Chapter 1 Chapter 1

Lauren I heard the door open and by the clean and citrus smell I knew it was Darren. I didn’t bother standing up to welcome him home. What was the use? When I knew very well that he wouldn’t appreciate it nor would he want me to. I was surprised that he come home. I rarely saw him nowadays and when I did, he either ignored me, avoided me or lashed out at me. He would at times stay away for days that I would forget I have a husband. The ever present pain in my heart is what constantly reminded me that I do have a mate. A mate that no longer wanted me. His footsteps approach the dining room. I sat at the dining table with a cup in my hands. I don’t look up when his steps near. I still don’t look up when he stops a few feet from me. He throws some documents in front of me and that’s when I raise my head. “What are these?” I ask suspiciously, my eyes meeting his obsidian orbs. Just like every other time we crossed paths, his eyes are cold and his face is set in stone. It’s hard to believe that this was the same man who showered me with love and affection just a few months ago. Was it all just pretend? Has he been faking it all along, waiting for Miranda to come back? “Sign them, those are separation papers. Since I never marked you, it was easy to get the elders to agree and approve our separation” he glared, almost as if just talking to me was ruining his day. Who would have thought him not marking me would one day be used against me? Marking was the only subject we ever argued about. He had always made excuses about it and kept postponing it. His refusal to mark me should have been a red flag. But I kept making up excuses for him, thinking he would do it once he was ready. I looked at him surprised. Never had I thought he would go to such lengths though. We have been together for ten years, ten good years. We had built a good life together and now he wanted to destroy all of it in just a few months of her arrival back into our lives? “You can’t be serious Darren” I say sadly. My voice barely above a whisper My tears were threatening to fall but I won’t allow them to. I’ve cried enough over the past few months. Couldn’t he see the pain he in my eyes? Was he so ignorant of how he was tearing me apart? I stood by him when she left. I build him back up after she had destroyed him. I was there for him through it all. So how could he carelessly throw away everything we had for a cheating slut? “I am, now sign the goddamn papers” he snapped, his fist hitting the table, almost breaking it in half. His face is contorted in anger. I jump away afraid and since he was close I collide with his body. This close to him I can smell her perfume. I can see the lipstick stain on his neck. He must have come from her place. I am disgusted by his actions. That he would come to the house we turned into our home smelling like another woman. That he would blatantly disregard his vows and openly cheat on me with the same woman that broke him ten years ago. The pain that cuts through my heart as I imagine them together is shattering. The image of him making love to her, touching her like he used to touch me refuses to leave my mind. Instead it tears my already shredded heart. I step away from him and look at him defiantly. “I won’t sign them!”“Excuse me?” His eyes turn dangerously dark and waves of anger roll from him. The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. I rethink my decision but then I decide to stand firm. I couldn’t allow him to destroy what we’ve built. I was strong enough to fight for our family. “I said I won’t sign them!” I hiss, glaring back at him. My heart may be broken but I refuse to give up on him. To give up on our union. Miranda wasn’t going to waltz back in and ruin everything I have built. I refuse to let that bitch win. “You’ll sign them or I swear on the moon goddess I’ll fucking destroy you” he growls. “Do your worst Darren…you can’t break me anymore than you already have” I stare at his handsome face, willing him to remember our love. To see past her deception and lies. To see the damage he was wrecking on my soul. But he doesn’t and I fear that just may be he is already too far gone. “Oh darling, that’s where you’re wrong… You have no idea how much more I damage I can do” he smirks evilly and I have to prevent myself from shuddering at his coldness. He turns around and stomps out of the kitchen. A few moments later I hear him climbing the stairs and I sag against the table. I let the tears that I had been holding back to freely fall. Where had I gone wrong? Had I done something that angered the moon goddess and she was now punishing me? I just couldn’t understand. I had been happy a few months ago. Content with my life. I had a loving family, great friends and my business was flourishing. I had even planned on getting pregnant. But in a blink of an eye everything came crushing down. Miranda came back to our lives like an angry hurricane, leaving nothing but destruction in her wake. She started by going to his company. When I heard about it, I confronted him and he assured me nothing was going on. That they just went for lunch to catch up. That I shouldn’t worry because she was firmly in the past. I should have worried. Because here we were, months down the line with him asking for a separation. My greatest fear had come true. He was leaving me for her and I didn’t know how to handle that. I wipe away the tears furiously, mad at myself for being weak. I can’t give in to weakness because if I do, I’ll lose all I held dear to my heart. I walk to my room unsteadily. Darren had kicked me out of our bedroom when he started seeing Miranda. Once there, I try to sleep but I’m unable. My mind refuses to shut down. It refuses to let me find peace in its dark abyss. It was around nine o’clock so I knew she would be asleep. I get out of my room and tip toe up the stairs and into her room. Knowing her bedroom like the back of my hand I walk quietly to her bed. I sit on Krystal’s small bed and run my finger through her soft locks. I inhale her scent which calms me a little. I was too lost to realize that she wasn’t fully asleep. Her bedside lamps turn on all of a sudden and when she sees it’s me she screams. “Get out of my room! Get out” she screeched. “Daddy!” she yells at the top of her lungs as if I was going to murder her. Darren burst through her door in seconds. He switches on the lights and scans for the intruder only for his eyes to land on me. The worried look changes to murderous and he stalks towards me. Krystal runs to her father and holds him tight. “Daddy she scared me. I don’t want her here, make her leave” she mumbles into his pajama pant. Her whole body trembles as if she just met a monster and not her mother. It breaks my heart further that my own daughter no longer even refers to me as mommy. These days I’ve been relegated to just ‘her’. As if I were nothing but a servant. Darren’s eye turns soft as he looks at our daughter. “Go to my room honey. I’ll be there in few and then we can leave” That was the only thing we had in common nowadays. Our love for our daughter. A daughter who looked like the perfect mix of me and Darren. She has redish brown hair. The red coming from me since I’m a red head. The brown from her dad. She also has his obsidian eyes. “Are we going to mommy Miranda? I love staying with her” she says her voice brimming with glee. Her excitement to see Miranda breaks my heart a little more. That’s what she calls Miranda. She stopped referring to me as her mother months ago. She hasn’t spoken to me or let me near her in months. My own daughter prefers another woman over me. Just like Darren, Krystal now hates me and want nothing to do with me. “Yes, now go so I can finish up here” Darren tells her gently. Krystal stares at her dad with a smile, then gives me a scathing look before leaving the room. “What were you doing in her room?” he asks, the gentle look he had a few moments ago having turned lethal. I stand up and sigh before answering. “She’s my daughter Darren, I wanted to be near her” I now couldn’t even come near Krystal without her screaming at me or shouting for me to get away from her. She had completely changed once Darren introduced her to his mistress. All the affection she had for me were transferred to her. Goddess I hated the lying bitch. “She doesn’t want you near her. Get that through your thick head!” His insult hurts me but this was my daughter we were talking about. “That’s because you let that slut brainwash her. If you think that I will let that stupid hoe raise my daughter, you’re sadly mistake.” I spit out disdainfully. I didn’t see the hit coming. I was standing, glaring at him and the next thing I knew I was on the floor. My world spinning and my ears ringing from the impact. “Let that be the last fucking time you speak like that about the woman I love” he snarled his voice cold with anger. He looked at me in disgust before spitting on me. He left the room without even looking back, minutes later I heard them leave. I can’t believe it. I sat there on the floor while tears ran down my face. My left cheek stinging. I knew it was going to bruise. How could he? He held me with those hands. Wiped my tears with them, and caressed me with them. So how could he hit me? And all because of her.

Chapter 2 Chapter 2

I stare in doubt at the humongous house in front of me. I can hear the booming music playing somewhere outside. I could also hear the screams of children as they had fun. It was Krystal eighth birthday and I hadn’t been invited. I hadn’t even known there was a party. How pathetic is that? Not knowing your daughter already had a birthday party planned? I had called Darren to ask him what I should plan. He had angrily answered that Miranda had everything covered. That I shouldn’t bother coming because neither him nor Krystal wanted me there. I was the one who always planned her parties, and it was always done at our home. But this year it was being held at Miranda’s. Apparently Krystal had asked her to plan it. Because according to her I don’t plan her parties the way she wanted them. They were always boring and ugly and she hated them. It had hurt to know that Krystal had never liked or appreciated the work and effort I put in the planning. That it wasn’t enough. That she hated those parties. I sigh knowing Miranda has overturned everything I’ve ever done. That all my efforts are nothing but squashed bugs beneath her feet. Why the fuck does it still hurt? It has been months since she come back. I should be used to the new reality by now, but I was still holding on. “You can do this Ren” My wolf Blue murmurs. As I try to find the courage to walk to her house. A place I remain unwanted. “This is our pup’s party and we shouldn’t miss it” she continues. If I had thought what Darren did was painful. Then I had no idea how this would tear me up. That Krystal and Darren hadn’t wanted me there on the day I fucking gave birth to her. I had been angry at both of them, then the anger had turned to hurt. Pushing those thoughts away I take a step forward. The door was opened so I stepped in and I was in complete awe. Everything was beautiful, Miranda had really done a great job. It looked like something out of a fairytale. I follow the sound of the music and I end up in the backyard. The lash field had been transformed into a dream. Pink and white flowers covered the ground. Tables covered with glittery gold table clothes. Each table had four chairs covered with a white satin cloth. They were then tied with gold ribbons. Everything looked fancy and upscale. No wonder Krystal hated my parties. My self-confidence takes a hit, knowing that nothing I had done, had been good enough for Krystal. “What are you doing here?!” the shout brings me out of my thoughts. I turn to look and find Krystal. She stares at me in anger and disgust. As if my very presence would ruin the day for her. Her shout had attracted the attention of guests. Both humans and wolves. I don’t speak. Unable to comprehend what changed in Krystal. Why she all of a sudden hated me. Was it something I did? Something I said? “I don’t want you here, leave and don’t ever come back!” she screamed. Her hands balled tightly in a fist. “Honey, I come to bring you your gift” I tell her gently. My voice trembling from trying to holding my tears back. I was really trying. The last thing I needed was to be the talk of the city. I could feel the pity from our packmates through the bond. And I know majority don’t agree with what Darren is doing. But I don’t want their pity. I just want my family back. Krystal reaches out to take the gift. I was about to sigh in relief, to smile at her. But then she does something I never expected her to. She throws the gift to the floor, before stomping on it. Breaking the doll I had bought her. I look at the broken doll, which is the perfect reflection of my broken heart. She stomped on the doll the same way she just stomped on my heart. “I told you I don’t want you here, and I don’t want your stupid and ugly present” she snapped at me. She was shaking as if she couldn’t control her anger and hatred. How did it get to this? What did Miranda have that I didn’t? What was it about her that made my family love her but hate me. All I ever done was to love them. Give them all of me. The best of me. I’ve done all I could to be the perfect mate and wife. To be the perfect mother but it seemed none of that was enough. Because Miranda easily replaced me in their hearts. “Krys…” I choke out her name. The pain and tears blocking my airway. She interrupts me by shouting. “No! I hate you and daddy hates you too. We don’t want you here. Daddy is going to marry mommy Miranda but you don’t want them to because you are a bad and evil person. You’re jealous of her because she is prettier than you and you’re ugly. If you don’t let daddy be happy then I’ll pray for the goddess to punish you and send you to hell” I stumble back because I feel like I’ve been physically punched. That not only does she hates me so much she would wish me to hell but also because Darren is planning to mate with Miranda. How did this happen? How had I turned from her mother to the villain in their fairytale story? “You don’t mean that Krystal. I’m your mommy” I cry out. Unable to stop my tears from flowing. Why do I feel like my heart is being fucking torn into pieces? Like it’s been shredded into minced meat? “You are no longer my mommy. I only have one mother and that is mommy Miranda” she declared strongly. She then turns her back to me and runs to Miranda. Miranda wraps her arms around her, glaring at me while she whispers words of comfort to her. As if she was her biological mother and I was the other woman. The one who had destroyed their happy day. I can’t believe that Krystal just denounced me. In front of guest. How could she do that to me? And how could Darren allow her to? How could they choose Miranda over me? The remaining pieces of my heart were shattering. I don’t think there was anything that could fix it, make it whole again. Before I even have a chance to pick my dignity from the floor, Darren is there. He grabs my arm in a painful grip and drags me away. “Please Darren…” I plead with him when we are almost to the door. “Shut the fuck up, you stupid cunt!” he shouts. He is completely livid and furious. His eyes changing from black to yellow. I shut up completely shocked he would call me a cunt. As if I was nothing but an annoying hoe that was trying to break up his happy family. It fucking hurts. His fingers leave my arm and wrap around my neck. He squeezes hard, chocking the day lights out of me. His claws digging deep into my neck. I can feel the blood trailing down my neck. Already soaking my blouse. “Let this be the last fucking time I see you near Krystal or even me. Don’t touch her, don’t look at her and don’t even breathe the same fucking air as her. If you come even an inch near us, I’ll fucking kill you” he threatened. His voice hard. “But she’s my daughter” I whisper, tears running down my face. His voice was cold with finality when he replied. “You heard her…you mean nothing to her and you mean nothing to me” Without another word, he pushes me out of the door before closing it. I try to break my fall by landing on my hands and knees. I don’t even register that I have bruised them. Or that my neck though healing was till bleeding. The pain from my physical wounds couldn’t compare to the one in my heart. How am I supposed to fight when I feel broken? Should I even fight for them or just give up? Given they’ve turned their back on me and hate me. What was the point anyway? They no longer want me, us. Blue hurt beyond repair retreated to the back of my mind. “Hey” a sweet little voice brings me from my trance. A boy around ten years old stands next to my car. He has blonde hair and grey eyes. He is a handsome little boy and looks really familiar. “My daddy says that pretty girls shouldn’t cry. And you’re the most beautiful woman I have ever seen” he tells me sweetly and strongly. I touches my heart that this boy thinks I’m beautiful while own daughter doesn’t think so. I kneel to his level even though it causes me pain. “Thank you handsome. What’s your name?” I ask with a teary smile, trying to wipe away my tears. He smiles at me and damn does it light up his face. “I’m Jax…and you’re Krystal mom. I don’t mean to be bad, but I don’t like Krystal all that much now. She was mean to you and it made me angry. I also don’t like my mom or Krystal’s dad, what they are doing to you isn’t nice. They are the ones who should be punished” he says with a hint of anger. His hands balled in a fist It hits me after he finishes speaking. This boy, trying to comfort me was Miranda’s son. It also hits me that I could poison him against his mother. Say all manner of things to make him hate her but I don’t. It’s not in me. I would never wish this pain on any mother. “I know baby, but she’s still your mom, no matter what. You should love and respect her” I calmly and gently say. He looks intensely at me for a while before saying. “Okay, but just know that even though they don’t love you I do and you’re the best” He then gives me a hug and a kiss on the cheek before leaving. I don’t know what it is about Jax, but I feel a connection to him. Something tells me our paths are somehow tied to each other. I get in my car and drive away from my daughter and mate. Feeling better for the first time in months. And it was all because of my enemy’s son.

Chapter 3 Chapter 3

I walk through the hallways of my almost empty company. My best friend and I had built Ruby’s collection from scratch. Ruby’s had been flourishing. Had been among the top ten fashion companies. Now it was crumbling. Darren had kept true to his promise to destroy me. My name had been dragged through the mud by magazines and gossip columns. I had been painted as the villain. The evil bitch that had come between old flames. The treacherous wife who refused to release the man that no longer wanted her. The sad and bitter woman who refused to let go. I have been called names. I have been cyber bullied. I have been painted worse than the devil. The good image I had in the human society has been destroyed. Majority of both humans and wolves no longer want to be associated with me. We have lost investors. Our profits are dropping drastically and employees are leaving us. No longer wanting to work for a monster like me. I was the devil while Miranda was an angel. I was the one trying to break them up instead of the other way around. I hated everything that was happening but I couldn’t control it. Just like the other days. My secretary is nowhere in sight. I have a feeling that she too was about to leave the company. I walk into my office but I stop dead. A man that I have only seen in magazines is standing in my office. He occupies the room like he owns it. Like it was his own personal playground. Sebastian Ashford is a very powerful man. Both in the human and wolf world. He has the unspoken title of alpha of alphas. With a wolf that can only be described as a beast, he was the staff of nightmares. He is also Miranda’s former mate. “How can I help you Mr. Ashford?” I ask him. Finding my voice. He doesn’t answer immediately. Just stares at me with those forest green eyes. As if he could see the pain that was wreaking havoc inside me. He is tall, around six feet or maybe more. midnight black, thick hair. Even though he has a suit on. You can still tell he's fit under it. He is hot in every sense. Too bad my heart will never be whole again. Never will it be able to beat for another. I was done with men. “My son keeps talking about you. I had to come and see what all the fuss was all about” he says, his voice deep and husky. I just stare at him not knowing what to say. “I want to know what intention you have towards him” He gets so close that I can feel his body heat. Blue perks up for a bit before going back to sleep. “Nothing bad. He’s a good kid and he comforted me at my lowest” I murmur. I have to tip my head back just to be able to look at him. “That better be all Red. Because if I find out you’re using him as revenge against his bitch of a mother, I will rip you to pieces. There will be nothing left of you to bury” he threatens his voice going dangerously low. I can see the beast everyone talks about. He is lurking just behind those hypnotizing cold grey eyes. I should be scared but for some reason I was not. Just as with his son, something drew me to him. “I would never do that. I may hate Miranda but I would never use an innocent child to get back at her” He continues to stare at me in that peculiar way. Like he was searching my soul. Learning all my secrets. With a last warning he walks out. Taking his overwhelming presence with him. The moment he is gone the room immediately feels empty. I get back to work. Trying to focus knowing well it was an impossible task. It was hours later when Darren comes barging into my office. He was completely pissed and breathing fire. “Stay the fuck away from my parents. I don’t know what you told them to hate Miranda so much but I won’t allow you to sink your dirty claws into them” he shouts, his voice hateful and full of disdain. I scoff. “I doubt I have any power over them. They hate Miranda for what she did to you. Not because of anything I’ve told them” He looks at me. His eyes full of loathing. How is it that all love has turned to hate? I just don’t fucking understand. “Sign the goddamn papers and leave my family alone. Better yet, just fucking die it would make my life easier” His words shatters me a little further. Leaving both Blue and I broken in a way I’m afraid we will never recover. He turns about to leave but I stop him. “Wait” I shout but it comes out as a whimper instead. “Be honest with me. Did you ever really love me? These ten years we’ve been together, did you love me or was it just pretend for you?” I was fucking scared of the answer but I just had to know. Hoping that at least he loved me at one point. That he had at least cared for me. That he had been happy with me. His answer could destroy me but I needed it. He sighs, before answering. “I don’t think so. My heart never truly belonged to you, it was always Miranda’s. You were just holding it for her but it was never yours to begin with so let’s just end this sham of a mating, so I can finally be with the only woman I’ve ever loved. We’re ten years overdue” Without saying anything else he leaves. Walking out the door, like he was walking out of my life. I fall to my knees. My heart constricting in pain. My soul feeling like it has been torn into two. He never loved me. Not even once. He was just using me. The pain of this knowledge is crashing. “Make it stop Blue. Please make the pain go away” I plead with her. She replies just as broken. “I wish I could, my lovely human” I don’t know how long I had been on the floor when I heard her. “Ren?” I look up to find my best friend Claire standing at the door. Within seconds she is kneeling beside me. “Oh Renny, what’s he done to you?” And that’s all it takes for me to crumble. I throw myself at her. Finally, I break, a sob tearing its way from the depths of my tortured soul. I let the pain, the anger, the frustration and the hate I’ve been pushing down free. The dam breaks and the tears I have been holding back flows. I cry my heart out to the moon goddess. Cry at the shitty hand I’ve been dealt with. At the pain she has allowed into my life. At the brokenness I was sure would never be fixed. At my damaged heart. By the time I’m done I feel empty. Like there is a hole where my soul used to exist. I whisper, the fight leaving me completely. “I’m sorry Blue but we have to do this”“I know. Do what you have to, to save what little is left of us” she whimpers before retreating to the back of our mind. I turn to Claire, whispering the words that tear at me. “I’m done” She doesn’t say a word, just nods. Her tears fall while she holds me tightly in her arms. ************************************************ I stare at myself in the mirror and I can’t believe the woman staring back at me. She looks tired and broken. Eye bags under her eyes, her skin ashy and hair thin. She’s lost weight and the clothes hang off her body. She looks like a shadow of her former self. I close my eyes. Praying that when I do open them again they will be clear. It doesn’t work at all. The pain is still there. Still swimming in their depths. Lurking on the surface. I take a deep breath then leave the bathroom. I stand in the room I’ve been calling mine. It’s funny how things can change in just a few months. How drastic your life can take a wrong turn. I survey it making sure I haven’t left anything important behind. Everything I own is packed. The rest, the things Darren gave me are either burnt or donated. I’ve cleared everything. Leaving no sign that I ever lived there. “Are you ready Blue?” I ask my wolf softly. “Yeah. As ready as I’ll ever be” she replies, her voice barely above whisper. She is hurt and has been withdrawing into herself more and more each day. I couldn’t allow her to fade. She was the only one that was keeping me sane. I leave going straight to the airport. Everything has been sorted. I had already signed the separation papers. I had also gotten my lawyer to draft custody papers. Signing full custody of Krystal over to Darren. It had broken us to do so. But we knew Krystal would never willingly choose to stay with us. Forcing her would only make her hate us more. I had no idea where we would go. We just needed to go somewhere far away. Where we’re not constantly reminded of all we had lost. Where we couldn’t see Darren and Krystal happy while we stood aside unwanted. We had to get away because each day felt like we were dying a little more. Each day felt like we were one step closer to being swallowed by the darkness surrounding us. “Blue?” I call. I needed her for this next step. “I’m here love. Do it, let go” she pushes me. Giving me the strength I need. “I Lauren Smith, cut all ties with Alpha Darren West and the Silver Mist Pack. I declare that I am now a lone wolf with no pack” The moment I finish those words, I feel the pack link beginning to shrivel in my mind. The buzz that was always there at the back of my mind was now silent. A tear falls down my cheek. As the pack link completely fades. I accept that I’ve just severed the last connection I have to Darren and Krystal. Blue and I were now truly alone.

Chapter 4 Chapter 4

It’s been a year since I fled from my pain. I had thought my wound would heal, but I had been wrong. I hadn’t healed. Neither had I found closure. Instead something darker had taken root inside me. As the Uber driver drives past the familiar streets. I’m reminded of why I had left this forsaken country in the first place. I’m reminded of the pain and humiliation I endured one year ago. I’m reminded of Darren’s betrayal. “I hate this city” Blue murmurs in disgust. Echoing my thoughts. Within minutes we’re at the hospital. I pay him then get out. I stand for a minute. Watching the towering building. Calming myself. The hospital is for werewolves only. It was located in a secluded area. We had werewolf government officials who helped us keep it under radar. If I were being honest, I hadn’t planned on ever coming back. But my godson had been diagnosed with a tumor. Claire had called me crying, afraid and hysterical. I would do anything for them. So when they both asked me to come, I did. I left everything to come be with them. Entering the hospital I locate the elevators and get in. Claire had given me the floor and room number. Given this was the same hospital Krystal was born in, I knew where to go. Minutes later, I’m walking into Mason’s room. He’s on the bed watching cartoons. Though he was scheduled to have an operation soon. He was calm. Laughing even. Claire on the other hand looked tired and worn out. Managing our branch here while taking care of a sick son was draining her. This was the other reason I was here. To take care of the company. While she took care of Mason. “Aunty Renny, you came!” The excited shout brings me from my thoughts. Claire's eyes snap open. I can see the happiness and relief in her eyes. “Hi baby boy” I greet him. Kissing his forehead before stepping back. Turning towards Claire, I open my arms. She basically falls in them. Sagging in relief. “Hi Claire bear” She sobs. “Oh gosh Renny, you have no idea how much I’ve missed you. Talking to you on the phone isn’t the same as having you here with me.”“I’m here now and I will be for as long as you both need me” I whisper softly. Rubbing her back in comfort. She lets go of me then wipes her tears. She stares at me. As if inspecting me. Studying me. “There’s something different about you, I can’t wrap my finger around it though” I just give her a small tight smile. She has no idea just how different I had become. I turn my attention back to Mason as we both take our seats. “How’s my favorite godson doing?” I ask. “Aunty” he says dragging the word. “I’m your only godson” I grin at that. He was right after all. “I’ve missed you lots. I’m glad you’re here.” The smile on his face, makes my heart constrict. I always try my hardest not to think of Krystal. The pain that accompanies those thoughts is something I try to avoid. “Well I’m here and I brought you lots of presents”“Really? That’s so cool. I’ve been a good boy. The doctor says I’m a very brave pup and that once I’m completely healed, I’ll get an ice cream treat. My choice” The calmness and joy in his voice is contagious. For a moment I forget that my heart is frozen. I relax into the moment chatting with him. Mason is ten but his outlook on life is different. He fills me in on everything I have missed. Especially his new best friend called Jax who comes to visit every day. At that, I look at Claire in question. She nods her head confirming it’s Miranda’s son. From there on we chat lightly. I had spent about three hours with them, when I cut my visit short. I had to go to the office to catch up on work. I was leaving the room when I came face to face with Darren. He was the last fucking person I wanted to see. “Lauren?” he asks unsure. As if seeing a ghost or something. I don’t answer him. Just give him a death stare. We had nothing to talk about anyway. I was about to bypass him when a body collides with mine. Tiny arms wrap around my waist. I look down to see the top of Krystal’s head. Shit! I so wasn’t ready for this. She’s my daughter, I love her but I wasn’t ready for this. I was still in a dark place. And my mind couldn’t reconcile the pain and the love buried deep inside my heart. I wanted to hug her so much. Fuck did I want to, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I was still afraid of her rejection. Afraid that she was going to push me away. Afraid she still hated me. Her hateful words still rung in my ear. I couldn’t shut out her voice. Her voice as she called me an evil witch and other nasty names. Or when she said she was going to pray to the goddess to punish me and send me to hell. I untangle myself from her and leave without a word. It makes me a monster. Walking away from my daughter like that but I can’t get past the painful memories. I can’t get past the darkness in me. In my hurry to get away from them I collide with someone. “I’m so…” I go to apologize but I freeze. Miranda stands before me. Looking beautiful as ever. As if she hadn’t destroyed my life a year ago. “Lauren? Oh my god, it’s you…long time no see, how are you?” I stare at her like she’s lost her mind. Was this bitch being real right now? “Is something wrong with you?” I ask completely puzzled. She answers confused. “No, why?”“It’s seems you’re under the impression we’re friends. Let me remind you we’re not and we will never be. You took everything from and I’m back to repay the favor. Karma is a nasty bitch. I’m going to be your personal hell. I will destroy you Miranda, until there’s nothing of you left. By the time I’m done you will wish you were dead.” I threaten, my voice going cold and dangerous. With that I bump her shoulders, leaving her shocked and shaking. I get a cab and go straight to our company. Thirty minutes later I arrive. Ruby’s was able to bounce back once I left. We had even been able to open another branch in the island I had escaped to. I was just about to head into the building when I was stopped by two guards. “What the hell are you doing?” I asked gritting my teeth. I was in a bad mood after seeing Darren and Miranda. “What does it look like we’re doing?” one of them retorted. What sort of people did Claire hire while I was away? “Do you know who the fuck I am?”“The president? Wait, maybe you’re the first lady” the other mocked. I was starting to get pissed and so was Blue. They were humans so we couldn’t harm them. “I’m the CEO of this company” I snarl. My nails digging into my palms in anger. I wanted to swipe at them. Teach them a fucking lesson. “Not looking like that” the black haired one scoffed. I admit I wasn’t looking my best. I had worn out jeans, a crumpled blouse and shades. I had taken a direct flight with no stops so I wasn’t looking all that put together. “I bet you’re a hoe, you probably fucked one of the higher ups and now they don’t want anything to do with you, so you’re here to cause drama” the other one snorted in disgust. I stared at them in disbelief. We had started attracting attention. Not wanting to deal with the idiots, I try moving past them. The tall one grabs me in a painful grip and starts dragging me. That’s when I lose it. “Get you filthy fucking hands off me” I shout then using my other hand I slap him hard. The hit echoes through the room. His eyes turn dangerous and he’s about to lounge at me when a voice stops him. “What the hell is going on here?” Micah our general manager shouts. “This bitch here is causing problems” one of them answers. Micah turns to look at me and gasps. “Are these the type of fools you hire nowadays Micah? Idiots who are disrespectful to women and even manhandle them?” My voice is cold and restrained. “Oh god, I’m really sorry Lauren, so sorry…I apologize on their behalf, it won’t happen again” he stutters nervously. I see the color drain from the faces of the guards once my name clicks in their mind. “Oh it definitely won’t happen again because they’re fired. Get them out of my fucking company” I walk past them. They beg me to give them another chance. I ignore them. “What are you all waiting around for? Get back to work or suffer the same fate” I shout, making everyone scramble to get back to their stations. I was done being nice. Done being good. In fact I was going to be very bad. I was going to be the villain they accused me of being. Hell has no fury like a woman scorned. Darren and Miranda were going to pay. I was going to rain hellfire on all those who hurt me. I was going to watch them as they burned.

Chapter 5 Chapter 5

My new secretary enters my office with a stack of papers. A newspaper and a magazine are part of the stack. Then she quietly leaves after giving me my coffee. I have only worked with her for a few days. But she’s honestly the best. She does her work efficiently. Arrives on time and she doesn’t gossip. Which suits me fine. I pick up the magazine needing a distraction. I’ve been cooped up in the office. Trying to catch up on work. The only time I leave is when I have to go get a shower and a change of clothes. Also when I’m visiting Mason. The front page is about me. I don’t know whether to be angry at them or thankful. Thankful because they’re spreading the message. I’m no longer a doormat to be stepped on. ‘Lauren Smith is back and she’s colder than the Antarctica’ it reads. Below the headlines there’s a picture of me slapping the guard. It then goes on to talk about what happened that day. Someone probably sold the story and the image. The person was getting fired. Once I found out who the fuck it was. “They have no idea just how cold our heart has become” Blue say. I chuckle at that because it was the damn truth. Our heart has become so cold. It would probably freeze anyone who tries to get near it. But isn’t that what happens when you’re crushed? You either remain broken or you rise. I didn’t want to remain broken. I didn’t want to continue slowly dying from the pain and heartbreak. I didn’t like the woman I had become. So I froze my heart. Freezing the pain and hurt deep inside. Where I no longer had to feel it. Pain changes you and it changed me. I was a naïve fool. Wore my heart on my sleeves for people who didn’t deserve it. Gave all my fucking best. In the end I was used and then discarded. The same people turned on me and broke me. I wasn’t going to allow that to ever happen again. So I had to kill the old me. “I need a run” Blue sighs. The wistfulness clear in her voice. “I know, I’ll find something soon” Given I was a lone wolf and packless. It was hard for me to run freely. Most lands are territories. Those that are not are owned by humans. Humans who like hunting. I was looking into getting a house. One with a really big backyard for us to run. One that was also secluded. Where I didn’t have to worry about neighbors seeing a wolf in my compound. There’s a knock on my door. I tell the person to come in. The moment they do I wish they would drop dead. “What do you want?” I ask annoyed. Darren stands in my office looking unsure. He answers calmly. “I came to see how you’re doing” I stare at him in disbelief. What was with him and Miranda thinking that we were sort of best friends? “And why the hell would you do that?”“We may have gotten a separation but I still care for you. I would have loved for us to remain friends” This time I laugh. A full belly laugh. While Blue snickers in my head. He looks so innocently confused. As if he can’t understand why the hell I was laughing. “Were you my friend when you called me a cunt?” I growl at him. He goes to say something but I interrupt him. My voice going cold. “Did you care for me when you kicked me out of my daughter’s party? Or when you had your claws digging into my neck? Or when you cheated on me?” He doesn’t answer me. Just stares as if he can’t find the right words. Like he can’t figure out where the woman he knew disappeared to. Something passes in his eyes. Too quick for me to read it. It doesn’t matter anyway. “Just leave” I say after a moment. I was done with him. Done with his bullshit. “Lauren…” he goes to say but I again interrupt him. “Get the fuck out Darren. You told me to get out of yours and I did. Now I demand the same damn thing. We no longer mean anything to each other and it will remain that way. Now leave before I call the cops on you” I yell. My claws digging into my palms. This is what I do. When I feel so angry. So out of control. Like in the next minute I could murder someone. The pain grounds me. Anchors me from seeing red. I know what was happening to me. It was so obvious. The anger I felt constantly and being out of control. The need for blood. How I'm always a second away from snapping. These were some of the symptoms of going feral. This is what they had reduced me to. Having to claw my own palm so I don’t lose myself. “What happened to you?” he asks, his voice soft and concerned. As if he just couldn't understand. What a fucking bastard. I sigh. “You did, you and Miranda happened…Now leave, before I do something I won’t regret” He gives me one more look. “This isn’t over” he says before leaving. When he does I sag into my seat. Staring blankly at the wall. I don’t know how long I stared, when my phone rang. Interrupting my trance. “I honestly didn’t think you had it in you” A deep voice says. It was so husky it sent tingles down my spine. “Who is this?” I already knew who it was. But I decided to play dumb. Inorder to hide my shock. “You know who it is Red. Playing dumb doesn’t suit you” Fuck! I had been caught. How embarrassing. “What can I do for you Mr. Ashford?” I finally ask. I had no idea why he was calling. But I would be lying if I said I wasn’t curious. There was just something about him that drew me in. Nobody knows what happened between him and Miranda. All we know is that he was the one to file for a separation. “Just Sebastian” he says in a bossy way. Making me roll my eyes. “What can I do for you Sebastian?”“It’s more about what we can do for each other” He states. As if it were obvious. This has me really intrigued. Blue even pipes at that. Dying to know what he’s on about. I honestly didn’t see what we could do for each other. I was also doubtful I wanted to be entangled with such a powerhouse. The vibes he gave off that last time. Were both intriguing and terrifying. Curiosity won the best of me though. “I’m listening” Just when I thought he was going to lay it down for me. He does the unexpected. Something that was so alpha male and so annoying. He says in a raspy voice. “Meet me at Rosevelt tomorrow at two. I have a preposition for you” right before he hangs up.

Chapter 6 Chapter 6

“That’s not gonna work” I tell the man in front of me authoritatively. “It’s the best we can offer you Miss Smith” he replies immediately. Almost arrogantly. I’ve been in this meeting room for about two hours. We weren’t getting anywhere. I was beginning to get impatient. I stare at William, the vice-president of Majestic ltd. It was a textile company that Claire wanted us to partner with. ‘He’s trying to rip us off’ Blue mumbles, irritated. It was something I had already figured out. There was just something about the way he looked at me. As if he saw me as someone beneath him. Someone unworthy of leading a successful company. Like I was dumb somehow and he saw no problem with over pricing us. My guess is that he was the type of man raised to believe women should worship the ground they walked on. That women couldn’t lead. Women couldn’t become successful on their own. That a woman’s sole purpose is to do men’s bidding and raise kids. That they were to be seen and not heard. I hated that type of stereotype. I hated men who looked down on women. I have no idea why the hell Claire chose him, but I was done with his bullshit. I stand up from my seat. “Then we’re done here” I wasn’t going to waste my time anymore. I could find some other better company. Plus I saw no problem with the textile company we were currently dealing with. “Wait, Miss Smith. I’m sure we can negotiate a better deal” he says with a slimy smile. He truly thought I was stupid. I could see through his fucking smile. What was hidden behind it. I didn’t like it one bit. “You’ve already wasted enough of my time” I don’t spare him another look when I leave. I hear him calling my name but I ignore him. I get into the elevator. Within minutes I’m getting out. I leave the building and head towards my car. I reach it and was about to unlock it. I don’t get the chance though. A handkerchief covers my nose and within minutes I’m out. I wake up to the sound of a car engine. I’m a bit disoriented but I get what just happened. I have been fucking kidnapped. “You’re awake” a deep voice says. I freeze because I know that voice. My suspicion is confirmed when I look up to find green eyes staring at me. There isn’t a hint of emotion in them. Just a blank emotionless stare. A stare I hate because I can’t tell what he’s thinking. “I don’t like being made a fool of Red. When I tell you to meet at Rosevelt I expect you to be there” There is a hint of something dangerous in his tone. Something I should be afraid of. For some reason though, I was not. “That’s exactly it, you told me instead of asking” I reply defiantly. “I’m not good at being told what to do” As you’ve probably guessed. I didn’t go to meet Sebastian. That was about two days ago. I had decided that it would have been more trouble than it was worth. Getting involved with a powerhouse such as Sebastian doesn’t spell out good things for me. I was skeptical and rightfully so. I had gotten myself involved with one alpha. Look how disastrous that ended for me. I had no idea what his proposal would be, but I was sure I didn’t want to know about it. “And I’m not good at letting such defiance go, you should know that about me. You push me and I’ll push right back and trust me when I say, you won’t like it when I retaliate.” His says his eyes are cold and voice silky smooth. He is calm but I know it a fucking façade. He’s a beast underneath all that suit. Blue perks up for some odd reason. I ignore her though. She is enchanted by him, but I know he’s a dangerous man. “Where are you taking me? You do realize this is considered kidnapping right?” I ask, changing the subject. I was treading on unfamiliar dangerous waters. One wrong move and I would probably end up in a situation I couldn’t get myself out of. “I’m Sebastian Ashford, I own this whole damn city and I can do whatever the fuck I want Red.” Shit! He was right. Darren is powerful but Sebastian was king of the city. No wonder Miranda had gone after him. She was a gold digging slut. Darren hadn’t been enough for her. She had wanted someone more powerful. More prominent. With more money. Unfortunately for me, I hadn’t been enough for Darren. The moment that bitch came back, he had decided that I just didn’t cut it anymore. A bitter feeling starts rising up in my chest. I push it down, not allowing it to take over. Not when I was in Sebastian's presence. The last thing I wanted was him seeing the darkness I was hiding inside. I look outside the window. Choosing not to answer him. There was no need in trying to fight him anyway. There was no way I was getting away. Soon we are crossing the gates of a plush estate. The driver parks the car in front of a big three story mansion. It was beautiful and impressive. We get out of the car. Sebastian gently grabs my forearm and leads me inside the house. We walk so briskly, I have no time to admire the interior. We enter an office and he sits me on a comfortable chair before he goes behind the desk and takes his seat. “What am I doing here Mr. Ashford?” I sass. “Drop the fucking attitude Red” He all but growls “In case you didn’t get the memo, my name is Lauren not Red” Why am I goading him? Something passes in his eyes. It is gone before I can read it. I honestly don’t know why the hell I was pushing his buttons. The only explanation I can think of was that I was getting some kind of thrill from it. “I’ll call you whatever the hell I want. Now shut the fuck up before I lose my patience” he replies, his face hard. What the hell was up is ass? He was a complete asshole and absolutely rude. I hated disrespect and in my view. That was exactly what he was doing. I stand up. “I’m leaving, you’re a complete jerk and I don’t have to sit here and let you basically disrespect and bully me.” That was the fucking problem with men like Sebastian. They thought that the world revolved around them. That everyone should bow before them. Worship them as if they were freaking gods. Like I said I was done with assholes like him. I’m about to leave when his words stop me dead in my tracks. “I know you’re going feral” he softly says, shocking the crap out of me. I slowly turn and look at him. Really look at him. He stares at me with what might be compassion. I can’t be sure though. I doubt Sebastian is capable of such emotions. “How do you know that?”“Sit your ass down and I’ll explain everything” he commands. It doesn’t take much to convince me. Wordlessly I sit down. He seems like he has answers and I desperately want them. Even if it means swallowing my pride and listening to him bossing me around. “Well?” I ask him after a minute of silence. Like I said, I was fucking desperate. “I know the signs. I’ve suffered from them before, so I can easily recognize them” He begins. “This is where my proposal comes in. It will prevent you from going feral and give us a chance to get even with those two fuckers.” He finishes, anger sipping into his voice. I’m honestly shocked. That a powerful and feared man such as him had once been in my position. I want to ask the story behind it but that will have to wait. What he was proposing took more precedence in my mind. I’m afraid of finding out what his proposal is, but I ask anyway. “What do you propose?” At this point, I would try anything. Just so I can stop me and Blue from going feral. Maybe with this proposal I can start building back my relationship with Krystal. His eyes bore deep into mine as he answers; “A contract mating” Shit, I wasn’t expecting that.