It took a moment for the sun to shine through the canopy of butterflies, casting a kaleidoscope of dazzling colors into the air. The delicate creatures fluttered their wings in unison, creating a mesmerizing dance of light and movement. Each wing was adorned with intricate patterns and vibrant hues. As they took flight, the colors mixed and merged, creating a beautiful symphony for the eyes to behold. It was like witnessing a burst of confetti, but more magical.Darren’s hand put pressure on my waist as he led me forward. With each step, hundreds of butterflies erupted and took to the skies. The ground was covered in colorful flowers that had a sweet scent. It must have been a super attractant judging by the concentration of butterflies in this area.“Ally.” He spun me into his chest, holding me tightly against him. “Ally, I can’t bear this feeling. I feel like I’m about to lose you, and I’m panicking.”“Dare, you aren’t going to lose me—”“He was your mate first, even if he was a shi
I clutched the chain around my neck as I gazed out over my pack. How did we get to this point? I was the luna of this pack. It was my job to protect them, yet all I was able to do was spare their lives. I watched as they lined the pack members up to be counted and labeled. I was the only one in chains, a cruel symbol that they had control over their leader. “My luna, you did what you had to do,” Bastian whispered next to me. Bastian was my mate’s beta. He had remained loyally by my side, even after my mate abandoned us. My mate Alfred was the leader of the Stone Heart Pack. Everything was great until just a couple of months ago. Up until Ivy showed up. I closed my eyes, not wanting to drift to those unwanted memories. “I’m not your luna anymore, Bastian. Please, just call me Allissa.” I winced as I felt the silver chain burning at my skin. I could see Bastian tense up, balling his hands into fists. “I wish I could remove it from you.” “I agreed to this for a peaceful turnover. No
I could hear him growling as his eyes glazed over. Two men stood in front of him, one of them shot me a quick side glance. The other was the guy who had yelled at Bastian. From the look of it, they were the beta and gamma, but I had no idea who was who. The Lycan King let out another ferocious roar, but I felt no fear of him. It was almost terrifying how arousing this display was to me, even in my current vulnerable state. And what was even more mortifying, was that he seemed to notice my physical response. I watched as he took small breaths in the air, as if savoring my scent before his dark eyes turned towards me. “Pwease don’t hurt our Wuna she didn’t do anyting!” A small child sobbed from within the pack. I looked up to see the mother trying to console and quiet her child. It warmed my heart, but I didn’t want them to suffer any repercussions from it. I watched as the king turned to look at the child, and for a moment, I swear his face softened. But it was only for a second,
Darren When I first arrived at the Stone Heart Pack, I was furious that the alpha had escaped. They told me his luna had stayed behind to take responsibility for him. What kind of a luna would defend a man like that? I was so angry. But then as I walked down the path and looked at the pack members, I smelled an intoxicating butterscotch scent. It was heaven. I became anxious as I tried to find the source of the scent, and then my eyes landed on the most beautiful blue eyes I had ever seen. She had caramel colored hair that matched her butterscotch scent to perfection. I then noticed the chain around her neck and lost it. I yelled at my Beta Lyle and my Gamma Tim and demanded to know who put the control collar on her. How dare they put that collar on my mate! But they argued with me that it was for safety. We didn’t know anything about her, and her pupils were dilated. She could have a potion in her, making me feel the mate bond. I roared in agitation, knowing they could be right. B
Allissa I could feel the tingles against my skin and slowly opened my eyes. I stared up at the knotty pine ceiling as I tried to remember what had happened. Slowly, it came back to me, and the tiny tingles on my face made me remember about my mate. I turned my head slightly, to the green eyes of the Lycan King, whose thumb was softly caressing my cheek. “You should be feeling better, but let me know if you aren’t and I will call my healers back.” His voice was calm, gentle, and soothing. It wasn’t what I was expecting. “I’m sorry,” I muttered and moved to sit up. His arm caught mine as he slowly guided me to a sitting position. “You don’t have anything to say sorry for.” “For becoming a burden.” I looked down at my hands, because I was practically eye fucking him. I could see just how defined his strong, muscular arms were, and how I could imagine him carrying me in them. Damn, it sucked that I fainted during the best part. Maybe I should fake it so I can relish being in his arms
I didn’t know I could feel this way. I never knew my body was capable of responding like this. It would have been embarrassing even if I wasn’t in such an animalistic frenzy. My hands were roaming all over him, and I couldn’t get enough. His tongue was attacking mine, and it wasn’t enough. I wanted more, and I could tell he did as well. Finally, he lifted away from me, panting, but his eyes looked angry. I listened to his growl and then he snapped his head toward the door.“Get the fuck out of here, Lyle!”“Yeah, I can’t do that.” Lyle chuckled and I watched as Darren lifted himself completely off of me to turn and glare at him.“You alright there, angel?” Lyle asked me. I could feel the heat radiating off my face as I nodded. I sat up, not making eye contact with either of the men. I could hear Darren’s low growl and it seemed they were mentally communicating. I didn’t know what was going on, but I felt like it had something to do with me.As their mental argument continued, I felt th
This is what happens when you allow yourself to be consumed by the mate bond too early. It immediately made him think that I was easy, when it had nothing to do with that. The tingles and the pull were everything I had ever craved. I allowed myself to be swept away because I thought it was alright, since he was my fated mate. Apparently this put the label on me that I was afraid of.“Darren!” I heard Lyle snap. I noticed the way his eyes were looking at me with concern. Was he worrying for my safety? “He didn’t mean that,” he whispered. I glanced at him and noticed the pain in his eyes. That look was for me. I guess my poker face wasn’t on today.“I’m sorry,” Darren said, and went to reach for me. I jerked back and glared at him.“I wouldn’t want you to think I’m easy. After all, I must have a relationship with all the men in the pack, right? That’s why I’m protective of them. It has nothing to do with being their leader.” I clicked my tongue and turned away. I looked back at Bastian,
I gripped the different pieces of yarn and held them up to my nose. I felt my eyes begin to well and, as stupid as this sounds, it felt like losing them all over again. My father, who vanished while leading my old pack, had taken them to investigate strangers who had crossed into our borders and never returned. After that, the pack disintegrated. They fled in fear, leaving mother and I alone. We had to move around often after that. She gave everything to make sure that I never went hungry. It was as if they were ripped from me all over again. I know they were just stuffed animals, but to me they were so much more. They were precious gifts my mother made for me. My parents’ scents sewn inside. They were all that I had left.I felt the lump form in my throat as my nose and eyes burned from the threat of tears.“Allissa, I am so sorry.” I felt Lyle’s presence as he kneeled down next to me. I didn’t know what to do now. I just stared at the sh
It took a moment for the sun to shine through the canopy of butterflies, casting a kaleidoscope of dazzling colors into the air. The delicate creatures fluttered their wings in unison, creating a mesmerizing dance of light and movement. Each wing was adorned with intricate patterns and vibrant hues. As they took flight, the colors mixed and merged, creating a beautiful symphony for the eyes to behold. It was like witnessing a burst of confetti, but more magical.Darren’s hand put pressure on my waist as he led me forward. With each step, hundreds of butterflies erupted and took to the skies. The ground was covered in colorful flowers that had a sweet scent. It must have been a super attractant judging by the concentration of butterflies in this area.“Ally.” He spun me into his chest, holding me tightly against him. “Ally, I can’t bear this feeling. I feel like I’m about to lose you, and I’m panicking.”“Dare, you aren’t going to lose me—”“He was your mate first, even if he was a shi
A white blur leaped over the hedge, landing directly in front of me. My beautiful, powerful mate with the same green captivating eyes. He shifted, and a second later, I was in his arms. He spun me swiftly, my back pressed against his solid chest. His warm breath teased my neck before he suddenly clamped down on my earlobe. A surprised yip escaped my lips, but he didn’t release his grip. Instead, he stood behind me, gently biting and tugging on the sensitive skin of my earlobe. The sensation sent shivers down my spine, and I couldn’t help but lean into him, feeling the warmth of his body against mine. It was unexpected yet exhilarating, and I found myself lost in the moment as he continued to nibble on my earlobe with gentle intensity.“Dare—” I started to say but he growled against my ear. Nibbling on the skin but never releasing his grip.Let me calm down. His voice entered my mind. Thinking about it like this was a bit funny. He was like a wild beast, gnawing on me to soothe his tur
“It’s a message.” I watched as Finn reached down to inspect the blood-stained cloth wrapped around something small. “Looks like a vampire left the message for him.” I watched as he analyzed the area, putting a picture together.I stared at the cloth. That was Alfred’s blood, and it was clearly a message for me. Did he spill his own blood, or did something happen? I watched as Finn carefully unwrapped the cloth to reveal a small wooden box. Carefully, he undid the latch, flipping the lid open. There was a letter in there. I could see what was written on the outside clearly ... it was my name.I felt Ivan’s grip on my shoulder tighten as Finn looked at me.“It’s her letter, Ivan. We don’t have a right to refuse for her to read it, if that’s what she wants.”I stepped away from Ivan, taking the letter from Finn’s hand. Slowly, I broke the seal and unfolded the paper, scanning the contents.Allissa, there is so much that I want to talk to you about, but I can’t think or focus. What have y
AllissaFrustrated curses escaped Ivan’s lips as they pushed through the dense maze of bushes. “Fucking bugs.”“They’re beautiful.” I smiled as we navigated through the maze. Ivan growled as we walked through the tall barrier bushes. Brightly colored flowers grew from the colorful leaves that attracted hundreds of butterflies. The vibrant colors of the foliage were dotted with bright flowers, each one a magnet for the fluttering butterflies. Their wings flapped in a dance of shades and patterns.Ivan swatted away, keeping his arm raised in protection as Finn chuckled.“Some protector he is.” Finn glanced over at me. “You should probably stick closer to me.”“You are the worst bug of all,” Ivan growled, moving closer to me.“Bug?” Finn stopped walking to glare at Ivan.“I hate mosquitos.”It seemed like a harmless thing to say, but Finn’s eyes glowed red! His fangs protruded as he glared at Ivan. I’d always wondered about vampire fangs. Like, were they just to puncture and then they d
Darren“I didn’t touch her. I would never harm my unborn grandchild,” my mother said as I listened to Lyle scoff angrily.“You see? Right there, mom! You just said you would never harm your grandchild ... you didn’t say you would never harm Lissa, which would have been the obvious thing to say.”“She didn’t mean it like that, son. She was saying, ‘even more reason for me not to harm her.’” My father looked at me as I shook my head. My blood was boiling, but I was trying to keep it at a manageable level. At least for now.“Why do you resent me so much, Lyle? You immediately accuse me of things. You never have faith in me. Why?” I glanced over at Lyle. My mother had a point there. A few years ago, my brother’s attitude changed toward my mother. I thought maybe it was worse because of the whole accident with my parents, but it was something more.“Because you are not just my mother. You were a Waiting Lady.” Lyle’s expression was unforgiving as if he just called her out for being a spy.
I could feel the anger pulsating through Darren as I gripped his hand. He barely said a word as we made it back up to the balcony where Lyle and Ivan were still standing. Finn had beaten us there by running back up the wall.Darren stopped a few feet away from them, his gaze cold and piercing. “I want answers.”Lyle stepped forward, his usually calm demeanor replaced with a fierce intensity. His chest was heaving and his lips were curled back. I had never seen him this angry. “I’m not leaving your side again. Next time you say you need to use the restroom, I’m waiting outside the door. This is my fault, Dare ... I should have followed her. Why didn’t I follow her? I—”“I’m not upset with you Lyle. This wasn’t your fault.” Darren’s voice was very calm, but there was no mistaking the chill in his tone. It was a false calmness. A storm was raging just below the surface.“You asked me to watch over her while you were busy ... I failed you.”I never realized how desperate Lyle was to pleas
I was seven floors high off the ground and now falling freely through the air. I would survive this as long as I shifted, but I don’t know how hurt I would be from the impact. I was going to have broken bones for sure. I tried to see if I could see anyone or catch a scent to let me know who pushed me. But there was nothing, and I was getting closer to the ground. I had to shift now if I wanted to be fully shifted before hitting the ground.Arms wrapped around me, gripping me tightly as their momentum propelled me parallel to the ground. We were heading right for the castle wall but before we hit, their legs began running down. Bringing us swiftly and safely to the earth.“Your blessing isn’t flying, if that’s what you were testing.”I turned to look at my rescuer as he sat my feet on the ground. It was Finn, the Vampire King.“I was pushed.” I looked up at the balcony where I was standing. “But it was weird ... they made no sound ... no scent. I thought it was because I was in deep th
I was sitting at the large table while Darren was shaking each representative’s hand. Everyone there had signed the agreement. They were now rushing back to mobilize for war. In just two days, we would all be meeting in the Stony Plains. That wasn’t a lot of time to mobilize and move a small army, so they had to act quickly.“This kingdom is yours. Why are you taking a back seat right now?” A woman with broad shoulders and muscular arms stepped next to my seat. Her dark skin gleamed under the soft lights of the room, her muscles defined and powerful. But what caught my attention were her eyes, a striking silver that seemed to almost glow in the dimness. It was like looking into pools of liquid metal.“I’m still learning about this kingdom. What does something being mine by blood mean? Does that immediately make me a more fit ruler? I don’t look at this as taking a back seat. I think it’s a joint effort. The goal is to take care of the kingdom and the people.”“You don’t seem like a stu
“I knew it!” Lyle snorted, wagging his finger at me. “I knew you were hiding something!” “How did you know? I don’t think even Darren knew.” Lyle and I were sitting out on the balcony drinking our coffee. Darren had to take care of official business early this morning and had been busy the last few hours. When I came out of my room, Lyle was there, waiting for me. I guess he had become my default babysitter. “Darren is the one intimate with you, but you and I have been spending a lot of time together. I’m picking up on those subtle changes of yours. I know what’s normal and what isn’t.” “Are you saying you know me better than Ren?” I listened as he chuckled. “Not at all. But I’m not head-over-heels swoony in love with you to believe every honeyed word from your lips. In other words, I’m not drinking what you’re serving.” He winked at me as he sipped on his coffee. “Dare must be so excited. Honestly, I’m surprised he’s okay with you still joining in the fight. I mean ... you remembe