The first-rank council members discreetly withdrew from the dancing, singing, and mingling, gathering at the meeting place Ronin designated deeper into the forest. Guards roamed the perimeter, ensuring that only those selected could enter.One by one, they arrived and offered fealty, inclining their heads to Ronin and Liora. “Where’s Maia?” Liora looked around the quiet creek to see if she was in the distance. “I’m here!” Maia called from behind. Her dark rouge dress was hiked up to her knees as she sashayed towards them, “Vyenít Georgiou was determined to trample every last one of my toes with that oafish display he called dancing.”“Goddess, I can’t stand those Vyenese,” Lucien spat. “No offense, Maia.”“None taken. I don’t consider myself much of a Vyeni anymore. I don’t think I could live with my panties in a perpetual bunch.”“That’s just cause you don’t wear any.” Thaddeus drawled, giving her a salacious once over. He grunted when Xander clapped him on the back of his head.“
“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
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
This could not be happening.It wasn’t real.It couldn’t be.She couldn’t be dead.Ronin denied it a thousand different ways inside his head. But her silent heart was too big of a truth for him to ignore. Liora was gone.He killed her.“den me timórises arketá?!” Haven’t you punished me enough? He howled at the moon, holding on to her body like an anchor keeping him from drowning. The colder her skin became, the deeper he sank.He couldn’t think about Maia, sobbing a few feet away. He couldn’t spare a second for Nikolai, who still hadn’t moved from his slumped position.“You can’t be dead,” Ronin coaked, stroking her cheek with trembling fingers. “I can’t do this without you, Liora. Open your eyes!” He touched her lids softly, willing them to pop open, for a blush of red to color her cheeks and for the blue hue in her lips to fade.Kaon, his wolf, recoiled deep into his subconscious, seeking a quiet corner to hide from the agony. Ronin would give him no reprieve.Ronin got to his feet
Liora cried softly into the crook of Nikolai’s shoulder as he carried her through the dense forest. She could feel the sorrow of the pack, hitting her in waves. So many were injured. So many dead.Who would be so cruel, showing no mercy to women and children?What manner of foe was this that drove them from their home?Liora wished she could snap her fingers and make it all go away. The most she could do now was to share in their pain and grief and send soothing words across the mind link.‘Everything’s gonna be okay,’ She resonated. ‘By the Goddess.’“Luna.” Nikolai’s voice sounded tight. Liora didn’t realize how close her lips had inched to his neck. She had no urge to bite him, but she could sense that he still craved it.“Sorry.” She eased away, wiping her eyes. “Can you put me down? I’d like to walk for a while.”“Walk to where?” Callie scoffed, giving Liora a pointed look. She looked way too comfortable perched over Alastor’s shoulder. “You can barely walk a yard with that ten-p
Liora’s lips pressed into a thin line as she watched Ronin go down the hillside. Fine. She turned to Maia, grabbing her hand tightly, “Find Callie. She’ll be hiding somewhere around the old cabins.”“Everything’s going to be fine, Luna.” Maia planted a kiss on her wrist. “I’ll come find you later. Let’s go, Lucien.”They ran to the treeline with Thaddeus and Derith close behind. Liora let Nikolai lift her into his arms as smoky tendrils curled around Enas and the Oracle. When the smoke cleared, they were courtyards of the Beta den. Lupine folk were rushing toward the left backwoods path tucked at the end of the rows of buildings. Guards directed the flow of people while monitoring the entrance gates for mercenaries.A hand lightly touched her shoulder and she jumped. When did the Oracle get so close?“Apologies, Luna. I didn’t mean to startle you.” Inclined her head. “Enas and I will go ahead first and assist Alastor’s pack in receiving the pliveíos.” The Oracle clutched Liora’s hand
Liora’s eyes popped open when she felt a strange sensation in her chest. It was as if a hot wax strip was applied and ripped off without warning. High off euphoria, closed her eyes again, not thinking too much of it.Fifteen minutes ticked by before she noticed that the incessant urge for lupine flesh was gone.It was... gone?!The first thing that came to her mind was to tell Ronin, but she couldn’t interrupt him. So, she did the next best thing.“Caius!” She elbowed him repeatedly, unable to contain her laughter.“Yes, Luna?” He looked at her through one lazy eye that widened in surprise. “Your eyes– they’re normal.”Liora nodded, “I can’t feel the curse in my bond anymore. It’s gone!” If her belly wasn’t so big, she would run out into the feel and frolic like a carefree cub. “How is this possible, Caius? Does that mean Ronin is cured too?!”“I’m the last person you should be asking,” He laughed. “This is a time of miracles. Better not look the gift horse in the mouth.”Light grey s
As the sun made its descent on the horizon, the lupine folk slowly started to fill the clearing. It started with one or two until the entire field was filled with silhouettes dressed in white robes. The adults lounged around in circles, talking animatedly, while the cubs frolicked and chased each other in vigorous play.Looking farther out, Ronin could see Gamma and Delta warriors standing along the perimeter fence, clad from head to toe in tactical gear. Naturally, he couldn't see the shadow assassins, but he was confident they would be well hidden and vigilant.The golden crown on his head felt too heavy as if he would crumple under the weight. Would he be able to wear it after tonight? Would he be worthy? He wasn’t sure. All he could do was count down the minutes until the Rites would begin and he could cure his mate once and for all.Ronin felt the air shimmer beside him. He didn’t have to look to know it was Nikolai. “Everything’s set?”“Yes Alpha, it is all in place according to
“How much of this are we telling them again?” Thaddeus asked as hurried to catch up with Ronin’s quick pace. Ronin cast a sidelong glance in his direction.“We tell them everything except about the curse.” Ronin paused at the entrance of the large boardroom, allowing Geneda to adjust his black silk tie. Brushing his assistant away, he flexed his shoulders and rolled his head to ease the tension in his neck. “They need to know the truth about our Origin so that we can enlighten the packs during the ceremony later tonight.”The attendants opened the double doors and Ronin strolled in with an air of confidence that he didn’t quite feel.All twelve members of his council were present, along with his Regents, their seconds in command, Grandmaster Platon from Lyklos Keep, Elder Enas, and the Oracle. They had moved a much larger table in to accommodate everyone, wide enough that he and Liora could sit side by side at the head of the table.Liora was already settled, dressed in a dark green of
Liora stared at him, drinking in every inch of his towering frame. Her cub leaped within her, kicking with excitement. She tried not to get hopeful but it was a reflex she could not control. For as long as they were bonded, she would have faith that they would find their way back to each other, no matter how long it took.“Get out, omega.” Ronin stepped to the side. Callie threw her a pitiful look before scurrying past him down the hall.“Is there something you need?” Liora waved him in. “I have to see Doctor Reynolds in a few minutes.”As he stepped over the threshold, Liora felt like he was sucking all the air and light from the room. Wanting to put some space between them, she shuffled towards the window, gently perching herself on the loveseat.“That won’t be necessary, I already told him you will be present at the rites.”Liora hummed. “Understood. Do you need a towel to dry off?”“What do you mean?”“Your hair. It’s dripping wet.” Not waiting for his response, she padded to the
“Liora, honey, what are you doing out of bed?” Callie’s voice was low and careful. Everyone spoke to her that way nowadays, as if any louder and she would shatter into a million unrecoverable pieces.Ronin beat them to it weeks ago.“I just wanted to stand for a bit,” Liora let the curtains slide back in place and let her friend guide her back to the bed. She’d hoped that Caius could get through to Ronin, but by the looks of it, nothing good came from their conversation.Holding the underside of her belly, she gingerly sat on the edge of the mattress. Callie settled beside her, reaching out to take her hand.“No.” Liora pulled back, throat thick with emotion. “Don’t comfort me. That makes it worse.” Hot tears pooled in her eyes and she swiped angrily at them. “Damnit! I’m so tired of crying.”“I cannot stand your tears, Luna.” Callie’s eyes went wide, filled with grief. “Please let me soothe you. The stress is not good for the baby.”“I said don’t!” Liora snapped. She knew Callie just