The Pledge The Book Novels & Stories

But I knew very well that I was only redeeming myself. The award ceremony was held in Geneva. I was seven months pregnant and chose a sleek, black silk gown. My swollen belly protruded like an impenetrable layer of bulletproof armor. I steadily walked onto the stage. Below me was a sea of flashing cameras and elite figures from all industries. Taking the trophy, I didn't give the standard thanks to my family. Instead, I looked right into the camera and delivered my own declaration of independence: "True dignity is never earned through compromise. Faced with betrayal, a woman always has the right to walk away. Life is brought into this world by love, but dignity must be fought for with your o

"And don't let him fool you, Mr. Fletcher! He's just a manipulative opportunist who mooches off women. People like him have no business ethics and no loyalty; he doesn't deserve your trust!" However, Steve had been in the business world for decades, and he was sharp. He set his glass down and looked at them coldly. "First of all, your company and I never signed a formal contract, so there's no such thing as Mr. Campbell stealing the deal. "Second, who I choose to work with is my own decision. It's not your place to tell me what to do. "Third, I'm the one who reached out to him. In this industry, I only trust him. Wherever he goes, my business goes with him, and I feel completely confident ab

"Anya, I know I've done you wrong, but we can't get divorced. You know I can't live without you. I'll do anything. Just don't leave me." His warm breath brushed against the side of my neck, and it made my skin crawl. I wanted to recoil, but my face stayed unreadable. "Really?" I said, keeping my tone soft. "You'll agree to anything I ask?" Clyde's eyes lit up with hope. He nodded so quickly it was almost pathetic. "Then I want you to promise me that from this moment on, you'll never see that woman again." The words were barely out of my mouth before hesitation flashed across his face. He opened his mouth. Fumbling for words.

His love is overflowing. "I'll never hold back again," he says. "Promise? Promise me you'll never hold back? Promise me you'll never let fear silence you? Promise me you'll never let the past control you? Promise me you'll never let anyone tell you you're not enough? Promise me you'll never let yourself believe you're unworthy? Promise me you'll never let yourself give up?"

“Sara, you murderer! I can’t believe how evil you are.” “Eve was the one Xavier truly loved!” “You're the third wheel in this relationship! You knew it, and you still did it, you home-wrecker!” I didn’t recognize the numbers, nor did I intend to reply. I blocked them all. Just what kind of prank was that? Right now, clearing my name was my priority. On the way back, I noticed several strangers staring at me. I looked up, and that was when I saw my picture plastered on every telephone pole along the street. Beneath it, bold letters screamed, “Murderer! Blood must be repaid with blood!”

“Promise me one thing?” I paused, looking at her. “What?” “Don’t let them break you.” Her words hit me hard. I didn’t know if I could keep that promise, but I forced a smile, even though it felt more like a grimace. “I won’t.” I didn’t know if I could keep my promise. In that moment, all I could do was walk into the unknown, the heavy weight of everything pressing down on me as I stepped outside the apartment. As I approached the car, I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. The man who stepped out of the car was tall and imposing, his eyes behind dark sunglasses, giving off an air of cold professionalism.

I watched, heart racing, as he pulled out a small foil packet. "Always prepared?" I teased, trying to mask my nerves with bravado. He grinned, all roguish charm. "Boy scout motto." I laughed, the sound echoing off the bathroom tiles. It felt good to laugh, to let go of the tension, if only for a moment. He stepped closer, cupping my face in his hands. "Last chance to back out," he murmured. I looked into his eyes, searching for... something. Reassurance? Permission? I wasn't sure.

The air seemed charged with anticipation, a palpable energy that crackled between us. A moment later, breaking the awkward silence, Alpha Aaron spoke. "You have my word, Sergio. Consider me your ally from this day." The pledge, delivered with a sincerity that cut through the tension, resonated in the room. It was a pivotal moment—a turning point in the complex dance of alliances and loyalties.

André instructed, opening their cells. Each did as told, taking their oaths and drinking the blood. Each time they drank, I felt the click of them joining the pack link. “TRAITORS!” “PLEDGING TO AN OUTSIDER!” “PLEDGING TO A FINOCCHIO!” The detained others started to shout stupid shit when they heard these five pledges to André. I didn’t care about most of what they said. But when the one said ‘finocchio,’ Cardinal snarled and pushed forward.

Later, I found out that those notifications on my phone were the final headlines of the night. "Black Group Officially Declares Bankruptcy." "Former Black Group CEO's Lover Leonard Frost Arrested for Embezzlement and Data Breach."