My heart is so full right now! I cried writing this chapter ;_; Thank you for staying along for Osiris and Eva's story, even if there wasn't a lot of steamy scenes in this short story itself. I appreciate all the comments, gems and rating you've given me. Orion's story is still being written and I'll probably start releasing it close to the end of the month. I'm aiming on putting Aeron and Morana's short stories in here as well. Until we meet again!
I buried Zane Monroe years ago. Buried the memories, buried the pain. The mate who rejected me, the one who couldn’t live with being bonded to a man, left me to pick up the shattered pieces when he took his own life.I found his body. I saw the blood. I felt the agony of our bond being severed. He was supposed to be gone—forever. Then I saw him again. Alive. Breathing.And running one of the darkest, bloodiest wolf-fighting rings in the country.Now, I’ve been sent to Las Vegas to help bring down the operation, alongside Alphas Arkyn and Creed. But how the hell am I supposed to focus when the ghost of my past—the mate who broke me—is pulling the strings? Worse, Legacy, Arkyn’s own son, is financing the whole thing.I buried him once—how the hell do I bury him again when he’s standing right in front of me?Orion's story starts now. Daily updates.
OrionAs soon as I step off the plane, the dry heat of Vegas slams into me, but it barely registers. I’m too focused. I don’t know if it’s the mission itself or knowing Zane is here, but my heart is already racing, my blood heating in my veins.I see the guy who’s supposed to pick me up standing at the edge of the tarmac. Tall, broad, dressed in black, and wearing sunglasses that don’t hide the fact that he’s one of Arkyn’s men. He gives me a short nod before walking over, tossing a black bag my way.“Sorry, Alpha’s orders,” he mutters. “Blindfold goes on. It’s the only way to the Vega pack.”I smirk, knowing Arkyn isn’t one for unnecessary risks. “Not the most welcoming greeting, but whatever keeps your secrets safe.” I pull the fabric over my head without argument. I could fight this, of course, but that would just be a waste of time. And right now, I don’t have time to waste.I hear the man grunt in response before I feel his hand on my shoulder, guiding me. “Let’s go. We have a lo
OrionI sit in the back of the SUV, my eyes scanning the desert landscape as we drive toward the fight. It’s not far from the Vegas strip, but the location is hidden enough that only those with inside knowledge can find it. I feel the weight of the night pressing down on me—Zane’s name ringing in my ears like a fucking drumbeat. I force my mind to settle. Focus, Ri.Legion Vega is sitting beside me, his sharp gaze fixed ahead. He’s Arkyn’s youngest, the one who doesn’t carry the baggage of Legacy’s reputation. He looks to be about eighteen or nineteen; tall and lanky. He has long blond hair, a stark contrast to Legacy’s black hair, and when I first saw him, the color of his eyes surprised me.One is the red of his Lycan, the other is purple. “His hybrid status is still in question,” Arkyn had said. “We’ve met his Lycan and tailed beast, but that doesn’t explain the purple eye.”Well, then.While Legacy’s been making a name for himself as a loose cannon, Legion has kept his head down
OrionThe roar of the crowd thunders in my ears, and I force myself to stay seated, fists clenched as I watch the fight below. Two wolves are tearing into each other, blood splattering the dirt, the sickening crack of bones breaking ringing out like music to the savage bastards around me.A flash of Aeron’s face hits me—the haunted look in his eyes when he told us about being used as bait. The sheer fucking terror he’d endured in a place like this.The bile rises in my throat, and I swallow it back. I can’t afford to lose my shit now. But seeing this… seeing the bloodlust, the way the crowd eats it up, it makes me want to tear this entire place apart.I glance over at Zane, who’s standing off to the side, near the shadows. His expression is blank, a mask of indifference. But as I watch him, something shifts. He frowns and starts looking around, his eyes scanning the crowd like he’s searching for something… or someone.Then his eyes land on me.I see the shock flicker across his face,
OrionI jerk back, my eyes narrowing as I take a step toward the door. “This was never about me,” I mutter, more to myself than to Zane.“What was that?” Zane asks, tilting his head with that same infuriating smirk. He knows exactly what he’s doing.I don’t respond. Instead, I bolt from the room, slamming the door behind me. Something’s off—Zane’s too calm, too confident. The sounds of the crowd grow louder as I make my way down the corridor—cheers, growls, and the unmistakable sound of flesh hitting flesh. The usual chaos of the underground fights. But as I approach the arena, there’s something else. A sound deeper, more primal, shakes the walls.A roar.I rush into the arena, and the sight in front of me makes me pause.In the middle of the pit is a massive three-tailed fox, its white fur gleaming under the dim lights. The crowd is on their feet, screaming and roaring with bloodlust. The fox is surrounded by five wolves and a panther, each one circling, waiting for an opening. But
ZaneI walk through the back streets of Las Vegas, weaving through the crowds like a ghost, slipping between darkened alleyways and neon lights that make my skin crawl. The buzz of the city used to get to me—the constant noise, the faces—but now it’s just static. My mind’s too damn busy to care about the chaos around me.Legion shifted back tonight. Fuck. I didn’t see that coming. All the planning, all the months of pushing to get him into that fight, and he fucking shifted back like it was nothing. I’m not sure if it’s pure luck or if Arkyn’s little training tricks are more effective than I gave them credit for. Whatever it was, it put a serious wrench in things.I shove my hands into my pockets as I approach the run-down building, the smell of incense thick in the air. The witch always loves her theatrics. Natasha’s door is already cracked open like she’s been waiting for me. Of course she has. She knows everything before I even step foot in the room.I push the door open with a la
OrionI step out of the Vega pack house, feeling the tension in my shoulders ease just a little. Being around Arkyn and Legion always puts me on edge—there’s too much at stake right now. But it’s nothing compared to the weight I carry whenever I think about Zane. The thought of him makes my blood boil. And now I have to leave this shitstorm for a bit, handle a few errands for Nero, and get back to dealing with all of this.I tug my jacket tighter as I make my way through the streets. The cold air helps clear my head. Nero sent me to Vegas with a list of things to handle, and the faster I get it done, the sooner I can get back to helping Arkyn and figuring out how deep Zane’s bullshit goes.First stop: I’ve got to meet up with a few shifters who’ve been keeping tabs on what’s happening back home. I’m not in the mood for small talk, but I need the intel. It’s been too quiet lately, and I don’t trust that. Quiet usually means something’s brewing.I find the shifters near the warehouse di
ZaneOrion’s words echo in my head like a gunshot, shattering every bit of composure I have left.“You have no idea how much you broke me. You fucking destroyed me, Zane.”I’m frozen against the brick wall of the alley, my body still vibrating from the way his hands had pinned me there moments before. It’s not like I haven’t heard anger from him before. I’ve heard rage, bitterness, hate—but this? This was something else. This was broken, raw. And it’s my fault. All of it.My legs give out, and I sink to the concrete floor. I press my back against the wall, my head dropping into my hands. My chest feels like it’s being ripped apart, the pounding of my heart loud in my ears. It’s almost funny—people always thought I was cold, that nothing could touch me. But Orion’s words cut through me like a fucking knife, carving me up from the inside out.I knew how much I hurt him. I’ve always known. That’s why I stayed away. That’s why I left. It was supposed to keep him safe, keep him from ever
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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