Nicole POV
I had just climbed into bed when I heard the front door open. My parents and sister were home.My sister is two years older than me. We were close when we were little, but she has turned into a nasty bitch the older she gets. She has a sneaky, ugly personality and causes arguments between my mother and me. My mother usually ignores me because of the lies Maree constantly whispers in her ear. Maree has always wanted to be my parents' favorite, and now she is. My father is a strong fighter, but he bows down to my mother, doing whatever she wants regardless of who gets hurt.
I close my eyes as my door opens. My sister's head peeks around the door. She growls when she thinks I am asleep, shutting the door again. I have no desire to speak to her. She only wants to brag about her mate.
I smile to myself. I can't help thinking about Michael. He is so handsome. His dark brown hair shines in the moonlight, and he has dark chocolate brown eyes with thick black eyelashes. He is at least 6 foot 4. I could see his broad, muscular shoulders under his shirt. He was extremely fit, his stomach muscles rippled when he spoke to me, and his muscular thighs strained against the jeans he was wearing. I desperately wanted to go with him, but the fear of my parents coming home and me not being here stopped me.
I roll over, feeling frustrated with myself. I need to sleep. I have to get up early in the morning to do Maree’s chores so she can get ready to leave with her mate. I sit up as I hear the floorboards creak. I open my bedroom slightly. I suck my breath in, trying not to laugh. My perfect sister is sneaking out. Maybe I should tell mommy, dear. I bet she wouldn't be happy. I giggle, hoping she gets caught when she tries to sneak back in.
My mother wakes me up early. I stumble into the kitchen, smelling coffee. As I pour myself a cup, my father walks in. I hand him mine and get another one.
“Morning, dad”
“Good morning Nicole. Are you happy for your sister?” I smile.
“Yes, I am, dad. I hope she is happy.”
I can't tell him I will be glad to get rid of her. My smile turns sour as my mother rushes into the kitchen.
“Hurry up, Nicole, we haven't got all day” I walk back upstairs to shower.
I choose black tight skinny legs jeans and a dark blue cami. The jeans hug my ass tightly, leaving nothing to the imagination, and the cami presses my breasts together, giving me fantastic cleavage. I slip a pair of flat shoes on my feet, I am 5-foot 8 inches tall, and I don't think I need heels. I brush my hair until it shines. I put on a little black mascara making my green eyes sparkle. I finished off with some clear lip gloss. I can't stop thinking about Michael, that's why I chose the outfit I am wearing. I know I look great in it. I hope I run into him today. If he asks me to go anywhere with him, I won't hesitate to say yes.
Maree walks into the kitchen, and she looks tired. I chuckle when I remember her sneaking out last night.
“What are you laughing about, Nicole” she snaps, and I smile sweetly.
“What's wrong, Maree? Didn't you sleep well last night” she snarls
“ I thought you were asleep.” I roll my eyes at her when she adds, “don't you dare tell mum and dad, Nicole.”
I turn away, laughing louder as I walk away.
“Nicole, where are you?” my mother yells.
“Coming, mum, where do you want me to start?”
“Help your sister finish packing, then come to the kitchen. We need to start cooking.”
I keep reminding myself it's worth the pain of Maree’s company if she leaves. I plaster a fake smile on my face and say,
“What would you like help with first, Maree” she snickers at me.
“Mum is making you help me, isn't she, Nicole?”
“Yep, she certainly is Maree.”
Maree is agonizingly slow to get moving. She throws out most of her clothes, claiming they aren't good enough to take with her. My lips start to curl as I watch her. She is so fucking spoilt, and mum gives her everything; finally, she claims she is finished. I sigh as I go to help mum cook the food we have to take. Every family from the pack is bringing something. We still have to take everything to the meeting hall and set it up. Dad sends a few of the omega’s in to help us. It's close to lunchtime when we have finished.
I smile as I see that Sandra and her parents are already there. I cross the hall to stand with them when her mother asks,
“Shouldn't you be with your parents and sister Nicole?”
Sandra laughs. “Not a chance, mum. Maree doesn't want Nicole taking the limelight away from her,”
I chuckle as her mother slaps her arm. Everyone stops talking as Alpha Leon and Luna Kyra enter the meeting hall. The Red river pack members follow behind their Alpha. I gasp, grabbing Sandra’s hand to get her attention. Michael and Grayson walk beside him. What the fuck is going on? My stomach plummets as I recall Maree saying her chosen mate's name was Michael. I lower my eyes hoping no one notices my tears.
Sandra whisper’s to me, “Nicole, he is coming this way.”
I raise my head, standing straighter. It's one afternoon I can get through this shit.
Michael looks even better in daylight. My mouth waters. He is so handsome he takes my breath away. He looks at me, smiling confidently as he swaggers to my side. My stomach flutters, and I can't speak. Nobody has ever looked at me like he is. The hall falls silent, and my father growls. Michael turns to him, stating clearly so no one could mistake his intentions,
“I will have Nicole as my chosen mate.”
I am dumbfounded. I don't utter a sound. My mother and sister walk toward me, and my mother slaps me across my face.
“You should be ashamed of yourself for taking your sister’s mate.”
Maree is beside her, crying hysterically. Michael steps closer to me.
“Get the fuck away from my mate,” he growls.
The hate I see in my mother's eyes shocks me. She turns her back on me, holding Maree’s hand she walks away. My father goes to follow her, when Alpha Leon growls at him, stopping him immediately. His voice booms across the hall.
“Nicole, do you accept Michael as your mate?” I nod yes, too shocked to speak.
I don't care about anyone else, but I loved my parents, and their low opinion hurt me. There was no way to fix this. Michael startles me as he says,
“Do you need to pack anything to take with you, Nicole?” Michael asks.
“No, not really. I don't want to go back home.”
Michael pulls me close to him,
“I can replace anything you need.” He raises his head at Grayson.
“I need to speak to Grayson. If you like, we can leave this afternoon.”
I watch Grayson and Michael leave the meeting room. Sandra is beside me, giggling.
‘Omg, did you see Maree’s face? It was priceless,” I laugh.
“You are so lucky, Nicole. Can I come with you?”. Her mother glares at her.
“Behave Sandra, or I will ground your ass until your birthday,”
Sandra smirks. We both know she won't do it. My heart lifts as I see Michael enter the hall.
“Are you happy to leave straight after lunch?” he asks.
There's no need for us to stay here tonight. I smile at him as my excitement grows. I am more than ready to leave with him.
Micheal POV “Leave straight away. Take Liam and Anthony with you.” Grayson stands in front of me, not moving. “Can you hear me, Grayson.? Don't just stand there like a dumb prick.” Grayson holds his hands up. “What are you talking about, Michael?” “The packhouse, I want the entire place cleaned, you fucking idiot. I don't want Nicole smelling any of the other female's scent in my bed.” He smiles slowly as he finally realizes what I need. “Not a problem. I will see you when you and your new mate come home” he stops walking away and turns to me. “No more of Rose’s pleasure for you. I finally get her to myself again” I laugh. “Like fuck you do. I will meet you at her house tonight.” I am still smiling when I tell Nicole we will leave after lunch. I look at my father, resenting the smug look the bastard has on his face. There was no way that I wanted to travel home with him, but he had latched onto Nicole and put her in his SUV. I ended up enduring the drive home with him. H
Nicole POV Walking through the house, I have to stop myself from wrinkling my nose in disgust. The smell of unmated females is vile, and one scent is spicier and more repulsive than the rest. Pineapple sage and honey cling in the air. The female's scent covers everything. My wolf Nalia’s growl rattles my brain, and I understand; however, Michael is a handsome man, and it is only natural that he has a past. It is my first night in my home, and Michael has been gone for hours. Julian has gone to speak to someone called Marian. Looking for something to pass the time, I decided to explore more of my new home. I make myself a coffee before walking upstairs. I have seen Michael's bedroom. Alpha Julian's room is located at the end of the hall. I see four extra bedrooms, each one with a bathroom. Taking my coffee back downstairs, I sit on the porch for a little while. Loneliness settles around me. Did I do the right thing? I will miss my parents, especially my father, and I can't lie; I w
Nicole POV I stand uncomfortably beside Michael in his office as his pack members arrive to give him their condolences for his father's death. We haven't discussed what happened last night, and I am too scared to ask him. Grayson enters, followed by a female; her pineapple sage and honey scent assault my senses as I look up. She smiles at me smugly as her gaze starts at my eyes and runs down to my feet. The satisfied expression on her face as she dismissed me had Nalia growling in my head. She caresses Michael on the back of his neck and purrs as she leans her body close to him, whispering, “I am so sorry about Julian, Michael.” Michael places his hand on hers as he says, “Thank you, Rose.” My body stiffens in anger as I watch them. An idiot could see that Michael and Rose have a history between them. Graysons moves Rose to the side as he claps Michael on his shoulder. “Sorry, Alpha, your father was a great man.” Michael presses his lips together in anger as he says, “Don't
Nicole POV I roll over in bed, looking for Michael; his side of the bed is empty again. I have been here for six months now, and the hurt I feel knowing he is still seeing Rose only increases. I was a naive fool; as soon as Michael showed interest in me, I couldn't wait to run off with him. I won't deny that he is the sexiest man I have ever laid eyes on, but I don't love him; I lust for him. Michael has not marked me, and I will not mark him as we are not true mates. Michael is possessive, but we don't have the wolves' overwhelming urges where their mates are concerned. Michaels's betrayal hurts me, but I am not physically in pain from it. My anger towards Rose has more to do with the total lack of respect she shows me as a woman. Just thinking about the bitch makes me furious. I fling back the covers on the bed; I need to have a shower before Marian gets here. The room spins, and I gag. I crawl to the bathroom and empty the contents of my stomach. I groan, resting my head in my han
Nicole POV The last eleven weeks have flown by; I wiggle, stretching my back, trying to get comfortable in the chair. Once the initial shock wore off, I was excited to tell Michael I was pregnant. I stupidly thought that having a baby would change things between us. He stayed home every night and became more attentive and loving toward me. He gave me compliments, and I started looking forward to him being home. It lasted a fucking week. Rose started coming to the house more, wiggling her arse in front of me as she constantly rubbed up against my so-called chosen mate. The fatter I got, the tinier her clothes got. Naturally, Michael loved all the extra attention she gave him, constantly walking around with a boner. I watch Rose, Grayson, and Michael run into the woods; the pack run has officially started for the night. I am grateful that he won't be back tonight; my back is killing me. I stand walking back into the house, stopping to make a coffee and ham and cheese toastie before he
Maree POV I look down at the baby girl in my mother's arms, and she goes to hand her to me; I shudder. I am not interested in nursing her. “He forced me, mother; why can't you believe me?” “I believe you, Maree, but we could have done something about it if you had told us sooner.” “So he gets away with it, and I have to raise the pup myself. Is that what you are saying?” “You won't be alone, Maree; your father and I will always be here to help you.” “Where is my father now?” “He has gone to speak to Alpha Leon.” I was disgusted with my mother; I was supposed to be Michaels, mate, not my fucking sister. My mother is supposed to love me unconditionally. How dare she humiliate me like this. Now I have a fucking daughter to raise; while Nicole lives the life of my dreams, I will make sure she suffers for all the hurt she has caused. I glare at my mother when she asks, “What are you going to call her, Maree.” “I don't care, mother; you bloody name her if you want.” My mother's
Michael POV Layla tries to walk; she is a quick little thing. I snarl when she puts her sticky hands on my leg fuck me, where is that useless bitch, “Nicole, get this fucking pup out from under my feet.” Nicole runs down the stairs picking her up, holding Layla close to her body, “I am sorry, Michael, I turned my back.” “If you cant look after her, Nicole, get some help.” She glares at me before turning and walking away. I still have not decided what I will do with Nicole. Since Layla was born, she has developed a backbone. I smile, raising my eyebrows, she could always have an accident as my father did, but then I would have to replace her to keep my pack happy. “Alpha, you are needed at the border” Grayson's mind links me. “What the fuck for Grayson?” “It's important, Michael; the fewer people involved, the better.” “Fuck me. Cant, you handle it” “No, there is a baby and envelope here, and the wolf delivering them won't hand it to anyone except you.” I intend to tell the
Nicole POV I turned my back on Layla for one minute this morning, and she went straight to her father. She has just turned one; she is a clever little girl; she knows Michael is her father. I watch Layla playing. There is no way I will take my eyes off her again. I can't risk her being near Michael; Malaki is never far from the surface. I can see him rippling under Michael’s skin more often than not. I still share a room with Layla. I have set it up as a nursery. I keep the king-size bed in the room for my use. The only time I have to share a room with Michael is when we have other packs visiting. I don't get involved in pack business as Michael has made it clear that the Red River pack is his alone. Michael spends most of his nights with Rose; our pack is aware they have a relationship. I do not attend the gatherings or runs anymore; listening to the whispers about Rose and Michael became too humiliating for me. Michael's dominating behavior towards me has become worse. He only allo