The wolf has me pinned and the only thing keeping him from taking a chunk out of my face are my hands holding his snout, but he is too strong. Just as I’m about to give up, Malachi’s brown wolf tackles him off me. They spar on the ground, ferociously sinking their teeth into each other, but I don’t have time to focus on the fighting. I run for Marley and try to pull her up from the ground to get her out of here, but she is still in so much shock that I must force her to move. “Marley, we have to go now!” I shout, grabbing her hand and finally she snaps out of it and pushes the kids to run for an entrance to the packhouse. Suddenly, a dark brown wolf moves to block the door, trapping us all outside. I recognize this wolf immediately. “Evadean,” I whisper under my breath, meeting her eyes. She snarls at her name, baring her teeth at me in warning. “Marley, you and Ben have to take the kids inside and hide,” I order, pointing to a gate on the side of the house, before pushing her t
Malachi's POV I hold Chloe in my arms, still shaking her gently to wake her. The paramedics arrive and ask everyone to back up to give them some space. I feel as if I’m underwater, everyone is a blur with muffled voices as if they’re talking in slow motion. I can just make out the form of one paramedic as he kneels beside me to check Chloe’s pulse. "Sir, her pulse is feeble.” He begins to tell me; his words clear as day. “She seems to have lost a lot of blood." The paramedic says, almost like he’s telling me it’s too late. "HELP HER," I growl, causing him to jump, but I don’t care. I look down to see Chloe's face, which is turning blue and her once warm skin is now cold to the touch. "Chloe, please don't leave me,” I cry, hugging her to my body as I rock her. Tears are falling uncontrollably from my eyes and the whole room starts to cry as I hold the love of my life in my lap, lifeless. The paramedic hesitantly touches my shoulder softly. "Sir, I'm sorry, but she is gone." He
Walking into the witch's cottage, I still hold Chloe safely in my arms. "Lay her down on this table,” Sukie directs, pointing to a hardwood table with a white cloth over it. I do as she says, and lay Chloe down then look back to Sukie. "So, what do we do?" I ask, needing some sort of sign this is going to work. "Are you giving your life for her life?" Sukie questions, with a raised brow. "No, I brought someone else," I state, walking out to my car. I open the trunk and pull a bound Evadean out, throwing her over my shoulder. I walk back into the house and drop Evadean on the floor. "Here is your life," I say with no emotion and Sukie nods without a word. "Put her in the chair. I have to get my dagger," She informs me, leaving for the back room. I put Evadean in the chair and met her eyes with a murderous glare, just inches from her face. "You took the one thing from me I would do anything for, so you will bring that back for me," I growl, keeping my features expressionless. Evad
‘Did this older woman just tell me that I have to be turned into a werewolf to stay alive.’ I repeat to myself, letting her words sink it. "What the hell! when is the next full moon?" I shout, facing Malachi. "In 7 days," he mutters, with his head hanging low. I stand from the table and start pacing around the room. Malachi comes to my side and I stop to meet his eyes. "Luna, everything will be okay. We can change you tonight or tomorrow if you need a day to rest." He tells me, pulling me close to him. I peer up at him, and can’t help but notice how handsome his face is, I just want to kiss him, but then I fight the trance his beautiful face has me in. "NO! I don't want to be a wolf," I yell, watching his smile fade. "What do you mean? That is the only way for you to stay with us," He explains with a confused look. "I don't want to lose my humanity. That's what makes me who I am," I reason with tears falling down my cheeks. Malachi takes my hand and looks down at me. Our eyes
It's been five days since I died and came back to life. I am currently cooking breakfast for Malachi while feeding Paisley. The house has been quiet ever since Marley and the kids had to leave back to New York. They all promised to never speak of what they saw. I now have two more days until the full moon to be changed, and I'm terrified to be a werewolf. I’m still worried it’s going to change who I am as a person and I’ll lose my humanity. I walk to Paisley's swing to put her down so I can finish cooking and when I am back at the stove, I flip the bacon and stir the eggs. Malachi walks in, coming up behind me, wrapping his toned arms around my waist. I feel my nipples instantly get hard at the feeling of his chiseled chest against my back. "How are my girls this morning?" Malachi asks, kissing the back of my neck. "Wolfman, you are asking for it, aren't you?" I say, spinning around to face him. “Maybe I am," He says with a wolfish grin. I smirk, then pinch his nipple hard. "Ouch,
It's the day of the full moon, and the ceremony is tonight. I’m feeling so nervous that I didn't get any sleep. I roll over to find Malachi sleeping like a baby. 'Must be nice' I think with a scowl, then I stand slowly, not wanting to wake him as a mischievous thought plays in my mind. I head for the bathroom and grab his shaving cream, then tiptoe back to the bed where Malachi is now snoring like a baby. I sigh while rolling my eyes, but smirk when I see his hand lies in the perfect position. I spray some shaving cream in his hand, hoping he doesn't wake up from the noise. I freeze when Malachi moves a little but doesn't wake, so I take the end of my braid and tickle his nose a few times. He scrunches his nose, like he wants to sneeze. I tickle him again and bam the shaving cream splatters all over his face. ‘Yes’ I giggle, covering my mouth while falling backward from laughing so hard."LUNA!!!" Malachi growls, getting up from the bed so fast. I stand up, trying to run out the d
I turn the corner to see Paisley sleeping in her swing. I pick her up, cuddling her to my chest as I take a seat at the table. I pull the top of my dress down only to reveal my breast to feed Paisley when Malachi walks in, looking around until he sees me. I look up to him, clearly not happy to see him at the moment. "Luna, I'm sorry. It wasn't funny I don't know why I said that" Malachi stutters, looking at me for forgiveness. "That day was not very long ago, and making jokes is way too soon," I scold him with a stern voice, still looking down at Paisley. "What if this change doesn't work, and today is my last day?" I exclaim with a tear rolling down my cheek. Malachi looks to me with regret written all over his face. "I'm sorry Chloe. Please forgive me. I didn't mean it" He pleads, kneeling in front of me. "Luna it will work, and you will be more powerful, and no one will ever mess with you again" he assures me, grabbing my hand. I turn to meet his gaze and find him smiling. "Ok
My body falls to the ground, causing me to fall on all fours as each of my bones break. I look around frantically, searching the faces to find Malachi's wolf staring at me. I glance down to see light brown paws for my hands and Malachi walks to me, slowly looking into my eyes. “Luna, are you okay?” Malachi says. I jump back, turning my head side to side. “How did you say that?” I question curiously then realize I just talked to him. “We are mates. We can mind-link. That's how wolves communicate in wolf form and we can do it in human form too,” He explains, walking to me and rubbing his snout into my neck. I nudge him with my forehead and hear Paisley starting to cry. I turn my head to see her struggling in Cypress's arms. I walk to her, and Cypress kneels to let me see her. To my surprise, she grabs my snout with her little hand. I thought she would be scared, but once Paisley looks into my eyes, she coos. 'she knows it's me' I think happily, nudging her hand and giving it a lic
As the sun sank below the horizon, casting an orange and pink glow across the sky, it was time for me to meet Lux for our border patrol. The crisp evening air filled my lungs as I walked towards our rendezvous point, determination coursing through my veins. This was my chance to prove myself, to show Lux what I was truly capable of. The moon hung low in the sky, like a giant silver coin, casting its ethereal light over the land. As I approached Lux, standing tall and confident in his black jeans and black sleeveless shirt, I felt a surge of adrenaline. This was it - my moment to shine on this important mission."Someone’s eager," I joked, stopping next to Lux, who was leaning against a tree and shaking his head before gazing out into the forest.Suddenly, a bone-chilling howl pierced the air, followed by the sound of snapping branches and thundering footsteps. Lux's eyes widened, his body tensing as he pushed off the tree. "Rogues," he growled, his voice low and dangerous.Without hes
It had been a couple of months since I was appointed as the first female alpha of Aberdeen. And, to put it lightly, my beta was causing me major headaches. He constantly ridiculed me and made it difficult for me to get him to do anything I needed. It didn’t help that his entire family supported him and resented the fact that I was now in charge.As I paced in my office, the weight of leadership pressed down on me like a physical force. Every decision I made felt scrutinized, every order questioned. I caught glimpses of whispered conversations that fell silent as I approached, saw the barely concealed sneers on faces that should have shown respect.My beta, Lux, was the worst of them all. Just yesterday, he'd openly challenged me during a pack meeting, his voice dripping with disdain as he questioned my strategy for expanding our territory. The memory of it made my blood boil, my inner wolf snarling for dominance.But beneath the anger, a seed of doubt took root. Was I truly fit to lea
My heart raced as the plane landed at Aberdeen airport, knowing that my mother's family would be waiting for us with disapproving glares the second we stepped onto Aberdeen territory. They resented her for leaving to become queen of the Lycans. Uncle Hunter, in particular, held a deep grudge against my dad for taking his sister away and leaving him to deal with pack responsibilities alongside our grandfather. He used to adore my father as a child, but as he grew older, his hate only intensified.After retrieving our baggage from the carousel, we walked towards the limousine waiting curbside at the airport. My parents were the first to enter, followed by my siblings Marcus and Ashton. I paused outside the car, taking in the gloomy sky above, thick with humidity - an uncommon sight in Aberdeen. Wolves were connected to the earth, so it was no surprise that even the elements seemed to mourn my grandparents' passing.“Zadie?” Dad poked his head out. “Come on.”I forcefully looked away from
Chapter 1 The Bad NewsYears had flown by since Ashton’s birth. Soon, he would come of age and take his rightful place as the Lycan king once our father stepped down from the throne. However, that seemed like a distant future; my brother was still young, and it was common for rulers to reign for centuries among Lycans. According to tradition, I was supposed to marry my father’s right-hand man, Theo, which worked well since we were already in a relationship. But deep inside, I knew I possessed powers meant for something greater than just being a wife and mother. Unfortunately, as a woman, I couldn’t rule the Lycans even though I was the oldest child; that honor would be bestowed upon Ashton with Marcus as his second-in-command.“Zadie?” Theo’s voice resonated from the hallway, and the door creaked open. He poked his head inside, trying to catch a glimpse of me.“Yes?” I glanced back at him in the doorway. “Your father called. He would like you to be at the palace. He stated it was urg
~Paisley~ My water broke, and the contractions were coming in fast. Zade carried me out of the packhouse, rushing toward the car, but I knew there was no time. The baby was coming now. “Zade, it can’t wait,” I urged. "The contractions are coming on strong,” I added, my features filled with fear for my unborn child. “Zade?” My mother called behind us. He turned. His grip was tight on me as he looked at my mother, with an expression that begged for help. He was terrified. “Bring her upstairs. I’ll prepare everything,” she said, gesturing for him to take me toward the main bedroom. There was no hesitation on his part; he rushed past all the guests into the house at the speed of light. He kicked the door open and laid me on the king-size bed and kneeled next to me, gripping my hand in his. “It will be okay, Pais,” He reassured me. My fingers felt along his jaw, and I smiled, but I knew it wouldn’t be okay. I could feel it deep down, and I didn’t have the heart to tell him, nor did I w
~Paisley~ Soft tears tread on the edge of falling down my cheeks as Asher's face appeared on the screen. In the background are the pictures of us displayed on the walls of his office. "Paisley, if you're watching this, I'm gone, but I couldn't let you think I stopped loving you. We had our problems but not once has my love for you faded. Sure, Zade was a tough competitor, but I knew you better than anyone. I guess that gave me the upper hand in at least the friend department," Asher paused while he glanced down before continuing. "I've done some things I'm not proud of, and I deeply regret them. I trusted someone over you, and that was a big mistake. I'm sorry," Asher looked back at the camera. "Maybe in a different life, we would have been able to live happily, but it just wasn't meant
Seven years ago ~ Zade ~ In the woods, I sat watching, waiting for a sign she was okay. Was she happy? It had been months since I last saw Pais. I woke up alone in a stranger's home with no recollection of what happened or who I was until one day, my memories of her came flooding back out of the blue. The urge to be with her was tough. I knew most likely she had moved on with her other mate, but a piece of me couldn't just let go. As I watch outside the Aberdeen packhouse, it's full of visitors. What was going on? I thought. Then like a slap in the face, I saw her in a white gown fit for a princess, and as she turned my way, as if she could sense me, her protruding belly came into view, and I knew right then I couldn't disrupt her life. I spent the next year like a creeper, stalking the woods outside Paisley's house in Cody. I watched Paisley turn from a young girl t
~Paisley~At an appointment for the baby, I sat waiting for the doctor while Zade looked at me in awe. It was a bit awkward. "What weirdo?" I said, laughing.His smirk that could make any girl swoon appeared, making my lady parts ache. "Nothing, baby mama," Zade lifted a brow.Lately, I have been a total horn dog. I mean, Zade and I haven't slept together since that night, but these hormones made me want to jump him right in the doctor's office.I swallowed, biting my lower lip while my eyes racked over his well-structured frame. He looked so good in his black jeans and grey t-shirt. His tatted arms were visible for my eyes to drool over. I mean, what's the use of having a Lycan mate if you couldn't have wet dreams about him?"Pais, you alright?" Zade used his thumb to motion to wipe the corner of my mouth. "You got some drool hanging," He laughed, and I sent him an icy glare.It always pissed me off when he caught me
MONTHS BEFORE...~Asher~It's late. I'm still at the office after a council meeting with the elders when my phone rings. "Yes?" I answered."I'm not a patient man, Asher," Nico's voice echoed in my ear. "Why don't I have my bride?"Aggravated, I sighed heavily. "I made the deal because you told me Zade was still alive and that Paisley was sneaking around on me with him. You lied.""I see you have resources," Nico laughed. "But that does not break the deal. We shook on it, and I take that very seriously," he claimed, a bit of frustration in his tone.My fist clenched, if Nico was present I’d sucker punch him square in the jaw. "Screw you! Deals off!" I growled, ending the call, then tossed the phone on my desk.I knew that was a stupid thing to do, but I was tired of Nico controlling our lives and manipulating everyone I love.I grabbed my things and headed