Ardal I’m still baffled as I stand in the locker room, removing my clothes as I change into my fighting gear. I can’t believe that Kadeem actually made Susan stand down, handed over her responsibilities to me. I would have never expected him to go against her. It still doesn’t make sense to me, but I’m glad Kadeem finally managed to make a smart decision. If he chose to leave Susan in charge then they’d probably have lawsuits flooding in left and right. Not that I actually care about Kadeem’s well-being or the ridiculous amount of money he possesses - I’m only concerned about their guests. Finally dressed and making sure my ponytail is secure, I make sure to coat myself in more perfume in order to guarantee my true scent won’t be detected. I then hide the perfume away, leaving me to officially turn and go to the door. I still have a few minutes before Kadeem is expecting me, but I want to make sure I stretch and get my thoughts straight before we train. I still don’t know why he w
Susan Following the incident with Ardal in the locker room, Susan left for the day - claiming she wasn’t feeling well. She called her mother during her drive home, letting her know Susan needed to see her immediately. Due to living so close, Susan arrived at her house quickly, causing her to storm through the door as she remained unnerved. Her anger even caused her to knock over a few vases and photos, leaving glass to scatter to the ground. But just as she was about to turnover her entire entryway table, her mother’s voice coming through the front door stopped her. “What is the meaning of this?” her mother asked, studying the glass and Susan’s wild state. “That stupid bitch at work is trying to steal Kadeem!” Susan yelled quickly, hungry to destroy something else. However, she couldn’t move under her mother’s thoughtful gaze. “Smashing things won’t solve your problems,” the woman scolded, clicking your tongue. “Only getting pregnant will.” Susan harshly sighed as she knew her m
Ardal This time, I arrive before Kadeem does, already fully dressed in my swimsuit. Wanting to cool down after our workout and the heat that Kadeem painfully brought to my body as he cornered me, I immediately use the ladder to lower myself into the water. It feels heavenly as I begin to slide through the pool, smiling to myself before I dunk my head. Water slides from my face and breasts as I resurface, sighing as my skin cools. However, it threatens to warm again as I notice Kadeem now standing at the side of the pool - though he makes sure to keep a generous distance. He’s watching me, making my throat tight as I see that same piercing stare pointed in my direction. It reminds me of how he used to stare at me just before he’d carry me off to bed, tear my clothes off. But I’m sure that can’t be the reason he’s looking at me now. I keep my head above water as Kadeem finally begins to move toward the stairs - moving at a slow pace. I don’t mean to stare, but it’s hard to pry my e
Kadeem He couldn’t explain it, but as Susan moved to undress him, all he could see was Chelsea’s face. He could perfectly picture her, the way she’d been the last time he’d seen her. Her hair wet, worry in her eyes as she held him in the water. It almost made him forget where he was then, but he snapped out of his thoughts as he felt Susan’s hands reach for his belt. Without hesitation, she began to undo his buckle, causing Kadeem’s body to convulse before he was gently grabbing her wrists. “No,” he said then, blinking away the lingering images of Chelsea as he pushed away his girlfriend. “I’m not in the mood,” Kadeem stated, keeping her away from him as he stepped back. However, the damage was already done. Susan’s eyes quickly began to fill with tears, her body shaking as she swallowed Kadeem’s rejection. He could see her anger rising, her lips parting as she prepared to lash out at him. “How about a new Bentley?” Kadeem asked quickly, trying to stop her tantrum. “I know you’v
Kadeem It had all started after Kadeem’s accident. Or so he had to believe as he couldn’t remember anything before he’d woken up in the hospital, panicked as he stared around at the white-washed room. When the doctor had eventually shown up, they’d all quickly discovered that Kadeem had lost his memories and only had pieces of his past to draw from. However, it was all unclear and confusing - as were the dreams that started to come to him since that day. The dreams were always distorted, vague as they visited him each night. Most of the time, he stood in darkness, hearing the cries of a woman and multiple babies, but he could never see their faces. And he could never find them even as he ran through the blackness. However, a tightness would grow in his chest as he ran, and stay with him when he woke up. There was a pain and longing that would stay with him for hours and he never knew why. That’s why he’d sought out a hypnotist, soon leading him to meet Mateo. Despite calling upon
Kadeem “What’s going on?” Mateo asked, studying Kadeem closely. “A mother,” Kadeem said aloud that time, his head spinning as he tried to steady his thoughts. “A wife…” His wife? “What are you saying?” Mateo asked next. “I don’t know…” Kadeem admitted, shaking his head. But then he looked toward the man. His lips pressed firmly together as determination slowly met his eyes. “But maybe I’m close to figuring it out,” he stated. Following his words, Mateo’s eyes began to widen in wonder, but Kadeem dismissed his forming questions as he placed a quick hand on his friend’s shoulder. “Thank you, Mateo,” he said before rushing away. He left the man in a cloud of confusion as he stormed out the door. From there, Kadeem couldn’t be stopped. He sped out of the office building, light on his feet as he went to his car. He then immediately slipped inside, starting the engine just as he called the fitness club. “I need the address of Chelsea,” he stated once a wolf answered. “Quickly.” He
ArdalI scowl as I watch Kadeem walk away, still in disbelief that he actually had the nerve to come here. How had he found me, anyway? I hadn’t listed my address on my employee form, and I never mentioned it to anyone else.But an Alpha always finds his ways, doesn’t he?Eyes still burning on Kadeem’s back, I don’t dare pull my stare away until I can guarantee he’s gone. I want him as far away from me and my babies as possible - thanking the Goddess that none of them had come to poke their heads out in curiosity.I know he didn’t buy my words about raising monkeys for a circus - it was just a sarcastic jab, anyway. But still, I can’t let him find out about them, especially that they’re his. That’s out of the question.I continue to watch Kadeem, counting the seconds as he draws further away. Like I said, I won’t go inside until I see him climb into his car or at least disappear around the corner.However, my skin warms as I watch Kadeem suddenly pause in the street, fearing he’s plan
ArdalNo, no, no. Not like this.He is not dying like this.I’m panting as my fingers firm on his shirt, wanting to violently shake him so he opens his eyes. Only, I know it won’t do me any good. I need to get air back in his lungs, make his heart beat again.Gulping down breaths of panic, my hands move over him again, adjusting to a new position at his sternum. I’ve never performed CPR on someone before, but I’ve had enough training throughout the years - for the sake of my job and the babies.100 to 120 compressions a minute, I state in my mind.Brows furrowed and teeth pressed tight, I bring my weight down on Kadeem as I compress and then bounce back up. I repeat the action over and over, counting in my head as water drips from my clothes.97, 98, 99…I don’t let up. I make sure every push of my hands is as equally firm as the last. If I lose any sense of pressure, make one mistake then it could cost Kadeem his life.That thought only adds to my desperation, keeping my body control