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We came home, and I helped Zion change and freshen up. We ate, and then we did his homework. I sat next to Zion after tucking him in bed, stroked the side of his face, and then bid him good night.โSweet dreams, okay?โ He nodded, and I leaned in and placed a kiss on his forehead before leaving his room for mine.I had assignments and projects to grade, and I had to do them tonight as I would turn them in tomorrow.I entered the bed, wore my glasses, and gathered the papers and books on the nightstand onto my legs. Thirty minutes into my grading, I heard my phone buzzing on the nightstand, and I reached for it. I saw Diyaโs ID on the screen, and I didnโt hesitate to pick it up.โIโm engaged!โ were the first words that came into my ears, her voice high and glass-shattering. I didnโt need to see her to know she was grinning from cheek to cheek.โOh wow, congratulations! Greg finally decided to put a ring on it.โโHe did! Iโm over the moon with excitement!โ she squealed.โHave you called y
I gathered the assignment into my hands, grabbed my bag, and locked the car before heading towards my office.โYouโre almost late,โ I heard the famous voice of Daniel say from behind, and I groaned, not wanting to start a long talk with him this morning about how or why I was almost late.โGood morning, Daniel.โ I tried a calm tone, and luckily, it worked.โLet me help you with that,โ he offered, but unlike other times, I shook my head. It wasnโt his job to lessen my burden, and I didnโt want him to get used to it.โIโm almost at my office,โ I pointed out as the reason I didnโt want his help.โCome on. I know youโve got this under control and can do it all on your own, but I want to help.โKnowing there was no winning for Daniel, I paused and turned to him, clenching the books in my hand.โYou will not let this rest if I donโt give in, will you?โ I demanded, a frown coming into my face.He grinned. โYou already know me so well.โI handed him the pile of books in my hand and began headi
I didnโt answer his question because I couldnโt, and so I walked on without bothering to say a word.He didnโt know my story with Aaron. The only one I told it to was Diya, and she was a keeper of secrets. Daniel didnโt deserve to know who Aaron was because we didnโt have a level of trust in our friendship. I trusted him to an extent, but Iโd rather keep things from him, especially my secrets.โThe least you can do is not ignore me, Zera,โ he said, and I snapped out to see him following me.I paused and turned to him. โYou need to stop following me, okay?โโWhoโs Aaron? Why did you call me Aaron?โโAaron is someone I want to leave in the past, and you are driving me nuts, just like he did.โ This was the highest level of truth I could reveal to him. This would also shut him up and keep him from asking any more questions. Keeping him in the dark was best for both of us.โHeโs the one responsible for your lack of trust in men?โThat would be Owen. Aaron only made it harder, but thatโs a s
The next few days flew by faster than I expected, and soon it was Friday. I had one class with my students, and after I closed up for the day, the next step was to pick up Zion from school.Just like every day, as I stepped out of the block, Daniel was already waiting for me to see me off to my car. โAre you ready for the night ahead?โ he asked, sounding too eager and making me raise a brow at him.โI canโt say no, can I?โ I raised a brow.โYou canโt, Ms Adams. This is a yes-only question,โ he chuckled.โThen yes, I am,โ I answered.โAnd Zion?โ His concern always seems to warm my heart. It could be because heโs expecting to get a chance with me someday, but it was always nice and comforting whenever heโd ask after Zion. He did more than some family members did.โHe would be with Diya. Iโve already made plans.โHe nodded, impressed, saying, โThatโs good.โFor a moment, I wondered what it would be like to give us a chance. He was a great guy with a big heart. Iโve known him for two years
My heart doubled a beat when my eyes returned to rest on him, and I found him watching me, but unlike others, he wasnโt clapping; he was just watching me intently, like I owed him something, like I took something that was his.I wasnโt hallucinating when I saw him at Dominoโs many days ago. Seeing him here today told me what I had seen was him. He was there that afternoon, watching me like he was doing now.He looked the same way he did when I had seen him then and also in my dream. He had longer hair and trimmed beards, unlike five years ago, but didnโt look to have aged a bit since then.His appearance now meant I was no longer safe with my son. Five years ago, I said goodbye to him and thought I would never see him again, but here he was at the place I least expected.This was my nightmare becoming a reality, and there was nothing I could do.โZera, they are waiting for you.โ The host whisper-yelled at me, forcing me back into the reality of my surroundings to know I wasnโt in the r
It wasnโt an imagination I could snap out of, nor was it a dream I could wake up from. I couldnโt pretend that he wasnโt here either, because he was here with me. This was real. Aaron Hart stood closer to me than ever. I could feel his heated gaze watching my every move, wanting to see my next reaction.I turned from the elevator to face him and found a look on his face I couldnโt figure out.โZera Adams.โ His deep, hoarse voice called out like we had scores to settle, and shivers ran down my spine. His voice had been my downfall in the past, and even now, it still is.โYou look amazing,โ he said, and his eyes dragged over my body like it was on full display for him. โIndeed, the years have been kind.โI swallowed.I left him in my past five years ago, and ever since then, I have avoided anything and everything that would bring him back into my life. Now here he was, standing before me and staring me dead in the face, like he could see my very soul.I needed to gather my courage and fa
The organisers held a meeting the following week. It was headed by the vice chancellor, Tobi Akindele. He used the opportunity to thank everyone at the university who dedicated their time and effort to seeing the success of the event held. According to their report, this yearโs fundraiser generated twice the revenue of the last. That made it the most successful they have had since they started. It was an excellent step in the right direction for the university.Being part of the movement gave me a sense of pride, and knowing I helped make education easier for someone made me happy.My joy, however, decreased when I learnt the largest donor for the night was Mr Aaron Hart, with over $200,000. This also differed from his other pledges during the many events that took place.I saw everyone cheer, and though I felt happy because this was something good for the university, it wasnโt good for me. I knew who Aaron was, and I knew what his presence meant, so even while others cheered and clapp
His eyes flickered as he stared at me, as if trying to figure something out. Whatever he searched for, he didnโt see it. At least, not before we got interrupted.โAh! There he is. I thought you wouldnโt make it,โ the vice chancellor, Mr Tobi Akindele, said, coming in from behind and offering him his hand for a shake.Aaronโs attention shifted from me over to the middle-aged man, and a smile came onto his face. โGood morning, Mr Akindele.โ They shook hands.โGood morning, Mr Hart.โ Tobi turned his attention to me. โThis is Aaron Hart,โ he told me. โMr. Aaron Hart, this is...โโZera Adams.โ Aaron beat him to the introduction, and that made him raise a brow of interest. โYou two know each other?โI moved to say, โWe met at the fundraiser.โAaron said, โWe have a bit of history,โ at the same time.Well, I didnโt think this would go well, and so far it hasnโt.โOkay, thatโs good then.โ Tobi said, brushing off what Aaron had just said lightly.It wasnโt good, but it would be less complicated
Eight months later,โI know youโre there; you can come out of hiding now.โ Zera said before turning to the mirror she stood in front of.Diya came out of the spot where she had hidden herself beside the door since her arrival a minute ago.โZera. Hey.โโThis baby might have robbed my other senses, but I still have a strong sense of smell. I sniffed you out the minute you stepped into the hallway.โ She said this and turned to Diya in her white dress, which stopped over her knees.Diya looked ready for the day, and here she was, not even recognising herself in her dress. She had chased Aaron out of the room because he kept complimenting her overgrown bump and calling her beautiful. She didnโt feel beautiful, and she felt he only said it to make her feel better. That infuriated her and made her send him to Zionโs room.Davine told her eight months ago at the Hart Lab opening that she was a few weeks pregnant. Of course, she didnโt believe him because she was a sage and also because her bo
The Dominio pack has experienced peace like none other since the rest of the packs that survived the war moved back and continued their lives on their own. โDo I look presentable for the night?โ Zera asked, turning away from the mirror to face Aaron.He glanced at her from head to toe, and there was satisfaction on his face. โYou know, you always look presentable.โShe rolled her eyes, giving her silver sweetheart dress one last glance before stepping away from the mirror. โI think you might be talking about yourself, Mr.โHe smiled cockily. โI will take it as a compliment,โ he said as he brushed over his grey suit. โShall we go?โ he asked, extending an arm to her.โYes, we shall.โ She accepted his hand, and together they stepped out of the room.The opening of Hartโs lab was a small ceremony, but many dignitaries from all over the world welcomed it. After the war, Damor began his work of testing the lab and going through the final reviews. It took him three months, and though he had
Aaron, just like Damor, had moved to attack Lucius, but his minions were willing to put themselves in the way. He had taken down three werewolves, one sage, and is currently battling another sage. It was easier said than done because, unlike the first sage he fought, this one seemed stronger, if there was such a thing. His healing abilities were kicking in to repair the damage to the broken bones and ribs, but they were not fast enough for the assault his body was taking. The sage had kicked the golden dagger away, and he was forced to fight with his hands, which wasnโt a fair fight.โYouโre the alpha Aaron from the strongest line?โ The sage, who had told him his name before the battle but didnโt care to keep it in mind, spoke. โThis is a joke. You do not pose any threat to our alpha.โ He spat on the floor.Aaron laughs, and this made the sage raise a brow. โWhat is so funny?โAaron pulled himself to his feet and asked, โIf I pose no threat, why does your so-called alpha want me dead
The entire pack was already outside as the night came along. Many had already been training for hours and didnโt see the point of going inside. A lot took it as their last day and just trained, regardless. They had a point; they didnโt know the numbers of those coming against them. It would be safe to consider giving it all, even though they wouldnโt make it out alive. That would be the right way to go.They noticed the presence of Aaron, and those training out in the open field paused and stepped back from each other.โThe enemy will be here any minute. They will come with forces stronger than ours, probably more savage than ours; however, there is something they donโt have. The zeal we have.โ They mumbled their agreement with his words.โThey are coming with the sole aim of taking control, and we will fight with the sole aim of living. They do not get to decide our lives. I know many of you are scared, but so am I. I am afraid, but with that fear, I will use it to fight this battle,
Four nights later,Agitation grew within the pack after the fourth night came, and no attack from the Legion of Sages followed. It created doubt in the hearts of many, as they wondered if Lucius was even going to attack. No one slept as they anticipated the attack throughout the night, only to be proven wrong twice.Aaron had nothing to tell the pack; he had known that Lucius was not a man of his word, and this was to be expected. It didnโt mean he wouldnโt attack, but he wanted to play with them first, stretch their patience, and see how far it would go.Zera didnโt care that Lucius didnโt attack; she saw it as an opportunity to train Lionel. She had seen him battle Aaron days ago and thought he could do better with a little training. Though she didnโt get the chance immediately, she got it the next day and has trained with him since. She set out as soon as the day broke and has been at it since. She didnโt see them losing to Lucius despite his advantage, and he also wanted to think
Lionel took it better than Zera had initially anticipated because he just nodded and said he was fine with it. She didnโt want to believe his words, but she had to trust that he was telling the truth.When Manon finally arrived, Lionel was one of those to welcome him, as he had no prior visit to this one. There was no bad blood or grudge held, or at least she couldnโt see it.He shook hands with Manon and told him he was the luckiest man alive to have Sesi as his mate. Then he told him to take care of her, or he would hunt him down and kill him. It was a threat, and from the sound of his voice, he was dead serious. That should have been Aaronโs line, but Lionel didnโt care; he said it. He obviously still cared about Sesi and wanted only the best for her.Manon nodded and told him he would not forget his words in case he ever did something to hurt Sesi. Lionel tapped his shoulder and walked away.Zera turned to Aaron and asked him if he had any threats left for Manon, and he shook his h
Aaron was barely awake when he felt a hand on his body, and it wasnโt just any hand, but an arousing one. His skin tingled at the contact, and he squirmed and moved to continue the sleep, assuming it was just a dream. The touch came again, and this hand knew his body well. It knew all the right places it needed to touch and how softly and firmly he wanted each part held. A moan erupted from his mouth, and his eyes opened to find Zera between his legs. He drew a sharp breath at the realisation of what was happening.โYouโre awake,โ she said, grinning at him, and then stroked him at a medium pace.โWere you hoping I wouldnโt?โโI hoped you would stay asleep a little longer; bite me,โ she said.His hand reached out to stroke her face lazily. โWith that mouth of yours, I will do whatever you tell me to.โShe chuckled and took his head into her mouth. โFuck! Oh my, Zera, that feels so good.โ He moaned, and his head fell back into the pillow, and his eyes fluttered.โDo we have time for thi
With Alpha Kolโs permission, Aaron sent the members of his pack along with the members of the Dominio pack later that day. They went out in threes following his instructions. The reason was because he knew the packs outside might not want to follow the words of the members of the Domino pack to join forces; however, with the presence of the members of the retribution pack among them, their messages would be accepted in a different light. The retribution pack members will help convince the other pack Alpha to join forces in the coming war once they learn about the enemy from them.While at home, he tried to prepare himself.โAm I overthinking this, or is Ivan an even bigger dick than I am on my dick days recently?โ Damor asked, stepping into the study and shutting the door behind him. His presence and words moved Aaronโs attention to him. โIvan had changed a lot, ever since he had ventured into the past of the wise ones, just moments of their execution. It was sure to happen. Whatever
Getting a letter from Alpha Lucius was the last thing Aaron expected the next day, but it came in the morning. No one knew how it came, as Nigo and Lawrence, the betas on watch, had seen no one drop it and only saw the letter much later into the dawn of the day.Greeting Alpha of the Dominio Pack, I would use this as a formal announcement since you already know and there is no point in hiding and seeking anymore. We are coming for your blood first, and then your head next. You have these last four days to put all your houses together. Because the cleansing is coming. You had luck taking out my favourite sage girl, but I will attack with a legion of sages, and I would love to see you die trying to take them down. I wish you all the best, but cleansing is a natural order of things, so there are no hard feelings.Your friend, LuciusAaron squeezed the letter after reading it and tossed it to the ground.The arrival of the retribution pack as well as the presence of Alpha Viktor over the