Collins' hands seize me with a suddenness that steals my breath away, his fingers like talons digging into the fragile fabric of my dress with a desperate, drunken ferocity. Panic grips me like a vice, constricting my throat and sending my heart into a frantic race against my ribcage.
Just as I'm about to give in to the despair threatening to consume me, the door bursts open with a loud crack, nearly torn from its hinges by the sheer force of the blow. I gasp, my head whipping around to see who could possibly have come to my rescue.
A figure moves across the room in a blur, grabbing Collins by the collar and ripping him away from me with a strength born of pure, unadulterated rage. Collins caught off guard and hindered by his intoxicated state, is no match for the newcomer's fury. Blow after blow rains down upon him, each sickening crunch of fist against flesh punctuated by a guttural growl that shakes me to my core.
"You fucking touc
ALICEI sit in my room, lost in thought, as I reflect on the events of the past few days. It's become painfully clear that my parents don't truly care for me, their affection reserved solely for my brother. Even Lorenzo and Cameron, my supposed mates, have grown distant, their love for me no longer as strong as it once was. Cameron's apology text days ago feels hollow, a mere bandage on a gaping wound. After the pointed questions he asked me, I know it's only a matter of time before he turns against me completely. And it's all that bitch Hannah's fault. No one else is to blame for my misery but her.I need to make her pay, to exact revenge for everything she's stolen from me. Killing her is out of the question, but there has to be some way to make her suffer as I have suffered.My vengeful musings are suddenly interrupted by the insistent ringing of my phone. An unknown number flashes on the screen, and I decline the call with an irritated huff. Bu
The days blurred together after my dinner with Collins. It went well, lifting my spirits in a way that hasn't gone unnoticed by Lorenzo and Cameron during their visits. But their reactions couldn't be more different.Lorenzo seems thrilled by my newfound levity. Each time he's over, and I don't badger him about Alex or getting him back for me, he leaves with a bounce in his step and a smile on his face, his mood brighter than when he arrived.Cameron, on the other hand, watches me with a wary distrust. I catch him studying me when he thinks I'm not looking, his brow furrowed as if trying to solve a complex riddle. It's unnerving, making the fine hairs at the nape of my neck prickle with unease, but I try my best to mask my discomfort under a veneer of nonchalance.We're in my room watching TV when my phone begins to ring, the shrill tone shattering the comfortable silence. I check the caller ID, my eyes widening in
ALEX I close my eyes, taking a deep, shuddering breath as I walk downstairs for dinner, the weight of work and pack duties bearing down on my shoulders like an oppressive force. Sometimes, in my most desperate moments, I wish I could escape for a week, take a break from the relentless responsibilities, and come back to find everything just as I left it. But I know that’s an impossible fantasy. The daunting task of ensuring my pack’s readiness in the face of a potential civil war has consumed nearly every waking moment these days, leaving me little time for Hannah. I miss her with an ache that resonates deep in my bones - the warmth of her presence, the softness of her touch, the way she gasps and writhes beneath me when I’m buried deep inside her, claiming her as mine. It’s been far too long since we last mated, and the longing is a constant throb in my veins. She's doing well after what happened with Collins. I was really concerned about her well-being, so I kept insis
HANNAH I sit at the edge of my bed, dressed and ready, waiting for Alex with a mixture of excitement and trepidation fluttering in my stomach. Last night, I went back to my old pack to retrieve my outfit for our date and ended up staying the night because it took me the entire night to decide what to wear. In the end, I settled on a chic ensemble - a white crop top with delicate, thin straps paired with a long, flowing brown skirt adorned with ruffled layers that danced around my legs with every movement. Gold necklaces and earrings caught the light, adding a touch of elegance, while nude-colored high-heel sandals with transparent straps elongated my legs. A white quilted purse completed the look. I kept my makeup mild and natural, a soft pink lipstick the only pop of color on my face. I felt beautiful, but the nerves still twisted in my gut as I waited for Alex to arrive. Glancing at my phone, I note the time - 9:50am. He should have left the Sky Pack by now, making hi
ALEXMy heart wrenches in my chest as Alice's lips crash against mine, a searing, unwanted invasion. I quickly pull away, my eyes seeking out Hannah, just in time to see her fleeing, a broken sob echoing in her wake. The ache in my heart intensifies a physical pain that threatens to bring me to my knees. Every instinct scream at me to go after her, to comfort her, but as I move to do just that, Alice's fingers clamp down on my arm like a vice, and suddenly, all thoughts of Hannah evaporate like mist in the sun. My mind is filled with Alice, and only Alice, but my heart... something isn't adding up."I need a minute," I mutter, wrenching my arm from her grasp and striding away before she can protest. I make a beeline for my room, my mind reeling, my heart pounding a sickening rhythm against my ribs. Once inside, I head straight for the bathroom, splashing cold water on my face in a desperate attempt to clear my head. I take a deep, shuddering breath and stare at my reflection in the mi
HANNAHI cry until my eyes run dry, my heart shattered into a million jagged pieces by Alex’s betrayal and the public humiliation that followed. The tranquil silence of the forest is broken by the crunch of leaves underfoot, and I don’t bother lifting my head to see who it is. But I know who it is the moment her scent reaches me, as she wraps her arms around my trembling form.“There you are! I’ve been searching everywhere.” Mila exclaims, hugging me tight. I cling to her desperately, craving the comfort and solace her embrace provides amidst this maelstrom of heartbreak.“That asshole Alex doesn’t deserve you,” she growls, the rumble vibrating through her chest as she tightens her arms around me. “I’m glad this happened so you can be free of him finally.” Her words are meant to soothe, but they only reopen
ALEXThat agonizing ache that tore through my heart the day I lied about still loving Alice rips through me again, even more excruciating this time. Watching Hannah’s slender form walk away, her shoulders trembling as she fought back sobs, shattered what was left of my soul into a million pieces. I didn’t even realize how deeply I cared for her until this nightmare unfolded. There is nothing I crave more in this moment than to chase after her, pull her lithe body into my arms, and drown in her intoxicating scent, murmuring reassurances that everything will be alright - even though I have no idea how to make that true. Fuck! The most torturous part of this hellish situation is that I understand why I can’t refuse Alice’s demands, but that knowledge changes absolutely fucking nothing.My brothers and I are Alice’s puppets, our wills stripped away by her intoxicating new scent. Lorenzo didn’t waver from his o
HANNAHI stare up at the towering glass facade of the M. Corp skyscraper, my stomach churning with dread. Is subjecting myself to more humiliation by returning here really worth it? I could quit, and start searching for a new job elsewhere...but what are the guarantees I’ll find decent employment in time? I need a steady income. As kind as Mila has been to let me crash at her place this past week, I can’t keep imposing on her hospitality forever. The way things are disintegrating, I fear soon I may be utterly alone with no means to support myself.Releasing a shuddering sigh, I brace myself and stride through the lobby, making a beeline for Alex’s office. Rae’s gaze is laced with pity as I arrive, and the look makes me want to disappear. Maybe I should just request a recommendation letter from him instead of asking Alex to transfer me to another department.