At least Sarah and Zayne are supportive, for now. Thanks so much for reading!
Finn’s POV Zayne left to find a guest room for Lauren and Mason while Sarah and I walked back to our room together. Not a word was spoken between us but I could feel the aura of hurt and anger surrounding her. It clung to the air, so thick I could almost choke on it. Guilt was crushing me, ripping me apart from the inside out. I had hurt her again after I promised her I never would. It seemed no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn’t heal the pain I’d inflicted upon her. Instead, I just kept breaking promises and making things worse. I had to prepare myself for her rejection because there was no way she would forgive me now. Only, how could I prepare for something I knew I’d never survive. In the years I tried staying away from Sarah, I’d become a shell of myself, wandering through life feeling lost and alone. Then I met Zayne and things started to get better. I loved him immediately, but even that wasn’t enough to fill the void in my life where Sarah should have been. That had
(Mature Content) Lauren’s POV “Mommy, I’m not tired.” Mason insisted, wrestling away from me as I tried tucking him into bed. I took a few deep breaths, trying not to lose my cool. It wasn’t his fault I was so stressed and I didn’t want to take it out on him. He was just a rambunctious little boy who deserved the chance to laugh and play and whine about bedtime like all four-year-olds. He deserved to feel safe and loved. That was exactly why I was doing all this in the first place. For Mason. To ensure he had a future with a mother and father who would love, protect and provide for him. I couldn’t let him grow up with some abusive asshole who resented his presence, inflicting him with fear, pain and rejection. Not only a mother and father, but grandparents as well. But my family would never accept him, or me, without a mate. “Listen, my little prince. How about we make a deal? If you climb in this bed and go to sleep right now, without fussing, I will let you have a scoop of c
Zayne’s POV After the shocking news we’d received yesterday and the emotional roller coaster that followed, I thought I would have been exhausted. Add to that the several rounds of sex that followed and I should have been dead to the world. But my mind just wouldn’t shut off, denying me the sleep my weary body craved. My mates looked so peaceful as I watched them sleeping next to me. Our bond was complicated, no doubt. But despite the challenges in our relationship, I could honestly say I wouldn’t change a thing. Sarah and Finn were far greater blessings than I’d ever dared to hope for. And if that meant accepting his son as my own and taking on the challenge of a ready-made family, I was more than happy to do it. But despite all of that, my heart hurt for Sarah and Finn. For Sarah because, no matter how huge her heart was or her willingness to accept Mason into our lives, I knew it pained her that once again, another woman had given Finn a child before she ever had a chance, ste
Zayne’s POV I enjoyed the way Sarah’s eyes widened in surprise When Gwen handed me the picnic basket she’d packed for us. It reminded me that I needed to be more intentional about planning romantic gestures for both my mates. There was no shortage of intimacy between the three of us, but the way her emerald irises swirled in delight was a clear sign she needed quality time outside the bedroom too. “What’s in the basket?” Sarah bounced on her toes, her excitement spilling over. “Patience, princess!” I admonished jokingly. “Good things come to those who wait. I should know. I waited for you for six years!” “Aww! Who knew you were such a romantic? I think I like this side of Zayne Davies.” She quipped. But her words just confirmed my suspicions. “I’m sorry I haven’t been the romantic mate you deserve. I promise to do better in the future. I want to give you everything, princess.” I wrapped my arm around her waist, pulling her close to me as I guided her to our destination. “I
Zayne’s POV “So, how was your morning with Sarah?” Finn asked cautiously as he sat on the bed, flipping through the TV channels distractedly. Sarah had gone to find Zoe, giving us some time alone together. I had promised her I would be honest with Finn about my feelings. But now that we were alone, my stomach was in knots, my nerves getting the best of me. So instead of diving head first into the truth, I created a diversion. “It was good! We had a picnic in the rose garden. It was supposed to be a romantic gesture and I really tried to keep it PG but that woman just does things to me!” I shared. “So are we talking rated R or was it a triple-x performance?” He asked, taking the bait. “I’d probably give it an R rating. Didn’t even get her naked. Just slipped her panties aside and finger-fucked her until she screamed. But if anyone heard the sounds she was making or saw how soaked she was for me, they might disagree.” I described the scene for him, making him growl lustfully at the
Finn’s POV Morning dawned all too soon on a day I was dreading. I couldn’t hide the trepidation I felt over what might happen next. What if the test results showed Mason was my son? Sarah and Zayne both said they would stand by me, but maybe the reality would be more than they could handle. I still couldn’t believe it was possible that Mason could be mine. But what if he was? I wanted to strangle Lauren just thinking about it. She seems so certain. But if she knew, how could she keep him from me all those years? Every little boy deserved to have the love of both his parents, just like I had growing up. “Shit! My parents!” I hadn’t even realized I’d said that out loud until I felt two pairs of eyes burning holes in my head. “What about your parents, Finn?” Sarah questioned me. “I haven’t even told them I have two mates yet.” I admitted sheepishly. “Can you imagine the trouble I’ll be in if I add a grandchild to the mix?” “Why haven't you told them about us yet?” Zayne asked timidl
Finn’s POV Bone-deep exhaustion plagued every step I took as we trudged our way into the packhouse after a full day of chasing an extremely active four-year-old. How could one tiny creature require so much energy?” “Pups are a lot of work.” Callum remarked amidst a weary yawn in my head. “Thank you for sharing your hard-earned wisdom on the subject.” I quipped sarcastically. “Says the wolf who napped most of the day while I chased your potential offspring.” “Hey! I begged you to go home that night! You’re the one who refused to listen to me!” He snarled angrily. “I can’t help it if we have strong swimmers.” “Daddy?” Mason tugged on my pant leg to get my attention. He’d continued to call me that and I didn’t have the heart to correct him, especially when it could be true. So instead, I just responded as if that’s who I’d always been to him and it seemed to make him happy. “What, little man?” I looked down into his cherubic little face and suddenly, all the fatigue just melt
Finn’s POV My mind was reeling from everything Lauren had revealed about her and Mason’s lives over the past four years. I wanted to be angry with her for her poor choices but who was I to judge? I had made plenty of my own regrettable mistakes. When faced with several bad options, I couldn’t fault her for taking the one that seemed to offer her the most stability. If Henry’s wolf hadn’t lost his shit, I still might not have known Mason existed. I still don’t understand why you are telling me all this?” It helped me understand Lauren’s choices, but ultimately it didn’t change anything. “I will explain that to you but I need you to promise to hear me out.” Her eyes locked with mine, urging me to agree. “I already told you, as long as it relates to Mason’s well-being, I am willing to listen.” I sighed in exasperation, running my hands through my hair against the urge to choke the information out of her. “I want you to take me as your chosen mate!” She blurted out in rapid-fire.
To all my lovely readers, Thank you so much for the love and loyalty you've shown the Celtic Wolf series so far! I am so thankful to each and every one of you for sharing this journey with me! I will be taking a little time to do some more writing and editing on book 3 before I begin publishing but it will be coming soon! The final book in the series will follow Dillon and Zoe's story. It will begin a little earlier in the timeline from where book 2 ended, taking us to the currrent time and beyond, culminating in the final showdown between the wolves, Light and Dark Fae. Stay tuned to find out what fate has in store for Dillon and Zoe, and all wolf kind! Much love to you all, Cara Update: The title for book 3 is A Cruel Fate: Her Gamma's Regret. I plan to begin publishing in early July. Hope you will all join me for the final book in the series!
(Four Months Later) Sarah’s POV “Aaagh! I can’t do this anymore!” I cried, falling back into Zayne’s arms, totally spent. “Yes, you can, princess! You’re almost there.” he encouraged, brushing my hair back out of my face and wiping the sweat off my forehead. “You’ve got this, kitten. Just keep thinking about holding our pup in your arms.” Finn added. “Why is it taking so long? Kat pushed out two babies in less than an hour.” I complained at the unfairness of my situation. “My babies were smaller because there were two of them, sweetie.” Kat explained. “”But I had to do this part twice and it hurt like a bitch both times if that makes you feel any better.” “It doesn’t!” I pouted. “I’m so tired. And Sadie is pacing in my mind, worried about the pup. It’s too much!” Finn pressed his forehead to mine. “Callum and Triton will calm Sadie. Just try to relax until the next contraction.” I’d gone into labor nearly twelve hours ago and our stubborn little pup was still refusing to
Sarah’s POV Reaching the exit of the goddess forsaken prison we were being held in was easier than expected. The arrogance of the Dark Fae in thinking themselves too superior to wolves, even gifted wolves, to even consider we might be capable of such a thing made our work that much easier. Only three creatures stood in our way as we ran through the barren corridors and Kat easily took them down. It was only once we actually made it outside that the real obstacles appeared. Nearly running smack into the back of the colossal Dark Fae army could have easily ended our bid for freedom. Miraculously, Kat was able to create an invisible wall of air between us and them, Zoe and I bouncing off of it and falling back on our assess. Still, we somehow went unnoticed. The Moon Goddess was definitely with us. Kat quickly helped me to my feet and we both lifted Zoe from the ground. My sister-in-law was shaking so violently, she could barely force her legs to move. Kat was already heading for cover
Zayne’s POV As we pulled away from Glass Lake territory, an entire cavalcade of vehicles trailed behind us, all filled with our best fighters. But knowing what the Dark Fae could do, I wasn’t sure it would be enough. At most, a wolf attack would provide a distraction, but that distraction could mean the difference between success and failure. Guilt slithered through my veins at the thought we were leading them like lambs to a slaughter. “How many Light Fae do you think will come?” I asked Finn for the hundredth time, my leg bouncing nervously and bumping into his. “Enough, I hope.” Finn answered vaguely, placing a steadying hand on my knee. Finn slid his hand into mine, lacing our fingers together. It was comforting to feel his warm body pressed into my side and his strong hand gripping mine. But even so, the fear and uncertainty passing back and forth between us through the bond was like an elephant on my chest, crushing me. My free hand slipped inside my jacket pocket, feelin
Sarah’s POV I woke with a start and immediately missed the coolness of the stone my face had been pressed against. My stomach roiled and bile burned in my throat. I tried to breathe through my nose but it didn’t help and before I knew it, dry heaves wracked my body. I tried to brush my hair out of my face but the motion produced a loud clanking sound and a searing pain in my wrists as my arms were yanked back. It was then I realized I was sitting on a dirt floor, my arms bound in silver and chained to the wall. Suddenly it all came rushing back. Attempting to clear the grogginess, I shook my head but that only made the nausea return. I rested my cheek against the cool stone wall and waited for the churning in my gut to subside. And while I waited, I tried to make sense of my surroundings. Where the fuck was I? I had no idea how far we’d run when the Dark Fae found us. And we’d covered our scent so wherever we were, no one would be able to track us here. We were just going to h
Finn’s POV Hours passed while we ran in circles, chasing scents that had somehow ceased to exist. Zayne and I felt nothing through the bond. No fear, no pain. It was as if our mate had disappeared completely, along with her scent. Dillon and Zoe had not sealed their bond so he couldn’t tell, but the Alphas said their connection with Kat felt the same. Simply empty. None of us wanted to admit defeat but it was painfully clear we were getting nowhere. Finally Reegan and Ryan suggested we return to the packhouse to regroup and gather reinforcements. The rest of us reluctantly agreed, having no better options. “We are too far to reach the pack through mindlink, but I will call Elder Alma on our way home and ask her to contact the Fae Queen. Maybe she will know how we can find them.” Ryan offered up what seemed to be our only remaining option. Reegan nodded curtly, acknowledging his brother, but otherwise he hadn’t spoken a word in the last hour. I knew he was trying to maintain the o
A few hours earlier at the Karaoke Lounge Reegan’s POV I loved listening to Kat sing. I could still remember that first night I’d heard her beautiful voice. I was already desperately in love with her at the time but hearing her sing only enchanted me further. I’d even dreamed about the day she would sing to our children and now that dream had come true. When the emcee called her on stage, indicating it was her turn to perform, I knew what had already been a good night so far was about to get even better. Ryan and I both watched in awe as she picked up the mic and sung the first few lines in that sexy, sultry voice of hers. I stole a glance at the rest of our table to find they were all equally entranced. But as the song went on, I became more and more distracted. My eyes never left my gorgeous Luna but my mind drifted. My gut twisted nervously as the feeling that I was missing something kept growing stronger. I tried to shake it off, determined not to ruin the evening for my brothe
Sarah’s POV I quickly pushed through the door behind me and walked around the back of the building until I came to another door. As I predicted, Kat came bursting through it, nearly bowling me over in her haste. “Fuck!” She cried out when she slammed into me. “Sorry!” “What for?” My voice was hard, perturbed that she hadn’t let me in on her plan. “Are you sorry for nearly running me over or for trying to leave without me?” Before she could answer, footsteps were heard running up behind us. I turned, my claws out to attack our intruder. “Damn it Zoe! You scared the shit out of me!” I growled when she came into view. “I was ready to rip you apart. What are you doing here?” “The better question is, what are the two of you doing here?” She crossed her arms over her chest stubbornly. “It doesn’t matter, Zoe. You have to go back. Both of you do.” Kat growled at us. “You might not know it yet, but the Moon Goddess chose me as your Gamma Female. So whether you like it or not, where my
Sarah’s POV I couldn’t shake the nausea that had settled in my gut like an unwelcome houseguest. I was excited for a night out with my mates and our friends but the feeling that something bad would happen just wouldn’t leave me alone. Maybe I really did have PTSD. After the last attack, maybe I was no longer capable of believing we could celebrate together without the Dark Fae coming along to destroy our happiness. No matter what, I wouldn’t let my apprehension show on my face. We deserved an opportunity to let loose and have fun. I wasn’t about to ruin that for everyone else, especially Kat. If anyone had earned a reprieve, it was her. Determined to have a good time, I shoved all negativity aside and focused on perfecting my make-up. I hadn’t been getting much sleep or eating much lately and it was beginning to show on my face. My skin looked pale and my eyes looked tired and drawn. I had my work cut out for me. But no matter how hard I tried to divert my attention, the nausea