JARISI didn't expect her to be so stubborn over a mere necklace.Unfortunately for me, my suite had been facing the very spot where she was seated. So, I could see how long she spent, being stubborn and refusing to leave without it.I'd been curious enough to open the locket and to my surprise, it turned out to be ashes.It was old tradition to burn corpses and preserve their ashes. Nobody did this anymore. So, why would she do it? And who did she do it for?It made me understand why it was so important to her. And for a reason I couldn't explain, I was forced to go out and hand it back.She was so furious. Never seen that much anger in her eyes before.And as she walked out the gate, I continued watching her.It happened
LYRICI kept counting the hours until morning.As soon as it was the break of dawn, I planned on leaving immediately.But when morning came, I was surprised by a breakfast buffet, a new dress, and a nurse checking on me.I didn't want to believe that Jaris had thought of these himself.I freshened up, changed into the fresh dress—a cute black knee-length gown, by the way—and ate to my fill.The nurse removed the bigger bandage around my head, having it replaced with a small patch. She also told me I was fine and could move about. Not like I had any intention of staying over.When I finished and went to the other room, I found Jaris already dressed, talking with Kael and Jaris.Right. He had the general Alphas' meeting to attend. Even my father was attending.I waited for him to finish with his men before I greeted him and told him I was leaving."We're leaving together," he cocked his head at the door.Kael and Nerion must have had to do something else because they didn't foll
LYRICThe following day, Father and I returned home to the Pack, as did every Alpha.I was exhausted and simply wanted a shower and a bath, but my sister had a way of getting in the way of my wants."How was your stay in Blystara?" She asked as I walked toward the door of my room. "Ooh. Looks like you ran into a bit of trouble," she pointed at the patched part of my head.It actually didn't hurt anymore. In a couple of days, the mark would be completely gone."I'm fine, Nora. Just go, please."She couldn't accompany us to the funeral as she had something very important to take care of. She had been somewhat depressed since Roderick started treating her like trash. But it really wasn't my fault."I hope the driver was really hard," she suddenly said when I was about to open my door.
JARISI didn't like the sound of that."I don't need to beg you for information, Nerion. What did you find?" There was slight irritation in my voice."Actually," he took the seat across from me. "she has previously been mated to Alpha Roderick."What?"They got mated when she was eighteen, but as soon as Roderick got what he wanted—which was going up the ranks—he dumped her."Woah. That didn't sound good. I bet Mother mustn't have been aware of this. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been so quick to push her to me.But if things were over between them, why was Roderick all over her at the party?"When did they break up?" I asked."Five years ago."I shot a surprised stare at Nerion. That long? Goes a long way to explain why the news wasn't common."Are there any photos from when she and Roderick were together?""Sadly, no. It was quite surprising when I couldn't even find any old pictures of her. Turned out Lyric wasn't fully involved with her family before now. I don't know wh
LYRICA while later, I left to grab my belongings. Coincidentally, Jace had come around to deliver something to father.Father was thrilled when I told him of my plan to move to Darkspire. It served as a kind of assurance that the contract was going through, and he'd have nothing to worry about.As for Jace, he insisted on accompanying me to Darkspire. In his words, he wanted to help me move in.I told him about Jaris' new rules, but he didn't seem to care. Seeing that he was stubborn, I decided to call Jaris."Please, believe me when I say Jace is merely a friend. He means no harm and only wants to help." I tried to sound as convincing as I could.By some miracle, he approved of it. Hm. Jaris Dreadmoor was showing a different side of him today, and I think I prefer this side.Jace helped me gather my things whi
LYRICI stepped out of the bar for a few minutes, but Jace was already in trouble.Broken tables. Smashed glasses. Chairs flipped upside down.The place was in chaos as people struggled to separate the two men engaging in a serious brawl.Jace and Kael.By the moon, not again!"Jace! Jace!" I shouted, pushing my way through the mess."Having a friendly conversation!" he yelled back, just before dodging a punch.I grabbed his arm, trying to pull him away, but he shook me off like a damn wet leaf. They kept going at each other, tossing chairs, knocking over drinks—basically turning the bar into a battleground.How in Selene's name did this happen?It took Nerion's intervention to bring an end to the madness.I stood in front of Jace, panting and glaring at both him and Kael. How could they do this in front of so many people?"I need an apology from him. This instant! Before he steps a foot out of this place!" Kael demanded angrily.Boy, was he pissed.Jace wiped blood from his
LYRIC I tightened my hold around my shopping basket as I dipped my head. "Good morning, Alpha Zarek. Sorry, I almost bumped into you.""Oh, it's nothing." He chuckled. "I didn't know you came to such places. You deal with medicines?"I simply nodded. "That's nice. I only came over to check for certain things. It's a good thing that I met you here."A good thing? Why's it a good thing?I managed a smile as I stepped away. "Take care, Alpha."I walked away, continuing with my shopping. A while later, I was done and went over to the counter to clear my bills. To my surprise, the man at the counter simply packed them up and handed them over without asking me to pay. "Someone already took care of your bill," he stunned me. Oh? "Who's that?""Alpha Zarek,." He tipped his head behind me. Turning slightly, I found the Alpha learning against a shelf, waving at me with a weird smile. Okay... Why would he do a thing like this? I never asked.Dropping the bags, I went over
LYRICMy chin hit the floor in utter surprise.I couldn't take my eyes off Jaris. What in the name of the moon?This was not the reaction I'd expected. I thought he'd call me names and everything ugly. But he was taking this better than I expected!"What?" Roderick's voice sounded bewildered and shaken. "N...No. This is not the reason I came here. I came here to warn you about her. To tell you to kick her out!""So, you can have her?" Jaris huffed. "I'm afraid it doesn't work that way with me."Roderick sprang to his feet, his gaze now contorted in fury."Well, I'm sorry too, but I have no intention of letting her go either."The room turned ice cold.What happened next was a blur—too fast for my mind to fully register. Jaris seized Roderick by the collar,
I walked out of the patient's room, carrying the chart in my hand and going through it.I instructed the nurse beside me on what to do to one of the patients in the chart.I came to a pause when someone stopped in front of me. I was forced to lift my head from the book, and in front of me was Marta.Oh, great."Do you need something, Doctor Monroe?" I resisted the urge to roll my eyes."Yes." She had a dubious smile on her face. "How has life been without your best friend being close to you?"I widened my eyes at her. Was she really going to do this in front of a nurse.Turning to the nurse beside me, I dismissed her."What is wrong with you, Marta?" I shook my head."Why don't you tell me? I mean, it's been two days since he was kicked out of the pack. Ho
JARISI stopped at a spot, my fingers going into my hair and pulling at my roots. I was trying—trying so hard to remain calm. Because I knew if I had to really snap, only the innocent ones around me would get to suffer."What did you just say, Margaret?" I could hardly even hear myself."I'm so sorry. It was one of the women that was supposed to keep an eye on him. She was one of us, and we trusted her. We were just as shocked when we discovered she had him released." She was still sobbing. She was scared. And oh, she had the right to be. Because right now, I was really thinking about going over and doing all the things I imagined last night."How did she release him unconscious? It's impossible for him to get out of his condition.""I know. But she got help. We were just as surprised, Alpha. This strange lady, she was able to heal him
"What?" Her mother murmured. "How's that—How's that possible?""They can't be his, Marta. We bought them, remember? Or did someone manipulate the results?""Beatrix is Jaris' aunt. She'd definitely want to know if her nephew was being deceived, and if he was, she'd expose it. She wouldn't cover up for us for any reason." Marta pulled at the roots of her hair. "This isn't right. Something isn't right.""Hold on," Her grandmother took a seat. "Are you trying to say the kids we arranged for and bought in a far away country are actually Jaris' kids? How in hell is that possible? Who's their mother, then?""I—I don't know, grandma. But this can't be good." Marta's eyes were wide with panic. "How did I end up with Jaris' kids? How is another woman pregnant for him and...and he knows nothing about it?""More importantly, who's the mother of the twins? How could she possibly
LYRICJaris wouldn't say a word the entire ride home. But he looked pissed. Very pissed.Did that mean the result wasn't good? Were the kids not his?When we reached the Pack, he asked for Jace and Marta. But while Jace was in, Marta wasn't. He called her and ordered her to get to the Pack House immediately."What's going on?" Jace asked when we were alone on the balcony."I don't know. The results are out, and he's been acting all weird."My mind went to the kids who were already in their room. Was this the point where their lives went bad? Gods. What would Jaris do about them not being his?After waiting for a long time, Marta did come. We all met in Jaris' office.Luna Isolde, Kael, Nerion and some other guards were there as well. Marta looked so scared. 
LYRICI was reading a book on my phone when a text popped on my screen, freezing the air in my lungs.'Hi, Lyric. Have you missed me?'It was from Roderick, and it was accompanied with a photo of me at the airport from when I newly came into the country.What the hell? He had taken a photo of me that day?But most importantly, why was he texting me?The doorbell ringing interrupted my thoughts.I scrambled off the bed and into the living room to check who it was. The kids were in their room, playing a video game.Who could possibly be visiting Jaris?I opened the door and was met with surprise when I found Marta.Unlike her, she didn't have any makeup on. Her hair looked like it had been hurriedly brushed and parked. Her eyes were swollen, indicating
JARIS"Daddy!" Xyla screamed when she noticed me from the counter.I didn't miss the color that crept onto Lyric's nose the moment she saw me. Why did she always have this reaction around me?A dark thought settled in my mind: Did she also have this reaction when she let Zarek touch her?I pushed the thought aside, deciding to enjoy the moment.I went closer to the kids, taking Xylon into my arms while I planted a kiss on Xyla's hair."Good morning, Alpha." Lyric dipped her head, her nose still pink.I was starting to grow irritated with her calling me 'Alpha.' In her dream mode, she always called me by my name. I think I liked that better."How was your night, Lyric?" I regarded.I noticed the color reached her ears as well. But now, I thin
LYRICMy lips parted but no words formed. Jaris was asking me to stay. He might not be straightforward about it, but he wanted me to stay.When I still didn't say a word, Xyla started another conversation. And fortunately, the conversation drifted from me.....So, I did stay.The twins and I spent some time watching a movie in the home cinema. Yup. Jaris had a freaking cinema built into his mansion.The twins slept off before the end of the second movie. I had to carry them one after the other to their rooms.When I was done laying them both in beds and tucking them in, I turned to the door and startled when I found Jaris leaning against the doorframe.Geez! That gave me quite a stare."Good job." He tipped his head toward the k
LYRICOkay...why was he sweet with the kids and not with me?Adjusting the strep of my bag over my shoulder, I went after him.The inside was more beautiful than I imagined with a black theme.I didn't want to imagine the amount of money that must have been put into this place.I continued walking behind Jace until we reached an office. Oh. So, he had a home office here as well."What're you doing here?" His voice was icy.I couldn't hold his stare and was forced to lower mine to the floor. He didn't look like the man that had been happy to see his kids a while ago."I asked a question," he clipped.Fuck this, Lyric. Stop showing him your weakness."The kids wanted to see you." My voice came out s
LYRICThings were not fine. The aftermath of the situation was exactly why I'd been scared of revealing the truth.Since the previous day after the samples were taken, Jaris hadn't been home. What bothered me the most was the fact that the twins were very sad and worried.They didn't exactly know what the problem was, but they knew their father was mad about something and hadn't been home because of it."Aunty, do you think daddy will come home today?" Xyla asked, lifting her head from her drawing book to look at me.I stuttered for words."He's not taking our calls. And we were supposed to show him some pictures," she made a pout.Xylon nodded, showing his agreement.My heart clenched painfully. Jaris hadn't been taking their calls? Was that necessary?