CHASE I remember everything. It would be a hell of a lot easier if I didnโt, because then I wouldnโt know what put that wounded look in Viennaโs eyes when she left this morning. She ran out of here quickly, but not before I saw the flicker of hurt behind those big brown eyes that immediately made me feel like shit. Why the fuck did I have to go running my mouth last night? It came out like word vomit at the time, but in the light of day, I couldnโt cop to my slip-up. Not to her, and not to myself. Itโs easier to pretend like it never happened than to actually face what that admission might mean; that Vienna Vega has well and truly gotten under my skin. I passed out for another two hours before pulling my sorry ass out of bed and into the shower, knowing what I have to do but dreading it all the same. By the time I get dressed and walk downstairs, I can already hear the sound of Fallonโs laughter coming from my dadโs office. My feet are heavy as I head in that direction, and the cl
VIENNA The lodge bar is a madhouse on Saturday nights- between the guests that are here for a weekend stay and the week-long guests that are enjoying their last night before checking out tomorrow, everyone seems to have a reason to celebrate while I barely get a moment to breathe. My feet are aching, my work shoes are rubbing against my heels uncomfortably, and I didnโt get near enough sleep last night prior to pulling a double shift. After Chaseโs drunken declaration, my mind just wouldnโt shut offโฆ and damnit, I found myself feeling way too comfortable in his bed, in his arms, which only led to more intrusive thoughts. I shouldโve known Chaseโs inebriated confessions wouldnโt see the light of day, but his snub this morning hurt just the same. I wish it didnโt. I wish Chaseโs stupidly sexy, dimpled smile didnโt take my knees out from under me every time he turned it my way. I wish his touch didnโt set my body ablaze, and I wish I didnโt crave it like I do. I wish heโd man up and adm
CHASEViennaโs tits are fucking perfect. My fingers sink into the pliant flesh, squeezing them beneath my palms as she rocks her hips against mine. My hands are bigger than most, and everything about her is small compared to me, but not those tits- theyโre a perfect fit. Her smooth thighs slide up to my waist, legs wrapping tightly around my torso as her fingernails dig crescents into my shoulder blades. The girl is a scratcher- and a hair puller, and a biter- but damnit if those things donโt drive me fucking wild. Paired with the fire in her eyes, Iโm a goner every time.She spent the night again. That makes four nights in a row now, but hey, whoโs counting? Few girls have ever spent a single night in my bed, let alone more than one, and only because I was too blitzed out of my mind on whiskey or weed to kick them to the curb before I passed out. That in itself should tell me that Viennaโs different, but that would require me to actually acknowledge whatโs going on between us, and Iโ
VIENNA โThere you are!โ Nessa chirps as I cross the threshold into the bedroom Iโve been sharing with her and her younger sister. Sheโs bent at the waist, stuffing clothes into an overflowing laundry basket on the floor. Hauling the basket up into her arms, she turns toward me with a coy smile dancing across her lips. โI was wondering when you were gonnaโฆโ Nessaโs voice trails off as her eyes meet mine, her smile falling. โWhatโs wrong?โ I shake my head, looking away as I unzip my jacket and shrug it off my shoulders. โI donโt wanna talk about it.โ After storming out of Chaseโs packhouse, I drove around aimlessly for an hour, getting lost on the meandering forest roads throughout the six-pack territory. I cried angry, frustrated tears for the first ten minutes, Chaseโs words replaying in my mind on an endless loop. โWhy the fuck would I want to mark YOU?โ Like Iโm so far beneath him that the thought of marking me, claiming me, is unfathomable. Like Iโm nothing more than dirt under
CHASE โIโm coming!โ I groan, dragging my feet as I shuffle to the front door of the packhouse. The person on the other side is pounding on it incessantly, and Iโm tempted to pound my own fists into whoever it is once I get the damn thing open. I had a rough fucking day yesterday followed by barely any sleep last night, and if this relentless knocking is anything to go by, today is already shaping up to be just as shitty. I wrap my hand around the knob, turning it and yanking the door open with more force than necessary, a frustrated sigh escaping my lips. โWhat do you want?โ I growl out, my body going rigid when my eyes drop to the small girl on the other side. Soft dark hair, big brown eyes, and a deep scowl twisting those pouty lips. My little devil in the flesh. She cocks out a hip and throws a hand on it, extending the other toward me, palm-up. โMy phone.โ Iโm frozen in place, my brain struggling to process the fact that Viennaโs really standing here in front of me right now.
CHASEโWhat happened to your face, bro?โ Alec snickers as he climbs out of his truck, taking in the state of my still-reddened mug. The blisters have already healed, but some evidence of the coffee assault remains, my shifter healing working overtime to repair the damage.โDonโt go there,โ Cal chuckles, shooting me a smug smirk as he slides out of the back seat of my Ford Raptor, parked alongside Alec and Dareโs truck at the lodge. He reaches back in to grab our bags of snowboard gear, hauling them out. โHe got into it with his girl this morning and heโs still salty as fuck.โโAm not,โ I snap, snatching my bag from Cal and leveling him with a glare.โVienna?โ Miles probes, popping up from around the other side of the neighboring truck. His eyebrows shoot up to his hairline. โYou two official now?โCal claps me on the shoulder, flashing a toothy grin. โOur boy got himself a girlfriend.โI shrug his hand off my shoulder and shoot him a scowl. โKnock it off, Cal,โ I grumble, striding aro
VIENNA The harsh fluorescent lighting assaults my eyes as I work to blink them open, prying my sticky eyelashes apart. The pain registers immediately. Itโs a deep ache thatโs spread all over, taking root in my muscles and bones, consuming the entirety of my body in a dull throb. Iโm in the infirmary at the squad complex. I vaguely remember being brought here, but all I have are scattered flashes of memory. The panic as I pressed the brake pedal to the floor and was met with no resistance. The curve that I took too fast because I couldnโt slow down. The thick trees rushing at me and the deafening crunch of metal and glass as my car made impact. I remember seeing Casey and Davis, two squad fighters that I became friendly with when I was at summer training camp. Iโm not sure how much time passed between the accident and their arrival, just that I tried and failed to get the door open and required their help to get out. They mustโve just happened upon the accident, and good thing they d
VIENNAโWhat else do you need?โ Chase asks, setting a Gatorade and a bottle of water on the nightstand beside his bed. โYou hungry at all? The fridge was just stocked, or I could run out and grab something.โI feel like Iโm in the fucking twilight zone right now; like some alien body-snatched Chase Walker and is living in his skin. Nessa wasnโt thrilled with my decision to go home with Chase, but when faced with the choice of crashing on that futon mattress on her bedroom floor or Chaseโs plush, king-sized bed, my aching body implored me to choose comfort. That, and this sweet, caring version of Chase is one I could get used to. Maybe heโs just taking advantage of my vulnerability, but I donโt have it in me to fight him right now.โYou know what Iโd really like?โ I murmur, glancing at my reflection in the mirror above his dresser. I raise a hand to my temple, scraping dried blood from my skin with my fingernails. I feel gross, I look gross, and Iโve eyed that giant porcelain soaker tu
VIENNA*****************18 years after that*******************โMaddโs an asshole for making me go through summer training camp,โ Seb grumbles from the back seat of the truck as we pull into the parking lot of the squad complex.I turn to peer back at my sulking boy, a deep scowl etched on his handsome face and his muscular forearms folded tightly across his chest. โAw, cโmon. Itโs only fair. I had to go through it once too, ya know.โ I flash him a smile of encouragement, but it does nothing to lighten his mood. โHey, at least youโre better prepared than I wasโฆโโItโs still bullshit,โ Seb snaps, fisting a hand in his hair and tugging the strands, a gesture that reminds me so much of his father. Heโs the spitting image of Chase when he was that age- the same dark eyes, sharp jaw, and arrogant swagger.Chase heaves a sigh as he pulls the truck into a parking spot, his eyes flickering up to the rear-view mirror to gaze back at our son. โEnough with the attitude, Seb,โ he warns, levelin
CHASE **************Five Years Later **************** โHey, take it easy!โ I growl out as Fallon and Grayโs twins race past me, nearly knocking the tray of burgers out of my hands. โSorry, Uncle Chase!โ their daughter calls over her shoulder, though she doesnโt slow down in her pursuit of her brother as he weaves between the people gathered on the back lawn of the packhouse, darting around them in an effort to escape her. He almost succeeds, too, until Brock and Astridโs daughter, Sloane, jumps between her parents to block his path, her curly hair bouncing and a mischievous grin stretching her lips. โYouโre it!โ Avery declares triumphantly, catching up to her twin brother before he can alter his course and tagging him on the shoulder. Maddox blows out a frustrated sigh and folds his arms over his chest, scowling at Sloane for trapping him and allowing his sister to get the upper hand. โNot fair, you girls cheated.โ โCatch me if you can, Madd,โ Sloane coos, turning on a heel and
VIENNA ***************** Three Weeks Later ******************* โIโll head back first,โ I breathe, yanking my jeans up my hips and fastening the button. My legs are still a little shaky and thereโs a delicious ache between them from being thoroughly fucked by my mate. In the woods. With our friends within shouting distance over at the bonfire pit. I doubt they heard us- Chase turned up the volume on the portable speaker before he followed me out here under the guise of taking a piss and held his hand over my mouth to muffle my scream when I came- but if we go strolling back there together, everyone will immediately guess what weโve been getting up to out here and the relentless teasing will ensue. Not that Iโm embarrassed about hooking up with Chase. I mean, heโs hot as fuck- who wouldnโt tap that? Of course, thatโs a rhetorical question, because heโs all mine. My goddamn soulmate. Iโm the luckiest bitch alive. Even so, his buddies love to give us shit about going at it like
CHASE My entire pack is keyed up, itching to shift and waiting for me to lead the charge. Articles of clothing litter the back lawn of the packhouse as theyโre stripped from bodies and flung away, the energy among the gathered crowd palpable. Tonight will be my first time leading the full moon run as our packโs Alpha; ushering in a new era for us all now that Iโve finally stepped up to claim my place. Once my wolf came in, I was always second to run as the alphaโs son. Following my dadโs death, Rob was the one to lead the full moon run as the next highest-ranking member of our pack, and I remained second. Tonight, and every full moon after this while Iโm Alpha, Iโll be the first to shift; the first to howl to invite the others to join, and the first to carve a path through the woods for the rest of the pack to follow. The only downside to being the first to shift tonight is that Iโll be long gone before Vienna gets the opportunity to do the same. Since sheโs not technically part of
ViennaโLookinโ good, Tink,โ Chase croons, throwing me a wink as he walks into the bedroom.I spin away from the mirror as he approaches, pushing up on my tiptoes to meet him as he dips his head down to lay a kiss on my lips. Sparks crackle between us and heat pools between my thighs, but the dull hum of the crowd gathering downstairs deters me from taking things further and I reluctantly pull away, breathless as I stare up into the eyes of my dark prince.โYou clean up pretty well yourself, Alpha,โ I tease, taking a step back and giving him a once-over, grinning in approval. In honor of his Alpha induction tonight, Rob urged him to ditch his classic hoodie and jeans ensemble for a cleaner look; a black button-up shirt and a pair of slacks. The sleeves of his dress shirt are rolled up to the elbows and his hair is deliciously mussed, so even with the nice clothes heโs still rocking that James Dean devil-may-care look that makes me weak.I shiver under the intensity of his gaze as his
CHASEBy the time we make it back to the packhouse, Vienna is still drifting in and out of consciousness. Sheโs lucid enough for me to get her into the shower, and I hold her under the spray and wash every drop of blood from her skin before toweling her off, bandaging her stomach, and tucking her into bed. I fall asleep holding her, afraid that if I let her go, sheโll disappear. The warmth of her skin against mine grounds me, reminding me that this isnโt all a dream- sheโs safe. We made it. And Iโm never letting her go again.I fall into a deep, dreamless sleep with my girl in my arms, and when I wake to the sound of voices downstairs more than twelve hours later, sheโs still crashed out. I carefully climb out of bed and slip into a pair of navy sweatpants, padding out of the room and down the hall on bare feet. Early morning sunlight filters in through the windows in the rear of the packhouse as I descend the stairs, my gaze falling upon Gray and the other alphas standing in the kitc
VIENNAChase is staring at this rogue like heโs just seen a damn ghost, a name leaving his lips on a whisper.โDaniel?โOkay, who the fuck is Daniel and why is he holding me at gunpoint? I always knew falling for Chase Walker was dangerous, but I never thought itโd actually be lethal. The barrel of the gun is still pressed to my temple and with each passing second, itโs becoming more difficult to fight back the unease clawing at my chest in response. This gun is way too close for comfort and itโs a safe bet that the maniac wielding it has a twitchy trigger finger. Iโm so fucked.Iโve thought about my own death before. Itโs only natural; especially after losing a parent at such a tender age. Before my dad died, I didnโt think much about my own death, but after I lost him and realized that you never know when your numberโs up, there was a period of time where I obsessed over it. I wondered when death would come for me and how Iโd go out- whether it would be in a blaze of glory or as a r
CHASE I throw up a prayer to fate that Iโm not too late when I arrive at the cabin, fueled by adrenaline and fear as I tumble out of my truck and race for the front door. Please donโt let her die. If she dies here, I may as well die too, because I wonโt survive losing her. My gaze catches on the number 12 carved crudely into the post beside the front door, the numbers practically mocking me as that chant starts in my brain again. โCabin 12. Come alone or she dies.โ Well asshole, I came alone, so sheโd better be aliveโฆ My heartโs in my throat as I wrap my hand around the knob and push, the door swinging open to reveal the interior of the cabin. As soon as it comes into view, the click of a gunโs hammer steals my breath and my eyes collide with Viennaโs. Sheโs bound to a chair, just as she was in the picture, and thereโs a man standing behind her, hovering over her with a filthy hand wound in her hair yanking her head back. Heโs got a gun in his other hand, the barrel pressed tig
CHASE โHow do you want me?โ Vienna purrs, crawling toward me on the bed in a lacy black matching bra and panty set. Her hooded, lust-filled gaze meets mine and she dips her head down to lick her tongue across my abs, sending a shiver skating down my spine. โAny way you want it, baby,โ I growl, burying a hand in her soft-as-fuck hair and tugging on the strands as she continues trailing her tongue along the dips and curves of my muscles. โHmmโฆโ Vienna rocks back to sit up on her heels, tilting her head coyly and putting a finger to her chin in thought. Then she smirks to herself, turning away from me and tossing a leg over my body, climbing over to straddle my waist with her back to me. I grab a handful of her pretty little ass in each palm as she rises up on her knees to line her center up over my cock, slipping her panties to the side and slowly lowering herself onto my throbbing hard-on. โFuuuuuck,โ I choke out as I sink into her wet heat, my fingertips digging into her ass cheek