Rejected Me Once, Never Fool Me Twice

I woke up extra early today because there was a lot to do at work,hiring and signing new models, photoshoots for Vogue magazine, which came in yesterday, and taking calls from new clients overseas. Not to mention the grand openings of my new shops in France and Italy.

I am so glad we Kiara,she is one of the biggest influencers and she has been helping with our social media promotions.

Marcus was right—this was our biggest breakthrough, and we needed to work hard to keep it going.

Collen had just started shooting a new blockbuster movie, and thank God my designs were ready to be used.

I took a shower and dressed in a green summer dress and flats.

We were in the middle of spring, and the weather was a little chilly.

I looked out through the glass walls. The clouds were dark and foggy, signaling that it might rain at any moment.

I stepped into the kitchen to see Marcus already up, sorting through some files and papers.

"Good morning, Prince Charming," I said, kissing his cheek and picking up my coffee.

"Morning, Princess. How was your sleep?" he asked.

"The usual," I shrugged, and he sighed.

He knew I didn’t sleep a wink because of my nightmares.

He was about to say something when the doorbell rang.

"Are you expecting anyone?" I asked.

"Nope, Kiara isn't available until Sunday. You?" he said, and I shook my head.

"Wait here. I’ll check it out," he said, standing up.

This place was the safest place ever. No one could trespass without alerting security.

I stood by the table, looking through Marcus’s files when a very familiar scent filled my nostrils.

Honey and wet sand.

I looked outside. Lightning began to strike, yet there was no rain.

Okay, maybe I was just imagining it.

"Honey, can you come here for a second?" Marcus called out. The only reason he called me like that was if a stranger was here.

I placed the files down and walked over to him.

I stopped in my tracks as the scent grew stronger, and with my reflexes, I was in front of Marcus in an instant.

I wasn’t imagining it.

My brother was here.

He stood in front of me, his expression a mix of relief and worry.

"Serene," he whispered, as if he couldn’t believe I was real.

"What are you doing here, Kaden? How did you find me?" I hissed angrily.

"Is that really what you’re asking me after all these years? Do you know how long we’ve been looking for you? How much we’ve tried?" he demanded.

My brother looked older, his long hair tied in a bun.

He was even bigger than I expected.

"I didn’t ask you to search for me, Kaden. How the heck did you find me?" I hissed.

"You’re not really hiding anymore, Serene. You’re a public figure now. Word spreads quickly," he said, his eyes shifting behind me.

"And who is this? He’s in most of your pictures," he asked curiously.

"I am her husband," Marcus said, pulling me closer to his chest.

I gave him a small smile before looking back at my brother, whose face was frozen in shock.

His eyes flickered to my ring finger, and his confusion deepened when he saw nothing there.

"Wife, huh? Does he know who you really are?" Kaden smirked, his eyes beginning to glow.

"Back away, wolf boy. No need to show me your wolf," Marcus smirked back, making Kaden step back in surprise.

"Of course he knows. He’s my husband, after all," I said, resting my head against Marcus’s chest.

"What are you doing here, Kaden?" I asked after a moment.

He sighed, his expression softening.

"The Alpha wants you back home," he said.

"Tell him I said no. I am no longer part of his pack."

"That’s not why I’m here. Mama isn’t well. She’s sick, Serene, and we’re afraid we might lose her. She’s requesting your presence," he said, and my heart clenched.

My papa was sick?

"What… What’s wrong with her?" I asked.

"We don’t… We don’t know," he admitted.

"Mama has become a ghost of herself. A lot has happened since you left, Serene."

My stomach twisted.

"And papa?" I finally asked.

At the mere mention of his name, Kaden’s face broke.

"He’s… he’s dead, Serene. He died in a car accident with another pack warrior,while coming back home from a meeting from the neighboring pack. They both died on the spot. Nothing has been the same since then. That’s why you need to come back, Serene," he said, his eyes pleading.

I stared at him, my heart in turmoil.

"I… I need to think about it," I said in a small voice.

"Think about what, Serene? Papa is dead!. Mama needs you now more than ever. You’ve been selfish long enough, don’t you think?" His words stung like a slap.

"You don’t know what you’re talking about, Kaden. You have no idea what I’ve been through," I hissed.

"Oh? Then tell me what you’ve been through because right now, I don’t see it," he snapped.

I nearly clawed his eyes out.

I had to remind Ria that he was our brother.

"Get out. Get out now," I said, my voice low and dangerous.

"Please, Serene. Come with me before anything else happens," he urged, his tone shifting.

I frowned.

What did he mean by anything else?

No. I wouldn’t fall for his tricks.

"I won’t say it again. Leave!"

"You heard my wife," Marcus said coldly. "Leave before I call security and have you arrested. Believe me, this human world is nothing like the wolf world."

Kaden clenched his jaw, then exhaled sharply.

"Fine. I’m leaving—not because of what you said, but because I did my best to convince you. Don’t say I didn’t warn you," he said, staring into my eyes.

Then, before I could react, he was gone.

How dare they?

After so many years, he had the audacity to come here.

But… Papa is dead. I love my papa, no matter what.

"No. Don’t even think about going back to that place because I won’t let you," Marcus said firmly.

"But… But my papa… My papa is dead Marcus. My papa! I didn't even get to say goodbye. My papa!," I cried into his chest.

"Don’t worry. We’ll figure something out. But I won’t let you leave. Not ever," he said protectively.

"Okay, but we need to double security. My brother was here, and I know more will come. Especially him," I said, referring to my nightmare,my monster.

"No one is going to hurt you. Not as long as I’m here," Marcus vowed, pulling me closer.

But I knew…

I knew this wasn’t the end.