ALAN WOODSI could feel it. Gia was up to something.Either her sweet, innocent face, I could tell she was up to something. But I wasn’t going to confront her just yet. I needed to figure out what exactly she was planning.What really bothered me, though, was Levi, he was defending her, and that… pissed me off.“Are you really doing this?” I questioned, my eyes held his. “Just accept the fact that you’re wrong.” He replied coldly. I couldn’t recall the last time Levi pulled this cold attitude toward me. Was all this because of that Gia of a girl? My eyes darted to her, still crawling beside the broken cup, blinking eyes repeatedly. How I wish this little thing would not get on my tail? It won’t take more than a slip of a finger to get rid of her. But now, let's just go with the flow. “I need to speak with you,” I said, the words calm but firm, as I turned to face Levi. “Alone.”I could feel Gia's gaze on me, but I wasn’t ready to give her the satisfaction of what she wanted.
ALAN WOODS I walked straight toward her and grabbed her arm, pulling her close before she could even think to run.She gasped and tried to pull back, but I didn’t let her. I tightened my grip, pulling her body harder against mine. I didn’t care how much she fought.I pressed her closer, grinding her soft ass against me.Her body stiffened right away, like she couldn’t believe what I was doing.“Let go,” she snapped, pushing against me with both hands, her voice sharp and angry.I loosened my hold just a little… but I didn’t really let go.I kept my hand wrapped around her wrist, feeling her pulse race under my fingers.She glared up at me, her chest rising and falling fast.I could see the fire in her eyes, the wildness that always drove me crazy.“You need to hear this,” I said, my voice low and rough. “Gia is up to something.” Her eyes narrowed, sharp like a blade.“You’re just noticing that now?” she said, almost laughing but with no humor in her voice. “That girl is a witch.” I
GIA O'LEARY I grabbed onto the shiny pole in the center of the curbed area in the strip club, just as every other night, this was supposed to be easy. My eyes scanned my audience through my mask, a habit to be certain no one in the crowd was familiar enough to recognize me even with the mask on. I was on display just as every other Friday night, the sickening gazes of these lustful men devoured me ravenously like cackling flames, their leering faces bore unmasked lust. Cheers erupted from the crowd, 'Black Swan' getting chanted from the dark corners of the bar, excited to finally have me on display for them. Wild display. The dim lights cast a golden glow on my skin, accentuating every curve in me as I twirled around the pole. I knew all of the regulars by heart, these boisterous lecherous men ogling at every move I made by the pole were regulars. But tonight, the sudden change of air at the bar stemmed from the unfamiliar face in the VIP area, his piercing green eyes dwelt on
GIA O'LEARYIt was almost morning light when I slipped into my bedroom. I closed the door and rested against it, releasing the trapped air from my lungs as I stood unnaturally still by the closed door. What just happened?The night had grown into something else, something fierce. I kissed a man. I kissed someone for the first time. And I liked it. A lot. No. This was wrong. My eyes screwed tight as though to fight the sizzling thoughts plaguing my mind, the electrifying feel of his rough palm trailing every inch of me, flooding my entire body with heat. What was absolutely wrong became the prickling sensation between my thighs as I conceived these thoughts. Forgive me, sweet goddess but this was a sin too great to resist. To shake off. Keegan didn't want me around his other five daughters because I was a runt. He feared this energy might rub off on them and worse, I was a constant reminder of how tragically his mate, my mom, died so he offered me the antiquated garage to stay In
GIA O'LEARY The tall and imposing doors of the grand hall went open and Keegan led the way in with Madeleine, his pride and joy, clinging to his side, looking more beautiful than ever."Here comes the High priest and his holy maidens!" Emory Rhode, a gregarious man plunged forward to welcome us. I instantly recognized him. The slightly balding man was a regular at the strip club. A pervert to the core. Although I performed every night with my face concealed, I still hid my face with my shawl, afraid of getting recognized. A few pack nobles came forward to welcome us, treating us like we were daughters of the moon goddess.Alpha Levi was a recluse, none of my sisters and I knew what the ruler looked like yet, my sisters were already wedded to him mentally. I chuckled. Just then, the babbles and cackles in the hall ebbed and this made my soft chuckles ring loudly. "Excuse me?" Emory asked, "Is something funny?"His condescending tone and cold eyes made it plain he already knew I
GIA O'LEARYThis certainly was the part where I'd get exposed and put to death for I was no holy maiden. I was an exotic dancer who kissed a man the previous night. His coat in my room a constant reminder that kissing this man who turned out to be the Alpha was never in my head. "I'm blessed with your appearance and that of your holy maidens."The way Alpha Levi said this must've been with a smirk, it was how I pictured his amused tone. My sisters didn't help things, they clustered to themselves as we were ushered to a seat leaving me as the odd one out. The ceremony began with Keegan taking control of the first ritual of the night. This gave me an opportunity to look in Alpha Levi's direction. He looked nothing like he did the previous night. He looked more pale and a bit frail than he was when we first met. Something was wrong. I looked across my sisters and thought of which to pry into a gossip mode with. Sadly, there was none. The first daughter, Beth had been married so she
GIA O'LEARY Keegan tried to persuade Alpha Levi into reevaluating his options but whatever this was about, Levi had already made up his mind. Nothing in Alpha Levi's perceptible mild exterior suggested he recognized me from the previous night. Wth the embroidered loose gown flowing to my ankles and hair covered with the shawl, it was hard to tell I was the same girl twirling around the pole last night. But what were those twinkles at the corners of his eyes whenever they regarded me? "What are you waiting for?" Keegan chided me, his displeasure plain in his manner and tone. I left the chair, towards Levi's outstretched hand. But chose to ignore his hand, I couldn't bear to know what they felt like another time. I couldn't risk his touch exposing me before the scrutinizing gazes of these men. I went straight ahead towards the inner room where the final rituals were to take place. Amusement seemed to twitch at the corners of his sensuous lips, his sweet patchouli tempting, almost
LEVI EDELMAN I had thought it was a burglar at first, but when she retrieved the shawl from her hair I recognized it immediately. What the hell was she thinking, trying to jump off the window at this time of the night? She was probably drunk; was the thought I harbored in my mind when I reached forth my hand to stop her. But the pair of frantic eyes staring back at me was nothing close to drunkenness.Annoyance sipping into me at the unnecessary chaotic disorder her crazy action had sparked in me, I yanked her off the window. She gasped, managing to shield her weight with a guide. Unfortunately, her elbow got on the hard floor and left a whimper off her lips. I regretted my action immediately. I didn't mean to hurt her. Just what in the hell was she about to do just now?I bent to her level. Like a repelling force of magnetic opposition, she swatted over with the hurting elbow in her palm. I didn't derive pleasure from her constant refuting, but I wouldn't say it disturbed me ei
ALAN WOODS I walked straight toward her and grabbed her arm, pulling her close before she could even think to run.She gasped and tried to pull back, but I didn’t let her. I tightened my grip, pulling her body harder against mine. I didn’t care how much she fought.I pressed her closer, grinding her soft ass against me.Her body stiffened right away, like she couldn’t believe what I was doing.“Let go,” she snapped, pushing against me with both hands, her voice sharp and angry.I loosened my hold just a little… but I didn’t really let go.I kept my hand wrapped around her wrist, feeling her pulse race under my fingers.She glared up at me, her chest rising and falling fast.I could see the fire in her eyes, the wildness that always drove me crazy.“You need to hear this,” I said, my voice low and rough. “Gia is up to something.” Her eyes narrowed, sharp like a blade.“You’re just noticing that now?” she said, almost laughing but with no humor in her voice. “That girl is a witch.” I
ALAN WOODSI could feel it. Gia was up to something.Either her sweet, innocent face, I could tell she was up to something. But I wasn’t going to confront her just yet. I needed to figure out what exactly she was planning.What really bothered me, though, was Levi, he was defending her, and that… pissed me off.“Are you really doing this?” I questioned, my eyes held his. “Just accept the fact that you’re wrong.” He replied coldly. I couldn’t recall the last time Levi pulled this cold attitude toward me. Was all this because of that Gia of a girl? My eyes darted to her, still crawling beside the broken cup, blinking eyes repeatedly. How I wish this little thing would not get on my tail? It won’t take more than a slip of a finger to get rid of her. But now, let's just go with the flow. “I need to speak with you,” I said, the words calm but firm, as I turned to face Levi. “Alone.”I could feel Gia's gaze on me, but I wasn’t ready to give her the satisfaction of what she wanted.
GIA O’LEARYAlan’s eyes flickered when I spoke. He didn’t expect me to say such, I could tell by the flicker in his eyes. But he quickly masked it up, clearing his throat. “The herbs are working,” he said. Calm. Too calm, which tells me something is wrong. “You’re just not paying attention.”I stared at him, so that was all he could come up with?I tilted my head slightly, watching him. He was avoiding eye contact now, his eyes darting to the back of me like he was looking for something. But I wasn’t fooled. My gut was screaming. Something wasn’t right. The herbs hadn’t changed a thing, and I wasn’t the one who was blind here.Still, I didn’t argue. I could’ve called him out, could’ve pushed, asked questions, demanded answers. But I didn’t. Because Alan was lying, and when someone lies, it means there’s something worth hiding. I just needed to wait. So instead of pressing, I gave a soft nod, playing along. “Maybe you’re right,” I said quietly, forcing a smile. “Maybe I just didn’t
GIA O'LEARY I was pacing the length of my room, my fists clenched, my jaw tight, the heat in my chest refusing to cool down, not even for a bit minutes. I wasn’t angry at Levi. Not really, it was Alan.How dare he? How dare he talk to me like that in front of everyone? How dare he talk to me like I was the one causing trouble?I let out a frustrated breath and threw the nearest pillow at the wall. It hit with a soft thud and dropped to the floor.The sound of it was followed by a gentle knock on the door. “Come in.” My voice was barely above a whisper. The door creaked open, and Maddison walked in like she owned the room, closing the door behind her as if that would trap me inside with her nonsense.“Not now,” I said sharply. “I’m not in the mood.”She didn’t move. She just stood with her arms folded, eyes fixed on me.“I won’t take long,” she said. “I just want to ask you something.”“Maddison, I said not now.” I rolled my eyes.“Respect yourself when I’m being respectful,” she
ALAN I didn’t understand it either.The ring… I saw Maddison wearing it just yesterday. It was on her finger the whole time. I remember because she kept fidgeting with it while we were talking. So how the hell did it end up inside the storeroom?I stood there for a moment, stunned. The pieces weren’t adding up. My heart was still pounding from everything. And Maddison? I turned slowly to her, already seeing the fire in her eyes.“You planned this?” she yelled, her voice shaking. “Did you plant it there? Did you do this to me on purpose?!”“What? No!” I said quickly, my hands up. “Maddison, I swear….I have no idea how that ring got there.”She was breathing hard now, her chest rising and falling like she was about to explode. “Don’t lie to me! Maybe this is your way of finally getting rid of me!”“For Goddess’ sake, listen to yourself….” “I am listening!” she shouted. “And everything sounds like a trap!”Her voice was too loud. Loud enough for anyone outside to hear.“Shut up,” I
MADDISONRedrine looked like she’d seen a ghost immediately she stepped inside. She hesitated before moving closer, like she was being dragged forward by some invisible force. She stood in the middle of the room, her eyes wide, hands clutched together. Her gaze flicked from Mia to Levi… then to me. And when her eyes finally met mine, I knew she was scared. Good. She should be. Because I was scared too.“Redrine,” Levi said, holding up the ring. His voice wasn’t loud, but it was clear enough to grasp. “Have you ever seen this ring?” He questioned. Redrine shook her head quickly, like her life depended on it. “No, Alpha. I’ve never seen it before.”If Redrine hadn’t seen the ring, then who could’ve put it in the Storeroom? I know for sure I wasn’t the one. I didn’t go to the storeroom with the ring. Levi’s face darkened. He took one step closer to her and lowered his voice, but somehow made it feel even colder. “If you’re lying to me, Redrine… I will not hesitate to kill you. Is th
GIA O'LEARY“Why are you asking such a question? I just told you I clearly don’t know what you’re talking about!” Maddison denies again. “I’m asking because this ring… It’s yours?” Levi’s voice was calm, but I could feel the tension in his shoulders. He was trying not to jump to conclusions, but even he looked like he already had one.Maddison didn’t answer. She just stared at the ring in his hand, frozen like she couldn’t believe what she was seeing.I stepped forward. “Don’t waste your breath, Levi,” I snapped, not even bothering to hide the heat in my voice. “She’s the one who stole the herbs. That ring is proof.”“Gia, calm down. Let her speak.” He frowned at me, his voice soft but firm. I clenched my fists at my sides, trying to breathe through the anger rising in my chest. Maddison had played us all for fools. I knew it in my gut. She stood there, pretending like she didn’t understand anything. Pretending like the ring wasn’t hers.“Let me see the ring clearly,” Maddison final
Gia O'LEARY My eyes stayed on Maddison as Mia spoke, and I watched the change in Maddison’s face. She was shocked, I could see it clearly in her eyes, and that shock snapped something in me.“Don’t utter rubbish, Mia,” Maddison snapped, her voice sharper than it had been before. Her words felt like a slap, but Mia didn’t look scared of her, though her hands were trembling just a little, and she met Maddison’s glare head-on.“I’ve seen the ring on your finger multiple times, Lady Maddison,” Mia said. Her voice wasn’t loud, but I’m sure everyone could hear her. “I know it’s yours, that’s why I brought it for you in case you’re looking for it.” “No!” Maddison replied sharply. “I’m not looking for any rings. Have a problem with that?” Maddison raised an eyebrow for some seconds then turned back to leave, but Mia was fast enough to halt her in a spot by her word. “I think it's your favorite ring since you wore it more than four times in a week.” My heart skipped, and I found myself
LEVI EDELMAN“You don’t have to look at me like that,” I muttered, not looking up. My fingers drummed lightly on the edge of the plate in front of me.“I wasn’t.” Alan blinked, caught.“You were,” I said quietly. I finally looked at him. “I’m fine, alright? You don’t need to worry about me.”He held my gaze for a second longer than I expected, then he nodded, though I knew he didn’t believe me. And I couldn’t blame him.I shifted my eyes toward Gia. Her hand moved slowly with the fork, poking at the vegetables on her plate, barely eating. Her hair was still damp from earlier. I remembered the way the water ran down her skin. The way she avoided my eyes when I held her in the shower.Now, she wore my shirt so big it looked like a gown on her, and she looked smaller than usual. She looks tired too. In a way that made me feel guilty.I heard a foot step turning back to see Maddison striding it. What was I thinking before? She never plays with her stomach. “I see you all couldn’t wait fo