Clutching Cole close, I moved to the window overlooking the forest. The sun dipped low above the tree line, casting the woods in deep shadow. Another volley of furious snarls and howls erupted, too distorted by distance to determine numbers or direction. We were cut off, blind as the battle commenced just beyond sight.Were we really going to be safe? Jaw clenched, I stood vigil at the window while the sounds of violence ebbed and flowed. Cole had dozed off in my arms despite the unearthly chaos that ensued outside. I envied his peace for the nth time that day.Not long after, there was a knock on the door and behind it was a young boy, familiar yet, unfamiliar with a tray in his hands. He looked to be at least fifteen. He had sandy blond hair and electric blue eyes, just as Aspen’s but they bore no other resemblance to the Alpha except for their hair color and cold gazes. “Lunch,” the boy said distantly, waiting until I opened the door fully before he walked in. Oh, at leas
That night I lay in bed lost in thought. The image of Aspen injured haunted me, the sound of his voice, the look of his flawless olive skin. Last time I felt something like this towards the opposite sex was with Luke, and look where that left me. I knew I had to be careful, I had to stop thinking so much about him or else, history would repeat itself “When will you learn your place?!” My mother’s words reverberated in my head in the dark silence, remembering the last time I had seen her three years ago. My eyes stung but I bit my bottom lip and held back every tear that threatened to fall. I am no longer that weak girl who is unable to defend herself. I now have something to live for, to fight for and hopefully I won’t fuck it up with my own hands. My night, just like every other night since I found out about Cole's illness, was restless and I couldn’t sleep past the third hour mark. I woke up sleep deprived, head heavy and the indescribable urge to punch someone in the gut. I
No, I wasn’t going to die. Or so I tried to convince myself. Putting on a jacket to shield myself from the windy weather outside, I began contemplating if I really should’ve taken Lily up on her offer. She wanted us to leave the pack house for a while, go into a lake she said was in the woods and enjoy the breath of fresh air. I had agreed on impulse, not ready to meet the rest of Aspen’s family just yet but now that I stared at my reflection, I hesitated. I had pulled my hair up into a messy bun, glossed my lips and nothing else, I felt almost relieved that I looked like that woman I used to be as each day passed at the same time, I wished I were free to actually be happy for that. How could I be so sure that Lily wasn’t leading me into a trap? I trusted no one, not even the person nicest to me. Why was she being nice to me? While those questions ran through my mind, Lily had already fished out a jacket for Cole from the wardrobe and put it on him. “We'll go through t
I’m not sure how long I stood there, watching their retreating figures even until they’d gone out of sight. My fists were clenched tightly at my sides as I tried to rein in my emotions. I had to keep myself in check. And as unlikely as it sounded in my mind, I had to trust Lily. Or at least that to convince myself that Aspen’s family would do nothing to his son. “Right,” I said with a humorless chuckle. My gaze drifted to the colorful garden, it was breathtaking sight yet the colors seemed to have dulled now that Cole wasn’t with me. I took slow steps forward, sliding away the glass door and stepping out into the garden. The sweet scent of various flowers assailed my senses and I couldn’t help but inhale much deeper, my tensed muscles eased slightly as my eyes closed, heightening the sensation of the cold wind rippling through my clothes. Lily's clothes. I wondered how long it would take for Enzo to bring my things. Opening my eyes, I took in the sight, despite myself, I found
It didn’t stop moving towards me, not until it was only a breath away and it’s hot breath blew across my face, sending my hair back. Sweat beaded on my forehead and then slid down my neck. Seeping into my bra, it was uncomfortable but that was the least of my problems. Why wasn’t it doing anything? I let out a low shaky breath, my gaze trained on those golden-blue orbs, I was afraid—damn it!—I was scared shitless yet, I was unable to look away, the heat from its breath almost scorching my skin and my whole form shivered. I might have to fight. I might have to make an attempt at least, but there was no way in hell I would come out on top. Those eyes… The wolf didn’t make a move and after what seemed to be an eternity, it sniffed me, almost dutifully and I started, dumbfounded by its actions. Then it moved back and walked over to the lake, never sparing me another glance as it walked into the glimmering water. A shocked gasp left my throat as my feet moved towards the la
To say I was mortified by the events that occurred by the lake would be an understatement to the turmoil of emotions I’d experienced while walking side by side with Aspen, leaving the woods. He stayed silent, never speaking a word or turning in my direction once he was sure the blanket was in place and I was warm. I turned to look at his side profile discreetly, his sharp jaw tightened and flex as he looked ahead, his powerful features were a sight to behold under the faint light the trees allowed the sun to provide. We weaved through trees, not following the path I’d marked but another. Sure, he knew this place like the back of his hand because he seemed to recognize every tree and every corner we passed. Still, I felt that strange connection to the trees, being unable to keep my hands off them as we passed by. Much to my surprise, Aspen did the same. Patting each tree we passed like it was some sort of protocol. Did he feel the same thing I did? I shrugged, I guess everyone di
ASPENAndrea Wilson is a mystery to me. Sure, I’d seen her as predictable when she’d first reappeared. She came here for power, and I wasn’t going to fall for it again. Now, I was beginning doubt her predictability. First she was at the lake, no one ever comes to the lake! Not even Lily who claimed to know where it was. No one ever found their way to it, yet she did. She touched the trees and her scent…It was unlike anything I’d ever inhaled, I’m ashamed to admit that I wanted more, I wanted her little body pressed against mine, I didn’t want her leave my grasp. I was going to kiss her. Now, that was the thought that pissed me off. Why the fuck was I about to kiss her? If she hadn’t pulled back—I gritted my teeth and kept my eyes ahead, not wanting her to see just how much she affected me. I heard her shivering behind me, her teeth chattered audibly even though she was trying to make it unnoticeable. I had to get here somewhere warm. Damn it! It’s none of my busi
Aspen was looking down at me with an expression that I couldn’t fathom. Cole seemed reached eager to leave the man's arms and jump into mine the second he spotted me. Yet, Aspen didn’t move an inch, he just stared. I didn’t move either. I stood close enough to the door to hear everything that transpired in that room. His mother not wanting me to see my son. Aspen defending? Should I consider it as a defense? Still, Lily had told me he never said no to his mother, yet he brought Cole out for me. Did that mean he actually cared? I almost scoffed at the thought. Of course he didn’t! It was probably for his own interest, a reason known to him alone. “If you keep staring that way, I might have to poke your eyes out,” I heard myself mutter in a humorless tone. Yes, I was being serious. I didn’t like how being under his scrutiny made me feel. How I heated up and my core burned under his gaze. I was not in heat and even though I was. I swallow and looked away, I reached for Cole inst
ANDREA I woke up with a start. I jerked violently on the bed as I tried to gather my bearings. For a few moments, it reeked of that room, where Luke had kept me, it reeked of him and I could almost see his sinister blue eyes looking down at me, getting excited over the pain he inflicted. In a few seconds though, the haze cleared and I relaxed, realizing I was in my bedroom in the cabin. Safe. Right next to me was Cole. He was on the bed with me, his small fingers holding on to mine as he slept peacefully. I heaved a sigh of relief and my lips curled up as I watched my son sleep. Home. I gently pulled my fingers out if his grasp and caressed his hair gently as I watched his little chest rise and fall. We were safe. We were home. I looked around the room, feeling a it disappointed when I saw we were both alone. Aspen must be busy. I inhaled deeply once more, checking the state of my body. I seemed to be healing at a rather rapid pace but not fast enough, it stil
ASPENI gently brushed the messy strands of hair from Andrea’s face, my insides burning with anger as I took in the fading bruises and marks covering her delicate skin. My beautiful, strong mate, so tough yet almost broken by the horrible cruelty we had barely rescued her from.From my spoiled nephew who my mother had raised to be greedy and raised to hate everything that I am. The memory alone of finding her in that hellish basement cell, battered and almost dead…it made my blood boil with rage. If Enzo hadn’t held me back and reminded me she was more important, I might have torn the twitching remains of Luke limb from limb with my bare hands. Luke. Just thinking his name ignited a fresh wave of hatred and disgust towards the misguided kid who was once family. To think he had also dared lay his twisted hands on my mate…the idea was unforgivable. And he will pay for it. For every scratch, every bruise. Andrea’s breathing became slow and even as my fingertips stroked her brow soo
Countless emotions rushed through me as my eyes took in the sight that was in front of me. The cozy cabin’s living room came into view. The scent of fresh-brewed coffee mingling with the scent of breakfast, it made my stomach churn as I had no appetite for anything. There, in the middle where the coffee table was, sat Enzo and Lily, both watching with indulged grins as Cole enthusiastically showed off his prowess at a children’s board game, sweeping aside the pieces with gleeful abandon. Not a single hair was out of place on my beautiful son’s curls, not a mark or blemish on his beaming little face beyond the rosy flush of his excitement. He was safe. Whole. The relief I felt was so great my knees almost gave way. “My baby,” I breathed out in a shaky whisper. At the sound of my voice, three pairs of eyes swiveled in the direction of the staircase, taking in the sight of Aspen holding my admittedly worse-for-wear form. Enzo was the first to rise, hands held out in a placating mann
Everything hurt despite me being at peace. I’d honestly thought I wouldn’t feel anything once I was dead. Why did I still feel? A feeling of grogginess overshadowed my thoughts and I became painfully aware of my whole body as I stirred and clawed my way out of unconsciousness. My whole body felt heavy and my chest felt constricted yet, I could tell I was somewhere safe. I was laying in a deliciously soft bed, the kind of plush comfort I’d missed dearly. The crisp scent of freshly washed linens intermingled with the woodsy, piney aroma that could only belong to one place, my cozy little cabin back at Aspen’s pack. Confusion flooded my senses. Wait…how did I end up here? My brain felt foggy until the memories came crashing back like a violent wave. Luke’s sadistic torment, the crushing certainty that I would never see my precious Cole or family again, the terrifying descent into blackness. But then, cutting through it all…Aspen’s intoxicating scent had washed over me. That earthy
Luke paused mid-swing, chest heaving with the exertion of his hits as his nostrils flared. "Your bastard? Don't fret, my most capable wolves are out watching him. But once he's been...properly raised under my guidance, you needn't concern yourself with the affairs of children any longer," Like said, sounding proud like he was doing me a favor. The images his words stirred in my mind caused me to cry out, a deep, anguish filled cry at the thought of my precious boy suffering at the hands of such a sadistic bastard. The sight of my tears seemed to invite him even more, his expression turned into one of animalistic excitement as he continued his assault, cursing repeatedly as he made each hit. My throat became clogged up with blood, my eyes almost swollen shut, my lungs burned and I couldn’t see anything I could not thinks or feel, all that remained was pain. Blood, my blood, painted the walls in thick runnels with each strike that landed. Still I remained stubbornly defiant in my
A throbbing pain pounded incessantly behind my eyes as consciousness grudgingly slipped through, my mind clearing and my body becoming aware of its state. My head lolled listlessly to the side, cheek grinding against the rough, unforgiving concrete beneath me, I could barely hold up my head. As my fuzzy vision gradually cleared, a new kind of pain blossomed in my chest, the sickening realization that I was chained and spread in what appeared to be some dank, long-forgotten basement cell. "Awake at last, are we my little alpha?" A deep, sneering voice like poisoned honey reached my ears.Luke's hulking form stepped into my rapidly clearing field of view, his lips twisted into a smug sneer of victory. Revulsion and hatred churned in the pit of my roiling stomach at the sight of the vicious gashes I'd managed to inflict on his cheek now scabbed over. An injury from an alpha would never close up, it gave me even greater satisfaction to see how easily he looked like what he was on the i
The heavy silence hung in the air like a suffocating blanket after Theo's passing. Tears streamed down Maria's face as she clutched her dead mate's limp hand, her body shaking with sobs. Viktor looked shell-shocked, staring blankly ahead, his usual stoic expression cracked by raw grief. I pulled Cole tighter against my chest, his small frame trembling from fear and the effort of his earlier wails. My own tears flowed freely as the devastating loss hit me in waves. Despite barely knowing him, Theo's dying words echoed through my mind, his belief in me, A profound sense of both peace responsibility settled on my shoulders.The doctor and Viktor lifted Theo's now cold body from the ground and lay him down on the bed and then the doctor covered Theo's body with a white sheet, his head bowed in somber silence. Just then, heavy foot steps sounded above us. We all tensed, braced for another attack in our fragile state.The door burst open and a large figure strode in, it was Luke, Theo's
The dining table soon turned rather chaotic as Theo's hacking only worsened by the second, his face turned blue and purple his lips became drained of colors they were as white as snow and everything was a symptom of poisoning. Damien held his father close while he shouted orders put to the maids to go get the pack doctors. I could hear just how fast my heart was beating, how the blood fished in my ears and made them ring. Through it all, Theo’s eyes somehow remained locked onto mine even as they started to glass over with sheer, anguished struggle. An eerie sense of acceptance seemed to emanate from their glassy depths, as if he knew…No. I shook my head. Before that unthinkable notion could fully take shape, a series of thunderous booms shook the foundations beneath our feet. Dishes clattered from the table as the heavy wooden chairs skittered across the stone floor, creating more chaos and confusion.I lost my balance and almost fell face first on the floor. “What the fuc
“Maria,” Theo’s low rumble brooked no argument from the corner where he loomed beside Damien and Viktor the two stony-faced brothers pointedly disincluding themselves from the impromptu family scene.I didn’t blame them, I tried my best to push their chilly attitudes to the back of my mind. If I can handle Aspen, I can definitely handle them. Laughing lightly, Maria rose and dusted off her apron with familiar fondness. “Yes, yes, you’re quite right. We’d best get dinner underway before someone’s stomach starts growling us all into submission,” she teased with an amused glint in her eyes. Beckoning me forward, she looped an arm through the crook of mine as if we were lifelong friend. “Come along, dear, and we’ll get you and the little one settled at the table. I want to hear all about your journey here,” she said, her voice filled with genuine curiosity. I wish I could say I was used to things not happening as I expected them to but quite frankly, I was taken aback by how easi