I stared at my reflection in the mirror. Rosy lips, rosy cheeks and a good amount of eyeliner along with mascara popped the blue in my eyes. Nola stood behind weaving through my hair into a loose fishtail braid with curls of my honey blonde falling free around my round face. It reminded me of the day I prepared myself like this for my first prom. Even then the man on my arms was my papa. Every other boys at my class were too scared even to look at me because of Papa's death stares whenever they tried. I used to hate that first, though by time I was glad he did that for I had seen a few breakups of my female friends, and they were nasty enough for them to run for therapy. One even tried to commit suicide. I never wished to go through that pain ever. But that never meant I didn't wish for true love. Rather it was something I desired since I read my first romance novel, since I felt the love my father held for my deceased mother. Or was it regret I couldn't tell now. Either way love
The huge double doors to the great hall opened, and every set of eyes turned towards us. The crowd parted as we made our way through. The lavish suits and gowns they wore were grand, however, the venue was even grander. High vaulted ceiling with a whole wall made of nothing but glass gave a perfect backdrop of the sparkling lake at night. Tiered crystal chandeliers glistened above in their soft glow. Elegant flower arrangements and soft tulles draped over the french-like windows at the other sides made it look like a piece cut straight out of a prince's magazine. I didn't know the pack house held a party hall this gorgeous. Now it made me curious what else was left unseen beneath its layers. A tug at my hand made me look down at our conjoined hands. We looked normal like a newly-made couple basking in the admiring gazes. But was there a thing normal about us? Not at all. Though that's what he portrayed as he pulled me onto the podium with him, hand snaked around the low of my bac
Looking around, all I could see was the hatred in the pack members' eyes. Feel the sting of their glares. Saw a few leave like they couldn't stand the sight of me. That drove me to my third glass of the night. I chugged down the red liquid, surprisingly relishing the burn. Hades was nowhere to be seen. I could find no face amiable enough to bask in their protection. The guests from the other packs might have sent me wide smiles when met, but I couldn't possibly trust them enough considering they were all beasts of prey after all. Fear and loneliness found their abode in my heart as I felt like the air became too heavy to breathe, the ambience gotten too noisy for my sensitive ears, and the world around spinned out of control. I put down the glass in a waiter's tray only for it to slip over the edge and smash to the floor. "S-S-Sor-Sorry," I told the waiter and blinked when he grew into two. Something was wrong with me. I needed fresh air. I needed to get out of here. Turning aro
"Do not ever run from me." My teeth gritted as a spark of newfound anger throbbed inside me like a mad heartbeat. "Anything else?" I clipped. "Do not drink." He had the audacity to carry on as he stepped inside. "Are you out of your mind?" I snickered, not being able to believe the man. "Who the hell are you to tell me that?" "Your mate," he said simply shoving his hands inside his slack pockets, his head tilted in sheer arrogance. "Mate, my foot! I don't take you as my mate." Stomping my foot, I jutted my chin out. "What are you gonna do about it?" I didn't know what came over me today or how, but I felt a surge of dare blooming inside my chest, and it didn't carry even the slightest bit of intention of backing down. "I'll make you." Each and every word that escaped his infuriating lips passed me like a splash of fuel, inflaming the scintilla of rage burning deep within me. My fingers curled, dangerously resisting the urge to jump at him and strangle the daylight out of tho
My horrid eyes trailed over the bright purple marks starting from the end of my ear to my collarbone. My thigh carried the marks of long, broad fingerprints. My eyes squeezed shut in frustration when the picture of his callous hand gripping my thigh resurfaced in my mind. But my body differed as a familiar heat initiated from the depth between my legs to my entire body. It wanted to be relieved. Released of its celibate prison. Only one person who could sate ti came to my mind and the huge thing he cloaked beneath him. My ears heated up as embarrassment flooded my insides. How could I even let that thought enter my mind? Shortly, another thought crossed the previous one, slicing it under the severity it held. Inadvertently, my hand slid down between my thighs, and a knot tightened in my chest. He didn't, did he? He didn't take my virginity. It wasn't a question, but a knitted statement in my head I wanted to believe even after I couldn't remember a thing past the heavy, imposin
"Alpha." Before I could respond, Garrett showed up at the door. He took a quick glance over the splashes of blood on the floor and steered his gaze back to us like it didn't stir even the slightest bit of his conscience. Extending an envelope on the desk, he gave Hades a grim look. "Alpha Tanner was found dead in his bed last night." Hades raised a thoughtful brow. "Alpha Ryan takes his place today. He invited you and..." his gaze found mine, "the Luna to the inauguration." My insides revolted at the name, but I also felt bad that he lost one of his parents. "When is it?" Garrett hesitated for a second, then replied, "In about twenty minutes. We were the last one to get the card." The Alpha's lips tipped back in dry amusement. "Get the car ready. We're going to wish luck to the new Alpha." Nodding, Garrett left. Seeing he got himself a busy day, I decided to discuss on the rights of mates later and began to walk away. "Be in the car in five minutes." The command halted me
My screams muffled under Ryan's ruthless clutch, and struggle died when he pressed five sharp claws over my heart. "You scream, you die." I quieted, with a frantic bob of my head. "Good girl." Ryan stepped before me, his deranged gaze pinning me flush against the wall. "Though I can't say you haven't been on my fucking nerves." "You're sick," I couldn't stop the hiss from slipping my tongue. His fingers curled around my throat as his nose flared. "I'd watch my mouth!" My windpipe constricted, blocking the air into a minimum. But it was fear that burned my half-empty lungs, making tears prick the corners of my eyes. Yet somehow there was a small part inside that believed he couldn't harm me, not with Hades somewhere in the vicinity. And he knew that too because his grip loosened, allowing me a full inhale of breath. "Hades will kill you." His lips stretched into a sadistic smirk. "If I don't kill him first." I glared at him. "Don't worry. I won't kill you." A strand of my c
Could I forgive him? I questioned myself for the millionth times in the past two days. Even considering the erroneous path my papa shifted the course of his life, he still didn't have the slightest right to unleash hell on my life. He could've asked for justice like any normal people did. Go to the cops, file a report, get Papa arrested and served for his crime. Guessing the cops didn't know about these bizarre supernatural beings, they'd be more than dutiful to help him. Instead he chose a route harmful to both him and I, to Papa and who knew how many other people like Orlan. It wasn't like I'd want my papa to go to jail, and somehow I was grateful for being able to take the hit in his place. But still...Even if I could forget about all the shit he put me through, I couldn't possibly get over the facts that he whipped my ass raw and almost got me raped. Then there was the bright red siren ticking like a timebomb that he was still very much hellbent on digging out my papa from h