*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
*Caris*I picked the last lovage leaves and placed them in the basket. My back was killing me because of staying in one position for too long. I was no longer the youngest woman, even though my appearance might not suggest it. Being a bear shifter has advantages and several inconveniences, including painful bones.”Ahhh.” I moaned through clenched teeth as I straightened up, and my lower back cracked.”You better know what you’re doing, Claire. Helping you in those greenhouses is way more exhausting than any training with your son. I have never suffered so much my entire life.” I whined aloud.Unfortunately, I didn't receive any response. I was left alone in the greenhouse as Claire returned to her apartment to prepare her magical potion for MacKenzie. I picked up the basket and carefully walked between the flower beds towards the exit. I shook my head when I thought about this poor girl who had no idea what kind of mother-in-law she would have.”You better prepare for the woman from
*Mackenzie*Spirit.That word rang in my head constantly for the last two hours. Nothing could have prepared me for what Maddox told me. Never in my wildest dreams could I imagine such a scenario.Spirit, what does it even mean?Am I a ghost, some unknown energy floating in the air? Am I even real? I got scared suddenly. I sat in my cottage, gazing at the fireplace while Fireball lay on my lap, peacefully pouring as a stroke at red fur. Maybe he was wrong and told a complete bullshit.”You're still processing? Stop worrying. Let's wait for his return.”Connor walked in with a stack of firewood and placed it on the ground. I gave him speechless, as I had no idea how to answer.Was I processing? Yes.Was I worrying? Yes.Was I anxious for Maddox's return? Absolutely not.I was done when he mentioned celestia
*MacKenzie*I moaned into his mouth while his tongue took possession of mine. None of our previous kisses were like this one. His lips felt soft and warm, and I couldn’t stop and tasted more and more of them. Conrad tangled his fingers into my curls and tilted my head slightly, allowing him to dominate me in this position.My body was on fire, my heart was racing, and my lungs desperately screamed for the needed oxygen, yet I couldn’t stop wanting more. My hands grazed his neck and ears and locked behind his head, tugging at his hair, causing a deliciously pleased grunt from my mate.”You’re not helping, Starfish. I want to be gentle with you.” He pleaded as he nibbed at my jaw, making my breaths come out in short pants.I released his hair, tilted my head more, and slid my hands to grab his shoulders. I fisted my hand on the soft fabric, but my nails scratched his skin delicately, and he grunted warningly again.”You’re playing with fire, Mackenzie. Stop teasing me.” He warned and pu
*Mackenzie*I woke up to the sound of Fireball slurping water from her bowl. I reluctantly peeked from under my warm blanket and looked around the bedroom. My eyes were still filled with the morning sleepiness, but I was sure that the room I saw was not my bedroom. I lifted my hands, pushed away the curls that covered my eyes, and rubbed my fists to clear my vision. I blinked a few times, and my eyes met a dimming fireplace. Fireball lazily lapped up the milk while gazing at me with strange eyes. She narrowed her eyes at me momentarily before turning her head and continuing her drink, ignoring me.I pushed the cover, looked at the other side of the room, and gazed at the shreds of my clothes scattered everywhere, with a few broken flower pots and spilled soil on the floor. I gasped as I noticed the overturned chairs under the table, the tablecloth hanging carelessly from the table, and claw scratches on the wood.I widened my eyes as I tried to recall yesterday’s incident. I uncovere
*MacKenzie*I sat in the chair, looking around nervously. The dining room was filled with the beautiful intertwining smells of food, the noise of passionate conversations, and the laughter of small children. But it all suddenly stopped when Conrad and I stood in the doorway hand in hand.I knew it was terrible to show up like that at breakfast, but Conrad insisted they were dying to meet me. I tried to back out, but Conrad held my hand firmly and led me to his usual table in the middle of the room.I tried my best to look confident, but I have never dealt with so many curious eyes, let alone those judging me. My ears burnt when we reached the table, and Conrad left me alone to bring us breakfast. I clasped my hands on my lap and gazed at the wooden texture of the table decorated with freshly picked wildflowers.A dignified and loud growl came from my side, and I turned my head to see Fireball sitting on the ground, gazing at the crowd, sending them a death glare and a warning growl. I
*Conrad*I muffled the chuckle that threatened to escape my throat and gazed at my embarrassed mate, trying to hold herself together. She paled at my explanation and probably hoped to vanish into the ground. I couldn’t help but smile at her reaction. She was shy and reserved, but I thought she was accustomed to werewolves’ customs and abilities.I linked everyone to stop staring and give their Luna space as I grabbed her chin and lifted her to meet her eyes. I didn’t want to embarrass her, so I kissed her parted lips and grazed her cheek lovingly. Never in a million years would I do that to any girl, yet my little starfish made me a different man, and the whole pack saw that change in me, too.”Don’t worry, starfish. Don’t mind them. They’re happy to have their Luna finally.” I whispered in a reassuring voice.She looked at me with rosy cheeks and wide, shining blue eyes, nodding and making her red curls bounce the way I liked. I don’t know when it happened, but I started noticing an
*Conrad*I stormed down the stairs as if I had been scalded. I ignored everyone on my way as I rushed to the last cell at the back, where my gut told me I would find Miles. And I wasn’t wrong. I reduced my sprint to jog when I noticed the door to the cell open and the spare magnetic key lying on the floor.With hands in his pockets, Miles stood straight, staring into the probably empty cell. Rip stood alert, sniffing the air and straining his ears, but nothing seemed unusual. I reached Miles, looked inside the cell, and found what caught Miles’ attention.See you soon, loser.An inscription was carved on the opposite wall and then decorated with not much blood but enough to be effective. My blood boiled, and I clenched my hands into fists. I went inside looking for clues, but I found nothing suspicious apart from this inscription that aroused great anger.”I want the names of everyone who stood guard over the last two days and surveillance recordings. I want to know when he escaped an
*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