ArdalJust like that, our goodbye is cut. I slump against the couch, head in my hands."I'm sorry," Jack says.I lift my head to shoot him a fiery glare.The first rays of sun are lighting the windows. Around us, the quintuplets are Energizer bunnies- getting cranky, maybe, but still going. I'm scraping by on their fumes and my emotional torment.Guilt is splashed across Jack's face.What am I actually seeing?I scrutinize him, hard. The emotion looks utterly real. For a second I am so disgusted, it renders me speechless."You’re pathological," I spit out.He flinches at my words. I picture myself wolfing out and tearing him to bits.Well, it’s a split between that, and throwing myself into his arms to melt into him. Inexplicably, my confusing feelings for him will not die. It only makes me hate him- and myself- more. My hands ball into fists and I battle the urge to scream.Sasha pockets her phone. Next to Jack, Lottie and Milo fight over the box of cookies."Sit tight for now," Sash
The pack headquarters was in an ordinary brick building, tucked away right in the heart of the city. The activity was minimal, except for nights when the council met - usually on the full moon. Even then, it was never bustling. It was a seat of immense power, but it looked an awful lot like a local Elk’s Club.Today was different.Pack members, raw with emotion, gathered like storm clouds at the downtown HQ. As dawn broke, Council Elders fought to maintain control of the room, elbow-to-elbow with Weres demanding answers.The vampire attack had come without warning, had been brutal and swift. The enemy was fueled with a devastating strength, leaving many injuries and fatalities.Amidst all of the chaos, one question loomed over them all: Where was their Alpha?It was into this pressure cooker that Kadeem allowed himself to be dragged in by Bob.The room erupted at the sight of him. Even the stoic Council gasped in shock. Bob was barreling in Kadeem with a ruthless force - leather boots
Orange and yellow leaves dot the sidewalk outside of the pack headquarters where I huddle with the kids as we prepare for our next move. Despite the chill in the air, beads of sweat are dripping down the back of my neck.Thanks to Jack’s magic and a shit ton of luck, we left Sasha, Gabe, and the rest of our captors unconscious and tied up in Kadeem’s cabin. Jack stayed behind to help Riley before setting out to slay his mother. Talk about an Electra complex.I take a moment to catch my breath when the sounds of a growing commotion come from the Council building. Without warning, Erbao bolts off, charging up the concrete steps, his eyes blazing with determination.“HEY!” I belt out. Bob could have dozens of henchmen stationed inside. Worse, he could have already seized control of Red Moon.Erbao ignores me and his siblings rush after him. My heart is a race car, but my legs are still Jello from wolfsbane. All I can do is stumble after them as they burst through the doors of the crowded
Outside of Kadeem's health club, his security guard, Nora, is aggressively confronting someone. As expected.She shoots me her usual scowl when I pass by, but I don't acknowledge it, and simply yank the door open to go inside. I told Kadeem to fire her, but he doesn’t listen.I’m not giving up, though.I head over to the check-in area where my main rival, Rory, is lazily answering a phone call. A pile of white gym towels on the counter behind him is waiting to be folded.My left arm is braced across my chest in a sling and cast, but I make sure to lean my good arm casually on the counter like I own the place. Because, let’s face it, I pretty much do."I'm here to see Kadeem," I announce, adding a sarcastic, "Is that alright with you?"Rory gives me an icy glare before turning his attention back to his call. I drum my fingers on the counter and flash him an innocent smile before walking away."Yes, sir," he mumbles into the phone, before whispering a snide, "If he wants you around.""H
Shitty, shit, shit!Kadeem quietly gauges my reaction.“Kadeem,” I begin, not wanting to hurt him, but panicky all the same, “Could we just - pretend you didn’t give me this?” It comes out in the vein of an anxious Western villain. Walk away slowly, and no one gets hurt.“Suit yourself.” He goes back to working on his computer. “But you might like what you see in there,” he adds.I run my fingers over the soft, velvety surface of the box. My voice comes out high-pitched as I try to change the subject. “Are you getting nervous about your surgery?”“No.”“Really?”“It doesn’t ruffle my feathers,” Kadeem mumbles, half-distracted. He pauses. “Erbao’s surgery on the other hand…”My stomach knots at the thought of it. “Me too. But for both of you.”“It’ll all be worth it,” he says, looking up to smile.Seeing Erbao healthy will be worth it. Thank the Goddess Kadeem was a match for his kidney transplant.“Something did ruffle your feathers once,” I say, “Maybe something medical.”“Impossible
ArdalThis is my last chance.I never thought I would think those words when it came to Kadeem and me, but one way or another this is where we’ve found ourselves. My childhood friend, my lover, my husband, my mate.Tonight is my last chance to win him back - even if losing him was never my fault.Kadeem is lying in bed when I walk out of the bathroom, wearing the lacy lingerie that I picked out for tonight. There’s a gleam in his eyes as he stares at me, though he’s also skeptical. Only, his lust wins over as he sees my breasts nearly spilling out of my bra.I go to him, wasting no time as I move to straddle his lap. Kadeem lets out a huff as I settle.“Adral…” he begins, his large palms sliding up the sides of my thighs. I nearly shudder at his touch over my skin - I’ve come to know those hands so well.I first experienced their touch when we were ten and Kadeem held my hand for the first time. And over the years, his fingers and palms began to explore other parts of me until he memo
ArdalKadeem clips out the words, instantly stabbing me right in the heart. I feel my chest rise and fall as I study his face, as I stare at the man who was once my everything.Where is that man now? The one who would hold me when I cried and tell me over and over that he loved me? Or the one who laid in the field with me when we were twelve and told me it would always be me and him?He’s nowhere to be found now. Every hint of him has disappeared and now…now this man might as well be a stranger to me.But he doesn’t care. He may never care again.“GET OUT!” Kadeem yells that time, practically shaking the house with his roar.Part of me wants to cower away, but I keep my feet planted, my hands balling into fists as I hear a quiet sound beside me. It’s Susan - she’s secretly snickering at me again. Anger boils through me, causing me to turn to face her. She’s won - she knows she’s won. Just as she planned, she’s officially taking everything from me again.It’s enough for me to lift my
Ardal“Nothing,” Mateo replies, shaking his head.“Liar,” I grit out. “You were taking photos of me.”Mateo gives me a sheepish smile, knowing he’s caught. “I just wanted a little souvenir to remember you by.”His tone becomes smooth then, sultry. And I watch as his eyes flicker from my face, dropping down to my tight body and taking in every inch. Finally, his gaze returns to mine, but focuses specifically on my lips.Holy Goddess. Does he really think I’m going to kiss him!?Mateo answers my question by quickly licking his own lips, as if he’s prepping. I try not to shudder with disgust.“And maybe,” he continues, his tone still sweet. “I wanted to send them to a friend. But I figured he should see how beautiful you are.”What a creep!I shake my head at him, knowing I don’t have time for this as I hear my babies starting to get louder at their seats.“Give me your phone,” I say, holding out a hand.“But I -““Give me your phone,” I repeat, firmer that time. That time, Mateo listen