“Maybe if he wasn't my chosen then I'd be happy.” I swallow, I picked Aaron for a mate, my ancestors really cursed me there by crossbreeding with lycans and interfering with the perfect assortment by the moon goddess. Okay, maybe not perfect, there's Thalia and Knox are proof even the moon goddess can get things wrong. “You know, I would have waited for my fated mate or died waiting, anything would be better than this.” “Aww, I'm sorry, Novie.” Thalia caresses my arm. “I wish I knew what to say but my love life is a bigger fuck up.” “True,” we share a laugh. “But I am fine, I'll get over him and start over, just me and Katie Rose...” I trail off, forgetting he will always be around because we share a child, and he will torment me with that. “It's not your fault, you're not wrong for wanting a peaceful life.” “I'm wrong for not forgiving him,” I admit. Many women would overlook this and hand him a second chance but I'm just not there yet, I don't think I'll ever be there. “No
I knock on the bathroom door twice, my knuckles stinging slightly from how hard I'm knocking. “Thalia? Are you okay in there?” I knock again, but I hear nothing. The restaurant has one bathroom with two stalls, and Thalia is the only one with the keys. Something feels wrong; it sends alarms ringing in my head. I rush to the reception for the spare key, but then it dawns on me that I didn't try to open the door, so I head back and twist it open. Thalia is on the floor when I get in, cradling her knees, arms wrapped around them while staring into nothingness. “Thalia, you had me worried.” I sigh, “What are you doing on the floor?” She doesn't answer, nor react to my presence. I crouch down beside her, tapping her shoulder, “What's wrong?” I ask, only then does she acknowledge me. She stares at me, eyes wide and distant. I start to panic, this doesn't look or feel normal. “Are you okay?” “Call Knox,” she swallows. Knox? What did my idiot brother do this time, did he scold her for
MARIELLA The sharp snap of the bullet tearing through the paper is the only thing that calms me but not today, I don't vengeance know what to do. I've been at the shooting range since I heard about the secret Knox has been keeping from me. I was having the best day, knowing I settled Arabella's obsession with Thalia but then a certain someone called and told me they overheard another say that Thalia was rushed to the hospital with Nova, and Alpha Knox and that was merely the opening statement, the final straw for me was learning she's pregnant. That bit of information turned my spa date into a rage outlet activity. I went to the shooting range, with Kennedy who has been nothing short of N instigator. I've stuck seven pictures of her on the body targets I paid extra for and so far, four are down, this little ritual of mine is practically more sacred today but with each shot, I'm reminded Thalia is still alive because none of the dummies bleeds like I know she would. “I hate
Hey wonderful readers, I hope you’re all doing amazing mentally, physically, and emotionally (because these characters sure aren’t helping with that, are they?). I am dying to know how you are feeling about the story so far. Who’s your favourite character? Who’s making you want to fling your phone across the room? Are Thalia and Knox making you scream too, or is it just me?? How’s the pacing—do you need more heartbreak, fights, or more kissing (or all)? Let me know in the comments and leave me a review, I’d love to know what’s got you hooked or raging. Thank you for reading, supporting, and choosing to fall into the chaos with me.♡ With love and just a dash of angst, XO, Athena.❦
KNOX It's been six hours since Thalia was rushed to the hospital, and four since the doctor let us see her. Ryan, Nova, Amara and I surround her hospital room while she just lays in the bed which makes her look so small and frail. She's still unconscious but the doctors swear both she and the pup are fine, I even had my pack doctor Madison come here to aid the other doctors because I trust her work, and believe in her methods. The doctor said she bled due to stress, and knowing I've been the biggest inducer of her stress has done something to me. I have this pain in my chest that won't go away, it intensifies each time I hear her name or think of it. I feel like crap, but if the need had been there I would have chosen her over our pup, I would rather she walk out on he own than take the pup from her. My words must have hurt her, I put both her and the pup at risk and now I don't know what to do. Amara came to the hospital a few hours ago, she and Nova are closely watching Thalia
The words hit me like a thousand bricks to the head. I sit there, frozen, her voice echoing in my head long after she’s turned her face away. She doesn't know, she thinks the baby—babies are gone. In her head, they couldn't have made it through the blood, screaming and chaos. I want to correct her, I ache to tell her. To see her eyes taken with something other than pain, to watch life crawl back into her bones but not only do I not deserve the satisfaction, but the way she’s looking at me right now as if I’m the ghost that haunts her dreams makes me stop. She hates me as much as I long to hate her or even more and right now? I hate myself too. I hate the way I hurt her, the way I didn’t protect her from herself—or from me. “Thalia,” I call out, in an attempt to tell her the truth but when she looks at me with her teary eyes and tear-stained cheeks, the words get stuck in my throat. “Everything is okay,” I tell her but it's more for me, to ease some of the guilt that comes
“Novie? Are you okay?” Thalia repeats, her tone laced with concern. “Yes,” I nod, jumping off the bed. “I just remembered I have a proposal to submit at work, Knox might be here but he will still scold me.” “Okay, goodbye?” she calls out, but I'm already opening the door. My first instinct is to run to Knox, but I can't find him. The doctor says he went out to buy some special vitamins for Thalia. I book an Uber, my whole body shaking thanks to the information I just learned. The car couldn't go fast enough, in my opinion. My foot jitters the entire ride home, and when I'm finally dropped off, I nearly forget to pay the driver in my haste to find Mariella. “Mariella!” I scream, my voice bitter than it is most times I address her. This is someone Thalia trusted with her life, someone who betrayed her just so she can fuck Knox
Oh, she's good, she's got this conversation rehearsed and bagged. “Oh shut up, the gig is up. You're the worst friend ever,” I turn to Knox, gesturing to her. “Use your brain once, Knox. If she ever gave a fuck about Thalia why did she replace her so fast? Would a sad friend jump to fuck you while you grieved your mate leaving you?” “Nova, that's enough. You've had a long day, you should rest and revisit your logic in the morning, I know she's a saint to you but that woman cursed my daughter, she has bought your sympathy and is manipulating you.” “You're the one being manipulated by Mariella, she has got you caught in her web of lies and deceit.” I cry out, frustrated with the unfruitful back and forth. “That's enough, you should get some rest,” he orders, and I shake my head in response. I'm overstimulated today, and his thick head isn't helping with that. “Why won't you listen to me?” “I am listening to you, and I'm understanding that you're being misled by Thalia.” he c
“I am not tossing you to the side, you're a reasonable woman, Ella, you've been through several pregnancy scares.” “Not scares,” I argue, swallowing down the dread each miscarriage left me with. I always felt incompetent, and it ruined my plans. “Actual child loss, unlike her. But I sympathise with her, she used to be my best friend,” I trail off for dramatic effect, unable to say her name because of my current rage.“We were close but I can't deny what happened years ago, neither can you. Which brings me to the question of whether are you having a baby with her. Even after what she did to our Arabella Venus?” I whisper her name like some sacred lament. “she left that poor baby alone.” “I know,” Alpha Knox promptly agrees, nearly triggering my smile. “I know, and I hate her for it but—” There's a but. Fuck. “You're going to give Arabella back to her?” I finish it him. “My purpose will have been saved and I should move on but I don't want to, I can't,” I whimper softly. Pulli
Oh, she's good, she's got this conversation rehearsed and bagged. “Oh shut up, the gig is up. You're the worst friend ever,” I turn to Knox, gesturing to her. “Use your brain once, Knox. If she ever gave a fuck about Thalia why did she replace her so fast? Would a sad friend jump to fuck you while you grieved your mate leaving you?” “Nova, that's enough. You've had a long day, you should rest and revisit your logic in the morning, I know she's a saint to you but that woman cursed my daughter, she has bought your sympathy and is manipulating you.” “You're the one being manipulated by Mariella, she has got you caught in her web of lies and deceit.” I cry out, frustrated with the unfruitful back and forth. “That's enough, you should get some rest,” he orders, and I shake my head in response. I'm overstimulated today, and his thick head isn't helping with that. “Why won't you listen to me?” “I am listening to you, and I'm understanding that you're being misled by Thalia.” he c
“Novie? Are you okay?” Thalia repeats, her tone laced with concern. “Yes,” I nod, jumping off the bed. “I just remembered I have a proposal to submit at work, Knox might be here but he will still scold me.” “Okay, goodbye?” she calls out, but I'm already opening the door. My first instinct is to run to Knox, but I can't find him. The doctor says he went out to buy some special vitamins for Thalia. I book an Uber, my whole body shaking thanks to the information I just learned. The car couldn't go fast enough, in my opinion. My foot jitters the entire ride home, and when I'm finally dropped off, I nearly forget to pay the driver in my haste to find Mariella. “Mariella!” I scream, my voice bitter than it is most times I address her. This is someone Thalia trusted with her life, someone who betrayed her just so she can fuck Knox
The words hit me like a thousand bricks to the head. I sit there, frozen, her voice echoing in my head long after she’s turned her face away. She doesn't know, she thinks the baby—babies are gone. In her head, they couldn't have made it through the blood, screaming and chaos. I want to correct her, I ache to tell her. To see her eyes taken with something other than pain, to watch life crawl back into her bones but not only do I not deserve the satisfaction, but the way she’s looking at me right now as if I’m the ghost that haunts her dreams makes me stop. She hates me as much as I long to hate her or even more and right now? I hate myself too. I hate the way I hurt her, the way I didn’t protect her from herself—or from me. “Thalia,” I call out, in an attempt to tell her the truth but when she looks at me with her teary eyes and tear-stained cheeks, the words get stuck in my throat. “Everything is okay,” I tell her but it's more for me, to ease some of the guilt that comes
KNOX It's been six hours since Thalia was rushed to the hospital, and four since the doctor let us see her. Ryan, Nova, Amara and I surround her hospital room while she just lays in the bed which makes her look so small and frail. She's still unconscious but the doctors swear both she and the pup are fine, I even had my pack doctor Madison come here to aid the other doctors because I trust her work, and believe in her methods. The doctor said she bled due to stress, and knowing I've been the biggest inducer of her stress has done something to me. I have this pain in my chest that won't go away, it intensifies each time I hear her name or think of it. I feel like crap, but if the need had been there I would have chosen her over our pup, I would rather she walk out on he own than take the pup from her. My words must have hurt her, I put both her and the pup at risk and now I don't know what to do. Amara came to the hospital a few hours ago, she and Nova are closely watching Thalia
Hey wonderful readers, I hope you’re all doing amazing mentally, physically, and emotionally (because these characters sure aren’t helping with that, are they?). I am dying to know how you are feeling about the story so far. Who’s your favourite character? Who’s making you want to fling your phone across the room? Are Thalia and Knox making you scream too, or is it just me?? How’s the pacing—do you need more heartbreak, fights, or more kissing (or all)? Let me know in the comments and leave me a review, I’d love to know what’s got you hooked or raging. Thank you for reading, supporting, and choosing to fall into the chaos with me.♡ With love and just a dash of angst, XO, Athena.❦
MARIELLA The sharp snap of the bullet tearing through the paper is the only thing that calms me but not today, I don't vengeance know what to do. I've been at the shooting range since I heard about the secret Knox has been keeping from me. I was having the best day, knowing I settled Arabella's obsession with Thalia but then a certain someone called and told me they overheard another say that Thalia was rushed to the hospital with Nova, and Alpha Knox and that was merely the opening statement, the final straw for me was learning she's pregnant. That bit of information turned my spa date into a rage outlet activity. I went to the shooting range, with Kennedy who has been nothing short of N instigator. I've stuck seven pictures of her on the body targets I paid extra for and so far, four are down, this little ritual of mine is practically more sacred today but with each shot, I'm reminded Thalia is still alive because none of the dummies bleeds like I know she would. “I hate
I knock on the bathroom door twice, my knuckles stinging slightly from how hard I'm knocking. “Thalia? Are you okay in there?” I knock again, but I hear nothing. The restaurant has one bathroom with two stalls, and Thalia is the only one with the keys. Something feels wrong; it sends alarms ringing in my head. I rush to the reception for the spare key, but then it dawns on me that I didn't try to open the door, so I head back and twist it open. Thalia is on the floor when I get in, cradling her knees, arms wrapped around them while staring into nothingness. “Thalia, you had me worried.” I sigh, “What are you doing on the floor?” She doesn't answer, nor react to my presence. I crouch down beside her, tapping her shoulder, “What's wrong?” I ask, only then does she acknowledge me. She stares at me, eyes wide and distant. I start to panic, this doesn't look or feel normal. “Are you okay?” “Call Knox,” she swallows. Knox? What did my idiot brother do this time, did he scold her for
“Maybe if he wasn't my chosen then I'd be happy.” I swallow, I picked Aaron for a mate, my ancestors really cursed me there by crossbreeding with lycans and interfering with the perfect assortment by the moon goddess. Okay, maybe not perfect, there's Thalia and Knox are proof even the moon goddess can get things wrong. “You know, I would have waited for my fated mate or died waiting, anything would be better than this.” “Aww, I'm sorry, Novie.” Thalia caresses my arm. “I wish I knew what to say but my love life is a bigger fuck up.” “True,” we share a laugh. “But I am fine, I'll get over him and start over, just me and Katie Rose...” I trail off, forgetting he will always be around because we share a child, and he will torment me with that. “It's not your fault, you're not wrong for wanting a peaceful life.” “I'm wrong for not forgiving him,” I admit. Many women would overlook this and hand him a second chance but I'm just not there yet, I don't think I'll ever be there. “No