*Mackenzie*I woke up confused. Dream and reality merged into one for me. After Claire’s story, I felt so mentally exhausted that my body fell asleep, returning me to my years sent in my father’s pack. It wasn’t a pleasant one. No. It instead was a nightmare I wished never to dream about again. The pictures are interwoven with each other, showing various moments from my life. And unfortunately, their common factor was none other than Esther.I saw pain, blood, and death everywhere, and when I heard something about death from Conrad’s mouth, I didn’t know whether it was reality or a dream. I looked at all six of them sipping their drinks and waited for an answer to my question.”None of us is sick, Starfish.” Conrad replied with a practiced smile. ”You must have misheard, my dear.” Claire added, exchanging looks with Caris.”Yeah. We spoke about one of my old relatives, who’s been feeling unwell for quite a long time, and I was informed recently that his time is running out. I might h
*Mackenzie*”Why are you doing this to me?” Conrad asked as he helped me to my seat.”Rip is ready to tear me apart from the inside, and I can feel his sharp claws plunging into my skull for disobeying his orders. You’re not only exposing yourself to pain, but you are also causing it to me.” He confessed, and I sighed sadly.Conrad was strapping my left hand to the chair when I stopped him and cupped his cheek. I grazed my thumb over his bearded face and scratched it slightly. He leaned into my touch and closed his eyes. I would never have folded such a big man who could simultaneously be such a small boy.”Can you let him out for a moment? I want to talk to Rip personally.” I requested, and he shot his eyes open.”No.” He shook his head, declining. ”I’m afraid that once I do it, he’ll take over completely, and nothing will stop him from this nonsense.” He warned, but I had a feeling Rip would understand me.”Rippy? Can you please talk with me?” I tried in my sweetest voice while look
*Mackenzie*I gazed at her like hypnotized. On the one hand, I knew what awaited her, but on the other, I couldn’t believe that I turned out a complete fool to allow that—my little Starfish. The smallest but, at the same time, the most muscular woman on the entire planet was just writhing silently in pain on the damn chair strapped with belts. And I, the worst mate on earth, was keeping her in place with my own hands.”How much longer?” I barked at my Mother, unable to watch Mackenzie’s beautiful face contort into another grimace as her cheeks flooded with massive tears.”Soon. She must have known much more than we think. No one has ever waited so long for a substance to be absorbed entirely.” She explained with excitement and slight nervousness.I clenched my jaw and fixed my gaze on my lovely mate whose muscles tensed like strings to limp thoroughly after a few seconds. Her entire body was covered with sweat, and she grunted occasionally before she suddenly stopped trembling, and he
*Mackenzie*I felt like floating in the air as if some delicate cloud was guiding me through the sky toward Nirvana. The initial pain I felt right after injecting that stimulant by Miles was intense, but it lasted for a short time before relaxing, downright mind-numbing bliss of body and mind overtook me.I heard the questions clearly, and the answers flowed out of my mouth like a river. No information was hidden, no detail was made up, and none of the saddest stories were exaggerated, as it sounded like I was reciting a learned line without emotion, without commitment, simply stating facts. I felt naked, exposing all my secrets to everyone around me, yet I felt at ease. It relaxed me even if they heard me confessing things I wasn’t proud of. I was already planning to tell Conrad everything. After my few short conversations with Leon, I thought he had already told Conrad about my involvement in the dungeon, so there was nothing to hide.Words went out of me untroubled, and I thought
*Mackenzie*I woke up to a gentle purring over my head and a tingling feeling on my cheek. I stirred and groaned in my sleep but didn’t open my eyes. My dream was too intense and energy-draining to wake up this soon.I moved closer to the warm touch on my cheek and smiled, happy that Conrad was letting me stay in my blissful world surrounded by the softness and freshness of my linen. His enthralling scent, mixed with the freshly brewed coffee and baked croissants, made my wake-up perfect.”I know you’re awake, little Starfish. So open your magnetic blue eyes and end my misery. I’ve been waiting for you too long, and these croissants are slowly making me sick. How can you eat such crap in such numbers?” Conrad said as he pressed his soft lips all over my face.I giggled at his eagerness but didn’t open my eyes. If this was what irritated him, he better get used to it. I wa
*Mackenzie*I sat uncomfortably in the chair, fidgeting as I tried to ease the pain of my red skin. I tried not to show any evidence of my not-so-good condition as I had no time to rub the regenerative ointment into my buttocks after being surprised by Claire and the Gang so suddenly.Conrad looked more prominent than ever as he almost glowed after the shower we extended by a few good hours. I’ve never been so thoroughly lathered and perfectly rinsed as I did this morning. Conrad ensured that no inch of my skin was missed and paid particular attention to the skin between my legs. The external one and the internal one, too.I crossed my legs and cleared my throat as I thought about those times he caressed my inner walls so deliciously that I choked on the water cascading from the shower head as I cried his name over and over again, begging for more. I looked at Conrad at that moment, and his eyes caught mine. I blushed, but he winked at me before sending me
*Leon*When I saw her for the first time, I knew she was exceptional, not because of her unique beauty but because something drew me toward her. Some mystical power or protective instinct always caused me to think about her before me. Even or maybe especially when we were both in that awful dungeon awaiting our end.I didn’t blame her for how she treated me because I was grateful for everything she did for me. I knew her reluctance to carry out orders was not due to her inability to perform them but because of her pure heart. She preferred to face the consequences rather than add to my suffering. She had a hand in it, though, yet I forgave her.Desperately, I wanted to rescue her from that horrible place, even if I had to ruin my plan and disobey my Alpha’s orders. Nothing kept me going in this shithole like the thought of taking her out of that pack. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the opportunity, but I was grateful someone did it for me. I felt
*Mackenzie*I couldn't believe what I heard. I hear nothing but unexplained and strange situations everywhere. My healing abilities can affect others. A visit to the hairdresser turns out to be a waste of money. Ok, that's quite understandable. But for anger to cause a fire? It's just a matter of not being able to grasp it."And what are you looking at? You seem to be glowing like a torch yourself. Not to mention the voice reaching their wolves." I was bantering with Fireball staring at me.I sighed when I realized I was starting an unnecessary argument with an animal that wouldn't answer me anyway. I stared out the window, watching the rain that had suddenly hit us and had not stopped pouring for two days straight.As Miles ran away and we stopped laughing, we sat down again and calmly discussed everything strange, ordinary, and even insignificant. Or at least that's what we thought. According to Claire, even small things can make a difference, so we got
*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