Chapter 5
Mara povShe continued. “This is the least you could do for how I saved you back when you had nowhere to go. Plus, you know what would happen should the sponsor come tomorrow and be dissatisfied. I heard he has enough power to shut us down. Think of all the young ones who will be tossed out on the street.”“But..”“No buts! Just think it through. The future of the orphanage now depends on you and your decision. Also, should you agree, you are not to ever tell the sponsor that Talia is dead. We don’t want him to start digging only to find out about our involvement. Do I make myself clear?”I wanted to refute but I couldn’t. I clenched my fists till I was sure they had bled before I replied.” Crystal.”With that, I stormed out of the office and went straight to my room.I paced around agitatedly as both I and my wolf grew restless. In my chaotic state, I accidentally slipped on the rug causing me to stumble and fall headfirst into the carton box I had laid by my bed.The contents spilled out and something caught my eye. I bent up to pick it before examining it.It was a family picture we took after I and Talia first arrived at the orphanage.We were both smiling happily as we held hands, eyes filled with mirth over a joke that probably seemed so childish right now.My vision grew blurry as tears began to fill my eyes.Talia had always been the perfect child who everyone loved while I had been someone who faded into existence and was only remembered when I was needed. There were times I grew envious that she always got everything while I could only wallow in her shadow as the less competent sister. Those times though were almost nonexistent as Talia gave me so much love that I swore to give her everything in return.She was my happiness. Now it’s just…Where did it all go wrong? We were as happy as we had each other but now, everything is just dark and empty.I crawled up from the floor and into my bed before curling into a ball and crying my eyes out as memories kept flashing in my head.Her smile, her warm touch, her joy.It was all gone.Later when I had cried my heart out, I picked up the phone and dialed Mother’s number with a resolute expression. It rang once before she picked it up.“I’ll do it.”“That’s my girl. I knew you would come around. Just get ready by seven am sharp tomorrow as the sponsor will come see you.” She ordered before cutting the call.‘Gretel? Am I doing the right thing?’‘I can’t say Mara. It all depends on you.’Fine! I chose this.I couldn’t save Talia but I sure as hell would do my best to save the orphanage. It was what Talia would have wanted.The next morning, I was up bright and early as I freshened up and then put on a dress Mother had sent to me the earlier night. It fit perfectly and as I stared at my reflection, I had to admit that I was pretty.I took a deep breath before heading to Mother’s office.There she ushered me in with a smile before beckoning me to take a seat. She tried to make small talk but I was much too nervous to respond to her.The soon awaited time arrived and Mother beamed as one of the girls came to announce the sponsor’s arrival.My hand began trembling as nerves wracked my whole body.It’s going to be alright, Mara. Gretel comforted but it didn’t serve any purpose as my fidgeting grew worse.Mother seemed to be telling me something but I was too far gone to understand. I just nodded numbly as she went on and on.It was right when I thought I would go completely mad that he walked in. I recognized his scent before him.It was him. It was the same stranger I had a one night stand with. It was the man who had given me peace in a kiss. I grew ecstatic as my nerves calmed. Even Gretel grew restless at the sight of him.“Hi! I never knew I would see you again” I chimed, unable to contain my happiness as I approached him. He stared at me silently for a second and asked. “Have we met before?”My whole world stopped.CHAPTER 6RHYS’S POV“Have we met before?” I inquired as uncertainty filled me when I saw her eager expression. She didn’t feel familiar to me at all.Was this some sort of tactic to make me like her or was this some sort of outdated pick up line?I wanted her face to fall when I uttered those words and for a moment, a very brief and almost unnoticeable one, I had the thought to lift her spirit. I immediately shook such thoughts to the back of my mind.“I... we... The” I raised a brow as I watched her stumble upon her words as her cheeks colored a bit. I didn’t know why but I found this sight oddly cute. Her face and clumsy expression was weirdly pleasing to my eye.I chased those thoughts out of my head. No matter how nice she looked, I still preferred Talia’s beautiful and serene face to hers. She was what I longed for in a woman. A hardworking educated woman who sparked a man’s desire to protect her. Talia was all that and more.“My name is Rhys Ingrid.” I announced that the woman
CHAPTER 7MARA’S POV Huh? Why does this place look so familiar?"Hey Mara, hurry up and go get the juice from the basement." Wasn't that Sam's voice? I thought he wasn't talking to me again.Suddenly, someone that was an exact copy except with shorter hair sprinted through me. Seeing the dress she was wearing, I realized that this was a recollection.I stood like a bystander and watched as my other self sprinted to the basement happily. I remember thinking at that time that the orphanage kids surely make it obvious that they wanted to surprise for my birthday.I waited in the basement for a little while to give them time before coming out with the juice. I had been all smiles as I walked into the hall we used for celebrations in the orphanage.What I had seen had shattered me.The banner that had been hung didn't say happy birthday. Instead it said, congratulations Talia on your successful Thesis.Talia stood amidst them with all smiles as they sang for her and celebrated while I wat
Chapter 8Mara POV His words fell on my ears like a bombshell, and I knew right then that this whole thing was a very bad idea. Hell. Could I probably get myself out of this? I found myself scanning the halI for an escape route.The door and the window were a capital no way because I would be caught before I could even take three steps away from the altar.I could feel tears flooding my eyes. My hands gripped the bouquet tighter then a thorn pricked my finger. "Don't cry, don't cry," I repeated to myself over and over again, but my mind kept thinking of how I was getting married to a cruel man who seemed bent on punishing me for what I didn't do.My heart pounded in my chest as I stood at the center of the grand hall, surrounded by the extravagance of the whole wedding affair. I felt like I couldn't breathe as the realization that I was now bound to this marriage, to this pack, whether I liked it or not, dawned on me. I glanced around, my eyes sweeping the faces of the people from
Chapter 9Mara's POVI just stared at the ground, looking at the pieces of the white flimsy material of my veil on the ground. Tears were threatening to fall again. It's like a never-ending cycle of me being weak and pathetic."You don't even deserve to wear that dress on your wretched body. I could strip you of that dress if I wished to. Because in case you don't know or you don't know yet, I have the power to do whatever I want with you," he said quietly in my ears. He turned to leave, leaving me ashamed and embarrassed of myself. That was when I snapped."Well, I didn't ask for all of this. I didn't ask for you to get married to me, so if you think for one minute that you own me just because you forcefully made me marry you, then you are wrong!"I stepped closer to him, my tears brimming close, but I refused to let them fall. "You want to strip me?" I stretched out my hands. "Come on, what are you waiting for?” I didn't really know what I was saying, but when he looked at me wit
Chapter 10Rhys POV When she talked back to me, I smiled inside. She was quite intriguing. She always had that meek, pathetic look on her face, but seeing her with such fire in her eyes stirred something within me. My pulse quickened in excitement. I felt tempted to carry out my threat and take her right there, to see if she would display such fire underneath me."Seems like the little kitty has a bit of claw,” I smiled, “I am going to have a great time removing the fire in you.""I look forward to it, Alpha Rhys." She replied, not scared of me.My wolf grunted about bun approval. She had courage and he liked that. There was something undeniably captivating about her. This girl was going to be an interesting one to break.Then I finally remembered who she was. She was the girl who slept murmuring due to nightmares. That morning, I kissed her forehead before I could realize it. So I showed her my soft side?My scowl was back on my face.I turned to Alfred, disapproval was written
Chapter 11Mara pov It was too late to reach for the towel or anything so I could cover my body. I felt naked under Rhys's steady gaze, but I probably felt that because I was naked. What was I thinking when I didn't lock the door? I groaned inside my head. What was he thinking when he busted into my room? Yes, this whole situation wasn't my fault. Why was he here in the first place?Don't tell me he was here too..? I laughed nervously.‘Nah! That wasn't it. This man practically hated me, he couldn't come here and demanded I sleep with him because it was our wedding night. Can he?’‘He should be, I would gladly say yes.’ Gretel said. ‘Oh shut up! You would do anything for him. Why didn't you say anything when he was disgracing us earlier?’‘He probably had a good reason to do that, maybe he was protecting us from a dangerous spy that is living with us.’‘Just hear yourself, Gretel, you sound delusional.’‘You asked for my opinion.’ She huffed.I was so busy arguing with my wolf i
Chapter 12Mara’s POV Gretel smirked at the sight of Rhys’ wolf coming to the surface.Maybe she had forgotten the fact that I was naked and Rhys was soaking wet, that’s why she closed up any distance between us.She did it intentionally, of course. She had been making her opinion of sleeping with him again since day one.Gretel, please don’t say anything that is going to get our neck snapped.Rhys’ eye slit dilated at the touch of our body on his and it was obvious that it wanted us even if Rhys was behaving quite the opposite.“What’s your name, little wolf?” it said, using a finger to lift our chin forward towards him.We couldn’t suppress the shiver of desire that went down our spine. Wait a minute, why was I also shivering? I was supposed to be nonchalant about this whole thing.“That’s because you also want him”Well, fuck me.“If only you could say those words it loud to Rhys”She looked at him and replied “Gretel”“Gretel” he whispered, his head bent to us. His eyes flashed
Chapter 13Rhys’s pov“So many darn files! Rowen can never do anything reasonable!” I kept sorting through the files on my desk, they seemed to be never-ending, but it was a good way to distract myself from what had happened a few days back. The wedding, seeing Mara naked. As much as I didn't want to admit, she had one of the most beautiful bodies I have ever seen.And her skin, she was so soft. I lost control and I blame my wolf for that.‘You should have just let me have her.’ he never stopped talking about it, he had been awfully quiet but when he found out I was thinking about her, he decided to speak up. I ignored him, it was no use talking to him as he never listened. Thank goodness I got control again, what would have happened if I didn't?I would have kissed her, licked her, pinned her, and made love to her all night. I wouldn't have stopped, she would have kept screaming my name all night.My eyes widened in retaliation, I let my thoughts go too far. My desk was still covered