Semua Bab A Secret Baby For The Alpha Quarterback: Bab 151 - Bab 160

VioletI practically bolted out of that building.When the elevator doors slid shut, I could finally breathe. The weight on my chest didn't lift; it pressed harder.Five years. For five years I told myself I was strong enough, that I could face anything. One look at him and every wall I built collapsed.What burned most? When he kissed me, my body answered.That old thrum in my veins. That mind-blanking hunger. Just as fierce as five years ago. My head knows he's a liar, anger roars, but my wolf was howling for him.That's the curse of the fated mate bond—no matter how many times he's hurt me, no matter how deep the hate runs, the bond lives in my bones, ready to set me on fire. But my pride won't bow again. I won't be his plaything.I won't forget that betrayal. I won't forgive his cold heart.I sat at the bus stop, forcing my breathing to even out. People rushed past, blind to the storm tearing me up.I kept seeing the shock in his eyes, hearing the tremor in his voice. He felt som

DerekAfter Violet left, I sat alone in the empty office, staring at the cake box on my desk like it might breathe again.That sweet, familiar scent still hung in the air, a ghost coiling around my throat, setting my blood on fire. I brushed my fingers along the edge of the box, as if I could still feel the warmth of her hands.Lemon honey Madeleine.Five years. I thought I'd never taste it again. In a heartbeat, that sweetness blew open everything I'd buried—pain, rage, longing. The wolf inside me went quiet in front of her pastry, just like five years ago.I closed my eyes and replayed that kiss. Her lips were still soft, a whisper of vanilla. When I kissed her, I felt the tremor in her body, heard her breath catch. For one breathless instant, five years of hell burned away. All that remained was need. Possession.The bond between fated mates was still viciously strong. Five years later. Even with her hating me down to the bone. Her wolf still knew me. Her body still answered mine.

VioletWhite shirt, navy pants, hair scraped into a neat ponytail. Professional. Composed. At least on the surface."Miss Ward, this way." Same assistant. Same deference. This time I caught more.On every floor, people paused to nod. Curious. Wary. Eager. That isn't how you treat a woman who runs a small bakery."Sir, could you—" I started to ask, and the elevator door opened to a man who all but lunged."God, you're Violet Ward?" Mid-forties, perfect suit, breathless grin. "I'm a VP at a Wall Street investment group. We've been trying to meet Mr. Thorn. Could you introduce us? There's a generous finder's fee."I blinked. "You're mistaken. I just bake—""You're too modest." A gleam I didn't like sparked in his eyes. He lowered his voice. "Everyone here knows. You're Mr. Thorn's... special friend."Special friend? Nausea rose. What did they think I was—Derek's mistress?"And this deal, if you could—" He tried to press a card into my hand.The assistant cut in. "Mr. Smith, don't harass

DerekNo one knew, but when Violet set that box of red wine cherry donuts on my desk, my heart damn near punched through my ribs.The scent hit hard—deep red wine, tart cherry, and that soothing magic only she can conjure. The instant the sweetness burst on my tongue, the restless wolf in me went quiet. It felt like going back to that afternoon when we were kids and she made me my first dessert.She still knew me. Red wine for me. Cherries—my favorite, because they were my mother's. Five years gone, and even if she hates me now, she still remembers everything.I wanted to tell her the donuts were perfect. I wanted to see her eyes light up. But logic cut me off. If I gave an inch, she'd have no reason to keep coming back. I needed time. More chances to win her back.So I nitpicked. Played it cool and said it needed work. When the light dimmed in her eyes, something twisted in my chest.I still wanted to do something for her. I'd flown Chef Antoine in from Paris and paid through the nos

Violet"Don't feed me bullshit." I shook in his arms. "You just don't want to die alone.""Maybe." He didn't deny it. His face was paling with the cold. Then, trying for lightness, he said, "If I get to die with you, that's forever—no parting.""No!" My voice went sharp, like a cat with its tail stepped on. "I can't die. And I sure as hell won't die with you."He went still. I couldn't think anymore. Fear and fury cinched tight. My vision tunneled; my throat worked around a swallow that wouldn't go down.He let out a dry, ragged sigh. "I won't let you die, Violet. Believe me."My heart clenched."You don't mean it," I whispered. "You never did.""How can you be so sure?" His hand moved updown my back, pain roughening his voice.The cold kept eating at us. Even wrapped together, our heat leaked away. My hands and feet were ice blocks. My thoughts drifted."Violet. Talk to me." He heard the slip and alarm sharpened his tone. "Don't fall asleep. Stay with me.""I-I'm so cold." My voic