Nick POV
At the mention of her friend's name, the girl's eyelids lifted, and she stared at me with such pain in her eyes. My heart clenched, fueling my annoyance. What right did she have to act like I was betraying her?Ours was a simple agreement. I was devoted to her. Completely faithful to our deal. How could she do this?The full moon is on its way. That means seven days of hell before I could break this bond with her and move on. The Goddess binding us together was the worst luck ever. How could this be happening at such troubled times in the pack when my father was unwell?I started to rise as I spoke. "You know I almost believed it when you said you love me? For a second there, I actually considered ripping off the contract and starting over."That was nothing but the truth. I remember the delicious quivering in my stomach, how my heart swelled when she whispered those words against my lips.It was the strangest, scariest thing I'd ever felt. But after this bomb she just dropped, being in the same space with her was scarier."You think I said that because I wanted your money and status?" she asked gently."I can't even sit here and watch you try to pretend to be pure. I paid you well every time I was inside you, didn't I? So maybe the money wasn't your ultimate goal. What was it, then? If not the status."She lowered her eyes in shame. "I've never asked you for any -""This conversation is pointless!" I snapped.I still can't believe what she just said to me. She wasn't even sure if there's a pregnancy. Instead of keeping it to herself till she found out, she dared to say it out loud? If she expected to tie me down with that little piece of uncertain news, she got another think coming."Your plan failed, Sara. I don't want that. I'll never want it. And I don't need to tell you the lengths my family will go to neutralize the error before it gets out, do I?"I didn't wait for her answer before adding, "My lawyer will contact you."Her dreamy brown eyes were wide and glassy as she watched me. I turned to leave, utterly outraged by her now. How could she be this desperate? I thought she was innocent! Clearly, she just wanted more than I've always given her.She must've thought she hit a jackpot when she discovered that we were fated. How I hate her for ruining what we had. The fact that I would never touch her again made me want to put my fist through something.After walking a few steps, something came to mind, and I stopped. I wished I didn't have to set eyes on her ever again. Turning back around, I walked back, then leaned close to pin her with a glare before saying,"For your own good, for your father's sake, don't forget, the non-disclosure you signed is still in force!"A tear rolled down her left cheek as she opened her mouth to speak. I wasn't going to hear whatever she had to say. There was no point. So I walked away, leaving her there with her tears, her stupid betrayal, and the glass of apple juice.Richard was the first to speak when I joined them a moment later."What was that about?""None of your business, Rich!" I snapped."Forgive me for the curiosity," he replied in a sarcastic tone. "It's the first time I've ever seen you say more than two words to that she-wolf, and you come out looking furious."It was clear that he wouldn't let it go."Her father works in my household, you know?" I said to him. "I mean it, Rich. It's a family matter. It's none of your business, so fucking drop it!" When I moved close so we were nearly nose to nose, Jake came to stand between the two of us.It wasn't news to me that my gamma friend had a thing for her at some point. It was just my luck that he feared his parents and the pack more than he wanted to fuck her.Lucky me that I didn't have to murder my own friend over that omega. Despite my disgust for the girl this minute, my ire was rising over the fact that he was worrying about her. What gave him the right?"Let's just go," Jake said, opening the car door and nudging me towards it, away from Richard. I got inside and he went around to take the wheel. We rode silently for a while. The two of them could feel my anger, but only Jake knew the whole story."So, you and Meg, huh," Rich broke the silence. When nobody responded, he looked pointedly at me."Me and Meg what?" I asked."Haven't seen you with any female for months. I was starting to get worried. Then bam! Got a text from Jason last night. You were kissing Meg in front of her hostel." He shook his head. "How long has that been going on?"I couldn't help but heave a deep sigh. "Not long and it's nothing. Just a kiss."He didn't push it, thank Goddess.*****I expected my mother to give them at least three days to vacate the Reign’s premises. But I must have thought her too generous. When I returned home the next day, there was no sign of Sara and her dad. When I scanned the cottage they occupied at the back, they appeared to be gone.My mother wouldn't burden my father with the drama. He was still secretly recuperating after the accident. To my surprise, she didn't try to revoke the girl's scholarship.A part of me wished she would. I considered doing that myself, but I didn't want to be connected to her at all. I wanted all of this to go away immediately. I hated the hollowness in my chest. It was better to never run into her anymore.Thank the Goddess, my final exams was next month. After that, the chances of running into each other on campus would be zero. I intend to make sure her father didn't get work within fifty miles of the pack, too.Jake, my best friend and beta-to-be, was handling the dissolution of our little "sex" contract. He hadn't yet passed the bar, but he was going to very soon. As my most trusted friend, he would deal with the legalities of ending this whole thing with Sara. Today was the day we learned if she truly was pregnant or not.I sat in a rented car, watching from across the street as Jake settled into the chair facing Sara in the cafe.He pushed the envelope towards her and she just stared at it. The curiosity about the test result nearly forced me to go to them. I took a deep breath, assuring myself that Jake would find out in a few minutes and he'd get back to me immediately.After a few long moments, she picked up the envelope slowly and started to open it.Another eternity passed with her face on the pages in front of her. Then she lifted her head and said something to Jake. I wanted to know what she was saying. It felt like they were arguing now.Within moments, she brought out her pen and signed the documents. Then she rose and stormed out of the cafe as Jake gathered the papers back into the envelope.I watched her hail a cab and ride off at the same time as my phone started to ring. It was Jake."What does her test say?" I asked before anything else."It was a scare. She's not pregnant," he replied."I see.""What's the matter? I thought that's a good thing," Jake asked."Of course, it's a good thing. I'm glad it's over." I cleared my throat."Oh… You don't sound glad," he remarked."Cuz I feel tired. I'll finally be able to get some sleep," I grumbled."She didn’t take the cash," Jake announced."Whatever with that. If it makes her feel good about herself after everything she ruined," I shrugged. "It's her business. I'm done. I can finally put this behind me and prepare to meet my actual mate."Nick's POVIt was the day of the full moon. My plans were simple. My routine workout and training would come first. Followed by a meeting with my father's corporate staff to review and. approve some projects. After that, I'd head to campus to meet with my professor about my desertation.As I drove into campus later in the morning, it took all of my will to break the silly habit of making a detour to spy on Sara. I failed. Jake was with me in the car. He regarded me with pursed lips and a deep sigh.The girl and I are still mated. I haven't gone near her in two weeks. Of course, my wolf was antsy. Not my fault. "I doubt she's in school, Nick," Jimmy ranted. "You and I know she's busy having a hard time with her father right now.""I have no idea what you mean! I'm just passing through to see if Meg is around or something," I lied even though it was pointless. "Also, she brought the hard times on her family."Jake didn't respond. As I passed her dorm slowly, I resolved to avoid her as m
** 4 YEARS LATER **Sara POVOrphic valley was supposed to be a small, quiet town. Less hustle and bustle. Little excitement. No drastic change to tire us out. Life here has been more than great. The people were supportive and extremely helpful throughout the pregnancy and birth of my child.I have a stable job in the local environmental council and my dad was happy with his food business. But it was starting to look like all of these comforts were about to end. Or at least that's how my dad felt. The last four years have been peaceful and nothing short of a happy one for all three of us. I know he's afraid that the peaceful part was drawing to a close."Dad, If they're building a mall, it's good for you. You may not even have to move the food truck," I tried to ease his mind."I know," he replied. "I'm not worried."Lies! My father hated the idea of a skyscraper in this town. He didn't want any city vibe at all."You look worried. I mean, yeah, you'll be uncomfortable for a few week
The sound all around me became muffled. Jeremy's speech echoed around me, but the words were slurred. Nick rose from his seat as his eyes settled on me as his mouth parted slowly."It's a pleasure, Mr. Colt," he said, extending his hand to my boss. He seemed to quickly recover from his shock. With a slight nod, he shook hands with Jeremy, averting his gaze from me like he didn't know me."This is my adviser, Jake Carlisle and Jude Duncan, his associate," he offered.Only then did I notice the other men. The Jude had just joined us. It looked like he came into the restaurant at the same time as we did.My boss took his beta's hand in a firm handshake before moving to the other man who's a human."I know him," Jeremy said with a smile. "I see you both on TV occasionally. When the mayor said the park will be financed by a major corporation from L.A., I knew it had to be the Reigns.""What can I say, we love the environment and wild life," Nick smirks. His manner is so easy and in contro
Nick POVOf all the places in this massive country! Why did she and her dad have to choose this particular one? But then the same can be said of me. Many other towns would be happy to have a large nature park like the one I was going to build here.As I walked quietly into the hall leading to the bathrooms, I tried my best to calm my racing heart. She looked like she would bolt when she left the table a moment ago. I can't let that happen. Why? I'll figure out the reason later.Her scent, Goddess! That enthralling mild smell of lavender and jasmine petals. It drifted by as I kept walking in slow, quiet strides. I stopped and rested my back on the wall, inhaling deeply. "I have not missed this," I murmured, waiting patiently by the hall. I'd caught that same scent yesterday evening when Jake and I drove past the local council's building. But it had been vague. I didn't dare let myself think that it might be Sara James. Earlier in the restaurant, before I heard her boss call out to me
Sara looked scared as she rushed towards a beat-up Hyundai. She started to open the door when she froze. Her senses must've told her that someone was watching because she turned around abruptly. Thank Goddess for the large pickup truck driving past sluggishly. She would've seen me across the road.What if she did? I asked myself. I discarded that line of thought when I couldn’t think of an excuse.Someone called out her name as soon as the truck passed by. Her attention shifted to the entrance of her office building. A half-blood female rushes towards her, saying things. What is this place? Half-blood country? There must be more of them than the two I've seen today.Minutes later, Sara pulls her car out the council's driveway, and I follow behind, tailing her to Goddess-knows-where. My phone rang. It was Jake, as suspected. “You’ve been gone for hours, alpha,” he said.“Is there something urgent to deal with?” I asked impatiently, turning the corner after the old car in front of me.
Sara POVI couldn’t see my father during lunch as planned, but I was so glad the day was finally over. We would talk as soon as He's done with this round of customers."Jeremy gave me too much work when we got back from the business meeting," I explained. "I feel like he suspects something."My dad wasn't paying attention. His back stiffened at the same time as Nick's familiar scent and aura wafted by. My heart jerked. I didn't dare strain my neck to see the person in front of the truck.Instead, I settle Alex on the chair gently. My hands shook as I set his drawing beside him.“Cake, mommy,” Alex protested. “Shh, hold on, sweetheart. Grandpa’s will give it to you once you've had your...” All thoughts and words died in my mouth as my gaze rested on Nick's. My dad stood frozen with the cup of ice tea in one hand.“Seb,” the customer called out impatiently. “My tea, please.”He seemed to regain himself and moved, handing the older woman her tea. Nick stood beside the customer, glaring
Nick turned his back on me and stomped back to the SUV, parked some feet from the truck. Jake followed quickly behind him. My heart continued to hammer in my chest as I watched them both.He opened the driver’s side and sat down. But he didn’t attempt to start the engine. Instead, he seemed to be barking orders at his beta, who kept nodding like a lizard to his every syllable. How I hated them both for showing up here.I had no doubt that Alex saw his face. He'd strained his neck to see who was calling out my name earlier. I wonder what that meant.Nick's head was bowed low now as he tapped his phone screen. Then he held it to his ear.What did he mean to do? He was right when he implied that I couldn’t fight him. This was a powerful figure, not just among werewolves but even humans. Why was this happening to me? He’d made it clear that he didn’t want me bearing his child back then. What changed?“C’mon inside, Sara,” my father ordered, taking me by the arms and leading me back into t
As my son greeted Nick, his face immediately transformed into a shock that mirrored my one. Except his eyes were colored with joyful triumph. Two men approached the porch from behind him.I grabbed Alex’s hand, forcing it back down. “What did I say about talking to strangers?”“I saw him yesterday. He’s your fwend,” Alex argued.“He’s not my friend unless I tell you so. Have I told you he's my friend?” I scolded.He shook his head hesitantly. As the men reached the porch, my father rushed to quickly stand protectively in front of me and my son. One of the men was Richard Wolfe, Nick's number three. The one that had no clue about our love affair. I tried and failed to hide my surprise at how much he has changed. He was much larger than he used to be. Bright tattoos peeked out of his collar and his mohawk is neatly cut. A true warrior of the Forest Moon. He gave me a half smile when our eyes met. “Nice to see you again, Sara. Mr. James,” he greeted my father with a slight bow before