Novels by riaeyre

34ISABELLARoni’s glow-up was one for the books.He was completely unrecognizable, and though I could see the similar blue eyes that used to be hidden behind his glasses, it felt like looking at two completely different people.He was no longer the little boy that was bullied, he was now the bully.It didn’t matter how much I compared them, Roni wasn’t Rohan.And the man standing in my father’s territory was Rohan.I couldn’t tell how recent the pictures were but there had to be a reason Alpha Clinton believed this was leverage over Rohan.Why was I even bothered about it?Yes, it was my dad’s pack but I had forced myself to forget it, after his death just a year after Derek and I got married.My father had an earlier agreement to form a joint pack with Derek’s pack but after his death things didn’t go as planned.In some way, I saw things from my father’s lens why he wanted a male child. I was the heir to that property but because I was a girl, the men wanted to get a piece of it.D

33ROHAN“I’ve been searching all over for you,” Ravena screeched, her dark hair bouncing as she smiled warmly at me.“Went for an errand,” I said, wrapping my arms around her waist and she held my shoulders.My wolf growled within, causing me discomfort but I forced myself to suppress his urges.The last time he’d been this rowdy was when I left Isabella in that hotel. Our connection wasn’t just friendly, it ran deeper than that but I refused to acknowledge it because she was too good for me.Even now, holding Ravena and looking directly in her eyes, the woman who was meant to be my wife. She was a beauty I wouldn’t deny, her impeccable features but feisty nature made us friends naturally.She felt more like a sister, a feminine half of me than a lover.I almost laughed thinking about love… a word I knew nothing of.But the closest thing to it would forever be tied to Isabella.With her it felt different.The way I considered her feelings, wanted to keep her from harm’s way and destr

31ISABELLAI stood speechless taking in the unfinished structure but it felt like the most perfect thing I’d ever set my eyes on.I walked across the room, my fingers running through the dusty pillars until I got to my mother’s painting.When I had no one to speak to, I ended up with a lot of journals and creative ways to express myself. Now I looked at it, the picture was messy.Still, not bad for someone who sneaked to go for art classes.It was a painting of a dark sky enclosed with my mother’s features, well what I could remember of her. Her thin lips, high cheekbones and blonde hair.The rest was blurry and what’s worse about the picture was when I showed my dad he was angry took it away and threw away my art supplies.`I thought he destroyed it. “Rohan… how… My voice cracked as a tear slipped past my lashes falling on the canvas.I quickly wiped my cheeks with the back of my palm. Rohan didn’t need to see what an emotional wreck I was.I turned back to him and he stood looking

30ISABELLAIn his embrace I took in his intoxicating scent of minty vanilla and a trace of whiskey. He pulled away promptly, chuckling to mask how awkward his reaction was.“Ehm,” he cleared his throat and I could have sworn he puffed up his chest before keeping his expression neutral. “I heard you were in the hospital.”I looked down at the small bag in my hand that held the abortion pill, my heart giving an enormous jump.This was the first time we had met since I learned I was carrying his child.“Are you doing well?” He pressed when I remained silent.“I’m fine,” I responded surprisingly well. Guess spending time on this rollercoaster ride taught me how to lie without thinking about it.Rohan’s lips curved down at my utterance, he scanned my face then looked down at my fingers which I quickly hid behind my gown.“I don’t believe you.” Rohan’s voice was calm but there was something underneath it—something that didn’t let the words pass as simple concern.His eyes didn’t leave my f

29ISABELLAMy fingers tightened around the small object as I wondered if I had been mistaken—if, by some strange coincidence, the conclusions my mind had drawn were wrong."Isabella."Derek’s voice came from behind me.I didn’t turn.My fingers tightened around the earring.“Isabella,” he called again, louder this time.I swallowed, my chest tightening.I didn’t want to look at him.Didn’t want to see his face and try to read something that might already be obvious.“Isabella.”This time there was urgency in his voice.My head snapped toward him.I opened my mouth, the question already forming—Whose is this?But the words died before they could leave.He didn’t look right.His hand pressed against the edge of the bed, his posture unsteady.“I don’t feel well,” he muttered.Everything in me paused.“What?”He tried to straighten, but his body didn’t follow.And then—He collapsed.“Derek!”He slipped off the bed, hitting the floor with a dull thud.The sound knocked the air out of me

28- Options.ISABELLAI shifted awkwardly in my seat, my grip on the cup tightened until my knuckles whitened.Derek hadn’t wanted to share a bed after his accident. I’m sure anyone thinking logically would know it was his decision. With the condition and finances of the pack a child was never in question well…Until now.“Isabella is as pale as snow, you guys are scaring her for nothing,” Selena spoke, waving her hand. “The moon goddess is wise, she’ll give you a child at the perfect time.”Though her soothing voice, her words only added to my anxietyIt didn’t feel like the perfect time. There wasn’t a perfect time to be pregnant in my situation.“You’re not hundred percent accurate though, a lot of single moms regret carrying their baby to term, they believed it would have been better if they terminated the pregnancy.” Lady Brienne stated and the women around sucked in a breath.“I wouldn’t kill my child, it didn’t matter what the circumstances are,” Selena refused immediately.“Wo