Lahat ng Kabanata ng FALLING FOR MR. FORBIDDEN: MY MOTHER’S HOT HUSBAND: Kabanata 1 - Kabanata 10

ASHLEY; The morning after the wedding announcement felt like a bad dream I couldn’t wake up from. I stood in front of the mirror in my small bedroom, brushing my hair with shaky hands. My simple black sweater and jeans suddenly felt too plain. Everything had changed overnight and Ryder Knight, the man who stirred my wolf and angered my spirit, was my stepfather now. I tried to accept it. Downstairs, my mother was already buzzing with excitement, packing bags and talking nonstop about the new life waiting for us. Ryder had dropped by to make sure everything was perfect, his scent floating through every part of the house… dark pine that made my stomach tighten every time I breathed it in. School was waiting. When we pulled up to Stoneridge Academy, heads turned immediately. Ryder’s sleek black car drew attention on its own, but today was different. I stepped out on the passenger side, feeling eyes on me like needles. Ryder climbed out of the driver’s seat like he owned the par

ASHLEY; The days in the mansion had started to blur together, but school remained its own kind of battlefield. I sat on the bleachers during my free period, pretending to read a book while my eyes kept drifting to the training below. Ryder dominated the practice like he dominated everything else in his life. He moved with grace, powerful thighs pushing him across the ice in explosive bursts. His hockey jersey clung to his broad shoulders and back, damp with sweat. Every time he slammed into an opponent during drills, the sound echoed through the arena. His body was pure power, muscles flexing, jaw tight with focus, and I couldn’t look away, the way his strong hands gripped the stick, the way his hips shifted as he turned sharply. He was my stepfather now. I kept reminding myself of that, but my wolf didn’t care. It watched him with hungry interest, drawn to the raw Alpha energy he gave off even from a distance. Most people were heading for the Cafeteria now. I joined in, it

ASHLEY;I stood before the tall mirror in my bedroom, turning slowly from side to side. The cream dress hugged just under my breasts, showing off some curvy features I wondered where they came from. It flared gently down, stopping right before my knees. It felt soft against my skin, the fabric swishing lightly with every small movement. I wasn’t sure if I looked overdressed for dinner or too good to be sitting across from the devil himself. But after those strict rules he barked at me this afternoon, I had spent hours in my room drawing maps and plans in my head on how to break every single one of them.“Dinner is at seven!” His voice had been sharp and commanding, echoing down the hallway like he owned every corner of this house. Unfortunately, he did.I remembered the way my hands had tightened into fists at my sides when he said it. Now here I was, trying to look calm while my mind raced with ways to push back.I ran my fingers over the dress again. Irene had given it to me as a

RYDER; “Fuck,” I growled. I paced the wide bedroom like a caged animal trying to break free, my long legs covering the space in three angry steps before I spun around again. The floor creaked under my weight. My blood was still hot from dinner. I had forced myself to sit there the whole time, acting calm, acting like I wasn’t losing my fucking mind. But I was, and sitting right across from her was worsening it all. Ashley was changing right in front of me. She used to flinch when I looked at her. Tonight she held my stare longer than she ever had. Mason was a bad influence, all thanks to him my little Ashley was starting to learn her worth. Her chin lifted just a little. Her soft green eyes carried a new spark, the type that clearly states she was done cowering, and that both pissed me off and turned me on in ways I hated. But the necklace was what really fucked me up. It had no business being in her hands, or around her neck. I stopped pacing and dragged my hand rough

ASHLEY;The final bell rang, and I hurried through the crowded hallway, keeping my head down like always. But today the whispers followed me louder than usual. I had expected stares after the hockey game the other day. Of course, Mom was present, giving the students enough to talk about, but I didn't expect to be trolled for that too.“Look at her,” a sharp voice said behind me. “Her mom actually showed up at the hockey game like marrying a younger man was something to be crowned for.” I recognized the voice immediately… Lila. One of the girls who used to hang all over Ryder’s arm, laughing too loudly at his jokes and touching the hairy part of his chest as if she owned him. She wasn’t done.“Must be nice,” Lila continued, her voice dripping with fake sweetness. “Marrying rich to climb the ladder. I wonder how long before Ryder gets tired of playing daddy to the charity case.”Laughter rippled from her group of friends. My cheeks burned hot. I clutched the strap of my bag tighter an