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2023-10-30 09:19:40Related chapters
Torn Between The Alpha and His Bodyguard Jealousy
*Tatum*“What are you doing?” Maverick asks, walking into my side of the room. I tilt my head to the side in feign shock as I tie the laces on my running shoes.“Oh, he speaks now?” I ask, and he shoots me a scowl. Three damn days of him being pouty and near silent. Strange how days ago I wanted him to shut up and leave me alone, but somehow, with him being my shadow, his silence annoys me more.I have spent the last three days trying to pretend the grump ass isn’t affecting me or the girls wanting to hang out with me. At lunch Clem teased maybe he suffered brain damage. I have to admit, until right now; I thought he might have. “I have spoken to you all along.” He says with an unamused frown. “I’m going for a run.” I tell him, standing and placing my hands on my hips, just daring him to tell me no. That’s the other thing he has been doing a lot of. Telling me no with a scowl and a headshake. And I’ve had more than enough of it.“You hate running,” he reminds me and I scoff, preten
Last Updated : 2023-10-30Torn Between The Alpha and His Bodyguard A date
*Maverick*“You did?” I ask her again. I feel numb, my arms and legs heavy as I hang on her every word for confirmation of something that can only live in the past. But I have to know. Tatum rolls her eyes and walks away from me. “Yes, did. In the past tense. Now what does Beta Milo want?” She asks again.“He just asked me to escort you to his office.” And that’s the truth.I am friends with both the alpha and his beta, but that doesn’t mean I am privy to all the information. I don’t make important decisions, I just protect. It’s honestly easier that way. I don’t have much of a life, but I enjoy the simplicity of it.She fidgets with her running jacket, tugging at the hem before she reaches up and tries to smooth her hair. You wouldn’t think someone so naturally beautiful could be this self conscious. Tatum looks at me, catching me red-handed as I stare and she frowns. “Do I look okay?”“You look like you went for a run…” I offer her honestly.I can’t really tell her how her flushed
Last Updated : 2023-10-31Torn Between The Alpha and His Bodyguard Falling
*Tatum* Watching Artemis in the candlelight is probably the most surreal feeling I have ever had. To call him handsome feels like a disservice to his naturally sharp jawline and his kind eyes. He is what River likes to call ‘boy band’ pretty. With perfectly proportional features, glorious hair, and a smile that could thaw even the thickest ice. And the best part? It feels right. Being here with him at this moment feels like I am finally on track with my life. It’s not that I haven’t been happy where I’m at in life, I have been. It’s just…lonely. Being rejected brands you. Makes you look undesirable. That’s why this app, Alpha Artemis, willingly wanting to date only rejected females? It’s a gift. “You look beautiful.” He whispers, placing his elbows on the table to prop up his chin as he dissects my face with his eyes. “And I’m not just trying to flatter you.” “Oh,” I tuck my hair behind my ear, shyly, looking away. “No, no,” he insists. “Look at me Tatum. I want you to see the t
Last Updated : 2023-10-31Torn Between The Alpha and His Bodyguard Well, shit.
*Maverick*I watch the clock next to my bed tick past one in the morning, and I resist the urge to scream in frustration. What the hell else could they possibly have to talk about? They have been together since nine yesterday morning. They should have run out of things to talk about by now. My stomach twists violently. Maybe they did run out of things to say. Shit, maybe there has been no talking at all for the last few hours. Images flood my mind of Tatum with Artemis and I groan. I can taste bile in the back of my mouth and I toss my blankets off me, tracking to the bathroom to splash water on my face. I have no right to be sick to my stomach over the thought of them being together. Yet as I lean over the sink and turn on the water, I know this will only get worse. Tatum Rhodes is under my damn skin again and I can’t shake the fucking feeling removing her this time is going to be the death of me. If it weren’t for the rarity of second chance mates, or the lack of sparks when we to
Last Updated : 2023-10-31Torn Between The Alpha and His Bodyguard Dollop of whipped cream
“Wait, so what are the rules again?” River’s voice rings through the room as I search the closet in the closet for something to wear. I have her on speakerphone, filling her in on everything again. Let’s just say she is beyond upset. My time with Artemis has been at most PG rating.I sigh, dropping my arms from their mid reach and roll my eyes. “I literally texted you a list the day I got here,” I whine, and I can hear her attitude on the other end.“Well, thanks for thinking I am smart enough to read.” She jokes. “You know I don’t remember things that long ago and we text so much. The list is long gone by now.”“Ugh. You are seriously the worst,” I groan.“Yeah and you love me for it, so remind me again. What are these special rules?”“Fine.” I roll my eyes even though she can’t see me. “Don’t roll your eyes,” she says and I roll them again, harder and bite back a laugh. I swear sometimes being best friends with River is like having a whole second mom who sees everything. “Rule nu
Last Updated : 2023-10-31Torn Between The Alpha and His Bodyguard Coffee
Savannah sees me coming first, her eyes narrowing, and she makes a concerted effort to move closer to Artemis. Everything she does is to keep him focused on her, and that’s fine. I won’t win his attention by being fake and deceitful. I’ll win it just by being in the room. I grab a mug and sneak to the fridge, grabbing out the creamer, and I smile to myself. There is no way he won’t see me getting into the fridge. I turn and tiptoe to the coffee machine, not at all trying to hide myself, but it’s a nice little show to prove I’m not trying to impede. “Tatum,” his velvety voice calls cheerfully and I spin to look at him like a deer caught in the headlights. He looks handsome, as always, only this time he is dawning a little stubble and it pronounces his jawline more. My eyes find his perfectly pink lips and I know he sees me checking him out as the corner of his lips twitch up.“I’m sorry. I know you guys are chatting. Just pretend I am not here. I just needed some coffee.” I say, poin
Last Updated : 2023-10-31Torn Between The Alpha and His Bodyguard Protection
Artemis smiles before he sighs and pulls me to his chest. He holds me close, clinging to me like I’m some life-sustaining source. He seems more open to me, vulnerable than he has been before, and I can’t tell if it’s because of the run or just the amazing dates we have had. “What should we do on this date of ours?” He asks, pulling back and looking down at me. His eyes are full of mischief and I notice a dance between his usual color and black, as if his wolf wants a moment of my time, too. I can’t help but smile up at him and he looks like he is going to crumble. It can’t be easy balancing an entire world, going on nine years without a mate, all while trying to find the suitable woman for not just him but all of us. The stress this gentle man has had to live with is not easy. Artemis pulls me close again and I breathe deep. I don’t know how to feel about all of this, but at this moment, all I know is it feels right to be in his arm. He leans down, pressing his forehead to mine, hi
Last Updated : 2023-10-31Torn Between The Alpha and His Bodyguard Pity party
*Maverick*“Are you mad at me?” Tatum asks tentatively, and I clench my jaw.Mad? Mad doesn’t scratch the surface of what I feel. These pesky emotions I have zero right to but drown in any way. Am I mad? No. Im fucking livid. I’m aching. I had tried to convince myself any feelings for her were gone. That they just keep resurfacing because she is the first person I’ve talked to from my past. All this entire debacle has done is reaffirm how fucking wrong that notion is.Tatum’s eyes fill up with tears again and my stomach sinks. I thought seeing her kiss another man was bad. But this, this is a whole other level of maddening. There is nothing I can do about tears or anxiety over actions. Shit, I can’t fight off the invisible. Add in the factor that she probably would recoil at my touch if I tried to console her and I’m lost on so many levels. How to act, what else to say, how to help her? I’m already breaking my own rules. My oath’s in a way. Thankfully, I can quantify it as protecting
Last Updated : 2023-11-02
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Torn Between The Alpha and His Bodyguard Author's note
Hey!! SO this is ending differently than my usual they are happy for 5-10 chapters! why? Becuase I felt their relationship was developed along the way, showing them over that many chapters again would have felt like filler which i promise never to give you. I have also left a few things open for specultion. There is a reason for that. There is potential for a Clem and Kit story, a shorter one but that won't happen until I get the second book in the Rebel Rising series up and completed.Clem and Kit's story would pick up from the moment she is traded to him for Tatum so we would also get alot of Mav and Tatum in their story as they are important characters in their lives. As always, THANK YOU, for hanging in there with me. This was a fun one to write. I will be doing some editing and such and may add more to give us more details about River and Artemis but they also may have a small novella coming if I feel like their story needs to be told from their POV. Basically, everything
Torn Between The Alpha and His Bodyguard Epilgue
Tatum sits sobbing in the bed, her eyes locked on mine as I hold the little screaming bundle in my arms. I look down at my sweet, perfect, and very loud son, Maxwell Mason. Tatum rubs her eyes, her chest heaving up and down, and I can’t help but laugh. I know it’s an awful thing to do, especially considering the circumstances, but I can’t help it. Tatum looks beautiful and exhausted. “Babe, go to sleep.” I insist and she shakes her head no.“Why won’t he sleep?” she blubbers. “I am so tired,”“Tater tot.” I say firmly, “Then go to sleep. I’ve got him. He is okay. He just needs a change and a bottle.”“But I should be able to nurse him,” she sobs, looking at her hands in her lap.“Ah.” I sigh. So that’s the actual issue. Tatum’s milk supply has yet to come in and it is the third week. My poor sweet mate wanted nothing more than to be a mother and be a perfect one. And now that she has a baby, she feels like she isn’t enough because she can’t breastfeed him. “Look at me,” I say, walki
Torn Between The Alpha and His Bodyguard Always
*Maverick*The healer walks around me, a look of concentration on her face before she looks at me and clicks her tongue. My heart falls. Clearly, this physical evaluation is going fucking poorly. And here I thought I was going to be giving the go ahead to make Tate mine tonight. It has been two fucking weeks of not being able to make her mine.No strain on my body, no marking and no fucking sex. Worst fucking rules ever, and here Tatum is all happily complying. I have been a patient man all my life waiting for the day I can fuck my mate whenever I damn well please and yet here I am dying to sink my teeth into her neck and make sure every damn single male in this pack knows she is mine.“Janelle,” I growl at the healer who Artemis sent with us to ensure my healthcare was consistent for optimal healing. She shoots me a glower that says to shut up and wait. “I think your healing has expedited with your new title.” She says, finally standing upright and giving me a satisfied smile. “Your
Torn Between The Alpha and His Bodyguard Tater Tot and Beta
Maverick stares at me, the haziness finally completely gone as he just observes me silently. I reach out to touch him, my heart pounding. I have been touching him, helping him with the bond the whole time he has been injured and out of it.But now…he is coherent enough to realize I am actually here. He flinches as I come close and my heart aches at his fear, who would have thought he was easier to work within when he was fighting during his treatment than he is right now after a solid 4 days of healing sleep.“Maverick,” I keep my tone light and assuring. Even after explaining to him it will no longer hurt him, he is still hesitant and I understand now just how much the oath was tormenting him. The very sight of me seems to cause him pain and confusion. The fucking oath’s attempt to ruin us is still so damn raw. “Y-you’re sure?” He asks, swallowing roughly and licking his lips “I’m positive.” I nod. “The oath is gone,”“How can you be so sure? I don’t understand,” he mutters, lookin
Torn Between The Alpha and His Bodyguard Vow
Maverick tries to reach up to touch me back, his eyes distant but happy, as if he is moving in a fog. My tears run unchecked down my cheeks as I try like hell to calm myself. There is so much happening all at once. In my mind and around me, I feel overwhelmed, completely lost in what to do with all of it. “I need you to keep him from moving.” The healer tells me, touching my shoulder gently. “We have to get his arm bandaged before infection sets in and he loses it.”I lower my head, pressing my cheek to his as he turns into me, a satisfied hum on his lips.“Mav, stay still. You have to stay still, otherwise it will hurt,” I whisper in his ear.“I want to touch you,” he says back, his words sounding slurred as he tries to turn toward me.“No, no,” I rush out, splaying my hand over his chest to still him. My stomach boils when I touch his open wound, but I keep my eyes closed, my face pressed to his as I breathe through it. “You need to heal. ““I don’t want to.” He mutters, and I sigh
Torn Between The Alpha and His Bodyguard It doesn't hurt
*Tatum*I fly out of the car before Jackson even has it in park, sprinting up the heavily decorated stairs as the doors whip open. River throws herself into my arms, holding me as my chest beats and all the terrible thoughts one can imagine flit through my mind. I haven’t been able to catch my breath since she told us to hurry. I can only think the worst. It has to be terrible if she won’t tell me over the phone. “Riv…” my voice quivers as I pull away trying to force her to look at me, but she avoids eye contact. Jackson places his hand on my back to comfort me.“That’s enough waiting. You have to tell her, River. She needs to not be in the dark anymore.” He tells her and she looks over at him, biting her lips. “We found him.” She swallows, rubbing my arms in a soothing manner. “But it’s not good, he is—”I move her aside, rushing into the pack house, my eyes trying to locate where he is. IS he in our old room? Or did it cause him so much hurt that he has now moved to another room?
Torn Between The Alpha and His Bodyguard Yes, Alpha.
*Maverick*I know I won’t be able to see Tatum tonight, not without the pain that will overtake me like it does every fucking time she comes to my mind. With the way the oath is going, it is trying to burn her from my memory, punish me for the bond that was divined for me.If I had any other option, I would take it. I have searched for two months alongside Artemis and Milo and at times, even River would pull an all nighter looking for something. Anything that would relieve me of my suffering, and Tatum’s as well. There is nothing, just as there wasn’t two months ago. The only way I can think to end the suffering, truly be rid of the pain, is to end it. No, I’m not the type of man to kill himself. That’s not how I plan to go out. I have respect for the life I was given, the talents I have. What I don’t have respect for are the rogues that started this all. The callous, soulless assholes who only wish to maim and murder for fucking entertainment.Their attack is the one that led me dow
Torn Between The Alpha and His Bodyguard Hurry
The waves tickle my bare feet, the warmth of the sun seeping into my shoulders as I stand side by side with my mom. I couldn’t NOT bring her with me. I wasn’t in a good enough place to go anywhere alone and with Clem and River both busy living their own lives…well. Mom wanted to be with me. I guess she was worried I would wander off and never come home. But this ending with Maverick feels less…I don’t know. It’s different. My heart is in tatters, but it’s different from the first time. Back then there was an ache, feeling like he didn’t love me, or I wasn’t enough. This time…this time I get it. Maverick loves me, and he loves me as much as I love him. Which is why I have traveled the last two months like he asked me to in his letter. I knew deep down if he thought there was a way out of his oath, a way we could be together, I know he would utilize it. “How are you, my sweet girl?” My mom asks softly and I smile, lifting my chin for the sun to kiss my bare cheeks. “Hmm, I’m good to
Torn Between The Alpha and His Bodyguard Goodbye
It’s bitter out. The cold air is relentless as it whips around, the wisps of little snowflakes blowing in my face as I stare at my parents’ grave. Their grave is massive, no doubt costing thousands, and I tilt my head, wondering how Tatum of all people paid for it. The thought of her creates an ache throughout me, my heart exhausted and battered from all the back and forth for the past two days waiting to see her.I couldn’t bring myself to text her back or even attempt to answer her calls, as I hid like a coward. If I would have answered I would have told her, There is no hiding the truth from her and she deserves to be told in person. I deserve to witness her heartbreaking so I can never forget what I have done to her time and time again. “You’ve been avoiding me,” her sweet voice calls out behind me and my eyes slide shut, relishing how she sounds, the happiness that laces her teasing words. I want to hold on to this, fucking cling to it like a baby clings to its mother, but I’m
