My body felt like it was working on autopilot as I followed James into his aunt Joan’s home. Her face was set in a permanent scowl; her arms crossed tight over her chest. James held his head up high as he walked through the front door. I followed closely, feeling as if I was intruding on family matters. The man named Dante sat at a small table for four, chewing his nails. The moment his eyes met James’, I could see the apologies he wished he could speak out loud. “Your mother raised you better than this, James,” Joan shook her head as she flopped into one of the creaky wooden chairs. James ran his fingers through his hair before sitting in the seat across from Dante. I hesitated a beat before Joan’s eyes found mine, “You are part of this family. That seat right there is yours.” She’d softened her voice when she spoke to me, patting the table in front of the only empty seat. “I’m sorry, James,” Dante muttered quietly, but Joan interrupted, “You should be sorry. The both of you shou
“Well spit it out,” James growled. I don’t think he realized that Dante had skillfully waited for the perfect moment to drop that bomb into the conversation, and I couldn’t agree with the timing more.The thought of Marina makes my stomach churn. “Like I said before, since your appearance at the Gathering, there has been a lot of talk. The werewolf community doesn’t consider you an Alpha anymore, given your lack of pack.” Dante looked nervous, which was comical considering the man was massive and covered in tattoos. “There has been talk about finishing the job that the rogues started,” Dante started, pausing for a moment to reach James’ angry glare. “You still think a bunch of rogues outsmarted me?” he spat through gritted teeth. The air in the room thickened with tension, making it hard to breathe. “I don’t think anything,” Dante snarled. “I know you were attacked. I know we don’t have names on who did it. And based off the information I’ve been given; I know that Rogues were pai
“Are you okay?” James glances over from the driver’s seat. I force a smile, “Do you want the honest answer, or the one that will pacify you?” “Rosa,” he opened his mouth, releasing a heavy breath, “I don’t want you to ever simply pacify me. I want the truth. All of it. Even if it hurts like hell.”I nodded slowly, not expecting that response. “I’m not really sure if I’m okay. I feel like everything that happened when I’d found out you were a supernatural creature doesn’t even compare to what’s happening right now.” My head falls to my hands, and I scrub my eyes with my palms, “Nothing makes sense.”James’ hand gently grabs mine, pulling it from my face and up to his lips. The soft skin brushes against my knuckles, and for a brief moment; I feel like everything is going to be okay. But that moment is so short lived, I don’t even have time to enjoy it. “Why does someone want you dead?” Out of everything I’ve found out today, that’s the thing that has stuck out in my mind. I can’t w
“The first time I felt him again was when you’d gotten hurt at the hospital,” James whispered, looking away from me for the first time. His eyes screwed shut and his features morphed into those of pain. “When you’d fallen and cut your head.”What a day that was. “What exactly changed?” I finally pulled away from his face, urging him to pull over to the side of the road so that we could continue this conversation. He nodded, continuing to look as if he was going to be sick at any moment. “Honestly, I think it was your blood. I was sitting with the doctor in the other room, and the scent of copper mixed with what I now know was your scent carried me back. I felt Onyx fighting against whatever has been keeping him away,” James leaned his head back, staring out of the open sunroof. “What do you mean by something keeping him away? Do you still feel him?” His head lolled to the side, “It feels like he’s in a little glass box in my head.” A ghost of a smile graced his face, “And before
This woman was going to be the death of me. The light, creamy skin on her legs glow beneath the moonlight. Illuminated like the Goddess that she is. Her golden blonde hair hangs in loose curls around her face, framing mine as she hovers over my lap. I want to capture this moment in my mind, because something doesn’t feel right in the depths of my bones. Despite the pleasure that coursed through me only moments ago, I can’t shake the feeling of dread that has settled in the pit of my stomach. “James,” Rosa’s soft skin brushes against my jawline as her eyes bore into my own. “What’s wrong?”“Can you feel that?” The words leave my lips faster than I can stop them, and I wish I hadn't because the concern in her eyes disappeared and was replaced with fear.She leans back, and her brows pinch together in confusion before her eyes widen, “Something is wrong.”Out of the corner of my eye, I see three identical glowing white eyes hidden just inside of the thick layer of forest surrounding
My head is spinning as I run through the darkness. I started along the road, the sound of my feet pounding against the pavement creating an eerie echo through the woods. I need to get to Dante and Joan before it’s too late. But the further I get from James, the more the ache in my chest intensifies. It’s almost debilitating. Stealing my breath from my lungs without care. It’s like every nerve ending in my body is pulling me back to where I left James alone with those three monsters. I stumble to my knees as the pain nearly sears my body in two. It feels like I’m being torn in half. Like my insides are begging to return to James.The feeling isn’t foreign to me. I’ve felt this once before. The night of our last movie night. It was similar to all of the times I’d had my episodes before, but so much stronger. Even now, the pain is far more intense than it was that night all those years ago.The mate bond. I forced myself up from the pavement, ignoring the screaming pain from where
Three pairs of eyes turned at the same time, making me gasp. I’d seen the eyes on the wolves during the gathering, but none of them looked like that.Not only that, but these three smelled like death. I’ve been around enough dying people to know that scent. It’s not something that disappears from your mind.Yellowed teeth snapped at me, as if to warn me to leave them to their prey.“Ro…. Sa,” my voice fell weakly from James’ lips, “Jus…. Go.”The wolf standing on James back stepped towards me, narrowing it’s milky white eyes. He appeared soulless and a shiver snaked down the length of my spine.My fingertips carefully unscrewed the lid to the water bottle filled with poison. A puff of compressed smoke curled out from the top, making the wolf in the middle growl. The moment the sound left his lips, the other two turned their attention to me, leaving James to lie helpless in the dirt.The liquid rippled ominously in the bottle due to my shaking hands. I didn’t have a plan when I decided
My body felt as if it were on fire. Every nerve ending was pulsing in hot agony.I felt Onyx break the restraints in my mind, making my head pulse with tiny explosions of pain. Then he forced the shift, all within a matter of seconds.‘Where the hell have you been?’‘Later,’ he growled, ‘I have some business to take care of first.’I knew exactly what business he was referring to. Onyx was a bloodthirsty wolf. He loved the hunt. Loved being on the front lines. But more importantly, he loves to protect.He’s got a knight complex.Rosa’s scent swirled heavily around me, sending a shiver through Onyx. Sweet rose and savory peaches overwhelmed me like a drug coursing through my veins. I’d smelled her scent before. Faintly lingering in the house or blowing in the wind, but this was something entirely different.Even when I’d realized that Marina was my mate for the first time; It didn’t feel like this.Onyx growled, the sound shaking the earth beneath our paws. Flutters above our head sign
Another day, another bottle. Glancing around my apartment, I internally cringe at the mess. Am I fucked up? Is that even a question anymore? I snort at my own thoughts. I’m definitely fucked up. As I go to stand, my head swims with dizziness, sending me hurdling back onto the couch where I’d fallen asleep last night. My back aches like nobody’s business considering I’m six foot four, and around two-hundred twenty pound. Couches aren’t made for men like me. I peer over the back of the couch to my kitchen. The digital numbers on the microwave sway from side to side, two of them merging into one. It’s twelve thirty. Practically another day gone. I’ve been here before. Years ago, I ended up with a short stint in rehab. I’d paid my dues, said all the things I needed to say, convinced the doctors with a good old fashion lie, and boom, I was all better they said. I’d say the jokes on them, but really, the only joke is me. Rosalind was always the star in our household. I didn’t hate
“Did she complete the task?” Marina speaks through gritted teeth as James walks me back inside the warehouse blindfolded. He didn’t bother zip tying my wrists, as I was being cooperative. “Flawlessly,” James purred, and I heard a relieved sigh fall from Marina’s lips. “What is with that necklace?” I question now that we’re no longer at the bank. Not only that, but James’ mood tanked after three separate people asked for photographs with him as we left the bank, so I didn’t bother asking on the ride home. “Nothing that concerns you,” Marina snapped, and I heard her step closer, grabbing James and planting a sloppy kiss on his lips. The act was intentional to grate on my nerves, and I wanted to claw her eyes out. I wasn’t jealous any longer, but it still stung having your failures rubbed in your face. “My father thought it concerned me,” I interrupted their make-out fest, causing James to let out a groan, “I don’t remember you talking this much.”“My talking didn’t seem to bother y
James white knuckles the steering wheel. My normally relaxed husband is glancing around every few seconds as if the boogeyman might step out of the shadows at any moment. If only he realized he just needed a mirror. “Are you paranoid?” I wring my hands in my lap. Noticing the raw skin around my wrists, I tugged the sleeves to the cardigan James gave me before we left. Couldn’t have anyone at the bank seeing the marks left behind by my dear husband. Though he told me if anyone noticed, we like it rough in the bedroom. My stomach recoiled at that thought, but I nodded in agreement. The job was simple. Go to the bank, smile, pretend that we’re a loving couple, and get the contents of the lockbox. I’d done this dance with him many times in the past, I just never imagined I’d be back here.“Why would I be paranoid?” he snapped.“You just keep looking around. Checking the rear and sideview mirrors,” I purse my lips, “I doubt anyone is looking for me.”“I’m not taking any chances.” His
“I’ve brought you clean clothes. There is a basin shower through that door.. Which stays open,” James carefully sat a pile of clothes down beside my leg, pulling a knife from the breast pocket of his suit. He looked like his normal self. His hair was messily pushed back in that effortless style he was famous for. The five-o-clock shadow that painted his jaw yesterday is gone, and he’s wearing another one of his expensive suits.“I’m going to cut you free and you’re going to walk straight into that room, clean yourself up, and then we leave. Got it,” his hardened eyes were on me, and I was taken back to a time where I’d seen this man’s true colors for the first time.“Rosa!” James’ shout echoed through the house. I was downstairs in the kitchen preparing a nutritional shake for Marina. “ROSA!” His voice was harsher as he called my name for the second time, and I grabbed the shaker, shaking it as I rushed up the steps, taking them two at a time. “Yes?” I whispered, my voice meek as I
James disappears for the evening, but not before dragging Shawn’s limp body back to the pole opposite of me, and zip tying his hands to it. Hot tears have streamed down my face, as they had for the last few hours. Or maybe it had only been minutes. Time strapped to this pole, with the only light being the flickering one in the corner, is relative. Shawn must have one hell of a concussion from the accident for the following two blows from James to have kept him out this long, and fear grips my heart. Does anyone realize we’re missing? For all they know, Shawn is taking time off, likely with my father covering for him unknowingly after what happened at the restaurant and no one would be looking for me outside of James, and he’s the reason I’m here. Maybe Chris, but he’s been in a constant state of drunk since finding out about us being werewolves, so I doubt it. If he’s called, he’s not worried yet. In the past, I’d go days without responding to anyone, and now I’m kicking myself
Rosa looks so…. Pained. Her eyes shimmer with so many emotions, I don’t know which I like best. Fear or anguish. Probably fear. The thought of her at my mercy gets me off, and if Marina weren’t watching, I might give Shawn a little show with my sweet wife. “James,” her voice softens, and I almost fall for the act. I’d actually started to fall for her, beyond the wretched mate bond. “Why are you doing this?” She sounds so small right now, but the reality is that she’s of the Red bloodline. Her namesake makes me sick, and no matter how much the bond pollutes my mind, she’ll always be the enemy. Rosa’s father took everything from me. My family. My pack. My friends. It’s all gone because he was bitter and jealous. The reality fucking hurt, but it was as if everything slowly snapped into place. Marina was right about everything. I squatted down, keeping an eye on Pierce. He might become a problem with Onyx locked away, back in a cage. He’s been fighting to come back to me, but he’s
My lips part, my eyes widening as the familiar voice steps out of the shadows. I stare into emerald, green eyes that I’ve found solace in so many times over the last few years. Eyes that have looked at me with so much emotion that I feel like I’m drowning. Eyes that have stared up at me from between my legs. Eyes that have pinned me beneath a lust filled haze. Eyes that shine with amusement now at the pain that marred my features. “Surprise, sweetheart,” James steps closer, his expensive, French loafers echoing through the room like a haunting drum.Thud. Thud. Thud. Have you ever fallen onto your back when you’re swinging so high on a swing? You make it to the top, only to have your butt lift from the seat, and you free fall to the ground. The impact steals your breath away, making your vision darken around the corners. Twenty seconds pass and you still can’t breathe. A minute and you’re finally staring up at the sky, inhaling the oxygen that you were once robbed of. That’s how
That. Bitch.I’m thankful to Shawn for the surge of confidence when it comes to cursing because I should have known.“Happy to see me?” Marina’s voice coos from across the large space.“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me….”Marina huffs out a laugh, rolling her eyes, “What happened to Mrs. Goodie Two Shoes?”Shawn’s fingers grip mine tightly, “When James finds out what you’re doing, he’s going to finally get rid of you for good.”I want to cry.Marina snorts out a laugh, “Oh, you poor, stupid boy. James isn’t coming to save you,” she shrugs, “Either of you.”Her smug attitude is grating on my nerves, and I desperately wished that I hadn’t been a coward all this time and showed her what I was capable of prior to being strapped to this damn pole.“It’s pathetic that you couldn’t face me without crashing a car into me tying me to a pole.”She walks closer, her sharp features illuminated by the flashing light in the corner. Marina was beautiful in an unconventional way. She reminded me o
My head swims with pain and confusion. I’m slumped over, I know that much, but I can’t find the strength to open my eyes or lift my head. Each time I try to circle back to how I ended up like this, it’s empty. My shoulders ache, but I can’t move my arms to relieve the pain, and my leg is damp and throbbing. “Rosa,” Shawn croaks out, and I force my eyes open, wincing when a flickering light in the far corner assaults my eyes. Forcing my head from side to side, I don’t see him, “Shawn, where….”His fingers brush against mine, and I realize in that moment that I’m tied to something. A pole most likely, given the cool metal against my wrists. “Are you okay?” his voice is gravelly, and I hear the wince he tries to hide. “My head is killing me, and I think my stitches busted. You sound like you’re in pain.”Shawn lets out a low chuckle, coughing as the noise slips from his lips, and I realize what a stupid question that was. A tear-filled smile pulls on my lips, “Okay, I get that was