Ardal
Kadeem clips out the words, instantly stabbing me right in the heart. I feel my chest rise and fall as I study his face, as I stare at the man who was once my everything.
Where is that man now? The one who would hold me when I cried and tell me over and over that he loved me? Or the one who laid in the field with me when we were twelve and told me it would always be me and him?
He’s nowhere to be found now. Every hint of him has disappeared and now…now this man might as well be a stranger to me.
But he doesn’t care. He may never care again.
“GET OUT!” Kadeem yells that time, practically shaking the house with his roar.
Part of me wants to cower away, but I keep my feet planted, my hands balling into fists as I hear a quiet sound beside me. It’s Susan - she’s secretly snickering at me again.
Anger boils through me, causing me to turn to face her. She’s won - she knows she’s won. Just as she planned, she’s officially taking everything from me again.
It’s enough for me to lift my hand once more, bringing it forward until I can slap her a second time. It’s all I can do to manage this pain in my heart - even if I’d rather strangle her. But for now, I’ll let this be my parting gift to her.
After my actions, Kadeem is screaming again as he comes toward us. “Ardal, just get the fuck out!”
I can tell he plans to grab me, but I sidestep him, keeping my features blank as I walk out of the room. I hear Susan’s screams and cries behind me, making me walk faster as I need to get away. Without another word, I leave the bitch and my mate alone as I grab a packed suitcase and leave the house in a daze.
Rain pours down on me as I’m outside again, soaking me quickly as I head toward the car. As I get in, I feel my emotions finally catch up to me, causing tears to fall from my eyes and mix with the rain as I pull out of the driveway.
It wasn’t supposed to be like this. I hadn’t expected to find Susan in my home and had hoped I would meet Kadeem alone. I wanted to tell him the news.
I’m pregnant. I’d just found out that morning and had planned to tell him. However, I didn’t have the chance.
Images of us rejoicing from the news and falling into each other's arms fill my head then. Only, they’re soon corrupted and destroyed as I know they'll never be real. Kadeem and I had always wanted a family, but now I’ll have to do it alone.
I lose myself to sobs, the road becoming blurry in front of me as I begin to shake. I blink as more tears fall, trying to clear my vision. However, I’m too late. I see the lights just before I feel the impact, my hand flying to my stomach as if to protect my womb.
I hear metal colliding, I feel undeniable pain as another car smashes into mine, throwing me out of my seat.
And then all I remember is staring up at the sky, rain falling down on my face as I keep my hands over my stomach.
I try to save my unborn baby with the only strength I have left. As my eyes begin to close, leading me to unconsciousness…I only pray they will survive.
~
It has been eight months. Eight months since the horrible accident and I’m back again in an operating room. Only this time, it’s not to tend to my wounds, but to deliver my babies.
However, I’m once again slipping in and out of consciousness as machines beep around me, as voices begin to yell and scream.
“We’re losing her!” someone calls out, but I know it’s me they’re talking about.
“Save the babies,” I try to murmur, but everything is foggy.
And then everything goes dark - the world is gone. All I can hear are muffled voices, sounding like a dream.
I listen as the doctor curses, as the doors to the operating room open.
“She’s gone,” he says. “We lost her in childbirth after what happened due to the complications of the car accident.”
I’m not dead, I want to say. I’m not.
But my words never meet the air. Instead, my ears are filled with my best friend, Julia’s, cries before the doors are flying open again. And right before I drift off again, I hear her gasp as she stops - staring down at what she believes is her best friend’s corpse.
“The babies?” Julia eventually asks through tears.
“Alive…All five of them.”
~
Six Years Later
“Have we met before?” I hear someone ask, causing me to look up at the man in front of me. I’m surprised to see him there, wondering why he’s not buckled into his seat. The plane is about to take off and I’ve been settled for nearly half an hour.
Eager to get in the air, I scoff at him and the obvious desire in his eyes.
“Really? You’re trying to use that old trick?” I ask. “How old are you?”
The man laughs, clearly not deterred. Instead, he keeps staring at me…almost like he knows me.
I’m not sure why…I’ve never seen this man before. And I don’t know why he’s drawn to me either. I’m dressed plainly, trying to stay comfortable for the plane ride ahead.
However, maybe it’s because my figure is still noticeable under the clothing, which also caught the eye of a few men on my way to my seat. They’re even watching us now as the man still stands in front of me. It seems my attempts have only aroused him more as he smiles at me.
“I’m Mateo,” he offers. I have to admit he’s quite handsome and dressed well, but I don’t care to meet his advances.
“That’s nice,” I tell him, still scowling at him.
“You know,” he continues. “You’re very beautiful. You have this…healthy glow about you. Sexy, mature -“
“Thanks,” I cut him off, not impressed. “Now take your seat.”
My words continue to amuse Mateo as he laughs again, but he still follows my request. He finally moves to take his seat a few rows in front of me, causing me to release a sigh.
With the plane finally settled, we’re able to take off. Beside me, my babies are seated, bouncing in their chairs as they experience their first flight. I smile at them, trying to make sure they relax before they cause too much noise.
After a while, they contain themselves, but they stare out the window in wonder. Still, I grin at them, loving the excitement across their faces. However, I soon have to get up to use the bathroom.
“Excuse me?” I say, touching the arm of a nearby flight attendant as I get up. “Would you mind keeping an eye on my babies? I’m just going to use the restroom.”
The woman smiles at me and nods. “I would love to!”
From there, I head toward the back of the plane before I’m able to slide into the open bathroom. I take care of my business quickly and then I open the door once more. However, my features fall as I see the man - Mateo - standing there.
“Hey,” he says, gracing me with another smile. Only, I don’t smile back.
“Excuse me,” I say, already slipping past him. Only, I only manage a few steps before I hear a sound behind me…a phone camera taking photos
Swiftly, I turn back, watching as he swiftly shoves his phone back in his pocket. But my eyes are already narrowing and I’m heading right toward him. Mateo’s eyes light up as I get closer, only adding to my anger.
When I reach him, I back him up against the bathroom door, caging him in with my slender arms. I can see by his features that he’s excited, but I continue to sneer at him.
“What the fuck are you doing?”
Ardal“Nothing,” Mateo replies, shaking his head.“Liar,” I grit out. “You were taking photos of me.”Mateo gives me a sheepish smile, knowing he’s caught. “I just wanted a little souvenir to remember you by.”His tone becomes smooth then, sultry. And I watch as his eyes flicker from my face, dropping down to my tight body and taking in every inch. Finally, his gaze returns to mine, but focuses specifically on my lips.Holy Goddess. Does he really think I’m going to kiss him!?Mateo answers my question by quickly licking his own lips, as if he’s prepping. I try not to shudder with disgust.“And maybe,” he continues, his tone still sweet. “I wanted to send them to a friend. But I figured he should see how beautiful you are.”What a creep!I shake my head at him, knowing I don’t have time for this as I hear my babies starting to get louder at their seats.“Give me your phone,” I say, holding out a hand.“But I -““Give me your phone,” I repeat, firmer that time. That time, Mateo listen
KadeemIt was like looking in a mirror.The child before Kadeem looked exactly like him, like a miniature version. Not only because he had the same dark hair and green gaze, but the shape of his nose and eyes were almost a spitting image. Surprising Kadeem was no easy task, but he was left completely in shock as the child blinked back at him, his wide eyes adorable as he studied Kadeem towering over him.How could the boy look this much like him? Who was he?Trying for words, Kadeem’s lips began to move as if he planned to speak. However, he hardly uttered a single sound before there was a desperate voice calling off in the distance - one he recognized.“Kadeem! Help me!”Mateo - his childhood friend who he’d come to pick up. And from what Kadeem could tell, the man was in trouble.He knew he needed to go run and see what happened, but he was hesitant to move as he remembered the boy in front of him. Swiftly, he turned back, ready to address him that time. Only, as he looked forward a
ArdalAs I walk through the doors of GAINZ, every pair of male eyes turn toward me. I feel their burn against my skin, but keep my chin high and head clear as I move through the fitness center.It’s my first day of work and I want to be as professional as possible. I won’t let a little attention shake me - doing my best at my job is what matters.As I continue to walk, I take in my room around me, noticing how much nicer it is than the last gym I worked in. GAINZ has top of the line equipment and is clean top to bottom.However, as my eyes continue to scan the space, they eventually catch on a familiar face - one that makes my stomach nearly drop.Standing off to the side…is Susan. I hadn’t expected to see her here, which only causes my dread to grow. Only, the sensation gets worse as I notice her outfit. She’s wearing the same jacket as the other staff member’s wear - indicating that she also works here.I kick myself as I realize it, wishing I would have looked up the GAINZ staff te
ArdalThis is ridiculous. I can’t believe that Susan is really trying to test my identity by having me flash some little prize. However, I know she’s just trying to trip me up, figuring that I’m incapable of producing the medal.But this isn’t the worst stunt Susan has ever pulled. I know she’s capable of so much worse, which causes me to sigh.“So if I can prove that I’m Chelsea by showing the medal…then you’ll apologize?” I ask, scowling at Susan.She’s offering another game. However, I won’t let her get the best of me. Susan won’t bully me again - she already did that enough six years ago.I promised myself that if she tried again that I would stand my ground, retaliate as needed. I won’t be the woman who stands by and watches bad things happen to her anymore. I have a voice and I plan to use it.And that’s exactly what I plan to do now. However, it’s not Susan who answers my question.“If you don’t show us the medal then you’re not going to like the punishment,” Kadeem states firm
ArdalI know it was too good to be true that I could convince Kadeem of Susan’s lies. As I said, he’s still completely lovesick, and he only proved my point as he effortlessly picks her up.“I’m taking her to the hospital,” Kadeem announces harshly as he carries her away. All I can do is shake my head as I watch him go.Pathetic.“Sorry about Kadeem,” a voice says from my side, causing me to turn. I only want to sigh as I see it’s Mateo - I’d nearly forgotten that he was here.“I know his behavior was ungentlemanly. But I promise - he’s a very nice boss,” Mateo tells me.I doubt that, I think.“So you’re Chelsea Quinn,” Mateo continues, flashing a smile. “No wonder you didn’t want to tell me your name before. Probably didn’t want to attract attention.”“Sure,” I tell him flatly. That’s definitely not the reason, but I’ll let him believe whatever he wants.“Your work is very impressive,” he replies. “Would you mind if we swap business cards? Just in case I need some training?”As much
ErbaoThe quintuplets quickly set their plan in motion, using the computer again so they could find any information about the man in the photos. And it was an easy task, seeing as the man was very well-known within the pack.The babies sat stunned as they discovered just who he was. Apparently, his name was Kadeem, and he was the Alpha of the Red Moon pack. They found many articles about their daddy’s family business and the countless followers he had.“Our daddy’s famous!” Lottie declared, squealing as Erbao finished trying to read an article aloud.“And so is mommy, remember?” Silas said with excitement. “Both of our parents are important!”Once more, the quintuplets began to rejoice at the news, causing them to squirm and laugh with joy. However, Erbao soon shushed them, pointing toward a photo of their father as he held determination in his eyes.“We need to find a way to get to him,” Erbao announced then, causing a few others to nod.However, Ezra seemed a little skeptical. “How?
ArdalDue to Susan’s recent “offense,” I’ve been called in to meet with Kadeem. Everything in me had hoped I could keep a distance from him, but it appears that’s not going to happen as I’m sitting right across from him now.We stare at each other in silence for a moment, both of us glowering for our own personal reasons. It makes the air in the room feel electric as neither of us choose to back down, though I assume that’s what Kadeem is waiting for. I only wish he’d speak already so I could get this meeting over with, but apparently, he’s choosing to be stubborn.“So what? Am I fired or something?” I finally ask, wondering if Kadeem has pulled some strings to dismiss my position. Due to his love for Susan, it wouldn’t surprise me. Plus, he’s the Alpha of the Red Moon pack, which means he can make anyone do whatever he wants - including having the gym fire me.“No,” Kadeem answers, impatience within his tone. I’m surprised by his answer, but I don’t show it as I realize there’s more
ArdalI can tell from Kadeem’s expression that he’s surprised by my anger. He stares at me, swallowing slowly as he studies my tightened features. But I don’t allow them to smooth no matter how long he stares.In fact, my face doesn’t even change as I notice a shift in his gaze. It’s subtle, faint - but I swear I see something - something familiar.It almost looked like…arousal - a stare I’ve seen from Kadeem plenty of times. The suspicion causes only my stomach to turn sour as the look disappears, causing me to question if I’d actually seen it in the first place.Maybe I hadn’t. Yes, I must have been mistaken. Kadeem would never look at me that way again - I’m sure of it.“Alright,” Kadeem says finally with a breath. Only, he then stops to clear his throat, seeming to regain himself. Still, I remind myself that it’s not at my expense, believing he’s just caught off guard by my continued annoyance.I wait for him to continue, watching his every move as Kadeem pauses again, almost loo