Henry's POV.- I chuckle lowly, a palm over my mouth so I donโt let the sounds out as I watch her in utter amusement. Yumi shoots an arm out of the blanket-roll sheโs trapped herself in. Like an undead rising into life, her other hand shoots out and she moves in breaking attempts to lift her body off the bed. โHenโฆry.โ Even her voice cracks like sheโs just awakening from several years of slumber as half of her body emerges successfully from the blanket-roll. The sight is funny as she looks like a kebab roll. Ahโฆmy thoughts are getting glazed over again. โButtercup,โ She mind-links me and I smirk, defiantly moving from watching her to going to her aid. I come to stand next to the bed with my hands in the pockets of my sweatpants as I stare down at her, adoration coloring my vision. She twists her body so that sheโs brought to lie on her back as she lets out a lengthy yawn, stretching her arms sideways with her eyes momentarily shutting. When she brings her eyes open, they give me
Henry's POV.- โHey, little brother.โ I approach him and he frowns at me. He hates it when I call him that and itโs all fun for me. โBusy these days, huh? Havenโt seen you much lately. Pack issues?โ I try to take a roundabout way about it and he nods softly, โYeahโ. โRogues?โ His aura shifts and so do his mood and expression. Maybe Martins was right in the end. The stiff look on his face says it all. โWhat is she to you?โ I press forward, taking on a serious tone and he lowers his gaze, brows furrowing and I know heโs reluctant to tell me. I can only marvel in surprise. This is rather new and unexpected. I smirk inwardly, this might be interesting. Liamโs now keeping things from me. She must be special. I tap him on the shoulder. โNo need to look all cryptic. Come on, dinner's about to start without usโ. He only nods with a hum and proceeds ahead of me as I watch after him. If my guess is right, things are getting interesting here. โYou stuff all of that into your mouth? Amazing
Yumi's POV.- โDonโt even think about it. Put that down- Now.โ Henry glares threateningly at me and my hand quivers. Heโs so scary. Solemnly looking into the big bowl of chocolate ice cream with a broken heart, I let the plastic spoon drop back in. I put on my puppy eyes, but heโs quick to dodge the shot and moves over the threshold. โDonโt let me catch you in this act again. Iโll be waiting outsideโ. Always so cold and stringent. I pout and depart from my precious bowl. I know why heโs being this way. Carrying our second baby, heโs being reminded of our first child we lost over a year ago. So heโs worn this sense of pensive responsibility over himself and is trying to protect me and prevent all odds. I can understandโฆI was equally hurt too. Butโฆcanโt you trust me, Henry? When I step out of the mansion, Iโm met with the sight of my mate, exercising his alpha prowess, barking commands, and ordering reports. HenryโฆI suck in a slow breath, flattening a protective hand over my protr
Yumi's POV.- โHardin! Get your brothers down for breakfast!โ I yell from where Iโm standing at the foot of the stairs. Hands akimbo while I wait to hear his response before returning to the kitchen. โComing, mommy!โ His response comes shortly after with the sound of a door slamming, and I shake my head as I turn around to return to my station where my 7-year-old daughters are. Marian and Marina are twins we adopted 5 years ago. We had rescued them from a fire that claimed the lives of their family and took them in since they knew no one and had no relatives. Theyโre human kids who attended my kindergarten and now, theyโre my added joy. Both identical girls are adorned with reddish-brown curly long hair and sea-green eyes. Ever enthusiastic and inquisitive kids who love to help me out with every chore around the house. I smile and join them to set the long dining table just when the boys come running in. โStop right there!โ I halt the bustling little crowd with a hand out. Hardin
Yumi's POV.- Heโs not so surprisingly, an oddly familiar face. I suppose itโs because Iโve seen a few old photos to recognize him right away. And also, I avert my gaze slowly to the passenger side of the car and smile widely at the exit of his female partner. My mate moves immediately, unable to mask the sheer surprise that explodes onto his face as he swiftly approaches them. โBloody hell, Aniki...โ He sighs in a smiling voice. โI know Henry said they were gonna delay a bit, but he never mentioned you were the ones coming with them.โ The attractive man hardens his expression upon Henryโs statement as they now stand before each other. Will you look at the looks on their faces? A cold standoff, really? โUm, Yumi...shouldnโt you do something about this?โ Eliza nudges me and I turn to look at her and find her pensive. I huff and return my gaze along my response, โIโm sure itโs nothing serious.โ Yeah, โcause right now, both men break the false tension to embrace each other with lau
โThat settles it,โ I let out a sigh as I lean back against the backrest, stretching and flexing my arms before I rise from my seat. I wonder if Weslee mustโve woken by now.Searching around with my eyes briefly, I smile when they fall upon a heartwarming sight. Theyโve fallen asleep again. Donโt think Iโll be able to stop by the grocery store. I step around my desk and walk towards the kids asleep on the couch, with temples pressed against each other and their school bags on their thighs. Bending forward a little, I tap their cheeks gently to rouse them up. โHeather, Zachery, wake up. Itโs time to go home.โ โI wasnโt able to finish my lunch at recess. Can I eat it on the way?โ Heather chirps as I buckle her seatbelt before buckling that of her younger brother. โOkay, honey.โ She beams at me as I ruffle her dark bangs and step back to shut the door so I can get in and drive over to her older brothersโ school. Thereโs no need to pick up Yohan since his grandma already did. I watch t
Yumi's POV. - I hurriedly pay the taxi driver as I step out of the car. The middle-aged man simply nods and I briskly walk away. Climbing onto the pavement, I adjust the chain strap of my leather bag and quick strides bring me to the entrance to a fast-food restaurant. I know Zana and Zainab must be here already. Letting out a calming breath, I push the glass doors open and the aroma of various sweet delicacies welcomes me so enticingly that it gets my stomach churning in delight. โAnd there she is!โ โTruly took her time.โ I smile foolishly, quickly joining the girls at a table by the semi-glass wall. I drop my bag onto the table and run a smoothing hand from my butt to mid-thighs to straighten my skirt before settling into the empty seat. โHey guys,โ I force a weak smile. The girls frown at me but Zainab quickly dismisses my lateness and jumps into talking. โGuess who bumped into someone today?โ She wiggles her brows excitedly and Zana rolls her eyes. I look between the two a
Yumi's POV.- Eliza is brought leaning dependably against my shoulder and I put my arm around her waist to hold her close while also hanging hers around my shoulder. Her legs wobble into each other as we trudge carefully forward. I still feel the stranger making a path for us as he shields us from behind and suddenly feel like entering Eliza to hide from his blaring enticing aura. I shut my eyes, focusing solely on the drowsy girl Iโm helping out. We step out of the loud music and clustered dancing bodies and I suck in a deep breath of fresh air. โAhโฆat last. I came out alive,โ I sigh in relief. โYouโฆโ I do recall thereโs someone I need to thank and I turn to face him. Holy Moly! Heโs so tall! My eyes widen even more when I see who it is. My mouth hangs open and my eyes go soccer ball size. Itโs Henry Slater! I quickly dunk and sum up my disarrayed courage to face him again while fixing on a comeback smile. โThanks for helping outโ. His extraordinary eyes widen in shock but he s
โThat settles it,โ I let out a sigh as I lean back against the backrest, stretching and flexing my arms before I rise from my seat. I wonder if Weslee mustโve woken by now.Searching around with my eyes briefly, I smile when they fall upon a heartwarming sight. Theyโve fallen asleep again. Donโt think Iโll be able to stop by the grocery store. I step around my desk and walk towards the kids asleep on the couch, with temples pressed against each other and their school bags on their thighs. Bending forward a little, I tap their cheeks gently to rouse them up. โHeather, Zachery, wake up. Itโs time to go home.โ โI wasnโt able to finish my lunch at recess. Can I eat it on the way?โ Heather chirps as I buckle her seatbelt before buckling that of her younger brother. โOkay, honey.โ She beams at me as I ruffle her dark bangs and step back to shut the door so I can get in and drive over to her older brothersโ school. Thereโs no need to pick up Yohan since his grandma already did. I watch t
Yumi's POV.- Heโs not so surprisingly, an oddly familiar face. I suppose itโs because Iโve seen a few old photos to recognize him right away. And also, I avert my gaze slowly to the passenger side of the car and smile widely at the exit of his female partner. My mate moves immediately, unable to mask the sheer surprise that explodes onto his face as he swiftly approaches them. โBloody hell, Aniki...โ He sighs in a smiling voice. โI know Henry said they were gonna delay a bit, but he never mentioned you were the ones coming with them.โ The attractive man hardens his expression upon Henryโs statement as they now stand before each other. Will you look at the looks on their faces? A cold standoff, really? โUm, Yumi...shouldnโt you do something about this?โ Eliza nudges me and I turn to look at her and find her pensive. I huff and return my gaze along my response, โIโm sure itโs nothing serious.โ Yeah, โcause right now, both men break the false tension to embrace each other with lau
Yumi's POV.- โHardin! Get your brothers down for breakfast!โ I yell from where Iโm standing at the foot of the stairs. Hands akimbo while I wait to hear his response before returning to the kitchen. โComing, mommy!โ His response comes shortly after with the sound of a door slamming, and I shake my head as I turn around to return to my station where my 7-year-old daughters are. Marian and Marina are twins we adopted 5 years ago. We had rescued them from a fire that claimed the lives of their family and took them in since they knew no one and had no relatives. Theyโre human kids who attended my kindergarten and now, theyโre my added joy. Both identical girls are adorned with reddish-brown curly long hair and sea-green eyes. Ever enthusiastic and inquisitive kids who love to help me out with every chore around the house. I smile and join them to set the long dining table just when the boys come running in. โStop right there!โ I halt the bustling little crowd with a hand out. Hardin
Yumi's POV.- โDonโt even think about it. Put that down- Now.โ Henry glares threateningly at me and my hand quivers. Heโs so scary. Solemnly looking into the big bowl of chocolate ice cream with a broken heart, I let the plastic spoon drop back in. I put on my puppy eyes, but heโs quick to dodge the shot and moves over the threshold. โDonโt let me catch you in this act again. Iโll be waiting outsideโ. Always so cold and stringent. I pout and depart from my precious bowl. I know why heโs being this way. Carrying our second baby, heโs being reminded of our first child we lost over a year ago. So heโs worn this sense of pensive responsibility over himself and is trying to protect me and prevent all odds. I can understandโฆI was equally hurt too. Butโฆcanโt you trust me, Henry? When I step out of the mansion, Iโm met with the sight of my mate, exercising his alpha prowess, barking commands, and ordering reports. HenryโฆI suck in a slow breath, flattening a protective hand over my protr
Henry's POV.- โHey, little brother.โ I approach him and he frowns at me. He hates it when I call him that and itโs all fun for me. โBusy these days, huh? Havenโt seen you much lately. Pack issues?โ I try to take a roundabout way about it and he nods softly, โYeahโ. โRogues?โ His aura shifts and so do his mood and expression. Maybe Martins was right in the end. The stiff look on his face says it all. โWhat is she to you?โ I press forward, taking on a serious tone and he lowers his gaze, brows furrowing and I know heโs reluctant to tell me. I can only marvel in surprise. This is rather new and unexpected. I smirk inwardly, this might be interesting. Liamโs now keeping things from me. She must be special. I tap him on the shoulder. โNo need to look all cryptic. Come on, dinner's about to start without usโ. He only nods with a hum and proceeds ahead of me as I watch after him. If my guess is right, things are getting interesting here. โYou stuff all of that into your mouth? Amazing
Henry's POV.- I chuckle lowly, a palm over my mouth so I donโt let the sounds out as I watch her in utter amusement. Yumi shoots an arm out of the blanket-roll sheโs trapped herself in. Like an undead rising into life, her other hand shoots out and she moves in breaking attempts to lift her body off the bed. โHenโฆry.โ Even her voice cracks like sheโs just awakening from several years of slumber as half of her body emerges successfully from the blanket-roll. The sight is funny as she looks like a kebab roll. Ahโฆmy thoughts are getting glazed over again. โButtercup,โ She mind-links me and I smirk, defiantly moving from watching her to going to her aid. I come to stand next to the bed with my hands in the pockets of my sweatpants as I stare down at her, adoration coloring my vision. She twists her body so that sheโs brought to lie on her back as she lets out a lengthy yawn, stretching her arms sideways with her eyes momentarily shutting. When she brings her eyes open, they give me
Yumi's POV.- โHe was rescued by a member of Alpha Delanoโs Pack and had been with him ever since, receiving treatment. The Alpha himself only recently found out and waited for him to heal first. After finding out his identity, they sent him here immediatelyโ. I listen to Kendalโs explanation whilst the tears coating my eyes. Pushing a smile through to my face as I cry the words, โBryanโฆI thought we lost youโ. I vacate my spot beside Henry to reach for Bryan who receives my hands that squeezes his tightly as relief bathes through me. With a better smile, I say with warmth and gratitude, โThank the goddess that youโre okay.โ Then I avert my gaze a bit to smile at Eliza who steps closer, nodding at me as she clumsily wipes the tears from her cheeks. With Bryanโs miraculous return, it all just falls into place. Iโve got my friends, family, and the whole PackโฆI couldnโt be any more grateful than I am right now. Thinking I can recline back to relax a bit, Zana and Zainab are quick to
Yumi's POV-โYouโre a very selfish woman, Yumiโฆand I deeply pity myselfโฆI fell in love with such a self-conceited womanโฆ.โHe spits out with disdain and my already broken heart shatters into uncountable pieces. On an impulse, I dash toward him.My hands embrace him as I speak up in defense of myself.โNoโฆno Henry. Donโt say that pleaseโฆIโฆI was afraidโฆI failed youโฆI failed himโฆI failed meโฆI failed usโฆand I couldnโt keep him safe and aliveโฆ.โ I pour out and he just shuts his eyes, biting his lip as he remains still.I go on talking. โI didnโt mean toโฆit never occurred to me you were in so much painโฆIโm sorryโ.โItโs because you only keep thinking about none but yourself! Youโฆyouโฆmade me regret usโฆโ He strains, eyes open and lost.I shake my head desperately. God, I have wronged this man. He loves me to a fault and yetโฆall I do is bring him pain.But I wonโt leave. I love him. I will show it to himโฆI wonโt lose him.We can get through thisโฆI have been blinded by myself and all I could se
Yumi's POV-โIโm sorry, Lunaโฆwe lost the babyโ. The deluge of drowsiness playing me disappears in an instant and I feel everything in me collapse.At first, Iโm quiet and the next second, I break into a hysteria. Screaming and shoutingโฆunable to bear the weight of this excruciating pain. Then Iโm held down by the nurses as the doctor injects me. They let go just when everyone starts coming in and my vision sways and blurs. I fall asleep.On my waking, I refuse all who come to see me and refuse to talk to anyone. Especially not to my mate. The one Iโve failed the most.โYour medication is here, Luna,โ The blonde nurse says to me and I turn my neck to thank her.โThanks,โ I say in a shallow voice, feeling more depressed now. The Doctor walks in and she leaves after making sure I take my meds.Heโs come to discuss with me about my uterus. I look at him who shares a look of improbability and I sigh, knowing what it is. โI seeโฆ.โโBut thereโs a chance of healing. When itโs fully healed, y