Bile burned my throat as Jade let out a coquettish little laugh at something Nathan said. The sound cut through me like shattered glass. Last night I had lain naked in his arms, utterly his, believing the rest of our lives would be that perfect. And now...now I was nothing. With terrible comprehension, I finally found my voice. "Nathan, what is this? Who is she?" Though I already knew the horrible truth. Jade turned her doe eyes toward me. "Oh, you must be Terra," she said gently. "I know this is very sudden. But Nathan and I are mates." She looked back at Nathan meaningfully. "Bonded by the goddess." I stared at Nathan pleadingly. "Tell me this isn't true. Please." He met my gaze despairingly. "Terra...I'm so sorry." Jade pressed herself possessively against Nathan's side. He did not resist. "I know this may be difficult for you, Terra. But you must see now that you and Nathan were never truly meant to be." Brittany said with false sympathy.
View MoreTerraFor the past days Lily has been taking me out, catching on old times.Like yesterday we went out today too.The setting sun cast an ethereal golden glow across the sky as Lilly and I strolled slowly back into town after our fun-filled day together.Despite the autumn evening chill setting in, warmth blossomed in my chest. Spending these precious hours with my dearest friend again after so long apart felt like a gift.Lilly chattered away happily, filling me in on the latest happenings around town and her family. I was content to simply listen, interjecting now and then with a laugh or question. Being around her lively, upbeat spirit never failed to lift my own mood.As we ambled down the quiet lamp-lit streets, our conversation drifted to reminiscing about carefree childhood adventures we once shared.Like the summer we were convinced we could fly, so we climbed up on the barn roof with makeshift feathered wings tied on. Thank the goddess our foolish eight-year-old selves only e
TerraThe morning sun streamed in through the open window, warming my face and coaxing me gently awake. I stretched lazily under the plush down comforter before rolling over to check the time. Nearly nine o’clock already.After the long night attending to Nathan, I had slept like the dead.Speaking of Nathan, I should check in on his recovery. I slipped out from under the covers and shuffled over to peer out the window overlooking the central gardens.Sure enough, I spotted a familiar tall, broad-shouldered figure slowly pacing the graveled path below. Even injured, Nathan was never one to stay idle in bed.I shook my head in amusement and slight exasperation at his stubbornness. At least the limp in his stride seemed less pronounced than yesterday.After quickly washing and braiding back my unruly waves, I threw on soft jeans and a rose peasant blouse before making my way to the east wing kitchens.The sprawling mansion was largely deserted this Sunday morning. With Nathan on the men
TerraGolden dawn light filtering into the solarium made the crystal vials on my worktable glint and shimmer beautifully. But the radiance only darkened my brooding mood further. I should be feeling accomplished finalizing treatment plans today, my task here nearly complete.Instead, melancholy clung more suffocating than the estate's heavy velvet drapes. Each day brought me nearer to farewells I now dreaded making, despite resolve setting me on this course.A brisk knock interrupted my gloomy thoughts. At my call to enter, Derek stepped inside. I frowned slightly, registering his stiff posture and concerned frown. Something more than routine summons had brought him here."My apologies for disturbing you, Miss Terra." Derek ran a hand through his cropped hair, seeming uncharacteristically agitated. "But your...assistance...is required rather urgently."I tensed, chest constricting. Given the unspoken tension since my violent outburst, only one dire situation would warrant my direct ai
TerraThe scent of woodsmoke and crisp night air welcomed me as I slipped outside, escaping the estate's suffocating press of old ghosts and memories. My nerves sang with relief feeling open sky above instead of brooding antique woodwork and cloying velvet drapes shrouding the corridors.I sank gratefully onto the worn garden bench tucked against the rear veranda, angled to overlook the moonlit forest rolling unbroken to the distant sawtooth mountains.Out here I could breathe. The stifling weight of the past eased just slightly under vast stars winking down as they had my very first night fleeing this place heartbroken so long ago. Their celestial light remained untroubled by earthly turmoil.How foolish I had been, believing myself free of this torment. One imploring word from Nathan, and here I was again, willingly walking back into the lion's den. I should have known his earnest vows were temporary manipulations. Once I outlived my usefulness, he would discard me as coldly as befo
NathanSunlight streamed into my father's lavish sickroom, lending false vigor to his gaunt features against the plush pillows.I prayed the dawn's radiance portended hope, not a cruel irony. Father had lingered languidly near death's door for weeks as his mysterious illness wasted his body relentlessly away, always rallying just long enough to kindle fragile hope before the next precipitous decline.But now, miraculously, in the scant handful of days since Terra's arrival, that dreaded pattern seemed to have reversed. No longer did Father lie motionless but for labored breaths, the stillness of a tomb except for the pestilent stench of decay permeating the heavy velvet drapes around his four-poster bed.Now he could sit upright unaided for short periods, lucid enough to hold fragmented conversation or sip broth and weakened tea. The pallid tinge to his skin showed early signs of healthy pink renewal. Even his silver mane and beard gleamed brighter, as if reflecting an inner vitality
TerraThe ornate bedroom doors closed heavily behind me, sealing away the outside world for a brief respite. I leaned back against the cool wood, eyes squeezed shut as I focused on slowing my breaths.The whirlwind of emotions since arriving yesterday had left me dizzy and reeling. I just needed a moment alone to regain some fragile composure before facing it all again.This lavish suite was larger than my entire apartment back home. But its opulent grandeur only emphasized how jarringly out of place I felt.Like a feral alley cat wandered unwittingly into a pedigreed parlor. I may have shed my downtrodden orphan identity, but sliding back into the role of pampered princess did not come naturally either.Collapsing into a plush armchair by the marble fireplace, I pulled out my phone and dialed the familiar number, craving the comforting voice of my rock in the storm. Collins picked up on the second ring."There's my favorite doctor! How is the mysterious house call going?" His playful
NathanI paced anxiously in the courtyard outside my father’s private rooms, pausing every few moments to glance down the tree-lined drive for any sign of Terra’s arrival. After endless torturous days spent negotiating her help from afar, today she finally returned in person to assess my father's declining condition. The prospect of having her near again was both a blessing and exquisite torture.From atop the stone steps, Derek observed my restless prowling with a knowing smirk. “Relax, Alpha. Wearing a trench in the pavers won’t hasten her arrival.”I shot him an irritated scowl, even as his teasing words brought heat to my cheeks. Of course I knew hovering here obsessively would not actually summon Terra faster. But remaining cooped up inside had proven unbearable. Out here, at least the fresh autumn air soothed my frazzled nerves slightly.“I only want to be on hand when she gets here, as any good host would,” I defended. Derek’s grin only widened, clearly seeing through my feeble
TerraYou're being irrational, I chided myself once insomnia finally gave way to fitful slumber. This was about an innocuous medical consult, nothing more. I would help if possible, then immediately return to my clinic, my life here. No threat existed unless I lost perspective.Yet uneasy dreams of running alone through moonlit forests pursued me until dawn. A shadowy black wolf lurked at the corner of my vision, familiar and strange at once. But each time I spun to face it head on, the specter vanished like smoke through my fingers.Even in sleep I could not confront the lingering ghosts of my past. Perhaps I never would find courage to stand and fight.The next morning, supplies had to be restocked and charts updated, providing welcome distraction from restless thoughts. By mid-afternoon, I had almost achieved some sense of normalcy again. Until a shy knock at my office door heralded Collins poking his head in, his tentative expression setting me instantly on edge."Hey. Nathan is b
NathanI strode through the clinic doors exactly thirty minutes before Terra's shift ended, earning curious looks from staff and patients alike at my punctual arrival. But after a week apart, I refused to miss a single possible moment in her presence, however brief.Derek trailed after me, amusement crinkling his eyes as I made directly for the small waiting area by reception I had staked out as my own over the past days."Eager today, are we?" he remarked wryly, lowering his bulky frame into the chair beside me. "Most men only pine so for their actual mate."I narrowed my eyes in warning, not appreciating the implication. "I merely wish to show Terra I intend to keep my word this time. Being here when she's available proves my reliability."Derek held up his hands peaceably, though his grin remained unapologetically knowing. "As you say, Alpha. I'm sure she'll be positively thrilled at your dedication to loitering outside her workplace every day."I bit back a sharp retort, not wishi
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