Novels by L.A.B

I sigh heavily, letting another file I’d built for a new potential Alpha fall into the trash can. This one’s name had been Andrew Powell, a long residing pack member with good combat skills. When I'd asked around about him, all anyone had to say was good things, and everyone seemed to know him. With that in mind, I had eagerly pursued him, and of course, he was just as eager to accept the challenge.He’d started off great, doing his best to make a good impression. Then it was like something changed, and he let the mask drop. He started acting like he already had the Alpha title, parading around telling everyone what to do. So this morning, I’d brought him into what I was currently using as an office, and told him he was no longer being considered for the Alpha position. Of course he had gotten pissed, started telling me I wasn’t even qualified to make this kind of decision, and that maybe he would just take the title without my blessing. At least I knew now I was right in my choice.

Was this how Everly felt when I had been unfaithful in our marriage? Did she too feel this sadness, this envy, this anger?All I could think about was hearing those words from her, “I’m pregnant. And it’s not yours.” Over and over again like a broken record.Pure, unfiltered rage courses through my veins as I stomped out of our house, swinging the door open so hard it cracked against the wall behind it. I ignored the stares from the pack members I’d had outside with Ella and Eli, and didn't stop to answer their questions of where I was going and if I was okay. The twins would be fine with them for a little, maybe better than if they were left in my care.Because I was anything but okay. My woman was pregnant with another man’s child, and I had a very good feeling on who’s it was. I could tell by her hesitation, the tone in her voice. It was that bastard’s, Sebastain’s. The image of them screwing pissed me off, and made bile rise in my throat. I didn’t even want to think about them

“Hey, babe. How’d it go today?” Killian’s voice says in my ear through my phone. I swallowed thickly at his question, clenching the phone in my hand so tightly I was scared it was going to break. This was the part I was dreading. Killian and I were just reconnecting, and now I was about to tell him I was going to be gone for some undetermined amount of time. Not to mention… There was a baby growing in me right now. What if I was gone for months? I would show back up with a swollen belly. That would be nothing if not jarring. I mean, it’s not like I had cheated on him or anything. But I still felt guilty, horrible even, at the life growing inside of me. “It was okay.” I say, then fall silent. I know he’s waiting for me to tell him more, what I chose to do, because I hadn’t even told him my plan. It was kind of a last minute call. That, and I’m too weak. He had hugged me with such warmth before I left, kissing my cheek and telling me he couldn't wait for me to come home. “Uhm. I gues

Three days later…For some reason, Sebastian’s pack land looked different to me this time around. It seemed less foreign, for sure. I had lived there for a while, and spent plenty of time wandering around. Less intimidating, maybe, now that I knew there was no scheming man waiting around the corner. I walked behind Adam and a couple other committee members who had tagged along, a woman named Marlin, a man named Thomas. This morning, Adam and them had shown up at my door, and told me we would be travelling here today, to announce my decision to the pack and appoint a new Alpha if my choice was to leave. He told me I could have them fight me or each other, do a poll, whatever I felt was the best call to pick the new leader. Sebastian didn’t have an official Beta, so while that would normally be the first logical choice, unfortunately it wasn’t an option this time around. Strangely enough, none of them had asked what I was going to do yet today. Adam kept eyeing me, like he was doubti

Since returning to Kilian’s pack things had been… different. I was happy to be back with Killian and our kids. We were finally together, able to raise them side by side. I wasn’t having to look over my shoulder because I had to be on guard all the time, and Killian was paying me more attention than ever before. Apart from that, there were a few more serious things going on. For example, Sebastian’s pack was left without an Alpha. The committee members were breathing down my neck, telling me I either needed to relinquish my position over to someone else, or step up and take charge of the dozens of wolves looking for a leader. And don’t even get me started on Felix’s pack. They weren’t in my top list of priorities, I can't lie. Most of them had run off, only a few of the new members who had been forced into Felix’s pack had stuck around. Honestly, I had kind of been hoping Sebastain would show back up. I would be more than happy to hand his pack back over. I didn’t want it. I hadn’t

The ride back to Killian’s pack was mostly quiet; he’d ask me something every once in a while, about the twins or his pack. But I think we both had a lot on our minds. I know I did. The car had dropped us as close to the pack lands as it could, and we walked the rest of the way. “God, I’m glad to be back in these woods.” Killian said as we walked along. He had his face tilted to look at the tops of the trees, and was smiling a little for the first time in what felt like forever. It was kind of cute, the way he was acting like he was literally being recharged just by being in his woods again. “What are you smiling at?” He asks me, bumping his shoulder against mine a little. I shake my head, and look up at him. “Just… happy we both got to come back here together.” I say. “Did you miss this place at all?” He asks, looking down at me. I nod a little. “Yeah, I guess I did. Or really I missed the good memories I had attached to it.” He nods along. “Like… Do you remember that one nigh

Erik and Larkin talked for another hour. I got bored halfway through and started organizing Erik’s desk. He had glanced at me curiously when I’d begun, but now I think I had mostly faded into the background of this conversation. Erik’s idea was we should go to where the remaining Gud species reside, confront them head on and get this over with. He said he didn’t want to wait around for him to attack, always looking over his shoulder. Maybe I was stereotyping here, but I found it interesting how Larkin argued against doing that. I guess from looking at them, you’d assume Larkin was the brute, the one who wanted to charge in head first, swords drawn, ready to die. Unfortunately for me, it seemed my new husband fit that role more accurately. Erik’s eyes were alight with passion and anger as he spoke of his plan to sneak onto their land. Then Larkin would point out the only idea Erik even has on what their territory looks like is based on a fifteen year old sketch of a map his father h

“All good?” Erik asks as we walk inside and join him again. He really had been waiting close by; just past the entry way, standing there like he was a guard himself. As soon as I turned the corner, he had gently grabbed my shoulder and pulled me back against his side, like me not being there had been physically paining him. More like letting me talk to the one man who amounted as my ex, but I was trying not to focus on all the awkward tension rolling between the three of us.“Yup.” I nod and smile up at him, standing on tiptoes to press a kiss to his cheek. He seemed to visibly relax, which was kind of cute. “He wants all of us to talk about the Gud now though.” I say, tilting my head to where Larkin was lingering behind us, awkwardly looking anywhere but at us.Erik nods. “Yes, yes we should. I would go as far to say it’s impossible to think he’s not hunting you.” His hand that had moved to wrap around my waist as he guided us all somewhere tightened a little at his words. I could te

“I came down here for a reason other than breaking up your cat fight.” Erik calls after me as I walk away from him and back towards the main estate. “Someone is here for you.” I stop then, my heart jumping. “Who?” I ask, not turning to look at him yet. He’s quiet for a moment, then says, “Larkin. He wants to talk to you about Bacudal’s death.” I nod, and take a deep breath. “Okay, take me to him.” Erik walks beside me as we head towards the main estate together now. We don’t say anything at first, then I ask, “how did he… seem?” I glance at Erik.He sighs. “Tense. Angry, impatient. I worry another war with the Gud species over this.” I furrow my brow. Another? “Would you like me to remain with you while you talk?” He asks, looking down at me. I shake my head a little. “I feel like you being there won’t help his irritation any.” “Very well. I will remain close by, just in case he attempts to take you back with him again.” I can hear the edge in Erik’s voice when he talks about L

"Can you believe her?” I huff as soon as Reni is out of earshot, turning to look at Erik. “I’m not entirely sure what just happened.” Erik says, looking at me carefully, like he was trying not to piss me off more. Smart man. “Your favorite and most trusted guard wants me to make my dragons into slaves, like she does to everyone else around here.” I say, gesturing around at nothing in particular. “I see.” Erik nods a little, looking up to where the dragons are now flying in a circle above me. They had come over when the tension had started between me and Reni. I almost wondered if they would’ve done anything had she returned my attack. “She was insulting me, implying I couldn’t handle my dragons properly, and just being a plain bitch.” I finish, crossing my arms angrily at the memory.“Perhaps you misunderstood what she was trying to get at…” he says, and I narrow my eyes at him. I take back what I said before. He wasn’t a smart man, he was a very dumb one. “Seriously? You’re goin

“Your dragons are proving to be quite the challenge for everyone.” Reni says to me as she closes the distance between us. She has her arms crossed, making her forearms look more defined, and is staring down at me like a kid looking at an ant under a looking glass. I nod a little, looking back up to the three dragons, who are still bickering playfully in the air above us.“Do you have any plans for them?” She continues, still watching me. I have no idea why her words make me prickle a little, but they sure do. Maybe it’s the way she said it, the way she looked up at my dragons like they were some prize. Or maybe it was because I knew for a fact she was perfectly okay with branding people as slaves. Keeping in mind Bacudal’s warning about people wanting to use dragons for their own purposes, her words made me a bit defensive. “No.” Is all I say, meeting her gaze. Even though I had only said one word, she seemed to pick up on my hostility, because her brow raises and she looks a littl

“Lady Delilah, did you enjoy your time with your new husband?” I was back in Erik and I’s room now, getting changed into something more practical. I’d been wearing loose, mostly see through dresses during my time with Erik. I’m sure that was his choice, but it wasn’t exactly appropriate attire for everyday life.It was still early in the day when Erik and I made it back, maybe noon, so I planned on doing something today. At the very least, I wanted to see my dragons. Honestly I was a bit surprised when they didn’t crash into me on my walk up here. I’d been keeping an eye out, bracing myself almost constantly. I was weirdly disappointed when I made it to the main estate without any dragons attacking me. I turn to look at Chepi, and as soon as I see her, guilt floods me. Her hair was frazzled and unbrushed, she had lines under her eyes, and despite the smile on her face, I could tell she was overworked and tired. “Hey, babe.” I say in a concerned tone. “You look like you need a break

"You little shit, get your ass back here." I laugh from my spot on the kitchen counter, watching Nate chase our naked child, Liam around the living room with a yellow bath towel clutched in his hand. Liam stops then, turning around to grin at his dad. He was only three, but was already extremely mobile, and had a smile just like his dad's. "Are you going to help me?" Nate sighs, glaring up at me as Liam yells and resumes running around like a mad man with his arms up in the air. I shake my head a little, pointing to where Liam is now standing on the couch. He grins at his dad, who finally swoops in and grabs him in his arms, wrapping the towel around him tightly as he does so. "Ha! Got you!" Nate declares as he wrestles Liam so he's upside down in his arms. He squeals with delight as Nate carries him like that back towards his room to put clothes on, calling him a weakling the entire time. But Liam loves it. He loves his dad, and he loves playing and "fighting" with him.I smile a

Why is it so often when I'm waking up in the morning, I'm in pain? I groan, stretching my arms above my head and blinking away sleep. I wince as harsh daylight assaults my eyes. My head pounds, and I bring a hand up to rub at my temple."Fuck." I groan, sitting up and leaning against the bed's headboard. I look down at where Ike is facing away from me, towards the wall, hugging himself and with no blanket. Nate is on the other side, also facing away, burrioted up in the entire blanket. I fall forward and start to crawl between them to get out of the bed. I stop when I feel a hand grabbing my ankle. Nate's green eyes are already staring at me. He's rolled over and untucked himself from his blanket tomb. "You're not going to make me chase you again, are you?" I furrow my brow, sitting in a crawling position, trying to think why I would run away. "Oh." I say when I finally realize what Ike had done to Nate last night. I didn't actually see anything, but I remember one of Ike's hands

I leave Ike at the bottom of the stairs, taking Cleo into my bedroom first and laying her down gently. She starts wiggling around, smiling and rubbing all over the sheets. Weirdo. I go back for Ike, who is pulling himself up the stairs, or trying to. He's got one hand on the second step, his other on the first. "Can I help you?" I ask, bending down to wrap one of his arms around my shoulder and putting my arm around his middle. "Here we go." He mumbles as I half drag him to my bed.I let him fall onto it, barely avoiding Cleo, who has taken her leggings off finally and is laying like a starfish on the bed. I sigh. I turn and flip the light off, kicking my shoes off as I do. Off come my pants and shirt. "Move." I huff, closing Cleo's legs and scooting her to one side of the bed. "You too." Ike listens for once, but only because he wants to be Cleo's big spoon. I roll my eyes and fall into the empty space beside them.I lay on one arm, staring at the ceiling for a moment before clo

"You know what her parents told me earlier?" Ike tilts his head to stare at me. I shake my head. "They told me, that this is the last time they'll be seeing Cleo." I freeze at his words. My eyes dart around to try and find the two in question. "Don't bother looking for them. They went back to their place and are leaving first thing in the morning. They aren't even planning on saying goodbye." He shakes his head at me. "I mean, why come in the first place?" He scoffs, finishing off his drink. "Just to rub it in her face that you exist?" He's staring at Cleo, muttering to himself now really more than talking to me. "Did they say why?" I nudge him to try and get his drunk ass to focus. He kind of blinks and shakes his head before looking back to me again. "They said they couldn't stay or come visit her because of the rules of being part of The Circle," He scoffs at their title. "And that she couldn't visit them because if anyone knew they had a daughter out there they'd try and make he

My peace with Cleo is ripped away by that fuck head Thomas, who snatches Cleo away over his shoulder and yells something about loving tequila. Had he just been waiting for the perfect chance to steal her away again? "Oh my god." I rub the bridge of my nose and make eye contact with Cleo as she sits up on Thomas to grin at me like a child. I lean back and cross my arms as I watch him take her to a group of guards. "I got her!" He yells in victory. The guards cheer and whoop in excitement. "Your mates have had enough of your time!" Zach proclaims as Thomas sets Cleo down. "And besides, it's your turn to chug something!" I groan, and I'm about to rush over and stop her, but I halt when Ike and Parker walk up to me from their spot in the crowd. "I wanted to introduce you two." Ike says, stopping in front of me. I'm half sitting, half standing, midway to snatching Cleo away from the frat boys. I glance at her for a second and see her snapping the neck off a bottle of tequila. I sigh,

"Why do you people insist on doing this to me?" She complains as I carry her away from her group of fans. "It's just easier than arguing with you." I reply. She makes an offended noise, struggles to sit up for a moment, and then flicks me on the back of the head. I roll my eyes, hiking my shoulder up a little into her gut and smiling at the noise she makes. I approach a table that's empty on one end and set Cleo down in a chair. "Wait here." I look her in the eye to make sure she's paying attention, and then turn to track down some water.I spot coolers near one of the tables closest to the fire and make my way through chatting and drinking people. I didn't realize how many people were a part of Ike's pack now a days until they were all converged together like this.I finally make it to the line of eight coolers and start opening them to find one not filled to the brim with liquor. Finally, I get my hands on a cold bottle of water. There was only a single cooler with them in it; ty