Xavier I had to leave the office early. I wanted to take Lauren home first, but she wasn't ready to leave yet. She claimed she had a lot of reading to do, and studying our business was important to her. I could understand her need to catch up, so I let my case rest and left her alone. I asked a driver to take her home. This was a time I wished Landon or Jacob was available. As things were, I did not trust anyone, but I had to hope that nothing terrible would happen to her. I drove towards the pack office, Which doubled as our logistics warehouse. We had a delivery service and online store that served Riverbend well, and this particular warehouse house was what we used for the business.Getting there, I saw Levi's black convertible. I could see he planned to attend the meeting in style; too bad I planned to take a jeep with all of us in it. The moment I parked, Soren, Levi and Jacob walked out. I was surprised to see that Jacob was around."Where did you come from? Tired chasing Isab

LaurenThe afternoon sun streamed through the tall windows of the boardroom, casting long shadows on the polished mahogany table where we sat. I was nervous initially, but when Xavier introduced me, I was shocked at how highly he placed me.I could see the people were not in agreement. The room was filled with the murmur of executives in deep discussion, disagreeing with Xavier's choice, but no one boldly speaking out.The general manager, John, explained the challenges briefly.I paid attention, but I had been following up the business war between both companies for a while now; little did I know it was a Blackwood business. This morning, I came across the brief and was eager to speak on the matter. So when my father-in-law gave me the floor, I took it. After I had proffered the solution to the telecommunication company. I was asked to share my thoughts on Uclea's technology, its response to our competitors and how to improve on the matter. It wasn't part of the brief, but I guess my

LaurenI tossed and turned all through the night. I hadn't had a nightmare in ages, but my sleep was plagued with one.Even though Xavier held me protectively at night, I woke up a couple of times panting. Afraid of the event that transpired in my dream.My worry about the future of our relationship had somehow transcended into my dream, and my mind was trying to make sense of the situation in the most gruesome way ever.In the dream, I was running in the forest of Oakhaven Resort. I saw Soren in his wolf form and bolted. I kept running. The woods were endless and dark, with shiny, evil eyes staring at me. Wicked creatures of the night ready to pounce on me. It was scary. I knew I was dreaming, but the events in the dream were hard to ignore."I woke up, and Xavier pulled me close and held me tighter. I could tell he was still sleeping, and what he was doing was reflex. It worked, though, because sleep returned, and I drifted back into its embrace. I found myself back in the woods ag

Xavier Landon's countenance was baffling. He had called me after we left the meeting with Abel, asking me to come clean about the incident at Oakhaven, but there was nothing to tell him. My hesitation to search for Lauren when he voiced concern was why he remained suspicious. Suddenly, tension was everywhere, and somehow, it affected Lauren too.I knew she twisted and turned all through the night. She woke up screaming, crying, pleading that I shouldn't leave her. I did not know what to do. I had hoped my meeting with Abel would yield something fruitful; maybe he could put aside his hatred for me and make an exception for me and lauren. I knew it was far-fetched, but I had to try the peaceful approach first. I didn't know what to do. While I sat at the kitchen island eating the sandwiches, Lauren fixed me; I got a call from Levi and had to excuse myself.“Hello," I said, and Levi sounded like he was driving with his window down."Are you at home," he said, a tinge of urgency in his

LaurenI cried most of the ride. I would sleep and wake up, call for Xavier. Jacob felt sorry for me, and halfway to Avalora, I started running a fever. I didn't care much for myself; all I could think of was what had happened to Xavier."Do you think he will be alright?" I asked Jacob, my voice trembling. He nodded, trying to reassure me, but I could tell he was hiding the truth. Despite his efforts, I allowed him to believe he had fooled me.The hours on the road felt like an eternity, the engine's hum and the rhythmic thud of tires against the pavement providing a melancholic backdrop to my racing thoughts. The night was dark and unrelenting, a reflection of the turmoil in my heart. I clutched my hand to my chest, Xavier's image engraved in my mind's eyes, a cherished image from happier times, and whispered my prayers into the darkness, hoping he could hear me wherever he was."This is unfair," I murmured to myself, wiping away my tears with trembling fingers. "I will not tell anyo