[Chanel’s POV]I keep my gaze fixed on Ulrick’s as he processes what he has just been told, and when his lips twitch into a frown, I know that he truly doesn’t know where Gil is.“That is concerning.” He murmurs, rubbing his chin.“We will find him.” I announce.I couldn’t help but feel that Gil’s disappearance was somehow related to Rosalie and Diego’s. As a member of the same blood line as Rosalie, wouldn’t Gil also be somehow involved in this? Although I still wasn’t fully convinced that he was on our side, I would give him the benefit of the doubt.“Mmmm.” It is all the old man says before slumping in his seat. “Then I will leave it to you, but please allow me to send a few of my own men with you on your journey.”“Thanks,” I sigh, getting up and stretching. “Then, I believe that we’re done here.”“Yes, I believe so,” Ulrick chuckles as Anthrose opens his mouth to, I’m sure, fuss at me for so rudely getting up. “I’ll have my men lead you to your quarters.”“I’d appreciate it.”Lat
[Chanel’s POV]I whimper as pain continues to shoot through my chest, threatening to suffocate and drown me, dragging me into the deepest depths of darkness.“It’s better this way.” Anthrose says quietly, his voice sad. “Whether you accept it or not, this is how it will be.”Finished speaking, he turns and heads toward his room while I remain rooted in place. Even though everything in me screams to follow him, to stop him, to demand he take back his rejection, I don’t move. I can’t. I’m too stunned.“Why?” I whisper, collapsing to my knees and burying my face in my hands. “Why won’t you accept me?”Sobs begin to wrack my body, painful sobs that rip through me, making it hard to breathe. I don’t know how long I stay there, crying like a fucking baby, releasing all the years of pain that I’ve held so damn close to my heart until there’s nothing left and I feel hollow.Only when there’s no more tears and no more emotions do I stand and hobble to my room, where I collapse on my bed and fa
[Chanel’s POV]I stare at Anthrose in disbelief as I try to process what he was saying to me. Sure, in the past he would scold me for being too rash, too stubborn, or even too impulsive, but never did he call me easy or make me out to be an embarrassment or a whore.“Is that what you really think of me?” I ask quietly, my heart breaking into a thousand pieces. “That I’m nothing more than an easy woman who continues to make a fool out of herself?”At my question, Anthrose’s expression shifts from angry to shocked, but even if he were to try to backtrack now, it was already too late. The damage that his words caused was done.“Nevermind,” I continue, feeling more tears that I was certain were already gone prick at the corners of my eyes. “You don’t have to answer that. You’ve already said enough.”“Chanel,” Anthrose gasps as I turn and start to move. “Wait.”As he speaks, he reaches out, attempting to wrap a hand around my wrist, but I pull away, dodging his attempt entirely and then sh
[Geo’s POV]I stare at the old man, the urge to argue consuming me, but I knew that doing that wouldn’t get me anywhere.“Listen to him,” Willy says, drawing my attention to him.I stare at him, watching as his body solidifies and fades again and again. When I first saw him, this terrified me because I didn’t know who or what he was, but when more like him began to appear, I understood completely.Willy was a ghost, as were all the other people who would randomly appear sometimes. He was a descendant of my family, and he was the one who taught me to gain control of the darkness that was growing in me thanks to my biological father since he wasn’t around to teach me himself and my mother never said a thing about it.Who knew that the man himself didn’t even know how to do the same, and now because he didn't, he and my mother were in big trouble. Not only them, all of us—all wolves, humans, supernatural creatures, the world. If I couldn’t get to them and help, then I feared the worse.“
[Chanel’s POV]I watch Giddeon, taking note of the clear fear in his features over betraying Diego’s trust, but trust be damned given our situation.“Please,” I say, putting as much emotion into the word as I can. “This is life or death.”“I…” Giddeon begins, his expression shifting. “I can’t…”“Fuck this,” Anthrose growls, moving forward and trapping Giddeon in a headlock. “Either you spill the fucking beans or I’m going to pop your fucking head like a cherry.”If this had been any other situation, I would have been amused by what was happening in front of me, but right now I could feel Anthrose’s killing intent pressing against me. He really intended to kill Giddeon if he didn’t tell us who Diego’s informant was.“Wait,” I gasp, jumping up as Giddeon’s face starts to turn red. “What are you doing?”“Anyone who doesn’t work with us is considered the enemy,” Anthrose responds, going full warrior. “Especially when we are in a do-or-die situation. If he can’t help us, then he isn’t wort
[Chanel’s POV]When we arrive at our destination, I don’t hesitate to get out of the car and then wait as Giddeon follows suit. Once he joins me, he leads the way up to a simple building and knocks on the door, then steps back.For a moment, we just stand there watching and waiting as nothing happens. Frowning, I move forward and prepare to knock again. If this bastard wasn’t going to answer this time, then I would kick the fucking door down. However, I don’t have to take such extreme measures as the door opens just before I pound my fist on it and a tired-looking man lays eyes on us.“Who...” he begins, until he sees Giddeon. “Oh,” he smirks, his face lighting up. “I was wondering when you would come searching for me.”“If you knew we were coming, why didn’t you come to us first?” I ask before Giddeon can say anything. “And since you seem to know why we are here, I don’t need to explain anything.”“Fiesty,” the man grins. “Just like I like my women.”“Gross,” I gag. “We didn’t come h
[Chanel’s POV]When we arrive back at the condo, Anthrose is in the living room with a look of annoyance on his features. And when we step inside, he is moving, ignoring Giddeon completely and grabbing me.“Well?” He demands, taking me by surprise.“Well what?” I ask, even though I know what it is he wants to know. “You’re going to have to use your words.”For a moment, he doesn’t speak as his look of annoyance grows stronger. “Is now the time for you to play games?”“Maybe,” I shrug, enjoying seeing him so on edge. It was a nice reprieve from his put-together and indifferent appearance; it made him seem more human. “What is it that you want to know? Whether we managed to get the help of the informant or something else. Be more specific, please.”“Will he help?” He demands.“Yes,” I respond. “That is taken care of, and since it is, I need to find the perfect dress for an event.”“An event,” he repeats, confusion flashing across his face. “Why the hell would you need a dress? Have you
[Anthrose’s POV]The sound of a rapid heartbeat echoes in my ears, but I’m not certain whose heartbeat it is—is it mine? Is it Chanel’s? And a warmth so intoxicating presses against me, warming even the coldest parts of my soul and heart.What the hell was I even doing? And why couldn’t I step away? Why didn’t I want to separate myself from this warmth that I was feeling for the first time in so long?I was being greedy. I was being a selfish bastard, taking advantage of this when I knew that I couldn’t offer anything to the one who was providing it for me.“Anthrose,” Chanel’s voice is soft as her fingers press against my cheeks, causing thrums of energy to radiate through me. “Does this mean...”I don’t let her finish what she is saying before I press my fingers against her lips, stopping her from uttering the words that could cause me to topple into the abyss of desire and pleasure that I’ve fought so hard to avoid for all of these years. Dammit. Why was it so hard for me recently