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
ErbaoClutching the binoculars in his small hands, Erbao stared out the window toward the lake’s bank as his brothers and sister bumped him in the shoulders.“What’s happening?”“I want to see.”“Mommy is saving daddy,” Erbao reported, cutting off the whines of his siblings. However, his eyes then grew wide as he watched what happened next.Daddy woke up, his lips pressed into mommy’s as she didn’t stop him, and then daddy pulled her onto his lap. “They’re kissing!” He announced, a thrill shooting through his bones.“Gimme!” Lottie demanded, eager to see her parents reunite. She then snatched the binoculars from her brother, pointing them out the window so she could get a look. Within seconds, a gasp flew from her lips.“They are kissing!” She confirmed.“I saw everything!” Erbao declared. “I think daddy pretended to be sleeping so mommy would kiss him awake.”“Daddy is so smart!” Milo replied.All at once, the babies began to bounce on their feet, overcome with excitement over this
ArdalA workout is just what I need after everything that happened with Kadeem. With the babies safely in bed for the night and Hannah looking after them, I figure I should make use of my time at the gym. Maybe I can even imagine the punching bag is Kadeem’s face.I still can’t believe him. I know that he can be cunning and wicked, but this has reached a whole new level. I never could have imagined he’d kiss me like that and show no remorse.He has a girlfriend. He has a child on the way.And he threw away what we had years ago. How can he just suddenly have a change of heart?Because he doesn’t know who you are, I think as I walk into the private training room. I sigh as I toss down my bag, opening it up to get out my gloves.It’s true. It has to be true. Kadeem hasn’t asked me any questions, showed any hints that he suspects I’m Ardal.Although, that still doesn’t explain why he decided to kiss me in the first place. Or why he’d be willing to kiss me despite his relationship with Su
ErbaoSitting on Milo’s bed, the babies stared down at the pages they had spread out over the comforter, trying to make sense of it all. They’d realized their daddy’s agency had sent over some paperwork with their offer email, which had to be signed and completed before the shoot the following day. After secretly printing everything off, the babies had dashed back into their room - pretending to be asleep as they’d gotten to work.“My brain hurts,” Lottie complained, falling back on the mattress. “I’m tired of reading these big words. They don’t make sense.”It was true - there were a lot of words in the contract they didn’t understand. They’d already spent ten minutes whispering about why the paperwork had included the word lawyer - not understanding why they might need one. However, they eventually dismissed the matter before moving onto another section.“We’re almost done,” Ezra stated, his finger scanning down the page. Only, as he reached the bottom, he paused.“Erbao,” the oldes