~Aoife~We drove for the next two hours, and then Alex’s plea for a restroom break interrupted our journey. Xander smiled, embracing the new role he was playing as a father figure. It was evident that he was enjoying this journey just as much as Alex was.“Okay, champ. Do you want to eat something?” Xander asked, winking at Alex through the rearview mirror.“He likes Chik-fil-A,” I responded instinctively. Within a couple of miles, we spotted our favorite place and decided to take a break.“Mommy, look, a play place!” Alex exclaimed, jumping out of the car.“Okay, but first, let’s go to the restroom, and then you need to eat something,” I commanded, taking his hand, and leading him towards the restroom.“Hey, I’ll take him,” Xander insisted, placing his hand on my lower back. I smiled, appreciating the gesture of shared responsibility. They headed to the restroom while I stayed behind, scanning my phone anxiously. The stress of a job interview call weighed heavily on my mind. When th
~Aoife~I hissed as the cold sand made contact with my back, followed by another wave that sent another icy shiver through my body. When Xander touched my lower lip with his, a surge of warmth and desire overcame me. He kissed me passionately under the glow of the full moon, causing my lower lip to tremble from the cold.“I am c-c-cold, Xan,” I managed to utter, my voice quivering.He smiled and looked at me with a mischievous glint in his eyes. “You need a hot shower,” he replied, raising an eyebrow suggestively.“Why are you looking at me like that?” “Because I am going to give you that shower,” he said, his tone laced with naughtiness.Before I could react, he effortlessly lifted me onto his shoulder. “Why are you carrying me like this? I can walk.” He playfully squeezed my ass, eliciting a hiss from me.“Xander put me down,” I insisted, trying to free myself from his grasp.“I don’t trust you. You might run,” he teased, nuzzling his face against my ass.“Ahhh... stop biting me!”
~Xander~I finished breakfast with Alex perched on my shoulder, and we headed to meet Ace and his family.“Alex, today I am going to show you our old Ace,” I said, a touch of nostalgia in my voice. Alex looked at Aoife, curious and intrigued and she smiled and nodded in confirmation. As we reached Ace, we found him sitting quietly in the corner, his age apparent in his demeanor. However, as he caught Aoife’s scent, he came walking towards her.Aoife kneeled and cupped Ace’s face, her eyes welling up with tears as she looked at him. Ace whined and snuggled his head onto her lap, a clear display of affection and longing. “He missed you,” said the groundskeeper.“I am so sorry. But honestly, I missed you, too.” Her voice filled with genuine remorse as she continued to pat Ace’s head, while Alex sat beside her, observing the heartfelt moment.“Ace, this is Alex,” I introduced, extending Alex’s hand towards Ace. Aoife couldn’t bring herself to speak, overwhelmed with emotions. I sat down
~Aoife~I was still hanging onto Xander’s chest, trying to process what had just happened. “What was that?” I asked, my voice filled with confusion.“It’s another dog,” he replied, gently setting me down on the ground. I turned to see a Siberian Husky sitting next to us. “But yes, it’s dangerous.” A mix of shock and disbelief washed over me. I stepped away from him, feeling a rush of emotions coursing through me. I pressed my palm against my chest, fearing that my heart couldn’t handle any more of his tricks.Seeing my fear, Xander pulled me close, his arms enveloping me in a comforting embrace. “Do you think I will allow you to leave me this time? You’re bound to me for your whole life, whether you want it or not. You are all mine, and I won’t let anyone take you away from me.”His words struck a chord deep within me, stirring up a mix of emotions. Part of me wanted to hear those words, to feel that sense of belonging. Yet, another part of me resisted, wary of the intensity and poss
~Aoife~I was jolted awake by the first droplet of rain that landed on the windowpane. Looking up, I saw that it was a cloudy morning, and the sound of thunder filled the air. Xander whispered for me to wake up. As I did, Alex’s cries filled the room, frightened by the thunderstorm.Xander quickly ran to Alex’s room, and I followed closely behind. We reassured our son, holding him close and soothing his fears. As I held Alex in my arms, Xander wrapped his arms around both of us, providing a sense of comfort and security.“What happened?” Xander chuckled, trying to lighten the mood.I whispered, “I’m scared, too.”We moved back to our bedroom, all cuddling together as a family, seeking warmth and solace.I couldn’t help but share my feelings with Xander. “I never liked thunderstorms. The rain makes me feel alone and depressed. Whenever it rains, it reminds me of you.”He pressed a gentle kiss on my forehead, his love evident in his actions. “Me?” I lifted my head, curious.He smirked pl
~Aoife~I woke up in the morning, my body filled with excitement and curiosity about the day ahead. Xander emerged from the bathroom, his towel wrapped around his waist. I couldn’t help but admire his physique, licking my lips unconsciously.“Everything okay?” A mischievous wink accompanied his question as I sat next to him on the bed.“Hmm... I’m just curious about who we’re going to meet.” He stood before me with his gaze locked with mine. My eyes trailed from his towel to his well-defined chest, and then back to his eyes. “No, I’m not checking you out,” I teased, raising an eyebrow.“Then why are you looking at me like you want me?” he asked, his lips dangerously close to mine.I blinked, the sapphire of my eyes shining with desire. Gently lifting his chin with my index finger, I brushed my lips against his, barely touching. “I think you should wear your clothes” I chuckled, tugging at his towel.“What the fuck, Aoife? Alex can see me. Give me my towel back,” Xander growled, attem
~Aoife~The next day, we reached Austin after a quick journey by flight. I could feel the excitement bubbling inside me as we approached the city. I was looking forward to seeing my old friend, Neeral. While buckling Alex’s seatbelt, I turned to Xander and asked, “How do you know Neeral?”“Oh my God, Aoife. You’re so impatient. You’ve asked me this question like ten times since yesterday.” Xander rolled his eyes playfully. I scowled at him, which only made him chuckle. He walked over to me and cupped my face in his hands.“Calm down. You’ll know everything in due time,” he said, giving me a quick peck on the nose. My anger melted away, and a smile spread across my face. “That’s better,” I replied.“I’m spoiling you.” Xander raised an eyebrow teasingly.“It’s not spoiling. It’s love. And I deserve it, don’t I?” I crossed my arms over my chest. Xander pulled me into a tight hug, and I couldn’t help but feel warm and safe in his arms.“All you deserve is for me to fill you with my lov
~Aoife~As evening fell, we gathered in the living room, our kids happily playing around. It was a surreal moment, reuniting with the person I loved most and my best friend after such a long time. There was so much to catch up on, yet it felt like there were no words to express our emotions adequately. We exchanged smiles, and Xander settled next to me while Neeral relaxed in a recliner.“So, when is the due date?” I asked, breaking the silence with a simple question.“Anytime,” Matt replied, leaning over to peck a kiss on Neeral’s head. It warmed my heart to see him taking care of her like that. I couldn’t help but compliment him silently, knowing how lucky Neeral was to have him in her life. Or perhaps, I should say that Matt was fortunate to have her.Lost in my thoughts, appreciating the love between them, I felt Xander touch my hand. “I’m sure Aoife wants to say that we’re happy to see you both together.” Happiness filled my eyes as I nodded in agreement. “I never imagined I wou
Hello Folks, Thanks for joining in,I am super excited to tell you I am ready with another amazing story.Here is the blurb."When the act of saving reveals a world of secrets, the journey ahead becomes a collision of hearts and hidden truths."Dr. Hazel Colton, a kind-hearted woman dreaming of love and family, never expected to encounter Wyatt Romano, an alpha known for his cold and ruthless nature. Their lives collide one dark night when Hazel saves Wyatt’s life, only to uncover a world of wolf secrets she never imagined.Now, Hazel is bound to keep his secret, but it comes at a cost. She’s compelled to become his mistress, living under his mercy—a human in a wolves' world.However, Wyatt soon realizes that the woman he’s keeping close harbors secrets of her own—secrets that could potentially destroy his pack. An unknown enemy lurks in disguise.Will Wyatt be able to trust Hazel? Or will unrevealed mysteries alter the trajectory of their entwined fates?Was it destiny, or was ther
~Aoife~I took a deep breath, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness as I prepared for my wedding day. The room was filled with love and happiness, and Neeral was helping fix my perfect bun, adjusting my veil. I finally looked at myself in the mirror, and tears welled up in my eyes.“It feels like I’m dreaming,” I breathed, my voice filled with emotion.“No, you’re not. This is what you’ve always wanted,” a familiar voice came from the corner of the room. I turned and saw Gabriel and Angel walking towards me.“Congratulations,” Angel said, hugging me tightly.“Thank you.” Gabriel cupped my face and gently kissed the top of my head. “I can’t help but wonder what’s going to happen now.” “What do you mean?” “You’re pregnant.” Confusion furrowed my brow. “That means Xander should be prepared to get his ass kicked by you.” He chuckled. We all laughed, enjoying the lighthearted moment.“No, I’ve done this before, and I know how to compose myself.” “No, you don’t know how to comp
~Aoife~My eyes welled up with tears as I listened to Matt and Neeral’s story, realizing the depth of their love and the challenges they had faced. Even Xander, sitting beside me, seemed lost in his thoughts, his gaze fixed on them. Matt, seated next to Neeral, gently caressed her belly and planted a tender kiss on her head, a gesture filled with love and anticipation.“This is our story,” he said, a smile gracing his face as he glanced towards us, his friends. The room fell into an awkward silence as the weight of their emotional journey settled upon us. Unable to contain my emotions, I stood up and embraced Neeral tightly, feeling gratitude for the strength and love she had shown even when Matt was filled with hatred.“Thank you for loving him when he hated you,” I whispered, my voice choking with emotion. Then I turned to Matt and hugged him as well. “And thank you for loving her when she lost all hope in you.”Xander nodded in agreement, silently acknowledging the profound impact
~Neeral~Eight Months Later…It had been eight long months since I last laid eyes on Matt, yet my heart still ached from the moment I left him. When he unexpectedly showed up in Seattle, seeking my forgiveness, I foolishly allowed a glimmer of hope to flicker within me. But I soon realized that it was nothing more than a gesture of a gentleman asking for forgiveness, devoid of any deeper feelings. In an attempt to distance myself, I cut off all social contacts and disappeared from social media, keeping a low profile.I didn’t know if I was hiding from Matt or simply afraid of what might transpire if he discovered I was now residing in Austin. I had started a new job at a local publication house, which paid enough for me to survive. I rented a house with new friends, and everything seemed to be going well. However, every weekend served as a reminder of my solitude, as my friends would retreat to their families’ or boyfriends’ houses. To fool my longing heart, I sometimes found myself s
~Neeral~Despite having crushed Taylor’s heart, he selflessly requested that I stay and help him finish the work in Seattle before I left for Austin. I agreed, feeling a sense of responsibility towards him. He didn’t complain or question me about the person responsible for his heartbreak. His kindness and understanding only intensified my guilt.Taylor had planned a farewell dinner for me, but he had to leave abruptly due to his father’s illness. He apologized and asked me to stay in Seattle for another week to assist him. As he departed, I found myself alone in the chilly city, fully engrossed in completing the pending work before my departure.Returning to my cottage, I was greeted by John and his wife, who had been taking care of the place. They had prepared a delicious meal for me, and I thanked them with a smile. However, the atmosphere took a sudden turn when John informed me that someone had come looking for me earlier but refused to provide his name.Confused, I frowned and ca
~Matt~Mending a broken heart felt like an impossible task, akin to building a sandcastle in a perpetually wet place. No matter how hard I tried, a wave would inevitably crash upon me, obliterating everything I had painstakingly constructed. How foolish was I to find myself in the same situation again?I had developed a special connection with Neeral, only to witness her accepting Taylor’s ring. Falling in love once more required effort, but I failed to nurture it. Our story seemed to leap to its climax before it even had a chance to begin.When Taylor proposed to her, I struggled to understand how I should react. Should I direct my anger toward him or at myself? I didn’t dare express my feelings to her, and she didn’t wait for me either. We shared a bond, but my confusion persisted. Was it friendship or something more? An unsettling fear crawled beneath my skin.What if I told her how I felt, and she left me like Aoife did? What if I asked her to wait, allowing me to discern if my em
~Neeral~After my heartfelt conversation with Taylor, I returned home. He had expressed his love for me with such joy, but Matt’s reaction to my proposal left me astounded. Why did he act like such a jerk? He had never seen me as anything more than a friend, so why did it seem like he was unhappy?With a stack of files in my hands, I struggled to open the door to my house. It was already 8 o’clock, and Matt wasn’t home. I called him, but he didn’t answer. I sent him a message, and I saw the three dots indicating that he was typing, but no reply came.Feeling a mix of worry and frustration, I decided to take a quick shower, prepare dinner, and keep myself busy with work. I waited for him at the dinner table for a long time, but he never showed up.My eyes wandered to the ring Taylor had given me. It was beautiful, and it brought a faint smile to my face. Perhaps one day, I would be able to love Taylor as deeply as I had loved Matt.Lost in my thoughts, my phone chimed. It was Taylor on
~Neeral~It had been two weeks since that horrible incident happened to me, and a strange feeling of suffocation took hold of my heart. I thought I could survive as Matt’s friend, but the closer we got, the more I felt myself drowning in pain. I couldn’t see myself as just his friend anymore. This realization reached its peak when he referred to me as his close friend in front of his family.Last weekend, we went to meet his parents. They welcomed me with open arms. It felt nice because I missed my mom so much. Matt told them about Aoife and Xander, and it surprised his parents to hear about those incidents. They were happy that I stood by Matt’s side, but I cursed myself for creating so much pain for myself. I was foolish to let him enter my heart, and now it was enough. I needed to move on.I created profiles on dating apps, hoping to find someone who would help me forget about Matt. However, my bad luck struck again when he saw an email notification from a dating app on my laptop.“
“Matt!” I screamed, desperation and fear filling my voice.Suddenly, someone forcibly pulled him away from me, and all I could hear was Victor’s agonized scream before I heard his feet on the floor as he rushed out of the house. Matt came barging back into the room, and as my senses slowly returned, I scrambled to cover my nakedness.Shivering and bleeding from my lips, I looked up at Matt, hoping for his protection and salvation. He scratched my face and body, leaving visible marks of his assault, and all I wanted was to be safe in Matt’s arms. “Hey, are you okay?” Matt’s voice trembled with concern as he hurried to my side. He grabbed a bedsheet and gently wrapped it around me, shielding me from the world’s harshness. Tears streamed down my face, and I couldn’t help but feel disgusted when I looked at myself.“It’s all my fault... I am worthless,” I whimpered, my voice filled with self-loathing.Matt’s eyes widened with disbelief, and he reached out to touch my trembling shoulder.