Confucius Ads Library: Ads

Id	Vlad	Saved	Scrape Time	Status	Scrape Result	Title	Body	Cta Type	Link Url	Page Name	Page Profile Uri	Page Like Count	Enddate	Cta Text	Caption	Display Format	Link Description	Link Url	Creation Time	Page Profile Picture Url	Page Entity Type	Page Is Profile Page	Current Page Name	Startdate	Actions
2,706,732	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2706727}'	Yes	2025-02-28 00:30	active	2651	The #1 Cream for Nerve Pain 🏆	💯% Natural Ingredients to Fight Nerve Pain! 🥦Packed with 14+ Superfoods 😃Tens of THOUSANDS of happy customers 💳PLUS a money back guarantee if you're not satisfied. ✓ Soothe pain, prickling, and burning ✓ Calm inflammation & stiffness ✓ Fortify the nerve's protective coating ✓ Improve circulation & healing ✓ Provide long-term results We want YOU to be the next person who is able to experience life without nerve discomfort. No one should suffer from this kind of tingling & burning pain on a daily basis. You deserve relief, & you can get it with Nerve Balm.	SHOP_NOW	https://www.luneusa.com/products/nerve-balm	Lune	https://www.facebook.com/100085237752848/	839	1969-12-31 18:00	Shop Now	luneusa.com	DCO	★★★★★ 4.7	https://www.luneusa.com/products/nerve-balm	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/480917342_2032300670580739_273273487158979674_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Ls3r8ZOV6ukQ7kNvgF9xgbj&_nc_oc=AdiBHmnXiTjDQgBDVUhj3bvEag-7Q-Spr3V1DvXkn7x0VnPPS25GbkslB_IsoWEZWQjMjpr1n26Pf-Bq9FPckKSf&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AYCvgeMvlDm3IcgG6G4XXiE&oh=00_AYCRGS8Ln6fEv5jT3w-5hgD_WBFIKg5PBVQJeGJn5IDcSQ&oe=67C70C75	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Lune	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,706,986	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2706727}'	Yes	2025-02-28 00:30	active	2651	The #1 Cream for Nerve Pain 🏆	How do we know that Nerve Balm is one of the most powerful remedies for nerve pain? Because we can't stop selling out! We are busy here at Lune fulfilling orders, but the orders keep rolling in! What's behind the frenzy? Our customers swear by its power to conquer nerve pain. 💯% Natural Ingredients 🥦Packed with 14+ Superfoods 😃Tens of THOUSANDS of happy customers 💳PLUS a money back guarantee if you're not satisfied. ✓ Soothe pain, prickling, and burning ✓ Calm inflammation & stiffness ✓ Fortify the nerve's protective coating ✓ Improve circulation & healing ✓ Provide long-term results Rest assured; we are increasing our production & are committed to fulfilling every order. Put your order in today & secure your jar of the most impactful nerve pain relief balm that you can find!	SHOP_NOW	https://www.luneusa.com/products/nerve-balm	Lune	https://www.facebook.com/100085237752848/	839	1969-12-31 18:00	Shop Now	luneusa.com	DCO	★★★★★ 4.7	https://www.luneusa.com/products/nerve-balm	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481454365_1356401735547437_1712445572221285672_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=yjhBXyK-GscQ7kNvgGzwoQ_&_nc_oc=AdiktHByw34OR8sLc8iztqMMlnHMQTBp8JxqR8oVzjOKUtMEhmnKH_P0RqNtWjEYZ-uaCF3nSiWCUXJkp8JVKvZy&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=APo6jsbWvg77h6sUSXISibs&oh=00_AYBAhW2dkadCIvb7ud5yugZx-EbJ2Bjrcat1BEcwesNZ1g&oe=67C73711	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Lune	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,706,843	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"is_bh_simple_request":true,"simple_request_ratio":0.5903614457831325,"is_bh_selenium":null,"selenium_ratio":null,"ratio_threshold":0.8}'	Yes	2025-02-28 00:30	active	2651		Cars are not the same anymore ,,, Same As Car Deals ,,, Don’t Sign Without Visiting Me ,,, Our Unbeatable Deals Can Save You A Lot ,,, Check Us out 🤝 #statenisland #dealership_insider #know_the_unknown	VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE	http://instagram.com/auto.nerve	auto.nerve	https://www.instagram.com/_u/auto.nerve	0	1969-12-31 18:00	Visit Instagram profile	instagram.com	VIDEO		http://instagram.com/auto.nerve	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/476295885_1411662026465981_5012492440212805830_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s206x206_tt6&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=525117&_nc_ohc=AED4Z5A9lmUQ7kNvgGMbARu&_nc_oc=Adi8qB6mFKd1jIohFO4mr5GMkByCPz6KYuwaQlpzB26D3YPvFJbvEvR-3TIOOa1QMS_Jje-BCLloef5Od0QHwICV&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AYBPGEH4zpmgVPqsFvfhKGw7s_ytsHODvOYCsudxxKE34Q&oe=67C73AD5	IG_ADS_IDENTITY	1	auto.nerve	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,706,458	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	No	2025-02-28 00:30	active	2651	Muscle Ease - Joint, Muscle & Nerve Support Fast Acting Relax Comfort Recovery Natural Herbal Supplement - (60 Capsules) MAX-Strength	💪 Stiff muscles can limit mobility. Along with MUSCLE EASE™, gentle exercises help reduce tension. 🧘 Try These: 1️⃣ Light stretching for flexibility 2️⃣ Foam rolling for deep tissue relief 3️⃣ Yoga poses for muscle relaxation #MuscleRelief #StretchAndRecover #ActiveWellness #NaturalSupport #DrHW #DrHerbalWell #MuscleEase #RecoveryGameStrong #PainFree #NaturalHealing #PainFree #MuscleRecovery #ActiveLifestyle #FastRelief	LEARN_MORE	https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0DF2WPVX9?maas=	Dr. Herbal Well	https://www.facebook.com/61568066640524/	1,268	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	amazon.com	IMAGE	Muscle Ease is a 100% natural herbal supplement designed to reduce discomfort, alleviate muscle soreness, promote regeneration, and support relaxation. With powerful ingredients like Rhizoma Rodgersiae, Curcumae Longae, Tart Cherry Powder, and Notoginseng Radix Rhizoma, it’s perfect for athletes,....	https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0DF2WPVX9?maas=maas_adg_D06838616FCADE82F112649554738C7A_afap_abs&ref_=aa_maas&tag=maas	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/480864773_937348678559158_5440930591419748366_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=O45Mfsq0biMQ7kNvgHwxp7K&_nc_oc=AdgjrTKuw8atOFXZCyxsyMvgvEZwhPNC4c5ik3J3P1L6v5W79eL5OOAv0xAIq3Ogl_YMvORzGqK-STGFbK0G_vQO&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AafEUw8TQ6o_rneoD9FCvJu&oh=00_AYCvvgmNcvzu8YAJh8VV1BCMjS20_GRvZbUHF-NhlNXhJA&oe=67C72F2E	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Dr. Herbal Well	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,707,085	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2707210}'	No	2025-02-28 00:30	active	2651	Side Sleepers with Sciatica, Watch This!	MUST SEE: Discover why side sleepers with back and hip pain are raving about this breakthrough device... Side sleeping without proper support twists your spine and puts pressure on surrounding nerves and muscles. This can lead to chronic hip pain, lower back stiffness, and shooting leg cramps. Left unchecked, this discomfort can lead to more serious issues down the line… Introducing: The SmoothSpine Alignment Pillow. Developed with top physiotherapists, this pillow uses Active Spine Realignment™ to: 👉 Relieve hip, lower back, and sciatica pain 👉 Stop nerve compression at the root 👉 Keep your spine aligned for restful sleep Simply placing this pillow between your legs when lying down can make a world of difference. Users report significant improvements in mobility and pain reduction in as little as 7 days… Get up to 55% off today only: smoothspine.com/products/improved-leg-pillow Ready to find relief with a solution specifically designed for you as a side sleeper? Don't let hip and back pain hold you back any longer. Take the first step towards pain-free sleeping and living now! Plus, you will get: 🎁 FREE How-To-Use Guide. 🎁 90-Night Risk-Free Guarantee. 🎁 FREE SmoothSpine Travel Bag. Read the amazing reviews here from people just like you: smoothspine.com/products/improved-leg-pillow	SHOP_NOW	https://smoothspine.com/products/improved-leg-pill	SmoothSpine	https://www.facebook.com/smoothspinestore/	3,601	1969-12-31 18:00	Shop now	smoothspine.com	IMAGE	Sleep Safely and Comfortably on Your Side Today + Get FREE Back & Hip Health Guide with every purchase (valued at $20.00)	https://smoothspine.com/products/improved-leg-pillow	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481310123_983587137063817_4365754284884197050_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=9CLzmStUlNIQ7kNvgEPWq0a&_nc_oc=Adg_NZd3YkWtYVJYrQedPVTTTfTle7604YV1vPiM8YQmQrr01AOCqYvDwJShA6I9rvmndCF9wsPbzhjzd6yuPp3C&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=ApJASm6m2wnWEJ_BeM064Ma&oh=00_AYBRo-SyI_DUX0O0efuwWb1Z-qQ_JmSLosF5nsnpEAFFtw&oe=67C70D64	PERSON_PROFILE	0	SmoothSpine	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,706,796	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	Yes	2025-02-28 00:30	active	2651	Valentinstag, nur du💥🎬	Sie war einst mit ihm zusammen, als er arm war, aber aufgrund des Drucks ihrer Mutter endete ihre Beziehung.💔 Jahre später, mit ihrem Kind im Ausland, treffen sie unerwartet wieder aufeinander!😱	WATCH_MORE	https://dramapi.mediaradiance.com/api/track/dynami	Short shorts	https://www.facebook.com/61554952153643/	49,110	1969-12-31 18:00	Watch more	dramapi.mediaradiance.com	VIDEO	🔥 Kann ihre Liebe neu entflammen?	https://dramapi.mediaradiance.com/api/track/dynamicLandingPageThrV3/d3718e8a9c0f593176e7b47d78f4e364?ad_id={{ad.id}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&campaign_id={{campaign.id}}&campaign_name={{campaign.name}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481829895_2426066374414519_7858235486672170278_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=6JwmCjRNVLAQ7kNvgGYmuCE&_nc_oc=AdiGgYUO-8PW8Vgrpj92sxjFku_YsybchJInOmN65r6MXZfq1444OGJwclq3MnRPKnYZAUZx9kZzjUguhbpHowaX&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=Am3bLnyCoj75ryoIui9bTuv&oh=00_AYDXLMKoz003bmcZN09Hohq6Gc06nQle_IS2OGWpigDiWQ&oe=67C73195	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Short shorts	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,707,528	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2706555}'	Yes	2025-02-28 00:31	active	2651	Take back your life and start living pain-free.		SHOP_NOW	https://mamabearoasis.com/blogs/news/neuropathy?ut	Mama Bear Oasis	https://www.facebook.com/100088425910904/	4,507	1969-12-31 18:00	Shop Now	mamabearoasis.com	CAROUSEL		https://mamabearoasis.com/blogs/news/neuropathy?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=paid&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{adset.name}}&utm_term={{ad.name}}	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/473143897_1261786068212804_2922086149826323842_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ZUsvX-1jVzYQ7kNvgExXNCW&_nc_oc=AdiZ0mTR5xqjWBWTZWupopHh-WjoF9XtsePzNm3Bd-WU6dSnKQ0RaLll2intZSUCHwRz3rI_5IRt22Y8uXMmJs6N&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AduyuvuBqIgF_eqYRwt8uE9&oh=00_AYAI9aIRKVIX-vlCFx1DOmVYvASBpkwVtzQpykkL5ZLhyQ&oe=67C7125B	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Mama Bear Oasis	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,707,451	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	Yes	2025-02-28 00:31	active	2651	😍Click to continue reading	I never thought I’d see him again. As I step off the bus, the scorching sun beats down on me. The heat here is unbearable, with not even the slightest breeze to offer relief. I already miss the places I've come to call home over the years. Grabbing my suitcase from the driver—who’s been eyeing me with a mix of disinterest and impatience—I flash him a polite smile, take my bag, and turn away without another glance. The bus station is smaller than I remember. I push through the crowd, scanning the faces around me, searching for my aunt. I’ve moved around more times than I can count—first with my mother, and then, after she passed away, with my aunt, who took me in along with her mate and daughter. Constantly relocating wasn’t a choice; it was a necessity. Someone was always after me. My aunt was insistent that I return to this town, though I still don’t understand why. This place holds nothing but bad memories for me—especially since he is here. I refuse to say his name. He abandoned my mother and me when I was just ten years old. I watched her heart break a little more each day, while he never once looked back. He was too caught up in his pack, too in love with his own life to remember the daughter he left behind. So why did my aunt want me back here? She and my cousin Eleanor have settled in this place, but I made it clear—I would only return if it was a matter of life and death. And now, I’m back, trapped in a town that will no doubt become my personal hell. “Sierra, OVER HERE!” I hear her before I see her. Turning to my left, I spot my aunt waving frantically, bouncing on her toes to get my attention. I force a smile and start making my way toward her. As I walk, my senses sharpen. I can feel the weight of several eyes on me, curious and assessing. This town is a werewolf town. There are humans here, but my aunt told me they’re aware of the supernatural. Two packs live on the outskirts of town, sitting on opposite ends. One of them is his pack. And from what I’ve heard, they roam freely here. This is going to be interesting—a panther shifter living in the middle of werewolf territory. “Auntie,” I greet her with a smile, stepping closer. She groans at the word, her expression shifting immediately. “Sierra, you know I hate being called that.” I chuckle. “Sorry, Raven.” I pull her into a hug, feeling some of the tension ease from my body. “How was the trip?” she asks, taking my bag from me as we head toward the exit. “It was fine. First a plane ride, then a twelve-hour bus ride. There were a few stops along the way, so I got to stretch my legs. But I didn’t mind—I’m used to it. I also made sure no one was following me,” I add, glancing over my shoulder. That’s when I notice the bus driver handing off his keys to another driver. Both of them are staring right at me. I sigh. “If one more person keeps staring, I swear I’ll rip their throats out,” Aria growls in my mind. She’s my panther counterpart—always on edge, always ready for a fight. My mother was a panther shifter, just like me, just like Raven and Eleanor. “Why is everyone staring at me?” I mutter, uneasy. Aria steps forward in my mind, scanning the area through my eyes. Raven smirks. “Well, it’s not every day a stunning twenty-year-old woman rolls into town.” I snort. “Yeah, right. There must be plenty of girls here. But you know what I mean.” I catch two elderly women watching me. The moment I meet their eyes, they quickly look away—but one of them seems to be mind-linking someone. “I bet she’s telling her Alpha that someone new is here,” Aria muses, stretching lazily before retreating to the back of my mind. Raven studies me, lowering her voice. “Be careful when Aria comes forward. Your eyes shift color slightly.” I nod. “We’ll talk more in the car.” We exit the bus station and head toward the parking lot, Raven leading the way to her small Toyota. Just as we approach, a black Mustang screeches to a stop right in front of her car. Raven groans. “One Alpha too many,” she mutters under her breath. “Be nice, Sierra.” The driver steps out first, his gaze flicking to me before he opens the rear door. Two young men climb out, looking to be around my age. Then it hits me. A familiar scent—one I haven’t smelled in years. I stiffen as a low growl escapes me before I can stop it. I know that scent. He’s not my father. But he smells just like him. Which means... He must be his son. Chapter 2 Sierra I have a brother—or at least, someone who seems to be my age. "You must be Raven’s niece, Sierra. My name is Dane. I’m the Beta of the Dark Valley Pack, and this here is Caleb, our Gamma. We wanted to introduce ourselves," Dane said. I stared at him, unimpressed. His Alpha was either too busy or just didn’t care enough to find out who I was. "Yeah, that’s me. Now, can you move your car so we can leave?" I said through clenched teeth. Raven looked like she wanted to slap me but managed to restrain herself. "Sierra," she warned. "My apologies, we didn’t realize this was your car," Dane said, clearly lying. Raven had been living here for months, and they had to know. "Cruz, could you move the car to a parking spot, please?" The driver, Cruz, nodded, got back into the car, and drove it into a space on the opposite side of Raven’s vehicle. "Better?" Dane asked with a smug smile. "Yeah, I guess," I said with a hint of irritation. "Raven, can we go now? I’ve been awake for over twenty-four hours, and I’m exhausted." I let out a fake yawn for emphasis. Raven smirked, knowing full well I was just trying to get out of this conversation. "Of course, Sierra. Beta, Gamma, was there anything else you needed?" she asked while placing my bag in the back seat and loading my suitcase into the trunk. Both men looked at me, and I noticed Caleb seemed to be mind-linking someone. "He’s linking the Alpha," Aria, my wolf, murmured from the back of my mind. She had been watching everything unfold through my eyes, clearly amused. After a few seconds, Dane turned back to us, his expression unreadable. "No, nothing else. Oh, actually—one thing. We’ll be stopping by the café later to pick up the cakes we ordered for the ceremony." "No problem. They’ll be ready by the time you come to collect them. I hope the new Alpha has a great welcome-home party," Raven said. "Oh, he will," Dane replied with a cocky grin. I shuddered, my thoughts immediately going to all the crude things he could be implying. But then he caught me off guard. "You two should come," he said. Raven glanced at them before shaking her head. "I don’t think so. Sierra needs to rest after her long journey," she said. I knew exactly why she was acting this way, and my blood boiled. I knew who would be at that party. "Well, the invitation stands," Dane said. Caleb looked at me carefully. "You should come to the packhouse—" "I don’t think so," I cut him off before he could finish. "You both know my father is part of your pack. I will not—no, I will never—step foot in your packhouse. So why don’t you two go do whatever it is you need to do before I throw up all over those nice shoes of yours?" I snapped. I turned to open the car door but hesitated for a second, looking back at Caleb. "Oh, and do me a favor—say hi to my father. I doubt he’ll show his face anytime soon, especially since it’s been ten years since he last saw me. So enjoy your little party, but don’t ever come near me again." Without another word, I climbed into the car and slammed the door shut. "Stupid wolves," I muttered under my breath. I sat there, waiting for Raven to get in. Glancing through the window, I saw the three of them standing there, speechless from my outburst. I hated that man. I never wanted to see the person who abandoned me. "I apologize for Sierra," Raven said as she walked to the car, opening the driver’s side door. Dane had recovered from my outburst and gave me a smug smile. "I hope she changes her mind. We don’t want any trouble," he said. Without another word, the three of them turned and walked off. Raven and I watched them go. "Stupid wolves," I muttered again. "Sierra, you need to be careful with what you say," Raven warned as she started the engine. We pulled out of the parking lot and onto the main road, driving in silence for a while. Finally, I broke it. "Raven, why did you want me here?" Chapter 3 Sierra "Raven, why did you want me here?" She sighed. "Because I wanted to see you. You’re my niece." I studied her face. I believed her, but I also knew there was more to it. "And?" I pressed. She was quiet for a moment. "Your father came into the café a few weeks ago when I first moved here. One of his pack members told him I was in town. He wanted to know how you were… and if you were coming back to live here," she admitted, stealing a glance at me. "He wants to get to know you, Sierra." I laughed dryly. "Yeah, sure. He hasn’t cared for ten years. Why now?" She shrugged. "I don’t know. I understand why you hate him for what he did to your mother and for abandoning you. I hate him too. But when I told him you’d never want to see him again… he seemed genuinely hurt." I didn’t respond. I knew Raven would let me make my own choice about this, but as far as I was concerned, that man was dead to me. "Sierra, you don’t know the full story of why he left," she said softly. I turned to her, my expression blank. The problem with that? I did know why he left. And I knew exactly what had made him do it. Either Raven didn’t know, or she believed whatever lies he had told her. Trying to change the subject, I asked, "Who’s the new Alpha? Why are they throwing a welcome-home party for him?" She hesitated before answering. "His name is Damon. He’s the Alpha’s son. He’s been away for the past few months, training with neighboring packs," she said. "Before he left, he came into the café every day. You’ll probably see him around soon enough." I didn’t want to see anyone—especially not an Alpha. I let the conversation drop and turned to stare out the window. The town was surrounded by dense forest, but the houses were built close together. After a few minutes, Raven pulled into the driveway of a small terraced house. It looked normal enough. The houses were near the forest, making it easy for wolves to shift and run freely. "We need to shift soon. It’s been too long," Aria murmured in my head. As I stepped out of the car, I suddenly felt like someone was watching me. "Aria, do you sense anyone?" I asked, keeping my back straight. "I don’t know, but I don’t like it here," she admitted. "Something feels… off." I agreed. There was something unsettling about this place. Raven must have felt it too because she glanced behind me, her expression unreadable. "Let’s get you inside. I need to head to the café to close up," she said, grabbing my arm and leading me toward the house. Once inside, I glanced around. The living room and kitchen were open-plan, and a staircase led upstairs. Raven hesitated before locking the front door. "Everything okay?" I asked, narrowing my eyes. "Yeah… Let me show you to your room. You can shower and rest while I head to the café," she said quickly. She led me upstairs, showing me my room—which had its own bathroom. "I had this installed last week, knowing you’d be visiting. Now that you’re staying, it’ll be useful," she said with a smile. I nodded. The room was small but cozy—a far cry from sleeping on the ground or in trees. "I got everything you might need. If you need anything else, we can go shopping tomorrow. Also, do you want to work some shifts at the café?" she asked. "Yeah, sure," I said, just as my stomach growled. She chuckled. "I’ll make you some sandwiches. You should eat, then sleep." I yawned. "Thanks, Raven." As she left, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. I was too exhausted to dwell on it. Within minutes of my head hitting the pillow, sleep pulled me under. Chapter 4 Raven I can’t believe Sierra is back. I’ve missed her so much these past two years. She wanted to travel, and who could blame her? After everything she’s been through in the last decade, she deserved it. I knew the lavender and sage in her room would knock her and Aria out cold. I needed her to rest, but more than that, I needed her to be safe. He’s been outside, lurking in the shadows, watching her return home. I step outside and lock the door behind me. I know he’s still there, watching, waiting. He wants to see her. But she hates him—loathes him—for abandoning her and for what he did to her mother. As I walk down the driveway, I spot him standing to my right. “She looks just like Eden,” he murmurs. I shoot him a cold, hard glare. No matter that he’s Sierra’s father—what he did was unforgivable. I don’t like him either, not after everything he put my sister through. “You shouldn’t be here. She doesn’t want to see you,” I say flatly. “By the way, she met your son. He wanted to come to the party tonight, but she shut that down real quick.” My voice drips with venom. “I heard she takes after Eden—same fire in her spirit,” he says. I bare my teeth at him. “Stop saying my sister’s name. You lost the right to speak it a long time ago.” I push past him, my blood boiling. He looks wounded. “Raven, please… you know what happened,” he says, guilt thick in his voice. “I didn’t have a choice.” I whirl around, facing him head-on, my panther stirring beneath my skin, itching to tear him apart. “You have some goddamn nerve saying that. I wouldn't be surprised if Sierra knows more about what really happened than you think,” I snap. “And listen to me carefully—you need to stay away from her. She despises you. As for your so-called son, she doesn’t know him or that daughter of yours. So if I were you, I’d keep them far away from her.” He stares down at me, expression unreadable. “Raven, please... I just want to know my daughter.” I sneer, his name like poison on my tongue. “Kieran, back the hell off. I’m warning you. You, your mate, your children, and that old Alpha you chose over your own flesh and blood—stay the hell away from her. You have no idea what she’s been through.” I realize too late that I’ve said too much. His brow furrows. “What do you mean? What has she been through?” His shock is evident, though he quickly masks it. Shit. That’s not my story to tell. I turn on my heel and keep walking. The café is just around the corner from my place. “Raven, tell me, please,” he calls after me, still following. I push open the café door. It’s closing time—we’re shutting early for the ceremony. Eleanor stands behind the counter, a warm smile on her face when she sees me, but the moment she spots Kieran, her expression hardens. She hates him too. “Raven,” he says, stepping inside, “you can’t keep this from me. She’s my daughter.” I’ve had enough of this bastard. He hasn’t given a damn about Sierra for ten years. The only reason I’m even living here again is because I have to be. I spin around to face him, my patience gone. “Listen up, you worthless piece of shit. You were never in her life. I don’t owe you a damn thing. You never came back for her—not once—even after all the messages I sent you. You are not, and will never be, her father,” I hiss. “I had to raise her and Eleanor on my own, you jackass, with no help from you. You want to know Sierra? Then come here and talk to her yourself. Or better yet, wait until she actually wants to talk to you—which, let me tell you, will be never.” I can feel the shame radiating off him, but before I can lay into him further, the door swings open. His son, Dane, walks in with the new Alpha, Damon. Both of them take in the scene, Dane immediately sensing the tension. “Dad, what are you doing here?” he asks, glancing between me and Kieran. Kieran straightens, his jaw tightening. “Raven, what’s going on?” Damon asks, his tone authoritative. I roll my eyes. Stupid wolves. “She was just telling this asshole to get lost and never come back,” Eleanor chimes in, stepping up beside me. A low growl rumbles from Damon’s chest. “Show some respect, cat, or I’ll put you down myself,” he grits out. Eleanor lets out a soft growl of her own. “You may be the Alpha, and I may be part of this pack, but you don’t get to tell my mother what to do—especially when it doesn’t concern you,” she snaps. I don’t want her getting into trouble, but I hold Damon’s gaze. “I’m asking Kieran to leave. Now isn’t the time for this,” I say firmly. Kieran and Dane stand on opposite sides of Damon, but I have one last thing to say. “Here are the cakes for the ceremony. Take them and go,” I grind out. “And Alpha, if you ever speak to my daughter like that again, you’ll see exactly what a cat can do.” He stares at me, momentarily taken aback. I rarely let my anger spill over like this—and he knows it. He knew me before he left to train the packs. “Raven, I’m going to be the new Alpha soon. Please,” he says, as if that means a damn thing to me. I glance at Kieran and Dane. “Neither of you are welcome here when Sierra is around. You hear me?” My panther snarls, my fury barely contained. “I mean it. If you come in here and upset her, I’ll rip you apart myself.” “You can’t stop me from seeing my daughter,” Kieran says stubbornly. But before I can reply, the café door swings open again. The scent that fills the air makes my stomach drop. Kieran stiffens. Oh, hell. She’s pissed. Chapter 5 Raven "YEAH, SHE CAN," a voice snaps from behind him. I can tell she’s pissed. How the hell is she still standing after being awake for 24 hours? Kieran spins around, and his face goes pale when he sees the daughter he once knew. She’s no longer the little girl he left behind. Sierra glares at him, but before she can say anything, a low growl fills the room—"MATE." All of us turn to look at Damon. His eyes are locked onto Sierra. Oh, shit. This is not going to end well. Sierra meets his gaze briefly before striding towards Kieran and Dane, her face unreadable. “You need to back off,” she snarls. I can feel Aria trying to break through. The energy radiating from Sierra is overwhelming. Eleanor glances at her cousin and smirks. "Don't talk to—" Dane starts, but Sierra cuts him off with a guttural growl. Her eyes shift from their usual blue to a striking, glowing green. "You wouldn’t want to piss me off, brother." We all freeze, stunned. Eleanor and I have heard Aria and Sierra speak in unison before, but seeing it now is still something else. I glance at Damon, but he’s still fixated on Sierra—his mate. "What? You thought I wouldn't figure out who you are?" Sierra challenges Dane. "I recognized your scent at the station. You smell just like him." Then, she turns to Kieran. "And don’t think for a second that acting like the father I should have had is going to work. You abandoned me for ten years. So why the hell would I want you in my life now?" Kieran looks wounded. But what did he expect? I told him Sierra wanted nothing to do with him. She didn’t even know about Dane—let alone the sister she’s yet to meet. Sierra steps closer, eyes locked onto them both. Aria is close to the surface, her power amplified by Sierra’s rage. If we can feel it, I wonder if they can, too. "You’re going to listen, and you’re going to listen well," she says, voice deadly calm. "I don’t want anything to do with you or your new little family. You left me alone to survive for a decade, and guess what? I did just fine. If you ever come back, I’ll let my panther out. And trust me—she’s a hell of a lot less friendly than I am." She bares her teeth. "Now take whatever you came for and go." She strides between them and heads straight toward me. That’s when I realize—she’s still in her Minnie Mouse pajamas. She must have sensed him outside earlier. Damon hasn’t taken his eyes off her. Before anyone else can speak, Sierra turns to him. "Oh, and Alpha—I don’t want a mate." Damon lets out a deep growl. "You don’t mean that," he says, barely keeping himself and his wolf in check. Sierra shrugs. "Take it however you want. I’m only here for a few weeks, and then I’m gone." Damon stares at her, saying nothing, though the hurt in his eyes is obvious. I know why she doesn’t want a mate. There are memories—dark ones—she’d rather forget. She hates men in general, and honestly, I don’t blame her. The tension in the air is suffocating. After a long moment, I turn to Kieran and Dane. "I think you all should leave now," I say. "Oh, and don’t forget the cakes on your way out." Dane glances at me and offers a small, grateful smile, mouthing thank you. He looks like he wants to say more, but he doesn’t. Damon still hasn’t moved. He’s rooted in place, staring at Sierra. Dane finally pulls him toward the door, leading him outside to the waiting SUV. Kieran hesitates, looking like he wants to say something, but he just exhales sharply, grabs the boxes, and walks out. Eleanor holds the door open for him. Another SUV pulls up, and Kieran loads the boxes inside before climbing in. Within seconds, the vehicle disappears down the road. Dane lingers a moment longer, stepping back into the café for the last box. Sierra and I watch him from behind the counter. He stops at the door, glancing over his shoulder at us. "I know what our father did. I don’t condone it," he says. "But if possible, I’d like to get to know my older sister." Sierra lets out a low growl. Dane flinches slightly but keeps his gaze steady. "I’m sorry, Sierra," he murmurs before walking out. Eleanor shuts the door and turns back to us. "Well, cuz, I’m so glad you’re here," she teases with a smirk. Sierra walks up to her and smiles, pulling her into a hug. They both turn to look at me, but before either can speak— "How did you know?" I ask Sierra. She studies me for a second before answering. "I smelled his scent outside. It woke Aria up. But the rest? I’ve always known. I just never told you." She exhales sharply, her expression darkening. "I hate him even more now. He never came for me." The bitterness in her voice is unmistakable. I know she’s hurting. And I have no doubt that Kieran is a big reason why she refuses to accept her mate. "Well, let’s close up. You look like you should be in bed," I say with a chuckle. Sierra glances down at herself, and Eleanor notices too. They both start laughing. We move around the café, making sure everything is cleaned up—tables wiped down, chairs in their proper places, all the lights turned off. Sierra yawns. "You need rest," I tell her. She nods. "Let’s go home," she says before turning to Eleanor. "You coming? We could have one of our famous sleepovers." Eleanor grins but shakes her head. I know that’s not happening—Eleanor has a ceremony to attend with her mate. "I can’t, cuz. You need your beauty sleep," she teases. Sierra rolls her eyes, but Eleanor shoots me a knowing look. Don’t tell her about Caleb yet, Mom. I nod subtly. Eleanor only knows bits and pieces of why Sierra refuses to accept her mate, but she’s scared to tell her just yet. She has no idea how Sierra will react when she finds out. Sierra yawns again, making us laugh. "Come on, Sleeping Beauty. Time for bed," I say, leading her out of the café and toward home. Chapter 6 Damon I found my mate. But she wants nothing to do with me. I’m beyond pissed. Why doesn’t she want me? I glance at Kieran. His face is unreadable, but I know he’s hurting. He finally met his daughter, yet she rejected him outright. I don’t know the full story between them, but whatever it is, it’s bad. “I’m sorry, Damon,” he suddenly says, still staring ahead. When I turn to look at him, I notice a small, sad smile on his face. He doesn’t elaborate. “You okay, Kieran?” I ask, studying him. His expression remains blank, but I continue, “I just wanted to say sorry about what happened at the café.” He nods, and I can feel the guilt radiating off him. He’s deeply wounded. After a moment, he exhales heavily. “We need to see your father when we get back to the pack house,” he says. “But I have one request.” His voice is almost pleading. “Don’t tell him about Sierra being your mate just yet.” His words catch me off guard. Why wouldn’t he want me to tell my own father? Especially since my mate is his best friend’s daughter—well, his long-lost daughter. “Why, Kieran? He’d be happy that I found my mate,” I say, but the look on his face tells me there’s more to this than I understand. “He will be—once he knows she’s my daughter. But there are things you don’t know yet, and that’s why we need to talk to him first. We have to explain everything to you. It might help you understand why Sierra doesn’t want a mate,” he finally says. I stare at him, momentarily stunned, but I quickly regain my composure. “Alright, I won’t say anything. But Kieran… what happened to make her hate you so much?” I ask, immediately regretting it as soon as the words escape my mouth. His shame crashes over me like a tidal wave. “I hurt her mother in the worst way possible,” he confesses quietly. “And I never claimed her as my mate.” I’m speechless. “I’ll explain everything when we see your father,” he adds. I glance at the man who had trained me when my father was too busy. I grew close to his son, Dane, who’s now about to become my Beta, and his sister, Nova. They’ve been like siblings to me—we argue and fight just like real siblings do. Sierra would have made an impression on me if she’d been around. Even in those pajamas, she exuded a quiet strength. I couldn’t quite make out her figure, but I didn’t care. Those piercing blue eyes, the rich brown hair messily tied into a bun, and those soft pink lips—it all made me want her even more. When her panther stirred, her eyes glowed green, and I felt an immense power roll off her in waves. It was unnerving. There was more to her than I could see. Her emotions dictated the intensity of her energy, and at that moment, all I felt from her was pure rage. The car ride back to the pack house is quiet. It’s a long drive from town, and our driver is stuck behind another vehicle. Kieran stares out the window, lost in thought. I mind-link my father. “Hey, Dad, we’re on our way back with the cakes. There’s something you need to know. Sierra is back.” “Yeah, I heard,” my father replies gruffly. “Kieran went to see her. I take it that didn’t go well? I told him to give her a few days to settle in.” I sigh. “‘Didn’t go well’ is an understatement. She was furious. He wants the three of us to meet in your office to talk about it.” My father is silent for a beat before responding. “We need to talk. I think you should be there for all of this—you’ll be Alpha soon.” “Alright. We’ll be there in twenty minutes.” I stick to Kieran’s request and don’t mention to my father that Sierra is my mate. When we finally arrive at the pack house, we step out of the SUV. Caleb, my soon-to-be Gamma, is waiting nearby. I know why—his mate, Eleanor, nearly got herself ripped apart for disrespecting me. From the look on his face, he already knows. “Sorry about Eleanor, Alpha,” he says immediately. “She was just protecting her mother.” I nod. “I’ll apologize to her later.” He gives me a strange look. “You shouldn’t have to apologize. She’s still adjusting to our ways here. They lost their pack years ago and have been moving around ever since,” he explains, his gaze shifting past me to Kieran. “He shouldn’t have gone there,” he mutters. “I know most of what happened—Eleanor told me. It’s bad.” I stare at him, taken aback. “I’ll find out more when we talk to my father,” I say before shutting off the mind-link. Caleb nods and heads toward his house, where Eleanor is waiting. He probably misses her. Eleanor had mentioned wanting to tell Sierra something, but she wasn’t sure how her cousin would react—especially when it came to the subject of mates. There has to be a reason why she despises the idea of having one. A low growl rumbles in my head—my wolf, Cruz. “She’ll come around. We just need to take things slow with her.” I freeze. My wolf has been obsessed with finding our mate for years, but he’s never been this patient before. Normally, he’s possessive and restless. But now, he just wants what’s best for Sierra—even if that means taking our time. “What’s gotten into you? You’ve been quiet since you told me Sierra was our mate,” I ask him. Cruz is silent for a moment before sighing. “I’m being careful with her. Seeing her father after all these years made her angry. And her panther… she’s powerful. Her emotions fuel her strength, and I think her panther has her own feelings about this entire situation. We need to figure out what happened.” I nod. “You’re right, Cruz. Let’s find out exactly what we’re dealing with.” He chuckles before settling in the back of my mind, alert but waiting. Waiting to learn more about our mate. 😍Click to continue reading	LEARN_MORE	https://novel.tapread.com/overseas-h5/flow?pixelId	TapNovel	https://www.facebook.com/61570337432882/	81	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	novel.tapread.com	VIDEO		https://novel.tapread.com/overseas-h5/flow?pixelId=609517044808042&page_id=71d8ba8d420c428c96e47d0b3a3d4c69	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481073985_1269475160793736_8575768092451534326_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ctCXS838qKoQ7kNvgEqpvo9&_nc_oc=AdjsFbXzslK9J181cOPjCpFm2TGGhV9sWXqIa5-jY_E6jT9qeTQRuaB5G5EJDY4ZtoBtk9HqIHoHXBOeE9xSbV3g&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=An1a0VAwW_Q6qHZz1Xgg63V&oh=00_AYC3pEmDWI7Jc1Gu4SKBoAuj5N5IdMMz70f3VsZHv2G-zg&oe=67C736AE	PERSON_PROFILE	0	TapNovel	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
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2,706,754	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2706580}'	Yes	2025-02-28 00:30	active	2651	Tap “Learn more”	First, it was just tingling in my feet… 👉	LEARN_MORE	https://fl.lf.thepapertomorrow.com/67ba1a1635e0d32	Smart Daily Decisions	https://www.facebook.com/61561838588847/	51	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn More	fl.lf.thepapertomorrow.com	DCO	A simple vitamin...	https://fl.lf.thepapertomorrow.com/67ba1a1635e0d329dec7f1d0?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	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481256259_842323294703255_2077529633031571761_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=bL44qfy4AO0Q7kNvgHUeCr5&_nc_oc=Adj_RdAMjzS4jLt0xcF-m4quwWnKnUqLUmczZk4DgoITXcqu6l1mHx9tYQDLTsnxo4gXtWeOwJaTdSHQlurC9STd&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AYCvgeMvlDm3IcgG6G4XXiE&oh=00_AYDM-FZooE9-QtDEsb3uBYhBTRl-hBu6yaklsCUgJ3G-FA&oe=67C72663	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Smart Daily Decisions	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,707,413	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2707409}'	Yes	2025-02-28 00:31	active	2651	Stop paying for reading 👉	📣📣Everyone is the circle gasped as they looked at me expectantly. I noticed people at the back of the room stopped what they're doing and looked our way with curious expressions. It felt like everyone was holding their breath for my response. I don't know what response they were expecting, but I'm sure they didn't expect what I said next. "Who?" That's when everyone burst into chaos. Everyone started talking over each other, standing up and displaying exaggerated reactions. What I heard among the chaos was, "How do you not know who Irene is?", "Do you live under rock?", "My girl said 'who?'!", "That's the spirit!" I glanced at Jay in confusion, who also wore a confused expression. He then shrugged and carried on sipping his drink. Good idea, let's just sip on our coke until everyone calms down. To my surprise, it took less time then I estimated for everyone to settle down. Daniel was the first to speak again. "So do you really not know who Irene is or were you just saying it to show you don't consider her a rival?" Everyone quiets down as they waited for my reply. I shrugged and took a sip of my drink, unintentionally increasing everyone's anticipation. Realising that they needed a verbal answer, I replied with, "I don't know who Irene is." I heard a few gasps and people letting out a sharp breaths. Who is Irene to have so many people displaying big reactions about her? My curiosity peaked after evaluating people's expressions; it's seems to me that I am out of the loop of something big. Which I'm not too surprised about; I'm usually oblivious to gossip and what's being talked about recently. I'm always the last to know about things. "Da mn, you must live under a rock." The nice girl said, climbing off her mate and situated herself in front of me. "Okay, so is anyone going to explain who Irene is or what?" I asked, hanging the question in the air. "I gladly will." The nice girl responded with a wink. "My name is Hana, if you were wondering." She carried on before I could say anything. "Since you became the first female warrior in the US, there has been many other female wolves who have been following your footsteps. Just recently, I would say about couple months ago, a female wolf called Irene has been winning every match she has been in." Isn't that a good thing? Another female wolf who's dominating her matches, that's amazing! I not only travel to other packs for matches, but to also empower the females there and show their worth in fighting. "What pack is she from?" I asked. Silence. "Well?" I prodded, wondering why no one was answering. "The BlackShadowed Pack." Daniel whispered, looking at me expectantly. Oh. So she's from that pack? I've never set foot on their territory, nor do I plan on doing so. I've heard bad and dark rumours surrounding that pack. The former Alpha was nicknamed the 'Mad Alpha' because of his crazy, shady and dirty ways of doing pack business. I guess it worked for him since they are the most powerful pack in the United States. It's been two years since the 'Mad Alpha' died, yet the pack seems to operate the same way. I heard that the current Alpha, although quite young, is just as bad as his father. "Moving on, so Irene has been challenging the best fighters in every pack. Including you." Hana carried on, plopping her head on her hand. "She's won all the matches so far." So Irene wants to go against me? It sounds like she'll actually be some competition which, I can't lie, sounds exciting. Although, that doesn't mean I can accept the challenge; I have to think of this pack's reputation. We cant afford to associate with that pack, not when we're known to have a clean record. The Imperial Pride Pack is second to The BlackShadowed Pack when it comes to power, territorial land and influence. The biggest difference between us is how we manage the pack and the money. "That's not all, Elisia." Hana said, catching my attention again. "She's been running her mouth for months now, saying that she is 'better than you' in every way. Since you have not replied to her request to fight, she's been calling you a 'coward' and 'poser'. She's known for brutally finishing her opponent at the end of a fight, leaving them almost dead and calls herself 'The White devil.' It's been causing so much drama and gossip in all the packs lately, that's why we assumed you knew." Oh. Well, da mn. How do I respond to that? "Wow." I said in a monotone voice. However, inside I was boiling. This Irene girl doesn't even know me, and has the nerve to judge me like that. I had no idea who she was and that she has requested to fight me, until now. Usually Magnus organises these events for me as well as notifies me on who requested to fight me. Why didn't he tell me about her? Is it because of the pack she belongs to? Not to mention, she apparently leaves them 'almost dead' at the end of a match? Honestly any strong fighter can do that, but where is the respect in that? A sparring match is about testing your physical and mental ability to fight, not about trying to kill each other. That is only reserved for the battlefield. "So? Do you consider her a rival?" Daniel asked. "She's causing quite a stir in the community. The last female who caused this much stir was you." "Will you accept the challenge and fight?" Someone else in the circle shouted. I stayed silent, not wanting to say the wrong thing. If I showed any signs of accepting the match request, then they all may share that 'I accepted the challenge' on social media. Magnus must've not told me for a reason, so I'll need to find out why before I make a decision. "We will review the conditions of the request before making any decisions, so please refrain yourselves from asking if she'll accept." Jayden spoke up, walking over to us. I sent him a grateful smile, he always knows when to come in. I stood up, stretching my numb legs from sitting in the same position for too long. Did they really think Irene could beat me in a fighting match? They way they were describing her made it seem like they think she can rival me. Can she? There is no way of knowing until I see her fight, I wonder if there is a video about. Couple hours later ~ Almost everyone was gone, just a few people stayed behind to help us clean up the mess. It was just me, Jay, Hana and her mate, who I now know is called Michael. Thankfully, all we had to clean the first floor of the house since the upstairs was off limits during the party. A downstairs toilet is useful for occasions like this or people would have the opportunity to snoop in our rooms and personal stuff. Kaitlyn and Magnus walked down the stairs, making an appearance. There were times where I'd look at them and realise how different they look from me. Obviously we weren't related in any way, but when I was younger it actually bothered me. I looked so out of place, making it more obvious that I didn't really belong with them. Jay inherited their curly golden blond hair. He got his green eyes from his mother whereas Magnus had brown eyes. You could say I look the complete opposite from them. I have waist length chestnut brown wavy hair. I was born with stormy grey eyes, which are framed by my thick dark curly eyelashes. I have this natural flush on my cheeks which gives people the impression I'm cute...before they find out who I am. I have this tendency of biting my lips when I'm concentrating thus making them look almost red, a habit that Kaitlyn has tried to uninstall for years.	INSTALL_MOBILE_APP	http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.h	Reading Stories	https://www.facebook.com/refkkaaaiww24/	775	1969-12-31 18:00	Install now	play.google.com	VIDEO		http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.happy.topnovels	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481073975_9424850850914626_4893760801444480372_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=9uDunBWUGlQQ7kNvgFaQrMC&_nc_oc=Adj-p-84lrah49sZZGYLBT-w90WKJk9D1YcHCMsLuOLZWUMg3zjeJE0zzOixkS4l4sEv9Fdphr5I2oQbDEgoS_XT&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AxAVeQEtsFbS2NMQYUh34t3&oh=00_AYBGYF8Gjs0EdJkkDLqM6xFNrXghxw0mW9zSpqt1aoagQA&oe=67C71AA1	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Reading Stories	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,706,878	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"is_bh_simple_request":false,"simple_request_ratio":1,"is_bh_selenium":false,"selenium_ratio":1,"ratio_threshold":0.8}'	Yes	2025-02-28 00:30	active	2651	$49 Spinal Decompression Treatment!	Hey Chicago! Have you been told you need surgery? Do you have a Bulging Disc or experience Sciatica or Degenerative Disc Disease? For the Next Week, we are giving away 50 Vouchers for a Spinal Decompression Treatment, including a Detailed Spine and Nerve System Examination, a Postural Assessment, a Health History Consultation, along with a Report of Findings, all for just $49 Dollars! (Normally a $424 dollar value!)⁣ Ready to take control and alleviate pain? Click Below to claim your VOUCHER!	LEARN_MORE	https://www.rennwellness.net/optin	Ravenswood Chiropractic & Wellness Center	https://www.facebook.com/rennwellness/	327	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	rennwellness.net	IMAGE	Start Feeling Better Today 👉	https://www.rennwellness.net/optin	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/480747230_507019458726511_2688272493058787137_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=RnksUoy5O8cQ7kNvgHMJJWq&_nc_oc=Adjj6vrmwsoajWH4EAxW1LIee4FhlTQWU70du8N_4gN14j0cwpiU5Qci1mURsugOfM1yPcyasGhoSD5DfeWKFyIn&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=ApCilCjXhPBKipbIcmxpMvC&oh=00_AYCkkR-5P0msvxgY9FHH8ZAC_j1syldGmF_z-Y3mVYMFuQ&oe=67C7404A	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Ravenswood Chiropractic & Wellness Center	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,707,006	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2706727}'	Yes	2025-02-28 00:30	active	2651	The #1 Cream for Nerve Pain 🏆	How do we know that Nerve Balm is one of the most powerful remedies for nerve pain? Because we can't stop selling out! We are busy here at Lune fulfilling orders, but the orders keep rolling in! What's behind the frenzy? Our customers swear by its power to conquer nerve pain. 💯% Natural Ingredients 🥦Packed with 14+ Superfoods 😃Tens of THOUSANDS of happy customers 💳PLUS a money back guarantee if you're not satisfied. ✓ Soothe pain, prickling, and burning ✓ Calm inflammation & stiffness ✓ Fortify the nerve's protective coating ✓ Improve circulation & healing ✓ Provide long-term results Rest assured; we are increasing our production & are committed to fulfilling every order. Put your order in today & secure your jar of the most impactful nerve pain relief balm that you can find!	SHOP_NOW	https://www.luneusa.com/products/nerve-balm	Lune	https://www.facebook.com/100085237752848/	839	1969-12-31 18:00	Shop Now	luneusa.com	DCO	★★★★★ 4.7	https://www.luneusa.com/products/nerve-balm	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481220815_1162150245494167_1910804973337025845_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=R6ZaEFg_aMgQ7kNvgGjnpan&_nc_oc=Adi7WdyevDaprGMx_39R7ygT9HXug_-hhzLh50FvO0rIOQH7iZzC8Mf8iGgmUyFvV17bGHCCQbOnOhR86h2x1bvL&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=APo6jsbWvg77h6sUSXISibs&oh=00_AYDN8opkgR1btp8uLMdP_UZvnQT97gQ2qc4M7B29g0vluQ&oe=67C72508	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Lune	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,707,004	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2706727}'	Yes	2025-02-28 00:30	active	2651	The #1 Cream for Nerve Pain 🏆	How do we know that Nerve Balm is one of the most powerful remedies for nerve pain? Because we can't stop selling out! We are busy here at Lune fulfilling orders, but the orders keep rolling in! What's behind the frenzy? Our customers swear by its power to conquer nerve pain. 💯% Natural Ingredients 🥦Packed with 14+ Superfoods 😃Tens of THOUSANDS of happy customers 💳PLUS a money back guarantee if you're not satisfied. ✓ Soothe pain, prickling, and burning ✓ Calm inflammation & stiffness ✓ Fortify the nerve's protective coating ✓ Improve circulation & healing ✓ Provide long-term results Rest assured; we are increasing our production & are committed to fulfilling every order. Put your order in today & secure your jar of the most impactful nerve pain relief balm that you can find!	SHOP_NOW	https://www.luneusa.com/products/nerve-balm	Lune	https://www.facebook.com/100085237752848/	839	1969-12-31 18:00	Shop Now	luneusa.com	DCO	★★★★★ 4.7	https://www.luneusa.com/products/nerve-balm	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481246704_1141887804384638_5943784907487238234_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=XqCJ-6YnpeQQ7kNvgES5CI5&_nc_oc=AdiXlFTzIY0wMg4qv1BHmz-SXXzWNpGornmOL-gZ6Yr3BLbds05saAjlWygRzGuRfdVpLARN07ugARLefVBAxkPm&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=APo6jsbWvg77h6sUSXISibs&oh=00_AYBe9-s8tBvPGi3TRoxTn0kQ5mXjCwC96AC82Ow28fywlA&oe=67C73C50	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Lune	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,707,010	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2706727}'	Yes	2025-02-28 00:30	active	2651	The #1 Cream for Nerve Pain 🏆	How do we know that Nerve Balm is one of the most powerful remedies for nerve pain? Because we can't stop selling out! We are busy here at Lune fulfilling orders, but the orders keep rolling in! What's behind the frenzy? Our customers swear by its power to conquer nerve pain. 💯% Natural Ingredients 🥦Packed with 14+ Superfoods 😃Tens of THOUSANDS of happy customers 💳PLUS a money back guarantee if you're not satisfied. ✓ Soothe pain, prickling, and burning ✓ Calm inflammation & stiffness ✓ Fortify the nerve's protective coating ✓ Improve circulation & healing ✓ Provide long-term results Rest assured; we are increasing our production & are committed to fulfilling every order. Put your order in today & secure your jar of the most impactful nerve pain relief balm that you can find!	SHOP_NOW	https://www.luneusa.com/products/nerve-balm	Lune	https://www.facebook.com/100085237752848/	839	1969-12-31 18:00	Shop Now	luneusa.com	DCO	★★★★★ 4.7	https://www.luneusa.com/products/nerve-balm	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481220815_1162150245494167_1910804973337025845_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=R6ZaEFg_aMgQ7kNvgGjnpan&_nc_oc=Adi7WdyevDaprGMx_39R7ygT9HXug_-hhzLh50FvO0rIOQH7iZzC8Mf8iGgmUyFvV17bGHCCQbOnOhR86h2x1bvL&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=APo6jsbWvg77h6sUSXISibs&oh=00_AYDN8opkgR1btp8uLMdP_UZvnQT97gQ2qc4M7B29g0vluQ&oe=67C72508	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Lune	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,706,822	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2706778}'	No	2025-02-28 00:30	active	2651	🔥 Download Goodnovel to read the full novel 😍👉👉👉👉 "Seducing My Ex's Father In Law"	Today was supposed to be the day my fated mate and I got engaged. But now I’m watching him kiss another woman. Marrying her could make him the future Alpha because she’s the daughter of Gavin Landry, the most powerful Lycan chairman in the world. A couple of months ago, our Alpha died during a battle, and now all the candidates are competing for that position, including my mate, Ethan. Everyone knows the Lycans control the werewolf population. And Gavin? He could singlehandedly appoint everyone the new Alpha. So, Ethan made his choice. Her, not me. “Get me a whiskey and a martini for the lady,” A deep voice sounded from nearby. “Is it the future bride, or the future groom that’s got you in a mood?” “I’m just not into parties,” I decided to say. “Nor am I,” he murmured. “I’m here out of obligation.” The bartender placed my drink in front of me and I immediately took a sip, sighing in contentment. I waited for it to do its job and finish numbing the pain. Every time Ethan kissed her it destroyed me a little more. How had my life taken such a devastating turn? How could my fated mate do this to me? Did our 2 years together truly mean nothing? Did the mark on my neck mean that little to him? “Thank you for the drink,” I told the man. I took one last sip of my martini and started to get down from the stool, except my blouse snagged on the corner of the counter and just as I heard a tearing sound, I began to fall to the ground. I closed my eyes, bracing myself for the impact, but it never came. Instead, I felt strong arms wrapping around my body, lifting me into the air. I opened my eyes and peeked up at the man who caught me, and my breath hitched. He was so handsome. He held me with ease as if I weighed nothing and I could tell from the feeling of his arms around me that he was muscular. He smiled down at me and a dimple appeared on his right cheek. I wanted to lick that dimple. “Madam, are you falling for me?” He asked teasingly. I stared at him for a heartbeat longer before I squinted my eyes at him, seeing what he did there. “You’re a funny one, aren’t you?” He grinned. Then he looked at my shirt and immediately frowned. “Let me take you to my suite upstairs,” he said, making my heart skip a beat. “What?” I said in barely a whisper. His eyes met mine and I got lost in their beauty for a moment. Goddess, his good looks were sinful. “Your shirt is ripped. I have one you can wear upstairs in my VIP suite,” he explained. I blinked a couple of times and gave a nervous chuckle. “Oh, alright. Thank you,” I managed to sputter. He turned to the bartender. “Charge our drinks to my suite,” he ordered. “Yes, sir.” I allowed the man to carry me out of the room. His arms were so warm that I found myself resting my head against his broad chest, breathing in his minty scent. My wolf was practically purring in my mind. She’d been quiet for most of the evening while she licked the wounds the broken mate bond had caused. But right now, it was as if she had forgotten she was heartbroken. “Take off your shirt,” he instructed once we were in the suite. He had released me and was walking to the closet. “Excuse me?” I squeaked. “So, you can put on a new shirt,” he explained. “Right,” I breathed. I lifted my ripped shirt over my head and threw it onto the bed, leaving me in only my innerwear from the waist up. Once he found a shirt, he turned around to face me, and his entire body froze as his eyes trailed down my body. I was too busy checking him out to notice him staring at me but the longer I stared at him, the more I started to recognize him. Then, realization struck me, and I gasped. “It’s you…” I breathed, taking a step back. His eyes shifted upward and met mine; his brow arched. “You know me?” He asked. “I know of you,” I clarified. The corner of his lips tipped upward as he walked towards me, slowly, as if he were stalking his prey. I could practically hear the sounds of my heartbeat. “And what do you know of me?” “Only what I’ve heard…” I admitted. “And what have you heard?” “You’re Gavin Landry, Lycan Chairman. You’re a heartbreaker. You have a new woman each week and you never sleep with the same woman twice.” He raised his brows. “Is that so?” He asked. “Tell me more about myself.” Heck, he's the father of the bride and Ethan's future father-in-law? I'm confused, I don't know what I should do. But I'm not surprised I didn't recognize him at first. The Lycan family isn't high profile, they're more used to staying behind the scenes than becoming politicians and celebrities like werewolf Alpha. Should I tell him who I am? But that would be foolish at this moment. He continued to walk towards me, and I continued to walk backward until my back hit the wall. “What more do you want to know?” I asked, my voice coming out breathy. “Everything.” I’m not sure if it was the martini speaking or me, but I decided to be bold. If Ethan can indulge himself in someone new, then so could I. I lifted my gaze to meet his as he neared closer. “Your eyes…” I started to say. “I’ve heard that they were mesmerizing, and I must agree.” “What else?” I swallowed the lump in my throat. “When you smile, you have this adorable dimple on your cheek…” I whispered. He was only inches from me now, staring so intently at me that I thought I would burn up under his scrutiny. He licked his lips, drawing my attention to his mouth. “And your lips…” Before I could finish that sentence, his mouth crashed into mine. His kiss was anything but soft and sweet but filled with hunger and possession. I kissed him with just as much eagerness. His tongue made its way to mine, tasting every inch of me. He lifted me into the air, my body pinned between the wall and him. Instinctively I wrapped my legs around his waist and allowed him to deepen the kiss. His tongue trailed down the nape of my neck and warmth spread across my body as I felt him nibbling my soft flesh. All self-control and common sense left my mind the moment we kissed. All I could think about was Gavin; he consumed my mind, body, and soul entirely. I pulled at his tie, wanting to take it and his shirt off. He helped me undo his tie and then lifted his shirt over his head, tossing it to the ground. I let my fingers explore his body; they roamed over his torso and up his broad shoulders. I moaned into his mouth as his tongue found mine again. “Are you sure you want this?” He asked between kisses. “Yes,” I rasped out. “We are both willing adults, so why not?” We kissed again and just as he was about to take off my innerwear, I received a tearful mindlink from my adoptive mother. “Judy! Please, come home!” She sounded panicked; my mother never panicked. Hearing her voice was like cold water being dumped on my head and I gasped. I let my legs fall from around him and I pressed against his chest. “Stop,” I said breathlessly. “I have to go.” He frowned. “I don’t have much patience; stop joking,” he says, a hint of anger in his tone. “I’m so sorry. But I’m sure you have plenty of other options,” I said and started to run towards the door, but he grabbed my arm, stopping me. I whirl around to face him, my own anger rushing to the surface but before I can say anything, he points to the bed. “Your shirt is ripped, remember?” I looked down at my innerwear with a frown. “Oh…” He sighed, grabbing his shirt and putting it over my head. I inhaled deeply and warmth spread throughout my body; it smelled like him. …… The moment I stepped into the house; I could hear my mother sobbing. “Judy?” My mother sobbed; I could hear that she was in the kitchen and my heart stuttered at the sound of her broken voice. “Your father was taken away by the Gammas tonight.” Chapter 2 Judy’s POV My heart fell into my stomach. “What?!” I gasped. We lived in a decent-sized house; my adoptive father, being a successful businessman and a Delta of the Redmoon pack, had a lot of money. “He was arrested,” she explained. “He made a bad investment for the company, and he ended up losing all the money. He went completely bankrupt and now he owes the pack so much money. Until he pays it, they put him in jail.” “They can’t just come and take him away like this,” I said, standing to my feet, hardly able to contain my emotions. “Without any warning? That’s not fair!” “They can do whatever they want. The Beta is under the jurisdiction of the Lycans, and it was his decision. Loan sharks are ruthless, and nobody wishes to deal with them. It’s easier to just get rid of the problem and right now… your father is the problem.” Before I could say anything more, my phone started to ring. I reached into my bag and pulled it out. I frowned when I saw the name flash across the screen. “I heard about your father,” Ethan’s voice was soft as he spoke, and my traitorous heart skipped a beat. I hated how my body responded to him still; it was because of this foolish mate bond. Even though he rejected me, and I accepted it, that didn’t mean it severed our bond. It won’t be severed until he marks someone else.“I might have a suggestion though. But I’d like to tell you in person. Come outside.” I quickly left the kitchen and walked out of the house. Ethan was leaning against his car with his arms folded across his chest. Goddess, I hated how good he looked. I had been in love with him for longer than 2 years. He was my friend, my confidant, my fated mate. When he rejected me, it destroyed everything I had dreamt of. I wrapped my arms around my body, desperately trying to hold myself together. “Why are you here?” I asked him after a long and awkward silence. “I wanted to talk to you,” he replied. “Why?” The corner of his lips tipped upwards as he stared at me; I nearly melted under his scrutiny, and I had to shift my gaze to look at the ground. “Because I can help you,” he answered. “Your father’s funding chain is broken, and he now owes a lot of money. I know for a fact that he doesn’t have that kind of money, especially now that his business has gone under. But I do.” I lifted my gaze to meet him; he was serious. “Are you saying you’d pay my father’s debt?” I asked him. He nodded. “Yes,” he answered. “And what would we have to do in return?” I asked, almost afraid to ask. He smirked, which gave me an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach. “There is a condition,” he confessed. I waited silently for him to continue, my eyes never leaving his. “After I get married, I want you to drop out of school and become my mistress.” I couldn’t have heard him correctly; I stared at him with my jaw practically on the ground. “Excuse me?” I managed to sputter. “You want me to what??” “Drop out of school and become my mistress. I already have a luxurious home for you to live in. You would never have to want for anything. I’ll pay off your father’s debt and give you more money than you could dream of.” “How… how could you ask me to do such a thing?” I asked in a choked whisper; tears threatened to spill from my eyes, but I kept them away, not wanting him to see my break. He stepped closer to me, and I felt rooted to the ground, unable to move away. My wolf was whimpering about his request; she couldn’t believe our mate could ask such a thing from us. She was gutted and I hated that she was put in this position. “Because we’ve always been so good together, Judy,” he said, reaching out and touching my arm gently. “We will always have this strong connection, even if I mark someone else. You and your family would be set for life… all you have to do is say yes…” He was rubbing his fingers up and down my arms and I felt sick to my stomach. I finally found the strength to step away from him, my body trembling. “No,” I said, meeting his eyes. “I would never become your mistress.” His eyes darkened. “I’m about to become the Alpha, Judy. You must get with the times. Becoming my mistress would only benefit you and plus, don’t you want your father out of jail?” “I will find another way,” I said through my teeth. “If that’s all you came here to say, then I’ve heard enough. You can leave.” He raised his brows as he stared at me. He studied me for a moment longer like he expected me to change his mind at any moment. “You’ll change your mind,” he told me as he stepped away from me and towards his car. “And when you do, I’ll be here. But until then, your father will remain in prison.” “I’ll figure it out,” I said to his retreating back. “We don’t need you, Ethan!” He chuckled as he opened his car door and then he turned back to gaze into my eyes. “In order to get him out of prison, you’ll need at least 5 million dollars. When you realize that there’s no other option, you’ll come to your senses. I’m sure of it.” Without another word, he got into his car. I watched as he drove away, disappearing into the night. It was only when he disappeared that I allowed myself to fall to the ground. Tears streamed down my cheeks before I could stop them. 5 million dollars? How was I going to come up with that kind of money? —————— I had two classes this morning and one later in the afternoon. My first class was warrior training, and my second class was shifting, both of which I excelled at. I was going to college for Gamma training so that once I graduated, I could prove myself to the Gamma force and become a warrior. Then I would easily be able to pay off my father’s debt and save my family. “You look terrible,” my best friend, Nan, pointed out as I sat beside her against the large Oaktree; the very tree we always met up at. “It was a rough night,” I admitted as I took out my textbook to study. “Where did you go last night? When I returned, you were gone. Did you leave early because of the engagement party?” I bit my lower lip as I thought about what to say to her. If I lied, she’d be able to see right through me. I was a terrible liar initially, but Nan could read me like a book. “I ripped my shirt, and someone brought me into his room to change,” I said, feeling my cheeks growing warm at the memory. She raised her brows, and I could barely look at her. “You went to someone’s room?” She asked. “Whose?” I was quiet for a moment, and she grabbed my arm, getting my attention. “Judy, who did you leave with?” She asked, now her voice was filled with alarm. I knew there was no getting out of this conversation. I bit my lip and peeked up at her through my lashes. “Gavin Landry,” I squeaked. Chapter 3 Judy’s POV “Shut up!” She gasped. “Are you serious?? You went to Gavin Landry’s VIP suite? As in THE Gavin Landry?!” I nearly tackled her; she was being so loud! “Keep your voice down!” I scolded, attempting to cover her mouth with my hands but she was too quick and dodged me. “How can I possibly keep it down when my best friend went to Gavin Landry’s hotel room last night and waited until now to tell me!” She exclaimed. Nan was a waitress at the hotel restaurant the engagement party was at last night. The hotel, called Carter Resorts, was in the human territory, and it was owned by Patrick Carter, the Delta of the Silver Crescent pack. Which happened to be Gavin Landry’s pack. I wasn’t surprised to see Gavin there last night, especially considering his daughter was the bride-to-be. I was less surprised to see that he had a VIP suite at the hotel. I sighed. “It all happened so fast, and I had a bit too much to drink,” I admitted. “I forgot when I got home because other stuff happened.” I wrapped my arms around my body and looked up at her concerned eyes. “What else happened?” She asked, her voice dropping to a whisper. I took a deep breath, and I told Nan everything that happened, right up until Ethan came over and asked me to be his mistress in exchange for him paying off my father’s debt. By the time I finished talking, Nan’s jaw had dropped. “The nerve of that scum!” She hissed. “How dare he! He rejected you and now he wants you to be his bit on the side?! He has zero shame.” “I’m not sure what I’m going to do, Nan,” I whispered. “There’s no way I could come up with 5 million dollars to pay off my father’s debt.” We both fell silent as our thoughts consumed us and then her face lit up. I knew that look well and it grew nervous as a smile spread across her face. I knew right away that she had an idea, and I also knew that I wasn’t going to like it. “You said that he gave you his shirt to wear?” She asked. I nodded. She gasped and grabbed my arm. “Isn’t it obvious, Judy? Gavin is into you. That’s the only reason he’d give you his shirt. He wanted his scent on you! He's very picky. In all my time as a waitress, you're the first woman he's ever offered.” I gawked at her. She had officially lost her mind. “Gavin’s not into me,” I said, shaking my head. “He gave me his shirt because mine ripped. There was nothing to it.” “Why would he even care?” Nan asked, folding her arms across her chest. “He’s Gavin Landry and doesn’t need to care about any of this. Besides, you mentioned that he kissed you heatedly. You were ready to go all the way with him, which is huge because you were planning on waiting until after you were married. There had to be some kind of connection last night.” I glanced at my hands. “Or maybe I was just hurting and wanted to get back at Ethan,” I murmured. “Plus, I had a little too much to drink.” “Drunk actions are sober thoughts or something like that,” she said, waving away my words. Then, she smirked. “You could use this to your advantage. Do you still have that lingerie you bought for your wedding night? You should pay Gavin a little visit and make him an offer he can’t refuse.” ___ I knew it was a bad idea the moment she spoke the words, but her words continued to replay in my mind for the remainder of the day and night. When I woke up the next morning, my mind was made up. I went to my closet and grabbed my red lingerie. I had only tried it on once and I felt a little self-conscious wearing it, but I knew the night of my wedding when I finally gave myself over to Ethan fully, it wouldn’t matter what I was wearing. My heart ached at the thought, and I quickly brushed it out of my head before I started to cry again. I dressed in the lingerie, and I grabbed a long trench coat, wrapping it around my body. I left my hair down and I put on a little makeup to make my features pop. For the last day or so, my mother had either been speaking on the phone to lawyers, visiting my father in prison, or in her room. I had barely seen or spoken to her since I told her Ethan wasn’t going to help us. I hated knowing I disappointed her, but hopefully, this would fix all our problems. It was no secret where Gavin’s office was; everybody knew the famous Gavin Landry Corporation. When I walked through the front door, the receptionist was typing on her computer. She barely spared me a look as I approached the desk. “Good morning, I’m here to see Gavin Landry,” I said as politely as I could. The receptionist looked upward at me and blinked a couple of times, looking less than amused. “Do you have an appointment?” “Uh, no, but—” “Look, I don’t have time for this. Countless women come in here and request to speak with Gavin and I’m going to tell you what I tell them. Mr. Landry is incredibly busy, and he doesn’t have time or patience to be dealing with another fan girl,” she said bitterly. “And what gives you the right to turn away those who come to see me?” A deep voice boomed. Chapter 4 Judy’s POV “Mr. Landry,” the receptionist said, quickly standing to her feet. She suddenly seemed disheveled, and I wanted to smirk with satisfaction, but I kept it held in. “I asked you a question, Laura,” he said, narrowing his eyes at her. “What gives you the right to send away guests? You know the protocol. You are to call my office, and I am the one who decides whether or not I will see them or not. Not you.” She swallowed and glanced at the ground as if staring directly at him physically hurt her. “Come with me.” It took me a second to realize he was speaking to me, but when I saw the receptionist glaring at me and Gavin’s retreating back, I nearly stumbled over my feet to catch up to him. He walked through a luxurious waiting room until we reached a glass elevator. It was very high-tech with a touch screen attached to it. He brought up a keypad and typed in some sequence before pressing the floor number. He stood so close to me that the elevator felt almost cramped, despite it being a wide space. I could smell his incredible minty scent, mixed in with his aftershave and my heart skipped a beat. He didn’t bother looking at me though and I was starting to doubt this plan would work. Maybe he didn’t like me as much as I thought he did. I felt awkward knowing that under this coat was nothing but lingerie. The elevator came to a halt and the doors opened. It was an extremely large space with marble flooring and granite walls. “Where exactly is your office?” I asked, staring around the gorgeous area. He glanced at me; his face kept indifferent. “This is my office.” My eyes grew large at his words. He continued walking until he rounded the corner and sure enough, there was his desk right in front of large windows that overlooked the human city. It was gorgeous and my stomach twisted with nerves. He didn’t bother sitting on his desk chair. Instead, he turned to face me, leaning against his desk and folding his arms across his chest. I swallowed the lump in my throat as I took him in. He wore a white dress shirt with sleeves rolled up halfway, showing off his incredible muscles and his dark dress pants hugged his waist perfectly, showcasing his incredible form. My wolf purred with satisfaction, and I found myself staring at him for way longer than I intended to. He cleared his throat, making me nearly jump out of my skin as my gaze shot upward and met his. He was smirking at me, as if to say, “Caught you.” My cheeks burned from the embarrassment I felt. “So, what did you come here for?” He asked, breaking the tension between us. Oh. Right. The reason I’m here. “I have a problem, and I need your help,” I said in a rush. He raised his right brow. “What kind of problem?” I cleared my throat before continuing. “My father was arrested the other night,” I blurted. “His business went bankrupt, and he owes a lot of money. Roughly 5 million dollars.” He was silent as he stared at me; I realized he was waiting for me to continue. Probably wanted to know how I needed his help. “I was hoping you’d be able to help him and maybe pay the debt for my father so he could get out of prison?” I asked, biting my lip. He was quiet for another moment, processing my request before he ran his hands over his face. “And what would I get in return for helping your family?” He asked. I swallowed the lump in my throat. Confidence: I needed confidence. I held my head up high and looked him right in the eyes. It was known as a challenge to look an Alpha directly in the eyes, even worse so looking a Lycan directly in the eyes. But Gavin wasn’t as angry as I thought he would be, instead, he looked intrigued. “Well,” I began, I dropped my voice low as I stepped closer to him. “At the party the other day, we obviously had a connection…” I felt my cheeks growing hot as I spoke those words. “And I thought maybe…” I took a deep breath and undid my coat, revealing a portion of my lingerie, but not all of it. Not yet at least. His eyes darkened as he gazed over my body, and I nearly melted under his scrutiny. I suddenly had a surge of confidence, and I reached my hand out to touch his arm. “I thought maybe I could do some favors for you in return,” I said in a sultry voice. “I’m a college student and very clean. I haven’t done it before, but I’m on birth control, so you don’t need to worry about anything.” His breathing grew heavy as he straightened his posture, closing the small gap between us. His nearness was intoxicating, and my heart started to race against my chest. His scent enveloped me, and I couldn’t remember the last time I felt this delirious. He reached his hand up and I felt his fingers glide down my cheek, sending a wave of warmth throughout my whole body. We were so close together that I thought I was going to pass out from the heat that consumed me. His eyes were dark like they were the night in the VIP suite. He swallowed hard and I watched his Adam’s apple move slightly. I closed my eyes, preparing for him to kiss me. I could feel his breath on my lips and just as I leaned in close to him, getting ready for his embrace, it never came. Instead, I felt him adjusting my coat, covering my body. My eyes flew open, and I looked at his stern expression. “Do you really think I need to pay a woman for her body?” He asked, breaking the silence. “You said it yourself that I have many options.” My cheeks flushed immediately. “I just thought—” “You thought you could use your body to pay for my help,” he said, interrupting me. “You are still young, Miss Montague. You will regret taking such shortcuts in the future.” How did he know my name? I hadn’t told him. Had he looked into me? My heart skipped a beat at the thought, but his words were slowly crushing me. He didn’t want me. I lowered my gaze, hating how hot my face was getting. I knew he could see just how embarrassed I was. When he spoke next, he softened his voice and spoke with compassion. “Look, I have a daughter,” he told me. “I would never teach her to use her body as a transaction. I want more for her and her future, and I expect better from her.” He reached his hand and caressed the nape of my neck with his fingertips; my breath hitched as I gazed into his eyes. “I expected better from you,” he added; my heart fell into my stomach and disappointment consumed me. He was right. I was better than this. I nodded my head and opened my mouth to speak, but I heard footsteps behind me. I turned to see a couple of security guards standing nearby and I whipped around to look at Gavin with wide eyes. “I’m afraid my time is up, and my patience has run out,” Gavin said, looking at me briefly before glancing at the security guards. “Accompany Miss Montague out of the building, please.” “Yes sir,” they both said. They stood on each side of me, and I stared at Gavin with shock. I didn’t fight or argue with the security guards as they told me to come with them. “Thank you for your time,” I managed to say before I turned and left the office. I wanted to cry because of the shame, but I knew more importantly I needed a new job. …. “I’m so excited we get to work together,” Nan said with a wide smile. “And you look great in that uniform.” I looked down at my uniform. I felt ridiculous in this thing; it was a short skirt and a crop top that showed way too much bosom. I felt like I was on display. Especially at night when this place pretty much turned into a club. These men are wealthy and would tip generously. It was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up when I was struggling for money. “That’s what friends are for,” she said, nudging my arm with hers. She looked behind me and sighed. “Looks like we are getting a group of guys. Good luck,” she said. I sighed and turned to greet the customers but then I froze when I saw who was amongst them. Ethan. Chapter 5 Judy’s POV “You were right,” I heard one of his friends saying. “She does work here. This is going to be so good.” “Hey, call girl, can we get a table, or are you just going to stare at us?” Call girl? I placed the menus on the table for them and waited for each of them to take a seat. “I’m not a call girl. Please, take your seat.” As I leaned over the table to put the beer in front of each of them, one of them grabbed my rear end. I felt my entire body freeze. “I like this little uniform on you. How about you take it off and see what’s underneath.” My entire body went hot as I stepped back from the table, forcing his hand to drop. “Do not touch me,” I said loudly to each of them. “Oh, come on, Judy. Aren’t you here to satisfy men?” Another of his friends asked. “So come here and satisfy us. Sit on my lap.” I pressed my lips together. “I’m not a call girl,” I told them for the final time. “I’m a waitress.” “You got this job because you’re hot,” one of them chuckled. “The manager didn’t care about your skills. He cared about whether or not you could flirt with the customers and make him a lot of money. I’m willing to give you a good tip if you let me see what’s underneath your uniform and sit on my lap.” I felt my blood going cold from his words. “Come here baby girl,” he said, patting his lap and winking at me. I just stared at him, disbelieving. I looked at Ethan who was watching me, waiting to see what I would do. How could he just let his friends speak to me like this? At one point, he would have never allowed this. He would have punched anyone who looked at me with desire in their eyes. Now, he was acting as if he didn’t care. “I’ll give you 10 thousand dollars if you drink this entire beer,” one of his friends asked. My mouth nearly fell open. “What?” I asked. “You heard me,” he answered. “Drink this whole beer and you’ll get 10 thousand dollars.” “We’ll all give you 10 thousand dollars each if you drink all of our beers,” another one said. I stared at the beer and then at the men. My eyes landed on Ethan once more; he raised his brows, waiting for my answer. Swallowing my pride, I stepped towards the table and grabbed one of the glasses. I really didn’t like beer, but money was money, and I knew Ethan’s friends were rich and could pay that kind of money easily. I needed the cash to get my father out of prison and pay off his debt. I brought the cup to my lips and let the liquid run down my throat. I winced at the bitter taste, but I kept pushing myself until the cup was empty. His friends were cheering and chanting as I drank the contents of the cup. I slammed the cup on the counter and looked at the next guy who slid his beer at me, winking as he did so. I chugged his beer as well. I only got halfway through the third glass when I felt a firm grip around my wrist and I was yanked away. I heard Ethan’s friends booing and telling him he was a party pooper. I had no idea where Ethan was taking me; he was quiet until we reached outside and then he whipped around to glare at me. “Accept my offer and stop this foolishness,” he ordered. “I won’t be your mistress, Ethan,” I told him, narrowing my eyes, my head fuzzy from the beer. “You can forget about that.” “You’d rather act like a little call girl instead?” He asked through his teeth. “You looked ridiculous in there!” “Why do you care? You have your fiancé. This is my private business, and my private business no longer includes you.” “You are still mine, Judy. You will always be mine,” he growled. I wanted to laugh at his ridiculousness, but I also wanted to cry. He was so sweet at one point; I spent more than 2 years loving this man. Now as he stood before me, I realized he was a stranger. “I am not yours,” I told him, glad that my voice came out stronger than I felt. He let out a bitter laugh. “Fine, be a call girl for all I care,” he growled. “Spread your legs for money because that’s all you’re good for—” Before I could stop myself, my hand swung and made contact with his cheek, causing a loud slap. He didn’t flinch but he did grow angrier as he went to grab my throat. He froze though when he looked at my neck and I watched the color draining from his face. “What the heck,” he hissed. He grabbed my chin and yanked my head to the side. “Is that a lovebite?” I realized when getting dressed this morning that the lovebite Gavin left on me the other night was still there. It was fading, but visible. “So, what if it is?” I asked. He released my chin and glared at me, his gaze icy. “Who the heck have you been with?” “That’s not your concern,” I retorted. I turned to walk away, but he gripped my arm, making me whimper in pain as he whipped me around to face him again. “Answer my freaking question, Judy! Who have you been with?!” Through gritted teeth, I answered, “Gavin. Your future father-in-law. Happy now?” He released me and let out a bark of laughter. “Are you kidding me? You don’t have to make up such a ridiculous story,” Ethan said through a fit of laughter. I heard more laughter from nearby and I realized Ethan’s friends were crowding around. “Is she talking about Gavin Landry? He has standards. He would never go for a girl like, Judy.” “Yeah, Judy is a call girl and Gavin is a Lycan chairman. There’s no way,” another friend laughed. “I’m being serious,” I told them, folding my arms across my chest. This time Ethan did grab my throat, and his gaze turned almost deadly. “Stop playing me for a fool and tell me the truth,” he growled. “Gavin would never want someone like you. You are nobody. You don’t fit into his world. ” I couldn’t breathe as his hands tightened around my throat, so I couldn’t respond. “Now, how about you do as I say and move into the house I bought? Once I get married, I’ll see you frequently at night and you can spread your pretty little legs for me only—” There was a loud honk from nearby, making Ethan drop his hold around my neck. I coughed and rubbed my sore neck as he glared at the person interrupting us. I glanced at the black limo and frowned when the door opened. I gasped when I saw Gavin seated in the back, his eyes on me. “Get in,” he ordered. I stared at him, disbelieving. “I won’t ask you again, Judy,” he said through his teeth. I felt Ethan’s shocked eyes on me as I quickly hurried towards the car and got in, closing the door behind me. “Drive,” he instructed the driver. “Yes, sir.” The car started to move; Ethan stood on the curb; his mouth nearly dropped. His friends were equally shocked. Gavin glanced at me, and I felt my cheeks redden. “Using me to make your ex-fiancé jealous, are you?”	LEARN_MORE	https://getokn.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=16927&u	Enjoying reading	https://www.facebook.com/61559698863477/	310	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	getokn.com	VIDEO		https://getokn.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=16927&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}}	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481220966_1139563187445877_2896031718249222730_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=MLuN8brJEYUQ7kNvgG4LnKI&_nc_oc=AdjWRTS2mxIFDDLL3QypM4IiuqlRu2Q8CHRszwUER-y8JSjF0Z-RNExX_yHNpC3TSvsC_rmHd0-SdpZpiGhhIpdu&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AY2iNOEeoBFCVckcfBVMoQW&oh=00_AYAC891UgL2gmyusDlnHqw9yYjRajqBYmTONWdQeT1PYwA&oe=67C74189	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Enjoying reading	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
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2,707,342	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2707166}'	No	2025-02-28 00:30	active	2651	❤️😍Continue reading👉👉👉	"Be honest. Did you ever sleep with Elaine?" The deep, low voice cut through the crack in the door, freezing me in my tracks. My hand hovered over the doorknob. Through the narrow gap, I could see Logan Mercer lounging on the couch, his jaw tight, his lips pressed into a thin line. "She's tried," he said flatly. "But I wasn't interested." "Come on, Logan," his best friend, Caleb Turner, replied with a laugh that carried a hint of disbelief. "Don't sell her short. Everyone knows Elaine's gorgeous. She's got half the guys in our circle chasing after her." Logan tipped his head back slightly, his brows pulling together. "You don't get it. We've known each other too long. It's like…" He hesitated, searching for the words. "It's like knowing what's behind every door before you open it. There's no mystery left." My chest tightened as I listened from the hallway. I first met Logan when I was fourteen. Back then, everyone told me he was the person I'd marry. I was sent to live at the Mercer estate, and for ten years, we'd been tied together—sharing a house, a life, a future, or so I thought. Caleb chuckled, breaking my thoughts. "So you're saying you see too much of her? What, you know how many times she sneezes in a day? How often she checks the mirror?" His teasing tone shifted into something more reflective. "You know, Logan, relationships don't work like that anymore. People want excitement. They crave the chase. It's only fun when you can't have what you want." Logan didn't respond. He just sat there, smk curling up from the cig he'd lit. "So," Caleb pressed, leaning forward, "are you still going to marry her?" My breath caught. Logan' parents had pushed for us to get married, but he'd never given me a clear answer. I hadn't dared to ask. Now, Caleb was doing it for me. Logan exhaled a slow stream of smk, his silence stretching into the room. "Not answering, huh?" Caleb smirked. "Let me guess. You don't want to marry her." "That's not it," Logan replied, his tone clipped. "Then what? You're willing to marry her, but you're not exactly thrilled about it?" Caleb's grin widened, as if he'd struck a nerve. He knew Logan too well. Logan leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "Ever heard this saying?" he asked. Caleb raised an eyebrow. "What saying?" "Some things hold no real value, but you still can't seem to let them go." The words hit me like a punch to the stomach. My grip tightened on the marriage license application I was holding, the paper crumpling slightly beneath my fingers. "So," Caleb said, his voice quieter now, "what's it going to be? Are you marrying her or not?" Logan glanced up, his lips curving into a faint, humorless smile. "Why do you care so much? Are you interested in her? If you want, I'll give her to you." It wasn't just the words, but the way he said them—detached, careless, as though I were an object he was ready to discard. I felt something inside me crack. Logan might not have cared, but I had given him ten years of my life. Ten years during which he'd become my whole world. And now, he was treating me like nothing. Caleb scoffed. "Don't be ridiculous. I'm not that desperate." He stood up, grabbing his jacket off the back of the chair. "But seriously, Logan, if you don't want her, let her go. She deserves better." Logan stubbed out his cig, the motion sharp and deliberate. "Get out, Caleb. You're just here to stir up trouble." Caleb shrugged. "I'm not the one stirring up trouble. That's all on you." He turned toward the door. When he opened it, he froze. I was standing there, still clutching the marriage license application. My legs felt stiff, my fingertips numb. "Elaine," Caleb said, his voice unusually cautious. He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, then forced a small smile. "Were you looking for Logan? He's inside." I couldn't speak. My throat felt dry, and my heart was pounding in my ears. Caleb's gaze flicked to the paper in my hands. He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping. "You should think about what you really want." His shoulder brushed mine as he walked past, leaving me standing there, motionless. The application form felt unbearably heavy in my hands, the weight of it pressing down on me like a stone. After what felt like an eternity, I swallowed hard, forced myself to breathe, and pushed the door open. Chapter 2 The soft rustle of paper caught Logan' attention. He looked up, his dark eyes locking onto mine. I didn't need a mirror to know how grim my expression was. "You look pale," he said, frowning slightly. "Are you feeling unwell?" Without answering, I walked over to his desk, my fingers tightening around the marriage license application in my hand. Swallowing the bitterness in my throat, I finally spoke. "If you don't want to marry me, I can tell your mom myself." His frown deepened. He knew I'd overheard everything. My voice cracked as I continued, "I never thought I'd end up being a burden to you, Logan—" "Elaine," he cut in, his tone calm but firm. "To everyone else, we're already like a married couple." I froze. Was that why? Because it looked right to everyone else? I wanted him to marry me because he loved me, not because it was convenient. Logan capped the pen in his hand with a quiet click, his gaze dropping to the crumpled application form I was holding. "We'll register next Wednesday," he said, the words flat, emotionless. It was what I thought I wanted to hear. But instead of relief, I felt a heavy ache deep in my chest. I shook my head slightly, my voice barely above a whisper. "You don't have to force yourself. I'm not some charity case." "Elaine Hart." His voice turned sharp. I flinched and looked up, meeting his impatient gaze. He held out his hand. "Give it to me." I didn't move. The air between us grew tense, heavy. After a few seconds, he sighed, stood, and crossed the short distance between us. His tall frame towered over me as he exhaled softly, his frustration tempered with a strange gentleness. "I was joking with Caleb," he said, his voice quieter now. "Did you really take it seriously?" Was it really just a joke? "You know how men are," he added, his tone almost dismissive. "Prideful. Stupid." He reached out, his hand sliding down my arm until it found mine. His grip was firm yet strangely comforting. Slowly, he pried the document from my grasp. "Don't let something like this get to you," he said, his voice steady, almost coaxing. With that, he turned away and tucked the application form into a desk drawer. Then, grabbing his coat, he added, "I need to step out for a bit." He'd been doing that a lot lately—leaving without explanation, staying out longer each time. Before he could pass me, I spoke, my voice cutting through the silence. "Logan." He stopped. "Do you like me?" I asked, my words trembling slightly but firm enough to demand an answer. He turned slowly, his dark eyes studying me. For a moment, I thought he might actually answer. Then, a faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips, softening his features. A dimple appeared on his left cheek. Logan looked good when he smiled—too good. I still remembered the first time I saw that smile, ten years ago. I had just arrived at the Mercer estate, a scared girl of fourteen, and he had ruffled my hair and called me "kid." That smile had felt like sunlight breaking through the clouds, warming a part of me I didn't even know existed. Even now, that same smile still had the power to undo me. He reached out, his large hand resting lightly on my head, his fingers ruffling my hair in the same casual, familiar way. "Of course I like you," he said, his voice soft. "Why else would I go across the city to get you roasted pears when you're sick? Or buy you your favorite roses every birthday? Or watch meteor showers with you, even though I hate staying up late?" He paused, his hand sliding from my head to my cheek, his thumb brushing lightly against my skin. "And why else," he added, "would I want to marry you?" His words should've comforted me. They should've been enough. But they weren't. I stared at him, unwilling to let it go this time. "Do you like me romantically?" His hand froze mid-motion. The smile faded from his face. For a moment, I thought I saw something flicker in his eyes—hesitation, uncertainty—but it vanished as quickly as it appeared. His hand dropped to his side, and he let out a soft chuckle, as if I'd asked something foolish. "Don't overthink things," he said lightly. "Come on, let's go home after work. You like fish, right? I'll have someone send over some fresh salmon and cook it for you tonight." Then he turned and walked out, leaving me standing there in the quiet, his words hanging in the air like smoke. He'd dodged the question. Again. The faint scent of his hand cream lingered in the space between us, and the warmth of his touch still burned on my cheek. But my heart felt cold. Logan treated me well. He pampered me. He cared for me. But his affection felt… familial. Like that of an older brother looking after a younger sister. And yet, despite everything, I couldn't stop myself from loving him. I had loved him for ten years. But what now? Should I marry him, knowing that we might spend the rest of our lives together as nothing more than companions, our intimacy stripped of passion and romance? Or should I let him go, even if it meant breaking my own heart, so he could find someone he truly loved? Chapter 3 I couldn't stop thinking about the question all day. It lingered in the back of my mind, unanswered, gnawing at me. By the time Logan came to pick me up that afternoon, I still didn't know what I wanted to do. And yet, I followed him anyway. Habit was a terrifying thing. Ten years was all it took to tether me to this routine—him, the Mercer Estate, and the unspoken understanding that I would always be there. "Why are you so quiet?" he asked, glancing at me as he drove. He must have noticed my mood. I hesitated, my fingers fidgeting with the strap of my bag. Finally, I worked up the courage to say, "Logan, maybe we should—" Before I could finish, his phone rang. The car display lit up with an unlisted number. I saw his grip tighten on the steering wheel, his knuckles whitening. It wasn't like him to look nervous. I turned to study his face, but his expression was unreadable. Without a word, he tapped the screen, switching the call to Bluetooth. "Hello. … Yeah, I'm on my way." The call was brief, but his voice was clipped, his tone unnaturally tense. When it ended, he glanced at me, his jaw tight. "Elaine, something urgent came up. I can't take you home." I knew what he was going to say before he said it. It wasn't the first time. Still, foolishly, I'd hoped he'd at least take me back before running off. My chest ached, but I forced myself to keep my voice steady. "Is something wrong?" He didn't answer. Instead, his gaze shifted to the road ahead as he pulled into a temporary parking spot. "Get off here and grab a taxi," he said, his tone brisk. I stared at him, searching for some kind of explanation, but he offered none. He didn't even bother to lie. What could I say to that? Begging for answers would only humiliate me further. "Text me when you get home," he added, already reaching for the gearshift. I nodded stiffly, clutching my backpack as I climbed out of the car. The cool air hit my face as I stood on the sidewalk, watching his car merge back into traffic. He didn't look back. I already knew. From the call to his unwillingness to explain, I could feel it—something wasn't right. But I didn't ask. I didn't want to peel back the thin, fragile layer of denial that kept me sane. "Be careful on your way home," he called out the window before speeding off. I stood there for a long time, staring at the empty stretch of road where his car had disappeared. My chest felt hollow, my feet rooted to the spot. My phone buzzed in my pocket, snapping me out of my thoughts. It was Nora, my best friend. "Elaine, where are you? Want to grab dinner?" Nora was a gynecologist, sharp-tongued and brilliant. She never minced words, which was exactly what I needed right now. "Sure," I said without hesitation. Nora sounded surprised. "Wow, you didn't even check with Logan first? Did the sun rise in the west today?" I managed a dry laugh, but her words hit a little too close to home. For years, I'd lived as if my entire life revolved around Logan. Every plan, every decision—always prefaced with, "Let me check with him first." "Where are you right now?" I asked, changing the subject. She rattled off an address, and I hailed a taxi to meet her. The moment she saw me, Nora's sharp eyes narrowed. "What happened? Did you and Mr. Perfect have a fight?" She was one of the few people I could confide in, so I told her everything. When I finished, her expression darkened. "Men are the worst," she muttered, stirring her drink with unnecessary force. "He thinks you're boring? Insipid? As if he's some kind of prize. Has he even slept with you?" Her bluntness made my cheeks burn. I shook my head, embarrassed. Nora rolled her eyes. "Exactly. What a jerk. If he spent ten years with you and hasn't even tried, it's not respect, Elaine. It's disinterest." Her words stung because they were true. There had been moments—like the time I'd gotten drunk and kissed him. But instead of kissing me back, he'd gently pulled away and sent me to bed. At the time, I thought it was because he respected me, that he didn't want to take advantage of me. But now, I realized it was because he didn't want me. Wasn't there a saying? That if a man loved a woman, he'd want her. He'd desire her. Logan had never shown that kind of desire. Not once. "I think," I said slowly, my voice trembling, "I want to give up." Nora's eyes softened. She reached across the table and clinked her glass against mine. "Good. You deserve better. There are plenty of guys out there, Elaine. With your looks, you could have anyone." She wasn't wrong. At eighteen, I'd won a beauty pageant. There had been offers for modeling, even acting. If Logan hadn't stopped me, I might have had a career in the spotlight. Over the years, countless men had tried to win me over. But I had eyes for only one. And he didn't want me. The thought made my throat tighten. I pushed back my chair and mumbled an excuse, hurrying to the restroom before Nora could see the tears threatening to spill. I was so distracted I didn't notice the man stepping out of the restroom until it was too late. We collided, and I stumbled, knocking him to the ground. "I'm so sorry!" I exclaimed, reaching out to help him up. But before I could, he shrieked, "Help! Someone's trying to molest me!" His voice rang through the hallway, loud and panicked. My jaw dropped. What just happened? Chapter 4 I never thought I'd find myself sitting in a police station, accused of indecency. The boy I'd accidentally knocked down—who turned out to be a seventeen-year-old named Kian Vaughn—insisted I'd done it on purpose. His story was as absurd as it was infuriating. "She touched me!" Kian declared dramatically, pointing at me like I was a criminal. The officer leaned forward, his expression carefully neutral. "Where exactly did she touch you?" Kian's face lit up with faux indignation as he pointed to his chest and then below his waist. "Here. And here!" I stared at him, dumbfounded. What in the actual hell? I nearly shouted my disbelief out loud. Me, a woman who hadn't even touched Logan—someone I'd been in love with for ten years—was suddenly being accused of assaulting a brat who hadn't even finished puberty. The officer turned his attention to me, his expression skeptical. "I didn't touch him," I said quickly, my voice firm. "I bumped into him by accident. That's it." "Had you been drinking?" he asked, his tone pointed. I blinked, caught off guard. Was that really relevant? But in this world, a drunk man was just a man. A drunk woman? She was indecent. "Yes," I admitted. "I had a bottle of beer." The officer raised an eyebrow, his disbelief clear. I sighed, frustrated. "Look, I wasn't drunk, and I definitely didn't ‘take advantage' of this kid." My words came out sharper than intended, but I was too irritated to care. The officer made a note of my statement before turning back to Kian. "Are you absolutely sure about your accusation? You're aware filing a false report is a crime, right?" Kian crossed his arms defiantly. "I'm sure. She touched me." I clenched my fists, resisting the urge to strangle him. Before I could say something I'd regret, Kian's face suddenly brightened. His gaze shifted to the doorway. "Selene, you're here!" he exclaimed, his voice dripping with childish glee. I turned to see who had arrived, ready to plead my case to his family. But the sight of the two people walking in stopped me cold. The woman was stunning, with long black hair cascading down her back and a flowing white dress that made her look ethereal. She was the kind of woman men imagined as their first love—soft, gentle, perfect. Her name was Selene Vaughn. And standing right next to her was Logan. My heart sank like a stone. "Kian, what happened?" Selene asked, her voice full of concern as she knelt in front of him. Kian ignored her question entirely, his attention locked on Logan. "Hey, Selene, is he my new brother-in-law?" Logan' expression froze. His eyes widened briefly before narrowing, his gaze hardening as it shifted to me. "Elaine," he said, his tone cold and clipped. "What's going on here?" "Brother-in-law, do you know her?" Kian interrupted, pointing at me with exaggerated outrage. "She's a hooligan! She touched me here and here—" He gestured to his chest and groin again, like he was auditioning for a bad soap opera. I didn't have the energy to explain anymore. I just stared at Logan, trying to make sense of what I was seeing. He'd been gone for a few hours. Just a few hours. And now he was someone's "brother-in-law"? Was this why he'd left so suddenly earlier? Selene stood and turned to me, her expression polite but distant. "Elaine, right? I'm Selene, Kian's sister." Her voice was soft, almost apologetic. I was surprised she even knew my name. But then again, I was Logan' shadow, his accessory. Anyone who knew him would know me. I swallowed hard, forcing the bitterness down. "I accidentally knocked your brother over. That's all. I didn't do what he's accusing me of." Selene's lips curved into a small, reassuring smile. "I believe you. Kian can be... dramatic." Without warning, she turned and smacked Kian lightly on the back of his head—twice. "Stop causing trouble," she scolded, her tone gentle but firm. She explained the situation to the officer while the police checked the surveillance footage. Unsurprisingly, the video proved my innocence. The officer sighed, looking at Selene. "Since you two know each other, you can settle this privately. Otherwise, the boy will need to be detained for filing a false report." Selene immediately tugged on Logan' sleeve, a small, intimate gesture that sent a pang through my chest. Logan had always been distant with people. His guarded nature kept most at arm's length, and he hated being touched. But Selene? She seemed to bypass all of that effortlessly. And judging by the lack of reaction from Logan, this wasn't the first time she'd done it. There was an ease between them that I didn't want to analyze too deeply. I opened my mouth to say something, but Logan spoke before I could. "It's fine," he said curtly. "It was a misunderstanding. Let's drop it." Before I could process his words, I felt his hand wrap around my wrist, firm and unyielding. Without another word, he pulled me out. Chapter 5 Logan' hand gripped mine so tightly that it hurt. He didn't say a word at first, but his jaw was clenched, his anger radiating off him like heat. "Elaine," he said, his tone low and biting. "Did you go to the bar to drink? Is this your idea of revenge? Acting out just because of something I said?" I blinked, stunned. Revenge? Was that really what he thought? His jaw tightened, and his eyes burned with an intensity I rarely saw. The raw emotion in his face—anger, frustration—momentarily silenced me. It was almost… possessive. For a brief moment, the bitterness in my chest eased. Maybe, just maybe, he cared. If he only saw me as a sister or a friend, he wouldn't care so much about what happened. "No," I repeated firmly. "I didn't—" Before Logan could respond, Kian swaggered out of the building, wearing his trademark smirk. He whistled as if he hadn't just caused chaos. "Hooligan," he called out, his voice dripping with mockery. "What are you trying to do now? Seduce my brother-in-law?" I bit back a groan. Some people were born to test your patience, and Kian Vaughn was one of them. As he walked toward me, his cocky grin widened, and I couldn't help but glance at Selene. She stood nearby, her expression carefully composed, the perfect picture of innocence. But I couldn't forget the way she'd touched Logan earlier—light, casual, intimate. The memory burned in my mind. Acting on impulse, I reached out and took Logan' arm. His muscles tensed under my touch, but he didn't pull away. "You're talking nonsense again," Selene said, her voice soft as she stepped forward and pinched Kian's arm. Her chastising tone came with a faint smile, like she was used to handling his antics. She turned to me with an apologetic look. "Elaine, I'm so sorry." "It's not your fault," Logan said before I could respond. His voice was firm, his eyes locked on Kian. "And you," he added, his tone sharp, "this is your last warning. Cause trouble again, and no one will save you." Kian, defiant as ever, glared up at him. "Who do you think you are? You're not my dad. I'll only listen to you if you marry my sister and actually become my brother-in-law." "Kian!" Selene hissed, her face flushing with embarrassment. She smacked his arm harder this time, but he dodged her, laughing. "Don't act like you don't know," Kian taunted, his voice loud and obnoxious. "He likes you, Selene. Why else would he spend all his time with you? Day and night, taking care of you like you're the only person in the world?" My grip on Logan' arm tightened involuntarily. Day and night. The words struck a nerve. Logan had barely been home these past weeks, disappearing for hours on end without notice. I'd tried to dismiss it, telling myself he was busy with work. But now, hearing Kian's words, the truth felt undeniable. He'd been with Selene. Of course, I knew why. She was his late best friend's widow. It made sense for him to take care of her after her husband's tragic death. But every day? To the point where her own brother saw it as something more? "What are you even talking about?" Selene snapped, her voice trembling as she hit Kian again, harder this time. He raised his hand instinctively to block her, but the motion caught her off balance. Selene staggered, her heels slipping on the pavement. "Watch out!" Logan shouted. I felt a shove, and before I could steady myself, I stumbled backward. By the time I regained my footing, Logan was already by Selene's side. He knelt on one knee, holding her as if she were made of glass. "Selene, are you okay?" His voice was frantic, his hands steadying her. "Where does it hurt?" Her face twisted in pain as she clutched his arm. "My stomach," she whimpered. "It hurts, Logan." "Don't worry," he said, his voice trembling. "I'll take you to the hospital. You're going to be okay." I stood frozen, watching the scene unfold like an outsider. I'd seen Logan in countless situations—calm, composed, in control. But now? He was panicking. For her. Not once in ten years had I ever seen him look at me like that. "Elaine!" Logan barked, snapping me out of my daze. "Get in the car. You're driving." For a moment, I couldn't move. "Hurry up!" Kian shouted, storming over to me. He grabbed my arm roughly, and something inside me snapped. Without thinking, I raised my hand and slapped him. The sharp crack echoed in the air. Kian stumbled back, his cheek already reddening with the imprint of my fingers. He touched his face, stunned, before his expression twisted in anger. "You—" he hissed, lifting his hand as if to strike me back. "Kian!" Logan' voice cut through the tension like a blade. "If you touch her, I'll make sure you go back inside." Kian froze, his hand hovering mid-air. After a moment, he lowered it, glaring at both Logan and me before stomping off. "Kian!" Selene called after him weakly, but her voice gave way to a pained cry as she clutched her stomach again. "Logan… It hurts," she whimpered. "Please, take me to the hospital." Logan didn't hesitate. "Elaine!" he barked again. I swallowed the lump in my throat and climbed into the driver's seat. Selene groaned in pain as Logan helped her into the backseat, his voice low and soothing as he reassured her. "Doctor!" Logan shouted the moment we arrived at the hospital. "She's pregnant, and she just fell. She's in a lot of pain!" Pregnant? The word echoed in my mind, heavy and disorienting. My legs felt like they were weighed down with lead as I stood there, unable to move. My chest tightened, and a sinking feeling settled in my stomach. Selene's husband was dead. How could she be pregnant? My gaze drifted to Logan. His face was taut with panic, his eyes fixed on the door to the emergency room. He looked so anxious, so desperate. Was he... was he worried because the baby was his?	INSTALL_MOBILE_APP	http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.t	ReadStory	https://www.facebook.com/61570605681062/	22	1969-12-31 18:00	Install now	play.google.com	IMAGE		http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tapread.reader	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/480680186_1029468302326108_4452841428323388900_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=_j8iR8hU0lYQ7kNvgH8F-e9&_nc_oc=AdiqJkj9cpFqppGPMNRCeR7hpgp3Z_Hp64SahA86nzHy-s7IORowNe4d-S3oFXDKBEc10wpo--tZwDYVgmj46yMN&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AhkCwi8TWwgzxp1PVcokhEr&oh=00_AYAq3rt7vdxQ-Wq7pH8nRGCpa-2cjC0Z0616rRZyc89EYA&oe=67C71FDC	PERSON_PROFILE	0	ReadStory	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
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2,706,863	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2706778}'	No	2025-02-28 00:30	active	2651	🔥 Download Goodnovel to read the full novel 😍👉👉👉👉 "Seducing My Ex's Father In Law"	Today was supposed to be the day my fated mate and I got engaged. But now I’m watching him kiss another woman. Marrying her could make him the future Alpha because she’s the daughter of Gavin Landry, the most powerful Lycan chairman in the world. A couple of months ago, our Alpha died during a battle, and now all the candidates are competing for that position, including my mate, Ethan. Everyone knows the Lycans control the werewolf population. And Gavin? He could singlehandedly appoint everyone the new Alpha. So, Ethan made his choice. Her, not me. “Get me a whiskey and a martini for the lady,” A deep voice sounded from nearby. “Is it the future bride, or the future groom that’s got you in a mood?” “I’m just not into parties,” I decided to say. “Nor am I,” he murmured. “I’m here out of obligation.” The bartender placed my drink in front of me and I immediately took a sip, sighing in contentment. I waited for it to do its job and finish numbing the pain. Every time Ethan kissed her it destroyed me a little more. How had my life taken such a devastating turn? How could my fated mate do this to me? Did our 2 years together truly mean nothing? Did the mark on my neck mean that little to him? “Thank you for the drink,” I told the man. I took one last sip of my martini and started to get down from the stool, except my blouse snagged on the corner of the counter and just as I heard a tearing sound, I began to fall to the ground. I closed my eyes, bracing myself for the impact, but it never came. Instead, I felt strong arms wrapping around my body, lifting me into the air. I opened my eyes and peeked up at the man who caught me, and my breath hitched. He was so handsome. He held me with ease as if I weighed nothing and I could tell from the feeling of his arms around me that he was muscular. He smiled down at me and a dimple appeared on his right cheek. I wanted to lick that dimple. “Madam, are you falling for me?” He asked teasingly. I stared at him for a heartbeat longer before I squinted my eyes at him, seeing what he did there. “You’re a funny one, aren’t you?” He grinned. Then he looked at my shirt and immediately frowned. “Let me take you to my suite upstairs,” he said, making my heart skip a beat. “What?” I said in barely a whisper. His eyes met mine and I got lost in their beauty for a moment. Goddess, his good looks were sinful. “Your shirt is ripped. I have one you can wear upstairs in my VIP suite,” he explained. I blinked a couple of times and gave a nervous chuckle. “Oh, alright. Thank you,” I managed to sputter. He turned to the bartender. “Charge our drinks to my suite,” he ordered. “Yes, sir.” I allowed the man to carry me out of the room. His arms were so warm that I found myself resting my head against his broad chest, breathing in his minty scent. My wolf was practically purring in my mind. She’d been quiet for most of the evening while she licked the wounds the broken mate bond had caused. But right now, it was as if she had forgotten she was heartbroken. “Take off your shirt,” he instructed once we were in the suite. He had released me and was walking to the closet. “Excuse me?” I squeaked. “So, you can put on a new shirt,” he explained. “Right,” I breathed. I lifted my ripped shirt over my head and threw it onto the bed, leaving me in only my innerwear from the waist up. Once he found a shirt, he turned around to face me, and his entire body froze as his eyes trailed down my body. I was too busy checking him out to notice him staring at me but the longer I stared at him, the more I started to recognize him. Then, realization struck me, and I gasped. “It’s you…” I breathed, taking a step back. His eyes shifted upward and met mine; his brow arched. “You know me?” He asked. “I know of you,” I clarified. The corner of his lips tipped upward as he walked towards me, slowly, as if he were stalking his prey. I could practically hear the sounds of my heartbeat. “And what do you know of me?” “Only what I’ve heard…” I admitted. “And what have you heard?” “You’re Gavin Landry, Lycan Chairman. You’re a heartbreaker. You have a new woman each week and you never sleep with the same woman twice.” He raised his brows. “Is that so?” He asked. “Tell me more about myself.” Heck, he's the father of the bride and Ethan's future father-in-law? I'm confused, I don't know what I should do. But I'm not surprised I didn't recognize him at first. The Lycan family isn't high profile, they're more used to staying behind the scenes than becoming politicians and celebrities like werewolf Alpha. Should I tell him who I am? But that would be foolish at this moment. He continued to walk towards me, and I continued to walk backward until my back hit the wall. “What more do you want to know?” I asked, my voice coming out breathy. “Everything.” I’m not sure if it was the martini speaking or me, but I decided to be bold. If Ethan can indulge himself in someone new, then so could I. I lifted my gaze to meet his as he neared closer. “Your eyes…” I started to say. “I’ve heard that they were mesmerizing, and I must agree.” “What else?” I swallowed the lump in my throat. “When you smile, you have this adorable dimple on your cheek…” I whispered. He was only inches from me now, staring so intently at me that I thought I would burn up under his scrutiny. He licked his lips, drawing my attention to his mouth. “And your lips…” Before I could finish that sentence, his mouth crashed into mine. His kiss was anything but soft and sweet but filled with hunger and possession. I kissed him with just as much eagerness. His tongue made its way to mine, tasting every inch of me. He lifted me into the air, my body pinned between the wall and him. Instinctively I wrapped my legs around his waist and allowed him to deepen the kiss. His tongue trailed down the nape of my neck and warmth spread across my body as I felt him nibbling my soft flesh. All self-control and common sense left my mind the moment we kissed. All I could think about was Gavin; he consumed my mind, body, and soul entirely. I pulled at his tie, wanting to take it and his shirt off. He helped me undo his tie and then lifted his shirt over his head, tossing it to the ground. I let my fingers explore his body; they roamed over his torso and up his broad shoulders. I moaned into his mouth as his tongue found mine again. “Are you sure you want this?” He asked between kisses. “Yes,” I rasped out. “We are both willing adults, so why not?” We kissed again and just as he was about to take off my innerwear, I received a tearful mindlink from my adoptive mother. “Judy! Please, come home!” She sounded panicked; my mother never panicked. Hearing her voice was like cold water being dumped on my head and I gasped. I let my legs fall from around him and I pressed against his chest. “Stop,” I said breathlessly. “I have to go.” He frowned. “I don’t have much patience; stop joking,” he says, a hint of anger in his tone. “I’m so sorry. But I’m sure you have plenty of other options,” I said and started to run towards the door, but he grabbed my arm, stopping me. I whirl around to face him, my own anger rushing to the surface but before I can say anything, he points to the bed. “Your shirt is ripped, remember?” I looked down at my innerwear with a frown. “Oh…” He sighed, grabbing his shirt and putting it over my head. I inhaled deeply and warmth spread throughout my body; it smelled like him. …… The moment I stepped into the house; I could hear my mother sobbing. “Judy?” My mother sobbed; I could hear that she was in the kitchen and my heart stuttered at the sound of her broken voice. “Your father was taken away by the Gammas tonight.” Chapter 2 Judy’s POV My heart fell into my stomach. “What?!” I gasped. We lived in a decent-sized house; my adoptive father, being a successful businessman and a Delta of the Redmoon pack, had a lot of money. “He was arrested,” she explained. “He made a bad investment for the company, and he ended up losing all the money. He went completely bankrupt and now he owes the pack so much money. Until he pays it, they put him in jail.” “They can’t just come and take him away like this,” I said, standing to my feet, hardly able to contain my emotions. “Without any warning? That’s not fair!” “They can do whatever they want. The Beta is under the jurisdiction of the Lycans, and it was his decision. Loan sharks are ruthless, and nobody wishes to deal with them. It’s easier to just get rid of the problem and right now… your father is the problem.” Before I could say anything more, my phone started to ring. I reached into my bag and pulled it out. I frowned when I saw the name flash across the screen. “I heard about your father,” Ethan’s voice was soft as he spoke, and my traitorous heart skipped a beat. I hated how my body responded to him still; it was because of this foolish mate bond. Even though he rejected me, and I accepted it, that didn’t mean it severed our bond. It won’t be severed until he marks someone else.“I might have a suggestion though. But I’d like to tell you in person. Come outside.” I quickly left the kitchen and walked out of the house. Ethan was leaning against his car with his arms folded across his chest. Goddess, I hated how good he looked. I had been in love with him for longer than 2 years. He was my friend, my confidant, my fated mate. When he rejected me, it destroyed everything I had dreamt of. I wrapped my arms around my body, desperately trying to hold myself together. “Why are you here?” I asked him after a long and awkward silence. “I wanted to talk to you,” he replied. “Why?” The corner of his lips tipped upwards as he stared at me; I nearly melted under his scrutiny, and I had to shift my gaze to look at the ground. “Because I can help you,” he answered. “Your father’s funding chain is broken, and he now owes a lot of money. I know for a fact that he doesn’t have that kind of money, especially now that his business has gone under. But I do.” I lifted my gaze to meet him; he was serious. “Are you saying you’d pay my father’s debt?” I asked him. He nodded. “Yes,” he answered. “And what would we have to do in return?” I asked, almost afraid to ask. He smirked, which gave me an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach. “There is a condition,” he confessed. I waited silently for him to continue, my eyes never leaving his. “After I get married, I want you to drop out of school and become my mistress.” I couldn’t have heard him correctly; I stared at him with my jaw practically on the ground. “Excuse me?” I managed to sputter. “You want me to what??” “Drop out of school and become my mistress. I already have a luxurious home for you to live in. You would never have to want for anything. I’ll pay off your father’s debt and give you more money than you could dream of.” “How… how could you ask me to do such a thing?” I asked in a choked whisper; tears threatened to spill from my eyes, but I kept them away, not wanting him to see my break. He stepped closer to me, and I felt rooted to the ground, unable to move away. My wolf was whimpering about his request; she couldn’t believe our mate could ask such a thing from us. She was gutted and I hated that she was put in this position. “Because we’ve always been so good together, Judy,” he said, reaching out and touching my arm gently. “We will always have this strong connection, even if I mark someone else. You and your family would be set for life… all you have to do is say yes…” He was rubbing his fingers up and down my arms and I felt sick to my stomach. I finally found the strength to step away from him, my body trembling. “No,” I said, meeting his eyes. “I would never become your mistress.” His eyes darkened. “I’m about to become the Alpha, Judy. You must get with the times. Becoming my mistress would only benefit you and plus, don’t you want your father out of jail?” “I will find another way,” I said through my teeth. “If that’s all you came here to say, then I’ve heard enough. You can leave.” He raised his brows as he stared at me. He studied me for a moment longer like he expected me to change his mind at any moment. “You’ll change your mind,” he told me as he stepped away from me and towards his car. “And when you do, I’ll be here. But until then, your father will remain in prison.” “I’ll figure it out,” I said to his retreating back. “We don’t need you, Ethan!” He chuckled as he opened his car door and then he turned back to gaze into my eyes. “In order to get him out of prison, you’ll need at least 5 million dollars. When you realize that there’s no other option, you’ll come to your senses. I’m sure of it.” Without another word, he got into his car. I watched as he drove away, disappearing into the night. It was only when he disappeared that I allowed myself to fall to the ground. Tears streamed down my cheeks before I could stop them. 5 million dollars? How was I going to come up with that kind of money? —————— I had two classes this morning and one later in the afternoon. My first class was warrior training, and my second class was shifting, both of which I excelled at. I was going to college for Gamma training so that once I graduated, I could prove myself to the Gamma force and become a warrior. Then I would easily be able to pay off my father’s debt and save my family. “You look terrible,” my best friend, Nan, pointed out as I sat beside her against the large Oaktree; the very tree we always met up at. “It was a rough night,” I admitted as I took out my textbook to study. “Where did you go last night? When I returned, you were gone. Did you leave early because of the engagement party?” I bit my lower lip as I thought about what to say to her. If I lied, she’d be able to see right through me. I was a terrible liar initially, but Nan could read me like a book. “I ripped my shirt, and someone brought me into his room to change,” I said, feeling my cheeks growing warm at the memory. She raised her brows, and I could barely look at her. “You went to someone’s room?” She asked. “Whose?” I was quiet for a moment, and she grabbed my arm, getting my attention. “Judy, who did you leave with?” She asked, now her voice was filled with alarm. I knew there was no getting out of this conversation. I bit my lip and peeked up at her through my lashes. “Gavin Landry,” I squeaked. Chapter 3 Judy’s POV “Shut up!” She gasped. “Are you serious?? You went to Gavin Landry’s VIP suite? As in THE Gavin Landry?!” I nearly tackled her; she was being so loud! “Keep your voice down!” I scolded, attempting to cover her mouth with my hands but she was too quick and dodged me. “How can I possibly keep it down when my best friend went to Gavin Landry’s hotel room last night and waited until now to tell me!” She exclaimed. Nan was a waitress at the hotel restaurant the engagement party was at last night. The hotel, called Carter Resorts, was in the human territory, and it was owned by Patrick Carter, the Delta of the Silver Crescent pack. Which happened to be Gavin Landry’s pack. I wasn’t surprised to see Gavin there last night, especially considering his daughter was the bride-to-be. I was less surprised to see that he had a VIP suite at the hotel. I sighed. “It all happened so fast, and I had a bit too much to drink,” I admitted. “I forgot when I got home because other stuff happened.” I wrapped my arms around my body and looked up at her concerned eyes. “What else happened?” She asked, her voice dropping to a whisper. I took a deep breath, and I told Nan everything that happened, right up until Ethan came over and asked me to be his mistress in exchange for him paying off my father’s debt. By the time I finished talking, Nan’s jaw had dropped. “The nerve of that scum!” She hissed. “How dare he! He rejected you and now he wants you to be his bit on the side?! He has zero shame.” “I’m not sure what I’m going to do, Nan,” I whispered. “There’s no way I could come up with 5 million dollars to pay off my father’s debt.” We both fell silent as our thoughts consumed us and then her face lit up. I knew that look well and it grew nervous as a smile spread across her face. I knew right away that she had an idea, and I also knew that I wasn’t going to like it. “You said that he gave you his shirt to wear?” She asked. I nodded. She gasped and grabbed my arm. “Isn’t it obvious, Judy? Gavin is into you. That’s the only reason he’d give you his shirt. He wanted his scent on you! He's very picky. In all my time as a waitress, you're the first woman he's ever offered.” I gawked at her. She had officially lost her mind. “Gavin’s not into me,” I said, shaking my head. “He gave me his shirt because mine ripped. There was nothing to it.” “Why would he even care?” Nan asked, folding her arms across her chest. “He’s Gavin Landry and doesn’t need to care about any of this. Besides, you mentioned that he kissed you heatedly. You were ready to go all the way with him, which is huge because you were planning on waiting until after you were married. There had to be some kind of connection last night.” I glanced at my hands. “Or maybe I was just hurting and wanted to get back at Ethan,” I murmured. “Plus, I had a little too much to drink.” “Drunk actions are sober thoughts or something like that,” she said, waving away my words. Then, she smirked. “You could use this to your advantage. Do you still have that lingerie you bought for your wedding night? You should pay Gavin a little visit and make him an offer he can’t refuse.” ___ I knew it was a bad idea the moment she spoke the words, but her words continued to replay in my mind for the remainder of the day and night. When I woke up the next morning, my mind was made up. I went to my closet and grabbed my red lingerie. I had only tried it on once and I felt a little self-conscious wearing it, but I knew the night of my wedding when I finally gave myself over to Ethan fully, it wouldn’t matter what I was wearing. My heart ached at the thought, and I quickly brushed it out of my head before I started to cry again. I dressed in the lingerie, and I grabbed a long trench coat, wrapping it around my body. I left my hair down and I put on a little makeup to make my features pop. For the last day or so, my mother had either been speaking on the phone to lawyers, visiting my father in prison, or in her room. I had barely seen or spoken to her since I told her Ethan wasn’t going to help us. I hated knowing I disappointed her, but hopefully, this would fix all our problems. It was no secret where Gavin’s office was; everybody knew the famous Gavin Landry Corporation. When I walked through the front door, the receptionist was typing on her computer. She barely spared me a look as I approached the desk. “Good morning, I’m here to see Gavin Landry,” I said as politely as I could. The receptionist looked upward at me and blinked a couple of times, looking less than amused. “Do you have an appointment?” “Uh, no, but—” “Look, I don’t have time for this. Countless women come in here and request to speak with Gavin and I’m going to tell you what I tell them. Mr. Landry is incredibly busy, and he doesn’t have time or patience to be dealing with another fan girl,” she said bitterly. “And what gives you the right to turn away those who come to see me?” A deep voice boomed. Chapter 4 Judy’s POV “Mr. Landry,” the receptionist said, quickly standing to her feet. She suddenly seemed disheveled, and I wanted to smirk with satisfaction, but I kept it held in. “I asked you a question, Laura,” he said, narrowing his eyes at her. “What gives you the right to send away guests? You know the protocol. You are to call my office, and I am the one who decides whether or not I will see them or not. Not you.” She swallowed and glanced at the ground as if staring directly at him physically hurt her. “Come with me.” It took me a second to realize he was speaking to me, but when I saw the receptionist glaring at me and Gavin’s retreating back, I nearly stumbled over my feet to catch up to him. He walked through a luxurious waiting room until we reached a glass elevator. It was very high-tech with a touch screen attached to it. He brought up a keypad and typed in some sequence before pressing the floor number. He stood so close to me that the elevator felt almost cramped, despite it being a wide space. I could smell his incredible minty scent, mixed in with his aftershave and my heart skipped a beat. He didn’t bother looking at me though and I was starting to doubt this plan would work. Maybe he didn’t like me as much as I thought he did. I felt awkward knowing that under this coat was nothing but lingerie. The elevator came to a halt and the doors opened. It was an extremely large space with marble flooring and granite walls. “Where exactly is your office?” I asked, staring around the gorgeous area. He glanced at me; his face kept indifferent. “This is my office.” My eyes grew large at his words. He continued walking until he rounded the corner and sure enough, there was his desk right in front of large windows that overlooked the human city. It was gorgeous and my stomach twisted with nerves. He didn’t bother sitting on his desk chair. Instead, he turned to face me, leaning against his desk and folding his arms across his chest. I swallowed the lump in my throat as I took him in. He wore a white dress shirt with sleeves rolled up halfway, showing off his incredible muscles and his dark dress pants hugged his waist perfectly, showcasing his incredible form. My wolf purred with satisfaction, and I found myself staring at him for way longer than I intended to. He cleared his throat, making me nearly jump out of my skin as my gaze shot upward and met his. He was smirking at me, as if to say, “Caught you.” My cheeks burned from the embarrassment I felt. “So, what did you come here for?” He asked, breaking the tension between us. Oh. Right. The reason I’m here. “I have a problem, and I need your help,” I said in a rush. He raised his right brow. “What kind of problem?” I cleared my throat before continuing. “My father was arrested the other night,” I blurted. “His business went bankrupt, and he owes a lot of money. Roughly 5 million dollars.” He was silent as he stared at me; I realized he was waiting for me to continue. Probably wanted to know how I needed his help. “I was hoping you’d be able to help him and maybe pay the debt for my father so he could get out of prison?” I asked, biting my lip. He was quiet for another moment, processing my request before he ran his hands over his face. “And what would I get in return for helping your family?” He asked. I swallowed the lump in my throat. Confidence: I needed confidence. I held my head up high and looked him right in the eyes. It was known as a challenge to look an Alpha directly in the eyes, even worse so looking a Lycan directly in the eyes. But Gavin wasn’t as angry as I thought he would be, instead, he looked intrigued. “Well,” I began, I dropped my voice low as I stepped closer to him. “At the party the other day, we obviously had a connection…” I felt my cheeks growing hot as I spoke those words. “And I thought maybe…” I took a deep breath and undid my coat, revealing a portion of my lingerie, but not all of it. Not yet at least. His eyes darkened as he gazed over my body, and I nearly melted under his scrutiny. I suddenly had a surge of confidence, and I reached my hand out to touch his arm. “I thought maybe I could do some favors for you in return,” I said in a sultry voice. “I’m a college student and very clean. I haven’t done it before, but I’m on birth control, so you don’t need to worry about anything.” His breathing grew heavy as he straightened his posture, closing the small gap between us. His nearness was intoxicating, and my heart started to race against my chest. His scent enveloped me, and I couldn’t remember the last time I felt this delirious. He reached his hand up and I felt his fingers glide down my cheek, sending a wave of warmth throughout my whole body. We were so close together that I thought I was going to pass out from the heat that consumed me. His eyes were dark like they were the night in the VIP suite. He swallowed hard and I watched his Adam’s apple move slightly. I closed my eyes, preparing for him to kiss me. I could feel his breath on my lips and just as I leaned in close to him, getting ready for his embrace, it never came. Instead, I felt him adjusting my coat, covering my body. My eyes flew open, and I looked at his stern expression. “Do you really think I need to pay a woman for her body?” He asked, breaking the silence. “You said it yourself that I have many options.” My cheeks flushed immediately. “I just thought—” “You thought you could use your body to pay for my help,” he said, interrupting me. “You are still young, Miss Montague. You will regret taking such shortcuts in the future.” How did he know my name? I hadn’t told him. Had he looked into me? My heart skipped a beat at the thought, but his words were slowly crushing me. He didn’t want me. I lowered my gaze, hating how hot my face was getting. I knew he could see just how embarrassed I was. When he spoke next, he softened his voice and spoke with compassion. “Look, I have a daughter,” he told me. “I would never teach her to use her body as a transaction. I want more for her and her future, and I expect better from her.” He reached his hand and caressed the nape of my neck with his fingertips; my breath hitched as I gazed into his eyes. “I expected better from you,” he added; my heart fell into my stomach and disappointment consumed me. He was right. I was better than this. I nodded my head and opened my mouth to speak, but I heard footsteps behind me. I turned to see a couple of security guards standing nearby and I whipped around to look at Gavin with wide eyes. “I’m afraid my time is up, and my patience has run out,” Gavin said, looking at me briefly before glancing at the security guards. “Accompany Miss Montague out of the building, please.” “Yes sir,” they both said. They stood on each side of me, and I stared at Gavin with shock. I didn’t fight or argue with the security guards as they told me to come with them. “Thank you for your time,” I managed to say before I turned and left the office. I wanted to cry because of the shame, but I knew more importantly I needed a new job. …. “I’m so excited we get to work together,” Nan said with a wide smile. “And you look great in that uniform.” I looked down at my uniform. I felt ridiculous in this thing; it was a short skirt and a crop top that showed way too much bosom. I felt like I was on display. Especially at night when this place pretty much turned into a club. These men are wealthy and would tip generously. It was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up when I was struggling for money. “That’s what friends are for,” she said, nudging my arm with hers. She looked behind me and sighed. “Looks like we are getting a group of guys. Good luck,” she said. I sighed and turned to greet the customers but then I froze when I saw who was amongst them. Ethan. Chapter 5 Judy’s POV “You were right,” I heard one of his friends saying. “She does work here. This is going to be so good.” “Hey, call girl, can we get a table, or are you just going to stare at us?” Call girl? I placed the menus on the table for them and waited for each of them to take a seat. “I’m not a call girl. Please, take your seat.” As I leaned over the table to put the beer in front of each of them, one of them grabbed my rear end. I felt my entire body freeze. “I like this little uniform on you. How about you take it off and see what’s underneath.” My entire body went hot as I stepped back from the table, forcing his hand to drop. “Do not touch me,” I said loudly to each of them. “Oh, come on, Judy. Aren’t you here to satisfy men?” Another of his friends asked. “So come here and satisfy us. Sit on my lap.” I pressed my lips together. “I’m not a call girl,” I told them for the final time. “I’m a waitress.” “You got this job because you’re hot,” one of them chuckled. “The manager didn’t care about your skills. He cared about whether or not you could flirt with the customers and make him a lot of money. I’m willing to give you a good tip if you let me see what’s underneath your uniform and sit on my lap.” I felt my blood going cold from his words. “Come here baby girl,” he said, patting his lap and winking at me. I just stared at him, disbelieving. I looked at Ethan who was watching me, waiting to see what I would do. How could he just let his friends speak to me like this? At one point, he would have never allowed this. He would have punched anyone who looked at me with desire in their eyes. Now, he was acting as if he didn’t care. “I’ll give you 10 thousand dollars if you drink this entire beer,” one of his friends asked. My mouth nearly fell open. “What?” I asked. “You heard me,” he answered. “Drink this whole beer and you’ll get 10 thousand dollars.” “We’ll all give you 10 thousand dollars each if you drink all of our beers,” another one said. I stared at the beer and then at the men. My eyes landed on Ethan once more; he raised his brows, waiting for my answer. Swallowing my pride, I stepped towards the table and grabbed one of the glasses. I really didn’t like beer, but money was money, and I knew Ethan’s friends were rich and could pay that kind of money easily. I needed the cash to get my father out of prison and pay off his debt. I brought the cup to my lips and let the liquid run down my throat. I winced at the bitter taste, but I kept pushing myself until the cup was empty. His friends were cheering and chanting as I drank the contents of the cup. I slammed the cup on the counter and looked at the next guy who slid his beer at me, winking as he did so. I chugged his beer as well. I only got halfway through the third glass when I felt a firm grip around my wrist and I was yanked away. I heard Ethan’s friends booing and telling him he was a party pooper. I had no idea where Ethan was taking me; he was quiet until we reached outside and then he whipped around to glare at me. “Accept my offer and stop this foolishness,” he ordered. “I won’t be your mistress, Ethan,” I told him, narrowing my eyes, my head fuzzy from the beer. “You can forget about that.” “You’d rather act like a little call girl instead?” He asked through his teeth. “You looked ridiculous in there!” “Why do you care? You have your fiancé. This is my private business, and my private business no longer includes you.” “You are still mine, Judy. You will always be mine,” he growled. I wanted to laugh at his ridiculousness, but I also wanted to cry. He was so sweet at one point; I spent more than 2 years loving this man. Now as he stood before me, I realized he was a stranger. “I am not yours,” I told him, glad that my voice came out stronger than I felt. He let out a bitter laugh. “Fine, be a call girl for all I care,” he growled. “Spread your legs for money because that’s all you’re good for—” Before I could stop myself, my hand swung and made contact with his cheek, causing a loud slap. He didn’t flinch but he did grow angrier as he went to grab my throat. He froze though when he looked at my neck and I watched the color draining from his face. “What the heck,” he hissed. He grabbed my chin and yanked my head to the side. “Is that a lovebite?” I realized when getting dressed this morning that the lovebite Gavin left on me the other night was still there. It was fading, but visible. “So, what if it is?” I asked. He released my chin and glared at me, his gaze icy. “Who the heck have you been with?” “That’s not your concern,” I retorted. I turned to walk away, but he gripped my arm, making me whimper in pain as he whipped me around to face him again. “Answer my freaking question, Judy! Who have you been with?!” Through gritted teeth, I answered, “Gavin. Your future father-in-law. Happy now?” He released me and let out a bark of laughter. “Are you kidding me? You don’t have to make up such a ridiculous story,” Ethan said through a fit of laughter. I heard more laughter from nearby and I realized Ethan’s friends were crowding around. “Is she talking about Gavin Landry? He has standards. He would never go for a girl like, Judy.” “Yeah, Judy is a call girl and Gavin is a Lycan chairman. There’s no way,” another friend laughed. “I’m being serious,” I told them, folding my arms across my chest. This time Ethan did grab my throat, and his gaze turned almost deadly. “Stop playing me for a fool and tell me the truth,” he growled. “Gavin would never want someone like you. You are nobody. You don’t fit into his world. ” I couldn’t breathe as his hands tightened around my throat, so I couldn’t respond. “Now, how about you do as I say and move into the house I bought? Once I get married, I’ll see you frequently at night and you can spread your pretty little legs for me only—” There was a loud honk from nearby, making Ethan drop his hold around my neck. I coughed and rubbed my sore neck as he glared at the person interrupting us. I glanced at the black limo and frowned when the door opened. I gasped when I saw Gavin seated in the back, his eyes on me. “Get in,” he ordered. I stared at him, disbelieving. “I won’t ask you again, Judy,” he said through his teeth. I felt Ethan’s shocked eyes on me as I quickly hurried towards the car and got in, closing the door behind me. “Drive,” he instructed the driver. “Yes, sir.” The car started to move; Ethan stood on the curb; his mouth nearly dropped. His friends were equally shocked. Gavin glanced at me, and I felt my cheeks redden. “Using me to make your ex-fiancé jealous, are you?”	LEARN_MORE	https://getokn.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=16927&u	Enjoying reading	https://www.facebook.com/61559698863477/	310	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	getokn.com	VIDEO		https://getokn.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=16927&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}}	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481995210_3921858281417086_677225923148175927_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KnxndkFo3RYQ7kNvgFnseR_&_nc_oc=Adhdd5yr-d_ezxH19Xjx8Q9hoqjzzdvB3UPXjL2uz4xCenqUMLz7beTZN5yUmP09tVXyX6MVdXcVcXgVIo0dmNhf&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AoIhAlbnaLo-abNKHye8pD-&oh=00_AYANoeisTg6971LEULrlbzhQBOjqnWT2h_LjCAQi_ioxnQ&oe=67C7252B	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Enjoying reading	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete

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