AlecMy eyes study the wood of my father's desk as I sit in the chair across from him, Instead of being in a room with my father I'm in a room with my boss. I guess you can say it's always been like that though. He's never been my father, just a man who relies on me to take the gang of all the fathers before him and make it great."So you have been dicking around while I've been gone instead of taking care of what I left you with?" My father's stern voice agitates my ears, I'm barely able to keep my eyes from rolling back.I meet his piercing eyes for a split second before leaning forward, "I've done everything you asked."I'm used to being the one getting the short end of the stick, it's been that way all my life. My brother's grades were perfect, he had excellent manners growing up. My parents constantly praised him. It's not much different for my sister, just add on being the youngest child and the only female.There's a saying I heard from somewhere, "I bear it so they don't have

AlecWhenever my father saw her, I knew it would be nothing but hell for us. He had always wanted to pick my future wife. Whichever one would be good for business. Temperance has no ties to anything that could enhance our power. But I'm not going to let that stop me from having her.I watch her as she makes herself a bowl of macaroni and cheese. "What?" She looks up at me and asks.I shrug. Is it wrong for me to just want to look at her? I don't see it that way. She is beautiful. She is perfect. I want her to be mine, more than she was last night, I want her to belong to me."Your dad doesn't like me." She blurts. I look at her, lifting one brow. Why so random? How does she know that?"Well it takes some time. Soon he will love you." I tell her. I don't fully believe myself. My father isn't a kind person, if you aren't good for the business he sees no purpose in having you around.Getting him to like her would be a challenge seeing as she would ruin his plans on an arranged marriage.

TemperanceThe dinner was almost silent after the spat between Adam and me. There was light banter between the others but I kept my head down as everyone ate.When the waiter comes back with our cards I could hear Vanessa whisper something. I glance at her, curious on why her figure is standing now."You know where we should go?" She leans forward, her red lips forming into a smile as her eyes glance between everyone."Vanessa that's not a good idea." Ace tells his girlfriend, sending a nervous laugh after his statement."What's not a good idea?" Arella stands, wiping herself off and pushing her chair under the table, causing all of us to do the same.I grab onto Alec's arm, my eyes avoiding my buyer. "We should go to a club." Vanessa finishes her statement against Ace's wishes.I can't help but smirk at her confidence in saying that in front of Adam.As we step outside Adams voice erupts through the air, "You kids can go." It's obvious to say I'm shocked at his acceptance for this.I

Alec"Hello?" I ask for a second time. Who the fuck was this.There's been scrambling on the phone before someone on the other end asks for "the girl" to be woken up.The girl? Temperance? She could have gone anywhere, run away, and maybe been taken by Jared's gang."HOW COULD YOU LOSE HER?! HOW COULD YOU LOSE MY COUSIN?" Chris yells at my guards for their lack of attention on the only person too weak to defend herself. It's more my fault than theirs, though. She is mine; I should have made sure everyone around us was safe. Of course, something like this happens. It's like I have bad luck.Breaking me out of my thoughts, a high-pitched scream comes from the phone. The strength of the scream stings my eardrum, and I yank the phone away from my ear. Rubbing my ear, I place my phone on the speaker; harsh breathing from the girl drags everyone's attention toward me. Why would someone just scream like that?"The fuck?" I grunt, irritation fueling my body. Zander sits beside me, and Chris

TemperanceIt's been a year since my kidnapping. A year with constant nightmares haunting my sleep, but the nightmares have always been there. It's been a year since I was saved and placed back into Alec's care. Alec, who is now my fiance after proposing to me a few montha ago. Other than preparing for a wedding that I never thought would happen, nothing else is going on around us.Since i've gotten my newfound freedom I had started college, I wanted to be a therapist of some sort to help victims of abuse. Sadly, that dream of mine failed whenever my nightmares got so bad I couldn't find the energy to show up for classes. I will eventually continue with my future job, but i'm at a standstill for now.In the time i've had away from college I have gone to my mothers grave at least once a week. Talking to my mother who I only hope can hear me is theraputic in some ways. I've only wished to have a mother like everyone else has gotten. Zander has tried to move on from Emaline with multipl