GIA O'LEARY
On a second thought, I decided against telling him about my encounter with Madeleine.
I shouldn't ruin the romantic ambiance of his convalescence with Maddison, she seemed to be the only one he needed around him now.
“What is it?’’ Levi's voice rammed into the haze when he didn't hear the word from me.
“It's nothing.’’ I waved it off, getting on my feet. “I'll take my leave now.’’
He didn't say a word and just watched me leave.
“Oh, and-’’ I stopped by the door to give
GIA O'LEARYI reflected, a little lost on her words since she spoke in a stifled mumble. I couldn't make proper sense of what she said and asked again.‘‘What did you say?’’“It's nothing, Luna.’’ Clearing her throat, she turned over to pack up the first aid kit. “I'm really sorry for making you go through this. I'll be more careful next time.’’ She stood, bowed, and left in one minute.My lips dropped open as she shut the door. I could swear I heard her mention Alan's name, but what Alan's name had gotten to do with Redrine I asked her about was what I couldn't place.
ALAN WOODSMoments later, her unmistakable footsteps grew louder as she approached. I pushed my neck to confirm her figure through the rearview side mirror, and a breath escaped my nostrils.“Hope I didn't take too long?’’ She spoke as she took her seat beside me, shutting the door to look at me.I said nothing and started the engines. She knew better than to press on and quietly went for her seat belt. I started the engines and we were on the road in no time.“I didn't realise you were injured yesterday. You didn't look it though.’’ Gia suddenly spoke, breaking the peaceful silence that reig
ALAN WOODS“I want Gia away from the Alpha,’’ Keegan repeated, resting his back against the sofa with nothing but plain seriousness in his eyes.I adjusted on my seat, clearing my throat as I presented the only question that swirled in my mind.“Is there a reason why you so desperately want Gia out of the place? Something I should know?’’ I squinted.His humor dead eyes came down on me, and I almost flinched.“I mean like….’’ I tried saying.“It's not a desp
GIA O'LEARYI felt completely grateful when I noticed the red aventador I came in with Alan hours ago, waiting securely under the sun.My cheeks were beginning to hurt at the numerous exchange of pleasantries with lots of the guests since Levi held such a high position that demanded recognition among the state representative members.I flung my legs weakly against my heels, wanting nothing but to get my ass in the car and take off the heels. Thankfully Alan waited patiently for me, I couldn't be more grateful.I placed light knocks on the tinted glass as I appreciated the car. I was going to smile brightly and express my appreciation to Alan as I heard the locks click open, but he was a jerk.
ALAN WOODS Maddison’s gaze never left Levi until he was completely out. She'd focused on feeding him since the beginning and didn't get enough meals herself. Now he was out, and she finally had the chance to eat up, but she was busy picking on her meal with her mind completely gone. Gia finished up and stood. Just like I had imagined, Maddison stood up after her immediately. I dropped my fork. “I'll go with you,’’ Maddison stated. It was more of a command than a request. “Go with me to?’’ Gia asked, puzzled. “I don't even need to do that, I can just get there myself.’’ She ignored Gia, pulling away from her chair.“Maddison,’’ I called her to a halt. “We have a discussion.’’“On whose consent?’’ She spat. The manner in which she glared at me set flames on my resentment for Levi. “I didn't get the chance to tell you about it until now.’’ I swallowed hard. Gia let out a silent scoff, pulling out of her chair and walking out, ignoring Maddison’s glaring eyes that trailed her move
GIA O'LEARYI turned off the hair dryer when I thought I heard a knock. It came again, but with Redrine’s voice following this time.“Luna, it's me.’’“Come in, Redrine…’’ I'd barely finished my statement when she rushed in, leaving me alarmed.“What is it?’’“I'm sorry if I startled you. It's just, your father the priest is here. You haven't given the Alpha his morning dosage yet.’’ She reported.“Keegan is here?’’ I asked, like I didn't hear he
LEVI EDELMANI dressed in new shorts and shirt and headed out. I paused when I heard voices from an empty room, and the owners of the voices went quiet immediately.I retracted, pushed the slightly opened door wider, and peeped in.Maddison stood with a maid, both staring at me. They had probably noticed my shadow when I paused earlier.“Levi?’’ Maddison called, advancing forward as if she just recognised me.The maid made a bow to me, lowering her face to the floor.“What are you doing h
KEEGAN O'LEARYGia stiffened. She had indeed been missing the Alpha's dosage. She must not be aware of the consequences that lay with messing with the process. The penalty that awaited her if the virgin herbs didn't take the propounded effect.I had offered a ninety percent assurance, boldly stating that the process would be alternatively ineffective if the maiden wasn't indeed pure and holy as requested of the goddess.This was the actual reason behind putting my daughters forward.After a series of debates, the elders had suggested I put out my daughters from which the Alpha should choose his desired maiden, since it was a well-acknowledged fact in the pa
GIA O’LEARYI stared at her for a long time, trying to understand what she was doing.Something was wrong. I could feel it deep in my gut.“Stand up,” I said firmly.She looked up at me with wide, nervous eyes, but she didn’t argue.She got up slowly, dusting her palms against her dress like it could hide her guilt.I turned sharply and started walking toward my room, not even checking if she was following, even though I already knew she would.Inside my room, I shut the door behind us and turned to face her.“Talk,” I said, crossing my arms over my chest. “What are you up to?”Mia bit her bottom lip hard, her hands twisting together in front of her like she was barely holding herself together.For a second, she didn’t say anything. She just looked at me, her eyes filling up with something that almost looked like regret.“I didn’t mean for it to go this far,” she said, her voice shaking. “I swear.” Her voice cracked. I stared at her, my heart beating harder. I refused to reply to her
GIA O’LEARY The way Alan reacted when the herbs fell… it didn’t match. He got so angry, like he couldn’t control it. But when my herbs went missing, he barely reacted. He was too calm.I wasn’t a fool. I could feel it; something was wrong.Maybe Alan wasn’t as clean as everyone thought.I didn’t know what exactly he was hiding yet, but one thing was clear to me now.I couldn’t let Levi hand over his position to Alan.No matter what, he seems suspicious, and something must be wrong somewhere. That thought stayed in my mind the whole night.Even when I lay down, pulled the blanket over myself, and tried to close my eyes, I couldn’t stop thinking about it.I turned on the bed again and again, my pillow feeling too hard under my head. My heart kept beating fast, almost painfully, like it was warning me.You have to stop it, I told myself. No matter what it takes.I stared at the ceiling for what felt like hours.Sometimes I closed my eyes, hoping to fall asleep, but the moment I did, Al
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