Share
#Chapter 50: Searching
Kadeem
"Wake up, Mateo." Kadeem leaned over his snoring friend. He grasped Mateo's shoulder firmly, shaking it. Mateo emitted a dull noise. Rolling away from Kadeem's grasp, Mateo cocooned himself in blankets. Kadeem sighed loudly. "Get up, you asshole." "Whadaya want?" Mateo croaked, voice thick with sleep. "I need your help." "Middle of the night," Mateo groaned. "Go away." "Please." Kadeem had been tossing and turning for hours. The alcohol had worn well off at this point. With the sobriety, came a dialing up of the edgy, troubled feelings in his heart. Mateo pulled the covers down from over his face. Kadeem watched him try to force his heavy eyes open. "What's wrong," he asked, before his eyes snapped closed again. "I need you to do more hypnotism on me." Mateo's eyes flew open. "You've got to bRelated chapters
The Reawakened Mates and their Quintuplets #Chapter 51: Betrayal, Redux
Kadeem“Stay with my voice.”Kadeem’s eyes opened, but he wasn’t with Mateo. He was in a hospital room.“You’re finding all the details you were looking for.”Kadeem's blurred vision focused to reveal a scene of terror, as he realized he couldn’t move his legs. He couldn’t wiggle his toes. He couldn’t feel his legs."Ardal,” he screamed, still desperately trying to move against the paralysis that had taken over his lower limbs.But it wasn't Ardal who walked into the room, it was Susan. Her look of pity only intensified Kadeem's nightmare. "She's not here," she uttered somberly. "Since your car accident, she hasn't been around much. The doctors say you won't walk again and...she doesn't want anything to do with an invalid."Kadeem felt like he was entering a portal to madness as fear surged through his veins. His heart pounded wildly in his chest as he shrieked, "What
The Reawakened Mates and their Quintuplets #Chapter 52: Blackout
Ardal“Are you alright?”“I’m fine,” I say, trying to reassure Jack - and myself.But I’m really not. The wheels in my head have been spinning since Jack took me up to his loft apartment last night, and spiraled to a dizzying pace with him this morning. Why can’t I just get Kadeem out of my mind?Jack drops me off at my home, and since I'm running late for work (Saturday is our busiest day of the week), I hastily climb into my car in last night’s clothes.There's no way I can chance going inside without adding on at least fifteen minutes of questions and hugs from the quints, even with Hannah attempting to corral them for me.“IDGAF if anyone notices,” I text Julia as I pull up.By “anyone,” of course I mean Kadeem, but I don’t tell her. I dash inside, planning to go straight to the locker room to shower and change. If the stars align, I won’t be late for the 10AM
The Reawakened Mates and their Quintuplets #Chapter 53: Dialysis, the Superhero
ArdalI hold Erbao’s hand as Jack’s nurse, Peggy, leads us to the exam room, the sound of our footsteps echoing through the white hallway. Erbao, with his youthful curiosity, gazes at the various medical charts and anatomical models lining the walls."Mommy, are we going to see Dr. Jack again?""Yep, little man,” I say, trying to sound peppy. “He’s going to make you feel better.” I look down at him and force a smile.We stop by the scale, and although it’s been only a few days since his last appointment, Erbao’s lost a pound. Just a normal fluctuation, I hope, but the gaunt look to his face tells me a different story.Peggy gets Erbao’s vitals before stepping out. Then, we wait. Erbao’s normally pretty talkative, but today, we’re both quiet. I’ve been dreading this for Erbao, and sitting in this room, the scary reality we’re facing is starting to sink in.All the emotions I’ve been
The Reawakened Mates and their Quintuplets #Chapter 54: Float Like a Butterfly
Kadeem “I don’t want to.” Mateo’s arms were crossed over his chest, reminding Kadeem of a willful child. “Come on,” Kadeem said, gruffly, before adding in a lighter tone, "It's just a quick workout session."Kadeem’s mood had been a roller coaster lately. He needed an outlet. Mateo was the unwilling sparring partner today. Mateo eyed Kadeem skeptically. "Fine. But if I break a nail, it's on you."Kadeem chuckled, clapping Mateo on the back as they made their way towards the gym. The power had been restored overnight and the gym was empty today, closed for the Sunday rest. The only sound echoing through the cavernous room was the hum of the overhead lights.Kadeem led Mateo towards the boxing area, where a large ring stood proudly in the center. Around it were several punching bags suspended from the ceiling, swaying gently with anticipation. The smell of leather and effort hung heavily in the air."Alright, Mateo," Kadeem said, wrapping his hands with tape before slipping on a pai
The Reawakened Mates and their Quintuplets #Chapter 55: Sting Like a Bee
Kadeem"What happened?" Kadeem’s wolf was like a coiled spring, sensing the tension in the air."The omegas on patrol found signs of a vampire attack on our territory overnight." Riley’s voice was strained, and no one dared to break the silence that followed her somber announcement.The possibility of something far more sinister bubbling beneath the surface hung heavily in the air. The implications of Riley’s words sent a shudder through his body. Was this just an isolated incident, or the beginning of something far more dangerous? He glanced at Mateo, who was uncharacteristically quiet, his eyes betraying a hint of fear."I don't want to alarm you, but it was a real bloodbath," Riley said, her voice a mixture of panic and disbelief. "The clearing where we found the remnants of the attack looked like a scene straight out of a horror movie. Blood was splattered everywhere, on the grass, the trees, even smeared across som
The Reawakened Mates and their Quintuplets #Chapter 56: Old Things
Ardal“Mom. Mommy?”I blink and look down. I realize Lottie’s been tugging on my shirt, trying to get my attention for at least a full minute while I stare out into space.“Sorry, girly.” I crouch down to meet her eyes.“I’ve got a lot on my mind today.”It’s been a day since Erbao’s first dialysis treatment and the weight of it is intense. I could barely pull myself out of bed today, and I’m stumbling through this morning with the kids, but I’m not really here.Lottie puts her hand on her hip. “I was trying,” she says, huffily, “To ask you a question.”I tuck a stand of her dark hair behind her ear.“What’s your question?”Her eyes get big, brimming with excitement. “Can I go with you to work? I want to go to the gym, too.“ Look! I have my gym outfit on. See?”She spins around so I can appre
The Reawakened Mates and their Quintuplets #Chapter 57: Phelps
ArdalI stare into my phone, poised to notify Kadeem that I’m not coming into work today.I’d rather die than face him after yesterday. I can’t believe I burst into tears in front of him and particularly for telling him out of nowhere (at least from his perspective), to stay away from me when he was being kind. Worst of all, though, is the tsunami of emotions I feel when I’m around him.I picture myself heading for the forest instead. I could take the day off and just let my wolf run free for a while - an exquisite escape from reality. Simply the thought of it brings a measure of relief.I stop myself just short of texting him. The sooner I rip off the bandaid, the less painful it will be.My phone lights up with a text from Jack. My heart does an awkward flutter and I feel my stomach tighten into a knot.“How’s Erbao?”I type back quickly. “He’s good,” I say - which
The Reawakened Mates and their Quintuplets #Chapter 58: Red Hot
ArdalHe’s looking at me in a way that makes me think he’s waiting for me to say something in particular. It’s not the first time in this conversation that I’m wondering what we’re really talking about - there’s a depth to it that’s only thinly veiled.“It’s Erbao,” I say, feeling myself crumple as I do.Kadeem’s face shifts rapidly to an expression of startled fear.“He was born with kidney problems, but things are worse now. He’s gone into renal failure and had to start dialysis.”Kadeem looks sick to his stomach. “I’m so sorry,” he says.I nod grimly. “He’s doing okay. There’s a good chance he’ll be approved for an implant. As his mom, I’ll be a likely match, and then we can put this nightmare behind us.”Kadeem gulps hard. “You’re planning on donating your kidney?”“Of course, I am,” I say, instantly alight with anger.
Latest chapter
- The Reawakened Mates and their Quintuplets #Epilogue, Part 2: Sonnet 116
- The Reawakened Mates and their Quintuplets #Epilogue, Part 1: The Final Rose
- The Reawakened Mates and their Quintuplets #Chapter 150: The Fray
- The Reawakened Mates and their Quintuplets #Chapter 149: Hero
- The Reawakened Mates and their Quintuplets #Chapter 148: Reckless
- The Reawakened Mates and their Quintuplets #Chapter 147: In the Wee Small Hours
- The Reawakened Mates and their Quintuplets #Chapter 146: “Ten Duel Commandments”
- The Reawakened Mates and their Quintuplets #Chapter 145: No Way Out
- The Reawakened Mates and their Quintuplets #Chapter 144: Knives Out
