I couldn’t remove my gaze. This was impossible. He’s dead. My eyes searched his handsome features. I reached my hand up to feel his face. Maybe I was dreaming. My hand caressed his stubble, and I knew I wasn’t dreaming.
“Zade,” I murmured. Tears pricked my eyes. “You are dead. How are you in front of me?”
Zade’s eyes filled with sorrow. He leaned into my touch and his eyes closed like he had been dreaming of this moment for the longest time.
Our bodies melted together. Zade’s warmth was like laying under a cozy blanket by the fireplace on Christmas morning. I didn’t want him to move. I wanted us to stay like this forever.
It had been six long years thinking he was dead, but Zade was liter
Since Zade ruined my spell to uncloak the coven, I had to figure out another way to defeat Nico. Deep down I knew He was still alive even though I smashed his skull with my mind. He was Lycan after all if he could endure falling thousands of feet and, surviving, he could fake being dead once again. I was still fuming that Zade hid from me all these years. We were mates. How could he walk away from that? Was I that hard to love? Raven hated me, Asher and I grew apart, and Zade avoided me on purpose. I guess I'm an unlikeable person. My grip on the steering wheel tensed, realizing I may have to live the rest of my life alone with my child, which was really fine by me. After all, people have done to hurt me. Alone sounds like heaven. Something happening to Zadie crossed my mind, and I realized Nico
I had to splash my face with water. I really thought the alcohol was getting to me. Was I imagining my wolf talking to me? There is no way. She left. I was sure this time for good.“Raven, please tell me you are really there? I’m not just dreaming.” I asked, worried I was losing my mind.“Yes, I’m here,” she answered, but not like her usual annoying self. “I was such a selfish wolf. Leaving you in the most heartbreaking time was an asshole move,” Raven admitted, and it felt like she was apologizing. But I knew she would never come out and say it, so this was her way of beating around the bush.My eyes poured like a waterfall.
Instantly I moved away from Zade, which literally felt like my entire body caught fire from the pain of the distance between us, but I knew Zadie was not in the right place to hear that Zade was her real father and that he was my true love. Asher was my best friend my whole life and mate, but I didn't get the same feelings that I did when I was around Zade. But I knew I would have to tell Zadie the truth. I just wasn't sure if there would ever be a right time, but for now, I needed to get myself out of this mess. I went to Zadie and crouched, pulling her into a hug. “I'm sorry I wasn't there. Did you have a bad dream?” I asked, hoping she saw nothing other than maybe a friendly hug between her imaginary friend and me. Zadie shook her head, biting he
Fear overcame every part of my being. Nico had my daughter. She wasn't trying to stay away. He kidnapped her. Oh my God, what was he going to use her for? She was only a child. She couldn't create more tribrids for him. Then it hit me like a ton of bricks. He was using her to get to me. Ugh, I'm going to kill that bastard once and for all! This time I will triple kill his ass if I have to, just to make sure. Frantic, I darted back towards my parent’s house. All I cared about was my daughter. I left Zade in the dust as I sprinted through the forest. Shifting back mid-air as I entered the backyard, I landed on my feet. My catlike reflexes helped steady my landing. I grabbed a towel fr
Knowing my family would soon figure a way out, I hurried towards the barn where all the cars were. Walking in the Camaro, I once called mine, sat in the corner covered. The front stuck out like someone lifted the cover to take a peak.After Benjamin died of cancer, I gave the car back. That was all she and Aunt Marley had left of him. My mother needed that sentiment more than me. She grew up with him as her father, and to lose him for a second time was hard on her.I peeled my eyes away and refocused. One of these cars had to have the keys in it. Who would be stupid enough to steal from the former Alpha?After searching several, I approached Hunter’s old car. Man, it was a heap. I had no clue why my parents kept it. Maybe for the pack. But geez, it was falling apart, rusted finders, broken mi
We drove in silence when I finally spoke up. "So, how are we going to find Nico if you can't sense him?" I asked, glancing at Zade, then back to the road. "If he got what he came for, then he is most likely headed back to Russia." Zade declared. The thought of Russia made my stomach turn into knots. Our memories are not significant except the night Zade and I made love and created our beautiful daughter. My poor baby. I was going to get her back even if it killed me. "Okay, I have resources in Cody. They can get us a plane." I said. "Wyoming, here we come." Zade smiled. Hours passed, and my eyes so badly wanted to shut. My entire
Our bodies molded together as if we had never spent a moment apart—our lips belonged to one another. I knew it was wrong with Asher not being gone long, but I have never felt more sure in my life about something besides Zadie. I never felt this way with Asher. Maybe the mate bond between werewolves wasn't as strong as a Lycan mate bond. I remember Zade saying that at the airport in Russia. That has to be it. Maybe my wolf was mated with Asher, but I, in human form, was mated with Zade. That could be why Raven and I don't see eye to eye half the time. We have different mates. No wonder she constantly argues with me about Zade. Geez, Paisley, this is not the time to think about all this nonsense when you have an incredibly sexy Lycan making out with you. I focused back on the task at hand. Mission bang, my mate, is in order. My hands found every crease of his athletic frame. M
My insides gagged at the thought Nico wanted me. "Well, that is just gross," I said like there was a disgusting taste in my mouth. Nico snatched me up by my throat and forced me against the wall. "You will do as I say, or I kill your daughter and lover boy over there while he's sleeping," He sneered. I knew I had no choice but to give him what he wanted. "If you let my daughter stay here with Zade, I will do whatever you want," I negotiated. Nico glanced down as if he was thinking it over, then looked me over slowly with his eyes stopping at my lips. He traced his thumb over my bottom lip as he glanced at my breast lustfully. "Fine, but I don't want any of your family looking for you. If they do, all I have to do is call on my watchers to take out your daughter. "They won't just please let me see my daughter one last time," I begged. He let go of me and backed away. Nico then snapped his fingers for the goon douchebag to grab Zadie. Th
As we made our way through the darkening woods, I couldn't shake the feeling that something fundamental had shifted. The uneasy truce between us seemed to crumble, along with the old ways the witch had mentioned. I could feel Lux's anger radiating off him in waves, his body tense as he moved ahead of me through the trees."Lux," I called out softly, trying to bridge the growing chasm between us. "We need to talk about this. About what she said..."He whirled around, his eyes flashing with barely contained fury. "There's nothing to talk about, Zadie. You heard her. We have three days to make an impossible choice."I took a step closer, ignoring the way he flinched at my proximity. "I know what she means."Lux stood there, arms folded, with irritation written all over his face. "So, what does she want?"“Me.”He seemed taken aback. “What do you mean?”I reminded Lux, "You already know that I'm a witch. My grandmother was a powerful hybrid hunted by her covenant. Sukie, my ancestor, cast
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