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159,099	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":159116}'	Yes	2024-01-25 14:51	active	121	372859042018542	🔥🔥🔥Continue reading ➤➤	My Alpha mate rejected me for my sister. But he soon regretted it after he drove me into the arms of another Alpha, or worse.<br /> <br /> <br /> Chapter 1: Ayla<br /> "Ma," I called down the hall. "Come on, Ma. They'll be here soon. You need to get out here."<br /> <br /> "I'm coming," my mother yelled back. "Don’t rush me.”<br /> <br /> She came out of her bedroom and down the hall. I was grateful that she didn’t seem to sway at all, and as she approached, the only scent wafting off her was mouthwash. And she actually seemed presentable. It was the first time in weeks. <br /> <br /> Although, I shouldn’t have been surprised. She always managed to look presentable in front of Kylee. Goddess forbid her precious baby learn the truth about her. <br /> <br /> No, that was my burden to bear. And in truth, I accepted it willingly. I wanted to protect Kylee from that reality as much as Ma wanted to hide it from her. However, I will admit we had different reasons. <br /> <br /> I waved Ma to the armchair in the living room while I went back into the kitchen to check on dinner. I was making Kylee’s favorites. It had been two months since my little sister had been home, and we were both excited. Even more exciting, she was bringing home her mate for the first time.<br /> <br /> I was so happy for her. They had apparently met almost two. Years ago, when she visited the local college campus with her high school. I had no idea they had found each other until her freshman year of university. I had asked her why the secrecy, and she told me they needed to wait to make their relationship public because of his position in the pack. They announced their relationship a few months into her first year. Still, she kept putting off us meeting him even though they were only a couple hours away. Don’t get me wrong, she told me all about him. Whenever we talked, she would just gush about how perfect he was. But it wasn’t until a month ago that she finally admitted to us that he was our future Alpha. <br /> <br /> Ma and I were ecstatic. We couldn’t be more pleased. Especially me. Our current Alpha, Alpha Torin, was a good leader, a fair leader, and a good man. We were very blessed to have had his support after our father died. <br /> <br /> Not that we knew him all that well, but he was the one who helped me get the family back on its feet after such a terrible loss. I knew he had a son, but I had never met him before. Again, it’s not like we were exactly close to the Alpha at all. I doubt he ever really thought of us. He was just taking care of the members of his pack, and for that, I will always be grateful. <br /> <br /> But I had heard that his son, Theo, was promising to be just as good an Alpha as his father. So I really couldn’t have been more relieved that he was my sister’s mate. She would be properly looked after and taken care of, and she would be happy. <br /> <br /> I was pulling the chicken out of the oven when I heard Ma from the living room. <br /> <br /> “They're here,” she sang. <br /> <br /> I moved quickly. Getting out our nice serving dishes that were gifted to my parents at their mating ceremony, I started to plate dinner onto them. I was still transferring the food when I heard the front door open and the squeals of my mother and sister as they embraced. I finished my task and moved the dishes to the dining room table that was already set neatly. I smiled at my presentation and excitedly hurried to the living room. <br /> <br /> I froze at the threshold. A scent overwhelmed my senses, causing my stomach to knot and my heart to race. <br /> <br /> The tall, broad man standing next to my sister turned toward me and we locked eyes. <br /> <br /> Mate.<br /> <br /> I practically gagged trying to stifle the word from slipping from my mouth. <br /> <br /> What was happening?<br /> <br /> This was my sister’s mate. <br /> <br /> Not mine. <br /> <br /> This man was fated to Kylee. <br /> <br /> So why was I having this reaction?<br /> <br /> Better question…<br /> <br /> Why did HE seem to be having the same reaction?<br /> <br /> His eyes were wide, pupils dilated, and they held my gaze with a vice-like grip as he, too, seemed frozen to where he stood. <br /> <br /> Dasha, my wolf, bounced excitedly in my head, recognizing him and his wolf just as I was. It took a minute for her to understand the situation, but once she did, she started whimpering in the back of my mind.<br /> <br /> This couldn’t be happening. <br /> <br /> What was happening?<br /> <br /> I forced myself to address the situation as a whole. Fine, this was happening. Now, what is the best way to handle the situation? I wasn’t going to break my sister’s heart. Absolutely not. I wouldn’t let him either. Not right now. We’ll just get through dinner, and I’ll find a way to speak with him in private later. <br /> <br /> I cleared my throat and plastered a smile on my face.<br /> <br /> “Kylee, I’m so excited you’re home,” I said, opening my arms so she could jump into them like she had since she was little.<br /> <br /> “I’ve missed you, sis,” she said. <br /> <br /> “I’ve missed you, too,” I said quietly. <br /> <br /> We separated, and she turned to the male behind her. “Theo, this is my sister, Ayla. Ayla, this is my mate, Theo.”<br /> <br /> Theo’s hands were clenched into fists, and he forced a tight-jawed smile toward me. At least I was better at faking it them him. Geesh. <br /> <br /> I nodded to him with a broad smile. I knew it didn’t reach my eyes, but at least Ma and Kylee wouldn’t notice. <br /> <br /> “It’s lovely to meet you, Theo,” I said. “Dinner is ready in the dining room. Why don’t you guys go take a seat, and I’ll be right there. I need to tend to dessert first.”<br /> <br /> “Don’t take too long,” Kylee said brightly. “We have some big news, and I don’t think I can wait much longer.”<br /> <br /> “I promise I’ll be right there,” I assured her as I rubbed her shoulder. <br /> <br /> Kylee grabbed Ma by the arm and led her to the dining room. Theo followed a few steps behind. He had to pass me to get through. Right as he approached, I turned my body to ensure we didn’t touch. He paused in front of me for a moment. I looked up to meet his eyes.<br /> <br /> There was anger, confusion, desire, and possibly even hurt reflecting in his eyes that I couldn’t help but notice were the color of honey. He had questions. I subtly shook my head at him. Hoping and silently begging that he knew we couldn’t do this here. <br /> <br /> The sound of Kylee’s laugh from the other room made me jump and then quickly retreat to the kitchen. I grabbed the homemade cheesecake from the fridge and set it on the counter for later. I listened to the others conversing in the next room and quietly slipped out the back door. <br /> <br /> I stood on the porch and took several deep breaths. I felt a lump start to form in my throat and quickly pushed it down. This wasn’t the time to cry. So, I did what I usually do instead of crying. <br /> <br /> I released a string of curses.<br /> <br /> “What is happening? Why is this happening? This ISN’T happening,” I whispered with the force of a yell. <br /> <br /> ‘Our mate.’ Dasha insisted.<br /> <br /> “No, he’s not,” I said back to her. “He’s Kylee’s. There must be some kind of mistake. Just get through dinner like nothing is going on, and we’ll figure that out later. Easy.”<br /> <br /> I didn’t believe myself, neither did Dasha, but I didn’t have time to deal with that. So, I took two more deep breaths and went back into the house. I was almost to the dining room when I heard the last part of what Kylee was saying, and again, I was left frozen at the threshold.<br /> <br /> “… our mating ceremony is in three months.” Kylee looked up at me. “Oh, Ayla, I’m sorry. I just couldn’t hold back any longer. Aren’t you happy for us?”<br /> <br /> I put the same fake smile back on. “Of course I’m happy for you,” I said. “You deserve the best.”<br /> <br /> I took my seat at the table, ignoring the fact that I was left sitting directly across from Theo. His eyes were boring into me, and my face felt like it was on fire. I started dishing out food and passing plates. I didn’t say much over dinner. Instead, I just listened to Kylee and Ma talk about all the ideas they had for the mating ceremony. Theo didn’t say much either but slowly started to do a better job hiding his discomfort with the situation. <br /> <br /> It took everything to ignore the touches they shared, pushing down the jealousy that kept surging through me. As soon as I saw the opportunity, I started clearing the plates. As I was bringing in the dessert, my phone dinged in my pocket, and I had never been more grateful.<br /> I pulled it out and checked the screen. <br /> <br /> “I’m so sorry. Please, excuse me. This is important. I have to take it.”<br /> <br /> Ma waved me off, and Kylee didn’t even seem to notice. Theo glared at me, but to be honest, I didn’t really care. <br /> <br /> I answered the phone as I left the dining room and exited out the back door again. <br /> <br /> “Hey, Zeff. What’s up?” I said as I walked to the back of the yard.<br /> <br /> “How’s the dinner going?” Zeff, my best friend and colleague, asked.<br /> <br /> “It’s full of excitement, that’s for sure,” I said, hoping he didn’t catch on to the kind of excitement I was feeling. <br /> <br /> He chuckled on the other line. “I can’t wait to hear all about it,” he said with a hint of sarcasm. “I hate to interrupt, but Carla wanted me to check if you were done with those chapters.”<br /> <br /> “Oh, um, yeah, I just finished them up this morning. I was going to run through another round of editing, but I can go ahead and send them over tonight.” I doubted I would have the mental capacity to deal with editing today.<br /> <br /> “Perfect. I’ll let her know to watch for them,” Zeff said.<br /> <br /> “Mhmm.”<br /> <br /> “Hey, you okay, Ayls?” Zeff asked.<br /> <br /> I stiffened as a mouthwatering scent hit my nose. I knew who was standing behind me. “Yeah, I just gotta go. Talk to you tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2: Theo<br /> I fought against the urges her scent was influencing as I stalked up to her, including the rage that she was currently talking to another male. But more importantly, the urge to grab her and take her against the nearest tree. My wolf was going crazy about the idea, but he would learn fast that that was never going to happen. <br /> <br /> I wouldn’t accept her. <br /> <br /> Knowing what I knew about her, that would never happen. <br /> <br /> She hung up the phone and turned to face me. <br /> <br /> “This won’t happen,” I spat out before she had a chance to speak. <br /> Her jaw clenched, and her silvery-gray eyes stared into mine for a few short moments. But I couldn’t read a thing behind them. <br /> <br /> “I absolutely agree,” she stated evenly. <br /> <br /> My wolf growled and snarled inside me, demanding to know what I was doing. I pushed down the hurt that hit me when she didn’t fight me. Her reaction just proved why this needed to be done. I could never be with someone so cold and self-absorbed as her. There was no way someone like her could ever be my Luna. <br /> <br /> ‘Don’t know her.’ Kieran yelled in my head. <br /> <br /> I knew enough. <br /> <br /> “Kylee is my mate. Not you. I, Theo Arden, future Alpha of the Greytooth Pack, reject you, Ayla Garner, as my mate and Luna.” Kieran was snapping his teeth, pushing to take control to stop this.<br /> <br /> “I, Ayla Garner, accept your rejection and relinquish my claim as your mate and Luna.”<br /> <br /> My wolf howled in pain. A pain that was mirrored within me as it felt like my heart was being ripped apart. It was the bond breaking. Releasing me from the tie that bound us together. <br /> She stood there like nothing happened. <br /> <br /> How could she stand there like nothing had happened?<br /> <br /> She really didn’t feel anything, did she? It was so easy for her to let us go.<br /> <br /> ‘Mate wants me.’<br /> <br /> I grimaced. He meant her wolf. Her wolf wanted mine. He could sense her. She was even denying her wolf. I couldn’t stand it anymore. I needed to get away from her. <br /> <br /> I stormed back into the house, returning to the woman the goddess should have made my mate. I returned to the dining room to find her mother and her still deep in conversation. I was grateful she hadn’t seemed to notice my absence or the change in my mood. It wasn’t surprising. She was excited about seeing her family and sharing the news with them. <br /> <br /> I had been, too, until her sister walked into the room. The scent had engulfed me, driving me to seek out the source like a lifeline. When I saw her, her beauty took my breath away. She was petit but strong, with long legs and perfect curves. She had a mass of caramel-blonde hair that cascaded over her shoulders, framing a face with plump lips and intense gray eyes that shined green in the light. I couldn’t help but want her. I recognized who she was to me immediately. <br /> <br /> But then I noticed her narrow nose and soft jawline were familiar. Her fair skin had a sun-kissed glow that I had always found attractive. Once I realized she had similar features to Kylee, I knew this was her sister, Ayla. <br /> <br /> Kylee had told me on many occasions how her sister had changed after the death of their father. She was there for Kylee at first, but in less than a year, she started spending all her time away from home. She ended up dropping out of the private school her parents had worked so hard to send her to. Eventually, Kylee lost track of what she was doing with her life. <br /> <br /> Kylee was there for her when she was around, trying to be supportive. But she wasn’t the sister she used to love. What bothered her most was Ayla’s treatment of their mother. Ayla still lived in the house with her, but Kylee always got the impression that helping their mother was just a burden. She worried their mother would be left with no one to take care of her, and she wasn’t in the best of health anymore. <br /> <br /> “I have an idea,” I interrupted. They both looked up at me expectantly. “Why doesn’t your mother come to stay with us for a while? At least until the ceremony? We have the room in the packhouse, and I’m sure you and my mother would appreciate the extra input.”<br /> <br /> Both their faces lit up.<br /> <br /> “Really? We can do that?” Kylee said happily. <br /> <br /> “Of course,” I said with a smile. <br /> <br /> “Thank you.”<br /> <br /> Kylee jumped up from the table and threw her arms around me, kissing me sweetly. I ignored the growls coming from Kieran. Seeing their reaction told me I had made the exact right decision. Despite what was burning in my chest told me. <br /> <br /> This was who I was supposed to be with. Not Ayla.<br /> <br /> ‘Keep saying. Maybe believe.’<br /> <br /> I told him to shut up, and he retreated into the back of my mind, cutting himself off from me. <br /> <br /> He would get over it. Once the bond was completely severed, he would understand this was the right thing for us and the pack.<br /> <br /> ---<br /> Ayla<br /> <br /> <br /> I had managed to get myself together enough to rejoin my family. The pain that seared through me from Theo’s rejection and my subsequent acceptance almost brought me to my knees. It took all of my strength to keep my body from shaking, praying he didn’t notice the blood coming from my palms. I had clenched my fists so hard trying to stay on my feet that I broke the skin.<br /> <br /> When he finally left, I released the sob that was the only thing capable of coming out of my mouth. But I didn’t let the tears fall. Not yet. They couldn’t know. <br /> <br /> So, I steadied my breathing and went back into my house. I was surprised to find that Kylee and Ma weren’t in the dining room anymore. They weren’t in the living room either. But Theo was. <br /> <br /> “They’re in your mother’s room packing,” he said coldly.<br /> <br /> “Packing?” What was he talking about?<br /> <br /> He stepped closer to me, lowering his voice. “I think it’s best that you keep your distance from Kylee for a while. We don’t want her finding out about this. But I know she’ll want her mother to be a part of the ceremony planning. So she’s coming back with us.”<br /> <br /> I felt like he just slapped me in the face. As if I would ever tell her. That’s why I was doing this. So that I wouldn’t break my baby sister’s heart. I gave him what he wanted, and now he was going to keep me from my family?<br /> <br /> Dasha was confused and in pain, whimpering in my head because she didn’t understand how he could be so cruel to us. <br /> <br /> ‘Because he doesn’t want to deal with the trouble,’ I told her, fighting the tears that were forming. ‘If this is how he is going to treat us, fine. It just makes this easier.’<br /> <br /> “If that’s what you think is best,” I said to Theo through gritted teeth. <br /> <br /> “Kylee,” he called out, not breaking eye contact. “Let’s get going.”<br /> <br /> My sister came prancing into the room. “Already?”<br /> <br /> “It’s getting late. Let’s head to the hotel for the night. We’ll swing by in the morning to pick up your mother.”<br /> <br /> “Okay,” she said brightly before turning to me. “What about you, Ayla? You’re coming with, too, right?”<br /> <br /> I opened my mouth to speak, but Theo decided to answer for me. <br /> <br /> “We were just talking about that. Ayla has some things going on with work and can’t get away.”<br /> <br /> I gave her a tight smile. “Yes, I’m sorry. But I will try to come out there as soon as I can.”<br /> <br /> “Oh, okay, I understand. But I’ll make sure we have a room ready for you whenever you can come.”<br /> <br /> “Of course. I can’t wait,” I said, my heart breaking again, knowing Theo wouldn’t allow me to be there with her. <br /> <br /> We all said our goodbyes, and they left. Ma was still standing at the window watching them drive off when I went to clean up the dishes in the kitchen. She finally came in behind me and started opening another bottle of wine. We had gone through four during dinner already. And I barely touched my glass. <br /> <br /> “Ma, you’ve had enough for the night,” I said calmly.<br /> <br /> “Oh, come on. It’s a celebration,” Ma said. “It’s not every day you find out your baby is going to be a Luna.”<br /> <br /> “Ma, you can celebrate more tomorrow. You need to finish packing,” I said, gently taking the bottle from her hand. “I’m sure Kylee and Theo will be here first thing in the morning.”<br /> <br /> “We can celebrate together while you help me pack,” she said, grabbing the bottle back from me. “Then I’ll help you pack.”<br /> <br /> I winced. This wasn’t going to end well. “I’m not coming, Ma.”<br /> <br /> She stopped with the glass halfway to her lips. “What do you mean you’re not coming?” she asked with a pout. “You have to be there. Kylee is going to be mated. I told her we would help pay for the ceremony.”<br /> <br /> I winced again. She meant me. I would be helping pay for the ceremony. Ma didn’t have a penny to her name.<br /> <br /> “I will send you however much you need. But I have to stay close to work for the next few weeks. I’ll come out later. We have six months to get ready,” I said, guiding her down the hall. <br /> <br /> “That’s not the point. You should be there for her. This is a big deal. Don’t be so selfish, Ayla.”<br /> <br /> Her words stung, but they weren’t unexpected. This was kind of the norm when she got like this. I know she didn’t really mean it. At least, she wouldn’t mean it when she was sober. It was just her way of coping with her abandonment issues. I got her into her bedroom and set her on the bed. I changed her into her nightgown and tucked her in. I left her sitting up against the pillows while I pulled clothes out of her closet, asking if she wanted to take specific items. <br /> <br /> Pretty soon, she started to tip to the side. I coaxed her to lie down and tucked her all the way in. She was asleep in seconds. I hurried through the rest of her packing. Stuffing two large suitcases as full as I could before carrying them out to the living room. Then I locked the front door, finished the last of the dishes, and slipped out into the backyard.<br /> <br /> I stripped off my clothes as I headed for the forest, desperate to get under its protective shadows. As soon as I passed the treeline, I shifted, taking off at full speed. I let Dasha feel all the pain. I didn’t try to hold her back anymore. <br /> <br /> We would mourn the loss of our fated mate. The loss of the one person who was supposed to see us for who we were. The one person who was supposed to always put us first, without demands or expectations. We would mourn the loss of never getting to experience that. <br /> But we wouldn’t mourn him.<br /> <br /> We ran until we could barely breathe. Until Dasha stopped at the edge of our pond — our place of solace — and let out a heartwrenching howl into the night air. Shifting at the end as she retreated back into my mind, out of reach to heal her broken heart, while I let the torrent of tears finally fall.<br /> <br /> I fell to the forest floor, curling into myself as the sobs wracked my body, intensifying the burn that was still there from our bond being ripped from my heart. I lay there and cried until I had nothing left in my body, and my eyes drifted closed on the image of the moon and the stars reflecting on our peaceful little pond.<br /> <br /> Chapter 3: Ayla<br /> I woke up to the first rays of sunshine heating my body. I was grateful for the warm night of mid-summer. Otherwise, I probably wouldn’t have made it through the night in my human form. My wolf still hadn’t re-emerged, and I couldn’t say I blamed her. The prospect of seeing Theo again this morning was hard enough for me. Dasha wouldn’t be able to handle sensing his wolf again. She had told me he wasn’t happy about the rejection. <br /> <br /> But it had to be done. <br /> <br /> And we had to accept it. <br /> <br /> I wasn’t going to break Kylee’s heart like that. Especially if he actually loved her that much. <br /> <br /> She would be happy. And I had to find a way to make that enough. <br /> <br /> I sat up and looked out at the reflective pool. I stood up and I walked into the water. I submerged myself completely, washing my body clean of Theo, the mate bond, and every dream of finding my soulmate. <br /> <br /> The ritual wasn’t new to me. I did this after my father died. I came here to wash away the grief. And when my mother started to fall apart. When she started drinking heavier and gambling and I realized we were running out of the money Dad had left us. I had to make some tough decisions to keep the family going. Once I made them, I came back here to forget the person I was. So I could be who my family needed me to be. <br /> <br /> I came here to wash away all of the what-ifs and what-could-have-beens.<br /> <br /> When I emerged, I started the long walk back home. <br /> <br /> When I made it back to the house, I could hear the faint sound of voices coming from inside. They had already arrived. I quickly collected my clothes from the lawn, putting them back on before heading inside. <br /> <br /> I had to pause when I opened the door, bracing myself against the intoxicating scent that belonged to Theo. I had hoped the effects would have lessoned by now since we broke our bond, but I wasn’t that lucky. But again, I shook off the feeling and prepared to push through this like everything was normal. <br /> <br /> I walked through the kitchen and into the living room, where, again, I found Theo alone. I could hear Ma and Kylee down the hall, and I prayed they would be out soon. Theo’s hands clenched when his eyes met mine. It wasn’t hard to read the look of disgust he held in them. <br /> <br /> I failed to hide the hitch in my breath, but I still managed to raise my chin. I wasn’t about to let him see how he still affected me. Just a few more minutes and we would both be rid of each other, at least for a little while. Hopefully, it would be enough time for the bond to dissipate and free us of all this. <br /> <br /> “There you are,” Kylee’s voice rang down the hall. <br /> <br /> I turned to her with a smile, returning her hug as she wrapped her arms around me. I held on for a minute, letting her proximity calm me. <br /> <br /> “Where have you been? Why is your hair wet?”<br /> <br /> “She went out again last night,” Ma said with bitterness in her voice. <br /> <br /> I had to stop myself from rolling my eyes.<br /> <br /> “Ma, I just went for a run,” I said. <br /> <br /> “All night?” she said haughtily.<br /> <br /> How would you know? You were passed out drunk. I cleared my throat and brushed it off. <br /> <br /> “I guess you guys need to get on the road,” I said, smiling down at Kylee as I rubbed her arms. Looking at the face of the girl I had practically raised since she was nine, I couldn’t stop the lump in my throat. “I’m gonna miss you.”<br /> <br /> “Hey, we’ll see you soon. Come up whenever you’re ready,” she said as she gave me another hug.<br /> <br /> “I love you,” I whispered. <br /> <br /> “I love you.”<br /> <br /> She pulled away and I turned to my mother, taking her in my arms despite her hesitation. <br /> <br /> “Take care of yourself, Ma.”<br /> <br /> “Kylee, let’s get going,” Theo said from the door. <br /> <br /> With a few more smiles and waves, they walked out, closing the door behind them. I was standing in an empty room in an empty house. The silence was deafening. And it all came crashing down. I sank to my knees, begging the goddess to just let it all go away, just for a little while. I just wanted to feel numb.<br /> <br /> I lost track of how long I sat in that spot, staring without seeing. I didn’t even know Zeff was there until I felt him grip my arms.<br /> <br /> “Ayls, what?! What’s wrong?” he asked, brushing hair out of my face, forcing me to look at him. “Ayla, what is going on?”<br /> <br /> “I found my mate,” I said, the corner of my lips tipping up mockingly. “He’s scheduled to be mated to my sister.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Zeff exclaimed, anger and concern twisting his handsome features. <br /> <br /> Zeff was a good man. He had been there for me when no one else was. He was the only person who knew everything I went through. And here he was, listening to me tell him about meeting Theo, the mating ceremony, and my rejection. Why couldn’t he have been my mate? He should have been. <br /> <br /> “Come on,” he said, lifting me up. “You’re coming to stay with me.”<br /> <br /> I didn’t protest. The goddess had given me this one little blessing. I was numb. Zeff held me up by my waist and led me out to his car. He tucked me into the passenger seat and disappeared into the house again, only to emerge a few minutes later with a duffel bag in hand. <br /> <br /> He pulled out and drove us the twenty minutes to his house. Just like before, he helped me inside, this time sitting me on the big, comfy leather couch in his living room. I loved this couch. We had spent a lot of time on this couch, watching movies, talking about books, brainstorming ideas for work. This was like a second home to me. But even that felt wrong now. <br /> <br /> Zeff’s phone rang in his pocket. He cursed as he pulled it out, checking the screen.<br /> <br /> “God,” he said. “Honey, I have to take this. I’ll be right back, okay?”<br /> <br /> I nodded. He answered the call, kissing my head before walking out of the room. Alone again, I pulled my feet up onto the couch, tucking them into my chest as I wrapped my arms around my knees. Silent tears began to fall. The numbness was wearing off. <br /> <br /> It was time to snap out of it. I needed to move on. <br /> <br /> I heard Zeff coming back, and I quickly wiped the tears from my eyes. No one had seen me cry. Not since the night my father died. I wasn’t about to change that now. Not over someone like Theo. He paused, giving me a look. He knew I’d been crying. It always bugged him when I did that. Not that I often cried anyway, let alone enough for anyone to see it. But Zeff was always trying to get me to open up more. <br /> <br /> He came and sat next to me, putting an arm over my shoulder and pulling me into him. I let myself relax some. This was the first thing since Theo walked into my life that felt normal, felt comfortable. He leaned his head on mine, rubbing his fingers along my arm. <br /> <br /> “Did you get my laptop?” I asked quietly. <br /> <br /> His chest rose and fell heavily. “Yes, but we’re not going to worry about that right now.”<br /> <br /> I pushed off of him, going to the duffel bag he left by the door. <br /> <br /> “I have to send Carla my chapters. I didn’t get to it last night.”<br /> <br /> “Ayla,” Zeff said, getting up and coming to pull me away from the bag. “You’re not going to do this. You’re not going to bury yourself in work. You’re going to deal with this — we’re going to deal with this together. Screw him, okay. He’s dumb. You deserve so much better than one who doesn’t see how incredible you are.”<br /> <br /> I wanted to roll my eyes, but it wasn’t just about him. <br /> <br /> “He took my family, Zeff. I would have gotten over him just rejecting me because of Kylee. At least she would be safe and happy.”<br /> <br /> “Screw them,” Zeff said angrily.<br /> <br /> “Zeff,” I warned. He wasn’t exactly Kylee’s biggest fan. There was a big age difference between the two of them, and she kind of annoyed him. But he always respected how protective I was of her. <br /> <br /> “No, Ayla. I’m sick of this. They either treat you like a servant or a bank. They don’t care what their actions do to you as long as they keep getting what they want."<br /> <br /> "Zeff, that’s not fair,” I protested. My family wasn’t perfect, but they were my family. They loved me in their own way. <br /> <br /> He moved to say something else but thought better of it. <br /> <br /> “Fine,” he conceded. “Then Kylee’s happy. He can try to keep you from going to see them, but they’ll be back to see you. You believe that, don’t you?”<br /> <br /> I hesitated for a moment, but I did believe that. “Yes.”<br /> <br /> “Okay, then get over him.” He took a step toward me, reaching up to hold my chin. “He’s not the only one who can take care of you, Ayla. He may be stvpid enough not to want you, but I’m not.”<br /> <br /> My breath caught in my throat. He had told me about his feelings before, but we both avoided going down that road with each other. We knew we could find our fated mates at any time, and we didn’t want to deny each other that. <br /> <br /> “Move in here with me, Ayls,” Zeff said. “There’s nothing stopping us now.”<br /> <br /> “Zeff, you still have a mate out there somewhere.”<br /> <br /> “Ayla, stop. I’m thirty-four and well-traveled. If I was going to find her, I would have long before now. We both know that.” <br /> <br /> Suddenly his lips were on mine. I was shocked, but mostly because it felt good. I felt wanted. I kissed him back, not wanting to give that feeling up. I leaned into him — until Dasha came charging to the forefront, growling and snarling that someone who wasn’t our mate was touching us. <br /> <br /> I ripped myself from Zeff’s embrace. Breathing heavily, the pain of the severed bond renewed. I clutched my chest. <br /> <br /> “Ayla.” <br /> <br /> “I can’t. The bond. It’s still there. It hasn’t faded yet.”<br /> <br /> Zeff pulled me into his arms. “Okay. It’s okay. We can wait. We’ll take it slow. But I want you here with me. You’re not staying in that house alone.”<br /> <br /> I rested my head on him. “Okay.”<br /> <br /> He squeezed me tighter. I still didn’t know if we could make this work, but I wanted to try. <br /> <br /> <br /> Chapter 4: Theo<br /> It had been a week since I had gone home with Kylee. Seven days and a hundred miles away, and the bond was still there. The burning in my chest wouldn’t go away. I didn’t understand and it was driving me crazy. I had been in an awful mood because of it. <br /> <br /> I had taken to holing up in my office most of the time. I didn’t want to snap at Kylee, or her mother, which had become hard to avoid by the third day. They didn’t deserve that. Kylee definitely didn’t deserve that. I was glad I had a good reason for me being so busy all of a sudden. <br /> <br /> Alpha was sick. He was diagnosed with a progressive disease almost a year ago. It had gotten to the point that he and my mother were concerned about the toll the Alpha role was taking on him. So, he decided it was time to hand the title down to me. It wasn’t official yet. We were planning on making the change at the same time as Kylee’s and my mating ceremony. Actually, that’s why I decided to make Kylee my official mate. Alpha’s were always stronger with a strong Luna by their side. With the circumstances of my father’s abdication, our pack needed to be as strong as possible. <br /> <br /> But there was still a lot to take care of and a lot I had to learn about being an Alpha before that time. So it wasn’t hard to convince her that it was the stress that was causing me to be distant. <br /> <br /> There was a knock on my office door, and Kylee poked her head in before I had a chance to answer. She walked around my desk with a bright smile. <br /> <br /> “There you are, mate,” she cooed, sitting in my lap. “You’ve been up here all day.”<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, babe. I’ve been working.”<br /> <br /> She ran a hand up my chest, leaning in to kiss me. Kieran’s growl started immediately. He had spent the whole week giving me the silent treatment, except when Kylee was around. Then all he did was growl and snarl. It was getting exhausting. <br /> <br /> Kylee pulled away. “I know. I understand. I just wanted to check on you.”<br /> <br /> “Thanks,” I said with a smile. She really was sweet. “I’m fine, just knee-deep in all this paperwork. Did you need anything?”<br /> <br /> She tried to hide her pout, but I saw it for a moment.<br /> <br /> “What is it, Ky?”<br /> <br /> “I don’t want to bother you. You’re already so busy.”<br /> <br /> “You can ask me for anything. Don’t ever feel bad for doing so,” I insisted.<br /> <br /> Her face brightened. “Well, there’s this necklace of my mother’s. She wants me to wear it for our mating ceremony, but it was left at the house. I called Ayla to have her bring it to me when she came up, but she won’t be able to make it for a few more weeks.”<br /> <br /> I gripped the arm of the chair at hearing her name. At hearing that Kylee spoke to her. I fought the urge to ask how she was. Knowing I shouldn’t care. <br /> <br /> “Do you really need it sooner than that? We have months until the ceremony.”<br /> <br /> “Well, I have my first dress appointment on Tuesday. I would really like to have it so we can match it to the perfect dress,” Kylee said, leaning into me, tracing her finger along the collar of my shirt. <br /> <br /> I sighed. “Okay, I’ll send someone to pick it up. Just send me the details to pass along.”<br /> <br /> She kissed me again, accompanied by my wolf’s protests again, and pulled away with a smile. “Thank you, baby. You’re the best.” She moved to get up but paused. “Are you coming to see me tonight?”<br /> <br /> “I’ll try. If I don’t get done here too late.”<br /> <br /> “You better. We miss you.”<br /> <br /> ‘Evie doesn’t.’<br /> <br /> Evie was Kylee’s wolf. Kieran had never had a problem with Evie, but he never really showed much interest in her either. It wasn’t that surprising. Our wolves only reacted to their fated mates. The only way to change that was to mark someone else and be marked by them. So I had never been too worried about it. But now I was. If I couldn’t completely sever the bond between me and Ayla, he could end up taking control and stop me from marking Kylee. <br /> I would need to do something about this.<br /> <br /> “I miss you, too. I promise I’ll work something out soon.” <br /> <br /> “Okay,” she said with a sigh. “I’ll let you get back to work then.”<br /> She kissed me on the cheek and sashayed out of my office. I couldn’t keep avoiding her. It would hurt her if I stopped showing interest in her. I didn’t want to do that. I had to do something. <br /> <br /> ---<br /> <br /> I decided to drive down to Kylee’s house myself. I left early the following morning before anyone else woke up. I wanted to avoid any questions. I broke every speed limit on the way. I wanted to get there and get back before too many people noticed I was gone. <br /> It shouldn’t be too hard. I’d get the necklace, I’d reject Ayla again, making sure it stuck this time, and I’d go back home. <br /> <br /> But when I pulled up to the house, something twisted in my gut. I cut the engine to the car and grabbed the house key I had gotten from Kylee’s keyring. If Ayla was home, I didn’t want to scare her by barging in, so I knocked first. There was no answer, and I didn’t hear any movement inside. I tested the doorknob, and it was locked. I let myself in with the key, and the feeling in my gut returned as soon as I stepped into the house. <br /> <br /> No one had been here in a while. All the scents, although still easily detected, were too faded to have been recent. Including Ayla’s. Her invigorating scent of oranges and cloves invaded my nostrils, but it wasn’t nearly as strong as it should have been. Had Ayla not been here since we left? Kieran paced in my head. What if something happened to her?<br /> <br /> My heart rate sped up, my hands balled into fists. I made my way through the house, looking for any signs that something had occurred here. I went to their mother’s room first. It all seemed in order. Even the jewelry box was untouched. I grabbed the whole box, not bothering to look through it for the particular piece Kylee wanted. Then I checked Kylee’s old room. It, too, seemed unbothered. <br /> <br /> I paused outside what had to be Ayla’s room, my hand gripping the doorknob tightly. I could smell her scent through the wood. I had to brace myself, both against the onslaught of her scent hitting me and what I may find inside. I turned the knob and pushed the door open. <br /> <br /> I had to grip the door jamb to keep Kieran from forcing the shift. All he wanted to do was roll around in here, gathering up Ayla’s delicious smell, rubbing his over everything that was hers. He wanted to stake his claim. Absolutely not. I managed to push him back, but he came surging back the moment we looked at the scene before us. <br /> <br /> The place wasn’t trashed, but there were definitely signs that someone had left in a hurry. Clothes were hanging out of half-open drawers, shoes had been scattered out of the closet, and there was no sign of any electronics or chargers. And then I caught it. <br /> <br /> There was another scent in the room.<br /> <br /> I moved to the dresser, grabbing a shirt from a drawer and sniffing it. This time, I was the one who growled, my wolf in chorus along with me. The scent was male. It was faint, he wasn’t here long, but mixed in with the distinctive scent of my mate, I could pick it out anywhere. From the trail, it seemed as if he was the one who packed up her things. <br /> <br /> The question was, did he take her or did she go willingly?<br /> <br /> Either way, we would find her. <br /> <br /> I stormed out of the house. Tossing the jewelry box in the passenger seat, I took my phone out and searched for the number for the publishing house Kylee said Ayla worked for. I punched it in as soon as it pulled up. A receptionist picked up. <br /> <br /> “I need to speak to Ayla Garner,” I barked into the phone. <br /> <br /> “Just a moment,” she said, putting me on hold for a moment. “I’m sorry, sir. She doesn’t have a meeting scheduled for today.”<br /> <br /> “When will she be in next?”<br /> <br /> “Her next meeting isn’t until next Thursday, sir.”<br /> <br /> What did she mean she wouldn’t be in until Thursday? That was almost a whole week. What meeting was she talking about? Kylee said she was some kind of assistant.<br /> <br /> “This is her… sister’s mate. Kylee and their mother have been trying to get a hold of her, and they’re worried. Do you have a phone number or address for her?” I know it was low to use Kylee like that, but it was the only way I might have gotten her to give me that information.<br /> <br /> “Oh, actually, it does look like she had added a forwarding address to her profile,” the receptionist said. <br /> <br /> I punched in the address as she rattled it off. I hung up without even saying anything else and tore out of the driveway. My knuckles turned white as I gripped the steering wheel. I followed the GPS to the address, pulling into the drive of a large, two-story house in a nice neighborhood. Parking half on the lawn, I didn’t even close the car door before taking the front steps two at a time. <br /> <br /> I banged on the door until I heard movement inside. A man opened it. It was the male I smelled in Ayla’s room. Before he could say anything, I lunged at him, my hands grabbing the front of his shirt and practically lifting him off the ground.<br /> <br /> “What have you done with her? I smell her all over you. Where is she?”<br /> <br /> He pushed me off him, his eyes glaring at me with recognition and disdain.<br /> <br /> “You must be Theo.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5: Theo<br /> “What is going on?” Ayla’s voice floated down to me as she ran down the stairs. She froze halfway down the moment she laid eyes on me. “What are you doing here?”<br /> <br /> A silk robe hung open, revealing the shorts and cut-off tank top she wore underneath, her caramel-colored hair flowing loosely around her shoulders. She was gorgeous. And clearly not in distress. I took a step toward her as my rage grew.<br /> <br /> “What are you doing here?” I spat back. <br /> <br /> “That’s none of your concern,” the male interjected.<br /> <br /> I turned on him again, a rumbling growl emanating from my chest, my claws extending. I was ready to rip his throat out. <br /> <br /> “Stop,” Ayla yelled, coming the rest of the way down the stairs and stepping between the two of us. “Zeff, go to work.”<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. I’m not leaving you here with him. Not in the state he’s in.”<br /> <br /> “I would never hurt her.” Kieran was ready to burst from my skin. How dare this air head think we would ever lay a hand on her.<br /> <br /> “We both know that’s a load of nonsense.”<br /> <br /> “Zeff, you’re not helping. Shut the up and leave. Go to work,” Ayla insisted. <br /> <br /> “Ayla…”<br /> <br /> “I said go.” Her expression softened a little. “I’ll call you later.”<br /> <br /> The Zeff guy shot me another hate-filled look before exiting out the open front door. We stood in silence until the sound of his engine faded. <br /> <br /> “Are you sllepping with him?” <br /> <br /> Her eyes went wide, then narrowed as she took a step forward. “Are you doing that with my sister?”<br /> <br /> A strangled snarl escaped me, but she started speaking again before I could recover from her accusation.<br /> <br /> “What I do with a male — or anyone for that matter — is none of your business.”<br /> <br /> “What?! It isn’t.” Electricity passed through the air between us. “He has no right to put his hands on you.”<br /> <br /> “He does if I want him to,” she yelled, not only holding her ground against the alpha energy I was exuding but taking another step toward me. “I don’t belong to anyone, remember? I have no mate.”<br /> <br /> I lost it. My hand was around her neck and my lips was on hers before I even knew what I had done. But I didn’t stop. I couldn’t stop. Sparks of intense electricity shot through me, invigorating all my senses. I pushed her to open for me, my tongue seeking hers. God, she tasted so good. She returned the kiss, her arousal mingling in the air. <br /> <br /> “MINE.” <br /> <br /> She pushed me off her with force.<br /> <br /> “Get off.” <br /> <br /> I took a step toward her again but she backed away. <br /> <br /> “Don’t you dare hurt Kylee like this.”<br /> <br /> “Like you care about your sister getting hurt,” I spat, but for some reason, I instantly regretted it. But I couldn’t take it back. I wouldn’t take it back.<br /> <br /> “Excuse me?” Pure rage radiated off of her, her eyes turning an icy blue. <br /> <br /> “You abandoned Kylee a long time ago. Putting your own life ahead of hers while she was left behind.”<br /> <br /> Ayla’s face paled. Every ounce of anger seemed to drain from her instantly, that blue fire fading from her eyes. <br /> <br /> “What did you just say?”<br /> <br /> “You stopped being a sister to Kylee years ago. You disappeared all the time, leaving her alone with a mother who was struggling to keep everything together.”<br /> <br /> Ayla’s posture completely changed. She almost went completely limp in front of me, stumbling until her back hit the wall. Her façade cracked. <br /> <br /> “That’s what she told you? She said that?” her voice was almost a whisper. <br /> <br /> Kieran was going insane in my head, telling me to shut up, to just stop talking. Urging me to stop hurting her. Because I was hurting her. I had struck a nerve, a very deep one, and I wouldn’t stop. She had to break the bond. Once and for all. If it meant I had to break her to do it, I would.<br /> <br /> “She told me everything. She told me how you would keep things from her and your mother. That you would be out at all hours of the night when you were a teenager. How you dropped out of high school, waisting the tuition your parents worked so hard for.”<br /> <br /> “What?” <br /> <br /> “I could never be with someone as cold and heartless as you.”<br /> <br /> Ayla’s head snapped up. Her eyes a steely gray as she resolved herself to something I couldn’t figure out but would soon find out. <br /> <br /> “I, Ayla Garner, reject you, Theo Arden, as my mate. I relinquish my claim as your mate and Luna.”<br /> <br /> I gritted my teeth as Kieran howled in my head, screaming for me not to accept it. <br /> <br /> “I, Theo Arden, accept your rejection.” The pain in my chest amplified, but I could still feel the bond. “We’ve done this before. It’s not working.”<br /> <br /> “Your wolf has to accept it,” she said. <br /> <br /> “Yours didn’t.”<br /> <br /> “Didn’t she?” Ayla said.<br /> <br /> You said she didn’t want to break the bond. <br /> <br /> ‘She didn’t. Still accepted.’<br /> <br /> How was that possible? Our wolves were primal creatures. They were animals, after all. They weren’t ones to deny themselves what they wanted. Not without a very good reason.<br /> <br /> “Tell your wolf to accept it,” Ayla said with a crack in her voice. <br /> <br /> The muscles in my jaw tightened to a point I thought my teeth would shatter. The noise in my head from Kieran becoming almost unbearable.<br /> <br /> “He won’t.”<br /> <br /> “Make him,” she forced out.<br /> <br /> “I can’t.”<br /> <br /> “He doesn’t have a choice. I’ll never be with him, and neither will she,” Ayla said, tears threatening to fall from her eyes. <br /> <br /> I could feel the pain he felt. It was excruciating. I told him it would end if he just accepted, but he wouldn’t give in. He was an Alpha. He was as strong as me. I’d never overpower him on this. Ayla must have sensed my stalemate. Or her wolf did and told her because she pulled herself from against the wall, standing up straight again.<br /> <br /> “I, Ayla Garner, cut my ties to Alpha Torin…”<br /> <br /> “What are you doing?” There was desperation in my voice. She couldn’t do this. I moved to stop her. <br /> <br /> “And the Greytooth Pack.”<br /> <br /> “No.” I fell to a knee, feeling the invisible tether that united pack members with their Alpha splinter. Kieran was pounding against the barriers of my control, putting all his might into taking over the shift. I knew I was on the verge.<br /> <br /> “From this day forth, I am a rogue.” She took an unsteady step toward me, silent tears rolling freely down her face. “Now get out.”<br /> <br /> She had used my father’s name. Either of our names would have worked in the limbo state we were currently in. But she used my father’s. There was nothing I could do to stop her. Nothing I could do to fight the separation. She knew exactly what she was doing. <br /> <br /> If my wolf wouldn’t sever the mate bond, she would remove herself from any control I had over her. <br /> <br /> With one final, agonizing look, she walked away, disappearing upstairs. <br /> <br /> I took in a ragged breath of air. Ayla now had until midnight to be out of our territory. If I caught her on our land after that, I would have to kill her. Mate bond or not. She was a rogue now. It was our laws. <br /> <br /> Kieran had finally gone still in my mind. <br /> <br /> ‘Mate’s gone.’<br /> <br /> Did he mean Ayla or her wolf?<br /> <br /> ‘Dasha. Mate’s name is Dasha. Dasha’s gone.’<br /> <br /> Realization hit me and panic set in. Her wolf was gone. The pain was too much. She had retreated deep into the recesses of Ayla’s subconscious. Ayla wouldn’t be able to call on her. She wouldn’t be able to shift. She wouldn’t be able to heal.<br /> <br /> She was a rogue without a wolf. She couldn’t protect herself. <br /> <br /> I had to get as far away from her as possible. <br /> <br /> I dragged myself back to my feet, forcing them to walk out the door.	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158,558	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":158556}'	No	2024-01-25 14:51	active	121	3228004787507101	Comics Unveiling the Whimsical Quirks of Modern Parenting	From those round-the-clock baby marathons to the nerve-wracking first day of school, this comic shows the side of parenthood no one talks enough about.	LEARN_MORE	https://investmentguru.com/koen/50-hilarious-comic	108897261969801	InvestmentGuru Magazine	https://facebook.com/100085937318556	236	1	927,829,505,562,124	2024-01-24 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	1	1	1	Learn more	InvestmentGuru Magazine	120204379280020243	investmentguru.com	NONE	image	Step right up to the whirlwind adventure known as parenthood! Raising those pint-sized bundles of joy is a rollercoaster that even your parents admit is no small feat. From those round-the-clock baby marathons to the nerve-wracking first day of school, it's a wild ride that most folks don't quite gr...	https://investmentguru.com/koen/50-hilarious-comics-unveiling-the-whimsical-quirks-of-modern-parenting		2024-01-23 12:42	https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/421501627_928724352020542_3898112118332597013_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=c4kn3NBT84MAX8enJL3&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAz8YjRl7NnLRc_77BDAXscil7FJ1Z7kDWVcfHm7yvAvQ&oe=65B752A7	person_profile	InvestmentGuru Magazine	https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/421509197_400917199057083_4941652474793183045_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=czOZCBhKTGIAX_dMnQM&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAnzIzesOGPnvLNd3bwvG5efgGFz1WsHPiGiL_jNOGWTQ&oe=65B7D9BA	3	InvestmentGuru Magazine	2024-01-24 02:00	View Edit Delete
159,096	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":158169}'	No	2024-01-25 14:51	active	121	6262618100507812	😍Read More Chapters👉👉	My Alpha mate rejected me for my sister. But he soon regretted it after he drove me into the arms of another Alpha, or worse.<br /> <br /> <br /> Chapter 1: Ayla<br /> "Ma," I called down the hall. "Come on, Ma. They'll be here soon. You need to get out here."<br /> <br /> "I'm coming," my mother yelled back. "Don’t rush me.”<br /> <br /> She came out of her bedroom and down the hall. I was grateful that she didn’t seem to sway at all, and as she approached, the only scent wafting off her was mouthwash. And she actually seemed presentable. It was the first time in weeks. <br /> <br /> Although, I shouldn’t have been surprised. She always managed to look presentable in front of Kylee. Goddess forbid her precious baby learn the truth about her. <br /> <br /> No, that was my burden to bear. And in truth, I accepted it willingly. I wanted to protect Kylee from that reality as much as Ma wanted to hide it from her. However, I will admit we had different reasons. <br /> <br /> I waved Ma to the armchair in the living room while I went back into the kitchen to check on dinner. I was making Kylee’s favorites. It had been two months since my little sister had been home, and we were both excited. Even more exciting, she was bringing home her mate for the first time.<br /> <br /> I was so happy for her. They had apparently met almost two. Years ago, when she visited the local college campus with her high school. I had no idea they had found each other until her freshman year of university. I had asked her why the secrecy, and she told me they needed to wait to make their relationship public because of his position in the pack. They announced their relationship a few months into her first year. Still, she kept putting off us meeting him even though they were only a couple hours away. Don’t get me wrong, she told me all about him. Whenever we talked, she would just gush about how perfect he was. But it wasn’t until a month ago that she finally admitted to us that he was our future Alpha. <br /> <br /> Ma and I were ecstatic. We couldn’t be more pleased. Especially me. Our current Alpha, Alpha Torin, was a good leader, a fair leader, and a good man. We were very blessed to have had his support after our father died. <br /> <br /> Not that we knew him all that well, but he was the one who helped me get the family back on its feet after such a terrible loss. I knew he had a son, but I had never met him before. Again, it’s not like we were exactly close to the Alpha at all. I doubt he ever really thought of us. He was just taking care of the members of his pack, and for that, I will always be grateful. <br /> <br /> But I had heard that his son, Theo, was promising to be just as good an Alpha as his father. So I really couldn’t have been more relieved that he was my sister’s mate. She would be properly looked after and taken care of, and she would be happy. <br /> <br /> I was pulling the chicken out of the oven when I heard Ma from the living room. <br /> <br /> “They're here,” she sang. <br /> <br /> I moved quickly. Getting out our nice serving dishes that were gifted to my parents at their mating ceremony, I started to plate dinner onto them. I was still transferring the food when I heard the front door open and the squeals of my mother and sister as they embraced. I finished my task and moved the dishes to the dining room table that was already set neatly. I smiled at my presentation and excitedly hurried to the living room. <br /> <br /> I froze at the threshold. A scent overwhelmed my senses, causing my stomach to knot and my heart to race. <br /> <br /> The tall, broad man standing next to my sister turned toward me and we locked eyes. <br /> <br /> Mate.<br /> <br /> I practically gagged trying to stifle the word from slipping from my mouth. <br /> <br /> What was happening?<br /> <br /> This was my sister’s mate. <br /> <br /> Not mine. <br /> <br /> This man was fated to Kylee. <br /> <br /> So why was I having this reaction?<br /> <br /> Better question…<br /> <br /> Why did HE seem to be having the same reaction?<br /> <br /> His eyes were wide, pupils dilated, and they held my gaze with a vice-like grip as he, too, seemed frozen to where he stood. <br /> <br /> Dasha, my wolf, bounced excitedly in my head, recognizing him and his wolf just as I was. It took a minute for her to understand the situation, but once she did, she started whimpering in the back of my mind.<br /> <br /> This couldn’t be happening. <br /> <br /> What was happening?<br /> <br /> I forced myself to address the situation as a whole. Fine, this was happening. Now, what is the best way to handle the situation? I wasn’t going to break my sister’s heart. Absolutely not. I wouldn’t let him either. Not right now. We’ll just get through dinner, and I’ll find a way to speak with him in private later. <br /> <br /> I cleared my throat and plastered a smile on my face.<br /> <br /> “Kylee, I’m so excited you’re home,” I said, opening my arms so she could jump into them like she had since she was little.<br /> <br /> “I’ve missed you, sis,” she said. <br /> <br /> “I’ve missed you, too,” I said quietly. <br /> <br /> We separated, and she turned to the male behind her. “Theo, this is my sister, Ayla. Ayla, this is my mate, Theo.”<br /> <br /> Theo’s hands were clenched into fists, and he forced a tight-jawed smile toward me. At least I was better at faking it them him. Geesh. <br /> <br /> I nodded to him with a broad smile. I knew it didn’t reach my eyes, but at least Ma and Kylee wouldn’t notice. <br /> <br /> “It’s lovely to meet you, Theo,” I said. “Dinner is ready in the dining room. Why don’t you guys go take a seat, and I’ll be right there. I need to tend to dessert first.”<br /> <br /> “Don’t take too long,” Kylee said brightly. “We have some big news, and I don’t think I can wait much longer.”<br /> <br /> “I promise I’ll be right there,” I assured her as I rubbed her shoulder. <br /> <br /> Kylee grabbed Ma by the arm and led her to the dining room. Theo followed a few steps behind. He had to pass me to get through. Right as he approached, I turned my body to ensure we didn’t touch. He paused in front of me for a moment. I looked up to meet his eyes.<br /> <br /> There was anger, confusion, desire, and possibly even hurt reflecting in his eyes that I couldn’t help but notice were the color of honey. He had questions. I subtly shook my head at him. Hoping and silently begging that he knew we couldn’t do this here. <br /> <br /> The sound of Kylee’s laugh from the other room made me jump and then quickly retreat to the kitchen. I grabbed the homemade cheesecake from the fridge and set it on the counter for later. I listened to the others conversing in the next room and quietly slipped out the back door. <br /> <br /> I stood on the porch and took several deep breaths. I felt a lump start to form in my throat and quickly pushed it down. This wasn’t the time to cry. So, I did what I usually do instead of crying. <br /> <br /> I released a string of curses.<br /> <br /> “What is happening? Why is this happening? This ISN’T happening,” I whispered with the force of a yell. <br /> <br /> ‘Our mate.’ Dasha insisted.<br /> <br /> “No, he’s not,” I said back to her. “He’s Kylee’s. There must be some kind of mistake. Just get through dinner like nothing is going on, and we’ll figure that out later. Easy.”<br /> <br /> I didn’t believe myself, neither did Dasha, but I didn’t have time to deal with that. So, I took two more deep breaths and went back into the house. I was almost to the dining room when I heard the last part of what Kylee was saying, and again, I was left frozen at the threshold.<br /> <br /> “… our mating ceremony is in three months.” Kylee looked up at me. “Oh, Ayla, I’m sorry. I just couldn’t hold back any longer. Aren’t you happy for us?”<br /> <br /> I put the same fake smile back on. “Of course I’m happy for you,” I said. “You deserve the best.”<br /> <br /> I took my seat at the table, ignoring the fact that I was left sitting directly across from Theo. His eyes were boring into me, and my face felt like it was on fire. I started dishing out food and passing plates. I didn’t say much over dinner. Instead, I just listened to Kylee and Ma talk about all the ideas they had for the mating ceremony. Theo didn’t say much either but slowly started to do a better job hiding his discomfort with the situation. <br /> <br /> It took everything to ignore the touches they shared, pushing down the jealousy that kept surging through me. As soon as I saw the opportunity, I started clearing the plates. As I was bringing in the dessert, my phone dinged in my pocket, and I had never been more grateful.<br /> I pulled it out and checked the screen. <br /> <br /> “I’m so sorry. Please, excuse me. This is important. I have to take it.”<br /> <br /> Ma waved me off, and Kylee didn’t even seem to notice. Theo glared at me, but to be honest, I didn’t really care. <br /> <br /> I answered the phone as I left the dining room and exited out the back door again. <br /> <br /> “Hey, Zeff. What’s up?” I said as I walked to the back of the yard.<br /> <br /> “How’s the dinner going?” Zeff, my best friend and colleague, asked.<br /> <br /> “It’s full of excitement, that’s for sure,” I said, hoping he didn’t catch on to the kind of excitement I was feeling. <br /> <br /> He chuckled on the other line. “I can’t wait to hear all about it,” he said with a hint of sarcasm. “I hate to interrupt, but Carla wanted me to check if you were done with those chapters.”<br /> <br /> “Oh, um, yeah, I just finished them up this morning. I was going to run through another round of editing, but I can go ahead and send them over tonight.” I doubted I would have the mental capacity to deal with editing today.<br /> <br /> “Perfect. I’ll let her know to watch for them,” Zeff said.<br /> <br /> “Mhmm.”<br /> <br /> “Hey, you okay, Ayls?” Zeff asked.<br /> <br /> I stiffened as a mouthwatering scent hit my nose. I knew who was standing behind me. “Yeah, I just gotta go. Talk to you tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2: Theo<br /> I fought against the urges her scent was influencing as I stalked up to her, including the rage that she was currently talking to another male. But more importantly, the urge to grab her and take her against the nearest tree. My wolf was going crazy about the idea, but he would learn fast that that was never going to happen. <br /> <br /> I wouldn’t accept her. <br /> <br /> Knowing what I knew about her, that would never happen. <br /> <br /> She hung up the phone and turned to face me. <br /> <br /> “This won’t happen,” I spat out before she had a chance to speak. <br /> Her jaw clenched, and her silvery-gray eyes stared into mine for a few short moments. But I couldn’t read a thing behind them. <br /> <br /> “I absolutely agree,” she stated evenly. <br /> <br /> My wolf growled and snarled inside me, demanding to know what I was doing. I pushed down the hurt that hit me when she didn’t fight me. Her reaction just proved why this needed to be done. I could never be with someone so cold and self-absorbed as her. There was no way someone like her could ever be my Luna. <br /> <br /> ‘Don’t know her.’ Kieran yelled in my head. <br /> <br /> I knew enough. <br /> <br /> “Kylee is my mate. Not you. I, Theo Arden, future Alpha of the Greytooth Pack, reject you, Ayla Garner, as my mate and Luna.” Kieran was snapping his teeth, pushing to take control to stop this.<br /> <br /> “I, Ayla Garner, accept your rejection and relinquish my claim as your mate and Luna.”<br /> <br /> My wolf howled in pain. A pain that was mirrored within me as it felt like my heart was being ripped apart. It was the bond breaking. Releasing me from the tie that bound us together. <br /> She stood there like nothing happened. <br /> <br /> How could she stand there like nothing had happened?<br /> <br /> She really didn’t feel anything, did she? It was so easy for her to let us go.<br /> <br /> ‘Mate wants me.’<br /> <br /> I grimaced. He meant her wolf. Her wolf wanted mine. He could sense her. She was even denying her wolf. I couldn’t stand it anymore. I needed to get away from her. <br /> <br /> I stormed back into the house, returning to the woman the goddess should have made my mate. I returned to the dining room to find her mother and her still deep in conversation. I was grateful she hadn’t seemed to notice my absence or the change in my mood. It wasn’t surprising. She was excited about seeing her family and sharing the news with them. <br /> <br /> I had been, too, until her sister walked into the room. The scent had engulfed me, driving me to seek out the source like a lifeline. When I saw her, her beauty took my breath away. She was petit but strong, with long legs and perfect curves. She had a mass of caramel-blonde hair that cascaded over her shoulders, framing a face with plump lips and intense gray eyes that shined green in the light. I couldn’t help but want her. I recognized who she was to me immediately. <br /> <br /> But then I noticed her narrow nose and soft jawline were familiar. Her fair skin had a sun-kissed glow that I had always found attractive. Once I realized she had similar features to Kylee, I knew this was her sister, Ayla. <br /> <br /> Kylee had told me on many occasions how her sister had changed after the death of their father. She was there for Kylee at first, but in less than a year, she started spending all her time away from home. She ended up dropping out of the private school her parents had worked so hard to send her to. Eventually, Kylee lost track of what she was doing with her life. <br /> <br /> Kylee was there for her when she was around, trying to be supportive. But she wasn’t the sister she used to love. What bothered her most was Ayla’s treatment of their mother. Ayla still lived in the house with her, but Kylee always got the impression that helping their mother was just a burden. She worried their mother would be left with no one to take care of her, and she wasn’t in the best of health anymore. <br /> <br /> “I have an idea,” I interrupted. They both looked up at me expectantly. “Why doesn’t your mother come to stay with us for a while? At least until the ceremony? We have the room in the packhouse, and I’m sure you and my mother would appreciate the extra input.”<br /> <br /> Both their faces lit up.<br /> <br /> “Really? We can do that?” Kylee said happily. <br /> <br /> “Of course,” I said with a smile. <br /> <br /> “Thank you.”<br /> <br /> Kylee jumped up from the table and threw her arms around me, kissing me sweetly. I ignored the growls coming from Kieran. Seeing their reaction told me I had made the exact right decision. Despite what was burning in my chest told me. <br /> <br /> This was who I was supposed to be with. Not Ayla.<br /> <br /> ‘Keep saying. Maybe believe.’<br /> <br /> I told him to shut up, and he retreated into the back of my mind, cutting himself off from me. <br /> <br /> He would get over it. Once the bond was completely severed, he would understand this was the right thing for us and the pack.<br /> <br /> ---<br /> Ayla<br /> <br /> <br /> I had managed to get myself together enough to rejoin my family. The pain that seared through me from Theo’s rejection and my subsequent acceptance almost brought me to my knees. It took all of my strength to keep my body from shaking, praying he didn’t notice the blood coming from my palms. I had clenched my fists so hard trying to stay on my feet that I broke the skin.<br /> <br /> When he finally left, I released the sob that was the only thing capable of coming out of my mouth. But I didn’t let the tears fall. Not yet. They couldn’t know. <br /> <br /> So, I steadied my breathing and went back into my house. I was surprised to find that Kylee and Ma weren’t in the dining room anymore. They weren’t in the living room either. But Theo was. <br /> <br /> “They’re in your mother’s room packing,” he said coldly.<br /> <br /> “Packing?” What was he talking about?<br /> <br /> He stepped closer to me, lowering his voice. “I think it’s best that you keep your distance from Kylee for a while. We don’t want her finding out about this. But I know she’ll want her mother to be a part of the ceremony planning. So she’s coming back with us.”<br /> <br /> I felt like he just slapped me in the face. As if I would ever tell her. That’s why I was doing this. So that I wouldn’t break my baby sister’s heart. I gave him what he wanted, and now he was going to keep me from my family?<br /> <br /> Dasha was confused and in pain, whimpering in my head because she didn’t understand how he could be so cruel to us. <br /> <br /> ‘Because he doesn’t want to deal with the trouble,’ I told her, fighting the tears that were forming. ‘If this is how he is going to treat us, fine. It just makes this easier.’<br /> <br /> “If that’s what you think is best,” I said to Theo through gritted teeth. <br /> <br /> “Kylee,” he called out, not breaking eye contact. “Let’s get going.”<br /> <br /> My sister came prancing into the room. “Already?”<br /> <br /> “It’s getting late. Let’s head to the hotel for the night. We’ll swing by in the morning to pick up your mother.”<br /> <br /> “Okay,” she said brightly before turning to me. “What about you, Ayla? You’re coming with, too, right?”<br /> <br /> I opened my mouth to speak, but Theo decided to answer for me. <br /> <br /> “We were just talking about that. Ayla has some things going on with work and can’t get away.”<br /> <br /> I gave her a tight smile. “Yes, I’m sorry. But I will try to come out there as soon as I can.”<br /> <br /> “Oh, okay, I understand. But I’ll make sure we have a room ready for you whenever you can come.”<br /> <br /> “Of course. I can’t wait,” I said, my heart breaking again, knowing Theo wouldn’t allow me to be there with her. <br /> <br /> We all said our goodbyes, and they left. Ma was still standing at the window watching them drive off when I went to clean up the dishes in the kitchen. She finally came in behind me and started opening another bottle of wine. We had gone through four during dinner already. And I barely touched my glass. <br /> <br /> “Ma, you’ve had enough for the night,” I said calmly.<br /> <br /> “Oh, come on. It’s a celebration,” Ma said. “It’s not every day you find out your baby is going to be a Luna.”<br /> <br /> “Ma, you can celebrate more tomorrow. You need to finish packing,” I said, gently taking the bottle from her hand. “I’m sure Kylee and Theo will be here first thing in the morning.”<br /> <br /> “We can celebrate together while you help me pack,” she said, grabbing the bottle back from me. “Then I’ll help you pack.”<br /> <br /> I winced. This wasn’t going to end well. “I’m not coming, Ma.”<br /> <br /> She stopped with the glass halfway to her lips. “What do you mean you’re not coming?” she asked with a pout. “You have to be there. Kylee is going to be mated. I told her we would help pay for the ceremony.”<br /> <br /> I winced again. She meant me. I would be helping pay for the ceremony. Ma didn’t have a penny to her name.<br /> <br /> “I will send you however much you need. But I have to stay close to work for the next few weeks. I’ll come out later. We have six months to get ready,” I said, guiding her down the hall. <br /> <br /> “That’s not the point. You should be there for her. This is a big deal. Don’t be so selfish, Ayla.”<br /> <br /> Her words stung, but they weren’t unexpected. This was kind of the norm when she got like this. I know she didn’t really mean it. At least, she wouldn’t mean it when she was sober. It was just her way of coping with her abandonment issues. I got her into her bedroom and set her on the bed. I changed her into her nightgown and tucked her in. I left her sitting up against the pillows while I pulled clothes out of her closet, asking if she wanted to take specific items. <br /> <br /> Pretty soon, she started to tip to the side. I coaxed her to lie down and tucked her all the way in. She was asleep in seconds. I hurried through the rest of her packing. Stuffing two large suitcases as full as I could before carrying them out to the living room. Then I locked the front door, finished the last of the dishes, and slipped out into the backyard.<br /> <br /> I stripped off my clothes as I headed for the forest, desperate to get under its protective shadows. As soon as I passed the treeline, I shifted, taking off at full speed. I let Dasha feel all the pain. I didn’t try to hold her back anymore. <br /> <br /> We would mourn the loss of our fated mate. The loss of the one person who was supposed to see us for who we were. The one person who was supposed to always put us first, without demands or expectations. We would mourn the loss of never getting to experience that. <br /> But we wouldn’t mourn him.<br /> <br /> We ran until we could barely breathe. Until Dasha stopped at the edge of our pond — our place of solace — and let out a heartwrenching howl into the night air. Shifting at the end as she retreated back into my mind, out of reach to heal her broken heart, while I let the torrent of tears finally fall.<br /> <br /> I fell to the forest floor, curling into myself as the sobs wracked my body, intensifying the burn that was still there from our bond being ripped from my heart. I lay there and cried until I had nothing left in my body, and my eyes drifted closed on the image of the moon and the stars reflecting on our peaceful little pond.<br /> <br /> Chapter 3: Ayla<br /> I woke up to the first rays of sunshine heating my body. I was grateful for the warm night of mid-summer. Otherwise, I probably wouldn’t have made it through the night in my human form. My wolf still hadn’t re-emerged, and I couldn’t say I blamed her. The prospect of seeing Theo again this morning was hard enough for me. Dasha wouldn’t be able to handle sensing his wolf again. She had told me he wasn’t happy about the rejection. <br /> <br /> But it had to be done. <br /> <br /> And we had to accept it. <br /> <br /> I wasn’t going to break Kylee’s heart like that. Especially if he actually loved her that much. <br /> <br /> She would be happy. And I had to find a way to make that enough. <br /> <br /> I sat up and looked out at the reflective pool. I stood up and I walked into the water. I submerged myself completely, washing my body clean of Theo, the mate bond, and every dream of finding my soulmate. <br /> <br /> The ritual wasn’t new to me. I did this after my father died. I came here to wash away the grief. And when my mother started to fall apart. When she started drinking heavier and gambling and I realized we were running out of the money Dad had left us. I had to make some tough decisions to keep the family going. Once I made them, I came back here to forget the person I was. So I could be who my family needed me to be. <br /> <br /> I came here to wash away all of the what-ifs and what-could-have-beens.<br /> <br /> When I emerged, I started the long walk back home. <br /> <br /> When I made it back to the house, I could hear the faint sound of voices coming from inside. They had already arrived. I quickly collected my clothes from the lawn, putting them back on before heading inside. <br /> <br /> I had to pause when I opened the door, bracing myself against the intoxicating scent that belonged to Theo. I had hoped the effects would have lessoned by now since we broke our bond, but I wasn’t that lucky. But again, I shook off the feeling and prepared to push through this like everything was normal. <br /> <br /> I walked through the kitchen and into the living room, where, again, I found Theo alone. I could hear Ma and Kylee down the hall, and I prayed they would be out soon. Theo’s hands clenched when his eyes met mine. It wasn’t hard to read the look of disgust he held in them. <br /> <br /> I failed to hide the hitch in my breath, but I still managed to raise my chin. I wasn’t about to let him see how he still affected me. Just a few more minutes and we would both be rid of each other, at least for a little while. Hopefully, it would be enough time for the bond to dissipate and free us of all this. <br /> <br /> “There you are,” Kylee’s voice rang down the hall. <br /> <br /> I turned to her with a smile, returning her hug as she wrapped her arms around me. I held on for a minute, letting her proximity calm me. <br /> <br /> “Where have you been? Why is your hair wet?”<br /> <br /> “She went out again last night,” Ma said with bitterness in her voice. <br /> <br /> I had to stop myself from rolling my eyes.<br /> <br /> “Ma, I just went for a run,” I said. <br /> <br /> “All night?” she said haughtily.<br /> <br /> How would you know? You were passed out drunk. I cleared my throat and brushed it off. <br /> <br /> “I guess you guys need to get on the road,” I said, smiling down at Kylee as I rubbed her arms. Looking at the face of the girl I had practically raised since she was nine, I couldn’t stop the lump in my throat. “I’m gonna miss you.”<br /> <br /> “Hey, we’ll see you soon. Come up whenever you’re ready,” she said as she gave me another hug.<br /> <br /> “I love you,” I whispered. <br /> <br /> “I love you.”<br /> <br /> She pulled away and I turned to my mother, taking her in my arms despite her hesitation. <br /> <br /> “Take care of yourself, Ma.”<br /> <br /> “Kylee, let’s get going,” Theo said from the door. <br /> <br /> With a few more smiles and waves, they walked out, closing the door behind them. I was standing in an empty room in an empty house. The silence was deafening. And it all came crashing down. I sank to my knees, begging the goddess to just let it all go away, just for a little while. I just wanted to feel numb.<br /> <br /> I lost track of how long I sat in that spot, staring without seeing. I didn’t even know Zeff was there until I felt him grip my arms.<br /> <br /> “Ayls, what?! What’s wrong?” he asked, brushing hair out of my face, forcing me to look at him. “Ayla, what is going on?”<br /> <br /> “I found my mate,” I said, the corner of my lips tipping up mockingly. “He’s scheduled to be mated to my sister.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Zeff exclaimed, anger and concern twisting his handsome features. <br /> <br /> Zeff was a good man. He had been there for me when no one else was. He was the only person who knew everything I went through. And here he was, listening to me tell him about meeting Theo, the mating ceremony, and my rejection. Why couldn’t he have been my mate? He should have been. <br /> <br /> “Come on,” he said, lifting me up. “You’re coming to stay with me.”<br /> <br /> I didn’t protest. The goddess had given me this one little blessing. I was numb. Zeff held me up by my waist and led me out to his car. He tucked me into the passenger seat and disappeared into the house again, only to emerge a few minutes later with a duffel bag in hand. <br /> <br /> He pulled out and drove us the twenty minutes to his house. Just like before, he helped me inside, this time sitting me on the big, comfy leather couch in his living room. I loved this couch. We had spent a lot of time on this couch, watching movies, talking about books, brainstorming ideas for work. This was like a second home to me. But even that felt wrong now. <br /> <br /> Zeff’s phone rang in his pocket. He cursed as he pulled it out, checking the screen.<br /> <br /> “God,” he said. “Honey, I have to take this. I’ll be right back, okay?”<br /> <br /> I nodded. He answered the call, kissing my head before walking out of the room. Alone again, I pulled my feet up onto the couch, tucking them into my chest as I wrapped my arms around my knees. Silent tears began to fall. The numbness was wearing off. <br /> <br /> It was time to snap out of it. I needed to move on. <br /> <br /> I heard Zeff coming back, and I quickly wiped the tears from my eyes. No one had seen me cry. Not since the night my father died. I wasn’t about to change that now. Not over someone like Theo. He paused, giving me a look. He knew I’d been crying. It always bugged him when I did that. Not that I often cried anyway, let alone enough for anyone to see it. But Zeff was always trying to get me to open up more. <br /> <br /> He came and sat next to me, putting an arm over my shoulder and pulling me into him. I let myself relax some. This was the first thing since Theo walked into my life that felt normal, felt comfortable. He leaned his head on mine, rubbing his fingers along my arm. <br /> <br /> “Did you get my laptop?” I asked quietly. <br /> <br /> His chest rose and fell heavily. “Yes, but we’re not going to worry about that right now.”<br /> <br /> I pushed off of him, going to the duffel bag he left by the door. <br /> <br /> “I have to send Carla my chapters. I didn’t get to it last night.”<br /> <br /> “Ayla,” Zeff said, getting up and coming to pull me away from the bag. “You’re not going to do this. You’re not going to bury yourself in work. You’re going to deal with this — we’re going to deal with this together. Screw him, okay. He’s dumb. You deserve so much better than one who doesn’t see how incredible you are.”<br /> <br /> I wanted to roll my eyes, but it wasn’t just about him. <br /> <br /> “He took my family, Zeff. I would have gotten over him just rejecting me because of Kylee. At least she would be safe and happy.”<br /> <br /> “Screw them,” Zeff said angrily.<br /> <br /> “Zeff,” I warned. He wasn’t exactly Kylee’s biggest fan. There was a big age difference between the two of them, and she kind of annoyed him. But he always respected how protective I was of her. <br /> <br /> “No, Ayla. I’m sick of this. They either treat you like a servant or a bank. They don’t care what their actions do to you as long as they keep getting what they want."<br /> <br /> "Zeff, that’s not fair,” I protested. My family wasn’t perfect, but they were my family. They loved me in their own way. <br /> <br /> He moved to say something else but thought better of it. <br /> <br /> “Fine,” he conceded. “Then Kylee’s happy. He can try to keep you from going to see them, but they’ll be back to see you. You believe that, don’t you?”<br /> <br /> I hesitated for a moment, but I did believe that. “Yes.”<br /> <br /> “Okay, then get over him.” He took a step toward me, reaching up to hold my chin. “He’s not the only one who can take care of you, Ayla. He may be stvpid enough not to want you, but I’m not.”<br /> <br /> My breath caught in my throat. He had told me about his feelings before, but we both avoided going down that road with each other. We knew we could find our fated mates at any time, and we didn’t want to deny each other that. <br /> <br /> “Move in here with me, Ayls,” Zeff said. “There’s nothing stopping us now.”<br /> <br /> “Zeff, you still have a mate out there somewhere.”<br /> <br /> “Ayla, stop. I’m thirty-four and well-traveled. If I was going to find her, I would have long before now. We both know that.” <br /> <br /> Suddenly his lips were on mine. I was shocked, but mostly because it felt good. I felt wanted. I kissed him back, not wanting to give that feeling up. I leaned into him — until Dasha came charging to the forefront, growling and snarling that someone who wasn’t our mate was touching us. <br /> <br /> I ripped myself from Zeff’s embrace. Breathing heavily, the pain of the severed bond renewed. I clutched my chest. <br /> <br /> “Ayla.” <br /> <br /> “I can’t. The bond. It’s still there. It hasn’t faded yet.”<br /> <br /> Zeff pulled me into his arms. “Okay. It’s okay. We can wait. We’ll take it slow. But I want you here with me. You’re not staying in that house alone.”<br /> <br /> I rested my head on him. “Okay.”<br /> <br /> He squeezed me tighter. I still didn’t know if we could make this work, but I wanted to try. <br /> <br /> <br /> Chapter 4: Theo<br /> It had been a week since I had gone home with Kylee. Seven days and a hundred miles away, and the bond was still there. The burning in my chest wouldn’t go away. I didn’t understand and it was driving me crazy. I had been in an awful mood because of it. <br /> <br /> I had taken to holing up in my office most of the time. I didn’t want to snap at Kylee, or her mother, which had become hard to avoid by the third day. They didn’t deserve that. Kylee definitely didn’t deserve that. I was glad I had a good reason for me being so busy all of a sudden. <br /> <br /> Alpha was sick. He was diagnosed with a progressive disease almost a year ago. It had gotten to the point that he and my mother were concerned about the toll the Alpha role was taking on him. So, he decided it was time to hand the title down to me. It wasn’t official yet. We were planning on making the change at the same time as Kylee’s and my mating ceremony. Actually, that’s why I decided to make Kylee my official mate. Alpha’s were always stronger with a strong Luna by their side. With the circumstances of my father’s abdication, our pack needed to be as strong as possible. <br /> <br /> But there was still a lot to take care of and a lot I had to learn about being an Alpha before that time. So it wasn’t hard to convince her that it was the stress that was causing me to be distant. <br /> <br /> There was a knock on my office door, and Kylee poked her head in before I had a chance to answer. She walked around my desk with a bright smile. <br /> <br /> “There you are, mate,” she cooed, sitting in my lap. “You’ve been up here all day.”<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, babe. I’ve been working.”<br /> <br /> She ran a hand up my chest, leaning in to kiss me. Kieran’s growl started immediately. He had spent the whole week giving me the silent treatment, except when Kylee was around. Then all he did was growl and snarl. It was getting exhausting. <br /> <br /> Kylee pulled away. “I know. I understand. I just wanted to check on you.”<br /> <br /> “Thanks,” I said with a smile. She really was sweet. “I’m fine, just knee-deep in all this paperwork. Did you need anything?”<br /> <br /> She tried to hide her pout, but I saw it for a moment.<br /> <br /> “What is it, Ky?”<br /> <br /> “I don’t want to bother you. You’re already so busy.”<br /> <br /> “You can ask me for anything. Don’t ever feel bad for doing so,” I insisted.<br /> <br /> Her face brightened. “Well, there’s this necklace of my mother’s. She wants me to wear it for our mating ceremony, but it was left at the house. I called Ayla to have her bring it to me when she came up, but she won’t be able to make it for a few more weeks.”<br /> <br /> I gripped the arm of the chair at hearing her name. At hearing that Kylee spoke to her. I fought the urge to ask how she was. Knowing I shouldn’t care. <br /> <br /> “Do you really need it sooner than that? We have months until the ceremony.”<br /> <br /> “Well, I have my first dress appointment on Tuesday. I would really like to have it so we can match it to the perfect dress,” Kylee said, leaning into me, tracing her finger along the collar of my shirt. <br /> <br /> I sighed. “Okay, I’ll send someone to pick it up. Just send me the details to pass along.”<br /> <br /> She kissed me again, accompanied by my wolf’s protests again, and pulled away with a smile. “Thank you, baby. You’re the best.” She moved to get up but paused. “Are you coming to see me tonight?”<br /> <br /> “I’ll try. If I don’t get done here too late.”<br /> <br /> “You better. We miss you.”<br /> <br /> ‘Evie doesn’t.’<br /> <br /> Evie was Kylee’s wolf. Kieran had never had a problem with Evie, but he never really showed much interest in her either. It wasn’t that surprising. Our wolves only reacted to their fated mates. The only way to change that was to mark someone else and be marked by them. So I had never been too worried about it. But now I was. If I couldn’t completely sever the bond between me and Ayla, he could end up taking control and stop me from marking Kylee. <br /> I would need to do something about this.<br /> <br /> “I miss you, too. I promise I’ll work something out soon.” <br /> <br /> “Okay,” she said with a sigh. “I’ll let you get back to work then.”<br /> She kissed me on the cheek and sashayed out of my office. I couldn’t keep avoiding her. It would hurt her if I stopped showing interest in her. I didn’t want to do that. I had to do something. <br /> <br /> ---<br /> <br /> I decided to drive down to Kylee’s house myself. I left early the following morning before anyone else woke up. I wanted to avoid any questions. I broke every speed limit on the way. I wanted to get there and get back before too many people noticed I was gone. <br /> It shouldn’t be too hard. I’d get the necklace, I’d reject Ayla again, making sure it stuck this time, and I’d go back home. <br /> <br /> But when I pulled up to the house, something twisted in my gut. I cut the engine to the car and grabbed the house key I had gotten from Kylee’s keyring. If Ayla was home, I didn’t want to scare her by barging in, so I knocked first. There was no answer, and I didn’t hear any movement inside. I tested the doorknob, and it was locked. I let myself in with the key, and the feeling in my gut returned as soon as I stepped into the house. <br /> <br /> No one had been here in a while. All the scents, although still easily detected, were too faded to have been recent. Including Ayla’s. Her invigorating scent of oranges and cloves invaded my nostrils, but it wasn’t nearly as strong as it should have been. Had Ayla not been here since we left? Kieran paced in my head. What if something happened to her?<br /> <br /> My heart rate sped up, my hands balled into fists. I made my way through the house, looking for any signs that something had occurred here. I went to their mother’s room first. It all seemed in order. Even the jewelry box was untouched. I grabbed the whole box, not bothering to look through it for the particular piece Kylee wanted. Then I checked Kylee’s old room. It, too, seemed unbothered. <br /> <br /> I paused outside what had to be Ayla’s room, my hand gripping the doorknob tightly. I could smell her scent through the wood. I had to brace myself, both against the onslaught of her scent hitting me and what I may find inside. I turned the knob and pushed the door open. <br /> <br /> I had to grip the door jamb to keep Kieran from forcing the shift. All he wanted to do was roll around in here, gathering up Ayla’s delicious smell, rubbing his over everything that was hers. He wanted to stake his claim. Absolutely not. I managed to push him back, but he came surging back the moment we looked at the scene before us. <br /> <br /> The place wasn’t trashed, but there were definitely signs that someone had left in a hurry. Clothes were hanging out of half-open drawers, shoes had been scattered out of the closet, and there was no sign of any electronics or chargers. And then I caught it. <br /> <br /> There was another scent in the room.<br /> <br /> I moved to the dresser, grabbing a shirt from a drawer and sniffing it. This time, I was the one who growled, my wolf in chorus along with me. The scent was male. It was faint, he wasn’t here long, but mixed in with the distinctive scent of my mate, I could pick it out anywhere. From the trail, it seemed as if he was the one who packed up her things. <br /> <br /> The question was, did he take her or did she go willingly?<br /> <br /> Either way, we would find her. <br /> <br /> I stormed out of the house. Tossing the jewelry box in the passenger seat, I took my phone out and searched for the number for the publishing house Kylee said Ayla worked for. I punched it in as soon as it pulled up. A receptionist picked up. <br /> <br /> “I need to speak to Ayla Garner,” I barked into the phone. <br /> <br /> “Just a moment,” she said, putting me on hold for a moment. “I’m sorry, sir. She doesn’t have a meeting scheduled for today.”<br /> <br /> “When will she be in next?”<br /> <br /> “Her next meeting isn’t until next Thursday, sir.”<br /> <br /> What did she mean she wouldn’t be in until Thursday? That was almost a whole week. What meeting was she talking about? Kylee said she was some kind of assistant.<br /> <br /> “This is her… sister’s mate. Kylee and their mother have been trying to get a hold of her, and they’re worried. Do you have a phone number or address for her?” I know it was low to use Kylee like that, but it was the only way I might have gotten her to give me that information.<br /> <br /> “Oh, actually, it does look like she had added a forwarding address to her profile,” the receptionist said. <br /> <br /> I punched in the address as she rattled it off. I hung up without even saying anything else and tore out of the driveway. My knuckles turned white as I gripped the steering wheel. I followed the GPS to the address, pulling into the drive of a large, two-story house in a nice neighborhood. Parking half on the lawn, I didn’t even close the car door before taking the front steps two at a time. <br /> <br /> I banged on the door until I heard movement inside. A man opened it. It was the male I smelled in Ayla’s room. Before he could say anything, I lunged at him, my hands grabbing the front of his shirt and practically lifting him off the ground.<br /> <br /> “What have you done with her? I smell her all over you. Where is she?”<br /> <br /> He pushed me off him, his eyes glaring at me with recognition and disdain.<br /> <br /> “You must be Theo.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5: Theo<br /> “What is going on?” Ayla’s voice floated down to me as she ran down the stairs. She froze halfway down the moment she laid eyes on me. “What are you doing here?”<br /> <br /> A silk robe hung open, revealing the shorts and cut-off tank top she wore underneath, her caramel-colored hair flowing loosely around her shoulders. She was gorgeous. And clearly not in distress. I took a step toward her as my rage grew.<br /> <br /> “What are you doing here?” I spat back. <br /> <br /> “That’s none of your concern,” the male interjected.<br /> <br /> I turned on him again, a rumbling growl emanating from my chest, my claws extending. I was ready to rip his throat out. <br /> <br /> “Stop,” Ayla yelled, coming the rest of the way down the stairs and stepping between the two of us. “Zeff, go to work.”<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. I’m not leaving you here with him. Not in the state he’s in.”<br /> <br /> “I would never hurt her.” Kieran was ready to burst from my skin. How dare this air head think we would ever lay a hand on her.<br /> <br /> “We both know that’s a load of nonsense.”<br /> <br /> “Zeff, you’re not helping. Shut the up and leave. Go to work,” Ayla insisted. <br /> <br /> “Ayla…”<br /> <br /> “I said go.” Her expression softened a little. “I’ll call you later.”<br /> <br /> The Zeff guy shot me another hate-filled look before exiting out the open front door. We stood in silence until the sound of his engine faded. <br /> <br /> “Are you sllepping with him?” <br /> <br /> Her eyes went wide, then narrowed as she took a step forward. “Are you doing that with my sister?”<br /> <br /> A strangled snarl escaped me, but she started speaking again before I could recover from her accusation.<br /> <br /> “What I do with a male — or anyone for that matter — is none of your business.”<br /> <br /> “What?! It isn’t.” Electricity passed through the air between us. “He has no right to put his hands on you.”<br /> <br /> “He does if I want him to,” she yelled, not only holding her ground against the alpha energy I was exuding but taking another step toward me. “I don’t belong to anyone, remember? I have no mate.”<br /> <br /> I lost it. My hand was around her neck and my lips was on hers before I even knew what I had done. But I didn’t stop. I couldn’t stop. Sparks of intense electricity shot through me, invigorating all my senses. I pushed her to open for me, my tongue seeking hers. God, she tasted so good. She returned the kiss, her arousal mingling in the air. <br /> <br /> “MINE.” <br /> <br /> She pushed me off her with force.<br /> <br /> “Get off.” <br /> <br /> I took a step toward her again but she backed away. <br /> <br /> “Don’t you dare hurt Kylee like this.”<br /> <br /> “Like you care about your sister getting hurt,” I spat, but for some reason, I instantly regretted it. But I couldn’t take it back. I wouldn’t take it back.<br /> <br /> “Excuse me?” Pure rage radiated off of her, her eyes turning an icy blue. <br /> <br /> “You abandoned Kylee a long time ago. Putting your own life ahead of hers while she was left behind.”<br /> <br /> Ayla’s face paled. Every ounce of anger seemed to drain from her instantly, that blue fire fading from her eyes. <br /> <br /> “What did you just say?”<br /> <br /> “You stopped being a sister to Kylee years ago. You disappeared all the time, leaving her alone with a mother who was struggling to keep everything together.”<br /> <br /> Ayla’s posture completely changed. She almost went completely limp in front of me, stumbling until her back hit the wall. Her façade cracked. <br /> <br /> “That’s what she told you? She said that?” her voice was almost a whisper. <br /> <br /> Kieran was going insane in my head, telling me to shut up, to just stop talking. Urging me to stop hurting her. Because I was hurting her. I had struck a nerve, a very deep one, and I wouldn’t stop. She had to break the bond. Once and for all. If it meant I had to break her to do it, I would.<br /> <br /> “She told me everything. She told me how you would keep things from her and your mother. That you would be out at all hours of the night when you were a teenager. How you dropped out of high school, waisting the tuition your parents worked so hard for.”<br /> <br /> “What?” <br /> <br /> “I could never be with someone as cold and heartless as you.”<br /> <br /> Ayla’s head snapped up. Her eyes a steely gray as she resolved herself to something I couldn’t figure out but would soon find out. <br /> <br /> “I, Ayla Garner, reject you, Theo Arden, as my mate. I relinquish my claim as your mate and Luna.”<br /> <br /> I gritted my teeth as Kieran howled in my head, screaming for me not to accept it. <br /> <br /> “I, Theo Arden, accept your rejection.” The pain in my chest amplified, but I could still feel the bond. “We’ve done this before. It’s not working.”<br /> <br /> “Your wolf has to accept it,” she said. <br /> <br /> “Yours didn’t.”<br /> <br /> “Didn’t she?” Ayla said.<br /> <br /> You said she didn’t want to break the bond. <br /> <br /> ‘She didn’t. Still accepted.’<br /> <br /> How was that possible? Our wolves were primal creatures. They were animals, after all. They weren’t ones to deny themselves what they wanted. Not without a very good reason.<br /> <br /> “Tell your wolf to accept it,” Ayla said with a crack in her voice. <br /> <br /> The muscles in my jaw tightened to a point I thought my teeth would shatter. The noise in my head from Kieran becoming almost unbearable.<br /> <br /> “He won’t.”<br /> <br /> “Make him,” she forced out.<br /> <br /> “I can’t.”<br /> <br /> “He doesn’t have a choice. I’ll never be with him, and neither will she,” Ayla said, tears threatening to fall from her eyes. <br /> <br /> I could feel the pain he felt. It was excruciating. I told him it would end if he just accepted, but he wouldn’t give in. He was an Alpha. He was as strong as me. I’d never overpower him on this. Ayla must have sensed my stalemate. Or her wolf did and told her because she pulled herself from against the wall, standing up straight again.<br /> <br /> “I, Ayla Garner, cut my ties to Alpha Torin…”<br /> <br /> “What are you doing?” There was desperation in my voice. She couldn’t do this. I moved to stop her. <br /> <br /> “And the Greytooth Pack.”<br /> <br /> “No.” I fell to a knee, feeling the invisible tether that united pack members with their Alpha splinter. Kieran was pounding against the barriers of my control, putting all his might into taking over the shift. I knew I was on the verge.<br /> <br /> “From this day forth, I am a rogue.” She took an unsteady step toward me, silent tears rolling freely down her face. “Now get out.”<br /> <br /> She had used my father’s name. Either of our names would have worked in the limbo state we were currently in. But she used my father’s. There was nothing I could do to stop her. Nothing I could do to fight the separation. She knew exactly what she was doing. <br /> <br /> If my wolf wouldn’t sever the mate bond, she would remove herself from any control I had over her. <br /> <br /> With one final, agonizing look, she walked away, disappearing upstairs. <br /> <br /> I took in a ragged breath of air. Ayla now had until midnight to be out of our territory. If I caught her on our land after that, I would have to kill her. Mate bond or not. She was a rogue now. It was our laws. <br /> <br /> Kieran had finally gone still in my mind. <br /> <br /> ‘Mate’s gone.’<br /> <br /> Did he mean Ayla or her wolf?<br /> <br /> ‘Dasha. Mate’s name is Dasha. Dasha’s gone.’<br /> <br /> Realization hit me and panic set in. Her wolf was gone. The pain was too much. She had retreated deep into the recesses of Ayla’s subconscious. Ayla wouldn’t be able to call on her. She wouldn’t be able to shift. She wouldn’t be able to heal.<br /> <br /> She was a rogue without a wolf. She couldn’t protect herself. <br /> <br /> I had to get as far away from her as possible. <br /> <br /> I dragged myself back to my feet, forcing them to walk out the door.	LEARN_MORE	https://storyaholic.readlife.mobi/q3441m8100.html	112083604318633	Werewolf novels	https://facebook.com/100069003801866	1,351	3	1,857,408,878,046,863	2024-01-24 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	1	Learn more	Werewolf novels	120204363117870243	storyaholic.readlife.mobi	NONE	image		https://storyaholic.readlife.mobi/q3441m8100.html		2024-01-23 02:18	https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/417549060_1591940951642028_5442456413095556307_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=2mGltJ-eqgIAX8zvpxC&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDdPW5Z0eRtiWX3yp7TzYmJhjTvTyuGE543DolXGm_0Vg&oe=65B72515	person_profile	Werewolf novels	https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/417423601_1408028903440228_476451464615116280_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=6uMemSSA0FAAX_tZkJE&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBBNwp9CDWnOvEEr44Qk2gwTsJBs8dd465VTqHmgINajA&oe=65B6F058	3	Werewolf novels	2024-01-23 02:00	View Edit Delete
159,016	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":158991}'	No	2024-01-25 14:51	active	121	405900955445719		For Boxed Warning and Medication Guide, see @botoxcosmeticpi.<br /> <br /> An epic Stagecoach weekend could be yours. 🎵 🐎 Get treated and enter for a chance to win.<br /> <br /> Here’s how to enter:<br /> ➡️ Make sure you are an Allē Member (Exclusive: Allē A-Listers as of 01.22.24 get an automatic entry into the sweepstakes as part of their benefits and can earn an extra entry.)<br /> ➡️ Click Sign Up to register for the sweepstakes from 01.23.24-02.13.24<br /> ➡️ Book a consultation and get treated with BOTOX® Cosmetic from 01.23.24-02.23.24<br /> <br /> NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open to Allē Members in 48 U.S./D.C.; 22+. Void in AK, HI and where prohibited. Registration ends 2/13/24. See full Official Rules for all details and how to enter without purchase at <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Falle.com%2Fsweeps%2Fstagecoach&h=AT32lDP97RLM8qNC9SbtFjstL5ACw_WSZE7oR2hEyx8aYGlIwktNGtcJIAAG1zuFB5mZkovF2qgbZpI4Jx43PhaLy5jZJG-BdHdzQuVHGM07Zyghl3FBK_UnO81tQyHRvM7hHk437Vkmdod3SyV64A" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://alle.com/sweeps/stagecoach</a>.<br /> <br /> Allē is an official sponsor of Stagecoach<br /> <br /> BOTOX® Cosmetic (onabotulinumtoxinA) is a prescription medicine that is injected into muscles and used to temporarily improve the look of moderate to severe forehead lines, crow's feet, and frown lines between the eyebrows in adults. <br /> -<br /> Talk to your doctor about BOTOX® Cosmetic and whether it’s right for you. There are risks with this product—the effects of BOTOX® Cosmetic may spread hours to weeks after injection causing serious symptoms. Alert your doctor right away as difficulty swallowing, speaking, breathing, eye problems or muscle weakness can be a sign of a life-threatening condition. If this happens, do not drive a car, operate machinery, or do other dangerous activities. Patients with these conditions before injection are at the highest risk. Swallowing problems may last for several months. Side effects may include allergic reactions, neck and injection-site pain, fatigue and headache. Allergic reactions can include rash, welts, asthma symptoms, and dizziness. Don’t receive BOTOX® Cosmetic if there’s a skin infection. Tell your doctor your medical history, muscle or nerve conditions (including ALS/Lou Gehrig's disease, myasthenia gravis, or Lambert-Eaton syndrome), and medications, including botulinum toxins, as these may increase the risk of serious side effects.<br /> -<br /> Intended for U.S. audiences only.	SIGN_UP	https://ad.doubleclick.net/ddm/clk/577742482;38657	149006725625249	BOTOX® Cosmetic onabotulinumtoxinA	https://facebook.com/BotoxCosmetic	147,673	18	1,129,125,921,318,321	2024-01-24 02:00	regular_page	eligible	NONE	0	1	0	Sign up	BOTOX® Cosmetic onabotulinumtoxinA	120204898710450250	alle.com	NONE	image		https://ad.doubleclick.net/ddm/clk/577742482;386571799;k		2024-01-22 15:42	https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/421947423_867682038695002_4501306442192202348_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=l1NfyXZFuIgAX_IGYi2&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfA5cUiWyLxvnfYJB2tqxNDX2LjqjR227DSADm0kU26CLg&oe=65B88DAC	person_profile	BOTOX® Cosmetic	https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/421804528_1056599788894351_8929171585968757614_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Q17XlXDzQg4AX91V199&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfD3DlnJADtrydtP9eUftNlOiOPllzTMW82PEpDrK6ud5Q&oe=65B7D04F	3	BOTOX® Cosmetic onabotulinumtoxinA	2024-01-23 02:00	View Edit Delete
158,308	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	Yes	2024-01-25 14:51	active	121	290157923707309	Moxie Mavens Boutique	This happy little sweater will get you through the gloomiest of days! 🌸 Pretty, soft, and full of pops of fabulous color, she is sure to brighten your wardrobe. She comes in S-3X and runs tts.<br /> <br /> #moxiemavens #newarrivals #flowerpower #readyforspring #prettylittlesweaters	SHOP_NOW	https://moxiemavensboutique.com/	117667355586299	Moxie Mavens	https://facebook.com/MoxieMavensBoutique	5,149	1	1,053,570,559,247,725	2024-01-24 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	1	Shop now	Moxie Mavens	6505178619077	moxiemavensboutique.com	NONE	image	We are a women's clothing boutique offering a diverse range of styles for every occasion and every budget! Moxie- Force of character, determination, or nerve Mavens- An expert or connoisseur	https://moxiemavensboutique.com/	{"type":"VISUAL_EDITOR","version":2,"landing_screen_type":"welcome_message","media_type":"text","text_format":{"customer_action_type":"ice_breakers","message":{"ice_breakers":[{"title":"Can I make a purchase?","response":""},{"title":"How much does this cost?","response":""},{"title":"Can I see more products?","response":""}],"text":"Hi {{user_first_name}}! Please let us know how we can help you."}},"user_edit":false,"surface":"boosted_post"}	2024-01-24 07:03	https://scontent.fsac1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/421482809_1370006236983037_2404277212816790098_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=AwBYFHQTNxEAX-qLqLn&_nc_ht=scontent.fsac1-2.fna&oh=00_AfBPLUnVkg3Do4RmhNG5USv0miyx6dICP9xa-mj5UTQv-A&oe=65B79C8C	person_profile	Moxie Mavens	https://scontent.fsac1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/422203447_351452294331874_5729271678782726655_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=vxZJ5w_Cg-MAX-RAcuc&_nc_ht=scontent.fsac1-1.fna&oh=00_AfAbHNtu8P-VH2jo6P2ijzMYo4m7raBAX-MQzGDBtO5GUg&oe=65B7A078	3	Moxie Mavens	2024-01-24 02:00	View Edit Delete
159,009	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":158984}'	No	2024-01-25 14:51	active	121	263024536808112	Allē x Stagecoach	For Boxed Warning and Medication Guide, see <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2FBTXCpi&h=AT0NGXU7DvW5AnTKG65S-TwbU6T-otHE-NxNtw1UkjOpWIFk0DVPnXbOMRUv1Kbq_Bwl3dnyLZKXRF1UjKMZscZrEKzcOVZB3asnPWHC1lGXN7MBKIwARvhrbQiFjKQqE-KTp_Lr1uqO3_GiaLK-HRyzcmmgqM6BTJA" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="async">bit.ly/BTXCpi</a><br /> -<br /> Want to win a weekend with your favorite country music stars? Allē is giving away an unforgettable weekend at the @stagecoach Music Festival in California.<br /> <br /> Here’s how to enter:<br /> <br /> ➡️Make sure you are an Allē Member (Exclusive: Allē A-Listers as of 01.22.24 get an automatic entry into the sweepstakes as part of their benefits and can earn an extra entry.)<br /> ➡️Click Sign Up to register for the sweepstakes from 01.23.24-02.13.24<br /> ➡️Book a consultation and get treated with BOTOX® Cosmetic from 01.23.24-02.23.24<br /> <br /> NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open to Allē Members in 48 U.S./D.C.; 22+. Void in AK, HI and where prohibited. Registration ends 2/13/24. See full Official Rules for all details and how to enter without purchase at <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Falle.com%2Fsweeps%2Fstagecoach&h=AT2YoVzW2cB7WedSBGoWkgLib73lXotKZm3e4uDyaKptLkN40yYuOQiGRDBJE2QbNA6jHxH0E0gp4v7ZE0BSQolZ1ym1UGZSI3rIZBnRVjpauY461eh6kdh2Ati2V82BYRqSgco6iI6ECTBhRDMiJA" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://alle.com/sweeps/stagecoach</a>.<br /> <br /> Allē is an official sponsor of Stagecoach<br /> -<br /> BOTOX® Cosmetic (onabotulinumtoxinA) is a prescription medicine that is injected into muscles and used to temporarily improve the look of moderate to severe forehead lines, crow's feet, and frown lines between the eyebrows in adults.<br /> -<br /> Talk to your doctor about BOTOX® Cosmetic and whether it’s right for you. There are risks with this product—the effects of BOTOX® Cosmetic may spread hours to weeks after injection causing serious symptoms. Alert your doctor right away as difficulty swallowing, speaking, breathing, eye problems or muscle weakness can be a sign of a life-threatening condition. If this happens, do not drive a car, operate machinery, or do other dangerous activities. Patients with these conditions before injection are at the highest risk. Swallowing problems may last for several months. Side effects may include allergic reactions, neck and injection-site pain, fatigue and headache. Allergic reactions can include rash, welts, asthma symptoms, and dizziness. Don’t receive BOTOX® Cosmetic if there’s a skin infection. Tell your doctor your medical history, muscle or nerve conditions (including ALS/Lou Gehrig's disease, myasthenia gravis, or Lambert-Eaton syndrome), and medications, including botulinum toxins, as these may increase the risk of serious side effects.<br /> -<br /> Intended for U.S. audiences only.	SIGN_UP	https://ad.doubleclick.net/ddm/clk/577742455;38657	149006725625249	BOTOX® Cosmetic onabotulinumtoxinA	https://facebook.com/BotoxCosmetic	147,673	18	365,094,486,158,144	2024-01-24 02:00	regular_page	eligible	NONE	0	1	0	Sign up	BOTOX® Cosmetic onabotulinumtoxinA	120204898714550250	alle.com	NONE	video	Your chance to win is here!	https://ad.doubleclick.net/ddm/clk/577742455;386571772;b		2024-01-22 15:42	https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/420102052_782537733910546_7152587830518169128_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=haxfKm65zuYAX_i8-TY&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBp3HV-x0iyOVS1eqyY3KR0vEW4FRap28qZyecOVrHa2w&oe=65B6EFE6	person_profile			3	BOTOX® Cosmetic onabotulinumtoxinA	2024-01-23 02:00	View Edit Delete
158,514	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":158416}'	No	2024-01-25 14:51	active	121	351212451181802	🔥HOT SALE -60% OFF🔥 Footpathemed Compression Shoulder Brace	"👍 Top physical therapists have developed a breakthrough Compression Shoulder Brace designed to provide support precisely where it's required to ease frozen shoulder pain, rotator cuff pain, arthritic shoulder, and general shoulder pain.<br /> 🔥👉🏻Get it: <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fshoulder-brace-tk.superdeals2day.com%2F&h=AT2evwufpwrRS1edMcXal55nxwCjtsjUCOcj5WjinAOLXIkuVobkFnElMz8EW1VbJMp0Y0SXcIJ1ptQ3XJN3cGNQslx4CkQqK-dZib7_u1Xvwfd30SCgbuWTdcKTyGE2arw-oVJwwwmILZj4UD1pkA" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://shoulder-brace-tk.superdeals2day.com/</a>"	SHOP_NOW	https://shoulder-brace-tk.superdeals2day.com/	212712788593516	Smartchoice Store	https://facebook.com/61555544683732	0	1	1,084,851,595,884,615	2024-01-24 02:00	regular_page	eligible	NONE	1	1	0	Shop now	Smartchoice Store	120203827371090393	shoulder-brace-tk.superdeals2day.com	NONE	video		https://shoulder-brace-tk.superdeals2day.com/		2024-01-24 00:28	https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/421211239_661922252573533_4125894786419775708_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=wBdR6L6jmjcAX8dgpA6&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDYKNWR5vkm3bz6dOvZzwmdnX21RA0e94DnvrO-F-3FOA&oe=65B78CEE	person_profile	Smartchoice Store	https://scontent-ord5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/421813836_750709256970954_8896501182778321368_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=vv9Z_PO7QuQAX_8pr6I&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-2.xx&oh=00_AfBNZ3L122MsLmAJLQUEApKkzEZPT8sxX-LeYmHRt9_DdA&oe=65B7F527	3	Smartchoice Store	2024-01-24 02:00	View Edit Delete
158,288	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	Yes	2024-01-25 14:51	active	121	2011591302557928	Claim Your $49 New Patient Special ➡️	📣 LISTEN UP 📣 Madison Hughes Road Area!<br /> <br /> We Are Offering A $49 New Patient Special This Month Only To Promote Health & Wellness! ($189 Value)<br /> <br /> We're Looking For 27 Men & Women Who Want to Live a Pain-Free Life & Get Back to Doing What They Love!<br /> <br /> Click the "Learn More" button to see if you qualify…<br /> <br /> *Valid for new patients only at participating locations and does not apply to federal beneficiaries and ACN members<br /> <br /> 📍: 525 Hughes Road Suite G \| Madison AL \| 35758	LEARN_MORE	https://www.madisonhughes.painreliefvoucher.com/su	108045648601824	HealthSource Chiropractic of Madison-Hughes Road	https://facebook.com/HealthSourceChiropracticMadisonHughesRoad	173	1	190,712,090,710,379	2024-01-24 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	1	Learn more	HealthSource Chiropractic of Madison-Hughes Road	120203907016570789	madisonhughes.painreliefvoucher.com	NONE	image	Offer Expires In 14 Days!	https://www.madisonhughes.painreliefvoucher.com/survey		2024-01-24 07:58	https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/420126758_246233618519170_5565636960120177494_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ffRBeVH3hzYAX9p1IHK&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfCov4Eb0NAXfBx7GVwkvk6gEdvljJopj0QntPJM9V5BPQ&oe=65B6FE85	person_profile	HealthSource America's Chiropr	https://scontent-bos5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/420098203_914364949874570_3731694525363490950_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=si8mqQ3r9_MAX8Kn0l8&_nc_ht=scontent-bos5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDPiPc0KmhnELzfkuSDlhIkfpXRAEEkGcnofwXa5s5cTQ&oe=65B7CEDC	3	HealthSource Chiropractic of Madison-Hughes Road	2024-01-24 02:00	View Edit Delete
158,773	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":158774}'	Yes	2024-01-25 14:51	active	121	1102520307843447	Back Pain Relief 👉	"I was having regular chiropractor appointments and taking pain killers. I saw a Facebook ad for this device and it has changed my life. My back pain is gone!"<br /> <br /> ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Daniel A.<br /> <br /> ✅ Eliminate sciatica, neck, & back pain at home with the Back&Neck stretcher. <br /> ❌ No pills & expensive chiropractor bills.<br /> <br /> Explore now and enjoy a 70% discount <br /> ➡️ <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2FrelaxifyZen&h=AT1uNlJFU_X0NgKtLgqB5ZLXV2jqfMJu_VGSdPkhMecSrPcj9JfMORNKc0nZi-yihHbNpIyLZ8c2heRZ7m1gGrvEkV8jCBBCN0mh5p_zVSv-OjzJhWeif_TQ5QWEyAlNcV3mbi7uTm_VpWKU5tNH973_Jg1CpOnIypiZug" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">http://bit.ly/relaxifyZen</a>	SHOP_NOW	https://relaxifyzen.com/products/relaxifyzen%E2%84	173786779143928	RelaxifyZen	https://facebook.com/RelaxifyZenStore	26	0	1,599,490,327,487,281	2024-01-24 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	1	Shop now	RelaxifyZen	120203964953720108	relaxifyzen.com	NONE	video	free worldwide shipping	https://relaxifyzen.com/products/relaxifyzen%E2%84%A2-back-neck-stretcher		2024-01-23 13:15	https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/421060915_1052865355988075_5349748860922037966_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ioq6FMS9Th8AX_-65s3&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDsf62e6Et68jMEnZG3dfJllemReWGbvspMuBsYhtpyNg&oe=65B74248	person_profile	RelaxifyZen	https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/421080751_755124959383672_192934236852807425_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=9_YOBsdOYTYAX-W91VN&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDP28r8kELhsBHw50nOYq5wrfWNr72I1uzQVmX4ISOqfg&oe=65B87076	3	RelaxifyZen	2024-01-23 02:00	View Edit Delete
158,328	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":158196}'	Yes	2024-01-25 14:51	active	121	211256528674301	Try Nerve Renew FREE This Black Friday!	🎉 Black Friday Special: Claim Your Free 2-Week Trial of Nerve Renew! 🎁<br /> <br /> Nerve discomfort holding you back? This Black Friday, we're offering an exclusive chance to try Nerve Renew for FREE for two weeks! Join thousands like Nancy, who reclaimed their active lifestyles. Say goodbye to discomfort and hello to a life full of possibilities. Limited trials available, act fast! 🚀<br /> <br /> Claim Your Free Bottle Today!	LEARN_MORE	http://nerverenew.com/pages/landers-e005	175537252604114	Nerve Renew	https://facebook.com/NerveHealthGroup	102,486	3	1,309,224,216,404,084	2024-01-24 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	1	Learn more	Nerve Renew	120201783484360303	nerverenew.com	NONE	video		http://nerverenew.com/pages/landers-e005		2023-11-17 16:42	https://scontent.fsac1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/403973948_825427346048940_5787235960773620835_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=2XD0-vvDnH0AX91qf70&_nc_ht=scontent.fsac1-2.fna&oh=00_AfD5kXM_nNVyEvybeB8qNGFB_8NX-Execqscrfq_18m2IQ&oe=65B81D33	person_profile	Nerve Renew	https://scontent.fsac1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/402484455_1724487111371077_1857718205939373683_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=agKSvoY086EAX9wpJRl&_nc_ht=scontent.fsac1-1.fna&oh=00_AfCxJ3il4VzQemrlyqNl5--quFh1tg3QCvYntDfzYqsa0Q&oe=65B77765	3	Nerve Renew	2023-11-18 02:00	View Edit Delete
159,133	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":158217}'	Yes	2024-01-25 14:51	active	121	319300507150985	Read with Your Ears➤➤	"I might as well tell you I’m interested in your wife. Someone like you can't stop me because of your inability." Most left with a burst of laughter while Fraser dug his fingernails angrily into the flesh of his palms.<br /> Frazier worked in his wife's company, and during the three months in his new position, he had seen Mo harass his wife countless times. Everyone laughed at his incompetence and always ostracized him.<br /> "I can still endure it no matter how they treat me," he muttered to himself. "But if anyone hurts Natalia, I'll personally send them to inferno."<br /> He took out his phone, found a number he hadn't used in years and clicked on the call icon.<br /> "Is it you, my dear friend, you finally called me?" <br /> Fraser interrupted the person on the other end of the line.<br /> "I'm in some trouble right now. I need your help."<br /> "Are you willing to come back and inherit the McLemore family's business?" <br /> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><br /> What's happening next? Install our App and search for book ID: 120041!	INSTALL_MOBILE_APP	https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.	187592794432404	Fantasy Love Voyage	https://facebook.com/61554284271903	0	3	343,881,145,190,345	2024-01-24 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	1	Install now	Fantasy Love Voyage	120204931400330512	play.google.com	NONE	video		https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.audioplayer.goodlistens		2024-01-23 04:00	https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/421719658_389302287114439_3226954891804130309_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0cntHNPyMFAAX8cld1o&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAJ4PSDWRYubk4MG89g25ZKiteL6t4fHs0Y_5U10mwR6Q&oe=65B87992	person_profile	Fantasy Love Voyage	https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/422124259_2448431205366330_8537685037117798468_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=6npnZKKTQXcAX_aWLzq&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfBvi-KZKjQgJ8oCzhMdsISWosqrUA0yzcZCcAhNToig1g&oe=65B7AAC4	3	Fantasy Love Voyage	2024-01-23 02:00	View Edit Delete
158,091	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":158325}'	No	2024-01-25 14:51	active	121	341906918748462	$47 Complete Chiropractic Exam & X-Rays	👋 Hey Round Rock!<br /> Back pain, Neck pain, & Headaches are NO fun! Constantly turning to Ibuprofen or Tylenol can be good for a quick fix, but the bad news is they just cover up the symptoms. They don't actually fix a problem. <br /> <br /> We are Chris Functional Health and we've helped hundreds of people in the Round Rock area get out of pain without the use of drugs or surgery. <br /> <br /> The problem most people don't realize is that when the spine is out of alignment or not functioning properly it causes nerve irritation. This leads to things like... <br /> 🛑 Migraine Headaches<br /> 🛑 Sciatica<br /> 🛑 Bulging Discs<br /> 🛑 Degeneration<br /> 🛑 Trouble Sleeping<br /> 🛑 Neck Pain<br /> 🛑 Back pain<br /> 🛑 And Many More...<br /> <br /> Rather than covering up the symptom, we focus on getting to the root cause of the health issue by removing nerve interference in the spine! We're booking 25 appointments for a $47 New Patient Exam, X-Rays, & Report of Findings<br /> <br /> Tap the "SIGN UP" button below to claim your spot! 👇	SIGN_UP	http://fb.me/	466253357057416	Curis Functional Health Round Rock previously Impact Family Chiropractic	https://facebook.com/curis.roundrock	2,349	1	715,990,137,175,684	2024-01-24 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	1	Sign up	Curis Functional Health Round Rock previously Impact Family Chiropractic	120203464197200292	fb.me	NONE	image	Back Pain, Sciatica, Neck Pain, Headaches & Migraines, and more!	http://fb.me/		2024-01-24 12:04	https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/422379311_1374885066472423_303866327914106518_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kM76c1ItF1EAX8AmNtD&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCx27a8ikCWx72F6rlwJeyJb5XJ8ub0f5DaB_tB2TS-xQ&oe=65B715FB	person_profile	Curis Functional Health	https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/422211198_347539644802846_3855984023679076488_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=BiDzNfqDvc4AX86UfsS&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCxpoNRbhK9VvzJkKsdnNCRL6pWWBXxWzsOBYG3Fh-itQ&oe=65B78ECE	3	Curis Functional Health Round Rock previously Impact Family Chiropractic	2024-01-24 02:00	View Edit Delete
158,319	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	No	2024-01-25 14:51	active	121	756182609383123	It's Much Easier And Safer🍃	🍃Have you heard about these genius detox patches?	LEARN_MORE	https://384amsterdam.treker.fun/65ad184799441c0001	104791772421042	BYCOM	https://facebook.com/100087005160115	2	1	1,586,964,088,706,819	2024-01-24 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	1	Learn more	BYCOM	120205474334090759	detox-treatment-center-near-me-384.space	NONE	image		https://384amsterdam.treker.fun/65ad184799441c00013e0601?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		2024-01-24 05:56	https://scontent.fsac1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/422333594_698834132396898_7772367520038248381_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=U6FDJuMGPkgAX_V_pqW&_nc_oc=AQlJZLaguAA0KSPEDcdKdajISPk9x3iZ6t0Ur2hMpz3XZAVGF5AyBbbgHznqxNXCZ20nGvUxo8TjMpTnF2c64QBb&_nc_ht=scontent.fsac1-1.fna&oh=00_AfAL3Lm5glaWkbP_7IPbGF2yeLSIe1gMUg6E0HQ8LVYXdQ&oe=65B81324	person_profile	BYCOM	https://scontent.fsac1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/422337501_402234752205119_2864032426728886524_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=5Iq6uYS0bO0AX8y94c4&_nc_ht=scontent.fsac1-2.fna&oh=00_AfBs3yKr0zpmROt_CLPcScti9vH1Wz7zQWzRIc1oDWyJPQ&oe=65B8464F	3	BYCOM	2024-01-24 02:00	View Edit Delete
158,888	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":158325}'	No	2024-01-25 14:51	active	121	185104934692918	🎁 $49 New Patient Special	👋 Gulf Breeze, Navarre and Pensacola Area Residents! <br /> <br /> We are offering a $49 New Patient Special! <br /> <br /> ✔️Consultation <br /> ✔️Exam <br /> ✔️Computerized Gate Scan<br /> <br /> Dr. Don Carlock, the founder of the BPR Method™ has successfully treated over 25,000 patients just like you and safely delivered over 12 million adjustments. We are the only ones in the nation that uses the exclusive BPR Method™ <br /> <br /> We help patients suffering from: <br /> <br /> 👉Back Pain <br /> 👉Headaches & Migraines <br /> 👉Neck Pain <br /> 👉Sciatica <br /> 👉Scoliosis <br /> <br /> Click "Learn More" to get started today!	LEARN_MORE	http://fb.me/	211806366231821	Balance Chiropractic - BPR Method	https://facebook.com/balancechiro.us	413	1	710,982,261,103,039	2024-01-24 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	1	Learn more	Balance Chiropractic - BPR Method	120204827347260402	fb.me	NONE	image	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reviews	http://fb.me/		2024-01-23 12:54	https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/422169145_1551715408949977_4460095846832379356_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=tmFpBTih0VIAX9Tulhc&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfACn42Tf6ZTIw3Yx_q8mzpE7nS2FdVLZ5qIu2TMr93HiQ&oe=65B73B3E	person_profile	Balance Chiropractic	https://scontent-atl3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/421224561_1140522220452017_5846556985213698381_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=7Vl4c2eImYYAX9d_cZr&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.xx&oh=00_AfD0IM0OlS0E9gIiWDi7pSyuLKp-hPGeOK60HPExYCa_fA&oe=65B724B2	3	Balance Chiropractic - BPR Method	2024-01-23 02:00	View Edit Delete
158,940	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":158943}'	Yes	2024-01-25 14:51	active	121	937223277613963	Diabetic Nerve Pain Study - Medford	Doctors in Medford are studying an FDA-approved, non-drug treatment for diabetic nerve pain. See if you may be eligible.	LEARN_MORE	https://pdnclinicalstudy.com/	168311646354698	Diabetic Nerve Pain Study	https://facebook.com/61552636980353	34	1	708,364,084,201,848	2024-01-24 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	1	Learn more	Diabetic Nerve Pain Study	120205090936970416	pdnclinicalstudy.com	NONE	image	Doctors in Medford are studying an FDA-approved, non-drug treatment for diabetic nerve pain. See if you may be eligible.	https://pdnclinicalstudy.com/		2024-01-19 11:11	https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/420989567_866184915301983_3653441219439349314_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=hVubhzhXcFYAX_oLh_V&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfAxHYxo_a5lfUKMRwjyL03g_hGprq-wgD5_Md7a0n7bZw&oe=65B88DB8	person_profile	Diabetic Nerve Pain Study	https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/420412628_875728364009930_5116835150105740065_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fdvv2tyYozcAX8EmNHK&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=00_AfA0WkRrVyWMmRH96ZBAmaUu3ThXr02OLA5PbC0uL50JzA&oe=65B7295B	3	Diabetic Nerve Pain Study	2024-01-23 02:00	View Edit Delete
159,092	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":158169}'	Yes	2024-01-25 14:51	active	121	909365330806481	😍Read More Chapters👉👉	My Alpha mate rejected me for my sister. But he soon regretted it after he drove me into the arms of another Alpha, or worse.<br /> <br /> <br /> Chapter 1: Ayla<br /> "Ma," I called down the hall. "Come on, Ma. They'll be here soon. You need to get out here."<br /> <br /> "I'm coming," my mother yelled back. "Don’t rush me.”<br /> <br /> She came out of her bedroom and down the hall. I was grateful that she didn’t seem to sway at all, and as she approached, the only scent wafting off her was mouthwash. And she actually seemed presentable. It was the first time in weeks. <br /> <br /> Although, I shouldn’t have been surprised. She always managed to look presentable in front of Kylee. Goddess forbid her precious baby learn the truth about her. <br /> <br /> No, that was my burden to bear. And in truth, I accepted it willingly. I wanted to protect Kylee from that reality as much as Ma wanted to hide it from her. However, I will admit we had different reasons. <br /> <br /> I waved Ma to the armchair in the living room while I went back into the kitchen to check on dinner. I was making Kylee’s favorites. It had been two months since my little sister had been home, and we were both excited. Even more exciting, she was bringing home her mate for the first time.<br /> <br /> I was so happy for her. They had apparently met almost two. Years ago, when she visited the local college campus with her high school. I had no idea they had found each other until her freshman year of university. I had asked her why the secrecy, and she told me they needed to wait to make their relationship public because of his position in the pack. They announced their relationship a few months into her first year. Still, she kept putting off us meeting him even though they were only a couple hours away. Don’t get me wrong, she told me all about him. Whenever we talked, she would just gush about how perfect he was. But it wasn’t until a month ago that she finally admitted to us that he was our future Alpha. <br /> <br /> Ma and I were ecstatic. We couldn’t be more pleased. Especially me. Our current Alpha, Alpha Torin, was a good leader, a fair leader, and a good man. We were very blessed to have had his support after our father died. <br /> <br /> Not that we knew him all that well, but he was the one who helped me get the family back on its feet after such a terrible loss. I knew he had a son, but I had never met him before. Again, it’s not like we were exactly close to the Alpha at all. I doubt he ever really thought of us. He was just taking care of the members of his pack, and for that, I will always be grateful. <br /> <br /> But I had heard that his son, Theo, was promising to be just as good an Alpha as his father. So I really couldn’t have been more relieved that he was my sister’s mate. She would be properly looked after and taken care of, and she would be happy. <br /> <br /> I was pulling the chicken out of the oven when I heard Ma from the living room. <br /> <br /> “They're here,” she sang. <br /> <br /> I moved quickly. Getting out our nice serving dishes that were gifted to my parents at their mating ceremony, I started to plate dinner onto them. I was still transferring the food when I heard the front door open and the squeals of my mother and sister as they embraced. I finished my task and moved the dishes to the dining room table that was already set neatly. I smiled at my presentation and excitedly hurried to the living room. <br /> <br /> I froze at the threshold. A scent overwhelmed my senses, causing my stomach to knot and my heart to race. <br /> <br /> The tall, broad man standing next to my sister turned toward me and we locked eyes. <br /> <br /> Mate.<br /> <br /> I practically gagged trying to stifle the word from slipping from my mouth. <br /> <br /> What was happening?<br /> <br /> This was my sister’s mate. <br /> <br /> Not mine. <br /> <br /> This man was fated to Kylee. <br /> <br /> So why was I having this reaction?<br /> <br /> Better question…<br /> <br /> Why did HE seem to be having the same reaction?<br /> <br /> His eyes were wide, pupils dilated, and they held my gaze with a vice-like grip as he, too, seemed frozen to where he stood. <br /> <br /> Dasha, my wolf, bounced excitedly in my head, recognizing him and his wolf just as I was. It took a minute for her to understand the situation, but once she did, she started whimpering in the back of my mind.<br /> <br /> This couldn’t be happening. <br /> <br /> What was happening?<br /> <br /> I forced myself to address the situation as a whole. Fine, this was happening. Now, what is the best way to handle the situation? I wasn’t going to break my sister’s heart. Absolutely not. I wouldn’t let him either. Not right now. We’ll just get through dinner, and I’ll find a way to speak with him in private later. <br /> <br /> I cleared my throat and plastered a smile on my face.<br /> <br /> “Kylee, I’m so excited you’re home,” I said, opening my arms so she could jump into them like she had since she was little.<br /> <br /> “I’ve missed you, sis,” she said. <br /> <br /> “I’ve missed you, too,” I said quietly. <br /> <br /> We separated, and she turned to the male behind her. “Theo, this is my sister, Ayla. Ayla, this is my mate, Theo.”<br /> <br /> Theo’s hands were clenched into fists, and he forced a tight-jawed smile toward me. At least I was better at faking it them him. Geesh. <br /> <br /> I nodded to him with a broad smile. I knew it didn’t reach my eyes, but at least Ma and Kylee wouldn’t notice. <br /> <br /> “It’s lovely to meet you, Theo,” I said. “Dinner is ready in the dining room. Why don’t you guys go take a seat, and I’ll be right there. I need to tend to dessert first.”<br /> <br /> “Don’t take too long,” Kylee said brightly. “We have some big news, and I don’t think I can wait much longer.”<br /> <br /> “I promise I’ll be right there,” I assured her as I rubbed her shoulder. <br /> <br /> Kylee grabbed Ma by the arm and led her to the dining room. Theo followed a few steps behind. He had to pass me to get through. Right as he approached, I turned my body to ensure we didn’t touch. He paused in front of me for a moment. I looked up to meet his eyes.<br /> <br /> There was anger, confusion, desire, and possibly even hurt reflecting in his eyes that I couldn’t help but notice were the color of honey. He had questions. I subtly shook my head at him. Hoping and silently begging that he knew we couldn’t do this here. <br /> <br /> The sound of Kylee’s laugh from the other room made me jump and then quickly retreat to the kitchen. I grabbed the homemade cheesecake from the fridge and set it on the counter for later. I listened to the others conversing in the next room and quietly slipped out the back door. <br /> <br /> I stood on the porch and took several deep breaths. I felt a lump start to form in my throat and quickly pushed it down. This wasn’t the time to cry. So, I did what I usually do instead of crying. <br /> <br /> I released a string of curses.<br /> <br /> “What is happening? Why is this happening? This ISN’T happening,” I whispered with the force of a yell. <br /> <br /> ‘Our mate.’ Dasha insisted.<br /> <br /> “No, he’s not,” I said back to her. “He’s Kylee’s. There must be some kind of mistake. Just get through dinner like nothing is going on, and we’ll figure that out later. Easy.”<br /> <br /> I didn’t believe myself, neither did Dasha, but I didn’t have time to deal with that. So, I took two more deep breaths and went back into the house. I was almost to the dining room when I heard the last part of what Kylee was saying, and again, I was left frozen at the threshold.<br /> <br /> “… our mating ceremony is in three months.” Kylee looked up at me. “Oh, Ayla, I’m sorry. I just couldn’t hold back any longer. Aren’t you happy for us?”<br /> <br /> I put the same fake smile back on. “Of course I’m happy for you,” I said. “You deserve the best.”<br /> <br /> I took my seat at the table, ignoring the fact that I was left sitting directly across from Theo. His eyes were boring into me, and my face felt like it was on fire. I started dishing out food and passing plates. I didn’t say much over dinner. Instead, I just listened to Kylee and Ma talk about all the ideas they had for the mating ceremony. Theo didn’t say much either but slowly started to do a better job hiding his discomfort with the situation. <br /> <br /> It took everything to ignore the touches they shared, pushing down the jealousy that kept surging through me. As soon as I saw the opportunity, I started clearing the plates. As I was bringing in the dessert, my phone dinged in my pocket, and I had never been more grateful.<br /> I pulled it out and checked the screen. <br /> <br /> “I’m so sorry. Please, excuse me. This is important. I have to take it.”<br /> <br /> Ma waved me off, and Kylee didn’t even seem to notice. Theo glared at me, but to be honest, I didn’t really care. <br /> <br /> I answered the phone as I left the dining room and exited out the back door again. <br /> <br /> “Hey, Zeff. What’s up?” I said as I walked to the back of the yard.<br /> <br /> “How’s the dinner going?” Zeff, my best friend and colleague, asked.<br /> <br /> “It’s full of excitement, that’s for sure,” I said, hoping he didn’t catch on to the kind of excitement I was feeling. <br /> <br /> He chuckled on the other line. “I can’t wait to hear all about it,” he said with a hint of sarcasm. “I hate to interrupt, but Carla wanted me to check if you were done with those chapters.”<br /> <br /> “Oh, um, yeah, I just finished them up this morning. I was going to run through another round of editing, but I can go ahead and send them over tonight.” I doubted I would have the mental capacity to deal with editing today.<br /> <br /> “Perfect. I’ll let her know to watch for them,” Zeff said.<br /> <br /> “Mhmm.”<br /> <br /> “Hey, you okay, Ayls?” Zeff asked.<br /> <br /> I stiffened as a mouthwatering scent hit my nose. I knew who was standing behind me. “Yeah, I just gotta go. Talk to you tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 2: Theo<br /> I fought against the urges her scent was influencing as I stalked up to her, including the rage that she was currently talking to another male. But more importantly, the urge to grab her and take her against the nearest tree. My wolf was going crazy about the idea, but he would learn fast that that was never going to happen. <br /> <br /> I wouldn’t accept her. <br /> <br /> Knowing what I knew about her, that would never happen. <br /> <br /> She hung up the phone and turned to face me. <br /> <br /> “This won’t happen,” I spat out before she had a chance to speak. <br /> Her jaw clenched, and her silvery-gray eyes stared into mine for a few short moments. But I couldn’t read a thing behind them. <br /> <br /> “I absolutely agree,” she stated evenly. <br /> <br /> My wolf growled and snarled inside me, demanding to know what I was doing. I pushed down the hurt that hit me when she didn’t fight me. Her reaction just proved why this needed to be done. I could never be with someone so cold and self-absorbed as her. There was no way someone like her could ever be my Luna. <br /> <br /> ‘Don’t know her.’ Kieran yelled in my head. <br /> <br /> I knew enough. <br /> <br /> “Kylee is my mate. Not you. I, Theo Arden, future Alpha of the Greytooth Pack, reject you, Ayla Garner, as my mate and Luna.” Kieran was snapping his teeth, pushing to take control to stop this.<br /> <br /> “I, Ayla Garner, accept your rejection and relinquish my claim as your mate and Luna.”<br /> <br /> My wolf howled in pain. A pain that was mirrored within me as it felt like my heart was being ripped apart. It was the bond breaking. Releasing me from the tie that bound us together. <br /> She stood there like nothing happened. <br /> <br /> How could she stand there like nothing had happened?<br /> <br /> She really didn’t feel anything, did she? It was so easy for her to let us go.<br /> <br /> ‘Mate wants me.’<br /> <br /> I grimaced. He meant her wolf. Her wolf wanted mine. He could sense her. She was even denying her wolf. I couldn’t stand it anymore. I needed to get away from her. <br /> <br /> I stormed back into the house, returning to the woman the goddess should have made my mate. I returned to the dining room to find her mother and her still deep in conversation. I was grateful she hadn’t seemed to notice my absence or the change in my mood. It wasn’t surprising. She was excited about seeing her family and sharing the news with them. <br /> <br /> I had been, too, until her sister walked into the room. The scent had engulfed me, driving me to seek out the source like a lifeline. When I saw her, her beauty took my breath away. She was petit but strong, with long legs and perfect curves. She had a mass of caramel-blonde hair that cascaded over her shoulders, framing a face with plump lips and intense gray eyes that shined green in the light. I couldn’t help but want her. I recognized who she was to me immediately. <br /> <br /> But then I noticed her narrow nose and soft jawline were familiar. Her fair skin had a sun-kissed glow that I had always found attractive. Once I realized she had similar features to Kylee, I knew this was her sister, Ayla. <br /> <br /> Kylee had told me on many occasions how her sister had changed after the death of their father. She was there for Kylee at first, but in less than a year, she started spending all her time away from home. She ended up dropping out of the private school her parents had worked so hard to send her to. Eventually, Kylee lost track of what she was doing with her life. <br /> <br /> Kylee was there for her when she was around, trying to be supportive. But she wasn’t the sister she used to love. What bothered her most was Ayla’s treatment of their mother. Ayla still lived in the house with her, but Kylee always got the impression that helping their mother was just a burden. She worried their mother would be left with no one to take care of her, and she wasn’t in the best of health anymore. <br /> <br /> “I have an idea,” I interrupted. They both looked up at me expectantly. “Why doesn’t your mother come to stay with us for a while? At least until the ceremony? We have the room in the packhouse, and I’m sure you and my mother would appreciate the extra input.”<br /> <br /> Both their faces lit up.<br /> <br /> “Really? We can do that?” Kylee said happily. <br /> <br /> “Of course,” I said with a smile. <br /> <br /> “Thank you.”<br /> <br /> Kylee jumped up from the table and threw her arms around me, kissing me sweetly. I ignored the growls coming from Kieran. Seeing their reaction told me I had made the exact right decision. Despite what was burning in my chest told me. <br /> <br /> This was who I was supposed to be with. Not Ayla.<br /> <br /> ‘Keep saying. Maybe believe.’<br /> <br /> I told him to shut up, and he retreated into the back of my mind, cutting himself off from me. <br /> <br /> He would get over it. Once the bond was completely severed, he would understand this was the right thing for us and the pack.<br /> <br /> ---<br /> Ayla<br /> <br /> <br /> I had managed to get myself together enough to rejoin my family. The pain that seared through me from Theo’s rejection and my subsequent acceptance almost brought me to my knees. It took all of my strength to keep my body from shaking, praying he didn’t notice the blood coming from my palms. I had clenched my fists so hard trying to stay on my feet that I broke the skin.<br /> <br /> When he finally left, I released the sob that was the only thing capable of coming out of my mouth. But I didn’t let the tears fall. Not yet. They couldn’t know. <br /> <br /> So, I steadied my breathing and went back into my house. I was surprised to find that Kylee and Ma weren’t in the dining room anymore. They weren’t in the living room either. But Theo was. <br /> <br /> “They’re in your mother’s room packing,” he said coldly.<br /> <br /> “Packing?” What was he talking about?<br /> <br /> He stepped closer to me, lowering his voice. “I think it’s best that you keep your distance from Kylee for a while. We don’t want her finding out about this. But I know she’ll want her mother to be a part of the ceremony planning. So she’s coming back with us.”<br /> <br /> I felt like he just slapped me in the face. As if I would ever tell her. That’s why I was doing this. So that I wouldn’t break my baby sister’s heart. I gave him what he wanted, and now he was going to keep me from my family?<br /> <br /> Dasha was confused and in pain, whimpering in my head because she didn’t understand how he could be so cruel to us. <br /> <br /> ‘Because he doesn’t want to deal with the trouble,’ I told her, fighting the tears that were forming. ‘If this is how he is going to treat us, fine. It just makes this easier.’<br /> <br /> “If that’s what you think is best,” I said to Theo through gritted teeth. <br /> <br /> “Kylee,” he called out, not breaking eye contact. “Let’s get going.”<br /> <br /> My sister came prancing into the room. “Already?”<br /> <br /> “It’s getting late. Let’s head to the hotel for the night. We’ll swing by in the morning to pick up your mother.”<br /> <br /> “Okay,” she said brightly before turning to me. “What about you, Ayla? You’re coming with, too, right?”<br /> <br /> I opened my mouth to speak, but Theo decided to answer for me. <br /> <br /> “We were just talking about that. Ayla has some things going on with work and can’t get away.”<br /> <br /> I gave her a tight smile. “Yes, I’m sorry. But I will try to come out there as soon as I can.”<br /> <br /> “Oh, okay, I understand. But I’ll make sure we have a room ready for you whenever you can come.”<br /> <br /> “Of course. I can’t wait,” I said, my heart breaking again, knowing Theo wouldn’t allow me to be there with her. <br /> <br /> We all said our goodbyes, and they left. Ma was still standing at the window watching them drive off when I went to clean up the dishes in the kitchen. She finally came in behind me and started opening another bottle of wine. We had gone through four during dinner already. And I barely touched my glass. <br /> <br /> “Ma, you’ve had enough for the night,” I said calmly.<br /> <br /> “Oh, come on. It’s a celebration,” Ma said. “It’s not every day you find out your baby is going to be a Luna.”<br /> <br /> “Ma, you can celebrate more tomorrow. You need to finish packing,” I said, gently taking the bottle from her hand. “I’m sure Kylee and Theo will be here first thing in the morning.”<br /> <br /> “We can celebrate together while you help me pack,” she said, grabbing the bottle back from me. “Then I’ll help you pack.”<br /> <br /> I winced. This wasn’t going to end well. “I’m not coming, Ma.”<br /> <br /> She stopped with the glass halfway to her lips. “What do you mean you’re not coming?” she asked with a pout. “You have to be there. Kylee is going to be mated. I told her we would help pay for the ceremony.”<br /> <br /> I winced again. She meant me. I would be helping pay for the ceremony. Ma didn’t have a penny to her name.<br /> <br /> “I will send you however much you need. But I have to stay close to work for the next few weeks. I’ll come out later. We have six months to get ready,” I said, guiding her down the hall. <br /> <br /> “That’s not the point. You should be there for her. This is a big deal. Don’t be so selfish, Ayla.”<br /> <br /> Her words stung, but they weren’t unexpected. This was kind of the norm when she got like this. I know she didn’t really mean it. At least, she wouldn’t mean it when she was sober. It was just her way of coping with her abandonment issues. I got her into her bedroom and set her on the bed. I changed her into her nightgown and tucked her in. I left her sitting up against the pillows while I pulled clothes out of her closet, asking if she wanted to take specific items. <br /> <br /> Pretty soon, she started to tip to the side. I coaxed her to lie down and tucked her all the way in. She was asleep in seconds. I hurried through the rest of her packing. Stuffing two large suitcases as full as I could before carrying them out to the living room. Then I locked the front door, finished the last of the dishes, and slipped out into the backyard.<br /> <br /> I stripped off my clothes as I headed for the forest, desperate to get under its protective shadows. As soon as I passed the treeline, I shifted, taking off at full speed. I let Dasha feel all the pain. I didn’t try to hold her back anymore. <br /> <br /> We would mourn the loss of our fated mate. The loss of the one person who was supposed to see us for who we were. The one person who was supposed to always put us first, without demands or expectations. We would mourn the loss of never getting to experience that. <br /> But we wouldn’t mourn him.<br /> <br /> We ran until we could barely breathe. Until Dasha stopped at the edge of our pond — our place of solace — and let out a heartwrenching howl into the night air. Shifting at the end as she retreated back into my mind, out of reach to heal her broken heart, while I let the torrent of tears finally fall.<br /> <br /> I fell to the forest floor, curling into myself as the sobs wracked my body, intensifying the burn that was still there from our bond being ripped from my heart. I lay there and cried until I had nothing left in my body, and my eyes drifted closed on the image of the moon and the stars reflecting on our peaceful little pond.<br /> <br /> Chapter 3: Ayla<br /> I woke up to the first rays of sunshine heating my body. I was grateful for the warm night of mid-summer. Otherwise, I probably wouldn’t have made it through the night in my human form. My wolf still hadn’t re-emerged, and I couldn’t say I blamed her. The prospect of seeing Theo again this morning was hard enough for me. Dasha wouldn’t be able to handle sensing his wolf again. She had told me he wasn’t happy about the rejection. <br /> <br /> But it had to be done. <br /> <br /> And we had to accept it. <br /> <br /> I wasn’t going to break Kylee’s heart like that. Especially if he actually loved her that much. <br /> <br /> She would be happy. And I had to find a way to make that enough. <br /> <br /> I sat up and looked out at the reflective pool. I stood up and I walked into the water. I submerged myself completely, washing my body clean of Theo, the mate bond, and every dream of finding my soulmate. <br /> <br /> The ritual wasn’t new to me. I did this after my father died. I came here to wash away the grief. And when my mother started to fall apart. When she started drinking heavier and gambling and I realized we were running out of the money Dad had left us. I had to make some tough decisions to keep the family going. Once I made them, I came back here to forget the person I was. So I could be who my family needed me to be. <br /> <br /> I came here to wash away all of the what-ifs and what-could-have-beens.<br /> <br /> When I emerged, I started the long walk back home. <br /> <br /> When I made it back to the house, I could hear the faint sound of voices coming from inside. They had already arrived. I quickly collected my clothes from the lawn, putting them back on before heading inside. <br /> <br /> I had to pause when I opened the door, bracing myself against the intoxicating scent that belonged to Theo. I had hoped the effects would have lessoned by now since we broke our bond, but I wasn’t that lucky. But again, I shook off the feeling and prepared to push through this like everything was normal. <br /> <br /> I walked through the kitchen and into the living room, where, again, I found Theo alone. I could hear Ma and Kylee down the hall, and I prayed they would be out soon. Theo’s hands clenched when his eyes met mine. It wasn’t hard to read the look of disgust he held in them. <br /> <br /> I failed to hide the hitch in my breath, but I still managed to raise my chin. I wasn’t about to let him see how he still affected me. Just a few more minutes and we would both be rid of each other, at least for a little while. Hopefully, it would be enough time for the bond to dissipate and free us of all this. <br /> <br /> “There you are,” Kylee’s voice rang down the hall. <br /> <br /> I turned to her with a smile, returning her hug as she wrapped her arms around me. I held on for a minute, letting her proximity calm me. <br /> <br /> “Where have you been? Why is your hair wet?”<br /> <br /> “She went out again last night,” Ma said with bitterness in her voice. <br /> <br /> I had to stop myself from rolling my eyes.<br /> <br /> “Ma, I just went for a run,” I said. <br /> <br /> “All night?” she said haughtily.<br /> <br /> How would you know? You were passed out drunk. I cleared my throat and brushed it off. <br /> <br /> “I guess you guys need to get on the road,” I said, smiling down at Kylee as I rubbed her arms. Looking at the face of the girl I had practically raised since she was nine, I couldn’t stop the lump in my throat. “I’m gonna miss you.”<br /> <br /> “Hey, we’ll see you soon. Come up whenever you’re ready,” she said as she gave me another hug.<br /> <br /> “I love you,” I whispered. <br /> <br /> “I love you.”<br /> <br /> She pulled away and I turned to my mother, taking her in my arms despite her hesitation. <br /> <br /> “Take care of yourself, Ma.”<br /> <br /> “Kylee, let’s get going,” Theo said from the door. <br /> <br /> With a few more smiles and waves, they walked out, closing the door behind them. I was standing in an empty room in an empty house. The silence was deafening. And it all came crashing down. I sank to my knees, begging the goddess to just let it all go away, just for a little while. I just wanted to feel numb.<br /> <br /> I lost track of how long I sat in that spot, staring without seeing. I didn’t even know Zeff was there until I felt him grip my arms.<br /> <br /> “Ayls, what?! What’s wrong?” he asked, brushing hair out of my face, forcing me to look at him. “Ayla, what is going on?”<br /> <br /> “I found my mate,” I said, the corner of my lips tipping up mockingly. “He’s scheduled to be mated to my sister.”<br /> <br /> “What?” Zeff exclaimed, anger and concern twisting his handsome features. <br /> <br /> Zeff was a good man. He had been there for me when no one else was. He was the only person who knew everything I went through. And here he was, listening to me tell him about meeting Theo, the mating ceremony, and my rejection. Why couldn’t he have been my mate? He should have been. <br /> <br /> “Come on,” he said, lifting me up. “You’re coming to stay with me.”<br /> <br /> I didn’t protest. The goddess had given me this one little blessing. I was numb. Zeff held me up by my waist and led me out to his car. He tucked me into the passenger seat and disappeared into the house again, only to emerge a few minutes later with a duffel bag in hand. <br /> <br /> He pulled out and drove us the twenty minutes to his house. Just like before, he helped me inside, this time sitting me on the big, comfy leather couch in his living room. I loved this couch. We had spent a lot of time on this couch, watching movies, talking about books, brainstorming ideas for work. This was like a second home to me. But even that felt wrong now. <br /> <br /> Zeff’s phone rang in his pocket. He cursed as he pulled it out, checking the screen.<br /> <br /> “God,” he said. “Honey, I have to take this. I’ll be right back, okay?”<br /> <br /> I nodded. He answered the call, kissing my head before walking out of the room. Alone again, I pulled my feet up onto the couch, tucking them into my chest as I wrapped my arms around my knees. Silent tears began to fall. The numbness was wearing off. <br /> <br /> It was time to snap out of it. I needed to move on. <br /> <br /> I heard Zeff coming back, and I quickly wiped the tears from my eyes. No one had seen me cry. Not since the night my father died. I wasn’t about to change that now. Not over someone like Theo. He paused, giving me a look. He knew I’d been crying. It always bugged him when I did that. Not that I often cried anyway, let alone enough for anyone to see it. But Zeff was always trying to get me to open up more. <br /> <br /> He came and sat next to me, putting an arm over my shoulder and pulling me into him. I let myself relax some. This was the first thing since Theo walked into my life that felt normal, felt comfortable. He leaned his head on mine, rubbing his fingers along my arm. <br /> <br /> “Did you get my laptop?” I asked quietly. <br /> <br /> His chest rose and fell heavily. “Yes, but we’re not going to worry about that right now.”<br /> <br /> I pushed off of him, going to the duffel bag he left by the door. <br /> <br /> “I have to send Carla my chapters. I didn’t get to it last night.”<br /> <br /> “Ayla,” Zeff said, getting up and coming to pull me away from the bag. “You’re not going to do this. You’re not going to bury yourself in work. You’re going to deal with this — we’re going to deal with this together. Screw him, okay. He’s dumb. You deserve so much better than one who doesn’t see how incredible you are.”<br /> <br /> I wanted to roll my eyes, but it wasn’t just about him. <br /> <br /> “He took my family, Zeff. I would have gotten over him just rejecting me because of Kylee. At least she would be safe and happy.”<br /> <br /> “Screw them,” Zeff said angrily.<br /> <br /> “Zeff,” I warned. He wasn’t exactly Kylee’s biggest fan. There was a big age difference between the two of them, and she kind of annoyed him. But he always respected how protective I was of her. <br /> <br /> “No, Ayla. I’m sick of this. They either treat you like a servant or a bank. They don’t care what their actions do to you as long as they keep getting what they want."<br /> <br /> "Zeff, that’s not fair,” I protested. My family wasn’t perfect, but they were my family. They loved me in their own way. <br /> <br /> He moved to say something else but thought better of it. <br /> <br /> “Fine,” he conceded. “Then Kylee’s happy. He can try to keep you from going to see them, but they’ll be back to see you. You believe that, don’t you?”<br /> <br /> I hesitated for a moment, but I did believe that. “Yes.”<br /> <br /> “Okay, then get over him.” He took a step toward me, reaching up to hold my chin. “He’s not the only one who can take care of you, Ayla. He may be stvpid enough not to want you, but I’m not.”<br /> <br /> My breath caught in my throat. He had told me about his feelings before, but we both avoided going down that road with each other. We knew we could find our fated mates at any time, and we didn’t want to deny each other that. <br /> <br /> “Move in here with me, Ayls,” Zeff said. “There’s nothing stopping us now.”<br /> <br /> “Zeff, you still have a mate out there somewhere.”<br /> <br /> “Ayla, stop. I’m thirty-four and well-traveled. If I was going to find her, I would have long before now. We both know that.” <br /> <br /> Suddenly his lips were on mine. I was shocked, but mostly because it felt good. I felt wanted. I kissed him back, not wanting to give that feeling up. I leaned into him — until Dasha came charging to the forefront, growling and snarling that someone who wasn’t our mate was touching us. <br /> <br /> I ripped myself from Zeff’s embrace. Breathing heavily, the pain of the severed bond renewed. I clutched my chest. <br /> <br /> “Ayla.” <br /> <br /> “I can’t. The bond. It’s still there. It hasn’t faded yet.”<br /> <br /> Zeff pulled me into his arms. “Okay. It’s okay. We can wait. We’ll take it slow. But I want you here with me. You’re not staying in that house alone.”<br /> <br /> I rested my head on him. “Okay.”<br /> <br /> He squeezed me tighter. I still didn’t know if we could make this work, but I wanted to try. <br /> <br /> <br /> Chapter 4: Theo<br /> It had been a week since I had gone home with Kylee. Seven days and a hundred miles away, and the bond was still there. The burning in my chest wouldn’t go away. I didn’t understand and it was driving me crazy. I had been in an awful mood because of it. <br /> <br /> I had taken to holing up in my office most of the time. I didn’t want to snap at Kylee, or her mother, which had become hard to avoid by the third day. They didn’t deserve that. Kylee definitely didn’t deserve that. I was glad I had a good reason for me being so busy all of a sudden. <br /> <br /> Alpha was sick. He was diagnosed with a progressive disease almost a year ago. It had gotten to the point that he and my mother were concerned about the toll the Alpha role was taking on him. So, he decided it was time to hand the title down to me. It wasn’t official yet. We were planning on making the change at the same time as Kylee’s and my mating ceremony. Actually, that’s why I decided to make Kylee my official mate. Alpha’s were always stronger with a strong Luna by their side. With the circumstances of my father’s abdication, our pack needed to be as strong as possible. <br /> <br /> But there was still a lot to take care of and a lot I had to learn about being an Alpha before that time. So it wasn’t hard to convince her that it was the stress that was causing me to be distant. <br /> <br /> There was a knock on my office door, and Kylee poked her head in before I had a chance to answer. She walked around my desk with a bright smile. <br /> <br /> “There you are, mate,” she cooed, sitting in my lap. “You’ve been up here all day.”<br /> <br /> “I’m sorry, babe. I’ve been working.”<br /> <br /> She ran a hand up my chest, leaning in to kiss me. Kieran’s growl started immediately. He had spent the whole week giving me the silent treatment, except when Kylee was around. Then all he did was growl and snarl. It was getting exhausting. <br /> <br /> Kylee pulled away. “I know. I understand. I just wanted to check on you.”<br /> <br /> “Thanks,” I said with a smile. She really was sweet. “I’m fine, just knee-deep in all this paperwork. Did you need anything?”<br /> <br /> She tried to hide her pout, but I saw it for a moment.<br /> <br /> “What is it, Ky?”<br /> <br /> “I don’t want to bother you. You’re already so busy.”<br /> <br /> “You can ask me for anything. Don’t ever feel bad for doing so,” I insisted.<br /> <br /> Her face brightened. “Well, there’s this necklace of my mother’s. She wants me to wear it for our mating ceremony, but it was left at the house. I called Ayla to have her bring it to me when she came up, but she won’t be able to make it for a few more weeks.”<br /> <br /> I gripped the arm of the chair at hearing her name. At hearing that Kylee spoke to her. I fought the urge to ask how she was. Knowing I shouldn’t care. <br /> <br /> “Do you really need it sooner than that? We have months until the ceremony.”<br /> <br /> “Well, I have my first dress appointment on Tuesday. I would really like to have it so we can match it to the perfect dress,” Kylee said, leaning into me, tracing her finger along the collar of my shirt. <br /> <br /> I sighed. “Okay, I’ll send someone to pick it up. Just send me the details to pass along.”<br /> <br /> She kissed me again, accompanied by my wolf’s protests again, and pulled away with a smile. “Thank you, baby. You’re the best.” She moved to get up but paused. “Are you coming to see me tonight?”<br /> <br /> “I’ll try. If I don’t get done here too late.”<br /> <br /> “You better. We miss you.”<br /> <br /> ‘Evie doesn’t.’<br /> <br /> Evie was Kylee’s wolf. Kieran had never had a problem with Evie, but he never really showed much interest in her either. It wasn’t that surprising. Our wolves only reacted to their fated mates. The only way to change that was to mark someone else and be marked by them. So I had never been too worried about it. But now I was. If I couldn’t completely sever the bond between me and Ayla, he could end up taking control and stop me from marking Kylee. <br /> I would need to do something about this.<br /> <br /> “I miss you, too. I promise I’ll work something out soon.” <br /> <br /> “Okay,” she said with a sigh. “I’ll let you get back to work then.”<br /> She kissed me on the cheek and sashayed out of my office. I couldn’t keep avoiding her. It would hurt her if I stopped showing interest in her. I didn’t want to do that. I had to do something. <br /> <br /> ---<br /> <br /> I decided to drive down to Kylee’s house myself. I left early the following morning before anyone else woke up. I wanted to avoid any questions. I broke every speed limit on the way. I wanted to get there and get back before too many people noticed I was gone. <br /> It shouldn’t be too hard. I’d get the necklace, I’d reject Ayla again, making sure it stuck this time, and I’d go back home. <br /> <br /> But when I pulled up to the house, something twisted in my gut. I cut the engine to the car and grabbed the house key I had gotten from Kylee’s keyring. If Ayla was home, I didn’t want to scare her by barging in, so I knocked first. There was no answer, and I didn’t hear any movement inside. I tested the doorknob, and it was locked. I let myself in with the key, and the feeling in my gut returned as soon as I stepped into the house. <br /> <br /> No one had been here in a while. All the scents, although still easily detected, were too faded to have been recent. Including Ayla’s. Her invigorating scent of oranges and cloves invaded my nostrils, but it wasn’t nearly as strong as it should have been. Had Ayla not been here since we left? Kieran paced in my head. What if something happened to her?<br /> <br /> My heart rate sped up, my hands balled into fists. I made my way through the house, looking for any signs that something had occurred here. I went to their mother’s room first. It all seemed in order. Even the jewelry box was untouched. I grabbed the whole box, not bothering to look through it for the particular piece Kylee wanted. Then I checked Kylee’s old room. It, too, seemed unbothered. <br /> <br /> I paused outside what had to be Ayla’s room, my hand gripping the doorknob tightly. I could smell her scent through the wood. I had to brace myself, both against the onslaught of her scent hitting me and what I may find inside. I turned the knob and pushed the door open. <br /> <br /> I had to grip the door jamb to keep Kieran from forcing the shift. All he wanted to do was roll around in here, gathering up Ayla’s delicious smell, rubbing his over everything that was hers. He wanted to stake his claim. Absolutely not. I managed to push him back, but he came surging back the moment we looked at the scene before us. <br /> <br /> The place wasn’t trashed, but there were definitely signs that someone had left in a hurry. Clothes were hanging out of half-open drawers, shoes had been scattered out of the closet, and there was no sign of any electronics or chargers. And then I caught it. <br /> <br /> There was another scent in the room.<br /> <br /> I moved to the dresser, grabbing a shirt from a drawer and sniffing it. This time, I was the one who growled, my wolf in chorus along with me. The scent was male. It was faint, he wasn’t here long, but mixed in with the distinctive scent of my mate, I could pick it out anywhere. From the trail, it seemed as if he was the one who packed up her things. <br /> <br /> The question was, did he take her or did she go willingly?<br /> <br /> Either way, we would find her. <br /> <br /> I stormed out of the house. Tossing the jewelry box in the passenger seat, I took my phone out and searched for the number for the publishing house Kylee said Ayla worked for. I punched it in as soon as it pulled up. A receptionist picked up. <br /> <br /> “I need to speak to Ayla Garner,” I barked into the phone. <br /> <br /> “Just a moment,” she said, putting me on hold for a moment. “I’m sorry, sir. She doesn’t have a meeting scheduled for today.”<br /> <br /> “When will she be in next?”<br /> <br /> “Her next meeting isn’t until next Thursday, sir.”<br /> <br /> What did she mean she wouldn’t be in until Thursday? That was almost a whole week. What meeting was she talking about? Kylee said she was some kind of assistant.<br /> <br /> “This is her… sister’s mate. Kylee and their mother have been trying to get a hold of her, and they’re worried. Do you have a phone number or address for her?” I know it was low to use Kylee like that, but it was the only way I might have gotten her to give me that information.<br /> <br /> “Oh, actually, it does look like she had added a forwarding address to her profile,” the receptionist said. <br /> <br /> I punched in the address as she rattled it off. I hung up without even saying anything else and tore out of the driveway. My knuckles turned white as I gripped the steering wheel. I followed the GPS to the address, pulling into the drive of a large, two-story house in a nice neighborhood. Parking half on the lawn, I didn’t even close the car door before taking the front steps two at a time. <br /> <br /> I banged on the door until I heard movement inside. A man opened it. It was the male I smelled in Ayla’s room. Before he could say anything, I lunged at him, my hands grabbing the front of his shirt and practically lifting him off the ground.<br /> <br /> “What have you done with her? I smell her all over you. Where is she?”<br /> <br /> He pushed me off him, his eyes glaring at me with recognition and disdain.<br /> <br /> “You must be Theo.”<br /> <br /> Chapter 5: Theo<br /> “What is going on?” Ayla’s voice floated down to me as she ran down the stairs. She froze halfway down the moment she laid eyes on me. “What are you doing here?”<br /> <br /> A silk robe hung open, revealing the shorts and cut-off tank top she wore underneath, her caramel-colored hair flowing loosely around her shoulders. She was gorgeous. And clearly not in distress. I took a step toward her as my rage grew.<br /> <br /> “What are you doing here?” I spat back. <br /> <br /> “That’s none of your concern,” the male interjected.<br /> <br /> I turned on him again, a rumbling growl emanating from my chest, my claws extending. I was ready to rip his throat out. <br /> <br /> “Stop,” Ayla yelled, coming the rest of the way down the stairs and stepping between the two of us. “Zeff, go to work.”<br /> <br /> “Absolutely not. I’m not leaving you here with him. Not in the state he’s in.”<br /> <br /> “I would never hurt her.” Kieran was ready to burst from my skin. How dare this air head think we would ever lay a hand on her.<br /> <br /> “We both know that’s a load of nonsense.”<br /> <br /> “Zeff, you’re not helping. Shut the up and leave. Go to work,” Ayla insisted. <br /> <br /> “Ayla…”<br /> <br /> “I said go.” Her expression softened a little. “I’ll call you later.”<br /> <br /> The Zeff guy shot me another hate-filled look before exiting out the open front door. We stood in silence until the sound of his engine faded. <br /> <br /> “Are you sllepping with him?” <br /> <br /> Her eyes went wide, then narrowed as she took a step forward. “Are you doing that with my sister?”<br /> <br /> A strangled snarl escaped me, but she started speaking again before I could recover from her accusation.<br /> <br /> “What I do with a male — or anyone for that matter — is none of your business.”<br /> <br /> “What?! It isn’t.” Electricity passed through the air between us. “He has no right to put his hands on you.”<br /> <br /> “He does if I want him to,” she yelled, not only holding her ground against the alpha energy I was exuding but taking another step toward me. “I don’t belong to anyone, remember? I have no mate.”<br /> <br /> I lost it. My hand was around her neck and my lips was on hers before I even knew what I had done. But I didn’t stop. I couldn’t stop. Sparks of intense electricity shot through me, invigorating all my senses. I pushed her to open for me, my tongue seeking hers. God, she tasted so good. She returned the kiss, her arousal mingling in the air. <br /> <br /> “MINE.” <br /> <br /> She pushed me off her with force.<br /> <br /> “Get off.” <br /> <br /> I took a step toward her again but she backed away. <br /> <br /> “Don’t you dare hurt Kylee like this.”<br /> <br /> “Like you care about your sister getting hurt,” I spat, but for some reason, I instantly regretted it. But I couldn’t take it back. I wouldn’t take it back.<br /> <br /> “Excuse me?” Pure rage radiated off of her, her eyes turning an icy blue. <br /> <br /> “You abandoned Kylee a long time ago. Putting your own life ahead of hers while she was left behind.”<br /> <br /> Ayla’s face paled. Every ounce of anger seemed to drain from her instantly, that blue fire fading from her eyes. <br /> <br /> “What did you just say?”<br /> <br /> “You stopped being a sister to Kylee years ago. You disappeared all the time, leaving her alone with a mother who was struggling to keep everything together.”<br /> <br /> Ayla’s posture completely changed. She almost went completely limp in front of me, stumbling until her back hit the wall. Her façade cracked. <br /> <br /> “That’s what she told you? She said that?” her voice was almost a whisper. <br /> <br /> Kieran was going insane in my head, telling me to shut up, to just stop talking. Urging me to stop hurting her. Because I was hurting her. I had struck a nerve, a very deep one, and I wouldn’t stop. She had to break the bond. Once and for all. If it meant I had to break her to do it, I would.<br /> <br /> “She told me everything. She told me how you would keep things from her and your mother. That you would be out at all hours of the night when you were a teenager. How you dropped out of high school, waisting the tuition your parents worked so hard for.”<br /> <br /> “What?” <br /> <br /> “I could never be with someone as cold and heartless as you.”<br /> <br /> Ayla’s head snapped up. Her eyes a steely gray as she resolved herself to something I couldn’t figure out but would soon find out. <br /> <br /> “I, Ayla Garner, reject you, Theo Arden, as my mate. I relinquish my claim as your mate and Luna.”<br /> <br /> I gritted my teeth as Kieran howled in my head, screaming for me not to accept it. <br /> <br /> “I, Theo Arden, accept your rejection.” The pain in my chest amplified, but I could still feel the bond. “We’ve done this before. It’s not working.”<br /> <br /> “Your wolf has to accept it,” she said. <br /> <br /> “Yours didn’t.”<br /> <br /> “Didn’t she?” Ayla said.<br /> <br /> You said she didn’t want to break the bond. <br /> <br /> ‘She didn’t. Still accepted.’<br /> <br /> How was that possible? Our wolves were primal creatures. They were animals, after all. They weren’t ones to deny themselves what they wanted. Not without a very good reason.<br /> <br /> “Tell your wolf to accept it,” Ayla said with a crack in her voice. <br /> <br /> The muscles in my jaw tightened to a point I thought my teeth would shatter. The noise in my head from Kieran becoming almost unbearable.<br /> <br /> “He won’t.”<br /> <br /> “Make him,” she forced out.<br /> <br /> “I can’t.”<br /> <br /> “He doesn’t have a choice. I’ll never be with him, and neither will she,” Ayla said, tears threatening to fall from her eyes. <br /> <br /> I could feel the pain he felt. It was excruciating. I told him it would end if he just accepted, but he wouldn’t give in. He was an Alpha. He was as strong as me. I’d never overpower him on this. Ayla must have sensed my stalemate. Or her wolf did and told her because she pulled herself from against the wall, standing up straight again.<br /> <br /> “I, Ayla Garner, cut my ties to Alpha Torin…”<br /> <br /> “What are you doing?” There was desperation in my voice. She couldn’t do this. I moved to stop her. <br /> <br /> “And the Greytooth Pack.”<br /> <br /> “No.” I fell to a knee, feeling the invisible tether that united pack members with their Alpha splinter. Kieran was pounding against the barriers of my control, putting all his might into taking over the shift. I knew I was on the verge.<br /> <br /> “From this day forth, I am a rogue.” She took an unsteady step toward me, silent tears rolling freely down her face. “Now get out.”<br /> <br /> She had used my father’s name. Either of our names would have worked in the limbo state we were currently in. But she used my father’s. There was nothing I could do to stop her. Nothing I could do to fight the separation. She knew exactly what she was doing. <br /> <br /> If my wolf wouldn’t sever the mate bond, she would remove herself from any control I had over her. <br /> <br /> With one final, agonizing look, she walked away, disappearing upstairs. <br /> <br /> I took in a ragged breath of air. Ayla now had until midnight to be out of our territory. If I caught her on our land after that, I would have to kill her. Mate bond or not. She was a rogue now. It was our laws. <br /> <br /> Kieran had finally gone still in my mind. <br /> <br /> ‘Mate’s gone.’<br /> <br /> Did he mean Ayla or her wolf?<br /> <br /> ‘Dasha. Mate’s name is Dasha. Dasha’s gone.’<br /> <br /> Realization hit me and panic set in. Her wolf was gone. The pain was too much. She had retreated deep into the recesses of Ayla’s subconscious. Ayla wouldn’t be able to call on her. She wouldn’t be able to shift. She wouldn’t be able to heal.<br /> <br /> She was a rogue without a wolf. She couldn’t protect herself. <br /> <br /> I had to get as far away from her as possible. <br /> <br /> I dragged myself back to my feet, forcing them to walk out the door.	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158,181	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":158209}'	Yes	2024-01-25 14:51	active	121	281059574983177	🔥🔥 Click to Read 👉🏻👉🏻	I knew there's something between my husband and my bestie, once my bestie.<br /> “I want you, baby girl. Just you and only you. I never want you to second guess yourself or your place in my life. Halloway doesn’t matter to me like you do. You’re my number one priority, Mira. You are mine. All mine. Only mine. Don’t you ever doubt that.”<br /> “I cannot spent forever with someone who doesn’t love me. Mason.”<br /> ******** <br /> MIRA (PRESENT)<br /> My heart thuds wantonly at the thought of seeing Mason again. In the space of one year and a few months, Mason Lachlan has completely taken over every facet of my life.<br /> I am really beginning to think that New York City’s most dangerous billionaire is obsessed with me, but I can’t complain because I am just as obsessed with the hot hunk of a man.<br /> He took my life by storm and now I cannot imagine living without him. I am that far gone.<br /> We pass through the gleaming marble hallway and finally arrive at a door marked, CEO.<br /> “Wait here, miss.”<br /> I nod quietly while Darth knocks once and pulls the door open. I’m about to go through my documents for the umpteenth time when Darth reappears, his face set in hard lines.<br /> “I think we should go, miss. You can see the boss another time.”<br /> Confused, I narrow my eyes at him.<br /> “What do you mean? Why?”<br /> Darth grabs my arm, trying to steer me back into the elevator and my pulse thunders with anxiety. Something’s wrong. Darth never touches me. Something just spooked him.<br /> “Darth, what is going on?” I ask him, my voice slightly shaky.<br /> He shakes his head quickly and my worry gradually morphs into annoyance.<br /> “Well, if you’re not going to tell me, then I’ll just have to see for myself.”<br /> I try to fee myself from his grip but he holds on tighter.<br /> “You do not want to go in there, miss.”<br /> I wrench my arm free with much difficulty and March into Mason’s office with a thundering heartbeat. Before I even step in, the sounds that filter through the half open doorway has me freezing in my tracks.<br /> I hear a muffled, girly giggle, then,<br /> “Oh, Mason. Stop! You have to focus.” The owner of that voice doesn’t sound like she wants Mason to stop whatever he’s doing to her nor focus.<br /> A sharp pang slices through my heart as I listen harder. When I hear nothing for the next five seconds, I heave an angry breath and push the door open.<br /> The sight that greets me has anger shooting through my bloodstream.<br /> Standing beside Mason with her boobs nearly spilling out of the tight bodice of her top is none other than Halloway Stephens, my most dangerous rival and Mason’s self acclaimed best friend.<br /> Fuming, I take in her fingers on Mason’s arm and the lazy smile on his face and little pinpricks of jealousy pierce my already heated skin.<br /> “What t is going on here?”<br /> At the sound of my voice, Mason and Halloway come apart immediately. Upon seeing me, Halloway’s catty green eyes light like the cat that got the cream.<br /> Mason’s fiery gray gaze pins me in place by the door.<br /> “I asked a question.” I insist as I grab the door to maintain my balance.<br /> Halloway’s fingers find their way back to Mason’s shoulders and she stares me down.<br /> “Mason and I are working. Why don’t you wait until you actually get invited in.”<br /> I stare at her incredulously. The conniving bimbo.<br /> “It didn’t look like you were working when half your boobs were in his face.”<br /> Halloway opens her mouth, no doubt to reply with an aggressive come back, but Mason’s authoritative voice fills the room.<br /> “Shut up, both of you.”<br /> My body literally trembles with rage and jealousy, so I do the only logical thing that comes to mind.<br /> I walk out…or at least I try to. I don’t even get to the door when Mason’s voice stops me.<br /> “Where do you think you’re going, Mira?”<br /> I whip my head in his direction, my eyes glinting.<br /> “I’m giving you both some privacy so you can continue ‘working.’’ I retort sharply.<br /> Just then, Darth walks in and Mason spears him with a harsh glare.<br /> “Why did you let her in here without informing me first?”<br /> “Well, thank God he did!” I screech.<br /> I try to leave again but Mason thunders,<br /> “Don’t let her past that door, Darth.”<br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> To my horror, Darth moves to the office’s entrance and blocks it with his muscled body.<br /> “Who’s side are you on, Darth? Let me out right now.”<br /> Darth shakes his head.<br /> “I’m sorry, miss Fernandez. Boss’ orders.”<br /> “Well, to inferno with your boss!” .<br /> A part of me is probably aware that I’m overreacting, but I couldn’t care less at this point.<br /> While I’m still trying to argue with Darth, I sense a dark presence behind me. Before I can put out any form of resistance, a strong hand whips out and grabs my arm in a manacled grip, slamming me against a hard brick wall of a chest.<br /> A surprised shriek escapes me as Mason spins me in his arms, trapping me against him with his muscled arm bound around my waist. His beautiful grey eyes are dark and cold with annoyance, but they still manage to burn a fiery path straight to my soul.<br /> “How many times have I told you never to walk out on me, princess. How many times?” He asks, his voice a low growl.<br /> It takes me a second to distract myself from the hot column of his throat to the reason for my anger.<br /> “Let go of me, Mason.”<br /> “That will never happen. Deal with it.”<br /> I huff then proceed to try and free myself from his grip. After three minutes of futile struggling, I give up.<br /> To my absolute horror, Mason lowers his face against my neck, his hot breath against my skin playing havoc on my senses.<br /> Focus on your anger, Mira! My subconscious screams.<br /> “Always fighting.” He whispers against me. “My little hellion.”<br /> I shut my eyes against the influx of emotions that assail me, momentarily forgetting that there are people in the room until Halloway’s fake baby voice breaks through my daze.<br /> “Mason, we need to wrap up the loose ends of this deal and send it out by today. Mira can wait until this is all over.”<br /> Halloway’s voice is like a douse of cold water against my desire. I stiffen in Mason’s arms and lean away from him.<br /> “Yes, Mason. Please go back to work. I’m leaving.”<br /> “Mira…” he warns, his voice dark.<br /> “Don’t Mira me!” I snap. “You’re always the one talking about exclusivity but your so-called best friend has your attention half of the time. I’m done, Mason.”<br /> Mason’s expression becomes cold, telling me without words that I am taking this too far. I couldn’t care less.<br /> He lets go of me and steps back, his intense gaze stripping me raw.<br /> “You think I and Halloway…?”<br /> I fold my arms and look away.<br /> “It looks like it.”<br /> For a moment, he says nothing. Then his icy voice fills the room.<br /> “Everybody out. Now.”<br /> “Gladly.” I huff, about to leave.<br /> “If you take one more step towards that door, I will hump you right here, right now so you can remember who you belong to.”<br /> I freeze, my cheeks reddening in embarrassment when I see the slight smile on Darth’s face before he vacates the room.<br /> Halloway walks to Mason in her obscenely tall heels and too short formal skirt and lays a hand on his shoulder. I feel my insides boil. I will break off those hands soon. Scout’s honour.<br /> “But, Mase,” she purrs. “What about the deal?”<br /> “Work will come later.” Mason says curtly. “I have more important matters to deal with.”<br /> Yes, bimbo.<br /> “Mason, you don’t have to…”<br /> “Leave, Halloway!” Mason thunders.<br /> She steps back at his harsh tone, surprise etched on her features. Then she lifts her head, spears me with her signature Queen B icy glare and sails out of the room, almost slamming into my shoulders in the process.<br /> When we’re alone in the room once more, Mason’s hot gaze roves over me. He settles on the edge of his glass desk, stretching his long legs out before him.<br /> God, he’s hot as sin. Perfectly chiselled jaw; the most beautifully intense grey eyes; wide, muscled chest and hair that’s great for grabbing during an climax…the man should be illegal.<br /> He should come with a warning label. Period.<br /> “Drama queen.” He mutters.<br /> I roll my eyes.<br /> “I was not the one with my best friend’s boobs almost in my mouth just now.”<br /> His eyes morph into a smoky gray mask and my pulse flutters in my throat.<br /> “Come here, baby girl.” He growls.<br /> My heart sings at the nickname but I stand my ground.<br /> “I’m late for my interview, Mason.”<br /> ---<br /> Then I lift my chin and vacate the room before I burst into tears.<br /> Darth shows me to the interviewer’s office. The brass name plate on the wall reads, “Manager.”<br /> My anxiety returns and I begin to sweat. I really need this job and I want to get it without Mason’s help.<br /> “You’ll do fine, miss.”<br /> I smile at Darth, grateful for his words of encouragement, then I push open the door and walk into the luxuriously furnished office.<br /> I take two steps and freeze…because seated behind the Manager’s table is non other than Halloway Stephens.<br /> LILY<br /> “You’re late.” She sneers.<br /> I look around the room, hoping fo find something that assures me that this office does not belong to her, but the high class blue curtains, luxurious paintings on the walls and even the Diamond studded mahogany desk all scream Halloway.<br /> I have no doubt that those are real diamonds and only a bimbo like Halloway Stephens would have real diamonds drilled into her office desk.<br /> “Sorry.” I say with a saccharine sweet tone. “I was caught up with important things.”<br /> She rocks on her swivel chair, her eyes almost burning a hole into my forehead.<br /> “In this company, we do not tolerate insubordination of any kind. Coming for your first interview almost an hour late automatically reduces your qualifications. We do not hire incompetent people.” She says with contempt.<br /> I begin to feel a stirring of annoyance but I tamp it down. Instead, I walk towards her and take the empty visitor’s seat.<br /> “Please accept my sincere apologies.” My voice lowers with “sincere” mockery.<br /> Halloway looks from the seat to me.<br /> “I do not remember asking you to seat. This is my office. I dictate the pace here.”<br /> I shake my head.<br /> “Honestly, Halloway, I wanted this interview to be conducted in a civilized manner but since you’re so intent on bringing out my Italian temper, I’ll ask you a question.”<br /> She merely raises a sassy brow at me.<br /> “Do you wannna know why I was late?”<br /> She rolls her eyes,<br /> “Save your useless stories…”<br /> “No, no. I promise you it’s good.” I cut in. “Someone gave me a very pleasant climax this morning. Kept me in bed for hours.” I’m pretty sure my eyes are twinkling right now.<br /> Halloway’s shakes her head, disgust evident in her gaze.<br /> “I’ve always known you were a bimbo. I have no idea what Mason sees in you. You’re just a two dimmed bimbo.”<br /> Oh. Am I? I smile once more.<br /> “But you haven’t even asked me who my man is.” I inquire, trying as much as possible to look innocent.<br /> Halloway waves her hand in a dismissive gesture.<br /> “Probably some hog you met on the street and followed home. I wouldn’t put that past you.”<br /> Oh, this will be good. I let out a mock gasp.<br /> “Why do you think so low of me? I didn’t actually meet him on the street. I met him at a club and he requested…no he demanded that I follow him home…”<br /> “Same thing. That is all bimbos like you are capable of doing.”<br /> I make a show of picking at my nails.<br /> “Oh. I didn’t know your best friend slept with bimbos.”<br /> In front of me, Halloway has gone completely still.<br /> “Wh-what did you say?”<br /> I face her squarely, dropping every bit of pretense and spearing her with a cold gaze.<br /> “Exactly what you heard. Hayley.” I mock. “Mason and I have been living together…and sleeping together for a long, long time. In fact, he wants us to be together for an indefinite period of time, and boy can he hump. I almost didn’t survive last night’s round of pleasure.”<br /> Halloway’s face slowly morphs from shock to anger. Her eyes narrow and she visibly begins to tremble.<br /> “You’re lying! It’s not true.”<br /> I lift my chin.<br /> “You can ask him about it. Our relationship is not hush hush or anything.”<br /> I have no idea how it happens. One minute Halloway is seated before me and the next, she leaps across the large table and grabs my neck in a chokehold.<br /> I flail wildly, desperately trying to dislodge her hands around my throat but she just squeezes harder.<br /> “Mason is mine, you bimbo!” She snarls. “You cannot just waltz in and take everything I’ve worked for. He’s mine! Mine!”<br /> I can barely breathe. The maniacal gleam in her eyes looks so awfully familiar. I’ve seen those eyes somewhere before but right now, my impending death makes it difficult to think clearly.<br /> “Die, bimbo! Just die!”<br /> A sound comes from down the hallway and within seconds, Halloway flies back across the table and settles in her seat.<br /> I fall against my chair, wheezing as I struggle to breathe in gulps of much needed air.<br /> She tried to kill me. The bimbo tried to kill me.<br /> “Are you guys done here?”<br /> I look up sharply. When my eyes meet Mason’s, I run across the room and into his already open arms. His eyes widen in alarm.<br /> “What’s wrong baby girl? What happened?”<br /> I claw desperately at my throat as I struggle to get the words out.<br /> “She…she..”<br /> Mason follows the direction of my outstreched hand then looks back at me with confusion.<br /> “What are you trying to tell me, Mira?”<br /> “She tried to kill me!” I finally cough out. “Halloway tried to kill me.”<br /> Mason goes completely still against me.<br /> “Oh, Mason. Is she okay?” Halloway’s fake baby voice filters through my panicked fog.<br /> I turn around and sure though, the bimbo is seated comfortably in her chair, looking every inch the flawless diva…not a hair out of place.<br /> “The interview was going on smoothly until she fell into some kind of panic attack and starting coughing. I had no idea what to do.”<br /> I would give anything to slap that fake concern off her face.<br /> “Mira, when did your panic attacks return?” Mason asks seriously.<br /> I give him an incredulous stare.<br /> “Are you honestly believing this bimbo over me? She tried to kill me. She tried to choke me…”<br /> Mason wraps his hands around me.<br /> “Calm down, baby girl. Calm down.”<br /> “No! If you did not come I would have been dead! She tried to kill me.”<br /> Halloway rises to her feet.<br /> “What is she talking about?” Her voice is shaky, almost as if she’s on the verge of tears.<br /> “Mason, how can she say that about me? I’ve never killed anyone before. Why would she accuse me of such a thing?”<br /> Her tears begin to fall and she wipes it off, perfecting her wrongfully accused victim role like a pro.<br /> I can only stare in horror.<br /> Mason’s arms tighten around me protectively, but he doesn’t look like he believes me one bit.<br /> “Mason, you have to believe me. This woman…”<br /> “You can check the CCTV cameras if you don’t believe me.”<br /> I freeze.<br /> I turn to find Halloway’s eyes still shimmering with fake tears…and solid confidence.<br /> What is she doing?<br /> “Yes. Yes, Mason. I swear, I’m not lying. You can check the cameras.”<br /> Mason’s gaze remains shuttered as he looks down at me.<br /> “You do realize that if the CCTV footage reveals nothing, you may have just accused Hayley wrongly of attempted murder.”<br /> “I don’t care!” I screech. “I’m not lying.”<br /> I try to move away from him but he tightens his arms around me, keeping me firmly against him.<br /> “You’re not going anywhere.” He growls.<br /> Then to Darth, he says,<br /> “Bring in the CCTV footage. Let’s settle this once and for all.”<br /> MIRA<br /> I watch with a rapidly beating heart as Darth produces the CCTV footage and a computer. Meanwhile, crocodile tears are still crawling down Halloway’s cheeks.<br /> I do not miss the evil looks she sends my way when Mason is not looking, of course. The bimbo is suffering from some kind of mental psychopathy issues. I can swear it.<br /> The tension in the room is nerve wracking as the footage begins to play out on the screen. When it gets to the point where I begin speaking, I lean in closer.<br /> “Go slower right here.” I tell Mason and he sets the video to play in slow motion.<br /> I can already see Halloway sweating in her designer outfit as the video gets closer and closer to the point where she nearly choked me to death.<br /> “Mason, I honestly don’t see the p-point of this. I didn’t do anything.” She stutters nervously.<br /> Mason glances at her.<br /> “Mira insists you did. I want to give her the benefit of doubt.”<br /> The video finally pinpoints on the scene where Halloway began to look upset. My fingers on the table tighten as we finally approach the highlight.<br /> It all happens in a blur.<br /> One second, I am watching the unravelling footage expectantly, and the next, I’m completely frozen and staring at the screen in horror, unable to believe my eyes.<br /> “No. Rewind the footage. Rewind the footage, Mason! It can’t be.”<br /> Mason turns to me, his eyes dark with disappointment. I push him away and hastily click the buttons that rewind the video, but the same scenes still play out.<br /> It appears that the scene where Halloway leaped across the table and almost killed me has been completely erased. The footage just skips to the point where she lets go of my throat and Mason comes into the office .<br /> I sink into the nearest available chair, utterly dumbfounded.<br /> “I swear she tried to choke me. The footage has been sabotaged.” I whisper, still trying to wrap my head around what I just watched.<br /> Halloway jumps to her feet and slams her hands on the table, startling out of me.<br /> “Enough of this nonsense! I’m sorry, Mason, I can tolerate all of Mira’s unwarranted past insults, but I will never tolerate wrong accusations. You and I both know that I would never hurt anyone, but you still went ahead to shame my reputation by requesting for the footage. Now that my innocence has been proven, I will not sit back and watch Mira continue to insult me.”<br /> “I’m sorry about all of this, Hayley…” Mason begins.<br /> I stare at him incredulously.<br /> “You’re sorry?! You’re sorry? This bimbo nearly killed me. She sabotaged the footage…”<br /> “Enough of this nonsense, Mira!” Mason thunders, stunning me to silence. “I allowed that video to be brought in because you looked really upset, but I will no longer stand for this drama. Enough!”<br /> Halloway gives me a mocking glare over Mason’s shoulder.<br /> Right now, I want to hurt her so much, the feeling is like a dangerous itch beneath my skin.<br /> “You should be grateful that you’re Mason’s woman, otherwise I would press charges against you for harassment and…”<br /> I do not wait for her to finish. Suddenly, I see red. My desire to claw the bimbo’s eyes out tears at me and I make a mad dash for her.<br /> I’m still struggling when a hand wraps around my throat once again, shutting off my air flow and stunning me to silence. My red haze clears long enough and I take in the furious grey eyes before me with hurt surprise.<br /> I claw at his hands, indicating that I cannot breathe;<br /> “Mason…” I whisper.<br /> Instead of letting go, his hands tighten around my throat and dizziness begins to set it in. But that isn’t what really hurts me.<br /> What hurts me is seeing that the disappointment and anger in Mason’s eyes are channelled at me. What really hurts is the fact that he vowed to protect me, but here he is supporting the one woman who almost killed me.<br /> “Sir, you’re hurting her. I would advise you to let her go to prevent any further damage.” Darth’s voice breaks through my fog.<br /> Mason lets go of me immediately, pushing me against Darth as if the mere thought of touching me is repulsive<br /> “Darth?” He growls, his eyes still pinning me in place.<br /> “Yes, sir.”<br /> “Take her to my office and keep her there until I return.”<br /> His icy stare chills me straight to my bones.<br /> I let go of my sore throat and spear him with an angry glare, tears stinging my eyes.<br /> “No, Darth. I do not want to be in the same building with people who tried to kill me. Take me home.”<br /> Mason’s eyes flash with a dark expression.<br /> “Do not disobey my orders, Darth. Do as I say.”<br /> “Come on, miss. Let’s go.”<br /> Darth grabs my arm gently and I watch with mounting hatred as Mason goes to Halloway, checking her body for injuries while I’m over here, hurting from the emotional and physical injuries he’s just caused me.<br /> Just as Darth is about to pull me out of the room, I cannot help but let him feel even a quarter of the hate burning in my heart.<br /> “You were supposed to protect me.” I say through my tears. Mason remains frozen to the spot at the sound of voice. “You promised to keep the enemies away, but there you are breaking all of your promises yet again.”<br /> Mason turns to me, his eyes as cold as ice, but I’m not done yet.<br /> “I hope you enjoy the enemy camp because I will prove that Halloway did try to strangle me in this office today if it is the last thing I do, and you will be sorry that you laid your hands on me because of her.”<br /> Then I push Darth out of the way and make for the elevators.<br /> When Mason comes searching for me in his office later on, he will not find me. He won’t even find me at his home.<br /> I am done being his submissive little lamb.	LEARN_MORE	https://a.icomicapp.com/ad/aUNvbWljcy84MzEyMC8yMDI	106456512483946	ICo011	https://facebook.com/100093040820216	39	1	1,073,831,336,996,936	2024-01-24 02:00	person_profile	eligible	NONE	0	1	1	Learn more	ICo011	120205262145250538	a.icomicapp.com	NONE	video		https://a.icomicapp.com/ad/aUNvbWljcy84MzEyMC8yMDI0MDExOTE2MjYwOC9wYWdl?adid={{ad.id}}		2024-01-19 02:29	https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/419332265_366117359369650_1763136251830398516_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=VVi2NoHVpYUAX_sUgEK&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=00_AfDOKTPUmkdfZjGTEZJnwYm-NRDZfFao2YWyz-CAa7Nwsg&oe=65B840B6	person_profile	ICo011	https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/419290054_329270606756777_1040159602962952015_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Ug1qwsk1hwkAX_Ne_VA&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=00_AfDTsl5ZNn52yI4MBW8nAtoZ66I0AQZKeqdhRz3bcwFjbw&oe=65B8695E	3	ICo011	2024-01-24 02:00	View Edit Delete
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