"Please explain what is happening?" Jackson questioned as he cast his gaze between the two and eventually found me. He raised his eyebrows and questioned, "Why is she tied to the bed?" Benjamin erupted, pointing a finger of accusation at Ray , "This fucker tried to rape my sister." "Sister?" Ray made a nasty joke. Let's all settle down and decide." "These are grown adults," Jackson said. Ray raised his hand and left the room, saying, "I don't have time for this bullshit." Shortly after, Jackson departed the room, leaving my brother and me. He stood up for me, but that didn't mean I had to forgive him. He was one of the numerous individuals. I felt the most pain. Imagine having an older brother who was your best friend, protector, and someone you could always count on. He, however, followed suit as soon as everyone else turned against me. He never once extended an olive branch to me. Like everyone else, he thought I was to blame for his mother's passing. He uncomfortably s
None appeared. I didn't give up and kept calling out and sifting through the cacophony. After repeating this for about an hour, all I saw were dead people who the house had crushed. I yelled again because I still wasn't ready to give up. Not a single person could be seen. I finally gave up and cried out while falling to the ground. My body rushed with sobs that were loud and irrepressible. My favorite activity today appears to be sobbing, it seems. Crying appeared to be the only appropriate response for me to have today because I felt hopeless and pitiful. My eyes were now dehydrated. I collapsed on the ground, trembling and hiccupping when I ran out of tears. When I could relax, I concentrated on my hearing to see if I could hear anything. I was still deciding whether to give up. I was greeted by total quiet. Nothing was present there then. The realization struck me instantly. I had slain my entire pack. Because of me, every single one of them was dead. I committed murder. I
Everything was gradually becoming evident. "You didn't intentionally murder those folks, did you?" He asked and I didn't answer. This was a very delicate topic for me, and to be completely honest, I didn't want to talk about it. When he saw my upset expression, he added, "Well, I guess I have my answer." "Why are you here?" I asked, wiping away a tear before it fell. "My brother" "Your brother?" I asked, confused. "He doesn't know me, but I've heard you are his mate," I said. I muttered, "Ryan," as I peered more intently at the man in front of me. "Yes. If you don't go right now, they'll use you to murder him." When I heard that, the prospect of killing my mate caused my chest to tighten severely, even though I knew we might never be romantically involved, I never intended for him to pass away. He stepped closer and said, "I don't know what happened between you two, but I'm sure you don't want him dead." I gritted out, "Don't get any closer." No matter his name, I wouldn'
I am still figuring to make it work despite what I want. "We must figure out a way to get this. "The first thing out of your back is that." Ryan stated. A moment ago, the surgeon stitching me up was instructed to "Go figure out how to detach this thing from her back." "What is it?" I enquired out of concern. "Nothing to be concerned about. I'll make sure nothing wrong occurs to you. "He gave me a determined look as Ryan turned to face me. I became less anxious but still worried under his comforting stare. So, something has been in my back the entire time. For a while, I genuinely believed the agony was in my head, but it turned out to be something lodged in my back. I could finally move after feeling something slowly separate from my back. My body was lying on the table, and I stood up. I concentrated on the spine-shaped mechanical duplicate. It was covered in blood, most likely my blood. "How-why-what?" I was speechless and in shock, unable to take my eyes off the spine that
Ryan resumed and got out of bed, "You can stay here as long as you like, and if you desire to leave, you can go." He walked out of the room and left me with my thoughts. This needed to be clarified. Here he was, acting like the mate I have always wanted, the one I always needed. I knew in my heart that I would never be able to just up and leave again, not when he showed me there was more to him apart from his usual brooding personality. "For everything, I know that you might never forgive me, but I want you to know that I truly am sorry. I was an asshole to you the entire time you were here, and when you ran away, I didn't even search for you. When my beta talked some sense into me, I searched for you. If I hadn't come looking for you when I did, I'm afraid of what they would have done to you." He confessed, looking at me with guilt and regret written across his face. I wanted more than anything to hate him, but I couldn't find the strength to hate him. I was hurt without a dou
Marina's POV Seeing all the eager eyes expecting my reaction, I was a gibbering wreck. If that delighted look was any indication, I knew Ryan intentionally did this. He was taking this all too far, he assumed I shouldn't know what to say. However, I was about to prove them wrong. I smiled proudly and continued. "I proposed you construct an alternative bunker to evacuate everyone and anyone who cannot protect themselves. What gave you the impression that we don't have an essential bunker yet?" Jason grinned. Right. Of course, he has considered every possibility. You can only stay at the top if you keep a lead. He seemed always to be one step ahead of his adversaries, which was among the justifications he was the most effective alpha. I made my way straight to the sofa and sighed in frustration. I felt a little silly for speaking up. It was apparent they didn't require my assistance. They have been engaged in these conflicts for a very long time and despite having only the most ba
Mariana's POV His eyes were filled with so many different emotions that I was unable to maintain eye contact. I was eager to discover that I could get such a response from him, even if I were frightened of what I would do later tonight. He scratched the back of his neck and inquired, clearing his voice, "Would you like to, um, take a seat?" That simple action told me he was just as anxious as I was. I stumbled and cleared my throat as I said, "Ye-yeah." I sat down at the table after following him to my reserved seat. A single rose was placed in a vase in the center of the white tablecloth-covered table, accented with a few rose petals. Naturally, the table had two place settings. The yacht's fairy light illumination created a wonderful atmosphere. It was a very fantastic night. While having supper with my prince charming, I felt like a princess. I turned to see the most stunning human being I have ever seen across the table, and a broad smile spread across my face as I peered i
Meanwhile, I was astounded by his disclosure as I glanced up at him. He cherished me. OMG! Three words and eight letters said he loved me. I had no idea how ecstatic hearing those three words would make me feel. I didn't think twice before saying, "I love you too," because I did. Not because we had sex, though. I believe that I had loved him from the day we met, like a thirst that had to be sated. Instead of avoiding Ryan, I made a brave move and responded to his earlier remark. My plate contained a slice of steak. I carefully picked it up with my fork and put it in my mouth. I savoured the last bite while sighing and closing my eyes. All the motivation I required came from knowing that Ryan was paying close attention to me. I cautiously opened my eyes to look across at him when he cleared his throat. I asked, pretending not to hear. He questioned, "Would you like dessert?" I sighed seductively, "Yes" and stood up from my chair. Marina's POV It was a fantastic last nig
AMAYA'S POVWeeks had passed after the little scenerio that played at the De Lucci mansion and the little family kept living live the way it was supposed to be cleary Amaya was trying her best to overcome her emotional barrier. On a beautiful Monday morning after Aiden had left for work Amaya was staring off into space with nothing to do so many things crossed her mind like calling Lisa and Phumsile over for a girl's day after going back and forth on whether to call she finally picked up the telephone line and dialed Lisa number.“What up Cuz?”“Hey Lisa how are you let me get straight to the point…… I was wondering if you wanted to come over for lunch together with Phumsile?” “Of course, Seeing as you called me you must be really bored I even wanted to come over to get the full gist of what happened at the lunch with your in-laws” Lisa snickered.“No problem, come over and we'll talk till you feel satisfied” I smiled as she cut the line to go on and prepare for the little lunch par
On their way to his house Aiden could feel the anxiety oozing out of Amaya as she tried not to show it in her expression. He was well aware of the pressure cause he was experiencing it himself all he could do was hold onto her hand with an expression saying I'm here with you. On getting to his house, she was lost for words it wasn't like she hadn't seen his house before which was through the television and pictures but seeing it physically was just breathtaking. The distance from the gate to the actual house was a a suit a a mile.The scenery of the house was just amazing. “We are here…” Aiden said bringing her out of her reverie. The minute she got down with Lily it seemed like her anxiety never happened even Aiden noticed her confidence on stepping out of the car. “Are you ready?” “As ready as I'll ever be!” Amaya said as she and Aiden began to move towards the large door in front of them with sleeping Lily in Cara's hands. As they got close the door opened wide and in front was
Amaya was overjoyed, she made sure that she did not give it away from her face expression. She was wondering if she she should also reciprocate the her feelings back to him but she was scared, in between his family members not wanting her and he liking that lady. She felt like she would later be an outcast and the thought was not appealing to her at all. She did not like it, she loved Sandro with everything that she had. She had always loved him but she was scared to let him know how she felt cause of heartbreak. She remembered how she bared herself to him when they first got married. She was such a fool, because anytime she was in love she always fell in love with everything she had, with her mind body and soul and she was happy that he reciprocated how he was feeling to her but what if he changes his mind. She did not want her daughter to be raised in a family where there was no love, she had experienced it and it was what affected her till now. In between her mother dying and h
Amaya woke up some time during the early hours of the morning when she felt Aiden leave the bed. She blinked in confusion, not sure how she'd gotten to bed. She was stark naked and she didn't remember getting undressed, or even coming upstairs for that matter. She could hear Lily fretting through the baby monitor and was about to get out of bed when she heard Aiden's gentle voice crooning to the baby. Lily calmed down a little and Amaya smiled as she listened to him sing to the baby, his sleep-roughened voice slightly off-key. His voice faded and she sat up, switching on the bedside lamp and adjusting the pillows behind her back when she realised that Aiden was probably bringing Lily into the bedroom for her feed. He appeared moments later, looking completely rumpled and wearing nothing but white boxer shorts. He smiled when he saw her sitting up in bed."Your daughter's hungry," he nodded down at the fussing baby and Amaya reached up for her and he transferred the wriggling bundle ge
Right, the knee-length silk slip dress was a little too low and made her swollen breasts look slightly too voluptuous for her liking. She felt a little uncomfortable in it but Lisa had chosen it, saying that the ice green colour did wonderful things for her hair and eyes."I mean, did you guys even think to make reservations?""Amaya, with your dad and husband being who they are, do you really think getting into any restaurant you want is ever going to be a problem?" Lisa scoffed and Amaya wrinkled her nose, conceding the point. Lisa flounced through the door and Rick stood aside to let Theresa in.The maitre'd smiled and led her through without question. Surprised, she followed him with a little frown on her face. He led her through double glass doors. The place was packed with people and for some reason no-one was sitting down. She squirmed uncomfortably when everyone turned to stare at her, not quite sure what on earth was going on."Surprise!" She nearly jumped out of her skin at
"Ours was just the biggest news because of your father's involvement. It made a bad time for the family even worse. I was so busy doing damage control after the news of Rosalie's pregnancy and subsequent abortion that when the story of our marriage first hit, I wasn't even aware of it, until my mother brought it to my attention. I dropped everything and flew home to you. I couldn't stand the thought that you'd think it was true... that you'd think I valued our marriage so little that I would file for a divorce without even talking to you about it." "What happened to the friend?" "She sold our secrets for a pittance but the status she had in our society has diminished to nothing. She is no longer welcome in the circles she once ruled. Trust me, there's no greater punishment for someone like her. Gabriella has learned a valuable lesson in discretion... and a few Italian publications are currently being sued for libel when they completely fabricated a lot of the so-called 'facts' to ba
Amaya headed down to the kitchen for breakfast three weeks later and found her husband already seated at the table, newspaper in hand. He'd already dressed Lily and had her little baby carrier placed on the table in front of him. Lily was asleep and Aiden was so absorbed in his paper that he didn't notice her at first. It was Phumsile's usual day off, so he'd fixed himself a bowl of cereal, toast and some coffee. She smiled at the sight of them, her heart overflowing with love for both of them."Good morning," she greeted cheerily, as she headed over to the breakfast nook. She dropped a kiss on the baby's cheek and then, after the briefest of hesitations, one on her husband's lean cheek. While Aiden was a lot more affectionate these days, she still felt a certain reserve around him, not sure if she could touch and kiss him as freely as he did her. She knew she was being silly but she seemed unable to overcome her emotional barriers. He told her he loved her every day but she still cou
"You were hoping for a girl?""Yes. Very much," he staggered her by confirming, his eyes remaining steady so she was in no doubt as to his sincerity."I don't understand..." she shook her head slightly. "Why?" He didn't respond, dropping his eyes to the suckling infant at her breast."Aiden?" She prompted and he raised his eyes to hers once more. He smiled cryptically before shrugging."This is neither the time nor place to be having that particular conversation, Amaya'," he frustrated her by saying."But...""We'll discuss it soon but right now I think Lily is ready to be burped," he pointed to the infant whose tiny mouth had slackened. She awkwardly dragged her bodice back up and then clumsily repositioned Lily until the baby was draped over her shoulder."Could you get the nurse?" She asked Aiden, putting his previous comment from her mind for now. "I'm not sure how to do this.""Rub your hand on her back in a circular motion," he noted the surprise in her eyes before shrugging. "T
She awoke to the sound of angry, hushed voices and blinked groggily as she tried to get her bearings."I don't want you anywhere near her," she heard Aiden hiss furiously and tried to concentrate on the drama unfolding in her doorway where she could see two large men silhouetted. One was unmistakably Aiden and the other; she narrowed her eyes slightly, trying to focus a bit better. It looked like her father."She's my daughter and I'll damned well see her when I want to," the other man blustered, confirming that he was, indeed, Jackson Noble III."So that you can damage her more than you already have?" Aiden asked, almost shaking with rage. "I won't let you get close enough to hurt her like that again. And you can forget about getting that grandson you want anytime soon. I refuse to give you the pleasure.""Well then stay married to her until you do, or give up the vineyard," her father sneered."The vineyard never meant as much to me as it did my father. You can have the damned place