I hadn’t had dinner in the dining room at the packhouse since before Paul came back. I just couldn’t stomach being around all the happy people. That doesn’t even factor in the possibility that Paul and his mate would decide to eat at the packhouse. I don’t think I could stomach watching them together. I keep reliving the breakfast after Paul and I returned from the Lotus Pack. The way Paul looked at me across the table set my skin aflame. I was drawn to him, wanting nothing more than to reach across the table. He pulled his lips to mine. If there hadn’t been so many eyes, there’s no telling how things would have gone down that morning.I stand in the kitchen doorway, taking deep breaths, trying to get myself ready for this meal. I don’t know exactly what I’m trying to avoid. It isn’t like people knew that Paul and I were getting close. We hadn’t had enough time to inform anyone, so embarrassment is nonexistent. I just don’t want to see him. My heart still aches for him; my skin yearn
~Imogene~How very, very interesting. I knew something was between them, but I wasn’t sure exactly what it was. First, she was waiting for him on the porch of his house, then the little scene outside the clinic. The funny thing is that I dug deep into his mind and felt he was keeping something from me. This, these memories must be what it was. My puppets performed exceptionally well. If that bitch wasn’t sure before, it should be clear now that Paul is taken. She would do best by pretending they never had anything and moving on with her life. I will help her along if I have to. I stand up quickly and move through the kitchen. I want to catch her before she gets too far. I tune out the moans and groans of my fan club. Using a spell like this is helpful to make one look good to others, but it can be so annoying. Some people get obsessed with this spell, which never looks good.I ignore them and head after her. I look up the stairs and see her back go around a corner. I follow her as s
~Nikki~*RING**RING*“Hello? Doc?”“Hi, Lynn. I missed you at dinner.”“Yeah, I heard that Paul’s mate was going to be in attendance, and I just didn’t want to deal. How was it? How’s Tia doing?”“Remind me of something.” I stretch out on the bed, staring at the ceiling. “What was the overall opinion that Tia had of Imogene?”“She felt that something was up with that chick. She has seen Paul and believes there’s something wrong with him. She doesn’t trust that woman and was hoping that the boys would see it too.”“That’s what I thought. Speaking to Tia tonight, I didn’t get that vibe at all. She was completely team Imogene tonight. She even….she even took some shots at me.”“What the fuck!” I sigh.“Language, Lynn, language.”“Sorry. It’s just….that doesn’t sound at all like Tia. She wouldn’t take any shots at you no matter what’s going on. She definitely wasn’t backing Imagine before, so I wonder what’s changed.”“It’s Imogene, and I have no idea.”“Before, I teased that she offered
~Paul~*BLINK**BLINK*FUCK! Darkness again!*BLINK**BLINK**BLINK*A bit of light starts to stream through my eyelids. I pry my eyes open further and try to move my head, but I’m locked out again. “Clearly, my spell was wearing off, but I fixed all that now. I’m not sure where you were planning to go, but I don’t have to worry about that now.” That dreadful woman comes into my view. “When I leave, you leave. When I sleep, you are unconscious. This is going to save me a lot of time having to track you down when you start to feel antsy.” FUCK!! I tried so hard to fight against whatever it was that she did to me. I tried so hard to make it out and get to Nikki. I need her to know that I’m trapped and that I care about her, and this woman is not my mate. She’s staring right into my eyes with a sick grin on her face. I wish I could slap the shit out of her, and I’m not even a man who would lay hands on a woman in a violent way. This woman makes me want to beat her ass like I would a ma
~Imogene~I knew I’d forgotten something the moment I left the house. I couldn’t figure it out until I got halfway to the packhouse and had to head back. I try not to ever travel without my talisman, but I forgot today. People may not know where I am, but I still need to stay vigilant. I place my hand on the knob, and it turned, already unlocked. I swear I locked the door when I left. I don’t tend to leave doors easily accessible. I look back at Paul, but he’s as spaced out as he should be, so that I won’t get any answers there. I slowly turn the knob, allowing the door to swing open on its own. I take a few steps inside and stop. The air is disturbed; someone has been here. I know I told those dogs never to enter this home. I don’t want any cleaning done or anything. I have a feeling that isn’t what I’m dealing with, though. I slowly walk through the house, looking around. Nothing looks disturbed, so that’s something. I head up the stairs, but there are no doors open or anything.
~Imogene~This is just what I wanted. I was hoping that Nikki would be my doctor. Who better to find out the news than the woman who wants Paul? I know she has feelings for him, and it kills her to see us together. I wonder if that she-wolf knows about these two. I can’t imagine she does, or she probably would have asked me to keep them apart. I will have to keep that feather in my cap. I may need to take her down a peg or two, and this is the perfect information to use to do that. Speaking of her, she’s been calling and texting even though I told her not to. I’ve ignored every attempt she made to reach out to me, but I know I can’t avoid her forever. Before approaching her, I need to see if this will work in my favor. My thoughts are interrupted by a knock on the door. I’ve been sitting on the bed, waiting for the test results, and Paul sits in the chair. Doctor Franks walks into the room, and there is no emotion on her face. I give her a lot of credit for keeping her face neutral
~Stuart~It’s been several days now, but the pain is gone. I did what I needed to do, and life is getting better. I had to let Kimberly go; I had to reject her. She felt the pain but quickly accepted my rejection. I guess she never really cared for me, and that’s what I’ve been trying to come to terms with all this time. The first few days, my heart was heavy. I wasn’t sure if I had made the right decision. So many times, I was tempted to return to Kimberly and beg her forgiveness. I would get up, put my shoes on, and walk to the door. Before I could turn that knob, I would walk away and sit back down. That wasn’t the way; it wasn’t what I needed to do.These days, I’ve been rethinking my choices. I made so many mistakes, and for what? I thought Kimberly was the person I needed in my life. I was ready to sacrifice everything and everyone for her. Looking back, I realize what a fool I’ve been. Nikki was an amazing mate, and I was lucky to have her. She may not have been my fated mate
My body is shaking. Is there something wrong? Am I having a seizure? “Doc?! Are you okay?!” I struggle to open my eyes, feeling them to be encrusted. The shaking continues, and I’m not sure how to get it to stop.I start to twist and turn, my body aching with each movement. I feel like I’ve been beaten up many times over, and I’m just hurting. I don’t think there are any amount of pain pills that would be able to take this pain away. “DOOOOOCCCCC!!!!! Goddess, please wake up!” I start to moan; my throat’s so dry and scratchy. “Mmmm….mmmmm….mmmmmm…..” Fuck, this is crazy. I start to breathe in deeply, hoping I can get myself up. I don’t know why this is so hard. I just came here and laid down, so it shouldn’t be this hard. How long have I been here? Did I actually die at some point? I take a deep breath and pull at my eyelids, willing them to open. A beam of light hits my eye, and it’s fucking bright. I close them back and try to open them again, hoping they open wider this time. I ca