《The Love That Binds Us》Thirty
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"I love you, Poppy, but that's probably the dumbest idea you've had yet."
"And I love you, Maddox, but you're being a stubborn ass right now. You're not thinking clearly."
Maddox and I argue across the dinner table at each other as both of our families, as well as August's mom and dad, watch on intently at the show we're putting on.
"We're perfectly safe here, there's no need to risk that," He replies.
His tone is calm, but I can see the tension he's holding in his jaw and shoulders.
"Yeah, tell that to the six witches we've had to bury this week."
That was low. I regret the words the second they leave my mouth and the pain that shoots through Maddox's eyes causes my heart to constrict.
"I'm sorry," I mutter as I reach across the table for his hand. "That was...fucked up of me. I just think the rest of the pack would be safer if we got some distance for a little while, just until this situation is handled."
The atmosphere around us has gotten awkward- it's obvious no one wants to be here anymore. It started off as a pleasant enough dinner. After my conversation with Eira, the energy around the pack felt much lighter despite the newest tragedy, and I definitely feel much closer to my mate's mother.
She seemed to be much happier too and she had even spent the beginning of dinner joking and bantering with my brothers about whether fried ice cream is actually fried or not. Everything had been just fine until I had to go and open my mouth.
"We had a plan," He replies through his teeth.
"Yes, and the rest of the Alphas agreed that our best bet would be for me to lure him away."
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"And I told you I'm not comfortable putting you at risk like that. The other Alphas don't get a say in how I run my pack. This isn't a joke, Poppy. I'm tired of everyone acting like it's no big deal to risk your life like this. I can keep my pack safe without putting you in danger. No one else will die by Aiden's hand."
We glare at each other from across the table, but I'm still gripping his hand between us. I know this is hard for him and he just wants to keep me and his pack safe, but his brother has gone too far. The quicker Maddox realizes that this is the only option, the quicker we can finally make his brother pay for the lives he's taken.
"Maddox is right," Eira chimes in quietly. "There's no need to put you in harm's way. Now that we know the first attack wasn't just an isolated incident, we'll be better prepared for the next time Aiden appears. There are guards surrounding the property at all times. Several of the Elders have placed wards around property lines and the coven has taken extra precautions in keeping the witches safe. Now it's just a waiting game."
A dark part of me wonders if Eira is only saying this to prolong Aiden's punishment and stall his inevitable death, but I immediately push those thoughts away.
Eira wouldn't put innocent lives at risk just to save her son. She understands he brought this on himself, but I'm discouraged that they seem to be teaming up against me.
"No," My dad says quietly from the other end of the table.
My head perks up at his calm voice as Maddox furrows his brows at him.
"Poppy is right. She needs to get away from the pack and you need to go with her."
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"No-" Maddox begins shaking his head profusely but my dad cuts him off.
"Listen, son, I respect you. You're a good Alpha, but you need to listen to those of us who have a little more experience than you. That's my fucking daughter. If I had any doubts regarding her safety in your care, I'd keep her right here. Trust me when I tell you that this is the best decision for everyone."
"Fuck!"
Maddox rips his hand from mine and slams them on the table. He gets up from his chair and storms out of the dining room.
The rest of the table is left sitting in an uncomfortable silence as I try to reach out to him mentally, to no avail.
"Well, that went better than most family dinners," Elm stage whispers to Ash.
"Yeah, at least you didn't end up with your head in the toilet this time around."
My mom smacks her hand at them, but no one is really paying them much attention. My dad sighs heavily and rubs his hand frustratedly across his face. Maddox's dad just looks completely pissed.
"I'll go talk to the kid," My dad says as he slowly pushes his chair back.
I shoot up out of my own and hold a hand up to stop him.
"No, no, it's okay," I tell him. "This is my fault, I should be the one to go fix it."
I can hear everyone at the table whispering quietly to each other as I leave the room, but I push them out and focus only on my connection to Maddox.
He's still blocking me out through the mind link, but I can feel a pull, that bond that ties us together, directing me towards the back yard. It's raining out again, but I can just make out a large, familiar figure sitting out in the grass through the sliding glass door.
It reminds me so much of the first night we spent here together, I can't help but smile. I open the door quietly, even though I know he can probably hear it anyways, and make my way to him.
The icy droplets feel amazing on my heated skin and cleanse the negative energy I've been feeling looming over me the past few weeks. I take my place next to him and lay down, closing my eyes as I let the rain soak into me.
"I thought you didn't like the rain," I murmur.
"I never was a fan before, but someone special showed me the beauty in it."
"As long as you don't start any mud wars this time."
"I believe it was you that started that mess," He jokes back.
He sounds much more calm now, but I can still sense the irritation sitting under the surface. His words make me feel warm despite the chill in the air and my smile grows. I feel his hand reach for mine and wrap around it tightly.
"I'm sorry for the way I acted back there. I know you and your father are probably right, I just... hate that it has to be this way."
I open my eyes and sit up, leaning myself into his warmth.
"If I didn't believe wholeheartedly that you could protect me, I'd agree with you, but our pack needs this. Let's go find your brother and show him what happens when you mess with witches."
Maddox finally cracks a smile and shakes his head as he gazes lovingly down at me.
"I feel sorry for anyone dumb enough to mess with you. Let's do this."
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Beach Baby
𝐀𝐔𝐋𝐎𝐑𝐀 𝐉𝐀𝐃𝐄 𝐌𝐀𝐃𝐃𝐄𝐍 is a 18-year-old single mother. She is nice, caring, a wonderful mom. She is in her first year of college with a five-month-old baby girl to take care of. She isn't looking for anyone but what happens when someone sweeps in and steals her heart without her noticing.𝐊𝐀𝐈 𝐄𝐋𝐈 𝐁𝐑𝐎𝐎𝐊𝐒 is a 19-year old college student. He is your typical bad boy minus the sleeping with someone else everyday. He's blunt, doesn't care about anyone, and has no patience's. Except for with her he can't seem to act that way. What happens when a little baby melts his heart but that mother completely steals it?With Aulora being a single mother and Kai being a reckless boy will they ever see eye to eye? Will their differences keep them apart or make them closer?Warnings in book. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━𝐓𝐎𝐏 𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒-#1 in baby mama: 6/17/22#1 in single parent: 6/30/22#1 in college romance: 6/20/22#1 in teen romance: 6/21/22#1 in sunshine: 6/23/22#1 in babies: 6/26/22#2 in good girl: 6/17/22#2 in beach: 6/17/22#5 in love story: 6/23/22#5 in heartwarming: 6/4/22#1 in soft spot: 6/23/22#5 in college: 6/23/22#2 in college student: 7/17/22#9 in humor: 6/20/22 #10 in young adult: 6/23/22#14 in possessive: 6/23/22 #1 in badboyxgoodgirl: 7/12/22#1 in badboygoodgirl: 7/12/22#3 in strangertolovers: 7/17/22
8 227Hero's Undercover Aide
Akiara Nakamura's life was a living hell. After the death of her parents, her normal life started to turn upside down. She was picked and bullied by girls in her class, treated like a slave by her father's relatives and forced to do part-time job to treat her sister who is in coma.Five years passed as she got used to living like this. She was fine hoping that once her sister wakes up, she will cut ties with them and live a quite life with her sister. But her dreams were crushed after her sister's death.She lost all her hopes and attempts suicide. But instead of experiencing death she hears a voice telling her, "You have to compensate for taking your own life.""Who are you?" She asked."I am giving you my blessings to protect the girl with scarlet eyes." The voice replied.After the short conversation with an unknown being, she wakes up in a forest with her perfect unscathed body.Will she be able to survive and protect at the same time?Highest ranking#2 - shoujoai (01.2022)#2 - pastlife (01.2022)
8 122Safe Haven
"Allie! Wait." I turn around and see Jamie walking towards me. "You know, I really meant it when I said I think you're the best." Her tone is serious. "Don't let him make you think you're anything less than that."• • • • •Allison Martinez's life is what could be called amazing. She is in the middle of her Sophomore year at Berkeley, has amazing friends, Daisy, Jamie and Jess, and a sweet new boyfriend, Matt. At least that's what it seemed like.Matt starts showing an ugly side Allie's never seen and that catches her off guard, but her friends are there to help her. Especially Jamie. She helps Allie find her way back to herself.They find themselves spending more time together than ever and soon new feelings start bubbling up.#1 in lesbian 04/08/22#1 in college 10/22/21#1 in geek 04/16/22#2 in gxg 01/16/22#2 in bisexual 01/19/22#3 in romance 10/21/21#3 in lgbt 11/01/22#3 in wlw 10/24/21#4 in wattpride 11/02/22#5 in girlxgirl 10/23/21#5 in slowburn 11/21/22#10 in love 01/16/22#19 in girls 11/05/22#28 in pride 11/09/22
8 202Forbidden Fruit ✔️
Book one of the FORBIDDEN series! **Nick Knight is the CEO of Knight Tech.He gets everything he wants, no questions asked.Hazel Richmond is his personal assistant. He doesn't know she exists and takes her for granted. That is until he wants her.Will they let the fire burn or will it die?**"It's not like I meant for this to happen. I didn't mean to fall in love with you"****WARNING**Contains mentions of rape.#7 in love 8/5/19#1 in regret 8/5/19# 1 in newyork 8/10/19#1 in bossboy 3/1/20#1 in girlxboy 3/1/20#1 in lovingmyceo 3/1/20#4 in novel 3/1/20#2 in officeromance 3/1/20#2 in richboy 3/1/20#1 in tech 3/1/20#1 in summertime 3/1/20#5 in short chapters 3/1/20
8 236Pistols and Petals - TH
Olivia Miller is a 23 year old kindergarten teacher, she dreams of falling in love, having kids, and living a good life, even if her family is so separated. When a family mix up occurs she finds herself in a situation that changes everything. New house, new family, new friends, new life.
8 89Out of My Control [bxb]
[being edited]Reid's life was simple. Goes to a small town high school, hangs out with his group of friends, keeps up his grades, and goes to church every Sunday. He'll do anything to keep his parents proud of him.That all changes when Reid meets a boy at a high school party. Grayson Clarke. He also happened to wake up half naked with Grayson in bed with him the next morning. Luckily, Reid will never have to see Grayson again and he can forget all about his scandalous night. At least that's what Reid thought before he found out Grayson was the new student at their school. Though Reid tries to suppress his feelings for Grayson, it just might be out of his control.*Cover art is not mine, it's from Pinterest lol*Best Rankings:#1 Comingoutofthecloset#3 Comingofage#4 teenromance #7 LGBT+#9 boyfriend#10 bxb #10 daddyissues~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Warning: This book is boyxboy meaning the main characters are gay and will be doing gay things! If you do not like that, don't read it.
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