Lukas
“Birthday boy! Hey, birthday boy! Wake up!”
Chloe’s voice bellowed at me through the closed door of my bedroom in my suite in the guest hall, but I just rolled over, shoving my head under the pillow to block out her voice and the sunlight.
I had planned on spending the day alone in my bed, letting my misery wash over me as the memories of my birthday two years ago played repeatedly in my head. It sounded like the perfect way for me to spend my birthday this year, since I wouldn’t be celebrating it with my mate or my pack or my family.
Chloe had other ideas, however, and before I knew it, my door was slamming open and Chloe was marching into my room like hell on wheels.
“Seriously? What the fuck is wrong with you?” she yelled as she saw
Lukas I sat for a moment in my car after I parked, staring at the windows and the signs of the shop, mustering up my courage to go through with what I had planned. I had done nothing like this before. The people I knew who had said it hurt like a bitch even with our shifter healing. Still, I knew this was what I wanted. I knew this was one way to have June’s “mark” on me before we could actually be together. I finally exited my car and walked the few steps to the door, yanking it open and setting off a chime that alerted the employees that a potential customer had entered. I glanced around the shop, taking in the interior. Artwork littered the walls, mainly sketches from the employees that worked there, I assumed. The walls themselves were a dark hunter green, and there was a matching green couch in the lobby, with a table in front of
Finn This fucker is taking too long, I grumbled in my mind as I waited in the lobby of Hank’s shop. My beast was restless. The trip here was not enough to settle his restlessness. He’d been on edge ever since Lukas arrived. Not that we had anything against Lukas himself. He was great. Almost perfect, which was frankly annoying. My beast respected him to where he almost even liked him, which meant a lot for him. He was ready to follow Luke when he finally went back to his pack, and I thought that was the best idea for both of us. No, Lukas wasn’t at all what had us both on edge. I glanced at my watch again and leaned forward with a sigh, resting my elbows on my knees, when Hank finally walked out of the back. I glanced up at him, and he eyed me quizzically. “What’s eating you?” he grunted. I huffed in response. “The same old shit,” I muttered under my breath, standing up. “Well, take care of it,” he scolded me with rolled eyes. I whipped my head at him and narrowed my eyes; I
Chloe I stood with my hands on my hips and wiped a stray hair out of my face as I surveyed my apartment’s kitchen and dining room, checking to make sure it would pass my dad’s scrutinizing inspection. It wouldn’t, because he was a drill sergeant with unrealistically high expectations, but I tried anyway. Tonight was our weekly father-daughter dinner, and it was my turn to play hostess, while my dad would cook us dinner. And by cook, I meant he would order pizza or Chinese food and have it delivered to the academy, since the only food he could actually “cook” was cereal. With no milk. I checked my watch and blew out a frustrated breath. He was running late, which was unusual for him. He had a background in the Royal Werewolf Army, and he was always, always
Chloe “Finn?” I inquired, and he turned his ear slightly towards me. My eyes were getting watery, blurring his massive form from my vision. “Are you making me dinner, or…” My voice quivered, my nerves and my self-doubts coming back and getting the best of me. “Or are you… are you… providing for me as… as…” I choked on a sob and covered my mouth with my shaking hand, turning my face away. I couldn’t say it. I couldn’t get the words out. I was too afraid that I would say it and he would deny it, or reject me, or walk out on me. I had lived every day since he arrived knowing that he was mine, but he didn’t want me. But if I actually heard him say the words, I knew that would be the end of me. My heart squeezed in my chest, the pain a mixture of my hope of acceptance and my fear of rejection. There was a clatter of a dropped pan, and Finn’s heavy footfalls echoed through the kitchen as he strode purposefully over to me, his firm hands a gentle caress on my cheeks as he turned my face t
Finn “Finn! The bread! It’s burning!” Chloe’s frantic shout broke me out of my lust-induced haze, and I pulled my face away from the crook of her neck. Once my nose was no longer buried in her skin, I could smell the intense scent of burning food hanging heavily in the air. “Oh, fuck!” I grunted, and without a second thought, I lifted Chloe up with the arm that was already wrapped around her waist, her legs wrapping around my waist automatically, and I strode to the oven and opened it. Smoke poured out into the kitchen as soon as the door opened, and I grabbed the flaming bread out with my free hand. I threw it into the sink and turned on the faucet, then closed the oven with my foot, twisting around again to turn it off before leaning my back against the counter. “Finn, your hand!” Chloe cried, and I held it up to her with a smug grin. “Dragon, remember?” I teased, showing her it did not even burn the skin in the slightest. “Oh. Right.” Her blush that spread over her cheeks wa
Finn I squeezed her ass cheeks, and her body responded beautifully to my touch, her hips rolling so her pussy rubbed up and down my length. I caught her mouth with mine just as she gasped and I nipped at her lower lip. “So eager, mate,” I rasped out. “You are just as eager,” she replied, pressing herself against my erection again to emphasize her point. “I can’t help it,” I remarked. “Someone was wiggling their ass against my dick.” I gave her butt a light smack, to which she yelped in response, eyeing me in faux anger. Then I stood up, holding her with her legs wrapped around my waist for the second time in less than an hour. It felt so fucking good to hold her like that. I walked to the door of her apartment, not worrying about cleaning anything up. Her dad and Luke had already agreed that they would take care of everything, provided things went well between us. Which things had, thank Eos. “Finn! What the hell? Where are you taking me?” she protested as I walked out the door
Chloe Exhilarating. That was the only word I could use to describe what it was like to be flying on the back of Finn’s dragon. The wind was blowing through my ponytail. The stars appeared to be close enough to touch, and the view of the forest and academy grounds spreading out beneath us was just breathtaking. There were a few clusters of clouds in the sky, but I noticed Finn steering clear of them. I was grateful for that, since I hadn’t brought a jacket or anything to protect me from the moisture contained within them with me when he hauled me out of my apartment. The air up at our level was chill and crisp, but the heat that radiated from Finn’s dragon was enough to keep me warm, as long as I kept my body pressed close to his scales. The world looked entirely different from up in the sky. The buildings looked like scaled models of their life-sized counterparts, and the way the land stretched on and on in front of and behind us — all of it was just spectacular. Magical. I could
Chloe I nodded my response, a small whimper of need releasing from my throat. I was more than ready for him. His hands grabbed the hem of my shirt and began lifting it up my torso, his fingers grazing my sides as he raised the fabric higher. My arms lifted without a thought, and he pulled the shirt up and over my head, dropping it carelessly to the floor. My braless breasts were now exposed to the air, and even though it wasn’t chilly, my nipples pebbled at the unexpected exposure. His hands immediately went to the waistband of my leggings, and he ever so slowly slipped them and my underwear over my hips and down my legs, his mouth leaving a trail of hot kisses on my spine, all the way down to the small of my back. My knees were growing weak from his touches and kisses, and my core was throbbing in anticipation. I carefully stepped out of my leggings and my shoes, and then turned to face my mate, who was still on his knees in front of me, staring up at me with complete and utter ado
A LITTLE OVER 1 YEAR AFTER THE EPILOGUEJUNIPER I paced back and forth in our bedroom as I waited for Lukas to come back from morning training with Drew and Finn. He’d left me sleeping. Or, at least, he thought I was sleeping. I was half awake when he brushed a soft kiss on my cheek and tucked the blankets around my naked body before he walked out of the room. I had been too antsy and on edge to sleep, too ready to enact my little surprise for him. The double doors to our room opened just as a wave of nausea rolled through me. “Oh goddess,” I whimpered, and then ran into the bathroom before Lukas could see me. I turned the faucet on so he wouldn’t hear me retching, but it was pointless. The bathroom door slammed open and his worried gaze scanned over my body right before I hurled my guts out into the toilet. But instead of turning and leaving me, Lukas walked straight to me, kneeling down next to me and rubbing my back underneath my pink and blue plaid shirt, the skin to skin co
Note: This chapter was written as a special holiday chapter during Christmas, right after the chapter where Eric and Claire passed away. It gives a little bit of insight into their lives before they were in hiding. I hope you enjoy it!EricAnother Winter Solstice. Another birthday, come and gone. Another year without a mate.Growing up, having my birthday on the Winter Solstice was always fun. I got extra presents, and it was as if everyone was celebrating my birthday, even though they were really just celebrating that the days would get longer again. But in my innocence as a child, it seemed, of course, that it was mainly about me.Now, at 25, and still mateless, it was less exciting. Now, I dreaded the holiday, and dreaded my birthday.It didn’t help that this year, my best friend, my future beta, Damien, had found his mate only weeks ago — a witch named Veronica — and they were joined at the hip now.I had no ill feelings towards him — truly; I was ecstatic for him. Finding your m
JuniperI breathed out a sigh as I slipped away from the party to get some fresh air on the balcony. My heavy sparkly green skirt swished against the marble flooring, and I smoothed my hands over the velvet belt as I inhaled the fresh honeysuckle scent from the planters. The silver and diamond crown on my head felt heavy, but a good heavy. It was a reminder of everything we’d achieved, everything that had led us to this exact moment.Our coronation after party was in full swing — all of our closest friends and family were celebrating just on the other side of the double doors. The elders had officially crowned us king and queen of Volkor earlier that evening, had a huge fancy ball where anyone who wished to could attend, and now it was just our inner circle having our own celebration.It had been a few months since our victory over Tobias and his regime. The time passed quickly, but the work was difficult, and far from over. This coronation, and ball, and party, was a much needed repr
LUKAS POVThe evening was warm, the sun setting behind the foothills, leaving behind streaks of red and purple and orange in the otherwise clear blue sky. My hands were in my pockets, and I breathed deeply, my face upturned towards the disappearing sun.I lowered my gaze back to my surroundings, taking it all in so I would never forget this day, the day my June and I claimed each other in front of the realm.It was just a formality, really, since we were already marked and mated, but it was tradition to have a ceremony, especially since we would be the rulers of both the werewolf and the fairy kingdoms. And June wanted a Fae ceremony, and what my June wanted, my June got.Not that I wasn’t excited. I was over the moon. I had been waiting for this day since my 19th birthday. Longer, really. Probably my whole life, if I was being honest.I bounced on my toes, a grin spreading across my face as I counted down the seconds until Juniper would start walking towards me, her dad and her fathe
Lukas I woke up to an empty bed, the space next to me cold. I jerked upright, my heart racing in my chest as I scanned the unfamiliar darkened room, trying to remember where I was, trying to find my mate. I knew she had been next to me, remembered falling asleep with her held in my arms, our legs tangled together, her head resting on my chest as we talked late into the night, talked of our past and our future, of what we felt for each other and what we wanted to accomplish as both mates and rulers of two kingdoms. But, she was no longer next to me, no longer in my arms, or even in my bed. I was about to jump out of the bed and sprint out into the hallway when my eyes finally landed on her. She stood in front of one of the large floor-to-ceiling windows; the drapes pulled open, so the moonlight framed her body, casting an otherworldly glow around her. Exquisite. She was just… exquisite, standing there, in a floor length golden robe, her hair loose and tumbling down her back. I
JuniperA deep, loud, rhythmic rumbling broke me from my slumber. I squeezed my eyes tighter, praying to Gaia that maybe it would help block out the sound, but of course, it didn’t, since ears couldn’t be turned off by shutting your eyes.I peeked out through one squinted eyelid to find Drew sitting in a chair, his chin resting on his left hand, his eyes closed and his mouth wide open. And he was snoring. Loudly.I covered my mouth so my laugh wouldn’t wake him, then turned my attention to the surrounding room.The last thing I remembered was Lukas holding me, kneeling in the grass of the ceremony grounds outside.Now, I found myself in an opulent bedroom, laying in a white four-poster bed with gauzy drapes, fluffy gold and white pillows and bedding. Ornate furniture was placed throughout the room, and there were two large doors leading out of the room, and a single door leading into what I can only assume was the bathroom.As soon as I had that thought, I realized my bladder felt lik
LukasI scratched my beard and then scrubbed my hand over my face to hide my yawn. I had lost count of how many times I had done the same move in order to hide how exhausted I was.All I wanted to do was find whatever room and bed they had put my mate in, and wrap myself around her and sleep until next week.But we had all agreed that there were some things that needed to be discussed before we all turned in for the night, things that just couldn’t wait until morning.So, with reluctance, I had relinquished my hold on June, handing her over to Drew, who had followed his mom through the palace to find a room to put her in while she slept. Finn offered to stay on the battlegrounds to help with cleaning up the area and interrogating some of Tobias’s men. Leo then led us to one of the conference rooms on the ground floor of the palace, and we each collapsed into our chairs in exhaustion.When Veronica returned, she was alone. Drew remained with Juniper, both for my sake and his own, to wa
LukasThe next few moments were a blur. One second I was standing over Tobias’s body in triumph, and the next, I was in front of Drew, trying to get to my mate, who he had clutched against his chest.But I couldn’t get closer than a foot away from him. He had a force-field raised around them, keeping everyone out of his space.I pressed my palms against it, trying to push my way through, but it was pointless.“Drew!” I shouted, but he didn’t even react to my voice, either too caught up in his grief to pay attention to his surroundings or unable to hear me over his sobs.“Drew, drop your shield!” I roared, pushing my alpha tone into my voice.He didn’t even flinch, didn’t even budge an inch or drop the protective barrier he had raised around himself.My heart was racing in my chest, and my hands were trembling, and everything was growing blurry. I growled and screamed out, “DREW!” one more time, but his own screaming and sobbing didn’t let up in the slightest.“He’s in a complete prote
WARNING GRAPHIC DETAILS IN THIS CHAPTERLukas“I love you, Lukas,” June’s voice murmured in my head.And then everything went black.Only, it wasn’t black for long. There was a split second of darkness, and then a bright golden light blazed beneath my eyelids. On my chest, just above my heart, there was a warmth and a tingling sensation.Power and strength surged through me, originating from that spot on my chest. The weakness I felt from the poisoned silver on the dagger dissipated, leaving behind a renewed vigor.A pulse of magic jolted my body, and my eyes sprang open. I stared at the empty space where Juniper had been only moments before.I knew she had been there, but I didn’t have time for confusion. I had a challenge to win, a usurper to overthrow, and a kingdom to save.I turned back to Tobias, who was still crouching over me in his wolf form, stretching out his supposed victory over me. I could see it in his eyes. He’d thought he’d won, thought there was no way I would come b