GIA O'LEARY My heart leaped when Keegan mentioned the daughter who had taken my place to feed Levi with his dosage. Which of them was it? Jade? Lara? Tara? Madeline? I threw my head back immediately as he ordered the supposed daughter to come in, but the frame of who walked in was the least of whom I'd expected. The tires of her box rolling behind her had my heart melting into my stomach for some reason. I turned away immediately, fixing my gaze on my fingers. “She will stay with you from now on and serve you more efficiently than Gia ever would do.’’ Keegan said, leaving a rip in my heart. It was for the better. I had to accept that this was for the better. None of the relationships between Levi and myself was real. The earlier it ended, the better for me. I'd return to my strip job. My boss would be more than happy to have me back. And I'll return to focusing on my aim of gathering enough money for college from the strip bar. I've been able to come up with half the bills alr
ALAN WOODSShe kept giving me those weird smiles. I wondered if she was here because of Levi or for a chance to be around me.It wouldn't be nice having another pest aside from Redrine in this mansion. If Levi has to pick a daughter, it mustn't be this one.“I guess it's time for you both to leave now.’’ I cleared my throat, keeping my attention focused on Keegan alone.“She's not even in a good condition. How is she expected to handle him until the termination process takes place?’’ Keegan erupted.“I mean, how am I supposed to know that? Please just leave already.’’ I said, hating to breathe the same oxygen with the annoying girl who wouldn't stop staring at me.“Why ain't you moving?’’ I directed at her, my d
GIA O'LEARYMy heart raced faster than speed boats on the run. I rushed into my closet, taking out every fabric that came in contact with my fingers. Soon the whole closet was on the ground, still I couldn't find my piggy bank.I ran madly out of the room, down the lawn, and into the duplex.“Madeleine! Madeleine!!’’ I screamed all over the duplex.“Are you nuts? What makes you think you can scream all over the house like a crazy psycho?’’ Lara lashed out on me, stepping out.“Where's my piggy bank?’’ I directed at her, ignoring my racing heart as I anticipated her response.“What piggy bank? Who the heck still uses that in their prime age?’’ She remarked disgustedly.&nb
LEVI EDELMANMy gaze stuck to her lips. They always had me losing my shits.“W-what do you mean by that?’’ She stepped back, halfly balanced.That was what she should be doing. Running away from me. I'd only hurt her. I couldn't let her into me, knowing well that I had only little time to spend on earth. These few days of my life cannot be spent building anything close to comfortable.‘‘Why ain't you saying anything?’’ She spoke again, miraculously taking my eyes off her lips to meet her gaze.I sighed inwardly.“I'll call Keegan and tell him about your decision.’’ I left her side to pick up my handbook and stormed into my bedroom.I tossed the handbook over and stepped into the bathroom to wash my face
KEEGAN O'LEARY“Are you even with us?’’ Raymond's throaty voice hushed at me once again.“Clearly I'm still seated here.’’“So why won't you say a word then?’’ He fired, with the atrocious greed that has grown to share a part in his aura, radiating in his features.It was only at meetings of this nature he always partook actively. Meetings that featured any subtopics relating to the Alpha's death prediction.Each and every single elder of the pack, every single one of them who sat by this table, hiding their excitement and enthusiasm b
ALAN WOODSI shoved the phone into my pocket, lifting a glance at the orange and cream-colored building before me. The purple light system that formed the words ‘Ice cream Parlour’ below the company’s branded name painting wasn't active currently since it's still noon.Putting on my dark sun shades, I stepped down from the car, peering around stylishly for any familiar faces around while adjusting my clothes. I found none and proceeded my way into the building.I grabbed a table, sweeping my glance around randomly for any sight of James.“What would you like to have, sir?’’ A waitress approached my table, handing me a menu.
GIA O'LEARYI was never asleep and just began to feel sleepy when Levi came in. I'd shrunk into myself hoping he'd come to my aid and he did.‘‘What are you talking about?’’ He scoffed. “I didn't ask you to fall asleep here.’’I didn't let go of his hand, thankfully he didn't try to shake my grip off. I pulled up to my butt, making the blanket he had just carefully tucked fall down to my waist.“If you weren't sleeping, why did you act like you were and make me worry?’’ He cursed underneath his breath.‘‘You left me here all these…’’&n
LEVI EDELMANSilence preceded Gia's exit. Alan kept directing weird glances my way and I didn't find it comfortable enough.“Okay, can you stop now?’’ I voiced throatily.“What was she doing here?’’ He glanced at the bed, making it seem like he was asking instead what Gia had been doing on my bed.“She needed to see me, that's all,’’ I said.“And no better place other than the bedroom?’’ Alan pressed.“Okay, can you just stop it already?’’ I faced him seriously, sincerely fed up n
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