*MacKenzie*”I’m sorry, but it was unavoidable, and the prick asked for it himself.” Conrad apologized a million times as we rode back to my cottage in his car.I hummed, gazing over the window at the darkening sky above the mountains. I wanted to cry, scream, or hit something. I wanted to do something to eliminate that tension in my body, but none of the above seemed right or enough to help me.”I slapped him. I struck him.” I whispered, grazing my thumb over the slightly swollen palm."He deserved more. The things he said,” He paused for a minute and took a deep breath. "A true friend would never be so rude, even if his heart was broken. So, trust me, he deserved more than a slap. If it were me, I would tear his throat out and watch him bleed out on that wooden floor.”I turned my head to look at Conrad. His words were harsh and unimaginable, but his expression was calm and collected as if what he said was nothing out of the ordinary. I stared at his profile and analyzed the words R
*MacKenzie*”Will you please stop staring at me? It’s not only rube but also disturbing. I can’t focus on my work.” I sighed for the umpteenth time as I felt all the eyes on me.”You can ask, you know?” I reminded them as I rolled the last cinnamon roll and put it on the tray.I turned around and caught all the employees peeking at me. Not only Mrs. Kringle, Annie, and Thomas, the pastry cook, were openly staring, but our driver, a flour supplier, and even the accountant suddenly decided to meet with Mrs. Kringle.I leaned my hip against the edge of the table, crossed my arms over my chest, and raised my eyebrows in a challenging manner. When Conrad addressed the crowd yesterday, I knew my workplace would turn into a zoo. And the main attraction would be me.”It’s just that. Wow. Is that true? Are you our Luna?” Annie stepped forward, unsurely fidgeting with her fingers.”We’re taking things slow, but yes. I am Conrad’s mate.” I confirmed and uncrossed my arms.I looked at everyone in
*Conrad*I watched them walk, talking like chatterboxes, laughing, smiling, almost bouncing on their heels. Just by looking at these sugary faces, I wanted to vomit. I knew my Mother, and I tried to steal MacKenzie before she could approach her, but unfortunately, she was faster. I was left with hopes that she would release my mate until dinner.”Why such a sour face, pretty boy? It would be best if you were happy that your mother and girlfriend get along so well. Not to mention that she probably likes her more than she likes you.” Caris patted me on my shoulder mockingly.I sent her my best annoyed face, hoping it would shut her up and make her leave. And it did, but not before she gave me a few more comments about my Mother stealing my girl. I wanted to growl at her but knew it would not work. Although her bear, Tanga, reacted instinctively to her superiors, she was quite a rebellious girl, and she let me know it more than once.”I’ll be in the hospital wing. She better get Kenzi ba
*Conrad*She’s nothing but an abomination that should rot in hell. I hope she’ll die as her mother, unwanted, unloved, and undeveloped.Those words rang like a broken record as I watched my Starfish twirling on the dancefloor with young pups. She looked carefree, beautiful, and unaware of the evil behind our borders, waiting to catch her in their claws.I smiled at her when our eyes met, and she beamed at me while holding hands with the youngest, dancing to another song specially commissioned for the Luna. I sipped my wine lazily, trying to relax, focus, and not let Rip berserk and tear the room due to his rage.My visit with Leon turned out to be a successful one. Thanks to Dr. Vera's great care and MacKenzie's magical currents constantly circulating in his body, Kit could come forward and speak with Miles, Chase, and me, and thanks to that, we have learned much more about our enemy than Leon remembered.Kit shared with us all the information he recorded from capture to release. He t
*MacKenzie*I didn't know how to react. My common sense told me to hide behind Conrad, but my curiosity told me to feast my eyes on that gorgeous man for as long as it was allowed. And I just did that, waiting for the two best friends to catch up before I stepped forward. The entire day was full of surprises. First, Claire practically kidnapped me from the bakery and dragged me to her place to gush over the fantastic news about my relationship with her son. Secondly, she turned from a tremendous future mother-in-law to a rigorous teacher, presenting me with every possible book about being perfect Luna.Thirdly, I had to undergo a quick makeover while pretending I wasn’t exhausted after being rushed the entire day. Lastly, an unexpected guest stole the show, making him the center of attention—mainly the female part.”I am so glad I could finally meet you, Miss Allard. Conrad kept you a top secret from everyone, so I had to show up and meet you.” He stretched his hand, and I placed min
*Mackenzie*The flowers surrounded me from every side. The perfectly arranged bouquets of roses, freesia, tulips, chrysanthemums, lilies, and wildflowers were everywhere I looked. And I wasn’t even in my cottage but still at the party.Every thirty minutes, a few people walked in carrying huge vases filled with beautiful flower arrangements, placing them around my table with a short message from the sender.I’m sorryI looked at the opposite side of the room and sent my best murderous gaze towards the culprit, who sat on the bench with a gloomy face and a hanging low head. I wanted to approach him and console him, but my new friend at my left told me to make him suffer a little longer.”I can’t believe I am witnessing this.” She beamed excitedly, ”We should record it or take a picture. The ruthless killer, Rogue King, is put in the corner by his little mate. That should be written in history books. Why didn’t I bring my phone to capture this moment?” She chuckled as she gazed toward C
*MacKenzie*”Can I have this dance, Luna?”I felt a slight tap on my shoulder, and when I turned around, my eyes widened as I gazed at the tall and smiling Dragon King offering his hand. I gulped, nodded at his offer, not trusting my voice, and placed my cold hand in his hot one.”Don’t worry, I won’t bite.” He chuckled as he led me towards the dancefloor.My feet were screaming at me to get rid of my shoes, but I clenched my teeth and ignored the pain where the blisters started to form while dancing with Conrad. The party was already ending, and I was glued to Conrad’s side the entire time. He never let go of me on the dancefloor or at our table, as he kept me on his lap throughout every meal.”I please, Your Majesty, do not swirl me around. My feet are already in pain as I stand; I wish to use them tomorrow to escort me to work.” I pleaded, hopeful not to offend him with my request.He looked down at me quizzically before he lifted our joined hands, put his other hand on my back, an
*MacKenzie*”How are your feet, Mackenzie?” Maddox asked as I finished cleaning up the kitchen.”Mmm, fine. I am still sore, but the blisters are gone, and I can go to work. By the way, I start in thirty minutes, so hurry up here.” I checked the time and gasped, ”Thank you for the breakfast, Maddox. It was delicious.” I thanked him and looked at Conrad, who stood in the kitchen leaning against the fridge with his arms and ankles crossed.” You’re not going anywhere, Starfish. I linked Mrs. Kringle in the morning and told her you’d not be at the bakery today. I’m sorry for informing you like that, but there is something we need to talk about.” He pushed from the fridge and walked towards me. ”Can you sit, please? It might take a while.” He took my hand and pulled the chair for me.”Talk? What do you want to talk about? And what is he doing here?” I asked, pointing at
*Mackenzie*Fireball leaped over the log and, with a wild roar, sank her teeth into the native's shoulder, causing him to drop his ax to the ground with a groan. I stepped back, stretching my hands and summoning my flames. The natives also retreated when they saw my powers and the burning lynx, which did not hesitate to tear them to shreds."Holy shit, Starfish. You run from me again, and you won't be able to sit down for a week. Do you understand?" Conrad ran out of breath, tearing up the vines blocking his path."And you, young lady, can forget about scratching behind your ears for a month." He threatened Fireball, who reluctantly released the native and, offended, turned away from Conrad."Don't give me that shit. I'm not joking, little one." Conrad repeated, but Fireball stood unfazed."Honey, maybe it's better to focus on these people than on our punishment, ok? After all, they tried to cut me up with those axes." I pointed at the retreating people, not extinguishing my flames.Co
*Garrett*I wandered the halls, assessing what else was needed before handing the pack to the new Alpha. No one asked me to do this, but I needed to ensure everything was fixed.Caris felt obliged to meet my father and the people I grew up with, so she spent the entire day meeting them. I hope that her temperament and love of alcohol will not be perceived negatively. I love her to death, but even I got fed up with her sometimes. Ansel roared in agreement with me. Tanga could also give him a hard time from time to time.'It's just a pity you can't admit it in front of her, you coward.' I commented, knowing how meek he could be, nodding to Tanga.'It's called pampering your lady.' Ansel took offense, exhaling air through his nostrils.'Yeah, whatever makes you sleep at night, man.' I scoffed, returning to assessing our losses. "Pussy." I muttered under my breath, laughing.Ansel got angry and started growling at me, but I quickly blocked our communication, enjoying the undisturbed silen
*Conrad*I sat on the bed, staring at my bare feet. There was still dark outside; the moon gently peeked into our window, illuminating my face as I slept and waking me up at night. I sighed quietly and turned to look at my peacefully sleeping Starfish, sprawled out on the bed, taking up more than half of the mattress. I laughed under my breath. Her nickname fits her perfectly.I got up from the bed and walked around to cover Mackenzie, who had kicked the blankets out and was snoring adorably. I picked the blanket from the floor and covered her body, watching her sleep soundly, undisturbed by decisions that may affect our future.I brushed her hair out of her face and kissed her head before taking in the delicious scent of blueberry cheesecake she smelt of before I got dressed and quietly left the room for some fresh air.I was putting on a T-shirt when a woman in a messy bun, a loose T-shirt, and jeans came out from the opposite room, yawning. She stopped dead when she saw me, wonderi
*Mackenzie*I stared at Claire with a tornado of thoughts in my head. I was extremely grateful that Garrett was still holding me in his arms cause I didn‘t trust my feet. My knees almost buckled when Claire dropped that bomb suddenly."Fifty years," I mumbled, turning my gaze to Agatha.Agatha Allard. Roy's mother, my grandmother, has been dead for over fifty years.I slowly got out of Garrett's arms and cautiously approached the chest. I knelt next to her and placed my hand on the lid. I felt a strange power of attraction, as if there was something inside that belonged to me."Now, it doesn't matter whether she died half a century ago or half an hour ago. She didn't reveal anything important. Nothing except her last request to destroy that chest." I said, revealing Agatha's last words."If no one wants to take this box outside, we'll have to do it here," I announced as I slowly detached my grandmother's bony hands from the chest.Everyone gathered stared at me, wondering if they shou
*Claire*I didn't know how to feel. After over thirty years, I returned home. And even though it was no longer my home, the sentiment remained. And my heart beat faster every time I walked along a familiar path or passed a place where Levi and I spent our most precious time.Dara was in a dilemma. Although, like me, she was pleased to be back at Green Forest Pack, her heart could not forgive what happened to us here. Here in our home, everything we loved was taken away from us.'You act as if we were going to come back here. But I didn't say anything like that. Not even a thought.' I laughed when she growled at me again when I got too close to the tree swing near the school.'You don't have to say anything; I feel and hear everything. After all, I'm your smarter half.' She countered, reminding me of her importance.'Thanks for reminding me that I'm the stupidest one here. You can always count on smarty-pants.' I rolled my eyes as I left the swing and headed towards the pack house.'Yo
*Mackenzie*The day was ending, and nothing we had set out to do was ready. The wounded were still being treated. The missing people are still searched, and the dead, although there were not many of them, were waiting for their turn. We only managed to organize accommodation for over five hundred people in a banquet hall that had not been used for centuries.People asked about everything. Why did this have to happen to them? Why do they have to suffer for the sins of others, and why can't they return to their homes? I didn't know what to answer them; no one did, especially Claire, who was constantly surrounded by a group of people excited about the return of their real Luna.Even though she had a tired look, she didn't refuse anyone, even those who interrupted her meal. She always greeted everyone with a smile, kindness, and openness. And I will have to learn this from her because I avoided people like the plague.When we left the pack house and Maddox set me on my feet, Conrad relaxe
*Mackenzie*The kiss didn‘t last long, but it felt like forever. I clung to Conrad, not letting him end the kiss or our embrace. My wings fluttered playfully before fully penetrating my back, wrapping me in their soft feathers, clinging to my ribs."I guess it's over," Conrad whispered, combing my hair."I guess it's over," I confirmed, blushing after our sweet yet public display of affection.Around us, people were still confused, not knowing what to do, how to react, or what to say. I'm not surprised. Not every day you get to fight against those who want to free you. It's not every day you find out that the last decades of your life were a lie, and it's not every day you experience a fight between creatures that, according to legend, have long since existed."Why don't we clean up first and then deal with the aftermath?"Someone made a suggestion in the crowd, and hearing the multitude of unanimous cries, it must have been someone who held power."What do you say, Alpha?" The same m
*Melody*I lay semi-conscious on the cold, wet grass, staring into the empty eyes of my lover, Chase. My body wracked with sobs of despair that continued despite the pain of the completely severed bond vanishing. My body had fully processed the pain, but my soul was still mourning. My soul lost its half, my heart fell into pieces, and my mind couldn't cope with the most tremendous loss of my life."Ch-sss." I tried to say his name despite my broken jaw and howls.My poor weak wolf Isola cried mournfully for the Moon Mother to take her and reunite her with Axel. Her sense of life had just vanished, taken from her with the death of her soulmate. I didn't have the strength or desire to comfort her in her sadness because I wondered whether to ask the Moon Goddess to take me too.Despite my broken legs and arms, I tried to get closer to Chase's body and leave this world with him, embracing him until my last breath. Every inch I got closer to him hurt like hell, and every second I spent clo
*Conrad* "Now, I'll show you your failure." Esther chuckled above Mackenzie‘s head, staring intently at me, "Alpha Levi." She addressed me and dragged her nails into Mackenzie‘s neck, piercing her skin. Rip couldn't stand it, and at an alarmingly fast and excruciating pace, he shifted, tearing apart all the clothes I had on. And with a sinister roar vibrating in the air, he stood before the witch in all his glory, ready to tear her to shreds. Esther smiled even wider as if she had been waiting for this very moment. Her eyes lit up when she saw Rip, and I realized where her mad enthusiasm came from. 'She thinks we're Dad. She thinks we are Levi and King.' I noticed, and Rip growled, proud but excited to show Esther who we were. "I didn't think I'd have the opportunity to kill you twice. The first time was a pleasure. Now I'll make it historic." Despite her obviously weak body, Esther snickered, threw Mackenzie aside, and lunged at Rip. All the people gathered moved aside as Rip us