In This Life or Another

Chapter Ten: Cresthill Party

Henry’s pov

Later that day as I sat alone in my office I started to picture Striker and Sarah together, laughing and embracing one another. At first, I really didn’t care but for some reason today after the moment in the shower I felt a pang of jealousy. I have been so invested in Simone at this point. Did I love her? Was it lust? Simone had never really confessed her love for me. I began to give myself a headache. I got up and walked over to look out of the window as I watched Bas and Avery laughing and running around after Tyson. I secretly thought of Sarah and I one day with a son.

Knock, knock…

I jumped back into reality “Come in”

Simone entered carrying two glasses of brown liquid. I sat back down at my desk just staring at the exquisite masterpiece standing in front of me. She was wearing her signature color red, tight-fitting skirt with a white button shirt. She handed me one of the glasses and sat on top of my desk between my legs.

“You look stressed darling” Her eyes bore holes into my soul

“Do you love me?’ I asked showing no emotion

“Of course, haven’t I shown you?”

“Say it… I want to hear you say it” I insisted

“Where is all this coming from Henry? what’s wrong?” She tried to avoid my request. She stood up and placed her drink on the desk. She reaches around and pulls her hair to one side and starts to unbutton her shirt. Tossing it on the floor. She unzips her skirt and pushes it down exposing her matching bra and panties. I placed my hands on her waist as she twisted under my touch. My face was at her waist as she turned and I noticed a small birthmark on her side. It was shaped like two crescent moons back to back with a line between them. I wondered why I had never noticed it before.

She bent down putting her breast in my face as she trailed kisses down my bare chest. She began to unbuckle my pants, freeing the hardened c**k in my boxers. I sipped on the whiskey while I watched her tease me. She wrapped her long fingers around my d**k and started pumping. I moaned as she put it into her mouth. I fisted her hair around my hands to control the speed as I f**k her watery mouth. I could feel every lick every time her throat squeezed. She began to moan the more I moaned. I pushed her face faster and harder until I could feel myself about to c*m. I filled her throat with my seed and held her face in place ensuring she swallowed every drop. I threw back the last bit of his whiskey as I released her hair allowing her to get up. As she rose, for a split second I saw Sarah’s face looking at me. I shake my head and blink only to see Simone smiling at me.

“Do you believe that I love you now Henry?” she says as she finishes her drink in one swig. She picks up her clothes and starts to dress. “I need to visit my brother this weekend,” she said looking over her shoulder.

“Weren’t you just there last month or something.?” It surprised me how irritated I was. “Ok fine, whatever I have a lot of work to do anyway.” I picked up some papers off of the desk that had gotten moved when she sat on it.

“Yes, but he is sick and I need to take care of him. I won’t be but a few days, two tops. Are you going to miss me baby?” she asks

“Yes, with every bullet. Now get out.” I did not find her ploys for compliments cute.

“Bye my darling,” she said as she left his office.

What was going on, I needed to get little Miss Sarah out of my head for good.

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Strikers POV

It was around three o’clock when Striker rolled into town, his motorcycle turning down the long driveway to the Cresthill packhouse. Multiple people were hanging around outside, and many children running around. Laughter was in the air as Striker parked his motorcycle in the driveway, standing up as he stretched. He could tell he didn’t miss much, he thought he might have been early. Looking around he spotted Alpha Conner talking to a group of men, while Luna Beverly was surrounded by women. He looked around trying to see if he spotted Sarah but couldn't. He walked over to where the crowd was, seeing Drake and Jake amongst the crowd he smiled and waved at them before going to join them.

“Man, I'm a little surprised to see you here,” Jake said as he bro-hugged Striker.

“Just happy to be here man.” Striker replied, “ Hey are you cooking tonight? Striker asked Jake.

“Nah, Aunt Beverly is having some big catering company come in and do it. I offered but she insisted. That pig smells awesome though. I'm sure mine is better but at least tonight I just get to relax and hang out.”

“Sweet, has anyone seen Sarah at all?” Striker asked.

“She hasn’t come out yet,” Drake answered

“I think I'm gonna go find her,” Striker said, looking around. “I'll catch up with y’all in a while… ok.”

“See ya man," Jake replied. As far as friends go Jake was the closest thing Striker had to a genuine friend. They were biker buddies, often going on all-day rides and all-night drinking binges.

Striker entered the modern four-story mansion. Omegas and staff were going from left to right. He walked into the center of the room admiring the paintings and sculptures that adorned the walls. One caught his attention. It was of a man and a woman reaching for each other in a horrible storm. You couldn’t tell if they were crying or if it was just the rain. They were dressed in old 16th-century clothing. He looked closer and saw three wolves standing on a hill behind the couple. The two black wolves were on either side of the white wolf only the white wolf appeared to be glowing a unique shade of purple. One black wolf had glowing yellow eyes and the other had glowing red eyes. They just watched as the couple struggled to get to one another, never reaching.

“Do you like it?” came a voice. Striker looked up seeing Sarah as she walked down the winding staircase.”I painted that in my freshman year of high school. I think it was one of my dreams?”

“You painted this?” Striker looked at her in awe. “It's beautiful. I didn’t even know you liked to paint.”

“It's not something I tend to brag about. Sometimes I have these dreams or feelings. I either paint them or write songs about them. Mother says I have an old soul. I think it's just my … how did you put it … my big imagination.” They both stood there looking at one another “What's a girl gotta do around here to get a hug from her best friend?”

Striker felt the sting of the friend zone creep in but he wasn’t going to let Sarah see it. He smiled as he wrapped his arms around her and put his head on the crook of her neck inhaling the calming scent of lemons and raspberries." I've missed you so much, Butterfly.”

“I've missed you too.” Striker took his hand and brushed the back of Sarah's hair when she flinched and pulled away in pain. “Ahhh” she grabs the back of her head. “I guess I'm still a little sore back there.”

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Sarah’s POV

Earilier that morning

I sat in my room waiting for the guests to arrive. I couldn't help but have this overwhelming feeling that Henry was in distress. He had been on my mind for a few days now but I had no way to ask if he was ok without it getting back to Striker. I didn’t want to hurt his feelings. There was a knock at my door

“Come in”

“Butterfly, is everything alright? you didn't eat much at breakfast.” Father asked concerningly.

“Yeah I'm fine, just have a lot on my mind.”

“Like what kiddo, you used to talk to me about anything.”

“I don't know how to talk to my father about boys, feelings, etc…” I hung my head in embarrassment.

He lifted my chin and said “Which one is it Striker, Simon or heaven forbid Henry?” he said lifting his eyebrows

“Geesh, when you put it like that I sound like a …”

“Don't you dare call yourself that” he stopped the word from leaving my mouth. “All I meant was, as beautiful as you are, I'm surprised there aren't thousands of boys-men pining for your attention.”

“I like Simon, he's sweet and he has made it known several times he was interested in me but truth be told he’s not my type.” I paused to gather my thoughts before finishing the sentence. “ Striker… it’s so weird dad, I know he's my mate and he is amazing. He is allowing me to finish college and fulfill my dreams. After I graduate I will gladly embrace him, but…"

“What about Henry?”

“That's the s**t kicker, I loathe him, the way he runs his pack, the way he views women, and the worst part is the way he treats Striker. He is a horrible father yet…I find myself worrying about him. Like something is telling me that it’s not the real Henry. Something or someone is holding him back. What should I do?”

“Is it possible you could be both of their mates? it’s been known to happen with twins.?”

“I don't know, when I was unconscious Selene came to me and when I asked her that question she only said that I needed to give Henry a chance to prove himself.

“Interesting” he rubs his chin. “Well, I'm certain that in time your path will be revealed. Try to listen to the inner voice and take some risks, you never know when a small act of kindness can be the key to breaking through to the real Henry.” Daddy kissed me on the forehead as his eyes glazed over. “I need to go Butterfly, the caterers are here and your mother is apparently on a warpath.” We both snicker at the thought of her barking orders. “Don’t be up here too long, today is your day to unwind and spend time with the ones who love you.”

“Yes Father, I will be down soon.” I grab my sandals and walk to the chair to put them on. I stood at the top of the stairs looking down at Striker who was staring at one of my paintings. He hadn’t noticed me watching him so I took the opportunity to look at the masterpiece of a man standing in front of me.

“Do you like it? I painted that in my freshman year of high school. I think it was one of my dreams?” He stood there looking at me.

“You painted this?” Striker looked at her in awe. “It's beautiful. I didn’t even know you liked to paint.”

“It's not something I tend to brag about. Sometimes I have these dreams or feelings. I either paint them or write songs about them. Mother says I have an old soul. I think it's just my … how did you put it … my big imagination. What's a girl gotta do around here to get a hug from her best friend?” I smiled as I wrapped my arms around him.

Once the pain in my head eased up we walked hand in hand out to the party.