We both froze instantly, our breath catching in our throats, unable to let it out for fear of making a sound. In the dim glow of the moonlight filtering through the warehouse’s cracked windows, I could see the same horror mirrored on Ellie’s face. “I swear I heard talking here,” one of the men muttered as two figures stepped inside. “They can’t have come this far,” the other scoffed. “I think you’re just imagining things." then silence "Fine, let’s just take a quick look.” Ellie’s grip on my hand tightened, and I could feel the faint tremor in her fingers. In the darkness, I saw her other hand inch toward her purse, reaching for the pepper spray canister again. Her lips barely moved as she whispered, “We need to leave. Slowly.” I gave a tiny nod, my pulse pounding in my ears. Luckily, the two men had wandered deeper into the warehouse, away from the only entrance. We moved cautiously, each step careful and doing everything to avoid making a sound. We were so close. Just a few
Ellie and I crept forward cautiously, our bodies still tense from the fear that had gripped us all night. The voices outside were getting clearer, but we couldn’t be sure if they belonged to a friend or foe. My heart pounded in my chest, my pulse roaring in my ears as we peeked around the rusted metal door. Then I saw them. Alaric and Damian. They stood near the cluster of black SUVs, heads bent together as they talked frantically, their expressions thick with worry. It was a rare sight—Alaric, always composed, and Damian, always carefree, now both looking visibly shaken. Before I could even process it, Ellie and I took a hesitant step forward. That was all it took. They spotted us. Their expressions shifted instantly, pure relief washing over their faces as their eyes locked onto us. They broke into a run. Ellie barely had time to react before Damian reached her first, yanking her into his arms with such force she let out a soft gasp. He buried his face in her shoulder, hi
After being treated, all I wanted was to go home and shower. Hospitals had always made me uneasy—the too-bright lights, the sterile scent of antiseptic, the hushed voices that carried an air of urgency, sadness and dread. I turned to Ellie, who was sitting beside me, scrolling through her phone. "Are you going to be fine alone? I would really like to head home," I told her, stretching slightly, my body still sore from everything that had happened. She looked up and studied me for a moment before nodding. "I’ll be fine. My parents just texted me—they’re close." Relieved, I gave her a small smile before I stood to leave. Alaric had been waiting outside, his arms crossed as he leaned against the wall, ever the picture of casual authority. As soon as he saw me, his posture relaxed slightly. "Ready?" he asked. I nodded, and together we made our way toward the exit. We had barely turned a corner when we spotted a couple walking toward us. They had an air of aristocracy abo
As our lips stayed locked, his hands roamed the entirety of my back, his touch leaving trails of fire in their wake. Then, without warning, he gripped me firmly under my thighs and lifted me effortlessly, pressing me against the wall. A gasp escaped me, but he swallowed it with another searing kiss, his lips moving hungrily over mine. His mouth left mine, tracing a path down my jaw, kissing and sucking at the sensitive skin near my ear. “I want you so bad,” he whispered, his voice thick with need. “I can’t take it anymore.” A shiver ran through me as he turned us around, still holding me effortlessly, his lips trailing down my neck. Before I knew it, I was being tossed onto the bed, the air leaving my lungs in a shaky exhale. Our eyes locked. Slowly, he reached for the hem of his shirt, pulling it over his head and revealing the body I had only caught glimpses of before. I thought I had imagined how beautiful he looked beneath all those tailored suits, but I hadn’t. His
After coming down from the intense orgasm, a heavy wave of peace settles over me, my eyelids growing heavier with each passing second and my body slowly succumbs to exhaustion. I barely register Alaric shifting beside me as he adjusts the blanket over my shoulders. His warmth is grounding, a stark contrast to the cold fear that had gripped me just hours ago.His voice reaches me through the fog, deep and soothing. "It’s okay. You can sleep now."I want to fight it. I don’t want to close my eyes. There’s still so much to say, so much left unresolved. But my body has other plans.The last thing I remember is the gentle pressure of his hand rubbing slow, comforting circles on my back, and then—darkness.----------------When I wake, everything hurts.My limbs are stiff, aching in ways I didn’t even realize they could. The soreness settles deep in my bones as a reminder of the hellish night before.For a moment, I just lie there, blinking slowly as the events of last night trickle back in
The day had passed so quickly that I barely noticed when night fell. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d felt this content, this… safe. Alaric never let go of me, whether it was casually resting a hand on my thigh or lacing our fingers together. It was like he needed to reassure himself that I was still here, and I found myself clinging just as much.When it was time for bed, I had started toward my room, but before I could even argue, Alaric had scooped me up effortlessly and carried me straight to his.“You’re sleeping here tonight,” he said firmly, as if daring me to challenge him.I didn’t.He tucked me in, pressing a kiss to my forehead before whispering, “Sleep, Anna.”The next morning, training resumed, but I immediately noticed the difference. Alaric was still strict, still relentless, but the pressure had lessened. He no longer demanded perfection, and when I got something right, he actually smiled.He smiled. While training!!!I never thought I’d see the day.With everythi
“I think we should set our differences aside and work together to reveal whoever this is,” Damian said, his tone serious.Alaric scoffed, looking at him like he’d just suggested the most ridiculous thing in the world. “Work together? Just a few months ago, you sent people to kill me.” His voice was sharp, laced with barely contained fury. “Anna was with me, and she got injured. Because of you, she was harmed.”“I’m okay,” I tried to interject, but Alaric wasn’t having it. His jaw was set, his fists clenched at his sides.“The only reason I allowed you in here,” he continued, “is because I wanted to know who wanted to hurt Anna. But now you expect me to work with you? Never.” His voice was final, unwavering.Damian’s smirk was long gone. He straightened, brows furrowing. “Wait… A few months ago?” He shook his head. “I never sent anyone to you a few months ago.”Alaric’s entire body went rigid. “What?”Damian looked genuinely confused. “I didn’t send anyone after you. If someone attacke
His grip loosened just slightly, only for his fingers to tangle in my hair. The way they threaded through the strands sent a shiver down my spine. "I love your hair," he murmured, his voice deep and rough. Before I could respond, he gathered my hair into a bunch, tugging me closer. My breath hitched, my heart pounding against my ribs as his darkened eyes flickered down to my lips. "And your lips…" His thumb brushed lightly over my lower lip, his breathing uneven. "Gods, those lips drive me insane."Heat bloomed across my cheeks, but before I could say a word, he closed the distance, his lips capturing mine in a slow, deliberate kiss—gentle, as if he was afraid of scaring me away. But I didn’t want soft. I wanted more. I pulled back slightly, catching his bottom lip between my teeth and biting down, just hard enough to make him feel it. I tugged lightly before releasing him, watching as his eyes darkened further, his breath hitching. A deep, guttural "Fuck," escaped him, his voic
The ballroom at the Carlton Grand was the kind of place that made you forget where you came from.It was bathed in golden light, with chandeliers dripping crystals that cast soft sparkles on everything they touched. Orchids in white, pale lilac, and blush overflowed from massive glass vases. The centerpiece of the hall was a marble staircase wrapped in silk garlands and fairy lights, descending into a sea of people dressed in their finest. Music from a live string quartet danced softly in the air, setting a dreamy tone to the night.But nothing, not the flowers, the champagne, or the camera flashes, could drown out the pounding of my heart. Is this really necessary? Is there a window I could jump out from?“Ready?” Alaric asked, offering me his arm.I turned to him.He looked like a painting, a classic black tuxedo tailored to perfection, the tiniest hint of cologne that made my pulse skip, and a sapphire pocket square that matched my dress exactly. I had no idea how he always managed
Biological Mother - MotherAdoptive Mother - Mum-----------------The charity ball was only a few days away, and naturally, Mum, Ellie, and Mother declared it a fashion emergency. “We’re going to Lux,” Ellie had said with the kind of gleam in her eye that made me feel like I was about to walk into a makeover montage. “And no, you don’t get a say.”So, here I was, barefoot on a velvet pedestal in the middle of Lux’s elite fitting suite, trying on what had to be my hundredth dress. I was fairly certain I’d tried on every shade of gold known to man and possibly one that hadn't been invented yet.“Nope,” Ellie said for the eighth time in a row, waving her hand like a disapproving judge on a reality show. “Too much sparkle. You look like a sentient disco ball.”I groaned and flopped onto the chaise lounge dramatically. “I’m pretty sure I’ve aged ten years in this fitting room.”Mum chuckled. “Oh hush, you look beautiful in everything.”“Which would be helpful if we were shopping for every
As dessert was served—rich chocolate cake with a generous swirl of whipped cream—I leaned back in my seat, letting the warmth of the evening settle into my chest. The conversation had flowed so easily all night, filled with laughter and sharing memories.It still felt surreal—sitting here with my biological parents, with Damian and Ellie, like it was the most natural thing in the world. A week ago, they were strangers. Now? They were mine. And I was theirs.I was mid-bite when my mum set down her wine glass and tilted her head at me, her eyes shining with something suspiciously close to mischief.“So,” she said casually, though I wasn’t fooled for a second. “What about Alaric?”I blinked. “What about him?”Her grin only widened. “Are you two serious?”I nearly choked on my cake. “Mum!”She raised her hands in mock innocence. “What? I’ve always wanted the son of my best friend to marry into the family. I gave up hope, of course, but now…” She gave me the most satisfied smile I’d ever s
The office was quiet, the usual morning hum of keyboards and clinking mugs a strangely comforting background to the storm of thoughts in her head. She stared at her screen, a spreadsheet open but untouched, and found her eyes drifting to the photo frame next to her monitor. It was a picture of her and Brian at her last birthday, smiling in the kitchen with a cake that had sunk in the middle.They’d laughed so hard that night. That used to be her whole world—her job, Brian, the quiet comfort of routine.Brian had missed the whole thing as he was away on a business trip in Singapore, but the moment he found out, he called her. She’d barely gotten two words in before he started gushing, saying he always knew she was special, that it all somehow made sense now. His voice cracked when he told her how proud he was, how happy he was that she’d found where she belonged. “You’ve always had a big family, Anna,” he said gently. “We were just waiting for the rest of them to find you.”And then th
Mr. and Mrs. Ashford, my biological parents, step forward. I see the uncertainty in their eyes, like they’re holding their breath. I swallow and look at them, still overwhelmed, still unsure."I know this is a lot," Mrs. Ashford begins gently. "And we’re not trying to take anything from you. We’re just… so grateful to have found you again. We lost you once. We don’t want to lose you again."Mr. Ashford clears his throat, his voice gruff but steady. "We never stopped looking. When the adoption records were sealed and the orphanage shut down… we thought—"He doesn’t finish, but I see it in his eyes. They thought I was gone. And somehow, through a mess of fate and timing, I still ended up in their lives."You don’t have to decide anything now," Mrs. Ashford says, stepping closer. "But if you’re okay with it, we’d like to be part of your life again. And… we’d like you to call us Mum and Dad. If you’re ready. When you’re ready."The words settle over me like a warm, heavy blanket. Familiar
After I’ve washed my face and curled up again beside Alaric on his stupidly comfortable couch, I shoot my mum a text with shaking fingers.Me: Hey, I’m staying at Alaric’s tonight. I just need a bit of time. I’ll come back tomorrow.The reply comes almost immediately.Mum: Okay, sweetheart. Take all the time you need. The Ashfords are staying over too—if that’s okay with you?I stare at the message for a second before typing.Me: That’s okay. Tell them goodnight for me.Mum: We love you. Sleep well.I exhale a breath I didn’t realize I was holding and tuck my phone away. Alaric shifts beside me, his arm still around my shoulders like he’s trying to hold the pieces of me together.“Will you stay with me?” I ask quietly, my voice barely more than a whisper.He looks down at me like it’s the easiest question in the world. “Always.”I don’t say anything after that, just press my face into his chest and let his heartbeat lull me into something that feels like peace. Right before I drift of
“I just… need to clear my head,” I tell Mum as I reach for my coat. My voice is too even, too controlled, and that alone worries her.She places a gentle hand on my arm. “Anna, be careful, please.”I nod, not trusting myself to speak again. I head to the back door, quietly slipping my keys into my pocket. I can’t go through the living room. I can’t face Mr. and Mrs. Ashford—not right now. Are they really my parents? Were they always? My mind recoils at the thought, twisting it around until I don’t know how to feel, only that I feel too much.The air outside is cool against my skin. It should help. It doesn’t.I get in the car and drive.I don’t even remember choosing a direction. My hands move on instinct while my thoughts spiral deeper, tangling in memories I thought I had filed away and sealed shut. My foot presses the gas harder than necessary. At some point, familiar streets start showing up through my windshield, and when I finally pull to a stop, I realize where I am.Alaric’s h
The next evening, I step into the house, expecting the usual scent of dinner and the sound of Mum humming along to the radio. But instead, the air feels heavy and quietquietVoices drift from the living room, low and solemn. As I round the corner, I stop short.Mr. and Mrs. Ashford are sitting on the couch, deep in conversation with my parents. My mum looks like she’s been crying, her eyes a little red and puffy, and Dad’s hands are clasped tightly in his lap. Mr. Ashford’s face is drawn and serious, while Mrs. Ashford’s lips are trembling as if she’s holding back something she’s dying to say.When they see me, Mrs. Ashford immediately rises to her feet.“Anna,” she says, voice soft and wobbly, and the next second she’s across the room, wrapping her arms around me in a tight embrace. Her perfume is familiar, floral, comforting, and yet the hug is filled with something I can’t name. A desperation that makes my stomach twist.I freeze. “Is… is everything okay?”My voice comes out unsure
As soon as I step through the front door of the house, still buzzing from the adrenaline of the pitch and the whirlwind of reactions, I barely pause to take off my shoes before heading straight for the kitchen.“Mum?” I call out, already hearing the familiar clatter of pots and the hum of the radio playing softly in the background.She looks up from where she’s chopping vegetables, eyes lighting up the moment she sees me. “Anna! You’re home early.” Then, noting the expression on my face, she sets the knife down and wipes her hands on a towel. “Wait… did something happen? Is everything alright?”I grin and nod, unable to keep it in another second. “More than alright. It went amazing. The board loved the proposal. One of them literally said it’s ‘looking very positive.’”My mum lets out a delighted gasp. “Oh, sweetheart!” She throws her arms around me in a tight hug, practically squeezing the air out of me. “I knew you’d blow them away. You’ve been working so hard—this is incredible.”I