The Slap That Ended 18 Years Novels & Stories

“I said no.” Then his hand came down. No one in the training room made a sound. I held my face and looked up slowly. Lilith stood behind Orion with her hand over her mouth. Her eyes were red. Her face looked scared, heartbroken, sorry for me. But her eyes were too bright. There was a glint of triumph in them. I felt tired. Twelve years of history shattered by one slap. “Orion Draven,” I said, my voice quiet but steady. “Our engagement is over. I am done with you.”

“Eli, honey. Seems like you really can’t stop yourself. Still begging to be in my arms?” The world tilted. The memory hit me all at once... walking into that club, the music too loud, the lights too bright, and finding him with Liam, hands everywhere, laughter sharp and cruel. Something snapped. Before I could think, before fear or pain or reason could stop me, my hand came up... And I slapped him hard across the face. The sound echoed down the hallway. For the first time since everything fell apart, I didn’t regret it.

Slade said, his voice cold and dismissive as he began to walk toward us, but something inside me finally snapped after three years of being everyone’s punching bag. ​As Maya and Malani turned to walk away with satisfied smirks, I dropped my bag and grabbed Maya by her shoulder, spinning her around and delivering two sharp slaps across her face before she could even scream. Malani’s eyes went wide and she tried to interfere, but I caught her chin and gave her the same treatment, the sound of the four slaps echoing through the hall while Slade froze in shock.

“That’s what I love most about you. Your spirit. Your fire. The way you never give up even when you should.” His thumb brushed across my cheek. And then he struck. The slap came so fast I didn’t see it. I didn’t even have time to brace myself. My head snapped to the side. Pain exploded across my face. I tasted blood. “That,” Sylvester said pleasantly, “is for five hundred years of defiance.” I tried to pull away. But his grip on my face tightened. Fingers digging into my jaw. Another slap. Much harder this time. This one drove me fully to the ground. My vision swam. My ears rang as more blood spilled out.

The color drains from Felicity's face. She looks at the paper. Looks at my arm — the one that put her on an auditorium floor approximately four hours ago. Looks back at the paper. "I refuse," she says, but it comes out smaller than she intends. "Three slaps," I say pleasantly. "I've been training since I was nine. I'll try to be gentle, but honestly, I can't promise anything." I raise my hand. "Fine." She grabs the paper through clenched teeth. "Fine."

When Salvatore 'Sally' Morelli's hand struck my face, I did not even register what had happened. A dull, heavy crack echoed through the room, and I stumbled as my head filled with a sharp, ringing buzz. My left cheek burned hot at first, then searing, like someone held a flame to my skin. I pressed my hand to my face and stared at him blankly. My boyfriend, the firstborn son of the Morelli family of New Yiz, the future heir to the Don, had just slapped me across the face in front of the entire family and our guests—all because I got into an argument with another woman.

The anger in me was beyond words, and even when the pain from his slap had faded away, I still couldn't put their scene out of my head. It was the most shameful moment of my life. Not only was it the first time someone slapped me, but it also occurred in front of Ella, my slave. I was slapped because I was adamant about leaving the office for the two of them to have some private time together. So ridiculous, and my heart is wrenching with fury. All I was waiting for was for Ella to finally return. It would definitely be their last time together. Since the last hope of killing Ella with the Lycan had failed, she would spend the rest of her life locked up inside the royal pack house.

It was a part of the script, Lenora slapped Madelaine, ending two decades worth of friendship but Hattie didn't intend to play nice. I didn't dodge. Her fingers connected with my face and my neck twisted to the side. I bit my lips, hard enough that blood slid down my mouth. “We're even now. I slapped you on this same day, twenty years ago.” My cheeks stung at the force she applied. “Twenty years later, you've settled the debt.” Thunderous applause arose from the audience. I lifted my head to see the Judges, Granger, Hannah and actors who breathed the industry all on their feet.

Quickly standing on my tiptoes, I reached out my hand and delivered the most painful slap I believed I had ever given anyone. The crisp sound gave me a feeling of satisfaction but it did not last for long because I had to duck when Lucas raised his hand to slap me back. Before his hand could get any closer to my face, Reign caught his wrist and bent it backward, breaking it. He cried out in pain but almost immediately, a fierce blow struck his jaw, as Reign sent him falling on one of the chairs.

SLAP! My cheeks feel hot. Cyntia's hands were shaking after she slapped me so hard. Her eyes twitched. I pushed her gently. Confused. "Why did you slap me, Cyntia?" I asked while rubbing my cheek. Now the music stops completely and no one moves on the dance floor. All eyes were on us. Perhaps, Cyntia's loud slap had overpowered the sound of the music and shocked everyone. "You're talking nonsense, Xander!" Cynthia answered curtly. "I already had a mate, even before I knew my test results."