—Lena— We arrive at the ball at six on the dot. The street is crowded, lined with limousines and luxury vehicles worth more than my apartment. Flashes are going off right, left, and center. The paparazzi are scurrying around like rats up a drainpipe snapping away at those who pose on the red carpet. As we walk through the large doors, we’re blown away by the sight of it all. The grand ballroom is enormous. Its size big enough to hold all of the elite in New York City and then some. The tall ceilings are covered in rows of draped sheer organza fabric, creating a medieval feel with a modern twist. A large chandelier hangs from the middle, its crystals reflecting the light which shimmers on the dance floor. Scattered across the room are artificial trees with the branches draped in fairy lights. We sit ourselves down as Jeremy places his arm around my chair, drawing me in closer. He smells fantastic. “You look amazing tonig
—Killian— I spent the short limousine ride chatting with Brooke. It turns out she’s the daughter of one of the politicians from Long Island. Great, just what I need, more media scrutiny. Adriana sure knows how to pick them. We arrive at the ball, red carpet swarming with paparazzi. We follow the crowd, hoping to avoid the craziness. Unfortunately, I’m not so lucky. “Mr. Kelly, over here,” one of the paparazzi yells. I take my cue, posing, then the media frenzy follows. The bulbs keep flashing, blinding my normally perfect vision. "Killian, who are you wearing?” “Are you and Brooke Henley an item?” “Is it true the Kelly Group is in a bidding war to buy—?” Adriana shakes her head with annoyance and impatiently drags me into the building. I scan the room, bored with the conversation between Brooke and her mother about dresses and designers. Across the ballroom, I notice a young guy checking me out, making it bla
—Killian— I stagger back in shock, my back hitting the wall, I can't believe what I'm hearing. "What do you mean Lena never cheated on me. Tell me the truth, the whole truth." My wolf growls and my fangs come out. She takes a step back seeing how agitated I am. "It all started as a joke. As soon as you found out Lena was your mate you dropped Mari like she was nothing. So the week before you kicked her out when you found out that all flip shifters that have been born through the years that if their mothers were omegas they were bound to die. So Mari definitely thought that you were coming back to her but you didn't. You then decided that you were ok without having kids." She takes another step away from me. "And I couldn't let you do that. Since we were little I've known how much you wanted kids and Mari is a Luna she can give you kids. So me and Mari paid a man to kiss Lena while she was at the store in town and those were the pictures t
—Lena— MEMORIES "You know for someone whose last words to me three years ago was that you never wanted to see me again, you keep showing up a lot lately." Just as he opens his mouth, Eric practically throws himself between us. “Killian, thank you so much for sorting the door for us.” What? How can Killian get us in, and when did Eric become best buds with him? I need to escape this torture, and scanning the room in panic, my thoughts to exit via the back door are foiled when Eric grips onto my arm, predicting my escape. “Lena, did you know Killian owns this place? I mean, seriously, how hot is this club.” A wide smirk appears on Killiam’s face. I’m ready to kill Eric with my bare hands. Didn’t his parents teach him not to play with fire? “Good evening, Mr. Kelly.” The bartender is quick to attend to Killian. “What’ll it be?” “A round of tequila shots, Dylan. Can you send t
—Lena— OH FUCK!....WHAT HAVE I DONE. I want to give him all of me and take everything he has to give me—three years’ worth of suppressed sexual desire. And foolishly, I want him to taste the forbidden fruit. Poison him with just one bite. He greedily sucks my lips while tugging on my hair, then continues kissing down my neck until his mouth is on my breasts. A groan escapes his beautiful lips as he sucks the left one hard while pinching the right nipple, then quickly alternating. I’m lost, drowning in a pool of pleasure. My hands are running through his hair, guiding his head as he tastes me. As I open my eyes to watch him, the sparkle in my ring nearly blinds me. Like a splash of cold water, reality is staring at me, judging me for my poor decisions. I push him away, creating distance. “Fuck you, Killian. You don’t own me,” I shout with uneven breaths. “I’m taking back what’s mine.” He latches onto my wai
—Killian— Fuck i shouldn't have acted like that i pushed too far too soon. I should've known that a fast approach wasn't the way to go, not after the way I hurt her. But I can't help myself whenever she's close my body calls out to her and I know she feels it too. But she doesn't want to that's why she's pushing me away. How dare she assume I’m just like everyone else. I might have been young and foolish, but I loved her like no other man could. I’ve fucked-up so many times that I’ll admit now, I just need a final chance to make things right. Until she tells me tonight’s all one big mistake. You’re nothing to me. I’m marrying him. I lean against the wall, willing her hurtful words to stop. The lack of her presence is leaving a huge ache inside me, rubbing the self-inflicted wound inside my chest. I need to let her go, just for tonight. Maybe I’m pushing her, but I don’t know what else to do. She isn’t a business deal, and
—Killian— The whole situation with Lena is messing with my head so I decide to go for a run in central park. My legs run faster than ever, pushing through the burn as sweat builds against my shirt and drips from my forehead. The time I run is my personal best, and the only positive thing I have control over. I stop at a playground to catch my breath. Around me, children are playing, so happy with not a care in the world. An attractive redhead sits on the park bench, and a small boy runs into her arms. Her face becomes familiar, and moments later, I realize it is Lena’s friend, Kate. Fuck, I know how much she hates me she's not my biggest fan. I’m not one to strike up conversations with people that hate me, but I need her help if I want to have a chance in getting Lena back. “Hi.” I wave, taking small steps towards her. “Kate, Its been a while” Raising her eyes to meet mine, she crosses her arms with a forced smile
—Lena— My eyes spring open, the sun still shining directly into my face. Turning to my side, I lift my phone to check the time. Nine o’clock. My screen is full of notifications—four text messages and a slew of emails. The first two are from Eric. Eric: Lunch at Mahjong House at noon. We need to talk. Crap, what have I done? I suddenly feel an urge to vomit, thinking I can’t remember things for a very good reason. Racing toward the bathroom, I topple over the toilet, dry retching as nothing comes out. Peeling myself off the cold tiles, I drag myself back to bed and check my phone again. Eric: Kate will be there, she said she's coming with someone named Lachlan, but she is meeting us at 12:30. Don’t be late! I laugh, regretting it almost immediately as my head spins violently. It’d been a long time since I drank that much, and I vow never to touch tequila ever again. The next message is from an unknown numbe