Confucius Ads Library: Ads

Id	Vlad	Saved	Scrape Time	Status	Scrape Result	Adarchiveid	Title	Body	Cta Type	Link Url	Pageid	Page Name	Page Profile Uri	Page Like Count	Collationcount	Collationid	Enddate	Entitytype	Gatedtype	Hidedatastatus	Isaaaeligible	Isactive	Cta Text	Pagename	Ad Creative	Caption	Effective Authorization Category	Display Format	Link Url	Creation Time	Page Profile Picture Url	Page Entity Type	Instagram Actor Name	Instagram Profile Pic Url	Version	Current Page Name	Startdate	Actions
1,209,258	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1209242}'	Yes	2024-04-14 13:48	active	515	3709125245991841	How I Stopped Foot Pain From Controlling My Life...	Ever tried to pick up a cup of coffee and felt like you were grappling with a cactus? That was my morning routine - battling the intense tingling and numbness in my hands that turned every small task into a monumental challenge.<br /> <br /> But rewind a few months, and every step was torture. My feet? Constant pins and needles. My hands? It felt like they were on fire. Doctors handed me prescriptions that did nothing but make me groggy and frustrated. I was trapped in my own body, a prisoner of neuropathy.<br /> <br /> It got to the point where I'd dread evenings the most. The pain seemed to flare up right when I tried to relax. Just sitting down to dinner, I'd feel the burning start, and I knew it would be another long, sleepless night.<br /> <br /> Then, everything changed. My sister, bless her, sent me a link late one night. She had stumbled upon a video online, claiming a simple 5-second morning ritual could tackle the root cause of nerve pain. Skeptical? You bet I was. But desperate too.<br /> <br /> I watched that video, hanging on every word. It talked about something called "nerve plaque" and how this quick routine could clear it up—no meds, just a simple, natural method. I was ready to try anything.<br /> <br /> So, I started the next morning. It felt silly at first, doing this tiny ritual in my kitchen. But by the third day, something shifted. The burning eased. The pins and needles weren’t as sharp. I could sit through a movie without squirming in discomfort.<br /> <br /> Now, three months later, I'm not just walking… I'm hiking. I'm gardening. I'm living. If you're sick of the pain, tired of the numbness, and done with feeling helpless, you need to see this. Trust me, it's worth those few seconds every morning.<br /> <br /> Tap below to discover the 5-second ritual that gave me back my life!	WATCH_MORE	https://lp.myfantasticvibes.club/66192a71d92032000	101566326202697	Tresa A. Lawlor	https://facebook.com/100089983283846	960	0	3,245,019,752,473,223	2024-04-14 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	Watch more	Tresa A. Lawlor	120207495669120371	myfantasticvibes.club	NONE	video	https://lp.myfantasticvibes.club/66192a71d9203200018e5531?sub1={{ad.id}}&sub2={{adset.id}}&sub3={{campaign.id}}&sub4={{ad.name}}&sub5={{adset.name}}&sub6={{campaign.name}}&sub7={{placement}}&sub8={{site_source_name}}&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=paid	2024-04-13 11:46	https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/437803527_790571659314586_3614717628367922300_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KwmDdQFXIpQAb5cAnwK&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAk7BWs2emDBAskGx1LqzcETyiVUEnY3nU5BVFuyekXwQ&oe=6621F72E	person_profile	Tresa A. Lawlor	https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/437708099_783058026771586_296687357348868391_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fJrQosIK99AAb7uKMt0&_nc_oc=AdjEozPsJX0Lc6Oi4XicXeSVDYNJDyW-XIvPQCU5yySkGHQxLwA_xHRaqRtV101q0sSBIhzGQM7uoF4j0I7ffuXU&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfA4P2Js_jpAGSaIhZR5ZX9UN98ALNT-2-8VFVgZpe2Kog&oe=6621E843	3	Tresa A. Lawlor	2024-04-14 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,209,275	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1209301}'	Yes	2024-04-14 13:48	active	515	337371772253694	🔥🔥 Click to Read 👉🏻👉🏻	“Tony, I don’t want to be your wife.”<br /> “You pick an odd time to complain.”<br /> “I assumed you’d back out.” I lifted my chin, whispering with desperate firmness. "And you’re not my first choice either.”<br /> “No doubt, but nothing you say will stop this wedding.” His deep-timbred voice rose somewhat. “Are we clear?”<br /> ————————<br /> Evie<br /> I’m grateful that my fiancé has good hygiene.<br /> <br /> I’m grateful that my fiancé is tall.<br /> I’m grateful that my fiancé is handsome.<br /> The ink bled through the paper as I wracked my brain for a fourth virtue for my gratitude journal. Every day, I wrote five things for which I was grateful. The simple reason for this was that when the darkness inside me lightened so did the world outside.<br /> Not today.<br /> No amount of pretty thinking made this situation better because I was giving up on love. I’d said my goodbyes to the man I’d never meet or marry, the romance we wouldn’t share, the butterflies that’d never flutter, the passion that’d never ignite, and the children we’d never have.<br /> What I liked about my fiancé, Tony Costa, was vanishingly small and mostly superficial. There wasn’t a single-quality about his character that I admired.<br /> My soon-to-be husband did not inspire people.<br /> He put the fear of God into them.<br /> The hotel suite’s door opened, admitting an older guy with an easygoing vibe. I liked his smile. It was warm without being too friendly.<br /> “This came for you, Miss Craine. Tony sent it.” He appeared at my elbow, sliding a tall glass filled with a golden liquid into my hands. “Prosecco from Italy.”<br /> How thoughtful.<br /> I had no clue about wines. The club gravitated toward beverage and whiskey, and anything more than twenty dollars was considered a waste.<br /> My throat pounded as I swiped the drink. I tipped it into my mouth, the bubbles snapping my tongue. I drank, unimpressed by the warmth fluttering my chest. It lacked the punch of straight beverage, my go-to this week when reality got too close for comfort.<br /> “He’ll be along shortly to check on you.”<br /> “Great.”<br /> Christian stood behind me, brows furrowed. Perhaps the tone in my voice concerned him. “You have nothing to worry about, hon. Tony’s a standup guy.”<br /> “Really?” I murmured, playing with my new phone. “Is that why he’s forcing me to marry him?”<br /> “He’s not as bad as you think.”<br /> “Again, not very comforting.”<br /> Christian grabbed the empty flute. He studied the glass, a deep frown wrinkling his brow. His sympathy was wasted on me. I didn’t trust Christian.<br /> I didn’t trust any of them.<br /> A combination of emotional blackmail and threats had forced me to accept Tony’s proposal. Dad stole my life’s work and would’ve sold it for a pittance if I hadn’t said yes, which was how I ended up in front of a vanity wearing couture. A designer bag sat in my lap, the pillowed leather gliding over me like silk. The finest accessory I owned, apart from my jewelry. The pre-wedding gift held my phone programmed with one contact:<br /> T<br /> <br /> My thumb traced his number.<br /> I hadn’t worked up the nerve to call him. I’d treated the last week as a vacation, relishing the pampering I never could’ve afforded on my own. My future husband’s people had extensively prepped me. They’d waxed every inch of me. They’d thrust my hands into hot baths and trimmed my cuticles. They’d conditioned my hair, exfoliated my skin, and painted my nails.<br /> I’m grateful my fiancé takes care of me.<br /> He’d spared no expense to make me his possession. My engagement ring was a gaudy diamond solitaire on a platinum setting. I’d studied it with my jeweler’s loupe and appraised it at ninety thousand dollars. I hated the thing. It looked ridiculous on my petite hand, but Tony hadn’t asked for feedback. He hadn’t even proposed. His bodyguard had awkwardly shoved the velvet box in my direction.<br /> Tony seemed to be all about status, like all wealthy egomaniacs. The ring, the Vera Wang dress, and the spa treatments belonged to someone else, a trophy wife, not me. I still clipped coupons. I lived in a mobile home and probably couldn’t name half the designers in his closet.<br /> Why did he want me?<br /> Christian’s pocket buzzed. He answered his phone, murmuring in Italian. He always switched to the language when Tony called. He wheeled toward the door, closing his cell.<br /> I clenched my jaw tighter.<br /> The door opened to Tony’s powerful, Viking-like frame. His broad shoulders strained his suit. Normally, his hair was as untamed as the rest of him, but for the wedding he’d slicked it back. Salt and pepper marked his ebony mane. Everything about him was bold, the deep tan, the boyish lips built for sin. The media had dubbed him Mob Prince for a reason.<br /> Tall, dark, and handsome didn’t begin to describe his level of gorgeous.<br /> Heat stole into my face as my gaze raked over his devastating appeal. I drank in the lazy seduction of his big eyes, the cutting jawline. He was in his late thirties, and it showed in how he carried himself. He stood as though steel made his spine. A short mustache and beard clung to his upper lip and jaw. Dark wisps peeked from the V neck of his shirt.<br /> Hot. Very masculine.<br /> It was like he’d just left a vacation in the Amazon. I’d lived in Boston my whole life, and I’d never seen anyone like Tony.<br /> “Looking good, T.” Christian slapped his back, exploding with enthusiasm. “Ready to get married?”<br /> A cloud settled over Tony’s features. “I need a moment alone with my bride.”<br /> “Of course, buddy.”<br /> Tony glowered at Christian until the door swung behind him. Then his lightning rod stare landed on me.<br /> I fisted my clutch.<br /> It was very strange. He glared at me as though I’d condemned him to nightmare. As he crossed the room, my muscles tensed.<br /> He held out his hand.<br /> I took it, and a jolt passed from his skin to mine.<br /> My body stiffened as he boldly assessed me, his gaze traveling down my face, neck, and breasts.<br /> “I’m Tony Costa, and you belong to me now.” He beckoned me with a wave—a gesture for servants, not his fiancée. “Let’s see the rest of you.”<br /> I stayed put. “Tony, I don’t want to be your wife.”<br /> “You pick an odd time to complain.”<br /> “I assumed you’d back out.” I lifted my chin, whispering with desperate firmness. “I’ve tried to meet you for days. You weren’t at the negotiation meetings. You didn’t come to the engagement supper.”<br /> “I’m not a fan of chaperoned visits. My number is on your phone.”<br /> “I only got it recently.”<br /> His flat gaze held me still. “And?”<br /> “Why do you want this?”<br /> “I don’t,” he said, stunning me. “I rank marrying into your family slightly higher than blowing out my brains, which is the only reason I’m here.”<br /> My chest tightened. “You’re not my first choice either.”<br /> “No doubt, but nothing you say will stop this wedding.” His deep-timbred voice rose somewhat. “Are we clear?”<br /> “Not one bit.”<br /> My mind reeled. If he didn’t want to marry me, why were we doing this?<br /> He squinted at me. “You are of age, right?”<br /> I frowned. “I’m twenty-two.”<br /> Relief smoothed his brows.<br /> Weird.<br /> He acted like he loathed me and had no idea of my age. I’d spent hours researching him. I’d read op-eds and articles. I’d scoured the comment sections for insight.<br /> Tony literally didn’t know me.<br /> “Didn’t you ask questions about me?”<br /> He shook his head. “I didn’t care about the details, considering you were all the same. They lined up photos of women and told me to pick. Yours happened to be the one that made my shaft hard.”<br /> I stared at him, tongue-tied and frozen.<br /> Tony brushed lint off his jacket. “Were you expecting something romantic?”<br /> My face heated at his mocking drawl. “I had my blood drawn for fertility tests.”<br /> “So?”<br /> A flicker of adrenaline surged through me. “You could’ve asked me. I would’ve told you to go with someone else.”<br /> His mouth twisted into a cruel slant. “Should I have picked from the club sluts with more STDs between them than Paris Hilton? I chose you, the virgin, knowing at least I wouldn’t get the clap.”<br /> This man couldn’t be serious.<br /> “You’re lucky you got a choice,” I snarled, abandoning all attempts at civility. “I’m stuck with Public Enemy Number One for my old man.”<br /> “Don’t call me that,” he growled, the loudness piercing my ears. “I’m not one of you, thank God. Once you have my name, you’ll drop the biker nonsense. I won’t have it in my house or anywhere around me.”<br /> That settled it.<br /> I’d stab my husband before the night ended.<br /> “I’ll wear ripped jeans and leather to all your family barbecues. And guess what’s going on the wall? A giant Harley-Davidson poster.”<br /> Tony’s dark eyes sparkled with the love of a challenge. “I’ll gag you with your panties. Force you to taste your private part for hours. I’ll drag you over my lap and do things. Maybe in front of an audience.”<br /> An unwelcome flush burned my cheeks.<br /> He lightly fingered my chin, and the air vanished from my lungs. “You have no idea what I’m capable of.”<br /> No, I don’t.<br /> My heart hammered.<br /> “And you don’t know it yet, but you chose the wrong girl.”<br /> <br /> ---------<br /> Evie<br /> I’m grateful so many people support our marriage.<br /> <br /> Mom warned me.<br /> Dating in the MC was not for romantics who planned their wedding in the first two weeks of a new relationship. She said I couldn’t handle the club girls, the cheating, and the heartbreak. Now I’d never know if she was right.<br /> Because Dad was forcing me to marry him.<br /> Tony stood at the altar, wearing an expression more appropriate for being stuck at the DMV, not celebrating his marriage. Nobody wanted to be here, least of all my fiancé. He glowered like I was the bug crawling up his hip.<br /> A tense silence enveloped us as the march’s last notes faded, the droning of the priest not enough to slice the tension. My gaze wandered to my leather-clad father in the front row, a grim set to his jaw. Behind him, rows of people shifted in their seats. Sympathy marked the women’s faces, but the men mirrored Tony’s put-upon boredom.<br /> My spirits sank even lower.<br /> I curled my hands into fists and shut them out. A woman’s wild sobbing broke the quiet, and I gaped at Tony’s side. His mother cried into a tissue.<br /> I bristled.<br /> Why was she crying? I was the wronged party in this situation. Her murdering son would be my husband, and he’d made it clear that he planned to use me like a blow-up doll.<br /> Tony shot me a twisted smile full of lethal calm. Before long, his “I do” echoed as though he stood in a tomb. Then the priest turned toward me.<br /> “And do you, Evie, take Anthony to be your husband?”<br /> Grief tore at my heart, but my father’s threats rang in my ears. I swallowed the ache in my throat.<br /> “I do.”<br /> Tony’s surly best man handed him the rings. My family’s oldest enemy took my hand in his big, calloused one. Shock slammed into my ribs as he slid another ring I hated onto my finger. His resentment drilled holes into my skull.<br /> “I now pronounce you man and wife,” said the distant voice of the priest. “You may peck the bride.”<br /> Our vulnerable gazes clashed.<br /> Hatred blazed in those tawny brown pools. They had a burning, faraway look, like he couldn’t bear to share the same space. His arm banded my waist, pulling me roughly to him. He cradled my head. We stared at each other as though across an unfathomable distance.<br /> Married, but still strangers.<br /> I anchored my hands on his shoulders, my stomach twisting as our bodies pressed close. I tipped my head up to peck my husband, stowing my rage for later. Then his lips caught mine, and my senses leaped to life. His peck was punishing and angry, sending spirals of heat through me. His stubble raked my skin. He was a flame eating the oxygen in the air, devouring my sustenance.<br /> Scattered applause cleaved through my brain.<br /> Tony pulled away, stone-faced.<br /> I swayed, fingers digging into his jacket. At the base of my throat, my pulse beat and swelled. My lips tingled.<br /> I wanted more. Tony was zoned out—and bored.<br /> A fierce sting bit my cheeks.<br /> That was it.<br /> I officially belonged to a monster.<br /> <br /> * * *<br /> <br /> Dad had spenta lifetime warning me against men like Tony. Despite that, he’d permitted Tony to make my life bad forever. His only daughter, fed to Tony like a sacrificial lamb.<br /> The betrayal sawed into my chest.<br /> After an hour of photos, we drove to our reception at a waterfront museum. A giant wall of glass overlooked the harbor, winking with a sea of yellow lights as the dark water reflected a cloudless sky. Seafood rested on ice, but I’d yet to go anywhere near the buffet. I had a mild allergy to shellfish, but nobody thought to ask for my preferences. His mother had planned everything.<br /> Tony sat at our sweetheart table, brooding. He’d skipped the five-course dinner, glowering when guests approached us.<br /> I grabbed a flute of champagne and offered it to him, but Tony waved off my peace offering.<br /> “I don’t drink.”<br /> “Not even at your wedding?”<br /> He shot me a black look but didn’t elaborate. Then his gaze dropped to his ring.<br /> I glared at him. “Strong and silent, huh? Are you that way because you’re too proud? Or are you not bright enough to string together words that aren’t insults?”<br /> “I think we’ve had enough of each other.”<br /> “Well, I have a lot to discuss, even if you’d rather sit there and pout.”<br /> “This is the most backwards day in my life. I have the right to be pissed off.” His eyes echoed the smolder in his voice. “So do you. You’re paying for sins that aren’t yours. I enjoy tormenting my enemies, but this is cruel, even by my standards. And believe me, honey, I’ve seen some crud.”<br /> I didn’t doubt him.<br /> I’d heard all kinds of rumors, but separating fact from fiction required research. Since my father refused to tell me anything at all, what I’d read painted a billionaire playboy’s fall from grace and his comeback as a “human rights” activist. Hard to accept that candy-coated spin when it was rumored he gave out cash for dead bikers.<br /> I refilled the champagne and drank, hoping to dissolve the knot in my throat. I could deal with being his wife, but icy fingers seeped into my flesh at what was expected of me. The prenup had a list of requirements:<br /> sleep once a week, the lowest minimum.<br /> We were to start a family. If I didn’t conceive in a year, Tony could file for divorce, and I would get nothing. Since my fertility was already established, Tony would also be penalized if he failed to make an heir. Most of his estate would be signed over to his cousin, including property, stocks, and overseas bank accounts. A pregnancy within six months would grant me a bonus.<br /> Any violation of the prenup would result in our marriage’s immediate termination, and my assets would be split down the middle.<br /> My business would never recover. Not to mention, I’d have to repay every cent toward it. I could be in debt to Costa forever, but he could lose half his harvest worth and still be a rich man.<br /> “Dream a Little Dream”by Pink Martinipulsed from speakers, the jaunty romantic tune stabbing my brain like a pitchfork.<br /> “I guess we should dance.” Tony sounded like he’d rather drown, but he grabbed my arm and pulled me upright. His touch splayed over my exposed back, flooding my skin with heat.<br /> “I’m not a good dancer.I have absolutely no rhythm.” I took his shoulder, my skin flushing. “You’ll be embarrassed when I stumble over your shoes.”<br /> Tony’s jaw clenched, but he nodded. Then he cradled me in a tight embrace, his chin hooking my shoulder. His warmth enveloped me in a musky vanilla scent. His arms banded my waist, pinning me to a wall of muscle. A current ran through me as we slowly revolved on the spot. It would’ve been sweet if not for the poison falling from his lips.<br /> “They would give me an uncoordinated girl.”<br /> I dug into him. “I have many talents. Dancing just isn’t one of them.”<br /> “Like?”<br /> “Jewelry design.”<br /> “Jewelry design. Plastic beads, that sort of thing?” His voice boomed through my stomach. “Do you have an Etsy? Do you go to makeup parties to sell your handmade bracelets? How adorable.”<br /> I rolled my eyes at his stupid assumptions and pictured his reaction when I moved in with a fully stocked jeweler’s studio, which included a blowtorch.<br /> “And what have you done with your life, except spend Daddy’s money?”<br /> He leaned in, his whisper brushing my ear. “Lately, I’m all about activism. Cleaning up the city.”<br /> Killing bikers. Right.<br /> “You should take a hard look at yourself.”<br /> “I know what I am.”<br /> A monster.<br /> “I don’t have the luxury of waging crusades.” That was putting it lightly. “I have bills. Endless bills.”<br /> “Which I’m inheriting, no doubt.”<br /> I hadn’t planned on milking him, but why not? “I have bigger dreams than being your wife.”<br /> Something that resembled a smile touched his brutally handsome face. “You could open your legs for me regularly. You might have a quarter of a million dollars, if you’re lucky.”<br /> “Not sure I’d call carrying your baby luck.”<br /> “If not for me, where would you be?” His brows narrowed. “Living a mediocre life with one of them, popping out three kids, only to be stuck alone when he gets jailed for dope trafficking.”<br /> A furnace blazed up my neck, claiming my ears. “At least I wouldn’t be married to a psychopath. And I’d be able to work in peace.”<br /> “Well, that won’t be necessary anymore.”<br /> “I am not quitting,” I ground out. “It’s not just my passion. It pays the bills.”<br /> “You need me to pay them, so how successful can you be?”<br /> The barbed insult sank deep, striking behind my ribs. I inhaled sharply, fighting to breathe around the wound he’d caused.<br /> I ripped away.<br /> I needed a moment before I shattered the champagne glass fountain or threw him over the balcony. Unbearable heat flushed my arms. I crossed the glitzy reception hall to the wall of bearded men wearing leather cuts. A handsome prospect with chestnut brown hair waved.<br /> Ghost.<br /> A flash of loneliness stabbed my heart. I headed toward him, but a hand on my wrist stopped me. Glowering, I faced my husband.<br /> “What?”<br /> Tony’s grip slid down my arm and tightened.<br /> “My wife is not associated with bikers. Especially with the boy that’s been eyes stare at you all night.” An ugly suspicion darkened his voice. “Yes, I notice everything that concerns me or mine.”<br /> This was a bridge too far.<br /> “I’m part of that world. You can’t pry it out of me!”<br /> “I can and will.”<br /> I wrenched hard, but his hold was iron. “Let me go.”<br /> “I will not have him around you, Evie.” His tawny eyes blazed, daring me to challenge him. “I don’t hurt anyone without reason, but if I find out you’re still friends, I’ll send you his hands in a box. Do yourself a favor and behave.”<br /> The threat plunged me into ice.<br /> “You’re every bit as horrible as they say. You’re a sick blighter.”<br /> <br /> ----------<br /> Evie<br /> I’m grateful that my husband doesn’t mince words.<br /> <br /> I’d married the monster.<br /> Soon I’d have to sleep with him.<br /> It was a splinter in my mind, driving me mad.<br /> Until now, the activity at the reception had swept it from my head. There’d been enough to occupy me with the forced wedding, the endless receiving line, and my husband’s strange hostility. Getting in the mood would be impossible, even if he hadn’t threatened to dismember someone.<br /> Tony was certifiable, more jaded than a former convict. He stood on the harbor, his sharp silhouette illuminated by yellow lights. Apparently, he preferred standing outside in the miserable weather than talking to me.<br /> What was wrong with him?<br /> And didn’t he eat?<br /> My vision tunneled as I finished my Aperol spritz, a cocktail I’d never tried before. There was so much I hadn’t experienced because I’d grown up in a clubhouse, and I loved the way the orange syrup cradled the bottom of the glass, the citrus tang, how the sparkling vino teased my tongue before sweetness rolled in. The drink went down easy, so I’d had four.<br /> A blurry outline swam into focus.<br /> I ignored the bold frame. My mouth was papery, dry and dusty. I gulped the melted ice. The heavy presence lingered, heating the space between us like smoking coal.<br /> What did he want?<br /> I gave his immaculate suit serious side-eye.<br /> Tony didn’t take the hint. He leaned into my chair. Then a jacketed arm swung forward. He pried the cup from me and set it aside. He had beautiful hands—tapered, tanned, neat cuticles, with tattoos crawling from his sleeve. Small nicks and scrapes marked his knuckles, but I could’ve used him as a model for my watch.<br /> “You’ve had enough. No more.”<br /> Drinking wasn’t making it better, but his cold disapproval whipped me in a fury.<br /> “If I’m spending the night with my cheek stuck to the bathroom floor, that’s my problem.” I raised my head, glaring at him. “Not yours.”<br /> “By all means, make a fool of yourself. Peeling you off the ground would be the perfect ending to this wedding.”<br /> “You realize you’re the reason I’m drinking, right?”<br /> I thought he’d leave. Instead he slid into the seat beside mine.<br /> “You’re in for a rough eight hours unless you eat.” He turned, addressing the bodyguard. “How many has she had?”<br /> Christian squinted. “Five?”<br /> “Get her some water.” He grabbed my empty glass and handed it to the man. “And a plate of food. Something heavy with meat. Don’t skimp on the starch. She needs it to absorb all the cocktails.”<br /> A thin chill clung to Tony’s words.<br /> Christian raked his hair. “It’s a wedding.”<br /> “You trying to give my bride spirits poisoning?”<br /> My cheeks warmed. “Tony, I’m fine.”<br /> “Sorry, T.”<br /> “Don’t let it happen again.” He gripped my arm. Then he leaned in, his body heat burning through his suit.<br /> The aggression didn’t scare me, but the hand weighing me knotted my insides.<br /> “I’m not that drunk.”<br /> “You’re a lightweight, Evie.” Sparks in my chest erupted at my name rolling off his tongue. “Evie. Is that French?”<br /> “No idea. Mom probably heard it on TV.”<br /> “Where is she?”<br /> I shrugged, ignoring the ache. “Living her best life somewhere else.”<br /> “What does that mean?”<br /> “Now you’re interested in my backstory? After biting my head off the whole night? Give me the spritz back. Then make like a leaf, and split.”<br /> His grim expression broke with the ghost of a smile. “You’re so wasted that you’re confusing your idioms.”<br /> “Oh.”<br /> I rarely got this nasty, but he brought it out in me. He’d trashed my every expectation and turned a celebration into a funeral.<br /> A Whitney Houston ballad warbled through the air, breaking up the agony of another Italian folk song. Couples in the dark revolved, spinning effortlessly. That shot an arrow through my lingering euphoria.<br /> A pang burrowed in my heart.<br /> God, this sucked. “Can we go?”<br /> “Not yet. You’re slurring and off-balance.” He planted the water in my hands. “Drink. Sober up.”<br /> “Why do I have to sober up?”<br /> “I need to make you mine, and I don’t sleep with drunk girls.”<br /> I squeezed the glass.<br /> The bodyguard returned, balancing a giant plate of frites and poached salmon. The fat from the fish spiraled into my nostrils. Tony’s stare bored into me until I seized the fork. Then I dug into the entree. Cajun spice hit my tongue, melting with the buttery meat. I ate until the heaviness dissipated from my mind, leaving me in a frazzled panic.<br /> What would I do when Tony got me alone?<br /> “Feel better?”<br /> I nodded, staring at his tie. I waited, torn apart by nerves.<br /> He took my elbow. “Let’s get this over with.”	LEARN_MORE	https://a.shepherdsapp.com/ad/Zmljd29ybGQvMTQ5NzE5	110620302003689	Pop001	https://facebook.com/100092038763039	377	1	1,608,925,609,939,801	2024-04-14 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	Learn more	Pop001	120208100874470338	a.shepherdsapp.com	NONE	video	https://a.shepherdsapp.com/ad/Zmljd29ybGQvMTQ5NzE5LzIwMjQwNDEzMTk1MDExL3BhZ2U=?adid={{ad.id}}	2024-04-13 06:55	https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438030433_1474439399838966_7844183838934875114_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kSLCuRyPAfsAb60p3xw&_nc_oc=AdhmSyXL4OtqmoewY5B-vkVOW2l8ILhmAQvZsv87yjU5JytzEqRZuHEa6AK15OuBEjjUiScZXgNLJZAPyvIA4qIJ&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfDuzprNQIe8RtAu-Zr-UlDx75uT_wXbi11GzjTk1Y-sKQ&oe=662201D3	person_profile	Pop001	https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438039309_460013839724017_4705449987878848653_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=zgHUxt-uKmUAb4KL4l7&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAsgtZ2VyuCPmKO8NxlvqF5s7ewg-M9auVYiY8EAdfjsw&oe=66220913	3	Pop001	2024-04-14 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,209,280	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1209451}'	Yes	2024-04-14 13:48	active	515	342676941694544	🔥🔥 Click to Read 👉🏻👉🏻	"He found his mate, I'm sorry but it's fated and you are now the other woman." she sighs, glancing at the balcony doors.<br /> "That's what I thought, you couldn't even resist ten minutes before banging her, could you?" I seethe , pure rage filling me.<br /> "I didn't, I swear..." he promises, but I don't believe him.<br /> "Did you reject her?" I frown and he falls silent, raking a hand through his hair.<br /> "Then no, we can't ." I turn and walk to our room. "Jess, I love you. I promise I will reject her, I just...I couldn't, it's much more difficult than you think." he frowns, explaining himself.<br /> ____________<br /> JESSICA'S POV<br /> --<br /> Nick and I have been married for three years, we are high school sweethearts and married when we were twenty when neither of us found our mates. These days, fated mates are rare and hard to come by...we both agreed I'd be a good Luna to the pack since I trained with him, I learned to be a luna from his mother and we have been inseparable since we were in diapers.<br /> He's my best friend and my true love.<br /> We made a promise to never leave, to never break the bond, to never reject one another when we found our real mates, which is likely to never happen.<br /> We are attending a ball tonight, but my insides are twisted, as if the Moon Goddess herself wants to shield me from whatever is going to happen, I tried to talk Nick into staying at home, but as stubborn like all alpha's are, he refused and said that we would get a bad name if we didn't attend.<br /> Sitting in the car while our driver takes us to a nearby pack, a strong and mighty one.<br /> I know it's our duty to attend, but holding his hand in the back seat, something is terribly wrong.<br /> We arrive and there are a line of cars outside, one by one driving by , guests getting out, wearing gowns and suits.<br /> It's our turn and Nick opens the door, holding his hand out to me and I happily take it as we get out, photos are taken and a red carpet is rolled out as if we were famous.<br /> Nick looks handsome with his dark blonde hair gelled back, his chiseled jaw tense, and the edges of his lips curled up into a small smile.<br /> We arrive inside and we're led to the ballroom, servants with trays walking with snack food and drinks pace all over while the guests stand and chat.<br /> I notice the alpha of The Deep Mountain pack greeting people, making rounds to greet and speak, there's a stage in the middle against the wall, a bar to the side and a dance floor in the middle where couples are dancing elegantly.<br /> I smile at my surroundings and freeze when I look at Nick, staring at a beautiful dark haired girl .<br /> "Nick." I tug at his hand, but it's like he's under a spell, frozen in time as the girl stares back at him.<br /> "Nick." I tug harder, his shoulder shrugging back, "Huh?" he turns to me with a frown, his fingers letting go of my hand and I feel cold.<br /> "I'm going to grab a drink." he smiles at me before walking off towards the bar, closer to the strange woman.<br /> I was an omega and the room is filled with power, I could even feel hers because she is of a higher rank.<br /> I gulp as I watch him walk to the bar, his eyes locked on hers and she elegantly turns in her navy blue dress, walking towards him with dark lustful eyes.<br /> I can't be...but it is...it's his mate..<br /> I stand frozen and a shoulder bumps into me, making my head turn at the woman glaring and snarling, "Watch where you are going!" she scolds and I apologize before walking over to the bar, joining my mate's side while he absentmindedly stares at the woman next to him.<br /> I clear my throat, but there's no response from him.<br /> He doesn't even notice me..<br /> "Nick." I smile , hope filling my heart as he glances at me, fear flashing through his perfect green orbs as he steps back and then looks at her again.<br /> "Jess, this is Tiffany...my mate." he smiles awkwardly at me but when he looks at her, it's a genuine smile...<br /> "Nick." I frown in concern and he takes my hand, giving it a tight squeeze, "Don't worry, I know what to do." he smiles, "Shall we talk outside?" the gloominess in his eyes makes me relax only for a minute until she holds out her hand, smiling gracefully with her full lips and pretty blue eyes.<br /> My heart sinks when her hand hooks into his arm and they head to the balcony. alone...<br /> I should go with...but it is a private matter.<br /> 'He's ours...' Zola, my wolf, whimpers.<br /> I stand at the bar, staring carelessly at my mate walking off with his true mate and I inch closer, frowning as every nerve in my body is burning to follow them.<br /> I glance around and there are so many people that they don't even notice until the Luna of the Deep Mountain pack steps closer, "Jessica, is it? From the West Pack?" I nod, trying not to be rude when I look at the balcony and not at her while she speaks to me.<br /> "Oh honey, it's done." she shakes her head and I frown.<br /> "What do you mean?" My eyes stare into her honey ones.<br /> "He found his mate, I'm sorry but it's fated and you are now the other woman." she sighs, glancing at the balcony doors.<br /> I stare at her, my heart racing a million miles an hour and I excuse myself.<br /> I step out of the house, moving around the arriving couples when I feel my heart squeeze, pain taking over and I know what it meant...Disgust fills me and I start to run, glancing over my shoulder no one notices and I shift, my beautiful pastel pink dress ripping to shreds as I run into the woods.<br /> The pain had stopped, but I did not return home until after midnight, finding Nick sitting on the couch, watching tv.<br /> "Jessica, where have you been?" he stands as I slam the door shut, standing undressed in front of him.<br /> I cross my arms over my chest, glaring at him. "Excuse me? Where have I been? What have you been doing!" I growl, making his eyes widen in shame and his gaze flicks to the floor when he scratches his nape.<br /> "That's what I thought, you couldn't even resist ten minutes before banging her, could you?" I seethe , pure rage filling me.<br /> "I didn't, I swear..." he promises, but I don't believe him.<br /> Scoffing, I strut past the couch to our room, "Can we talk?" he yells and I turn , "Did you reject her?" I frown and he falls silent, raking a hand through his hair.<br /> "Then no, we can't ." I turn and walk to our room.<br /> He follows me, closing the door behind us, "Jess, I love you. I promise I will reject her, I just...I couldn't, it's much more difficult than you think." he frowns, explaining himself.<br /> "And will you go and do it?" I grab clothes from the closet, "I will, just...I need time." he begs and I snort, "Can I come when you do it?" the silence says it all, he doesn't want me there...<br /> "You're saying you'll do it, but you won't, because you are weak." I tut, shaking my head.<br /> "I will, I just need to distance myself, to keep myself away and then I'll do it when I have the strength to." he explains, his eyes pleading for forgiveness.<br /> I hum, ignoring him as I strut past him toward the bathroom and he reaches for me, grabbing my wrist and I snarl at him, making him let me go instantly, "Don't touch me after banging someone else." I grit out, backing up into the bathroom and I slam the door shut, the heavy thud shaking the windows and I lock the door.<br /> I take a hot shower, the water pouring down on me as my back slides down the tiled wall, tears streaming down my face as I weep.<br /> I hear the door handle jiggle and I wipe the fog from the glass door, staring at the handle go up and down as he tries to enter.<br /> I feel a tug at the mind link, but I shut him out.<br /> He disgusts me, he promised, both of us promised one another that we would immediately reject our mates before the bond grew and he is letting it grow, making it ten times more difficult to reject them.<br /> I can't believe I trusted him...I show his mark in the crook of my neck, I hold our love dear in my heart and he just let it all go down the drain, letting it sink into the sewers.<br /> I am nothing more than dirt under his shoe and here I am, still loving him with every breath I take.<br /> After sitting more than an hour under the steaming water, it turns cold and I sit for another half an hour before standing and I shut the water off, taking my time to get dressed and when I stride out in silk booty shorts and a thin strap silk top, I notice how Nick lays in bed, his thumbs circling one another as he stares at the ceiling.<br /> He doesn't even notice me and I am sure he's thinking about her.<br /> The one who stole his heart within a second, the one who is going to steal my life, my bed, my position and my mate.<br /> We are real mates, we accepted one another, we marked each other, we might not be fated, but we are real or we were before her.<br /> I climb into bed and his head turns to me, staring at the back of my head when my back is turned to him.<br /> "Jess, can we talk?" his tone pleads with me, but I can't turn and look at him as tears stream down my flushed cheeks.<br /> His hand rests on my shoulder and I shrug him off, "Stop touching me." my voice cracks and his arm drapes over my body as he pulls my back to his front, "I'm so sorry Jess, I never thought this would happen. I love you and I only love you peaches, remember peaches? Just you and me against the world, through tough times and sunshine. This is only the tough, we'll get through it." he whispers, his chin resting against my shoulder, his hot breath fanning the sensitive spot below my ear.<br /> I want to believe him, but how can I when he couldn't hold up his end of our promise?<br /> "Please don't touch me." I begin a whisper and he holds me tighter, shaking his head.<br /> "You are my everything." he pecks me cheek and I turn to him, his eyes holding sorrow as he wipes my cheeks.<br /> "You are my everything too, but how could you?" my eyes winch shut in despair.<br /> "I'm sorry peaches." he cups my cheek and I lean into his touch, hating that I want him.<br /> I want him to love me, I want him to choose me, I want him to reject her and come back to me, to love me and not resent me.<br /> "Come here." he pulls me closer and I let him.<br /> He rolls onto his back, takes my leg and pulls me onto him.<br /> I sit on him, my legs on either side of him.<br /> I could feel how hard he is beneath me and I can't help but wonder if he's erected for me or is it because he was thinking of her?<br /> "I love you peaches, you are my one and only mate." he smiles up at me and my heart beats in my ears.<br /> I lean down, pecking him deeply.<br /> JESSICA'S POV<br /> —<br /> "Nick." I beam as I skip into his office, but freeze when he slams the phone down on the table, looking guilty.<br /> It's been a week since he found his true mate and I have been worried about it, but day after day, it became less of a problem.<br /> "What's wrong?" I ask, my wide smile gone within seconds.<br /> "Nothing peaches." He forces a smile, but his eyes say something else.<br /> "Who were you on the phone with?" I sit down across from him and he slowly pulls the phone away, probably thinking I wouldn't notice.<br /> "No one." He's lying to me, while looking me in the eye.<br /> My heart clenches, my hands shivering as they lay in my lap.<br /> "Was it her?" My voice cracks and he sighs, sucking his lips into his mouth.<br /> "It was." I grit out, my heart pounding against my chest.<br /> "It's not what you think Jess." He sighs, holding out his hand for me to take, but how could I trust him when he just lied to me?<br /> "Then what was it Nick?" I frown, glaring at him with teary eyes.<br /> His eyes flick to his hand and then back up at me before slowly pulling away.<br /> "She asked to see me." He starts to explain, my stomach flipping and vile rises.<br /> "And you said yes..." I shake my head, my face twitching up into a snarl.<br /> His eyes slowly fall shut as he exhales a breath and I stand, the chair's legs screeching across the wooden floor and tears stream down my face.<br /> "And you weren't going to tell me, were you?" My words are broken as I speak, along with my shattered heart.<br /> His eyes lift to mine as he stands, his length making me feel small.<br /> "I was. I was going to tell you." He tries to defend himself, leaving my heart shattered and stomped on with his lies .<br /> "No, no you weren't." I inhale a breath, my body shivering with pain of his betrayal.<br /> "I was, I swear." He moves to the side of his desk, wanting to come to me and I stumble back, "No!" I hold up my hand, making him stop in his tracks.<br /> "If...if you were g-going to t-tell me...you, you would have when I ask-ed." my words stutter, failing me when I need them the most.<br /> "I just..." he scratches his nape, his eyes spiraling and I watch him, noticing his shaky hand as he tries to explain, as he tries to lie himself out of this one.<br /> We have never lied to one another, but now...seeing him lie to me so effortlessly makes me wonder if he ever told a lie before...<br /> "Just what Nick?"<br /> He said I had nothing to worry about, he said that he needed time to just gather the courage to reject her, which I guess would be hard, but finding out he was going to see her behind my back...how could I trust him again?<br /> "I wanted to tell you over breakfast, not right now..." his eyes fall to the floor in shame.<br /> "When are you going to see her?"<br /> "Are you going to reject her?" I push, making his eyes darken as he stares at me.<br /> "No." He shakes his head, "I'm not ready."<br /> I snort at his little excuse...my heart is bleeding right now.<br /> "Then why did you agree to see her? How could you agree to see her?" I snap, yelling at the top of my lungs in a loud cry.<br /> He steps closer and I step back, glaring at him with all the hatred in the world.<br /> Everyone thought that I was not right for him, except him and our parents...the high-ranked girls thought I was foolish until the day I became luna, and look at me now...I'm not good enough anymore and they were right.<br /> "She's ill, her doctor said it's because we aren't close." He yells back at me and I blankly stare at him with disgust.<br /> "So you want to go there..." I breathe out, "And betray me?" I bellow.<br /> He sighs, rolling his eyes, "I would never betray you...I just want her to get well and then when she gets better I will reject her, I promise." He inches closer, his eyes boring into mine, desperation and sadness clear in his eyes.<br /> "I'm coming with you." I state and he shakes his head, "You can't."<br /> "I don't care, I will not stay here and lose my mind over her! If you want my forgiveness for lying to me, you will let me come with you." I threaten his trust and I watch his gulp, his throat bobbing.<br /> "Fine, you can come." He nods and I aggressively wipe the tears from my cheeks.<br /> "I'll get dressed." I turn on my heel and walk out of his office, hearing him throw a vase and I listen to the glass shatter, shutting my eyes at the sound of the glass hitting the floor.<br /> The ride over to her pack was long and silent, I could feel Nick glancing at me now and then, but I just stare out of the window, taking in the nature around me.<br /> I don't want to be mad at him, but I am.<br /> The bond we have might not be fated, but it is real. We are true mates and I'd be a fool to have let him come alone to be with his real fated mate.<br /> Arriving at the pack, everyone bows to us, welcoming us and the doctor meets us at the entrance of the pack house she lives in...apparently she's of alpha blood...alpha Darren's daughter.<br /> He's a fair, kind man who treats his people well, so hopefully he won't be too mad at Nick.<br /> "Alpha Nick. Please follow me." We step forward, following him and a guard grabs my arm, growling at me.<br /> I freeze, staring up at the tall man, "Get yours hand off my mate!" Nick bellows and the guard's eyes widen before he immediately lets me go.<br /> The doctor turns to us as he stands on the fourth step.<br /> "I apologize, but she has to stay here. We can not let alpha Tiffany get upset or she'll get worse."<br /> That is such nonsense.<br /> His fingers brush my pitch black hair out of my face, his fingers capturing my chin and he tilts my head upward, looking down at me with desperation.<br /> "Please, I will be right back." His thumb caresses my cheek.<br /> I don't want him to go, I don't trust these people...<br /> I don't trust him alone with her...<br /> "Just you and I peaches." The small smile on his face makes me lean into his palm as I nod.<br /> If he breaks my trust now...it's over.<br /> He pecks my temple before following the doctor and the guard shows me to a couch in the living room, where I can annoyingly sit and watch the staircase, waiting for the love of my life to come down and just take us home.<br /> My knee won't stop bouncing as I glance at the staircase and then at the black screen in front of me.<br /> A clearing of a throat makes my head snap to the side and the luna from the party stands there with a smug look.<br /> "Jessica, is it?" Her eyebrows raise, her posture perfect.<br /> "What are you doing here?" I stand, fixing my dress.<br /> "I live here." She deadpans and my heart sinks.<br /> She's Tiffany's mother...<br /> "You knew..." I frown at her, taking a step closer and so does she.<br /> "That your chosen mate's true mate is my daughter? Yes." I scoff and watch her whipping her hair back to cascade down her back.<br /> She has the same dark hair as her daughter, but not as dark as mine.<br /> "He is going to reject her." I grit out, pissed that she stood there, thinking that Nick was going to choose her over me.<br /> "Will he though?" Her finger taps her chin, as if knowing something I don't.<br /> "He will, he promised." Her eyes widen, but there is no hint of fear, no surprise, just plain evil.<br /> And I thought she was nice...pfft.<br /> "Good for you." She smiles and before I could think of anything to say, my heart aches, my breath knocked right out of my body with the pain and I haunch over, grabbing the side of the couch, my nails digging into it and I glance up at her smug grin, my eyes flicking bright as I growl loudly and I focus on him.<br /> 'What are you doing!?' I yell through the mind link and the pain immediately stops, breaking my heart even further.<br /> Standing upright, Luna Maya's smirk is brighter, more evil dancing in her eyes.<br /> "I warned you, you are the other woman." She tuts, "I wasn't and I never will be." I grit out, even though that I am lying because Nick will never touch me again.<br /> The pain was worse...it was more painful than the last time and now I know that he didn't screw her that night, but he might have right now...<br /> I shouldn't have let him go alone, because look at us now...we're nothing.<br /> I am nothing.<br /> "Darren!" The Luna yells and the alpha comes striding in and she falls against his chest.<br /> "You must convince Nick to take Tiffany with him! She's getting sicker by the minute without him." Her eyelashes batt repeatedly, fake tears forming in her eyes, "I'm worried Darren..."<br /> "No!" I growl and Alpha Darren pulls his mate behind him, "Who are you?" He stands tall, his aura slightly frightening.<br /> "I am Nick's mate, the Luna of the West pack and your daughter is not welcome on our land." I stand tall, my eyes flicking past Alpha Darren to Nick coming down the staircase.<br /> I sigh before running to him, I need to get out of here. I need to get him out of here, away from his fated mate, away from her parents.<br /> Alpha Darren stares at me dumbfounded as I brush past them, grabbing onto Nick, "We're leaving, right now!" I demand, tugging him towards the front door.<br /> "Jess, I'm sorry." His apology just flies through me, because it means nothing.<br /> "Alpha Nick!" Alpha Darren calls him and he abruptly stops in his tracks, turning to him.<br /> "You need to take my daughter with you or reject her now." He demands with so much authority.<br /> "Excuse me?" Nick frowns in confusion.<br /> "Say no." I whisper in a pleading tone.<br /> "You heard him." Luna Maya takes her position next to her mate.<br /> I tug on his hand, staring up at him with tear-filled eyes, "Just reject her and we can go home." I beg him.<br /> His green eyes remind me of the beautiful forest just flick between my icy blue ones.<br /> "I can't." He mouths, breaking my heart.<br /> "Well, what is it going to be?" Alpha Darren inches closer.<br /> "I don't have to do either." Nick shakes his head.<br /> "She's safe here." Nick's eyes narrow.<br /> "She'll get sicker!" Luna Mayaover-exaggerates.<br /> I really don't like her.<br /> Nick turns to me, his orbs filled with distraught, "I'm sorry." He says before turning to her parents.<br /> "You can bring her and her things to our pack tomorrow." He nods and the devilish smile on Luna Maya's face makes me want to blow this place up.<br /> I rip my hand out of his, watching his head snap toward me with fear in his eyes as I back away.<br /> "I hate you." I yell, making Luna Maya gasp dramatically before I turn and run out of their home.<br /> I shift and run home, I can not stand seeing his face.	LEARN_MORE	https://a.read4funs.com/ad/ZmFuY3lOb3ZlbC8xNDk3NzI	135265309676218	ForFun-103	https://facebook.com/61552170099808	5	1	927,875,248,818,757	2024-04-14 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	Learn more	ForFun-103	120206467676110353	a.read4funs.com	NONE	video	https://a.read4funs.com/ad/ZmFuY3lOb3ZlbC8xNDk3NzIvMjAyNDA0MTMxOTU0NDIvcGFnZQ==?adid={{ad.id}}	2024-04-13 06:57	https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438089594_805044821531645_8233844507563035050_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=rIEGLyD_kVAAb7ZcaEt&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfC_lBH8krBTsaRYp3DnKQb1TAd034Q2qpHxSdwsyR6Bzg&oe=6621FB42	person_profile	ForFun-103	https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/437723519_2131893857168840_4742974828983711990_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=IpTYFduOya8Ab6cZURA&_nc_oc=Adg3q0qoYncKKKMbqzAAZBxGHLfERgC3OjSUu7wcTCjWaImAqZUiJlPPeTa65PIimtPYOEKUMXixUEDWogtQVuu_&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCTnOO3nihOEUV5HQcILFOA-_mreYoki2v4jAzhj4NoPg&oe=6621DA33	3	ForFun-103	2024-04-14 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,209,310	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1209346}'	Yes	2024-04-14 13:48	active	515	455896306827312	🔥🔥 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."	LEARN_MORE	https://a.funstorys.com/ad/RnVuU3RvcnkvMTUwMjA3LzI	142292175627960	Fun003	https://facebook.com/61551606164621	60	1	2,178,463,409,161,862	2024-04-14 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	Learn more	Fun003	120208689332750696	a.funstorys.com	NONE	video	https://a.funstorys.com/ad/RnVuU3RvcnkvMTUwMjA3LzIwMjQwNDE0MTYxNzAwL3BhZ2U=?adid={{ad.id}}	2024-04-14 03:21	https://scontent.fsac1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/437753965_7773661372658245_6008176652730275396_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=i6YGttsHRBgAb6mCWlr&_nc_ht=scontent.fsac1-2.fna&oh=00_AfAe05A00CW9s3t7ArPEdO5Ts7K0V6WRkfgE3S7bP1LDbQ&oe=6621EE8E	person_profile	Fun003	https://scontent.fsac1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/437713490_978139813821711_1563439645940671267_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=7LzuBNa9ZDYAb5BqEPC&_nc_ht=scontent.fsac1-2.fna&oh=00_AfAKKvIWHr2jynUAU2Gjxq_ZmuOey1swg29VyhPW3gxujg&oe=66220B62	3	Fun003	2024-04-14 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,209,319	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1209362}'	Yes	2024-04-14 13:48	active	515	725360206431476	🔥🔥 Click to Read 👉🏻👉🏻	"Don't walk away from me, Zell," Kosta yelled.<br /> "Why not? You don't need me. You have Khalis here to take care of all your needs. She is welcome to you. I hope you all will be very happy together. As for me, I'm done. Good luck to you and this pack. I hope you can handle the fallout for you and your whore's actions."<br /> "Mind how you talk to me, Zell. I may be your mate, but I am still the alpha. As a matter of fact, as of right now, I am stripping you of all of your luna privileges."<br /> I spat. "You should know, you didn't deprive me of Luna's title, but I didn't want it myself. I no longer want it. As for the business, have you forgotten that I own 51% of every business we have? I will withdraw all of my personal finances from the pack."<br /> "Oh, and Alpha, You, of all people, know how ruthless I can be if pushed."<br /> ————————<br /> "Well Zel, I just wanted to let you know that I plan on being the Luna of this pack, and your days as Kosta's mate and luna are numbered. I have decided that I deserve to be luna of the third strongest pack in the nation. I mean why should you get everything and I get stuck with nothing?" Khalis says.<br /> <br /> Is this bimbo serious? I just sat there staring at her for a few seconds. Not much shocks me, but this is something else. I knew Khalis was selfish, but this is on a whole other level. There have been rumors about Khalis sleeping with mated males, but I always gave her the benefit of the doubt. I never thought we would be having this kind of conversation. We have been friends since elementary school. Her father and brothers are elite warriors in my father's pack. She was with me when Kosta declared we were mates. She even encouraged me to go with him when he begged me and my father to let me come to his pack with him before I turned 18. She moved to this pack with me, hoping to meet her own mate. She knows Kosta is my fated mate. The moon goddess chose for him me. We both have known Kosta for most of our lives. Kosta is one of my brother's best friends. I keep thinking about everything we have done together and now this bimbo is sitting in my office telling me she plans to take my mate. I'm really speechless. This is a new low, even for her.<br /> <br /> "Just so that I am clear, what exactly do you mean that you want my goddess-given mate and title," I asked.<br /> <br /> "I mean exactly what I said. I want Kosta. I want to be his luna and I am going to make that happen. I've already started the process. I deserve to be a luna."<br /> <br /> "So you just want to come in here and tell me that you want my mate? What about your own mate? Have you thought about that? If the goddess meant for you to be a luna, you would have been fated to an alpha."<br /> <br /> "I waited for my mate. I gave the goddess a chance to do right by me. She gave everyone around me an Alpha. My sister got one, my little ugly cousin got one and even you got one, but what did I get? I got a lowly elite warrior as a mate." She spat.<br /> <br /> "How can you speak like that about elite warriors? Your father and your brother are elite warriors."<br /> <br /> "I know, and I deserve better than that. I deserve to be a luna. I deserve to have people respect me and cater to me."<br /> <br /> "Well, obviously the goddess did not agree with you," I said. "Just to clarify, you're saying that even though you found your destined mate, the one that was made specifically for you by the goddess, you're still interested in my mate? You are unbelievable. What is wrong with you?"<br /> <br /> "It's simple. I'm not meant to be the mate of a warrior. I am meant to be a luna. The moon goddess got it wrong and I am correcting her mistake. As soon as I scented my fated mate and realized he was a warrior, I rejected him and he accepted my rejection. Good riddance."<br /> <br /> "So you think you know better than the goddess?" I asked.<br /> <br /> I am still somewhat shocked. I have a hard time reconciling this cold-blooded bimbo to the person that has been my best friend for over a decade.<br /> <br /> "Zell, I told you a long time ago not to trust her. She has always been this person. She just pretended with you." Sapphire said.<br /> <br /> "This isn't personal, Zell. It's simple since the moon goddess did not give me an alpha, I'm going to take one."<br /> <br /> This bimbo is sitting here calmly telling me she is going to take my mate from me like we are talking about going shopping. She actually thinks this is ok. How could I have been so blind for so long? Everyone tried to warn me about her, but she was my only friend and I just didn't want to believe that about her. I convinced myself that the others were just jealous of her.<br /> <br /> "Do you really think it is ok to try to break your best friend's mate bond?" I say.<br /> <br /> "Oh Honey, I'm not going to try. I'm going to do it. He will be mine. I'm just giving you the courtesy of walking away with your dignity. You might as well start making arrangements for yourself because once I am the luna, there is no way that I will let you remain in my pack. He may keep some tender feelings for you. After all, you are fated."<br /> <br /> "You got one thing right; Kosta and I are fated. You are not the first she-wolf to try to break our mate bond and since he is an alpha, I'm sure you won't be the last. I will tell you what I tell them all, If you can get Kosta to cheat on our bond, you can have him. If he can do that, then he is not the man I have believed him to be and wouldn't deserve me. You would be welcome to him. Just remember, it is because of me and my family that this pack is ranked third. All of that goes with me, but you would be more than welcome to whatever is left." I say.<br /> <br /> "It's not an if, it's a when it happens. And when you leave, Kosta will still be the alpha of this pack. You will just be the ex-luna of the pack. I will be the luna."<br /> <br /> "That's where you are wrong. I am alpha born; a pure-blooded alpha. If I leave, I will still be an alpha and you will still be that bimbo on the side. Some males may be dumb enough to sleep with you, but I have not seen any of the mate men you've been accused of leaving their mates for you. Even the ones who got rejected didn't choose to be with you. Now I suggest you leave my office while I am still being nice or else you will find out why I am feared by others. And if you are successful, don't think for a minute that my family will let either of you go."<br /> <br /> "I will leave for now. Enjoy this office while it is still yours. Your arrogance will be your downfall. Why should I fear you or your family? They have not even been around since your luna ceremony. I'll give you 1 week to make arrangements for yourself. In 7 days, all of this will be mine and you will be out. I will break you and completely disgrace you. I have to thank you for working so hard to build this pack up for me to take over. I will be sure to enjoy the fruit of your labor. I and my children will enjoy this. I am glad he listened to me early on when I told him to wait to have children so you could live your life first. I had to set the groundwork just in case. Now it's time for you to go before you give him an heir." Khalis says and walks out of my office like nothing happened.<br /> <br /> She has caused a lot of chaos since coming to this pack. I just didn't realize her character before now. I thought she was misunderstood. Now I know I was just naïve. It appears that I was the only person blind to her true nature.<br /> <br /> I spent the rest of the day working on pack security and setting up meetings. There are a few alphas wanting an alliance with us. Kosta and I have become quite the power couple in the werewolf society. Since we took over as alpha and luna, the pack and the businesses have grown tremendously. I put my heart and soul into making our pack the best. I got an early start. I graduated from high school when I was 16 and went to university. I graduated with a business degree at 20. Kosta has let me take the lead in our businesses. He knows that beast at negotiation and a whiz at growing businesses. I have acquired several new companies since working in the pack business. Kosta is still the CEO, but I am the COO of the company. I broker the deals and then call Kosta in to close the deal. Most alphas in our circle are jealous of Kosta because he has me at his side. Kosta used to be proud of me and what I did for the pack, but lately he has been resisting the changes I have been making and trying to take over more of the daily operations of the pack. He can't take it all because I am the sole financial backing of the pack and the businesses.<br /> <br /> I am known in werewolf society as a child prodigy, but don't get it twisted, I am not all brains. I can be very deadly when needed. I train every day. I am one of the strongest wolves alive, although I keep that hidden. I can be ruthless, but fair. I know that I am the total package. I am athletic, tall with curves in the right places. I've never been one to compete with other she-wolves. I thought I was happy and had a good life. I thought Khalis was happy. We used to talk about finding our fated mates. I just can't understand how or why Khalis would try to come between me and my mate. I wish I could believe that my bond was safe and solid, but Sapphire is right about Kosta acting suspiciously lately. Kosta has been questioning me a lot lately. It's like he woke up a different person one day. He suddenly lost trust in me, but I have never given him a reason to doubt me. I have found him outside of my door listening to business phone calls, which is crazy because he could just walk in at any time and join the conversation. I have never hidden anything I was doing from him. The worse thing is that our life is now nonexistent. Kosta is always too busy or too tired. His behavior has led me to believe that he is not attracted to me anymore. He had the nerve to ask me why I have been trying so hard to seduce him lately. Like he didn't just stop making love to me cold turkey all of a sudden. We went from making love every day, sometime multiple times a day, to nothing in over a month. Seems like he should have been worried if I didn't try to seduce him. I don't know any mated pair that has gone this long without being intimate with each other. I don't know what the issue is. If we were not marked, I would wonder if he was cheating, but I know he is not. I would have felt it. Why did all of this suddenly become so hard? Why do I even need to seduce my goddess-given mate? It was never supposed to be this way. At least not yet. I'm only 20 years old. Much too young to be going through a dry spell while mated.<br /> <br /> I got so desperate at one time I asked our friends what was going on with him. Kosta tells his beta and gamma everything. I figured if there was a problem, they would tell me and I could fix it, but they just said that he was under a lot of stress. What exactly does he have to stress about? The pack is doing better than it has been in years. In half a year, the pack will be self-sufficient again and won't need to depend on my finances to keep it afloat. I have everything set in motion for the pack to have more disposable cash and residual income. I have a feeling this has Khalis written all over it. Kosta appears to have fallen in line with her already. Maybe this was their plan all along. Kosta needed me to get his pack back on track and now that they are almost completely independent, they don't need me anymore. If that's the case, they are in for a rude awakening. My six-month plan depends on me closing several more deals. All of these deals are allies with my father, uncle, and grandfather. They will not work with Kosta if our bond falls apart. He would erase everything that I have done over the past three years. Well, that would be his problem.<br /> <br /> I got so caught up in working and thinking; I didn't realize I worked up to dinner time. No one called me for lunch. In fact, no one called me for dinner. That is strange. One of the omegas usually checks on me when I am working too much and makes sure I am eating. I guess everyone is following Kosta. Since he has not been showing me any care, they are not either. That really hurts. I sacrificed a lot for this pack. I thought they cared more than this for me. I should just go back to my room. I don't know if I want to be around this pack right now, especially if they could turn their backs on me this quickly. Were they all just using me for my family's wealth?<br /> <br /> "We need to eat Zell. Remember, we are eating for our pup as well. Don't let them win. We are better than this. If they show us they don't want us here, we will leave. Remember, we are alpha born. We will rise above this. We will go back to where we are celebrated. If they turn against us, they don't deserve us. We will sit back and let them destroy themselves."<br /> <br /> "You are right Sapphire. Let's go eat. Our pup needs sustenance."<br /> <br /> I went and cleaned myself up and walked to the dining room. As soon as I walked through the door, all the talking stopped. The whole place went silent. As I walked all the way in, I saw why everyone went silent. Khalis was sitting in my seat, putting food on Kosta's plate like she is the luna. When she saw me, she just smirked and kept doing what she was doing. Kosta just keep eating like I was not standing there. Sapphire stared, pushing forward. She wanted blood. I did too, but I have to think about our pup.<br /> <br /> "What is going on, Kosta? Why is she sitting in my seat feeding you?" I growled.<br /> <br /> "I meant no harm, Zell. You were busy, so I decided to take care of Kosta for you. Someone needs to care for him while you are caring for other things. "<br /> <br /> "I was speaking to my mate, not his bimbo on the side."<br /> <br /> "You were not here for your mate, so I have been taking care of his needs."<br /> <br /> Sapphire pushed forward and growled loudly. Everyone in the room bowed their neck to her.<br /> <br /> "I could kill you in less than 30 seconds, Khalis. I would advise you not to keep crossing my line and you will find yourself very dead. You obviously have forgotten who I am. Don't make me remind you what my family name is," Sapphire said.<br /> <br /> I regained control and looked at Kosta. He didn't even appear to be concerned. He didn't show an ounce of regret or remorse. That took a little of the fight out of me. Khalis can only do what Kosta allows her to do.<br /> <br /> "Kosta, I asked you a question. What is going on?"<br /> <br /> "As Khalis said, you were busy, so she came to do your job for you. If you spent more time catering to me, your mate, and less time working or whatever you are doing, Khalis wouldn't have to step in and take care of my needs." Kosta said.<br /> <br /> I and every pack member gasped. I could not believe he openly disrespected me like that after everything I have done for him and this pack. I did all of that for him. This ungrateful hip.<br /> <br /> "So now I'm working too much, making your pack financially secure? You were not complaining when the pack was bankrupted and I worked day and night just so you could feed the pack another day. I was working too hard then. It's only now that you think the pack is out of the woods that I am working too hard. Now that everyone is comfortable and not at risk of starving, you want to change. Ok, I see who you are now. So instead of appreciating the sacrifices I made for us and the pack, you are sitting here with your bimbo, enjoying the feast that my hard work made possible. I am glad I finally understand where your priorities lie. Trust me, I will never make the same mistake twice." I said and walked away.<br /> <br /> I need to get out of here before I wolf out and kill one of them. After tonight, Khalis can have him. He is not the male I thought he was. I refuse to fight for someone who can spit on all the effort I put into making him great.<br /> <br /> "Don't walk away from me, Zell," Kosta yelled.<br /> <br /> "Why not? You don't need me. You have Khalis here to take care of all your needs. She is welcome to you. I hope you all will be very happy together. As for me, I'm done. Good luck to you and this pack. I hope you can handle the fallout for you and your bimbo's actions."<br /> <br /> "Mind how you talk to me, Zell. I may be your mate, but I am still the alpha. As a matter of fact, as of right now, I am stripping you of all of your luna privileges."<br /> <br /> "Alpha, what are you doing?" Beta James asked<br /> <br /> "Mind your business Beta. This is my pack." Kosta says.<br /> <br /> "Yes, and as your beta and friend, it is my job to tell you when you are making a mistake. Alpha, you are dangerously close to crossing the line of no return. Let's all calm down and discuss this later." Beta James said.<br /> <br /> "Beta, my word stands. Zel, until you learn to respect me as your alpha, you can forget about representing this pack in any aspect. I will be instructing the security team to restrict all of your access. You are no longer the COO of our businesses. As of now, you are just a regular pact member with no power."<br /> <br /> "First of all Alpha." I spat. "Respect is earned. While you are trying to throw your weight around, you can have the luna title back. I no longer want it. As for the business, have you forgotten that I own 51% of every business we have? I also provide 60% of the pack budget from my personal accounts. So while you can restrict my duties as Luna, you cannot touch the business, but I'll do you a solid. You can buy me out of the business and I will withdraw all of my personal finances from the pack."<br /> <br /> I can see that he had forgotten how dependent his pack was on me, but oh well. He made his bed. Now he and his bimbo can lie in it.<br /> <br /> "Oh, and Alpha, if you try to strong-arm me, I will have to call in the full loan that I gave this pack when we mated. Remember, we signed a contract for the loan. You have only paid me a small portion of the loan and I have not pushed the issue, but the contract is legal and binding. Don't push me, Kosta. You, of all people, know how ruthless I can be if pushed."<br /> <br /> I walked off again and made it as far as the stairs. I realized that I could not stay in my current room anymore. There is no way on this goddess-green earth that I want to be in a room with Kosta. Not that he has really shared it with me lately. Now I know why. Khalis has been feeding him and he has been eating it up. They both miscalculated. They thought I would be leaving here with nothing. The jokes on them. I may have been in love, but there is no love in business. I may have put my all into saving this pack and making it independently wealthy, but my parents did not raise a fool and I protected my finances. I invested millions in this company and pack. Did he really think I would protect my money? Does he not remember the prenup my father made him sign since I was a minor when he brought me to this pack? He never gained control over my finances.<br /> <br /> Khalis just showed her hand. After what I just saw, she has a right to be confident. Kosta has completely changed. He is not the man that I mated. He is not the boy that I followed around when I was younger. I don't know what happened or when he changed. Maybe this is who he really is and, like with Khalis, I just never saw his true self. He must have hidden it from my father and brother as well. There is no way they would have let me come here when I was 17 if they knew this was how he would end up treating me. I can see now that it is over between Kosta and me. I need to start planning my exit. I pulled up my computer and moved all of my finances from the pack accounts. I closed all the joint accounts I had with Kosta. It was mostly my money that financed them. I left the ones that he financed in his name. I don't want anything from him at all. After I handle business, I call my brother. I will need his help to leave here safely. Now that Kosta knows that all the money is still tied up with me, I doubt he will let me leave easily. I'm sure he and the bimbo are plotting up something.<br /> <br /> I called my brother and tall him waht happened.<br /> <br /> "So what's the plan, baby sis?" my brother answered.<br /> <br /> "Well, I have already moved all of my personal money from the pack accounts. They are now responsible for themselves. I'm not sure how that is going to go over. I was covering most of the pack's budget. Tomorrow, I will contact my attorneys to protect all of my other assets. I also plan to call our allies and let them know that I am no longer associated with the pack. I am erasing everything I've done over the past three years. They will need to start over from scratch and rebuild it all on their own. There is no way they will get to enjoy my hard work. No, sir."<br /> <br /> "Very smart Zell. What do you need me to do?"	LEARN_MORE	https://a.letsreadnovel.com/ad/bGV0c3JlYWQvMTQ4NjY	103537452734793	Lett011	https://facebook.com/100092011133637	59	1	407,251,338,340,304	2024-04-14 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	Learn more	Lett011	120208370791130357	a.letsreadnovel.com	NONE	video	https://a.letsreadnovel.com/ad/bGV0c3JlYWQvMTQ4NjY2LzIwMjQwNDExMTY0NTE2L3BhZ2U=?adid={{ad.id}}	2024-04-11 04:09	https://scontent.fsac1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435107196_7411245835654516_4129094094832894451_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=bDDDtgRWZpsAb4-pJpQ&_nc_ht=scontent.fsac1-1.fna&oh=00_AfAsq1oU9D4KYPxvX8DMMwm3wlR7pp9IRncYkSkJA0fUVw&oe=6621DC87	person_profile	Lett011	https://scontent.fsac1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435115207_3785558525095587_3552799535307894116_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=4W3YVGbj0OcAb49_u60&_nc_ht=scontent.fsac1-1.fna&oh=00_AfCpxAA092O_1sMmtIO4e0BZlnj0XSJlnioSMcBaJuJlMA&oe=6621F5FE	3	Lett011	2024-04-14 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,209,351	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1209759}'	Yes	2024-04-14 13:48	active	515	935312558293037	🔥🔥 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."	LEARN_MORE	https://b.ficsworld.com/ad/Zmljd29ybGQvMTUwMjQ2LzI	178740541994567	Fics101	https://facebook.com/61554382746013	123	1	725,855,672,795,704	2024-04-14 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	Learn more	Fics101	120210892339990460	b.ficsworld.com	NONE	video	https://b.ficsworld.com/ad/Zmljd29ybGQvMTUwMjQ2LzIwMjQwNDE0MTYxODI0L3BhZ2U=?adid={{ad.id}}	2024-04-14 03:22	https://scontent.fsac1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/437678956_7288096354641422_3128601149756841995_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=JyVPhdPcTlIAb4lVEtR&_nc_ht=scontent.fsac1-2.fna&oh=00_AfD7_ZPyb6_VBdASihOpEIdh1WcZ7pEBvOHZImefYb1iFQ&oe=6621F5B6	person_profile	Fics101	https://scontent.fsac1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/437651848_1455540635398934_4765317780539432717_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=6i3H-uTi9FUAb6yFgUX&_nc_ht=scontent.fsac1-2.fna&oh=00_AfCkR362JJ76JcBFeg1dM5SFQnkVVJCu6SuswB0ojj5Pbw&oe=6621F1F1	3	Fics101	2024-04-14 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,209,352	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1209362}'	Yes	2024-04-14 13:48	active	515	947233170480214	🔥🔥 Click to Read 👉🏻👉🏻	"Don't walk away from me, Zell," Kosta yelled.<br /> "Why not? You don't need me. You have Khalis here to take care of all your needs. She is welcome to you. I hope you all will be very happy together. As for me, I'm done. Good luck to you and this pack. I hope you can handle the fallout for you and your whore's actions."<br /> "Mind how you talk to me, Zell. I may be your mate, but I am still the alpha. As a matter of fact, as of right now, I am stripping you of all of your luna privileges."<br /> I spat. "You should know, you didn't deprive me of Luna's title, but I didn't want it myself. I no longer want it. As for the business, have you forgotten that I own 51% of every business we have? I will withdraw all of my personal finances from the pack."<br /> "Oh, and Alpha, You, of all people, know how ruthless I can be if pushed."<br /> ————————<br /> "Well Zel, I just wanted to let you know that I plan on being the Luna of this pack, and your days as Kosta's mate and luna are numbered. I have decided that I deserve to be luna of the third strongest pack in the nation. I mean why should you get everything and I get stuck with nothing?" Khalis says.<br /> <br /> Is this bimbo serious? I just sat there staring at her for a few seconds. Not much shocks me, but this is something else. I knew Khalis was selfish, but this is on a whole other level. There have been rumors about Khalis sleeping with mated males, but I always gave her the benefit of the doubt. I never thought we would be having this kind of conversation. We have been friends since elementary school. Her father and brothers are elite warriors in my father's pack. She was with me when Kosta declared we were mates. She even encouraged me to go with him when he begged me and my father to let me come to his pack with him before I turned 18. She moved to this pack with me, hoping to meet her own mate. She knows Kosta is my fated mate. The moon goddess chose for him me. We both have known Kosta for most of our lives. Kosta is one of my brother's best friends. I keep thinking about everything we have done together and now this bimbo is sitting in my office telling me she plans to take my mate. I'm really speechless. This is a new low, even for her.<br /> <br /> "Just so that I am clear, what exactly do you mean that you want my goddess-given mate and title," I asked.<br /> <br /> "I mean exactly what I said. I want Kosta. I want to be his luna and I am going to make that happen. I've already started the process. I deserve to be a luna."<br /> <br /> "So you just want to come in here and tell me that you want my mate? What about your own mate? Have you thought about that? If the goddess meant for you to be a luna, you would have been fated to an alpha."<br /> <br /> "I waited for my mate. I gave the goddess a chance to do right by me. She gave everyone around me an Alpha. My sister got one, my little ugly cousin got one and even you got one, but what did I get? I got a lowly elite warrior as a mate." She spat.<br /> <br /> "How can you speak like that about elite warriors? Your father and your brother are elite warriors."<br /> <br /> "I know, and I deserve better than that. I deserve to be a luna. I deserve to have people respect me and cater to me."<br /> <br /> "Well, obviously the goddess did not agree with you," I said. "Just to clarify, you're saying that even though you found your destined mate, the one that was made specifically for you by the goddess, you're still interested in my mate? You are unbelievable. What is wrong with you?"<br /> <br /> "It's simple. I'm not meant to be the mate of a warrior. I am meant to be a luna. The moon goddess got it wrong and I am correcting her mistake. As soon as I scented my fated mate and realized he was a warrior, I rejected him and he accepted my rejection. Good riddance."<br /> <br /> "So you think you know better than the goddess?" I asked.<br /> <br /> I am still somewhat shocked. I have a hard time reconciling this cold-blooded bimbo to the person that has been my best friend for over a decade.<br /> <br /> "Zell, I told you a long time ago not to trust her. She has always been this person. She just pretended with you." Sapphire said.<br /> <br /> "This isn't personal, Zell. It's simple since the moon goddess did not give me an alpha, I'm going to take one."<br /> <br /> This bimbo is sitting here calmly telling me she is going to take my mate from me like we are talking about going shopping. She actually thinks this is ok. How could I have been so blind for so long? Everyone tried to warn me about her, but she was my only friend and I just didn't want to believe that about her. I convinced myself that the others were just jealous of her.<br /> <br /> "Do you really think it is ok to try to break your best friend's mate bond?" I say.<br /> <br /> "Oh Honey, I'm not going to try. I'm going to do it. He will be mine. I'm just giving you the courtesy of walking away with your dignity. You might as well start making arrangements for yourself because once I am the luna, there is no way that I will let you remain in my pack. He may keep some tender feelings for you. After all, you are fated."<br /> <br /> "You got one thing right; Kosta and I are fated. You are not the first she-wolf to try to break our mate bond and since he is an alpha, I'm sure you won't be the last. I will tell you what I tell them all, If you can get Kosta to cheat on our bond, you can have him. If he can do that, then he is not the man I have believed him to be and wouldn't deserve me. You would be welcome to him. Just remember, it is because of me and my family that this pack is ranked third. All of that goes with me, but you would be more than welcome to whatever is left." I say.<br /> <br /> "It's not an if, it's a when it happens. And when you leave, Kosta will still be the alpha of this pack. You will just be the ex-luna of the pack. I will be the luna."<br /> <br /> "That's where you are wrong. I am alpha born; a pure-blooded alpha. If I leave, I will still be an alpha and you will still be that bimbo on the side. Some males may be dumb enough to sleep with you, but I have not seen any of the mate men you've been accused of leaving their mates for you. Even the ones who got rejected didn't choose to be with you. Now I suggest you leave my office while I am still being nice or else you will find out why I am feared by others. And if you are successful, don't think for a minute that my family will let either of you go."<br /> <br /> "I will leave for now. Enjoy this office while it is still yours. Your arrogance will be your downfall. Why should I fear you or your family? They have not even been around since your luna ceremony. I'll give you 1 week to make arrangements for yourself. In 7 days, all of this will be mine and you will be out. I will break you and completely disgrace you. I have to thank you for working so hard to build this pack up for me to take over. I will be sure to enjoy the fruit of your labor. I and my children will enjoy this. I am glad he listened to me early on when I told him to wait to have children so you could live your life first. I had to set the groundwork just in case. Now it's time for you to go before you give him an heir." Khalis says and walks out of my office like nothing happened.<br /> <br /> She has caused a lot of chaos since coming to this pack. I just didn't realize her character before now. I thought she was misunderstood. Now I know I was just naïve. It appears that I was the only person blind to her true nature.<br /> <br /> I spent the rest of the day working on pack security and setting up meetings. There are a few alphas wanting an alliance with us. Kosta and I have become quite the power couple in the werewolf society. Since we took over as alpha and luna, the pack and the businesses have grown tremendously. I put my heart and soul into making our pack the best. I got an early start. I graduated from high school when I was 16 and went to university. I graduated with a business degree at 20. Kosta has let me take the lead in our businesses. He knows that beast at negotiation and a whiz at growing businesses. I have acquired several new companies since working in the pack business. Kosta is still the CEO, but I am the COO of the company. I broker the deals and then call Kosta in to close the deal. Most alphas in our circle are jealous of Kosta because he has me at his side. Kosta used to be proud of me and what I did for the pack, but lately he has been resisting the changes I have been making and trying to take over more of the daily operations of the pack. He can't take it all because I am the sole financial backing of the pack and the businesses.<br /> <br /> I am known in werewolf society as a child prodigy, but don't get it twisted, I am not all brains. I can be very deadly when needed. I train every day. I am one of the strongest wolves alive, although I keep that hidden. I can be ruthless, but fair. I know that I am the total package. I am athletic, tall with curves in the right places. I've never been one to compete with other she-wolves. I thought I was happy and had a good life. I thought Khalis was happy. We used to talk about finding our fated mates. I just can't understand how or why Khalis would try to come between me and my mate. I wish I could believe that my bond was safe and solid, but Sapphire is right about Kosta acting suspiciously lately. Kosta has been questioning me a lot lately. It's like he woke up a different person one day. He suddenly lost trust in me, but I have never given him a reason to doubt me. I have found him outside of my door listening to business phone calls, which is crazy because he could just walk in at any time and join the conversation. I have never hidden anything I was doing from him. The worse thing is that our life is now nonexistent. Kosta is always too busy or too tired. His behavior has led me to believe that he is not attracted to me anymore. He had the nerve to ask me why I have been trying so hard to seduce him lately. Like he didn't just stop making love to me cold turkey all of a sudden. We went from making love every day, sometime multiple times a day, to nothing in over a month. Seems like he should have been worried if I didn't try to seduce him. I don't know any mated pair that has gone this long without being intimate with each other. I don't know what the issue is. If we were not marked, I would wonder if he was cheating, but I know he is not. I would have felt it. Why did all of this suddenly become so hard? Why do I even need to seduce my goddess-given mate? It was never supposed to be this way. At least not yet. I'm only 20 years old. Much too young to be going through a dry spell while mated.<br /> <br /> I got so desperate at one time I asked our friends what was going on with him. Kosta tells his beta and gamma everything. I figured if there was a problem, they would tell me and I could fix it, but they just said that he was under a lot of stress. What exactly does he have to stress about? The pack is doing better than it has been in years. In half a year, the pack will be self-sufficient again and won't need to depend on my finances to keep it afloat. I have everything set in motion for the pack to have more disposable cash and residual income. I have a feeling this has Khalis written all over it. Kosta appears to have fallen in line with her already. Maybe this was their plan all along. Kosta needed me to get his pack back on track and now that they are almost completely independent, they don't need me anymore. If that's the case, they are in for a rude awakening. My six-month plan depends on me closing several more deals. All of these deals are allies with my father, uncle, and grandfather. They will not work with Kosta if our bond falls apart. He would erase everything that I have done over the past three years. Well, that would be his problem.<br /> <br /> I got so caught up in working and thinking; I didn't realize I worked up to dinner time. No one called me for lunch. In fact, no one called me for dinner. That is strange. One of the omegas usually checks on me when I am working too much and makes sure I am eating. I guess everyone is following Kosta. Since he has not been showing me any care, they are not either. That really hurts. I sacrificed a lot for this pack. I thought they cared more than this for me. I should just go back to my room. I don't know if I want to be around this pack right now, especially if they could turn their backs on me this quickly. Were they all just using me for my family's wealth?<br /> <br /> "We need to eat Zell. Remember, we are eating for our pup as well. Don't let them win. We are better than this. If they show us they don't want us here, we will leave. Remember, we are alpha born. We will rise above this. We will go back to where we are celebrated. If they turn against us, they don't deserve us. We will sit back and let them destroy themselves."<br /> <br /> "You are right Sapphire. Let's go eat. Our pup needs sustenance."<br /> <br /> I went and cleaned myself up and walked to the dining room. As soon as I walked through the door, all the talking stopped. The whole place went silent. As I walked all the way in, I saw why everyone went silent. Khalis was sitting in my seat, putting food on Kosta's plate like she is the luna. When she saw me, she just smirked and kept doing what she was doing. Kosta just keep eating like I was not standing there. Sapphire stared, pushing forward. She wanted blood. I did too, but I have to think about our pup.<br /> <br /> "What is going on, Kosta? Why is she sitting in my seat feeding you?" I growled.<br /> <br /> "I meant no harm, Zell. You were busy, so I decided to take care of Kosta for you. Someone needs to care for him while you are caring for other things. "<br /> <br /> "I was speaking to my mate, not his bimbo on the side."<br /> <br /> "You were not here for your mate, so I have been taking care of his needs."<br /> <br /> Sapphire pushed forward and growled loudly. Everyone in the room bowed their neck to her.<br /> <br /> "I could kill you in less than 30 seconds, Khalis. I would advise you not to keep crossing my line and you will find yourself very dead. You obviously have forgotten who I am. Don't make me remind you what my family name is," Sapphire said.<br /> <br /> I regained control and looked at Kosta. He didn't even appear to be concerned. He didn't show an ounce of regret or remorse. That took a little of the fight out of me. Khalis can only do what Kosta allows her to do.<br /> <br /> "Kosta, I asked you a question. What is going on?"<br /> <br /> "As Khalis said, you were busy, so she came to do your job for you. If you spent more time catering to me, your mate, and less time working or whatever you are doing, Khalis wouldn't have to step in and take care of my needs." Kosta said.<br /> <br /> I and every pack member gasped. I could not believe he openly disrespected me like that after everything I have done for him and this pack. I did all of that for him. This ungrateful hip.<br /> <br /> "So now I'm working too much, making your pack financially secure? You were not complaining when the pack was bankrupted and I worked day and night just so you could feed the pack another day. I was working too hard then. It's only now that you think the pack is out of the woods that I am working too hard. Now that everyone is comfortable and not at risk of starving, you want to change. Ok, I see who you are now. So instead of appreciating the sacrifices I made for us and the pack, you are sitting here with your bimbo, enjoying the feast that my hard work made possible. I am glad I finally understand where your priorities lie. Trust me, I will never make the same mistake twice." I said and walked away.<br /> <br /> I need to get out of here before I wolf out and kill one of them. After tonight, Khalis can have him. He is not the male I thought he was. I refuse to fight for someone who can spit on all the effort I put into making him great.<br /> <br /> "Don't walk away from me, Zell," Kosta yelled.<br /> <br /> "Why not? You don't need me. You have Khalis here to take care of all your needs. She is welcome to you. I hope you all will be very happy together. As for me, I'm done. Good luck to you and this pack. I hope you can handle the fallout for you and your bimbo's actions."<br /> <br /> "Mind how you talk to me, Zell. I may be your mate, but I am still the alpha. As a matter of fact, as of right now, I am stripping you of all of your luna privileges."<br /> <br /> "Alpha, what are you doing?" Beta James asked<br /> <br /> "Mind your business Beta. This is my pack." Kosta says.<br /> <br /> "Yes, and as your beta and friend, it is my job to tell you when you are making a mistake. Alpha, you are dangerously close to crossing the line of no return. Let's all calm down and discuss this later." Beta James said.<br /> <br /> "Beta, my word stands. Zel, until you learn to respect me as your alpha, you can forget about representing this pack in any aspect. I will be instructing the security team to restrict all of your access. You are no longer the COO of our businesses. As of now, you are just a regular pact member with no power."<br /> <br /> "First of all Alpha." I spat. "Respect is earned. While you are trying to throw your weight around, you can have the luna title back. I no longer want it. As for the business, have you forgotten that I own 51% of every business we have? I also provide 60% of the pack budget from my personal accounts. So while you can restrict my duties as Luna, you cannot touch the business, but I'll do you a solid. You can buy me out of the business and I will withdraw all of my personal finances from the pack."<br /> <br /> I can see that he had forgotten how dependent his pack was on me, but oh well. He made his bed. Now he and his bimbo can lie in it.<br /> <br /> "Oh, and Alpha, if you try to strong-arm me, I will have to call in the full loan that I gave this pack when we mated. Remember, we signed a contract for the loan. You have only paid me a small portion of the loan and I have not pushed the issue, but the contract is legal and binding. Don't push me, Kosta. You, of all people, know how ruthless I can be if pushed."<br /> <br /> I walked off again and made it as far as the stairs. I realized that I could not stay in my current room anymore. There is no way on this goddess-green earth that I want to be in a room with Kosta. Not that he has really shared it with me lately. Now I know why. Khalis has been feeding him and he has been eating it up. They both miscalculated. They thought I would be leaving here with nothing. The jokes on them. I may have been in love, but there is no love in business. I may have put my all into saving this pack and making it independently wealthy, but my parents did not raise a fool and I protected my finances. I invested millions in this company and pack. Did he really think I would protect my money? Does he not remember the prenup my father made him sign since I was a minor when he brought me to this pack? He never gained control over my finances.<br /> <br /> Khalis just showed her hand. After what I just saw, she has a right to be confident. Kosta has completely changed. He is not the man that I mated. He is not the boy that I followed around when I was younger. I don't know what happened or when he changed. Maybe this is who he really is and, like with Khalis, I just never saw his true self. He must have hidden it from my father and brother as well. There is no way they would have let me come here when I was 17 if they knew this was how he would end up treating me. I can see now that it is over between Kosta and me. I need to start planning my exit. I pulled up my computer and moved all of my finances from the pack accounts. I closed all the joint accounts I had with Kosta. It was mostly my money that financed them. I left the ones that he financed in his name. I don't want anything from him at all. After I handle business, I call my brother. I will need his help to leave here safely. Now that Kosta knows that all the money is still tied up with me, I doubt he will let me leave easily. I'm sure he and the bimbo are plotting up something.<br /> <br /> I called my brother and tall him waht happened.<br /> <br /> "So what's the plan, baby sis?" my brother answered.<br /> <br /> "Well, I have already moved all of my personal money from the pack accounts. They are now responsible for themselves. I'm not sure how that is going to go over. I was covering most of the pack's budget. Tomorrow, I will contact my attorneys to protect all of my other assets. I also plan to call our allies and let them know that I am no longer associated with the pack. I am erasing everything I've done over the past three years. They will need to start over from scratch and rebuild it all on their own. There is no way they will get to enjoy my hard work. No, sir."<br /> <br /> "Very smart Zell. What do you need me to do?"	LEARN_MORE	https://a.letsreadnovel.com/ad/bGV0c3JlYWQvMTQ4NjY	103537452734793	Lett011	https://facebook.com/100092011133637	59	1	1,516,849,782,200,664	2024-04-14 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	Learn more	Lett011	120208370731650357	a.letsreadnovel.com	NONE	video	https://a.letsreadnovel.com/ad/bGV0c3JlYWQvMTQ4NjY2LzIwMjQwNDExMTY0NTE2L3BhZ2U=?adid={{ad.id}}	2024-04-11 04:08	https://scontent.fsac1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434460260_950417172962418_598496174981590769_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=5WLbGgYTR10Ab6eTPmN&_nc_ht=scontent.fsac1-1.fna&oh=00_AfCfrfrLrWQs2uIu8tk9UfVdeajd3l_vpZfEsAI2cnDrWQ&oe=6621FE23	person_profile	Lett011	https://scontent.fsac1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434474794_3686675091579463_4241362756966375049_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=6AfO4if4-rgAb7rW-Bn&_nc_ht=scontent.fsac1-2.fna&oh=00_AfCAvp6jGokQw9oAZPrz1OH9SbgKND6Gb-QwE_aMeU_zkQ&oe=6622041D	3	Lett011	2024-04-14 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,209,368	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1209362}'	No	2024-04-14 13:48	active	515	1110875676894240	🔥🔥 Click to Read 👉🏻👉🏻	"Don't walk away from me, Zell," Kosta yelled.<br /> "Why not? You don't need me. You have Khalis here to take care of all your needs. She is welcome to you. I hope you all will be very happy together. As for me, I'm done. Good luck to you and this pack. I hope you can handle the fallout for you and your whore's actions."<br /> "Mind how you talk to me, Zell. I may be your mate, but I am still the alpha. As a matter of fact, as of right now, I am stripping you of all of your luna privileges."<br /> I spat. "You should know, you didn't deprive me of Luna's title, but I didn't want it myself. I no longer want it. As for the business, have you forgotten that I own 51% of every business we have? I will withdraw all of my personal finances from the pack."<br /> "Oh, and Alpha, You, of all people, know how ruthless I can be if pushed."<br /> ————————<br /> "Well Zel, I just wanted to let you know that I plan on being the Luna of this pack, and your days as Kosta's mate and luna are numbered. I have decided that I deserve to be luna of the third strongest pack in the nation. I mean why should you get everything and I get stuck with nothing?" Khalis says.<br /> <br /> Is this bimbo serious? I just sat there staring at her for a few seconds. Not much shocks me, but this is something else. I knew Khalis was selfish, but this is on a whole other level. There have been rumors about Khalis sleeping with mated males, but I always gave her the benefit of the doubt. I never thought we would be having this kind of conversation. We have been friends since elementary school. Her father and brothers are elite warriors in my father's pack. She was with me when Kosta declared we were mates. She even encouraged me to go with him when he begged me and my father to let me come to his pack with him before I turned 18. She moved to this pack with me, hoping to meet her own mate. She knows Kosta is my fated mate. The moon goddess chose for him me. We both have known Kosta for most of our lives. Kosta is one of my brother's best friends. I keep thinking about everything we have done together and now this bimbo is sitting in my office telling me she plans to take my mate. I'm really speechless. This is a new low, even for her.<br /> <br /> "Just so that I am clear, what exactly do you mean that you want my goddess-given mate and title," I asked.<br /> <br /> "I mean exactly what I said. I want Kosta. I want to be his luna and I am going to make that happen. I've already started the process. I deserve to be a luna."<br /> <br /> "So you just want to come in here and tell me that you want my mate? What about your own mate? Have you thought about that? If the goddess meant for you to be a luna, you would have been fated to an alpha."<br /> <br /> "I waited for my mate. I gave the goddess a chance to do right by me. She gave everyone around me an Alpha. My sister got one, my little ugly cousin got one and even you got one, but what did I get? I got a lowly elite warrior as a mate." She spat.<br /> <br /> "How can you speak like that about elite warriors? Your father and your brother are elite warriors."<br /> <br /> "I know, and I deserve better than that. I deserve to be a luna. I deserve to have people respect me and cater to me."<br /> <br /> "Well, obviously the goddess did not agree with you," I said. "Just to clarify, you're saying that even though you found your destined mate, the one that was made specifically for you by the goddess, you're still interested in my mate? You are unbelievable. What is wrong with you?"<br /> <br /> "It's simple. I'm not meant to be the mate of a warrior. I am meant to be a luna. The moon goddess got it wrong and I am correcting her mistake. As soon as I scented my fated mate and realized he was a warrior, I rejected him and he accepted my rejection. Good riddance."<br /> <br /> "So you think you know better than the goddess?" I asked.<br /> <br /> I am still somewhat shocked. I have a hard time reconciling this cold-blooded bimbo to the person that has been my best friend for over a decade.<br /> <br /> "Zell, I told you a long time ago not to trust her. She has always been this person. She just pretended with you." Sapphire said.<br /> <br /> "This isn't personal, Zell. It's simple since the moon goddess did not give me an alpha, I'm going to take one."<br /> <br /> This bimbo is sitting here calmly telling me she is going to take my mate from me like we are talking about going shopping. She actually thinks this is ok. How could I have been so blind for so long? Everyone tried to warn me about her, but she was my only friend and I just didn't want to believe that about her. I convinced myself that the others were just jealous of her.<br /> <br /> "Do you really think it is ok to try to break your best friend's mate bond?" I say.<br /> <br /> "Oh Honey, I'm not going to try. I'm going to do it. He will be mine. I'm just giving you the courtesy of walking away with your dignity. You might as well start making arrangements for yourself because once I am the luna, there is no way that I will let you remain in my pack. He may keep some tender feelings for you. After all, you are fated."<br /> <br /> "You got one thing right; Kosta and I are fated. You are not the first she-wolf to try to break our mate bond and since he is an alpha, I'm sure you won't be the last. I will tell you what I tell them all, If you can get Kosta to cheat on our bond, you can have him. If he can do that, then he is not the man I have believed him to be and wouldn't deserve me. You would be welcome to him. Just remember, it is because of me and my family that this pack is ranked third. All of that goes with me, but you would be more than welcome to whatever is left." I say.<br /> <br /> "It's not an if, it's a when it happens. And when you leave, Kosta will still be the alpha of this pack. You will just be the ex-luna of the pack. I will be the luna."<br /> <br /> "That's where you are wrong. I am alpha born; a pure-blooded alpha. If I leave, I will still be an alpha and you will still be that bimbo on the side. Some males may be dumb enough to sleep with you, but I have not seen any of the mate men you've been accused of leaving their mates for you. Even the ones who got rejected didn't choose to be with you. Now I suggest you leave my office while I am still being nice or else you will find out why I am feared by others. And if you are successful, don't think for a minute that my family will let either of you go."<br /> <br /> "I will leave for now. Enjoy this office while it is still yours. Your arrogance will be your downfall. Why should I fear you or your family? They have not even been around since your luna ceremony. I'll give you 1 week to make arrangements for yourself. In 7 days, all of this will be mine and you will be out. I will break you and completely disgrace you. I have to thank you for working so hard to build this pack up for me to take over. I will be sure to enjoy the fruit of your labor. I and my children will enjoy this. I am glad he listened to me early on when I told him to wait to have children so you could live your life first. I had to set the groundwork just in case. Now it's time for you to go before you give him an heir." Khalis says and walks out of my office like nothing happened.<br /> <br /> She has caused a lot of chaos since coming to this pack. I just didn't realize her character before now. I thought she was misunderstood. Now I know I was just naïve. It appears that I was the only person blind to her true nature.<br /> <br /> I spent the rest of the day working on pack security and setting up meetings. There are a few alphas wanting an alliance with us. Kosta and I have become quite the power couple in the werewolf society. Since we took over as alpha and luna, the pack and the businesses have grown tremendously. I put my heart and soul into making our pack the best. I got an early start. I graduated from high school when I was 16 and went to university. I graduated with a business degree at 20. Kosta has let me take the lead in our businesses. He knows that beast at negotiation and a whiz at growing businesses. I have acquired several new companies since working in the pack business. Kosta is still the CEO, but I am the COO of the company. I broker the deals and then call Kosta in to close the deal. Most alphas in our circle are jealous of Kosta because he has me at his side. Kosta used to be proud of me and what I did for the pack, but lately he has been resisting the changes I have been making and trying to take over more of the daily operations of the pack. He can't take it all because I am the sole financial backing of the pack and the businesses.<br /> <br /> I am known in werewolf society as a child prodigy, but don't get it twisted, I am not all brains. I can be very deadly when needed. I train every day. I am one of the strongest wolves alive, although I keep that hidden. I can be ruthless, but fair. I know that I am the total package. I am athletic, tall with curves in the right places. I've never been one to compete with other she-wolves. I thought I was happy and had a good life. I thought Khalis was happy. We used to talk about finding our fated mates. I just can't understand how or why Khalis would try to come between me and my mate. I wish I could believe that my bond was safe and solid, but Sapphire is right about Kosta acting suspiciously lately. Kosta has been questioning me a lot lately. It's like he woke up a different person one day. He suddenly lost trust in me, but I have never given him a reason to doubt me. I have found him outside of my door listening to business phone calls, which is crazy because he could just walk in at any time and join the conversation. I have never hidden anything I was doing from him. The worse thing is that our life is now nonexistent. Kosta is always too busy or too tired. His behavior has led me to believe that he is not attracted to me anymore. He had the nerve to ask me why I have been trying so hard to seduce him lately. Like he didn't just stop making love to me cold turkey all of a sudden. We went from making love every day, sometime multiple times a day, to nothing in over a month. Seems like he should have been worried if I didn't try to seduce him. I don't know any mated pair that has gone this long without being intimate with each other. I don't know what the issue is. If we were not marked, I would wonder if he was cheating, but I know he is not. I would have felt it. Why did all of this suddenly become so hard? Why do I even need to seduce my goddess-given mate? It was never supposed to be this way. At least not yet. I'm only 20 years old. Much too young to be going through a dry spell while mated.<br /> <br /> I got so desperate at one time I asked our friends what was going on with him. Kosta tells his beta and gamma everything. I figured if there was a problem, they would tell me and I could fix it, but they just said that he was under a lot of stress. What exactly does he have to stress about? The pack is doing better than it has been in years. In half a year, the pack will be self-sufficient again and won't need to depend on my finances to keep it afloat. I have everything set in motion for the pack to have more disposable cash and residual income. I have a feeling this has Khalis written all over it. Kosta appears to have fallen in line with her already. Maybe this was their plan all along. Kosta needed me to get his pack back on track and now that they are almost completely independent, they don't need me anymore. If that's the case, they are in for a rude awakening. My six-month plan depends on me closing several more deals. All of these deals are allies with my father, uncle, and grandfather. They will not work with Kosta if our bond falls apart. He would erase everything that I have done over the past three years. Well, that would be his problem.<br /> <br /> I got so caught up in working and thinking; I didn't realize I worked up to dinner time. No one called me for lunch. In fact, no one called me for dinner. That is strange. One of the omegas usually checks on me when I am working too much and makes sure I am eating. I guess everyone is following Kosta. Since he has not been showing me any care, they are not either. That really hurts. I sacrificed a lot for this pack. I thought they cared more than this for me. I should just go back to my room. I don't know if I want to be around this pack right now, especially if they could turn their backs on me this quickly. Were they all just using me for my family's wealth?<br /> <br /> "We need to eat Zell. Remember, we are eating for our pup as well. Don't let them win. We are better than this. If they show us they don't want us here, we will leave. Remember, we are alpha born. We will rise above this. We will go back to where we are celebrated. If they turn against us, they don't deserve us. We will sit back and let them destroy themselves."<br /> <br /> "You are right Sapphire. Let's go eat. Our pup needs sustenance."<br /> <br /> I went and cleaned myself up and walked to the dining room. As soon as I walked through the door, all the talking stopped. The whole place went silent. As I walked all the way in, I saw why everyone went silent. Khalis was sitting in my seat, putting food on Kosta's plate like she is the luna. When she saw me, she just smirked and kept doing what she was doing. Kosta just keep eating like I was not standing there. Sapphire stared, pushing forward. She wanted blood. I did too, but I have to think about our pup.<br /> <br /> "What is going on, Kosta? Why is she sitting in my seat feeding you?" I growled.<br /> <br /> "I meant no harm, Zell. You were busy, so I decided to take care of Kosta for you. Someone needs to care for him while you are caring for other things. "<br /> <br /> "I was speaking to my mate, not his bimbo on the side."<br /> <br /> "You were not here for your mate, so I have been taking care of his needs."<br /> <br /> Sapphire pushed forward and growled loudly. Everyone in the room bowed their neck to her.<br /> <br /> "I could kill you in less than 30 seconds, Khalis. I would advise you not to keep crossing my line and you will find yourself very dead. You obviously have forgotten who I am. Don't make me remind you what my family name is," Sapphire said.<br /> <br /> I regained control and looked at Kosta. He didn't even appear to be concerned. He didn't show an ounce of regret or remorse. That took a little of the fight out of me. Khalis can only do what Kosta allows her to do.<br /> <br /> "Kosta, I asked you a question. What is going on?"<br /> <br /> "As Khalis said, you were busy, so she came to do your job for you. If you spent more time catering to me, your mate, and less time working or whatever you are doing, Khalis wouldn't have to step in and take care of my needs." Kosta said.<br /> <br /> I and every pack member gasped. I could not believe he openly disrespected me like that after everything I have done for him and this pack. I did all of that for him. This ungrateful hip.<br /> <br /> "So now I'm working too much, making your pack financially secure? You were not complaining when the pack was bankrupted and I worked day and night just so you could feed the pack another day. I was working too hard then. It's only now that you think the pack is out of the woods that I am working too hard. Now that everyone is comfortable and not at risk of starving, you want to change. Ok, I see who you are now. So instead of appreciating the sacrifices I made for us and the pack, you are sitting here with your bimbo, enjoying the feast that my hard work made possible. I am glad I finally understand where your priorities lie. Trust me, I will never make the same mistake twice." I said and walked away.<br /> <br /> I need to get out of here before I wolf out and kill one of them. After tonight, Khalis can have him. He is not the male I thought he was. I refuse to fight for someone who can spit on all the effort I put into making him great.<br /> <br /> "Don't walk away from me, Zell," Kosta yelled.<br /> <br /> "Why not? You don't need me. You have Khalis here to take care of all your needs. She is welcome to you. I hope you all will be very happy together. As for me, I'm done. Good luck to you and this pack. I hope you can handle the fallout for you and your bimbo's actions."<br /> <br /> "Mind how you talk to me, Zell. I may be your mate, but I am still the alpha. As a matter of fact, as of right now, I am stripping you of all of your luna privileges."<br /> <br /> "Alpha, what are you doing?" Beta James asked<br /> <br /> "Mind your business Beta. This is my pack." Kosta says.<br /> <br /> "Yes, and as your beta and friend, it is my job to tell you when you are making a mistake. Alpha, you are dangerously close to crossing the line of no return. Let's all calm down and discuss this later." Beta James said.<br /> <br /> "Beta, my word stands. Zel, until you learn to respect me as your alpha, you can forget about representing this pack in any aspect. I will be instructing the security team to restrict all of your access. You are no longer the COO of our businesses. As of now, you are just a regular pact member with no power."<br /> <br /> "First of all Alpha." I spat. "Respect is earned. While you are trying to throw your weight around, you can have the luna title back. I no longer want it. As for the business, have you forgotten that I own 51% of every business we have? I also provide 60% of the pack budget from my personal accounts. So while you can restrict my duties as Luna, you cannot touch the business, but I'll do you a solid. You can buy me out of the business and I will withdraw all of my personal finances from the pack."<br /> <br /> I can see that he had forgotten how dependent his pack was on me, but oh well. He made his bed. Now he and his bimbo can lie in it.<br /> <br /> "Oh, and Alpha, if you try to strong-arm me, I will have to call in the full loan that I gave this pack when we mated. Remember, we signed a contract for the loan. You have only paid me a small portion of the loan and I have not pushed the issue, but the contract is legal and binding. Don't push me, Kosta. You, of all people, know how ruthless I can be if pushed."<br /> <br /> I walked off again and made it as far as the stairs. I realized that I could not stay in my current room anymore. There is no way on this goddess-green earth that I want to be in a room with Kosta. Not that he has really shared it with me lately. Now I know why. Khalis has been feeding him and he has been eating it up. They both miscalculated. They thought I would be leaving here with nothing. The jokes on them. I may have been in love, but there is no love in business. I may have put my all into saving this pack and making it independently wealthy, but my parents did not raise a fool and I protected my finances. I invested millions in this company and pack. Did he really think I would protect my money? Does he not remember the prenup my father made him sign since I was a minor when he brought me to this pack? He never gained control over my finances.<br /> <br /> Khalis just showed her hand. After what I just saw, she has a right to be confident. Kosta has completely changed. He is not the man that I mated. He is not the boy that I followed around when I was younger. I don't know what happened or when he changed. Maybe this is who he really is and, like with Khalis, I just never saw his true self. He must have hidden it from my father and brother as well. There is no way they would have let me come here when I was 17 if they knew this was how he would end up treating me. I can see now that it is over between Kosta and me. I need to start planning my exit. I pulled up my computer and moved all of my finances from the pack accounts. I closed all the joint accounts I had with Kosta. It was mostly my money that financed them. I left the ones that he financed in his name. I don't want anything from him at all. After I handle business, I call my brother. I will need his help to leave here safely. Now that Kosta knows that all the money is still tied up with me, I doubt he will let me leave easily. I'm sure he and the bimbo are plotting up something.<br /> <br /> I called my brother and tall him waht happened.<br /> <br /> "So what's the plan, baby sis?" my brother answered.<br /> <br /> "Well, I have already moved all of my personal money from the pack accounts. They are now responsible for themselves. I'm not sure how that is going to go over. I was covering most of the pack's budget. Tomorrow, I will contact my attorneys to protect all of my other assets. I also plan to call our allies and let them know that I am no longer associated with the pack. I am erasing everything I've done over the past three years. They will need to start over from scratch and rebuild it all on their own. There is no way they will get to enjoy my hard work. No, sir."<br /> <br /> "Very smart Zell. What do you need me to do?"	LEARN_MORE	https://a.letsreadnovel.com/ad/bGV0c3JlYWQvMTQ4NjY	103537452734793	Lett011	https://facebook.com/100092011133637	59	1	287,239,157,754,445	2024-04-14 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	Learn more	Lett011	120208370817150357	a.letsreadnovel.com	NONE	video	https://a.letsreadnovel.com/ad/bGV0c3JlYWQvMTQ4NjY2LzIwMjQwNDExMTY0NTE2L3BhZ2U=?adid={{ad.id}}	2024-04-11 04:10	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/436236727_427125849859049_1549557161559909464_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Bb2hmnFvXqkAb72xaik&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDmTxDikJ7G3HzouAcksebHqflQzAwX6_Qz7Kueogu7jA&oe=6621DB4B	person_profile	Lett011	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/436277775_932385535557570_1176784866534865590_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=e4es7v_2wrUAb4DLItR&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCynjJZO4VOsLsMI4ZK_btfk-ABsQfWgtgdezok8ufC3w&oe=66220D26	3	Lett011	2024-04-14 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,209,372	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1209346}'	Yes	2024-04-14 13:48	active	515	1120574315753249	🔥🔥 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."	LEARN_MORE	https://a.funstorys.com/ad/RnVuU3RvcnkvMTUwMjA3LzI	142292175627960	Fun003	https://facebook.com/61551606164621	60	1	1,426,474,284,929,606	2024-04-14 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	Learn more	Fun003	120208689326180696	a.funstorys.com	NONE	video	https://a.funstorys.com/ad/RnVuU3RvcnkvMTUwMjA3LzIwMjQwNDE0MTYxNzAwL3BhZ2U=?adid={{ad.id}}	2024-04-14 03:22	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/437784217_355915986879740_4009388210350188901_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=OuZMrKNq61UAb41eZYl&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDb_1xG3TV4TrSu_sQxq-O3XVMhg9J0dXRaz55lqbgHRg&oe=6621F107	person_profile	Fun003	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/437940342_954056699691269_5884405682625749385_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=u5B6jxpH_I4Ab409qZ7&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBka9Ilr9FLwTnUQgW7ODGz2XfSLvsLduE0v33Zz5yQlQ&oe=66220335	3	Fun003	2024-04-14 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,209,392	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1211527}'	Yes	2024-04-14 13:48	active	515	1592265931536531	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	3	438,393,035,388,010	2024-04-14 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	1	1	Learn more	The novels	120206741730470765	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={{campaign.id}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&utm_source=FBW2A&utm_medium={{placement}}&utm_campaign={{campaign.id}}&utm_term={{adset.id}}&utm_content={{ad.id}}	2024-04-12 06:02	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435488739_450108494145361_3195697238086672046_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=zmsWykUzb2AAb5bERva&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCsb4GyX0Fn5Kge8RM3ouVc05ejx_Oy7585NX0tCnkz4w&oe=6621E996	person_profile	The novels	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435688006_1009804067385152_2999112661918754643_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=UExvXbVe1awAb6Q9z38&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCQks9CGmEoxQu1pTDZDk_Vg4u7J0E1B38Yf4_TUd4HEQ&oe=6621FCC8	3	The novels	2024-04-14 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,209,441	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1209273}'	Yes	2024-04-14 13:48	active	515	2458613657675786	🔥🔥 Click to Read 👉🏻👉🏻	【He won't be coming home tonight, he's too busy sleeping with me. A full year of passion, something you and him will never have.】<br /> A picture of some random bimbo with blonde hair and a stupid smirk was cuddling up next to my boyfriend who was half undressed and sleeping.<br /> Long forgetting his girlfriend who was at home like a fool, waiting for her boyfriend to show up so they could celebrate their four years together. <br /> And that was the day I found out my boyfriend of four years was cheating on me for the last year of our relationship.<br /> ————————<br /> With every picture I burned, memories of him were vanishing along with my love for him. Everything was finally coming to pieces. All the trips he took, all those long nights at work, all those rejections were part of his lies. Just a cover up for where he truly was, sleeping around with some cheap woman. All while I was at home waiting for him and giving him my love. As the pictures burned my hatred for him grew.<br /> "Babe I'm home."<br /> My head snaps up at the sound of his voice. A voice that once gave me comfort, but now disgusted me.<br /> "In the living room."<br /> I quickly hide the pictures under the couch, and put on a fake smile.<br /> He comes in with his black suit all wrinkled, his shirt un tucked, his tie loose around his neck. His blue eyes held a hint of guilt. A look I knew was fake just like the excuse he was about to give me. He was holding a bear that held a little black box, and a bouquet of red roses. Usually I would accept the gifts and forgive him, but that was before I knew his little cheating adventures. I hold my fake smile as I looked over the gifts in his hands.<br /> "So am I forgiven?"<br /> He says breaking the silence, and all I do is smile.<br /> "Oh babe it's fine, let me guess work was piling up today?"<br /> Let's see what you say you lying scumbag.<br /> I notice his eyes flicker with relief and he lets out a breath.<br /> "You know me so well babe, happy four years Nikky."<br /> He sets the bear, roses and small box on the couch. He comes closer and wraps his arms around me. All I wanted to do at that moment was push him off of me. But trying my best I hug him back. Huh he smells of cheap perfume.<br /> "I'll be back, I'm going to change and then we could have dinner."<br /> I just nod and watch him walk off to my room. I wait until he realizes that his clothes are nowhere to be found. Well at least he hasn't checked the garbage.<br /> "Nikky?"<br /> "Yea?"<br /> I respond looking at his confused face.<br /> "Why aren't any of my clothes in there?"<br /> Tell him now.<br /> "They're in the garbage."<br /> I respond.<br /> "Why?"<br /> "Well I thought since you probably have clothes at her house I could just throw away all the clothes you have here. And plus I need more space for the shoes and more clothes I want to buy."<br /> "What are you talking about?"<br /> He says confused.<br /> "Well I'm talking about the girl's house where you stay I'm pretty sure every night for a little sleepover."<br /> "So you assume I cheated on you?"<br /> "Oh no I'm not assuming anything, I have proof that you cheated on me."<br /> I push past him and grab my phone, opening the message and making him look at the picture. As he does his eyes go wide. He opens his mouth to say something but I cut him off.<br /> "Don't you dare say that this isn't you."<br /> I snap and he looks up at me with guilt in his blue eyes.<br /> "Don't do this."<br /> He pleads.<br /> "Leave."<br /> "Nikky come on please let me explain."<br /> "Explain what Luke?! How you cheated on me for who knows how long and yet you have the nerve to come home knowing well what you have done!"<br /> "Nikky it was a mistake!"<br /> "A mistake! No what you did was not a mistake but a choice."<br /> He doesn't say anything.<br /> "Leave! And take this because I don't want anything to do with you!"<br /> I throw the roses and bear at him, along with the little box. And the necklace I was currently wearing.<br /> "Ple-<br /> "Leave now before I call the police."<br /> He stands there looking at me.<br /> "Leave!"<br /> I bang on his chest and push him out the door. Once he is out the door I slam it shut and that's when I feel it. My heart clenches and a sob escapes my throat, tears following right after. And that's when I break, I fall to the ground and let out sobs as I realize that the guy I had loved had broken my heart and didn't think twice when he cheated on me. The guy I was having a baby with had broken me. Grabbing my stomach I let out another sob.<br /> I'm so sorry baby.<br /> The seconds turned to hours which turned to days. I had moved out from the apartment into a smaller one closer to the city. My once flat belly was now a small round bump, being 1 month pregnant and alone brought a lot of complications for me, emotionally wise. I had yet to tell my parents, for all they knew Luke and I were still a thing. I had told no one about the break up except for my best friend Charlie, who I called up the next day to help me find a new place. A place were I could start fresh, with new memories. Just my baby and I.<br /> I was meeting my mom and dad for brunch today so to make sure my bump wasn't noticeable I decided to wear a large black shirt and black leggings and a pair of vans. My hair which was once long was now above my shoulders.<br /> Mom: Sweetie why don't you invite Luke over to eat with us? Your father and I haven't seen or heard from him in a while<br /> I sigh as I look at the text.<br /> Well of course you haven't heard from the scumbag, we broke up because he cheated. And now I'm having his baby.<br /> That's what I wanted to text her, but of course I didn't. But instead replied with the same excuse. Luke was at work and couldn't make it.<br /> "Come on little bean, we have to go meet grandma and grandpa."<br /> I rub my belly and smile. Yea I was already talking to the baby, who was probably the size of a bean if not a bit larger.<br /> Walking out of the apartment I head over to my car and drive off to the cafe that was twenty minutes away.<br /> Driving was always something that I dreaded, because my mind tends to wander to questions I would rather most likely avoid. And the biggest one of course was, When are you going to tell Luke that you're pregnant? Or are you not going to? Personally I would rather keep my baby away from him and not let him know, but he is the father and legally has the right to know.<br /> Before I could get anymore into the subject, I turn the radio on, raising the volume up to drown my thoughts.<br /> By the time I get there parking was already full, so I'm forced to park a block away.<br /> "Great, that means more walking little bean. Which isn't a bad thing. But mommy gets tired."<br /> Dad: Kiddo are you almost here?<br /> I look at the text and chuckle, my dad was always impatient when it came to food.<br /> Me: Yes dad, had to park a block away but I should be there in three minutes.<br /> I turn the engine off and walk out to the crisp air. It was mid-September and the weather in Chicago was getting a bit cooler as fall approached.<br /> I start walking and as I do I start to feel nervous, the fact that my parents will finally know that Luke and I broke up and that I was pregnant and was going to be a single mom was quite the thing to get me all nervous.<br /> It'll be fine, no need to get all worked up about it. You are an adult and they can't tell you what to do anymore.<br /> I kept telling myself as I opened the door and was welcomed with the scent of coffee and warmth. I search the whole place and spot my parents all the way in the back, my dad waving his hands and my mom laughing as she brought the mug to her lips.<br /> Smiling at them I walk towards their table causing them both to get up and greet me with a hug.<br /> "Kiddo Long time no see! How's Luke?"<br /> Just the mention of that name made my stomach churn.<br /> "Yea dad it has been a long time."<br /> I reply ignoring the last part.<br /> "Mom."<br /> I say giving her a hug.<br /> "Darling, how I've missed you. Woah looks like someone is gaining a bit of weight."<br /> Come on Nikky it's now or never. You have to tell them.<br /> "Well, that's what I wanted to talk to you guys about."<br /> I explain, biting on the inside of my cheek.<br /> "Of you gaining weight?"<br /> My dad asks as he sits back down.<br /> And before I can answer a waitress comes by.<br /> "Can I get you anything to drink?"<br /> "Yea she'll have an espresso."<br /> My mom answers.<br /> I shake my head.<br /> "Actually I'll just have a hot chocolate with whipped cream on top and a chocolate chip muffin please."<br /> "Alrighty, then I'll be right out with that."<br /> "Hot chocolate?"<br /> "Yea I just wanted to try something different."<br /> I say playing around with the hem of my shirt.<br /> "So what did you want to talk about Nikky?"<br /> My mom says sitting back down and I follow sitting across from her and my dad.<br /> "Well, um okay, how do I tell you guys."<br /> Quit stalling and just tell them Nikky!<br /> "Nikky just spit it out. You know you can tell us anything."<br /> I nod, reassuring my mom that I knew that.<br /> "Okay, well I'm uh pregnant."<br /> There I said it.<br /> I looked at both my parents who had a blank stare. That is until my mother broke into a smile and stood up, making me stand up as well.<br /> "Sweetie congratulations! Why didn't you tell me sooner?"<br /> She wraps her arms around me and sways us side to side.<br /> "Come on let me get a hug."<br /> My dad says and my mom lets go letting my dad congratulate me by giving me one of his famous bear hugs.<br /> "Can't believe we're going to be grandparents."<br /> I look over at my mom who was on the verge of crying.<br /> "Mom please don't cry."<br /> I plead knowing that I had yet to tell them the other part of the news and not know how they would react with the second part once I had told them.<br /> "So how did Luke react?"<br /> They both look at me with the biggest smiles on their faces.<br /> "He doesn't know."<br /> I say and my mom blinks and my dad just smiles.<br /> "Of course! you want to make it a surprise!"<br /> I shake my head no.<br /> "We broke up, have been for a while now. I left the apartment and got a smaller one closer to the city. Charlie helped me pick it out."<br /> "You're not going to keep it am I right?"<br /> My mother asks looking rather angry.<br /> I was taken aback from her remark, does she mean an abortion?<br /> "No, I plan on keeping my baby."<br /> "Nikky do you know what our friends will say when they find out about this?"<br /> I don't answer her but just continue staring at both my parents, letting her comment process.<br /> Why would I want to have an abortion? This baby was a blessing for me and there was no way that I was going to end my little bean's life. Sure being a single mom would be a bit more challenging but I had my friends, and I thought I had my family but apparently they don't approve.<br /> "Or if you don't want an abortion, we can have it be adopted."<br /> I look at my mother with a look of disgust.<br /> "It's a baby, not it. And I will not have an abortion nor will I have the baby be adopted."<br /> I speak low as to not cause a scene, not that it mattered.<br /> "Nikky listen to your mother, this won't be good for your reputation. Think about it, you'll be a single mom living on your own and not even married with a baby on the way."<br /> I scoff.<br /> "Are you listening to yourself, dad?! Not married and with a baby? This is the twenty-first century, things change and not being married and with a kid is one of them."<br /> Before my mom could reply the waitress comes with our stuff.<br /> "Actually I'll like to have my things to go please."<br /> I say giving her a small smile.<br /> She looks between my mom and I and nods, maybe she could sense the tension going on.<br /> "Of course."<br /> "Thank you."<br /> I turn back to my parents.<br /> "Don't worry, we won't be causing you or your reputation any more trouble."<br /> With that said I walk to the cash register grabbing my hot chocolate and muffin and leaving the coffee shop.<br /> I was preoccupied with my thoughts but the chime of my phone quickly pulled me back to reality.<br /> "So let me get this straight your mother wants you to have an abortion or have the baby be adopted?"<br /> Charlie looks over at me as he flips over the omelet, he looked a bit shocked that my mother would think such thing.<br /> "Yup, my dad even said that it was bad for my reputation being a single mother and all. That it was immoral for me to have the baby and not have the father here with me."<br /> I move around to the cupboard to get the plates along with the cups.<br /> "Well, why would you want a douchebag to me near your baby, especially a cheating one."<br /> "Well he is the father, I have to tell him. But no way will I get back with him."<br /> "So are you for sure ready to tell him? The real question I'm asking is if you're ready to face him again."<br /> He places the omelet on the plate and sets the pan down before looking at me.<br /> "I have no clue, whenever I think about him I feel like throwing up, and I just get nervous. But he has to know, doesn't he?"<br /> I ask looking as Charlie starts preparing his omelet. He shrugs his shoulders before cracking an egg followed by another.<br /> "That's up to you. Do you want him to be part of the baby's life?"<br /> I let out a sigh and run my hands through my face, feeling exhausted from the whole situation.<br /> "I don't know what I want anymore, I just want to live a happy life with my baby."<br /> "Here eat already."<br /> He nudges the plate towards me and I grab it sitting down, waiting for Charlie to finish making his.<br /> "I don't have his number anymore so that means I'm going to have to talk with his parents and get his number from them."<br /> I take my fork and cut a piece of the omelet bringing it to my mouth.<br /> "This is so good."<br /> I exclaim with a full mouth. Charlie chuckles and turns his head to look at me.<br /> "Glad you two like it."<br /> "Like it? We love it."<br /> I take another bite letting my mouth savor the flavors that the sausage, bacon, and ham brought to my taste buds. Charlie joins me finally with his omelet my hot chocolate and his coffee mug, taking a seat across from me.<br /> "Veggie omelet?"<br /> I ask looking at his omelet which contained mushrooms, avocado, spinach, and tomatoes.<br /> "Yea it's good."<br /> He says taking a bite and looking at me with his blue eyes.<br /> I shake my head.<br /> "Maybe, but little bean and I prefer the meat omelet."<br /> The rest of our breakfast time we spent time talking about random stuff, school, and a new project he had. We talked about almost everything except my parents, luke, and the problems I soon had to face.<br /> "Okay so let me get this, you have a date tomorrow and you're barely telling me today?! Why didn't you tell me sooner jerk?"<br /> I smack his arm playfully.<br /> "Becuase I'm not for sure if it will turn out into more dates."<br /> "I don't care, you should have told me. It's about time you got a date."<br /> He rolls his eyes, he opens his mouth to say something smart but he was cut off by a sudden knock at the door.<br /> "Are you expecting someone?"<br /> "Not that I'm aware of."<br /> I get up from my seat and make my way towards the door, before opening it I look through the peephole and feel my heart start beating faster, and not in a good way.	LEARN_MORE	https://a.menovels.com/ad/ZmljZnVuLzE0ODQ5OS8yMDI0	117885518079525	Myno002	https://facebook.com/61551240237229	43	1	1,108,680,263,583,905	2024-04-14 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	Learn more	Myno002	120207615301820166	a.menovels.com	NONE	video	https://a.menovels.com/ad/ZmljZnVuLzE0ODQ5OS8yMDI0MDQxMTE2MzMzMy9wYWdl?adid={{ad.id}}	2024-04-11 03:46	https://scontent.ford4-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/420469467_1471744247081691_8588930554178112142_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ruP6HaVVD60Ab7x_34v&_nc_ht=scontent.ford4-1.fna&oh=00_AfDTc6PuFRi_nSgZnq5_v4JaUKnpX89IJ97yCgzT3zSbeA&oe=6621FC9F	person_profile	Myno002	https://scontent.ford4-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/436355046_440918308515212_6191161463104462176_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=puvVjy-T9vcAb4iI8YY&_nc_ht=scontent.ford4-1.fna&oh=00_AfBVjROnQjBOMdhuktQT4OnMnSq4CavxY2ncal_rb2s4bA&oe=6621DE36	3	Myno002	2024-04-14 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,209,445	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1209350}'	Yes	2024-04-14 13:48	active	515	2832637736904111	🔥🔥 Click to Read 👉🏻👉🏻	"Don't walk away from me, Zell," Kosta yelled.<br /> "Why not? You don't need me. You have Khalis here to take care of all your needs. She is welcome to you. I hope you all will be very happy together. As for me, I'm done. Good luck to you and this pack. I hope you can handle the fallout for you and your whore's actions."<br /> "Mind how you talk to me, Zell. I may be your mate, but I am still the alpha. As a matter of fact, as of right now, I am stripping you of all of your luna privileges."<br /> I spat. "You should know, you didn't deprive me of Luna's title, but I didn't want it myself. I no longer want it. As for the business, have you forgotten that I own 51% of every business we have? I will withdraw all of my personal finances from the pack."<br /> "Oh, and Alpha, You, of all people, know how ruthless I can be if pushed."<br /> ————————<br /> "Well Zel, I just wanted to let you know that I plan on being the Luna of this pack, and your days as Kosta's mate and luna are numbered. I have decided that I deserve to be luna of the third strongest pack in the nation. I mean why should you get everything and I get stuck with nothing?" Khalis says.<br /> <br /> Is this bimbo serious? I just sat there staring at her for a few seconds. Not much shocks me, but this is something else. I knew Khalis was selfish, but this is on a whole other level. There have been rumors about Khalis sleeping with mated males, but I always gave her the benefit of the doubt. I never thought we would be having this kind of conversation. We have been friends since elementary school. Her father and brothers are elite warriors in my father's pack. She was with me when Kosta declared we were mates. She even encouraged me to go with him when he begged me and my father to let me come to his pack with him before I turned 18. She moved to this pack with me, hoping to meet her own mate. She knows Kosta is my fated mate. The moon goddess chose for him me. We both have known Kosta for most of our lives. Kosta is one of my brother's best friends. I keep thinking about everything we have done together and now this bimbo is sitting in my office telling me she plans to take my mate. I'm really speechless. This is a new low, even for her.<br /> <br /> "Just so that I am clear, what exactly do you mean that you want my goddess-given mate and title," I asked.<br /> <br /> "I mean exactly what I said. I want Kosta. I want to be his luna and I am going to make that happen. I've already started the process. I deserve to be a luna."<br /> <br /> "So you just want to come in here and tell me that you want my mate? What about your own mate? Have you thought about that? If the goddess meant for you to be a luna, you would have been fated to an alpha."<br /> <br /> "I waited for my mate. I gave the goddess a chance to do right by me. She gave everyone around me an Alpha. My sister got one, my little ugly cousin got one and even you got one, but what did I get? I got a lowly elite warrior as a mate." She spat.<br /> <br /> "How can you speak like that about elite warriors? Your father and your brother are elite warriors."<br /> <br /> "I know, and I deserve better than that. I deserve to be a luna. I deserve to have people respect me and cater to me."<br /> <br /> "Well, obviously the goddess did not agree with you," I said. "Just to clarify, you're saying that even though you found your destined mate, the one that was made specifically for you by the goddess, you're still interested in my mate? You are unbelievable. What is wrong with you?"<br /> <br /> "It's simple. I'm not meant to be the mate of a warrior. I am meant to be a luna. The moon goddess got it wrong and I am correcting her mistake. As soon as I scented my fated mate and realized he was a warrior, I rejected him and he accepted my rejection. Good riddance."<br /> <br /> "So you think you know better than the goddess?" I asked.<br /> <br /> I am still somewhat shocked. I have a hard time reconciling this cold-blooded bimbo to the person that has been my best friend for over a decade.<br /> <br /> "Zell, I told you a long time ago not to trust her. She has always been this person. She just pretended with you." Sapphire said.<br /> <br /> "This isn't personal, Zell. It's simple since the moon goddess did not give me an alpha, I'm going to take one."<br /> <br /> This bimbo is sitting here calmly telling me she is going to take my mate from me like we are talking about going shopping. She actually thinks this is ok. How could I have been so blind for so long? Everyone tried to warn me about her, but she was my only friend and I just didn't want to believe that about her. I convinced myself that the others were just jealous of her.<br /> <br /> "Do you really think it is ok to try to break your best friend's mate bond?" I say.<br /> <br /> "Oh Honey, I'm not going to try. I'm going to do it. He will be mine. I'm just giving you the courtesy of walking away with your dignity. You might as well start making arrangements for yourself because once I am the luna, there is no way that I will let you remain in my pack. He may keep some tender feelings for you. After all, you are fated."<br /> <br /> "You got one thing right; Kosta and I are fated. You are not the first she-wolf to try to break our mate bond and since he is an alpha, I'm sure you won't be the last. I will tell you what I tell them all, If you can get Kosta to cheat on our bond, you can have him. If he can do that, then he is not the man I have believed him to be and wouldn't deserve me. You would be welcome to him. Just remember, it is because of me and my family that this pack is ranked third. All of that goes with me, but you would be more than welcome to whatever is left." I say.<br /> <br /> "It's not an if, it's a when it happens. And when you leave, Kosta will still be the alpha of this pack. You will just be the ex-luna of the pack. I will be the luna."<br /> <br /> "That's where you are wrong. I am alpha born; a pure-blooded alpha. If I leave, I will still be an alpha and you will still be that bimbo on the side. Some males may be dumb enough to sleep with you, but I have not seen any of the mate men you've been accused of leaving their mates for you. Even the ones who got rejected didn't choose to be with you. Now I suggest you leave my office while I am still being nice or else you will find out why I am feared by others. And if you are successful, don't think for a minute that my family will let either of you go."<br /> <br /> "I will leave for now. Enjoy this office while it is still yours. Your arrogance will be your downfall. Why should I fear you or your family? They have not even been around since your luna ceremony. I'll give you 1 week to make arrangements for yourself. In 7 days, all of this will be mine and you will be out. I will break you and completely disgrace you. I have to thank you for working so hard to build this pack up for me to take over. I will be sure to enjoy the fruit of your labor. I and my children will enjoy this. I am glad he listened to me early on when I told him to wait to have children so you could live your life first. I had to set the groundwork just in case. Now it's time for you to go before you give him an heir." Khalis says and walks out of my office like nothing happened.<br /> <br /> She has caused a lot of chaos since coming to this pack. I just didn't realize her character before now. I thought she was misunderstood. Now I know I was just naïve. It appears that I was the only person blind to her true nature.<br /> <br /> I spent the rest of the day working on pack security and setting up meetings. There are a few alphas wanting an alliance with us. Kosta and I have become quite the power couple in the werewolf society. Since we took over as alpha and luna, the pack and the businesses have grown tremendously. I put my heart and soul into making our pack the best. I got an early start. I graduated from high school when I was 16 and went to university. I graduated with a business degree at 20. Kosta has let me take the lead in our businesses. He knows that beast at negotiation and a whiz at growing businesses. I have acquired several new companies since working in the pack business. Kosta is still the CEO, but I am the COO of the company. I broker the deals and then call Kosta in to close the deal. Most alphas in our circle are jealous of Kosta because he has me at his side. Kosta used to be proud of me and what I did for the pack, but lately he has been resisting the changes I have been making and trying to take over more of the daily operations of the pack. He can't take it all because I am the sole financial backing of the pack and the businesses.<br /> <br /> I am known in werewolf society as a child prodigy, but don't get it twisted, I am not all brains. I can be very deadly when needed. I train every day. I am one of the strongest wolves alive, although I keep that hidden. I can be ruthless, but fair. I know that I am the total package. I am athletic, tall with curves in the right places. I've never been one to compete with other she-wolves. I thought I was happy and had a good life. I thought Khalis was happy. We used to talk about finding our fated mates. I just can't understand how or why Khalis would try to come between me and my mate. I wish I could believe that my bond was safe and solid, but Sapphire is right about Kosta acting suspiciously lately. Kosta has been questioning me a lot lately. It's like he woke up a different person one day. He suddenly lost trust in me, but I have never given him a reason to doubt me. I have found him outside of my door listening to business phone calls, which is crazy because he could just walk in at any time and join the conversation. I have never hidden anything I was doing from him. The worse thing is that our life is now nonexistent. Kosta is always too busy or too tired. His behavior has led me to believe that he is not attracted to me anymore. He had the nerve to ask me why I have been trying so hard to seduce him lately. Like he didn't just stop making love to me cold turkey all of a sudden. We went from making love every day, sometime multiple times a day, to nothing in over a month. Seems like he should have been worried if I didn't try to seduce him. I don't know any mated pair that has gone this long without being intimate with each other. I don't know what the issue is. If we were not marked, I would wonder if he was cheating, but I know he is not. I would have felt it. Why did all of this suddenly become so hard? Why do I even need to seduce my goddess-given mate? It was never supposed to be this way. At least not yet. I'm only 20 years old. Much too young to be going through a dry spell while mated.<br /> <br /> I got so desperate at one time I asked our friends what was going on with him. Kosta tells his beta and gamma everything. I figured if there was a problem, they would tell me and I could fix it, but they just said that he was under a lot of stress. What exactly does he have to stress about? The pack is doing better than it has been in years. In half a year, the pack will be self-sufficient again and won't need to depend on my finances to keep it afloat. I have everything set in motion for the pack to have more disposable cash and residual income. I have a feeling this has Khalis written all over it. Kosta appears to have fallen in line with her already. Maybe this was their plan all along. Kosta needed me to get his pack back on track and now that they are almost completely independent, they don't need me anymore. If that's the case, they are in for a rude awakening. My six-month plan depends on me closing several more deals. All of these deals are allies with my father, uncle, and grandfather. They will not work with Kosta if our bond falls apart. He would erase everything that I have done over the past three years. Well, that would be his problem.<br /> <br /> I got so caught up in working and thinking; I didn't realize I worked up to dinner time. No one called me for lunch. In fact, no one called me for dinner. That is strange. One of the omegas usually checks on me when I am working too much and makes sure I am eating. I guess everyone is following Kosta. Since he has not been showing me any care, they are not either. That really hurts. I sacrificed a lot for this pack. I thought they cared more than this for me. I should just go back to my room. I don't know if I want to be around this pack right now, especially if they could turn their backs on me this quickly. Were they all just using me for my family's wealth?<br /> <br /> "We need to eat Zell. Remember, we are eating for our pup as well. Don't let them win. We are better than this. If they show us they don't want us here, we will leave. Remember, we are alpha born. We will rise above this. We will go back to where we are celebrated. If they turn against us, they don't deserve us. We will sit back and let them destroy themselves."<br /> <br /> "You are right Sapphire. Let's go eat. Our pup needs sustenance."<br /> <br /> I went and cleaned myself up and walked to the dining room. As soon as I walked through the door, all the talking stopped. The whole place went silent. As I walked all the way in, I saw why everyone went silent. Khalis was sitting in my seat, putting food on Kosta's plate like she is the luna. When she saw me, she just smirked and kept doing what she was doing. Kosta just keep eating like I was not standing there. Sapphire stared, pushing forward. She wanted blood. I did too, but I have to think about our pup.<br /> <br /> "What is going on, Kosta? Why is she sitting in my seat feeding you?" I growled.<br /> <br /> "I meant no harm, Zell. You were busy, so I decided to take care of Kosta for you. Someone needs to care for him while you are caring for other things. "<br /> <br /> "I was speaking to my mate, not his bimbo on the side."<br /> <br /> "You were not here for your mate, so I have been taking care of his needs."<br /> <br /> Sapphire pushed forward and growled loudly. Everyone in the room bowed their neck to her.<br /> <br /> "I could kill you in less than 30 seconds, Khalis. I would advise you not to keep crossing my line and you will find yourself very dead. You obviously have forgotten who I am. Don't make me remind you what my family name is," Sapphire said.<br /> <br /> I regained control and looked at Kosta. He didn't even appear to be concerned. He didn't show an ounce of regret or remorse. That took a little of the fight out of me. Khalis can only do what Kosta allows her to do.<br /> <br /> "Kosta, I asked you a question. What is going on?"<br /> <br /> "As Khalis said, you were busy, so she came to do your job for you. If you spent more time catering to me, your mate, and less time working or whatever you are doing, Khalis wouldn't have to step in and take care of my needs." Kosta said.<br /> <br /> I and every pack member gasped. I could not believe he openly disrespected me like that after everything I have done for him and this pack. I did all of that for him. This ungrateful hip.<br /> <br /> "So now I'm working too much, making your pack financially secure? You were not complaining when the pack was bankrupted and I worked day and night just so you could feed the pack another day. I was working too hard then. It's only now that you think the pack is out of the woods that I am working too hard. Now that everyone is comfortable and not at risk of starving, you want to change. Ok, I see who you are now. So instead of appreciating the sacrifices I made for us and the pack, you are sitting here with your bimbo, enjoying the feast that my hard work made possible. I am glad I finally understand where your priorities lie. Trust me, I will never make the same mistake twice." I said and walked away.<br /> <br /> I need to get out of here before I wolf out and kill one of them. After tonight, Khalis can have him. He is not the male I thought he was. I refuse to fight for someone who can spit on all the effort I put into making him great.<br /> <br /> "Don't walk away from me, Zell," Kosta yelled.<br /> <br /> "Why not? You don't need me. You have Khalis here to take care of all your needs. She is welcome to you. I hope you all will be very happy together. As for me, I'm done. Good luck to you and this pack. I hope you can handle the fallout for you and your bimbo's actions."<br /> <br /> "Mind how you talk to me, Zell. I may be your mate, but I am still the alpha. As a matter of fact, as of right now, I am stripping you of all of your luna privileges."<br /> <br /> "Alpha, what are you doing?" Beta James asked<br /> <br /> "Mind your business Beta. This is my pack." Kosta says.<br /> <br /> "Yes, and as your beta and friend, it is my job to tell you when you are making a mistake. Alpha, you are dangerously close to crossing the line of no return. Let's all calm down and discuss this later." Beta James said.<br /> <br /> "Beta, my word stands. Zel, until you learn to respect me as your alpha, you can forget about representing this pack in any aspect. I will be instructing the security team to restrict all of your access. You are no longer the COO of our businesses. As of now, you are just a regular pact member with no power."<br /> <br /> "First of all Alpha." I spat. "Respect is earned. While you are trying to throw your weight around, you can have the luna title back. I no longer want it. As for the business, have you forgotten that I own 51% of every business we have? I also provide 60% of the pack budget from my personal accounts. So while you can restrict my duties as Luna, you cannot touch the business, but I'll do you a solid. You can buy me out of the business and I will withdraw all of my personal finances from the pack."<br /> <br /> I can see that he had forgotten how dependent his pack was on me, but oh well. He made his bed. Now he and his bimbo can lie in it.<br /> <br /> "Oh, and Alpha, if you try to strong-arm me, I will have to call in the full loan that I gave this pack when we mated. Remember, we signed a contract for the loan. You have only paid me a small portion of the loan and I have not pushed the issue, but the contract is legal and binding. Don't push me, Kosta. You, of all people, know how ruthless I can be if pushed."<br /> <br /> I walked off again and made it as far as the stairs. I realized that I could not stay in my current room anymore. There is no way on this goddess-green earth that I want to be in a room with Kosta. Not that he has really shared it with me lately. Now I know why. Khalis has been feeding him and he has been eating it up. They both miscalculated. They thought I would be leaving here with nothing. The jokes on them. I may have been in love, but there is no love in business. I may have put my all into saving this pack and making it independently wealthy, but my parents did not raise a fool and I protected my finances. I invested millions in this company and pack. Did he really think I would protect my money? Does he not remember the prenup my father made him sign since I was a minor when he brought me to this pack? He never gained control over my finances.<br /> <br /> Khalis just showed her hand. After what I just saw, she has a right to be confident. Kosta has completely changed. He is not the man that I mated. He is not the boy that I followed around when I was younger. I don't know what happened or when he changed. Maybe this is who he really is and, like with Khalis, I just never saw his true self. He must have hidden it from my father and brother as well. There is no way they would have let me come here when I was 17 if they knew this was how he would end up treating me. I can see now that it is over between Kosta and me. I need to start planning my exit. I pulled up my computer and moved all of my finances from the pack accounts. I closed all the joint accounts I had with Kosta. It was mostly my money that financed them. I left the ones that he financed in his name. I don't want anything from him at all. After I handle business, I call my brother. I will need his help to leave here safely. Now that Kosta knows that all the money is still tied up with me, I doubt he will let me leave easily. I'm sure he and the bimbo are plotting up something.<br /> <br /> I called my brother and tall him waht happened.<br /> <br /> "So what's the plan, baby sis?" my brother answered.<br /> <br /> "Well, I have already moved all of my personal money from the pack accounts. They are now responsible for themselves. I'm not sure how that is going to go over. I was covering most of the pack's budget. Tomorrow, I will contact my attorneys to protect all of my other assets. I also plan to call our allies and let them know that I am no longer associated with the pack. I am erasing everything I've done over the past three years. They will need to start over from scratch and rebuild it all on their own. There is no way they will get to enjoy my hard work. No, sir."<br /> <br /> "Very smart Zell. What do you need me to do?"	LEARN_MORE	https://b.ereaderlab.com/ad/ZVJlYWRlci8xNDg2NzEvMj	191841157345630	Red112	https://facebook.com/61554857037374	19	1	420,437,067,268,408	2024-04-14 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	Learn more	Red112	120207837280670407	b.ereaderlab.com	NONE	video	https://b.ereaderlab.com/ad/ZVJlYWRlci8xNDg2NzEvMjAyNDA0MTExNjQ1NTgvcGFnZQ==?adid={{ad.id}}	2024-04-11 04:10	https://scontent.ford4-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/437054274_930722218829601_738356279620151159_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=jajkSVV1-DUAb72kIFb&_nc_ht=scontent.ford4-1.fna&oh=00_AfC-8E4FtH54XTyVvygM7QGLSHZRaCChoW5l6P8HYOcxKA&oe=662202ED	person_profile	Red112	https://scontent.ford4-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/436784496_396186329894034_584220329571378607_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=JD2VCCy7l5UAb5FeEn-&_nc_ht=scontent.ford4-1.fna&oh=00_AfAg5XSFWxMmufvrtEuQ-Zrq37nl8psDxQlqkzn2v7V06A&oe=6621F2CF	3	Red112	2024-04-14 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,209,448	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1209377}'	Yes	2024-04-14 13:48	active	515	3623673661203365	🔥🔥 Click to Read 👉🏻👉🏻	"He found his mate, I'm sorry but it's fated and you are now the other woman." she sighs, glancing at the balcony doors.<br /> "That's what I thought, you couldn't even resist ten minutes before banging her, could you?" I seethe , pure rage filling me.<br /> "I didn't, I swear..." he promises, but I don't believe him.<br /> "Did you reject her?" I frown and he falls silent, raking a hand through his hair.<br /> "Then no, we can't ." I turn and walk to our room. "Jess, I love you. I promise I will reject her, I just...I couldn't, it's much more difficult than you think." he frowns, explaining himself.<br /> ____________<br /> JESSICA'S POV<br /> --<br /> Nick and I have been married for three years, we are high school sweethearts and married when we were twenty when neither of us found our mates. These days, fated mates are rare and hard to come by...we both agreed I'd be a good Luna to the pack since I trained with him, I learned to be a luna from his mother and we have been inseparable since we were in diapers.<br /> He's my best friend and my true love.<br /> We made a promise to never leave, to never break the bond, to never reject one another when we found our real mates, which is likely to never happen.<br /> We are attending a ball tonight, but my insides are twisted, as if the Moon Goddess herself wants to shield me from whatever is going to happen, I tried to talk Nick into staying at home, but as stubborn like all alpha's are, he refused and said that we would get a bad name if we didn't attend.<br /> Sitting in the car while our driver takes us to a nearby pack, a strong and mighty one.<br /> I know it's our duty to attend, but holding his hand in the back seat, something is terribly wrong.<br /> We arrive and there are a line of cars outside, one by one driving by , guests getting out, wearing gowns and suits.<br /> It's our turn and Nick opens the door, holding his hand out to me and I happily take it as we get out, photos are taken and a red carpet is rolled out as if we were famous.<br /> Nick looks handsome with his dark blonde hair gelled back, his chiseled jaw tense, and the edges of his lips curled up into a small smile.<br /> We arrive inside and we're led to the ballroom, servants with trays walking with snack food and drinks pace all over while the guests stand and chat.<br /> I notice the alpha of The Deep Mountain pack greeting people, making rounds to greet and speak, there's a stage in the middle against the wall, a bar to the side and a dance floor in the middle where couples are dancing elegantly.<br /> I smile at my surroundings and freeze when I look at Nick, staring at a beautiful dark haired girl .<br /> "Nick." I tug at his hand, but it's like he's under a spell, frozen in time as the girl stares back at him.<br /> "Nick." I tug harder, his shoulder shrugging back, "Huh?" he turns to me with a frown, his fingers letting go of my hand and I feel cold.<br /> "I'm going to grab a drink." he smiles at me before walking off towards the bar, closer to the strange woman.<br /> I was an omega and the room is filled with power, I could even feel hers because she is of a higher rank.<br /> I gulp as I watch him walk to the bar, his eyes locked on hers and she elegantly turns in her navy blue dress, walking towards him with dark lustful eyes.<br /> I can't be...but it is...it's his mate..<br /> I stand frozen and a shoulder bumps into me, making my head turn at the woman glaring and snarling, "Watch where you are going!" she scolds and I apologize before walking over to the bar, joining my mate's side while he absentmindedly stares at the woman next to him.<br /> I clear my throat, but there's no response from him.<br /> He doesn't even notice me..<br /> "Nick." I smile , hope filling my heart as he glances at me, fear flashing through his perfect green orbs as he steps back and then looks at her again.<br /> "Jess, this is Tiffany...my mate." he smiles awkwardly at me but when he looks at her, it's a genuine smile...<br /> "Nick." I frown in concern and he takes my hand, giving it a tight squeeze, "Don't worry, I know what to do." he smiles, "Shall we talk outside?" the gloominess in his eyes makes me relax only for a minute until she holds out her hand, smiling gracefully with her full lips and pretty blue eyes.<br /> My heart sinks when her hand hooks into his arm and they head to the balcony. alone...<br /> I should go with...but it is a private matter.<br /> 'He's ours...' Zola, my wolf, whimpers.<br /> I stand at the bar, staring carelessly at my mate walking off with his true mate and I inch closer, frowning as every nerve in my body is burning to follow them.<br /> I glance around and there are so many people that they don't even notice until the Luna of the Deep Mountain pack steps closer, "Jessica, is it? From the West Pack?" I nod, trying not to be rude when I look at the balcony and not at her while she speaks to me.<br /> "Oh honey, it's done." she shakes her head and I frown.<br /> "What do you mean?" My eyes stare into her honey ones.<br /> "He found his mate, I'm sorry but it's fated and you are now the other woman." she sighs, glancing at the balcony doors.<br /> I stare at her, my heart racing a million miles an hour and I excuse myself.<br /> I step out of the house, moving around the arriving couples when I feel my heart squeeze, pain taking over and I know what it meant...Disgust fills me and I start to run, glancing over my shoulder no one notices and I shift, my beautiful pastel pink dress ripping to shreds as I run into the woods.<br /> The pain had stopped, but I did not return home until after midnight, finding Nick sitting on the couch, watching tv.<br /> "Jessica, where have you been?" he stands as I slam the door shut, standing undressed in front of him.<br /> I cross my arms over my chest, glaring at him. "Excuse me? Where have I been? What have you been doing!" I growl, making his eyes widen in shame and his gaze flicks to the floor when he scratches his nape.<br /> "That's what I thought, you couldn't even resist ten minutes before banging her, could you?" I seethe , pure rage filling me.<br /> "I didn't, I swear..." he promises, but I don't believe him.<br /> Scoffing, I strut past the couch to our room, "Can we talk?" he yells and I turn , "Did you reject her?" I frown and he falls silent, raking a hand through his hair.<br /> "Then no, we can't ." I turn and walk to our room.<br /> He follows me, closing the door behind us, "Jess, I love you. I promise I will reject her, I just...I couldn't, it's much more difficult than you think." he frowns, explaining himself.<br /> "And will you go and do it?" I grab clothes from the closet, "I will, just...I need time." he begs and I snort, "Can I come when you do it?" the silence says it all, he doesn't want me there...<br /> "You're saying you'll do it, but you won't, because you are weak." I tut, shaking my head.<br /> "I will, I just need to distance myself, to keep myself away and then I'll do it when I have the strength to." he explains, his eyes pleading for forgiveness.<br /> I hum, ignoring him as I strut past him toward the bathroom and he reaches for me, grabbing my wrist and I snarl at him, making him let me go instantly, "Don't touch me after banging someone else." I grit out, backing up into the bathroom and I slam the door shut, the heavy thud shaking the windows and I lock the door.<br /> I take a hot shower, the water pouring down on me as my back slides down the tiled wall, tears streaming down my face as I weep.<br /> I hear the door handle jiggle and I wipe the fog from the glass door, staring at the handle go up and down as he tries to enter.<br /> I feel a tug at the mind link, but I shut him out.<br /> He disgusts me, he promised, both of us promised one another that we would immediately reject our mates before the bond grew and he is letting it grow, making it ten times more difficult to reject them.<br /> I can't believe I trusted him...I show his mark in the crook of my neck, I hold our love dear in my heart and he just let it all go down the drain, letting it sink into the sewers.<br /> I am nothing more than dirt under his shoe and here I am, still loving him with every breath I take.<br /> After sitting more than an hour under the steaming water, it turns cold and I sit for another half an hour before standing and I shut the water off, taking my time to get dressed and when I stride out in silk booty shorts and a thin strap silk top, I notice how Nick lays in bed, his thumbs circling one another as he stares at the ceiling.<br /> He doesn't even notice me and I am sure he's thinking about her.<br /> The one who stole his heart within a second, the one who is going to steal my life, my bed, my position and my mate.<br /> We are real mates, we accepted one another, we marked each other, we might not be fated, but we are real or we were before her.<br /> I climb into bed and his head turns to me, staring at the back of my head when my back is turned to him.<br /> "Jess, can we talk?" his tone pleads with me, but I can't turn and look at him as tears stream down my flushed cheeks.<br /> His hand rests on my shoulder and I shrug him off, "Stop touching me." my voice cracks and his arm drapes over my body as he pulls my back to his front, "I'm so sorry Jess, I never thought this would happen. I love you and I only love you peaches, remember peaches? Just you and me against the world, through tough times and sunshine. This is only the tough, we'll get through it." he whispers, his chin resting against my shoulder, his hot breath fanning the sensitive spot below my ear.<br /> I want to believe him, but how can I when he couldn't hold up his end of our promise?<br /> "Please don't touch me." I begin a whisper and he holds me tighter, shaking his head.<br /> "You are my everything." he pecks me cheek and I turn to him, his eyes holding sorrow as he wipes my cheeks.<br /> "You are my everything too, but how could you?" my eyes winch shut in despair.<br /> "I'm sorry peaches." he cups my cheek and I lean into his touch, hating that I want him.<br /> I want him to love me, I want him to choose me, I want him to reject her and come back to me, to love me and not resent me.<br /> "Come here." he pulls me closer and I let him.<br /> He rolls onto his back, takes my leg and pulls me onto him.<br /> I sit on him, my legs on either side of him.<br /> I could feel how hard he is beneath me and I can't help but wonder if he's erected for me or is it because he was thinking of her?<br /> "I love you peaches, you are my one and only mate." he smiles up at me and my heart beats in my ears.<br /> I lean down, pecking him deeply.<br /> JESSICA'S POV<br /> —<br /> "Nick." I beam as I skip into his office, but freeze when he slams the phone down on the table, looking guilty.<br /> It's been a week since he found his true mate and I have been worried about it, but day after day, it became less of a problem.<br /> "What's wrong?" I ask, my wide smile gone within seconds.<br /> "Nothing peaches." He forces a smile, but his eyes say something else.<br /> "Who were you on the phone with?" I sit down across from him and he slowly pulls the phone away, probably thinking I wouldn't notice.<br /> "No one." He's lying to me, while looking me in the eye.<br /> My heart clenches, my hands shivering as they lay in my lap.<br /> "Was it her?" My voice cracks and he sighs, sucking his lips into his mouth.<br /> "It was." I grit out, my heart pounding against my chest.<br /> "It's not what you think Jess." He sighs, holding out his hand for me to take, but how could I trust him when he just lied to me?<br /> "Then what was it Nick?" I frown, glaring at him with teary eyes.<br /> His eyes flick to his hand and then back up at me before slowly pulling away.<br /> "She asked to see me." He starts to explain, my stomach flipping and vile rises.<br /> "And you said yes..." I shake my head, my face twitching up into a snarl.<br /> His eyes slowly fall shut as he exhales a breath and I stand, the chair's legs screeching across the wooden floor and tears stream down my face.<br /> "And you weren't going to tell me, were you?" My words are broken as I speak, along with my shattered heart.<br /> His eyes lift to mine as he stands, his length making me feel small.<br /> "I was. I was going to tell you." He tries to defend himself, leaving my heart shattered and stomped on with his lies .<br /> "No, no you weren't." I inhale a breath, my body shivering with pain of his betrayal.<br /> "I was, I swear." He moves to the side of his desk, wanting to come to me and I stumble back, "No!" I hold up my hand, making him stop in his tracks.<br /> "If...if you were g-going to t-tell me...you, you would have when I ask-ed." my words stutter, failing me when I need them the most.<br /> "I just..." he scratches his nape, his eyes spiraling and I watch him, noticing his shaky hand as he tries to explain, as he tries to lie himself out of this one.<br /> We have never lied to one another, but now...seeing him lie to me so effortlessly makes me wonder if he ever told a lie before...<br /> "Just what Nick?"<br /> He said I had nothing to worry about, he said that he needed time to just gather the courage to reject her, which I guess would be hard, but finding out he was going to see her behind my back...how could I trust him again?<br /> "I wanted to tell you over breakfast, not right now..." his eyes fall to the floor in shame.<br /> "When are you going to see her?"<br /> "Are you going to reject her?" I push, making his eyes darken as he stares at me.<br /> "No." He shakes his head, "I'm not ready."<br /> I snort at his little excuse...my heart is bleeding right now.<br /> "Then why did you agree to see her? How could you agree to see her?" I snap, yelling at the top of my lungs in a loud cry.<br /> He steps closer and I step back, glaring at him with all the hatred in the world.<br /> Everyone thought that I was not right for him, except him and our parents...the high-ranked girls thought I was foolish until the day I became luna, and look at me now...I'm not good enough anymore and they were right.<br /> "She's ill, her doctor said it's because we aren't close." He yells back at me and I blankly stare at him with disgust.<br /> "So you want to go there..." I breathe out, "And betray me?" I bellow.<br /> He sighs, rolling his eyes, "I would never betray you...I just want her to get well and then when she gets better I will reject her, I promise." He inches closer, his eyes boring into mine, desperation and sadness clear in his eyes.<br /> "I'm coming with you." I state and he shakes his head, "You can't."<br /> "I don't care, I will not stay here and lose my mind over her! If you want my forgiveness for lying to me, you will let me come with you." I threaten his trust and I watch his gulp, his throat bobbing.<br /> "Fine, you can come." He nods and I aggressively wipe the tears from my cheeks.<br /> "I'll get dressed." I turn on my heel and walk out of his office, hearing him throw a vase and I listen to the glass shatter, shutting my eyes at the sound of the glass hitting the floor.<br /> The ride over to her pack was long and silent, I could feel Nick glancing at me now and then, but I just stare out of the window, taking in the nature around me.<br /> I don't want to be mad at him, but I am.<br /> The bond we have might not be fated, but it is real. We are true mates and I'd be a fool to have let him come alone to be with his real fated mate.<br /> Arriving at the pack, everyone bows to us, welcoming us and the doctor meets us at the entrance of the pack house she lives in...apparently she's of alpha blood...alpha Darren's daughter.<br /> He's a fair, kind man who treats his people well, so hopefully he won't be too mad at Nick.<br /> "Alpha Nick. Please follow me." We step forward, following him and a guard grabs my arm, growling at me.<br /> I freeze, staring up at the tall man, "Get yours hand off my mate!" Nick bellows and the guard's eyes widen before he immediately lets me go.<br /> The doctor turns to us as he stands on the fourth step.<br /> "I apologize, but she has to stay here. We can not let alpha Tiffany get upset or she'll get worse."<br /> That is such nonsense.<br /> His fingers brush my pitch black hair out of my face, his fingers capturing my chin and he tilts my head upward, looking down at me with desperation.<br /> "Please, I will be right back." His thumb caresses my cheek.<br /> I don't want him to go, I don't trust these people...<br /> I don't trust him alone with her...<br /> "Just you and I peaches." The small smile on his face makes me lean into his palm as I nod.<br /> If he breaks my trust now...it's over.<br /> He pecks my temple before following the doctor and the guard shows me to a couch in the living room, where I can annoyingly sit and watch the staircase, waiting for the love of my life to come down and just take us home.<br /> My knee won't stop bouncing as I glance at the staircase and then at the black screen in front of me.<br /> A clearing of a throat makes my head snap to the side and the luna from the party stands there with a smug look.<br /> "Jessica, is it?" Her eyebrows raise, her posture perfect.<br /> "What are you doing here?" I stand, fixing my dress.<br /> "I live here." She deadpans and my heart sinks.<br /> She's Tiffany's mother...<br /> "You knew..." I frown at her, taking a step closer and so does she.<br /> "That your chosen mate's true mate is my daughter? Yes." I scoff and watch her whipping her hair back to cascade down her back.<br /> She has the same dark hair as her daughter, but not as dark as mine.<br /> "He is going to reject her." I grit out, pissed that she stood there, thinking that Nick was going to choose her over me.<br /> "Will he though?" Her finger taps her chin, as if knowing something I don't.<br /> "He will, he promised." Her eyes widen, but there is no hint of fear, no surprise, just plain evil.<br /> And I thought she was nice...pfft.<br /> "Good for you." She smiles and before I could think of anything to say, my heart aches, my breath knocked right out of my body with the pain and I haunch over, grabbing the side of the couch, my nails digging into it and I glance up at her smug grin, my eyes flicking bright as I growl loudly and I focus on him.<br /> 'What are you doing!?' I yell through the mind link and the pain immediately stops, breaking my heart even further.<br /> Standing upright, Luna Maya's smirk is brighter, more evil dancing in her eyes.<br /> "I warned you, you are the other woman." She tuts, "I wasn't and I never will be." I grit out, even though that I am lying because Nick will never touch me again.<br /> The pain was worse...it was more painful than the last time and now I know that he didn't screw her that night, but he might have right now...<br /> I shouldn't have let him go alone, because look at us now...we're nothing.<br /> I am nothing.<br /> "Darren!" The Luna yells and the alpha comes striding in and she falls against his chest.<br /> "You must convince Nick to take Tiffany with him! She's getting sicker by the minute without him." Her eyelashes batt repeatedly, fake tears forming in her eyes, "I'm worried Darren..."<br /> "No!" I growl and Alpha Darren pulls his mate behind him, "Who are you?" He stands tall, his aura slightly frightening.<br /> "I am Nick's mate, the Luna of the West pack and your daughter is not welcome on our land." I stand tall, my eyes flicking past Alpha Darren to Nick coming down the staircase.<br /> I sigh before running to him, I need to get out of here. I need to get him out of here, away from his fated mate, away from her parents.<br /> Alpha Darren stares at me dumbfounded as I brush past them, grabbing onto Nick, "We're leaving, right now!" I demand, tugging him towards the front door.<br /> "Jess, I'm sorry." His apology just flies through me, because it means nothing.<br /> "Alpha Nick!" Alpha Darren calls him and he abruptly stops in his tracks, turning to him.<br /> "You need to take my daughter with you or reject her now." He demands with so much authority.<br /> "Excuse me?" Nick frowns in confusion.<br /> "Say no." I whisper in a pleading tone.<br /> "You heard him." Luna Maya takes her position next to her mate.<br /> I tug on his hand, staring up at him with tear-filled eyes, "Just reject her and we can go home." I beg him.<br /> His green eyes remind me of the beautiful forest just flick between my icy blue ones.<br /> "I can't." He mouths, breaking my heart.<br /> "Well, what is it going to be?" Alpha Darren inches closer.<br /> "I don't have to do either." Nick shakes his head.<br /> "She's safe here." Nick's eyes narrow.<br /> "She'll get sicker!" Luna Mayaover-exaggerates.<br /> I really don't like her.<br /> Nick turns to me, his orbs filled with distraught, "I'm sorry." He says before turning to her parents.<br /> "You can bring her and her things to our pack tomorrow." He nods and the devilish smile on Luna Maya's face makes me want to blow this place up.<br /> I rip my hand out of his, watching his head snap toward me with fear in his eyes as I back away.<br /> "I hate you." I yell, making Luna Maya gasp dramatically before I turn and run out of their home.<br /> I shift and run home, I can not stand seeing his face.	LEARN_MORE	https://b.lionfiction.com/ad/bGlvbmZpY3Rpb24vMTQ5N	189070780958073	Lio112	https://facebook.com/61554738300424	9	1	1,364,427,754,273,617	2024-04-14 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	Learn more	Lio112	120208097678150611	b.lionfiction.com	NONE	video	https://b.lionfiction.com/ad/bGlvbmZpY3Rpb24vMTQ5NzcxLzIwMjQwNDEzMTk1NDQxL3BhZ2U=?adid={{ad.id}}	2024-04-13 06:57	https://scontent.ford4-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435697098_1100532991222481_3551153947520078117_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0klzC9MkoK0Ab64RKiQ&_nc_ht=scontent.ford4-1.fna&oh=00_AfBzW5YqNnTAN2yudn9rh48RYszq-_ysdM2GOzHiWgI5pA&oe=6621F7BB	person_profile	Lio112	https://scontent.ford4-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435804644_737922628538574_7008990469207064074_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=bWKDjPpfsjwAb4OQ1JV&_nc_ht=scontent.ford4-1.fna&oh=00_AfBcsIHIkKw7eCNq5XbtEtMpU7A_IoxbewfKt3rrZpiVnA&oe=6621E092	3	Lio112	2024-04-14 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,209,528	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1210012}'	Yes	2024-04-14 13:48	active	515	1456343744982738		🌬️🌿Breathe freely again with Aerosolry Breathlace! 💖🚭 Break free from vaping and reduce anxiety naturally. Discover the transformative benefits of our revolutionary product. Embrace a healthier lifestyle and experience the power of breath and aroma therapy. Shop now for a calmer, fresher you! 🛍️✨	SHOP_NOW	https://plumhue.com/products/%F0%9F%8E%81buy-more-	209902592216057	PlumHue	https://facebook.com/61557164326612	2	0	2,540,403,489,460,676	2024-04-14 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	1	1	Shop now	PlumHue	120209311058690662	plumhue.com	NONE	video	https://plumhue.com/products/%F0%9F%8E%81buy-more-save-more%F0%9F%8E%81-aerosolry-breathlace?utm_source=%7B%7Bad.id%7D%7D&utm_medium=%7B%7Bad.id%7D%7D&utm_campaign=%7B%7Bad.id%7D%7D&utm_content=%7B%7Bad.id%7D%7D	2024-04-14 08:47	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/436402112_1136835197509838_5255367286048601232_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=PdbLEcjoAUQAb5s8u37&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfCsnJu2B9FdP3F53pPESYdhC3_l0Rr76O0mCvJ-BWmPWA&oe=6621EE71	person_profile	PlumHue	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/436329530_245659991903453_4527977628132599693_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=B8yaAUYVEgoAb5qt9hl&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfC-QFmcEWShEscX1Gh67KRMwLNqv_DfApnyfwR03uiegA&oe=6621F7CF	3	PlumHue	2024-04-14 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,209,666	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1209670}'	No	2024-04-14 13:48	active	515	1151506272712895	🔥🔥 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.funstorys.com/ad/RnVuU3RvcnkvMTUwMjc2LzI	142292175627960	Fun003	https://facebook.com/61551606164621	60	1	1,176,561,993,509,881	2024-04-14 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	Learn more	Fun003	120208692228580696	a.funstorys.com	NONE	video	https://a.funstorys.com/ad/RnVuU3RvcnkvMTUwMjc2LzIwMjQwNDE0MTYyMTUyL3BhZ2U=?adid={{ad.id}}	2024-04-14 05:08	https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435159773_1428442701397223_6107504206231948945_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=vA6IR0SZi6gAb4bRQpN&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDsuhRltrC_27sjEY7CRrsD-0F1CfzbE8DqcSFBF4T1YQ&oe=6621E8A7	person_profile	Fun003	https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438029956_1422010905101948_7232017093451317729_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fRetXWCS-NIAb7BdZat&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDwdtX-225_6dDe8iLASFFd6YkgXKMwxa4QQQtqTr2jBA&oe=6621F3A0	3	Fun003	2024-04-14 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,209,675	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1209679}'	Yes	2024-04-14 13:48	active	515	1122196362266358		Side-Sleeper: Hip Pain, Back Aches, or Sciatica Lying on your side without proper support causes the spine to twist and pull, also known as misalignment. Ignoring this can lead to more serious issues like sciatic nerve damage, chronic pain, and, in the worst scenario - high-risk surgery. It’s important to get the right support to prevent worsening and relieve any existing discomfort. That’s why a top physical therapist helped develop the SmoothSpine Pillow. ✅ The SmoothSpine Alignment Pillow is designed to: ➡️ Relieve hip, lower back & sciatica pain ➡️ Align the spine ALL night ➡️ Stay in place even when turning over Why not just use a ‘regular’ pillow Two reasons: 1. A regular pillow provides some relief, but it usually won’t stay in place during the night. 2. More importantly; regular pillows are designed to support your head/neck, and not your hips, legs or knees. The SmoothSpine Pillow includes a soft elastic strap and is designed to fit between the legs. Within just a few days, you’ll get back to uninterrupted nights and enjoying life free of pain. 🎁The SmoothSpine Pillow also comes with a FREE how to use guide & 60-Night Money-Back Guarantee. You will either get results or your money back guaranteed. Get yours now totally risk-free with up to 49% OFF → <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Ft.site%2F3TUmjYL&h=AT1KlifKv2JgiGEgImwSZSfE15uKZ2SHo04qZp_J-BFegxYUaf8L0PVeE0ulwm0zvChnRr1aRH5b1EEVVlXNYQjbHt-_TP9oPeN_qa0XJCFBYG3GNTR-kz4fuct2MdJY2voyGy7ZTrcBiIKy1hMv0ZIS8TLN1iHq9tYGug" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://t.site/3TUmjYL</a>	SHOP_NOW	https://braioncalit.com/products/improved-leg-pill	105943855711144	Braioncalit_hhhhh	https://facebook.com/100088829325532	1,103	4	7,362,414,177,176,751	2024-04-14 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	Shop now	Braioncalit_hhhhh	120207918310440632	braioncalit.com	NONE	video	https://braioncalit.com/products/improved-leg-pillow	2024-04-13 01:16	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/437535694_406240908871669_5622386135082992990_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=uBeEJ-a59B4Ab7hRYtQ&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBoZOTt_NC0pI_FDOHj21M-7_KHCOegA0CsapgtFIxHOA&oe=6621E757	person_profile			3	Braioncalit_hhhhh	2024-04-14 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,209,751	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1210242}'	Yes	2024-04-14 13:48	active	515	932885621871906	Shut Down Neuropathy Naturally & Stay Active Without Pills, Cortisone or Surgery	"The nonstop pain I had in my feet is gone…I finally feel like it’s a prayer answered!”<br /> Sylvia P.<br /> See why our incredibly effective compression foot wrap has been recommended and backed by top podiatrists to help shut down and relieve foot neuropathy naturally.<br /> It aids in increasing blood flow and oxygen delivery to the tissues, helping to push back nerve pain & swelling. All while keeping the arches and heels stabilized for total mobility and comfort.<br /> ➡️ Relieve pins-and-needles<br /> ➡️ Stabilize the foot and ankle<br /> ➡️ Soothe sharp pain<br /> ➡️ Help reduce swelling<br /> ➡️ Easy & convenient to use	SHOP_NOW	https://zenines.com/footwrap-a20	164380063419710	HSH Debt Recovery PTE LTD	https://facebook.com/HSHDEBTRECOVERY	53	2	343,929,788,690,348	2024-04-14 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	Shop now	HSH Debt Recovery PTE LTD	120208059675670493	zenines.com	NONE	video	https://zenines.com/footwrap-a20	2024-04-14 03:46	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/437116168_944484523664277_876531778005986664_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FjscjRSsBMMAb7HQcyr&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCddQVXR8MfuLZQHUiMMHQ2B6abPIgSX5AnGofyvDeX2g&oe=6621F8BC	person_profile			3	HSH Debt Recovery PTE LTD	2024-04-14 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,209,755	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1210245}'	Yes	2024-04-14 13:48	active	515	933903268411546	Superfood Complete: Nose to Tail Nutrition for a Healthier Dog	🐶 Which human foods are dog friendly?<br /> <br /> Actress & dog activist, Katherine Heigl, is here to set the record straight. <br /> <br /> Find out which foods are amazing for your dog's health - and which to avoid at ALL costs! <br /> <br /> Get a powerful key to a healthy dog with Superfood Complete now 👉 <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Flnk.to%2FBadlandsSurvey&h=AT2QOn1SHrGseF9lTQbl_5d1QiNzO96cdijLmY6CYTJAhc128DvOa5tW6ijkSOLOa2RYHA5gLx546UsdSG7KL5FS4LcV7IEIOiswxxPFHgcpG5xL7Wbp2Voc38drE0q9WaFiJwzb5UJLuHXE6_KXpDM7VBy3bjYNwI69Dw" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">lnk.to/BadlandsSurvey</a>	LEARN_MORE	http://lnk.to/BadlandsSurvey	146438712035078	Katherine Heigl	https://facebook.com/KatieHeigl	4,876,818	6	1,707,337,546,352,949	2024-04-14 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	Learn more	Katherine Heigl	120208359321860243	caninesuperfoods.com	NONE	video	http://lnk.to/BadlandsSurvey	2024-04-14 03:46	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435489301_2072412399818814_5843475806923625315_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=iHh4m_SPb4YAb4hS8Rb&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBimDzym6fWSKeHlqx6gmB-TrtPA00VmQqgkmEfaY67lQ&oe=6622109A	person_profile	Katherine Heigl	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435885015_1141811080287930_6819814967270507762_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=onSBQG8NGXMAb7aBVnt&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfC0-oCWWtKg6c49gt0x9k00w8Kpv0i0pEPe4Wh23iBunQ&oe=6621DB9E	3	Katherine Heigl	2024-04-14 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,209,764	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1210255}'	Yes	2024-04-14 13:48	active	515	840734517865431	🔥🌶️Dig the Explosive Story: 📜<The Alpha's Exclusive Stripper>📜	“You are the first human to ever step foot in this place, Priscilla.” Beta Mariz cleared her throat. “Actually, you are the first woman Alpha prince Trevor has brought here. And we were told that you would also be the last.”<br /> “But... You are not a human, are you? You don’t have the scent of a human. Who are you, Priscilla?”<br /> I stiffened.⚡❤<br /> -------------------------------------------------------------<br /> Chapter 1<br /> (Priscilla's POV)<br /> “RULE number one: no matter who or what you see, once you are on stage, you cannot run unless your performance is over. Do your job. Even if this whole club collapses right in front of your eyes, stay on the stage and just dance.”<br /> After two years and a half, I’d come to understand why that became Spencer’s ultimate rule for the dancers inside Oblivion, the club he managed and owned. I’d heard gunshots from outside followed by screams and curses.<br /> This was not the first time it happened although it was the first time the commotion had lasted this long. Normally, the strict security personnel could handle the problem in less than five minutes. It has been over ten minutes now.<br /> But the instant I heard roars and howls, I understood why the security was having a difficult time.<br /> All of a sudden, there were big, brown wolves who rushed inside as if they were being chased by demons. The glass doors were shattered.<br /> While I was waiting for my turn to perform, two of the dancers, the newcomers, who were on stage had instantly forgotten rule number one when the wolves growled. I witnessed how color got drained from their faces.<br /> <br /> They stopped and after they’d recovered from the initial shock, they jumped down, screaming as the wild music went on. They showed the rest of us why it was dangerous to run away and why the stage was said to be safer than any part of this club at times like this.<br /> The wolves followed the women and lunged at them. I steeled myself when I saw how blood splattered on the floor, how their screams were swallowed by the huge beasts whose paws dug in their small frames.<br /> The human patrons were quietly and swiftly escorted to a safe room while the rest of the clients didn’t even blink as the chaos unfolded in front of them. They remained seated as they drank nonchalantly.<br /> After all, Oblivion caters to the needs of a wide variety of male patrons. From humans to vampires, mages, and werewolves. Name it, Oblivion has it. Although not all humans or supernatural beings could simply enter the club. Only the most influential beings were given access.<br /> Money, influence, and connection were all that mattered to Spencer. If they didn’t possess fat bank accounts and didn’t have high social rankings, they wouldn’t be allowed entry. Recently, most of the customers were the wolves who were yet to meet their mate.<br /> And tonight, these customers knew better than to mess with the others they called ‘rogues’ who had been marked judging by the ‘X’ on their left leg, a proof that there was already a pack who was targeting them. The X was engraved using a dagger.<br /> I’d been told that it was a rule never to interfere with the others’ targets.<br /> Not to mention that there was only one alpha in the whole world who marked his enemies that way: <br /> The Alpha crown prince Trevor Rodrigo. <br /> And nobody, not even the other supernatural beings, messes with the Rodrigos, especially with the cold-blooded crown prince. <br /> It was said that the alpha prince had been looking for his mate for a decade and would throw one final search before he chose someone else.<br /> The clients just threw a glance at the women with their ruthless eyes.<br /> One of them whispered, “You’ve been warned. That’s what you get from not listening.”<br /> Even the other dancers stood still behind me, unable to do anything.<br /> “How come you are so unfazed by all of this, Audrey?” Chloe, one of the dancers, asked me, while crying her heart out. “Those women are like our sisters!”<br /> Unfazed? Me? If she only knew. That was the last word I’d use to describe myself.<br /> “They won’t die, Chloe,” I said instead.<br /> She hiccupped. “What?”<br /> “That’s Spencer’s rule number two. No killing inside Oblivion.” There was no use telling her how fear had spiraled throughout my body as soon as I saw the rogues. “The clients knew that.”<br /> “The rogues didn’t!”<br /> “It doesn’t matter. The crown princes’ pack members are aware of the rule. They are patrons here.” I brushed her tears away and in a calm voice, I added, “You will be performing after me. Stop crying. The clients don’t find waterworks entertaining, Chloe. Do something about that or they will lose interest in you. Is that what you want?”<br /> Chloe shook her head. She was a monster up on the stage but right now, she was like a helpless little girl despite her heavy make-up, fish-net costume, and boots.<br /> “Then fix yourself. You still have time. Come on, do it.”<br /> She grabbed her make-up kit and ran to the restroom.<br /> If I could run, I would have done that, too, not to the restroom, but to the farthest place from Oblivion. Unlike Chloe and the rest of the dancers, I was not here by choice.<br /> The music changed at exactly twelve midnight which meant that it was now my turn to present myself in front of the predators out there. I could hear them grumbling, some were impatiently tapping their fingers on the table.<br /> The dancers flinched but they still made sure to give their sweetest smiles to the audience. They bowed and climbed down to entertain the human clients on the second floor while I took a deep breath and switched over into Audrey, my evening persona. I tossed my jacket on the steel chair and stepped out of the backstage in a little red dress and red stilettos.<br /> This was my third and last show for tonight.<br /> Once again, I found myself face to face with the strangers who looked at me like I was their meal. Lust flickered in their eyes as they ran their heated gaze up and down my body.<br /> I saw a satisfied gleam flashed in their eyes when they uttered, “Audrey.”<br /> I put on a smile and began to sway my hips to the sensual beat. Inside my head, the countdown started. If the rogues wouldn’t be stopped within three minutes, Spencer’s second rule would be broken. I couldn’t see him but I knew he was around. He was watching from wherever he was. I could feel his simmering anger.<br /> And if the wolves wouldn’t get their act together, there would be a disaster.<br /> I was only ten seconds away from the three-minute countdown when Maverick Spencer showed himself in one corner of the club. He was smiling but I knew what that smile meant and I was aware of the danger lying underneath it.<br /> Five seconds left. Four, three… this was going to be nasty. Two…<br /> But just when the countdown was about to be over, the noisy crowd had become quiet when a man wearing a dark, tailored suit entered the club. The wolves all stood to greet him while I pretended as if I didn’t know who he was.<br /> Trevor Rodrigo.<br /> Trevor Rodrigo was a definition of sin and temptation which made him very dangerous. He was oozing with raw masculinity as he walked inside the club as if he was the one who owned it. His pack walked behind him.<br /> I’d only seen him once from afar many years ago but I would never forget that square jaw and those piercing blue eyes.<br /> Trevor’s warriors dragged the rogues outside. Not long after and I caught a whiff of blood in the air, more blood, which only meant one thing. The rogues were dead. The medics rushed to the dancers and brought them to a separate room. They were injured but they were still breathing. That was still a good thing.<br /> All of those took place as Trevor casually sat on the table near the entrance while the rest of the wolves were beginning to show discomfort. He hadn’t acknowledged their greetings yet that’s why they couldn’t go back to their seats to watch the show. Fortunately, I didn’t have to see the arousal in their faces since they couldn’t look in my direction yet.<br /> Trevor didn’t throw a single glance to his subordinates. His hot gaze remained on me while I ran my hands over my breasts. My chest pounded. There was a wide distance between us but the second his eyes bore into mine; he made me feel like we were only centimeters apart.<br /> It was as if the alpha was so close that I could almost feel his intense gaze on my face. When his eyes dropped on my body, my stomach twisted.<br /> Trevor Rodrigo looked powerful and magnetic but that was not the only reason why I felt a shiver roll down my spine. It was the hunger I saw in his eyes as he looked at me as if he wanted to swallow me whole. I’d seen that look countless times before and I’d never been affected by it.<br /> Until tonight.<br /> His gaze made me arch my back and to my surprise, the tips of my breasts tightened painfully. After a while, I heard my name come out from the alpha’s lips.<br /> “Audrey.”<br /> I shuddered.<br /> Trevor’s rich and velvety voice resonated deep in my bones. I almost stopped moving when I felt like there was this sudden force that threatened to consume me. I’d almost broken rule number one and the dangerous sparkle in the alpha’s eyes showed me that he was aware of the effect he had on me, especially on my body.<br /> The instant Trevor uttered my name, even if it was nothing but a stage name, I could swear I heard warning bells ring in my head. <br /> It was his first time here. How did he know me already?<br /> My omega instinct screamed at me at full blast, saying, ‘Run, now, Priscilla. Run!’<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> SPENCER must have sensed my plan. He pinned me with a hard stare, daring me to run. But I didn’t. This little freedom I had was all thanks to him. Running would only be a waste of time and effort and I was aware of that. I can’t afford turning my boss into my enemy.<br /> I know Spencer would never chase after me. But he would do worse than that.<br /> Even if my chest was heaving with emotions, I went on. I arched my back and rolled my hips for the only customer who was eyeing me intently.<br /> There were hundreds of men in Oblivion but he made me feel like he was the only one in the club.<br /> It was a miracle how I got through the rest of the show although that was the most nerve-wracking ten minutes I’d ever spent on the stage. When my performance was over, that was the only time when Trevor finally flicked a glance in the direction of the irritated werewolves. He nodded at them and they returned to their seats.<br /> I felt them gaze at me with sheer disappointment but unlike before, none of them could voice out their shameless thoughts tonight.<br /> Before I left the stage, I caught Spencer and Trevor discussing something. For the first time, Spencer looked pissed like he was losing the argument. His eyes narrowed while the alpha just comfortably sat there. He crossed his arms and stared at the club owner as if he was challenging him with his eyes.<br /> But that was not my business anymore. What mattered was that I was done here. Finally. I went backstage and grabbed my leather jacket. My hands were shaking when I clutched onto my necklace, my lifeline.<br /> I was about to head straight to my dressing room when I heard Spencer’s voice in my head.<br /> “Come out here for a minute, Audrey. Hurry.”<br /> I stiffened. Spencer was still with Trevor. And judging by how his jaw clenched, it looked like he had lost whatever mind games he played with the alpha. This was Spencer caving in. He didn’t usually allow me to linger after my performance.<br /> But here I was now, walking towards the very man I was supposed to run away from. Tension wormed its way into my chest.<br /> ‘Breathe, Priscilla,’ I reminded myself for the umpteenth time. ‘The more nervous you are, the more suspicious you’ll become.’<br /> Spencer stood next to Trevor who was currently on the phone. The latter must have felt my presence. He ended the call and put his phone back in his pocket before turning to me and eventually locking his gaze onto mine.<br /> I held my breath.<br /> “Audrey, there is someone I would like to introduce to you.”<br /> Trevor Rodrigo didn’t need any introduction. We both knew that. His entire presence already spoke for who and what he was.<br /> “This is Alpha Trevor Rodrigo from the Crimson Moon pack. Alpha, this is Audrey, Oblivion’s star dancer.”<br /> I forced a smile and offered her a handshake. “I’ve heard beautiful things about you. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, alpha.”<br /> That was a lie. I did hear things about Trevor but so far, none of them were beautiful. Meeting him would never be a pleasure on my part. It was a disaster.<br /> Trevor didn’t say a word as if he couldn’t be bothered to do so. He only took a step closer to me but I could already feel the searing heat from his body. Despite the four inches high heels strapped to my feet, the alpha still towered over me.<br /> In his three-piece suit, he carried a certain air of sophistication around him. His presence had made this place seem so small, so simple, and so trivial.<br /> Trevor’s big, warm hand enveloped mine. One touch and I felt it. The electric heat, spreading quickly all over my body like a wildfire. If I wouldn’t be too careful now, I knew I would burn. And then suddenly, I heard his wolf roaring.<br /> My breathing had become shallow as I tried to keep my feet steady. I pretended I didn’t hear anything when the alpha’s sharp eyes lingered on my face. And then I saw something I couldn’t identify flickered in his eyes.<br /> “Pardon me, alpha, but I overheard from the warriors that the King wants to summon you in the castle right now,” Spencer interrupted.<br /> “That’s true,” Trevor answered, his eyes never leaving mine. “I do have a meeting in…” He glanced at his wristwatch before he added, “Fifteen minutes.”<br /> Trevor leaned down, his hot breath was gusting over my ear when he whispered, “I will see you again.”<br /> I heard the promise in his voice which didn’t do me any good. It was a statement, not a question. And he was certainly not asking for my permission. The other dancers were squealing right behind me. I didn’t have to look at them to know that they were staring at him with dreamy eyes. I knew they would kill to have Trevor as a client but it was the opposite for me.<br /> Spencer cleared his throat. Trevor gave my hand a light squeeze before he released it and turned his back on us. His exit was as grand as his entrance. All of the wolves stood up to bid him goodbye as his army followed right behind him.<br /> “You got yourself another VIP client and normally, I would be very happy for you but this time, I don’t know whether to congratulate you or feel sorry for you,” Spencer commented as we watched the last member of the Crimson Moon pack step out of the door.<br /> “You once said that none of the Rodrigos visit Oblivion, Spencer,” I said in a low voice as we walked in the hallway. “You even called them gods. And gods are not supposed to visit this place.”<br /> Granted, there was no club like Oblivion. Still, the Rodrigos were too high and mighty for this club. They didn’t need entertainers. They had their own women lining up in their estates to please them and to warm up their royal beds.<br /> Spencer’s jaw clenched. “What can I do? It’s not like I could stop the gods from descending on Earth,” he answered wryly. “That would be a sin I’m not quite ready to commit.”<br /> “I need to leave soon. You know that.”<br /> “We have a five-year deal, Priscilla. You still owe me two and a half years. Whether you like it or not, you will stay in Oblivion until the contract says so.”<br /> “But one of them has seen me already. It will only be a matter of time before he finds out the truth.”<br /> Spencer’s eyes narrowed. “It doesn’t change a damn thing. If Trevor Rodrigo doesn’t see you here the next time he visits, there will be a massive problem.”<br /> I know that if a problem were to break out, Spencer could always save himself. After all, he was a powerful Vampire. He had businesses in different parts of the world. He also had connections and numerous cards up his sleeves against anyone including the royals that’s why no one had ever dared to go against him in the past.<br /> I’d never expected obedience from the unruly owner of Oblivion. But for Spencer himself to be this bothered tonight meant that whatever card he had, it didn’t work on the alpha of the Crimson Moon pack which had only made me feel worse.<br /> “You don’t mess with the gods, Priscilla,” Spencer warned. “With your status, you can’t afford it.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> ‘I’LL BE coming for you soon, butterfly. Wait for me. I will get you out of that hellhole. I’m now preparing the cage I’ll put you in. Remember this. I’m the only one who can touch you, hold you, and kiss you because you are mine, Audrey. Until then, be a good girl, butterfly, if you don’t want me to punish you.’<br /> He was back. Anxiety crept into my chest after I read the latest love letter from a man whose face I hadn’t even seen yet. I started receiving them two years ago. I couldn’t remember how many times I had to switch apartments because of the stalker.<br /> Twice a week, he would send me letters along with dead birds inside a cage. I knew it was his way of warning me, of telling me I would end up like the bird if I would let another man touch me.<br /> He stopped sending letters half a year ago after I finally told Spencer about it. He even assigned a driver slash bodyguard to pick me up and send me home to ensure my safety. And when we thought we succeeded in scaring the stalker, I stopped asking for the guard’s help.<br /> I thought I was safe. But then this happened.<br /> Back then, the letters would follow me everywhere. From my dressing room to my apartment. They were always at my doorstep as if he was just so close to me, hiding and watching from the shadows, but tonight, the letter was inside my bag which was odd and to think that this door was locked when I arrived.<br /> After being hailed as the club’s star dancer, I was given a solo dressing room. Spencer assured me that only I had the key to this room.<br /> It turned out he was wrong. This just proved that whoever he was, he had access anywhere, even in the east wing of this club which was strictly for the dancers. There goes another reason why I needed to get out of here. The sooner, the better.<br /> The stalker’s return and the crown prince’s arrival were making my knees weak.<br /> But I must not show it. I took a deep breath and crumpled the letter. I wanted to toss it to the nearest garbage bin since that was where it belonged but I had to keep this one as evidence in the future because for the first time, the letter was hand-written.<br /> I quickly changed into pants, sweaters, and sneakers before I stormed out of the dressing room and out of the club through the back door. Ten minutes before one in the morning and I found myself walking alone in the alleyway.<br /> Normally, there would be security guards who would hail cabs for us. For some reason, tonight, there was none. I clutched the taser in my bag and continued walking as fast as I could but a few minutes later, I felt someone walking behind me.<br /> All the hair on my nape rose. It was an alpha; I was sure of that. I could hear the sound his wolf was making. When I turned left, he followed me and even when I changed directions, I could still feel his terrifying presence behind me. I could still hear his footsteps getting closer and closer to me.<br /> My stomach lurched. Was he the stalker?<br /> It was a cold, windy morning but sweat still dripped down my forehead. My free hand kept dialing Spencer’s number but he wasn’t answering the phone. It was the first time this happened.<br /> “Pick up the phone, Spencer. Please!” I muttered underneath my breath.<br /> His phone was usually stuck to him like glue. And then all of a sudden, I heard the stranger’s laugh. It echoed in the alleyway.<br /> He was biding his time. I could see his shadow. He was a big man. He could have grabbed me already but he was obviously enjoying the chase like a predator to his prey.<br /> My body shook with anger and helplessness. It had been a long time since I last felt something like this. I was so focused on running and on typing something on the phone that it was too late when I realized I bumped into something hard and solid. The impact was so strong that my phone slipped from my hand.<br /> Strong, powerful arms surrounded my waist when I was about to fall on the ground. Slowly, I looked up. My heart started beating like a drum when I met Trevor Rodrigo’s discerning eyes.<br /> I glanced behind me. The alpha who was chasing me was now gone. But another problem arose in the form of this six-foot two inch man in front of me.<br /> My hands went to Trevor’s chest to push him away but I didn’t succeed. My hands were trembling and under the light post, I was sure he noticed that.<br /> A scowl crossed his face before he finally released me.<br /> What happened earlier reminded me of old times. I fought back the tears.<br /> Trevor lifted my chin to meet my gaze. “What happened?”<br /> I shook my head. I had a feeling that things would only get more complicated if he were to know. “Thank you for helping me a while ago, Alpha. Now, please excuse me. I have to go.”<br /> I was about to pick up the phone but Dean, his beta, had already beaten me to it. I clenched my hands when he surrendered the phone not to me but to his alpha. Trevor threw a quick glass at the screen before turning to his beta who nodded in return and left.<br /> The alpha handed me back my phone. It had a few cracks on the screen but the text I was typing earlier was still there. It was still readable.<br /> ‘Someone is following me, Spencer. I need your help!’<br /> I was sure that Trevor had read the message although he didn’t say anything anymore. After a while, his beta returned. He was now inside the car, sitting in the passenger’s seat.<br /> He stepped out and opened the door to the backseat. Trevor fixed his eyes on me and commanded, “Get in. We will send you home.”<br /> “I’ll be fine. You don’t really have to bother-“<br /> I stopped protesting when I saw him narrow his eyes. I had almost forgotten. A man like Trevor was used to getting his way. And if I would refuse this unwelcome generosity, the consequences could be worse.<br /> I swallowed and in a low, defeated voice, I answered, “Thank you, alpha.”<br /> I got in. After all, the stalker could still be out there. It was just a matter of choosing between the devil and the deep blue sea. I chose Trevor. I did hear how ruthless he was on the battlefield but I’d never heard of him killing a woman before. And for the next few minutes, I would hold onto that belief.<br /> Trevor sat beside me and his warrior started the engine.<br /> “Give him your address, Priscilla.”<br /> In the club, only my boss knew my real name. How much information did he get from Spencer? But then again, maybe the latter didn’t completely sell me out. He wouldn’t do that. Not yet. He still needed me. I was still safe. At least for now.<br /> Because if Trevor knew the truth about me, sending me to my apartment would be the last thing he would do to me. I shook my head to calm my raging nerves.<br /> “We are waiting, Priscilla,” he said.<br /> I told them the address of the condominium building I was currently residing in. I would have to move again soon anyway. Just the thought of it was making me feel exhausted already. I’d been running my whole life. It was draining.<br /> But I didn’t want to imagine what would happen if I’d stop running even for a brief moment.<br /> “You heard the lady, Todd,” Trevor said to his warrior slash driver.<br /> Todd nodded. “Loud and clear, alpha.”<br /> I could feel Trevor’s gaze on me. I lowered my head, afraid to meet his eyes, afraid that he might see through me. If only I had a choice, I would run to the place where Aunt Addison lived. I would feel more at ease if I was with her but I couldn’t risk it. Until I sort out all my problems, I had to be away from her. That was the only way I could protect her.<br /> Dean closed the car partition. Not seeing them made me feel more uncomfortable. The space was too narrow for Trevor and I. We still had some distance between us but it was not enough. He still felt too close for comfort.<br /> My palms had turned cold. I rubbed them together.<br /> “Feeling cold?” Trevor asked.<br /> “A little.”<br /> Trevor ordered his beta to adjust the AC but when he saw me still rubbing my palms, he said, “Look at me, Priscilla.”<br /> Reluctantly, I did as he commanded. Once again, I heard his wolf as if it was calling out to me. He inched closer and tucked a few strands of my hair behind my ear. And just when I thought he would remove his hand, it stayed right there, lazily rubbing my earlobe, sending heat curling through my stomach.<br /> Just like that and the coldness I felt had disappeared in an instant and was replaced by this dangerous heat.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> “ARE you still feeling cold?” Trevor asked.<br /> I shook my head and replied, “N-not anymore.”<br /> Trevor’s eyes darkened. “Don’t you have something to say to me?”<br /> Like what? I swallowed hard. He didn’t catch on yet, did he? I forced my head to think of something, anything that would help me get through the night. “I thought you had an important meeting? Why did you come back, alpha?”<br /> “There is something that belongs to me here that I forgot to mark as mine. That’s why there are pests who still foolishly chase after it.”<br /> “What about your meeting with the King?”<br /> “Meeting? Aren’t you going to ask what that ‘something’ is?”<br /> I cleared my throat and despite my fear, I replied, “You weren’t referring to a person, were you? I mean people, especially humans, can’t be owned. They can’t be simply marked as anyone else’s property without their knowledge. Or else, that would be… very cruel.”<br /> Trevor dragged his hand down to my nape, sending waves and waves of foreign sensations to my body. “Cruel?”<br /> He sounded as if that word didn’t exist in his vocabulary until tonight.<br /> “Yes. All the men who visit Oblivion think like that, like they could have me or any woman there so easily just because we happen to work there. I know that what we do isn’t really viewed as a respectable job. But we are there not to have fun. We are there to work and make a living. If they are genuine about wanting to have us, they need to make an effort.”<br /> When Trevor didn’t respond and just continued staring at me as if he was reading through my soul, I softly added, “But if you are referring to just anything, I sincerely hope you get that, whatever it is, alpha. If it’s worth it, then don’t let the pests break it.” I tried to laugh off the tension that I suddenly felt. “I’m sorry for blabbering.”<br /> Thankfully, the man called Todd had safely and quickly brought us in front of K building. Dean opened the door to my side. I politely smiled at him. Trevor finally lowered his hand and I almost let out a sigh of relief.<br /> “Thank you for bringing me home, alpha,” I said as I stepped out of the car in a hurry.<br /> “Wait,” Trevor said before I could leave. He followed me out and brought out a calling card from his wallet. “Take this. If you find yourself in another trouble, call me. Unlike your boss, I would show up right away. Wherever you are. Whatever the time is.”<br /> Both Dean and Todd gasped as if it was the first time this was happening.<br /> “I'm thankful but... why are you doing this?”<br /> He stepped closer to me. “It’s as you said, Priscilla. I’m making an effort.”<br /> I accepted the card and kept my smile on, hoping and desperately praying that I would never need it. Owing something to Trevor would never be good. He would never do anything for free.<br /> He would certainly demand for a payment. And it could be more than what I could afford. He was still a Rodrigo, after all. And Rodrigos never changed.<br /> After thanking the alpha, I walked away, aware that he was still watching me. I could feel his burning gaze on my back. I only heard his car leave after I entered the building.<br /> I rushed to the elevator.<br /> But I should have known that my prayers won’t be heard. And they never will. Because as soon as I reached my unit, I received a call from my boss.<br /> “I didn’t get to answer your call a while ago. I was in the hospital,” he said.<br /> "It’s fine. I’m-"<br /> “No, it isn’t fine. This is about Addison. She got in a major accident.”<br /> My steps faltered. Spencer was the only one who had Addison’s phone number. He was our bridge whenever she and I wanted to contact each other. “What? How is she? Where are you?”<br /> “I will tell you the rest of the details later. Right now, just know that she would need a werewolf blood, Priscilla, otherwise, she wouldn’t survive the night. It is not just any blood, but royal werewolf blood.”<br /> Only those who possessed royal blood had the ability to heal human injuries, no matter how fatal, without turning them into werewolves. It was the same with Spencer. His blood had the power to heal but it would mean turning Addison into a vampire.<br /> Right now, there was only one royal we knew. The crown prince.<br /> “There is only one way to save her,” Spencer added. “But it comes with a price. A very high price.”<br /> “I know.” I clutched Trevor’s calling card. I didn’t think that I would be giving him a call soon.<br /> My heart broke when Spencer sent me Aunt Addison’s photo from the hospital. I almost had a hard time recognizing the old woman because of the wounds in her face and the apparatuses attached in her frail body.<br /> I leaned against the wall. Tears were streaming down my cheeks when I dialed the alpha’s number. Aunt Addison was the only human who could bring me to my knees.<br /> After the second ring, I already heard Trevor’s familiar voice. “Priscilla.”<br /> My heart thumped. “How did you know it was me?”<br /> “You are the only one I gave my personal number to. You need help.”<br /> Again, it was not a question, but a confirmation.<br /> Tears blurred my vision when I nodded. “Yes, I do.”<br /> “Alright. I will be there soon, Priscilla.”<br /> The warning bells rang in my head, they were louder this time, telling me to back off while I still could. Trevor Rodrigo was my destruction but right now, he was my hope, too.<br /> My only hope.<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> THE COLD wind blew. I wrapped my arms around myself while waiting for Trevor’s car outside the building. Anxiety gnawed a hole in my stomach. My chest rose and fell with my heavy breaths. And I know I would keep feeling this way unless I was a hundred percent sure that my aunt was okay, unless I saw for myself that she was safe and sound.<br /> But how?<br /> This was a huge favor. I was well-aware that the Rodrigos don’t shed their blood for just anyone. Will Trevor grant a request from someone he just met tonight?<br /> I fought the strong urge to dial Spencer’s number. I know he wouldn’t want that. He was my only access to the most important person in my life and I can’t piss him off just because I was anxious.<br /> After a while, I saw Trevor’s familiar car approaching the building. Seeing the only man who had the power to save my aunt’s life made tears slip down my cheeks. When the car stopped in front of me, this time, the alpha didn’t wait for his beta to open the door for him.<br /> Here was Trevor, looking so invincible as if nothing could ever faze him while here I was, still so foolishly weak.<br /> He stepped out of the car and swallowed the remaining distance between us with his long and powerful legs. Something I couldn’t fathom flickered in his eyes when he saw my tears.<br /> I bit my lower lip. I swore to myself that I would never be like this again.<br /> In fact, I thought I had strengthened myself enough that the thick scent of blood and the number of wounded bodies I saw in and out of Oblivion didn’t make my stomach squirm anymore.<br /> But it was Addison who was involved here. She was not just anyone. One news from her and it made my defenses crumble in an instant. She was my saving grace. My family. My home. She was the only reason why I was alive.<br /> And the thought of losing her made the tears keep falling. I could feel the fear all the way down to my bones.<br /> Trevor’s expression was unreadable. All I could see was my embarrassing reflection in his eyes. I lowered my head. “I’m sorry, Alpha, I really didn’t want to bother you again.”<br /> I didn’t even want to see him again. But the universe had a twisted sense of humor.<br /> “What’s the matter?” Trevor asked instead. He lifted my chin and our gazes met. “Answer me, Priscilla.”<br /> I didn’t know if it was just me but his voice seemed to be a shade softer now as his knuckles brushed the tears off my cheeks.<br /> The gesture was so unexpected that for a moment, I just stood there and looked at him. His hands dropped down to my waist possessively, holding me steady, as if he was showing me that whatever I was going through, he got my back.<br /> Which of course, was impossible. It was almost like saying that the earth was square.<br /> There was no way anyone from the Rodrigo family could have my back. Ever.<br /> I took a deep breath before explaining my aunt’s situation to him. He kept his gaze on me the whole time. There was a desperate edge in my voice when I added, “My aunt needs your blood, alpha. I promise I will give you anything. Just please… help her live.”<br /> “Which hospital is she at?” he asked after some time.<br /> I told him the name of the hospital. It was a three-hours and thirty minutes’ drive away from here. He released me and glanced at his beta who stood a few steps away from us. They were not talking but I could tell that Trevor linked with him when Dean nodded and typed something on his phone.<br /> And then the alpha shifted and returned his gaze on me. “Let’s go to the rooftop.”<br /> My eyes widened as panic started to spread in my chest. “We are not going to the hospital?”<br /> “We are.”<br /> "Then how-"<br /> “We will take the helicopter. It’s faster. You are in a hurry to see your aunt, right? The helicopter will arrive in twenty minutes.”<br /> Dean led us inside, towards the elevator, as if he had been in the building before. But he didn’t come with us inside. Trevor pressed the button towards the rooftop. His beta lowered his head as the door closed.<br /> When it was just the alpha and I inside, I became aware of his warm hand on my lower back. I cleared my throat and glanced at my reflection on the elevator. I almost flinched at the sight that greeted me. My hair was in a mess. I’d run my hands over my hair a few times while waiting for Trevor. My nose was still red and my eyes were swollen from crying.<br /> And yet, Trevor was still looking at my reflection.<br /> He disregarded his meeting with the King to accompany me to my aunt. In the wolf clan, no one disobeys the King. Yet, Trevor did.<br /> And for some reason, he did it for me.<br /> “What will you gain from this, alpha?” I asked.<br /> Before Trevor could answer, his phone rang. His gaze became hard and cold when he answered the phone on the third ring.<br /> The terrifying air around him was back when he uttered, “I don’t remember giving you my number, Weston.”<br /> I knew that name. It was the Alpha King’s right hand man.<br /> “Forgive me, alpha, but His Majesty has his ways of acquiring the things he wants. As of the moment, he requires your presence here in the castle.”<br /> I didn’t want to hear their conversation but I couldn’t help it.<br /> “Tell him that I’m in the middle of something very important.”<br /> "The search is now ongoing and-"<br /> “Stop the search at once.”<br /> "You can’t do that, alpha. The King-"<br /> “Tell him that I’ve found her.”<br /> Trevor returned his attention back at my reflection as he let out those words. And when I saw how anger flashed in his eyes, fear crawled in my veins once more. This time, it was not only for Aunt’s life. But also for my life.<br /> I immediately dragged myself away from him and reached out for the elevator button but his hand was quick to catch my wrist.<br /> The elevator doors opened and I remembered trying to scream for help before my knees wavered and darkness swallowed me whole.	LEARN_MORE	https://www.novel-oasis.com/share/middle/jfbg2r4l4	101489936134366	OasisStory	https://facebook.com/100087803393468	19,600	3	803,301,407,800,573	2024-04-14 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	1	1	Learn more	OasisStory	120207637429240724	www.novel-oasis.com	NONE	video	https://www.novel-oasis.com/share/middle/jfbg2r4l4g1by1x4lukevpbf?ad_id={{ad.id}}&sid=120207637420450724&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}}	2024-04-14 03:32	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435288065_1429641447926101_5607457006473182525_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=r7lFaxADGy8Ab65HWg5&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCJXbGLYMJz5XQTjjaMAd0G4IaEtoIueVfIVQeMj36TYQ&oe=66220514	person_profile	OasisStory	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435293326_434357895741642_2397715077031213133_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=uWYxizGJLSAAb6_rUDl&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBBxU_GJUOHhKoYwaZ2U_TEwqXWFdi_YcKHzYMhhd3F6A&oe=6621E18E	3	OasisStory	2024-04-14 02:00	View Edit Delete
1,209,777	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":1210250}'	Yes	2024-04-14 13:48	active	515	1195026888576531	🔥🌶️Dig the Explosive Story: 📜<The Alpha's Exclusive Stripper>📜	“You are the first human to ever step foot in this place, Priscilla.” Beta Mariz cleared her throat. “Actually, you are the first woman Alpha prince Trevor has brought here. And we were told that you would also be the last.”<br /> “But... You are not a human, are you? You don’t have the scent of a human. Who are you, Priscilla?”<br /> I stiffened.⚡❤<br /> -------------------------------------------------------------<br /> Chapter 1<br /> (Priscilla's POV)<br /> “RULE number one: no matter who or what you see, once you are on stage, you cannot run unless your performance is over. Do your job. Even if this whole club collapses right in front of your eyes, stay on the stage and just dance.”<br /> After two years and a half, I’d come to understand why that became Spencer’s ultimate rule for the dancers inside Oblivion, the club he managed and owned. I’d heard gunshots from outside followed by screams and curses.<br /> This was not the first time it happened although it was the first time the commotion had lasted this long. Normally, the strict security personnel could handle the problem in less than five minutes. It has been over ten minutes now.<br /> But the instant I heard roars and howls, I understood why the security was having a difficult time.<br /> All of a sudden, there were big, brown wolves who rushed inside as if they were being chased by demons. The glass doors were shattered.<br /> While I was waiting for my turn to perform, two of the dancers, the newcomers, who were on stage had instantly forgotten rule number one when the wolves growled. I witnessed how color got drained from their faces.<br /> <br /> They stopped and after they’d recovered from the initial shock, they jumped down, screaming as the wild music went on. They showed the rest of us why it was dangerous to run away and why the stage was said to be safer than any part of this club at times like this.<br /> The wolves followed the women and lunged at them. I steeled myself when I saw how blood splattered on the floor, how their screams were swallowed by the huge beasts whose paws dug in their small frames.<br /> The human patrons were quietly and swiftly escorted to a safe room while the rest of the clients didn’t even blink as the chaos unfolded in front of them. They remained seated as they drank nonchalantly.<br /> After all, Oblivion caters to the needs of a wide variety of male patrons. From humans to vampires, mages, and werewolves. Name it, Oblivion has it. Although not all humans or supernatural beings could simply enter the club. Only the most influential beings were given access.<br /> Money, influence, and connection were all that mattered to Spencer. If they didn’t possess fat bank accounts and didn’t have high social rankings, they wouldn’t be allowed entry. Recently, most of the customers were the wolves who were yet to meet their mate.<br /> And tonight, these customers knew better than to mess with the others they called ‘rogues’ who had been marked judging by the ‘X’ on their left leg, a proof that there was already a pack who was targeting them. The X was engraved using a dagger.<br /> I’d been told that it was a rule never to interfere with the others’ targets.<br /> Not to mention that there was only one alpha in the whole world who marked his enemies that way: <br /> The Alpha crown prince Trevor Rodrigo. <br /> And nobody, not even the other supernatural beings, messes with the Rodrigos, especially with the cold-blooded crown prince. <br /> It was said that the alpha prince had been looking for his mate for a decade and would throw one final search before he chose someone else.<br /> The clients just threw a glance at the women with their ruthless eyes.<br /> One of them whispered, “You’ve been warned. That’s what you get from not listening.”<br /> Even the other dancers stood still behind me, unable to do anything.<br /> “How come you are so unfazed by all of this, Audrey?” Chloe, one of the dancers, asked me, while crying her heart out. “Those women are like our sisters!”<br /> Unfazed? Me? If she only knew. That was the last word I’d use to describe myself.<br /> “They won’t die, Chloe,” I said instead.<br /> She hiccupped. “What?”<br /> “That’s Spencer’s rule number two. No killing inside Oblivion.” There was no use telling her how fear had spiraled throughout my body as soon as I saw the rogues. “The clients knew that.”<br /> “The rogues didn’t!”<br /> “It doesn’t matter. The crown princes’ pack members are aware of the rule. They are patrons here.” I brushed her tears away and in a calm voice, I added, “You will be performing after me. Stop crying. The clients don’t find waterworks entertaining, Chloe. Do something about that or they will lose interest in you. Is that what you want?”<br /> Chloe shook her head. She was a monster up on the stage but right now, she was like a helpless little girl despite her heavy make-up, fish-net costume, and boots.<br /> “Then fix yourself. You still have time. Come on, do it.”<br /> She grabbed her make-up kit and ran to the restroom.<br /> If I could run, I would have done that, too, not to the restroom, but to the farthest place from Oblivion. Unlike Chloe and the rest of the dancers, I was not here by choice.<br /> The music changed at exactly twelve midnight which meant that it was now my turn to present myself in front of the predators out there. I could hear them grumbling, some were impatiently tapping their fingers on the table.<br /> The dancers flinched but they still made sure to give their sweetest smiles to the audience. They bowed and climbed down to entertain the human clients on the second floor while I took a deep breath and switched over into Audrey, my evening persona. I tossed my jacket on the steel chair and stepped out of the backstage in a little red dress and red stilettos.<br /> This was my third and last show for tonight.<br /> Once again, I found myself face to face with the strangers who looked at me like I was their meal. Lust flickered in their eyes as they ran their heated gaze up and down my body.<br /> I saw a satisfied gleam flashed in their eyes when they uttered, “Audrey.”<br /> I put on a smile and began to sway my hips to the sensual beat. Inside my head, the countdown started. If the rogues wouldn’t be stopped within three minutes, Spencer’s second rule would be broken. I couldn’t see him but I knew he was around. He was watching from wherever he was. I could feel his simmering anger.<br /> And if the wolves wouldn’t get their act together, there would be a disaster.<br /> I was only ten seconds away from the three-minute countdown when Maverick Spencer showed himself in one corner of the club. He was smiling but I knew what that smile meant and I was aware of the danger lying underneath it.<br /> Five seconds left. Four, three… this was going to be nasty. Two…<br /> But just when the countdown was about to be over, the noisy crowd had become quiet when a man wearing a dark, tailored suit entered the club. The wolves all stood to greet him while I pretended as if I didn’t know who he was.<br /> Trevor Rodrigo.<br /> Trevor Rodrigo was a definition of sin and temptation which made him very dangerous. He was oozing with raw masculinity as he walked inside the club as if he was the one who owned it. His pack walked behind him.<br /> I’d only seen him once from afar many years ago but I would never forget that square jaw and those piercing blue eyes.<br /> Trevor’s warriors dragged the rogues outside. Not long after and I caught a whiff of blood in the air, more blood, which only meant one thing. The rogues were dead. The medics rushed to the dancers and brought them to a separate room. They were injured but they were still breathing. That was still a good thing.<br /> All of those took place as Trevor casually sat on the table near the entrance while the rest of the wolves were beginning to show discomfort. He hadn’t acknowledged their greetings yet that’s why they couldn’t go back to their seats to watch the show. Fortunately, I didn’t have to see the arousal in their faces since they couldn’t look in my direction yet.<br /> Trevor didn’t throw a single glance to his subordinates. His hot gaze remained on me while I ran my hands over my breasts. My chest pounded. There was a wide distance between us but the second his eyes bore into mine; he made me feel like we were only centimeters apart.<br /> It was as if the alpha was so close that I could almost feel his intense gaze on my face. When his eyes dropped on my body, my stomach twisted.<br /> Trevor Rodrigo looked powerful and magnetic but that was not the only reason why I felt a shiver roll down my spine. It was the hunger I saw in his eyes as he looked at me as if he wanted to swallow me whole. I’d seen that look countless times before and I’d never been affected by it.<br /> Until tonight.<br /> His gaze made me arch my back and to my surprise, the tips of my breasts tightened painfully. After a while, I heard my name come out from the alpha’s lips.<br /> “Audrey.”<br /> I shuddered.<br /> Trevor’s rich and velvety voice resonated deep in my bones. I almost stopped moving when I felt like there was this sudden force that threatened to consume me. I’d almost broken rule number one and the dangerous sparkle in the alpha’s eyes showed me that he was aware of the effect he had on me, especially on my body.<br /> The instant Trevor uttered my name, even if it was nothing but a stage name, I could swear I heard warning bells ring in my head. <br /> It was his first time here. How did he know me already?<br /> My omega instinct screamed at me at full blast, saying, ‘Run, now, Priscilla. Run!’<br /> <br /> Chapter 2<br /> SPENCER must have sensed my plan. He pinned me with a hard stare, daring me to run. But I didn’t. This little freedom I had was all thanks to him. Running would only be a waste of time and effort and I was aware of that. I can’t afford turning my boss into my enemy.<br /> I know Spencer would never chase after me. But he would do worse than that.<br /> Even if my chest was heaving with emotions, I went on. I arched my back and rolled my hips for the only customer who was eyeing me intently.<br /> There were hundreds of men in Oblivion but he made me feel like he was the only one in the club.<br /> It was a miracle how I got through the rest of the show although that was the most nerve-wracking ten minutes I’d ever spent on the stage. When my performance was over, that was the only time when Trevor finally flicked a glance in the direction of the irritated werewolves. He nodded at them and they returned to their seats.<br /> I felt them gaze at me with sheer disappointment but unlike before, none of them could voice out their shameless thoughts tonight.<br /> Before I left the stage, I caught Spencer and Trevor discussing something. For the first time, Spencer looked pissed like he was losing the argument. His eyes narrowed while the alpha just comfortably sat there. He crossed his arms and stared at the club owner as if he was challenging him with his eyes.<br /> But that was not my business anymore. What mattered was that I was done here. Finally. I went backstage and grabbed my leather jacket. My hands were shaking when I clutched onto my necklace, my lifeline.<br /> I was about to head straight to my dressing room when I heard Spencer’s voice in my head.<br /> “Come out here for a minute, Audrey. Hurry.”<br /> I stiffened. Spencer was still with Trevor. And judging by how his jaw clenched, it looked like he had lost whatever mind games he played with the alpha. This was Spencer caving in. He didn’t usually allow me to linger after my performance.<br /> But here I was now, walking towards the very man I was supposed to run away from. Tension wormed its way into my chest.<br /> ‘Breathe, Priscilla,’ I reminded myself for the umpteenth time. ‘The more nervous you are, the more suspicious you’ll become.’<br /> Spencer stood next to Trevor who was currently on the phone. The latter must have felt my presence. He ended the call and put his phone back in his pocket before turning to me and eventually locking his gaze onto mine.<br /> I held my breath.<br /> “Audrey, there is someone I would like to introduce to you.”<br /> Trevor Rodrigo didn’t need any introduction. We both knew that. His entire presence already spoke for who and what he was.<br /> “This is Alpha Trevor Rodrigo from the Crimson Moon pack. Alpha, this is Audrey, Oblivion’s star dancer.”<br /> I forced a smile and offered her a handshake. “I’ve heard beautiful things about you. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, alpha.”<br /> That was a lie. I did hear things about Trevor but so far, none of them were beautiful. Meeting him would never be a pleasure on my part. It was a disaster.<br /> Trevor didn’t say a word as if he couldn’t be bothered to do so. He only took a step closer to me but I could already feel the searing heat from his body. Despite the four inches high heels strapped to my feet, the alpha still towered over me.<br /> In his three-piece suit, he carried a certain air of sophistication around him. His presence had made this place seem so small, so simple, and so trivial.<br /> Trevor’s big, warm hand enveloped mine. One touch and I felt it. The electric heat, spreading quickly all over my body like a wildfire. If I wouldn’t be too careful now, I knew I would burn. And then suddenly, I heard his wolf roaring.<br /> My breathing had become shallow as I tried to keep my feet steady. I pretended I didn’t hear anything when the alpha’s sharp eyes lingered on my face. And then I saw something I couldn’t identify flickered in his eyes.<br /> “Pardon me, alpha, but I overheard from the warriors that the King wants to summon you in the castle right now,” Spencer interrupted.<br /> “That’s true,” Trevor answered, his eyes never leaving mine. “I do have a meeting in…” He glanced at his wristwatch before he added, “Fifteen minutes.”<br /> Trevor leaned down, his hot breath was gusting over my ear when he whispered, “I will see you again.”<br /> I heard the promise in his voice which didn’t do me any good. It was a statement, not a question. And he was certainly not asking for my permission. The other dancers were squealing right behind me. I didn’t have to look at them to know that they were staring at him with dreamy eyes. I knew they would kill to have Trevor as a client but it was the opposite for me.<br /> Spencer cleared his throat. Trevor gave my hand a light squeeze before he released it and turned his back on us. His exit was as grand as his entrance. All of the wolves stood up to bid him goodbye as his army followed right behind him.<br /> “You got yourself another VIP client and normally, I would be very happy for you but this time, I don’t know whether to congratulate you or feel sorry for you,” Spencer commented as we watched the last member of the Crimson Moon pack step out of the door.<br /> “You once said that none of the Rodrigos visit Oblivion, Spencer,” I said in a low voice as we walked in the hallway. “You even called them gods. And gods are not supposed to visit this place.”<br /> Granted, there was no club like Oblivion. Still, the Rodrigos were too high and mighty for this club. They didn’t need entertainers. They had their own women lining up in their estates to please them and to warm up their royal beds.<br /> Spencer’s jaw clenched. “What can I do? It’s not like I could stop the gods from descending on Earth,” he answered wryly. “That would be a sin I’m not quite ready to commit.”<br /> “I need to leave soon. You know that.”<br /> “We have a five-year deal, Priscilla. You still owe me two and a half years. Whether you like it or not, you will stay in Oblivion until the contract says so.”<br /> “But one of them has seen me already. It will only be a matter of time before he finds out the truth.”<br /> Spencer’s eyes narrowed. “It doesn’t change a damn thing. If Trevor Rodrigo doesn’t see you here the next time he visits, there will be a massive problem.”<br /> I know that if a problem were to break out, Spencer could always save himself. After all, he was a powerful Vampire. He had businesses in different parts of the world. He also had connections and numerous cards up his sleeves against anyone including the royals that’s why no one had ever dared to go against him in the past.<br /> I’d never expected obedience from the unruly owner of Oblivion. But for Spencer himself to be this bothered tonight meant that whatever card he had, it didn’t work on the alpha of the Crimson Moon pack which had only made me feel worse.<br /> “You don’t mess with the gods, Priscilla,” Spencer warned. “With your status, you can’t afford it.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 3<br /> ‘I’LL BE coming for you soon, butterfly. Wait for me. I will get you out of that hellhole. I’m now preparing the cage I’ll put you in. Remember this. I’m the only one who can touch you, hold you, and kiss you because you are mine, Audrey. Until then, be a good girl, butterfly, if you don’t want me to punish you.’<br /> He was back. Anxiety crept into my chest after I read the latest love letter from a man whose face I hadn’t even seen yet. I started receiving them two years ago. I couldn’t remember how many times I had to switch apartments because of the stalker.<br /> Twice a week, he would send me letters along with dead birds inside a cage. I knew it was his way of warning me, of telling me I would end up like the bird if I would let another man touch me.<br /> He stopped sending letters half a year ago after I finally told Spencer about it. He even assigned a driver slash bodyguard to pick me up and send me home to ensure my safety. And when we thought we succeeded in scaring the stalker, I stopped asking for the guard’s help.<br /> I thought I was safe. But then this happened.<br /> Back then, the letters would follow me everywhere. From my dressing room to my apartment. They were always at my doorstep as if he was just so close to me, hiding and watching from the shadows, but tonight, the letter was inside my bag which was odd and to think that this door was locked when I arrived.<br /> After being hailed as the club’s star dancer, I was given a solo dressing room. Spencer assured me that only I had the key to this room.<br /> It turned out he was wrong. This just proved that whoever he was, he had access anywhere, even in the east wing of this club which was strictly for the dancers. There goes another reason why I needed to get out of here. The sooner, the better.<br /> The stalker’s return and the crown prince’s arrival were making my knees weak.<br /> But I must not show it. I took a deep breath and crumpled the letter. I wanted to toss it to the nearest garbage bin since that was where it belonged but I had to keep this one as evidence in the future because for the first time, the letter was hand-written.<br /> I quickly changed into pants, sweaters, and sneakers before I stormed out of the dressing room and out of the club through the back door. Ten minutes before one in the morning and I found myself walking alone in the alleyway.<br /> Normally, there would be security guards who would hail cabs for us. For some reason, tonight, there was none. I clutched the taser in my bag and continued walking as fast as I could but a few minutes later, I felt someone walking behind me.<br /> All the hair on my nape rose. It was an alpha; I was sure of that. I could hear the sound his wolf was making. When I turned left, he followed me and even when I changed directions, I could still feel his terrifying presence behind me. I could still hear his footsteps getting closer and closer to me.<br /> My stomach lurched. Was he the stalker?<br /> It was a cold, windy morning but sweat still dripped down my forehead. My free hand kept dialing Spencer’s number but he wasn’t answering the phone. It was the first time this happened.<br /> “Pick up the phone, Spencer. Please!” I muttered underneath my breath.<br /> His phone was usually stuck to him like glue. And then all of a sudden, I heard the stranger’s laugh. It echoed in the alleyway.<br /> He was biding his time. I could see his shadow. He was a big man. He could have grabbed me already but he was obviously enjoying the chase like a predator to his prey.<br /> My body shook with anger and helplessness. It had been a long time since I last felt something like this. I was so focused on running and on typing something on the phone that it was too late when I realized I bumped into something hard and solid. The impact was so strong that my phone slipped from my hand.<br /> Strong, powerful arms surrounded my waist when I was about to fall on the ground. Slowly, I looked up. My heart started beating like a drum when I met Trevor Rodrigo’s discerning eyes.<br /> I glanced behind me. The alpha who was chasing me was now gone. But another problem arose in the form of this six-foot two inch man in front of me.<br /> My hands went to Trevor’s chest to push him away but I didn’t succeed. My hands were trembling and under the light post, I was sure he noticed that.<br /> A scowl crossed his face before he finally released me.<br /> What happened earlier reminded me of old times. I fought back the tears.<br /> Trevor lifted my chin to meet my gaze. “What happened?”<br /> I shook my head. I had a feeling that things would only get more complicated if he were to know. “Thank you for helping me a while ago, Alpha. Now, please excuse me. I have to go.”<br /> I was about to pick up the phone but Dean, his beta, had already beaten me to it. I clenched my hands when he surrendered the phone not to me but to his alpha. Trevor threw a quick glass at the screen before turning to his beta who nodded in return and left.<br /> The alpha handed me back my phone. It had a few cracks on the screen but the text I was typing earlier was still there. It was still readable.<br /> ‘Someone is following me, Spencer. I need your help!’<br /> I was sure that Trevor had read the message although he didn’t say anything anymore. After a while, his beta returned. He was now inside the car, sitting in the passenger’s seat.<br /> He stepped out and opened the door to the backseat. Trevor fixed his eyes on me and commanded, “Get in. We will send you home.”<br /> “I’ll be fine. You don’t really have to bother-“<br /> I stopped protesting when I saw him narrow his eyes. I had almost forgotten. A man like Trevor was used to getting his way. And if I would refuse this unwelcome generosity, the consequences could be worse.<br /> I swallowed and in a low, defeated voice, I answered, “Thank you, alpha.”<br /> I got in. After all, the stalker could still be out there. It was just a matter of choosing between the devil and the deep blue sea. I chose Trevor. I did hear how ruthless he was on the battlefield but I’d never heard of him killing a woman before. And for the next few minutes, I would hold onto that belief.<br /> Trevor sat beside me and his warrior started the engine.<br /> “Give him your address, Priscilla.”<br /> In the club, only my boss knew my real name. How much information did he get from Spencer? But then again, maybe the latter didn’t completely sell me out. He wouldn’t do that. Not yet. He still needed me. I was still safe. At least for now.<br /> Because if Trevor knew the truth about me, sending me to my apartment would be the last thing he would do to me. I shook my head to calm my raging nerves.<br /> “We are waiting, Priscilla,” he said.<br /> I told them the address of the condominium building I was currently residing in. I would have to move again soon anyway. Just the thought of it was making me feel exhausted already. I’d been running my whole life. It was draining.<br /> But I didn’t want to imagine what would happen if I’d stop running even for a brief moment.<br /> “You heard the lady, Todd,” Trevor said to his warrior slash driver.<br /> Todd nodded. “Loud and clear, alpha.”<br /> I could feel Trevor’s gaze on me. I lowered my head, afraid to meet his eyes, afraid that he might see through me. If only I had a choice, I would run to the place where Aunt Addison lived. I would feel more at ease if I was with her but I couldn’t risk it. Until I sort out all my problems, I had to be away from her. That was the only way I could protect her.<br /> Dean closed the car partition. Not seeing them made me feel more uncomfortable. The space was too narrow for Trevor and I. We still had some distance between us but it was not enough. He still felt too close for comfort.<br /> My palms had turned cold. I rubbed them together.<br /> “Feeling cold?” Trevor asked.<br /> “A little.”<br /> Trevor ordered his beta to adjust the AC but when he saw me still rubbing my palms, he said, “Look at me, Priscilla.”<br /> Reluctantly, I did as he commanded. Once again, I heard his wolf as if it was calling out to me. He inched closer and tucked a few strands of my hair behind my ear. And just when I thought he would remove his hand, it stayed right there, lazily rubbing my earlobe, sending heat curling through my stomach.<br /> Just like that and the coldness I felt had disappeared in an instant and was replaced by this dangerous heat.<br /> <br /> Chapter 4<br /> “ARE you still feeling cold?” Trevor asked.<br /> I shook my head and replied, “N-not anymore.”<br /> Trevor’s eyes darkened. “Don’t you have something to say to me?”<br /> Like what? I swallowed hard. He didn’t catch on yet, did he? I forced my head to think of something, anything that would help me get through the night. “I thought you had an important meeting? Why did you come back, alpha?”<br /> “There is something that belongs to me here that I forgot to mark as mine. That’s why there are pests who still foolishly chase after it.”<br /> “What about your meeting with the King?”<br /> “Meeting? Aren’t you going to ask what that ‘something’ is?”<br /> I cleared my throat and despite my fear, I replied, “You weren’t referring to a person, were you? I mean people, especially humans, can’t be owned. They can’t be simply marked as anyone else’s property without their knowledge. Or else, that would be… very cruel.”<br /> Trevor dragged his hand down to my nape, sending waves and waves of foreign sensations to my body. “Cruel?”<br /> He sounded as if that word didn’t exist in his vocabulary until tonight.<br /> “Yes. All the men who visit Oblivion think like that, like they could have me or any woman there so easily just because we happen to work there. I know that what we do isn’t really viewed as a respectable job. But we are there not to have fun. We are there to work and make a living. If they are genuine about wanting to have us, they need to make an effort.”<br /> When Trevor didn’t respond and just continued staring at me as if he was reading through my soul, I softly added, “But if you are referring to just anything, I sincerely hope you get that, whatever it is, alpha. If it’s worth it, then don’t let the pests break it.” I tried to laugh off the tension that I suddenly felt. “I’m sorry for blabbering.”<br /> Thankfully, the man called Todd had safely and quickly brought us in front of K building. Dean opened the door to my side. I politely smiled at him. Trevor finally lowered his hand and I almost let out a sigh of relief.<br /> “Thank you for bringing me home, alpha,” I said as I stepped out of the car in a hurry.<br /> “Wait,” Trevor said before I could leave. He followed me out and brought out a calling card from his wallet. “Take this. If you find yourself in another trouble, call me. Unlike your boss, I would show up right away. Wherever you are. Whatever the time is.”<br /> Both Dean and Todd gasped as if it was the first time this was happening.<br /> “I'm thankful but... why are you doing this?”<br /> He stepped closer to me. “It’s as you said, Priscilla. I’m making an effort.”<br /> I accepted the card and kept my smile on, hoping and desperately praying that I would never need it. Owing something to Trevor would never be good. He would never do anything for free.<br /> He would certainly demand for a payment. And it could be more than what I could afford. He was still a Rodrigo, after all. And Rodrigos never changed.<br /> After thanking the alpha, I walked away, aware that he was still watching me. I could feel his burning gaze on my back. I only heard his car leave after I entered the building.<br /> I rushed to the elevator.<br /> But I should have known that my prayers won’t be heard. And they never will. Because as soon as I reached my unit, I received a call from my boss.<br /> “I didn’t get to answer your call a while ago. I was in the hospital,” he said.<br /> "It’s fine. I’m-"<br /> “No, it isn’t fine. This is about Addison. She got in a major accident.”<br /> My steps faltered. Spencer was the only one who had Addison’s phone number. He was our bridge whenever she and I wanted to contact each other. “What? How is she? Where are you?”<br /> “I will tell you the rest of the details later. Right now, just know that she would need a werewolf blood, Priscilla, otherwise, she wouldn’t survive the night. It is not just any blood, but royal werewolf blood.”<br /> Only those who possessed royal blood had the ability to heal human injuries, no matter how fatal, without turning them into werewolves. It was the same with Spencer. His blood had the power to heal but it would mean turning Addison into a vampire.<br /> Right now, there was only one royal we knew. The crown prince.<br /> “There is only one way to save her,” Spencer added. “But it comes with a price. A very high price.”<br /> “I know.” I clutched Trevor’s calling card. I didn’t think that I would be giving him a call soon.<br /> My heart broke when Spencer sent me Aunt Addison’s photo from the hospital. I almost had a hard time recognizing the old woman because of the wounds in her face and the apparatuses attached in her frail body.<br /> I leaned against the wall. Tears were streaming down my cheeks when I dialed the alpha’s number. Aunt Addison was the only human who could bring me to my knees.<br /> After the second ring, I already heard Trevor’s familiar voice. “Priscilla.”<br /> My heart thumped. “How did you know it was me?”<br /> “You are the only one I gave my personal number to. You need help.”<br /> Again, it was not a question, but a confirmation.<br /> Tears blurred my vision when I nodded. “Yes, I do.”<br /> “Alright. I will be there soon, Priscilla.”<br /> The warning bells rang in my head, they were louder this time, telling me to back off while I still could. Trevor Rodrigo was my destruction but right now, he was my hope, too.<br /> My only hope.<br /> <br /> Chapter 5<br /> THE COLD wind blew. I wrapped my arms around myself while waiting for Trevor’s car outside the building. Anxiety gnawed a hole in my stomach. My chest rose and fell with my heavy breaths. And I know I would keep feeling this way unless I was a hundred percent sure that my aunt was okay, unless I saw for myself that she was safe and sound.<br /> But how?<br /> This was a huge favor. I was well-aware that the Rodrigos don’t shed their blood for just anyone. Will Trevor grant a request from someone he just met tonight?<br /> I fought the strong urge to dial Spencer’s number. I know he wouldn’t want that. He was my only access to the most important person in my life and I can’t piss him off just because I was anxious.<br /> After a while, I saw Trevor’s familiar car approaching the building. Seeing the only man who had the power to save my aunt’s life made tears slip down my cheeks. When the car stopped in front of me, this time, the alpha didn’t wait for his beta to open the door for him.<br /> Here was Trevor, looking so invincible as if nothing could ever faze him while here I was, still so foolishly weak.<br /> He stepped out of the car and swallowed the remaining distance between us with his long and powerful legs. Something I couldn’t fathom flickered in his eyes when he saw my tears.<br /> I bit my lower lip. I swore to myself that I would never be like this again.<br /> In fact, I thought I had strengthened myself enough that the thick scent of blood and the number of wounded bodies I saw in and out of Oblivion didn’t make my stomach squirm anymore.<br /> But it was Addison who was involved here. She was not just anyone. One news from her and it made my defenses crumble in an instant. She was my saving grace. My family. My home. She was the only reason why I was alive.<br /> And the thought of losing her made the tears keep falling. I could feel the fear all the way down to my bones.<br /> Trevor’s expression was unreadable. All I could see was my embarrassing reflection in his eyes. I lowered my head. “I’m sorry, Alpha, I really didn’t want to bother you again.”<br /> I didn’t even want to see him again. But the universe had a twisted sense of humor.<br /> “What’s the matter?” Trevor asked instead. He lifted my chin and our gazes met. “Answer me, Priscilla.”<br /> I didn’t know if it was just me but his voice seemed to be a shade softer now as his knuckles brushed the tears off my cheeks.<br /> The gesture was so unexpected that for a moment, I just stood there and looked at him. His hands dropped down to my waist possessively, holding me steady, as if he was showing me that whatever I was going through, he got my back.<br /> Which of course, was impossible. It was almost like saying that the earth was square.<br /> There was no way anyone from the Rodrigo family could have my back. Ever.<br /> I took a deep breath before explaining my aunt’s situation to him. He kept his gaze on me the whole time. There was a desperate edge in my voice when I added, “My aunt needs your blood, alpha. I promise I will give you anything. Just please… help her live.”<br /> “Which hospital is she at?” he asked after some time.<br /> I told him the name of the hospital. It was a three-hours and thirty minutes’ drive away from here. He released me and glanced at his beta who stood a few steps away from us. They were not talking but I could tell that Trevor linked with him when Dean nodded and typed something on his phone.<br /> And then the alpha shifted and returned his gaze on me. “Let’s go to the rooftop.”<br /> My eyes widened as panic started to spread in my chest. “We are not going to the hospital?”<br /> “We are.”<br /> "Then how-"<br /> “We will take the helicopter. It’s faster. You are in a hurry to see your aunt, right? The helicopter will arrive in twenty minutes.”<br /> Dean led us inside, towards the elevator, as if he had been in the building before. But he didn’t come with us inside. Trevor pressed the button towards the rooftop. His beta lowered his head as the door closed.<br /> When it was just the alpha and I inside, I became aware of his warm hand on my lower back. I cleared my throat and glanced at my reflection on the elevator. I almost flinched at the sight that greeted me. My hair was in a mess. I’d run my hands over my hair a few times while waiting for Trevor. My nose was still red and my eyes were swollen from crying.<br /> And yet, Trevor was still looking at my reflection.<br /> He disregarded his meeting with the King to accompany me to my aunt. In the wolf clan, no one disobeys the King. Yet, Trevor did.<br /> And for some reason, he did it for me.<br /> “What will you gain from this, alpha?” I asked.<br /> Before Trevor could answer, his phone rang. His gaze became hard and cold when he answered the phone on the third ring.<br /> The terrifying air around him was back when he uttered, “I don’t remember giving you my number, Weston.”<br /> I knew that name. It was the Alpha King’s right hand man.<br /> “Forgive me, alpha, but His Majesty has his ways of acquiring the things he wants. As of the moment, he requires your presence here in the castle.”<br /> I didn’t want to hear their conversation but I couldn’t help it.<br /> “Tell him that I’m in the middle of something very important.”<br /> "The search is now ongoing and-"<br /> “Stop the search at once.”<br /> "You can’t do that, alpha. The King-"<br /> “Tell him that I’ve found her.”<br /> Trevor returned his attention back at my reflection as he let out those words. And when I saw how anger flashed in his eyes, fear crawled in my veins once more. This time, it was not only for Aunt’s life. But also for my life.<br /> I immediately dragged myself away from him and reached out for the elevator button but his hand was quick to catch my wrist.<br /> The elevator doors opened and I remembered trying to scream for help before my knees wavered and darkness swallowed me whole.	LEARN_MORE	https://www.novel-oasis.com/share/middle/jfbg2r4l4	101489936134366	OasisStory	https://facebook.com/100087803393468	19,600	0	1,784,150,952,096,137	2024-04-14 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	Learn more	OasisStory	120207637422990724	www.novel-oasis.com	NONE	video	https://www.novel-oasis.com/share/middle/jfbg2r4l4g1by1x4lukevpbf?ad_id={{ad.id}}&sid=120207637419870724&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}}	2024-04-14 03:32	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438081378_805097088192990_8020213668668607829_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=pX2AkHfJb4MAb5TfyEe&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AfC6S3bY4ARkWsCYImp6eYy7E4S-RVwfIWqpVibRryA0pw&oe=66220F0B	person_profile	OasisStory	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/437534766_1433770653905195_1558672209261606769_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=uBkvqt2NEXAAb7UPPxd&_nc_oc=Adj-ytn4-ZKY8Z5TNtzXEYo4bvgIe2CNAibz2UZeR00we6m1c6s_vLcD73BuySDszyFva71L4lKJ6bI30TOOIiba&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDEAsdKxVAJfYPsfMTmRCHq61Wq2Cj5qq-gFu9LFEUtFw&oe=6621FC17	3	OasisStory	2024-04-14 02:00	View Edit Delete

Page 3 of 42, showing 20 record(s) out of 834 total

Download CSV New Ads

Search

Ads