I had counted down the seconds until he had walked from the house. Avoiding him in any which way that I could since he had been nasty to me the previous night. I finally felt like I was able to breathe when he walked from the house, and I let Alpha Landon’s cousins know, just as I had been directed to. I just wanted to be safe now. Away from here. Because suddenly, nowhere felt safe. I doubted even my home pack would feel safe…Which was why I had chosen to turn to Kai for help and not my own family. My own family were focused on the arrangement they had in place with the Alpha. The money the arrangement symbolized, and what it could do for our pack. I feared that would override any concerns for me. So, seeking assistance from Kai and Alpha Landon seemed like my only option. I just hoped that whatever they had planned worked.The cousins, Joe or Joey, and Kent or Ken, maybe Kenny (something like that I believed they were called, but I did
My nerves had never been this much on edge. Even when I had been on my first day at Alpha training, I had been less nervous. My lack of sleep had likely added to it, but sleep was never going to find me in this state... I wanted to be there already, dealing with what could be awaiting us. Instead, we were still making our way to Lunar River, and the wait felt like it was slowly killing me… torturing me… a slow and painful death while waiting to discover if my mate was okay. Waiting to discover if I would be able to save her and bring her home with me. Home, where she should belong.“Can you stop tapping your bloody foot?” Landon snapped from his seat next to me. "Or I will bite it off." he added with a snarl, only for his Grandpa to chuckle from the driving seat of the car.“Ever the patient one, Lan. The boy will be nervous. Give him some leeway. Today is not going to be easy for any of us, but this is going to be worst for him, and you know it is. Have some sympathy. You know what th
Lunar River Pack had been what I considered a second home to me for many years, and it was never a place I had dreaded going to; but today, today it felt different. Today, anticipation hung heavy in the air, and a sense of dread sat uncomfortably within my stomach. We drove toward the gate of the pack, and my heart was in my chest. I think what bothered me the most was that I could not shake the feeling that this did not feel like it was going to go the way we wanted.Yet I clung to the hope we were not underestimating the Alpha here and were not about to lose many of our men in what should be a simple rescue mission. Or there could be so many pack members resenting Kai and his mate before they even begin as Alpha and Luna of Midnight Forest…A lingering weight sat over me that I could not rid myself of as we were notified that the leader of the Werewolf Council demanded a meeting with the Alpha, just as my phone buzzed.“Hello?”“Landon!” Joey called down the phone. “Shit is already g
The moment I found out that the pack was in lockdown, I knew we were screwed. He is on his way for me and there will be no way out. I wish I had simply run the moment he had left this morning. I may have stood a chance. But I had taken the advice of Landon in the hopes he knew the best thing to do…“Right, Landon has told us to stay calm, they are on their way.” Joey tells me. Or was it Kent? They both looked quite similar... either way, it was one of the cousins.“Are they close?” I asked, and he shrugged.“I assume they could be at the gates or close, as he did say, the Werewolf Council had requested to meet with the Alpha, so that may well distract him from wanting you... for the time being at least.” His voice betrayed the brave face he was trying to put on, as it trembled slightly. I know he is a warrior, but he is relatively young, and I think it would be more than understandable for him to be fearful of the man he called his Alpha. Especially with the rumors that apparently li
They were foolish if they believed for one moment I was going to sit around and wait for each of these cars to filter through this pack gate and be granted access by the guard on the gate, who in all honesty was unlikely to even allow us to enter their pack once his suspicions were raised. The head of the werewolf council had already spoken to him and demanded to meet with the Alpha. That in itself would be causing tremors of unease to spread through the pack.And hearing the call between Landon and his cousin, to be updated with the chaos that had already begun the moment that evil bastard had realized his soon-to-be-wife had left him, sent me tipping over the edge. I needed to be in there. I needed to get to Bella and be close to her, so I knew that, if nothing else, I could try to defend her. I knew that I might well stand no chance against the Alpha, but I had to at least try. She was the she-wolf the moon goddess had chosen for me. The one my wolf was crying out for ever
I saw the anger in the Alpha’s eyes as we turned around. I had said the wrong thing without even knowing he was there. Totally caught up in the rush to get to Bella I had spoken to Kai in the assumption that the Alpha would be on his way to the gate to meet with our arriving posse. Or, moreso the leader from the werewolf council that was demanding to see him. But, unfortunately, he was here instead. Glaring at us... demanding answers... had he worked out why we were here?My gaze met Kai’s and I saw the same nerves there. But that passed quickly. Kai shrugged. “Nobody you know.” He smiled. My whole body felt like it wanted to slump down in deafeat at the point. Nobody he knew? Was Kai intentionally trying to piss him off further? He knew who this guy was right? Not to mention, we were in his pack for fuck’s sake. I am pretty damn sure he knew every single person, and then some…The brow of the Alpha raised as he pouted a little angrily. Shit. I didn't like that look. He looked like h
The moment he had mentioned the small army we had waiting outside his pack gates I knew we had to be decisive. No more of this being polite shit. Landon and I were Alphas. Or soon to be. Admitedly younger and less experienced than the one standing in front of us demanding answers, but we shared Alpha blood all the same. And, I knew for a fact when we both stood up to be Alphas, we would be ten times the Alpha this man had ever been. We were capable of standing up for ourselves and we should not be bowing down to him. This man was the reason my fated mate was not by my side right now, and I was not going to let that go.I slackened my control over Nyko and in that instant he was surging forward. He wanted out to play... he wanted to make this man suffer for taking our mate. He wanted his revenge. And, I wanted him to shift. I knew that was likely the only way I was going to reach my mate now. This dick of a man was hardly going to escort me to her. If anything he would do all he could
I sat with my arms hugging my legs, my knees pulled to my chest, absoluotely terrifed as the banging on the door continued. Joey had looked at me, his fingers upon his lips. But I looked at him with concern. “Should you not answer.” I whispered. “They know you are home today.” I told him, my mind already overthinking how whoever may be at the door would be thinking if he did not answer them. After all, they knew he was in.His shoulders sagged, and he nodded. “Hide. Please.” He whispered, as he slipped up the stairs we had only moments ago come down. He sounded as nervous as I was feeling which told me he was overthinking this as much as me. Whoever this could be could be here to turn his house upside down in a bid to find me. In a bid to take me back to their Alpha so I could be his prisoner once again.I listened carefully as again that pounding on the door turned into what sounded like a kicking. Were they attempting to kick the door down? Any hopes I had of that being Kai and Lan
The event was well underway, or perhaps I should say, the celebrations were well underway. That is what most people attend these sorts of events for. The formalities at the beginning were merely that, a formality, despite them being of great importance, the high percentage of guests here had come to socialize. It was rare there were events where so many groups from so many packs in one place at one time. So, when invited, people took advantage. Usually, I would have been one, having friends in a varying number of packs through my Gamma training, and the family business; but today was different. Today, I had things I needed to do.The moment the ceremony had completed, and Landon, Cleo and the others had made their way from the improvised stage set up beneath the gazebo at the head of the training field and guests began to disperse, I made my excuses, to many a curious gaze from friends as I began to seek our Nori and her family. I needed to make a formal introduction. I hoped
Camilla was so close. Her scent overwhelming. And I could feel her lips so delicate… almost touching mine… and I panicked. I stumbled away from her, mumbling an apology as I did. Only as I did, did I see the hurt within that sweet girl's eyes. I had hurt her. She had already been through enough pain, yet my fear and uncertainty, and that damn guard around my own heart had caused me to hurt Camilla further….I steadied myself on a nearby tree, waiting to watch Camilla turn and walk away, a sinking feeling within my gut that I had ruined any chance. But, to my surprise, she walked over to where I stood. As I leaned against the cool bark of the tree, she looked over at me, her cool eyes taking me in. “I am sorry.” She whispered, her voice trembling slightly as she spoke. Though in truth she had nothing to be sorry for.“No…” I began, but she put her hand up as if to silence me, instantly causing me to halt my words.
Jorge turns to me with a warm smile. “If it is too busy for you, I can take you somewhere quieter?” he offered, and my belly filled with nerves. He was incredibly sweet.I raised my brows at him. “You know this pack?”“Of course, we came here a lot growing up. Aunt Lilah and Aunt Indie grew up here, so we came to visit all the time with them. So, I have spent hours exploring over the years. Don't worry, I am not going to get us lost. Besides, I am a warrior, I think I can direct us around.” He teased. Speaking to me without so much as a pause. There seemed to be no ulterior motive in his suggestion either, not like some of the the guys you get around. Besides, all I have heard about Jorge is that he is a genuinely nice guy. Not that I have been asking or anything… well, not much…“But, I don’t want you missing the celebrations.” I said, knowing if he was taking me somewhere where it was quieter
I sat trying to digest everything Kai had just said to me with an inexplicable ache in my chest. That sweet girl had lost her mate? I had no idea… She had never mentioned it. Though, I suppose she had no reason to. I thought rejection was pain enough, but losing your mate must be agony on another level. Yet she was here, pushing through. Continuing as if she was fine. Beautifully strong. So young to have lost a fated too...My pain seemed almost irrelevant now. I could not take my mind away from the suffering the beautiful she-wolf must have gone through. And my thoughts could not help but ponder if that was how she found herself in the role she had been in before comingn to our pack... Oh, I am so glad that Uncle Knox, and Kai had gven her the chance of freedom when she came to be with Bella. She had been through enough as it was. My heart ached for her, and could only hoped that her time her could be the fresh start she deserved.I found myse
I sat alongside one of my oldest friends and I hated the pain I saw within his eyes. Today was a day for celebrating. Celebrating my brother and my sister and their next steps in life. But the pain I was seeing in Jorge’s eyes was reminiscent of the pain that had been there in the early days after he had been rejected. He was doing his best to hide it, but it was there all the same. I hoped he had dealt with the pain, but it made me reailze the rejection never went away... it always sat in the pit of his heart eating away at him...I knew him too well, and hated seeing him in pain. He was a lot like Uncle Gabe, very much the joker of the group. Always wearing a smile. Always there for everyone else. But when it came to him, he didn’t know how to accept help. It was hard for him taking support when he had been rejected. And, it was hard for him to speak up when he was suffering. Now appeared to be another of those moments.I offered him one of the beers I had brought across with me, a
Rico had wandered off and left me, likely in the hunt for a beer, that was his usual tactic, though as I glanced around the party, now in full swing, I was sure I noticed my cousin with a girl in his arms on the dance floor. That was another of his tactics. Charm. Much like his Papi in his younger years apparently. Rico would be making the most of the opportunity of many new she-wolves to work his charms upon, I was sure of it. Goddess help each and every one of them!No doubt we would all be hearing about it in the coming days. I rolled my eyes in disbelief, settling back in the seat in which I had found. The friends I had been sitting with had all dispersed now, some for food, others because they had seen people they knew. That was the thing about large multi-pack events such as this, there were so many people, and so much chance to run into people you had not seen in a while. Too many opportunities to need to catch up. Or meet new people. I, however did not have the energy to be so
I think a small part of me hoped that finding my mate may be a smoother path than that of my parents. Than that of my aunts and uncles too. It seemed fate had certainly put obstacles in their way. Yet, each one of them would say that the obstacles were merely there to make them appreciate what they had. But, it did not stop me believing that maybe the next generation maybe that little luckier with their destiny. Some had been blessed with an easier path, others, sadly not. It seemed fate liked to have a twisted plan all of her own. One we were not to learn of until it was our time. And, hope as I may, I did not know if it would make any difference to the plan fate had for me, but I had hoped all the same...However, as I looked at the confused expression of my fated mate’s face, I was beginning to question that the younger generation would be blessed with more luck. Yet, I had found myself smiling, as I added “This where you tell me to piss off?&
Thankfully I had an understanding father. One who accepted me for being me. He had often told my Mum that his past had made him see that some people needed more freedom. More understanding, and more time to be themselves. I never fully questioned what it was he meant, but I always appreciated he wasn’t too controlling over me. Yes, he could be protective, but find me a werewolf father that wasn’t.I had chosen to go travelling for a while once I had finished my studies, and despite my Mum’s initial concerns, my Dad said he thought it may do me good. So, that is what I had done, and I was on one of my short visits home when it was the Alpha ceremony. I felt it was only appropriate to attend, despite never liking large pack events, having missed Beta Trent’s funeral.Plus, my brother, Jared’s new mate, Sofia had become a new friend, or she was certainly attempting to be, bless her. I don’t think she realized quite yet, that I tended to
Watching my friends become Beta and Gamma of another pack seemed somewhat surreal. We had trained alongside them the last few years with plans for them to become part of our warrior team. But, in truth they were always destined for better things. A son of an Alpha and son of a Gamma they would be above all other warriors within any squad. It was just due to birth line that had meant they would never receive a title, until Landon decided otherwise.I couldn’t lie, as I looked up at the two of them, well three if you count the crazy little, Cleo, I would miss them. River Ash was not a million miles away from our pack, and it wasn’t like we all spent our lives in one another’s back pockets now we were getting older, but we were close. Always had been. It would be odd them not being on pack. But, it seemed to be happening more now as many of our group met their mates and moved away too. Our lives were officially moving on, and that was going to