The Corridors Of The Dead

No Longer Mrs. Cooley: The Architect's Return

Xiao Xiaosu

I went to the City Clerk’s office for a routine copy of my marriage license to finalize a trust fund audit. I expected a simple piece of paper, but the clerk’s pitying look told me my entire life was a lie. "The license was never finalized, Ms. Oliver. In the eyes of the state, you are single." The three-hundred-guest wedding at the Plaza and the Vogue features meant nothing. My husband, Gray Cooley, had intentionally filed the documents with a "procedural defect" so he could discard me without a legal divorce. Moments later, an iCloud invite titled "Our Little Secret" popped up on my screen. It was a photo of my best friend, Brylee, holding a positive pregnancy test at our Hamptons estate. Gray’s text to her was the final blow: "Happy anniversary, babe. This baby is the best gift. Once the trust unlocks today, we’re done with the charade." I soon discovered they were even stealing my career, reassigning my architectural masterpiece to Brylee while preparing my eviction notice. Gray's mother called me a "barren mule" in a leaked recording, mocking the infertility I suffered after saving Gray’s life in a construction accident. I wasn't a wife; I was a three-year placeholder used to secure his inheritance. How could the man I bled for treat me like a disposable prop? How could my best friend carry his child while pretending to comfort me through my darkest moments? The betrayal burned until it turned into a cold, hard stone of fury. I didn't cry. Instead, I walked into the penthouse of the Barretts, the Cooleys' most powerful rivals. I signed a marriage contract with Kane Barrett, the man the tabloids called the "Beast of Wall Street." "I want a wedding," I told his father, my voice steady and lethal. "Bigger than the one I had with Gray." If they wanted me gone, they would have to watch me become the woman who owns their world.

Modern Revenge Divorce

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(Aegis's Point Of View).

Never ever let your outgoing sister plan you a birthday party because chances were

You would be alone.

She would be nowhere to be found.

You would be alone.

There was nothing wrong with the party except for one giant fact-- it was a PARTY. The black speakers in the corner blasted a pop song I had never heard before leaving in it wake a reverberating thud. The stench of alcohol and musty scent horny teenagers was thickened the air . A tall lanky boy stood on a table , shirtless and attempting to do a remake of magic mike except this version by himself. It was horrible but his audience of drunk teenage fan girls didn't seem to mind, their delightful shrieks going on and beyond to give me an headache. And Vela was still nowhere to be found.

And here I was, the birthday girl, standing right in the middle of the chaos in my obviously borrowed pink dress, sporting a cup of chocolate and a tense smile. My mother stood across the hall beside the scattered food platter with a look I was well accustomed to- disappointment. A lecture was well on its way.

At the corner of my eyes I saw Velma and her banshee friends, looking around for me. I barely made it through an episode with her and her fan base and I was not about to be pulled into another one.

Turning as swiftly as I could, I made for the door and took off towards my room.I turned into the hallway and crashed head on into a hard muscular body in a black fitted shirt.

My entire face hurt, but something strange happened. My wolf stirred on the inside of me with a slow delighted purr. I looked up, locked eyes with the person and I heard the one word I had lost all hope of hearing.

"Mate"

The cup in my hand tumbled to the ground, my precious brew of hot chocolate and milk splashing everywhere.

My mate.

The Future Alpha of the pack, Elias Parson

Elias's eyes bored into mine staring at me as confused and shocked as I was. Different emotions rolled off him in a chaotic tumble . Neither of us had expected this.

This was my nineteen birthday and Elias himself was well past twenty_four. There were so many questions to be asked but none of that mattered, I found my mate.

"Aegis, I.."

The way my name rolled off his tongue had chills running down my spine. I opened my mouth to say something but the sound of approaching footsteps stopped me.

The mane of Vela shiny blonde hair bounced up and down as she walked with a natural feminine gait in her steps. He baby blue dress fell prettily down her thighs stopping right over her knees. The air of childlike joy that accompanied her presence successfully cut through the tension in the hallway we stood in.

She launched herself at him and my breath caught in my throat. Looking into my eyes he slipping his hands around her waist.

They were friends , they were friends. I had to keep reminding myself so I don't leap at her. My wolf was already picturing how satisfying it would be to cut through her jugular. He was mine dammit.

Elias at least had the decency to look embarrassed and ashamed as he shifted to wrap his hands around her in a back hug.

" Aegis why did you leave, the party just started?" Vela asked with a bright smile. " Oh, look at you. You look so good in that dress. You must be very glad I let you borrow it. Doesn't she look good, Elias?"

For a while, I looked, just looked at her. Her big baby blue eyes shining from the light hitting it in just the right way and matching completely with her short off-shoulder knee length dress. She was gorgeous.

An now more than ever, she glowed in happiness basking in his attention.My teeth grinded painfully against each other in red hot rage.

Confused my silence for tiredness, Vela paused for a moment, looking at me from Elias arms.

" Is anything wrong? Are you okay?" She asked in concern.

I really wanted to tell Vela. But I couldn't.

I couldn't do that to her.

At least not until explaining everything to her. We would have to have a proper conversation about this. I couldn't lose her, lose the only person who still cared about my existence.

I knew it would break her heart and as much as I didn't want to, I had to. He was a part of me thx at I wasn't willing to give up or share with anyone. Not even Vela.

My heart constricted in guilt, that was selfish thinking. They were just friends and I was trying to separate them.

Instinct or not, it was wrong.

I hated the mate bond making me feel like this.

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