201Ingrid’s POVI saw him before he saw me. Ryan slipped out of that wretched little servant’s room like he was a thief in the night, boots tracking filth across my polished floors, shirt wrinkled, hair mussed in a way that made my stomach twist. He didn’t even bother to straighten it before stalking down the hall like something was burning behind his eyes.He didn’t look my way, but I saw enough. I saw the way his hand flexed at his side, fingers brushing his lips like he could wipe her taste from his mouth.I felt heat crawl up my neck, a flush of rage so sharp it made my teeth ache. So that was it, then. That worthless little shadow had wormed her way under his skin too.Regardless of how alluring I was, they always still had a soft spot somewhere for her. Sweet, meek Alyssa who didn’t even know how to stand up straight unless someone pinned her to a wall.“Tch!”I turned on my heel before Ryan could glance back and see me watching. Let him think I hadn’t noticed, let him think he
250~Sabrina’s POVI stared at the ceiling, my fingers clenching around the edge of the blanket. I hated how everything in my life had become this waiting game, waiting for news, waiting for control, waiting for the moment I could finally wipe that smug innocence off Bella’s face.Bella.I rolled my eyes just thinking of her. Sweet little Bella, all soft edges and tragic tears. The precious puppet Alex now kept at his side.I used to be the one he touched like that. I used to be the one who got his attention.Until he tossed me aside.A toy that had lost its charm.Now he had her.And I was done watching her win.My phone buzzed on the nightstand, slicing through my rage like a knife. I reached over and snatched it without hesitation. A message from my private investigator.Finally.I tapped it open.Apologies, Sabrina. Correction from my earlier message. The man connected to Bella is actually named Richard, not Victor. That was an error on my part. Bella’s father is Richard. Just got
191Alyssa’s PovA few days had passed since I came back fully to the pack, and those days went by with Tara encouraging me to stay strong and patient. Truly, I hoped that things would change for me, but it was getting difficult to wait.“Just when exactly will I be happy?” I said as I stared into blank space.I glanced towards the window, looking at my favorite shape of the moon; crescent. But it didn’t make me feel hope or good like it usually did.“My strength is waning already, moon goddess. You’ve got to do something.” I urged, wishing so hard that this was the prayer she would finally answer.I took in a deep breath and let it out before I rose to my feet. I stretched and did a little exercise before I walked towards my door, opened it and headed off to Tara’s room.On getting to her door, I knocked gently, waiting patiently for her to open up. In no time, the door clicked open and she poked her head out. Her face looked tired, and her lips were dry and cracked.“Do not tell me
190Tara’s PovI felt his sincerity deeply, and a tear fell down my face. He hated children but was willing to take mine because of me. His gaze fell to my lips, and he kissed me slowly.I hadn’t realized how much I had missed his touch until his hands found me in the right places, and my longing and desire for him flared up like the flames of a fire engulfing a pan with heated oil.We kissed for minutes, our hands roaming over each other, although mine was more careful. I crawled onto his bed, and in seconds, our clothes were strewn across the floor as we gasped and made sounds of pleasure as we filled each other with the delight and longing we had wanted for long.No words were exchanged and we had sex all night. Whenever we got tired, we lay down breathing heavily only to get aroused and start again as if trying to make up for the days in which we had missed each other, and by the time the sun came up, we were lying exhausted under the covers.There was a knock on the door, and I j
189Alpha Dorris’ PovI couldn’t believe what I was hearing.“What?” I heard myself say. I was so shocked that I couldn’t help but show my reaction.Mia’s guilty look suddenly hardened, although there were tears in her eyes.They dragged her inside so she could stand in front of me but she kept her eyes to the ground.“When the maid told her someone wanted to see her and showed her the symbol, I couldn’t help noticing the fear on her face and then the anger, she seemed nervous to hear he was in the garden so I followed her and met her talking to a man.” Beta Nathan explained“What man?” I asked weakly.“He was one of the survivors and he was blaming her for not telling them we were prepared for a sudden war, and I heard her shout at him, asking why they attacked without her permission and why they had failed to kill Tara.” Beta Nathan finished, and shot Mia a scathing look.“What? Kill Tara? Is that true?” I asked, turning to Mia whose lower lip quivered. “You brought Alpha Daren’s pa
188Alpha Dorris’ PovWhen I opened my eyes, I felt so weak, I could barely move. To turn my head was so hard for me to do and my body ached all over. I was in pain. Why was I in pain? I recalled all that had happened last night, but had not expected to be in such a situation.Although, I had been pretty convinced the previous night that I was going to die, but since I wasn’t dead, I was supposed to be all healed.It was morning already as I could see the light all around me. Or was I in a dream where I still felt pain? I managed to turn my head to the side and I spotted someone sitting next to me, and my heart lurched.Tara?I could have sworn she had called out to me the previous night. Just when I had given up, and had no strength left in me to fight, I had heard her call for me miserably but thinking back on it, at the moment in which I was awake, it seemed like it had all been in my head. Like she had been on my mind“Alpha Dorris.” I heard a voice call. It was the voice of the p