AdoraDamien avoided me all week, treating me like I had a contagious disease. My mental state was deteriorating, and the more he distanced himself from me, the more he hurt my feelings. We could not avoid each other because we were in the same class. It started when one of our lecturers gave us a group project to complete. When it came time to divide into groups, Damien purposefully declined to join my group and instead joined one that was already filled.Our gazes locked, and he quickly looked away. Every time I passed him, I would be acutely aware of his rejection; he would get so interested in his notes or laptop and would even strike up a random conversation with a stranger. It hurt to see how closed off he was.He had a preference for a specific area of the classroom so I arrived early and sat close to his seat. He scanned the room as soon as he arrived, purposefully avoiding the entire row, and sat at the other end. That same day, I met him at the coffee shop. He seemed to h
AdoraMy heart was racing as I hurried forward. It was useless to try to hold onto Nolan because he was stronger than granite. I gave him a punch, grabbed his arm, did everything I could think of, but it was not getting through.I yelled at him while I positioned myself between them, with my arms outstretched to create a barrier. I didn't like that Damien was bleeding."And who is this pig?" I grabbed Nolan's hand and heard Damien's girlfriend yell. Because Nolan was distracted, Damien jabbed his finger in Nolan's face."Please, Nolan, stop this," I begged him while Damien's girlfriend glared at me. The tightness in her face made her skin stretch into a snarl, and I feared that her face might burst open if she didn't stop looking at me like that.Blood trickled from the cut on Damien's brow, and I felt concerned for him. His hands balled into fists as he glared at me."You sent your brother to beat me up, didn't you?" he snapped."I haven't even started with you," Nolan threatened. "I
DamienI stole a glance at Shirley from the corner of my eye as we sat in deafening silence in the car. The atmosphere was so tense, and I felt guilty for causing her such pain.I had no intention of getting intimate with Adora and could not quite put my finger on what it was that was pulling at me, but it seemed like the more I saw her, the stronger my feelings were for her.The mating bond was stronger than anything I had ever felt in my life, and I could not take it anymore.But I owed Shirley my life; I promised never to leave her. It wasn't that hard to do. I tightened my grip on the wheel and drove home.She sat beside me, her posture rigid, and broke into a self-deprecating laugh. Neither in our relationship as lovers nor as best friends had there ever been any awkwardness between us."I promise you, baby—it is not what you think. I know you're upset, but please, we can work this out.""Work what out?" she exclaimed, holding onto her purse as I experienced unbearable heat flash
AdoraA strong silence, the type that felt as if someone had died, descended upon the house. Mom dropped down on the single sofa, slumping rather than sitting straight, and stared at me with concern and pain in her eyes.Grandma kept berating Damien and his mother, blaming herself for welcoming them. Dad walked with stiff dignity, piercing the room and forcing a laugh.I wish he would just stop. I sighed dejectedly, my hands trembling, feeling a sensation of emptiness. I wasn't expecting to see Damien in my house, and I wondered what must have gone down with his mother and his girlfriend. Perhaps the girl went crying to Damien's mother.His mother looked so good for her age, and it was either that she had very good genes or she had gone under the knife. But I could bet it was the second option because her face was lifted, and she was talking through her nose.The woman looked jocular and vain, and I shuddered, wondering how my bond with Damien was going to end.This wasn't looking goo
AdoraMy steps flew up as I pushed through the chaotic crowd, hoping that I could get in because this course was a general subject and the lecture hall was too small.I groaned under my breath at the sound of feet shuffling across the linoleum and backpacks pressed up against me.I made it into class, and Damien was the first person I saw. I hated it when I saw him because it made my breath catch in my throat. He stuffed his fingers into his pocket and smiled before I shoved my face away. He looked great wearing dark olive green chinos, white sneakers, and a light gray Henley shirt.I made a pfft sound in response to his "good morning."Good morning, my ass. As if there was anything pleasurable about finding a mate but not having them.I turned away as he got closer to me. Please forgive me for yesterday, Adora. My mom was out of line, and we had no right to come to your house and threaten you."I pretended to think. “Indeed, there’s no need for an apology. After all, you stood up fo
Adora The week whizzed by, and on Saturday evening, I arrived at the mansion of the Alpha, and a wave of fear pierced my heart.We parked our car next to a white Rolls Royce which obviously didn't belong to the Alpha. The gardens were overgrown and in need of maintenance, and tall trees surrounded the house. I knew her dad had sent Morgana away because her car was missing.We entered through the front door, which creaked open. From the foyer, rooms led off in all directions. Precious memories of the Creek Keeper's pack were preserved in the historic and exquisite pack house."He's in the meeting room," the housekeeper announced, and we headed upstairs. We were greeted by Alpha Carter. Upon seeing Damien and his mother, my heart could not remain still."Welcome, Marion, Kathreena, and Adora," the Alpha announced with a pleasant tone.The silence in the room was tense. My mother sat next to me, her icy fingers encircling mine in a show of support, while my dad opted to sit on the other
ThorIt was a routine to have either breakfast or dinner at least once a week at Jaques's house. In addition to being my mentor and business partner, Jaques treated me like a son.He was a great help to me and, at sixty, one of the few people in the hacking world that I could truly call a guru. I couldn't do much without his help, despite the fact he would constantly complain that I had a young mind and that most of his ideas were out of date.I killed my engine in front of his house, the small cottage with a view of the lake, and stepped outside to take in the fresh air and the scent of garlic, bay leaf, and spices.Though I liked my sister's cooking better, his wife Abigail was an excellent chef. But eating a variety of food was also nice once in a while. Regretfully, Jaques and Abigail lost their daughter Emily during the birth of their twin 9-year-old grandsons.I followed the smell to the kitchen, where Abigail was making lunch, and gave me a big hug. Although I was a great judge
I groaned, "I doubt that," as I grabbed my laptop bag and exited the vehicle. We moved in the direction of the club's entrance, where two bouncers were stationed with metal detectors on their bodies. They let us in, but not before seizing my gun.There was a lot of noise and dim lighting in the club; I could hear people talking and glasses clinking. Smoke, alcohol, and perfume filled the air.This was the hideout for poker, where men would come to gamble on most nights. They could be heavily pierced and tattooed, scarred assassins, or spoilt brats looking for excitement.We headed to the bar where a waitress dressed in fishnets, attended to us. Jaques whistled. He'd been married to Abby for over three decades, and I hadn't bothered to ask if they were fated. In my case, I might have gotten a brief release by sticking my thing inside the waitress, but I had already found my mate and had no intention of betraying her, even though it did not look like we would be getting intimate for a l