Third Person's POV
Maverick chuckled as the tall Alpha walked away. He brushed the front of his shirt off, trying to wipe her stupid floral scent off of his shirt. He didn't like the way it smelled. He hated flowers, and she reeked of them. You would have thought the little thing had been rolling around in a field full of flowers. He thought and shook his head. His attention was brought back to Coal when he yanked on his arm and jerked him forward.
“Calm down, lover boy. You can't be jealous of that. They meant nothing to me,” Maverick said.
Coal groaned and began mumbling curse words under his breath. The Beta has regretted many times that he saved this idiot's life. Today is one of them.
“Do you always have to cause trouble when you cross someone's path? He's never going to let you out of jail if you can't get along with others. And what the hell was that? You practically ran her over!” Coal said in frustration. He felt like tugging his hair out.
“It's not my fault she's so short! I didn't see her until she ran into me. I thought I ran into a speed bump!” Maverick said casually as he shrugged his shoulders.
Coal's mouth hung open as he stared in shock at the Alpha next to him.
“You have no fucking filter! You're going to live the rest of your miserable life down there!” Coal said and was tempted to turn around and take Maverick back to his cell. At this rate, he was certain Grayson would lock him up forever and throw away the key.
“Just try to stay away from his daughter if he lets you out. He's very protective of her.”
“That won't be a problem. She's too small, and I hate redheads. Plus, she stinks. But don't blame me if I run her over again. She's hard to see all the way down there,” Coal's mouth hung open, and Maverick laughed at the expression on his face.
“Close that thing, or you'll catch a fly!” Maverick said as he reached up and tapped the underside of Coal’s chin.
Coal growled as he shoved his hands away and almost got his fingers tangled in the chain that linked the two cuffs.
“Damn it!” Coal said angrily, and the alpha chuckled.
Coal came to a stop in front of Grayson's door. He took a breath to calm himself. He looked at Maverick and groaned when he wiggled his eyebrows.
“You better behave! Don't fuck this up!” Coal Said before pushing the alpha's door open and entering with Maverick.
The Alpha lifted his head from his laptop and let out a breath before pushing it aside and sitting back in his chair.
“Ah, the infamous guard from the auction house,” Grayson said as he folded his arms against his chest.
“Ah, the Alpha who's not really from Ohio,” Maverick said as he sat down next to Coal.
Coal's Head snapped in Maverick's direction, and he gave him a “what the fuck look.”
“Seriously?!” Coal scolded, and Grayson laughed.
“You guys sound like a married couple,” Grayson said as he moved the mouse and clicked the left button several times before opening the prisoner's list.
Grayson looked at Coal when he felt his eyes burning a hole in his forehead. He smirked when he saw his Beta glaring at him.
“So, Maverick. It looks like your two years are up in a week. You said you killed two people while working for Cain, and that was Alphas trying to steal Omegas that they didn't pay for.
Since you've been here, you've been a good inmate. You haven't caused any problems, and it seems my Beta has taken an interest in you,” Grayson said as he looked at his notes. He lifted his head and looked at Maverick before looking at his Beta.
He wasn't sure what Coal saw in the guard. Ever since he was sent to Jail, Coal has visited him once a week to play chess with him.
Maverick has been one of the best prisoners they've ever had. He has never gotten into trouble; surprisingly, he has even made friends with several guards.
“My Beta is vouching for you. I hope you know what that means. If you fuck up, not only will you get in trouble, but so will he.
I'm going to approve your release. You will be on probation until I say so. It can be three weeks, it could be three months, hell, it can even be three years. Whenever I feel you've proven yourself and can be trusted, I will release you from probation, and you will be a free man. Until then, Coal has agreed to watch over you and teach you how to become a member of our pack. He will figure out what you're good at and find a job within our community.
If you object to this, feel free to say so, and you can spend the rest of your life in jail,” Grayson said as he typed away at his laptop.
Coal's head snapped in Maverick's direction, and his body tensed. He prayed the guard wouldn't say anything stupid. When he opened his mouth to speak, he had to stop himself from covering it. He was sure something dumb would come out of it.
“I'm not sure what he sees in me either. The truth is, I should have died that day, but someone rudely intervened with destiny and kept me alive.
I don't have any plans to make trouble. Honestly, your people seem nice. I've never come across a pack like yours before. I've never seen so many friendly people in the same place. The packs I'm used to are nothing like this. To tell you the truth, I don't think I belong here. This place is too good for someone like me. I haven't done anything to deserve a place like this. It's like I'm from hell, and this place is heaven. The two don't mix.
But this fool over here seems to think I deserve it. I don't know why, but I don't want to let him down. You have my word that I won't go causing trouble. I'll learn your rules and obey them. Just know I don't take shit. I don't let people run all over me. If someone comes at me, I'm defending myself. If they swing at me, I'm fighting back, and it won't be my fault if they get hurt or worse.” Maverick said, and Coal dropped his face into his hands.
Grayson raised an eyebrow as he looked at the guard.
“You do realize you're trying to get out of jail. Telling me you're going to hurt someone or possibly kill them isn't exactly the way to get out of jail,” Grayson said as he clasped his hands together on his desk.
“I know, but I'm not going to lie either. I'd rather you know upfront. I won't swing first, but I'll be the last one swinging,” Maverick said, and Coal groaned as he sank down into his chair.
Grayson laughed at Coal and shook his head at Maverick.
“I approve your release, effective at the end of the week. On Sunday morning, Coal will come and show you to your temporary room. This is where everyone stays when they're on probation.
The room doesn't have windows, and a guard will be outside the door. You can leave your room whenever you want, but a guard will follow you whenever you do.
When your probation is over, you will be assigned a new and permanent room. It will be a regular room. If you choose to leave, that's your choice, and we will allow it. If you choose to stay, you will be sworn into the pack and receive a pack link, just like everyone else.
Do you have any questions?” Grayson said, and his finger stopped moving as he stopped typing.
“No, and thank you! Thank you for giving me this opportunity,” The guard said, catching Grayson off guard. He paused and looked at the guard briefly before nodding and turning his attention to his laptop again.
“Very well, dismissed,” Grayson said, continuing to type up Maverick's release order.
Coal left the Alpha's room with Maverick. When the door shut, he shook his head and blew out a breath.
“I thought your ass was trying to stay there! Here I am sticking my neck out on the line, and you go and say something like that at the end.”
“Relax! He approved my release, didn't he?”
“Yes, but barely!” Coal said as he shook his head.
“ Hey, you're still going to play a game of chess with me, right?” Maverick asked, looking at Coal hopefully.
Coal stared at Maverick for a moment before groaning and shaking his head.
“Yeah, just one game, though,” Coal said, and Maverick smiled.
Coal opened the front door, and the guard walked out, only to suck a breath in and come to a sudden stop when he bumped into an Omega.
The Omega had been told time and time again to look up when walking, but he couldn't get over the habit of looking down. It was hard enough to break kneeling, but this is even harder for some reason. He instantly regretted it when he collided with a large body and almost fell backward. A strong hand grabbed him and pulled him forward, crashing into the stranger's chest again.
When his hazel eyes looked up, the guard's eyes widened, and his lips parted. The guard sucked a breath in when his eyes met the hazel eyes of the Omega.
Terror spreads across the Omega's face. He quickly scrambles backward and falls on his butt. He cries out and covers his face when the guard steps forward. Coal pulls Maverick back and is thankful when Vivian and Ivy arrive and scoop the Omega off the ground.
Coal directs Maverick around the three and quickens his pace as he pulls the guard along.
Coal looked at Maverick, and he held his hands up.
“Hey! That wasn't my fault either! I just walked out the door! How was I supposed to know another member of your pack was going to collide with me?” Maverick defended himself, and Coal groaned as he shook his head.
“Just shut up and walk! And for the love of Goddess, try not to walk into anyone else!”
.
Third Person's POV “Ha,” Maverick chuckled and rubbed his fingers over his mouth, a sign he was trying not to laugh. “What?” “Oh, nothing.”“Don't “nothing” me! What?” Coal said, his annoyance evident in his voice. “It's just, are you sure you want to make that move?”“Yes! What's wrong with it?” Coal said. The Beta scanned the chess board again, trying to figure out what he did wrong.Maverick chuckled and shook his head. “Just busting your chaps,” Maverick said. His smile fades as he scans the board. He rubs his fingers through his beard as he concentrates. His lips curl up on one side as he reaches forward. “Check!” Maverick said, and Coal scoffed.He moved his piece, and Maverick called check again.Coal's frustration is palpable as he moves his piece.“Run, Queen, run, I'm gonna get ya!” Maverick said before moving his piece and calling check again.The guard sitting at his desk shifted in his seat. He was ready to duck, waiting for Coal to get angry and chuck the board down
Third Person's POV When Coal enters his bedroom, he comes to a stop when he sees his mate lying on the bed. His beautiful little hybrid lies on his stomach with a white sheet draped over his ass. His knees are bent with his feet in the air, ankles crossed, and his toes wiggling as he reads his book. His long hair rests against his back and hangs over his shoulders. His cute little pointy elf ears poke out. He slowly turns the page and begins reading the next chapter. He doesn't get very far. His Alpha's eyes feast on his body as he stalks across the room. Nathan gasped when he felt his mate's warm, wet mouth lay an open kiss on his ankle. The book fell from his hands when Coal trailed his tongue along his calf. His eyes closed, and his head fell forward as Coal continued his trail of open-mouth kisses up the inside of his thigh, pushing them open as he climbed between them. Nathan's breaths come faster, and his heart pounds in his chest. The Alpha pulls the sheet from his body and
Ryder’s POVIt's quiet; it almost feels like I'm in her cottage, but I'm not. It doesn't smell like her. This place isn't decorated with her touch. I don't see her everywhere I look. Her garden isn't outside; nothing of her is here except the things of hers I brought with me. I look at them spread out in my office. I don't know how long I've been standing here looking at them. It feels like minutes, but I know it's been hours. My heart aches; everything in me screams to go back to where she is. I know she told me she was not there anymore, but to me, she is. She was the color on the walls, the flowers in the vases. She was the vegetables in her garden and the yellow shutters against the sage green house. She was everything and everywhere. I existed in her world. She was my world, but my world is now gone. How do I go on without her? I feel so lost. My purpose is almost gone. It was Angelica and Azalea. Angelica is gone, and Azalea will be 18 soon. Soon, she'll be gone as well, off liv
Ryder's POV The music is so loud I can barely hear myself think. The stench of perfume and sweat is so pungent it burns my nose. My body buzzes, and I swear I see two of everything. I don't know how I let Keith and Eric talk me into this. I hated the idea, but after downing a bottle of Scotch with these four goofs, going to a club in the human town didn't seem so bad. Now that I'm here, I regret it. “Come on, Ryder! The dance floor is packed with hot human women. Let loose and relax. Let yourself have a little fun,” Eric said as he tugged on my arm. He grabbed my face and turned my head, forcing me to look toward the dance floor. When he did, I saw the other two fools—one with a long-haired brunette and the other with his tongue down a man's throat. “Look, there's two hot blondes giving us the look. Let's go,” He said, looking at me as he pleaded. “I'm going to order another drink. Go drag Keith out there, and I'll be there in a little bit.” I said before picking up my empty glas
Ryder's POV I feel like shit as I try to wake up and pry my eyes open. When I finally opened my eyes, it felt like sandpaper was in them, scraping against my eyes. My head is throbbing, my muscles ache, and my neck is killing me. For a brief moment, I saw two of everything. My vision slowly clears, and everything comes into focus. When it does, I have no idea where I'm at. The room around me is unfamiliar. My eyebrows furrow as I lift my head and scan the room. Images from last night come crashing down on me, and my heart leaps. “Angelica!” I said excitedly as I turned to face my angel. The only problem was, when I looked at the naked body lying next to me, it wasn't my angelica; it was a stranger. A woman with long, straight black hair and tattoos down her arms, along her shoulder, spine, and lower back, lays completely naked next to me. The scent of sex was strong in the air. Her arousal still lingered, and her orgasm smelled fresh, even though I knew there was no way it was. That
Third Person's POV “I swear you're trying to get fucking locked up for the rest of your life!” Coal scolded, tugging on his dreads in frustration. Maverick chuckled as he grabbed Coal, pulled him against his side, and wrapped his arm around him. “You worry too much about me. I knew you had a crush on me,”Maverick grunts as he tumbles down the hill, which he is thankful is not as steep as it was near the cell’s exit. As he rolls to a stop at the bottom, he lays there for a moment, looking at the sky, before he bursts into laughter. “You're ridiculous!” Coal retorts.“Your underwear is wound too tight. Roll down the damn hill and lay here with me!” Maverick laughed. Coal huffed, folding his arms across his chest. He breathes heavily through his nose before turning and looking around, wanting to make sure no one is looking. When he's sure no one is near, he walks down the hill and lies down next to Maverick.“What the hell am I doing lying at the bottom of some hill with you?”“Beca
Third Person's POV Ryder groaned in frustration, Not a single shirt worked to cover the mark on his neck. Not unless he wanted to look suspicious wearing a shirt with the collar up and buttoned to the top. ‘Or wait, a turtleneck midsummer is even better! That would definitely not draw suspicion, would it?’ The retired Beta thought sarcastically as he ripped the turtleneck from his body and threw it at the wall. He shook his head, wondering how he ever thought that would work. He growled in frustration as he pulled the button-down shirt on then paused and stared at the door… A thought came to him… Ryder slowly opened his door and listened for his daughter. He was sure she was gone, but he needed to be certain. He listened as carefully as he could for any little sound, her heartbeat, her breath, the creek of a floor, anything… He heard nothing. He pulled the door open and entered the hall before walking into his daughter's bedroom. He paused, looking at the little dresser thingy that s
Third Person's POV Ryder went to the fourth floor and turned down the Alpha wing. On the Alpha wing, there's a suite for the Alpha and the previous Alphas Thaddeus, and Reid, along with the current Beta and the previous Beta. Between the two Beta suites are two additional suites for friends or family when they visit. Ryder stops in front of one of those visitor suites where Michael, Asher, and Noah are temporarily staying and knocks on the door. The sound of Noah's weak voice yelling, “Come in,” had the Beta turning the knob, but the door seemed jammed. Ryder twisted the handle harder and forced it open, stepping inside as he pushed the door open. He comes to an abrupt stop when he almost bumps into someone. The Beta's stomach drops when he comes face to face with Lucian. A smile that was on the angel's face vanished in an instant. The two had not been this close for quite a long time. Ryder instantly backed up. He hated himself for the look on the angel's face when sadness replac
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