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42. Rip Out The Rot
Last Updated:
2024-08-21 21:39:17
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Alpha Nero 43. If It's Not One Thing...
CamelliaSitting in Nero’s office, I try to process everything he’s just told me, but it feels like my mind is spinning out of control. I’m staring at the polished wood of his desk, my hands clenched into tight fists in my lap, but I can’t seem to find any sense of calm. How could things have gotten so much worse? It’s not just about my memory loss anymore; it goes so much deeper than that. The Meraloth, this Marle person , a curse—it’s like our entire world is unraveling, and I don’t know how to stop it.“Nero,” I murmur, barely recognizing my own voice. It’s shaky, unsure, nothing like the steady tone I usually strive for. “I don’t understand… How could this have been going on all this time, and we never knew?”Nero’s standing by the window, his shoulders tense, his jaw set in that way that tells me he’s barely holding it together. He looks at me, his dark eyes filled with a mix of anger and regret. “We were too focused on the Meraloth, on keeping you safe. We missed the bigger pic
Last Updated : 2024-09-01Alpha Nero 44. Be Safe
NeroThe room feels too quiet after I tell Camellia my plan. She’s standing by the window, her arms wrapped around herself, staring out at the forest that surrounds our home. Nereo’s upstairs, probably playing with his toys, blissfully unaware of the storm coming our way. I can’t help but feel a knot of guilt tightening in my chest. I know what I’m going to ask her to do isn’t easy, but it’s the only way I can keep them safe.I walk over to her, placing a hand on her shoulder. She doesn’t flinch, but I can feel the tension in her body. “Camellia,” I start, my voice rougher than I intended, “I need you to take Nereo to the safe house, deep in our territory. It’s out of the way, and I’ve got warriors there I trust with my life. They’ll keep you both safe.”She turns to look at me, her eyes searching mine. “I don’t want to leave you, Nero. I don’t want to run away when things are falling apart.”“I know,” I say, and I mean it. I want her by my side, where I can keep an eye on her, make
Last Updated : 2024-09-01Alpha Nero 45. For Now
CamilliaI haven’t been able to sleep well for the past three weeks. Every creak of the cabin, every whisper of wind against the windowpane stirs a flurry of worry that Nero hasn’t quieted in the month since he left. He sends words—sparse, always too sparse—that he’s okay, that he’s coming home, but each message is just a small drop of reassurance in an otherwise overwhelming ocean of anxiety.The digital clock on the nightstand reads 2:17 AM. Sleep has been a stranger for weeks, and tonight is no exception. My mind churns with every possibility, every outcome of this war Nero is fighting. The quiet around me is stifling, suffocating, and yet it’s better than the terrible scenarios my mind conjures in the dark.A soft noise at the front of the cottage startles me from my thoughts, and my heart leaps into my throat. It’s probably just a branch, or the wind, I tell myself, trying to calm the rapid beat of my heart. But then I hear it again, a soft thud, like footsteps, hesitant and drag
Last Updated : 2024-09-02Alpha Nero 46. Debrief: A Brother Lost
NeroSitting in my office, I can feel the weight of everything we’ve lost pressing down on me like a fucking boulder. The air is heavy with tension, the kind that makes it hard to breathe, let alone think clearly. I look across the desk at Camellia, her eyes full of worry and exhaustion, and Orion, who’s leaning back in his chair, arms crossed over his chest, jaw clenched tight. They’re both waiting for me to explain, to tell them what the fuck happened out there.I lean back, running a hand through my hair, trying to figure out where to start. The words feel thick in my throat, and for the first time in a long while, I don’t know what to say.“A few packs,” I begin, my voice rougher than I intended, “we couldn’t save them in time. Some of the strongest packs, packs we’ve fought alongside for years, are gone.”Camellia’s eyes widen, her hand coming up to cover her mouth. “What exactly do you mean by gone, Nero?” she whispers, like she’s trying to process what that even means.“The cu
Last Updated : 2024-09-04Alpha Nero 47. A Good Distraction
Camellia“Osiris left?” I ask, sitting up as Nero approaches the bed. “Why?”He shrugs. “He said something about finding himself again, and I get it. But we’re all fucking worried about him he hasn’t been the same since his memories were returned, so hopefully this does help him.”Nero stands in front of the dresser, his movements casual, but my eyes can’t help but linger. There’s something about the way he moves—unconscious strength in every motion, the way his muscles shift beneath his skin, the ease with which he holds himself—that makes it hard to focus on what he’s saying.His earlier words are sinking in, but my eyes can’t help but follow the movement of his hands as he pulls his belt free. The leather slides through the loops of his pants with a soft hiss, and I know I should be focusing on what he’s saying—about Osiris, about everything that’s been weighing on his mind. But man, he’s distracting.“Do you think he’s okay?” I ask, forcing my voice to sound casual as my gaze flic
Last Updated : 2024-09-05Alpha Nero 48. Mio Re
Camellia The first thing I notice is the warmth. Nero’s arms are wrapped around me, his body solid and steady against mine. My head is nestled in the crook of his neck, his scent—earthy and comforting—filling my senses. I lay there, letting the feeling of safety sink in for a moment. Last night had been… intense. Primal. Nero’s bite is still throbbing, right over the old claiming mark, a raw reminder of the way we’d come together.I turn slightly, just enough to see his face in the early morning light. He looks peaceful, his strong features relaxed in sleep. I can’t help but smile softly, my fingers tracing over the lines of his jaw. It’s hard to reconcile this calm, sleeping man with the one who’d unleashed such raw desire last night. But that’s Nero, isn’t it? Strong, protective, a force of nature when he needs to be, but also the man who holds me like I’m the most precious thing in the world.As I watch him sleep, memories start to bubble up—memories of the first time we were li
Last Updated : 2024-09-07Alpha Nero 49. Slow Return
NeroI'm sitting on the back porch, watching Camellia and Nereo run around the backyard, laughing like they don’t have a care in the world. The sound of their happiness fills the air, and I can’t stop the smile that tugs at my lips. Camellia’s memories are back, and seeing her so carefree, so full of life, it’s more than I ever could’ve asked for.It’s a miracle, honestly. I would have loved her just the same, even if her memories never returned. But now, with everything she’s regained, it feels like we’re complete again—like the piece of her that was missing has finally fallen back into place.“Catch me if you can!” Nereo shouts, his little legs pumping as he runs across the grass, glancing back to see if Camellia is closing in.She’s laughing, her hair flying behind her as she chases him, purposely letting him keep a little distance. “I’m gonna get you! You better run faster!”I chuckle to myself, shaking my head. It’s hard to believe how much has changed in such a short time. A few
Last Updated : 2024-09-09Alpha Nero 50. Camellia Epilogue One
The warm breeze carries the scent of saltwater, and the rhythmic crashing of waves against the shore fills the air. I stand barefoot at the edge of the ocean, the cool water lapping at my toes. The sun is setting, and for the first time in what feels like forever, everything is calm. Peaceful.I hear Nereo’s excited laughter as he chases after a sand crab, his tiny legs kicking up sand as he runs. Nero’s deep voice follows, teasing him as he pretends to let the crab escape.“You’re too slow, Nereo!” Nero calls out, laughing. “Come on, you’ve got to be faster if you want to catch it!”I turn to watch them, my heart swelling with love. Nero’s crouched down in the sand, grinning as Nereo shrieks with laughter, trying to outrun the little creature. Seeing them together like this, carefree and happy, makes everything we went through worth it.“Mamma, look!” Nereo shouts, waving his arms in excitement. “I almost caught it!”“You’re getting closer every time!” I call back, smiling as I walk
Last Updated : 2024-09-10
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Alpha Nero Orion: Shattered Bond - Epilogue
OrionNero’s office has the kind of quiet tension you can feel in your bones, the kind that comes after months of chasing shadows and uprooting every twisted part of that ring. Osiris and I are settled across from him, listening intently as he wraps up the conference call with Arkyn and Creed. My brother’s voice is steady as he discusses the last few details. It’s taken months to dismantle, but here we are, finally piecing everything back together.“Look,” Creed’s voice crackles over the line, blunt as ever, “everyone’s been dealt with. But Legacy’s name hasn’t come up in any interrogation or confession, not even once. He’s protected. Everyone’s too fucking scared to name him.”Nero sighs, fingers rubbing at his temples. “He’s the one wild card. Every single person higher up has been captured, but Legacy? Silence. And we all know silence from someone that powerful isn’t accidental.”“Leave Legacy to me,” Arkyn’s voice cuts in, dark and simmering with barely contained fury. “He’s still
Alpha Nero Orion: Shattered Bond - Chapter 30
OrionThe cool earth beneath us grounds me as I lay there, my arm draped over Zane, feeling the steady rise and fall of his chest. His scent—apples and something inherently him—fills the air around us, mingling with the sharp, raw scent of our freshly marked bond. The ache of his mark on my nape throbs in time with my heartbeat, a constant reminder that he’s real, that he’s here.I trail my fingers down his arm, feeling the warmth of his skin, the familiar shape of him that I thought I’d lost forever. Everything about this feels surreal, like I’ve stepped into a dream I can’t bear to wake from.“We should probably… head back,” I murmur, though the thought of leaving this spot, leaving him even for a second, feels impossible. But there’s a part of me that knows we can’t hide here forever, that we owe it to my family, to everyone who believed Zane was gone, to know the truth. “They’ll want to know what happened.”Zane chuckles, a low, familiar sound that makes something tighten in my c
Alpha Nero Orion: Shattered Bond - Chapter 29
OrionI hold him, my arms wrapped so tightly around him I’m half-worried I’ll break him. But I can’t let go. My mind’s struggling to process this, and I keep expecting to blink and find the empty forest around me, cold and alone again. But he’s here, solid and warm in my arms, and his scent fills the air—apples, fresh and grounding, just like it always was. Just like home.“Ri,” he murmurs, his hand moving to rest against my chest, fingers splayed over my heart like he’s memorizing the feel of me. “You look like you’re seeing a ghost.”“Maybe I am,” I admit, my voice low, rough. “I don’t know if I’m going to wake up any second and realize this is all just… wishful thinking.”I pull back slightly, my eyes searching his face, taking in every detail, every line and scar I’d memorized so long ago. My fingers tremble as they brush over his jaw, his cheek, his lips, as if I’m trying to convince myself this isn’t some twisted trick. “You’re… you’re really here,” I murmur, my voice catching
Alpha Nero Orion: Shattered Bond - Chapter 28
ZaneMy eyes flutter open, and I find myself surrounded by mirrors, an endless maze of reflections that stretch in every direction. I blink, disoriented, confusion settling in as I try to make sense of where I am. The last thing I remember is Orion’s hand tightening around my neck, the darkness closing in as everything faded away. So why am I here? Why am I … still here?A soft voice, melodic and soothing, echoes behind me. “Welcome, Zane.”I turn slowly, my eyes widening as I see her. She’s walking toward me, an ethereal glow surrounding her, golden light radiating from every step. Her long, flowing blonde hair cascades over her shoulders, and a beautiful gown drapes around her in waves, moving as if it’s part of the light itself. Her eyes are a shade of gold that feels ancient, otherworldly, yet warm. A black teardrop pendant hangs from her neck, glinting softly in the glow that envelops her.My heart skips a beat as realization dawns, and my knees buckle, pulling me to the floor.
Alpha Nero Orion: Shattered Bond - Chapter 27
OrionThe path to Natasha’s hideout is a blur, every step a pulse of barely controlled rage. The air hums with the charge of dark magic, a twisted energy that beckons me, taunting me. My hands tremble with the beast’s fury, simmering just beneath my skin, but I haven’t let it loose yet. Not fully. There’s a strange clarity to my anger—a focus that makes every sense sharper, every movement precise.The moment I reach the edge of the hideout, I don’t stop to think. I kick down the door, wood splintering under the force of my boot, and I step inside, feeling every ounce of anger, every piece of heartbreak, flood through me like a dam breaking. The witches turn, eyes wide with shock, but I don’t give them a chance to scream.The first one goes down without a sound, my hand gripping her neck as I lift her off the ground. She thrashes, her mouth opening in a silent plea, but I don’t hesitate. I twist, the snap echoing through the room, and drop her to the floor like the insignificant piece
Alpha Nero Orion: Shattered Bond - Chapter 26
OrionI’m trapped, locked inside my own body as I watch my fists swing, my legs move, every calculated hit landing with ruthless precision. But it’s not me—not really. I can’t stop it. Can’t control it. All I can do is watch from somewhere deep inside, helpless as I fight against the people I swore to protect.Nero’s face twists in pain as my fist connects with his ribs. Osiris tries to grab me from the side, but I counter, landing a brutal blow to his shoulder, hearing the sickening crunch. They’re all holding back—I can feel it in their strikes, in the way they hesitate just before their fists meet flesh. They’re trying to save me, trying to fight me without hurting me. But I don’t feel that same mercy. Whoever is controlling my body… they’re enjoying this.Two Alphas should have me on my knees by now, but Natasha planned this perfectly. She knew they wouldn’t give it everything; she counted on it. And the part of me that’s still here, watching, feels every bit of the twisted ple
Alpha Nero Orion: Shattered Bond - Chapter 25
ZaneThe past three days have been a hell I can barely stomach. I’ve been confined to Nero’s territory, shackled by suspicion, and only allowed out of the locked room to help strategize. And I am trying—I’m trying everything I can think of. But it’s never enough. No matter what I say or how much I beg them to let me help, they’re always watching me, waiting for some slip that proves them right.Today, it’s worse. Nero had used his Alpha Sight on me, sifting through memories and thoughts, and I didn’t fight him. I let him dig, let him see everything, hoping he’d find something that could give us an edge. But there was nothing—nothing useful, anyway. Just more dead ends.Nova’s been working nonstop, her face growing more exhausted with each passing hour, trying spell after spell, looking for anything that could point us to Orion’s location. The tension is mounting, everyone on edge, barely able to look at each other without a fight breaking out.I’m pacing the war room, barely hearing
Alpha Nero Orion: Shattered Bond - Chapter 24
ZaneThe sound of heavy footsteps echoes in the hallway outside my locked room, and I know it’s Nero before he even steps inside. There’s a weight to his presence, a dark edge that fills the space long before he even opens the door. When the lock clicks and the door swings open, he’s standing there, arms crossed, his expression a storm of anger and something I can’t quite read.He doesn’t say anything at first, just stares at me, and I feel the hostility radiating off him like heat. He’s still angry—hell, probably furious—and I know exactly why. This isn’t just about what’s happening now. It’s about everything I did to Orion, every lie, every betrayal.“Start talking,” he finally says, his voice low and controlled, but I can tell it’s taking every ounce of his restraint not to rip into me right here and now.I take a breath, trying to steady myself, and meet his gaze. There’s no use in holding anything back now. It’s time for him to know the truth—the whole, brutal truth.“She’s goin
Alpha Nero Orion: Shattered Bond - Chapter 23
ZaneThe jet touches down with a low rumble, and I can already feel the tension in the air as we approach Nero’s territory. This is Leonetti land, and stepping onto it feels like walking into the lion’s den. I know the reception I’m about to get isn’t going to be friendly.As soon as the door opens and I step out, the familiar scent of pine and earth fills my senses. But that sense of home is quickly overshadowed by the heavy tension that hangs in the air like a storm waiting to break. Nero is already waiting for us at the landing site, and the second he lays eyes on me, his expression darkens.Before I can react, he’s moving toward me, his eyes blazing with fury. Every muscle in his body is tensed, ready to tear me apart, and for a second, I wonder if I’ll even survive the next few minutes.“Zane!” he snarls, his voice echoing across the open space. “You’ve got some fucking nerve showing your face here.”I don’t move. I can’t. I’ve expected this, and part of me knows I deserve it. Bu
