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Two hundred and eighty four
publish date:
2026-07-24 23:58:44
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TEMPORARY MATES, PERMANENT CRAVINGS Two hundred and eighty six
Isabella POVI was packing my sketchbook and everything I'd need to work from home over the weekend when Iris leaned against my desk."You should come with me to the staff lodge," she said. "Most of us who live there usually hang out in the courtyard on Fridays after work. Even people who don't live there stop by sometimes."I wasn't ashamed of Maverick. If someone asked whether I had a child, I'd tell them. I just didn't see the need to bring it up when I wasn't looking for friendships that extended beyond the office. I'd come here to work. That was all. Especially now that Barbara had made it clear she could walk into my room whenever she pleased."I'll pass," I said, zipping up my bag. "Maybe next time.""Oh, come on." Iris folded her arms. "You can't keep disappearing the second work ends. People will think you're stuck-up.""I'm not stuck-up.""Then why do you run home every day?"I smiled without answering.How could I explain that some people could afford to treat work like wor
TEMPORARY MATES, PERMANENT CRAVINGS Two hundred and eighty five
Wesley POVI stared at the opposite wall and my teeth chattered as Grandma Cassidy swabbed cold antiseptic across my lower back.Another treatment.Another reminder that something inside me was broken.Three women from the chapter house stood around the room. Joanna, their leader, held a syringe up to the light, turning it slightly as she checked the contents. Beside the bed sat the same leather strap Dad insisted on bringing every fortnight. On the metal trolley rested a basin, gauze, sealed vials, and neatly arranged instruments.I tried to slow my breathing, but every visit ended the same way. My body knew what was coming long before she touched me.Dad moved to my right shoulder. Uncle Franklin took hold of my legs. Mom stood close enough to wipe my face the moment it began.Grandma Cassidy remained beside Joanna, quietly preparing the next vial while Anita and Aunt Nadia waited near the wall.Emma wasn't here.She hadn't been able to make herself come back after the first time. S
TEMPORARY MATES, PERMANENT CRAVINGS Two hundred and eighty four
Isabella POV Lunch came before I realized how much time had passed.I'd spent the entire morning sketching variations of the detachable overskirt Luna Lisa had approved. Emerald hadn't been able to invent busywork for me. Every time she glanced in my direction, Luna Lisa's instructions stood as a barrier, and there wasn't much Emerald could do about that.She still found ways to make her displeasure obvious.By the time I set my pencil down, my shoulders ached."You'll go blind if you keep staring at that page."I looked up to find Iris, the only person in the office who extended a bit of kindness to me."It's lunchtime. Come on.""I'm almost done."She reached over, covered the sketchbook with a folder, and snapped her fingers."The design isn't going anywhere."I groaned."Fine."We headed downstairs to the general dining area, where the aroma of different foods filled the air and conversation blended into a steady hum that made the space feel relaxed. Iris and I went to the servin
TEMPORARY MATES, PERMANENT CRAVINGS Two hundred and eighty three
Isabella POV I jerked awake, my heart pounding so hard I had to press a hand against my chest.My eyes flew to my son, and then to the bedroom door. I had locked it, but I still listened for footsteps or movement. There was no sound other than my uneven breathing.I reached for my phone on the nightstand. 6:07 a.m.The last time I checked the time, it was 4:35 a.m. I'd been lying awake, convinced Barbara wasn't done with me.An hour and a half of sleep felt like five minutes.I turned toward the other side of the bed. Maverick was still asleep, hugging his stuffed wolf beneath the blanket, oblivious to his crazy aunt's attempt to sneak up on us.A lock only worked against people who respected doors. Barbara didn't.The memory of her standing calmly at the foot of my bed made my stomach tighten all over again. She'd walked into a sleeping child's room just to threaten his mother.I didn't even want to imagine what she would have done to us if I were a deep sleeper. Barbara could be vi
TEMPORARY MATES, PERMANENT CRAVINGS Two hundred and eighty two
Isabella POV I'd barely gotten to the staff wing when the sound of feet came pounding down the hallway."Mama!"Maverick launched himself at me so hard I nearly lost my balance. I laughed and caught him before he could knock us both over. His arms wrapped tightly around my waist while I buried my face in his hair for a moment, breathing in the familiar scent of soap."Someone missed me.""I did!" he declared proudly.I pulled back just enough to look him over. His shirt was covered in fresh oil stains, and there was something orange smeared near the collar that looked suspiciously like tomato sauce."What happened to you?"Before he could invent whatever explanation four-year-olds came up with when they were caught, Grandma Cassidy walked into the hallway with an amused smile."I could've changed him, but I couldn't go into your room without your permission.""I hope he didn't stress you," I said, reaching down to smooth his hair.Grandma Cassidy waved the concern away as though I'd
TEMPORARY MATES, PERMANENT CRAVINGS Two hundred and eighty one
Wesley POVMy intercom buzzed, interrupting us. I pressed the button."Yes?""Alpha Cameron has asked everyone to proceed to the council conference room. The meeting is about to begin."I pushed myself to my feet and reached for my suit jacket. Barbara stood as well. She stepped closer and straightened my collar before smoothing the front of the jacket. Together, we left my office and headed toward the council floor.Long before we reached the conference room, I could already hear the voices filtering into the corridor.The meeting hadn't started yet. It was waiting for me. Meetings like this usually ended one way: with a headache, and today's felt determined to prove me right.The moment Barbara and I stepped into the conference room, the conversations softened before picking up again in quieter tones.That was what happened whenever the future Alpha walked into a room full of people who were busy deciding whether he deserved the title.I swept my gaze across the long oval table out
TEMPORARY MATES, PERMANENT CRAVINGS Ten
Lisa POV“This is so fucked up, Lisa.” Sasha dragged a breath through the phone. “You’re supposed to sleep with this guy while his mate’s portrait watches? Who even does that? Cover it with something. Turn it around. Anything.”My pulse kicked harder.“Do you know anything about their relationship?”
TEMPORARY MATES, PERMANENT CRAVINGS Five
The Alpha house felt like I was entering it for the first time. Maids walked past me. Guards were posted at every corner, their eyes scanning the corridors. One thing was clear. Alpha Cameron was in the building.The four of us were in the main corridor like a line of silent competitors. Brianna had
TEMPORARY MATES, PERMANENT CRAVINGS Four
LISA POVThe digital numbers on my alarm clock glowed a steady red. I watched them tick by from 5:59 to 6:00. My skin felt cold, and a dull ache rested at the back of my eyes after spending the night awake. I could hear the muffled sound of the television.I headed for the door. The living room was
TEMPORARY MATES, PERMANENT CRAVINGS Three
CAMERON POVRage tightened in my ribs, making breathing feel like an effort. I turned away from my sister and mate and leaned against the wall. "I won't do it. I have no interest in this absurd contract, and nothing you say will change my mind."Nadia stepped closer and placed her hand between my sh
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