DOMINIC “AAARGH!”The pain lances through me, sharp and brutal, making me rear out of bed and fall to the floor.“What the hell-! Aaargh!”Another one goes through me, leaving me gasping for breath.What-“Aaaargh!”Another.And anotherAnd another.Each one coming faster and more brutal than the lastWhat the fuck is going on?!I manage to get to my feet and when another sharp lances through me, I still manage to stay there, standing.The pain… the sharp, excruciating pain, continues as I make my way out of the room and towards the stairs.“CA-! AAARGH! GODDAMNIT! WHAT IS HAPPENING?!”The pain doesn't dull. Doesn't recede.Doesn't even show any signs of stopping.It just goes on and on.“Calvin!” I scream, my hand on my chest, gripping it in pain.By this time, my sight is already blurred and I can barely see what is in front of me.It is why I don't see the stairs on my next move.The trip comes right in time with the next lance of pain so that when I tumble, I am nearly delirious
ROWAN “Are you sure about this?” Viktor asks me the same question for what has got to be the hundredth time.He is convinced that I am thoroughly upset with the arrival of the wolves, that they must be bringing up bad memories for meAnd that taking in the same wolves who had abused me or at the very least, turned away from offering help to me was unwise.Even though he was the one who told me about their presenceHonestly though…I must be a bloody saint to be doing this.I know others wouldn't.Others would have laughed at their misfortune and let them figure out their shit themselves.“I am Viktor,” I tell him in a low murmur. “You don't have to keep asking the same question over and over.”“I just want to make sure you have no regrets.”“I don't have regrets.”He gives me a nod before turning to Andre.“So, you and Alden are to lead the wolves to the settlement. You already have some of the pack warriors with you. If you see any obsidian wolf coming at you, kill without hesitatio
VIKTOR.“Do you want me to come with you?” Rowan asks as she sits up in bed. “Do you want to come?” I return as I tug in my shirt.“Not particularly,” she replies. “Seeing those wolves and then him in one night is more than I can handle but-”“But nothing,” I say as I lean over and give her a short peck. “I can handle the asshole on my own. You go to bed.”“Are you sure?” She asks before a yawn escapes her mouth, making me smile.“I am sure. Go to bed.”I gently push her down to the end before tucking her in. I give her another peck before I leave the room.Once out of her sight, my face falls into the dark scowl that I have been fighting off.It is beyond irritating, how many times the fucker has been to my pack in this past week.It has to stop. Now.“Where is he?” I demand as I walk out of the mansion, Kael, my third in command falling into place beside me.“We didn't let him in. He is still raging at the gates with his Beta,” he replies.“What is he asking for this time?”“His w
DOMINIC THWACK The blow sends Calvin sprawling to the floor of my study, his lip busted and bleeding. “How dare you?!” I growl. “How dare you disrespect me in front of all those wolves?! In front of Viktor?!” “Alpha -” “Shut up!” I roar as I send a kick straight into his middle section, making him cough out blood. “It is bad enough that the other wolves gave no regard for us but you too. And to show your disrespect in front of them! Do you know what you have done?!” “Alpha, please!” He gasps. “If you had killed Viktor in front of those wolves, in his own pack, they could have killed us too. And even if they didn't… it would mean war with the other packs. You said it yourself: we are in bad standing with the packs!” “Is that what gave you the right to manhandle me?! You, my own beta, joined forces with my enemies to drag me out. Do you deny that?!” I ask before stomping on him. “I am sorry,” he begs, his face bloody as he looks at me desperately. “I know what you want,” I sa
ROWAN. “Of all the things you have done, this has to be the most reckless!” I snap as I intentionally increase the pressure in a particular wound. He winces before sending me a glare over his shoulder. “I am already hurt!” He snaps. “You don't have to make it worse.” “Of course I do. How else am I going to get into your head how incredibly foolish your actions were? He is rabid. You said it yourself. Rabid! You know how unnaturally strong those wolves can get. And you still fought him. He could have killed you!” “But he didn't.” “But he could have!” My heart had almost flown out of my chest when he had walked into the room, holding his sides. It was torn, deep cuts from claws ripping through his skin. The wounds are still very fresh, showing his muscle and sinew, with the blood still flowing. His face is swollen and bruised, especially around his jaw where a punch must have hit. A cut above his eye bleeds down his cheek, mixing with dirt and sweat. His clothes are torn and
DOMINIC I check the digital clock hanging on my wall for what must be the hundredth time today. Still no news. What is taking them so long? How hard is it to get moving from the settlement to back here?! The knob of my office door begins to turn, and I look over in expectation only to see my mother walk in. Right. She is still here My hand instinctively goes to my cheeks where she had slapped me last night. I still haven't forgiven her for that. And so, with an annoyed huff, I turn away from her and head to my chair. “What do you want?” I grunt at her. “Were you expecting someone else?” she asks as she walks up to the desk. “I am busy. Get to it already. Why are you here?” “Is that the way to talk to your mother? We haven't seen each other in years, and you are already trying to rush me out.” “You should have thought about that before you slapped me yesterday. And in front of my beta, no less,” I retort “You deserve that slap and more. I had heard rumors of how ins
DOMINICI stare down in shock at the wolf, his words still ringing in my ears.“There was no response from the coalition, alpha!”It is my mother's low and sarcastic chuckle that pulls me out of my thoughts “What,” I begin. “Do you mean there was no response?” I demand.He drops to his feet, trembling as he answers.“I… I stayed at their gate… for a… a whole day, alpha. They didn't let me in.”“I did! I swear I did. They didn't respond.”“What exactly did they say?” I ask “They… they didn't say anything. The only thing they asked was who I was and when I introduced myself and the pack and told them my message from you, they just locked up.”“Who did you tell?”“The wolves at the gates, alpha.”“And did they go report it?”“One of them went in, alpha. And then he retired and just went back to his position. I called out to him. Demanded to know what the response was but they just ignored me. For a whole day. That is why I am late, alpha.”“And Louisa never showed up once?” I ask.“No,
ROWAN.“What is wrong?” I send a glance over my shoulder to see Viktor walking up to me, his hands going around my waist as he rests his head on my shoulder.“It is no big deal,” I mutter as I turn off my phone.“Rowan,” he calls quietly. “I can tell you are worried. What is it?”“It is Lisa,” I say. “She just called to brief me on the going ons of the settlement and was also wondering when I will be back.”“They know you are coming back tomorrow, don't they?”“Yeah…” “Then why are they so anxious?”I let out a heavy sigh before answering“It is Dominic.”“Of course, it is,” he mutters as he steps away to come lean on the banister with me.It is the one connected to my bedroom, overlooking the pack.“What did he do this time?” He asks.“At first, he sent someone to come get me-”“I am sorry, what?!” He exclaimed. “What do you mean by 'get you?”“You heard right. I was being summoned by the great Dominic Valor, himself.”“Why?”“No idea.”“They didn't say?”“They didn't ask and hones