It's nice to see that Arianna has goals even though she goes out of her way to belittle others to get there. Let's see if Mila can take the spotlight.
ARII stepped up blocking Mila’s view of Frances. “It is fine,” I said. “So, like I was saying Mister…”“Sorry, Arianna. I wasn’t finished with my point,” Mila said with a smile.Before I could stop her, Frances leaned in, intrigues. “It’s fine, Mrs. Aliz. I’d like to hear the young lady’s thoughts.”There was no way she knew anything about diamonds, even if she could probably afford one now. Mila’s smile deepened, her confidence probably bolstered by his attention. “Synthetic diamonds may be popular, but there will always be a market for rarity and exclusivity–things that cannot be replicated by machines.”She paused, letting her words sink in and the crowd around us was eating it up. Mr. Deveaux’s expression was neutral, but I saw a hint of approval. Again, I tried to take control.“Well, everyone knows…”“I’m still not finished,” Mila said, glancing at me before moving back to Mister Deveaux. “Since Mrs. Aliz has something important to add that just can’t wait, I’ll get to the point
MILAEarlier that dayI sat across from Tyler in his office, my fingers absentmindedly tracing the edge of the Aliz Corporation contract. Tyler was mid-sentence about something–I had no idea what–but my mind was elsewhere. Specifically, on the encrypted message on Laura’s computer. When we cracked it open, there was a message: This wasn’t an accident. There was a photo attached of my parents on the boat. A photo that I had to have taken, but one I couldn’t remember capturing.It wasn’t my parents that had my attention, though. No, the red circle around the men on the dock, the ones placing something on the boat, kept flashing in my mind. They were responsible for the accident. Neither one looked familiar but one had a very distinctive scar across his face. The ones responsible for the accident. While Laura worked on trying to get the database to ID them, I was here. Stuck in a meeting with Tyler.“You know,” Tyler’s smooth voice broke through my thoughts, “I can already see that I’m lo
MILAAt the ceremonyAfter Amber's little outburst, I couldn’t help but trail her and Luna Franesca into the ladies’ room. Near the door, Luna Franesca’s voice cut through the silence like a knife. In the mirror, I could see Amber standing with her head down, while her mother’s biting words seemed to hit her like a physical blow. “Goddess, why can’t you be more like your sister?” Luna Franesca hissed through clenched teeth. “Arianna wouldn’t show up to an event and embarrass herself like this. She knows how to carry herself.And why are you not with Declan? I picked him out for you and you show up with a low-class fool!”“Leo is a friend, mother,” Amber said meekly. “He wanted to…”A slap across Amber’s face stopped her from talking. “I don’t care if he saved your life, Amber. He is a low-class leech and you deserve better.” Luna Francesca let go a breath, shaking her head. “You…. you’re a constant disappointment. Pull yourself together, Amber.”Amber’s shoulders slumped further, her b
ARII was able to laugh off that first moan but the others after it was almost involuntary. My mind raced as I tried to keep my composure. What the hell is wrong with me?! A subtle warmth crept through my body, starting in my chest and spreading like a wildfire. I wasn’t sure how many times I blinked, trying to shake off the sudden wave of heat. Then my pulse quickened, my palms grew clammy as the room seemed to grow warmer. Gabe appeared by my side with a glass of water, his concerned gaze locking onto mine. “Do you need to leave?” he asked, his voice laced with worry.“No, I’m fine,” I lied, my voice barely steady. He knew I was, but didn’t push it. It’s almost over anyway. Go away before people say something.”He squeezed my hand, and I offered him a weak smile, trying to focus on the runway. Just that simple touch from him made me cream my panties. This was insane. Come on, Ari. Just get through one more and then you can leave. I told myself, clinging my thighs together so hard th
ARIsexual scene aheadAs much as I wanted to go back and take control, I felt myself go slack in Gabe’s arms as we rushed into the first open room we could find. It was a little bathroom for women with babies. My clothes were on the floor the moment the door closed and I was on Gabe like white on rice.“I want you now,” I whispered in his ear, helping him out of his clothes. The urgency of my need was intoxicating, in an almost painful and scary way. I was so fucking wet, I could feel it flowing down my legs. I couldn’t get him to undress fast enough. Underneath, his cock was hard and ready, and I wrapped my hand around him, feeling his blood leap beneath my fingers.“Fuck, you’re burning up, Arianna,” he growled, his leaning back as I stroked him, getting pleasure from just his monas.He looked at me, his golden eyes staring down at me with an animalistic desire. I was glad his wolf was at the surface. Gabe was a great lover, but at times like this, I wanted it rough and hard, which
MILAThis went better than I expected. The sight of Ari struggling to keep her composure was both amusing and satisfying, considering the many times she tormented and embarrassed me. The plus was being able to showcase my collection and watching Mister Deveaux’s amused face. I was definitely going to get his collaboration. The only question now was who was going to back me? Frances Deveaux might have been impressed but I was still new to the scene and a powerhouse like Aliz or Mora would be perfect.During the show, my eyes met Amber who was smiling. She tipped her glass to me and I returned the motion. I mean give a girl an inch and she would take a mile, Amber performed perfectly and the reaction was more than I could ask for. Thank you, Amber. You might be a bit of a mess, but you’re a useful mess.By the time the final model made her way down the runway, the audience was on their feet, clapping and cheering louder than they had all night. I stepped forward, taking my bow, basking i
MILAPanic started to claw at the edge of my mind. I had to get out of here–now. Luna Emily’s voice pulled me back, her tone dripping with condescension.“Don’t let this petty jealousy you have over your brother cloud your judgment, dear.”“Alpha Tyler’s right.” I interjected quickly, trying to maintain some semblance of control. “I simply saved the show when Arianna–unfortunately–couldn’t continue. You should be thanking me, yet, here you are insulting me, Luna Emily. So, how about I do us both a favor and leave?”“No!” Tyler’s voice was firm, with a note of authority that I hadn’t expected.“Fine by me,” Luna Emily said at the same time.Tyler’s grip tightened around my waist just as another wave of heat rolled through me, this one more intense than the last. Pleasure, sharp and unwelcome, shot through my body, and I had to bite down on my lip to stifle a moan. Oh fuck! I looked in my purse for the suppressor pills and found nothing but my scent spray. Double fuck! I felt Rayne movi
MILA ***sex scene marked ahead >>>I barely registered the sound of Tyler’s frustrated growl as I sprinted away. I practically fell into the hallway, looking around for the exit but all I saw were windows and every door led to some stupid room.wasn’t as fast as I thought as the moment I got into the hallway, Tyler had me pinned against the wall. Well that was fast.“Mila!” His canines were extended, eyes burning that bright golden color I was familiar with. His wolf was on the surface. Not good. I placed my hands against his chest to keep him from squishing me.“Declan,” I muttered. “Nice of you to join the show. Now let me go.” He growled again, sniffing the side of my neck, taking in my scent. “You smell… so sweet, Mila.”The way his guttural voice rumbled when he said my nameHis guttural voice rumbled in his chest, doing things I didn’t want to think of.“Declan…” His eyes snapped to mine, his body grinding against me, pressing me flat against the wall. “As much as my body would l
ARI“Arianna!” I blinked, noticing my stepmother looking at me with confusion. “Snap out of it. People are always watching us, and I can’t have both you and your sister looking like asylum escapees.”I looked around, briefly remembering where I was–another charity event for a cause she neither knew nor cared about.“That would be an upgrade,” Gregory scoffed, his glass of whiskey swirling with a slow, measured agitation. The man was just never happy. Even after I’ve done everything he asked me to, somehow he was still disappointed. I glanced over at Amber, who was sitting, staring blankly into the distance. She hadn’t been the same since Frank’s sudden departure. Even her husband, Harry, called it quits. Apparently someone leaked the photos of her affair and he had divorce papers wired to her the next day. Francesca had all but drugged Amber into compliance, upping her meds until she was little more than a shadow of herself. I watched as her fingers toyed with the edge of her napkin
ARIThe tires of my car crunched over the loose gravel as my driver pulled over to the desolate warehouse. My father’s voice over the phone echoed in my mind–cold, clipped, and commanding. Get here. Now.He offered no details, but he didn’t have to. I knew that tone. The same tone he used whenever I stepped out of line, but for the life of me, I couldn’t think of what I did this time. I absentmindedly touched the diamond necklace Gabe gifted me as an early birthday present, though it wasn’t until next month, but at least it was calming. At least I had him in my corner. I got out of the car and walked through the heavily guarded door. My stomach was in knots when I entered the open space and the echoing sound of fists meeting flesh guided my gaze.Father stood in the center of the warehouse, his knuckles stained red as he drove another blow into the face of a man bound to a chair. I stopped walking when I realized it was Alpha Frank. He was barely recognizable.Blood streamed from his
MILAI stepped inside the abandoned warehouse. The heavy thuds from my combat boots echoed against the bare walls purposefully. I wanted him to know I was coming. Frank, Mirabella’s father, sat shackled tightly to the steel chair. He corrected his posture when he heard me, but the once ‘not-so-powerful’ Alpha couldn’t intimidate me.The cut and bruises on his body were turned into scabs.I pulled another chair across from him, letting the legs screeched against the floor. He flinched at the sound, but quickly tried to compose himself, the tremor in his hands gave him away. Behind me, Camila stifled a laugh before walking over to a table to set up the projector with Jenna. I waited for their signal before sitting down.“Alpha Frank,” I started, my voice altered. “You seemed to have healed quite well over the past few days. We might need to change that.”“I don’t know who you think you are,” Frank spat. “But you’re making a big mistake.”I leaned back letting the silence stretch before
MILAI stepped into the dimly lit interrogation room where Leo, shackled at the wrists, leaned back in a chair, smirking as if he was expecting me. I took the seat across from him before he leaned forward.“Well this is a surprise,” Leo smiled. “Finally ready to admit you got the hots for me.”“Please.” I placed a hand over my lips. “ I just had lunch, Leo. Let me keep the contents in my stomach and not on this table.”Leo laughed. “So why are you here?”“I thought you might need the company,” I said smoothly. “Seeing as your visitor’s log is empty. Didn’t want people to think you were all alone.”His jaw tightened. “I don’t need you here!” Leo growled, yanking against the restraints as the guards stepped forward. I raised my hand. Stopping them. Leo was about as intimidating as a fly. “Fine, I just thought we could relate to each other.”Leo scoffed. “How’s that?”“Wow, you’re that dense, huh?” I shook my head, clicking my tongue. “All this time, and you still don’t see it.”“See wh
ARII heard a commotion outside my office door and barely had time to process it before my door opened. Amber stormed in with my temporary assistant stumbling in behind her with flushed cheeks and hair askew.“You jealous little bitch! How could you?!” Amber shrieked.I dodged the phone being thrown at my head before looking at Amber as if she lost her mind.“I’m so sorry, Luna Arianna,” my assistant whimpered. “She.. she hit me and…”I held up my hand, cutting her off. “I don’t care for your excuses, whatever your name is. Since you can’t seem to do a simple job like not letting crazy people in my office, why don’t you go home for the day?”She didn’t wait for me to change my mind, bolting from the room as if Amber’s rage might consume her next. Amber stormed up to my desk, her arms crossed so tight, I thought she might snap in half.Julia, sprawled lazily in the chair by the window, didn’t even flinch at the commotion. She was probably as high as I was. She sat up with a smirk.“Gee
GABEThe words cemented themselves in my brain as the thud of fists meeting leather echoed in the gym, accompanied by grunts and rhythmic feet on the mat.“I, Mila Davis, reject you, Alpha Gabe, as my mate.”No matter how many times I replayed them, the ache didn’t lessen. The rejection should have freed me, should have severed the bond. But Spencer still howled for her in the depths of my mind, clawing against the walls I built to keep him restrained. She wasn’t ours anymore. She made that clear.And yet, it changed nothing.With a roar, I unleashed a brutal combo–jab, hook, uppercut–forcing my sparring partner back until he staggered back, trying to regain his footing, but I couldn’t stop. If I did, I’d feel the emptiness settling in my chest, the gaping hole she left behind.“Alpha, please ease up!” I heard someone say, but I couldn’t ease up. The next hit connected squarely with the sparring partner’s jaw, sending him flying into the corner before he crumbled to the mat. Silence f
MILAThe sound of plates clinking woke me. I blinked against the sunlight coming through the windows, my body slow to stir after another restless night. “Morning,” Tyler’s voice broke through my haze. I sat up, the blanket slipping off my naked body. I internally groaned at the fact I allowed myself to stay here another day.“Though, this image of you is making this one of the best mornings I’ve ever had,” he added teasingly.I looked up at him holding a tray loaded with food–scrambled eggs, bacon, bread, jam, fruit, and a steaming cup of coffee. A soft and unassuming smile tugged at his lips.“Breakfast… in bed?” I asked, raising an eyebrow. “I bet all the women go crazy for this service.”He laughed, a deep, throaty sound that sent a shiver down my spine. Placing the tray on the nightstand beside the bed, he sat down next to me. “Only the ones that intrigue me.”“Oh,” I said coyly, leaning over him to pick up a piece of fruit from the tray. “And do I still intrigue you, Tyler?”Hi
MILAI woke up to a sharp ache that radiated through my body. I was surprised it was still there. I tried to sit up when I noticed the weight on my mid-section. Tyler was fast asleep, arms wrapped around my waist and drool pooling from his mouth. It took me a minute to get him off of me and to the other side of the bed. His features were relaxed and I envied his peace, the way he seemed untouched by the weight bearing down on me. Hours ago had been a blur of heat and desperation, a reckless attempt to drown out the pain. I thought Tyler’s touch, his closeness, would be enough to numb what Gabe had created.But it wasn’t.The ache lingered, sharper now, like a knife twisting deeper with every beat of my heart.We had to do it.“It was sudden, but we had no choice,” Rayne said softly, but I could feel the sorrow in her voice as she paced, restless and wounded in my mind.I swallowed hard, my throat tight. No choice. I hated those words. They made me feel like a puppet, dancing on string
TYLERHoly shit! Fuck! What the hell was I thinking bringing her here? I rarely brought women to the packhouse. Hotel rooms were my domain for this kind of thing. A quick getaway if needed. But now? Now I was making an exception for her. Mila. Damn it, why was resisting her so damn impossible? Everything about her, from the way she looked at me to the way she moved, shredded whatever resolve I had left. And then there was Gabe. Something had happened back there, I could feel it. But the moment the elevator doors closed, and her lips crushed against mine with that fiery urgency, I knew. I knew exactly where this was going. Gabe? Fuck him. He had a mate already. He wasn’t here. I didn’t care what he’d do if he was. I cared about her.By the time we reached the front door, our clothes were practically gone. She pulled me in with a hunger that matched my own, and her kiss–it was everything. The heat radiating off her skin seemed to burn through me, leaving me aching in ways I didn’t unde