You heard of Raphael?" Sarah asked in a hushed tone.
Maggie's heart skipped a beat at the sound of Raphael's name.
“Who”? Maggi asked again this time to be sure of the name Sarah just called.
"You know, the werewolf who got banished for supposedly killing a human." Sarah continued expecting Maggie to know all about it
Maggie raised an eyebrow, curious but trying to play along.
"Raphael? No, what's going on with him?"
"Well, rumor has it that he's back in town," Sarah replied, her voice dropping even lower. "And get this, the rumor also says that he's back in town searching for his mate and children. Can you imagine?"
Maggie's heart skipped a beat at the mention of Raphael's mate and children. Maggie's eyes widened. Her heart couldn’t stop racing non stop at this point.
She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Raphael. The name brought back a flood of memories, memories she had long buried.
As Sarah continued talking about Raphael's rumoured return to town, Maggie sat there in utter shock, feeling as though she was reliving her past life all over again.
"Are you okay?" Sarah asked, noticing the shocked expression on Maggie's face.
Maggie forced a smile, trying to push down the memories and the fears that threatened to overwhelm her. "Yeah, I'm fine," she said, her voice sounding strained.
Sarah looked at her with concern, but Maggie shook her head, not wanting to burden her friend with her own problems.
She took a deep breath and tried to focus on the present, pushing the memories of Raphael and her past life to the back of her mind.
But she still couldn't shake the feeling that her past was catching up with her, and that Raphael's return would change everything.
Raphael walked down the neon-lit streets of Las Vegas, his senses heightened by the heady scent of the city. He had been here before, many years ago, but his return was bittersweet.
He had been banished from this place, accused of a crime he did not commit, and he had spent years wandering, seeking solace.
But now he was back, and he could feel the eyes of the city upon him.
Las Vegas had changed since he had last been here, and the werewolf population had grown considerably. Raphael had been a popular alpha figure before his banishment, and he knew that some still looked up to him as a leader.
As he walked, he caught snippets of conversation, whispers of his name on the lips of the werewolves who passed him by.
Some nodded in his direction, acknowledging his presence, while others averted their gaze, remembering the accusations that had led to his exile.
Raphael made his way to a popular bar, where he knew he could find other werewolves. The place was packed, the air thick with the sound of laughter and the clink of glasses.
Raphael moved through the throng, his senses on high alert, scanning the faces for any sign of trouble.
At the bar, he ordered a drink and settled onto a stool, keeping an eye on the crowd. He sensed the tension in the air, the underlying animosity that lingered between the different factions of the werewolf community.
Raphael could feel the eyes of others upon him, watching his every move. He knew that there were those who still believed him to be guilty of the crime he had been accused of, and he knew that his presence here was a risk.
But Raphael was not one to shy away from a challenge. He had come for what he’s always longed for and not even a banishment was going to stop him from seeing Maggie and meeting his children.
Raphael quickly left the bar and moved as fast as he could into a dimly lit alley, his back pressed against the rough brick wall. He watched as the neon lights of the Las Vegas strip illuminated the night sky, casting a colourful glow over the city. He knew that he had to be smart if he wanted to survive here.
Raphael had been banished from the city and was a wanted man, and if he was caught by the authorities, it would mean certain death.
He had to be careful. He couldn't attract attention to himself, and he had to be smart about the way he went about his business. He had to stay in the shadows, asking questions and gathering information, without drawing too much attention to himself.
Raphael knew that he couldn't trust anyone in this city, and that every move he made could be his last. But he was determined to make it work. He was smart, and he knew how to survive.
As he stepped out of the alley and onto the bustling street, he felt a surge of adrenaline rush through his veins. He had to keep his wits about him, and be ready for anything.
With a determined look on his face, Raphael disappeared into the crowds, ready to take on whatever challenges that came with finding Maggie and the children.
Maggie paced around her small apartment, her mind racing with thoughts of Raphael. She couldn't shake the feeling that he was looking for her.
The last time they had seen each other had been a passionate night, and Maggie had thought that would be the end of it.
But now, she knew that he had found out about her pregnancy, just like everyone else in the town of New York. And now, he wanted to claim his children.
Maggie knew that she couldn't let that happen. She had spent the last few years raising her twins, and building a future for them. She wasn't going to let Raphael come in and disrupt everything.
She took a deep breath and tried to calm herself down. She knew that she had to come up with a plan, and fast. She couldn't just sit around and wait for Raphael to come knocking on her door.
As she paced back and forth, her mind started to clear. An idea came to her. Maggie knew what she had to do. Just as she was moving to her room, her phone rang.
It was Sarah.She picked it up, expecting to hear Sarah's voice on the other end."Hey, Sarah. What's up?" Maggie asked, trying to sound calm."I just wanted to remind you that my boutique launch is today," Sarah said, her voice chipper and upbeat.Maggie's heart sank. She had completely forgotten about the launch. Sarah had been telling Maggie about it all week but Maggie had totally forgotten about it. Maggie had not been herself since Sarah told her about Raphael at the cafeteria. It had slipped her mind."Oh my god, Sarah. I completely forgot," Maggie said, feeling guilty."That's why I'm calling, silly. I wanted to remind you. And I'm also having a little get together party tonight to celebrate. You should come," Sarah said, her voice still cheery.Maggie hesitated. She wasn't sure if she was up for a party tonight, with everything going on."I don't know, Sarah. I've got a lot on my plate right now," Maggie said, trying to come up with an excuse."Nonsense. You need to take a b
Maggie's heart pounded in her chest as she hurriedly waved her hand in the air, desperately trying to flag down a passing cab.Her eyes darted across the busy street, searching for any sign of an available vehicle. Finally, her gaze locked onto a yellow taxi approaching from a distance. Without hesitation, she lunged forward, her arm outstretched, as she caught the driver's attention.The cab slowed down, and Maggie, adrenaline coursing through her veins, rushed to the backseat. She flung open the door and gestured frantically for her children Luke and Leah, to join her. They hurriedly followed suit, their faces filled with concern and confusion."Hurry” Maggie said to the cab driver.Maggie's breath was ragged as she settled into her seat, quickly buckling her seatbelt. The cab driver, a middle-aged man with a graying beard, glanced at Maggie through the rearview mirror. "Where to, miss?" he asked, his voice tinged with curiosity."Just go!" Maggie practically shouted, her voice on
Sarah stumbled into her apartment in the early hours of the morning, her exhaustion evident in the heavy bags under her eyes and the weariness etched across her face. She closed the door behind her, the sound echoing through the stillness of the space. As she made her way further into the room, she spotted Maggie sitting on the couch, a dim light casting a soft glow around her.Sarah approached cautiously, her voice gentle. "Hello there," she said lightly, a glimmer of concern in her eyes.Maggie looked up, her gaze meeting Sarah's. "Hello Sarah," she replied, her voice subdued yet welcoming. "Why are you still awake?" Sarah asked"I guess I just wasn't sleepy yet," Maggie admitted, her voice trailing off.Sarah sighed, concern washing over her as she took in the scene before her. Luke and Leah were fast asleep, their bodies curled up on either side of Maggie, seeking comfort in her presence. "Maggie, you should be resting too," Sarah said gently, stepping closer to the couch.Magg
"You weren't quite yourself throughout the whole night." Sarah continued"I'm sorry about that," she replied, her voice tinged with vulnerability. "It's just..the kids' father is in town," Maggie repliedMaggie then took a deep breath“Raphael... Raphael is the father of the kids.”Sarah almost choking on her coffee, coughs “What?”“I know it's a shock”. Maggie replied nervously. I should have told you earlier, but I didn't know how to bring it up”.Sarah couldn't believe what she had just heard. The words echoed in her mind, refusing to sink in. “How did it happen?” Sarah's voice trembled as she posed the question, desperate for answers. The room fell into a heavy silence, as if time itself had frozen. Maggie took a deep breath, preparing herself to reveal a chapter of her life she had long kept hidden.For the next hour, Maggie poured out her heart to Sarah, recounting the life she once lived in the bustling streets of New York City before finding herself in the glitzy realm of
Maggie sat on a worn out couch just by the corner of Sarah’s sitting room sipping a cup of steaming tea. The living room was bathed in a warm, golden glow from the setting sun. The ticking of the clock on the wall echoed in the silence. It had been three long years since Raphael vanished from their lives, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions. No one had heard from him in all that time, and even the rumors that once swirled around their small town had died down to mere whispers.Maggie couldn't help but wonder if he had truly left, never to return.At times, she pondered whether she was finally free from him. Perhaps he had accepted the fact that she would never allow him to take their kids away, or maybe he simply couldn't find them. Whatever the reason, Maggie felt a newfound sense of safety and liberation.As she sat lost in her thoughts, the sound of the front door opening broke the silence. Maggie's heart skipped a beat, but she quickly realized it was only the wind. S
Maggie was shocked by Luke’s question. She didn’t expect that. Unknown to her, Luke had been listening to her conversations with Sarah.“Uhmm…. Why don’t you go unpack your things with your sister” Maggie said hurriedly gesturing Luke to his room, trying to avoid his question.Days went by so fast and six years had passed since Maggie, Luke, and Leah had settled back in their apartment. The passage of time had brought healing, growth, and a renewed sense of hope. Luke and Leah had wasted no time in resuming their education, and today marked another day of school in their lives.Leah burst through the front door, his excitement palpable in the air."Mum, Mum, my teacher told me to give this to you!" She exclaimed, waving a folded letter in his hand.Maggie, sitting on the couch, looked up from her book, curiosity piqued. She took the letter from Leah’s outstretched hand, her brows furrowing as she wondered what it could be. With a sense of anticipation, she carefully opened the envelo
It was Sarah. "Maggie, it's Sarah," her warm voice greeted her. A genuine smile spread across Maggie's face. "Hey, Sarah”. Sarah's tone was lighthearted. " Hey there. I am just calling as usual to check on you and my favourite twins. How are you all doing?" Maggie's heart swelled with affection at the mention of the twins. "We're all good," she replied, her voice tinged with contentment. "The kids are growing up so fast. They've been keeping me on my toes, as always." Sarah let out a soft chuckle. "I can only imagine. They have quite the energy, don't they?" Maggie nodded, even though Sarah couldn't see her. "Oh, you have no idea. “How about you? How have you been faring” Maggie asked. “Pushing as always,” Sarah replied with a little laugh. There was a brief pause on the line before Sarah spoke again. "I miss you guys. And I'll definitely come visit soon. I need my twin fix." Maggie laughed. "We'll be waiting eagerly for you, Sarah. The twins will be thrilled to see their
Maggie, still in awe of Luke's abilities, couldn't help but be curious about what had just transpired. She approached the refrigerator cautiously, her eyes fixed on its metallic surface.She positioned herself in front of the fridge, took a deep breath, and extended her hand towards it.With a surge of effort, Maggie exerted all her strength, trying to mimic what Luke had done. But to her disappointment, the fridge remained firmly in place. She huffed and tried again, this time using both hands. A small groan escaped her lips as she strained, but the refrigerator barely budged, shifting only by an inch.Frustration washed over Maggie as she stepped back, puzzled and slightly deflated. "How did Luke do it?" she wondered aloud, her gaze fixed on the refrigerator.Feeling a mixture of awe and confusion, Maggie began to question the reality of what had just occurred. How could Luke, a fourteen-year-old boy, effortlessly raise the refrigerator with a single hand while she struggled with al