MONTHS BEFORE...
~Asher~
It's late. I'm still at the office after a council meeting with the elders when my phone rings. "Yes?" I answered.
"I'm not a patient man, Asher," Nico's voice echoed in my ear. "Why don't I have my bride?"
Aggravated, I sighed heavily. "I made the deal because you told me Zade was still alive and that Paisley was sneaking around on me with him. You lied."
"I see you have resources," Nico laughed. "But that does not break the deal. We shook on it, and I take that very seriously," he claimed, a bit of frustration in his tone.
My fist clenched, if Nico was present I’d sucker punch him square in the jaw. "Screw you! Deals off!" I growled, ending the call, then tossed the phone on my desk.
I knew that was a stupid thing to do, but I was tired of Nico controlling our lives and manipulating everyone I love.
I grabbed my things and headed
~Paisley~At an appointment for the baby, I sat waiting for the doctor while Zade looked at me in awe. It was a bit awkward. "What weirdo?" I said, laughing.His smirk that could make any girl swoon appeared, making my lady parts ache. "Nothing, baby mama," Zade lifted a brow.Lately, I have been a total horn dog. I mean, Zade and I haven't slept together since that night, but these hormones made me want to jump him right in the doctor's office.I swallowed, biting my lower lip while my eyes racked over his well-structured frame. He looked so good in his black jeans and grey t-shirt. His tatted arms were visible for my eyes to drool over. I mean, what's the use of having a Lycan mate if you couldn't have wet dreams about him?"Pais, you alright?" Zade used his thumb to motion to wipe the corner of my mouth. "You got some drool hanging," He laughed, and I sent him an icy glare.It always pissed me off when he caught me
Seven years ago ~ Zade ~ In the woods, I sat watching, waiting for a sign she was okay. Was she happy? It had been months since I last saw Pais. I woke up alone in a stranger's home with no recollection of what happened or who I was until one day, my memories of her came flooding back out of the blue. The urge to be with her was tough. I knew most likely she had moved on with her other mate, but a piece of me couldn't just let go. As I watch outside the Aberdeen packhouse, it's full of visitors. What was going on? I thought. Then like a slap in the face, I saw her in a white gown fit for a princess, and as she turned my way, as if she could sense me, her protruding belly came into view, and I knew right then I couldn't disrupt her life. I spent the next year like a creeper, stalking the woods outside Paisley's house in Cody. I watched Paisley turn from a young girl t
~Paisley~ Soft tears tread on the edge of falling down my cheeks as Asher's face appeared on the screen. In the background are the pictures of us displayed on the walls of his office. "Paisley, if you're watching this, I'm gone, but I couldn't let you think I stopped loving you. We had our problems but not once has my love for you faded. Sure, Zade was a tough competitor, but I knew you better than anyone. I guess that gave me the upper hand in at least the friend department," Asher paused while he glanced down before continuing. "I've done some things I'm not proud of, and I deeply regret them. I trusted someone over you, and that was a big mistake. I'm sorry," Asher looked back at the camera. "Maybe in a different life, we would have been able to live happily, but it just wasn't meant
~Paisley~ My water broke, and the contractions were coming in fast. Zade carried me out of the packhouse, rushing toward the car, but I knew there was no time. The baby was coming now. “Zade, it can’t wait,” I urged. "The contractions are coming on strong,” I added, my features filled with fear for my unborn child. “Zade?” My mother called behind us. He turned. His grip was tight on me as he looked at my mother, with an expression that begged for help. He was terrified. “Bring her upstairs. I’ll prepare everything,” she said, gesturing for him to take me toward the main bedroom. There was no hesitation on his part; he rushed past all the guests into the house at the speed of light. He kicked the door open and laid me on the king-size bed and kneeled next to me, gripping my hand in his. “It will be okay, Pais,” He reassured me. My fingers felt along his jaw, and I smiled, but I knew it wouldn’t be okay. I could feel it deep down, and I didn’t have the heart to tell him, nor did I w
Chapter 1 The Bad NewsYears had flown by since Ashton’s birth. Soon, he would come of age and take his rightful place as the Lycan king once our father stepped down from the throne. However, that seemed like a distant future; my brother was still young, and it was common for rulers to reign for centuries among Lycans. According to tradition, I was supposed to marry my father’s right-hand man, Theo, which worked well since we were already in a relationship. But deep inside, I knew I possessed powers meant for something greater than just being a wife and mother. Unfortunately, as a woman, I couldn’t rule the Lycans even though I was the oldest child; that honor would be bestowed upon Ashton with Marcus as his second-in-command.“Zadie?” Theo’s voice resonated from the hallway, and the door creaked open. He poked his head inside, trying to catch a glimpse of me.“Yes?” I glanced back at him in the doorway. “Your father called. He would like you to be at the palace. He stated it was urg
A boring classroom is the last place I want to spend my time on a beautiful day, but unfortunately, here I am. The Professor is droning on about material to review for the upcoming final, but it’s hard to concentrate on my notes, with Maci looking back at me over her shoulder every few minutes. “What?” I ask in a harsh whisper. Maci is a close friend, but she was one for the drama and gossip. She lived for it. I’d rather keep to myself and couldn’t care less about other people’s problems. But by the smirk on her face, my instincts are spot on. Before I can avoid her eye contact, she speaks. “See that guy sitting at the desk in the back?” she asks, attempting to point inconspicuously. “He has the hots for you. The dude hasn’t stopped staring since you entered the class.” I instantly lose interest. “He can keep looking because I’m not interested,” I laugh, shaking my head. This Class needs to end. I focus back on my notes. A vibration shakes my desk, and I grab my phone before it tu
I got up pretty early and was in desperate need of coffee. I couldn't sleep a wink after receiving that strange text last night. I had some time to myself before Amelia came over later today to pick me up for the event. I was going to need all the downtime I could get before then. Over the steaming rim of my coffee cup, my gaze falls on my laptop sitting on the coffee table. My thoughts drift to my sister Marley and her family. I loved seeing my Nieces and Nephew, so I strolled over and opened it starting a video chat. It's hard to keep in touch because they live in New York, but they are the only family I had left since I lost my parents in a car accident when I was thirteen. It's been hard for me to deal with, but I got through it because of Amelia and her family. The ringtone catches my attention, and Marley answers with a smile after a few minutes. "Hey, Chloe," she says. I could tell by the background that she was in her kitchen, and from her distracted attention, I knew she must
All I could do was stare in disbelief at the person who entered the ladies’ room. I couldn’t help but feel confused by the man who stood only a few feet away in the doorway, staring at me for what felt like forever. I shook my head out of his trance and gathered myself. ''Can I help you?" I narrowed my eyes at him. "You do know this is the lady's room, right?'' I asked, watching his brows raise in amusement.“Yeah, I know,” he muttered, shrugging his shoulders.“So why are you here? What if someone was changing?” I asked, motioning to the empty room, but he simply laughed. “What is so funny?” I questioned, unable to hide the frustration in my tone.He ignored my question with a smirk while he eased his way toward me. “I saw you staring at me with hungry eyes. You can't look at me like that and walk away,” He said charmingly.My brows creased in frustration as I walked up to him, getting almost close enough to touch. “You seem very confused about how I was looking at you. Don't read too