Relief washed over me as Rick shut the door behind him, leaving for the hospital on an emergency call. We'd spent the entire evening huddled around the kitchen table, strategizing. The incident at kindergarten had thrown a wrench into our carefully constructed human facade."They can't go back this week," Rick had said, his voice grim. "Not after that display of strength.""I know," I agreed, frustration knotting my stomach. "But how do we explain it to them? They loved school!" Images of Sarah excitedly showing off her finger painting and Timothy shyly making friends with another boy flashed in my mind."We tell them the truth," Rick said, his gaze unwavering. "A softened version, of course. We tell them we need them to stay home for a few days to recover from a 'growth spurt.'"A flicker of doubt crossed my face. "Growth spurt? Won't they question why it affects their school attendance?"Rick chuckled, a dry humor lacing his voice. "They're five, Amanda. They'll probably buy it, esp
Rick kissed me finally as he climaxed, and we held on to each other as our soft breaths filled the room, I still can;t get myself to stop feeling like I was committing a grave sin here, like I was making a deadly mistake.As Rick drifted off to sleep, a contented smile playing on his lips, I slipped out of his embrace. Shame coiled in my gut, a thick, suffocating serpent.It wasn't Rick. It was never Rick.He was never the problem and no matter what he did, I will always feel like this. I thought I was over it, but seeing Jackson again reawakened the feelings in me. Would he still remember me? Does he still think of me?Is he marrying her because the pack members pressured him or he was tired of the playboy lifestyle and he decided to settle down? I had no idea if he still remembered the night too, I could swear there was a flicker of regret in his orbs that night.The image of Jackson, his stormy grey eyes fixed on me across the store earlier today, intruded into my mind. Had he come
Disappointment gnawed at me as we entered the familiar shop once more. Surprisingly when Dulcie requested I accompany her again for the third time, I obliged. I have no idea why but I did it anyways.Or maybe i knew why and I didn’t want to accept it to myself yet?Despite Dulcie's tantrum the last time, Sadie greeted us with the same sunny disposition."Welcome back! Did you have a chance to think about the dresses?"Dulcie, however, wasn't interested in pleasantries. "Cut to the chase," she snapped. "Do you have the red dress or not?"Sadie's smile faltered slightly. "No, ma'am, I'm afraid not. It's…" she hesitated, glancing nervously at me."Just tell her it's not for sale," I interjected, a sigh escaping my lips. My wolf whined in frustration, his disappointment mirroring my own. Was I chasing shadows?But then, Sadie surprised me. "Actually, there's a new arrival you might like," she said, her eyes flitting between Dulcie and me. "It just came in this morning."Dulcie perked up,
AMANDA’S POVA wave of nausea washed over me as I greeted Sadie, forcing me to clutch the counter for a moment. My facade of human frailty seemed more necessary than ever these days. "Good morning, Sadie. Feeling a bit under the weather today, I'm afraid."Sadie's brow furrowed in concern. "Oh no, Amanda! Are you sure you're alright? Maybe you should take a day off?"I shook my head, forcing a smile. "No, no, just a bit of fatigue. Nothing a cup of coffee can't fix." The truth was, fatigue was the least of my worries."Actually," I continued, my voice carefully neutral, "there's something I need to discuss. That red dress I reserved… perhaps it would be best to offer it to the woman who was interested yesterday."Sadie's eyes widened. "The woman with the… demanding fiance? Are you sure?""Let's just say," I sighed, "I've changed my mind. If she's willing to pay the asking price, it's hers." It was a painful decision, letting go of the dress. But the thought of another encounter with J
I couldn't believe the information my beta had set in front of me. I looked up at him, my mouth open in disbelief.He stared at me aloofly, not quite getting what was wrong.My heart pounded with a mixture of rage and betrayal as I stared at the damning paper sprawled across the table.My teeth curled at the sight of the paper. I grabbed it and ripped it to shreds, damn the consequences.How could she?Amanda was getting engaged, and that wasn't the worst pattern of it. She was getting engaged to a gamma.A gamma.I couldn't believe it. My beta simply stood there, watching me rage and vex.I could feel bitterness at the back of my throat, twisting my insides and causing me pain.Max, ny wolf, chuckled in my head, laughing at my pain.“What's so fucking funny to you?” I snarled at him. “Aren't You feeling the pain I'm feeling?”He smiled a womfish smile at me. “I am, but my pain is lessened by the fact that thus us your fault, You rejected our mate because of her station.” he snarled a
I quickly poured milk into both the bowls I had prepared for my children.Sarah and Timothy bundled down the stairs, smiles on their faces.“Good morning, Mom,” Sarah said sweetly.“Mornin', Mom.” Timothy echoed.They both sat at the table, dropping their food bags beside them on the floor.“Morning, my loves.” I sang, kissing them both on their foreheads.” Here's your breakfast.” I dropped the bowls of cereal before them, and they dug into it immediately.I stepped back and watched them both, sitting at the breakfast table.The morning light cast a warm glow on their faces; I shot a look at my watch, making sure I still had time to tell them.. "Kids," I began, "we might have to move to a new place." They stopped chewing their cereal, looking at me."Why, Mom?" Sarah asked, her voice small.I sighed, trying to find the right words. "Well..” I stopped. I wasn't quite sure how to explain the situation with Jackson to them.“There’s someone very bad here that we have to hide from.” I fi
Amanda’s POVI notice that the man drives in the direction of the old abandoned warehouse at the edge of town.Anxiety filled my chest. Who is this man, and what does he want with my children?I shoot a quick text to Rick about where we’re going and rush to my car. I am going to find my children.I follow the path I see the man follow and end up at the warehouse. It is a large, empty building with lots of windows.I get out of my car as quietly as I can and creep towards one of the windows. Peering through them, I realize that there are two figures tied to chairs in the center of the room.I couldn't make them out, but I knew they were my children.I bared my teeth in anger; whoever did this would pay.Jackson’s POVI sat there in confusion and anger. I was so sure that the fashion Designer was Amanda. I had thought of it before, but now I was almost sure of it.I had been looking for her all these years, and Anger swept through me, fierce and hot but also longing and wanting. I misse
My fist connected with the alpha's jaw with an incredibly satisfying thud, and he crumpled to the ground, his body limp and unconscious.I had wanted to do that for the longest of times. He was the most egotistical asshole I had ever had to deal with, and that was coming from an egotistical asshole.I could feel the rage coursing through my veins, an anger that felt hot and fierce.I stood over him, panting with exhaustion. I had practically run from my vehicle when I noticed what was happening.I turned to Amanda, noting her children.“Are you guys okay?” I asked the kids.Amanda didn't let them answer and instead drew them to herself protectively, sending me a glare.“They're fine.” She said curtly.I nodded, wanting to say something but not knowing what to say.She knelt beside her children and whispered to them, confirming that they were, indeed, okay.I turned back to Dulcie's father, looking at him sprawled on the groundI knew I had broken his ribs with that blow, but I didn't