GIA O'LEARY The necessary rites were immediately brought into action. I was made to sit on the floor in the Hindi praying position, except that the exercise didn't require me to glue my palms against each other. Keegan pranced around me, reading out the conjugation mantras with the guests chanting the backup phrases rather too enthusiastically each time Keegan left a half statement. I bit my lips underneath my veil, hoping this time went by fast without involving any revelation sessions since the goddess seemed to completely be on my side. Finally, I was made to take the Luna’s oath of indebtedness and read my vows to Alpha Levi. My lips trembled with every word I spelled out and made it almost impossible to completely make out my sentences. “Will you be audible?’’ Keegan jibed me, his deadly eyes forcing a flinch from me. It was too much to handle. Though I commanded quite an audience at the club, it was always during nighttime and I usually had a mask that made no one recogniz
GIA O'LEARYMy heart thrashed against my chest as he flung me roughly to the side, tears blinding my vision as I forced my trembling lips to speak.The goddess had probably had enough of my deceit and revealed my true exhibitions to him. This was the destructive end of my fate.“I'm sorry, father.’’ I sobbed.‘‘Do you have that evil mark covered up?’’ He inquired, taking me aback for a moment.‘‘H-huh?’’“You clumsy little brat!’’ He cursed, irritated by the mere sig
LEVI EDELMAN I looked up from my phone, swatting a glance into the rearview side mirror for any sign of her, growing impatient. I cursed underneath my breath, pushed the door open, and stepped out of the car when I saw her approaching. She halted immediately, her gaze trailed at me, acknowledging my figure. She contemplated in her head on if to proceed or retract. ‘‘What are you waiting for?’’ I threw at her, my impatience dissipating momentarily at the sight of her. She lowered her gaze from mine, taking in her bottom lips as she resumed her strides, faster, to take the other side of the car. An awkward silence shook the air after the sound of the revving engines subsided. I chose to center my attention on the road and the clothes store we were driving to.“Could you roll down the window a bit please?’’ She spoke, appealing enough.I stared briefly at her, while she strictly avoided making contact. I sighed quietly, reached for the control, and did as she requested. “Have you h
GIA O'LEARYHis eyes regarded mind ridiculously. My question was somewhat puzzling and it got him puzzled.“Why will you do that for me?’’ I asked again, hoping to exclude the required clarity until my intentions hit the balance.“I don't get it. You don't want me to?’’ He was unsure if I was telling him not to help me or not.“I'm asking why you are bent on keeping me even if you're completely aware of me. What I am.’’ I surprisingly maintained contact with his eyes. Something I struggled the whole of two days with, I was currently doing it effortlessly.
GIA O'LEARY I blinked. Blanked and stunned by the lady's unexpected sudden outburst. ‘‘You haven't changed one bit, have you?’’ Alpha Levi spat irritatedly. “I've missed you.’’ She blurted out. I was forced to move a bit aside from Alpha Levi's towering frame which obstructed my view of the scene. The lady's gaze adverted to me instantly. “W-who is she and what are you doing here…with her?’’Without responding, Alpha Levi snatched my wrist. I watched the lady's gaze swat to his grip with something like horror flashing in her eyes. “Did you get all you need?’’ Alpha Levi asked, his eyes never leaving the lady. I was lost in the middle of the drama. Just what in the hell was going on right now?“Y-yes,’’ I answered partly absentmindedly. “Then let's leave.’’ Without waiting for my response, he turned and pulled me out with him.I almost stumbled on my dress while trying to catch up with his speed. The lady's voice calling after him didn't help matters either. Alpha Levi sorted t
GIA O'LEARYI took slow calculated steps behind Redrine, my heart pulsating like it would rip off my chest soon.I couldn't contain the scary image of Alpha Levi's frame over me.What more constituted a honeymoon if not that? Sex. Never did I dream of having my first sex so soon, especially not with a man I barely got to know three days ago.“Greetings, Alpha.’’ Redrines' voice cut into my thoughts. Have we gotten to the dining area already yet?My heart stroked as I lifted my gaze to meet Alpha Levi seated at the head of the small table for four occupants.“I'll tak
LEVI EDELMAN I flipped through the pages, looking for the page I had ended my previous reading. I almost missed it when a knock came on the door, distracting my focus. I swatted my gaze to the door. It creaked, and Alan showed up behind it. His eyes regarded my gaze, seeking permission to step in before approaching me. Alan was my beta and best buddy. We lived like siblings from little when his father used to be my father's beta until now. He knew my insides and out, and oftentimes he provided the advice for the steps I took. ‘‘You good?’’ He asked as he approached my table. “Hm.’’ I simply responded.He grabbed himself a seat before me. Although I had my gaze fixed on my book I could still see him watching me intensely through my peripheral.“You don't look it through.’’ He remarked, running his hands through the stuff on the study table. One would think he was actually in search of something and not just messing around right now. Reluctance clung unto me like a coat as I forci
GIA O'LEARYI didn't realize a huge smile wrapped my face until I heard Redrine’s chuckles behind me.“You look beautiful, Luna. You've got the smile of a beauty.’’ She flattered.“Okay, let that be the end of your flattery for today.’’ I rolled my eyes, standing from the pretty violet flower I had bent to inhale.“I'm being serious, Luna.” She urged, following behind me as we walked further into the garden.“Is that rose flowers over there?’’ I pointed at the small section of red flowers a few steps away, excitement budding in my stomach at the thought o
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