a handful of small, circular tables in bright primary colors. I took my drink outside and sat at the farthest one since it was too tempting to pass up.Arizona had surpr
Epilogue — ChrisWhen we finally succeeded in getting Avery back from my ex-wife, things became extremely hectic, and the next several months were a haze of activity as we prepared to relocate to the Northeast.My decision to work for the mountain resort ultimately led to my acceptance of a position there. When she wasn't taking care of whatever pack business needed to be taken care of, Kaili found work as an art instructor at the local college. This didn't take her very long at all.Do your best to pack.I had no prior knowledge of shapeshifters, but after witnessing Kaili transform into a wolf in front of me and experiencing the sizzling sex that followed, I became a solid believer in all things paranormal, that much was certain. I never knew that shifters existed.Avery was thriving and happy in New England, with our small family of three, the forest that bordered our property that she explored as often as she could, and the horseback riding lessons that she insisted on taking befo
KailiI couldn't believe we'd done it.We had succeeded in rescuing Avey from her mother, who was a wicked witch.It all felt like a dream at the time, but as I saw Chris's young child devour her cheeseburger and grin when she got the hiccups, I realized that it was all perfectly real.After the burgers and ice cream, we went to watch the newest Disney movie, and by the time it was through, Avery was sound asleep in the back seat as we drove home. She exuded an air of serenity and contentment, which was a marked contrast to how I remembered seeing her in the past.Chris said something to the effect of, "So," as he slowly drew into the driveway. "Don't you have something to tell me?"Since the time I made the promise to tell him everything following the conclusion of the legal proceeding, I had been dreading having to deliver on this. I responded in the same subdued manner, "I do; but, I think for the time being we should get Avery into bed.""No room for debate there," I said. Chris p
ChrisThe casino's official opening went off without a hitch, and business was brisk throughout the day. In spite of the fact that I was a bit concerned about what Kaili had said, I had faith that she would tell me about it when she had promised that she would.After the casino had opened its doors, I found myself in a position of relative uncertainty. A few days before the court case, I didn't especially want to hunt for a new job in Las Vegas if I gained Avery back and could make an informed choice regarding Kaili, Avey, and my future.As a result, I spent the following few days either reading up on how to behave in court or simply hanging out with my lovely fiancee and gaining a deeper understanding of her than I could have ever imagined.I woke up bright and early on the morning of the court date, far before my alarm went off. The day of the court date came bright and early. My stomach was in knots, and I could feel a cold sweat coming out on the top of my head.Kaili whispered in
KAILIAfter I stepped out of my room wearing my dress, it had been a bit difficult to convince Chris to leave the house without him taking my clothes off first.However, we were finally able to arrive in the casino at eight in the evening. Chris escorted me to a seat in the vicinity and then dashed off to go over some last-minute details with Marcus, leaving me to observe the goings-on around me while I sipped on a beverage."It really is very remarkable, don't you think?" A question was posed in a casual tone by a male voice. A peculiar looking man in a tuxedo and holding a martini approached and sat down on the seat beside me. He gave off the impression that he was trying to pass himself off as James Bond.I responded with a noncommittal "Indeed it is" while taking a swig from the beverage I was holding.The weird individual asked while also taking a swig from his own beverage, "So, who are you to Chris over there?" He asked this question with a menacing glint in his eyes."His fian
KAILIAfter Chris went for his job, I found it extremely challenging to concentrate on any aspect of my work for the remainder of the day. My mind was going in circles as I contemplated the prospect of Avey being in my immediate vicinity on a consistent basis, as well as Ainsley's stunning revelation from the previous day.I stopped even trying to work somewhere around lunchtime and instead sat in front of the television to watch romantic comedies until Chris got home from work.As soon as I heard his car pull into the driveway, I jumped to my feet and ran to the front porch, where I waited for him to exit the vehicle.He welcomed me with "Evening, Kaili," as he climbed the short flight of stairs that led up to our apartment.Before taking my hand and guiding me into the living room, he gave me a little kiss on the cheek."Chris, are you sure that everything is okay?" I inquired while maintaining eye contact with him. He had a pallid and perspiring appearance, and his leg was bouncing
KailiThe following morning, I awoke in Chris's arms, but I had no recollection of how I got into bed with him. While he was watching me sleep, he was absentmindedly running his fingers through my hair while wearing the warmest and most loving expression on his face.He smiled broadly and whispered, "Morning, Kaili," greeting her in a quiet voice. "Glad to see you're awake. Before we get started for the day, I have a phone call that I need to make."Okay," I responded sleepily, "as long as you keep stroking my hair like that."Chris laughed as he grabbed his phone from the nightstand next to his bed and fiddled with it for a few minutes before continuing to laugh. After that, he put the gadget to his ear and waited for the person to whom he had called to respond to his inquiry.My eyelids began to slowly close on their own as I continued to pay attention to what he had to say. It was unimportant what he was saying; what was important was that he was talking. His voice soothed me like
CHRIS Following the meal, Kaili and I went into the living room to relax. She still gave off the impression of being a little disoriented; it was obvious that she had a lot on her mind. She moved closer to me until she was leaning against my side, and then she reached for her phone and unlocked it. Then, she launched the Facebook program on her mobile device and navigated to an image that had a bottle of champagne and a pair of teeny-tiny baby shoes propped up against it. While Kaili was looking at the photo, she let out a long sigh, and it didn't take me long to figure out that it was the reason why her thoughts had been racing about in such a frantic manner.I pounced on her phone as soon as she got up a short while later to go to the restroom, and I did so before the screen lock activated. After that, I went to her contacts list and looked there. Wynette was at the very pinnacle of her field. I accessed her contact page on her website and snapped a picture of it on my phone as soo
Chris After a long day at work, as soon as I stepped foot inside my home, I had the unmistakable impression that something was off. When I went in the front door, Kaili did not respond; instead, she was looking sightlessly at a spot on the wall while her laptop had fallen asleep on her lap. This was not typical of her in any way, shape, or form. “Kaili?” As I made my way up to her and came to a stop in front of her, I inquired in a hushed tone. She did not respond at all, and I had to fight the impulse to wave my palm in front of her face. However, she did not respond. "Kaili, my sweetheart, how are you doing?" As I looked at her face, which was expressionless, a number of different ideas raced through my head. She was upset over what had happened the day before. Someone she cared about had been affected by something that had taken place. She was making her exit. “Chris?” Kaili inquired as she quickly blinked her eyes. Her eyes were bloodshot and watery, and her voice had cracked
As I bade Chris farewell the following morning, I couldn't help but experience a twinge of melancholy. The day before, following our sexual encounter, he remained in bed with me for the remainder of the day. After having intense discussions, watching N*****x while eating pizza, and engaging in such intense sexual activity, I was astonished that either one of us was still able to move. After leaving it on the couch in the living room the day before, I strolled back into the space and retrieved my laptop from where it had been sitting. When I opened the cover, I heard a gentle chiming noise coming from the speakers, and after investigating more, I found out that it was a notice from my F******k email account. I seldom ever used F******k; tThe only reason I signed up for it in the first place was so that I could stay in touch with one of my customers. I hadn't logged onto that particular social media platform in such a long time, that I'd really forgotten that I was a member of the comm