ADDISON'S POV It was starting to be fun. Putting this lowly omega in her place was starting to be fun. She'd stubbed out too far with Jace and now she just had to face the music. "How long is this going to take?" Ophelia huffed, peeling her gaze from her phone, "Could we just get this done with?""Could you just shut the hell up you're starting to grow annoying." I hissed already irritated by her headless rambles She shrugged and relaxed in the bar of Jace's mansion. I poured us some more tequila, relaxed in the bar, and allowed my mind to wander freely.Timing was everything and just like Ophelia, I was starting to run out of patience. I tabbed off the butt of my cigarette and took another drag of the cigarette. Carly was assigned to clean out my room a task aimed at letting the entire pack know of the stuff that runt was truly made of. My jewelry collection was an optimal temptation one she could never resist. "I hope the half-heart gold necklace has been just where it'
CARLY WOODS POVSteady streaks of tears cascaded down my face, soaking deep into my pale tank top causing it to cling onto my skin.Addison had carefully thought this through, whatever was intended was quickly unveiled and I'd rather be anywhere but at the receiving end of this conniving bitch ploy.My cries fell on the deaf ears of the small crowd that rapidly formed in the room and doorway, Mia had squeezed her way into the room and was silently observing in the corner like everyone else, but unlike the rest of the people who had disgust and contempt in their eyes, Mia was anxious and apprehensive of what will happen when Jace got here.I wasn't afraid of Jace's reaction to this, I was sure as hell that Jace would believe me. He did believe me the day Addison came on me in the kitchen.Would he even for a second doubt my character? My chest constricted at the thought of his accusing eyes."Mia, please tell her I didn't do it," I begged in desperation but the fear in her wide doe br
JACE BALDWIN POVI was in my office in the pack house with my Beta, Ian Diaz, and Gamma, Nate Moore, after a stressful day of lengthy meetings and driving about to and from the Crescent Hill pack to form allies should Darren, the leader of the Outlanders- the rouge group, decide to launch an attack when Lykos and I are weakened from the Gaia curse.In my office, there was a tall walnut bookshelf lining the entire right-hand wall, a comfortable sleek black leather couch, double seats, and single seats arranged in a square shape for small office meetings. There's a fireplace at the far wall that is flanked by two dominating bookshelves by the side, on the other side was a mahogany table with stacks of papers, files, a pencil holder, a MacBook computer, and a glass of whiskey I dropped a minute ago. Behind the table was a black swirl leather chair. There was a file cabinet by the wall beside my work table. On the left was a wide floor-to-ceiling window that overlooked the gates. There wa
JACE BALDWIN POV I spent the remainder of the day doing my Alpha duties as if nothing happened. I buried my nose in the pile of work I had on my desk, meeting with those who had appointments with me.I was only trying but failing to push Carly out of my head. It was frustrating when the only thing I saw was her broken face as those dark eyes begged and pleaded to be heard.The day she asked what it felt like to shift was when I realized she was a broken soul. More broken than she lets on.Living as half-human in the werewolf community without your wolf must be hard for her. The agony and vulnerability she tried to hide cut deep into the depths of my heart. She was alone trying to push her way through then I stumbled in and made it more complicated.When she ran away after a tear slipped through, I wanted to go after her but my butt was glued to the theater seat and I knew she needed time to recollect herself.It was amusing to make her think she could easily sneak in after spending
JACE BALDWIN POV The prison guard hurriedly clicked the heavy padlock that kept the barred door in place before flicking it open with a loud clattering noise as the door slammed into the brick prison wall.A whimper reached my ear and my heart constricted when Carly's curled form shifted into the wall as if trying to hide herself from intruders.Maybe to protect herself from further harm.She lay on her side, her knees pulled up to her chest, her head dropped down such that her chin rested on her knee, her right hand served as a pillow while her left hand tightened around her folded legs.Carly made no further move, she was shivering as her flimsy pale blue tank top and denim cut-offs did nothing to protect her from the cold hard floor she lay on.With a silent nod, the prison guard trotted off somewhere.Silently, I placed the small plate of peanut butter and jelly sandwich I brought along on the floor.I scanned around the tiny space that reeked of blood, sweat, cigarettes, and sal
CARLY WOODS POV Darkness. Thick gross darkness. That was all I saw as I sat by the wall on the cold prison floor. The darkness played different kinds of tricks on my narrowed eyes. It was even worse that the only available light bulb kept flickering on and off after every ten minutes which made my heart race rapidly. It was moments like this that I wished I was a full wolf with all the necessary benefits Fear gripped my heart as I saw zombie-like creatures wobble their way to me. I was either hallucinating or I was slowly losing it, but I couldn't stop myself from being afraid in the pitch darkness. It didn't take me long to realize that begging and pleading wasn't going to take me anywhere, Addison had made she backed me in the worst corner ever. The waterworks had ceased about an hour or two ago and I was left a snuffing and hiccupping mess. The swelling around my eyes was enough evidence of how hard and long I cried. I was positive my tear duct had been wrung out well.
CARLY WOODS POVIt was the early hours of the next day when Jace returned to do goddess knows what.After the fight with Jace, I was tired out so I fell asleep on him.In a way, his presence had eased the anxiety, and agitation I felt when I was first cast down here. The cozy robe he draped over my shoulder was warm and comforting, and I found myself snuggling into its warmth and taking a not-so-subtle whiff of his manly essence.We settled side by side on the hard concrete floor. Jace didn't seem to mind the unkempt state of the prison floor, if anything, he was calm, way too calm.I was still pissed at him for what he did but there was a sliver of amusement in my eyes when he tried defending himself.The fight started as a benign argument that swiftly escalated into a harsh confrontation that had me breathing hard like I was in a race.The ache in those leafy eyes when I accused him of having a part in Addison's ploy almost had me pulling back but I was too irritated to stop, too st
ADDISON POVThe girls and I had our day all figured out. After the whole 'Carly stole my necklace display', the girls and I proceeded to Ophelia and Nate's room to put some plans on the ground.I couldn't risk going to my room cause Jace could easily find me there. He rarely goes to Ian's room much more to Nate's.Jace was easy to track down with his boring routine life, if he wasn't in his office working his ass off, he'd be in a meeting in his conference room or another pack for some alpha meetings or conference. Or he is in his mansion or training. Carly was yet to see what I'm made of. If she thinks she can walk into my perfect life and ruin everything I'd worked so hard to get, then she better be ready for the consequences.Pregnant or not I couldn't give a flying pink pig about that. After all that thing she was carrying was doomed the moment it was shot into her.It was pitiful seeing her try to protect that thing.My displeasure for omegas couldn't be imagined by any but the
"Now that's a question," Darren smirked turning back to sit on the wooden cushion chair "What's that supposed to mean?" I asked, leaning on the wall behind me for physical support since my knees were too wobbly and no longer able to keep my weight up.Darren was a known name around the Were community and a major threat to Jace's pack. The Brookside pack.I remember hearing his name a lot in Jace, Beta Ian, and Nate's conversation."We need to increase our training time with the pack warriors if we want to stand a chance against Darren," Nate offered his candid suggestion as they continued with their discussion over breakfast."Darren isn't dumb enough to risk an attack in the Brookside pack. He wouldn't want to dare me." Jace had countered with visible anger clear in his eyes."These are the outlanders we're dealing with, Alpha. We're talking rouges. Everyone knows how vicious they can be." Beta Ian had supplied, putting Jace straight when he tried belittling his opponent.It was the
I froze in time lost in the most beautiful dark grey eyes I've ever seen in my entire life, the pillow dangling behind my back.The man before me was the real definition of dark, mysterious, and dangerous.He was almost as tall as Jace but Jace still had a few 5-6 inches on him, he had a mob of black hair that was combed into perfection, and thick and long lashes cast a shadow over his dark grey eyes which were cold and menacing as he glared me down. His lips had a pink tinge which had me wondering if he used men's makeup or if it was natural. He had sharp jawlines that could cut a paper and his face was on full display and free of facial hair, his nose was perfectly sculpted on his face and his lips were drawn into a thin disapproving line. He had broad shoulders that were covered in a black suit jacket that was tailored and made for him, the top three buttons on his black shirt were popped to reveal the swirls of tattoos that decorated his skin and I found myself imagining what his
Darkness.Gross darkness.Gross and intense darkness.That was all I saw when my eyes fluttered open. My head craned in all directions, eyes darting around trying to get a glimpse of light from any angle. Disappointed, I briefly shut my eyes in disappointment when there was no trace of light, not even from a cracked wall or a sip of light from the space in between the door and the floor or a window.At this point, even the dullest light in the history of light will be appreciated.Where am I?I thought, tuning into my other senses since my sights were disadvantaged at the moment. I strained my ears in the hope of picking up on a sound but everywhere was eerily quiet. Almost dead.A soft lavender fragrance tingled my nose from the pillowcase my head rested on. At least one sense organ was responding when needed even though the fragrance couldn't relate any vital information as to what my fate was in this unknown place. But it was sufficient enough to let me know I wasn't tied up in
Needless to say, the man was way stronger and he easily overpowered and shoved me against the sturdy tree trunk. Instinctively, I snapped my eyes shut as pains shot through my growing baby bump. His hands held mine in a firm grip that caused pains to shoot up my entire arm and shoulders."Not so tough now huh?" Paul whispered breathily into my ear his left hand draping around my mid-drift, restraining my body from further struggles.My breathing was heavy as hot tears escaped my closed eyelids from the intensity of the pains my body endured. I could feel my baby wiggle in his position as the man shoved his weight into me, his breath fanning the side of my face."I don't think so, princess. You're going to stay quiet and do as we say if you don't want me ripping that bastard out of you, yeah?" I whimpered in fear as his words settled in my head, bile rose from my throat as the hand he draped around my waist snuck under the grey sweatshirt I wore over its matching grey sweatpants. His
"Look what we have here." Lost in my thoughts, I didn't take notice of the two men in front of me, until I bumped into one of them.I stumbled backward in an attempt to put some distance between us. The man I bumped into had a mop of black hair that was gelled back perfectly without a single strand out of place and sharp blue eyes that pierced into my soul. His friend also had black hair but his was free of gel."A runaway pack member?" The second man said easily giving themselves away as rogue wolves. My heartbeat picked up speed at the realization of what doom I'd run into. I should've been more observant of my environment maybe I would've avoided crossing paths with them."A pregnant runaway human who happens to be mated to a wolf."Great! I thought sarcastically when the first man's blue eyes became glued to Jace's bite mark on my neck. "The devil's in the picture." The second man said in a sing-song voice that could be easily mistaken for amusement if not for the wicked glint
CARLY WOODS POV I couldn't believe walking away from all this would be this easy. I didn't know where to go from here but I had to figure something out before it was too late.I didn't want to be in the middle of nowhere when night washed over with the thick cloak of darkness. The decision to leave was great but right now it didn't seem too awesome to journey alone to an unknown destination."Being the Alpha's fiance does have its perks you know? I've taken care of the patrol team in the south and Southeast borders the decision on where to go is up to you." Addison had said when I told her escaping a pack as big as Brookside was a dumb move only an idiot would try considering.I went south, and I wasn't too surprised when I didn't come across any patrol guards anywhere by the borders. Addison was a woman that wasn't afraid to make demands from anyone and she knew how to use her soon-to-be Luna to her full advantage.Because of my pregnant state, I couldn't run far, so I settled for
JACE BALDWIN'S POV It was noon the following day yet, there was no trace of Carly anywhere in the pack, there was no report of rogues sited anywhere around the pack.Order then Ian and I spent our entire morning searching every possible place for the missing pregnant young woman, I had my trackers and a search team parading everywhere nook of the pack. "She was heading south when I saw her yesterday evening." "It's been a while since I saw Ms Woods.""Maybe she ran away with another man."The words from some people I questioned did nothing to ease the growing tension I felt neither did it ease the tightness in my chest. I didn't want to believe the worst."I think there'll be a clue in her room." I reasoned after six long unfruitful hours of a wild goose chase."You think she ran away?" Ian asked his tired voice doubtful yet there was a slight hope that he wished she didn't."I don't know what to think, man. I have a gut feeling she wasn't abducted, I don't know how, maybe it's an
ADDISON COBBLER POV As the night dragged on, I watched in silent amusement as Jace tried to figure out what was going on with Carly's sudden disappearance from the house. "Give it till the morning Alpha, I'm sure she'll come back from wherever she went." Nate tried to reason with Jace but he was too far gone in his anger. "Gemma Nate is right, Carly loves disappearing to unknown places whenever she wants to be on her own." The gentle voice of Carly's friend piped in making me smile inwardly because they were unknowingly buying me enough time to get the omega as far as possible from the Brookside pack. "Where is the most common place she visits during one of her 'I want to go M.I.A'?" Jace asks the young omega his eyes are the darkest shade of black I've ever seen on him. Jace had requested she come to the mansion as soon as possible. He needed all the information he could gather before deciding whether she was abducted or hiding out somewhere. I knew better. Another r
The study room grew unnaturally quiet as the raven-haired woman rushed back into the room with her report."Carly enjoys spending her evening in the movie room or library.""Yes Alpha, I'll be right back."She pivoted back out of the study and immediately, a light chitchat started between the other occupants of the space.Ian and I discussed quietly the possible outcome of these meetings, if indeed a rat was residing in the Brookside pack, we were about to find out.Addison relaxed into her seat, her arms crossed under her boobs effectively pushing the twins into her face with a blank look on her face. Looking at her closely, I could detect amusement in her demeanor even though she tried hiding it from everyone.Nate sat quietly not engaging anyone in a conversation. His eyes were trained on the door in anticipation.My eyes stayed glued on Julian as he talked with Stan and Jean. The slight chuckle he released annoyed me beyond words as I imagined him smiling at my Carly after making