All Chapters of TEMPORARY MATES, PERMANENT CRAVINGS : Chapter 401 - Chapter 410

Emma POVAnita pulled me into the corner as soon as the bedroom door closed."What did he say? Did he beg you to stay?"I shook my head. Anita scowled. "Proud bastard."We stopped talking and waited for Haley to fall asleep. She was a stranger, and I didn't want her hearing about my private life. Once she was out, I sat on the edge of the mattress and opened a bag of chips. An elderly woman had brought us dinner earlier, but I hadn't eaten much. I wondered why Cherry hadn't brought the food herself. Maybe she was fully taking her brother's side. It didn't matter. I had bigger problems.Anita leaned over. "Look, if there's a way to keep this a secret, maybe you should think about it. You don't have to throw everything away.""Stop romanticizing this," I whispered back. "There's nothing to save.""I'm not romanticizing it," Anita insisted. "I just want you to be okay. Be realistic for a second. A man like Alexander isn't going to grovel or show you his soft side. He's too hardened for t

Charlie POVWesley's laugh came through the phone speaker. He was practically shouting with joy, celebrating that his counter-plan had worked. They had finally found someone vulnerable enough to force the rogue leadership into a corner.Hearing Wesley laugh was a relief after the past few days. Ever since Anita and Emma disappeared, our lives had changed. My sister Lisa and Emma's mother had not stopped crying. Alpha Cameron had stepped into the operational center despite his recent retirement.We had tried to keep the news from Wesley while he was on his honeymoon with Isabella, but he found out anyway. His parents assured him they had enough hands on deck, but Wesley still insisted on helping from afar.Lisa's fear never let up. Anita and Emma were young women. Leaving them with rogue males put them at risk of sexual violence, torture, and abuse. Bringing them home alive became my top priority.We held meeting after meeting with the affected Alpha families. At first, Lisa, Nadia, an

Emma POVI sat in the passenger seat of my father's armored jeep. The engine rumbled as we drove down the paved highway, leaving the dusty border road far behind.My father slammed his palm against the wheel and swore."Fucking animals. I should've shot every single one of them right there.""I'm fine, Dad," I said, my voice barely carrying over the tires.My father glanced at me, his brows drawn together. "You're obviously not fine, Emma. Look at you. You haven't said three words since you got in this car, and you're pale."I closed my eyes and rested my head against the cool window. I couldn't answer him or explain the truth.We were getting farther from the rogue territory, but my body refused to accept it. My chest ached, and every few seconds I felt traces of Alexander: his grip on my waist, his scent, and the memory of his lips on mine.About two hours later, we arrived in Wild Fangs. The jeep turned onto the gated driveway of Uncle Cameron's house.The moment the tires stopped,

Alexander POVThe cold in my chest spread the moment my mate crossed back over the concrete divide to her father's side. It was more than emptiness. It felt like claws tearing through my ribs, pulling the heat from my body.Inside my head, my wolf raged. He fought against my chest, furious that I stood still, calling me a coward for letting her walk away without a fight.When I made it back to the main compound, I was shivering. Cherry and Kamala took one look at my face, stepped in front of me, and made me lie down. I was an Alpha, built to lead and endure, but my legs felt weak and every breath burned. I didn't have the strength to argue, so I let them lead me onto my bed.That night was the longest of my life. I couldn't sleep. Sadness and loneliness settled over me, deeper than anything I'd felt in all my years as an outcast.When morning light came through the window slats, my hands were shaking and my teeth chattered from the cold.Cherry walked in carrying a black hoodie. She t

Emma POV Right after I sent the text, someone knocked on my bedroom door. One of the maids opened it, holding a bouquet of red roses, a box of dark chocolates, and a wrapped gift."These were just delivered for you, Miss Emma," the maid said, setting everything on my desk before leaving.I walked over to the desk. A small card was attached to the flowers. I opened it and read Charlie's handwriting:I know you said you needed time, and I promise I'm not rushing you. I just wanted to bring a smile to your face tonight. Take all the time you need. - CharlieGuilt hit me. Why was he doing so much? Part of me was annoyed that he was trying so hard, but another part felt bad for being annoyed when he was only trying to be sweet.I took a picture of the flowers and chocolates and sent it to Anita with a caption: Look at this.Three seconds later, my phone rang. I answered, and Anita laughed."It's not funny, Anita!" I said, rubbing my temples."I told you!" Anita said between laughs. "The s