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1,210,810	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1211090}'	No	2024-04-14 13:48	active	515	1115307759676298	Click to watch more episodes👉👉👉	Estella was admitted to the hospital due to a car accident, but unexpectedly caught her husband Bryce visiting another woman in the hospital, and the two of them behaved intimately. Estella is feeling down and plans to end her three-year marriage with Bryce, causing a rift in their relationship. But as time went by, Estella learned that what she had always believed was Bryce's infidelity, there was actually another hidden truth... The misunderstanding between the two was resolved, and they confided in each other and decided to hold another wedding.<br /> 👇Download EaShort TV to watch more series	WATCH_MORE	http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.e	258566017343934	Eashort Fantasity	https://facebook.com/61557908425537	12	2	961,271,685,123,096	2024-04-13 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	0	Watch more	Eashort Fantasity	120208719998100382	play.google.com	NONE	video		http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.esbook.dk	2024-04-12 05:30	https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/437851436_795357682021641_7504933224831561879_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Phq1dhp_YY8Ab7Roc77&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCzCV7InJt3RygzGkPiRiYywjdbJtEuOYKfagJIIMectw&oe=6621FC21	person_profile	0	Eashort Fantasity	https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/437927828_983146793171543_4622380294587246831_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=VZ6CewRrMFgAb4xmWkN&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfCoq99MvEFfkH5A17PIPZLZ5doNpfT-_3dm5gqcpznmug&oe=66220D36	3	Eashort Fantasity	2024-04-13 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,211,066	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1211050}'	Yes	2024-04-14 13:48	active	515	1710362582820838	🔥🔥 Click to Read 👉🏻👉🏻	Monday 3rd January<br /> <br /> Star’s POV<br /> <br /> I am woken with a start as I am yanked from my bed by my hair, "Get up, you lazy creep! mum said you have to make us breakfast before school, they are waiting so move your lazy creep."<br /> My cousin Sebastian kicks me hard in the ribs, before leaving my room, when I say room, I mean a draughty attic. Dang, it’s cold. Snow has come through my dang broken window, leaking water under the plastic bag I taped to the frame.<br /> <br /> <br /> Ok, let’s pause a minute and let me introduce myself; cough, cough. <br /> My name is Star Anderson, and I am 17 years, 11 months, 2weeks and 2 days old, (my birthday is in 12 days, in case you can’t do the math),<br /> I am a werewolf. My other half is called Saffron, Saffy for short, and she is AMAZING. She woke up on my 13th birthday, and I love her more than anyone else.<br /> I have lived with my aunt Clementine, uncle Graham and the lovely Sebastian since my parents died when I was ten, and they are SLEAZEBAGS.<br /> We live in our beautiful pack, which is called Ravens Perch. I love my pack. Apart from a small percentage of mess (my family is at the top of that list), it is a great place to live. Our forest home is nestled in a valley in the tranquil Devon countryside, about an hour from Exeter in England. Its got to be one of the best places to live.<br /> And ACTION!! let my dog day continue.......<br /> <br /> <br /> I quickly get dressed and run down to the kitchen, grab ingredients for breakfast, and cook up a storm. <br /> I serve the food and as I am about to eat the small amount of food; they allow me; I hear my aunt’s slurry voice. "What on earth do you think you are doing? You are stealing food now? Who said you could eat here?" Dang, here it comes. She was so drunk she could barely stand. <br /> My head swung to the side as my uncle’s fist connected with my jaw, blood flying from my mouth, the force of the impact sent my plate flying, smashing on the ground. "Stupid creep, look at the mess you have made, clean it up and get out, or I’ll give you another one."<br /> After cleaning up, I run to my room, and cleaned the blood from my face. I can already see the bruise on my jaw turning purple. <br /> Grabbing my books, my coat and boots I rush to the bus. I am so late; if I miss the bus. It’s an hour’s walk to school. <br /> Sebastian got a car for his birthday, so at least I didn’t have to deal with him and his nasty friends on the bus anymore. I hear a nasally voice in the back, screw my life, I see Charlotte Prince and her band of sluts sitting at the back of the bus. I forgot she got stopped by the human police for speeding and drink driving over the Christmas holidays. <br /> Her creep brigade consists of the lovely Charlotte, Sandie Buggins and Billy Strokes (yes, that is her real name, and from what I hear from the football team, her name suits her and she is very good at it). This is turning into a great first day back. <br /> I take my seat at the front of the bus, next to Matty Davis. He is the chess champ of the school. Yes I admit it, I AM A BIG FAT NERD!!! I sit quietly and mind my own business, but the creepes can’t stop themselves.<br /> "OMG, what is that smell? It smells like unwashed, dirty dustbin. When I am Luna, I will make sure trash like that knows their place." The rest of the creep brigade laugh, "Smells more like poor and unwanted to me."<br /> Welcome to the arena Sandy, anything from Billy today? She normally just sniggers because she is stupid and doesn’t have an individual thought in her head.<br /> Matty and the other students at the front of the bus look uncomfortable, and I know Matty wants to say something, but the three witches are the current girlfriends of our future alphas. Yes, I said Alphas, three of them to be exact.<br /> Three identical god like creatures, all tall and brooding and hot, mmmyummy, sorry about that, back to the triplet Alphas, in order of birth, the first in our list of the hottest studs at The Raven Academy, we have the beautiful Ace, then come the gorgeous Alexei, and finally the heart stopping Ashton. <br /> The only children of our beloved Alpha Andrew and Luna Amanda. Yes, they like the letter A (I have already started a list of names for the many children my fantasies tell me I will have with the three hunks).<br /> I have known the triplets my whole life, our mums were best friends. They treat me like an annoying little sister, that needs to be protected. It can get a little annoying, but as we have got older their attention tends to do something to my tummy.<br /> So.... where was I? ..... ah yes, Matty felt guilty about not wanting to get crushed by the Alphas. I wink at Matty, “at least they are leaving the rest of you alone right? I am happy to be of service to the community,” the nerd squad all grin at me, and the bus ride continued.<br /> Once we finally arrive at school, I head straight to my locker. My besties, the wonderful Maxine Durham and the witty, but clever Suzie Hammond, are waiting for me. One look at my face has them both losing their mess. "What the on earth happened to your face, Star?"<br /> "which of the freaks was it this time?"<br /> I look at my best girls and sigh. "I have 12 days left. Let’s see what magic the two of you can do with my face, and get on with our day, shall we? I am meeting with Alpha Andrew tonight to ask if I can move into the pack house, so let’s drop it."<br /> Max gives me her signature. “this isn’t over” look, and grabs her make-up bag.<br /> We are just about to head to the bathroom to “fix my face” when I feel my hair scrunchy being pulled from my head, not again, <br /> I turn to try to grab it back, it’s my last one, I look up to find myself looking into the hot steel-grey eyes of Alexei Ravenwood, <br /> he is holding my poor scrunchy just out of reach, as I go to jump for it, like a freaking puppy jumping for a snack, he pulls back and grabs my face. "What on earth happened to your face, fairy-girl?"<br /> Goddess, I hate that nickname. It’s because I am only 5’1" tall, with very small features. He has called me fairy since we were in primary school. "It’s nothing, Lexi. I fell and landed on my face."<br /> I hear Max grunt behind me. Alexei is still holding both my chin and my poor scrunchy hostage. <br /> Another huge figure comes up behind me, penning me in. I move my eyes to see another pair of hot grey eyes, Ashton. "You are becoming very clumsy, Starlight, last week you fell and cut your head open, this week it’s your jaw. I am starting to think you are lying to us."<br /> I sigh as the eldest triplet comes over, screw my life, we are not really friends, but the triplets have always been protective of me, but since their birthday 2 weeks ago, it had got worse, but so had the beatings at home so they probably notice something is going on.<br /> "What’s going on, Tink? You know you can tell us right." I push Alexei’s hands from my face and jump for my scrunchy, but Ashton grabs my shoulders so I don’t even get near. Alexei pockets my poor scrunchy, lost forever. "Please, Lexi, it’s my last one."<br /> Ace pulls at one of my curls, "you can have it back as soon as you tell us the truth, Tink."<br /> Then the familiar sound of skank ring in my ears, "I thought we would meet at my locker this morning. Why are you wasting time with trash?"<br /> The triplets give me one last stare before Ashton turns me around and pushes me to my friends. "run along starlight and you look better with your hair down."<br /> He smacks my back as I walk away. Wait!!! Did Ashton freaking Ravenwood just spank me? What on earth is going on?<br /> <br /> Monday 3rd January cont......<br /> <br /> <br /> Ashton’s POV<br /> <br /> <br /> First day back after Christmas, I have always liked school, but now it’s even better, at our birthday party 2 weeks ago, we found our mate, and being at school I can see her every day until she has her 18th birthday and we can claim her as ours.<br /> <br /> <br /> FLASHBACK<br /> <br /> <br /> My brothers and I were having a great time. Our Beta Kurtis had found his mate, Sophia, just before school broke up for Christmas and she had brought her friend Natalia, who turned out to be our Gamma Jonah’s mate. Goddess, I hope we find our mate quickly.<br /> "Ash, baby, do you wanna go fool around upstairs? I’ve never been to your bedroom." Goddess she gets on my last nerve, my brothers and I have been dating the three friends for about a month, and I think we all want to get rid, but as it’s our birthday and we didn’t want to come alone, we thought we would wait till after Christmas to break it off.<br /> But I am now regretting that. "Billy, you know we don’t take fandoms to our bedrooms. The only woman we will have in our beds will be our Luna. So if you want to suck my junk, then we can find a quiet corner, but if not, then just stand and look pretty."<br /> her face contorts, oh dang, here we go. "How can you call me a random? I thought we had something special. I am in love with you, Ashton."<br /> And here comes the waterworks, for god’s sake. "You knew the freaking score at the beginning; you knew that we date sure things, girls that will suck our dicks and spread their legs, your time is coming to an end, so either, stay and enjoy the time we have left or piss off, it’s your choice, but try to pull the love card or the waterworks and I’ll kick you out myself, you're just a rank bunny, get over yourself."	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1,209,790	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1211216}'	No	2024-04-14 13:48	active	515	1478035719415149			LEARN_MORE	https://fcshopec.com/products/wb001	660419124110462	Asociación de Pedagogía Montessori "La Mariposita"	https://facebook.com/lauralosamontessori	10,298	0	442,957,064,920,782	2024-04-14 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	1	1	0	Learn more	Asociación de Pedagogía Montessori "La Mariposita"	6529081970163	fcshopec.com	NONE	video		https://fcshopec.com/products/wb001	2024-04-14 02:28	https://scontent.fabe1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435953745_1144326966701434_4305897420734161143_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gyF_AOXskM0Ab66ob3F&_nc_ht=scontent.fabe1-1.fna&oh=00_AfDFZaHsq6dRXbaBOXu5fHZ8VxoC0uYAGIOQt277A9bsPw&oe=6621F24D	person_profile	0	Asociación de Pedagogía Montes	https://scontent.fabe1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435885858_1087565952535717_1528450046392968755_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=mMB35QeQD2EAb4Cl2QJ&_nc_ht=scontent.fabe1-1.fna&oh=00_AfDaf0ZDCiN2mCGPA0vD55HSqJKfsR0uj79xLiaoLEbtVA&oe=66220ADD	3	Asociación de Pedagogía Montessori "La Mariposita"	2024-04-14 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,210,518	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1210511}'	No	2024-04-14 13:48	active	515	1641936709922354	"Innovative Discovery	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ After completing these 7 exercises, each lasting 30 seconds, my back pain vanished. Not only that, but now I can execute any movement effortlessly. I no longer sense any confinement within my body. Additionally, my sleep has notably improved!	LEARN_MORE	https://nuevaenergiavital.online/pv-ing/	112729991258354	Dra Myla	https://facebook.com/myla2024	482	3	938,365,937,769,629	2024-04-14 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	1	1	0	Learn more	Dra Myla	120207736292270507	nuevaenergiavital.online	NONE	video		https://nuevaenergiavital.online/pv-ing/	2024-04-13 21:39	https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/436203067_956483432737104_4802797129184561457_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=tClhpmdMlrsAb6QZBhq&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDoDjFQSsGDoh-kGGBFeyPPLRARueIwiWe1Ab_IR3sEGA&oe=6621F10E	person_profile	0	Dra Myla	https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/437961486_1848586432232351_5243253860294356908_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=VQkcA2fETQYAb7X1rUr&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfA5ztREvrW_b6IuVMRQeR1po0BR0UALBgjz3plQX4juNw&oe=6621DACA	3	Dra Myla	2024-04-13 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,210,629	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1210659}'	No	2024-04-14 13:48	active	515	934622768412245	End Nerve Tingling and Burning Sensations 🔥	🔥 Many have been told Neuropathy is irreversible nerve damage, that's not true... ⤵️<br /> <br /> The root cause is not even in the nerves themselves... <br /> <br /> But in decay of the branches that connect them. <br /> <br /> Meet Benjamin Marsh, a retired sergeant who uncovered the unbelievable truth that's been hidden from you. <br /> <br /> Who had to find for himself that the relentless burning, tingling, and numbness in his hands and feet...<br /> <br /> Was his nerves screaming for help, telling him to do something or give up the limb! <br /> <br /> After the pain relievers made his problem worse, he tried all conventional remedies without success...<br /> <br /> Until, in his desperate search, Benjamin stumbled on an ancient East-Asian secret that changed his life forever.<br /> <br /> Now shown in clinical trials to turn back Neuropathy...<br /> <br /> …and extinguish all nerve discomfort in just a few days by scientists from John Hopkins and California University...<br /> <br /> Some institutes are even calling it the "heal-all fungus".<br /> <br /> This message is reaching you NOW for a reason. <br /> <br /> We're unveiling this secret only to a select few, and today, you're one of them. <br /> <br /> Click the "Learn More" button to unveil the full story behind Benjamin’s discovery and seize the chance to transform your life. <br /> <br /> Learn More: <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Finstituteofneuropathy.com%2Fnerve-solution&h=AT3rUK294Re9rP922HbJAelqatVGBHGOjEr1CzjvR4eNXHJdwtspyGYSHRZkHfVPLS5k1Z3LRfUEityJ646ZKYuD4OsexGeRxg8OwE2p9SqG-s6z28XaE0PdIijmknxqMz2zXSMPTek_HygBre1y0XgWGRdn2prz1jRCcDyBlQI" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://instituteofneuropathy.com/nerve-solution</a><br /> <br /> This isn’t just hope; it's a solution at your fingertips – but only if you act now! ⏱️	LEARN_MORE	https://instituteofneuropathy.com/nerve-solution	100291402430512	Neurology Daily	https://facebook.com/neurologydaily	354	0	976,075,720,893,568	2024-04-14 02:00	regular_page	eligible	NONE	0	1	1	Learn more	Neurology Daily	120208293749470373	instituteofneuropathy.com	NONE	video	Step into a Neuropathy-Free 2024!	https://instituteofneuropathy.com/nerve-solution	2024-04-13 02:57	https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435878535_1420415202168275_4287659393946390996_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=r3El1dCCwAkAb7RR68J&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfA8xDwhpaPzgUJoPe5ACqtgSuuCoDDvTGYmQbyevFvFtA&oe=6621DC2E	person_profile	0	Neurology Daily	https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/436316784_358489553865279_8776654016815843325_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=nC71hZYbjpsAb7I0v93&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDcEw-L-HkZfIG2TBefmaqL7UOhCSefQi3aRGlYqs-XSQ&oe=6621F27A	3	Neurology Daily	2024-04-13 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,211,022	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1210817}'	No	2024-04-14 13:48	active	515	1164940058271489	🔥🔥 Click to Read 👉🏻👉🏻	"She is a client's assistant. We met a little over two months and it was an accidental hook-up. I swear I didn't plan or thought of it at first. It just happened." He looked away.<br /> "Two months? You've been making a fool out of me for two months, David?!" Her chest rose and fell with rapid breaths.<br /> "Please forgive me, please Babe."<br /> "I want you to tell her that everything is over between you two... in front of me."<br /> ————————<br /> "The moment I saw you, I knew in my heart that I love everything about you. As I spent more time with you, I realized that I have deeply fallen for you. I promised God and myself that I will never hurt you. Every day of my life I will only spend with you. Your happiness will always be my priority. Loving you forever is my greatest promise. My life will be incomplete without you. Avery Jackson, will you marry me?"<br /> "YES! Yes, David, I will marry you!"<br /> For some, whatever they have may seem too good to be true, but for both of them, finding each other is a dream come true. Everything seemed perfect until the unexpected happened.<br /> Avery couldn't find the word to describe the mixed emotions she felt when she read the message that popped on David's phone. She didn't know if her eyes were fast enough to have read it before the notification faded away or it was the heavens that wanted her to read it. Her body froze, her heart stopped, heavy and painful pounding on her chest dominated. She gasped for air. Her whole body stiffened. It was like any second her head will explode. Every inch of her body trembled. Nauseated, her stomach flipped. She begged her mouth not to vomit. When she heard the bathroom door unlocked, she immediately put back the phone where David originally left before he took a shower.<br /> "Are you okay Babe? What's wrong? You are trembling," David asked, his eyes widened.<br /> "Ah... Um... I need to go to the bathroom. I think I'm having diarrhea." Her steps bolted for the bathroom.<br /> She locked the bathroom door and sat on the tiled floor as her trembling body touched the wall. Her eyes welled with tears.<br /> What should I do? Should I confront him? Since when? Who is she? How? Where? Why?<br /> Strong, piercing and poking burned on her head. Her brain asked all the different questions but failed to find answers to any of them. She pressed her chest slowly and hard, hoping her hand can lessen the pain when she heard David from the outside of the door.<br /> "Babe, are you okay? Do you need medicine? How are you feeling?"<br /> "I'm okay," she answered in a soft voice, hiding her silent cries.<br /> "Do you want me to buy you an energy drink or something?"<br /> "Please... Thank you," her voice crackled.<br /> She burst into tears with her hands placed in between her knees and face when she heard the main door shut. Her whole body convulsed like no end. Is this for real? She denied David is cheating on her. My David will never do that. Maybe the message was wrongly sent? The message wasn't for him?<br /> She went out of the bathroom in a swift motion. It crushed her hope not finding David's phone where she placed it back a while ago. Stupid Ave! No cheating prick will leave his phone behind. She had to think of something. Confronting him can be good or bad. How will I do it? Reality hit her. Her woman's instinct activated. Were there signs? Either she had been so dumb, so trusting, or so in love?<br /> How would I have known the signs?<br /> It's not like there's a manual or a guide for her to know if he is cheating on her.<br /> Maybe David was so good at hiding. She started going back to the past days, weeks, and months. Tears fell again, like on cue the same heaviness and poking in her chest got stronger. But she has to brave all the pains to find the answers. Someone other than David might know. Who else knows?<br /> Self-pity struck her. Do people in the firm know? Am I the last one to know? These are just a few of the questions that popped into her mind. This pain sucks! She wanted very much to confront him, but she's also afraid that she might be wrong. She got the urge to ask people, especially those around him, but she doubted if they will tell her. If people who knew about it want her to know, at least someone should have mentioned it to her already.<br /> "Oh, God! I'm so naïve and stupid! David is their boss. Their loyalty is with him of course."<br /> She felt so alone and pitiful. She knew she can get comfort from her family in times like this, but she can't because she still wanted to protect David. What a stupid idea that despite the hurts and pains she still wants him to get on her family's good side.<br /> Am I acting normal right now? She suddenly remembered Shelly, her best friend, when they caught her fiance doing a "mouth-to-mouth" resuscitation with his secretary inside his office. Back then she wanted badly to smack Shelly when instead of telling her parents the truth, she covered the truth to keep the guy's respectable image. Am I being Shelly right now?<br /> What to do, Avery? What to do?<br /> "Babe, are you okay now?" David asked.<br /> "Better I guess."<br /> She didn't realize that he already came back. She watched him as he opened the bottle of energy drink. Her eyes focused on the cellphone that he placed on top of the bedside table. Even without her going near it, she can see that it was on silent mode judging by the number of times the notifications have been lighting on the screen.<br /> "Here Babe drink it. Make sure you don't get dehydrated. Do you need anything else?"<br /> I need you to be honest with me. "Nothing, thanks."<br /> She gulped the drink without taking her sight off David. He looked excited as he grabbed his cellphone from the side table. She watched him as he sat in bed. He was so engrossed in what he was reading; he didn't realize that she glued her eyes to him all along. She felt a lump in her stomach. How his face changed to the same face he had the morning he asked her to be his girlfriend. She saw the same excitement and sweet smile he had for her then. Except that this time she is sure it wasn't for her. Her body trembled again. She placed her hand over her heart. She can't seem to breathe.<br /> NO.<br /> I think my breathing is becoming loud.<br /> Too loud that she unconsciously covered her ears with her hands.<br /> Now I can't seem to hear my heartbeat.<br /> She feels like her heart stopped. She started pressing into her chest. Everything around her blurs. Then there was total darkness and silence.<br /> "Babe! Avery! Wake up!"<br /> David's voice awakened her. Her restless body was in David's arms when she opened her eyes. He was staring at her, worried. She can't find the strength to say anything. She looked into his eyes and silently asked the questions to herself. The questions she can't dare to ask him.<br /> Why David? Why?<br /> "What happened to you? Do you want me to bring you to the hospital?"<br /> I'm fine. I need to be.<br /> "I'll get you water. Stay in bed for now."<br /> Saying nothing, she stood up and trudged to the bed. She saw his cellphone on top of his pillow. It is in silent mode. She sees the call notifications as the phone screen keeps on lighting. The same contact who sent him the message is the same contact calling him right now. She grabbed the phone. 15 missed calls. All from the same contact. She heard footsteps coming near the bedroom door. It's too late. David already saw her holding his phone. He looked at her. She looked at him. They stared at each other.<br /> "Your phone. Someone has been calling you 15 times now."<br /> She looked into his eyes. His eyes avoided hers. He immediately took the phone from her hand. He seemed anxious but didn't look at her.<br /> "It's Jonathan. He's been calling me regarding the recent case. Take a rest, for now, babe. I'll just call Jonathan. Stay here. I'll be back."<br /> She just nodded and watched him as he rushed to get out of their room. The adrenalin and jealousy gave her body the strength to move and run for the door. Quietly, she watched him from the small opening.<br /> His gestures are familiar, bright smile, sparkling eyes.<br /> But one thing is for sure... those sweet gestures, his bright smile, and the sparks in his eyes... this time they're not hers.<br /> Avery was always confident. On top of her class, from elementary to her master's class days. Always gets praised for being young and smart. She knew how to hold an audience of professionals. She was a quick thinker. But this time, this exact moment, she felt like nothing. Worthless. Hopeless. Dumb. Numb.<br /> Her mind overflowed with silent questions. What did I do wrong? Did I lack on something? So many whats and whys. All thoughts that made her doubt herself, her worth.<br /> Sound of footsteps coming awakened her from her thoughts. She immediately went to bed and rested her back on the headboard.<br /> "Babe, will you be alright if I meet up with Jonathan for an hour or two? We badly need to discuss our plan for tomorrow's court hearing."<br /> She looked him in the eye as she wanted very much to ask him.<br /> Why do you have to lie, David?" Do you really have to meet Jonathan at this hour? Where are you really going? Can't you guys just meet early tomorrow instead?"<br /> "You know how is Jonathan, babe. He wouldn't stop calling and texting me unless I meet up with him. That idiot is quite a workaholic and a nerve-wreck!"<br /> Who are you meeting? "Okay," was the only word that came out of her.<br /> She still can't believe that this is happening. That the David who is lying to her face right now is the same David who promised to love her forever. The David for an angel she thought of has turned into a lying monster in front of her. But she can't understand why she's so weak and afraid. Weak to confront him and afraid to get an answer she might not want to hear.<br /> "I have to go, Babe! I'll try to be back as soon as I can."<br /> Like in a dream, everything was floating and blurred. She just realized he already left after hearing his car revving out loud and fast from the garage.<br /> I am not expecting this. It's just six months after we got engaged. We just confirmed a schedule to meet with the wedding planner yesterday.<br /> She stood fast and looked for her phone, and dialed. "Hello! Jonathan speaking."<br /> "Hey, Jonathan! This is Avery. I just wanted to know what you and David have scheduled for tomorrow? I wanted to surprise him for his birthday and secretly work on his schedule with his assistant tomorrow."<br /> "Avery, hey! Oh, we don't have any case right now. The last time we worked together was before your engagement. I wished we have a case together. It's so easy to work on a case with your man Ave!"<br /> "Uh... Oh... I know... How's Izzy? the kids?"<br /> "Well, Izzy is in the province with her mom right now. I'm on leave for three days because I'm stuck here at home babysitting the kids! Daddy duties!"<br /> "So sorry to have bothered you, Jonathan! peck the kids for me and tell Izzy I said hi."<br /> "I will Ave! Send my regards to your man! Goodnight!"<br /> "Goodnight Jonathan!"<br /> In silence, her tears started flowing like waterfalls. Everything in her body ached. Her heart pierced and broke into million pieces. Her imaginations worked. David driving fast, excited to meet his "Jonathan." She suddenly saw their engagement picture. As she holds the heart-shaped frame, she can't help but remember that day. Her heart was full of happiness and love. She and David looked so in love. Their eyes were sparkling, and he was holding her hand, showing the engagement ring, which was an heirloom passed down from his grandmother to his mom and now to David for her.<br /> When Avery felt him slowly getting on his side of the bed, she prayed for him not to notice that she was awake. He went to bed under the impression that she was in a deep sleep. He was unaware that she was just observing him all along. In a matter of fifteen minutes, he cleaned the broken glass, sneaked in a shower, and placed his clothes in the washer.<br /> Avery wanted very much not to cry, knowing that David is just in the other room, but her eyes have a mind of their own. She looked around and saw their engagement picture in a replaced frame the sobbing was a powerful force she can't fight anymore. She wished that one can easily replace broken relationships, like when broken frames were replaced with new ones.<br /> "What is wrong, babe? Why are you crying?"<br /> Avery froze knowing that David is now standing behind her. If he sees her face and she sees his, her tears will betray her. She hoped David will leave her and not insist to get an answer. But maybe, just maybe, or she was hoping against hope that everything is just a misunderstanding and that David is still the same David. The same who promised to love her forever and the same who she still loves despite.<br /> The crying she was trying so hard to keep to herself turned into loud and continuous sobbing. Avery can't control her emotions anymore. When David put his arms around her and then made her slowly face him, she lost it all.<br /> "What is happening Ave? Why are you crying? Did something happen?"<br /> Seeing David's concerned expression made her forget he is looking at the person who has been hurting him for weeks now. She placed her arms around him and cried harder. "I'm so in pain right now David."<br /> "Tell me, Babe, what's going on? Which is hurting? Why?"<br /> "My heart is hurting... in so much pain for weeks now." She told in between sobs and tears.<br /> As he wipes her tears with his fingers, he kept asking her questions, unaware of what she is about to say. "Is there something wrong with your heart? Did the doctor find something?"<br /> "No. But I discovered something. It has been causing me pain, it's been killing me every day."<br /> "You're making me worried now, babe. Tell me, please." He motioned her towards the bedroom bench. As they sat together, he clasped his hand with hers.<br /> Avery, feeling hopeful, felt that this might be her chance to confront him. She decided it's now or never. "We need to talk."<br /> "Okay Babe, talk to me. Tell me everything."<br /> "Who is she?"<br /> "Who? What do you mean she?"<br /> "Please be honest with me, David. At least as a friend. Who is the woman you are cheating on me with?"<br /> David's face fell. His breathing turned heavier and louder. The warmth that his hand was giving hers turned ice cold. And as he removed his hand from hers, he immediately brushed both of his hands through his hair and looked down. Dead silence enveloped the room. Avery knows this is their chance to lay everything down. As painful as it may be, the only way to know the truth is to get answers from him.<br /> "I knew it from the night I blacked out. She didn't ask him a question this time. I unintentionally read the message she sent you. I knew you didn't meet with Jonathan. You didn't have any reason to meet him at all."<br /> "Ave you know I can't lie to you."He looked her in the eye, guilt reflected.<br /> "But you did." If there is one thing that Avery learned as a paralegal that is interrogating without asking. "I called Jonathan right after you left that night. He doesn't have any clue. Izzy was in her province that night, no way for her to tell you to say hi to me."<br /> "Babe, I'm sorry." He cupped her face, looked directly into her eyes. She didn't stop him. The tears and the sobbing stopped. She felt braver, empowered seeing his sorry and admitting face.<br /> "Who is she? Tell me, what did I do wrong? What did I not do?" She removed his hands from her face.<br /> "There is nothing wrong with you, babe. It wasn't you, it was me. I was stupid! I'm sorry Ave."<br /> David lowered his head."I'm sorry Ave." He said the three words she regretted hearing. For the past weeks, she had been agonizing over herself to know the truth. She didn't realize that hearing the truth from him will be a thousand times more painful than how she has been feeling all along.<br /> Truth sucks. Truth hurts. Truth is real. These were the only things that echoed on Avery's mind. She values honesty all her life, but she wished that David should have just lied to her face again. The confirmation she had been longing to get from him didn't just hurt her wounded heart more. It pained, it cut, and it stabbed her already bleeding heart.<br /> "Ave, I'm really sorry. I know there is no excuse for what I did."<br /> She took in a deep breath. "Who is she? Since when?"<br /> "You don't know her. She is a client's assistant. We met a little over two months and it was an accidental hook-up. I swear I didn't plan or thought of it at first. It just happened." He looked away.<br /> "Two months? You've been making a fool out of me for two months, David?!" Her chest rose and fell with rapid breaths.<br /> "No Babe! Believe me. The night I told you I was to meet Jonathan, I went to meet her. I ended everything with her. Please believe me Ave!"<br /> The memory of that night flashed back to Avery. David's sweet gestures, his bright smile, and the sparks in his eyes... she wouldn't forget that picture of him reading messages on his phone. David may lie to her, but not to her heart. His face then didn't show an inch of a man about to end everything with the woman whose message he was reading.<br /> Her mind told her not to believe and not to forgive David is the most reasonable decision. But her heart reminded her he's asking for forgiveness should put her at ease, that he is deserving him a second chance. "After you confirmed David is really cheating, what do you plan to do?" She heard Shelly's voice as if she was just beside her.<br /> "Ave please say something. Please forgive me, please Babe."<br /> What should I do with you, David? Avery felt weak to even say a word. She just stared at David. If only her eyes have sharp arrows flying out of them, she would have surely hit his body bulls-eye slowly but fiercely. And she remembered what she told herself. She wouldn't be in his game without a fight.<br /> "Ave, tell me what I need to do for you to forgive me, please."<br /> "I want you to tell her that everything is over between you two... in front of me."	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1,211,318	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1210552}'	No	2024-04-14 13:48	active	515	1695277357672485		It all started with a bit of flaky skin... then those gross yellow toenails showed up... but it was the awful stink coming from my feet and shoes, driving away my loved ones, that really messed me up...<br /> <br /> When I retired, I finally got to live by the ocean like I always wanted. But the joy of going barefoot was crushed by one big problem...<br /> <br /> Everyone staring at my embarrassing yellow toenails!<br /> <br /> At first, I blamed it on years of wearing closed-toe shoes for work. But it turned out to be more than just some weird discoloration – soon enough, my feet started smelling rank too.<br /> <br /> I was so embarrassed by people's reactions that I kept my socks on all the time. And as time went on, my feet just got worse.<br /> <br /> I tried everything – soaking my feet in apple cider vinegar, slathering them in tea tree oil, even using expensive creams and sleeping with bags on my feet.<br /> <br /> But that dang foot fungus wouldn't quit, it just kept getting worse.<br /> <br /> All I wanted was to feel the sand between my toes, but I was too ashamed to show my feet. I even avoided the beach altogether.<br /> <br /> But when my granddaughter got the same problem, I knew I had to find a solution...<br /> <br /> I finally spilled the beans to a friend, and she knew exactly what I needed. She shared this eye-opening video below.<br /> <br /> It revealed the surprising cause of my foot fungus, thanks to some awesome researchers who knew their stuff.<br /> <br /> And guess what? The video taught me a simple trick with socks that totally changed how my feet looked.<br /> <br /> And the best part? It only takes a minute out of my day, and it's all-natural too.<br /> <br /> Just two weeks later, I was walking barefoot on the beach like a champ.<br /> <br /> Finally living the dream!<br /> <br /> And the best part? It saved my granddaughter from the same mess!<br /> <br /> I can't thank this method enough.<br /> <br /> Seriously, it was an answer to my prayers! 🙏	SHOP_NOW	https://always-health-wellness.site/46vsl/?utm_sou	105038805849990	Melissa Silva	https://facebook.com/100090491404741	332	0	7,512,402,075,464,512	2024-04-14 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	0	Shop now	Melissa Silva	120210541431870729	always-health-wellness.site	NONE	video		https://always-health-wellness.site/46vsl/?utm_source={{site_source_name}}&utm_medium={{placement}}&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_term={{adset.name}}&utm_content={{ad.name}}&cmc_adid=fb_{{ad.id}}	2024-04-13 07:53	https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435550725_7326892414025513_1597465433724465019_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=eVt1_86a1VQAb5z26Gz&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAnY0dC-pnelDie_FPke-Bmlpsw6eIoobr5jwPUKoCS-A&oe=6621F84E	person_profile	0	Melissa Silva	https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/437930684_472134111836059_9163617645632290315_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Gu1FUHP-GGoAb4uSzR-&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfA4y4O9TVyJWgUQvhPEIXtc_GlTTS0tH3hqyrA0XBTmDw&oe=66220894	3	Melissa Silva	2024-04-13 02:00	View Edit Delete
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1,211,088	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1209400}'	Yes	2024-04-14 13:48	active	515	2438724859652438	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.	281724568351187	AudioAdventure	https://facebook.com/61557514568940	0	1	268,631,702,971,443	2024-04-14 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	0	Install now	AudioAdventure	120208653921320502	play.google.com	NONE	video		https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kstudio.khitkun	2024-04-12 11:24	https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435305477_435691682164897_1351035671004883580_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=72-RGUphDVQAb5DuvLh&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDm5YYVRBYtsCsp6ndg64qMZEWchupjbh1GkC6gMjXbVQ&oe=6621FF16	person_profile	0	AudioAdventure	https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435186611_392400386960228_3651902950039737067_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=uOexwIbjWs4Ab7uubY1&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDuJt5FFBEZJF8ckqIfEelK2EDtOtAlRbfW6aSL9LwOag&oe=6621E558	3	AudioAdventure	2024-04-13 02:00	View Edit Delete
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1,211,408	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1211715}'	No	2024-04-14 13:48	active	515	796468122339177		Back on that shit again 💊 #explorepage✨	VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE	http://instagram.com/b.lu_ee	232941529910310	b.lu_ee	https://www.instagram.com/_u/b.lu_ee	0	1	941,859,977,204,380	2024-04-14 02:00	ig_ads_identity	eligible	NONE	0	1	1	Visit Instagram profile	b.lu_ee	120207549831120313	instagram.com	NONE	video		http://instagram.com/b.lu_ee	2024-03-29 17:42	https://scontent-atl3-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/437408131_1659502494853819_3607136336627039333_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s200x200&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=3fd06f&_nc_ohc=HFz_kGkhjm0Ab4b69nc&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AfDEAjZ-EG1st3Crd6NFggX9PReF3fi7UQomd3b5vZ5cGA&oe=662201A5	ig_ads_identity	1	B.lu_ee	https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433875507_1120213085797027_3854999945543318625_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Jjbfqd4FTxMAb6l3rYs&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDLnyAZ4wRlrKROvdXNsjTBgVAZ0yJWlpYEeUP02N9gqg&oe=66220A2D	3	b.lu_ee	2024-04-13 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,210,601	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1211111}'	No	2024-04-14 13:48	active	515	2218687465149419	A Regency Romance Book	“I must apologize for the whole jilting episode,” Mr. Mayhew said. “I couldn’t allow you to marry Violet. I had to snatch her up for myself. You understand, I’m sure. She’s a jewel.”<br /> <br /> Vaughan stared at the man in utter disbelief. Where on earth had he found the nerve to say such a thing?<br /> <br /> The man chuckled, but it was strained. “All’s well that ends well, eh?”<br /> <br /> Vaughan cocked one of his eyebrows. <br /> <br /> “Emma may be a pale imitation of Violet, but she’s still better than many of the other misses on the marriage mart,” he continued, digging himself into a deeper hole. “You could have done worse.”<br /> <br /> He had a death wish. <br /> <br /> Vaughan could think of no other reason for his actions. Fury thrummed in his veins as he set the book down calmly on the arm of the chair, rose to his feet, and crossed the room. <br /> <br /> “My wife is not a pale imitation of anyone.” His voice was low and dangerous. “She is beautiful, clever, and compassionate, and if you or Lady Violet dare to disrespect her in her own home again, I will pack you into a carriage and send you away myself.”<br /> <br /> Continue reading The Duke’s Inconvenient Bride by Jayne Rivers for FREE with Kindle Unlimited when you click the DOWNLOAD button today! Also available in paperback.	DOWNLOAD	https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CQBVHPG8	183838024805401	Jayne Rivers	https://facebook.com/61553767020425	1	1	827,382,985,879,747	2024-04-14 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	0	Download	Jayne Rivers	120209037049960350	amazon.com	NONE	image	Fans of Bridgerton will love this steamy regency romance!	https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CQBVHPG8	2024-04-13 16:11	https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/436255876_1123140002443879_7246414610195517468_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=e93Wfi1I4KMAb5Uc04s&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBjx9G8-KxouhWSG4pYxQmtr-TBczYINENJiZ-Cx9nAwA&oe=6621F034	person_profile	0			3	Jayne Rivers	2024-04-13 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,210,856	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1210864}'	No	2024-04-14 13:48	active	515	433135525927335	🔥🔥 Click to Read 👉🏻👉🏻	"You mated with him on my wedding day!" she said angrily.<br /> "We didn't mate, it was-it was an accident"I said standing up holding my hand up trying to get her to understand.<br /> "How could you?"<br /> "I didn't, Hannah he did it, I'm sorry it wasn't my fault I didn't ask"<br /> "He left me because of you!" she shouted loudly and I could hear the footsteps on the stairs, probably my mom drawn to the commotion.<br /> "Hannah he-he did it before I could stop him" I pleaded, even though I knew deep down I could've stopped him if I wanted to. But stopping him never crossed my mind until it was done.<br /> "What going on here?" my mom asked.<br /> "She mated with Dezmond Collins!" she said pointing at me , his name being said made my stomach clench , my mom gasped her hand going to her mouth.<br /> ******** <br /> "Kendal!" I heard my sister squeal,I cringed as she grabbed a hold of me.<br /> "Can you believe it? I'm getting married!" she said dragging me out of the crowd down some hallway into a dressing room full of her brides' maids .<br /> "I'm more worried about to who"I answered through my teeth.<br /> "Oh stop it, he's so gorgeous!"<br /> As a peace offering my family offered my sister up as a wife for Dezmond Collins on the condition he would stop attacking our pack. She was so excited to finally be mated,since she hadn't found her mate at 16 like she hoped.<br /> I couldn't believe my father was getting my 16 year old sister to mate with someone as horrible as Dezmond Collins. My father's excuse was sometimes we have to make sacrifices. But sacrificing my sister to someone for literally not killing us, is outrageous. I didn't understand why she would want to be one of his wives .<br /> Yes you read that correctly. Wives. Plural, meaning there were more.<br /> "He's dangerous"I said like I had been since I learned of this ... engagement.<br /> "Stop raining on my happiness Kendal, I want this"<br /> "Why? He's murders people, Hannah"I said, she stopped.<br /> "Why are you so mad?" she asked me.<br /> "Because Dad is offering you as a peace offering, like an object to the most dangerous person in the world, and I can't do anything about it!" I said angrily, why couldn't she understand. I knew she was stupid sometimes but this was too much. I knew she couldn't be this stupid.<br /> "I want this Kendal, okay? I didn't find my mate, and he wants to be it , and he's going to take care of me . "<br /> "Hannah he's not going to mate you , he's just going to use you as another one of his wives "<br /> "How do you know that?"<br /> "Because! That's what he's done with all the others Hannah , honestly what makes you think you're so different!" I demanded. I had heard about this for years, him taking innocent women as wives , never mating with any of them.<br /> "I am different, I'm going to be the one Kendal, you'll see"<br /> she said defiantly like she was convincing me she was going to be a princess.<br /> "Why can't you just be happy for me , Kendal ? " she asked tears in her eyes.<br /> "Because this is wrong " I replied motioning around me at all the decorations and the people beyond the wall .<br /> "For once, cant you just be happy for me, this is what I want Kendal"I sighed.<br /> "I need a drink"I responded going back down the hallway. I stopped in the middle of it freezing, every muscle in my body stiffened as my body lit up with electricity. The most amazing scent hit my nose and I had to reach out for the wall so I didn't collapse.<br /> My throat tightened and my chest started humming, as every pore and nerve in my body was on high alert. I inhaled deeper, the scent making me shiver, it smelled like the woods with so much musk and spice it burned my nose. I chewed on my lip standing there for a minute trying to regain my composure . My wolf was pacing urging me to go find my mate.<br /> I could feel my primal urge rising in my body, making me determined to find this person. I took a hesitant step forward, until my feet were carrying themselves in the direction of the crowd, I pushed my way through it, and froze completely.<br /> Oh god.<br /> He was standing there clad in a tuxedo , talking to someone . He was standing , 7 and had everything . He had broad shoulders, a defined chest that was noticeable even through his tux. His biceps were large, and I wondered how he got a jacket that would actually fit around them. He had a strong jawline and high cheekbones, his eyes were so serious and a breathtaking honey brown, that almost shined gold . His sharp nose lead to the most flawless lips I have ever seen . His hair was chocolate brown and messy ,with occasional curls in the endless waves .<br /> My breath caught in my throat completely, and black dots swam in my vision.<br /> Standing there looking as beautiful as ever, was my mate.<br /> Dezmond Collins.<br /> My body screamed in protest when I turned directly around and started walking away. Each step sent a sharp pain through my chest.<br /> Not only was my mate beyond dangerous, he was also my sister's fiance.<br /> Oh god. I walked towards the doors seeing a bottle of Jack Daniels on the bar, I grabbed it and went back towards the hallway, and I started hyperventilating. I tried to breathe but I couldn't, I was just gasping for air even though I couldn't inhale. I felt nausea rise in my stomach and I knew I was going to throw up.<br /> I swallowed hard, finding the first door I could in the dim hallway. I stumbled in holding onto the handle for support. I was in an empty dressing room . I sat down on the couch opening the bottle with shaky hands, my whole body was trembling , my chest hurt from walking away from him and denying my primal urge to go to him.<br /> I tilted the bottle back taking a swig "Okay breathe'l reminded myself.<br /> Everything is going to be okay . Dezmond Collins is going to marry my sister , and I wont intervene .<br /> This is want she wants, I can't ruin her life or wedding.<br /> I can't and I won't. I'll just stay in here until it's over and official and then I'll leave as quickly as possible so he doesn't see me.<br /> My wolf growled angrily at these words. She wanted her mate.<br /> Dezmond Collins is dangerous and he murders people. He was the most dangerous of our kind. You were either with him or you weren't and if you weren't you wouldn't be alive for long . He was despicable , and truly the definition of monster. Women and children were murdered almost every week because of him. Packs fell to his knees and then he burned them to ground. No one lived after meeting him unless they were offering up something.<br /> I can't be with that. Not to mention he's marrying my sister in less than an hour, if he ever found out I was his mate and called the wedding off she would hate me forever .<br /> I was his mate.<br /> These words repeated in my head, making me feel queasy again. I hadn't had anything but a shot today, so I had nothing to throw up so I just dry heaved, my body trembled as I tried to throw up but I couldn't . Eventually the tears came and I wiped them away, as the exhaustion hit me afterwards.<br /> I sat there on the floor with the bottle of jack between my legs, every sip burned but somehow numbed the pain. The door slammed against the wall and I jumped looking up facing the face I never wanted to see again .<br /> His honey brown eyes caught mine and the room seemed to disappear completely, he stared down at me and I stared back not sure what to do. My fears had come true, he found out about me, I should've left when I had the chance.<br /> I should've ran and dealt with my emotions later. I didn't know what to do, so I just picked the now half empty bottle up and offered it to him. His eyes flicked down to it, and then they flicked back up to mine, and I got completely lost in them again.<br /> There were no emotions on his features, but I could see shock in his eyes. I dropped the bottle back in my lap and he shut the door behind him , I carefully stood up almost falling from the horrid heels I had been forced into .<br /> My whole body was shaking under his gaze. Neither of us said anything.<br /> "What's your name?" he asked looking me over slowly and carefully , his eyes trailing down my body . His voice was like hot tea with honey, or melting chocolate, it was so smooth but somehow rough at the same time.<br /> "K-Kendal" I stuttered out, and then cleared my throat. Why am I stuttering ? His eyes came back up to my face . I bit my lip dropping my eyes to the floor . He let out a low growl that vibrated through my chest, and sent shivers down my spine. My body covered in goose-bumps and the electricity running over my skin seemed to heat up.<br /> A sharp pain coursed through my stomach and lower back.<br /> His growl was calling my wolf forward, I could feel my skin start to heat up and I mentally fought pushing her back trying to block her out . My head started to hurt .<br /> "Stop doing that" he said angrily and his angry words pierced through my like a knife. What was I doing? I looked up at him confused , his eyes were glued to my lip pulled between my teeth. I let my lip go and his posture noticeably relaxed, he still stood stiffly but his muscles relaxed.<br /> He took a step forward and I resisted the urge to take one back , my body was screaming at me to run away , and my wolf was screaming at me to step closer to him, I was torn between my primal urge and common sense, so I just froze watching him walk closer.<br /> Eventually he got so close I was craning my neck to look up at him, the scent radiating off him was heavenly. My breath had caught in my throat and I wasn't breathing once again.<br /> He was so close I could see the small hint of a tattoo peeking out from under his tux on his neck. And I could see the small scar across his eyebrow that was half hidden by his hair that probably fell in his eyes when it was wet . And that his ears were pierced even though his messy hair was almost covering his ears.<br /> I tried to breathe but I couldn't, his close proximity completely jumbled all my thoughts and I completely forgot how to breathe much less talk or form a full thought.<br /> ==<br /> Realization hit me like a truck.<br /> He just marked me.<br /> I gathered all the strength I had left and shoved him away,he stumbled back from the shock.<br /> "What did you do that for?" I demanded. My hand flew to my neck and felt the spot that was now sore and more sensitive than ever . I could feel the tears falling freely .<br /> "Why did you do that? Why, why, WHY?" I asked he stared at me , I turned around going to the full body mirror examining the mark now placed permanently in my skin. I stared at the thin crescent shape of his teeth imprinted in my skin right above his name that decorated my neck.<br /> I wiped my tears away, touching it gently. He came up behind me and I looked at him through the mirror. He stepped right behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist, I stiffened at first but I could feel the mark working its magic getting me to submit, and I relaxed into him.<br /> He pecked his mark , and violent shiver racked through my body as a wave of pleasure hit me like a ton of bricks .<br /> "Soon"he said looking up catching my eye in the mirror,and then he turned on his heels and left.<br /> I stared at the door for a solid minute before I broke out in sobs , going to sit on the couch . I finally pulled myself together, and had to take the beautiful braided messy bun my sister took an hour on this morning . I let my hair fall to cover up the mark now placed on my collarbone . I took a deep breath wiping my eyes one last time. I took a swig of jack and then left down the hallway.<br /> The crowd was in a frenzy and Hannah was freaking out .<br /> "What's wrong?" I asked Julie one of the bridesmaids, she turned around looking at me crinkling her nose .<br /> " You smell different " she told me .<br /> "Yeah what's wrong"I repeated cursing silently.<br /> "Apparently Dezmond Collins is nowhere to be found."<br /> My stomach clenched at his name, I sat down and waited while they finally decided to call the wedding. I felt extremely guilty but didn't say a word, about anything.<br /> That night my father was in his office on the phone and my mother was trying to get Hannah to open the door to her room she had locked herself in. I took a hot shower scrubbing every inch of my skin trying to scrub the feeling of his touch off.<br /> I must have stood there looking at myself in the bathroom mirror for an hour, I looked the same, except for Dezmond Collins's mark placed on my skin, bounding us together for life. I felt the same except for the sharp pains in my chest every time I breathed .<br /> I went to bed early, and tossed and turned all night. Every time I closed my eyes I would see his honey brown eyes looking back at me. And every time I started to drift off I would hear his voice saying one word.<br /> Soon.<br /> I laid in bed my arms wrapped around myself, breathing through the pain and thinking about him until light poured through my window violating my room. I pulled on a hoodie over my tank top and made sure my hair was covering my mark, and went downstairs hearing my mother banging around in the kitchen.<br /> I went to the kitchen and sat at the island both my parents stopped what they were doing and stared at me, my heart stopped fearing they could see my mark.<br /> "What are you doing up so early sweetie?" my mom asked and I sighed in relief.<br /> "Couldn't sleep" I replied. I had bags under my eyes that were bloodshot, and my face was paler than normal.<br /> "Are you okay sweetheart?" she asked pressing her hand to my forehead.<br /> "Yeah"I said forcing a small smile to my face,"Well sit down honey breakfast should be done in a few minutes"I nodded and went to the breakfast table sitting down my dad was looking over papers his head in his hands.<br /> "Dad"I said hesitantly, he looked up at me dropping his pen.<br /> I paused "Was there a reason Dez ... mond Collins wasn't there ? " I asked , apparently some time in the night my mind had decided to start calling him Dez.<br /> He shook his head "No, he broke off all alliances last night also, he's no longer in alliance with anyone, none of us are safe"he told me.<br /> "No discussing work at the table you know the rules" my mom said motioning to all his papers.<br /> Why would Dez break off all of his alliances? Dezmond . Dezmond is his name .<br /> 'His wolf loves it when we call him Dez'my wolf chimed in my head. She had spent all night crying out for him, which put me through physical pain. I eventually blocked her out and the sharp pains in my chest had dulled .<br /> 'That's not his name' I snapped at her, pushing her into the back of my mind, blocking her out.<br /> I waited until my mom was back in the kitchen.<br /> "Dad why would he do that?" I asked quietly.<br /> "I don't know, he cut them all off without explanation, but I think he's planning something" my dad told me.<br /> "Like what?"<br /> "I don't know, but I fear he's going to attack our pack soon so we need to be on the offense" he said straightening his papers, my eyes widened. The offense. We needed to be on the offense. Does that mean what I think it does, I studied my father's face. And I was hit with the realization.<br /> " You're going to attack his pack?" I said realization hitting me . My father didn't answer me confirming my fears.<br /> "Dad, his pack could take ours any day of the week, their stronger and trained"<br /> "But we have the element of surprise" my dad said.<br /> "Dad, don't do it, so many people will die"<br /> "Sitting here and waiting for him to attack first will result in people dying too Micah " my dad said using my first name telling me it was probably better to shut up now. My parents only used my first name when they were cross.<br /> I chewed on my lip thinking. My father was going to attack my mate.<br /> I didn't know what to do. Should I warn Dez? Should I tell my father what he is to me?<br /> My dad would use me as leverage, I knew it. He would use me to his advantage with Dez.<br /> Would Dez even care about me? If my father used me to his advantage and threatened Dez would he care at all? I so badly wanted to say yes , but my mind was telling me no .<br /> He wouldn't care about me.<br /> And all these questions lead me to a bigger question .<br /> Would I risk everything to warn Dez, yes.<br /> So where did my loyalties lie ? With Dez , my mate . Or with my pack and my father. I got up left going back up to my room. I curled into a ball under my blanket and laid there.<br /> That's what I did for the next week, absolutely nothing but breathe through the pain that was steadily getting worse by the day. By the 7th day, the pain was almost unbearable.<br /> I was laying there under all my blankets like every day, I was so cold. It didn't matter how many blankets I got or how hot of water I soaked in, I was cold. I was cold from the inside out , I craved the warmth that came with Dez's touch.<br /> A sharp pain shot through my chest thinking about him,which is all I seemed to be able to think about. My mind always came back to him, I couldn't think of anything for 30seconds without my mind reeling back to him somehow.<br /> I heard a knock at my door and it opened I didn't move from my tight ball.<br /> "Hey Kendal, wake up" it was Hannah she had gotten over Dez quickly, and was now back to obsessing over finding her perfect mate. She pulled my blanket off.<br /> "Mom wanted to tell y-" she stopped abruptly causing me to look up at her waiting for her to finish. Her eyes were fixated on my neck. My heart stopped knowing exactly what she was looking at , her jaw dropped .<br /> "What is that?" she asked loudly pointing at it, I quickly covered it with my hand.<br /> "Hannah, listen you can't tell-"<br /> " Whose is it ? " she asked , I thought about lying but by the horror written all over her face I knew she already knew whose it was.<br /> "You mated with him on my wedding day!" she said angrily.<br /> "We didn't mate, it was-it was an accident"I said standing up holding my hand up trying to get her to understand.<br /> "How could you?"<br /> "I didn't, Hannah he did it, I'm sorry it wasn't my fault I didn't ask"<br /> "He left me because of you!" she shouted loudly and I could hear the footsteps on the stairs, probably my mom drawn to the commotion.<br /> "Hannah he-he did it before I could stop him" I pleaded, even though I knew deep down I could've stopped him if I wanted to. But stopping him never crossed my mind until it was done.<br /> "What going on here?" my mom asked.<br /> "She mated with Dezmond Collins!" she said pointing at me , his name being said made my stomach clench , my mom gasped her hand going to her mouth .<br /> " No we didn't mate , mom it was-it was an accident , I didn't mean to , he just did it , and-and - "<br /> "How could you do this to your father?" she asked me sternly , I swallowed . Shock hit me , my mother had never spoken to me in a tone like that.<br /> "Why would he mark you?" my sister demanded looking furious.<br /> "I'm his-I'm his mate"I said quietly.<br /> "Why didn't you stop him?" she asked.<br /> "I was going to-I was, but he-he just did it, I didn't, I'm sorry it was-it was an accident"I said trying to explain.	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1,210,405	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1210403}'	Yes	2024-04-14 13:48	active	515	1093763058521131	🔥🔥🔥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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1,210,941	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1211467}'	No	2024-04-14 13:48	active	515	818656036746491	Free reading with Title "God of War: Pinnacle"	👊😡After 15 years, he came back, saw his wife and daughter living on the street, angry on the spot, a short message to 100 billion group bankruptcy<br /> --------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> <br /> In Erudia, a private jet landed at North Hampton Airport, where all international flights experienced an eight-hour delay because of it.<br /> <br /> At the private passageway were five men in suits and leather shoes, standing as straight as a javelin.<br /> <br /> Every now and then, they would raise their wrist to look at the time, for a big shot was coming to town.<br /> <br /> The upper-class society of North Hampton had learned about his arrival, but no one had the capability to get an inch closer to the private passageway.<br /> <br /> Even the richest man in North Hampton who came to pay homage was chased away.<br /> <br /> Finally, there were movements coming from the passageway.<br /> <br /> “God of War!!!” the mass cried out, their eyes filled with awe and veneration at the sight of the undefeatable legend of Erudia.<br /> <br /> He, who was dubbed the God of War, was the one and only five-star war God in the history of Erudia.<br /> <br /> Once, he'd inflicted a crushing defeat on the strongest battalions in eighteen countries. He was an overbearing and formidable man.<br /> <br /> He who overwhelmed the world with his unparalleled power had even created the Five Great Wars Regiment, Cavalry Regiment, and many more.<br /> <br /> ...<br /> <br /> Setting foot on his homeland, Levi Garrison was overcome with emotions.<br /> <br /> Once upon a time, he used to be an orphan who was abandoned on the streets of North Hampton and then adopted by the Garrison family.<br /> <br /> However, the Garrison family had never been fond of him.<br /> <br /> His adoptive parents, who had a tendency to beat and scold him, treated him like an outsider.<br /> <br /> As for the outsiders, they treated him as a nobody.<br /> <br /> But he didn't care a stiver. He had always been proud of his surname since he was a child, and he strived to bring glory to this family when he grew older.<br /> <br /> At last, Levi had established Levi Group, the largest dark horse in North Hampton's business community.<br /> <br /> With billions of assets, it ranked among the forefront of North Hampton, pushing the declining Garrison family to the top.<br /> <br /> However, not only did the Garrison family showed no signs of appreciation, they even harbored dissatisfaction towards him. Jealous of his success, they regarded him as a thorn in their flesh and coveted Levi Group.<br /> <br /> No matter his wealth and power, unless they were in control, he was just an outsider in the Garrison family's eyes.<br /> <br /> Eventually, on Levi's wedding night, the Garrison family plotted a frame-up against him by getting him drunk before tossing him onto his sister-in-law's bed. They wanted to create the illusion that he was doing something untoward to her and was caught in bed by his brother and adoptive parents.<br /> <br /> That night, the Garrison family had brutally broken his limbs and left him on the road like a wild dog.<br /> <br /> Not only was he handicapped, but he also had to take the flak for something he didn't commit.<br /> <br /> From an upstart in the business world, he had become the target of disdain overnight.<br /> <br /> And the next day, he had been punished for several crimes and sentenced to six years in prison.<br /> <br /> He could never forget the ruthless and sinister faces of everyone in the Garrison family and the ridicule of his friends, classmates, and business partners.<br /> <br /> More so, he could never forget the disappointment on his newly wedded wife, Zoey's face.<br /> <br /> He had regarded the Garrison family as his home and devoted himself to the family.<br /> <br /> Yet, they treated him like trash.<br /> <br /> It felt as if a knife was being twisted in his heart every time he thought about this.<br /> <br /> How he hated the Garrison family!<br /> <br /> But who would have thought that Levi had been secretly transferred away from prison to join the military?<br /> <br /> In a few years, he dominated the military world and became the one and only five-star God of War.<br /> <br /> Now that he came back, the Garrison family ought to stay on their toes.<br /> <br /> “How's it going, Azure Dragon?” Levi asked.<br /> <br /> Azure Dragon, the commander of the Five Great Wars Regiment, took a step forward and said respectfully, “Sir, I'm afraid your wife, Ms. Zoey Lopez will remarry at ten o'clock tonight!”<br /> <br /> Ever since Zoey's husband was sent to prison on their wedding night, she had been living like a widow.<br /> <br /> Only God knew how much pressure she was put under.<br /> <br /> And right now, the person Levi couldn't wait to see the most was Zoey.<br /> <br /> After a moment of hesitation, Azure Dragon continued, “To add on, Sir, the Garrison family is holding a successful listing celebration banquet at the Crystal Palace Hotel tonight! Many people had invited the God of War just now, including the Garrison family, but I didn't accept nor refuse directly.”<br /> <br /> “What time?” Levi asked tersely.<br /> <br /> “Eight o'clock, Sir.”<br /> <br /> “Okay. Tell the Garrison family I will attend the banquet!”<br /> <br /> Since the time for the two events didn't clash, Levi gladly accepted the invitation.<br /> <br /> The celebration banquet for the public listing of Garrison Group was held at North Hampton's Crystal Palace Hotel.<br /> <br /> With the help of Levi Group, they had become a rich and powerful family in one fell swoop.<br /> <br /> The hall was bustling with noise and excitement, and sounds of glasses clinking could be heard ringing in the air every now and then.<br /> <br /> “God bless the Garrison family,” said Joseph, the head of the Garrison family. “The younger generations are the stars among men. Garrison Group is now listed and has become an upstart in North Hampton!”<br /> <br /> Joseph's three sons and daughter welcomed their guests with bright smiles on their faces.<br /> <br /> The younger generation of the Garrison family was all the smugger and prouder because, after today, the Garrison family would become a powerful family, and they would become one of the top rich kids.<br /> <br /> Most of the guests who attended today's banquet were from the top circle in North Hampton.<br /> <br /> “Garrison, do you know what happened today?! Your celebration party is nothing compared to that.” They were gossiping about the major event that had happened today.<br /> <br /> “Yeah! I heard that a big shot has arrived in North Hampton!”<br /> <br /> “The richest man in North Hampton wanted to meet him but was shooed away. Apparently, he's not qualified enough!”<br /> <br /> “So? Jesse Nielsen had been waiting for five hours in advance at the airport!”<br /> <br /> Joseph nodded. “Yes, I know about that too. I even sent someone to invite this big shot to the celebration party!”<br /> <br /> “No way! Why would this big shot attend such a party?”<br /> <br /> No one believed it.<br /> <br /> In fact, as an upstart, Joseph was just trying his luck.<br /> <br /> “Dad!” shouted Jaycob, the second eldest son of the Garrison family could be seen running over. “The big shot has accepted our invitation to attend our celebration banquet! He's on the way!”<br /> <br /> “Jesus! God has indeed blessed the Garrison family!”<br /> <br /> Everyone in the Garrison family could barely conceal their delight as this was their chance to reach the sky in a single bound.<br /> <br /> The grandchildren of the Garrison family gathered together, sunshine flooding their souls.<br /> <br /> Levi's brother, Bryan, and sister-in-law, Victoria, smiled. “Well, it all starts with Levi's imprisonment that the Garrison family is at where we are today...”<br /> <br /> “Right, speaking about Levi, do you guys know today's the day that kid gets out of prison?!” somebody asked abruptly.<br /> <br /> “Really? Isn't that bad luck? Why did he have to be released on such a big day?!”<br /> <br /> “Please, please, please don't come back! He's the Garrison family's biggest disgrace!”<br /> <br /> Victoria's lips tugged into a sneer. “Speaking of which, Levi is the crowning glory of the Garrison family's status today.”<br /> <br /> “That's what he's supposed to do!” Bryan said. “He should contribute to the Garrison family for raising him, an orphan! His multi-billion Levi Group means nothing. To put it bluntly, he's just a dog raised by the Garrison family!”<br /> <br /> Someone gave a chortle. “As a matter of fact, I've been interested in Levi's wife for a long time now. She's still widowed, and I'm so going to marry her!”<br /> <br /> The man's remark caused gales of laughter.<br /> <br /> “Everyone, stop what you're doing. I have an important announcement to make,” Joseph said and went on to announce that the big shot was coming.<br /> <br /> A thunderous applause was heard.<br /> <br /> But when the applause had died down, there was still someone clapping.<br /> <br /> The sound was loud and clear, approaching from afar.<br /> <br /> On the red carpet, a man came clapping, looking bold and energetic.<br /> <br /> His stride gave off a majestic and imposing aura, which made the mass hold their breaths.<br /> <br /> “It's Levi!” Bryan and Victoria exclaimed.<br /> <br /> Suddenly, all eyes were riveted on him.<br /> <br /> “I forgot this little brat got out of jail today!” Levi's adoptive parents spoke in unison.<br /> <br /> Ignoring the astonished gazes darted at his way, Levi walked step by step towards Joseph.<br /> <br /> “A little bird told me that the company is now listed. How are you feeling, Joseph? Are you happy?”<br /> <br /> Levi flashed him a meaningful smile.<br /> <br /> “How dare you show up here, you insolent brat! And what did you just call me?” Joseph's fury sprang to life.<br /> <br /> “Who let him in? Didn't you know he just got out of prison? How inauspicious!”<br /> <br /> Bryan rose to his feet. “…… are you doing here, Levi?”<br /> <br /> Levi sized him up. “Why can't I be here?”<br /> <br /> “Well, for starters, you're an orphan! The Garrison family has raised you, but you were ambitious and ungrateful. You had inordinate ambitions for your sister-in-law, and you wanted to take possession of the Garrison family! You'd even tried to kill your parents when things go south! Have you no conscience? Do you have any sense of morality left in your heart?”<br /> <br /> “You've lost your reputation in North Hampton, and everyone knows that. Have you no shame to have the brass neck to come round here?”<br /> <br /> “Everyone knows why you're back. You want to leech off the Garrison family; you want our money, isn't it?!”<br /> <br /> “You've long been expelled from the Garrison family, you ungrateful wretch! The Garrison family has nothing to do with you! Now, get lost!”<br /> <br /> Levi's adoptive parents rose to their feet and pointed at his nose, hurling abusive remarks at him.<br /> <br /> The Garrison family's brazenness of distorting the truth was mind-bending.<br /> <br /> How disappointing!<br /> <br /> He had thought they would feel somewhat apologetic after six years, but they were unexpectedly more aggravated.<br /> <br /> They took everything from him, crippled him, and ruined his reputation, turning everything upside down and making everything his fault instead.<br /> <br /> The Garrison family didn't have the slightest bit of compassion to speak of.<br /> <br /> Bryan zipped towards Levi, assessing him condescendingly. “Hmph! Don't you just want money now that you're back?”<br /> <br /> Flap!<br /> <br /> Bryan threw a credit card to the ground and lifted his foot, shaking his leather shoe. “My vamp is dirty. Lick it clean, and the one million in this card is yours!”<br /> <br /> His words elicited a fresh burst of laughter as the crowd looked at Levi as if they were looking at a dog.<br /> <br /> “Oh my! One million? That's more than enough to cover his living expenses. I bet he'll lick it!”<br /> <br /> Victoria gave a wry look.<br /> <br /> “On your knees!” Bryan roared, seeing that Levi was glaring at him. “Now, lick my shoe!”<br /> <br /> Levi stared at him coldly and held his peace.<br /> <br /> “Kneel!!!”<br /> <br /> Bryan rushed to Levi and pressed his shoulders, forcing him to kneel, but the latter didn't budge.<br /> <br /> “I said kneel!!!”<br /> <br /> Bryan struggled to rivet him to the spot.<br /> <br /> “Drop dead!”<br /> <br /> Levi suddenly slapped Bryan in the face, sending him flying almost eight meters away.<br /> <br /> Silence engulfed the room; one could even hear a pin drop!<br /> <br /> Unbelievable!<br /> <br /> Everyone in the Garrison family was stupefied.<br /> <br /> What did Levi just do?<br /> <br /> Did he just knock Bryan to the ground with a single slap?<br /> <br /> Plod!<br /> <br /> Bryan was about to get up when Levi stepped on him, crushed him, and crossed over him.<br /> <br /> Looking at the approaching Levi, Joseph instinctively stepped back.<br /> <br /> Levi went up the stage and adjusted the microphone stand.<br /> <br /> Everyone looked at him, wondering what he was going to do next.<br /> <br /> “Listen up, everyone...”<br /> <br /> “I'm sure you remember what happened six years ago, yes? For the love and care I had received from the Garrison family during childhood, I'm giving you one month to kneel before me for three days and three nights to repent your sins!”<br /> <br /> “Remember, that's everyone from the Garrison family!”<br /> <br /> “If I don't see any shadow within a month, the outcome is simple—I swear I'll wipe off every single one of you here today!”<br /> <br /> Levi's voice was low and deep.<br /> <br /> But as soon as he finished, the crowd was laughing like a drain.<br /> <br /> “Did prison life eat his brain or what? What conceited nonsense is he spouting?”<br /> <br /> “The Garrison family right now is a juggernaut in North Hampton. He's just a criminal. Isn't it a pipe dream to destroy the Garrison family?”<br /> <br /> “Did he knock his brain loose or something?”<br /> <br /> ...<br /> <br /> “Bear in mind that I have limited patience. You only have one month! Of course, you may gather your strengths and connections to fight against me! I'll be waiting.”<br /> <br /> Levi then took his leave straightaway, disregarding the mockeries of the crowd.<br /> <br /> “Stop right there, you *! Did I tell you to leave?”<br /> <br /> Ben, Levi's adoptive father, wanted to stop him.<br /> <br /> “Ben, let him go!” Joseph said. “It's a big day today. I don't want to see bloodshed!”<br /> <br /> He was afraid about the impact that would bring about if the big shot saw this.<br /> <br /> “Yeah! There are so much more opportunities to take care of him!”<br /> <br /> “He's in luck that the big shot is on his way!”<br /> <br /> With that, Levi left the place under the watchful eyes of hundreds of people.<br /> <br /> After Levi had left, Joseph asked anxiously, “Jaycob, where's the big shot? Isn't he here yet?”<br /> <br /> Jaycob looked dazed. “According to the time, he should have arrived long ago. Let me ask...”<br /> <br /> After making a phone call, Jaycob blanched. “Dad, the big shot was here, but he left already.”<br /> <br /> “What? The big shot was here?”<br /> <br /> “The big shot said that the Garrison family are a bunch of unworthy stupid pigs!”<br /> <br /> “I get it. He must have left in a fit of rage after witnessing the ruckus that brat had created!”<br /> <br /> “He must have thought that the Garrison family disrespected him!”<br /> <br /> Joseph trembled with rage. “That brat will pay for this!”<br /> <br /> The multitude reacted accordingly.<br /> <br /> Levi has ruined the Garrison family's glorious event!<br /> <br /> He just pissed off the big shot!<br /> <br /> That's equivalent to cutting off the Garrison family's chance to reach the sky!<br /> <br /> Levi Garrison is indeed the sinner of the Garrison family!<br /> <br /> At that moment, the Garrison family wished to skin Levi alive.<br /> <br /> His adoptive parents, brother, and sister-in-law especially hated him to the bone. “Just you wait, Levi!”<br /> <br /> After leaving Crystal Palace Hotel, the next person that Levi was going to look for was his wife, Zoey Lopez.<br /> <br /> In this life, he owed no debt to the Garrison family, nor his friends and classmates, but Zoey.<br /> <br /> He had been imprisoned on the second day after the wedding, making Zoey lose her reputation. That even put her through six years of widowhood.<br /> <br /> This woman has carried too much on her shoulders for six years.<br /> <br /> But now that I'm back, I'll hold your hand, and we'll conquer the world together!<br /> <br /> After hesitating for a long time, Levi pressed the doorbell.<br /> <br /> Thud!<br /> <br /> The young woman dropped her mobile phone to the ground as the door opened.<br /> <br /> Upon taking a closer look at Levi's face, Zoey broke down in tears.<br /> <br /> “Zoey, quick, just get the parcel and come in. It's almost time for the family banquet! Your grandfather is going to settle your marriage at the family banquet tonight. You can't get away from this!”<br /> <br /> “Yeah! Quickly get dressed! Your grandfather is going to set you up with someone else!”<br /> <br /> Zoey's parents' voices sounded from the inside.<br /> <br /> “Zoey, I'm back!” Levi said excitedly, wanting to fling his arm around her, but Zoey slapped his hands away.<br /> <br /> “Why did you come back? I've already forgotten about you...”<br /> <br /> Zoey's voice was choked with sobs.<br /> <br /> Very soon after, Zoey's parents, Aaron and Caitlyn, came out, looking horrified.<br /> <br /> “How dare you have the nerve to come back? Do you know how much criticism my family has suffered because of you? Especially Zoey. Do you know how much she has suffered for the past six years?” Zoey's father, Aaron, reproached.<br /> <br /> Meanwhile, her mother, Caitlyn, pushed and shoved Levi. “You should know that this relationship between you and Zoey is impossible in this life the moment you went to jail! You're a criminal! You're just a street rat in North Hampton! You're only putting Zoey in harm's way by coming to see her!”<br /> <br /> Naturally, Levi had known of Zoey's sufferings for the past six years, including her refusal to remarry because of him.<br /> <br /> Levi put on a serious face. “This time, I'm back for good. I won't leave Zoey ever again. I will grant her a bright future and let her own the world!”<br /> <br /> Levi's declaration had Aaron and Caitlyn hooting with laughter.<br /> <br /> “You've spent six years in jail. How are you going to give Zoey a future?” Aaron asked with a sneer.<br /> <br /> “Yeah! With your mouth?” Caitlyn chimed in. “There's a limit to talking big!”<br /> <br /> Nonetheless, Levi smiled. “Don't worry. I'll reclaim what I lost in those years! I'll destroy the Garrison family in a month!”<br /> <br /> “Levi!” This time, even Zoey couldn't bear to listen to his nonsense any longer. “Can we be more realistic? It doesn't matter if you just get out of prison. Can't you just be down to earth and start anew? I believe that you will make a comeback one day, but you can't just indulge in tall talk. Do you know just how powerful the Garrison family is right now? And besides, today's era is a far cry from what it was six years ago!”<br /> <br /> “Zoey, trust me,” Levi said earnestly. “I can make the Garrison family bow at my feet with just a word!”<br /> <br /> Preposterous!<br /> <br /> Levi's bravado nearly drove Zoey and her parents round the bend.<br /> <br /> Having been caged up for six years, did he finally lose his mind?<br /> <br /> “Fine. If you say so,” Zoey said, shoving her mobile phone to Levi directly. “Then prove it! I'd like to see how you make the Garrison family bow their heads with just one word!”<br /> <br /> “I...”<br /> <br /> Levi was stunned.<br /> <br /> It was true that he could exterminate the Garrison family with his words, but he had given them one month; it would be too uneventful to destroy them now.<br /> <br /> “See, you can't do it, can't you? Then don't you ever talk big if you can't!”<br /> <br /> Zoey smashed the phone to the ground, marking her wrath.<br /> <br /> Following that, her parents pushed Levi away. “Go now. You're not welcome here. We've got a family banquet to attend!”<br /> <br /> “No. Mom, Dad, let him in!”<br /> <br /> “What do you mean, Zoey?”<br /> <br /> “I won't remarry. My husband is back.”<br /> <br /> ...<br /> <br /> Aaron and Caitlyn couldn't talk her round, so they could only let him in.<br /> <br /> After that, Zoey took Levi to her bedroom.<br /> <br /> “Since you're back, you're still my husband. I don't care about the gossips. Besides, I believe you're innocent, and anyone with discerning eyes can see that it was the Garrison family who'd framed you!”<br /> <br /> Levi could feel the warmth in his heart.<br /> <br /> She trusted him, and that was more than enough for him.<br /> <br /> “But you must promise me to start from zero and be down to earth. I believe you will achieve something great with your ability! I'll give you five years!”<br /> <br /> “That's unnecessary,” Levi said. “Just give me one month. In a month, I'll de—”<br /> <br /> “Shut up! I don't want to listen to your nonsensical and unrealistic talks! Why can't we just be realistic?” Zoey shouted.<br /> <br /> “Even if you have nothing now, as long as you take one step at a time, I believe you'll get back on your feet!”<br /> <br /> Levi shut up obediently.<br /> <br /> “I bought you these six years ago.” Zoey took out a suit from the cupboard. “Change into it at once and follow me to the family banquet!”<br /> <br /> “Zoey, what is up with you?”<br /> <br /> Seeing Levi all dressed up, Aaron and Caitlyn were naturally dissatisfied.<br /> <br /> Zoey clung onto Levi's arm. “Mom, Dad, Levi is my husband now! I will make myself clear to Grandpa tonight!”<br /> <br /> Aaron and Caitlyn looked daggers at Levi, sighing helplessly, “For Heaven's sake!”<br /> <br /> The Lopez family banquet was held at Golden Port Restaurant, where they contracted the entire restaurant.<br /> <br /> Naturally, the Lopez family was not as powerful as the Garrison family, but they were considered above average in North Hampton.<br /> <br /> When Zoey and her family arrived at the main hall, they were greeted with strange and jesting gazes.<br /> <br /> In the past, when Zoey and Levi had gotten married, Aaron's family status was the highest in the Lopez family.<br /> <br /> But after Levi's downfall, Aaron's family had experienced a seismic shift in life, and their status in the Lopez family took a nosedive as they became the subject of ridicule, especially during family events.<br /> <br /> “Look! Is that Levi beside Zoey?”<br /> <br /> “Yeah! It's really him! He's released from prison already?”<br /> <br /> All eyes fell on Levi at once.<br /> <br /> Harry, the head of the Lopez family, snorted and turned a blind eye to the four of them.<br /> <br /> The old man's favorite now was Fabian, his eldest son, and his family.<br /> <br /> Mainly because Fabian's son-in-law, Samuel Robertson, was of mixed ethnicity who was born rich and had lived overseas.<br /> <br /> This time, Harry was going to set up Zoey with Samuel's younger brother, Chris, who had been casting covetous eyes on Zoey for some time now.<br /> <br /> With no one paying attention to them, Aaron and his family could only find a place to sit first.<br /> <br /> As they were about to take their seats, a voice was heard. “No, Aaron. You guys can't sit here.”<br /> <br /> It was a reminder from Henry, the second eldest son of the Lopez family.<br /> <br /> “What?”<br /> <br /> “There are sitting arrangements to the family banquet this time.”<br /> <br /> Aaron looked puzzled. “How so?”<br /> <br /> “There are four tables for the family banquet! And it's decided according to the family contribution!”<br /> <br /> “For example, the first table is given to the family who contributed over five million to the family in a year; a million for the second table, a hundred thousand for the third table, and less than a hundred thousand for the last table, or should I say no contribution at all!”<br /> <br /> Henry smiled smugly. “Our family has made good profits this year, and we've contributed just about five million to the family. So excuse me, but this table here is ours.”<br /> <br /> “Of course, you can also sit at the first table without contributing. That is if your family has tens of millions of assets.”<br /> <br /> “Unfortunately, we couldn't be any clearer about your family's situation,” sneered Maddison, Henry's wife. “Now that there's an ex-convict in your family, I'm sorry that you guys can only sit at the last table!”<br /> <br /> “Mom, Dad, as far as I know, Uncle Aaron and his family didn't contribute much to the family last year,” said Shaun, Henry's son, walking over with a glass in his hand. “Their company went bankrupt, and they even borrowed over two million from Grandpa. Clearly, it's a negative contribution. It's unfair to the relatives sitting at the fourth table! I say we add a fifth table for negative contributors!”<br /> <br /> “Yeah, I agree!”<br /> <br /> The rest of the Lopez family concurred.<br /> <br /> “Okay, we'll do as Shaun says! This shall motivate you people!”<br /> <br /> Harry gave his consent.<br /> <br /> “Hurry up and sit down. Don't just stand there and make a fool out of yourselves.” Harry glared at Aaron.<br /> <br /> With that, Aaron and his family walked over to the fifth table quietly.<br /> <br /> “Which table should a ten billion contributor sit at?” asked Levi suddenly, pulling Zoey's arm.<br /> <br /> Levi was the one and only five-star God of War, and wealth to him was just a number.<br /> <br /> In fact, he didn't know exactly how much he had, but he could still fork out ten billion casually for the family contribution on behalf of Aaron's family.<br /> <br /> As soon as Levi said that, everyone was stunned at his query.<br /> <br /> After a few moments of silence, the crowd blossomed into an enormous belly laugh.<br /> <br /> “Ten billion? You must be kidding me! Even the aristocratic Garrison family may not have that much money!”<br /> <br /> “This kid must have a loose screw in the head to come here and embarrass himself!”<br /> <br /> “Hey, Aaron. Did you know you have a son-in-law worth ten billion? Hahaha...”<br /> <br /> Sensing the jeering gazes and titter from the people around, Aaron and his family wished the ground could swallow them whole.<br /> <br /> This is embarrassing!<br /> <br /> Too embarrassing!<br /> <br /> Zoey's temper sparked, and her eyes blazed with rage.<br /> <br /> “Levi Garrison, is it not enough for you to talk big at home that you have to come here and embarrass me? Do you think you haven't done enough after all these years?”<br /> <br /> Zoey trembled as tears silently rolling down her cheeks.<br /> <br /> “But I do have ten billion!” Levi said helplessly.<br /> <br /> At this time, no one bothered to listen to Levi's sheer bull because the star of the day, Fabian's son-in-law, had arrived.<br /> <br /> Everyone, including Harry, went out to the entrance to greet him.<br /> <br /> “I'm sorry to keep everyone waiting.” Samuel wore an apologetic expression.<br /> <br /> “Your flight was nearly ten hours late. What's up with that?” Harry asked in concern.<br /> <br /> Samuel smiled. “Grandpa, don't you know? A big shot has arrived in North Hampton, and North Hampton Airport was sealed off for eight hours.”<br /> <br /> What? Is there such a thing?<br /> <br /> “Who's this big shot to have the airport sealed off, Samuel?” Harry asked smilingly.<br /> <br /> “It's not just that. It's said that a hundred planes escorted the private jet of that big shot, and there were a hundred thousand people guarding at the airport.”<br /> <br /> “Damn!”<br /> <br /> “What?”<br /> <br /> The crowd gasped in shock.<br /> <br /> “He's the commander-in-chief of nine military regions, the God of War of Erudia. Haha, you may not believe it if I say this, but I met this great man when I was at a gathering abroad, and we even exchanged numbers. I didn't expect him to take up a post in North Hampton! I'll ask him out sometime in support of the Lopez family. That way, you'll gain a foothold in North Hampton in no time,” Samuel said loftily.<br /> <br /> “God! That's incredible! How did you even get to know someone like him?”<br /> <br /> “My brother-in-law is so cool!”<br /> <br /> “The Lopez family's son-in-law is one of a kind! Of course, except for one!”<br /> <br /> Everyone looked at Samuel with veneration; the old man was all the more impressed, Aaron and Caitlyn begrudged Fabian's son-in-law, and Zoey was envious as well.<br /> <br /> But she believed that in five years, Levi, too, could make her grandfather proud.<br /> <br /> Yet, unbeknownst to them, Levi was actually barely stifling in his laughter.<br /> <br /> This kid is quite something to know that I've arrived.<br /> <br /> But his ability to make up nonsense is even more impressive.<br /> <br /> “You're saying you know the God of War?” Levi asked.<br /> <br /> Samuel raised his head. “Yeah, we had a drink together. Is there a problem?”<br /> <br /> Levi chuckled. “Then why don't I recognize you?”<br /> <br /> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><br /> Due to the word limit, it can only be updated here<br /> Install the APP to search for the book title "God of War: Pinnacle" Read more exciting content immediately	LEARN_MORE	https://page.joyreadings.com/h5-book-share-custom4	102114825976458	The novels	https://facebook.com/100085012467697	31,539	1	442,907,778,204,396	2024-04-14 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	0	Learn more	The novels	120206769926160765	page.joyreadings.com	NONE	image		https://page.joyreadings.com/h5-book-share-custom4.html?lang=en&id=34&brand=2&app=0&ppid=463&pid=FBW2A&campaign=%7B%7Bcampaign.id%7D%7D&adset_id=%7B%7Badset.id%7D%7D&ad_id=%7B%7Bad.id%7D%7D&utm_source=FBW2A&utm_medium=%7B%7Bplacement%7D%7D&utm_campaign=%7B%7Bcampaign.id%7D%7D&utm_term=%7B%7Badset.id%7D%7D&utm_content=%7B%7Bad.id%7D%7D&ori_campaign_id=120206742906920765&ori_adset_id=120206742907300765&ori_ad_id=120206742938290765	2024-04-13 00:53	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/437893840_1444039543138259_9046125157297366672_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Ysj2reRB_VQAb4zydJv&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDJnYvTrgHM_HGafnoy1DwsSQ4h5xV6Op8ZNOEJ2Jwjpg&oe=6621E9B3	person_profile	0	The novels	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/437045478_3780252575635547_8150423061821352010_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=15TEIoZP2UYAb4RD_jx&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAgaQbE5OPdb31LP1q43-bPXfpT75XQ4b_b-W0HgNoeLw&oe=6621F311	3	The novels	2024-04-13 02:00	View Edit Delete
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1,210,287	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1210793}'	Yes	2024-04-14 13:48	active	515	966801245094722	Find whole story of 📖Alpha Dimitri📖 and more similar books in Literie!	💔“I am not going to share a bed with a man who was just kissing my best friend!” Aurora couldn't bear any more and escaped with her children from her contract husband... Years later, on the wedding with her second chance, her ex-husband rushed here and saw her wedding ring, "Take it down, or I'll do it for you. "<br /> <br /> ##Chapter 1<br /> Aurora:<br /> “Charlotte, it is only for the deal. The two of us are not going to…”<br /> “You are going to be touching her, Dimitri. The packs expect to see a f mark on the woman.”<br /> I heard my best friend’s voice, making me frown as I walked toward Dimitri’s office.<br /> The two of us were getting ready to go out to the mating ceremony, and I couldn’t help but find myself frowning when he disappeared. I knew that I had to go and at least check where my mate went.<br /> “I am merely going to give her a temporary mark. It will be enough for them to see, and I will be rejecting her. The woman would be my ‘mate’ for duties, but the last thing that I am going to do is be in a relationship with her.” He said, and I took a deep breath, trying to process what I was hearing.<br /> The man couldn’t be serious. MY mate, and my best friend couldn’t be seriously saying what I was hearing.<br /> “You are saying this now, but it is only a matter of f time before the two of you are suddenly lovers.” Charlotte said, raising her voice at him.<br /> “Today, you are telling me this, you are angry that you are being forced into a relationship that you don’t want. You hate who she is and where she comes from and that is something that I understand. But that b** is smart and if she doesn’t manage to seduce you now, she will in the future. What am I going to be doing by then?”<br /> “Charlotte, you know that I have my duties as Alpha…”<br /> “You are not the only Alpha out there.” She said, and I watched through the crack of the door as he cupped her cheeks, pulling her closer to him.<br /> “You know that being the Alpha of Alphas, I have my duties to fulfill. But trust my word, the last thing that I am going to do is look at an orphaned omega who was adopted by the Alpha and his Luna out of pity." He said.<br /> I opened the door, catching the two of them off guard as Dimitri’s eyes met mine. His eyes showed visible hatred, and for the first time since I’ve met her, I’ve seen the hate in my best friend’s gaze.<br /> “Charlotte, get out.” Dimitri ordered, and the woman frowned.<br /> “Dimitri…”<br /> “I said a word.” He said, stopping her. She looked down at her feet for a second before nodding as she took a step back. His eyes met mine and I shook my head in question.<br /> “Why?”<br /> “You shouldn’t have expected any less.” He said, taking me off guard. “Surely, you didn’t expect me to be with an orphan omega like yourself, did you?”<br /> “The two of us agreed…”<br /> “I agreed and am still agreeing for both the benefit of MY pack and the public eye. But our mating would only be one for that.” He said, and I looked down at my feet as he took a step toward me, “One word of this, and I will be sure that you regret ever agreeing to the mating bond, am I making myself clear, Aurora?”<br /> I walked out and close the door, knowing that he wouldn’t be able to follow me. Charlotte’s eyes met mine and I closed mine for a second.<br /> I walked back toward MY changing room. A sob escaped my lips and I watched as the door opened, revealing my mother, whose eyes widened in surprise at my sight.<br /> “Aurora?” She asked, shaking her head in question as she ran toward me. Two of the servants who were within the pack frowned at my sight, but she wouldn’t allow them in as a low growl escaped her chest. “Aurora, child, what is going on?”<br /> “He is cheating on me with her.” I said, looking away and mom frowned. “I heard them talking in his office, and he doesn’t even want to marry me. The man just wants me for his alliances, and I am going to be nothing more than a…”<br /> “Surely, you didn’t expect any less, Aurora.” She said, taking me off guard. The fact that her tone was now harder than it was made my chest burn. “You are no pure blood, your father barely managed to arrange this agreement for all our safeties.”<br /> “Mama…”<br /> “Do not be stupid enough to think about backing out now.” She said, making my heart race against my ribcage. If I thought or believed that anyone would be supporting me in this world, it would be her.<br /> “You have been chosen to marry him to ensure that you live a decent and strong life, but if you are going to be acting like a toddler who had her toy taken away from her, the last thing that you would want is for your father to find out about this attitude.”<br /> “I am not going to share a bed with a man who was just kissing my best friend…”<br /> “Your best friend is a beta blood. She is of higher rank, and you know that very well.” Mom said, and I gulped.<br /> “As for sharing his bed, you are going to be doing as told, and as a GOOD mate would do. You are going to fulfill your duties as his mate. Otherwise, all your father’s efforts would be going in vain.”<br /> “So, I am just required to accept a fate that I did not even choose? One with a man who not only lied to me, but is to be having an affair with my best friend?”<br /> “If you choose to mess this up, I will be sure that an exile is the punishment that you dream of.” She said, looking at me through the mirror. “Therefore, you are going to wash that face of yours and I will send in the cleaners, hair dressers, and makeup artists, and IF anyone hears of what happened here, I am going to be cutting that tongue for you, am I making myself clear?”<br /> “Yes, yes, you are.” I said, wanting to wrap my hand around her wrist and she nodded.<br /> “Good, we are expecting you outside in an hour. And I expect to see a smile on your face when I see you…”<br /> ##Chapter 2<br /> Dimitri:<br /> “Are you sure that she isn’t going to say a word?” Charlotte asked, shaking her head in question. “You know, it can get very ugly when it comes to the elders…”<br /> “You know that I do not like being questioned, my love.” I said, stopping Charlotte who took a deep breath before nodding. Her heart raced against her chest and I connected my lips with hers.<br /> “Be a doll and fix my tie for me.”<br /> She nodded and grabbed my tie, fixing it, making sure to take her slow time as she tried killing it off as to spend the most of it with me before I walked out.<br /> “One night and I will be by you side again, my love.” Was the last thing that I told her before coming undone in the cond*. It was one thing to be her lover, but the two of us knew, and thankfully agreed, on the fact that we needed to be careful.<br /> “Dimitri, where the hell were you? We’ve been looking everywhere.” Mom asked, glaring at me. I cupped her cheeks and kissed her forehead, wanting her to relax and she sighed. “I thought that you bailed.”<br /> “You know me better than that, mama.” I said, my voice softening as I looked at her and she nodded at Aurora as she walked down the stairs.<br /> She wore a knee long white dress, and an elegant flower crown on her head. Her pack sigil was on a pendant around her neck, and when her eyes met mine, I couldn’t help but notice the frown that formed on her lips momentarily before she smiled.<br /> Her mother walked toward the staircase to look at her daughter, and I watched as Aurora’s eyes stayed on me, clearly avoiding the woman’s hard gaze.<br /> I extended my hand to her as she reached the bottom of the stairs and I watched as she hesitated for a moment before extending hers.<br /> I kissed her knuckle as the two of us rehearsed, and I couldn’t help the frown that formed on my lips when I saw her eyes glistening for a second before she took a deep breath as she forced a smile on her face.<br /> The woman was playing a dangerous game, and I knew that if she didn’t cut off the act, we would be in more trouble than we could afford.<br /> I pulled away and turned to the crowd, smiling when I saw that they had their attention on us. Charlotte, who stood in the front line, smiled and nodded at the two of us. Her eyes met mine for a second before she lowered her gaze to the ground as a small smile played on her lips.<br /> Soon, baby girl. Soon…<br /> “I do suggest that you cut off the tears and replace them with a smile. We have guests watching, and the elders too.” I said, and she shook her head at me.<br /> “I am curious about how you would feel if you were in my same shoes.” She said, and I let out a low growl for her ears only. It was one of warning, and she looked down at her feet, avoiding my eyes.<br /> “I dare you to try, and I give you my word that I will be sure that you not only pay for it in private, but that I make you and your pack regret this.” I said, whispering my words.<br /> She didn’t respond as the two of us reached the elders. Her heart raced and Lord Alpha Sirius looked at the two of us for a second too long before smiling.<br /> They would be the ones to elope our mating, and make it official.<br /> “Alpha Dimitri,” he said, extending his hand toward me. I smiled and shook his. “I take it that the two of you are ready to elope?”<br /> “Indeed, we are.” I said, not waiting for Aurora to speak. It was customary that the Alpha or the person of higher rank, responded to the elders when spoken to, and that was when even she knew her limits when it came to responding to those who were of higher ranks.<br /> “Well, how about the two of you get ready, and we can proceed?” He asked, smiling at the two of us. “I believe that the two of you are well aware that you are to perform the marital act before everything is finalized tonight. Therefore, I do recommend that we not delay you any longer as to get everything settled with tonight.”<br /> “You needn’t worry, Lord Alpha, we are to tend to everything tonight.” I said before Aurora could open her mouth to say a word. She looked down at her feet, and the Lord Alpha chuckled.<br /> “It seems to me that your little woman seems to be a little more or less nervous.” He said, and Aurora blushed. “Anyhow, you have a few more minutes to mingle around with the guests. I will be informing the elders to prepare for you to say your vows.”<br /> He walked away without waiting for us to say a word to respond, and I tightened my grip around Aurora’s waist.<br /> “One mistake tonight, Aurora, and I give you my word that you are going to be wishing that you were never born.” I said, lowering my voice to above a whisper before I leaned in to her ear. “Am making myself clear?”<br /> ##Chapter 3<br /> Aurora:<br /> Our guests smiled at us, some cheering, others inviting us for drinks with them to have a small ‘chat’ as the two of us walked past them.<br /> “Aurora,” Charlotte called, taking me by surprise. I looked at her and she took my hands in hers before squeezing them gently. I knew that she was doing this for the public eye, especially since we were everyone’s center of attention right now.<br /> “I didn’t see you before the ceremony, I’m sorry.” I said, trying my best to lie. She smiled, her smile both bright and devious, and I could swear that she and Dimitri shared a glance before she turned to look at me.<br /> “No, no, don’t be.” She said, squeezing my hands gently. “You have no idea how happy I am for you.”<br /> “I can tell that you are.” I said, flinching slightly when Dimitri put his hand on my lower back.<br /> “I take it that I interrupted the two ladies?” He asked, smiling at me, his eyes giving me his silent warning not to say anything about it.<br /> “Not at all, Alpha.” She said, looking down at his feet, giving him a quick nod before looking up at him with the brightest smile.. “I was just coming to congratulate the two of you.”<br /> I clenched my fist for a second before forcing myself to loosen my grip as I looked at Dimitri whose eyes were fixed on mine.<br /> “I am indeed lucky to have been able to win the most beautiful woman of them all.” He said, nodding at the elders who were watching, and I smiled at him as he put his finger under my chin.<br /> “I take it that the two of you will be dismissing yourselves for the evening?” Lord Alpha Jordan asked, approaching us. “You know what has to be done--luna's MARKING, and the faster it is, the better the process.”<br /> “We have guests, Lord Alpha.” I tried persuading, wanting to delay things as much as I could. The last thing that I wanted was to be having my first time like this.<br /> “I believe that they are all well aware of what is to happen, and would be dismissing themselves shortly, Aurora.” Elder Jordan said, looking at me. “Now you have the choice of choosing five of the elders and your mothers being in the room…”<br /> “What?” Dimitri asked, frowning in confusion.<br /> “You know that it is in tradition for us to ensure that you two have mated. Therefore, you have the freedom of choice. Normally, it would have been the female elders, but considering that us as females are more than five, you have the right to choose.”<br /> “Surely, we wouldn’t need anyone chaperoning over us while we mate.” Dimitri said, taking my hand in his.<br /> “I would wish for privacy, Lord Alpha.” I said, and he nodded.<br /> “Then it is granted.” He said, looking at the two of us. “You have an hour.”<br /> “An hour?” Dimitri asked, and he raised an eyebrow.<br /> “Otherwise, you are to be chaperoned.” He said, taking a step back toward the bar. “Fifty-nine minutes…”<br /> Dimitri wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me to the room and I looked at my mother one more time, watching as she glared at me not to make a mistake in this.<br /> In her mind, right now, I was nothing more than a girl to bring them their peace.<br /> Dimitri pushed me inside the room the second we walked in, and it took me a second not to stumble on my footing before I turned around to face him. His eyes met mine for a second before he leaned in to kiss me.<br /> I took a step back, flinching, and he chuckled, shaking his head at me.<br /> “I doubt that you would want the elders to be watching us.” He stated, making my heart race. He kissed my neck, and I couldn’t help but find myself flinching for a second and he frowned.<br /> “What is your problem?” He asked, glaring at me.<br /> “How is Charlotte okay with this?” I asked, and he raised his eyebrow at me, as if he couldn't believe I had the nerve to question him...	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1,210,985	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1211498}'	No	2024-04-14 13:48	active	515	1117930589454916	< The Elegy Of A Lost Romance>💥👉ONLY on GoodShort TV！	🔞🔥He pushed her into the corner, feeling angry and hurt: "How dare you marry someone else and have children?"👰🫣 👉Six years ago, she had an unspeakable secret, so she personally sent him to prison and was pregnant with his child.😮🤧 When they met again six years later, he was already a high-ranking CEO of a wealthy family. 💵💸He hated her to the core but helped her time and time again. Just when he was about to forgive her, she jumped into the sea...🌊 Click now to discover what happened next!👇 #reels##short##trend##viral##enjoy##drama#	LEARN_MORE	https://irkfmvsolutions.com/market/goodreels/t18-1	119222467952104	Short Play Recommender	https://facebook.com/61553037495588	5,505	3	267,127,886,489,414	2024-04-14 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	1	1	0	Learn More	Short Play Recommender	120207843437240098	irkfmvsolutions.com	NONE	dco		https://irkfmvsolutions.com/market/goodreels/t18-12-6/18?lpid=10680&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}	2024-04-09 05:35	https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434857841_440160825188916_5145391727279369595_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=4_FUGvBKtLwAb63eGtM&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfAPO9xBkyBy-fGXs-EKlAzG0J6EPWFnmg35EbHHe6vg9w&oe=6621DB4F	person_profile	0	Short Play Recommender	https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434957447_352223990603719_7603369959139775391_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Yz5JPzxUEncAb52NHdJ&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDGZiWjQQqxyr_qJCylBq93TP0h8LJAa1rISdv1F7Fjag&oe=6622105C	3	Short Play Recommender	2024-04-13 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,211,080	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1211491}'	No	2024-04-14 13:48	active	515	1876772152759985	🔥🔥 Click to Read 👉🏻👉🏻	What’s more embarrassing than a butt dial? Butt dialing your boss… And leaving a dirty voicemail when you’re uhh… “thinking” about them.<br /> Just had a sexual fantasy with my boss. I stand on legs that are just as shaky as he said they’d be. My throat hurts from moaning and I’m sore as all get-out. As I stand, my phone clatters to the floor.<br /> I reach down to pick it up—<br /> And freeze in horror.<br /> Ruslan’s name is lighting up my screen.<br /> And the call is active.<br /> For seven minutes and thirty-two seconds, I’ve been masturbating to the absolute filthiest fantasy I’ve ever had, starring Ruslan Oryolov.<br /> ————————<br /> Emma<br /> If anyone has a reason to cry, it’s me. My boss is an arrogant prick and my sister is dead and her husband is more of a burden than a help and I have three innocent kids I’m doing my best to raise right but I can’t seem to catch a break and I need sleep and food and more coffee and a vacation and a fresh start and—the list just goes on. One reason for each of my thousand tears.<br /> “Auntie Em! Auntie Em, wake up.”<br /> I come to with a start. The sun is slanting in through the blinds and I have absolutely no freaking idea what planet I’m on. I feel a sharp line of pain on my cheek. It takes me a long moment to realize that it’s because I have a shoelace plastered to my skin. I peel it off with a wince and look up to see Josh standing over me.<br /> “Auntie Em, it’s 7:45. We’re late for school.”<br /> The next fifteen minutes are a blur. I get the girls up and dressed in the least coordinated outfits in the history of terrible parenting. I hurl random food into their lunchboxes with no regard for nutritional value. And then we’re all sprinting out the door.<br /> Ben, needless to say, doesn’t so much as lift a finger to help.<br /> I get the evil eye from the receptionist at the kids’ school when I drop them off well into first period. I just pop a peck on each of their foreheads and then turn to Bane.<br /> I get another evil eye from the lobby receptionist there, too, but I don’t quite realize why until I’m in the elevator up to the thirtieth floor and I catch sight of my reflection in the polished bronze.<br /> I look like an absolute shitshow. My hair is a rat’s nest on my head and my blouse is on backwards. The fashionable one-shoulder cutout is framing my frayed bra strap instead of a tasteful slice of arm.<br /> Wet street dogs are more put-together than I am.<br /> It’s way too late to go back now, though. I can already imagine Ruslan’s eyebrow. It’s probably halfway up his scalp by now. His voice is going to be absolutely frigid when he hears me come stumbling in. Something like:<br /> “You have got to be kidding me.”<br /> Wait. That wasn’t my imagination. That was actually his voice.<br /> I open my eyes and turn around to realize that the elevator doors have opened—and who should be standing there but my beloved, benevolent boss?<br /> Sure enough, his eyebrow is locked and loaded and that cruelly sharp jaw of his clenched so tight that I wonder idly if he has a good dentist on speed dial.<br /> I open my mouth to defend myself, but what is there even to say? “I’m sorry,” I blurt. “I fell asleep after—It was a long night and—I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry.”<br /> He doesn’t so much as blink. “I expect you to dress appropriately for your job, Ms. Carson,” he growls. “Not do the walk of shame through my building.”<br /> I frown. “The walk of—? Hold on. No, that’s not what this is. I didn’t—”<br /> “You’re wearing yesterday’s skirt and flaunting your undergarments like you think you can seduce your way out of being—” He checks his watch. “—two and a half hours late. I’m not sure if you think I’m stupid or easy. I’m also not sure which of those two would offend me more.”<br /> One word snags my attention. “Seduce?” I parrot stupidly.<br /> Out of nowhere, thoughts of what it would look like to seduce Ruslan Oryolov come prancing through my head.<br /> Wrapping his tie around my fist and bringing that smirking snarl down to my lips for a taste.<br /> Lying back on his desk, pencil skirt hiked above my hips, while he shoves my panties to the side and devours me like his last meal.<br /> On my knees on his office carpet as he stands over me and—<br /> “Ms. Carson, I’m not interested in your explanations. Go do your job. Before I find someone else to do it for you.”<br /> With that, he brushes past me and gets on the elevator. I turn and look dumbly at him as the doors close on his face. The last thing I see is the arrogant slant of his mouth.<br /> Then that, too, disappears.<br /> My cheeks are burning red for the rest of the day. Luckily, I have an extra cardigan at my desk, so I’m able to cover up the worst of my wardrobe malfunction.<br /> But my phone keeps pinging all day long with messages from Ruslan. Do this. Send that. Fax this. Email that. He’s as unbearable as ever. Everything from the expiration date on his coffee creamer to the status of the conference room chairs he’s so anal about merits yet another scathing comment from him. And after yesterday’s nightmare, I’m running on fumes.<br /> My only saving grace is that he has a gala tonight, so he’s scheduled to leave the office at 5:00 P.M. sharp. I’m counting down the last ten seconds until the clock strikes five like I’m a Times Square partier on New Year’s Eve.<br /> “Seven… Six… Five… Four… Three… Two… One…”<br /> Ping. Another text. I moan and look down to see the devil’s name pop up on my phone.<br /> RUSLAN: My office. Now.<br /> Goddammit. I was so close.<br /> Sighing, I get up and slink inside.<br /> “Shut the door,” he orders. It’s dark in here. The curtains are sealed tight and the temperature is Arctic. He’s a mass of shadows behind his desk, huge and fragrant. The only thing I can see is the sharp light of his amber eyes.<br /> “Sit.” A shadowy hand points at the chair across from his desk.<br /> I perch at the edge of the seat in question. My nerves are buzzing and frayed. I’m so, so tired. But I can’t show him that. Matter of fact, I refuse to show him that.<br /> I won’t give the smug prick the satisfaction of thinking he’s outlasted me.<br /> “I asked you yesterday if I had your full attention,” he begins. “I’m not so sure I do. So let me say this: if your priorities lie anywhere other than this company, then I will find a new assistant. I’m not a nice man, Ms. Carson. So believe me when I tell you that this is not the kind of place where you get three strikes before something bad happens. You mess up once—you’re gone. Am I making myself clear?”<br /> I swallow. “Yes, sir.”<br /> He nods. “Good. Be here on time tomorrow. Dress like you intend to keep your job. Now, if you’ll excuse me… there’s the door.”<br /> He looks down at his phone and poof, it’s like I don’t exist anymore.<br /> But I. Am. Pissed.<br /> He doesn’t know what I’m going through. He doesn’t know Ben is snoring and farting in my living room, or that three little kids are waiting on me to pick them up from after-school care. He doesn’t know that I buried my sister or that I’m barely keeping my head above water. He doesn’t know anything.<br /> “No.” I blurt it before I can think better of it. “No. No. I’m not some little worm under your shoe, Mr. Oryolov. I’m a—I mean, screw you, I’m a person! I have a life and hobbies and people who depend on me. I’m real! So I’d appreciate it very much if you’d pull your smug head out of your smug prick and treat me with some respect for once.”<br /> Ruslan blinks.<br /> Blinks.<br /> Blinks.<br /> “Is there something else, Ms. Carson?”<br /> That’s when I realize that my whole little tirade took place entirely in my head. It wasn’t real. All imagined. Just a pleasant little detour to a fantasy land where I give him my two cents and then some.<br /> I swallow past the nasty taste in my throat and stand. “No, sir,” I say quietly. “Nothing at all.”<br /> -<br /> I ended the call with my best friend, Phoebe.<br /> Then a face pops up on the black screen of my mind’s eye.<br /> It’s Ruslan because, like I told Pheebs, he haunts me even when I’m off the clock. He’s smiling that smile she described. That come-to-bed-and-let-me-show-you-what-I-can-do-to-you smile. The camera of my imagination pulls back and floats down.<br /> Imaginary Ruslan is wearing an ivory white button-down shirt with the top two buttons undone. Enough to see a dusting of dark chest hair and the edge of a tattoo I can’t quite make out. He flexes his forearms in front of him. Those knuckles crack, louder than I expected, and I let out a surprised little gasp.<br /> I like when you make that noise, he croons. Shall I see if I can make you do it again?<br /> I’m nodding before I’m even realizing what I’m doing. “Make me moan,” I plead.<br /> I’m also touching the inside of my knee before I realize what I’m doing. But it’s not my hands that are doing it—or at least, it doesn’t feel like it’s my hands. It’s Ruslan’s hands, huge and powerful, palming my thigh and drifting up under the edge of my pencil skirt.<br /> You’ve been a naughty assistant, he growls, breath minty in my face where it mingles with the woodsy spice of his cologne. There’s a faint laugh on the edge of his voice, like he knows that this whole thing is crazy but he’s just going with it because it’s hotter than it is ridiculous. You’ve been so very, very bad. Step into my office and shut the door.<br /> The rest of the world disappears like I just followed his orders. Gone is my messy apartment and the lingering smell of burrito cheese. Ruslan is all I smell now.<br /> That cologne.<br /> That breath.<br /> Beneath it, that musk that sets my nerve endings on fire.<br /> “Are you going to punish me, Ruslan?” I whisper.<br /> I’m on the literal edge of my seat, grinding and bucking against my fingers. Imaginary Ruslan has me eating out of the palm of his hand. I’d do anything for him. Say anything. Be anything.<br /> Imaginary Ruslan is every bit the cruel prick that real Ruslan is. He said he’d keep my orgasms to himself, but I feel like I stole this one from him. The euphoria of it rips through me in one endless lightning bolt after the next, until finally, what feels like an hour later, I come back to something like normal consciousness with drool on my lips and my fingers wet and sticky with my own desire.<br /> I stand on legs that are just as shaky as he said they’d be. My throat hurts from moaning and I’m sore as all get-out. As I stand, my phone clatters to the floor.<br /> I reach down to pick it up—<br /> And freeze in horror.<br /> Ruslan’s name is lighting up my screen.<br /> And the call is active.<br /> The reality of what is happening clicks in my gut immediately, but it takes a few delayed moments before my head comes to terms with it.<br /> For seven minutes and thirty-two seconds, I’ve been on a call with Ruslan Oryolov.<br /> For seven minutes and thirty-two seconds, I’ve been masturbating to the absolute filthiest fantasy I’ve ever had, starring Ruslan Oryolov.<br /> For seven minutes and thirty-two seconds, my phone has been recording every last moan and gasp and breath and twitch I made while I begged for his mercy and pleaded for him to make me come.<br /> Did Ruslan hear the whole thing?<br /> -<br /> “It’s over. My life as I know it is over. R.I.P. to me.”<br /> “I’m sorry, who is this?”<br /> “Pheebs!”<br /> She chuckles while I stare at my reflection in the mirror and try not to throw up. My phone is lying on the bathroom counter on speakerphone, mostly because my palms have been sweating since I saw the meeting invite in my calendar for today.<br /> 9:00 A.M. – 09:07:32 A.M.: Emma Carson 1-on-1 with Ruslan Oryolov.<br /> “Sorry. Couldn’t resist. Anyway, rewind, take a deep breath, then tell me what’s going on in your big girl voice. Unburden yourself. Take all the time you need. Just make it quick because I have a 9 o’clock appointment.”<br /> I’m bouncing on the balls of my feet now, the same way that Reagan does when she needs to pee really bad. “Yeah, so do I. With him.”<br /> “Ah. Oh, wait—oh.”<br /> I first called Phoebe last night right after realizing what I’d done. Her reaction was a dizzying mixture of pride and horror. I believe her exact words were, “Sure, it’s mortifying, but I’m glad you got your rocks off. Knew you had it in you.”<br /> She’s a little more reassuring now that things are escalating out of control. “That doesn’t necessarily mean he heard the voicemail, Em. Maybe this is just a standard, no-big-deal, super-boring-business-stuff Thursday morning meeting.”<br /> “It’s scheduled for seven minutes and thirty-two seconds. Precisely.”<br /> “Hm.” There’s a beat of silence. “Doesn’t look good, does it?”<br /> “Seriously? That’s all you’ve got for me? I’m gonna lose my job, Phoebe!”<br /> “You don’t know that for sure. Just take a deep breath and go in there, see what he wants. Play it cool, y’know?”<br /> “And what if what he wants is to kick my arse to the curb with a recommendation letter that claims I’m a dirty bimbo?”<br /> “I mean, there’s probably a market for that.” I moan as Phoebe’s laughter fades into a serious tone. “Listen, boo: whatever happens, you’re a strong, smart, confident woman and you’re gonna land on your feet. And until you do, I’ve got your back.”<br /> Her words mean everything to me, but I know that Phoebe doesn’t have much margin for error in her life, either. She struggles just as hard as I do. If she is able to help, it still wouldn’t put a dent in all the bills and loans looming over me.<br /> “Thanks for the pep talk. I’ve gotta go to my doom now.”<br /> “Keep your pecker up!”<br /> I blink. “Huh?”<br /> “Oklahoma talk. It means, like, ‘break a leg,’ but for Midwesterners.”<br /> If I weren’t worried about losing my job and ending up homeless on the street with three kids, I’d laugh. Instead, I say one more miserable goodbye, then spend a solid three minutes dry-heaving into one of the empty bathroom stalls.<br /> Once I’ve sufficiently bruised my stomach lining, I slink out of the bathroom and waste the remaining two minutes before the meeting standing outside of Ruslan’s door, watching the clock steal my life away one second at a time.<br /> “You okay, Emma?” asks Katie Miller, another of the executive assistants on this floor, as she passes by.<br /> “Dandy,” I mumble. “Just waiting for the noose.”<br /> “What was that?”<br /> “Nothing. I like your earrings. Have a good day.”<br /> She raises her brow a smidge. I’m not usually so dismissive, but I can’t concentrate on small talk right now. Not when I’m T-minus thirty seconds away from the end of my career.<br /> Dear God, I know I don’t pray to you often. Or, well, ever. But please help me out today and I’ll definitely consider starting on a more semi-regular basis.<br /> Great. Now, I’m bargaining with God. New low, Emma. New low.<br /> I take a deep breath and walk into his office. The shades are tight, snuffing out all the light of the Manhattan morning beyond. It’s like a bear cave in here—and the grizzly in question is sitting at his desk, scrolling through his phone. He doesn’t acknowledge me until I’m standing in front of his desk.<br /> “Sit.”<br /> The moment my rear end is parked, he puts his phone down and looks at me. Just looks at me.<br /> In the eighteen months that I’ve worked for him, he’s never once given me the benefit of his full attention. Even during our morning meetings, he’s either on his phone, flipping through files, or typing away on his laptop. I used to be annoyed about it. I’m only now realizing I should have been grateful.<br /> Should I say something?<br /> Maybe he wants me to break the silence. Maybe I’m supposed to give him an explanation, an apology, something. But the more the silence stretches on, the less I’m capable of breaking it.<br /> I decide once again that those amber eyes of his should be outlawed.<br /> “I heard the voicemail,” he says at last.<br /> I can’t place his tone. Amusement? Anger? Disbelief?<br /> “Do you have anything to say, Ms. Carson?”<br /> I launch into the apology I spent most of last night practicing in the mirror. “I can’t tell you how sorry I am, Mr. Oryolov. I have no idea what I was thinking. The whole thing was an accident; I didn’t realize I’d dialed you. I was so tired and out of it and… I can assure you that it will never happen again. I swear.”<br /> My cheeks are flushed with embarrassment, but I try to keep my voice steady. I can’t sound too desperate, although that’s exactly what I am.<br /> “Tell me, Ms. Carson: what would you do in my place?”<br /> “I would give the plucky, hard-working assistant another chance, maybe?” It’s a long shot, but I figure, what the heck? I just wish I’d asked it without my voice rising to an Alvin and the Chipmunks pipsqueak at the end.<br /> His mouth twitches with the promise of a smile, but it’s gone as quick as it came. “I know what you sound like when you climax, Emma. Is that the soundtrack you want running through all our interactions from now on?”<br /> Flushing the brightest of reds, I shake my head. “If we could maybe just forget this whole thing—”<br /> “The way I see it, there are only two options here.”<br /> I hold my breath.<br /> “One, I fire you.”<br /> There it is. I knew it. I’m done for. I’m going to need to call the welfare office and see what—<br /> “Or two… I give you exactly what you want.”<br /> I almost choke on my own saliva. What little is left in my gaping mouth. “W-what?”<br /> Silently, Ruslan offers me the blue folder lying in front of him. I pick it up with shaky hands and open the cover. It takes me a few long moments to figure out what on earth I’m looking at.<br /> A… contract?<br /> I read through the first page, feeling a strange sensation bubble up in my chest.Then, since I’m clearly misunderstanding something, I read through the first page again. And again. And again.<br /> Only then do I look up. “Is this a joke?”<br /> He doesn’t blink. “I never joke.”<br /> “It’s just that, it seems like, from what I read, um—”<br /> “I will offer you money and security in exchange for live encores of the little performance you sent me last night. In addition to meeting my other needs.”<br /> “And by ‘needs,’ you mean…intercourse?”<br /> He tilts his chin down and regards me solemnly. “How explicit would you like me to be, Ms. Carson?”<br /> What.<br /> “So this—” I raise the blue folder in my hand. “—is a sugar daddy contract?”<br /> His brow furrows. “I’d prefer to call it a ‘Friend With Benefits’ contract.”<br /> “But we’re not friends.”<br /> He smirks. “Fair enough. No, we’re not.”<br /> There’s a throbbing in my head that reminds me of the first time I got drunk. Sienna and I had snuck into Dad’s study the eve of my sixteenth birthday and stolen a 1984 Chateau Latour. We passed it back and forth, taking turns sipping from the bottle like it was cheap bagged drink until the whole thing was gone.<br /> For a moment, I think about what Sienna would say if she were here. Would she be outraged or intrigued? Would she slap the smug prick and storm out?<br /> Or would she grin and say, Double the price and I’m in.<br /> What would you do, Si?<br /> And then it hits me, a bolt of lightning straight to the chest, almost like she’s speaking to me herself. I miss her so much, it hurts. But she left little bits of herself behind, in all three of her children. The same kids I’m working off to protect.<br /> That right there is the answer.<br /> Sienna would have done whatever was best for her children.<br /> So I don’t slap him. I don’t storm out. I sit there and stare at my arrogant, prick boss who always gets exactly what he wants.<br /> And what he wants… is me.<br /> I meet Ruslan’s steely gaze. “What happens if I say no?”	LEARN_MORE	https://a.mobobooks.com/ad/TW9ib29rcy8xNDkyMTcvMjA	159425727259379	Mob002	https://facebook.com/61553462169358	48	1	1,835,007,170,258,846	2024-04-14 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	0	Learn more	Mob002	120208762744600676	a.mobobooks.com	NONE	video		https://a.mobobooks.com/ad/TW9ib29rcy8xNDkyMTcvMjAyNDA0MTEyMTQ4MTIvcGFnZQ==?adid={{ad.id}}	2024-04-11 09:36	https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/423715425_1069460570815795_7413321162867981490_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=REZi4uWj6coAb5Ix7Nf&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCIPZUGyxouRUMHvBdGZ06-pC7mUDUNLZHfYZvJyEIkdg&oe=66220ED0	person_profile	0	Mob002	https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435668807_7729702670381422_7627429505250629801_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0hH0cevx1ZMAb64WOV8&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDJKjWITXQXlQX8u8eMuw3d5qkPkDjkoNEVzuwMKhWZkQ&oe=6621F6DC	3	Mob002	2024-04-13 02:00	View Edit Delete

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