Fighting Alphas Catching Fire

While I Was Bleeding Out, He Lit Lanterns For Her

Katie Oettgen

As I lay on the floor of our manor, bleeding out from a ruptured ectopic pregnancy, I used my last ounce of strength to call my husband, Cole. I begged him for help, my vision blurring. But the only thing I heard was the clinking of champagne glasses and his mistress's giggle in the background. "Stop the drama, June," Cole snapped, his voice cold. "We're about to go on stage. Don't call again." He hung up, leaving me to die alone on the Persian rug while he accepted an award with another woman on his arm. I woke up in the hospital days later. My baby was gone. They had removed my fallopian tube. Cole finally arrived, smelling of expensive scotch and his mistress's perfume. He didn't hug me. He didn't cry. Instead, he leaned over my hospital bed, pressing his knee into the mattress until my fresh stitches tore open and bled. "You embarrassed me by calling an ambulance," he hissed. "My mistress, Alycia, says you're faking it. Clean yourself up." He left me bleeding again to go announce a $10 million donation to Alycia's "groundbreaking" medical research. I stared at the TV screen, numb. The research Alycia was taking credit for? It was mine. I wrote that patent years ago under a pseudonym. They thought I was just a poor, orphan housewife who needed Cole's money to survive. They had no idea I was actually a billionaire scientist hiding my identity. I pulled the IV needle out of my arm. A drop of blood fell onto the divorce papers I had been hiding. I didn't wipe it off. I signed my name right over it. Then I walked into the bank, reactivated my dormant account with $128 million, and bought the penthouse directly overlooking Cole's house. The mourning widow is dead. The avenger is born.

Romance Crime Revenge Pregnancy Enemies to Lovers Pregnancy Personal Growth

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"Harder!"

The alcohol had my mind all fuzzy-I could barely think straight as I wrapped my legs tightly around his solid waist, my hands moving over his body in a way that left no room for confusion.

He seemed a bit taken aback for a split second, but didn't say a thing. Instead, he picked up the pace.

I pulled him down into a kiss, desperate and messy. He froze for a second, then slowly held the back of my head and deepened the kiss.

His tongue dove in without apology, stealing every last bit of air from my lungs before he finally pulled back. I was breathless.

He wrapped an arm around my waist, his intense gaze locking on me. That voice of his dropped low.

"Ella, tell me. who am I?"

I gave him a dazed smile, staring up at him, mumbling, "You're... Oliver Davis..."

He didn't look away. A moment later, he shoved me down under him, and all I could do was hold on, arms flung around his shoulders.

Beads of sweat slid from his neck onto my fingers-he was burning hot. I leaned up and kissed him again.

The kiss dragged on, hungry and all-consuming. When we finally broke apart, I licked the base of his throat with a satisfied hum.

"Oliver, you're unreal..."

Just as my whole body was heating up, his hand slipped under my clothes.

He hiked up the white dress I was wearing, and I couldn't stop the sound that escaped my mouth.

Morning came, and I sat up, clutching my pounding head.

It felt like there was a rock concert happening in my skull.

The memories of last night hit me like a truck-I was huddled in a corner, heartbreak ripping me apart as I watched the one guy I thought I loved.

Jackson, the Alpha from the White Moon Pack, standing at that fancy party with his drink, laughing way too loud with everyone around him.

"Ella? She's just some stray Omega the Gru Pack picked up. Not even worth my time."

"She's just a toy. My mate's gotta be as strong as me."

Jackson stood there, surrounded by guys from his pack, laughing like it was all one big joke.

After my dad died, the Alpha of Gru Pack took me in. Ever since then, most people looked at me like I was just wasting space.

But I thought Jackson was different. For years, I followed him around like a shadow, thinking maybe-just maybe-he saw me.

Turns out, I was just a throwaway to him. A joke.

How could I have fallen for someone so damn heartless?

The pain burst out before I realized it, tears springing to my eyes.

That's when the curtains were pulled open, and sunlight came flooding in, blasting away the darkness.

"You're up?" a lazy voice asked.

I swallowed my sob, turning my head-and froze.

At the edge of the bed stood a man with piercing blue eyes, ridiculously handsome, arms crossed as he looked down at me.He was staring at me, looking a little amused. "Shouldn't you be the one crying right now, Ella Miller? You're the one who dragged me into the room, tore off your clothes, and jumped me, remember?"

It hit me who he was.

Oliver?

The Alpha from the Claw Pack?

Oh god, what have I done.

The bite mark on his flawless skin stood out like a sore thumb.

Then I saw the red mark on his neck-and froze.

I swallowed hard, hands clutching the bedsheet as I trembled.

That mark. I did that?

Yeah. No doubt.

Last night, I literally begged Oliver to stay. Wouldn't let him leave.

"Miss Miller, jogged your memory yet?" Oliver narrowed his eyes, clearly enjoying himself as he nudged me.

He let go and sat down beside me.