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#Chapter 50: Searching
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Kadeem
"Wake up, Mateo." Kadeem leaned over his snoring friend. He grasped Mateo's shoulder firmly, shaking it. Mateo emitted a dull noise. Rolling away from Kadeem's grasp, Mateo cocooned himself in blankets. Kadeem sighed loudly. "Get up, you asshole." "Whadaya want?" Mateo croaked, voice thick with sleep. "I need your help." "Middle of the night," Mateo groaned. "Go away." "Please." Kadeem had been tossing and turning for hours. The alcohol had worn well off at this point. With the sobriety, came a dialing up of the edgy, troubled feelings in his heart. Mateo pulled the covers down from over his face. Kadeem watched him try to force his heavy eyes open. "What's wrong," he asked, before his eyes snapped closed again. "I need you to do more hypnotism on me." Mateo's eyes flew open. "You've got to bRelated chapters
The Reawakened Mates and their Quintuplets #Chapter 51: Betrayal, Redux
Kadeem“Stay with my voice.”Kadeem’s eyes opened, but he wasn’t with Mateo. He was in a hospital room.“You’re finding all the details you were looking for.”Kadeem's blurred vision focused to reveal a scene of terror, as he realized he couldn’t move his legs. He couldn’t wiggle his toes. He couldn’t feel his legs."Ardal,” he screamed, still desperately trying to move against the paralysis that had taken over his lower limbs.But it wasn't Ardal who walked into the room, it was Susan. Her look of pity only intensified Kadeem's nightmare. "She's not here," she uttered somberly. "Since your car accident, she hasn't been around much. The doctors say you won't walk again and...she doesn't want anything to do with an invalid."Kadeem felt like he was entering a portal to madness as fear surged through his veins. His heart pounded wildly in his chest as he shrieked, "What
The Reawakened Mates and their Quintuplets #Chapter 52: Blackout
Ardal“Are you alright?”“I’m fine,” I say, trying to reassure Jack - and myself.But I’m really not. The wheels in my head have been spinning since Jack took me up to his loft apartment last night, and spiraled to a dizzying pace with him this morning. Why can’t I just get Kadeem out of my mind?Jack drops me off at my home, and since I'm running late for work (Saturday is our busiest day of the week), I hastily climb into my car in last night’s clothes.There's no way I can chance going inside without adding on at least fifteen minutes of questions and hugs from the quints, even with Hannah attempting to corral them for me.“IDGAF if anyone notices,” I text Julia as I pull up.By “anyone,” of course I mean Kadeem, but I don’t tell her. I dash inside, planning to go straight to the locker room to shower and change. If the stars align, I won’t be late for the 10AM
The Reawakened Mates and their Quintuplets #Chapter 53: Dialysis, the Superhero
ArdalI hold Erbao’s hand as Jack’s nurse, Peggy, leads us to the exam room, the sound of our footsteps echoing through the white hallway. Erbao, with his youthful curiosity, gazes at the various medical charts and anatomical models lining the walls."Mommy, are we going to see Dr. Jack again?""Yep, little man,” I say, trying to sound peppy. “He’s going to make you feel better.” I look down at him and force a smile.We stop by the scale, and although it’s been only a few days since his last appointment, Erbao’s lost a pound. Just a normal fluctuation, I hope, but the gaunt look to his face tells me a different story.Peggy gets Erbao’s vitals before stepping out. Then, we wait. Erbao’s normally pretty talkative, but today, we’re both quiet. I’ve been dreading this for Erbao, and sitting in this room, the scary reality we’re facing is starting to sink in.All the emotions I’ve been
The Reawakened Mates and their Quintuplets #Chapter 54: Float Like a Butterfly
Kadeem “I don’t want to.” Mateo’s arms were crossed over his chest, reminding Kadeem of a willful child. “Come on,” Kadeem said, gruffly, before adding in a lighter tone, "It's just a quick workout session."Kadeem’s mood had been a roller coaster lately. He needed an outlet. Mateo was the unwilling sparring partner today. Mateo eyed Kadeem skeptically. "Fine. But if I break a nail, it's on you."Kadeem chuckled, clapping Mateo on the back as they made their way towards the gym. The power had been restored overnight and the gym was empty today, closed for the Sunday rest. The only sound echoing through the cavernous room was the hum of the overhead lights.Kadeem led Mateo towards the boxing area, where a large ring stood proudly in the center. Around it were several punching bags suspended from the ceiling, swaying gently with anticipation. The smell of leather and effort hung heavily in the air."Alright, Mateo," Kadeem said, wrapping his hands with tape before slipping on a pai
The Reawakened Mates and their Quintuplets #Chapter 55: Sting Like a Bee
Kadeem"What happened?" Kadeem’s wolf was like a coiled spring, sensing the tension in the air."The omegas on patrol found signs of a vampire attack on our territory overnight." Riley’s voice was strained, and no one dared to break the silence that followed her somber announcement.The possibility of something far more sinister bubbling beneath the surface hung heavily in the air. The implications of Riley’s words sent a shudder through his body. Was this just an isolated incident, or the beginning of something far more dangerous? He glanced at Mateo, who was uncharacteristically quiet, his eyes betraying a hint of fear."I don't want to alarm you, but it was a real bloodbath," Riley said, her voice a mixture of panic and disbelief. "The clearing where we found the remnants of the attack looked like a scene straight out of a horror movie. Blood was splattered everywhere, on the grass, the trees, even smeared across som
The Reawakened Mates and their Quintuplets #Chapter 56: Old Things
Ardal“Mom. Mommy?”I blink and look down. I realize Lottie’s been tugging on my shirt, trying to get my attention for at least a full minute while I stare out into space.“Sorry, girly.” I crouch down to meet her eyes.“I’ve got a lot on my mind today.”It’s been a day since Erbao’s first dialysis treatment and the weight of it is intense. I could barely pull myself out of bed today, and I’m stumbling through this morning with the kids, but I’m not really here.Lottie puts her hand on her hip. “I was trying,” she says, huffily, “To ask you a question.”I tuck a stand of her dark hair behind her ear.“What’s your question?”Her eyes get big, brimming with excitement. “Can I go with you to work? I want to go to the gym, too.“ Look! I have my gym outfit on. See?”She spins around so I can appre
The Reawakened Mates and their Quintuplets #Chapter 57: Phelps
ArdalI stare into my phone, poised to notify Kadeem that I’m not coming into work today.I’d rather die than face him after yesterday. I can’t believe I burst into tears in front of him and particularly for telling him out of nowhere (at least from his perspective), to stay away from me when he was being kind. Worst of all, though, is the tsunami of emotions I feel when I’m around him.I picture myself heading for the forest instead. I could take the day off and just let my wolf run free for a while - an exquisite escape from reality. Simply the thought of it brings a measure of relief.I stop myself just short of texting him. The sooner I rip off the bandaid, the less painful it will be.My phone lights up with a text from Jack. My heart does an awkward flutter and I feel my stomach tighten into a knot.“How’s Erbao?”I type back quickly. “He’s good,” I say - which
The Reawakened Mates and their Quintuplets #Chapter 58: Red Hot
ArdalHe’s looking at me in a way that makes me think he’s waiting for me to say something in particular. It’s not the first time in this conversation that I’m wondering what we’re really talking about - there’s a depth to it that’s only thinly veiled.“It’s Erbao,” I say, feeling myself crumple as I do.Kadeem’s face shifts rapidly to an expression of startled fear.“He was born with kidney problems, but things are worse now. He’s gone into renal failure and had to start dialysis.”Kadeem looks sick to his stomach. “I’m so sorry,” he says.I nod grimly. “He’s doing okay. There’s a good chance he’ll be approved for an implant. As his mom, I’ll be a likely match, and then we can put this nightmare behind us.”Kadeem gulps hard. “You’re planning on donating your kidney?”“Of course, I am,” I say, instantly alight with anger.
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The Reawakened Mates and their Quintuplets #Epilogue, Part 2: Sonnet 116
Shitty, shit, shit!Kadeem quietly gauges my reaction.“Kadeem,” I begin, not wanting to hurt him, but panicky all the same, “Could we just - pretend you didn’t give me this?” It comes out in the vein of an anxious Western villain. Walk away slowly, and no one gets hurt.“Suit yourself.” He goes back to working on his computer. “But you might like what you see in there,” he adds.I run my fingers over the soft, velvety surface of the box. My voice comes out high-pitched as I try to change the subject. “Are you getting nervous about your surgery?”“No.”“Really?”“It doesn’t ruffle my feathers,” Kadeem mumbles, half-distracted. He pauses. “Erbao’s surgery on the other hand…”My stomach knots at the thought of it. “Me too. But for both of you.”“It’ll all be worth it,” he says, looking up to smile.Seeing Erbao healthy will be worth it. Thank the Goddess Kadeem was a match for his kidney transplant.“Something did ruffle your feathers once,” I say, “Maybe something medical.”“Impossible
The Reawakened Mates and their Quintuplets #Epilogue, Part 1: The Final Rose
Outside of Kadeem's health club, his security guard, Nora, is aggressively confronting someone. As expected.She shoots me her usual scowl when I pass by, but I don't acknowledge it, and simply yank the door open to go inside. I told Kadeem to fire her, but he doesn’t listen.I’m not giving up, though.I head over to the check-in area where my main rival, Rory, is lazily answering a phone call. A pile of white gym towels on the counter behind him is waiting to be folded.My left arm is braced across my chest in a sling and cast, but I make sure to lean my good arm casually on the counter like I own the place. Because, let’s face it, I pretty much do."I'm here to see Kadeem," I announce, adding a sarcastic, "Is that alright with you?"Rory gives me an icy glare before turning his attention back to his call. I drum my fingers on the counter and flash him an innocent smile before walking away."Yes, sir," he mumbles into the phone, before whispering a snide, "If he wants you around.""H
The Reawakened Mates and their Quintuplets #Chapter 150: The Fray
Orange and yellow leaves dot the sidewalk outside of the pack headquarters where I huddle with the kids as we prepare for our next move. Despite the chill in the air, beads of sweat are dripping down the back of my neck.Thanks to Jack’s magic and a shit ton of luck, we left Sasha, Gabe, and the rest of our captors unconscious and tied up in Kadeem’s cabin. Jack stayed behind to help Riley before setting out to slay his mother. Talk about an Electra complex.I take a moment to catch my breath when the sounds of a growing commotion come from the Council building. Without warning, Erbao bolts off, charging up the concrete steps, his eyes blazing with determination.“HEY!” I belt out. Bob could have dozens of henchmen stationed inside. Worse, he could have already seized control of Red Moon.Erbao ignores me and his siblings rush after him. My heart is a race car, but my legs are still Jello from wolfsbane. All I can do is stumble after them as they burst through the doors of the crowded
The Reawakened Mates and their Quintuplets #Chapter 149: Hero
The pack headquarters was in an ordinary brick building, tucked away right in the heart of the city. The activity was minimal, except for nights when the council met - usually on the full moon. Even then, it was never bustling. It was a seat of immense power, but it looked an awful lot like a local Elk’s Club.Today was different.Pack members, raw with emotion, gathered like storm clouds at the downtown HQ. As dawn broke, Council Elders fought to maintain control of the room, elbow-to-elbow with Weres demanding answers.The vampire attack had come without warning, had been brutal and swift. The enemy was fueled with a devastating strength, leaving many injuries and fatalities.Amidst all of the chaos, one question loomed over them all: Where was their Alpha?It was into this pressure cooker that Kadeem allowed himself to be dragged in by Bob.The room erupted at the sight of him. Even the stoic Council gasped in shock. Bob was barreling in Kadeem with a ruthless force - leather boots
The Reawakened Mates and their Quintuplets #Chapter 148: Reckless
ArdalJust like that, our goodbye is cut. I slump against the couch, head in my hands."I'm sorry," Jack says.I lift my head to shoot him a fiery glare.The first rays of sun are lighting the windows. Around us, the quintuplets are Energizer bunnies- getting cranky, maybe, but still going. I'm scraping by on their fumes and my emotional torment.Guilt is splashed across Jack's face.What am I actually seeing?I scrutinize him, hard. The emotion looks utterly real. For a second I am so disgusted, it renders me speechless."You’re pathological," I spit out.He flinches at my words. I picture myself wolfing out and tearing him to bits.Well, it’s a split between that, and throwing myself into his arms to melt into him. Inexplicably, my confusing feelings for him will not die. It only makes me hate him- and myself- more. My hands ball into fists and I battle the urge to scream.Sasha pockets her phone. Next to Jack, Lottie and Milo fight over the box of cookies."Sit tight for now," Sash
The Reawakened Mates and their Quintuplets #Chapter 147: In the Wee Small Hours
The stage is set.I've got to hand it to Bob, he's built a well-oiled network of evil and orchestrated his plan perfectly.Kadeem will be taken in front of the Council elders. He'll be blamed for everything from Susan's death to the vampire attack. Bob will get to play the hero and declare himself the rightful Alpha. Kadeem will be killed.It's everything Bob hoped for.His henchmen arrive in the darkness to haul off me, Jack, and Riley. Jack is coming to, Riley's still holding on, and I'm less noodle-like, but I fake incapacity, forcing one of them to lift me from the ground and half-carry me, supporting my weight.My last glimpse of Kadeem is as weighty as you would imagine. There's no fear in his eyes, though. I'm starting to feel hints of my inner wolf again and the emotional link between us. What I pick up from him is exactly what he's projecting outwards: calm.It sets me off. Where's the anger?! The steely determination?! The whirling thoughts as he plans a way out of things?!
The Reawakened Mates and their Quintuplets #Chapter 146: “Ten Duel Commandments”
Kadeem's eyes flash like lightning.The wind picks up, stirring the night air and whipping up a swirl of leaves. On the ground nearby, Susan's tresses blow gently across her face, still staring lifelessly into the darkness ahead."Guess you've got it all figured out," Kadeem says quietly, almost eerily calm. His gaze shifts to Riley, who's lying unconscious on a bed of leaves. "But you forgot her.""Collateral damage," Bob shrugs. "I was planning on having her killed anyway. No way I can trust her."A low growl rumbles from Kadeem's throat. "No deal, then."Bob laughs. "If you think you have any kind of leverage over me, you're sadly mistaken. I've got more than enough to ensure your compliance, including your sweetie over there." He gestures lazily in my direction as he approaches Riley, still hovering somewhere between life and death."I'll give her a warrior's end," he says, staring down at her. "The Council will believe she died trying to stop you, trying to protect the pack."Nex
The Reawakened Mates and their Quintuplets #Chapter 145: No Way Out
Kadeem glares at Bob. “Cooperate?" he spats. "You should know me better than that."Kadeem is on the ground, his weight supported by a tree. Exhaustion is etched into his sweat-covered face and the blood from his shoulder has seeped into the fabric of his shirt, staining it bright red.Nearby, Jack's sole focus is on the medical emergency in front of him. He's been working quickly to keep Kadeem's beta alive, turning her onto her side, holding pressure against her stab wound and checking her pulse.Increasingly drowsy, the sound of Bob chuckling in response to Kadeem is faint in my ears. Susan yanks me by my wrists and begins to drag me along the damp ground, limping as she goes. Before my eyes grow too heavy, I glimpse the deep bites around her right shin and calf."If you hurt her-"I'm too weak to take advantage of her injury and I don't resist. I simply wonder what the point is. Why expend her energy to put more distance between me and the others?In this current state of affairs,
The Reawakened Mates and their Quintuplets #Chapter 144: Knives Out
Riley spoke in a low, urgent whisper. "One wrong move and you're dead, got it?"Rayburn's voice rose as he responded fiercely, "Perhaps at some point you'll realize I haven't done anything wrong and I'm not going-"Kadeem whipped around to interrupt him with an icy growl. They were on the brink of reaching Ardal, and Riley had made a dangerous gamble by freeing Rayburn.Kadeem could only hope it wouldn't backfire on them.He knew Riley well enough to guess her thought process. Intimidation was part of the game, and Kadeem showing up with his distracted beta tagging after him while she juggled a captive was no good. Riley wanted it made clear that Kadeem had back-up, and she needed to give herself the chance to fight by his side when it boiled down to it.But Kadeem also knew the reality of their situation. Now, there was nothing to prevent Rayburn from using the spell that had knocked them unconscious in the woods, killing them, or worse: going after Ardal or the kids. What were the o
