SIX YEARS LATERI hear my alarm ringing in my sleep. I open my eyes groggily and tap on snooze. I sigh heavily as I make my way to the bathroom and brush my teeth.After that, I find myself in the kitchen making pancakes. Once I'm done with that, I go to the kids room. Thankfully, they all like staying in the same room together, so I don't have to go to each one of their rooms, forcing them to wake up.There are other rooms in the house still, but it's their choice. After a few years of staying with Oliver, I decided that it was best to unburden him. I got a house all to myself and my kids.Though Oliver sleeps over here time to time, I just like having a place all in my name. There's something fulfilling about it.Once I get to the room, I hear low whispers and giggles. What are these children up to now?I open the door and see the three of them sitting in a circle on the ground with something in the center. Immediately they hear me coming in, Dylan—the smartest six-year-old to exist—
I'm all dressed up.I'm wearing a red evening gown that has a small slit at the front and off-shoulder sleeves that lengthen only halfway down my forearm. I paired the look with light makeup and flaming red lipstick. My hair is worn down and silky-wavy. My heels aren't so high that I'll have trouble walking in them, but they're high enough to add height to my short figure.The babysitter I hired is already here at the house. I walk over to the living room, and the click of my heels alerts all of them.My kids jaws are on the floor, just like the babysitter's. "Is it nice?" I ask them nervously, rubbing my palms against my thighs."Ms. Amory, you look amazing!" The teenage girl exclaims in awe, and I blush."Mom, you're hot." Daniel comments, and it's my turn for my jaw to drop.Lilah shoves him. "She's our mom; you can't just tell her she looks hot." I snort. "Yeah, you have to add smoking. She looks smoking hot." Dylan says it casually to his brother, and my jaws are on the floor
This is everything I could possibly wish for.It doesn't get better than this. I'm engaged to the love of my life, I have the best kids in the world, and I also have the best job in the world. Nothing can ruin this for me.Currently, I'm at the engagement party that Oliver thought to host for us, courtesy of my kids, who begged and begged him. But it's fine.It's only a few of our friends that are here, along with a couple of my coworkers.Everyone here is so nice. Everything is just absolutely perfect beyond compare.Oliver asks me to dance with him in front of everyone, and I accept. Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran is playing as Oliver holds my hand and leads me to the dance floor.Everyone makes way for us, and my kids are hooting and cheering in favor of Oliver and me. Those little children are too smart for their age. I wonder whose fault it is.Oliver places one of his hands on my waist and the other on my palm. I place one of my hands on his shoulder, and we start to sway accor
Oliver and I fall asleep on the same bed. My alarm wakes up the both of us bright and early. Oliver lets out a frustrated groan at the sound. He tightens the hold he has on my waist and nuzzles deeper into my neck."Oliver, we have to get up." I say groggily, my eyes still closed."I don't want to." He places a peck on my neck."You have work, and so do I," I reason with him."We can skip if we like," he counters, and I laugh."The kids have school," I say."They can also skip," he dismisses, and I laugh before playfully slapping his shoulder."They can't skip school; that's a bad thing." I tell him."We skipped school all the time; now look at us." He says it cheekily, and I turn around to face him."So, you want to play cool parent?" I tease."I've always been the cool one." He answers smugly, showing off his dimple."No, you haven't!" I counter."I'm the one that gets them ice cream and wears cool jackets. You can't compete with that." I break into a laugh, and so does he."Good mo
I compose myself and arrange my gown before leaving the restroom and going back into the cafe to finish my lunch.I just can't believe Harry. Who the hell does he think he is? How did he even get my number? How did he even know that I was a doctor?Has he been keeping tabs on me all these years?Does he know about the triplets?No, he cannot. If he did, that would've been the first topic he would've talked about. Heck, it wouldn't even be on the phone if he knew. He would've marched me straight down to the pack and forced me to confess.Under no circumstances am I letting Harry back into my life. Things are finally going amazing for me, and I will not allow him to ruin it.I return to work, and I block out all thoughts of Harry. When I get back home, the kids are already there, courtesy of our nice babysitter.I thank her and give her a little something before she takes her leave.I sit on the couch, and the triplets take up the spaces around me."How was school today?" I ask them, an
"Lilah, just wear the black shoes. We're going to be late!" Dylan yells at his sister, and she glares daggers his way."I can't just wear the black shoes!" She protests.Oh, my little fashionista. I left her alone to choose her own dress for the family dinner that we're going to attend at Oliver's house. She decided to be a diva and wear fancy clothes. Now, she can't decide on a shoe to go with her gown."Lilah, I've had just about enough. Put on the black shoes and get your butt into the car." I tell her in a strict voice, placing my hands on my hips."But, mom...""Don't let me repeat myself." I cut off her whining, and she puts on the black shoes.I let out a sigh of relief as I usher the kids into the car and start the short drive to Oliver's house.Over the past few weeks, we've been spending less and less time together because of his work and mine while juggling with the kids.Today is our only off night, and we decided to have dinner together. I would've called up the babysitte
"Ah, my head," I groan out loud as my eyes flutter.Once they finally open, I take in the environment. It doesn't take me a second to recognize where I am.The Blood Moon's Pack DungeonHow did I get here? I need to remember what happened.I was with Oliver; he wanted to take a bath. I heard something outside, and I went to check. A wolf! But before I could do anything, I didn't know.Did I faint? Did someone hurt me? I can't remember that particular detail.I stand up from the hard, cold ground and press my fingers against my temples. I let out a harsh breath, and a wave of headache and worry stabbed me.I am back at the Blood Moon Pack with my worst nightmare and the kids! They're going to wake up, and they're not going to find me. And Oliver...Why is this happening to me? I can bet that it's all Harry. This is all his doing. He must've been the one who kidnapped me and brought me here.But why? And how? Wait a second!His father! He had wanted me to come and help his father. Per
What?Harry growls, and I scoot back deep into my cell."What is wrong with you?" I asked him out of sheer curiosity."No, I'm not. Lauren is!" I spit it out, and I see his features change as he walks away.I don't know what to say.Why is Harry like this? He looks so different than the last time I saw him. He's so regal now, with sharp features everywhere.I sink to the ground, trying to find comfort of any kind. I can't live like this again. I escaped once, and I'll do it again.This cannot be my life. Being at Harry's beck and call. I don't know when a stray escapes from my eye. I try to sniffle and push it back in, but inside, more tears cascade from my eyes.I don't know how long I stay in the cell until I hear a clink sound and the door opens. I'm up on my feet in seconds. The guards beside the door are new now."You're letting me out?" My voice croaks in confusion as I speak, but the two wolves don't even spare me a glance as one of them grips my forearm tightly and starts to d