Drew
“Fuck, I can’t stand entitled pricks like him,” Everly said, materializing right behind where Santi had been standing only moments before, her hands on her hips and her head shaking in disappointment, her long, chestnut brown hair flowing with the movement of her head. “And I can’t believe I dated him,” she muttered with a shiver. “Anyway, you’re welcome,” she said, giving June and me a cheeky wink before striding nonchalantly through the front door of my new home.
I smirked to myself at her actions as I followed her inside, reaching out to grab her by the waist. Only Everly would act like it was no big deal for her to knock out a male wolf.
I pulled her into my body, her back hitting gently against my chest, my hands settling on her hips to hold her in place. I felt her lean, muscular body relax against mine, and I lowered my mo
Drew I dried my hands and walked around the counter, my eyes focused on her form sitting on the couch, reading something on her phone. “Hey, baby,” I murmured to her as I wrapped my arms around her from behind the couch. She tilted her head back and smiled at me softly. “Hey to you too,” she replied. She turned her body around, rising on her knees and leaning over the back cushions to press her lips to mine. My hands moved to grip her shoulders, holding her close to my chest as I dipped my tongue into her mouth, tasting the red wine lingering there from dinner. Her mouth moved more demandingly against mine, and desperate little moans escaped from her throat. Her hands moved to the waistband of my sweatpants, her fingertips slipping in and sliding back and forth across my abdomen. I slid my hands down her arms to her wrists, gripping both of them tightly and lifting her hands away from my pants reluctantly. My body was screaming for her touch, my wolf whimpering slightly at the
TRIGGER WARNING: SEXUAL ASSAULT IN THIS CHAPTER Juniper Summer was always my favorite season. Some people complained summer is too hot, or too humid, but I loved the feel of the sun shining down on me, loved being able to spend my entire day hanging out in and around the stream, and loved having an ice-cold lemonade at the hottest part of the day. While it was technically not summer yet — the solstice was still several weeks away — the temperature was hot enough for me to claim it was summer. Which was why I was doing exactly what I loved to do most during the summer; sitting by the stream with my sketchbook and colored pencils, a glass jar of homemade lemonade by my side, my toes dipping in and out of the water as I sketched, my hair pulled back in a loose braid at the back of my head, several loose strands hanging in front of my ears. Drew was nearby in the woods somewhere. He’d been much more temperamental since the night he’d ended things with Everly, choosing to spend most o
Lukas The clock ticking on the wall of Alpha Phil’s office was the only sound in the office, apart from the occasional very loud, very exaggerated sighs coming from Finn. I stole a side glance at him and had to stifle a laugh. He was sitting in his chair, his chin against his clenched fist and his elbow resting on the arm of the chair, his other hand gripping onto the other arm of the chair so tightly I was surprised it was still intact. His jaw tightened, a muscle twitching in it every so often. In fact, his entire body was completely tense, and his leg was bouncing up and down anxiously at a speed that I didn’t think was physically possible. His currently unbuttoned, sharply tailored navy blue suit emphasized his entire demeanor. “She’s late,” he grunted. He ran his hands through his hair, roughing it up and then smoothing it back down before resuming his previous position. “She’s been gone for like 10 minutes. 15 tops,” I replied, letting my withheld chuckle out, earning me a
Drew June had been hiding in her room for three days. Three whole days, only coming out to grab a snack or a drink, and then darting back into her room as quickly as she had left, never uttering a word. I had been stuck on the couch for those two days, afraid to move, or look away from her bedroom door, or even breathe. When we had returned from the stream that day, Luna and Everly and Sofia were already waiting for us on the little porch of our cottage. I’m guessing Alpha must have linked Luna Claire to let her know what happened, and she had brought the other two with her to help with June. But June just walked right by them without a word, going straight into her room and starting the shower. The three females then took over our kitchen, making some sort of casserole dish and a bunch of baked goods, while I parked myself on the couch, my hands dangling between my knees and my head hanging down and staring at the floor. June only came out once that night to ask Everly if she h
Everly I was completely dreading going downstairs. I had absolutely no desire to attend my birthday party. I missed the years when we were younger, and my mom would throw Luke and me a combined birthday party since our birthdays were only a week apart. But Luke was still gone, and as the daughter of the Alpha, I had to keep up appearances and have an actual full pack party for my 19th birthday. I had to see if I would find my mate. It was interesting how the four of us all ended up growing from close friends to wanting to be with one another — Luke and June, and Drew and me. I sometimes wondered if we were all just feeling the mate bond early, because we had all known each other since we were very young, and spent so much time together growing up.I couldn’t help but hope that Drew would be mine. That was why I didn’t want a party. I just wanted to find him privately after midnight and see if we were on our own. But, again, I had to keep up appearances. I had to be the pack princes
Drew The sounds of the party at the packhouse faded behind me as my steps took me further into the forest and away from the celebration. The closer it got to midnight, the more I felt the need to be somewhere else, to be anywhere other than in the crowd of waiting, unmated males. I hadn’t even waited to see Everly come out of the house. I wanted to leave before I saw her, because I knew I would change my mind once I had. Logically, I knew this was the ending we had been hurtling towards since the first time we kissed, but emotionally, I was still not prepared to see her claimed by her mate, to find out that what happened with June and Luke was repeating itself with us. Call me a coward, a wimp, a pussy; I would be the first to admit that I was all of those things. The previous week was already painful enough, rejecting her and pushing her away when she asked for just one night with me, but I knew it was the right call. I knew that if she found her mate on her birthday, he would kn
Drew “Baby girl,” I began as I stood at the edge of the bed, my hands sliding up her thighs under the skirt of her dress. “If you don’t want me to rip this dress to shreds, I suggest you remove it quickly.” As my hands reached the top of her legs, I moved my palms around to cup her ass, and I realized she wasn’t wearing anything underneath her dress. “Fuck, Everly, what are you doing to me?” I groaned, massaging her cheeks roughly. “Get naked. Now,” I growled, stepping away from her so I could do the same. Our eyes remained locked on each other as her hands undid the ribbon around her waist, and, using a small amount of magic from my witch half, I helped her by sliding the zipper down her back without moving from my spot. She gave me a grateful little smile, and reached up to the neckline of her dress, slowly sliding it off of her shoulders inch by inch, teasing me by making me wait. I pulled my black t-shirt over my head as fast as I could, not wanting to miss even one second of
Chloe This was it. It was finally here. The day of our mating ceremony. The day Tidirath would officially recognize me as Finn’s mate and as a Princess of the Kingdom. I spent the entire week prior going to teas and luncheons and fancy dinners and dancing lessons and etiquette lessons. I felt like my feet were going to fall off and my brain was going to explode out through my ears from the information overload. There were so many rules and customs to learn, and I wasn’t sure how I would ever remember all of them. I understood why Finn had left his home. The strict policies and the intense formal atmosphere were not his style at all. I was glad that we were just here for a short while, and he didn’t want to remain here after our ceremony or even come back here to raise our children when we had them. The last two days, they had completely sequestered me in my room, as was the custom here. Finn and I could not lay eyes on each other until the mating ceremony. Not that it stopped us.
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