After trudging across rivers, forests, and open grasslands, hiking miles along a winding and rocky terrain that went higher and higher with each step, the entrance to Lyklos Keep was a glorious sight to behold emerging from the side of the mountain. Ronin could hear a myriad of voices echoing along the path just beyond the stone archway, chanting a sacred hymn to the Goddess that he hadn’t heard since his youth. A fleeting memory teased his mind: sitting on his mother’s knee as she braided his hair, singing a sweet ode that often sent him off to sleep. He wished he could hear her sing again. “Going in?” Thaddeus touched his arm lightly, jolting him from his reverie. “You go,” Sybl urged. “Phoebe and I will keep watch out here until you return.” She moved to the side, sitting on the large boulder near the entrance. Ronin nodded, going in first with his council trailing behind him. Torches lined the walls along the path, shining brighter the deeper they got into the cave. He kept hi
Liora was spending another afternoon down by the fish pond near the greenhouse when her ears picked up the loud rumble of an engine in the distance. She kicked her feet excitedly, dollops of water soaking Callie’s blue shorts.“Liora,” She groaned. “These were my favorite pair.”“He’s back!" Liora sang, giddy as she abandoned her flip-flops, opting to go barefoot as she ran toward the house. It had been three miserable days without her mate, and she was excited to be in his arms again and breathe in his intoxicating scent. Skipping the front steps two by two, Liora veered off to where the plane had landed. Her black frilled mini dress clung to her thighs as she ran, her dark hair floating on the wind. She stuttered to a halt just a few yards away from the plane. Heart leaping in her chest, she greedily took in his appearance. His hair was tousled, hanging over his crimson gaze. A white fitted sweatshirt hugged his torso, tucked into his green cargo pants. A 5 o'clock shadow dusted h
The full moon was especially bright on the night of Liora’s coronation. Shuddering with anticipation, she smoothed her hands down the front of her delicate gown. The white satin was covered in gold embroidered vines and flowers, starting out dense at the lower half of the skirt, and spreading out towards her midriff. The sleeves were fitted lace, flaring out over her knuckles. A heavy gold robe with white fur lining sat on her shoulders, the train pooling behind her.It took weeks, but Maia and her team had managed to pull off one of the most prestigious events the Helm had seen in years. Every high-status wolf from all the neighboring packs would be in attendance. Shifting her eyes from the door to the throne room, she watched as the courtyard slowly filled with civilian wolves.Knowing that they were waiting for her made her heart swell. She prayed to the Goddess that she remembered the proper protocol and didn’t make a fool of herself.The doors to the throne room opened and she st
Ronin knew that his eyes had gone pitch black when Geneda shrank back from him, shivering in fright. He was almost convinced over the last few weeks that his wolf was getting better. The urges had lessened, and the voices had quietened. The deep growl in his head proved just how wrong he was. ‘She dares to invite another male to our bed?’ His wolf was seething. “A-alpha?” Geneda stammered, shrieking when Ronin bared his fangs. Ignoring her, he got to his feet and stalked after his mate. That mate of his was out of her mind if she thought for one moment that he would allow her to fuck another wolf. Over his dead hide. He was naive to trust that she had conceded to their predicament when she didn't push back to him sleeping in the study for as long as he did. Even though he knew through the mind link that she struggled with her heightened sexual desires, he still refused to go to her. Each time they mated put her at risk and he had been determined to protect her. Now she was talkin
Liora fidgeted with the hem of her t-shirt as Dr. Reynolds passed a large hecatolite over her body. The peculiarly shaped stone reminded her of a metal detector, only in this case, he was scrying for any darkness or corruption in her wolf.This was her fourth time on his examination table, but she could never get used to being under such scrutiny. It felt invasive, and her wolf agreed, squirming within her as he moved the glowing stone from head to toe.“Keep still.” The whisper of Ronin’s voice came from her left, filled with anticipation.“Why do we do this every week again? If there was anything–the doctor would’ve found it by now.” She huffed, folding her lips when Dr. Reynolds gave her a stern look. Right. No talking.He made one last pass with the stone before nodding in approval, “Luna’s wolf is clean.” He moved away to the side, scribbling on his clipboard.“Thank you, Doc.” Liora sat up, swinging her legs over the side of the table. “Can we go now? The packs will be here any
“Are you ready, Liora?” Ronin whispered to her as the crowd fell silent, looking at them expectantly.This would be her first time officially addressing her people since the coronation. Considering she used to be an omega with no practice in public speaking, Liora should’ve felt the opposite of ready. To her surprise, all she could feel was a rising urge to display dominance. Linking her fingers with his, she gave him a bold smile.Casting his eyes forward again, Ronin raised his voice for all to hear. “Welcome to our 45th Gauntlet Games!–”Loud cheers erupted, hooting and roars. At the side of the dais, the four visiting Alphas stood in a row, preening at their supporters. Well–all except Alpha Odys. His expression remained blank.“–As is tradition, we’ll kick off the games with the hunt for the Ceryneian Hind.” The Ceryneian was a monstrous fire-snorting doe with a spotted hide and
The rest of the day was filled with several challenges and activities that required teamwork and synergy between the participants. They weren’t exactly doing trust falls, but the daunting games fostered more morale among the people than Liora had seen in a long time. With Alpha Derith’s wedding to be the highlight of the night’s activities, everyone was in high spirits.It took her a while, but she was finally able to slip away from the crowd at sunset, without being drawn into another huddle of small talk and inquisitions from high-status wolves. Dusting off the thighs of her jeans, she scaled the steps of the training center.He was a slippery one, but after a few tries Liora latched on to Nikolai’s strand and found him. Pushing the door open, she was greeted by the rhythmic sound of flesh hitting a hard surface. Moving in rapid succession, his hands whacked the thick bars that extended from the base of the wooden dummy.She stared at his exposed back, gaping at the thin scars that
Nikolai had brought her to the private bathrooms in his office on the second floor of the training center. He left her to shower while he billowed into her closet to get a T-shirt and another pair of jeans. Thank god she had opted to turn the light off inside it or she would’ve had some serious explaining to do.Liora spent an hour beneath the hot water, rubbing her skin until it was pink and all evidence of blood and cum was gone. Only her soul bore the stains of what she was starting to become.There was no washing that off, so she quickly grabbed the clothes left for her on the bathroom counter, blushing at the pink lace underwear neatly folded on top. Putting her clothes on in record time, she raked her hand through her damp hair, avoiding the mirror completely. “You’re still here?” She startled. Nikolai leaned casually on the front of the desk, his hands stuffed in the pockets of his dress pants. His tux fitted to his body like a glove and his hair was gelled down into a tight,