Chapter: CHAPTER 68Asher tightly held the wheel of his silver Porsche, the engine humming softly as he drove home from a meeting, the city lights blurring past him.The cold night air created fog with his breath, and his mind was a jumbled mess. He drove slowly, not yet prepared to confront his home or Lena when his phone buzzed loudly beside him.He looked down to see Lena’s name flashing on the screen, causing a knot to twist in his stomach as he braced for what she might say.Maybe she had finally decided to let her ego down and speak to him, or maybe she just missed getting on his nerves like he did.He answered and put the call on speaker.In no time, her voice came bursting through, drunken and loud. “Mr. Asshole! Hey, are you there?” she giggled drunkenly. “I might've had a bit too much, yeah? Raymond’s totally smashed too, and I need a ride home. Come get me!” She laughed stupidly, a mix of excitement and chaos, with loud music pounding in the background.His jaw clenched at her words. Raymond,
Last Updated: 2025-03-31
Chapter: CHAPTER 67By Friday, exhaustion had taken its toll. Asher was running on empty, yet had a meeting lined up with an important businessman, all glitz and cash, eager to close a deal. Asher dragged himself to the meeting, his suit sharp, face hardened, hoping work would drown out the turmoil within though things were hard without Trinity by his side. The venue was upscale, shining, and with classic floors and chandeliers hanging, and he settled at the table, papers spread, awaiting the appointment.The businessman arrived late, grinning broadly, his wife by his side tall, blonde, and radiant. “Asher, friend,” he said, giving him a friendly clap on the shoulder, “this is Clara. Keeps me in check, doesn’t she?” Clara laughed, warm and inviting, taking the seat beside him, her hand resting comfortably on his arm. Asher nodded, forcing a smile, but his focus drifted to their connection.They were tactile and affectionate in the way they interacted. The man Mark, introducing his wife, kept his hand
Last Updated: 2025-03-29
Chapter: CHAPTER 66Minutes earlier...Luca hung back in the hallway ol, his footsteps muted against the old floorboards as he clutched a stack of papers in his hands.He intended to discuss business with Asher, but the shouting coming from the bedroom stopped him. Asher's growl and Lena's sharp reply “It's a fake bloody marriage, Asher!” hit him like a punch. He froze, breath hitching, processing the implication: their marriage was a facade? His mind raced, and a sly smile crept onto his face; this was pure gold, like really pure gold.He inched closer to the door, straining to hear the end of the argument Asher's bitter question. “Are you seeing someone, then?” followed by Lena's cool denial: “Yeah, I am.” The door slammed open, and Asher stormed past, too furious to notice Luca lurking in the shadows. Asher's anger fueled Luca's excitement this wasn't just juicy gossip; it was leverage he could manipulate.Quickly, he ran into his room, his phone in hand. Angelica's number lit up on the screen,
Last Updated: 2025-03-27
Chapter: CHAPTER 65Asher sat in the backseat of his Porsche, the engine humming as they cruised through the city. The night was dark, with street lights flashing by, and he looked out the window, his thoughts in disarray, a lot going on his mind. Matteo stayed silent in the front seat, hands firmly on the wheel, while Josiah was next to Asher, chattering away like a wind-up toy. “Hey, picture this, right?” Josiah exclaimed, his voice loud and playful. “We arrive, and Abby's there in that red dress boom! I trip over my own feet trying to impress her! I’d look like a total fool, right?” He laughed, slapping his knee, grinning like a kid telling a bad joke. Asher clenched his fist, trying not to let his anger get the best of him. He hated himself for expecting any more from Lena. Last time, she forgot about their date and went on a ride with that bastard; now, she had called him to say Abby would take her place since she had a terrible headache. Asher barely registered Josiah, his eyes on the st
Last Updated: 2025-03-24
Chapter: CHAPTER 64The next day, Asher sank into the driver’s seat of his silver. He rubbed his face, restless, his thoughts consumed by the dinner Lena had convinced him to attend tonight.Not wanting to be alone with his thoughts, he picked up his phone, found Josiah’s contact, and called before he could second-guess himself.“ Well, well, well, have dogs begun to fly?” Josiah greeted him, his voice lanky and absurd as usual, as though he’d just tripped on something amusing. “What’s going on? Are you actually calling me?”Asher frowned and leaned back in his seat. “Cut it out, you clown,” he replied, trying to maintain a gruff demeanor but failing. “Want to go out tonight for a pint or something? Your call.” He played it cool.There was a moment of silence from Josiah before he burst into laughter. “Ha! Is this a setup? You, wanting to hang out with little ol’ me?” he said, sounding as if Asher had just told him a funny story. “You alright, pal? Hit your head or something?” He cackled before lowerin
Last Updated: 2025-03-24
Chapter: CHAPTER 63As dawn broke slowly, Asher was already awake, restless in the small room he had slept in. The bed was uncomfortable, and the quiet ambiance, interrupted only by the occasional creak or birdcall, kept him anxious. He packed his belongings into a bag, eager to leave this cramped, middle-class setting and return to his own life. He could hear Lena shuffling around downstairs, likely also packing.He made his way down the stairs with his bag slung over his shoulder and found Lena in the kitchen with her mother. Lena was hastily packing a sweater into her backpack, her hair tousled, while her mum fussed by the kettle, steam rising in the dim light. The aroma of toast and tea filled the air, a cozy scent that made Asher uncomfortable. He dropped his bag by the door, gave a brief nod to both of them and said, “Ready when you are,” his voice gruff, already mentally distancing himself from the room.Lena’s mum turned around, wiping her hands on her apron, and gave them a look, sharp yet w
Last Updated: 2025-03-23
Chapter: EPILOGUE ETHAN'S POV It's been five years since I've last seen Dad. Since we'd left California, he had been non-existent from the world. From us. From me. Old classmates tell me his posters have been ripped from the walls; his business has been wiped out from the physical and virtual world. A Mafia man has taken his place in his company. His name is no longer talked about on likable lips. He had disappeared into oblivion. Mum kept crying about it, and I told her she shouldn't cry over the dead. She said dad is not dead; she said he's living; she said someone had seen him in New Orleans. She is lying because I only know that he's dead. Mum is talking over the phone; she is mentioning Dad's name. I can hear his voice over the loud call, but I know it is not his since the dead do not talk. Dad is dead. Someone called my name. Mum is looking at me. She says something. I think she says Dad wants to talk to me. I make no effort to move because I know my father is not living. " Ethan."
Last Updated: 2024-11-30
Chapter: CHAPTER 96- RECONCILE GIL'S HEART POUNDED in his chest at Sofia's silence.It was approximately twenty seconds since he proposed the question.21. 22. 23.Gil was sweating in the cold.He detested rejection more than anything else. He was a mess after his ex left him. He nearly jumped into the ocean when his family disowned him.He told himself he'd end his life if she said no."Baby..." Gil gave a crazy drawl. "I understand that it is early, but—"Gil was caught off guard when Sofia wrapped her arm around his neck and gave him a big wet kiss.She put her forehead on his and drew her lips away. She was smiling, blushing, crying."What if I said no?" She teased."Next week would be the date of my funeral."Sofia laughed and kissed him again. "I love you, and yes, there is nothing I'd want more than for you to be my groom.""Oh, boy." Gil sighed and pulled away.With trepidation, he removed a ring and placed it on her ring finger."Perfect fit." He laughed and pulled her into a short kiss before pulling awa
Last Updated: 2024-11-30
Chapter: CHAPTER 95- PROPOSESofia was just about to head to the coffee shop to begin her business task for the day. She insisted on doing the task that day even though Alfred informed her it could be done any day of the week.After thinking what Sydney said through, she called Alfred and told him she wanted to postpone the task.Alfred was also in the light about Gil's plan and cleverly replied to her, careful not to create any suspicion.Up in her room, Sofia put on a crimson button-up dress that was slim-fitting, put on a little makeup, tucked her hair in a tidy bun, and left for Gil's apartment.By the time she'd reached his front door, her heart was in her mouth. She was a bundle of nerves."You can do this." She let out a breath and reached for his doorbell, only to discover the door was open.She thought it'd be fun catching him off guard, so she slowly opened the door further and entered into the house that was almost completely dark.She could see nothing but the sun's rays that filtered through the heav
Last Updated: 2024-11-30
Chapter: CHAPTER 94- GRUDGES SYDNEY GRABBED EMILY'S bag off the dining table and ran to the front door where Gavin stood. He'd stopped by every morning to pick up the kids and drop them off at school. Sydney hardly spent time with them anymore, since they spent most of the day in school and with their daddy. It was only at night Gavin would drop them off, and at times, they'd sleep over at his place. As much as Sydney missed them, she knew their relationship with Gavin had dampened over the months, and spending quality time with him will strengthen their bond once again. She'd been happy to see Ethan smile genuinely again. Although he stopped playing hockey after being disqualified from the championship game, he played hockey with his daddy at the public hockey field. "Emily has been complaining of tooth pain." Gavin said as he collected the bag from her. Leaning against the doorframe, Sydney scratched her brows. "You give her too much candy." Sydney accused. She complains that you give her too many apple
Last Updated: 2024-11-30
Chapter: CHAPTER 93- UNRECIPROCATED" When I was a kid I had this unquenchable desire for things. My father gave me everything I wanted on a silver plate, it was always a yes as an answer and never a no." He rested his hand on the vanity and exhaled. " Because of that, I grew up with the expectation of getting everything I wanted. One day I came home from school and saw... " He paused and shut his eyes. " I saw my mum on bed having s!x with a man that used to be my father's co-worker. I don't know why, but I knew at that moment I wanted him dead; I wanted to squeeze him with my bare hands and rip him into pieces." " And I did, it felt so good seeing him cry and beg for mercy... Mother explained that she loved him. She said he was the right man for her." Gabriel scoffed. " I saw them once, he cuffed her to the walls and hit her like she was his play doll. Again and again, he did; he kept on saying I love you; it's just the pain that comes with being in love, you piece of shit." Gabriel's knuckles were white with rage.
Last Updated: 2024-11-29
Chapter: CHAPTER 92- STITCHEYES WIDE in shock, Sydney searched the counter for a knife or something she could use as a weapon of defense. Her gaze was still trained on Gabriel as his eyes searched the house before it eventually dropped on her.A plate fell to the ground and shattered.Sydney flinched from the sound and piece that made contact with her skin, but she didn't move, nor did Gabriel.Despite breaking a plate, Sydney still resumed her search for a knife." What are you doing here?" Gabriel was walking towards her now. He was dressed in blue tailored khaki pants, a grey shirt, and a blue polished brogue. He had a fresh new haircut and looked more like a wealthy specimen than a broke lumberjack." You are too careless." He looked at the cut on her leg, frowning." I thought I warned you to stay away."His eyes met hers. For the first time, she saw an indifferent, unsympathetic look in his eyes. Was he going to try to kidnap her and lock her up?Sydney finally felt a butcher knife on the counter and q
Last Updated: 2024-11-29
Chapter: 28- A KISS FROM THE WANDERERLYRA'S POVMy feet fail me, and I nearly tumble backward, but I grab onto the couch, stopping myself from falling.I wrap my palm over my mouth and scream into it while shaking my head vigorously. No, no, no."Cas," I let go of my mouth and scream his name, forcing my feet to back away from the sight before me.I look at the clawed couch, foam spilling out of the holes. She must have been struggling to get away from whoever wanted to murder her. No wonder this place is a mess. She must have fought hard to survive, but they didn't give up. They didn't spare her. The wounds are fresh, and her blood hasn't dried up yet. There is a split in her throat, bruises on her hand as if she had been held by a rope.Who could have done such a thing—I barely have time to complete my thought when a light flashes through my eyes from something behind her. My breath is the only sound I can hear as I take hesitant steps forward, forcing myself to stop crying.The more I look at her, the more the tears
Last Updated: 2025-05-13
Chapter: 27- THROWN OUT OF HER OWN HOMELYRA'S POV"Why bother opening a shop when there's going to be no profit?" one of the guards accompanying me says with a disgusting chuckle, and the two other guards laugh humorously while Keeper huffs and rolls his eyes like he's the least excited to be accompanying me to my parents' place.My eyes trail to the fox tail drawn in the center of the guard's sleeve of tattoos. I look at the other guards, and they seem to have the same fox tail tattoo—which Keeper doesn't.They aren't from this pack.I look away when one of them, with a purple goatee and too many eyebrows for his own good, looks at me.I raise my brow and stare at my moving feet. Kymon, Zade, and many other Workers or Royals have tattoos I've seen before, but theirs are different from these guards'."Such a big mouth for a small body," one of them mutters, and I know he's referring to me.I clench my fists, and my eyes snap up to meet the back of his miserably shaved head. From the corner of my eye, I catch something that
Last Updated: 2025-05-13
Chapter: 26- DIRTY BLONDE HAIRED BOY LOOKS FAMILIARKYMON'S POV"Brother," Zade calls from behind as I step into the archery field. I twist my neck to see him walking towards me, his face twisted into a fading scowl.My eyes drop to his arm. There seems to be something beneath the cloth covering it. I look back at his face—his twitching lips, his eyes flashing with too many emotions, like he is struggling to look fine. He is.Someone must have ruined his mood.I look back ahead and frown.Very possible, Lyra. It must be her. That's her biggest trait."Hm?" I hum, mounting myself in front of eleven frail, lean, sixteen-year-old commoners.The sight of each one of them tells me they must be suffering from malnutrition or some sort of flesh-eating disease. I remember too quickly Lyra's protest at the cliff, and I clench my fist.At first, I thought she was just trying to throw my name into the dust, but her determination, the look in her eyes, and the anger radiating from her made me realize she must be telling the truth. But not the comp
Last Updated: 2025-05-08
Chapter: 25- ROYALS CANNOT BE SHOWN MERCYLYRA'S POV I am surprised Zade is not shouting or banging at the door like a madman. His silence only makes my heart race. I look around at the bathroom, which is the size of my room back at home. I don't know if Zade lied to me about the capacity of his gifts or if they can simply do more, like create a mirage that allows him to walk through things. Stop overthinking, Lyra. I run my palms through my hair and sigh. Luckily, there is a nightgown here that doesn't look overly expensive and wouldn't cause me discomfort. The workers even had the bathroom decorated in red, rosy designs. I look at the counter—there are numerous cosmetics I have only been privileged to see on posters. I have trained myself not to envy things I know I would never be lucky to have. The silver mirror in front of me seems to have been forgotten by the workers. For some weird reason, it reminds me of who I am, and I know well enough that no royal title, no gift, can change the unfortunate person that I am.
Last Updated: 2025-05-08
Chapter: 23- KYMON ZEPHYR, YOU'LL BE DESTROYED BY YOUR CRUELTY!KYMON'S POV"Alpha Kymon, may I have a word?" Lyriq says as I get to my feet, ready to excuse myself from the dining hall.I study the muscle bulging on his jaw and his tense posture. It's either he's still apprehensive about Lyra's presence or there's bad news.I nod and walk out of the dining hall, with him following by my side. Workers scramble around, carrying different types of gifts and making preparations for my brother's wedding night.I do not know if they have been intimate before, but the royal law takes intimacy seriously, especially because it will lead to the birth of a royal.I clench my jaw and look away from the commotion as a bad memory flashes into my subconsciousness. All the females in my family decorated the room and gave Freya their blessings on the first day we got married.Father, Zade, and the rest of the males sat me down, voices heavy with expectation, instructing me on the art of ensuring she bore a male heir as if she were nothing more than a vessel, a du
Last Updated: 2025-05-03
Chapter: 22- GIFTED TO BE PREGNANTLYRA'S POVKymon is sitting by the left-hand side of Lila while Zade is sitting by her right.The dining table must be at least ten feet long, with twelve chairs on each side and two at the back and front. All the chairs are filled with familiar faces, some unfamiliar—except for the chair next to Zade.Zade has introduced me to most of his kind before. I never looked forward to knowing them because I wasn't sure they'd be excited to meet me, considering I am a commoner like most people in this Pack. But Zade made sure I met every one of his closest kin, and a part of me was happy—so sure he was doing it because he wanted to make me his Luna."Take your seat, Lyra," Lila says, staring up at me with a wince as I look at the empty chair, lost in my thoughts.I fidget as I snap out of my thoughts and walk to take my seat. I feel eyes roam over me, I hear whispers, stifled chuckles, and I can see them grimacing even though my gaze is fixed on the empty chair.I slide into the seat and star
Last Updated: 2025-05-03
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