ASTRID.The moment I came back from the party, I attended the council meeting. They don’t like the fact that I kissed a ‘man’, but they seemed happy enough when I told them we were together. I think they even started planning our wedding.I am in my room now, watching how time passes, I checked my phone, the news of us is booming online, I don’t think the internet cares about me, they just care about Zeke Rossi and his millions of followers.Comments are coming in fast. Heck, a thousand in two hours? More pictures, some sites are making up stories about our kiss at the party. I stare at the comments, reading and scrolling through them. I sighed, while rubbing the heart shaped pendant on my chest. Am I anxious about tonight? Yes, I am so anxious. What was I thinking when I kissed him? I rubbed my eyes tiredly. Kai hasn’t said a word to me, he definitely saw the kiss, but on our way, he was mostly quiet, sometimes it is frustrating when he remains quiet, I mean. Why won’t he just say
ASTRID. “Where’s everyone?” I say, taking gentle steps towards him. The large table is surrounded with chairs, the food on the table makes my mouth water, I was expecting to see Madam Yv and Gus, but where are they? “Gus and Madam Yv aren't in the pack-house currently.” He says, tapping his fork on the table. He turns towards me, dark blue eyes roaming around my clothes. He inhales heavily. “Only Katherine will join us later.” That means for half of this dinner, we are going to spend it together? I gulp down whatever fear is forming at the baseline of my throat before taking a seat. “The chef made the food a bit traditional; I hope it’s to your liking.” I stare at the Spanish food, my stomach suddenly grumbling. “Thank you.” I pick up the meat with the fork, and shoved it in my mouth, my taste buds waters at the flavor. I pick up the glass of wine, taking an entire gulp. All this while, his eyes watch me with some sort of twinkle. After shoving more food into my mouth, I wipe my
ZEKE.An unknown prickling feeling hovers around me as I take the steps to my room. The cold night air blasts me hard. Today is supposed to be like any other day, but with her presence in my pack-house. It’s not any other day.I run my hands through my already messy hair, trying to tousle the strands in place. My phone chimes in my pocket, groaning. I stare at the message from my brother.Logan: You scum, why didn’t you tell me you have seen Astrid?Zeke: Funny, I didn’t think you would care.His text comes almost immediately.Logan: You bastard! Does it make us equal if I tell you Juniper is now my assistant?I stare at the screen for a longer time, my mind running. Juniper? My brother has seen Juniper? Wow, I stare at the screen, while pushing the knob to my bedroom. I pause when I see someone I don’t wish to see.Groaning, I type.Me: Will call later.I shoved the phone into my pocket. “Please, stop sneaking into my bedroom, it’s a crime.” I have told her many times, but she never
ASTRID.I groan in my sleep, trying to force my eyes open, I think of sleeping a little more, ignoring all my schedules for today, but then the reality that I am in Zeke’s pack strikes me, and I force my eyes open with a jolt.The room isn’t familiar, because I am not in my pack. This is Zeke’s pack. I stare at the room, my hands gripping the duvet so roughly. I stand up from the bed, walking into the bathroom.I wash my face with cold water from the sink, staring at my reflection in the mirror. Is this a good idea? Posing as his fake girlfriend? Why in the hell did I go too far?Soon, posts and questions on the internet will question my sanity, I should be ready for this, after all I caused this. After brushing my teeth and slipping into the shower. I changed into the clothes Zeke got me.My pathetic heart can’t be helped but touched, but why is he doing all of this? Does he think he can plead my forgiveness? My heart flutters with something unknown. I pick the dress and put it on, b
GUS.The liquor burns the tip of my tongue and I shiver. I could never get used to this, I stare outside the window that streams darkness. Time has passed by now, but I am here, drinking.“Hey. Beta Gus.” Gina, the bartender, welcomes me, “It’s getting late. You should go home and rest.” I nod my head, she smiles and walks away. I sighed, I pushed the bottle further and I couldn't help but wince. The stab on my chest still hurts sometimes, especially in the night. I always toss and wince in bed, Astrid saved my life, when Zeke told me, I knew I am forever indebted to her.I lean back on the stool, my head banging with a headache. I should get home and rest, even my wolf feels tired. Sometimes, I always think. What if I see Cleo?It’s sick right, thinking about the person that stabbed me to death? I just wonder, how will she be now? Will she still be the same Cleo after seven years?The bar is quiet, maybe that’s why I come here. It's downtown, not many people pass this alley, there a
ASTRID.“Leora, Leor. Where are you?” I say in a sing-song voice as I make my way through my office. Right now, my kids are supposed to be learning, but somehow they have managed to flee away from their teacher.My office looks void of my children, but I know clearly what they do. “Anybody here?” I raised my brows. Silence...“Alright then. I will just go eat those torrijas I bought from Spain alone, it’s going to be yum.” I smile to myself, peeling my ears open for any sound I might hear.Files crunches from under the table. Ah. Got you now.I crouch under the table, my daughter’s bright blue eyes poking out. “Mommy. We want to.”I pull her out, before dusting her hair. Leor follows.“You guys are supposed to be learning, not playing hide and seek.” I place my hand on my hip, staring at them with furrowed brows.“I told her but she won’t listen.” Leor puffed a breath, but his sister smacked him hard on the shoulder.“It was your idea too!” She sticks out her tongue.“It’s not..”“It
ASTRID Hours later, I am driving out of my pack, my hands flexing on the wheels. I increase the volume of the radio, tapping my legs against the flow of the song. The wind blasts my blonde hair; I check the map tracker, just two more hours before I get to the pack where the pool party is going to be hosted. I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. My phone chimes in the other car seat, and my heart leaps, earlier. I texted Zeke, asking him whether he would come, but of course, my texts were purely professional. No mixing of flirty messages. Or....Had I sounded flirty in the text? Gulping, I reach for my phone, knowing the danger of texting while driving; I park my car and swipe my screen. ZEKE: Going to come..... My heart jumps, hurriedly. I type something. ME: Alright. I switch off my phone, before focusing on driving, my mind reeling across different things. Two hours later, I arrived at the pack-house. The pool party is behind the house. Okay, deep breaths. ‘You got
ZEKE.With a grunt, I lift Astrid’s body into my arms. Her body is growing cold, damn.“Oh my goddess. Is she going to be alright?” People almost shove their eyes at me.“Move.” I growled lowly, Astrid’s limp body on my arms. Katherine’s walking behind me, tears at the edges of her eyes; she’s waving her hands frantically.“I swear. She told me about the cold, but she jumped. I saw it with my two eyes; she literally jumped into the water.” She wails, but I ignore her. Astrid’s safety is the only thing I am concerned about.I move through the gathering crowd, positioning Astrid as I climb the steps of the rooms. I turn the knob, before flicking on the lights. Gently, I placed her on the bed.Water rushes faintly down her already wet hair, her pale lashes stained with water. Her eyes are tightly shut. When I place my hand on her forehead, it’s cold.I wrapped the covers over her body, hoping it will stop the cold, but she’s still shivering. I remember last time when she caught a cold. I