Sleep came easy, but rest was unrelenting.
As soon as my eyes closed I was tormented by images of shadows draping themselves sickeningly across the swells of Stay's landing. Their menacing black grip grasped at our buildings, dragging them from the light and into the clutches of a ravenous night.
Truth be told, I had expected the nightmares to come. I had expected the feeling of ice in my veins, of panic and cold sweats and fear as I lie between sleep and waking. In a way this prepared me for the mania that would come, the fear that would undoubtedly paralyse me where I stood.
The shadows slunk along the stone pathways of my home, hissing as they slithered like indiscernible snakes around the structures of town. They singed the ground beneath them, the air around them growing thick and warm as the world burned. I felt myself gasping for air as the embers in the shadow's wake begain to flutter as the flames caught. Smoke was billowing all aro
Rhodes drew in a sharp breath, almost a gasp. We stared at each other, in disbelief, drinking the moment. I felt myself being drawn to him, as if a thread was holding us together, pulling us nearer. The only thing I could see were his amber eyes, boring into mine, I swear I could hear the thump of our hearts beating in time, could feel the blood pulsating through my veins. It’s as if the whole world fell away and there was only him.“Come with me.” Rhodes said gruffly, “Now.” His eyes darkened and his voice was rough, he wrapped his calloused hand around my wrist, sparks emanating from his palm as he gently pulled me through the pack house corridors and towards his bedroom.Once we were alone he turned to me,“Is it? Are you…&rd
The Pack House's Great Hall was a room rarely used. It was reserved for tactical meetings and the occasional party, but I couldn't remember the last time the wide oak doors were swung open, the room aired out and the curtains drawn. With all of our warriors and the visiting help we found ourselves with way too many ranks for any other room, so here we stood.I timed my entrance, not wanting to walk in with Rhodes, knowing I couldn't stop myself from standing too close, his scent intoxicating and the invisible strings tied around our souls straining to pull us back together. I was only a few feet away from him and yet I missed him. I yearned to be next to him, buried safe in his arms and drunk with love and comfort. But being with him had to wait. As blurred as our minds both were with the confirmation of our hunch, there were more important tasks at hand.I stepped over the threshhold, my eyes taking in the rows and rows of brave men and women we had gather
As the strategy meeting came to a close and we all retreated to our preparation points I felt the calloused hand of Jonas meet my elbow, his low whisper in my ear."Alpha's chambers, now."His voice was gruff and bone chilling, the fear lingered on the back of my neck as I swallowed it down. Funny how I was not afraid of the battle ahead, but the scolding tone of my own packmate sent my senses into a fight or flight frenzy.As we walked through the wooden corridor towards the office I could pick up the residual hints of my mate's scent wafting in the air. Somehow that reminder of him, that hint of his once-before closeness worked magic in calming my nerves. Seeing his towering, chiseled frame as we broke the threshhold of his office even more so. His back was turned, he'd clearly been pacing, but the crease of his furrowed brow softened as our eyes met.This miniscule act of intimacy was enough to send Jonas back into a rage. His low, ne
The rest of the day milled on, dry and aching as I felt out in the space for my mate. I wanted nothing more than to be with him, surrounded by him and the electric heat that closed the space between us. I so longed for him, but the turmoil of my body and mind were not in harmony. Inwardly my thoughts were muddled, painful. Normally I would turn to my mom in times like these. I would spill my fears over her perfectly cooked eggs at the counter in our little cottage, the hot coffee and morning sunbeams washing away my dread. I thought now to the charred walls and burnt memories, our cottage another ruin in the wasteland my land has become. Even my beloved dock, steadfast and strong as it was, had become much to dangerous for me to sit alone and work through my maze of thoughts. I felt so alone under the weight of my life. What a way to spend your birthday. I thought of my friends, how I so desperately wanted to let them in and to celebrate. I had found my mate! He loved me too! I
The pier on the edge of Stay’s Landing was the only place in town I had ever known true peace.If I had known what the winter would bring I would have spent more time out on this pie
The story of my namesake always made me feel warm inside, and it made me love my hair early. I was the only person in all of Stay’s landing with red hair, which could have so easily been a curse. It was long, curly and wild- it often took ages to do anything more than a simple bun or braid, but the curls helped make it look a little more put together. I smiled inwardly as I gazed at my locks in the mirror, quickly snapping out of my trance and pulling them back in a thick braid out of my face. I quickly brushed my teeth, washing the stale coffee aftertaste away with the cool mint. I dabbed some chapstick on my dry lips and swept some mascara over my long eyelashes. I was lucky t
My legs burned with each pedal, but I relished in what was left of the summer air. It was September now, and the heat would only last a few more weeks before the dull of fall would set in, chilling the air and dampening the sun. My legs had gotten strong, a mix between the midnight runs I took with Sage and the many years of biking and hiking the Stay’s Landing hillside. Mom and I only took the car out when we needed to, during torrential downpour and when the snow was too thick to traverse by pedal. I couldn’t remember the last time we’d attempted the 4-hour drive through the mountains to the city, we only did it when we needed something Stay’s could not provide, and that was rare.
I stepped out into the cool air and locked the back door behind me, once again tugging to make sure it was tightly closed. Sage was bubbling over, fighting to come forward. I resisted, first scanning to make sure the coast was clear. I ducked behind a stone wall and took off my clothes, shuddering in the cool breeze. As werewolves we were all too used to nudity, but I still tried to cover myself as I scurried to tuck my clothes in my bag, hanging it from my bike handlebars. It was one thing to catch a glimpse of someone in the woods, post patrol and slipping something on. It was another to see them in the buff behind the libra
The rest of the day milled on, dry and aching as I felt out in the space for my mate. I wanted nothing more than to be with him, surrounded by him and the electric heat that closed the space between us. I so longed for him, but the turmoil of my body and mind were not in harmony. Inwardly my thoughts were muddled, painful. Normally I would turn to my mom in times like these. I would spill my fears over her perfectly cooked eggs at the counter in our little cottage, the hot coffee and morning sunbeams washing away my dread. I thought now to the charred walls and burnt memories, our cottage another ruin in the wasteland my land has become. Even my beloved dock, steadfast and strong as it was, had become much to dangerous for me to sit alone and work through my maze of thoughts. I felt so alone under the weight of my life. What a way to spend your birthday. I thought of my friends, how I so desperately wanted to let them in and to celebrate. I had found my mate! He loved me too! I
As the strategy meeting came to a close and we all retreated to our preparation points I felt the calloused hand of Jonas meet my elbow, his low whisper in my ear."Alpha's chambers, now."His voice was gruff and bone chilling, the fear lingered on the back of my neck as I swallowed it down. Funny how I was not afraid of the battle ahead, but the scolding tone of my own packmate sent my senses into a fight or flight frenzy.As we walked through the wooden corridor towards the office I could pick up the residual hints of my mate's scent wafting in the air. Somehow that reminder of him, that hint of his once-before closeness worked magic in calming my nerves. Seeing his towering, chiseled frame as we broke the threshhold of his office even more so. His back was turned, he'd clearly been pacing, but the crease of his furrowed brow softened as our eyes met.This miniscule act of intimacy was enough to send Jonas back into a rage. His low, ne
The Pack House's Great Hall was a room rarely used. It was reserved for tactical meetings and the occasional party, but I couldn't remember the last time the wide oak doors were swung open, the room aired out and the curtains drawn. With all of our warriors and the visiting help we found ourselves with way too many ranks for any other room, so here we stood.I timed my entrance, not wanting to walk in with Rhodes, knowing I couldn't stop myself from standing too close, his scent intoxicating and the invisible strings tied around our souls straining to pull us back together. I was only a few feet away from him and yet I missed him. I yearned to be next to him, buried safe in his arms and drunk with love and comfort. But being with him had to wait. As blurred as our minds both were with the confirmation of our hunch, there were more important tasks at hand.I stepped over the threshhold, my eyes taking in the rows and rows of brave men and women we had gather
Rhodes drew in a sharp breath, almost a gasp. We stared at each other, in disbelief, drinking the moment. I felt myself being drawn to him, as if a thread was holding us together, pulling us nearer. The only thing I could see were his amber eyes, boring into mine, I swear I could hear the thump of our hearts beating in time, could feel the blood pulsating through my veins. It’s as if the whole world fell away and there was only him.“Come with me.” Rhodes said gruffly, “Now.” His eyes darkened and his voice was rough, he wrapped his calloused hand around my wrist, sparks emanating from his palm as he gently pulled me through the pack house corridors and towards his bedroom.Once we were alone he turned to me,“Is it? Are you…&rd
Sleep came easy, but rest was unrelenting. As soon as my eyes closed I was tormented by images of shadows draping themselves sickeningly across the swells of Stay's landing. Their menacing black grip grasped at our buildings, dragging them from the light and into the clutches of a ravenous night. Truth be told, I had expected the nightmares to come. I had expected the feeling of ice in my veins, of panic and cold sweats and fear as I lie between sleep and waking. In a way this prepared me for the mania that would come, the fear that would undoubtedly paralyse me where I stood. The shadows slunk along the stone pathways of my home, hissing as they slithered like indiscernible snakes around the structures of town. They singed the ground beneath them, the air around them growing thick and warm as the world burned. I felt myself gasping for air as the embers in the shadow's wake begain to flutter as the flames caught. Smoke was billowing all aro
Torrance’s bedroom was already emptier than I had expected. She’d gone ahead and wrestled all of her summer clothes, every tank top and sparkly sandal shoved into trunks and boxes. Her round, bubbly handwriting decorated the sides, little hearts dotting the i’s and swirling underlines cementing in that she was really leaving.“Don’t look so sad, Red. I’ll be back to visit!” She said, sticking out her bottom lip as she hugged me into her.“I can’t help it,” I said, trying to make my tone sound light even though it was weighed down with merciless grief, “you’re my best friend and you’re leaving me.”“I’m going with my mate!”“Why couldn’t you have mated with an orphan with no responsibilities that loves mountains? Maybe a geologist. A geologist would be happy here.”Torrance only rolled her eyes at my antics, her sparkling grin both
The next two weeks were here and gone in a blur, between training and studying and battening down the hatches I began to know myself in a whole new level of exhaustion. Muscles I didn't even know existed ached, I loaded up on more carbs than I even thought possible, I pushed myself past the limit and past the next one too. Even Sage, deep within me, panted for a rest.The promised week of rest could not come faster, I yearned for the days of easy patrol runs and light agility training. I hadn't run for leisure in weeks, and the feeling was sorely missed. I felt a lot of myself slipping. I hadn't been back to my pier since the day my mother left. I hadn't run for myself, I hadn't read a piece of broken poetry or breathed in the calming sense of nature. It felt like an eternity since I paused and felt the earth under my feet, since I felt the swimming thoughts in my mind clear. I felt like I was but a blur.Rhodes had pulled away, too, the pressure of the imp
I was no stranger to the falsified sense of peace that had graced our dinner table the evening before. Everything and everyone I loved shared in the final meal, my mother to my right and Alpha Rhodes seated at the head of the table to my left. Torrance and her newfound mate were cuddled up, sharing in hushed whispers as they got to know one another. Her parents looked on adoringly, and laughter and warmth radiated across the room. I was all but haunted by my conversation with Clarice, the promise of a new and unfamiliar future on the horizon. When morning came, everything would change.As the dawning light crept in the Alpha and I sighed. Neither of us had slept a wink, but we hadn’t shared a word either. It was as if we were both in denial of what was to come. As the frost settled and the cold winter air whipped around the pack house, the haunting whistles made soundtrack to our somber morning. We worked in tandem, handing each other
"Mate."Torrance replied, stepping out from behind me, her breathing heavy. They drifted towards each other weightlessly, almost as if on autopilot, They glided into one another's arms, holding each other at the elbows. Their conversation was hushed, in whispers, as the familiarity of their souls called out to their mate.Leona sighed, and I looked back at her beaming smile, her eyes brimming with tears and pride as she watched her daughter meeting her other half. I beamed, squeezing the Alpha's hand in excitement as I watched my best friend accept her new role. The daughter of a Beta now the mate of another. A Goddess perfect pairing.Moments passed, no one dare interrupt the fate's meeting. The duo seemed to hold the same regard for public forum, however, and they pulled apart to let the official meeting commence. Torrance stood nervously close to her new mate, their arms touching as she let the Alpha speak."Well! Even more now than b