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• TWENTY-ONE • Give an Inch, Lose a Mile
최신 업데이트:
2025-04-06 23:50:18
Lorea AsheHe’s giving her exactly what she wants…
관련 챕터
Worthless No More • Alpha's Treasure • • TWENTY-TWO • In the Wrong Bed
Samantha slowly woke to a peace and comfort she hadn’t felt in a long time and smiled slightly as she snuggled back into the warmth surrounding her. When she opened her eyes and realized she was looking at the guest room bedroom curtains, she tried to sit up in alarm, but felt that warmth behind her tighten, not allowing her to move.She pushed back and turned, seeing Richard lying in bed next to her with his bare chest and arm over the blanket. Her sudden movement roused him from his slumber, and he looked at her in confusion.“Are you okay?” he asked sincerely.Samanatha’s heart was pounding in her chest as she tried to recap what happened last night. The pizza and the movie came back to her, and she vaguely remembered rolling into his open arms. It was like her heart was breaking all over again as she felt his warmth and tenderness envelope her after having it withheld for so long. She slipped out of bed.“Babe, where are you going?” Richard asked again as he sat up. “Are you okay?
최신 업데이트 : 2025-04-07Worthless No More • Alpha's Treasure • • TWENTY-THREE • Beneath the Waterfall
Richard left Samantha in the car while he stepped into her favorite patisserie. She became excited because this place had the best donuts and bagels in town. He came back out with a cinnamon chai latte for her, a black coffee for him, and a small bag of chocolate-filled beignets. “Oh my gosh!” Samantha almost squealed in delight. “I’d forgotten it was beignet season!” The patisserie served a variety of cultural foods throughout the year, and in celebration of Mardi Gras and Lent, they served beignets.“Yeah, people at the office were talking about them a few weeks ago. I meant to get you some sooner, but it slipped my mind,” Richard said, watching her savor the aroma of fried dough, chocolate, and powdered sugar.Samantha’s eyes shone with excitement, anxious to get home and dig into the bag. But, instead of heading home, Richard took the car onto the highway and headed south.“Where are we going?” Samantha asked, a flicker of apprehension in her eyes. She hadn’t agreed to anything ot
최신 업데이트 : 2025-04-07Worthless No More • Alpha's Treasure • • AUTHOR'S INTERMISSION • Self Care
Before we go further with the story, I just want to check in and reiterate the sensitive and triggering content in the book. We've seen the shocking moment of the physical and verbal abuse in Chapter One and we're exploring the effects of trauma and manipulation and Samantha's courage to try to heal while still staying true to her empathic nature. The story of Richard and Smantha, while fictional characters and settings, the themes are very real. Some of these chapters have been difficult, yet therapeutic, to write and I hope for those of you who have experienced situations that echo Samantha's can also move forward in healing. The shame and guilt is not your own and no matter the isolation you feel, you're never truly alone. Someone, whether strangers, friends or acquaintances, or like minded people on message boards, genuinely care.This story wasn't created to exploit the tragedy of these relationships, but to inform and empower, that it's okay to not get it right the first time, a
최신 업데이트 : 2025-04-08Worthless No More • Alpha's Treasure • • TWENTY-FOUR • It Wasn't Love <Mature Content>
On their way home, they stopped at a small roadside cafe popular with bikers and sightseers for lunch. Richard arranged for seating outside without being asked, and Samantha could leave her sunglasses on. She was tired of hiding behind them and couldn’t wait for the day she wouldn’t have to.She held more than a little resentment towards Richard because of it, but shut down those thoughts before they festered, trying not to let acrimony taint the enjoyable morning they’d had together. She couldn’t call it peaceful, because inside, she was anything but, yet she could still enjoy the pleasantness between them.They ordered artisanal sandwiches with local meats; hers was a lightly fried trout, and his was thick-sliced, farm-raised bacon, with mixed greens, heirloom tomatoes, and potato salad. She made a mental note to come back here again. “Anywhere else you would like to go today?” he asked once they settled back in the car.“No, not that I can think of,” Samantha said gently. “This was
최신 업데이트 : 2025-04-08Worthless No More • Alpha's Treasure • • TWENTY-FIVE • In Her Own Hands <Mature Content>
Richard yanked his hand out of her pants and pulled back as she pushed him away. His breathing was harsh and ragged. "What the fuck Samantha?" He looked at her in confusion, but his eyes were dark, showing his frustration.“I can’t,” she panted. “We can’t. Do this.” She shook her head as she struggled to sit up and straighten her top.Richard’s breathing deepened, and his jaw twitched. “That’s great,” he shot at her as he pulled his shorts up and squirmed as he fought to tuck his member back in. He angrily clawed his way back into his shirt as he moved to the bedroom door. “Just fucking great. If you didn’t want to do anything, you could have said something sooner rather than leading me on. I can’t believe you’d do this to me. When did you turn into a manipulative tease?”He slammed the bedroom door behind him, making her jump, her heart pounding ferociously in her chest. Tears filled her eyes as she began shaking; his anger tore through her, leaving behind guilt and shame in its wak
최신 업데이트 : 2025-04-08Worthless No More • Alpha's Treasure • Chapter Twenty-Six
After the Full Moon Run, everybody enjoyed a relaxing day off, except Daniel. Despite the late night, he was in his office shortly after the sun came up.He sorted through emails and contracts, deciding to not accept any new offers while he was tied up with the business in North Carolina. A quick review showed that there were no issues or emergencies needing his attention for the time being, which he was thankful for.His pressing concern was the absent shareholder. What kind of game is he playing? Daniel felt the prolonged absence and lack of communication was a setup or power move by the other party. He shouldn’t have negotiated the deal so quickly, but Blue Ridge couldn’t wait.A year ago, Leonar
최신 업데이트 : 2025-04-09Worthless No More • Alpha's Treasure • Chapter Twenty-Seven
“How do you know the dragons were involved with this?” Daniel asked.“Shane and Patrick were with her,” Daryl responded. Leonard had the two restricted to a cabin not far away, and kept under guard. While Daryl showed Daniel the way, Daniel handed out instructions.“I’ll talk to these two, see what I can figure out, but you didn’t know anything about Leonard and Marta?” Daniel dug for any information that might be pertinent.“Marta was always a handful,” Daryl explained. “There were rumors she was sleeping with different pack members, even some of the mated and married ones.” Daryl shook his head in disgust. “At least, that was the case until maybe six months ago. Leonard brought her up to his office to talk about her behavior and she seem
최신 업데이트 : 2025-04-09Worthless No More • Alpha's Treasure • Chapter Twenty-Eight
Leonard looked sadly into his coffee, and watched as he swirled the dark liquid around in his cup, refusing to meet Daniel’s eyes. The swirls released the sweet scent of caramel from the flavored creamer in it.Daniel waited patiently for him to speak.“Mar-, She, um, a mutual friend brought her to me after she’d been turned. I don’t know who did it, presumably some rogue drifter she’d shacked up with for a while,” Leonard told him. “I tried to help her, the best I could.”“You brought her into the pack,” Daniel guided Leonard. He wanted to confirm his wolf was right. “What did your wolf and pack think?”Leonard shrugged. “The pack, they understood she didn’t have anybody and were willing to give her a chance. My wolf… My wolf was against it from the beginning. Always ch
최신 업데이트 : 2025-04-10
최신 챕터
Worthless No More • Alpha's Treasure • Chapter Sixty-Two
Daniel was up early, feeling refreshed on Friday morning. He put on a pot of coffee for everyone, then slipped out and grabbed some bagels before they woke up.Thomas came out of his room while Daniel was setting the bagels out. “Alpha,” he greeted Daniel. Daniel nodded good morning while he bit into a bagel. Paige came out, looking half asleep still, and following her nose to the coffee.“Oh, good,” she crooned as she wrapped her hands around her mug and sipped the hot beverage before adding sugar and creamers to it. After a few more sips, she peeked up at Daniel with a mischievous glint in her eye. “Thanks, Mr. Covington. Did you sleep well last night?”“I slept very well, Paige,” he said carefully, wondering what she was up to. “And you?” It was almost like a switch had been flipped since yesterday. She seemed comfortable around him this morning.“Well, we were up late last night,” she told him. “But I think we narrowed it down to three for your approval.”“I trust the two of you,”
Worthless No More • Alpha's Treasure • Chapter Sixty-One
The rest of the dinner and evening with Edward and Mauricio went smoothly, if not necessarily comfortably. Samantha saw Richard was noticing her now, but the looks he kept casting her way were dark and thoughtful. They were making her nervous, but she tried not to show it as she resumed her practiced smile and commented politely when it seemed appropriate.After what felt like forever, dessert was served and cleared. She helped Mauricio with a quick cleanup in the kitchen, then it was time for Samantha and Richard to leave. Mauricio kissed the air next to her cheek, just like when he greeted her, looking for a promise from her to come back and see the horses, and Edward squeezed her hand, letting her know he would be in touch with her soon.Richard opened the car door for Samantha, and she felt he slammed it with more force than necessary. He didn’t look at her
Worthless No More • Alpha's Treasure • Chapter Sixty
Samantha caught Edward’s comment about being here twice this week. She wondered when and why he was over here, but then realized she didn’t know anything about his whereabouts or motivations anymore.She was anxious to get out of the room and out from under Edward’s scrutiny, so after polite greetings, she retired to the kitchen. She found Mauricio putting some final touches on a charcuterie board. He looked up and smiled widely, holding his hands up in the air.“Ah! Sobrina hermosa!” He exclaimed as he came around the island. He held her shoulders and gave her dos besos, or two kisses, one in the air next to each cheek.“Mauricio,” Samantha greeted him warmly. Maricio always seemed a little more reserved around Richard, but around her, he blossomed like a flower. He claimed she reminded him of his nieces back home, and he was a breath of fresh air after her emotionally tense day.In his presence, she could forget Richard’s oppressive cloud that had been hanging over her. Mauricio was
Worthless No More • Alpha's Treasure • Chapter Fifty-Nine
Richard roused when he felt Mari slip away from him. She seemed off and quieter than usual, and he got dressed while she sorted through her thoughts. By the time they finished dressing, an awkward silence had descended upon them.“I’m checking out of the room,” he told her. “Join me for lunch downstairs?” He saw her contemplating his request before she nodded.They were seated at a table in the hotel restaurant when Richard’s phone rang. A quick look told him he needed to answer it.“Uncle Edward,” Richard answered the call matter-of-factly.“Richard,” Edward greeted back with slightly more gusto. “Mauricio is hoping to get together this weekend. He’s been wanting to cook paella, which would be the perfect time for you and Samantha to join us! Please have her call me so
Worthless No More • Alpha's Treasure • Chapter Fifty-Eight
Richard was too preoccupied with his own thoughts to pay much attention to Samantha’s quiet distance. He spent the majority of his day in his study, with no interest in focusing on anything he set out to do, which was catching up on his week away from work.He was on automatic pilot as he showered and was getting ready for Uncle Edward’s dinner tonight. He placed the wine Samantha had set aside in a chilled tote and put it in the car. He came back inside and called up to her. She came down the stairs in a peach dress and white cotton wrap, and even though she looked beautiful, the effect was mostly lost on him.On the ride to Uncle Eddie’s, his jaw tensed as he thought about yesterday. He didn’t go back to work; he’d gone back to his room in the hotel, intending to check out, but a knock on the door shortly after he arrived r
Worthless No More • Alpha's Treasure • Chapter Fifty-Seven
Saturday afternoon, Samantha was getting ready for dinner at Edward’s. Even though she didn’t see Richard at all yesterday - he was gone before she woke and back after she went to bed, he did text her a couple of times.Good morning, beautiful.She opened it, but then ignored it. The next one came just after lunch.Spoke to Uncle E. He wants you to call him to set up a date for dinner with them.Apprehension filled her as her immediate urge was to decline, but Uncle Eddie didn’t know anything that was going on. She preferred to keep it that way. Just because she was conflicted about Richard, for right now, they had an image to maintain.And Uncle Edward was a true Southern Gentleman. He was soft-spoken, proper, and didn’t outwardly show his anger, and was quick to express his displeasure. And underneath it all, even though he was Richard’s uncle, and Edward had no children of his own, he assumed the role of family patriarch.The downside was that he also believed the husband was the ‘
Worthless No More • Alpha's Treasure • Chapter Fifty-Six
A giddy feeling welled up in Samantha. Daniel texted her back. She couldn’t stop the smile on her face when she read his last text.Goodnight, Samantha.He was appreciative of the meal she bought. And he asked if she got home safely. Richard didn’t even care if she was gone, as long as she was here when he was.She felt better for setting an appointment to discuss security options for her home. But it also meant he was going to need to come by to figure out what she needed.She wasn’t ready for that yet, hence why she set a meetup for Tuesday. She inherently knew she could trust him. He had already proven that her safety was a priority for him, whether it stemmed from his profession or because he cared about her, she didn’t know.
Worthless No More • Alpha's Treasure • Chapter Fifty-Five
When they returned to the hotel, it was pushing nine. Thomas retreated immediately, grumbling about being up before everyone else this morning.Thomas is getting a little cranky, Daniel thought aimlessly. He poured himself an Irish whiskey.His wolf is cranky, Daniel’s wolf commented. All of their wolves are getting restless.I’ll take everyone up for a run at Blue Ridge on Saturday, Daniel promised. Why aren’t you cranky, then? Daniel heard a coughing chuckle from his wolf at the question.
Worthless No More • Alpha's Treasure • Chapter Fifty-Four
Samantha returned home and retreated to her bedroom. She still wasn’t ready to be in the living room, and she didn’t want to be downstairs when, or if, Richard came home tonight.It was ironic that just a few short weeks ago, his absence upset her, and now, the thought of his presence was almost too much to bear.She ran a hot bath. It was still early in the day, but she hoped the heat and some essential oils would relieve the knots of tension embedded in her back and shoulders, and she thought about her meeting with Mandy. It didn’t go how she expected.What did you expect? The silent, sarcastic voice mocked her. She didn’t have an answer to that. She just knew now that she had some big decisions to make.Mandy laid out a few options. Talk to a psychiatrist. File a restraining order. Petition for Divorce from Bed and Board. All of it was so detailed and were huge steps. It felt like overreacting. He had already left and had a chance to calm down. That moment last night was on both of
