Confucius Ads Library: Ads

Id	Vlad	Saved	Scrape Time	Status	Scrape Result	Adarchiveid	Title	Body	Cta Type	Link Url	Pageid	Page Name	Page Profile Uri	Page Like Count	Collationcount	Collationid	Enddate	Entitytype	Gatedtype	Hidedatastatus	Isaaaeligible	Isactive	Isprofilepage	Cta Text	Pagename	Ad Creative	Caption	Effective Authorization Category	Display Format	Link Description	Link Url	Creation Time	Page Profile Picture Url	Page Entity Type	Instagram Actor Name	Instagram Profile Pic Url	Version	Current Page Name	Startdate	Actions
881,537	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	Yes	2024-03-31 15:59	active	395	440854375060100	Problemas de senos paranasales ALIVIADOS con un método quiropráctico único	Angela descubre que tiene un tabique desviado cuando recibe atención quiropráctica Gonstead a través de Intero Chiropractic. Como resultado de su tabique desviado, afecta a sus senos paranasales. El médico ajusta sus senos maxilares y le hace un "arreglo nasal quiropráctico" corrigiendo el puente de su nariz. ¡Ella sintió resultados inmediatos! Los ajustes faciales despejaron sus congestiones sinusales.<br /> <br /> Como quiroprácticos Gonstead, confiamos en nuestra técnica especializada para ayudar a nuestros pacientes a sentirse mejor más rápidamente y lograr resultados más duraderos.<br /> <br /> Si sufres de dolores de cabeza, dolor de espalda u otros problemas, ¡podemos ayudarte a recuperar tu vida!<br /> <br /> Obtén más información sobre cómo hemos ayudado a más de 5,000 pacientes en East Bay:<br /> <br /> ⭐️ Llámanos al (510) 694-2229<br /> ️⭐️ Visítanos en <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fremontintero.com%2F&h=AT19BoU8EU59ld3870lzEHQ_ZJsTkJfwldKN-JXDw5OvQyBX0WFQ4np0c0_e4c9A-WDYZWW_KaRdkZM0YWwYJCV7n3F6x3RnTTer_YxXt8c4kiURrz6mIql14IIetTdZ2QtXmRitdiGPiCbLGOvrOw" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://www.fremontintero.com/</a><br /> <br /> 📍Intero Quiropráctica Fremont<br /> 39654 Mission Blvd,<br /> Fremont CA<br /> <br /> 📍¿Busca otra ubicación?<br /> ¡Encuéntrenos en Pleasanton, Brentwood, Concord, San Mateo y San José!<br /> <br /> Descargo de responsabilidad: Los resultados pueden variar de un paciente a otro.	LEARN_MORE	https://www.fremontintero.com/	755886301140027	Intero Chiropractic	https://facebook.com/interochiropractic	4,513	1	1,158,595,215,149,487	2024-03-29 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	1	Learn more	Intero Chiropractic	120207486572450470	www.fremontintero.com	NONE	video		https://www.fremontintero.com/	2024-03-29 16:21	https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433444190_1758922007929214_520285491532212168_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=R9A1AZAf9usAX8T-oyg&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfA1M3xecIamNtodkNwESSmW2pHBRDnqJCwb5PSi7o-1gQ&oe=660F8E19	person_profile	Intero Chiropractic \| SF Bay Area Gonstead Chiropractors	https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433714269_940121471073170_5522593078487964597_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Noh0l6mfr1wAX9izZsy&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAzJJk2XfYIcoCFVYsMCRzYb8YRx3uoAv7cTlA98Hxn5g&oe=660FAFAF	3	Intero Chiropractic	2024-03-29 02:00	View Edit Delete
881,562	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":881537}'	No	2024-03-31 15:59	active	395	402253149193703	Hip Pain RELIEVED with Chiropractic 😮	🙌🏻 Hip Pain and Knee Issues HELPED 😮<br /> Audra came in with chronic hip pain and low back pain. She was feeling pain trying to move her legs, which limited her pelvic, knee and foot mobility. You can see the BEFORE and AFTER in just ONE visit! <br /> <br /> As Gonstead chiropractors, rely on our specialized technique to help our patients feel better quicker and achieve longer lasting results.<br /> <br /> If you’re suffering from hip pain, back pain or other issues, we can help you get your life back!<br /> <br /> Learn more about how we've helped 5,000+ patients:<br /> <br /> ⭐️ Call us at (510) 694-2229<br /> ️⭐️ Visit us at <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fremontintero.com%2F&h=AT1CGXGVImCnBJ6N-_140zWyqe0ipNfS__ZahKWyUyCp6X0FSDu2Xo_NQMw_CXYTS2j2CIXd00fLbFnrVGvD_610kNbO6TQtSg3y9iiSiNoOitG8BZAfcLCSCKZkGit43_HDy4DwTp9aJEU1_yTLew" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://www.fremontintero.com/</a><br /> <br /> 📍Intero Chiropractic Fremont<br /> 39654 Mission Blvd,<br /> Fremont CA<br /> <br /> 📍Looking for Another Location?<br /> Find us in San Jose, San Mateo, Pleasanton, Concord, and Brentwood!<br /> <br /> Disclaimer: Results may vary from patient to patient.	LEARN_MORE	https://www.fremontintero.com/	755886301140027	Intero Chiropractic	https://facebook.com/interochiropractic	4,513	1	928,821,392,075,032	2024-03-29 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	1	Learn more	Intero Chiropractic	120207470698300470	www.fremontintero.com	NONE	video		https://www.fremontintero.com/	2024-03-29 10:47	https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434466876_436013592289772_8326391615398755587_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=PeZW7gQi7s8AX83t6Nj&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBRMcA1ia4Wc4Cc08vCfrAbTaHtELesqtbJyZjzOujEtw&oe=660F8488	person_profile	Intero Chiropractic \| SF Bay Area Gonstead Chiropractors	https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/431587566_333389646398658_3844625370275544710_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=pMkFhDtWQwQAX-7bfgP&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfD0dcOZZG5FIGcswzHnnPyHkBWW2tpah0gwEIL2EDSmRg&oe=660FAD06	3	Intero Chiropractic	2024-03-29 02:00	View Edit Delete
881,614	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	Yes	2024-03-31 15:59	active	395	2633733106785878	Sick of one-size-fits-all diagnoses?	Ready For a Holistic Treatment for Constant Neck and Low Back Pain? See Why Treating Them Separately Doesn't Work 😮<br /> <br /> Sherry has felt frustrated because doctors have been treating her various health issues as separate, even though she can feel that they are all connected. She was even misdiagnosed with carpal tunnel. When she visited Gonstead chiropractor, Dr. Jerry, he validated all her concerns by employing a systematic approach and confirming that everything was indeed interconnected. By providing the right tools to target the root cause of her back and neck pains, Dr. Jerry was finally able to bring relief to Sherry's lower back and neck discomfort.<br /> <br /> If you’re suffering from hip pain, back pain or other issues, we can help you get your life back!<br /> <br /> Learn more about how we've helped 5,000+ patients:<br /> <br /> ⭐️ Call us at (925) 448-9418<br /> ️⭐️ Visit us at <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.interoconcord.com%2F&h=AT13_uIB2KY-UMO-S6pFDwHskDuu8rfxl3w2A8c6VCBwxUTFdTY4e8aTYXCkq2NIJDcsbpiifwN57HfM2Aqhtv8Ay7m-MiuVO1zPBuKLXaPniublzxqA4PL8zZnMXjJDTAZglaHrtoewGgmNxotZt4BgBSUXQCFzYd90hLemPok" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://www.interoconcord.com/</a><br /> <br /> 📍Intero Chiropractic Concord<br /> 1390 Willow Pass Road, Suite 190<br /> Concord, CA<br /> <br /> 📍Looking for Another Location?<br /> Find us in Pleasanton, Brentwood, Fremont, San Mateo, and San Jose!<br /> <br /> Disclaimer: Results may vary from patient to patient.	LEARN_MORE	http://interoconcord.com/	755886301140027	Intero Chiropractic	https://facebook.com/interochiropractic	4,513	1	376,745,101,935,284	2024-03-29 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	1	Learn more	Intero Chiropractic	120207027196120384	interoconcord.com	NONE	video		http://interoconcord.com/	2024-03-29 15:35	https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433109026_1415046252462440_4621360372096438501_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qvxp7I0WU6sAX-WFYUl&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBm9cASSRRN3q22RROIsj6632NEpDU-4-ot1k1Cz3TBUw&oe=660FB94B	person_profile	Intero Chiropractic \| SF Bay Area Gonstead Chiropractors	https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434312770_441469774996662_7766534503929984434_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YtMhiFMCDbMAX_NdNrh&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfC4G-tnXreV-DeWrzUHVevNk_uKFqHp1p_zY3DEHk3P1g&oe=660FB1A8	3	Intero Chiropractic	2024-03-29 02:00	View Edit Delete
881,675	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	Yes	2024-03-31 15:59	active	395	383430881176796	What Are ‌Retinal Drusen?	What are the two types of these yellow spots, are they always cause for concern, and who is most at risk?	NO_BUTTON	https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/what-are-retinal-	11736558481	WebMD	https://facebook.com/WebMD	1,959,606	2	1,783,481,998,782,385	2024-03-29 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	1	No button	WebMD	6506912442648	webmd.com	NONE	image	Learn the causes and more.	https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/what-are-retinal-drusen?ecd=socpd_fb_Gen_4051_spns_ctv10533	2024-01-17 14:26	https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/419642666_1038851823894470_3869179264991878677_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=cwdyYpUiaS0AX8WD5q_&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBILK3BIQPFM7RDwn9zOkPu2wSnVvIlbqJlCkjs-5O1fQ&oe=660F95ED	person_profile			3	WebMD	2024-03-29 02:00	View Edit Delete
881,698	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":881635}'	Yes	2024-03-31 15:59	active	395	2494896487385437	Join DISCO	Who’s listening? When @99makaveli sends DISCO links, she has full transparency around who’s hitting “play” on her tracks.<br /> <br /> Activate your DISCO today with a 15% off for TIDAL artists.	SIGN_UP	https://www.disco.ac/signup?signup_key=artist&d_ag	106766528584643	DISCO	https://facebook.com/100077718310315	4	1	1,838,077,276,625,142	2024-03-30 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	1	Sign up	DISCO	120209690211620294	www.disco.ac	NONE	video		https://www.disco.ac/signup?signup_key=artist&d_agency=linden	2024-03-29 14:00	https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433923649_957168332704168_2219270169018490649_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=1ih4IIYT0PEAX96GBZV&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBAS79aubC3YtVTzP5l4uiR9DUDLnm1xv0BRa3FWn5nGw&oe=660F8D0C	person_profile	DISCO	https://scontent.ftpa1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434033200_413890974574951_2418613565738924139_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=dNkfXv7-lbcAX9alhDH&_nc_ht=scontent.ftpa1-2.fna&oh=00_AfA6bg_RT78Csw0vzkQb_sFlwSzlxrolvsXbQRndwVZEZg&oe=660FB63E	3	DISCO	2024-03-29 02:00	View Edit Delete
881,703	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":881699}'	Yes	2024-03-31 15:59	active	395	421984587178419	Which Vagus Nerve Stimulator Is The Best?	2024’s Top Vagus Nerve Stimulator: See What Scientists Recommend 👇🏻	LEARN_MORE	https://healthinsider.news/weve-tested-3-devices-i	1835332883255867	Health Insider	https://facebook.com/HealthInsiderNew	81,841	3	1,405,645,483,645,205	2024-03-30 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	1	Learn more	Health Insider	120208797078540211	healthinsider.news	NONE	image	After exploring various ways to manage stress and while also improving mental & physical health, we turned to Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS).	https://healthinsider.news/weve-tested-3-devices-in-6-months-which-vagus-nerve-stimulator-is-currently-1-on-the-market-reduce-stress-en	2024-03-28 06:09	https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433139645_937626584528056_1122231196723708092_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=BlSuXGfgpNUAX_aLiH7&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDruR8esf_CQtqfOpssx6_dtM-v8ru_FjTL9QetwfdcyA&oe=660FB855	person_profile	Health Insider	https://scontent.ftpa1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433239017_2161492894196852_3190393962022457474_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Ozjlb8h_SWMAX9Gtcdw&_nc_ht=scontent.ftpa1-1.fna&oh=00_AfA0ZfnclvLhtM_osUCfqU7oay23DOZQ-9Ac-Du4uG5kTg&oe=660FA2E6	3	Health Insider	2024-03-29 02:00	View Edit Delete
881,711	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	Yes	2024-03-31 15:59	active	395	429133592835203	$49 Spinal Decompression	Hey Cary! For the Next Week, we are giving 50 Vouchers for a Spinal Decompression Assessment, a Detailed Nerve & Spinal Examination, an MRI Review, Digital X-rays (if required) with a Report of Findings, and a Treatment Plan, all for $49! (Normally a $345 Total Value)<br /> <br /> Ready to take control and alleviate pain? <br /> <br /> Click below to sign up and claim a voucher now!⁣	LEARN_MORE	https://westcarywellness.net/spinal-decompression-	196026333744253	West Cary Wellness	https://facebook.com/westcarywellness	638	1	1,107,936,317,119,308	2024-03-30 02:00	regular_page	eligible	NONE	0	1	0	Learn more	West Cary Wellness	120207906881690525	westcarywellness.net	NONE	image	Book An Appointment Today!	https://westcarywellness.net/spinal-decompression-voucher	2024-03-29 13:24	https://scontent.ftpa1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433873049_1624815131597901_4293437189004966841_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=u2EN7CWvarsAX91HpA6&_nc_ht=scontent.ftpa1-1.fna&oh=00_AfCh2dkMhC-mMT6fFHPFNnzVV5zphZv1AZGqSx33gsHJkg&oe=660F9BB2	person_profile	West Cary Wellness	https://scontent.ftpa1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433901540_435994315763729_3333167839177024537_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CyVFjv6ZL_EAX94ofZ9&_nc_ht=scontent.ftpa1-1.fna&oh=00_AfC7AnEuvN6jTIi4yYY2BUUMfTQeqnPVAHDxwbrZ_9V7ag&oe=660F8F57	3	West Cary Wellness	2024-03-29 02:00	View Edit Delete
881,790	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":881787}'	Yes	2024-03-31 15:59	active	395	389585990509775	🔥🔥 Click to Read 👉🏻👉🏻	【He won't be coming home tonight, he's too busy sleeping with me. A full year of passion, something you and him will never have.】<br /> A picture of some random bimbo with blonde hair and a stupid smirk was cuddling up next to my boyfriend who was half undressed and sleeping.<br /> Long forgetting his girlfriend who was at home like a fool, waiting for her boyfriend to show up so they could celebrate their four years together. <br /> And that was the day I found out my boyfriend of four years was cheating on me for the last year of our relationship.<br /> ————————<br /> With every picture I burned, memories of him were vanishing along with my love for him. Everything was finally coming to pieces. All the trips he took, all those long nights at work, all those rejections were part of his lies. Just a cover up for where he truly was, sleeping around with some cheap woman. All while I was at home waiting for him and giving him my love. As the pictures burned my hatred for him grew.<br /> "Babe I'm home."<br /> My head snaps up at the sound of his voice. A voice that once gave me comfort, but now disgusted me.<br /> "In the living room."<br /> I quickly hide the pictures under the couch, and put on a fake smile.<br /> He comes in with his black suit all wrinkled, his shirt un tucked, his tie loose around his neck. His blue eyes held a hint of guilt. A look I knew was fake just like the excuse he was about to give me. He was holding a bear that held a little black box, and a bouquet of red roses. Usually I would accept the gifts and forgive him, but that was before I knew his little cheating adventures. I hold my fake smile as I looked over the gifts in his hands.<br /> "So am I forgiven?"<br /> He says breaking the silence, and all I do is smile.<br /> "Oh babe it's fine, let me guess work was piling up today?"<br /> Let's see what you say you lying scumbag.<br /> I notice his eyes flicker with relief and he lets out a breath.<br /> "You know me so well babe, happy four years Nikky."<br /> He sets the bear, roses and small box on the couch. He comes closer and wraps his arms around me. All I wanted to do at that moment was push him off of me. But trying my best I hug him back. Huh he smells of cheap perfume.<br /> "I'll be back, I'm going to change and then we could have dinner."<br /> I just nod and watch him walk off to my room. I wait until he realizes that his clothes are nowhere to be found. Well at least he hasn't checked the garbage.<br /> "Nikky?"<br /> "Yea?"<br /> I respond looking at his confused face.<br /> "Why aren't any of my clothes in there?"<br /> Tell him now.<br /> "They're in the garbage."<br /> I respond.<br /> "Why?"<br /> "Well I thought since you probably have clothes at her house I could just throw away all the clothes you have here. And plus I need more space for the shoes and more clothes I want to buy."<br /> "What are you talking about?"<br /> He says confused.<br /> "Well I'm talking about the girl's house where you stay I'm pretty sure every night for a little sleepover."<br /> "So you assume I cheated on you?"<br /> "Oh no I'm not assuming anything, I have proof that you cheated on me."<br /> I push past him and grab my phone, opening the message and making him look at the picture. As he does his eyes go wide. He opens his mouth to say something but I cut him off.<br /> "Don't you dare say that this isn't you."<br /> I snap and he looks up at me with guilt in his blue eyes.<br /> "Don't do this."<br /> He pleads.<br /> "Leave."<br /> "Nikky come on please let me explain."<br /> "Explain what Luke?! How you cheated on me for who knows how long and yet you have the nerve to come home knowing well what you have done!"<br /> "Nikky it was a mistake!"<br /> "A mistake! No what you did was not a mistake but a choice."<br /> He doesn't say anything.<br /> "Leave! And take this because I don't want anything to do with you!"<br /> I throw the roses and bear at him, along with the little box. And the necklace I was currently wearing.<br /> "Ple-<br /> "Leave now before I call the police."<br /> He stands there looking at me.<br /> "Leave!"<br /> I bang on his chest and push him out the door. Once he is out the door I slam it shut and that's when I feel it. My heart clenches and a sob escapes my throat, tears following right after. And that's when I break, I fall to the ground and let out sobs as I realize that the guy I had loved had broken my heart and didn't think twice when he cheated on me. The guy I was having a baby with had broken me. Grabbing my stomach I let out another sob.<br /> I'm so sorry baby.<br /> The seconds turned to hours which turned to days. I had moved out from the apartment into a smaller one closer to the city. My once flat belly was now a small round bump, being 1 month pregnant and alone brought a lot of complications for me, emotionally wise. I had yet to tell my parents, for all they knew Luke and I were still a thing. I had told no one about the break up except for my best friend Charlie, who I called up the next day to help me find a new place. A place were I could start fresh, with new memories. Just my baby and I.<br /> I was meeting my mom and dad for brunch today so to make sure my bump wasn't noticeable I decided to wear a large black shirt and black leggings and a pair of vans. My hair which was once long was now above my shoulders.<br /> Mom: Sweetie why don't you invite Luke over to eat with us? Your father and I haven't seen or heard from him in a while<br /> I sigh as I look at the text.<br /> Well of course you haven't heard from the scumbag, we broke up because he cheated. And now I'm having his baby.<br /> That's what I wanted to text her, but of course I didn't. But instead replied with the same excuse. Luke was at work and couldn't make it.<br /> "Come on little bean, we have to go meet grandma and grandpa."<br /> I rub my belly and smile. Yea I was already talking to the baby, who was probably the size of a bean if not a bit larger.<br /> Walking out of the apartment I head over to my car and drive off to the cafe that was twenty minutes away.<br /> Driving was always something that I dreaded, because my mind tends to wander to questions I would rather most likely avoid. And the biggest one of course was, When are you going to tell Luke that you're pregnant? Or are you not going to? Personally I would rather keep my baby away from him and not let him know, but he is the father and legally has the right to know.<br /> Before I could get anymore into the subject, I turn the radio on, raising the volume up to drown my thoughts.<br /> By the time I get there parking was already full, so I'm forced to park a block away.<br /> "Great, that means more walking little bean. Which isn't a bad thing. But mommy gets tired."<br /> Dad: Kiddo are you almost here?<br /> I look at the text and chuckle, my dad was always impatient when it came to food.<br /> Me: Yes dad, had to park a block away but I should be there in three minutes.<br /> I turn the engine off and walk out to the crisp air. It was mid-September and the weather in Chicago was getting a bit cooler as fall approached.<br /> I start walking and as I do I start to feel nervous, the fact that my parents will finally know that Luke and I broke up and that I was pregnant and was going to be a single mom was quite the thing to get me all nervous.<br /> It'll be fine, no need to get all worked up about it. You are an adult and they can't tell you what to do anymore.<br /> I kept telling myself as I opened the door and was welcomed with the scent of coffee and warmth. I search the whole place and spot my parents all the way in the back, my dad waving his hands and my mom laughing as she brought the mug to her lips.<br /> Smiling at them I walk towards their table causing them both to get up and greet me with a hug.<br /> "Kiddo Long time no see! How's Luke?"<br /> Just the mention of that name made my stomach churn.<br /> "Yea dad it has been a long time."<br /> I reply ignoring the last part.<br /> "Mom."<br /> I say giving her a hug.<br /> "Darling, how I've missed you. Woah looks like someone is gaining a bit of weight."<br /> Come on Nikky it's now or never. You have to tell them.<br /> "Well, that's what I wanted to talk to you guys about."<br /> I explain, biting on the inside of my cheek.<br /> "Of you gaining weight?"<br /> My dad asks as he sits back down.<br /> And before I can answer a waitress comes by.<br /> "Can I get you anything to drink?"<br /> "Yea she'll have an espresso."<br /> My mom answers.<br /> I shake my head.<br /> "Actually I'll just have a hot chocolate with whipped cream on top and a chocolate chip muffin please."<br /> "Alrighty, then I'll be right out with that."<br /> "Hot chocolate?"<br /> "Yea I just wanted to try something different."<br /> I say playing around with the hem of my shirt.<br /> "So what did you want to talk about Nikky?"<br /> My mom says sitting back down and I follow sitting across from her and my dad.<br /> "Well, um okay, how do I tell you guys."<br /> Quit stalling and just tell them Nikky!<br /> "Nikky just spit it out. You know you can tell us anything."<br /> I nod, reassuring my mom that I knew that.<br /> "Okay, well I'm uh pregnant."<br /> There I said it.<br /> I looked at both my parents who had a blank stare. That is until my mother broke into a smile and stood up, making me stand up as well.<br /> "Sweetie congratulations! Why didn't you tell me sooner?"<br /> She wraps her arms around me and sways us side to side.<br /> "Come on let me get a hug."<br /> My dad says and my mom lets go letting my dad congratulate me by giving me one of his famous bear hugs.<br /> "Can't believe we're going to be grandparents."<br /> I look over at my mom who was on the verge of crying.<br /> "Mom please don't cry."<br /> I plead knowing that I had yet to tell them the other part of the news and not know how they would react with the second part once I had told them.<br /> "So how did Luke react?"<br /> They both look at me with the biggest smiles on their faces.<br /> "He doesn't know."<br /> I say and my mom blinks and my dad just smiles.<br /> "Of course! you want to make it a surprise!"<br /> I shake my head no.<br /> "We broke up, have been for a while now. I left the apartment and got a smaller one closer to the city. Charlie helped me pick it out."<br /> "You're not going to keep it am I right?"<br /> My mother asks looking rather angry.<br /> I was taken aback from her remark, does she mean an abortion?<br /> "No, I plan on keeping my baby."<br /> "Nikky do you know what our friends will say when they find out about this?"<br /> I don't answer her but just continue staring at both my parents, letting her comment process.<br /> Why would I want to have an abortion? This baby was a blessing for me and there was no way that I was going to end my little bean's life. Sure being a single mom would be a bit more challenging but I had my friends, and I thought I had my family but apparently they don't approve.<br /> "Or if you don't want an abortion, we can have it be adopted."<br /> I look at my mother with a look of disgust.<br /> "It's a baby, not it. And I will not have an abortion nor will I have the baby be adopted."<br /> I speak low as to not cause a scene, not that it mattered.<br /> "Nikky listen to your mother, this won't be good for your reputation. Think about it, you'll be a single mom living on your own and not even married with a baby on the way."<br /> I scoff.<br /> "Are you listening to yourself, dad?! Not married and with a baby? This is the twenty-first century, things change and not being married and with a kid is one of them."<br /> Before my mom could reply the waitress comes with our stuff.<br /> "Actually I'll like to have my things to go please."<br /> I say giving her a small smile.<br /> She looks between my mom and I and nods, maybe she could sense the tension going on.<br /> "Of course."<br /> "Thank you."<br /> I turn back to my parents.<br /> "Don't worry, we won't be causing you or your reputation any more trouble."<br /> With that said I walk to the cash register grabbing my hot chocolate and muffin and leaving the coffee shop.<br /> I was preoccupied with my thoughts but the chime of my phone quickly pulled me back to reality.<br /> "So let me get this straight your mother wants you to have an abortion or have the baby be adopted?"<br /> Charlie looks over at me as he flips over the omelet, he looked a bit shocked that my mother would think such thing.<br /> "Yup, my dad even said that it was bad for my reputation being a single mother and all. That it was immoral for me to have the baby and not have the father here with me."<br /> I move around to the cupboard to get the plates along with the cups.<br /> "Well, why would you want a douchebag to me near your baby, especially a cheating one."<br /> "Well he is the father, I have to tell him. But no way will I get back with him."<br /> "So are you for sure ready to tell him? The real question I'm asking is if you're ready to face him again."<br /> He places the omelet on the plate and sets the pan down before looking at me.<br /> "I have no clue, whenever I think about him I feel like throwing up, and I just get nervous. But he has to know, doesn't he?"<br /> I ask looking as Charlie starts preparing his omelet. He shrugs his shoulders before cracking an egg followed by another.<br /> "That's up to you. Do you want him to be part of the baby's life?"<br /> I let out a sigh and run my hands through my face, feeling exhausted from the whole situation.<br /> "I don't know what I want anymore, I just want to live a happy life with my baby."<br /> "Here eat already."<br /> He nudges the plate towards me and I grab it sitting down, waiting for Charlie to finish making his.<br /> "I don't have his number anymore so that means I'm going to have to talk with his parents and get his number from them."<br /> I take my fork and cut a piece of the omelet bringing it to my mouth.<br /> "This is so good."<br /> I exclaim with a full mouth. Charlie chuckles and turns his head to look at me.<br /> "Glad you two like it."<br /> "Like it? We love it."<br /> I take another bite letting my mouth savor the flavors that the sausage, bacon, and ham brought to my taste buds. Charlie joins me finally with his omelet my hot chocolate and his coffee mug, taking a seat across from me.<br /> "Veggie omelet?"<br /> I ask looking at his omelet which contained mushrooms, avocado, spinach, and tomatoes.<br /> "Yea it's good."<br /> He says taking a bite and looking at me with his blue eyes.<br /> I shake my head.<br /> "Maybe, but little bean and I prefer the meat omelet."<br /> The rest of our breakfast time we spent time talking about random stuff, school, and a new project he had. We talked about almost everything except my parents, luke, and the problems I soon had to face.<br /> "Okay so let me get this, you have a date tomorrow and you're barely telling me today?! Why didn't you tell me sooner jerk?"<br /> I smack his arm playfully.<br /> "Becuase I'm not for sure if it will turn out into more dates."<br /> "I don't care, you should have told me. It's about time you got a date."<br /> He rolls his eyes, he opens his mouth to say something smart but he was cut off by a sudden knock at the door.<br /> "Are you expecting someone?"<br /> "Not that I'm aware of."<br /> I get up from my seat and make my way towards the door, before opening it I look through the peephole and feel my heart start beating faster, and not in a good way.	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881,813	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":881783}'	Yes	2024-03-31 15:59	active	395	861818445710359	🔥🔥 Click to Read 👉🏻👉🏻	"He thought his lovely wife had arranged a romantic bedroom rendezvous on their anniversary. But when he took off his pants and cracked the Johnny package, he found an 8-times folded divorce agreement inside..."<br /> "I said I had a surprise for you. Here it is!"<br /> "Let's get a divorce."<br /> "Good for you, Briana. Don't you regret it!"<br /> After that, Scott slammed the door shut and left.<br /> That night, Briana packed her things with only one suitcase.<br /> She decided to be herself not the CEO's Poor betrayed wife.<br /> ————————<br /> Today marked the wedding anniversary of Briana Fabre and Scott Fisher.<br /> Briana: Come home early tonight. I've got a surprise for you, something you'll absolutely love :)<br /> After sending the text, Briana set her phone down and returned to the kitchen, intending to prepare a homemade dinner for Scott.<br /> A maid said in admiration, "Madam, you two are so much in love."<br /> Briana gave a wistful smile but said nothing.<br /> Love? Scott and her?<br /> At the beginning, Scott married Briana out of obligation. Over the three years since they tied the knot, Scott never lacked female company. He would come home twice a month at most and every intimate encounter with her was like a routine, rough and devoid of any tenderness.<br /> A week ago, as Briana was choosing a gift for their upcoming third anniversary, Scott's lover Krista Owens suddenly showed up with a pregnancy test report.<br /> With a triumphant air, Krista declared, "I'm pregnant. You should leave Scott to me."<br /> The moment she saw the report, compromise and self-deception, everything Briana had endured over the past three years overwhelmed her.<br /> At 7 PM, Scott arrived home, and the discreet servants made their exit.<br /> Briana had just set the table when Scott's warm breath enveloped her from behind. He held her chin and turned her head for a forceful peck.<br /> She paused for a moment but quickly pushed him away.<br /> Scott's arms encircled her waist, and he pinched her chin with his long fingers. Squinting his eyes, he said indifferently, "You want me back for a good fk, don't you?"<br /> Briana explained, "No. Today is our third anniversary. And I do have a gift for you."<br /> Scott released her and replied in a sarcastic tone, "A gift? Since when did we start to celebrate anniversaries?"<br /> Briana pursed her lips, remaining silent.<br /> She poured beverage for both of them.<br /> Lifting her glass, she said, "Here's to our third anniversary. Cheers."<br /> Bathed in the soft light, Scott's features stood out, his chiseled jawline and straight nose cutting a sharp contrast against the backdrop. His pursed lips hinted at his dissatisfaction with this anniversary dinner for only the two of them.<br /> Briana chuckled, not expecting him to respond. She picked up her glass and gulped it in one go.<br /> After finishing the first glass, she started the second one, then the third...<br /> Before long, Briana's face was flushed from drinking. Despite seeing a smile on her face, Scott couldn't ignore the watery glint in her eyes.<br /> He sensed something was off about Briana today.<br /> At the end, Briana had had too much and was a bit tipsy. Leaning on the table and gazing at the man across from her, whose expression remained unchanged, she drawled, "Scott Fisher, can't you c*k a little smile for me even today?"<br /> Scott stared at the groggy woman and lost his tongue.<br /> "Briana, when did you become so boring?"<br /> Briana rested her head on the table, forcing a wry smile. "Scott, you can't even give me a smile... This is our last..."<br /> Scott didn't want to waste any more time here. He lifted her up and carried her to the sofa.<br /> "Wait, my gift..."<br /> Scott withdrew his hand, turned around, and silently watched her.<br /> Briana's cheeks flushed. Her innocent and shimmering eyes gazed up at him.<br /> Scott swallowed hard. He had to admit the person before him was stunningly hot. She possessed enough allure that could make any man's heart race.<br /> Otherwise, he wouldn't have fallen into her trap in the first place.<br /> Her lips which were painted by the color of the beverage looked crimson and luscious.<br /> As her hands slipped under his shirt, he uncontrollably lifted her chin, pressing his lips onto hers for a French peck.<br /> Briana winced, letting out a gasp.<br /> She bit his lip, causing the taste of blood to spread between their lips.<br /> The peck was like a game. Whoever wins dominates the other.<br /> Just as Scott was about to fetch the protection box from the bedside table, Briana's voice interrupted him. "Scott, happy anniversary! Let's get a divorce."<br /> The man on top of her froze.<br /> "What did you just say?"<br /> ...<br /> Briana knew he had heard her perfectly, yet she repeated firmly, "Let's get a divorce."<br /> Scott cooled down in an instant. Getting up from her, he asked in an icy tone, "How much do you want this time?"<br /> She was always like this, resorting to any means and tactics for money.<br /> "None."<br /> Briana took out a divorce agreement from under the pillow and passed it to him. "Look at this. If you have no problem with it, you may sign."<br /> Scott's face turned gloomy. "Briana, you better cut it out. I'm not interested in your boring games!"<br /> "I said I had a surprise for you. Here it is!"<br /> Briana handed the divorce agreement to Scott.<br /> Scott looked at her with an expressionless face. For no reason, he found her smile oddly unsettling.<br /> Scott pursed his lips. After a few seconds, he asked, "Are you serious?"<br /> Briana nodded, "Yeah. Do you like the gift?"<br /> "Good for you, Briana. Don't you regret it!"<br /> After that, Scott slammed the door shut and left.<br /> That night, Briana packed her things with only one suitcase.<br /> She didn't take anything that Scott had bought for her.<br /> And their third anniversary would be their divorce day.<br /> When Scott looked back on it later, he would surely celebrate this glorious day.<br /> It might be the most satisfying thing she had done for him during their marriage.<br /> Sitting in the cab, Briana watched the passing views outside. She suddenly felt a sense of relief.<br /> Though she had been a CEO's wife for three years, now she was going back to her own version of the slums.<br /> "You asked for a divorce?! Jesus! Just why?" Kaylee Graham bombarded Briana with questions.<br /> After she left, Briana came to her best friend's place with her luggage.<br /> Briana calmly explained, "Krista's pregnant."<br /> "And you didn't even ask Scott for a cent?" Kaylee was furious upon hearing Briana's answer.<br /> Briana shrugged, seemingly indifferent to her question.<br /> "Nope."<br /> "Are you out of your mind? You've been married to Scott for three years, and now he's cheating on you. It's his fault! You should at least demand half of his fortune..."<br /> While Kaylee vented her frustrations on Briana's behalf, Briana was immersed in her memories.<br /> Scott was forced to marry her because she was pregnant.<br /> That was why Scott harbored so much resentment toward her.<br /> Briana thought Scott now had Krista with him, who was carrying his child, so there was no point for her to stick around.<br /> Kaylee exclaimed in fury, "It's not the same. When you married Scott, he was single. But Krista, she clearly knew Scott was married. She's completely a home-wrecker!"<br /> "It doesn't matter anymore," Briana replied.<br /> "Anyway, he was forced to marry me. After divorce, I owe him nothing."<br /> The divorce agreement was placed on Scott's desk the next afternoon, with Briana's flamboyant signature on the last page, seemingly to be a threat.<br /> Calvin Lynn noticed his boss' face grow colder. So he stepped forward and said, "Mr. Fisher, I confirmed with the staff of Starlake Mansion. Ma'am moved out last night. Apart from her personal belongings, she took nothing."<br /> Scott tightened the grip on the agreement, tossing it on the table.<br /> "She wants nothing? Is this another hard-to-get game?"<br /> Calvin stayed silent. After all, he didn't marry Briana. How could he know what games they were playing?<br /> Scott had no intention of getting any useful answers from his assistant so he said calmly, "Leave me alone."<br /> Taking a couple of steps away, Calvin turned back at Scott. "Mr. Fisher, the necklace you order in Paris has arrived. How..."<br /> It was Scott's gift for Briana for their anniversary, but now it seemed utterly useless.<br /> "Throw it away!" Scott replied indifferently.<br /> Calvin responded, "I see."<br /> After Calvin exited the office, Scott picked up the divorce agreement again. His gaze fell on Briana's signature. A cold sneer gradually emerged on his face.<br /> To Scott, Briana was someone who would stop at nothing to achieve her goals. She begged him for help at Dusk Club and then feigned pregnancy to force him into marriage.<br /> How could a woman with such malicious intentions suddenly have a change of heart?<br /> She just had a target.<br /> Scott crumpled the paper in his hand and tossed it into the trash bin.<br /> ...<br /> Briana waited at home for several days, but she didn't get Scott's call, neither were her texts to him read.<br /> She was going to find Scott in Dusk Club, a place he frequented.<br /> However, instead of running into Scott, she crossed paths with Scott's soon-to-be wife, Krista.<br /> Krista saw Briana. She walked over with a sneer and said in a mocking tone, "Haven't you given up yet? Are you looking for Scott here?"<br /> Briana shot a cold glance at Krista and said nothing.<br /> Emboldened by Briana's silence, Krista continued to shout, "Shame on you! I told you I'm pregnant, and you still refuse to let go of Scott, don't you?!"<br /> "Miss, let me remind you one thing. You're the one who interfered in my marriage. You're the third party."<br /> Briana's remarks left Krista stunned for several seconds before her face turned pale with anger. Krista raised her hand, intending to give Briana a good slap.<br /> Briana grabbed Krista's wrist and delivered a crisp slap in return.<br /> "I didn't say anything before because you are conceiving Scott's child. But that doesn't mean you can flaunt it in front of me again and again. Are you really that proud of being a mistress?"<br /> Briana's slap attracted the attention of many people around them.<br /> Krista suddenly felt ashamed. She tried to pull her hand back, but she couldn't match Briana's strength.<br /> Krista shouted, "That's nonsense! I'm not the mistress. I should have been Scott's wife! He's disgusted by you!"<br /> "I'm still Scott's legal wife. The kid you're carrying is evidence of his infidelity. If I decide to sue him, it will lead to him leaving with nothing!"<br /> Krista stared at Briana in disbelief. "I dare you..."<br /> "You can try."<br /> Despite being in the scorching heat of summer, the voice coming behind them sent chills down their spine.<br /> Briana hesitated for a moment, slowly releasing the hand she held on Krista's.<br /> Krista immediately rushed to Scott's side, covering her swollen face, tears coming out of her eyes, looking pitiful.<br /> Scott's gaze landed on Krista and then Briana. With his eyes cold, he uttered aloofly, "Do you need a lawyer?"<br /> Briana forced a smile. "Don't bother."<br /> She couldn't afford to hire a lawyer for a legal case that would not only be time-consuming and energy-draining but could also entangle her in a mess.<br /> He just wanted Krista to be scared.<br /> Scott took a step toward Briana and whispered to her, "So, 'leave with nothing' in the divorce agreement refers to me, huh?"<br /> Briana looked up and saw the mockery in his eyes. She immediately understood his implication and tried to explain, "It's not like that. I..."<br /> "Money can't satisfy your ambitions anymore. What you want is the entire Fisher Group now, right?"<br /> "Briana, don't you think you're being too cocky? If I do sign the agreement, what about your great plan?"<br /> Briana met his sarcastic gaze and smiled, "Then please sign it as soon as possible."<br /> Scott's voice turned icy. "What's your plan after that? Use the divorce agreement as evidence to sue me?"<br /> Briana maintained her smile. "Mr. Fisher, you're overthinking about it. Can't we just give each other a break? If you're still worried, I can write you a guarantee. I promise I won't ask you single cent for any reason or under any pretext. Is that okay?"<br /> Scott didn't expect Briana to be so decisive, as if she was eager to get rid of him. He furrowed his brows.<br /> Briana withdrew her gaze and quickly left without looking back.<br /> "Scott, she's so intractable. You should just divorce her..." Krista glanced at Briana's back with a scornful smile creeping to her lips.<br /> Scott looked back, scanning the person in front of him. He said, "Are you...out of your mind?"<br /> Krista was startled, unsure which part of her words offended him.<br /> Scott continued, "I didn't know you're pregnant."<br /> Krista nervously clutched her dress with both hands, stuttering for a while before saying, "I-I heard you hate her, Mr. Fisher. So, I um found an excuse and forced her to divor..."<br /> Wearing a scowl on his face, Scott interrupted, "I know what you're up to. Having Briana play such a dirty trick is enough. I don't wanna hear another rumor like that again, otherwise you know the consequences."<br /> Krista bit her lip, not daring to utter another word.<br /> After Scott left, Krista's friends finally breathed a sigh of relief. They approached and asked, "Kris, isn't Mr. Fisher your boyfriend? How can he talk to you like that?"<br /> Krista's face turned extremely pale. Scott had taken her to many social events recently, and he didn't even stop the rumors about their relationship, so she naturally assumed she became his kept woman.<br /> That was why she had the nerve to ask Briana to make room for her, even going so far as to forge a pregnancy test report.<br /> However, it seemed that Scott didn't take her that seriously...<br /> That night, Krista further inquired about the hidden stories of Scott and Briana's marriage.<br /> Three years ago, Briana's father had incurred high debts and couldn't afford to repay them. So the debtors sold Briana to Dusk Club. After she managed to escape, Briana met Scott and begged him for his help.<br /> Unexpectedly, two months later, Briana showed up at Scott's place with a pregnancy test report. The prestigious Fishers valued their reputation and didn't want any scandals. Coupled with her pregnancy, they asked Scott to marry Briana.<br /> Less than two months into the marriage, Briana suffered a sudden miscarriage.<br /> Scott was sure the whole thing was staged by Briana. First she was drugged at Dusk Club, then she met him and faked the pregnancy--all the endeavor was her elaborate designs only to marry him.<br /> ...<br /> Briana waited for a few days but still got no response from Scott.<br /> What happened at Dusk Club that day gave her every reason to suspect that Scott's reluctance to divorce was a deliberate attempt to thoroughly disgust her. He wanted to subject her to mockery and the shame of being cuckolded. It was a retaliation for her past actions.<br /> While Scott had the patience to drag things out, Briana couldn't afford to continue this stalemate. Her initial plan was to finalize the divorce proceedings before making future plans. But now, she didn't want to sit idly by and decided to move on.<br /> Hearing Briana's plan of looking for a job, Kaylee perked up. "Why not join our magazine? We're expecting excellent designers to build our own brands."<br /> Briana hesitated. "Can I? I haven't produced any work over the past three years."<br /> "Darling, you've got it. No harm giving it a shot, right?"<br /> Convinced, Briana nodded. "Alright."<br /> Kaylee, a fast executor, put it into action right away. The very next day, she came to GioJewelry Magazine with Briana's work from three years ago.<br /> Elian Berks, the editor-in-chief, fixed his gaze on the signature of the works after reviewing them. After a pause, he asked, "Is Bria your friend?"<br /> Bria was Briana's alias as a designer.<br /> "Yeah, she's really talented, and her work is imbued with a distinctive flair. I'm sure she will surprise us."<br /> Elian was well aware of Bria's prowess. She was a rising star in the industry that disappeared at the peak of her career.<br /> Some said she ran out of inspiration after winning an award and couldn't create anything anymore. Others claimed she married into wealth, leading a secretive life afterward.<br /> There were all sorts of rumors about her sudden disappearance.<br /> No one anticipated that after three years, when she had faded from everyone's memory, she would make a comeback.<br /> Elian suggested, "Is she available tonight? Let's grab a meal together."<br /> Kaylee grasped the optimistic implication and accepted the invitation on behalf of Briana.<br /> During the meal, Briana had a great chat with Elian.<br /> Elian expressed that, given Briana's design skills, they could sign her up directly.<br /> Before leaving the restaurant, Kaylee took Briana to the restroom.<br /> While washing her hands, Kaylee said, "Great! You made it!"<br /> Though surprised at how smoothly things were going, Birana still had some worries. "I'm afraid my designs might not satisfy your boss."<br /> "Darling, believe in yourself! You were once the first-place winner in a design competition! This is a rare opportunity for you, just seize it. You heard what Elian said, didn't you? Just relax and be yourself."<br /> As Kaylee concluded her words, the sound of high heels echoed from the entrance.<br /> The next moment, Krista appeared before them.<br /> Seemingly caught off guard by the unexpected encounter, both parties paused for a moment. Krista disdainfully snorted while saying, "Why on earth I can see you everywhere?"<br /> Briana grabbed a piece of tissue to dry her hands, replying without expression, "If you want a beating, I can do you a favor. No need to beat around the bush."<br /> "You..."<br /> After their previous encounter, Krista had already accepted the facet that she was no match for Briana. Now, as she found herself outnumbered two to one, she felt certain that her chances of success were slim to none.<br /> Thus, she resorted to a verbal battle. With a cynical tone, she retorted, "Briana, do you have no shame? Shall I remind you of the dirty tricks you played to marry Scott? Don't pretend to be superior to me!"<br /> Just as Kaylee was about to refute, Briana grabbed her wrist.<br /> Calmly looking at Krista, Briana asked, "Did Scott tell you that?"<br /> It was evident that Krista was a woman of no wisdom. She hadn't brought up this matter in their previous encounters, so judging from her current smug state, Briana knew Krista had only just learned about it.<br /> "Yeah, he said you make him sick. Meeting you at Dusk Club is the biggest regret of his life!"<br /> Noticing Briana's expressionless face, Krista suddenly realized she might have gone too far. Cautiously, she took a step back.<br /> To her surprise, Briana stayed put, displaying no inclination to engage in a confrontation or resort to violence. She simply calmly turned and walked away.<br /> Observing this, Kaylee followed Briana.<br /> "Honey, forget it. No point in getting mad over those two bastards..."<br /> Before Kaylee could finish her sentence, she saw Scott, the man she had labeled as a "Jerk", standing not far ahead and engaged in a casual conversation with someone.<br /> But Briana acted as if she hadn't seen him, walking toward his direction without batting an eyelid.<br /> Scott's friend, Jerry Parker, who was standing nearby, sensed a subtle but escalating tension from behind. Turning around, he exclaimed, "Isn't that your wife? What's she doing here?"	LEARN_MORE	https://a.read4funs.com/ad/ZmFuY3lOb3ZlbC8xMzY3OTk	123823310705302	ForFun-100	https://facebook.com/100094441775812	85	1	335,822,305,690,197	2024-03-30 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	1	Learn more	ForFun-100	120209149247800361	a.read4funs.com	NONE	video		https://a.read4funs.com/ad/ZmFuY3lOb3ZlbC8xMzY3OTkvMjAyNDAzMjkxNTAyNTMvcGFnZQ==?adid={{ad.id}}	2024-03-29 02:07	https://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433086719_699342568813722_8737834094556228794_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=c9AorzN2prEAX8YWRuD&_nc_oc=AdhgQt3dV77z1q4HMeVds7_x-Nb9nQrAfS3RkmCZLUjI1AIgizrE1h5fmTvyq3qamdE&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&oh=00_AfA5KGA24AeGHTaDGUYCcbYSnZ4DXrCQlhFk9Pj8lkrzwQ&oe=660FB2CF	person_profile	ForFun-100	https://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434284836_1461626938066130_6927763273548814456_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=u40EFFh67BAAX9T2oD1&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&oh=00_AfDkNPlQX5leSTO9l0Sr3G5MGUL7CbsMPRpDHacU1GVlyw&oe=660F9EB1	3	ForFun-100	2024-03-29 02:00	View Edit Delete
881,817	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":881800}'	Yes	2024-03-31 15:59	active	395	915181923638430	🔥🔥 Click to Read 👉🏻👉🏻	I took a second step backwards, but bumped into something hard.<br /> A wall? No...a person.<br /> I spun around only to find the most handsome man I'd never laid eyes on staring down at me with a half empty glass in his hand.<br /> My eyes wandered from his broad shoulders down his muscular chest toward the glass in his hand, the glass that had just spilled liquor all over his insanely expensive shoes.<br /> "I'm so sorry." I huffed, frantically wiping at the man's shoes, but making very little progress.<br /> "Stand up." The man's deep voice found its way to my ears with a softness that made me melt, but an edge that made me want to obey him. "You're far too beautiful to be cleaning my shoes."<br /> __________<br /> Kinsley ~<br /> I had been to Adriana's house multiple times, but I didn't think I'd ever get used to the size of it. Her home took up nearly an entire city block and made me feel like I was two inches tall and very, very poor. The immaculate trimmings of her front door alone reminded me of the bills I had to pay and I internally scolded myself as I frantically checked the date on my phone.<br /> I don't think I paid my electric bill.<br /> Before I could obsess over my financial oversight, my thoughts were interrupted by the massive door opening, revealing Adriana in workout clothes, but a full face of make-up.<br /> "Kins!" Adriana squealed as if we hadn't just had lunch the day before.<br /> "I cannot wait to see how your piece looks in the study!" Adriana said, reaching for the artwork that I had in a case resting against my side.<br /> "I thought you said it was going in the dining room?" I asked as I entered the house, hearing my own voice echo off of the marble floors.<br /> "I was kind of thinking I wanted something bigger for the dining room. Like bam right when you walk in, maybe some big pops of color." Adriana said enthusiastically as we passed the large dining room.<br /> The thought of being contracted to create another piece for Adriana was more than appealing, not only was she a low maintenance client who gave me tons of creative freedom, she paid generously for my work - well over my asking price. I wasn't sure if the payment was because we were friends or because she valued my work, but either way I had an electric bill that needed to get paid and didn't care about client motives.<br /> "Every time I come to your house I find something new to admire." I said, tilting my head up to gawk at the elaborate chandelier that hung above us as we made our way to the study.<br /> Adriana rolled her eyes and waved her hand at the absolute masterpieces that were scattered along her walls.<br /> "These are all dated - I'm trying to make this house my own and your pieces are my favorite. They're so edgy and trendy. I can't get enough of them." Adriana said excitedly.<br /> Her compliments pulled a bright smile from me as I opened up the case, readying myself for her reaction to the large painting I'd brought with me. No matter how many times I had received compliments from Adriana, revealing my finished pieces to anyone was nerve wracking.<br /> "Oh my God it's perfect! Kins, babe, your work is to die for!" Adriana clapped her hands together excitedly.<br /> "I'll have someone hang it immediately, but first, let's talk payment."<br /> This is my least favorite part.<br /> Making friends with Adriana had skyrocketed my business, but I was still uneasy about assigning monetary value to my pieces. If I priced them too high, no one would buy, but too low and the high brow elite would lose interest and view me as beneath them.<br /> Adriana eyed me, waiting for me to name my price.<br /> "$5,000" I said meekly, in more of a question than a statement.<br /> Adriana let out a sigh and shook her head at me before correcting my obviously incorrect decision.<br /> "I'll give you $10,000 and consider it largely discounted."<br /> Did she just say $10,000?<br /> My mouth involuntarily flopped open at the large number before I could stop it and Adriana gave me an over exaggerated eye roll in response.<br /> "You have to stop doing that." She scolded me.<br /> "Doing what?" I asked, closing my mouth and schooling my expression.<br /> "Acting shocked when people offer what you consider to be a large sum of money for your work."<br /> I knew she was right. If I wanted to sell to Adriana's high brow friends, I needed to at least be able to pretend I'd seen checks that large before.<br /> "I know, I know. I'm just not used to it. I don't really fit in with all of this." I waved my hand around the room, motioning to her entire house and waitstaff that was standing around in various places.<br /> "Welllll, I think we need to change that." Adriana said with a wide grin as she looped her arm in mine.<br /> You can't change how we were raised Adriana and spoiler alert - ten different foster homes is the opposite of lavish and luxurious. I'm out of place here, no matter how much money you hand me for my paintings.<br /> "How do you plan on doing that?" I asked in a skeptical tone that mirrored the quizzical look on my face.<br /> "Exposure."<br /> "I'm not following." I said honestly.<br /> "Come with me to a party tonight. Let me introduce you to the people who will help take your little business to the next level. If they think you are up and coming and trendy they'll eat up your work and pay you top dollar for it."<br /> Her suggestion made me nervous for a number of different reasons with the main one being the type of people that Adriana and her family surrounded themselves with. It wasn't just intimidating to be around people with that much wealth - it was how they obtained their wealth that intimidated me.<br /> Adriana's father was high in the rankings of the L.A. mafia. I had seen him in the news a few times and knew that the people who would be at this party would not only be extremely wealthy, but would most likely be extremely dangerous as well.<br /> My stomach knotted and Adriana picked up on my apprehension immediately.<br /> "Just come with me tonight. If you hate it, I'll never ask you again. Come on, you can be my date." She stuck out her bottom lip, giving me a comically pouty expression that I'm sure her parents saw non-stop when she was growing up.<br /> "Fine." I relented. "But I don't have anything to wear!"<br /> "I have plenty of things for you to borrow my love." Adriana said, guiding me to her closet that was larger than my entire apartment.<br /> I had to admit that the idea of attending such an exclusive party with some of the wealthiest people in L.A. was intriguing and exciting. I'd never been exposed to that type of clientele before and my curiosity was starting to overpower my anxiety.<br /> Kinsley ~<br /> A few hours later I found myself in one of Adriana's tight fitting dresses that was clearly tailored to her body and not mine, but I could get away with it for a couple of hours. It was tight and restricting, but thin straps kept sliding off of my shoulders every few minutes as if it were reminding me that I wasn't meant to be in it.<br /> I nervously fidgeted with the ends of my hair that Adriana had fixed for me. The split ends of my light brown hair twirled beneath my fingers as the town car passed by mansion after mansion, each one bigger than the last.<br /> Good lord when was the last time I had a hair cut?<br /> The excitement I had felt was starting to dwindle into downright anxiety as the car pulled up to a large house that looked more like a palace and somewhere that I definitely didn't belong.<br /> "Ready?" Adriana said,<br /> No.<br /> "Yep." I answered, forcing a smile as I awkwardly scooted myself out of the car in Adriana's form fitting dress.<br /> There were multiple attendants waiting outside. Some were there to park cars, others were there to take coats and purses, and the rest were standing around as if waiting to be given a request. I'd never seen anything like it other than in the movies.<br /> "Whose house is this again?" I asked in a hushed tone as I leaned toward Adriana.<br /> "This is one of the Moretti family homes." Adriana replied over her shoulder as she handed her bag to one of the attendants.<br /> One of? Cheese and rice I forgot how rich these people were. This is just one of their homes?<br /> "And you're sure they won't mind that I'm here?" I asked in a shaky voice, reminding myself of why they were so wealthy.<br /> Adriana was clearly fed up with my nervous antics and spun around to face me as we entered the massive estate.<br /> "Kins, You look amazing and you're welcome here because you are my personal guest. If anyone doesn't want you here then they can take it up with me." Adriana's words were sharp, but her facial expression was soft and comforting.<br /> Taking in a deep breath I let Adriana's words soak in and felt a wave of confidence wash over me.<br /> "Got it." I said, nodding my head, signaling that I was done acting like a scared child. I was 24 years old, a grown woman and this was just a party.<br /> "Good."<br /> Adriana walked through the house like she owned the place, introducing me to people as she greeted everyone with pecks on the cheek. She walked with poise and confidence that I tried to emulate, but couldn't quite master.<br /> Can everyone see that I don't belong here or is it all in my head?<br /> The feeling of eyes on me hovered in the air around me, making my skin hot and my palms sweat as we made our way further into the mansion. Everything was intricate and embellished with refined fixtures and finishings that made me feel dull and out of place.<br /> As Adriana carried on a conversation, my eyes wandered over the massive floral centerpieces and I couldn't help but notice how beautiful the color combination was.<br /> I love that, if only there was better lighting to highlight those textures.<br /> I took a step back with my head tilted to the side to see if I could picture what those flowers would look like with more purple hues and some better lighting. Feeling inspired and wanting to take a mental snap shot so I could paint it later, I took a second step backwards, but bumped into something hard.<br /> A wall? No...a person.<br /> "What ?" A deep voice echoed from behind me between gritted teeth, making my blood run cold at the sound.<br /> I spun around only to find the most handsome man I'd never laid eyes on staring down at me with a half empty glass in his hand. His blue gray eyes looked furious, but softened slightly as they settled on my face which I'm sure was beet red at the moment. My eyes wandered from his broad shoulders down his muscular chest toward the glass in his hand, the glass that had just spilled liquor all over his insanely expensive shoes.<br /> Completely mortified at my clumsiness, I immediately dropped down to the floor, using the napkin from the drink I'd just received to wipe the scotch from his shoes that I hopefully hadn't ruined, praying I wouldn't have to pay to have them replaced.<br /> "I'm so sorry." I huffed, frantically wiping at the man's shoes, but making very little progress.<br /> Lost in my own frenzied thoughts, I focused on the man's shoes until I felt a large hand gently wrap around my bicep.<br /> "Stand up." The man's deep voice found its way to my ears with a softness that made me melt, but an edge that made me want to obey him.<br /> Doing as he asked, I straightened my legs that felt like they were made of jello, trying to get enough courage to face him after my embarrassing error. He left his hand on my arm, helping to steady me until I was completely upright, but as soon as I met his blue-gray eyes, I suddenly forgot how to breathe.<br /> "You're far too beautiful to be cleaning my shoes." The man said, giving me a panty dropping smile that made my mouth dry.<br /> Say something Kinsley. Don't just stare at him like an idiot.<br /> "I don't think we've met." The man said, studying my face with a look I couldn't decipher. "Dane Moretti." He said, extending his hand toward me.<br /> Moretti, why do I know that name? Oh God, he's the owner of the house. Way to go Kinsley. Way to go.<br /> His name stole what little breath I had left in my lungs as my insides screamed at me to run away and rid myself of the embarrassing situation that was playing out in front of me.<br /> "Hi." was all I managed to say, like a true moron.<br /> Hi? Jesus Kinsley.<br /> Dane smiled down at me as if he could hear my internal reprimands.<br /> "And you are?"<br /> "Kinsley...um Kinsley Wright." I said in a shaky unsure tone, letting my eyes dart around the room for Adriana, or a fire escape or maybe a sharp object to throw myself on.<br /> My eyes settled on Adriana's long black hair and I practically came out of my skin to see a familiar face. I knew I was making a fool out of myself in front of this gorgeous man and he seemed to find quite a bit of humor in it.<br /> "Again, I'm so sorry about your shoes. I wasn't looking where I was going."<br /> "Yeah that's pretty hard to do when you're walking backwards." Dane said with a smirk that exposed a few of his perfect teeth.<br /> Kill me. Kill me now.<br /> "I'm sorry." I breathed out, readying myself to escape.<br /> "If you'll excuse me." I managed to blurt out as I turned and practically ran toward Adriana.<br /> My throat was starting to close in and my face was burning hot with embarrassment as I made my way toward Adriana, but my movements stopped as a crowd of people joined her making it nearly impossible to speak with her alone.<br /> I swiveled my head around until I found an attendant who was just standing there, waiting for someone to ask for something.<br /> "Excuse me, where is the restroom?"<br /> "Second hallway, fourth door on the left." He said with a sympathetic smile as if he knew I was about to have a panic attack.<br /> "Thank you." I said breathlessly as I made my way toward the bathroom.<br /> Once inside, I shut the door hard and leaned against it with my eyes closed in utter disbelief of how stupid I just made myself look.<br /> You just crashed into the owner of this house and ruined his shoes that probably cost more than you make in a year.<br /> Taking a few steps toward the sink, I ran the cold water, needing something cool against my heated flesh that was red and flushed from embarrassment.<br /> As I raised my eyes toward the mirror, I half way expected to see an elegant woman staring back at me, someone refined like Adriana who looked the part and blended in with the glamorous surroundings. But that's not who I saw at all. It was just me. Kinsley. In a tight dress.<br /> Get a hold of yourself. You aren't here to make friends. You're here to look professional and play the part to gain clientele. Quit acting like a jittery mess and pull together.<br /> Bracing my weight with my hands against the sink, I pushed out a hard breath as I regained my composure. I straightened my spine and rolled my shoulders back, correcting my posture and lifting my chin.<br /> Let's try this again.<br /> This time when I exited the bathroom, I tried to emulate the refinement and elegance that I was surrounded by. I joined Adriana, giving her a smile as she introduced me to her friends and family members, trying to push my embarrassing accident to the farthest corner of my mind.<br /> To my surprise Adriana was able to spark some interest in my work, showing pictures of the pieces I had completed that were already in her home. Everything was going well and I was feeling much more accepted and comfortable until I felt the sensation of eyes on me.<br /> It was a deep burning sensation in my gut, willing me to turn around, feeling like someone was physically touching me with their gaze.<br /> Turning my head over my shoulder I searched for the pair of eyes that felt like they were burning into me, only to find Dane staring at me from across the room, leaning against a bar top that had a wall of bottles on display behind it. The crowded room obstructed my view of him slightly and I had to shift my stance in order to see him better, but there he was, staring directly at me, bracing his weight on the bar top with his forearms.<br /> I tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear and swallowed hard, feeling a blush creep up my neck at the thought of him staring at me.<br /> Maybe he's pissed about the shoes. Or maybe he's pissed that I'm in his house.<br /> Dane's expression wasn't happy, but it didn't come across as angry either. It was intense and deep and made me feel like the air around me was too thick to breathe.<br /> I tried to focus on the conversation that the group was having, but my gaze kept darting over my shoulder toward Dane.<br /> Another man had joined him - a man that had his shirt sleeves rolled up, exposing multiple tattoos. He looked rugged and ruthless which was a different look than Dane's clean sophistication, but both men were equally as gorgeous and powerful. They both seemed to be staring at me now and as much as it affected me, I pretended not to notice.<br /> Stop looking at them Kinsley, they are obviously irritated that you're here, probably pissed about the shoes. Just focus on the conversation around you and ignore them.<br /> My eyes tried to find a focal point in front of me, but found a metallic mirror-like reflective surface instead, giving me a perfect view of the two men behind me, leaning on the bar top.<br /> They were clearly talking about me because their mouths were moving, but their gaze was unyielding. I shifted to one side slightly, and watched the reflection as their pointed stares still had me pinned and moved with me wherever I went.<br /> He must realize that I wasn't invited. This is his house and I'm a clumsy stranger who ruined his shoes.<br /> Just as I had worked myself into a panic and convinced myself the bouncers were going appear out of nowhere and drag me out, Dane's eyes met mine in the reflection of the mirror. I held his gaze for a second or two before he shot me a wink that made my insides melt and my knees go weak.<br /> Dane's devilish grin was the last thing I saw before he and the other man disappeared from sight.<br /> I turned over my shoulder, instinctively searching for him and the other man, but the bar area was empty and they were nowhere to be found.<br /> Dane ~<br /> My parent's house is always buzzing with guests even during the day there's always someone around - there's always an audience. How exhausting?<br /> Tonight was no different and I stood making small talk with the same faces that I saw at every event my parents hosted. It was agonizingly boring, but my parents requested that I make an appearance so there I was.<br /> Where is Tyson?<br /> I shifted my gaze back and forth over my shoulders, pretending to listen to one of my cousins brag about his newest business venture, but looking for my brother instead.<br /> Tyson wasn't really my brother, not by blood at least, but we were family nonetheless. His family was basically royalty back in the day and he was supposed to inherit the empire - get the keys to the whole castle, but when his parents were murdered my family took him in and we've been thick as thieves ever since.<br /> We were the perfect pairing ever since middle school - I was the brains and he was the muscle. He'd often get himself into trouble, resorting to violence over logic, needing me to think up a way to get him out of it, which is why as adults it only makes sense that I run a business and he runs security.<br /> Need your money laundered through my club? Call me.<br /> Need someone to pay up on a loan or someone intimidating to protect you? Call Tyson.<br /> Those were the accepted norms in our circles and something everyone understood about us. The other aspect of our lives that had become widely known and understood was that Tyson and I had very specific tastes when it came to women. You see, Tyson and I preferred to share.<br /> We liked taking turns watching and playing with the same woman, but never for more than a night. After that the excitement was just...over.<br /> We shared a large estate which is where we chose to stay most of the time. Sure we each had our own apartments in the city, but we often stayed under the same roof, especially when we found a woman to bring back with us.<br /> My mom's biggest gripe with our ever fluctuating living situation revolved around marriage and children, but the problem was, Tyson and I were 27 and 26 and had no interest in dating. We weren't the type of guys who were going to fall in love and have a family. We brought girls home, we slept them, then sent them on their way and searched for the next. It was as simple and as easy as that. I never felt guilty about it and probably never would because it was no secret in our circles and women practically threw themselves at our feet which was nice at first, but soon became boring.<br /> Tony's eyes were locked onto me as my mind drifted, but I quickly realized he'd asked me a question that I hadn't heard a word of.<br /> "So what do you think?" Tony asked again.<br /> I don't have a clue what he's talking about.<br /> I had always been a smooth talker, but before I could open my mouth to try and salvage the conversation, I saw a woman enter my peripheral vision who was about to run right into me.<br /> Is she walking backwards?<br /> I shifted my glass to the side so it didn't spill down the back of her dress as she bumped into me, sloshing my drink on the floor and onto my shoes.<br /> "What the heck?" I muttered between gritted teeth.<br /> Feeling my blood start to boil I glared down at the clumsy woman who had probably ruined my shoes, but my anger dissolved instantly as my eyes settled onto her gorgeous face.<br /> She had big doe eyes that were wide and surprised and her face was perfectly soft and innocent as if she'd been picked out just for me. Her long honey brown hair was in curls that were draped over one shoulder in a dress that hugged every one of her delicious curves perfectly.<br /> "I'm so sorry." She blurted out before she dropped to her knees and started to wipe the scotch off of my shoes.<br /> Is she serious?<br /> I lowered myself down and took hold of her arm, feeling her soft skin beneath my hands as I spoke to her.<br /> "Stand up." I said firmly, letting her know I wasn't going to allow her to clean my shoes any longer, but kept my voice soft enough to show that I appreciated the gesture.<br /> Don't get me wrong I'd love to have this woman on her knees in front of me, but not here - not like this, cleaning my shoes. It was humiliating and this woman was a goddess that deserved to be worshiped.<br /> "You're far too beautiful to be cleaning my shoes." I said, giving her a charming smile that seemed to either stun or scare her because she froze in place with those big bright eyes wide and anxious.<br /> "I don't think we've met, Dane Moretti."<br /> I extended my hand toward her, but the mention of my name seemed to intimidate her more, causing those big bright eyes to grow even wider and her sweet mouth to fall open briefly before she snapped it shut.<br /> Okay so you know who I am, but who are you?<br /> "Hi." was all she managed to blurt out which put an uncontrollable smile on my face.<br /> Do I make you nervous gorgeous?<br /> "And you are?" I asked with a knowing grin.<br /> "Kinsley...um Kinsley Wright." Her voice was shaky and anxious and I watched her eyes start to dart around obviously looking for someone.<br /> Yeah go ahead and show me who brought you beautiful.<br /> I followed her gaze as it bounced around the room until her eyes finally landed and stayed on Adriana.<br /> "Again, I'm so sorry about your shoes. I wasn't looking where I was going." Kinsley said in an apologetic tone that did something to me.<br /> "Yeah that's pretty hard to do when you're walking backwards." I joked, giving her a sly grin that put blush on her cheeks.<br /> "I'm sorry, If you'll excuse me." Kinsley breathed the words out and practically ran from me which was new. Usually I got the opposite reaction from women, but she was different, she didn't belong with these stuck up pricks and I was drawn to her like a magnet.<br /> I watched her disappear from sight and saw Tyson's large body enter the room to my right, heading straight to the bar as he pulled a bottle of liquor from beneath it and helped himself to a glass.<br /> Several people stopped to try and engage me in conversation as I headed for the bar, but I wasn't interested. I was on a mission and had to tell Tyson about the gorgeous woman I'd just met.<br /> Once I was finally able to make it over to him, I approached Tyson from the side, cutting straight to the point as I joined him behind the bar.<br /> "You're never going to believe what I..." Tyson cut me off, refusing to face me.<br /> "Not now." Tyson's low gritty voice rumbled with his back still turned to me.<br /> Taking a step to the side, I looked at his face and followed his intense stare straight to the only woman I wanted to see.<br /> Kinsley.<br /> "That's exactly who I was coming to talk to you about." I said as I braced my weight on the bar top, loving the view of her, unable to tear my eyes away. But I wasn't the only one.<br /> "You know her?" Tyson asked as his breathing picked up.<br /> "Just met her a few minutes ago - Kinsley."<br /> "Who is she?" Tyson asked, practically drooling as he watched her.<br /> "I don't know. Adriana brought her. We only talked for a few seconds, but she's perfection."<br /> Tyson nodded at my words, staring at her as if he wanted to swallow her whole.<br /> I knew you'd like her.<br /> "How'd you meet her?" Tyson asked without looking at me.<br /> "She bumped into me, spilled my drink." I chuckled.<br /> "But she dropped to her knees and tried to clean my shoes." I added knowing it would elicit a reaction from Tyson.<br /> He huffed out hard breath and a low moan before placing his hands on the bar, squeezing it as if he were trying to restrain himself.<br /> "I want her." Tyson said, his voice thick with desire.<br /> "That's up to her." I reminded him.<br /> "Then go convince her." He snapped, impatiently.<br /> We had been watching her intently, but I quickly noticed that she was watching us in return just not directly. Kinsley was watching us through a mirror on the wall.<br /> "Looks like someone's a little curious." I said to Tyson who took notice of the mirror as well.<br /> "Go work your magic." Tyson instructed with as much of a smile as he could muster gathering in the corner of his mouth.<br /> "Oh I plan on it." I said, shooting Kinsley a wink through the mirror and a half smile before I stood to go find out more about this mystery woman who'd just turned our whole evening upside down.	LEARN_MORE	https://b.mystoryapps.com/ad/bXlzdG9yeS8xMzYzOTUvM	189647400891297	Ory004	https://facebook.com/61554098218435	2	1	965,281,618,453,739	2024-03-30 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	1	Learn more	Ory004	120206658574110185	b.mystoryapps.com	NONE	video		https://b.mystoryapps.com/ad/bXlzdG9yeS8xMzYzOTUvMjAyNDAzMjkxMDE1MTAvcGFnZQ==?adid={{ad.id}}	2024-03-28 21:19	https://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434681432_25397522589846112_2417062610541808003_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=eNRIUERmcGwAX_ucjYc&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&oh=00_AfBg62V3ZUUT11A5_cGQw-kVrahKjbb9BO-aWBQTAqFnyw&oe=660FAEA4	person_profile	Ory004	https://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434735473_1103867320944086_6005243223049937634_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=oX-2KIE2pWAAX8VSoZ2&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&oh=00_AfBHBnfHYEFG4sO8SjrXqVezcm49aw5sAS9iDwKJYgms1w&oe=660FB151	3	Ory004	2024-03-29 02:00	View Edit Delete
881,851	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":881809}'	Yes	2024-03-31 15:59	active	395	2120605014975950	Read with Your Ears➤➤	"I might as well tell you I’m interested in your wife. Someone like you can't stop me because of your inability." Most left with a burst of laughter while Fraser dug his fingernails angrily into the flesh of his palms.<br /> Frazier worked in his wife's company, and during the three months in his new position, he had seen Mo harass his wife countless times. Everyone laughed at his incompetence and always ostracized him.<br /> "I can still endure it no matter how they treat me," he muttered to himself. "But if anyone hurts Natalia, I'll personally send them to inferno."<br /> He took out his phone, found a number he hadn't used in years and clicked on the call icon.<br /> "Is it you, my dear friend, you finally called me?" <br /> Fraser interrupted the person on the other end of the line.<br /> "I'm in some trouble right now. I need your help."<br /> "Are you willing to come back and inherit the McLemore family's business?" <br /> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><br /> Wanna listen more? download our App and check more! Novel ID: 120041!	INSTALL_MOBILE_APP	https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.	287015901152184	StoryStream	https://facebook.com/61557415273711	0	0	3,261,581,284,136,317	2024-03-29 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	1	Install now	StoryStream	120207791862910433	play.google.com	NONE	video		https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kstudio.khitkun	2024-03-29 03:54	https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434475752_343039592111954_5763501480145569118_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=-PACbqpyIEYAX80aCIo&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCSvx0tD4YBWakKmTk0L7Dv790XvFB8yqv6G3NTz783oA&oe=660F8FC6	person_profile	StoryStream	https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434367270_7768011036617633_771847561772542767_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=2QxfWp64AnMAX9klFKQ&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCJc_sxbmhBF3J4ROd7mre0hN6yQhqxhpVuYSrcOHM-pg&oe=660FAC43	3	StoryStream	2024-03-29 02:00	View Edit Delete
881,861	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	Yes	2024-03-31 15:59	active	395	3281971885445477	Free reading with Title "Love at the Wrong Table"	A male gynecologist went to the wrong table on a blind date, but he didn't expect that a female CEO with a net worth of tens of billions would be interested in him.<br /> ............................................................................................................................................................<br /> “I know, Mom. I'm in front of the café. Call you later!” Emmanuel Lowe hung up on his mother impatiently.<br /> The twenty-eight-year-old man had never been in a relationship.<br /> <br /> After spending seven years in the army, he retired from the military and worked at a hospital in Yeringham for three years.<br /> <br /> He was a gynecologist at the hospital and made eighty thousand a year.<br /> <br /> Worried he would end up old and alone, Emmanuel's mother urged him to settle down. Since he had no idea where to begin when it came to dating, his mother took matters into her own hands and set him up on multiple blind dates.<br /> <br /> Thanks to her efforts, he had gone on seventeen blind dates so far.<br /> <br /> Alas, wedding bells were clearly not on the horizon for Emmanuel. It was frustrating. He knew he was just going through the motions at that point.<br /> <br /> “Help! Someone help me!”<br /> <br /> Right before Emmanuel entered the café, he heard someone calling out weakly for help.<br /> <br /> The cries came from an old man who had fallen on the roadside. Many pedestrians walked past him, but no one dared to stop and help him to his feet.<br /> <br /> After all, helping the old man could be more trouble than it was worth if one ended up with an expensive lawsuit for injuring him further. No one would do something that risky and foolish.<br /> <br /> It did not deter Emmanuel from stepping forward and helping the man to his feet. He asked, “Are you all right, sir?”<br /> <br /> “I'm fine! Thank you so much, young man! It's so hard to find people as kind as you these days. I must repay you for your kindness!” replied the old man with a smile.<br /> <br /> Emmanuel realized then that the old man's attire was at odds with his airs. Despite his tattered clothes, the old man's clean hands looked like those of a man accustomed to wealth.<br /> <br /> Still, he had no time to satisfy his curiosity. After confirming that the old man was unharmed, Emmanuel rushed into the café for his blind date. He never once considered being repaid for his kind act earlier.<br /> <br /> The café was massive and practically structured like a maze.<br /> <br /> Emmanuel's mother mentioned that his blind date was seated at table number eight. He wandered through the confusing café, but before he could locate the correct table, he stumbled into a special area.<br /> <br /> The lighting was softer there, and the floor was scattered with fresh petals.<br /> <br /> The sweet scent of flowers wafted through the air. He wondered if he had set foot in heaven.<br /> <br /> Emmanuel raised his eyes and immediately froze.<br /> <br /> A beautiful, elegant woman sat before a table in the room.<br /> <br /> It was no exaggeration to say she embodied perfection itself.<br /> <br /> The heavens clearly decided to shower all their favors on her.<br /> <br /> The woman quietly sipped her coffee with her legs crossed neatly to the side. On the table was a non-translated copy of The Power Broker.<br /> <br /> When she noticed Emmanuel barging into the room, she looked up at him in confusion and displeasure.<br /> <br /> Thump! Thump! Thump!<br /> <br /> When Emmanuel recovered from the shock of stumbling upon the beautiful stranger, he realized his heart was about to beat its way out of his chest.<br /> <br /> Never once had he ever felt so attracted to a woman in his twenty-eight years of life.<br /> <br /> The countless female bodies he had seen in his work as a gynecologist hardly appealed to him. At some point, he even wondered if he was attracted to women at all.<br /> <br /> Against all odds, it seemed, the young woman before him made his heart race like a runaway horse.<br /> <br /> Am I simply nervous, or am I already attracted to her?<br /> <br /> More surprisingly, Emmanuel noticed a large number eight sign on the woman's table.<br /> <br /> She's my blind date?<br /> <br /> He took a deep breath to calm himself before approaching her table and taking a seat opposite her.<br /> <br /> The young woman's expression grew increasingly flabbergasted. There was even a hint of hostility in her pretty eyes.<br /> <br /> The audacity of this man! Barging into my private room is bad enough, but he's going to sit opposite me like it's nobody's business?<br /> <br /> Emmanuel ignored her expression. It was not the first time a woman had scoffed at him.<br /> <br /> They were free to go their separate ways after getting the blind date done and over with.<br /> <br /> He introduced himself, declaring, “Hi! My name is Emmanuel Lowe. I'm twenty-eight years old, and I work as a gynecologist. I make eighty thousand a year and don't own a car or a house.”<br /> <br /> Any man would need an incredible amount of courage to say such things to a woman, but Emmanuel appeared unusually calm and unfazed.<br /> <br /> The young woman stared at him in shock. A moment later, her lips curved into a smirk, and she replied with an introduction of her own.<br /> <br /> “Nice to meet you. I'm Mackenzie Quillen. I'm twenty-seven years old with dual doctorates in finance and business administration from Harvard University. I made three billion last year, and I have a car and a house.”<br /> <br /> Emmanuel was stunned.<br /> <br /> What is happening?<br /> <br /> He always thought women on blind dates came with red flags.<br /> <br /> Mackenzie, however, was arguably flawless.<br /> <br /> Where's the catch?<br /> <br /> All sorts of fantastical theories filled Emmanuel's mind.<br /> <br /> Mackenzie smirked at his perplexed expression. The pride in her cool gaze was evident.<br /> <br /> She deliberately introduced herself to put the stranger in a difficult spot and intimidate him into retreating.<br /> <br /> As expected, awkward silence lingered in the air after her words.<br /> <br /> Urgh, forget it!<br /> <br /> Whether Mackenzie was telling the truth was beside the point. Emmanuel decided to go through all the motions so he could at least mollify his mother, even if the date did not result in a trip to the altar.<br /> <br /> He declared, “I don't make much, but if you decide to date me, I promise I'll always protect and cherish you. I'll take over all the household chores so you can be a queen at home. Of course, I hope you'll allow me to preserve my masculine pride in front of my family. If we do get married, I can give you about five to six thousand every month.”<br /> <br /> It was a well-worn script that Emmanuel recited in a single breath.<br /> <br /> Mackenzie was dumbfounded at his earnest expression and apparent lack of shame at his much lower salary.<br /> <br /> A long while later, she burst into a chuckle.<br /> <br /> She had never met a man who could humor her so.<br /> <br /> “What are you laughing about?” Unimpressed by her reaction, Emmanuel continued, “I know I don't check all the boxes, but I promise I'll be a good and responsible husband if we're married!”<br /> <br /> Pfft!<br /> <br /> Mackenzie failed to keep in her snigger.<br /> <br /> An annoyed Emmanuel demanded, “Why are you laughing, Ms. Quillen? Don't you think you're being rather rude?”<br /> <br /> “Sir, you're a very good man!” Mackenzie stopped smiling and retorted coldly, “But I think you're the confused one here. I'm not here for a blind date!”<br /> <br /> Huh? What is going on?<br /> <br /> Emmanuel's eyes widened in horror as he sputtered, “Isn't this table number eight?”<br /> <br /> “Yes, but this is the VIP area. You must be looking for table number eight in the common dining area. Please go out and turn right!” She pointed a slender finger at the exit.<br /> <br /> “Oh... Sorry! I'm so sorry! I mixed things up!”<br /> <br /> Emmanuel wished he could sink into the floor in embarrassment. He jumped to his feet, ready to make a hasty escape.<br /> <br /> That was so embarrassing! How could I sit at the wrong table for a blind date? No wonder she was laughing so much. She must have thought I was shooting above my weight!<br /> <br /> Shortly after Emmanuel's departure, an old man entered Mackenzie's private room, escorted by four black-clad bodyguards.<br /> <br /> Emmanuel would have been astonished if he was still around. The old man was none other than the stranger he had helped earlier in front of the café!<br /> <br /> He implored, “Perhaps this is fate, Mackenzie. You're twenty-seven, but you've never been in a relationship because of your misandry. No man would dare come near you! But that young man succeeded! He's also a kind and just person. A while ago, he helped me outside the café and didn't expect a reward for his actions!”<br /> <br /> The old man's true identity was Terence Quillen, chairman of Yeringham's premier financial corporation.<br /> <br /> While his wealth could trump that of entire nations, he had a major regret in life.<br /> <br /> Terence had had three sons who tragically passed away before him. They either had no children of their own or only left daughters behind.<br /> <br /> Mackenzie was Terence's favorite granddaughter and next-in-line to helm Terence Group.<br /> <br /> Her intelligence and charisma did not change the fact that she was a woman.<br /> <br /> Before Terence met his maker, he wished his favorite granddaughter could give him a great-grandchild.<br /> <br /> That spurred him to fake his fall in front of the café and scout a decent man for his granddaughter. To his surprise, the young man who helped him earlier made a blunder of his own blind date and ended up meeting Mackenzie instead.<br /> <br /> Isn't that fate?<br /> <br /> Mackenzie remained stoically unmoved by her grandfather's words. “Grandpa, he may have passed your test, but he hasn't passed mine. I'll marry him if he aces my test.”<br /> <br /> She wanted to fulfill her grandfather's wish, but she naturally wished to promise herself to a good man.<br /> <br /> Marrying a man after one blind date was simply too hasty and careless.<br /> <br /> Terence's gaze lit up expectantly, and he replied, “All right! I'm sure he will pass your test!”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2 Failure<br /> <br /> After turning right at the door, Emmanuel finally found table number eight in the common dining area.<br /> <br /> Sure enough, a woman was seated at the table, looking like she was running out of patience.<br /> <br /> Dressed in professional attire that accentuated her beautiful curves, she was, by all means, a sight to behold.<br /> <br /> Even though she didn't exude the same air of elegance that Mackenzie had, there was no denying she had the power to make men fall at her feet.<br /> <br /> Thankfully, Emmanuel wasn't disappointed in the slightest. After all, he was well aware of his own qualities.<br /> <br /> Without further ado, he straightened himself up and approached the woman with a smile.<br /> <br /> “Sorry I'm late! My name's Emmanuel Lowe. I'm twenty-eight years old, and I work as a gynecologist with an annual salary of eighty thousand—”<br /> <br /> “Stop!” the woman coldly interrupted before he could finish his introduction. “What's the meaning of this? With what little you have to offer; do you seriously think women would want to marry you? I can't believe you even had the nerve to be late! What right do you have to keep a woman waiting? This has been an utter waste of my time. Hmph!”<br /> <br /> After firing off a barrage of questions, the red-faced woman angrily splashed a glass of water on Emmanuel's face.<br /> <br /> The latter, who was caught off guard, instantly became soaking wet.<br /> <br /> Nevertheless, Emmanuel didn't lose his temper. After all, he was indeed late because he went to the wrong place, so he could understand why the woman was upset.<br /> <br /> “Hmph. You're twenty-eight and still only earning eighty-thousand a year. No wonder you're doing so poorly! Not only do you lack punctuality, but you also don't seem to take life seriously. You're doomed to be at the bottom of the social hierarchy your entire life! I'm shocked you even have the guts to go on a blind date with me... Stop being delusional!” the woman scolded as she shot Emmanuel a look of contempt.<br /> <br /> The next second, she grabbed her bag and stormed off, not once bothering to leave her name.<br /> <br /> To add insult to injury, she even waved a wad of cash in front of Emmanuel's face, then slapped it hard on the table as payment for the bill.<br /> <br /> The latter's gaze darkened instantly as rage began pulsing through his veins.<br /> <br /> This woman is humiliating me! I may not have high expectations for marriage, but that doesn't mean I don't have a temper! Argh! As much as I want to make her regret her actions, I know I don't have that capability...<br /> <br /> Since the woman was gone, Emmanuel, too, left the café glumly.<br /> <br /> To his surprise, he had only just stepped out the door when he saw a long-haired man deliberately colliding into a BMW and screaming in pain.<br /> <br /> Emmanuel couldn't help but furrow his brows. Oh, gosh. That man is clearly staging a car accident. Why is there so much trouble in this café today?<br /> <br /> “Ah! Someone's been hit!”<br /> <br /> “Argh! My leg's broken! Murderer!”<br /> <br /> Four men immediately rushed out to join the commotion when the long-haired man fell on the ground.<br /> <br /> Thankfully, Emmanuel saw right through their ploy. Ha! Those guys must be the co-conspirators!<br /> <br /> Just then, a young lady hastily exited the BMW, clad in a maroon sleeveless dress that revealed a large expanse of tender, fair skin.<br /> <br /> “What's the matter? How could I have injured your leg when I was driving so slowly?” she asked anxiously.<br /> <br /> Seconds later, the long-haired man's buddies surrounded the woman, demanding compensation. “Cut the crap! Pay up! Pay up now!”<br /> <br /> Several people in the café had witnessed the staged accident, but unfortunately, they were so afraid of the big, burly men that no one dared to confront them.<br /> <br /> “How much do you guys want?” the woman muttered helplessly, having resigned herself to the fact that she'd have to settle the matter with money.<br /> <br /> The group of thugs, however, began leering at and drooling over her.<br /> <br /> “Haha. Hey, why don't you have some fun with us?” one of the men suggested.<br /> <br /> Just like that, what had started as a staged accident quickly turned into public harassment.<br /> <br /> The pretty woman was so scared out of her wits that she staggered backward until she bumped into Emmanuel.<br /> <br /> Instead of taking advantage of her like the other thugs, Emmanuel stepped in front of her and glared at the long-haired man.<br /> <br /> “Your leg's broken, and you're asking for compensation, huh?”<br /> <br /> Upon seeing Emmanuel's menacing expression, the thugs felt chills down their spines.<br /> <br /> At the same time, Mackenzie was sitting in the café and watching the entire scene unfold.<br /> <br /> Well, well, well. Who knew that man would be so brave? I'm sure no one else would have the guts to go up against five thugs.<br /> <br /> The next second, Emmanuel stunned everyone by viciously kicking the long-haired man's leg.<br /> <br /> “Argh!” the latter shouted in pain as he began hopping on the leg that was supposedly broken.<br /> <br /> The onlookers instantly let out a collective gasp.<br /> <br /> Goodness gracious! That man is daring!<br /> <br /> Mackenzie, too, had curled her lips into a smile.<br /> <br /> The café was one of her properties, so naturally, she had also seen how Emmanuel's blind date went.<br /> <br /> I thought he was a timid man when he didn't flare up despite being splashed with water. Who knew he was just a gentleman who doesn't lose his temper with women? I must admit, he looks rather charming when he shows his tough side!<br /> <br /> “What's this? Didn't you say your leg's broken? I'm impressed you can still jump on it!” Emmanuel mocked.<br /> <br /> When the onlookers realized that the long-haired man had lied about his injury, they wasted no time scolding and criticizing him.<br /> <br /> By then, the other thugs had also lost their bravado and fell silent. After all, they knew the tables had turned on them.<br /> <br /> “Hmph. I'll let you off this time. You'd better watch your back!” the long-haired man warned before running away with his tail between his legs.<br /> <br /> With that, the pretty woman gave Emmanuel a warm smile and coyly gestured for him to get into her car. “Hey, handsome, thank you so much for your help. Would you like to go to my house for a drink?”<br /> <br /> Emmanuel, however, brushed her off without a second thought. “No, thank you. I have other things to do!”<br /> <br /> Seeing how unmoved he was by her advances, the woman couldn't help but stomp her feet in frustration.<br /> <br /> Back in the café, Mackenzie heard her grandfather burst into loud guffaws.<br /> <br /> “Haha! I told you so, Mackenzie! Didn't I say that man has an excellent character? Your assistant, Lexi, is such a beautiful woman, yet he refuses to give her the time of day! Once you guys are married, you won't have to worry about him betraying you!”<br /> <br /> The more Mackenzie ruminated about Terence's words, the more her impression of Emmanuel improved.<br /> <br /> “Don't be too happy yet, Grandpa! Men are either after looks or money,” Mackenzie uttered coldly before getting up.<br /> <br /> Ha! I doubt Emmanuel can pass my second secret test of character!<br /> <br /> Meanwhile, Emmanuel had gotten home after his matchmaking session failed spectacularly.<br /> <br /> Needless to say, his sister, Roselynn Lowe, was frustrated beyond belief. “What? Another unsuccessful blind date?”<br /> <br /> This is the eighteenth time, for goodness' sake! My brother's a six-foot tall, fit, and upstanding young man. Why won't any woman take a fancy to him? He may be thick-skulled at times, but surely, someone will still appreciate him for his good looks, won't they?<br /> <br /> Emmanuel's mother, Alessandra Cadigan, seemed even more anxious as she hurriedly dragged him out of the house.<br /> <br /> “Mom, what are you doing?” Emmanuel asked, startled by how panic-stricken Alessandra was.<br /> <br /> “What am I doing? I'm worried sick about you!” the woman scolded without breaking her stride. “I don't understand it, either. Our neighbor's an unkempt twenty-eight-year-old novelist who's always cooped up at home, yet he's already planning for his second child! Why can't my son get a girlfriend? That woman didn't even stay for the blind date, did she? I paid good money to set this up for you! Let's go see her at her house right now!”<br /> <br /> “What?” Emmanuel choked out.<br /> <br /> Did I hear that right? I can't believe Mom has gotten this desperate! The matchmaking session was an utter failure, so why must she still insist on dragging me to the woman's place? Wouldn't I just be embarrassing myself again?<br /> <br /> Chapter 3 Rags to Riches<br /> <br /> In any relationship, the party taking the initiative was often seen as lowlier and more desperate.<br /> <br /> Therefore, upon seeing Emmanuel and his family at her house, Milani Zimmerman wore an even haughtier expression than when she was at the café.<br /> <br /> Ha! I knew he wouldn't be able to get over my looks, so he's come to badger me again!<br /> <br /> Milani's mother, Melody Claus, was just as smug when she learned of the Lowe family's intention.<br /> <br /> “If your son wishes to marry my daughter, you'll have to give us a betrothal gift of five hundred thousand,” she said as she raised her palm. “We won't accept anything less!”<br /> <br /> Emmanuel's heart instantly sank.<br /> <br /> Oh, my goodness! Five hundred thousand? Is she trying to sell her daughter?<br /> <br /> Alessandra, however, gritted her teeth and nodded. “T-That's fine!”<br /> <br /> As long as my son can get married, I'll do anything to make up for the betrothal gift, even if it means selling the house!<br /> <br /> “Your family must also provide a car and matrimonial home!” Milani's father chimed in. “More importantly, you're not going to let my daughter pay for any installments or maintenance fees!”<br /> <br /> By then, Emmanuel was on the verge of losing his patience.<br /> <br /> Shouldn't marriages be consensual? I don't expect both parties to be forking out the wedding expenses equally, but why does it feel like my family's here to surrender and be fleeced?<br /> <br /> Alessandra, too, found herself in a tight spot.<br /> <br /> She could sell the house to afford the betrothal gift, but how would she pay for the couple's car and home?<br /> <br /> “Sure. That's no problem!” Roselynn piped up, even going so far as to pull her brother back when she realized he wanted to object.<br /> <br /> She was just as eager for Emmanuel to start a family, and at thirty years old, she had worked and saved up enough to make the necessary down payments for him.<br /> <br /> Since Mom is settling the betrothal gift, I shall help Emmanuel with the car and home!<br /> <br /> “Lastly, he will bear all household expenses after the wedding!” Milani suddenly said.<br /> <br /> That, however, was the last straw for Emmanuel. “I don't mind paying this much if she's coming to work for us as a housekeeper, but if she expects to be treated like a princess or queen, you can forget it! I don't need that!”<br /> <br /> “Look at your son! What's with that attitude?” Milani yelled. “We aren't even married yet, and he's already so domineering. Wouldn't it be worse down the road?”<br /> <br /> “No, no, no... The marriage will work out. It'd work out just fine!” Alessandra pleaded, desperate to finalize the wedding.<br /> <br /> I can't wait any longer... I must fulfill my husband's last wish by the end of the year!<br /> <br /> Having seen how things were going, even Roselynn knew she had to step in to persuade her mother. “Mom! Stop forcing it!”<br /> <br /> Manny's right. There's nothing wrong with giving a betrothal gift, car, and house. However, asking him to be the sole supporter of his family after the wedding is too much! What about his wife, then? Why can't she chip in? Will she be sending her own money back to her parents?<br /> <br /> Just then, Milani's younger brother, Jacob Zimmerman, suddenly appeared with a cocky grin plastered on his face. “Haha! Don't forget about me, Milani! When it's my turn to get married, I'd be counting on you guys to buy me my car and house too!”<br /> <br /> Upon hearing that, Emmanuel instantly exploded with rage.<br /> <br /> “What? Am I marrying your sister or your entire family? I may as well support all of you!”<br /> <br /> Even though Emmanuel had only meant that as an angry remark, Milani decided to hold him to his word. “Hah! You'd better remember what you just said! In that case, I'll leave you to plan and pay for the wedding banquet and honeymoon. Don't tell me you can't afford that...”<br /> <br /> “Get lost! I'd rather marry anybody than you!” Emmanuel retorted as the rage and ferocity he used to experience on the battlefield came flooding back.<br /> <br /> He didn't know what the Zimmermans were playing at, but there was no doubt they were monsters.<br /> <br /> “Look at yourself! How dare you ask me for my hand in marriage! I'd rather marry anybody than you too!” Milani snapped back.<br /> <br /> Given my qualities, I have no problem marrying a rich man, so why should I settle for a man like Emmanuel? I'm only too happy that he wants to fall out with me!<br /> <br /> After giving an exasperated laugh, Emmanuel stood up and stormed off, leaving Alessandra and Roselynn with no choice but to follow suit.<br /> <br /> To their surprise, they had only just stepped out of the Zimmerman residence when three luxury cars pulled up in front of them.<br /> <br /> The Zimmermans quickly popped out to see the commotion and almost dropped their jaws when they saw the car lineup.<br /> <br /> Oh! Those cars are worth tens of millions! What's going on? Since when were the Lowes that fancy?<br /> <br /> Emmanuel, on the other contrary, seemed to recognize one of the cars. Hmm... Didn't I see that car outside the café?<br /> <br /> The next second, Terence stepped out of the car, surrounded by his convoy of suited bodyguards.<br /> <br /> He smiled as he approached Emmanuel and said politely, “I'm here to return the favor, Mr. Lowe, after you helped me outside the café!”<br /> <br /> Needless to say, everyone was stunned.<br /> <br /> Roselynn couldn't hide her excitement and gripped her brother's arm tightly.<br /> <br /> Ah! Isn't this like those rags-to-riches stories?<br /> <br /> The more Emmanuel thought about it, the more he frowned. Wow... Who knew this old man was a millionaire? Could he have intentionally fallen at the café?<br /> <br /> Terence waved his hand, and within seconds, his subordinates had unloaded several boxes of gifts.<br /> <br /> Not only were there precious stones and jewelry, but there were also famous paintings, antiques, and even a Porsche key.<br /> <br /> The total value of the items had to be at least ten million.<br /> <br /> For someone who earned a mere eighty thousand a year, ten million was an eye-watering amount of money that Emmanuel could only dream of!<br /> <br /> Upon witnessing the scene, the Zimmerman family almost collapsed in shock.<br /> <br /> Milani might be a well-dressed woman, but the truth was, her family was just like any other average family. To them, ten million was undoubtedly an astronomical sum!<br /> <br /> If I had known Emmanuel would become a multi-millionaire, I'd have married him straightaway!<br /> <br /> After snapping out of her daze, she smiled and hastily clutched Emmanuel's arm.<br /> <br /> “What's the matter, darling? Oh, wow... You're so kind to help the elderly! I love that about you!”<br /> <br /> “Who's your darling?” Emmanuel asked, embarrassing Milani so much that she wanted to crawl into a hole.<br /> <br /> As though that wasn't enough, he brusquely pushed her away and added, “Didn't you just reject me? Why are you still calling me that?”<br /> <br /> “Uh... I—” Milani muttered, clearly at a loss for words.<br /> <br /> Her family, too, was incredibly frustrated.<br /> <br /> After all, they had just missed out on getting a wealthy son-in-law!<br /> <br /> Meanwhile, Alessandra was about to say something when Roselynn tugged at her.<br /> <br /> As much as I want Manny to start a family, I can't let him settle for the horrible Zimmermans! Besides, he's rich now! I'm sure he can find a better woman!<br /> <br /> “Mom, Roselynn, let's go!” Emmanuel said before ushering both women into the car.<br /> <br /> He didn't want to accept the gifts, especially since he knew he hadn't done anything to deserve them. However, it wasn't the time and place to discuss the matter, so he decided to leave instead.<br /> <br /> Once the Lowe family had left, a gust of cold wind swept over the Zimmermans as they seethed silently.<br /> <br /> “How could you have made such remarks earlier, Milani? Do you think it's easy to find a millionaire these days?” Melody berated.<br /> <br /> “W-What should I do now, then?”<br /> <br /> In all honesty, Milani was at a complete loss. She had gone on several blind dates to find a rich husband who could give her a life of luxury.<br /> <br /> Alas, who knew she'd let a multi-millionaire slip right through her fingers?<br /> <br /> “What else can we do? They've already come to our place to ask for your hand in marriage. Can't we do the same?” Melody suggested.<br /> <br /> Jacob, who was just as anxious, instantly exclaimed, “I don't care, Milani! You have to marry that multi-millionaire! When my girlfriend and I get married, you must give us a house and a luxury car! Otherwise, I'll disown you!”<br /> <br /> “Okay, okay. I got it!” Milani replied with a long sigh.<br /> <br /> Argh! Emmanuel and I left on such bad terms... Would he still care about me?<br /> <br /> 👉To continue reading the story for free, download the app and search📚"Love at the Wrong Table". Enjoy Romance Now🥰	LEARN_MORE	https://page.joyreadings.com/h5-book-share-custom4	102114825976458	The novels	https://facebook.com/100085012467697	30,119	1	352,187,013,869,703	2024-03-29 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	1	1	1	Learn more	The novels	120207322818480429	page.joyreadings.com	NONE	image		https://page.joyreadings.com/h5-book-share-custom4.html?lang=en&id=4685&brand=2&app=0&ppid=1635&pid=FBW2A&campaign={{campaign.id}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&utm_source=FBW2A&utm_medium={{placement}}&utm_campaign={{campaign.id}}&utm_term={{adset.id}}&utm_content={{ad.id}}&ori_campaign_id=120207322811160429&ori_adset_id=120207322813600429&ori_ad_id=120207322817290429	2024-03-29 10:45	https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434014210_1152158462610102_1053779435026756746_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=9J6IuVU_jkoAX_qABPB&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDQiDlWa6LAEs1r9dnTWgGuyshBdDQjBOTLjXCtABSNug&oe=660F884F	person_profile	The novels	https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/431565767_941756543983087_7427158530218783276_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ULvhNVmJTlAAX8f6cZS&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfD725Noumj5xlSFrn5EWbRGEfRmflqbGmY3emValkWj7w&oe=660FA693	3	The novels	2024-03-29 02:00	View Edit Delete
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881,867	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":881868}'	Yes	2024-03-31 15:59	active	395	288304714307799	🔥🔥🔥Download and search book ID: 9792	My sister's boyfriend turned out to be my mate! As he rejected me, I retaliated by cutting off all contact with the pack…<br /> Chapter 1: Ayla<br /> “Ayla, is dinner ready? No more delay. Kylee and Theo will be soon here!”<br /> “Yes, mom.” I sighed hearing my mother's impatient urging.<br /> Kylee is my little sister, and Theo is her mate as well as our future Alpha. It is said that they had been together for over a year, and today is the first Kylee has brought her mate home. I was so happy for her.<br /> Our current Alpha, Alpha Torin, was a good leader, a fair leader, and a good man. I knew he had a son, but I had never met him before.<br /> But I had heard that his son, Theo, was promising to be just as good an Alpha as his father. So I really couldn’t have been more relieved that he was my sister’s mate. She would be properly looked after and taken care of, and she would be happy.<br /> I was pulling the chicken out of the oven when I saw my mother rushing past me, excitedly shouting towards the door, “They're here.”<br /> After my father passed away, my mother had become an alcoholic. But she always managed to look presentable in front of Kylee. For example, today, she was not only dressed neatly, but even used mouthwash.<br /> <br /> I was still transferring the food when I heard the front door open and the squeals of my mother and sister as they embraced. I finished my task and moved the dishes to the dining room table that was already set neatly. I smiled at my presentation and excitedly hurried to the living room. <br /> <br /> I froze at the threshold. A scent overwhelmed my senses, causing my stomach to knot and my heart to race. <br /> <br /> The tall, broad man standing next to my sister turned toward me and we locked eyes. <br /> <br /> Mate.<br /> <br /> I practically gagged trying to stifle the word from slipping from my mouth. <br /> <br /> What was happening?<br /> <br /> This was my sister’s mate. <br /> <br /> Not mine. <br /> <br /> This man was fated to Kylee. <br /> <br /> So why was I having this reaction?<br /> <br /> Better question…<br /> <br /> Why did HE seem to be having the same reaction?<br /> <br /> His eyes were wide, pupils dilated, and they held my gaze with a vice-like grip as he, too, seemed frozen to where he stood. <br /> <br /> Dasha, my wolf, bounced excitedly in my head, recognizing him and his wolf just as I was. It took a minute for her to understand the situation, but once she did, she started whimpering in the back of my mind.<br /> <br /> This couldn’t be happening. <br /> <br /> What was happening?<br /> <br /> I forced myself to address the situation as a whole. Fine, this was happening. Now, what is the best way to handle the situation? I wasn’t going to break my sister’s heart. Absolutely not. I wouldn’t let him either. Not right now. We’ll just get through dinner, and I’ll find a way to speak with him in private later. <br /> <br /> I cleared my throat and plastered a smile on my face.<br /> <br /> “Kylee, I’m so excited you’re home,” I said, opening my arms so she could jump into them like she had since she was little.<br /> <br /> “I’ve missed you, sis,” she said. <br /> <br /> “I’ve missed you, too,” I said quietly. <br /> <br /> We separated, and she turned to the male behind her. “Theo, this is my sister, Ayla. Ayla, this is my mate, Theo.”<br /> <br /> Theo’s hands were clenched into fists, and he forced a tight-jawed smile toward me. At least I was better at faking it them him. Geesh. <br /> <br /> I nodded to him with a broad smile. I knew it didn’t reach my eyes, but at least Ma and Kylee wouldn’t notice. <br /> <br /> “It’s lovely to meet you, Theo,” I said. “Dinner is ready in the dining room. Why don’t you guys go take a seat, and I’ll be right there. I need to tend to dessert first.”<br /> <br /> “Don’t take too long,” Kylee said brightly. “We have some big news, and I don’t think I can wait much longer.”<br /> <br /> “I promise I’ll be right there,” I assured her as I rubbed her shoulder. <br /> <br /> Kylee grabbed Ma by the arm and led her to the dining room. Theo followed a few steps behind. He had to pass me to get through. Right as he approached, I turned my body to ensure we didn’t touch. He paused in front of me for a moment. I looked up to meet his eyes.<br /> <br /> There was anger, confusion, desire, and possibly even hurt reflecting in his eyes that I couldn’t help but notice were the color of honey. He had questions. I subtly shook my head at him. Hoping and silently begging that he knew we couldn’t do this here. <br /> <br /> The sound of Kylee’s laugh from the other room made me jump and then quickly retreat to the kitchen. I grabbed the homemade cheesecake from the fridge and set it on the counter for later. <br /> <br /> I listened to the others conversing in the next room and took several deep breaths. I felt a lump start to form in my throat and quickly pushed it down. This wasn’t the time to cry. <br /> <br /> I was almost to the dining room when I heard the last part of what Kylee was saying, and again, I was left frozen at the threshold.<br /> <br /> “… our mating ceremony is in three months.” Kylee looked up at me. “Oh, Ayla, I’m sorry. I just couldn’t hold back any longer. Aren’t you happy for us?”<br /> <br /> I put the same fake smile back on. “Of course I’m happy for you,” I said. “You deserve the best.”<br /> <br /> I took my seat at the table, ignoring the fact that I was left sitting directly across from Theo. His eyes were boring into me, and my face felt like it was on fire. I started dishing out food and passing plates. I didn’t say much over dinner. Instead, I just listened to Kylee and Ma talk about all the ideas they had for the mating ceremony. Theo didn’t say much either but slowly started to do a better job hiding his discomfort with the situation. <br /> <br /> It took everything to ignore the touches they shared, pushing down the jealousy that kept surging through me. <br /> After dinner, while they were still talking, I made an excuse to slip out through the back door.<br /> <br /> I stood on the porch and took several deep breaths. I released a string of curses.<br /> “What is happening? Why is this happening? This ISN’T happening,” I whispered with the force of a yell. <br /> <br /> ‘Our mate.’ Dasha insisted.<br /> <br /> “No, he’s not,” I said back to her. “He’s Kylee’s. There must be some kind of mistake.”<br /> <br /> All of a sudden, I stiffened as a mouthwatering scent hit my nose. I knew who was standing behind me. <br /> <br /> Chapter 2: Theo<br /> I fought against the urges her scent was influencing as I stalked up to her. But more importantly, the urge to grab her and take her against the nearest tree. My wolf was going crazy about the idea, but he would learn fast that that was never going to happen. <br /> <br /> I wouldn’t accept her. <br /> <br /> Knowing what I knew about her, that would never happen. <br /> <br /> She turned to face me. <br /> <br /> “This won’t happen,” I spat out before she had a chance to speak. <br /> Her jaw clenched, and her silvery-gray eyes stared into mine for a few short moments. But I couldn’t read a thing behind them. <br /> <br /> “I absolutely agree,” she stated evenly. <br /> <br /> My wolf growled and snarled inside me, demanding to know what I was doing. I pushed down the hurt that hit me when she didn’t fight me. Her reaction just proved why this needed to be done. I could never be with someone so cold and self-absorbed as her. There was no way someone like her could ever be my Luna. <br /> <br /> ‘Don’t know her.’ Kieran yelled in my head. <br /> <br /> I knew enough. <br /> <br /> “Kylee is my mate. Not you. I, Theo Arden, future Alpha of the Greytooth Pack, reject you, Ayla Garner, as my mate and Luna.” Kieran was snapping his teeth, pushing to take control to stop this.<br /> <br /> “I, Ayla Garner, accept your rejection and relinquish my claim as your mate and Luna.”<br /> <br /> My wolf howled in pain. A pain that was mirrored within me as it felt like my heart was being ripped apart. It was the bond breaking. Releasing me from the tie that bound us together.<br /> She stood there like nothing happened. <br /> <br /> How could she stand there like nothing had happened?<br /> <br /> She really didn’t feel anything, did she? It was so easy for her to let us go.<br /> <br /> ‘Mate wants me.’<br /> <br /> I grimaced. He meant her wolf. Her wolf wanted mine. He could sense her. She was even denying her wolf. I couldn’t stand it anymore. I needed to get away from her. <br /> <br /> I stormed back into the house, returning to the woman the goddess should have made my mate. I returned to the dining room to find her mother and her still deep in conversation. I was grateful she hadn’t seemed to notice my absence or the change in my mood. It wasn’t surprising. She was excited about seeing her family and sharing the news with them. <br /> <br /> I had been, too, until her sister walked into the room. The scent had engulfed me, driving me to seek out the source like a lifeline. When I saw her, her beauty took my breath away. She was petit but strong, with long legs and perfect curves. She had a mass of caramel-blonde hair that cascaded over her shoulders, framing a face with plump lips and intense gray eyes that shined green in the light. I couldn’t help but want her. I recognized who she was to me immediately. <br /> <br /> But then I noticed her narrow nose and soft jawline were familiar. Her fair skin had a sun-kissed glow that I had always found attractive. Once I realized she had similar features to Kylee, I knew this was her sister, Ayla. <br /> <br /> Kylee had told me on many occasions how her sister had changed after the death of their father. She was there for Kylee at first, but in less than a year, she started spending all her time away from home. She ended up dropping out of the private school her parents had worked so hard to send her to. Eventually, Kylee lost track of what she was doing with her life. <br /> <br /> Kylee was there for her when she was around, trying to be supportive. But she wasn’t the sister she used to love. What bothered her most was Ayla’s treatment of their mother. Ayla still lived in the house with her, but Kylee always got the impression that helping their mother was just a burden. She worried their mother would be left with no one to take care of her, and she wasn’t in the best of health anymore. <br /> <br /> “I have an idea,” I interrupted. They both looked up at me expectantly. “Why doesn’t your mother come to stay with us for a while? At least until the ceremony? We have the room in the packhouse, and I’m sure you and my mother would appreciate the extra input.”<br /> <br /> Both their faces lit up.<br /> <br /> “Really? We can do that?” Kylee said happily. <br /> <br /> “Of course,” I said with a smile. <br /> <br /> “Thank you.”<br /> <br /> Kylee jumped up from the table and threw her arms around me, kissing me sweetly. I ignored the growls coming from Kieran. Seeing their reaction told me I had made the exact right decision. Despite what the burning in my chest told me. <br /> <br /> This was who I was supposed to be with. Not Ayla.<br /> <br /> ‘Keep saying. Maybe believe.’<br /> <br /> I told him to shut up, and he retreated into the back of my mind, cutting himself off from me. <br /> <br /> He would get over it. Once the bond was completely severed, he would understand this was the right thing for us and the pack.<br /> <br /> Chapter 3: Ayla<br /> I had managed to get myself together enough to rejoin my family. The pain that seared through me from Theo’s rejection and my subsequent acceptance almost brought me to my knees. It took all of my strength to keep my body from shaking, praying he didn’t notice the blood coming from my palms. I had clenched my fists so hard trying to stay on my feet that I broke the skin.<br /> <br /> When he finally left, I released the sob that was the only thing capable of coming out of my mouth. But I didn’t let the tears fall. Not yet. They couldn’t know. <br /> <br /> So, I steadied my breathing and went back into my house. I was surprised to find that Kylee and Ma weren’t in the dining room anymore. They weren’t in the living room either. But Theo was. <br /> <br /> “They’re in your mother’s room packing,” he said coldly.<br /> <br /> “Packing?” What was he talking about?<br /> <br /> He stepped closer to me, lowering his voice. “I think it’s best that you keep your distance from Kylee for a while. We don’t want her finding out about this. But I know she’ll want her mother to be a part of the ceremony planning. So she’s coming back with us.”<br /> <br /> I felt like he just slapped me in the face. As if I would ever tell her. That’s why I was doing this. So that I wouldn’t break my baby sister’s heart. I gave him what he wanted, and now he was going to keep me from my family?<br /> <br /> Dasha was confused and in pain, whimpering in my head because she didn’t understand how he could be so cruel to us. <br /> <br /> “If that’s what you think is best,” I said to Theo through gritted teeth. <br /> <br /> “Kylee,” he called out, not breaking eye contact. “Let’s get going.”<br /> <br /> My sister came prancing into the room. “Already?”<br /> <br /> “It’s getting late. Let’s head to the hotel for the night. We’ll swing by in the morning to pick up your mother.”<br /> <br /> “Okay,” she said brightly before turning to me. “What about you, Ayla? You’re coming with, too, right?”<br /> <br /> I opened my mouth to speak, but Theo decided to answer for me. <br /> <br /> “We were just talking about that. Ayla has some things going on with work and can’t get away.”<br /> <br /> I gave her a tight smile. “Yes, I’m sorry. But I will try to come out there as soon as I can.”<br /> <br /> “Oh, okay, I understand. But I’ll make sure we have a room ready for you whenever you can come.”<br /> <br /> “Of course. I can’t wait,” I said, my heart breaking again, knowing Theo wouldn’t allow me to be there with her. <br /> <br /> We all said our goodbyes, and they left. Ma was still standing at the window watching them drive off when I went to clean up the dishes in the kitchen. She finally came in behind me and started opening another bottle of wine. We had gone through four during dinner already. And I barely touched my glass. <br /> <br /> “Ma, you’ve had enough for the night,” I said calmly.<br /> <br /> “Oh, come on. It’s a celebration,” Ma said. “It’s not every day you find out your baby is going to be a Luna.”<br /> <br /> “Ma, you can celebrate more tomorrow. You need to finish packing,” I said, gently taking the bottle from her hand. “I’m sure Kylee and Theo will be here first thing in the morning.”<br /> <br /> “We can celebrate together while you help me pack,” she said, grabbing the bottle back from me. “Then I’ll help you pack.”<br /> <br /> I winced. This wasn’t going to end well. “I’m not coming, Ma.”<br /> <br /> She stopped with the glass halfway to her lips. “What do you mean you’re not coming?” she asked with a pout. “You have to be there. Kylee is going to be mated. I told her we would help pay for the ceremony.”<br /> <br /> I winced again. She meant me. I would be helping pay for the ceremony. Ma didn’t have a penny to her name.<br /> <br /> “This is a big deal. Don’t be so selfish, Ayla.”<br /> <br /> Her words stung, but they weren’t unexpected. This was kind of the norm when she got like this. I know she didn’t really mean it. At least, she wouldn’t mean it when she was sober. I got her into her bedroom and set her on the bed. I changed her into her nightgown and tucked her in. <br /> <br /> She was asleep in seconds. I hurried through the rest of her packing. Stuffing two large suitcases as full as I could before carrying them out to the living room. Then I locked the front door, finished the last of the dishes, and slipped out into the backyard.<br /> <br /> I stripped off my clothes as I headed for the forest, desperate to get under its protective shadows. As soon as I passed the treeline, I shifted, taking off at full speed. I let Dasha feel all the pain. I didn’t try to hold her back anymore. <br /> <br /> We would mourn the loss of our fated mate. The loss of the one person who was supposed to see us for who we were. The one person who was supposed to always put us first, without demands or expectations. We would mourn the loss of never getting to experience that.<br /> But we wouldn’t mourn him.<br /> <br /> We ran until we could barely breathe. Until Dasha stopped at the edge of our pond — our place of solace — and let out a heartwrenching howl into the night air. Shifting at the end as she retreated back into my mind, out of reach to heal her broken heart, while I let the torrent of tears finally fall.<br /> <br /> I walked into the water, curling into myself as the sobs wracked my body, intensifying the burn that was still there from our bond being ripped from my heart.<br /> <br /> I submerged myself completely, washing my body clean of Theo, the mate bond, and every dream of finding my soulmate. <br /> <br /> In the midst of this pain I drifted off to sleep.<br /> The next morning.<br /> When I made it back to the house, there was no one there. My mother had been taken away by them.<br /> I was standing in an empty room in an empty house. The silence was deafening. And it all came crashing down. I sank to my knees, begging the goddess to just let it all go away, just for a little while. I just wanted to feel numb.<br /> <br /> I lost track of how long I sat in that spot, staring without seeing. I didn’t even know Zeff was there until I felt him grip my arms.<br /> <br /> “Ayls, what happened? What’s wrong?” he asked, brushing hair out of my face, forcing me to look at him. “Ayla, what is going on?”<br /> <br /> “I found my mate,” I said, the corner of my mouth tipping up mockingly. “He’s scheduled to be mated to my sister.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Zeff exclaimed, anger and concern twisting his handsome features. <br /> <br /> Zeff was a good man. He had been there for me when no one else was. He was the only person who knew everything I went through. And here he was, listening to me tell him about meeting Theo, the mating ceremony, and my rejection. Why couldn’t he have been my mate? He should have been. <br /> <br /> “Come on,” he said, lifting me up. “You’re coming to stay with me.”<br /> <br /> I didn’t protest. The goddess had given me this one little blessing. I was numb. Zeff held me up by my waist and led me out to his car. He tucked me into the passenger seat and disappeared into the house again, only to emerge a few minutes later with a duffel bag in hand. <br /> <br /> He pulled out and drove us the twenty minutes to his house. Just like before, he helped me inside, this time sitting me on the big, comfy leather couch in his living room.<br /> <br /> He came and sat next to me, putting an arm over my shoulder and pulling me into him. I let myself relax some. This was the first thing since Theo walked into my life that felt normal, felt comfortable. He leaned his head on mine, rubbing his fingers along my arm. <br /> <br /> “Ayla. You’re going to deal with this — we’re going to deal with this together. Screw him, okay. He’s a dirtbag. You deserve so much better than some fool who doesn’t see how incredible you are.”<br /> <br /> I wanted to roll my eyes, but it wasn’t just about him. <br /> <br /> “He took my family, Zeff. I would have gotten over him just rejecting me because of Kylee. At least she would be safe and happy.”<br /> <br /> “No. They either treat you like a servant or a bank. They don’t care what their actions do to you as long as they keep getting what they want."<br /> <br /> “Zeff...But they were my family” I wanted to contradict him, but I knew he was right.<br /> <br /> “Get over him.” He took a step toward me, reaching up to hold my chin. “He’s not the only one who can take care of you, Ayla. He may be foolish enough not to want you, but I’m not.”<br /> <br /> My breath caught in my throat. He had told me about his feelings before, but we both avoided going down that road with each other. We knew we could find our fated mates at any time, and we didn’t want to deny each other that. <br /> <br /> “Move in here with me, Ayls,” Zeff said. “There’s nothing stopping us now.”<br /> <br /> “Zeff, you still have a mate out there somewhere.”<br /> <br /> “Ayla, stop. I’m thirty-four and well-traveled. If I was going to find her, I would have long before now. We both know that.” <br /> <br /> Suddenly his lips were on mine. I was shocked, but mostly because it felt good. I felt wanted. I kissed him back, not wanting to give that feeling up. I leaned into him — until Dasha came charging to the forefront, growling and snarling that someone who wasn’t our mate was touching us. <br /> <br /> I ripped myself from Zeff’s embrace. Breathing heavily, the pain of the severed bond renewed. I clutched my chest. <br /> <br /> “Ayla.” <br /> <br /> “I can’t. The bond. It’s still there. It hasn’t faded yet.”<br /> <br /> Zeff pulled me into his arms. “Okay. It’s okay. We can wait. We’ll take it slow.”<br /> <br /> I rested my head on his chest. “Okay.”<br /> <br /> He squeezed me tighter. I still didn’t know if we could make this work, but I wanted to try. <br /> <br /> I stayed with the Zeff, and it was quiet. Until a week later, when Theo burst in.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4: Theo<br /> It had been a week since I had gone home with Kylee. Seven days and a hundred miles away, and the bond was still there. The burning in my chest wouldn’t go away. I didn’t understand and it was annoying. <br /> <br /> More important is Kieran. He had spent the whole week giving me the silent treatment, except when Kylee was around. Then all he did was growl and snarl. It was getting exhausting. <br /> <br /> I had taken to holing up in my office most of the time. I didn’t want to snap at Kylee, or her mother, which had become hard to avoid by the third day. I was glad I had a good reason for me being so busy all of a sudden. <br /> <br /> Alpha was sick. He was diagnosed with a progressive disease almost a year ago. So, he decided it was time to hand the title down to me. It wasn’t official yet. We were planning on making the change at the same time as Kylee’s and my mating ceremony. Actually, that’s why I decided to make Kylee my official mate. Alpha’s were always stronger with a strong Luna by their side. With the circumstances of my father’s abdication, our pack needed to be as strong as possible. <br /> <br /> But there was still a lot to take care of and a lot I had to learn about being an Alpha before that time. So it wasn’t hard to convince her that it was the stress that was causing me to be distant. <br /> <br /> But this morning, I'm driving myself to Kylee's house. I promised to help her retrieve her mother's necklace, which she wanted to wear during our mating ceremony.<br /> <br /> In addition, if I couldn’t completely sever the bond between me and Ayla, Kieran could end up taking control and stop me from marking Kylee.<br /> So, once I got the necklace, I’d reject Ayla again, making sure it stuck this time, and I’d go back home.<br /> <br /> When I pulled up to the house, something twisted in my gut. When I step into the house, her invigorating scent of oranges and cloves invaded my nostrils, but it wasn’t nearly as strong as it should have been.<br /> I realize Ayla wasn't home.<br /> Instead, there was another smell in Ayla's room.<br /> The scent was male. It was faint, he wasn’t here long, but mixed in with the distinctive scent of my mate, I could pick it out anywhere. From the trail, it seemed as if he was the one who packed up her things.<br /> <br /> I stormed out of the house. Tossing the jewelry box in the passenger seat, I took my phone out and searched for the number for the publishing house Kylee said Ayla worked for.<br /> I got another address that Ayla had added to her personal profile from the receptionist.<br /> <br /> I followed the GPS to the address, pulling into the drive of a large, two-story house in a nice neighborhood. Parking half on the lawn, I didn’t even close the car door before taking the front steps two at a time. <br /> <br /> I banged on the door until I heard movement inside. A man opened it. It was the male I smelled in Ayla’s room. Before he could say anything, I lunged at him, my hands grabbing the front of his shirt and practically lifting him off the ground.<br /> <br /> “What have you done with her? I smell her all over you. Where is she?”<br /> <br /> He pushed me off him, his eyes glaring at me with recognition and disdain.<br /> <br /> “You must be Theo.”<br /> <br /> “What is going on?” Ayla’s voice floated down to me as she ran down the stairs. She froze halfway down the moment she laid eyes on me. “What are you doing here?”<br /> <br /> A silk robe hung open, revealing the shorts and cut-off tank top she wore underneath, her caramel-colored hair flowing loosely around her shoulders. She was gorgeous. And clearly not in distress. I took a step toward her as my rage grew.<br /> <br /> “What are you doing here?” I spat back. <br /> <br /> “That’s none of your concern,” the male interjected.<br /> <br /> I turned on him again, a rumbling growl emanating from my chest, my claws extending. I was ready to rip his throat out. <br /> <br /> “Stop,” Ayla yelled, coming the rest of the way down the stairs and stepping between the two of us. “Zeff, go to work.”<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. I’m not leaving you here with him. Not in the state he’s in.”<br /> <br /> “I would never hurt her.” Kieran was ready to burst from my skin. How dare this dirtbag think we would ever lay a hand on her.<br /> <br /> “We both know that’s crap.”<br /> <br /> “Zeff, I said go.” Her expression softened a little. “I’ll call you later.”<br /> <br /> She would. <br /> <br /> The Zeff guy shot me another hate-filled look before exiting out the open front door. We stood in silence until the sound of his engine faded. <br /> <br /> “Are you dating him?” <br /> <br /> Her eyes went wide, then narrowed as she took a step forward. “What I do with a male — or anyone for that matter — is none of your business.”<br /> <br /> “It isn’t.” Electricity passed through the air between us. “He has no right to put his hands on you.”<br /> <br /> “He does if I want him to,” she yelled, not only holding her ground against the alpha energy I was exuding but taking another step toward me. “I don’t belong to anyone, remember? I have no mate.”<br /> <br /> I lost it. My hand was around her neck and my mouth was on hers before I even knew what I had done. But I didn’t stop. I couldn’t stop. Sparks of intense electricity shot through me, invigorating all my senses. I pushed her to open for me, my tongue seeking hers. Goddess, she tasted so good. She returned the kiss, her arousal mingling in the air. <br /> <br /> “MINE.” <br /> <br /> She pushed me off her with force.<br /> <br /> I took a step toward her again but she backed away. <br /> <br /> “Don’t you hurt Kylee like this.”<br /> <br /> “Like you care about your sister getting hurt,” I spat, but for some reason, I instantly regretted it. But I couldn’t take it back. I wouldn’t take it back.<br /> <br /> “Excuse me?” Pure rage radiated off of her, her eyes turning an icy blue. <br /> <br /> “You abandoned Kylee a long time ago. You disappeared all the time, leaving her alone with a mother who was struggling to keep everything together.”<br /> <br /> Ayla’s face paled. Every ounce of anger seemed to drain from her instantly, that blue fire fading from her eyes. <br /> <br /> She almost went completely limp in front of me, stumbling until her back hit the wall. Her façade cracked. <br /> <br /> “That’s what she told you? She said that?” her voice was almost a whisper. <br /> <br /> Kieran was going insane in my head, telling me to shut up, to just stop talking. Urging me to stop hurting her. Because I was hurting her. I had struck a nerve, a very deep one, and I wouldn’t stop. She had to break the bond. Once and for all. If it meant I had to break her to do it, I would.<br /> <br /> “She told me everything. She told me how you would keep things from her and your mother. That you would be out at all hours of the night when you were a teenager. How you dropped out of high school, waisting the tuition your parents worked so hard for.”<br /> <br /> “What?” <br /> <br /> “I could never be with someone as cold and heartless as you.”<br /> <br /> Ayla’s head snapped up. Her eyes a steely gray as she resolved herself to something I couldn’t figure out but would soon find out. <br /> <br /> “I, Ayla Garner, reject you, Theo Arden, as my mate. I relinquish my claim as your mate and Luna.”<br /> <br /> I gritted my teeth as Kieran howled in my head, screaming for me not to accept it. <br /> <br /> “I, Theo Arden, accept your rejection.” The pain in my chest amplified, but I could still feel the bond. “We’ve done this before. It’s not working.”<br /> <br /> “Tell your wolf to accept it,” Ayla said with a crack in her voice. <br /> <br /> The muscles in my jaw tightened to a point I thought my teeth would shatter. The noise in my head from Kieran becoming almost unbearable.<br /> <br /> “He won’t.”<br /> <br /> “Make him,” she forced out.<br /> <br /> “I can’t.”<br /> <br /> “He doesn’t have a choice. I’ll never be with him, and neither will she,” Ayla said, tears threatening to fall from her eyes. <br /> <br /> I could feel the pain he felt. It was excruciating. I told him it would end if he just accepted, but he wouldn’t give in. He was an Alpha. He was as strong as me. I’d never overpower him on this. Ayla must have sensed my stalemate. Or her wolf did and told her because she pulled herself from against the wall, standing up straight again.<br /> <br /> “I, Ayla Garner, cut my ties to Alpha Torin…”<br /> <br /> “What are you doing?” There was desperation in my voice. She couldn’t do this. I moved to stop her. <br /> <br /> “And the Greytooth Pack.”<br /> <br /> “No.” I fell to a knee, feeling the invisible tether that united pack members with their Alpha splinter. Kieran was pounding against the barriers of my control, putting all his might into taking over the shift. I knew I was on the verge.<br /> <br /> “From this day forth, I am a rogue.” She took an unsteady step toward me, silent tears rolling freely down her face. “Now get out.”<br /> <br /> She had used my father’s name. Either of our names would have worked in the limbo state we were currently in. But she used my father’s. There was nothing I could do to stop her. Nothing I could do to fight the separation. She knew exactly what she was doing. <br /> <br /> If my wolf wouldn’t sever the mate bond, she would remove herself from any control I had over her. <br /> <br /> With one final, agonizing look, she walked away, disappearing upstairs. <br /> <br /> I took in a ragged breath of air. Ayla now had until midnight to be out of our territory. If I caught her on our land after that, I would have to murder her. Mate bond or not. She was a rogue now. It was our laws. <br /> <br /> Kieran had finally gone still in my mind. <br /> <br /> ‘Mate’s gone.’<br /> <br /> Did he mean Ayla or her wolf?<br /> <br /> ‘Dasha. Mate’s name is Dasha. Dasha’s gone.’<br /> <br /> Realization hit me and panic set in. Her wolf was gone. The pain was too much. She had retreated deep into the recesses of Ayla’s subconscious. Ayla wouldn’t be able to call on her. She wouldn’t be able to shift. She wouldn’t be able to heal.<br /> <br /> She was a rogue without a wolf. She couldn’t protect herself. <br /> <br /> I had to get as far away from her as possible. <br /> <br /> I dragged myself back to my feet, forcing them to walk out the door. <br /> <br /> Chapter 5: Ayla<br /> The moment the door was closed, I sank to the floor. It was no longer sobs that escaped my body but soul-shattering screams. <br /> <br /> She said I abandoned her. <br /> <br /> Theo made it sound like I spent my teen years partying and getting into trouble. She said I dropped out of high school. <br /> <br /> She said I wasn’t a sister to her. <br /> <br /> The betrayal was soul-crushing. <br /> <br /> I had given up everything for them. <br /> <br /> I screamed and let the tears flow freely until my body ached. As soon as it felt like I could breathe without being stabbed by a red-hot dagger, I pulled myself up and started moving. I only had a few hours to get my things and get out of Greytooth territory. <br /> <br /> I had made myself a rogue. I didn’t have a pack anymore. And I had no idea where I was going to go. All the borders on this side of the territory sat right against other pack lands. To get out of one, I’d have to enter another. But it was my only option. Trying to get to unclaimed territory was too risky. I would have better luck on foreign pack land than on the land I just severed ties to. <br /> <br /> After leaving a note for Zeff, I packed up and drove away.<br /> <br /> The Greytooth Pack may not be the largest in population, but they had one of the biggest territories. The closest border crossing was nearly two hours away. And I needed to be far away before Zeff got home. I couldn’t have him tracking me down.<br /> <br /> Especially since I didn’t give him much of an explanation. <br /> <br /> But it was better this way. I wasn’t going to risk him cutting ties and going rogue as well. Because he would. He would hold Theo responsible, and he would never stay in a pack with an alpha he didn’t respect, let alone hate. This way, the note I left would have just made it seem like I got cold feet about us being together. <br /> <br /> I drove to the outskirts of town and got on the highway. From there, it was practically a straight shot to the border. I was grateful at first, but after about an hour, I realized the monotonous ride only left my mind wondering and worrying and thinking about things I didn’t need to think about. <br /> <br /> When Theo found me in the yard that first day, I had no idea what he would say. His initial reaction to our meeting had me thinking he would pursue the pairing. But then his increasingly icy demeanor throughout the evening made it seem like he was thinking along the same lines I was. He wasn’t going to hurt Kylee for someone he didn’t know. <br /> <br /> He loved her. She loved him. I had no idea who he was, nor he I. We could reject each other and just go on our way. Neither one of us would have to break Kylee’s heart. I thought he was keeping me from my family to be cruel. Or maybe to make things easier for both of us. <br /> <br /> But today, his words revealed a different motive. He didn’t reject me for Kylee. He rejected me because of her. Because he believed what she said and painted me as some coldhearted delinquent. But why? I just couldn’t figure that out. <br /> <br /> Dad died in a gas explosion along with my aunt and uncle ten years ago. I was fourteen, and Kylee was nine. Our thirteen-year-old cousin, Mina, came to live with us for a while after their deaths. Ma was hit pretty hard by the loss, so the three of us quickly started taking care of each other. We spent every spare minute with each other. Then our financial situation changed. Kylee was entirely too young, and Mina had been through enough losing both her parents for me to put that on her. So, it was up to me to keep food on the table and a roof over our heads. <br /> <br /> But I was still fourteen. Finding jobs that paid enough to support a family of four at the age of fourteen was non-existent. I would need to work multiple jobs, and there just wasn’t enough time in the day. So, I approached the headmaster at my private high school and confided my situation with him. I was desperate not to drop out or risk my grades dropping and losing my scholarship. My parents didn’t pay a dime of my tuition. <br /> <br /> Headmaster Fordham was a miracle worker. He helped me test out of over eighty percent of my academic requirements by the end of my freshman year. I only had to take four summer classes to graduate a week after my fifteenth birthday. I was even able to broker a deal with him that would set the remaining three years of my scholarship fund aside for Kylee when it came time for her to attend high school. <br /> <br /> I still ended up working multiple jobs for several years. But no matter what, I always tried to be there for Kylee as much as possible. <br /> <br /> Everything I did was for her. <br /> <br /> I completely lost touch with all of my school friends. I never partied. I barely socialized. The jobs I held were really the only place that happened. But I was home to take her to school every morning, and I ensured I had at least an hour to help her with her homework almost every day. <br /> <br /> I didn’t discuss the lengths I went to with Kylee. I didn’t want her to feel bad or that it was her fault. And I didn’t want her to see what Ma was going through. She was struggling to keep any job. She was drinking daily. There were even a couple of times she racked up gambling debts that put us in some scary situations. <br /> <br /> But I never let Kylee see any of that. It was my job to protect them. <br /> <br /> There was so much more that didn’t add up with what Theo had said. But I didn’t get to think about it further. <br /> <br /> A searing pain shot through my chest, making my vision go white at the edges, blinding me to a point I almost missed the figure standing in the road before me. <br /> <br /> My heart jumped into my chest. I turned the wheel as sharp as I could, slamming on the brakes to avoid hitting them head-on. The moment I did it, I felt foolish. Within seconds, I was spinning through the air and sliding down an embankment.<br /> <br /> When the vehicle came to a stop, I was upside down. I registered the smell of blood, but everything was blurry. I didn’t feel significant pain, so I didn’t think the blood was coming from me. <br /> <br /> The person on the road!<br /> <br /> I scrambled out of the car and up the incline. Without Dasha, I couldn’t see well in the dark, but I could see a blurry figure moving toward me.<br /> <br /> “Are you okay?” I called. <br /> <br /> I didn’t catch what they were saying because I suddenly felt the world falling out from beneath my feet, and everything went dark. <br /> <br /> Chapter 6: Theo<br /> I said I would break her if that was what it took.<br /> <br /> And I certainly followed through with that.<br /> <br /> Ayla’s hard exterior had cracked and shattered before me. <br /> <br /> I had driven over an hour, and my stomach was still in knots. So much so that I had to stop to throw up at one point. Guilt tore at me. <br /> <br /> I really had been cruel to her. <br /> <br /> Especially since it turned out it wasn’t even her fault the bond hadn’t broken. She and Dasha had accepted my rejection. They had done what I needed them to do. Ayla had stayed away from Kylee and me. She hadn’t tried to be around them. From what I could tell, she hadn’t even called Kylee like she used to. And how did I repay her? By ripping her apart with every intention of doing as much damage as possible. <br /> <br /> It was my wolf that was still hanging on. It was Kieran who kept us in a constant state of heartache. Kept Ayla in a constant state of pain. <br /> <br /> And then she had to go and do something foolish and cut herself out of the pack. She was completely lost to us now. The only thing I could do was tell myself it was what I wanted. It was the only way to get rid of the temptation and put enough distance between us until Kylee and I were marked and mated and leading our pack. <br /> <br /> Every time I said it, Kieran was there to argue. <br /> <br /> By the time I pulled up to the packhouse, I was so pissed that anyone around instantly took a wide birth. My aura was probably so intense that I was making everyone physically uncomfortable, but I really didn’t care.<br /> <br /> I was going to head to my office but decided against it. Too many people had access to me there, and I really didn’t need anyone coming around. <br /> <br /> What I needed was to work off some of this rage and pent-up energy. <br /> <br /> I made a beeline for the private training room in the wing of the packhouse reserved for ranking members of the pack. I was relieved to find it empty, tugging my shirt over my head and immediately heading to the punching bag in the corner. <br /> <br /> I had worked up a sweat when Briggs entered the room. Walking over to me with his usual swagger, his arms crossed over his chest as he leaned against the wall close by. He knew something was up. He had been hounding me about it since we got back from Kylee’s house. So had my mother, but I sure wasn’t going down that road.<br /> <br /> Briggs was my Beta. We had been friends since we were eight and had been through everything together since then. I didn’t think there was anything we could hide from each other. But I surely wanted to hide this from him. So I just ignored his presence.<br /> <br /> “You ready to tell me what is going on with you? Or at least, where you were today?” he said loud enough to be heard over the sound of my fists hitting the bag. <br /> <br /> “No.”<br /> <br /> “If you don’t, we’ll sedate you. Your aura is out of control right now, bro. This isn’t about you just being in a pissy mood anymore,” Briggs said with an edge to his voice that meant he was serious.<br /> I yelled as I hit the bag hard one more time. I winced as I forced my fingers through my hair. I hadn’t realized I had been breaking the skin on my knuckles. I fell back against the wall, sliding down to the floor. <br /> <br /> “You know I’m here for you, bro,” my Beta said calmly. “Whatever it is, you can talk to me.”<br /> I nodded. <br /> <br /> ‘Tell him.’<br /> <br /> I winced at Keiran’s demand. But I couldn’t really disagree anymore. <br /> <br /> “I found my mate,” I admitted. I could feel Briggs’ eyes go wide in his head. <br /> <br /> “What do you mean you found your mate?” he took a step closer. “Please tell me you’re talking about Kylee.”<br /> <br /> I shook my head. “No. I found my fated mate.”<br /> <br /> “What. The. Fu-” He had warned me about this when I first got involved with Kylee and again when we announced our mating ceremony. “Where is she? Who is she?”<br /> <br /> “I rejected her. She’s gone.”<br /> <br /> “Theo, man, you’re really scaring me now. Why would you do that? What were you thinking?” Briggs demanded.<br /> <br /> “She’s Kylee’s sister,” I snapped. Briggs tensed up.<br /> <br /> “Ayla? As in the sister that allegedly abandoned Kylee?” <br /> <br /> His use of the word “allegedly” pissed me off and confused me a little. He really liked Kylee. They’ve always gotten along. Even when he was cautioning me about finding my mate, he told me he was happy for me. <br /> <br /> “Are you trying to say Kylee is lying?” I snapped.<br /> <br /> He made a face. “No, but I do think it’s foolish to reject your mate without all the information.”<br /> <br /> “I have all the information I need.”<br /> <br /> “No, you have Kylee’s side of the story,” Briggs said with a worried look.<br /> <br /> “And their mother’s,” I added.<br /> <br /> Briggs scoffed. “Look, Marie Garner is a nice enough lady, but I wouldn’t exactly trust her judgment.”<br /> <br /> “What are you talking about?” I asked, my own concern growing.<br /> <br /> “Bro, she’s a lush,” Briggs said with a shrug. “Not that you’ve been around enough to notice since she’s been here. I can’t tell how bad, and she seems pretty harmless. But these things often have a dark side that no one sees.”<br /> <br /> I couldn’t believe we were having this conversation. The last thing I needed was any kind of doubt in my decision. <br /> <br /> “Whatever. It doesn’t matter. What’s done is done. And Ayla’s reactions to all of this told me all I needed to know from her.” I pushed myself to my feet. <br /> <br /> “What were her reactions?” Briggs asked cautiously, and I realized my choice of words may have given away more than I intended. I knew he wouldn’t let it go unless he was sure I told him everything. <br /> <br /> “Which time?” I said quietly.<br /> <br /> “Excuse me?” He heard exactly what I said. “What happened, Theo?”<br /> <br /> “She never argued or fought the rejection. She agreed and accepted it the first day we met like it was nothing. She had no response, no rebuttal, no explanation,” I told him. “You have to be coldhearted to feel nothing after breaking a mate bond.”<br /> <br /> “Or extremely strong,” Briggs stated. “You said she didn’t argue or fight. Did you even give her a chance to speak or even get to know anything about her before you threw her to the curb? Or did you just walk up to her and say tough words?”<br /> <br /> I grimaced. That’s exactly what happened. “There wasn’t exactly an opportunity for that. Neither one of us wanted Kylee to find out.”<br /> <br /> The muscles in his neck flexed as he tensed. “You said ‘which time.’ When did you see her again?”<br /> <br /> “This morning.” <br /> <br /> “Why?” <br /> <br /> I could tell he was choosing his words carefully. <br /> <br /> “Kylee wanted a necklace of her mother’s that was left at their house for some appointment this week. I went back to get it.”<br /> <br /> “Okay, someone else could have done that. Why did you go?” Briggs pushed, but the words stuck in my throat. “Theo, you’re hurting. There’s no way this is as cut and dry as you’re trying to say it is.”<br /> <br /> “The bond didn’t break. Not completely.”<br /> <br /> “Goddess, Theo. So you both have been walking around with your hearts ripped open for the past week?” Briggs said. “So, what happened today? Why are you still on the edge of ripping half the pack’s throats out?”<br /> <br /> Images of that morning flashed through my head. The fear that something had happened to her when she hadn’t been home. The jealousy and rage at finding her at another male’s house. The way it felt when I kissed her. And sheer pain and anguish of everything that followed. <br /> <br /> “Theo?” Briggs pressed.<br /> <br /> “She cut her ties to the pack,” I said solemnly. “She turned herself rogue.”<br /> <br /> “Theo,” Briggs bellowed, “how could you let that happen? Why didn’t you stop her?”<br /> <br /> “She cut herself from Dad. She used his name. There was nothing I could do. I had no way of fighting it.” I was done with this conversation. “So none of this matters. It’s done. She’s gone. She’s never coming back. Doing so would be a death sentence, and she knew that.”<br /> <br /> “What have you done, Theo?”<br /> <br /> “It doesn’t matter,” I yelled. “Whatever I did or didn’t do, she never wanted me anyway. She’s not my problem anymore. So right now, I’m going to worry about cleaning up the mess she made and figure out how to tell Kylee and Marie that they’ll never see her again. And don’t you dare breathe a word about any of this to them, do you understand me?”<br /> <br /> “Okay. Okay,” Briggs said, raising his hands in the air, trying to calm me down. “You’re right. There’s nothing we can do about her now. If it’s done and over with, then it’s done and over with. We’ll move on.”<br /> <br /> I wasn’t sure he believed it, but I didn’t care. Like I said, she wasn’t my problem anymore. <br /> <br /> I went back to my room. There was a knock on my room door, and Kylee poked her head in before I had a chance to answer.<br /> “There you are, mate,” she cooed, sitting in my lap.<br /> She ran a hand up my chest, leaning in to kiss me. Kieran’s growl started immediately.<br /> I still needed to let off some steam. Anything to get some relief.<br /> I was about to respond to her when blinding pain erupted through my body.	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881,879	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":881868}'	Yes	2024-03-31 15:59	active	395	1156843252163240	🔥🔥🔥Download and search book ID: 9792	My sister's boyfriend turned out to be my mate! As he rejected me, I retaliated by cutting off all contact with the pack…<br /> Chapter 1: Ayla<br /> “Ayla, is dinner ready? No more delay. Kylee and Theo will be soon here!”<br /> “Yes, mom.” I sighed hearing my mother's impatient urging.<br /> Kylee is my little sister, and Theo is her mate as well as our future Alpha. It is said that they had been together for over a year, and today is the first Kylee has brought her mate home. I was so happy for her.<br /> Our current Alpha, Alpha Torin, was a good leader, a fair leader, and a good man. I knew he had a son, but I had never met him before.<br /> But I had heard that his son, Theo, was promising to be just as good an Alpha as his father. So I really couldn’t have been more relieved that he was my sister’s mate. She would be properly looked after and taken care of, and she would be happy.<br /> I was pulling the chicken out of the oven when I saw my mother rushing past me, excitedly shouting towards the door, “They're here.”<br /> After my father passed away, my mother had become an alcoholic. But she always managed to look presentable in front of Kylee. For example, today, she was not only dressed neatly, but even used mouthwash.<br /> <br /> I was still transferring the food when I heard the front door open and the squeals of my mother and sister as they embraced. I finished my task and moved the dishes to the dining room table that was already set neatly. I smiled at my presentation and excitedly hurried to the living room. <br /> <br /> I froze at the threshold. A scent overwhelmed my senses, causing my stomach to knot and my heart to race. <br /> <br /> The tall, broad man standing next to my sister turned toward me and we locked eyes. <br /> <br /> Mate.<br /> <br /> I practically gagged trying to stifle the word from slipping from my mouth. <br /> <br /> What was happening?<br /> <br /> This was my sister’s mate. <br /> <br /> Not mine. <br /> <br /> This man was fated to Kylee. <br /> <br /> So why was I having this reaction?<br /> <br /> Better question…<br /> <br /> Why did HE seem to be having the same reaction?<br /> <br /> His eyes were wide, pupils dilated, and they held my gaze with a vice-like grip as he, too, seemed frozen to where he stood. <br /> <br /> Dasha, my wolf, bounced excitedly in my head, recognizing him and his wolf just as I was. It took a minute for her to understand the situation, but once she did, she started whimpering in the back of my mind.<br /> <br /> This couldn’t be happening. <br /> <br /> What was happening?<br /> <br /> I forced myself to address the situation as a whole. Fine, this was happening. Now, what is the best way to handle the situation? I wasn’t going to break my sister’s heart. Absolutely not. I wouldn’t let him either. Not right now. We’ll just get through dinner, and I’ll find a way to speak with him in private later. <br /> <br /> I cleared my throat and plastered a smile on my face.<br /> <br /> “Kylee, I’m so excited you’re home,” I said, opening my arms so she could jump into them like she had since she was little.<br /> <br /> “I’ve missed you, sis,” she said. <br /> <br /> “I’ve missed you, too,” I said quietly. <br /> <br /> We separated, and she turned to the male behind her. “Theo, this is my sister, Ayla. Ayla, this is my mate, Theo.”<br /> <br /> Theo’s hands were clenched into fists, and he forced a tight-jawed smile toward me. At least I was better at faking it them him. Geesh. <br /> <br /> I nodded to him with a broad smile. I knew it didn’t reach my eyes, but at least Ma and Kylee wouldn’t notice. <br /> <br /> “It’s lovely to meet you, Theo,” I said. “Dinner is ready in the dining room. Why don’t you guys go take a seat, and I’ll be right there. I need to tend to dessert first.”<br /> <br /> “Don’t take too long,” Kylee said brightly. “We have some big news, and I don’t think I can wait much longer.”<br /> <br /> “I promise I’ll be right there,” I assured her as I rubbed her shoulder. <br /> <br /> Kylee grabbed Ma by the arm and led her to the dining room. Theo followed a few steps behind. He had to pass me to get through. Right as he approached, I turned my body to ensure we didn’t touch. He paused in front of me for a moment. I looked up to meet his eyes.<br /> <br /> There was anger, confusion, desire, and possibly even hurt reflecting in his eyes that I couldn’t help but notice were the color of honey. He had questions. I subtly shook my head at him. Hoping and silently begging that he knew we couldn’t do this here. <br /> <br /> The sound of Kylee’s laugh from the other room made me jump and then quickly retreat to the kitchen. I grabbed the homemade cheesecake from the fridge and set it on the counter for later. <br /> <br /> I listened to the others conversing in the next room and took several deep breaths. I felt a lump start to form in my throat and quickly pushed it down. This wasn’t the time to cry. <br /> <br /> I was almost to the dining room when I heard the last part of what Kylee was saying, and again, I was left frozen at the threshold.<br /> <br /> “… our mating ceremony is in three months.” Kylee looked up at me. “Oh, Ayla, I’m sorry. I just couldn’t hold back any longer. Aren’t you happy for us?”<br /> <br /> I put the same fake smile back on. “Of course I’m happy for you,” I said. “You deserve the best.”<br /> <br /> I took my seat at the table, ignoring the fact that I was left sitting directly across from Theo. His eyes were boring into me, and my face felt like it was on fire. I started dishing out food and passing plates. I didn’t say much over dinner. Instead, I just listened to Kylee and Ma talk about all the ideas they had for the mating ceremony. Theo didn’t say much either but slowly started to do a better job hiding his discomfort with the situation. <br /> <br /> It took everything to ignore the touches they shared, pushing down the jealousy that kept surging through me. <br /> After dinner, while they were still talking, I made an excuse to slip out through the back door.<br /> <br /> I stood on the porch and took several deep breaths. I released a string of curses.<br /> “What is happening? Why is this happening? This ISN’T happening,” I whispered with the force of a yell. <br /> <br /> ‘Our mate.’ Dasha insisted.<br /> <br /> “No, he’s not,” I said back to her. “He’s Kylee’s. There must be some kind of mistake.”<br /> <br /> All of a sudden, I stiffened as a mouthwatering scent hit my nose. I knew who was standing behind me. <br /> <br /> Chapter 2: Theo<br /> I fought against the urges her scent was influencing as I stalked up to her. But more importantly, the urge to grab her and take her against the nearest tree. My wolf was going crazy about the idea, but he would learn fast that that was never going to happen. <br /> <br /> I wouldn’t accept her. <br /> <br /> Knowing what I knew about her, that would never happen. <br /> <br /> She turned to face me. <br /> <br /> “This won’t happen,” I spat out before she had a chance to speak. <br /> Her jaw clenched, and her silvery-gray eyes stared into mine for a few short moments. But I couldn’t read a thing behind them. <br /> <br /> “I absolutely agree,” she stated evenly. <br /> <br /> My wolf growled and snarled inside me, demanding to know what I was doing. I pushed down the hurt that hit me when she didn’t fight me. Her reaction just proved why this needed to be done. I could never be with someone so cold and self-absorbed as her. There was no way someone like her could ever be my Luna. <br /> <br /> ‘Don’t know her.’ Kieran yelled in my head. <br /> <br /> I knew enough. <br /> <br /> “Kylee is my mate. Not you. I, Theo Arden, future Alpha of the Greytooth Pack, reject you, Ayla Garner, as my mate and Luna.” Kieran was snapping his teeth, pushing to take control to stop this.<br /> <br /> “I, Ayla Garner, accept your rejection and relinquish my claim as your mate and Luna.”<br /> <br /> My wolf howled in pain. A pain that was mirrored within me as it felt like my heart was being ripped apart. It was the bond breaking. Releasing me from the tie that bound us together.<br /> She stood there like nothing happened. <br /> <br /> How could she stand there like nothing had happened?<br /> <br /> She really didn’t feel anything, did she? It was so easy for her to let us go.<br /> <br /> ‘Mate wants me.’<br /> <br /> I grimaced. He meant her wolf. Her wolf wanted mine. He could sense her. She was even denying her wolf. I couldn’t stand it anymore. I needed to get away from her. <br /> <br /> I stormed back into the house, returning to the woman the goddess should have made my mate. I returned to the dining room to find her mother and her still deep in conversation. I was grateful she hadn’t seemed to notice my absence or the change in my mood. It wasn’t surprising. She was excited about seeing her family and sharing the news with them. <br /> <br /> I had been, too, until her sister walked into the room. The scent had engulfed me, driving me to seek out the source like a lifeline. When I saw her, her beauty took my breath away. She was petit but strong, with long legs and perfect curves. She had a mass of caramel-blonde hair that cascaded over her shoulders, framing a face with plump lips and intense gray eyes that shined green in the light. I couldn’t help but want her. I recognized who she was to me immediately. <br /> <br /> But then I noticed her narrow nose and soft jawline were familiar. Her fair skin had a sun-kissed glow that I had always found attractive. Once I realized she had similar features to Kylee, I knew this was her sister, Ayla. <br /> <br /> Kylee had told me on many occasions how her sister had changed after the death of their father. She was there for Kylee at first, but in less than a year, she started spending all her time away from home. She ended up dropping out of the private school her parents had worked so hard to send her to. Eventually, Kylee lost track of what she was doing with her life. <br /> <br /> Kylee was there for her when she was around, trying to be supportive. But she wasn’t the sister she used to love. What bothered her most was Ayla’s treatment of their mother. Ayla still lived in the house with her, but Kylee always got the impression that helping their mother was just a burden. She worried their mother would be left with no one to take care of her, and she wasn’t in the best of health anymore. <br /> <br /> “I have an idea,” I interrupted. They both looked up at me expectantly. “Why doesn’t your mother come to stay with us for a while? At least until the ceremony? We have the room in the packhouse, and I’m sure you and my mother would appreciate the extra input.”<br /> <br /> Both their faces lit up.<br /> <br /> “Really? We can do that?” Kylee said happily. <br /> <br /> “Of course,” I said with a smile. <br /> <br /> “Thank you.”<br /> <br /> Kylee jumped up from the table and threw her arms around me, kissing me sweetly. I ignored the growls coming from Kieran. Seeing their reaction told me I had made the exact right decision. Despite what the burning in my chest told me. <br /> <br /> This was who I was supposed to be with. Not Ayla.<br /> <br /> ‘Keep saying. Maybe believe.’<br /> <br /> I told him to shut up, and he retreated into the back of my mind, cutting himself off from me. <br /> <br /> He would get over it. Once the bond was completely severed, he would understand this was the right thing for us and the pack.<br /> <br /> Chapter 3: Ayla<br /> I had managed to get myself together enough to rejoin my family. The pain that seared through me from Theo’s rejection and my subsequent acceptance almost brought me to my knees. It took all of my strength to keep my body from shaking, praying he didn’t notice the blood coming from my palms. I had clenched my fists so hard trying to stay on my feet that I broke the skin.<br /> <br /> When he finally left, I released the sob that was the only thing capable of coming out of my mouth. But I didn’t let the tears fall. Not yet. They couldn’t know. <br /> <br /> So, I steadied my breathing and went back into my house. I was surprised to find that Kylee and Ma weren’t in the dining room anymore. They weren’t in the living room either. But Theo was. <br /> <br /> “They’re in your mother’s room packing,” he said coldly.<br /> <br /> “Packing?” What was he talking about?<br /> <br /> He stepped closer to me, lowering his voice. “I think it’s best that you keep your distance from Kylee for a while. We don’t want her finding out about this. But I know she’ll want her mother to be a part of the ceremony planning. So she’s coming back with us.”<br /> <br /> I felt like he just slapped me in the face. As if I would ever tell her. That’s why I was doing this. So that I wouldn’t break my baby sister’s heart. I gave him what he wanted, and now he was going to keep me from my family?<br /> <br /> Dasha was confused and in pain, whimpering in my head because she didn’t understand how he could be so cruel to us. <br /> <br /> “If that’s what you think is best,” I said to Theo through gritted teeth. <br /> <br /> “Kylee,” he called out, not breaking eye contact. “Let’s get going.”<br /> <br /> My sister came prancing into the room. “Already?”<br /> <br /> “It’s getting late. Let’s head to the hotel for the night. We’ll swing by in the morning to pick up your mother.”<br /> <br /> “Okay,” she said brightly before turning to me. “What about you, Ayla? You’re coming with, too, right?”<br /> <br /> I opened my mouth to speak, but Theo decided to answer for me. <br /> <br /> “We were just talking about that. Ayla has some things going on with work and can’t get away.”<br /> <br /> I gave her a tight smile. “Yes, I’m sorry. But I will try to come out there as soon as I can.”<br /> <br /> “Oh, okay, I understand. But I’ll make sure we have a room ready for you whenever you can come.”<br /> <br /> “Of course. I can’t wait,” I said, my heart breaking again, knowing Theo wouldn’t allow me to be there with her. <br /> <br /> We all said our goodbyes, and they left. Ma was still standing at the window watching them drive off when I went to clean up the dishes in the kitchen. She finally came in behind me and started opening another bottle of wine. We had gone through four during dinner already. And I barely touched my glass. <br /> <br /> “Ma, you’ve had enough for the night,” I said calmly.<br /> <br /> “Oh, come on. It’s a celebration,” Ma said. “It’s not every day you find out your baby is going to be a Luna.”<br /> <br /> “Ma, you can celebrate more tomorrow. You need to finish packing,” I said, gently taking the bottle from her hand. “I’m sure Kylee and Theo will be here first thing in the morning.”<br /> <br /> “We can celebrate together while you help me pack,” she said, grabbing the bottle back from me. “Then I’ll help you pack.”<br /> <br /> I winced. This wasn’t going to end well. “I’m not coming, Ma.”<br /> <br /> She stopped with the glass halfway to her lips. “What do you mean you’re not coming?” she asked with a pout. “You have to be there. Kylee is going to be mated. I told her we would help pay for the ceremony.”<br /> <br /> I winced again. She meant me. I would be helping pay for the ceremony. Ma didn’t have a penny to her name.<br /> <br /> “This is a big deal. Don’t be so selfish, Ayla.”<br /> <br /> Her words stung, but they weren’t unexpected. This was kind of the norm when she got like this. I know she didn’t really mean it. At least, she wouldn’t mean it when she was sober. I got her into her bedroom and set her on the bed. I changed her into her nightgown and tucked her in. <br /> <br /> She was asleep in seconds. I hurried through the rest of her packing. Stuffing two large suitcases as full as I could before carrying them out to the living room. Then I locked the front door, finished the last of the dishes, and slipped out into the backyard.<br /> <br /> I stripped off my clothes as I headed for the forest, desperate to get under its protective shadows. As soon as I passed the treeline, I shifted, taking off at full speed. I let Dasha feel all the pain. I didn’t try to hold her back anymore. <br /> <br /> We would mourn the loss of our fated mate. The loss of the one person who was supposed to see us for who we were. The one person who was supposed to always put us first, without demands or expectations. We would mourn the loss of never getting to experience that.<br /> But we wouldn’t mourn him.<br /> <br /> We ran until we could barely breathe. Until Dasha stopped at the edge of our pond — our place of solace — and let out a heartwrenching howl into the night air. Shifting at the end as she retreated back into my mind, out of reach to heal her broken heart, while I let the torrent of tears finally fall.<br /> <br /> I walked into the water, curling into myself as the sobs wracked my body, intensifying the burn that was still there from our bond being ripped from my heart.<br /> <br /> I submerged myself completely, washing my body clean of Theo, the mate bond, and every dream of finding my soulmate. <br /> <br /> In the midst of this pain I drifted off to sleep.<br /> The next morning.<br /> When I made it back to the house, there was no one there. My mother had been taken away by them.<br /> I was standing in an empty room in an empty house. The silence was deafening. And it all came crashing down. I sank to my knees, begging the goddess to just let it all go away, just for a little while. I just wanted to feel numb.<br /> <br /> I lost track of how long I sat in that spot, staring without seeing. I didn’t even know Zeff was there until I felt him grip my arms.<br /> <br /> “Ayls, what happened? What’s wrong?” he asked, brushing hair out of my face, forcing me to look at him. “Ayla, what is going on?”<br /> <br /> “I found my mate,” I said, the corner of my mouth tipping up mockingly. “He’s scheduled to be mated to my sister.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Zeff exclaimed, anger and concern twisting his handsome features. <br /> <br /> Zeff was a good man. He had been there for me when no one else was. He was the only person who knew everything I went through. And here he was, listening to me tell him about meeting Theo, the mating ceremony, and my rejection. Why couldn’t he have been my mate? He should have been. <br /> <br /> “Come on,” he said, lifting me up. “You’re coming to stay with me.”<br /> <br /> I didn’t protest. The goddess had given me this one little blessing. I was numb. Zeff held me up by my waist and led me out to his car. He tucked me into the passenger seat and disappeared into the house again, only to emerge a few minutes later with a duffel bag in hand. <br /> <br /> He pulled out and drove us the twenty minutes to his house. Just like before, he helped me inside, this time sitting me on the big, comfy leather couch in his living room.<br /> <br /> He came and sat next to me, putting an arm over my shoulder and pulling me into him. I let myself relax some. This was the first thing since Theo walked into my life that felt normal, felt comfortable. He leaned his head on mine, rubbing his fingers along my arm. <br /> <br /> “Ayla. You’re going to deal with this — we’re going to deal with this together. Screw him, okay. He’s a dirtbag. You deserve so much better than some fool who doesn’t see how incredible you are.”<br /> <br /> I wanted to roll my eyes, but it wasn’t just about him. <br /> <br /> “He took my family, Zeff. I would have gotten over him just rejecting me because of Kylee. At least she would be safe and happy.”<br /> <br /> “No. They either treat you like a servant or a bank. They don’t care what their actions do to you as long as they keep getting what they want."<br /> <br /> “Zeff...But they were my family” I wanted to contradict him, but I knew he was right.<br /> <br /> “Get over him.” He took a step toward me, reaching up to hold my chin. “He’s not the only one who can take care of you, Ayla. He may be foolish enough not to want you, but I’m not.”<br /> <br /> My breath caught in my throat. He had told me about his feelings before, but we both avoided going down that road with each other. We knew we could find our fated mates at any time, and we didn’t want to deny each other that. <br /> <br /> “Move in here with me, Ayls,” Zeff said. “There’s nothing stopping us now.”<br /> <br /> “Zeff, you still have a mate out there somewhere.”<br /> <br /> “Ayla, stop. I’m thirty-four and well-traveled. If I was going to find her, I would have long before now. We both know that.” <br /> <br /> Suddenly his lips were on mine. I was shocked, but mostly because it felt good. I felt wanted. I kissed him back, not wanting to give that feeling up. I leaned into him — until Dasha came charging to the forefront, growling and snarling that someone who wasn’t our mate was touching us. <br /> <br /> I ripped myself from Zeff’s embrace. Breathing heavily, the pain of the severed bond renewed. I clutched my chest. <br /> <br /> “Ayla.” <br /> <br /> “I can’t. The bond. It’s still there. It hasn’t faded yet.”<br /> <br /> Zeff pulled me into his arms. “Okay. It’s okay. We can wait. We’ll take it slow.”<br /> <br /> I rested my head on his chest. “Okay.”<br /> <br /> He squeezed me tighter. I still didn’t know if we could make this work, but I wanted to try. <br /> <br /> I stayed with the Zeff, and it was quiet. Until a week later, when Theo burst in.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4: Theo<br /> It had been a week since I had gone home with Kylee. Seven days and a hundred miles away, and the bond was still there. The burning in my chest wouldn’t go away. I didn’t understand and it was annoying. <br /> <br /> More important is Kieran. He had spent the whole week giving me the silent treatment, except when Kylee was around. Then all he did was growl and snarl. It was getting exhausting. <br /> <br /> I had taken to holing up in my office most of the time. I didn’t want to snap at Kylee, or her mother, which had become hard to avoid by the third day. I was glad I had a good reason for me being so busy all of a sudden. <br /> <br /> Alpha was sick. He was diagnosed with a progressive disease almost a year ago. So, he decided it was time to hand the title down to me. It wasn’t official yet. We were planning on making the change at the same time as Kylee’s and my mating ceremony. Actually, that’s why I decided to make Kylee my official mate. Alpha’s were always stronger with a strong Luna by their side. With the circumstances of my father’s abdication, our pack needed to be as strong as possible. <br /> <br /> But there was still a lot to take care of and a lot I had to learn about being an Alpha before that time. So it wasn’t hard to convince her that it was the stress that was causing me to be distant. <br /> <br /> But this morning, I'm driving myself to Kylee's house. I promised to help her retrieve her mother's necklace, which she wanted to wear during our mating ceremony.<br /> <br /> In addition, if I couldn’t completely sever the bond between me and Ayla, Kieran could end up taking control and stop me from marking Kylee.<br /> So, once I got the necklace, I’d reject Ayla again, making sure it stuck this time, and I’d go back home.<br /> <br /> When I pulled up to the house, something twisted in my gut. When I step into the house, her invigorating scent of oranges and cloves invaded my nostrils, but it wasn’t nearly as strong as it should have been.<br /> I realize Ayla wasn't home.<br /> Instead, there was another smell in Ayla's room.<br /> The scent was male. It was faint, he wasn’t here long, but mixed in with the distinctive scent of my mate, I could pick it out anywhere. From the trail, it seemed as if he was the one who packed up her things.<br /> <br /> I stormed out of the house. Tossing the jewelry box in the passenger seat, I took my phone out and searched for the number for the publishing house Kylee said Ayla worked for.<br /> I got another address that Ayla had added to her personal profile from the receptionist.<br /> <br /> I followed the GPS to the address, pulling into the drive of a large, two-story house in a nice neighborhood. Parking half on the lawn, I didn’t even close the car door before taking the front steps two at a time. <br /> <br /> I banged on the door until I heard movement inside. A man opened it. It was the male I smelled in Ayla’s room. Before he could say anything, I lunged at him, my hands grabbing the front of his shirt and practically lifting him off the ground.<br /> <br /> “What have you done with her? I smell her all over you. Where is she?”<br /> <br /> He pushed me off him, his eyes glaring at me with recognition and disdain.<br /> <br /> “You must be Theo.”<br /> <br /> “What is going on?” Ayla’s voice floated down to me as she ran down the stairs. She froze halfway down the moment she laid eyes on me. “What are you doing here?”<br /> <br /> A silk robe hung open, revealing the shorts and cut-off tank top she wore underneath, her caramel-colored hair flowing loosely around her shoulders. She was gorgeous. And clearly not in distress. I took a step toward her as my rage grew.<br /> <br /> “What are you doing here?” I spat back. <br /> <br /> “That’s none of your concern,” the male interjected.<br /> <br /> I turned on him again, a rumbling growl emanating from my chest, my claws extending. I was ready to rip his throat out. <br /> <br /> “Stop,” Ayla yelled, coming the rest of the way down the stairs and stepping between the two of us. “Zeff, go to work.”<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. I’m not leaving you here with him. Not in the state he’s in.”<br /> <br /> “I would never hurt her.” Kieran was ready to burst from my skin. How dare this dirtbag think we would ever lay a hand on her.<br /> <br /> “We both know that’s crap.”<br /> <br /> “Zeff, I said go.” Her expression softened a little. “I’ll call you later.”<br /> <br /> She would. <br /> <br /> The Zeff guy shot me another hate-filled look before exiting out the open front door. We stood in silence until the sound of his engine faded. <br /> <br /> “Are you dating him?” <br /> <br /> Her eyes went wide, then narrowed as she took a step forward. “What I do with a male — or anyone for that matter — is none of your business.”<br /> <br /> “It isn’t.” Electricity passed through the air between us. “He has no right to put his hands on you.”<br /> <br /> “He does if I want him to,” she yelled, not only holding her ground against the alpha energy I was exuding but taking another step toward me. “I don’t belong to anyone, remember? I have no mate.”<br /> <br /> I lost it. My hand was around her neck and my mouth was on hers before I even knew what I had done. But I didn’t stop. I couldn’t stop. Sparks of intense electricity shot through me, invigorating all my senses. I pushed her to open for me, my tongue seeking hers. Goddess, she tasted so good. She returned the kiss, her arousal mingling in the air. <br /> <br /> “MINE.” <br /> <br /> She pushed me off her with force.<br /> <br /> I took a step toward her again but she backed away. <br /> <br /> “Don’t you hurt Kylee like this.”<br /> <br /> “Like you care about your sister getting hurt,” I spat, but for some reason, I instantly regretted it. But I couldn’t take it back. I wouldn’t take it back.<br /> <br /> “Excuse me?” Pure rage radiated off of her, her eyes turning an icy blue. <br /> <br /> “You abandoned Kylee a long time ago. You disappeared all the time, leaving her alone with a mother who was struggling to keep everything together.”<br /> <br /> Ayla’s face paled. Every ounce of anger seemed to drain from her instantly, that blue fire fading from her eyes. <br /> <br /> She almost went completely limp in front of me, stumbling until her back hit the wall. Her façade cracked. <br /> <br /> “That’s what she told you? She said that?” her voice was almost a whisper. <br /> <br /> Kieran was going insane in my head, telling me to shut up, to just stop talking. Urging me to stop hurting her. Because I was hurting her. I had struck a nerve, a very deep one, and I wouldn’t stop. She had to break the bond. Once and for all. If it meant I had to break her to do it, I would.<br /> <br /> “She told me everything. She told me how you would keep things from her and your mother. That you would be out at all hours of the night when you were a teenager. How you dropped out of high school, waisting the tuition your parents worked so hard for.”<br /> <br /> “What?” <br /> <br /> “I could never be with someone as cold and heartless as you.”<br /> <br /> Ayla’s head snapped up. Her eyes a steely gray as she resolved herself to something I couldn’t figure out but would soon find out. <br /> <br /> “I, Ayla Garner, reject you, Theo Arden, as my mate. I relinquish my claim as your mate and Luna.”<br /> <br /> I gritted my teeth as Kieran howled in my head, screaming for me not to accept it. <br /> <br /> “I, Theo Arden, accept your rejection.” The pain in my chest amplified, but I could still feel the bond. “We’ve done this before. It’s not working.”<br /> <br /> “Tell your wolf to accept it,” Ayla said with a crack in her voice. <br /> <br /> The muscles in my jaw tightened to a point I thought my teeth would shatter. The noise in my head from Kieran becoming almost unbearable.<br /> <br /> “He won’t.”<br /> <br /> “Make him,” she forced out.<br /> <br /> “I can’t.”<br /> <br /> “He doesn’t have a choice. I’ll never be with him, and neither will she,” Ayla said, tears threatening to fall from her eyes. <br /> <br /> I could feel the pain he felt. It was excruciating. I told him it would end if he just accepted, but he wouldn’t give in. He was an Alpha. He was as strong as me. I’d never overpower him on this. Ayla must have sensed my stalemate. Or her wolf did and told her because she pulled herself from against the wall, standing up straight again.<br /> <br /> “I, Ayla Garner, cut my ties to Alpha Torin…”<br /> <br /> “What are you doing?” There was desperation in my voice. She couldn’t do this. I moved to stop her. <br /> <br /> “And the Greytooth Pack.”<br /> <br /> “No.” I fell to a knee, feeling the invisible tether that united pack members with their Alpha splinter. Kieran was pounding against the barriers of my control, putting all his might into taking over the shift. I knew I was on the verge.<br /> <br /> “From this day forth, I am a rogue.” She took an unsteady step toward me, silent tears rolling freely down her face. “Now get out.”<br /> <br /> She had used my father’s name. Either of our names would have worked in the limbo state we were currently in. But she used my father’s. There was nothing I could do to stop her. Nothing I could do to fight the separation. She knew exactly what she was doing. <br /> <br /> If my wolf wouldn’t sever the mate bond, she would remove herself from any control I had over her. <br /> <br /> With one final, agonizing look, she walked away, disappearing upstairs. <br /> <br /> I took in a ragged breath of air. Ayla now had until midnight to be out of our territory. If I caught her on our land after that, I would have to murder her. Mate bond or not. She was a rogue now. It was our laws. <br /> <br /> Kieran had finally gone still in my mind. <br /> <br /> ‘Mate’s gone.’<br /> <br /> Did he mean Ayla or her wolf?<br /> <br /> ‘Dasha. Mate’s name is Dasha. Dasha’s gone.’<br /> <br /> Realization hit me and panic set in. Her wolf was gone. The pain was too much. She had retreated deep into the recesses of Ayla’s subconscious. Ayla wouldn’t be able to call on her. She wouldn’t be able to shift. She wouldn’t be able to heal.<br /> <br /> She was a rogue without a wolf. She couldn’t protect herself. <br /> <br /> I had to get as far away from her as possible. <br /> <br /> I dragged myself back to my feet, forcing them to walk out the door. <br /> <br /> Chapter 5: Ayla<br /> The moment the door was closed, I sank to the floor. It was no longer sobs that escaped my body but soul-shattering screams. <br /> <br /> She said I abandoned her. <br /> <br /> Theo made it sound like I spent my teen years partying and getting into trouble. She said I dropped out of high school. <br /> <br /> She said I wasn’t a sister to her. <br /> <br /> The betrayal was soul-crushing. <br /> <br /> I had given up everything for them. <br /> <br /> I screamed and let the tears flow freely until my body ached. As soon as it felt like I could breathe without being stabbed by a red-hot dagger, I pulled myself up and started moving. I only had a few hours to get my things and get out of Greytooth territory. <br /> <br /> I had made myself a rogue. I didn’t have a pack anymore. And I had no idea where I was going to go. All the borders on this side of the territory sat right against other pack lands. To get out of one, I’d have to enter another. But it was my only option. Trying to get to unclaimed territory was too risky. I would have better luck on foreign pack land than on the land I just severed ties to. <br /> <br /> After leaving a note for Zeff, I packed up and drove away.<br /> <br /> The Greytooth Pack may not be the largest in population, but they had one of the biggest territories. The closest border crossing was nearly two hours away. And I needed to be far away before Zeff got home. I couldn’t have him tracking me down.<br /> <br /> Especially since I didn’t give him much of an explanation. <br /> <br /> But it was better this way. I wasn’t going to risk him cutting ties and going rogue as well. Because he would. He would hold Theo responsible, and he would never stay in a pack with an alpha he didn’t respect, let alone hate. This way, the note I left would have just made it seem like I got cold feet about us being together. <br /> <br /> I drove to the outskirts of town and got on the highway. From there, it was practically a straight shot to the border. I was grateful at first, but after about an hour, I realized the monotonous ride only left my mind wondering and worrying and thinking about things I didn’t need to think about. <br /> <br /> When Theo found me in the yard that first day, I had no idea what he would say. His initial reaction to our meeting had me thinking he would pursue the pairing. But then his increasingly icy demeanor throughout the evening made it seem like he was thinking along the same lines I was. He wasn’t going to hurt Kylee for someone he didn’t know. <br /> <br /> He loved her. She loved him. I had no idea who he was, nor he I. We could reject each other and just go on our way. Neither one of us would have to break Kylee’s heart. I thought he was keeping me from my family to be cruel. Or maybe to make things easier for both of us. <br /> <br /> But today, his words revealed a different motive. He didn’t reject me for Kylee. He rejected me because of her. Because he believed what she said and painted me as some coldhearted delinquent. But why? I just couldn’t figure that out. <br /> <br /> Dad died in a gas explosion along with my aunt and uncle ten years ago. I was fourteen, and Kylee was nine. Our thirteen-year-old cousin, Mina, came to live with us for a while after their deaths. Ma was hit pretty hard by the loss, so the three of us quickly started taking care of each other. We spent every spare minute with each other. Then our financial situation changed. Kylee was entirely too young, and Mina had been through enough losing both her parents for me to put that on her. So, it was up to me to keep food on the table and a roof over our heads. <br /> <br /> But I was still fourteen. Finding jobs that paid enough to support a family of four at the age of fourteen was non-existent. I would need to work multiple jobs, and there just wasn’t enough time in the day. So, I approached the headmaster at my private high school and confided my situation with him. I was desperate not to drop out or risk my grades dropping and losing my scholarship. My parents didn’t pay a dime of my tuition. <br /> <br /> Headmaster Fordham was a miracle worker. He helped me test out of over eighty percent of my academic requirements by the end of my freshman year. I only had to take four summer classes to graduate a week after my fifteenth birthday. I was even able to broker a deal with him that would set the remaining three years of my scholarship fund aside for Kylee when it came time for her to attend high school. <br /> <br /> I still ended up working multiple jobs for several years. But no matter what, I always tried to be there for Kylee as much as possible. <br /> <br /> Everything I did was for her. <br /> <br /> I completely lost touch with all of my school friends. I never partied. I barely socialized. The jobs I held were really the only place that happened. But I was home to take her to school every morning, and I ensured I had at least an hour to help her with her homework almost every day. <br /> <br /> I didn’t discuss the lengths I went to with Kylee. I didn’t want her to feel bad or that it was her fault. And I didn’t want her to see what Ma was going through. She was struggling to keep any job. She was drinking daily. There were even a couple of times she racked up gambling debts that put us in some scary situations. <br /> <br /> But I never let Kylee see any of that. It was my job to protect them. <br /> <br /> There was so much more that didn’t add up with what Theo had said. But I didn’t get to think about it further. <br /> <br /> A searing pain shot through my chest, making my vision go white at the edges, blinding me to a point I almost missed the figure standing in the road before me. <br /> <br /> My heart jumped into my chest. I turned the wheel as sharp as I could, slamming on the brakes to avoid hitting them head-on. The moment I did it, I felt foolish. Within seconds, I was spinning through the air and sliding down an embankment.<br /> <br /> When the vehicle came to a stop, I was upside down. I registered the smell of blood, but everything was blurry. I didn’t feel significant pain, so I didn’t think the blood was coming from me. <br /> <br /> The person on the road!<br /> <br /> I scrambled out of the car and up the incline. Without Dasha, I couldn’t see well in the dark, but I could see a blurry figure moving toward me.<br /> <br /> “Are you okay?” I called. <br /> <br /> I didn’t catch what they were saying because I suddenly felt the world falling out from beneath my feet, and everything went dark. <br /> <br /> Chapter 6: Theo<br /> I said I would break her if that was what it took.<br /> <br /> And I certainly followed through with that.<br /> <br /> Ayla’s hard exterior had cracked and shattered before me. <br /> <br /> I had driven over an hour, and my stomach was still in knots. So much so that I had to stop to throw up at one point. Guilt tore at me. <br /> <br /> I really had been cruel to her. <br /> <br /> Especially since it turned out it wasn’t even her fault the bond hadn’t broken. She and Dasha had accepted my rejection. They had done what I needed them to do. Ayla had stayed away from Kylee and me. She hadn’t tried to be around them. From what I could tell, she hadn’t even called Kylee like she used to. And how did I repay her? By ripping her apart with every intention of doing as much damage as possible. <br /> <br /> It was my wolf that was still hanging on. It was Kieran who kept us in a constant state of heartache. Kept Ayla in a constant state of pain. <br /> <br /> And then she had to go and do something foolish and cut herself out of the pack. She was completely lost to us now. The only thing I could do was tell myself it was what I wanted. It was the only way to get rid of the temptation and put enough distance between us until Kylee and I were marked and mated and leading our pack. <br /> <br /> Every time I said it, Kieran was there to argue. <br /> <br /> By the time I pulled up to the packhouse, I was so pissed that anyone around instantly took a wide birth. My aura was probably so intense that I was making everyone physically uncomfortable, but I really didn’t care.<br /> <br /> I was going to head to my office but decided against it. Too many people had access to me there, and I really didn’t need anyone coming around. <br /> <br /> What I needed was to work off some of this rage and pent-up energy. <br /> <br /> I made a beeline for the private training room in the wing of the packhouse reserved for ranking members of the pack. I was relieved to find it empty, tugging my shirt over my head and immediately heading to the punching bag in the corner. <br /> <br /> I had worked up a sweat when Briggs entered the room. Walking over to me with his usual swagger, his arms crossed over his chest as he leaned against the wall close by. He knew something was up. He had been hounding me about it since we got back from Kylee’s house. So had my mother, but I sure wasn’t going down that road.<br /> <br /> Briggs was my Beta. We had been friends since we were eight and had been through everything together since then. I didn’t think there was anything we could hide from each other. But I surely wanted to hide this from him. So I just ignored his presence.<br /> <br /> “You ready to tell me what is going on with you? Or at least, where you were today?” he said loud enough to be heard over the sound of my fists hitting the bag. <br /> <br /> “No.”<br /> <br /> “If you don’t, we’ll sedate you. Your aura is out of control right now, bro. This isn’t about you just being in a pissy mood anymore,” Briggs said with an edge to his voice that meant he was serious.<br /> I yelled as I hit the bag hard one more time. I winced as I forced my fingers through my hair. I hadn’t realized I had been breaking the skin on my knuckles. I fell back against the wall, sliding down to the floor. <br /> <br /> “You know I’m here for you, bro,” my Beta said calmly. “Whatever it is, you can talk to me.”<br /> I nodded. <br /> <br /> ‘Tell him.’<br /> <br /> I winced at Keiran’s demand. But I couldn’t really disagree anymore. <br /> <br /> “I found my mate,” I admitted. I could feel Briggs’ eyes go wide in his head. <br /> <br /> “What do you mean you found your mate?” he took a step closer. “Please tell me you’re talking about Kylee.”<br /> <br /> I shook my head. “No. I found my fated mate.”<br /> <br /> “What. The. Fu-” He had warned me about this when I first got involved with Kylee and again when we announced our mating ceremony. “Where is she? Who is she?”<br /> <br /> “I rejected her. She’s gone.”<br /> <br /> “Theo, man, you’re really scaring me now. Why would you do that? What were you thinking?” Briggs demanded.<br /> <br /> “She’s Kylee’s sister,” I snapped. Briggs tensed up.<br /> <br /> “Ayla? As in the sister that allegedly abandoned Kylee?” <br /> <br /> His use of the word “allegedly” pissed me off and confused me a little. He really liked Kylee. They’ve always gotten along. Even when he was cautioning me about finding my mate, he told me he was happy for me. <br /> <br /> “Are you trying to say Kylee is lying?” I snapped.<br /> <br /> He made a face. “No, but I do think it’s foolish to reject your mate without all the information.”<br /> <br /> “I have all the information I need.”<br /> <br /> “No, you have Kylee’s side of the story,” Briggs said with a worried look.<br /> <br /> “And their mother’s,” I added.<br /> <br /> Briggs scoffed. “Look, Marie Garner is a nice enough lady, but I wouldn’t exactly trust her judgment.”<br /> <br /> “What are you talking about?” I asked, my own concern growing.<br /> <br /> “Bro, she’s a lush,” Briggs said with a shrug. “Not that you’ve been around enough to notice since she’s been here. I can’t tell how bad, and she seems pretty harmless. But these things often have a dark side that no one sees.”<br /> <br /> I couldn’t believe we were having this conversation. The last thing I needed was any kind of doubt in my decision. <br /> <br /> “Whatever. It doesn’t matter. What’s done is done. And Ayla’s reactions to all of this told me all I needed to know from her.” I pushed myself to my feet. <br /> <br /> “What were her reactions?” Briggs asked cautiously, and I realized my choice of words may have given away more than I intended. I knew he wouldn’t let it go unless he was sure I told him everything. <br /> <br /> “Which time?” I said quietly.<br /> <br /> “Excuse me?” He heard exactly what I said. “What happened, Theo?”<br /> <br /> “She never argued or fought the rejection. She agreed and accepted it the first day we met like it was nothing. She had no response, no rebuttal, no explanation,” I told him. “You have to be coldhearted to feel nothing after breaking a mate bond.”<br /> <br /> “Or extremely strong,” Briggs stated. “You said she didn’t argue or fight. Did you even give her a chance to speak or even get to know anything about her before you threw her to the curb? Or did you just walk up to her and say tough words?”<br /> <br /> I grimaced. That’s exactly what happened. “There wasn’t exactly an opportunity for that. Neither one of us wanted Kylee to find out.”<br /> <br /> The muscles in his neck flexed as he tensed. “You said ‘which time.’ When did you see her again?”<br /> <br /> “This morning.” <br /> <br /> “Why?” <br /> <br /> I could tell he was choosing his words carefully. <br /> <br /> “Kylee wanted a necklace of her mother’s that was left at their house for some appointment this week. I went back to get it.”<br /> <br /> “Okay, someone else could have done that. Why did you go?” Briggs pushed, but the words stuck in my throat. “Theo, you’re hurting. There’s no way this is as cut and dry as you’re trying to say it is.”<br /> <br /> “The bond didn’t break. Not completely.”<br /> <br /> “Goddess, Theo. So you both have been walking around with your hearts ripped open for the past week?” Briggs said. “So, what happened today? Why are you still on the edge of ripping half the pack’s throats out?”<br /> <br /> Images of that morning flashed through my head. The fear that something had happened to her when she hadn’t been home. The jealousy and rage at finding her at another male’s house. The way it felt when I kissed her. And sheer pain and anguish of everything that followed. <br /> <br /> “Theo?” Briggs pressed.<br /> <br /> “She cut her ties to the pack,” I said solemnly. “She turned herself rogue.”<br /> <br /> “Theo,” Briggs bellowed, “how could you let that happen? Why didn’t you stop her?”<br /> <br /> “She cut herself from Dad. She used his name. There was nothing I could do. I had no way of fighting it.” I was done with this conversation. “So none of this matters. It’s done. She’s gone. She’s never coming back. Doing so would be a death sentence, and she knew that.”<br /> <br /> “What have you done, Theo?”<br /> <br /> “It doesn’t matter,” I yelled. “Whatever I did or didn’t do, she never wanted me anyway. She’s not my problem anymore. So right now, I’m going to worry about cleaning up the mess she made and figure out how to tell Kylee and Marie that they’ll never see her again. And don’t you dare breathe a word about any of this to them, do you understand me?”<br /> <br /> “Okay. Okay,” Briggs said, raising his hands in the air, trying to calm me down. “You’re right. There’s nothing we can do about her now. If it’s done and over with, then it’s done and over with. We’ll move on.”<br /> <br /> I wasn’t sure he believed it, but I didn’t care. Like I said, she wasn’t my problem anymore. <br /> <br /> I went back to my room. There was a knock on my room door, and Kylee poked her head in before I had a chance to answer.<br /> “There you are, mate,” she cooed, sitting in my lap.<br /> She ran a hand up my chest, leaning in to kiss me. Kieran’s growl started immediately.<br /> I still needed to let off some steam. Anything to get some relief.<br /> I was about to respond to her when blinding pain erupted through my body.	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881,889	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":881893}'	Yes	2024-03-31 15:59	active	395	8129787413703947	Demystify Your Diagnosis: Join Our Parkinson's Miracle Webinar!	Ready to uncover the truth behind your Parkinson's diagnosis? Register now to learn about the 5 myths your doctor won't disclose!	LEARN_MORE	https://e4l-centers.com/4-2024-webinar-registratio	102583569093256	Energy4Life Centers	https://facebook.com/energy4lifecenters	334	0	1,149,675,032,878,006	2024-03-30 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	1	Learn more	Energy4Life Centers	6523296482294	e4l-centers.com	NONE	video	Delve into the truths of your Parkinson's diagnosis in our webinar. Discover the hidden realities and myths your doctor may not reveal. Register now to unveil the truth!	https://e4l-centers.com/4-2024-webinar-registration	2024-03-29 10:50	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/432141958_1400793693931621_3859769312139191197_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Iv9r2WdqQ0IAX_uUVpq&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDS7f5r4iZbV2oocV8mF-ck7Ek8dFry4e0hS1GqoK5w4A&oe=660FA14E	person_profile	Energy4Life Centers - Park City	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/432184688_7299745216777887_1248093572954172115_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=IzERI7RFBNoAX9J-YEw&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCkT8dUaFUyO5TzvhchslBmuolupqLGJOo7tmk17Cm-SQ&oe=660FB37F	3	Energy4Life Centers	2024-03-29 02:00	View Edit Delete
881,922	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":881386}'	Yes	2024-03-31 15:59	active	395	935999177901188	$49 First Exam	New patients - improve your spinal health! Take advantage of this first exam special and elevate your quality of life. 🙌 Our center offers chiropractic care for every stage of life or life event. Book online and experience the difference in chiropractic care. Do you have wellness goals for you or a family member? Are you frustrated with a nagging injury that will not go away? Try chiropractic care! Our process ⭐ We use hands-on adjustment techniques and other modalities that realign the spine and joints, which can improve nervous system function, circulation, immune system, and organ function. The result is achieving a body that can heal and perform optimally. New patients who schedule this appointment will receive: 🔎 EXAM: In-Depth Whole-Body Analysis with Provider 🔎 X-RAY: Provided If Necessary 🔎 CONSULTATION & PLAN OF ACTION: Understand Your Treatment Options * We Take All Insurance Information *	LEARN_MORE	http://fb.me/	153958861323213	Restoration Health Chiropractic	https://facebook.com/DrMartingano	744	1	735,478,505,234,650	2024-03-29 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	1	Learn More	Restoration Health Chiropractic	120207020240030384	https://rhchiropractor.com	NONE	dco	200+ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Online Reviews	http://fb.me/	2024-03-29 10:40	https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434197922_846096967240563_1136154557439754352_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=zOl8WMNtyf8AX-xwny2&_nc_oc=AdjGMdD58GY1P9auzm7onh476x-ZgE8ewNHVFN2Pah53Vu8-kBnNWnpG5aPKVvsjVdk&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfAMR3xnRjPcjr4GYPC6nRzr_TvhJIzkEg6i8YhhM0yc9w&oe=660FB0BF	person_profile	Daniel Martingano, DC	https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434313764_1383837682336747_8317743721607673650_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=sSj7c5e5KCgAX96Q4_p&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBMEnNASfXVhRZInSKn186phnzZHxuCu8UenLiLn1RhsA&oe=660F8D2D	3	Restoration Health Chiropractic	2024-03-29 02:00	View Edit Delete
881,256	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":880991}'	No	2024-03-31 15:59	active	395	1473195356628955	best vitamin to alleviate sciatic nerve pain? (take 2 & watch)	"𝐈'𝐦 𝐚 𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐧𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐰𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐤'𝐝 𝐦𝐲 𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞. 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐒𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐄, 𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐞! 😍😍"	WATCH_MORE	https://sciatiease.com/fb/bestemnhju/?ad_id={{ad.i	100422331945056	Health Report News	https://facebook.com/100076274320152	13,924	0	393,117,493,306,367	2024-03-30 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	1	Watch more	Health Report News	120208892859600608	sciatiease.com	NONE	video	best vitamin to alleviate sciatic nerve pain? (take 2 & watch)	https://sciatiease.com/fb/bestemnhju/?ad_id={{ad.id}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&campaign_id={{campaign.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&campaign_name={{campaign.name}}&source={{site_source_name}}&placement={{placement}}&cpid=5d90f541-6540-405d-b473-3bd19ab37658&lpid=8c7a8409-6ad8-4dd1-99a0-1609116bdd3e	2024-03-28 11:17	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434513715_3615802512068239_8924996012028655881_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gWhv2_elqBcAX_0X0Yo&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAccnekXRdb3DSfLM66245N-uecFkZYvpeRXaAfUdsdcw&oe=660F9E9C	person_profile	Health Report News	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434453195_1142480250247943_4038498171354853728_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=MsaFBiftVLIAX9LBO8-&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDPNrEm_8UQ6rDdYnbesZrStoReBPv0mCJKkOMFXqh9lg&oe=660F9794	3	Health Report News	2024-03-30 02:00	View Edit Delete
881,280	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":881238}'	Yes	2024-03-31 15:59	active	395	2090086308044922	best vitamin to alleviate sciatic nerve pain? (take 2 & watch)	"𝐈'𝐦 𝐚 𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐧𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐰𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐤'𝐝 𝐦𝐲 𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞. 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐒𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐄, 𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐞! 😍😍"	WATCH_MORE	https://sciatiease.com/fb/bestemnhsy/?ad_id={{ad.i	281415728381640	Say Goodbye to Sciatic Nerve Pain?	https://facebook.com/61557461678633	5,381	0	1,596,818,111,107,175	2024-03-30 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	1	Watch more	Say Goodbye to Sciatic Nerve Pain?	120208892257380608	sciatiease.com	NONE	video	best vitamin to alleviate sciatic nerve pain? (take 2 & watch)	https://sciatiease.com/fb/bestemnhsy/?ad_id={{ad.id}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&campaign_id={{campaign.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&campaign_name={{campaign.name}}&source={{site_source_name}}&placement={{placement}}&cpid=486b148d-9354-4801-8282-30b5495bdf6c&lpid=0251401c-8522-47ba-beae-9a1d9d044d5e	2024-03-28 11:03	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433121499_896721668898594_5428080240087246083_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=waLw1ZWyZxwAX_okAzF&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDJfMMcygS7qCKsAWPzghG7er6PeK15d-hyAdRiERnYrg&oe=660FA5D8	person_profile	Say Goodbye to Sciatic Nerve P	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433190087_780974380633841_761432173447512454_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=t7w6dvOkSZMAX_XKZbH&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDd6xQUv-wH5yVzAsf-zquyOUB2FXyrYtsZ8Bmp-fb7Eg&oe=660F974F	3	Say Goodbye to Sciatic Nerve Pain?	2024-03-30 02:00	View Edit Delete
881,618	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	Yes	2024-03-31 15:59	active	395	367559082942610	Problemas de senos paranasales ALIVIADOS con un método quiropráctico único	Angela descubre que tiene un tabique desviado cuando recibe atención quiropráctica Gonstead a través de Intero Chiropractic. Como resultado de su tabique desviado, afecta a sus senos paranasales. El médico ajusta sus senos maxilares y le hace un "arreglo nasal quiropráctico" corrigiendo el puente de su nariz. ¡Ella sintió resultados inmediatos! Los ajustes faciales despejaron sus congestiones sinusales.<br /> <br /> Como quiroprácticos Gonstead, confiamos en nuestra técnica especializada para ayudar a nuestros pacientes a sentirse mejor más rápidamente y lograr resultados más duraderos.<br /> <br /> Si sufres de dolores de cabeza, dolor de espalda u otros problemas, ¡podemos ayudarte a recuperar tu vida!<br /> <br /> Obtén más información sobre cómo hemos ayudado a más de 5,000 pacientes en East Bay:<br /> <br /> ⭐️ Llámanos al (925) 448-9418<br /> ️⭐️ Visítanos en <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.interoconcord.com%2Fes-home&h=AT1_a-1gRuR5zQC2REIrIDFRnCsrwTNoMmH2x7Y9BrXx1r0hQqdZIoj9ihgyFfaiwGV4UAxajU-SZ85dbAp1_XIfX30fZaAF5rTGb_8s7rUHKnTNDforoZ3Bsuf_4iBDhwHd1oZmIqMrzyGvYNs5c1pMUaWY6XVMObQvg7S1Yl8" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://www.interoconcord.com/es-home</a><br /> <br /> 📍Concordia Intero Quiropráctica<br /> 1390 Willow Pass Road, Suite 190<br /> Concordia, California<br /> <br /> 📍¿Busca otra ubicación?<br /> ¡Encuéntrenos en Pleasanton, Brentwood, Fremont, San Mateo y San José!<br /> <br /> Descargo de responsabilidad: Los resultados pueden variar de un paciente a otro.	LEARN_MORE	http://interoconcord.com/es-home	755886301140027	Intero Chiropractic	https://facebook.com/interochiropractic	4,513	1	768,078,795,268,734	2024-03-29 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	1	Learn more	Intero Chiropractic	120207020150720384	interoconcord.com	NONE	video		http://interoconcord.com/es-home	2024-03-29 10:36	https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434885042_1478149433127688_4547143756350478495_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=u3ZCnh2aqTkAX8xjrUN&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfAnyT_c6ySdFTYg2cPcoCTeQwfdqjZDZy57HIZwUotmaA&oe=660FABE7	person_profile	Intero Chiropractic \| SF Bay Area Gonstead Chiropractors	https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434681347_7193038374127038_3340735697005272069_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=vjHtkr4mY3QAX_bHmua&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCMvKe3cjZGVPGux-hSy62B0TAW0eDKlPgVkxFSw4BjKA&oe=660FB3E6	3	Intero Chiropractic	2024-03-29 02:00	View Edit Delete

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