LOGINI don’t know how the shift happened, but my parents and I have gone from trying to destroy each other to trying to make our relationship work.It still baffles me that they had apologized for everything that had happened. I knew how much of a struggle it was for my father to offer the olive branch.It goes against his nature to apologize to someone, and it was even more surprising when I heard myself uttering the ‘forgiveness word.’ But deep down, I had already decided to just let it go even if they hadn’t apologized; however, it was really good hearing it from them.I came out of my office to stretch my joints that had been cramped from sitting for a long time, and the first sight that greeted me was that of my parents holding hands and off to wherever.“Maddie!” My father called a bit too loud, and a frown marred his face when he realized it. It was oddly comforting to see that I wasn’t the only one struggling with this new dynamic.“Father, mother.” I bowed my head to acknowledge t
“Father?” My brothers echoed the words that couldn’t leave my mouth. I blinked my eyes rapidly, trying to make sense of the figures standing in front of me.But there he was, his posture still as commanding as ever; my eyes trailed to his side, and as usual, his hands were tightly clasped around my mother. My gaze shifted to the entourage behind them, each holding some sort of travel bag of different sizes that no doubt belonged to my mother—at least 80%.I found myself tensing as he got near, Dylan and Ryan both forgotten. I had gotten so used to ruling without my parents breathing down my neck, and the months they had been away were the best, but they were here now, and I had no idea what to do.I studied them closely, their tanned skin from all the times we had spent in the sun. My mother was wearing a wide-brimmed hat, my father a cap, both of them wearing black two-piece—I think this is the first time I was seeing my father’s legs.The little fat in their cheeks was a sign of a h
“Who the fuck made you cry?” Dylan demanded. His fingers tightened into a fist, and I could just perceive the faint scent of agitation bubbling on the surface.I shook my head, refusing to make this a bigger issue than it already was. I don’t know why I decided to break down in front of them when I knew it wasn’t going to end well.“Maddie, who the fuck did this!” Ryan barked, pushing forward; he raised his hands, ready to lift my head, but he seemed to remember something, and he stopped himself short. “Was it Toby?”My breath hitched unexpectedly, but it was a telltale that the name was obviously the cause of most of these things, and they pounced on it.“What the fuck did he do?” The twins were closing in on me, and it was almost suffocating, especially with the testosterone that was just permeating the air.“It is fine; please just let it go.” I tried to sound firm, but my voice only came out soft.“Maddie!” They hissed in sync, and it felt like the roles were reversed—as if I were
“I don’t understand.” Toby's brows furrowed as he tried to make sense of what I had just said, and normal Maddie would have reached out and smoothed those ridges, but I held myself.I have to be focused.“It is as plain as I have said it, Toby. You have two options.” I began, laying it to him as I would to a little child. “You can either decide we are going to do this very well, and you follow me to my pack, mark me, and take your place beside me as my equal.” I had to put the equality there to let him know that I would never see him less. “Or we break the bond here and reject each other because I refuse to do this back and forth with you!”“Maddie, you can’t be serious right now.” Toby frowned, looking at me like I had gone crazy. “I thought we had been making progress. This has been working for us!” He held his hands out in desperation, and I shook my head. “No! This has not been working for us; it has never been.” I yelled. “We have just been trying to make it work. How long do yo
I found myself nodding my head to the beat of the music as I drove down the path that led to the park. Traveling down to Toby’s pack was fast becoming a normal thing, and I wished one day it would be permanent.A natural smile found its way to my lips as the gates came into view, my body instinctively relaxing as I neared my mate. The large gate swung open as I got to the entrance, and the guard nodded his head as he saw me. I wasn’t a stranger here anymore.I secured a spot in the garage and passed through the back door, trying to reduce as much contact with people as I could. If it were possible, I would only like to see my mate.I took the elevator to his room, and when it stopped, I was making my way down the hallway to his room. I pushed the door open, never getting used to seeing it yield so easily. For the head of war, Toby had no sense of personal security. But then again, who would dare steal from him?That would be a death sentence to the suspect.I dropped my bags on the ch
Waking up alone always sucks because my brain is already up the minute I open my eyes, and I am thinking about the backlog of work I have. But waking up with Toby? That was something I wanted to experience every single day.He woke up like a Disney princess—his eyes fluttering open, the cliché stretching his arms and limbs, even down to the soft yawn. When he finally became aware of his surroundings, he turned to me, a lazy smile tugging at his lips.“Good morning, love.” He rasped in a sleep-laden voice, and I giggled, giddy from being called love. But you can’t fault me; I am finally getting the love I deserved, and sometimes it was surreal.“Good morning.” I mumbled back, careful so that none of that stinky breath was reaching him.“Had a good sleep?”“You should know better.” I teased, flashing him my rare smile, and he blinked, a faint dust of red on his cheeks.“Touché.” He murmured, his ears turning red with every passing second, and my smile grew wider.Oh my, I think I just s
“What?” I frowned, settling on the bed better to see him. “What did you just say?”“I want to mark you,” he leaned closer, reaching out and tracing the side of my neck that his mark will rest on, and my body shivered involuntarily.“Toby.” I murmured, unable to find my voice after wearing it out fr
“Where are you going?” Toby asked again, his voice quiet but firm as it cut through the still night. I froze, my body stiff as I turned mechanically to face him, the sound of my movement seeming louder in the silence.“You are just dreaming, love. Go back to sleep.” I whispered, hoping to lure him
I stirred awake, my eyes blinking open, and I was greeted with an intoxicating scent that filled the room—a heady mix of our essences that always ignited something within me, and I rubbed my thighs together, trying to prevent my arousal from spreading. I was far too spent to act on the pull it cre
“I love you.” Toby breathed on my neck as he left my lips, and his breath fanned the wet skin there, making it so hard to resist him, and I melted against him, my entire body turning to jelly. “I love you, Maddie.” He whispered again as he kissed my skin, and I closed my eyes as if I could actually







