Odessa Sloane was an ordinary girl, trying to navigate life as an omega in a thriving pack until her mother married a billionaire and she became the step-sister of her arch enemy. To make matters worse, her fated mate appears, and he's off-limits. All Odessa wants to do is make it through college and hopefully craft a career as a psychotherapist, but that's difficult when the Pack's Alpha is hot on your back. Maverick isn't just the captain of the football team; he's the Alpha Heir. Maverick's focus was on having the best football year of his career with his two best friends, Storm and Gage, by his side, but that changed when an omega came into his life. His passion for her burns as strong as his love for the sport. As Maverick's life comes under threat because his time to become Alpha nears, he has to protect Odessa. Odessa and Maverick must navigate the dynamics of their relationships while a mystery blooms surrounding Odessa's biological father and the real reasons behind the attacks on Maverick. Will their love survive the infernos of life?
Lihat lebih banyakOdessa
“I can’t believe I’m here,” I sighed, smoothing my red hand-me-down dress.
I held the chocolate cake in my free hand. I made it earlier before I was invited to my Mother’s boyfriend’s house for a party.
I did not want to attend because Barnette’s children weren’t fond of me. They were high-class and sophisticated while I lived in a one-bedroom rat hole for my life. However, I couldn’t disappoint my Mother. She was convinced he was the love of her life.
“Here we go.”
I rang the doorbell at Barnette’s million-dollar mansion. I’d been to Barnette’s house three times, and each time was a different scenario. I just hoped I made it out of there alive. Barnette’s son, Storm, was the running back on the football team and part of a deadly trio of players, best friends with the quarterback and Alpha Heir, Maverick.
The front door finally opened, and I plastered on a smile. Loud music and laughter streamed out of the house. Anxiety clawed at me. I could imagine all the important people at this party.
Sienna scowled at me. “You. What the hell do you want? Charity?”
“Sienna… nice to see you—”
“Save it. No one invited the omega reject. This party is for elites only, not the girl who cleans the stadium grass.”
Her words sliced my heart even though I’d heard them before. Sienna was the captain of the cheerleading team for the Darciana Wildcats and the Pack’s golden girl.
I swallowed the lump in my throat. “M-my Mom told me to come over.”
“That slut of a Mother? This isn’t her house.” Sienna screamed in my face.
I balled my hands into fists and pulled the cake to my chest. Sienna would never like me. To her, I was encroaching on her sacred relationship with her Father, even though I tried to avoid her family like the plague.
“Look, I didn’t want to—”
“Who’s at the door, babe?”
A hand appeared on Sienna’s shoulder before a six-foot-one man appeared in the doorframe.
My tongue swelled, and my palms sweated. My pupils dilated, and every hair on my skin stood. It was Gage Ravens, the second member of the Wildcats Fab Three. How did I forget he was dating his best friend Storm’s twin sister? It was all anyone could talk about for a month!
The tabloids thought it would ruin their connection on the field, but it didn’t. Storm and Gage have known each other since they were in diapers, the same as Maverick. Their chemistry on the field was something that had been refined over the years to create the perfect deadly blow.
I looked away. I hoped they wouldn’t notice my laboured breathing. I stepped back as the air thickened with his scent.
“Who’s this?” Gage nodded at me.
I’d only seen him and his teammates at a distance, but up close, he was intimidating and more... However, when our eyes met, I couldn’t deny the fireworks. I was drawn to him like a sailor enchanted by a siren’s death song. I knew he’d lead me to disaster, but I wanted to fall into him anyway.
I had a problem.
“No one,” Sienna snapped. “If you’re waiting for your Mother, you’ll have to wait outside. No one wants the stench of dead rats in the house.”
“Sienna,” Storm scolded. “Let her in.”
“She doesn’t belong here, Storm. We’ve been over this,” Sienna placed a hand on her waist, rolling her eyes at her twin.
“Dad wants her here. Let her in,” Storm said firmly.
Storm leaned against the wall behind the couple. Unlike his twin sister, Storm had vibrant blue eyes that could compete with the enchantment of the sky.
“I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t important to my Mother.”
Sienna scowled, “Whatever.” She marched off, and her brother didn’t wait to exchange pleasantries either.
Gage towered over me. My fingers ached to reach out and trace the defined muscles under his shirt and his solid arms that were begging for my attention.
I broke eye contact and walked into the living room. A football flew across the room, over the heads of nearly fifty people and landed in the arms of Maverick Campbell.
Could this night get any worse?
Unlike Gage and Storm, I had known Maverick Campbell a long time ago.
He was too busy with a group of women to notice someone from his past. Maverick wasn’t just the captain slash quarterback. He was the Alpha of the Pack. Well, he would become the Alpha when his Uncle steps down soon.
I looked around for a place to sit and possibly disappear. I felt like a fish out of water.
Where was my Mom anyway?
“If you’re going to stay take your ass to the kitchen and make yourself useful. That cake better not make anyone sick either,” Sienna hissed.
Despite my banishment to the kitchen, I was glad to escape.
As I walked to the kitchen, I noticed Sienna wrap her arms around her man, Gage. She rested her head on his chest while he placed his chin on her head and lazily wrapped an arm around her, placing a hand on her hip.
My wolf whimpered, and I pushed her far away before she made me say something that got us both killed!
“How much longer do we have to wait?” Maverick asked.
I paused.
“I don’t know. My old man should be here by now,” Storm replied.
“Who knows what that sluts making him do,” Sienna commented.
I bit my tongue. I wanted to yell at her for talking about my Mom that way, but I kept my cool. Once again, Gage and I locked eyes, and I had to break contact.
Where were they? I was drowning here!
The front door burst open, and the house filled with laughter. The music stopped when the couple arrived. My Mother and her boyfriend, Barnette, stumbled into the room in a loving embrace.
“Great, you’re all here!” Barnette beamed.
Mom rested her head on his chest.
“Just like you asked, old man, what’s this about?” Storm asked calmly.
“Tell them, Kitten,” Barnette said.
Mom beamed almost as bright as the sun. She raised her right hand to showcase a huge rock! “Barnette and I got married!”
My jaw dropped. “What?”
Sienna jumped to her feet. “Are you insane?”
“It’s sudden, but we couldn’t wait to be together. Arline and Odessa are moving in! Isn’t that great, Sienna? You’ve got a new sister.”
All eyes turned on me.
Oh crap.
Maverick POV“That was a good training session, boys, but I’m afraid I might have bad news,” Coach Manson said.The guys and I gave our full attention.We worked so hard for this, what the hell could be wrong?“Weather forecast states there’s a four-day blizzard on the horizon. Even if it ends before the derby, the fields won’t be playable. The derby’s been postponed as it stands.”I groaned. “Shit.”“There’s nothing we can do to control the weather. Once the weather starts to go south, all training sessions will be cancelled.”“Damn, a four-day blizzard. What am I going to do?” Slider asked.“I can think of a few things,” Storm smirked.I rolled my eyes. This couldn’t have happened at the worst time. Being locked in with Odessa sounded like heaven. This was an opportunity of a lifetime, but her life
Odessa POVThe test came back negative.“Are you happy now, Evyn?” I sounded more irritated than I wanted to. My problems weren’t her fault.My best friend sat on my old bed. She lifted her right shoulder. “A mini Odessa would have been nice.”“Or a little Maverick,” I whispered.“Ugh, Odessa. You know he’s crazy about you, right?”“Or maybe just crazy,” I muttered.I sniffled. I have to go to work in a few minutes. Being around his scent was heartbreaking and gut-wrenching.“He still has my things, but he said he moved.”“You have to confront him again,” Evyn said.“Maybe not in the men’s locker room.”Evyn bit her bottom lip and nodded. “Preferably not.”I was sure I wasn’t pregnant because I was still on track to have my cycle. I just needed to be sure.“You know what, forget about Maverick!”“What? You just told me he was crazy about me.”“Or maybe he’s just crazy. Let’s go out tonight. Just you and me like old times.”“You, me, Neel and Chad?” I questioned.Evyn shook my head. “I
Evyn POV I exhaled and gripped my bag tightly until my knuckles turned white. I was embarrassed for showing up at Storm’s house unannounced. I didn’t know about his accident. I could only imagine what he thought about me, especially after he took me to paradise and back.I sent him a text to warn him I was coming because I didn’t want to run into his sister.The front door opened before I could knock.He stood on the other side in one of those white shirts he loved so much. They hugged his body like a second layer of skin. He smelled like he’d just gotten out of a shower.I envisioned him lathering his body with soap.“Want to take a picture? I can think of a few things you’ll use it for later,” he said, his voice void of emotions.I shut my eyes and exhaled. “Storm.”“Is there something you want?”“Yes! We need to talk.”He scoffed. “I’m not in the mood to talk.”“Hear me out, okay!”“I left your house feeling like a million dollars. I thought we were on the same fucking page!” He
OdessaI should have been gone already. A few days away from this place wouldn’t hurt. However, Walter, the gym coordinator, asked me to clean up the gym because one of the trainers left it in a mess.One of the joys of being an intern is that you never turn anyone down.I didn’t even feel like going home. When I saw Storm, I thought of Maverick. Everything to do with that house belonged in Maverick’s world. I didn’t belong here.I was just the cleaner who went by unnoticed. The shadows were inviting me back in, and I was tempted to go back.“Aww, look at you, doing what all omegas are supposed to do.”I looked up from where I was gathering the dumbbells. Rune was in a petite pair of gym shorts and a sports bra. Her hair fell over her shoulder. She crossed her arms over her chest and scowled at me.“What do you want?” I mumbled.Oddly, this was the first time she acknowledged me. I wasn’t surprised it wasn’t a pleasant encounter.“Look at me when I’m talking to you, runt.”She pushed m
Odessa“This is the men’s locker room, Sloane!” Someone yelled.“I can see that,” I said through gritted teeth.A couple of guys reached for their towels or pants while others didn’t mind going commando.“Don’t talk to her like that. Make yourself at home, Sloane. Come sit by me,” a player blew me a kiss, and I recoiled.Where the hell was he? I knew he was here. I spotted Gage coming out of the shower. His hair was damp, and his eyes were round with surprise.“Odessa,” Maverick’s soft yet shocked voice demanded my attention.“What the hell are you doing?” He demanded.I didn’t think this through. It was everything I imagined it would be, though. A room full of oblivious men and a blend of smells.I can’t believe some of these guys believed they showered.“What do you mean, what am I doing? I want to talk!”He stepped forward, muscles tight and jaw clenched. “Why can’t you take a hint? I don’t want to talk.”“Don’t you have the guts to tell me face to face? Are you that much of a cowa
Odessa“I got here as fast as I could!” Evyn burst into my room.Mom was home when I arrived home in a fit of tears and hysteria. I couldn’t tell her what was going on, so I assumed she called Evyn.“Why are you crying?” Evyn whispered.“Close the door,” I begged, sniffling.“No! I’m coming in too. What’s going on? Have you missed a period?” Mom said, barging into my room and shoving Evyn out of the way.I was on the bed with my face buried between my knees. I felt like a fool. I could hear people laughing at me, and they just wouldn’t stop. My heart ached so badly that I might need to see a doctor.My wolf bothered me to run, but I didn’t have the strength to even shift. I made a huge mistake. I think I fell in love with him. I knew his reputation. He changed women more than he did his own socks. He didn’t like me from the start. This guy bullied me when I was a kid. How did I let myself fall for him?Mate bond or not, Maverick Campbell was an unscrupulous character from the beginnin
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