Kidnapped by My Mate Novel (Belle & Grayson)

I had first felt it back on the bus leaving Minnesota; the pain had been sudden and piercing, making me double over due to its intensity. It felt like a wild animal was thrashing around in my brain, tearing at the walls of my skull with its claws, trying to get free. I had been…

She glanced around us. “I just don’t feel good about sending you out into the cold, especially in your state.” I shifted my weight, feeling uncomfortable and a little bit embarrassed. I didn’t look that bad, did I? “Are you running from someone?” she continued in a low voice. “Perhaps the person who put that…

“We have places to be and a very angry dad to deal with. And guess what? You better believe I’m blaming this whole fiasco on you. “You’re gonna have to listen to Dad give you a lecture on the importance of time management for the whole meal, and you’re not gonna get any sympathy from…

I nodded once. “Shit,” Liam said, running a hand through his wet, curly hair in frustration. His eyelashes and skin were sprinkled with drops of rain. He was becoming completely drenched. “So…you got nowhere to stay tonight, then? And before you respond, I want you to know that there’s no judgment from me. “I don’t…

The room he led me to was just as nice as the rest of the place. It had a queen-size bed, a dresser with a TV on top, and a closet. It was decorated in neutral colors, all grays, whites, and blues, and had floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the beach. It even had its own…

“I’m fine,” I said once again, setting my hand down at my side. “Do you want one of us to stay here with you?” Liam asked me. “In case something like that happens again?” Laila nodded. “I would be happy to stay here with you, Belle.” My cheeks reddened. I was starting to feel like…

Liam shrugged and approached us, stealing the grapes from Laila’s hand and taking them for himself. “It wasn’t even my idea. Anous is just an asshole.” I nearly choked on my coffee. “You’re friends with someone named Anous? That can’t be real.” He tossed a grape in his mouth. “Oh, it’s real all right. He…

Liam’s eyes seemed to darken. “You’ve got to be shitting me,” he muttered under his breath. “You’ve been here since five in the morning? Is that even legal?” I was about to respond when my neck suddenly exploded with pain. I froze, squeezing my eyes shut. It passed a few seconds later, and I sucked…

Liam and Laila were my friends, and they cared about me and wanted the best for me. And whether or not I wanted to admit it, I didn’t want to lose them. I liked having friends—even if they didn’t want me at their parties. I was about to pull out my phone, ready to text…

The genuine love in her tone made my throat feel raw. As much as I hated to admit it, I was jealous of what she had. There was a point when I was convinced that Grayson and I would have a life like that. I shoved down the intense and sudden longing to be with…