MARIELLA
When I arrived yesterday morning, Alpha Knox had already left the pack house and he came back really late. Unfortunately for me, I was awake at the time, trying to sort through the clothes I purposefully disorganized to keep myself busy. He said he wanted to talk when I was free so I've kept myself busy, all day. Whatever he wants to say to me I don't care, I don't want to hear it because it will push him further from me. For the past two hours, I've managed to hide out in my room while Nova plays with the children. I'm checking out wedding magazines when someone knocks on my door, I want to pretend I'm asleep but whoever is on the other side knows I don't go to sleep before Eleven thirty, everyone in the house knows. Hiding in the closet or under the bed is a considerable option but when they knock a second time, I'm inclined to answer. “Come in!” I yell, watching th“So are you," Amara frowns. "No,” I snort out a laugh. Her words are comforting but I know how easily replaceable I can be. My mom has other daughters now, Amara can find another friend or boss, and Knox has already found himself a replacement. “Amara, I had failed my mother, she's disappointed in my choices to this very day. I also failed my daughter, that little girl deserved so much more than the scorned brat I turned into while pregnant." I feign a smile, almost as if to sweeten my words a little, but they remain bitter. “And somehow, I failed Knox too.” A laugh escapes me, it's so that I don't cry. “I failed my mate, but above all, I wish I were brave through my misfortune and mistakes. My refusing to hold my daughter is the worst mistake I've ever made." "You were scared," Amara shakes her head. "You don't have to eat yourself up over it your whole life." “I'm not," I shrug, my mind trailing back to four years ago. "But when Mariellla told me that my daughter didn't make
Thalia peers up at me, her lip quivering and she breaks out into heavy sobs again. “Hey, what's wrong?” I ask again, this time calmer. “She is dead.” Thalia hiccups, tears streaming down her face. “Who?” “Alpha Ezra's wife,” Amara says, dusting herself off as she stands. Unlike Thalia, she swipes the tear from her face, easily composing herself. “She died this morning.” "Oh, I'm sorry," Ryan says, scared to reach for your Amara. I'm shocked by the news of Luna Serenity's passing, The last I heard about her, Alpha Ezra was coming with her to Flame Valley in a few days' time. “She was fine!” Thalia screams into my chest, “Why does life have to be so cruel to her? She didn't deserve that.” “Hey, it's okay.” I coo, stroking her back in a very futile attempt to help her calm down. She only seems to cry harder with each word she speaks, I had no idea she was close to her. “No, it is not okay!" She sniffs, "Serenity has spent years in a coma, this was her second chance, some d
I freeze, my hand halfway through Katie Rose's hair. I think I can handle the "where did the baby come from" or "how did it get in your tummy" question, but this one? I have no clue. “Oh, you can,” Nova breaks the silence, her response shocking me. “She could use the practice.” Nova grins, “In fact, when you get off school tomorrow, you're mommy Thalia's problem, she could use the practice.” “What?” I choke out, I don't think Mariella or Knox will appreciate their daughter calling me Mom. “You'll have two little monsters soon, get some practice with these two, they're not twins but they're just as good and bad.” “Yay, mommy Thalia.” Katie giggles, “I love mommy Thalia.” “That's new,” I hear Mariella say as she enters the room, her gaze fixated on Nova. “We are helping Aunt Thalia practice for the babies,” Katie Rose tells her. Mariella nods, ushering Arabella Venus towards her. “Come on princess, it's time for bed.” “Goodnight,” Arabella waves, pouting as she goes with
“No, it was great. But I don't know where this puts us, we can't seem to just be exes and if he's not with me or Mariella then some—” “Take a walk around the pack,” Amara says, nodding to herself. “What?” “I happened to have a sleepover with Ryan and made him run around the pack so every woman could smell me on him.” “Amara,” I laugh. This is very like her, she never claims any lovers this seriously but now I'm starting to believe that she and Ryan are serious. “What?” she pouts, proud of her actions. And I'm sure Ryan loved every single second of the task. “I need to mark my territory, he won't even knot me because he's scared I'll break.” “That knot will get you pregnant,” I warn. “Be happy Ryan has self-control.” Amara flinches, “Yeah, I will pass on pregnancy, I don't want little creatures inside my body, it's so weird.” “It's not bad,” I smile, my hand instinctively coming to my stomach. There's something now, not just a bloated feel. “Sometimes they're so still a
“I relapsed,” she grins, “You and I are the drug I should have never tasted.” “Agree to disagree,” I swallow, kissing her forehead. “You're likely my favourite drug.” “Likely?” she frowns, propping up on her elbow. I know I've said the wrong thing because she appears offended. “Who is the definite? Ella?” I pause, trying to decipher whether she's serious or joking with me. “No.” “You hesitated,” she says, playfully smacking my forehead. I frown at that, “Only because I was offended that you'd make her an option right alongside you.” “You've done it, I didn't.” she casually remarks. “You're the one who thinks she's better than me.” “That's different, damsel.” “Hmm,” she nods. “So then I'm good enough to fuck but not a good enough spouse?” I open my mouth to explain why I said it's different, why I ended up with Mariella but that's a hard truth we promised not to tackle. “No, don't try to explain, I get it.” She nods, “I've got ears, I've been hearing your taunts and
I'm half asleep when Thalia walks into my bedroom, I can smell her the second she nears the door and I still don't move. She joins me in bed and kisses my cheek, her fingers brushing over my forehead. I'm irrationally upset about her leaving me earlier but she leans in and kisses me on the lips? My eyes snap back open out of instinct, anger simmering away. I regret it the second she pulls away, "I came for that shower but it seems you had two without me." She says, her gaze shying away. "I can take another one." I grin. "I'm kidding, my bed is occupied tonight so I thought I'd join you if that's okay." "More than okay," I nod against my below. She's close, so close that I can easily drown in her eyes. "Good." She whispers, and then her face is gone from view, she now lies beside me, staring at the ceiling. "Do I need to be asleep for you to kiss me?" "I was trying to wake you," she lies. I nod, shifting more comfortably as I close my eyes. "Wake me again, then." “Knox