[TRIGGER WARNING: MATURE CONTENT. DARK THEMES.] His hand shot out and reached beneath the hem of River’s dress with a swiftness that startled her. A yelp escaped her lips as he yanked it upwards, exposing a bare thigh. Shame burned and took over every fiber in her. She shrank back, burying her face in her hands. This was torture. Why was he doing this to her? A sinister scoff escaped his lips. “What's wrong, little one?" he mocked, his face inches from hers. "Scared?" Scared? Yes. But of him? No. Of herself? Hell, yeah. — River, an omega hybrid who was betrothed to an Alpha’s son since birth does nothing but dream of their future together. Her dream shatters on her 19th birthday when Gonzalo rejects her after revealing he is in a secret affair with her big sister. Heartbroken and betrayed, River attempts to flee to the human world, vowing never to return. However, she is instead snatched by a ruthless vampire who takes her back to his home as a prize. Unbeknownst to her, she carries Gonzalo's child. After years of serving the vampire who falls in love with her along the way, news of rogue attacks forces River to escape back to her pack. Though prepared for questions about her secret child, River isn't prepared for the simmering tension and passion with Gonzalo who is haunted by his past mistake and is desperate for forgiveness. She certainly doesn't expect him to forcefully claim her when she seems determined to hate him forever.
View MoreThat was it.He just crossed the line. Did he just remind her of that night, the night when she shamelessly forced herself on him and he shamelessly took her?The night that begets her child. The best gift she could ever ask for. That night they shared alone behind closed wasn't a weakness if that was Gonzalo’s thoughts. It was a source of joy. Yet, a wave of shame washed over River at his words. Remembering how stupid she was when she snuck into his room made a blush creep up her neck. The memory of that night– knocked over in a moment of vulnerability and fueled by potent emotions was something she'd tried desperately to bury. But Gonzalo's words unearthed it, bringing back the searing pain of the rejection that followed. A blazing fury took hold of her like the moon took over the sky at night, overriding the shame she felt. Allowing her emotions to take the best of her, she lunged across the table behind them, grabbing the half-full bottle of wine that belonged to the patrons
Tara's eyes widened as River uttered the name. "Gonzalo? You mean the Alpha of the Moonstone Pack?"River nodded, loathing talking about Gonzalo as a whole. "Yes, him."With her gaze fixed on Gonzalo, who sat impatiently at the table, “He looks so... normal," Tara commented. "Why is he dressed like that?""Wouldn't know," River replied, shrugging.Would Tara quit asking her about Gonzalo already?! The answer was no.Suddenly, Tara's eyes narrowed. "Maybe... maybe the rumors are true."Now, that piqued River's interest. Her head snapped towards Tara with curiosity sparking in her eyes. "What rumors?"Tara leaned closer, hands shielding her mouth as she said. “Word on the street is that Echo has been furious ever since you left. Apparently, Gonzalo refused to mate with her because he felt guilty about what happened to you. Now that the Moonstone Pack has come seeking shelter, Echo's been making things very difficult for them just out of spite.”Sounds like Echo; River thought. But did T
The aroma of sizzling meat and steaming sauces greeted River as she pushed open the swinging doors of the restaurant. The lunchtime rush was just beginning. She could tell by the steady stream of customers filling the tables and lively chatter buzzing in the air.She would love the view as she had come to cherish normalcy after being harbored in the De La Morts mansion for years, but right now, with Gonzalo’s episode, nothing seemed soothing to her.Tara, who was wiping down a counter near the entrance, spotted River and rushed over. "Thank goodness you're back!" she exclaimed, wiping her hands on her apron. "I need you right away." Her gaze traveled to the anxious expressions on Rain and Leo's faces clinging to River's side."Everything alright?" River asked, shortly forgetting the encounter with Gonzalo.Tara didn't seem to notice the apprehension in River's eyes. "Everything's fine, just swamped," she said, ushering them towards the back. "Go drop them off in the living room, then
River almost couldn't believe her eyes. Why were all of her nightmares hell-bent on coming to pass? Why couldn't she just catch a break for once?A jolt of terror shot through hard r. Her breath welled up in her throat, threatening to choke her. All thoughts of distrust towards Annemarie and Finn earlier vanished abs were replaced by a fear for Rain's safety. For seven years, she'd lived in fear of this very moment, the moment Gonzalo would find them.Her feet moved on autopilot, carrying her towards Rain and Gonzalo. As she drew closer, she noticed the way Rain seemed livened up, gesturing with her small hands as she spoke to him with giggles flying around. Gonzalo, for his part, listened intently with a gentle smile on his lips.For a fleeting moment, a ridiculous, traitorous part of River felt a flicker of warmth at the sight. Seeing her daughter and her father being so cordial, smiling and giggling was probably what every mother would want.It would have been a picture-perfec
Fury burned in River's eyes as Leo hesitated in his response. “Messenger bird?" she pressed, her eyes squinted in wonder of who Annemarie could possibly be sending a message to. Leo, in all his childish innocence tilted his head, “The one used to communicate with…" He started, but his voice was cut short by Annemarie sharply."Leo!" Annemarie's voice countered from behind. "Don't answer grown-up questions."The hairs on the back of River's neck prickled. Annemarie's sudden appearance and forceful silencing of Leo only deepened her suspicion. Moreover, she had no business scolding the boy especially for simply answering a question.“Annemarie," she turned to her, "it's alright. I was the one who asked him a question."She forced a smile at Leo, trying to dispel the signs of fear in his eyes, ignited by Annemarie.Annemarie turned to River, her face uncharacteristically guarded. "Why are you looking for me, dear?""I was hoping we could talk," River said, her voice getting mow. "Ther
Relief washed over River as Finn, muttering under his breath, went out of the kitchen. The sizzle of sausages filled the air. Her mind raced with questions about Gonzalo's appearance, his intentions, and the unsettling feeling that everything was about to unravel.She fretted that her daughter might be taken away from her but she also knew she’d do anything to keep Rain. No one— not Gonzalo or Lord Draven had a right to Rain but her.Finn lumbered towards the back door, barking orders at Rain and Leo to come inside. They obeyed reluctantly, Rain's infectious energy dampened by the seriousness inscribed on River's face. As Finn ushered them in, River hovered near the kitchen entrance, stealing glances out the window, searching for any sign of Gonzalo.He was gone. Thankfully. What did he want anyway? How could he have found them that easily? Did someone give her away already?W–Was this family working for Echo? What if everything they had told her were lies orchestrated by Echo to lead
River's heart pounded as she burst out of the small room where she'd been conversing with Annemarie. The absence of Rain's infectious laughter and Leo's playful chatter left a chilling hollowness in the passageway. This place could have passed for a mischievous horror setting without the aura of the kids. Had they gone exploring the surrounding woods? Or perhaps Rain, with her boundless energy, had convinced Annemarie to take her out for a walk?Knowing her daughter, River knew Rain must be up to some mischief and had dragged Leo with her. Fretting about where Rain could have wandered to was becoming a daily habit for her. And she was very very used to it too.Swooping into the living room, River's gaze darted around the space, searching for any sign of her precious daughter. It was, however, empty. Annemarie sat alone on an armchair, her brow furrowed in concentration, a half-eaten apple resting on a plate beside her, a frown creasing her brow as she stared into the oblivion, seemin
River stared out the window, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. The revelation of her heritage, her hidden power, and the significance of destiny that Annemarie had placed upon her shoulders was overwhelming. Finally, she found her voice and whispered."But why me, Annemarie?" she asked with confusion. "Why are you telling me all this now? Why is your family helping me?"Annemarie's gaze softened with compassion. "Because, dear River," she said, her voice filled with sincerity, "I see myself in you. Ever since I arrived in this pack, mated to the simple stablehand, I witnessed the love story of your parents and the tragedy that unfolded. The struggles they faced, and the heartbreaking choices they were forced to make."Surprise split River’s face into two. "You knew my parents?"Annemarie nodded. "Yes. I saw their unwavering love for each other, the ostracization your mother faced, and the desperate lengths they went to in order to protect their family. Don't forget my husb
River couldn't believe she was in this predicament all because of some decision taken by her parents when she was born. A wave of nausea washed over her. Her parents, the ones she held on a pedestal, had taken away her birthright? Annemarie reached out to her, placing a gentle hand on River's trembling arm. "No, dear," she said softly. "It wasn't like that. They were desperate. They were facing an impossible situation. The pack wouldn't accept your mother for who she was, and they were terrified of losing each other. The ritual was a last-ditch effort to save your family." River stared at the floor, her mind still racing. If Annemarie thought that would ease her worries, she was wrong. What her parents did was wrong too. Protecting the family was no excuse to justify it.Everything she thought she knew about her past, about her parents, had been destroyed. They were not monsters, but they had made a choice that had a profound impact on her life. "But why me?" she whispered, ga
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