As soon as the Royal Court of Elders had released them into the hands of their specially trained guards, they were escorted back to the palace in an unmarked car with blacked-out windows and no trace of the usual pomp and ceremony that followed them everywhere. They sat in silence as they headed towards the palace, the guards watching them like hawks with impassive expressions on their faces. The trial had been a disaster for all of them, especially Leopold. This latest installment in the saga of events that revolved around Ada's obsession with trying to destroy Ann had exposed the long-standing defects and flaws that Narcissa had spent so long cultivating in Leopold's character. The time and energy it had taken to chip away at his sense of righteousness, the seduction and whispered persuasion that it had taken to twist his mind with her poisonous words, and the sacrifices of flesh that she had been forced to make over the years to bind his heart to hers, ensnaring his wolf i
As soon as Leopold had disappeared up the stairs with the guards following closely behind him, Narcissa turned slowly to face Ada. Ada looked around her in a panic as a vicious snarl erupted from Narcissa's mouth as she stalked menacingly toward her. Ada backed away hastily, wanting to shout for help but unable to open her mouth to do so as a cold wave of terror washed over her. "There's no escape from me Ada so don't even try!" Narcissa hissed as Ada's back connected abruptly with the cold hard surface of a wall and she whimpered involuntarily. Narcissa snorted at the pitiful sound as she pulled to a stop abruptly right in front of her, and dragged her eyes over her face in disgust. Ada screwed her eyes shut under her mother's intense gaze, trembling violently as she held her breath waiting for the impact that she felt sure was coming from the palm of her hand against her face. "You're such a disappointment, Ada, I had such high hopes for you, you know?" Narcissa murm
She bit the inside of her cheek painfully to stop herself from crying out and her heart beat rapidly in her chest as her mother yanked her head back to stare at her terrified features with a twisted excitement. "Your idea intrigues me," Narcissa purred as she removed the blade from Ada's neck and stroked her daughter's hair with the blood-coated blade of the knife. Ada trembled fiercely under her mother's psychotic embrace, not daring to make a sound in case it provoked her wrath once more. Narcissa chuckled softly as she planted a kiss on Ada's forehead roughly and licked the blade free of any remaining blood, smiling wickedly down at her daughter's terrified face. "Tell me everything, my little lamb, and we shall see whether or not I sacrifice your blood and the life of your unborn child tonight, or whether your plan offers you yet another chance to redeem yourself." Ann sat on the edge of her bed, staring at the phone in her hand for a long time, willing herself to stop
Adam nudged her legs apart as he positioned himself directly at her entrance, slipping his fingers inside of her already soaking pussy. He snorted to himself as pushed all four fingers inside and she moaned loudly. "You little tease, you wanted this, didn't you, princess?" he growled into her ear as he curled his fingers inside of her, massaging her g-spot with torturous efficiency. Ann couldn't formulate a reply in coherent sentences and simply smirked up at him as he tutted loudly in her ear, realizing that he had been played. "Oh princess... that wasn't very nice now, was it?" He murmured as he picked the pace of his finger-fucking up, and delighted in the way that she squirmed against his hands. "Adam… fuck...please... slow down..." She finally forced out breathlessly, it was so good that it was simply too much to bear and she was gripping her phone so hard, that her fingers were turning white. Adam chuckled as he withdrew his fingers and positioned the bulging head o
Adam was as confused about things as Ann was. As much as he tried to communicate with his wolf during and after the incident, his wolf struggled to answer him… or maybe he didn't want to answer him. Whatever it was, Adam knew that he had gone too far. It had never reached a point between them where Ann actually wanted to escape from him, usually, it was a lust-filled back and forth between them both that consisted of her wanting to be dominated and Adam showing her just how well he could please her. He had meant for it to be a little rough, perhaps a little brutal too because she loved it when it was rough, but he was genuinely worried that the sudden emergence of his wolf and the brutality in which he took her was too much, even for Ann. He was terrified that she would leave him… That she would never look at him again with those beautiful eyes filled with lust… the gaze that would make him destroy everything in his path just to bury himself balls deep in between her legs.
'I would call this running away like a frightened rabbit, instead of talking about it.' Maeve hissed furiously. 'You should be owning up to the part you played in that and trying to understand why he reacted that way! Boundaries do not set themselves, Ann!' 'Enough Maeve, I don't need to discuss this with you.' Ann spat back dismissively. 'No? Well, tough luck because you are going to hear what I have to say whether you like it or not. This is NOT one-sided, we are two parts here Ann, as Adam and his wolf are.' Maeve roared furiously. 'But...' Ann tried to object before being unceremoniously cut off again 'No buts and no excuses! You have no idea Ann, you don't understand AT ALL! Adam's wolf hasn't seen the light of day EVER Ann. He has been confined and locked away, smothered and suffocated by darkness until YOU woke him. YOU taunted him, YOU stirred his interest and he answered!' Maeve screamed viciously. 'Yet now, even though he gave you what you asked for... begged for al
"Yeah...I'm fine, Lexi. Some fucking idiot in the road, that's all. I'm downtown anyway... it's probably just one of the addicts…" Ann answered shakily. "Ann, don't hang up, don't open the door..." Lexi warned, her tone slightly panicked. "Lexi, it's fine, honestly, he looks completely out of it. I could probably move him myself and just get him out of the road. I can't just leave him there." Ann reasoned as she sighed loudly. Was she ever going to get a quiet day? Just a couple of hours, that was all she wanted. "Ann, are you fucking insane? Do you not watch horror movies at all?! Don't be a future victim for god's sake. Just… wait there, drive off or whatever, but DO NOT get out of the fucking car, do you understand me?" Lexi's voice yelled angrily out of the speaker. Ann chuckled lightly. "I'm not a child, Lexi, I can take care of myself, besides, you know that Maeve won't tolerate any bullshit and it's the middle of the goddamn afternoon. It'll be fine." "Ann, I'm t
Lexi had arrived a good hour or so after she had received Ann's text assuring her that she was fine. She reached into her bag and checked her phone for any more messages from her, but the message center was empty. She chewed her lip and frowned as she stared at the blank screen, her stomach tying itself in knots for no good reason. 'I swear to my father, Ann, if you've gotten yourself into some sort of trouble just because you're too damn naive for your own good…' She muttered angrily under her breath as she swung the door to her car open and marched into the coffee shop. After flirting a little with the new barista and collecting her coffee, she moved over to their usual table and sat staring out of the window expectantly, waiting impatiently for Ann's arrival. Five minutes passed, and then ten… Lexi checked her watch anxiously and dialed Ann's number again. She scowled deeply as it went straight to voice mail and swore under her breath. Something didn't feel right a
As their convoy of cars and moving vans rolled up the driveway, Ann's stomach twisted uncomfortably as her anxiety set in. Regardless of what her babies were doing to her insides, the effects that her heightened emotions were having on her far eclipsed any discomfort that her pups were causing. She took a deep breath as she tried to calm the anxiety that knotted her insides and made her heart ache painfully. As far as she knew, her father was still living within the palace and she still wasn't sure that she could forgive him for everything that she had been put through because of his choices. In the worst-case scenario, she could always extend the palace to encompass two main living areas so that she wouldn't have to deal with tolerating his presence. She didn't even want to think about how she would explain to her children that they couldn't ever meet the incredible woman that her mother was because her father had an affair, broke the mating bond, and allowed his mistress and
"Right, I think that's the last of them," Adam grinned as he jogged through the huge doors of the Enclave's entrance hall to where Ann was pacing restlessly and Bartholomew was watching with mild amusement. "Finally," Ann sighed as she rubbed her belly with a grimace, "At this point, all I want to do is get my home back to what it used to be." Adam leaned forward and planted a kiss on Ann's forehead. "Are they making things difficult for you?" He asked gently, rubbing her back. Ann reached for his hand with a scowl and placed it palm down on top of her belly and grimaced as another flurry of movement rippled under her skin and Adam blinked in surprise. "Are they fighting in there?!" He asked in shock. "With two stubborn Alpha's for parents, I wouldn't put it past them." Bartholomew chuckled as he made his way over to them, smiling kindly. Ann lifted her gaze and her face softened as she looked at the kindly face of the old man that had been there for them through so muc
When Coral had returned with the Omega that worked as a nanny to the nobles, the baby boy was handed over to her and she waddled off happily, cooing at the baby in her arms as it gurgled happily back up at her. Coral began to work through updating the schedule for Ann as she dictated, adding additional notes that she shared with Allen's device. He would see to their schedule tomorrow as he had several days worth of reports to hear from Adam as to what had happened within the businesses and the Dark Moon Pack while he was away. Lexi made her way back to her room with both Allen and Greyson following behind her. She paused outside her door and turned to them both with a smile. "Sorry to disappoint boys, but I don't feel like getting frisky right now. Quite honestly, I just want to soak all of this crap off me." They nodded at her as she looked at them thoughtfully. "We really should sit down and have a discussion about how this is going to work between us all, you know." she
"Well, I certainly wasn't expecting that." Ann said a little breathlessly as she looked between Lexi, Allen and Greyson. Adam shared the same concerned expression as she did at the revelations that Eromaug would clearly stop at nothing to get his hands on Lexi. "You're absolutely sure that your father is willing to ally himself with us?" Ann asked as the baby in her arms began to stir and protest at the noise and unfamiliar surroundings it had found itself in. Lexi snorted loudly. "Of course he is. How could he not when his daughter is your right hand woman?" She winked. "We should put it to the council first." Adam said somberly as Lexi groaned loudly. "I'm sure they'll be thrilled at the opportunity," She muttered sarcastically as Ann laughed. "I think we should get hold of Bartholomew so that he can help us find a way to ‘tell' the council of our alliance, rather than ask for their permission." Ann mused thoughtfully, "He's pretty knowledgeable about who supports us,
Ann and Adam stood on the front steps of the Enclave, eagerly waiting for the return of both of their Beta's. Adam chuckled as Ann fidgeted with her hands and struggled to stand still, her gaze fixed on the curve of the driveway. "They'll be here soon, don't worry." He soothed, wrapping his arm around her as she nibbled on her bottom lip. "What if something happened though?" She worried as she rubbed her little bump in an act of self soothing. Adam's eyes glazed over slightly as he linked with Allen and then grinned down at his anxious wife. "Allen said stop worrying, it's not good for the baby. They'll be here in seconds." "But…" As promised, the front end of the transport pulled around the corner of the driveway and Ann let out a sigh of relief. "See, my Queen? Nothing to worry about." Adam chuckled as he watched them pull to a stop in front of them. As soon as the door opened and Lexi's head emerged, Ann broke away from Adam and bolted down the steps towards her.
Lexi knew that she was still conscious, but the pressure that engulfed her head, and the rigidity of her body teamed with the almost distant voices of protest from Allen and Greyson let her know that she had no control over what was happening right now. The initial black curtain that had descended was suddenly filled with hundreds upon hundreds of memories from her childhood, all played out in glorious technicolor and accompanied by sounds and smells that made her heart ache with familiarity and her breath catch in her chest. There was no way that she could catch each and every memory at once, but she could see it clearly. The bond that both she and Eromaug had shared at an early stage was filled with love and an intensity that she had known only with Allen and Greyson. By the time the images had begun to fade in her mind's eye and her vision returned, she was overwhelmed with emotions. As she sat there trembling, clasping her hands together tightly so that she wouldn't cry wit
Lord Brarthroroz guided Lexi over to one of the chairs around the table and gestured towards the flap of the tent. "Make sure no one enters for the time being, Steve." He said with an air of resignation to his voice as he took a seat next to his daughter. Steve nodded expressionlessly as he moved to the open flap, released the material to close it and ducked through to stand outside. "You two should sit as well," Lord Brathroroz advised as he gestured to the seats across from Lexi, "This isn't easy for me to talk about." He continued with a grunt. Greyson and Allen moved to comply and took their seats next to each other, both of them focused on Lexi. Lord Brarthroroz sighed as he turned back to his daughter and cupped her face fondly. "Before I start, I want you to understand that before your mother and I had you, neither of us realized just how deeply we could love and the desire to protect you from harm eclipsed everything else in our lives completely." He said gently a
It hadn't taken their force long to clear the halls and clean up the bodies that were left behind. The losses had been minimal on their part and considering the forces that they had thought they would be up against, their plans had meant that they had been far better equipped than the coven itself. The Coven had left very few prisoners alive, and the ones that were still breathing were in pretty bad shape. Lexi and the other healers and medics had done what they could but there was no growing back limbs…no matter how proficient of a shifter you were. Lord Brarthroroz had stationed huge numbers of his daemons within the winding passageways and caverns that the coven had previously inhabited and returned to the surface with his portalmancer Steve at his side. He strode angrily across the makeshift camp to the command tent and paused at the entrance, glancing across at the medical tent where Lexi had been working. Currently, she was cleaning her hands off as her mates watched
She stood and with one last look at the lifeless body below her, turned her attention to the chaos at the other side of the room. Narcissa had no problems keeping the attacks of the wolves at bay and Lexi could feel the emotions of the past few minutes bubbling wildly inside of her as she stormed towards her, her eyes blazing furiously. Her father was still making little headway against Eromaug, but she wasn't concerned about his survival, he was more than capable of taking care of himself against his bastard of a brother. Narcissa on the other hand…she had a lot to fucking answer for. Lexi strode through the fighters battling the twisted Daemons that had emerged from the shadows, throwing her magick lazily towards the monstrosities as she passed, a sneer curling at her lips as the shifters watched her in terrified awe. It wasn't long until Narcissa noticed her approach and her face split into a sneer that matched Lexi's as she swept her arm in front of her, knocking the ma