Chapter 86
Josie’s POV
The knock on the front door makes me pause in turning the vegetables in the pan. Quickly turning off the stove, I leave the kitchen and approach the door.
“Hi, Rose” The familiar voice chirps as my eyes lock with Lilly’s
“My goddess, Lilly. Come on in.” Thum, pushing the door open:
Lilly in her new purple–colored wavy hair steps inside, smiling.
“No work today?” I ask as we walk into the living room that’s facing the kitchen.
Trust me, I’d rather not go there. They’re holding a feast at the bar and that would mean being in the presence of several men that has no regard for women. Lilly rants.
She works in a bar named Wild Horse at the beach. I haven’t been there but from the way she describes it, many perverted men in the city flood the place.
Im sorry about that. Did you get a leave of absence then?” I ask as I resume what I was doing on the stove.
Lilly joins me in the kitchen, sitting on the small island. She runs her hand through her hair, pushing the stray curls away for clearer vision.
“Got none. But I have someone taking my place.” She says.
Lilly and I have become quite close. I don’t know if she is perhaps like that with the others.
Well, I don’t really mind being in her company since she always has stories to tell.
“About that…work stuff?” She stutters, pulling me away from my thoughts.
Whirling my head back, I look at her.
We haven’t really seen each other since that fiasco happened at the workplace she recommended. Though I told her on call.
“It’s okay Lilly. I’ve even forgotten it happened.” I state, wanting to wave it off but she cuts me off.
“No, it’s not. It’s all my fault. I should have asked questions before recommending such a place to you. She bites her lip.
She has a sullen look on her face but something else I can’t understand glints in her eyes.
I know you would have. But it’s all good. I’m here ain’t I?” 1 throw my soiled hands around before refocusing on the pan.
I need to take lunch to Aria. It’s almost time for it.
“Going somewhere?”
“Yeah. Aria’s school. Tessa informed me she refused to take the lunch she made to school today. She said she wants her mama’s food.” I chuckle, recalling Tessa’s words and how she tried to mimic Aria.
“Let me help then…” Lilly jumps out of the stool, approaching me.
“No. Don’t bother. I’ve got it handled. Lilly seems a little bad at my words, so I clarify. “Aria will know someone’s hand joined in the cooking process. My daughter is that observant.”
“Okay,” She hums, going back to the stool.
After handling the lunch. I took my bath and left my house with Lilly in tow. She confirmed she needed to be somewhere.
So, here I am, moving out of the cab to head to Aria’s school.
There are a few parents also here to bring their child’s lunch.
Making my way through the hallway, I hear someone call out to me.”
“Ms. Rose!”
I halt in my tracks as I recognize the voice.
“Mr. Henry,” I whisper as the man crawls closer.
He stops before me, locking his bulging eyes in mine with a smile tipping his lips up.
“Brought lunch for your daughter!” He questions and I confirm with a nod. “Have I ever told you Aria is our best student?” He blurts
“Not at all. But I do have an inkling she is. I remark with a chuckles
I guess she takes after her father’s brilliance. Back in high school, Ashton is among the bright students regardless of his wayward life.
As if on cue, Ashton’s calls come in
“Uh can you please help me give this to Aria?” I ask Henry, offering the lunch box to him.
“Sure. I don’t mind.”
Happily, he grabs the lunch box from me and walks away.
Hurrying outside, I pick up the call.
“Hello, Mr. Ashton, good to hear from you again.” I rasp
It’s all Lean do not to show my excitement in hearing his voice again. What the heck is wrong with me? I reprimand my traitorous heart.
“Ms. Rose, I’ve missed our lessons so much..” He offers.
I get offended by his words. He missed his lessons more than me?
“But that shouldn’t vex you since you admitted not to like him, right?”
My wolf!
‘Shut up, lady! You know nothing other than your basic instincts! I bite back.
‘Oh, I can assure you I do know many things..
Before she could finish, I blocked her off, focusing back on the call.
“Mind if we catch up a little at the beach bar?” Ashton offers, much to my surprise.
If I’m not wrong, that’s exactly where Lilly claims to be working
“Deal, Mr. Ashton, I state and end the call.
Emerging. I hail a cab that drives me to the beach bar. Well, it’s a long ride filled with traffic.
Thankfully, I arrive on time. Padding my way through the beach sand, I shove into the bar.
Oh, could Lilly be wrong about what she said earlier? There’s nothing like a feast held here.
Apparently, the bar is empty, save for three men in a business suite sitting by the window,
My eyes wander, searching for Ashton but he isn’t here.
I gasp suddenly when I feel a firm hand capturing my wrist and turning me around.
“Hello, Ms. Rove
“Ashton! That was uncalled for 1 rasp out, my breath roaring.
Breaking my hand from his grip. I put some space between us to inspect him,
Surprisingly, he has a fading wound on his lips
“What happened to you?” 1 blunt but bite my lip back. I shouldn’t show concern.
Don’t want to make him feel like I care when I don’t, I think to myself.
“Oh, just some scratch. Nothing much…”
“Or you guys were too lost to realize you were already biting off each other’s lips? That must have been wild”
Hell, what am I saying? I gasped, surprised at the words that left my lips.
Ashton smirks as he tilts close. My heart pulses at the look glinting on his face.
Then. “Are you perhaps jealous, Ms. Rose? If you’re, I can give you the chance to leave your love bite too. He winks.
Flush crawls on my face with force.
“Over my dead body, Mr.” I bark and walk away.
I hear him chuckling behind me as he throttles close.
Ashton and I settle into our seats and we place orders for drinks
“So, how was the trip, fun, I believe?” I ask, sipping my mixed drink.
“Pack matters ain’t fun. Never was.
“Why?”
“Shits always happen. However, this last one was a mess on its own.
I bite my lips at his words.
That’s
“Sad, yeah.
We fall into silence until a voice breaks it.
“You also come here, alpha?”
I screw my
eyes close at the sound of Mr. Warren’s voice. I hate seeing that man. I hate it always.
“Of course, Mr. Warren. Nice to meet you again, huh.” Ashton mutter, shaking Mr. Warren’s hand.
o meet you again, huh.
When I manage to look up, I see a beautiful plus–sized brunette standing beside him.
She winks my way and I wave back, ignoring the man.
“Ms. Josie. What a pleasant surprise again…”
I’m Rose, Mr. Warren,” I say curtly, leaving the man surprised.
“Ahh, Rose. I see. You indeed look like one.”
My pulse rises at his words. It makes me remember how he insults back at the pack whenever he tries to force himself on
- me.
“Filthy slut.” That’s what he usually calls me
I ball my hands under the table when he offers to join us in the table. Ashton agreed.
All the while we spent time there, I could feel Mr. staring at me, sucking in every inch of my skin.
It’s well into the night when I opt to return home and Ashton drives me back to my house.
As I step into the house I feel eyes watching my every move. Eyes like hawk.
I finished dinner on time and took my
my bathe
The moment I lay on the bed, I slept off.
However, something strange happens. Some ripples of strange powers just like it did that night at Rated 18 club.
The night Dahlia tried to suffocate me.
Struggling in my place, I find myself in a strange dreamland.
Where could this be?
