Lahat ng Kabanata ng PLAYTHING OF THE ALPHA PREDATORS: Kabanata 221 - Kabanata 230

APRIL “You must’ve been unremarkable, because I remember the people I fuck, and nothing comes to mind when I look at you,” Ace’s voice was steely and cold. I turned around, and from the way one of the blonde girls shielded her face shamefully, I could tell that she was the one that’d been tapping about a threesome with Ace. And clearly, she’d made it all up.“Now fuck off before I make sure you never get into any college in the world,” he spat angrily and the girls immediately scrambled to their feet and ran out. Once the door was shut behind them, his angry demeanor dropped and he was suddenly a ray of sunshine, grinning as he made his way over to me with open arms. “I can handle these mean trolls just fine, Ace. You didn’t have to swoop in on my behalf,” I half-frowned at him. That didn’t stop me from also opening my arms to receive him, I couldn’t say no to hugging him even though I was a bit upset by how he and the other guys kept treating me like a defenseless damsel in dis

APRIL Natalie was on her third chocolate sundae when we dove back into the sore topic of my disappearance. “You turned me into a crazy talker ex,” she scooped some of the coconut shavings on my plate as she spoke, “I had to go on a date with Steve from the student council to help me get a hold on your files so that I could get your guardian’s address.” She made the same disgusted face that I had on after that revelation. “What? Creepy Steve?” I had to confirm for sure. “Which other Steve is there on the damn student council? It was the worst date I’ve ever been on and nothing on earth will make me recount it to anyone,” she glared at me like she was plotting against me for being the reason she experienced that. “I’m so sorry, Natty,” I gasped, “I really am, ugh… that must’ve been… I .. I’m just… I’m really sorry.” “Oh you will be sorry when I’m done eating at least twelve sundaes that you’re paying for,” she pointed her little bear shaped spoon at me which made the threat even

ACE“Mom, I’m getting up right now. Breathe.” I grabbed my coat off the back of my chair, taking off in the middle of an important lecture that would cost me a few grade points. “Breathe? Do you hear yourself, Ace? Your father is missing, and you’re asking me to breathe?” my mother was spiraling, the quiver in her voice audible through the phone speaker pressed against my right ear.I sucked in a sharp breath, reminded of how inconsolable she was whenever my father was in harm’s way, she never listened to reason and took extreme measures until he was safe again.“Okay, mom. You don’t need to breathe if you don’t want to, but I’ll be with you soon, I promise,” I was unlocking my car as I spoke.“Soon? I need a timeframe. Ten minutes? Two minutes? I’d prefer two minutes,” she rushed out impatiently.I sighed deeply, getting into my car and turning on the ignition.“Hold tight, mom. I’ll make sure I’m as fast as possible so that I’ll be with you soon,” I assured her. “Hurry, please,”

APRIL“You’re here,” he sounded relieved, pleased, somewhat elated. “Of course I’m here, darling,” I leaned into his shoulder, the metallic smell of blood and iron clinging faintly to his jacket, a reminder of the horrid day he’d weathered.He looked up from his palms and I was taken aback by the bloodshot eyes that locked in a gaze with mine. His breathing was ragged and his hair was a ruffled mess from how long it was pressed against his palms. Has he been crying? Oh my goodness. “I’ve never been this scared for him, it’s fucking… it’s…” he choked on his words, seeming to be at a loss for a fitting word to explain what he was going through. But he didn’t need to explain any of it to me, because I could feel every harsh splinter of pain poking the edges of his heart.“Shhh,” I wrapped my arms around him, pulling his head into my chest and holding him as tightly as I could. His huge body didn’t make that an easy task, but I didn’t let that derail me. I just kept him in the same s

APRILI yawned, stretching my arms as I awoke beside a still sleeping Nick. A smile covered my lips at how peaceful he looked and how a little rest had already made the golden color return to his skin that looked rather pasty earlier.“Are you gonna just stare at him all night long?” I nearly jumped out of my skin when I heard those words, only calming down when I turned and saw Ace seated by the couch with his face being illuminated by the city lights that dimly filtered into the room. “You scared the shit out of me, and if I’d screamed, I would’ve woken this poor baby up,” I rolled my eyes at Ace as I whispered tightly. He seemed to find it amusing so he broke into a smile, but all I deduced from that was that he’d gotten some good news when he went in to see his dad. Earlier, nothing could’ve possibly made a smile appear on his face, but now, it was beautifully lit up. I carefully wiggled out of Nick’s arms and made my way to the couch, settling down beside Ace and observing