"How do you feel?" Hannah questioned. I moved my gaze from my reflection in the mirror to glance over at her. She was standing beside me, smiling. I didn't know how to respond. I was feeling so many things. My soul was at peace but my heart was in overdrive. I was nervous, excited, happy, and scared. My emotions were overlapping each other. But despite it all, I knew one thing. I wanted this more than my life. I might not be prepared but I was ready to start this new chapter of my life. "Like a dream," I concluded. I could only dream of being here about a few months ago. Who could have guessed a sign on a paper would change my life like this. I wanted a billion but I ended up hitting the jackpot. Zavion was my jackpot. My precious mate. Life is full of surprises, isn't it? "I am so happy for you," she told me. I could see the sincerity in her eyes. She always had my back, no matter the circumstance. I hugged and sincerely thanked her for all those times she risked her life for m

My stomach contracted into a tight ball. "What?" I questioned, really hoping I misheard him. My mind refused to make sense of his words. Dim gave me a remorseful look. My whole world crashed down. I let go of Zavion to fully face Dim. He won't pull such an awful prank, would he? "She must be around," I murmured, feeling my heart twisting painfully. Tears stung the back of my eyes as they swept across the garden. There were a lot of children in here but my Penny wasn't one of them. A heavy feeling begins to accumulate in the pit of my stomach. "We looked for her everywhere but..." Dim hung his head and trailed off. The music had stopped long ago. I shook my head causing tears to escape my eyes. Desperation clutched me in its cruel grip as I swiveled to Zavion. He looked just as stunned. I grabbed a fistful of his shirt and looked up at him. My eyes imploring with his. I didn't even bother to hide my tears. "Zavion....what is he saying? Where is our daughter? Get me my daught

Two days had passed but there was no news regarding Penny. My health was declining along with my hope. Hannah had insisted I don't take stress but when I told her about the baby. But How could I not? My child was out there God knows in what situation. I had no idea if she was being fed or not. Are they treating her well? She must be missing us. This uncertainty was taking a toll on me. It was like a constant nightmare. Lots of horrible thoughts were running through my mind. Zavion hadn't come home since that night. The last time we talked was hours ago on the phone. There too his response was dry and reluctant. He had disappeared when I needed him the most. I had a feeling that he still felt responsible for Penny's abduction but what I don't get is why? I thought we had sorted it out but he was still hung on it. I couldn't help but feel bitter. We should be fighting this together not ignoring each other. Dim said Sylvia was using some magic to keep her identity hidden. Her footsteps

"We found this in woods," Dim nudged the star shape hair clip towards me. I snatched the clip from him, recognizing it instantly. My heart ached profoundly as I traced the outline of clip. Tears of anguish flooded my eyes. "It's hers," my voice quivered as I confirmed. I had put it on her hair with my own hands that morning. "It's hers," I choked out and pressed the clip to my bosom, wishing it was her. It seemed like ages I had seen her last. My shoulders slumped as I curled into myself, sobbing hard. Why our child was being punished for our sins. This wasn't fair. I found myself slipping back into the bottomless abyss of my misery. A pair of arms drew me against a hard chest. I looked up at him, my tears tracing a path down my cheeks. His condition wasn't much different from mine. Sadness was lingering in those grey orbs. Agony was breaking through his tough facade. "It's hers," I told him, feeling my heart breaking all over again. He wiped my tears and pressed my face to his

Not the answer I was looking for. I pulled him down when he started pleading with me to stop. I didn't. With one flick of my wrist, he was in the burning oil to his knees. An ear-piercing scream escaped from his mouth. But that sounded like music to my ears. It sent a twisted thrill through me. "Stop. I'll tell you. I'll tell you everything," he begged. I slowly tugged him until only his toes were dipped in the oil. He gulped, looking frantic. " Sylvia found me and came up with the deal. She said she wanted to take revenge on you. I didn't take her seriously until she told me she was your brother's mate," he paused to take a deep breath. His voice was hoarse and gripped with dread. I clenched my fists to keep my anger in check. That woman used my brother to get to me. She held no respect for the mate bond."After we came to know that you have a daughter, we made a plan. The plan was to get to you through your kid. We both wanted to see you on your knees, begging for your child's