VincenzoMaximo loved to taunt me. He knew I was out in the gym to beat out my anger On the punching bags and quell the battle within.Ella had said the most scathing thing to me and I could not dismiss the words easily, try as I might. How was it possible to stay away from someone whose beautiful face I saw almost everyday. How was I going to pretend she was not in the pack house when I knew she was just right in her room, just within my reach?Everyday since she returned to the pack, I'd found myself going to bed with her in my mind and waking up with her in my mind. She was truly addictive.I cursed silently as I lifted the dumbbells. If only I'd not kissed and seduced her that day in the cave. I'd never gotten anything beyond that and the thought of what could have been haunted me. I could not have held myself back and a part of me was relieved that she'd broken off and had left."I see how angrily you lift those."Maximo commented. I realized then that I should have shut the door
VincenzoI could not think of a better place to be after the fight with Maximo, so I went off to the cave. Nothing was going to be better than soaking deliciously in the tub. I was glad for Maximo, for making himself available as an outlet for my anger. He was still lying on the floor, groaning and nursing his left foot when I left him. My knuckles ached from the several contacts it had made with his body and I liked how it felt.The path between the woods that led to the cave seemed like it had been treated recently. If I was not a keen observer, I would have known nothing of it, but I continued my walk down to the cave. Perhaps, whoever had visited the cave had left. Roy was sated from the fight with Maximo and he was at peace. He had not liked the idea of a fight with Maximo initially, but he had not also held back his delight when the fight started."Who could have gone up into the cave?"I muttered aloud.Lila was not one of the very few who visited the cave or found it as a place
EllaI had sensed Vincenzo walk into the cave rather than hear him. His scent wafted to my nose and I hoped that he would walk further, maybe to put his arms around me and comfort me, yet, I could not hold back the tears. His presence only reminded me of what could be between us and why it would never work. I felt my throat tighten and another bout of weeping started. I was helpless to the tears as they trailed down my face. I did not know how long I had been in the tub but I was certain I'd been gone long enough for Lila to notice.Vincenzo had lingered by the entrance for long, watching my back. I had wondered what was on his mind.. did he want to come and comfort me, demand what was wrong with me or simply order me to stop crying? The thought was still in my head when he left. His scent was no longer teasing me. I felt a sharp searing in my heart. He had left me. Not even a word had come from himMemories of the last time we'd both been at the cave came back to me. He'd called me
EllaExplaining to Lila that I did not have anything to do with her father was difficult"I know Vincenzo has not been his usual self since you came, what then are you telling me?"Lila asked. She had totally turned away from Contessa and I was now her focus. Did she not see that Contessa was trying desperately to plant a seed of discord between us even though she had no evidence to back up the claims about Vincenzo and I?As I lifted my palm to Lila's shoulder, I saw Contessa shrug out of the door, a wide smile on her face. She had gotten what she wanted."I'm baffled that minutes ago, you were standing in front of Contessa, ready to make war with her, but now, you seem to want war with me. You take Contessa's words over mine? "I demanded. Inside of me, I was disappointed that my best friend could switch up on me over the words of a woman who hated us both.Lila stepped back as her hand flew to her temple. I saw that she was stressed over a lot of things and I hated to be another re
VincenzoStrolling around the pack house did not hold much appeal to me as it used to. I'd spent a greater part of the day on a bottle of wine and had paced to and fro my study all day. Raffaele hated to see me in the mood I was in and try as he may, I did not leave the study or entertain anyone who'd come to see me. One of the many people who were informed of my unavailability was Contessa Russo.I'd heard her try to argue with Raffaele about the importance of not leaving her message with anyone other than me but Raffaele would not let her into the study. I was happy Raffaele was that reliable. "The Alpha sent for me!" She said when she had exhausted all the reasons she thought would work. Raffaele knew I had not."He will send for you again when he is ready to entertain you.""You know he will be angry that you turned me away, don't you?""Ah, I can deal with his fury better than his good side."Raffaele said. I heard her stomp off and Raffaele walked back into the study."What di
EllaThe day for the much talked about birthday party of Alpha Vincenzo came at last. I was not prepared for the tension that started to well within me each time I thought of it but the day had come and there was no escaping it."What would you be doing with your hair this evening for the party?"Lila asked as she breezed into my room that morning. I set my phone aside and ducked under the duvet."I'm sorry, lila but I'm a bit feverish today. I could do with a lot of sleep for the rest of today."Lila knew from the minute i began to speak that my excuse was feigned.She started to shake her head in disagreement."I'd be really disappointed if you stayed away from this without a good reason. This is going to be the highlight of your stay here, you'll see."" But I'm truly feverish."I had to make my excuse convincing even if she had detected from the onset that I was lying." You can not," she was silent for a while. " Well, unless there's something you're running away from...or perha
VincenzoWhen I had seen Ella at the mall talking with the woman, her back turned to me, I had assumed that she had met up with an old friend, considering the composed look on the lady's face and the unwavering smile.I had only started to notice the malevolent look in her eyes when the discussion had taken long and then I had seen her large hands grip Ella's arm while she tried to pry off the hand. She had been fortunate. All she had needed to retreat was a warning. She recognized me obviously and that was why she had curtsied. I did not know her."Are you indebted to the woman?"I asked when Ella was seated comfortably in my car. She had not left the pack house with any car and that was one of the few things that bothered me about letting the ladies go out.. I needed them to leave in cars they could do anything with. but perhaps, getting her a car might send off the wrong signals."I... She is my stepmother. I am not indebted to her in any way."She replied.Her hand flew to the s
EllaI refused to let myself think about Vincenzo's suggestion and focus on preparing for the party that was set to take place in the next few hours. I laid watching the clock at the far wall in the room as it struck six.I rose briskly and entered the bathroom to freshen up while Mia moved restlessly, anticipating the events ahead. When I finished in the bathroom and stepped back into the room, it was almost seven and I felt a sudden need to hurry up and leave. I had not seen Lila all day. She was probably running around taking care of the hall and seeing that there was enough provision of everything that was needed. I had hardly set eyes on her in a relaxed mood. ' you are going to run late. The party is by eight and you know that, right?'I took one look at myself in the mirror and grimaced. My head was a mass of rumpled hair and I knew it was going to take a hell of time to get it into a look suitable for a party of the Alpha that was going to be attended by nobles even from far