Felicia
“This is not my daughter!”
Those words sent electric chills throughout my body.
I noticed how Margaret, my stepmom sprung up, much more in delight than shock.
The once chummy room fell into tranquillity and my feet were already turning away to run for my life.
My cover was blown! Goosebumps clothed my skin.
Is this the end?
“She's… She's my whole world!” He announced, earning amused expressions from people who soon went back to whatever they were doing.
My nerves weren't calmed as the older man was still looking deep into my eyes.
Thankfully, before he could say something else, Mr Jefferson stole him away politely, leaving me with Margaret and her son.
I sat quietly, avoiding their gazes.
“Nice entry, Adele, I almost thought it was your wedding,”
I simply gave Margaret a small smile, but that didn't seem to satisfy her.
“But it's not. You should at least say hi to the Alpha,”
My eyes cruised to the Alpha's table and I caught Raphael and Israel’s already staring at me, making me avert my gaze instantly.
My heart thumped.
What the hell was that?
“It’s good to have you back, Adele. You're looking even prettier since you dumped all your responsibilities on my shoulders,” She tackled, “You know you can't just jump back in the saddle and take back everything?"
Ever since Adele left, Margaret has been the acting director of their company. She obviously didn't want her stepdaughter back here.
After a moment of eating in an awkward silence, Father came back for me, introducing me to an endless list of businessmen and politicians.
Most of them seemed to have met Adele before.
Throughout the horrible interaction, my stomach was acting up, making me twist and wince occasionally.
I excused myself to the restroom when I started feeling nauseous and the pain grew even more intense.
I tried my best to move with fluidity and elegance but I couldn't help biting my lips, my stomach was killing me!
I rushed into the restroom but the pain only increased.
I let out a loud groan once I got in. Something kept churning and roiling in my tummy just like…
Just like… when I shifted.
It… it was my wolf! It was Ariel!
I– I could feel it.
My wolf was finally coming back after five years but it was such bad timing.
Adele didn't have a wolf. She's from a human family.
No, Ariel, not now.
You can't show up now.
My pain heightened at the sight of a wolf's tail peeking beneath a stall's door.
A she-wolf, if I'm correct, was whimpering in one of the booths.
“Are you okay?” I asked, ignoring my own pain.
I strode towards the said stall and my pain seemed to be increasing with every step I took.
Under the luminous bathroom light, I saw how my claws were breaking out, fur growing out of my skin and I could hear the seams of my dress ripping apart.
I stopped on my track.
Why is Ariel suddenly back after five long years?
I took backward steps and my claws and fur began to shrink.
I blinked.
The other wolf was a factor behind my wolf's awakening, I reckoned.
I gulped at the realization, holding the back of my dress that had ripped open, I barged out of the restroom only to be met with the broad chest of two identical fine species.
Raphael and Israel.
“Mate!” They chorused and I almost choked on my saliva.
I shook my head negatively.
“It's not me. I don't have a wolf," I said in a convincing tone, “There's a she-wolf inside that needs help, get her a dress or something.”
With this, I scurried out of their presence, noticing that Israel was following me only after he wrapped his coat around me.
Like a gentleman, he led me out of the building and into his car.
I couldn't wait to be home.
“Thank you, but, shouldn't you have waited to know your mate?” I said after the driver zoomed off.
“Why would I need a mate when I have you?"
Oh! What a sweet boyfriend.
Adele did make a better choice than I did back then.
I gazed out the car window, the city lights blurring together as Israel's voice filled the space between us.
“Adele? We should talk," He said, his tone gentle, yet laced with a hint of longing.
My grip on my purse tightened, my mind racing with excuses to avoid this conversation– any conversation that could blow my cover.
“What's there to talk about?"
“Adele, I know I can't approach you swiftly after what I did,” He replied, his eyes locked on mine, “And trust me I'm not asking you to tell me where you've been or why you're suddenly working for my brother, but just let us go back to how we used to be,”
Israel's hand brushed against mine. A spark of electricity ran through my body, catching me off guard.
I stared at the handsome man before me, how come I never noticed how charming and hot he was?
Before I could respond, Israel's gaze drifted down, his eyes tracing the slit in my gown.
His fingers brushed against my thigh, sending shivers up my leg.
"Israel..." I whispered, my voice barely audible.
What the hell was wrong with me?!
He slid off the seat, onto his knees, his face inches from my thigh. "I've missed you, Adele. I've missed us."
With gentle reverence, Israel pressed his lips to my skin, just above the knee. His kisses trailed upward, along the slit, each touch igniting a fire within me.
My heart raced, my breathing shallow.
Israel's lips danced up my thigh, his fingers tracing the curves of my leg.
“You smell divine,” he muttered, his touch, worshipful as if seeking forgiveness and redemption.
"Israel, stop..." I whispered, my voice trembling.
But he continued, his kisses burning a path up my thigh and making my p***y clench.
I pushed him away, my voice gaining more firmity, “I said, stop!"
“I’m… I'm sorry. I got lost there.”
Silent, was the rest of the journey.
Israel placed a warm kiss on the back of my hand as he dropped me off and headed back to the party.
I sighed, walking into my apartment where I was welcomed by darkness.
“Dara? I'm not in the mood for your pr–"
A cold metal pressed against my temple, shutting me up.
“Long time no see, Adele," A grave masculine voice echoed in the room,
“Still alive, huh?” The voice rang through my ears again, this time, it was followed by the c*****g of his gun.
Fuck!