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Third Person's POV Ryder's head snaps back, and blood sprays as his body flies backward before hitting the ground, knocking the wind out of him. It takes him a moment to recover enough to push himself off the ground. He wipes the blood from his face, breathing heavily as he takes his position again. The large Delta 1 shrugs his shoulders and takes position on the mat. Ryder counts to three, and the two charge each other. The retired Beta is too slow. The wounds he sustained and the fact that he can't stop thinking about her have worn him down. Everything goes dark momentarily as Ryder takes a blow to the temple. His body hits the ground, and he's disoriented.A whistle blows, stopping the Delta 1 before he kicks Ryder’s side. “That's enough, man. You're done for the day,” The Captain said as he and Marcus pulled Ryder to his feet. “I got him from here,” Marcus said as he pulled Ryder's arm over his shoulder, held onto his wrist with his left hand, and wrapped his right arm around t
Third Person's POV Her hand goes to his face and grips it as their tongues fight for dominance. She kicks her sandals off and climbs into the tub, straddling him. His hands slide down her waist, gripping and feeling as much of her as he could before his hands move to her ass and grip it, pulling her closer as he deepens the kiss. Tingle dances along their skin, and the pull to her is incredibly strong. Her kiss is delicious, and her scent is addictive. Her fingers thread through his hair and grip it, tugging, and he growls. Her hips roll as he sucks on her lip. He thrust against her as she pulled back and looked at him. His pupils are blown, and his eyes flicker back and forth between Ryder and Rex. His lips chase hers, and her lips tug up as she pulls back just out of reach. He growls as he grabs her ass, pulling her down as he thrusts up against her. He moves forward for her lips again, and just as they brush together, she pulls back, earning another growl. His fingers glide along
Third Person's POV Ryder took a quick shower, pulled his clothes on, and paused before opening his bedroom door. He closed his eyes and wondered what the hell had gotten into him. It wasn't just his wolf that was responsible for what just happened; he was too. He gave in to the pull and the feelings the temporary mark was causing him to have. He knew he only made it worse for himself and Vanessa. It may have curbed the strong urge and desire for each other now, but it was temporary. It didn't fix anything; it made it worse, strengthening the bond that was going to fade and making his desire for her stronger when it came back. Ryder exhaled and pushed all thoughts of Vanessa aside as he stepped out of his room and walked down the hall to find his daughter. “Hey, sweetheart,” Ryder said as he entered the kitchen and found Azalea with her head in the fridge, putting things away. “Oh my goodness, look at this stuff! This is a dragonberry! Can you believe how big this is? Oh, and look a
Third Person's POV “I am your enemy… I am the gatekeeper!This is why you and I can never be together,” Maverick said, and then his clothes tore as Shade came forward and shifted. Azalea gasped loudly, and her eyes widened as she scrambled backward and fell onto her butt. She looked at Shade in terror, unable to believe her eyes. His eyes look like flames, and it looks like the inside of his body was on fire. She could see fire beneath the fur. It was the brightest where the fur had parted. She watched in horror and could not move as the incredibly large beast approached, not stopping until he stood over her.It was so hard for Shade not to whimper and curl up next to her like a puppy. He struggled to stand tall and show his pretty little angel why they couldn't be together. Shade failed and lowered his head; a whimper slipped past the hellhound, and his eyes closed as he nuzzled her cheek. The fear that was coursing through Azalea disappeared at the sound of his whimper. Her eyes
Third Person's POV The late evening Sun setting behind the trees lit the sky with shades of red, orange, and yellow. The air was a little cooler against her skin than the previous nights as they stood on the balcony. Maverick noticed the goosebumps on her arm and moved to stand behind her. He wrapped his arms around his Angel and allowed his head to dip to her neck. He took a deep breath in of her amazing scent and wondered if this was really happening. Is he really going to allow her in? Is he finally going to be happy? Maverick took another breath in of her scent before pressing his lips to her skin, kissing her neck and sending a shiver down her spine. “Little angel, are you sure? There's still time,” Maverick asked. He found it hard to believe she still wanted him after finding out he was a hellhound. He thought the angel would reject him then and there. He thought she would expose him and have him kicked out, never to see her again. But she didn't reject him, and she didn't exp
Third Person's POV Maverick sat on the edge of his bed, staring at a spot on the floor. The night's events played through his head in great detail, picking everything apart. He needed to make sure he was making the right choice. If he made the wrong choice, it could hurt her more than it would to walk away.But he's not sure he could walk away now, not after what he felt a short while ago. A knock at his door has Maverick lifting his head. He could tell by the gentle sound that it belonged to her delicate fingers. “Come in,” Maverick called out, and the door opened. A beautiful redhead walked in, a breath of fresh air. She looked at him carefully as she walked toward him, not stopping until she stood between his legs and her hand was on his face. “Are you okay?”“Yes. Don't worry, your father didn't hurt me. It was the fear of losing you that hurt,” Maverick said, and guilt flashed across her face. “I'm sorry! My father is very protective. Once he gets over this, I promise he wil
Third Person's POV Maverick follows his pretty little angel, walking hand in hand with their fingers laced together. He watches her with amazement—how could this really be happening? They pass one pack member after another, and yet she doesn't shy away from holding his hand. She's not the least bit embarrassed that someone like him, who is still considered an outsider, is her mate.He looks at the people as they pass and then looks deeper, feeling and seeing their wolves like no other shifter can. If they knew what he was, they would be terrified… Why isn't she?His lips part to ask her that question, but the words never leave his mouth. She turns her head and smiles at him with such a beautiful smile that it silences the hellhound. It was as if she knew he would ask that question and thought it was silly, so she silenced him before the words left his mouth. “Are you sure you want everyone to know about this?” Maverick asked as she began leading him down the stairs to the game room,
Third Person's POV Ryder came out of his bathroom and froze when he saw Vanessa lying on his bed. “What are you doing here?” Ryder asked angrily. “I needed to see you. You won't reply to any of my messages or phone calls. Why?”“Because we don't need to see or talk to each other! What we're feeling is temporary,” Ryder said as he turned away from her and walked to his dresser.“It doesn't seem like you're feeling shit!” Vanessa said angrily as she stood. “The stupid thing on my neck has me thinking about you 24/7! I can't even get away from you in my fucking dreams, but you're walking around here as if nothing's wrong! How are you so unbothered, but I'm not? Why do you consume my every thought, but you don't think about me at all? Why do I feel the need to be near you, but you can't stand being in my presence?” Vanessa said angrily, her voice trembling near the end.“I do think about you. I just keep it hidden,” Ryder said, pausing with his hand on the dresser. He slowly blinks and
Third Person's POV Both Omegas lie in their tent with their heads hanging out so they can look up at the sky. Their arms are hooked together as they talk.The twins spent the entire day together, starting just before breakfast. They did everything from breakfast to a run through the forest in their beautiful brown bears, which are much smaller than their fathers and mates, to lunch in town at their favorite diner before visiting their friends. At first, Ollie was quiet and timid, but the longer they were together, the more the Omega relaxed. The more he relaxed, the more the old Ollie emerged. Getting the smaller Omega to begin pulling pranks didn't take much convincing. The Omegas giggled as Ivy chased them out of the pack house, where they stumbled over each other and rolled in the grass in a fit of laughter.Somewhere along the lines, Ollie began to find himself again. What happened in that room didn't leave him, but it no longer consumed his every thought, it no longer defined h
Third Person's POV EJ leaned his head back in the shower and sighed as the hot water rained down on his aching muscles. Anders kicked his ass on the training field this morning before helping him move all of his stuff to Ollie's pack. EJ didn't realize how much crap he had accumulated over the years, it was way more than he realized. He lost count of how many times he went up and down those stupid stairs, and not just at River Pack, but at his new one, too. It wouldn't have been so bad if Anders didn't wipe the field with body beforehand, not to mention the chunk his stupid bear almost took out of his ass when he tried to walk away from him. The stupid jerk laughed at him every time he saw him wince.Steam poured out of the shower as EJ stepped out, wrapping a towel around his waist and then grabbing a second towel to dry his hair. EJ rubs his hand on the mirror so he can see. He looks down and sees a box filled with Ollie's stuff that he hasn't unpacked yet. The Alpha smiles and op
Third Person's POV The Omega sits in the window as meditation music plays behind him. The sun warms his pale skin that is only covered in a large oversized white t-shirt and black shorts. His bare feet are tucked under one of the cushions and pressed against the cool wood below it. His arms are wrapped tightly around his legs, and his cheek rests against his knees. He stares outside, watching people go in and out of the woods. He can tell which ones have recently shifted; their hair is a mess, and they're either wearing shorts or sweatpants. Every now and then, he hears the howl of a wolf running free in the woods. He closes his eyes and pictures his own wolf. His eyes sting and burn as they fill with tears, rolling down his face as he pictures his beautiful fur. “Spirit,” He whispers as he pictures his wolf's beautiful white fur and bright blue eyes. He searches the depths of his head, as deep as he can. He looks into every dark place but comes up empty. The Omega buries his face
Third Person's POV “What?” Vanessa said as she held her hands out, palms facing up, gesturing “what” with her hands. Ryder blew out of breath as he shook his head, his attention going to his daughter as she scrambled to her feet.Azalea feels the heat in her face as she frantically straightens her clothes. She looks to her right and is shocked to see Maverick standing so calmly and casually, not bothered in the least bit that her father caught them in such a heated moment.Azalea clears her throat as she steps forward, approaching her father. “Uh, hi! I wasn't expecting you home so soon,” Azalea said, brushing her bangs to the side to get a better look at the lady standing beside her father. Ryder glances between Maverick and his daughter before giving up, pushing a breath out. His shoulder slumps as he shakes his head. Vanessa bites her cheek to stop herself from laughing. She taps the stressed Beta's shoulder as she steps in front of him. “Hi, sweetheart. You must be Azalea,” V
Third Person's POV Vanessa felt awkward sitting in the car with Ryder. It was a long drive and the longest silence between the two without sex. She tried to play it cool, but every time she glanced his way, her heart skipped when she saw he was looking at her. “You're driving me crazy! Say something, or do something!” Vanessa finally said, pressing her left hand against her forehead.Ryder chuckled and grabbed her hand, brought it to his mouth, and kissed her hand. Her stomach fluttered, and she swooned. It was a small gesture, but it was sweet. When he kissed her fingers, she was ready to throw herself out of the car. She thought a quick death would be easier than dying from the shock of how sweet this man could be. Where did he come from? ‘Who is this man sitting next to me?’ She wondered and again gripped the handle of the door. Ryder raised an eyebrow, and she raised one back. “Planning on going somewhere?” The cocky Wolf asked, and she rolled her eyes as she blew out a breath.
Third Person's POV Ryder's chest ached, and his breaths were rapid. He ducked into the alley, and once he was deep enough into the darkness and away from people, he stopped and leaned against the building. “Fuck!” Ryder yelled as he gripped his hair and tugged on it. A flash of light directly in front of Ryder startled him. He grabbed his chest and exhaled in relief when he saw it was just Lucian. “Goddess, you scared me!”Lucian stood still for a moment, a sad expression resting on his face. After a moment, he moved forward and placed his hand on Ryder's arm. Lucian then reached up and touched the mark on the Beta's neck.“This isn't a temporary mark… This is a mating mark. Vanessa is a gift to you from Angelica,” Lucian said as he dropped his hand. Ryder's eyes widened, and his mouth hung open.“No! That isn't possible! Angelica would never do that!“She did, son. She didn't want you to live alone for the rest of your life. She knows you're grieving. She knows you're hurting. Sh
Third Person's POV “Hey, beautiful…” Vanessa sits on the fluffy rug next to her bed. She wears light pink boy short underwear and a white tank top. Her knees are pulled up to her chest, and her arms are wrapped around her legs. Everything that happened this miserable night plays over and over in her head. She thought it would be easy to look at another man and desire them, but it wasn't. Not a single man she looked at was appealing. She tried to convince herself she would, at the very least, take Alex home tonight. She always thought he was gorgeous and loved his muscles. She loved watching him fight for the dominant position, but she loved watching him lose even more. Now, even Alex was doing nothing for her. Just the thought of doing something with any of the men there, even drinking their blood, turned her stomach and made Vanessa nauseous. The Beta consumed her every thought as she made drink after drink. She wasn't sure whether she felt bad or angry with the human that grabbe
Third Person's POV Maverick sighed and rolled onto his back, folding his hands under his head as he looked at the ceiling. “Shade wants his pretty little angel!” his beast said. “I know, so do I,” Maverick replied.Both were struggling to fall asleep. Having a taste of happiness was making it impossible to fall asleep without her. His beast was urging him to sneak in through the shadows for a quick peek at their little angel, but Maverick shot that down.When Maverick closes his eyes, he sees her beautiful smile and feels her lips against his. He groans and squeezes his eyes closed tighter, trying to force the images away. Maverick flinches when a body suddenly appears next to him. Her head is propped up on her right hand, and her left-hand rests against his chest. “Shit, little angel, you scared the crap out of me!” Maverick said as he wrapped his arms around her.Azalea giggled as she leaned forward and kissed his cheek. “I couldn't sleep. I needed to see you,” Azalea said as s
Third Person's POV Ryder came out of his bathroom and froze when he saw Vanessa lying on his bed. “What are you doing here?” Ryder asked angrily. “I needed to see you. You won't reply to any of my messages or phone calls. Why?”“Because we don't need to see or talk to each other! What we're feeling is temporary,” Ryder said as he turned away from her and walked to his dresser.“It doesn't seem like you're feeling shit!” Vanessa said angrily as she stood. “The stupid thing on my neck has me thinking about you 24/7! I can't even get away from you in my fucking dreams, but you're walking around here as if nothing's wrong! How are you so unbothered, but I'm not? Why do you consume my every thought, but you don't think about me at all? Why do I feel the need to be near you, but you can't stand being in my presence?” Vanessa said angrily, her voice trembling near the end.“I do think about you. I just keep it hidden,” Ryder said, pausing with his hand on the dresser. He slowly blinks and