“Wake up, doggy.” A sneering voice cut through the roar of rushing water. Liora groaned, brows furrowing as she tried to gather her bearings. The back of her head throbbed repeatedly, almost drowning out her senses. She lifted her hands to soothe the spot, only to be stopped by a yanking force. “What the hell?” Liora tried to tug her wrists apart but they were securely bound by tungsten chains. She wrestled to an upright position, looking around wildly. A wave of de ja voo washed over her. The last time she was here, she was trying to escape the pack. Thaddeus had caught her and dealt her the fate that changed the course of her entire life. She felt trapped by her life back then. Now she was back near the river, and being trapped took on an entirely new meaning and form.Liora eyed the shrouded figure, narrowing her gaze. “I should have known you would’ve tried to pull some crap like this.”Nerissa stepped into a beam of moonlight. It illuminated her cruel smile and the deranged loo
Ronin’s nostrils flared, trying to escape the sweet aroma of his mate’s need all while taking in more of her heady scent. Her declaration was a jolt right to his cock. From the look in her eyes, and what he felt through their bond, she wasn’t joking. If he didn’t go to her willingly, she would find someone else.Someone eager.Like Nik.No. Curse or no curse, no one would claim his right. ‘We have to,’ Kaon pushed, scratching at his mental walls. Desperate to get out and fulfill the aching need that overtook him.“Now, Ronin!” Liora groaned in frustration, curling into herself again. Dammit.“Leave,” He ordered the others when the males started to draw closer, barely able to resist the magnetic pull of a female in heat. “LEAVE!” This time when he bellowed the command, they obeyed, hurrying in the direction of laughter and music.Ronin was grateful that all he wore was a Greek robe. It gave no resistance as he tugged the gold band around his waist. He stepped out of them and walked na
“Oh my goddess! Liora, honey–are you–?”“Knocked-up? She sure is, Maia–ow!”“–I will nail your tongue to this table if you don’t learn to control it.”“Xandy! Can’t you tell Caius to back off?”“I’m happy to provide the hammer and nails–”“Settle down, please.” Liora’s mouth turned up in a small smile, amused at their reaction. They all seemed over the moon with joy that she was expecting. Except for Ronin, that is. He didn’t even acknowledge her when she entered the boardroom. When she woke up after their long night, his side of the bed was cold as if he hadn’t slept in it. Walking around towards the other end of the table, she thanked Nikolai as he pulled out her chair. “As much as I’d love to talk about this pup all day, we have much more important business to discuss.”“What could be more important than the arrival of the royal Heir?” Thaddeus grinned. “I say, we throw a party.”“That is a great idea!” Maia clapped her hands together repeatedly, her palms barely touching. “We co
“Luna?” A soft knock sounded. Liora was lulled halfway asleep by the soft hands that massaged her entire back half, too contented to be concerned with anything else.“Get the door, Callie.” She murmured, humming when another knot was rubbed out of her shoulder. “Come in!” Callie chirped, not moving from where she was sprawled over the padded bench.One good sniff and Liora knew it was Iris Lopoulos, the new gamma elected to replace Nerissa. She was a Gamma who had recently transferred from Greece after mating with Merrick, Lucien’s second in command. She had years of experience through serving at Lyklos Keep and was a prime candidate for the role.“I don’t mean to interrupt,” She cracked the door and poked her head in.Liora lifted her head slightly, waving her in. “Come, we’re getting foot rubs before the party starts.” She beckoned to one of the omegas to tend to Iris. Sitting in one of the massage chairs, Iris slipped off her shoes and slid her feet into the wide basin of warm wa
“Get out of my way!” Ronin pushed at the bodies blocking his path as a crowd gathered around Liora’s still body. “MOVE!”His heart hammered against his ribcage as he dropped to his knees beside her. “What the hell happened?” His eyes darted to Callie who had set Liora’s head in her lap.“I-I don’t know what happened.” Callie stammered, eyes wide with fear. “One minute she called me over to try some cupcakes and the next–she just collapsed.”“Out of the way!” Caius's loud voice bellowed as he stalked around the side of the table, Lucien and Thaddeus in tow. While they worked on controlling the crowd, Ronin’s eyes raked over his mate, frantically looking for clues. His eyes snagged on the frosting and crumbs on her fingers, then to the discarded pasty beside her on the floor. He picked it up carefully, sniffing at it. Nothing seemed off about the smell. “Where did these come from?!” Maia hurried to him, babbling as he flipped open the box. “We don’t know. We got an extra batch of cup
Liora stroked her belly absent-mindedly as Maia had more racks of maternity dresses rolled into the dressing room. The gamma was so excited to have her try on the girly designs, but Liora didn’t have the heart to admit how bored she was. Ironic, considering how deeply Liora was drawn into the fantasy of ripping out her friend’s neck.Her belly had swelled quickly over the month, along with the darkness. Her eyes remained black since the ritual, and everyone around Liora handled her with kid gloves. None of her clothes would fit right anymore, so Maia surprised her with an impromptu shopping spree.If you could even call it that.She couldn’t step a foot outside the settlement, not in her condition–with her obsidian eyes–and her pregnant belly. So Ronin had everything brought to her. Sometimes she was tempted to strangle her mate just to be done with his over-protectiveness.‘Ah-ta-ta,’ her wolf tsked, ‘don’t even think of killing our mate.’‘But thinking of killing Maia is on the ta
Ronin sank deeper into his throne chair, gazing at nothing in particular as he recalled the night he met Liora. As he took a deep swing from the bottle of whiskey, the images floated along the room like phantoms. Thaddeus had dragged her in, the defiance in her striking lavender eyes as she fought and lost against her nature. And when those orbs finally landed on him, it was like he could breathe again.His wolf went crazy at the thought of their teeth into her neck. She’d wanted him too.Twistedness and all.He should’ve finished the ritual and severed their bond when he had the chance–consequences be dammed. Now he was in too deep and his mate was slowly becoming someone he could barely recognize.He couldn’t recognize himself.Dark circles under his eyes, his haunted gaze. It was almost like something inside him was just waiting–dreading when the sword finally fell. Would it fall upon him? Or upon his mate and unborn child?Growling, Ronin threw the bottle against the steps, rakin
“Hey Thaddeus, are you seeing what I’m seeing?” Lucien’s voice dropped to a whisper.“Yep, and I wish to the Goddess I could unsee it.” Thaddeus elbowed Maia, who continued to stare with her jaw dropped. “Just when we thought things couldn’t get worse.”Maia blinked owlishly, “What should we do? Lock them both up?”Xander scoffed, “We could barely take him the last time. One of us would most likely die in the process.”“Nobody is dying.” Caius’ firm voice settled the boardroom as he strolled in. He drew up short. “Shit.”Ronin’s lip curled into a smirk, amused by their reactions. He didn’t get why they were so surprised. It wasn’t as if they’d never seen him in this state. Then again, his dark eyes always unnerved them. He rubbed Liora’s stomach with gentle circles, tucking her deeper into his hold, tilting his head back ever so slightly to give her more access to his neck.She moaned in protest, following his movements until her fangs were secured deeply into his mating mark.Nikolai
Why are you being so stubborn?”“Leave me ALONE!”‘MATE MATE MATE!’‘Shut up, Kaon! You’re the reason we’re in this mess in the first place!’ Ronin ignored Caius and stumbled to the bedroom as he berated his wolf. ‘Have you forgotten the many secrets you kept that led to our mate’s demise?’‘MATE!’Ronin collapsed near the edge, resting his face against the mattress as another wave of need coiled tighter in his belly. His fangs throbbed in tune with his painfully hard cock, leaving him no choice but to let his mouth hang upon to prevent overstimulation.He only experienced a rut once, as an adolescent, a marker that he was coming of age, no longer a cub. It was nowhere near as intense as the sensations that overwhelmed him now.Caius swore under his breath, “This just might kill you.”“Then let it! Why did she have to go with Nik? I get that they had this freaky bond when the curse corrupted her, and they’re Shadow Kin– but we have a child together, damnit!”“Nothing happened between
He found her sitting in the nursery, rocking Yiannis against her chest. She smiled down at the cub, using her index finger to lightly boop the tip of his button nose. “I suppose you already know why I called you.”“Yes.” Ronin stayed close to the door, breathing only tiny pulls of air.She got up slowly, coming over to place Yiannis in his arms. “I’m in heat.”“I know.”“I’m spending the night with Nik.”“Okay.”“I’d feel better if you were watching Yiannis.”“Of course.”She pulled back, searching his face. “And you won’t go off the rails?”Ronin’s lips pressed into a thin line. “Would you prefer it if I did, my Luna?”“No, that’s not what I’m saying.” She took a full step back, red blooming on her cheeks. Her soft champagne dress shifted softly around her curves, barely containing her heavy, milk-filled breasts. He didn’t know how much longer he could take being drowned in the thick scent of her sex.Turning his focus to Yiannis, he stepped to the side. “You should go to him now bef
Days later, Ronin stood at the entrance of the mess hall stroking his stubble thoughtfully as he watched Liora surrounded by admirers. To say the morale had increased would be an understatement. News of the miracle spread far and wide and lupine folk converged on Black Crescent pack to meet the Luna who had such favor with the Goddess.From betas to omegas, they sat in a circle at her feet, hanging on to her every word, giggling and laughing, completely oblivious to the very real threat at large. Maia was vigilant, watching them like a hawk as she rocked Yiannis in her arms. Any sudden movements and she would be ready to defend her queen.Ronin understood the urge. Losing her had left the council raw and out of balance. It made sense that they were on edge.“Why don’t you go talk to her?”“The last time I checked, Silvermane, your Queen doesn’t want a thing to do with me.”Xander nodded, humming, “That would have been true last week, but I sense a thaw. Did something happen?”“We had
The unusual silence had Liora jerking upright in the middle of the bed. From the moment he arrived, Yiannis Ashenthorn was a force to be reckoned with. She would never forget his warrior cry as his lungs filled with air. It had been a little more than two weeks, enough time for her to be in tune with his sleeping and feeding patterns. She would get up several times during the night to tend to him.Even unconscious, Liora knew the amount of sleep she was getting was suspicious, confirmed even more by the tiny silver of daybreak streaking between the heavy curtains. Glancing down at the necklace, the tension eased from her shoulders. Yiannis was finally starting to sleep for more hours. She could use this bit of time to soak in the luxurious tub Lucien had installed for her.They had practically commandeered Alastor's cabin and master rooms. Still, he refused to move out completely, opting to stay in a smaller room on the other side–far away from the ‘baby shenanigans’.Liora sighed dee
Ronin turned away from the open door, clenching his fist so tightly that his nails bit into the flesh of his palm. Every scream sliced through his tortured soul, stripping him bare. He should be in there with Liora, soothing her and telling her that everything was gonna be okay.How did they come to this? Were they so broken that he would not even be able to fully witness the birth of his cub?Liora pelted out another gut-wrenching scream and he growled in response.“Alpha?” Ronin whipped his head around. It was the pack doctor. Her gloves were covered in blood and her face was grim.Pushing Thaddeus to the side, he got up close, baring his teeth. “What is your name?”"Beta Penelope.” She inclined her head slightly.“What is wrong with Liora? Why hasn’t she delivered the pup yet?”She swallowed thickly, “I’m sorry, Alpha but there’s been some complications.”“What kind of complications?” He ground out.“There’s no easy way to say this, but the cub hasn’t crowned yet. If Liora cannot d
This time when snow cascaded all around him, it didn’t burn.If it did, Ronin couldn't tell. Every nerve tingled, rippling as the hair stood on end. The pyre was obliterated, leaving only a large round scorch mark on the ground. His chest tightened and his lungs refused to let in air, terrified that if he took another breath, she would disappear.Liora stood in the center, a bright halo of eight moons glowing over her head. Her eyes were closed, a small smile teasing the corner of her mouth as if someone was whispering delightful things into her ear. The pendant that settled between her breasts blinked brilliantly in time with his cub’s heartbeat.Finally, her lids fluttered up, revealing deep red.The attending mass erupted in gasps and various cries of wonder and joy, falling to their knees with their faces to the ground. They chanted her name and sang praises to Selene, collectively vibrating bliss across the mind link.Kaon clawed at him, wanting out. The tattered bond lurched tow
Warm velvet unfurled from around her, pushing her up to the surface of the starry waters.The moons glowed brighter than she’d ever seen, and she wondered if this was peace.Still, it didn’t feel like it, so she wandered deeper into the infinite space, searching for something she couldn't name. Clouds gathered, swirling around her and blocking her vision. When it became clear again, she stood atop a mountain shrouded in fog.The air was cool and refreshing against her face, calming her with every deep breath. An unseen force tugged her gaze to the right, to the largest hecatolite she’d ever seen. Sitting in the middle of that perfect round slab was a youthful woman with curly hair cascading down her shoulders, slightly brushing her folded legs. Her lids popped open, revealing eyes that seemed older than she appeared.“Sweet child of mine. I’ve been waiting for you, Liora.”“For me?” Liora’s brows knitted. Why would this woman be waiting for her? “Do I know you from somewhere?”Moving
Outraged voices erupted around the mahogany table, going back and forth as they fought to push their own strategy forward. Ronin wasn’t familiar with half of them, but through the bond, he could sense they were all Ranked.He observed them listlessly as they snarled at one another, the sting of their recent defeat still vivid in their thoughts. Werewolves held a deep sense of pride and their egos pushed them to rash suggestions of retaliation.“Sit down, and shut up,” Caius growled, glaring at Juanzo.“That’s easy for you to say!” Juanzo shot back, “You didn’t lose anyone during the ambush. You’re cold and dead on the inside Caius. You have no idea what it’s like for us Alphas to bear the sorrow of our people. We. Want. Blood!”Dorian clamped a hand on Caius’ shoulder to prevent him from diving over the table. “I’m going to let that slide because this is a tense time for us,” Caius said quietly.Ronin could barely hear them. His eyes bored into Derith. Finally understanding what his R
They guided him through Alastor’s house towards a vast hall. A gazebo was erected in the center, the sides draped with sheer curtains. He could make out tiny details of her silhouette that filtered through.Lupine folk knelt all around, prostrating and weeping, many ripping the skirts of their deep blue robes. The Oracle sat near the entrance, rocking herself back and forth as she mumbled in Greek.Ronin stumbled forward, catching himself against the post.“I’m fine.” He shrugged off Lucien’s helping hand. He didn’t want it.Flipping the curtain aside, he dragged himself in. She lay on a bed of furs and flowers, dressed in a shimmering blue gown, a white rose crown nestled on her head. Her long hair was fanned out over her shoulders, framing the necklace around her neck, which no longer had light.Her hands cradled her belly, almost like she was still protecting their cub.“Liora,” Ronin choked, reaching his trembling hand towards her cheek. It was so cold. His knees gave way and he c