Growing up, my constant concern was how I appeared and what I wore. This preoccupation stemmed from a deep-seated desire to avoid attracting attention to myself. I rarely made an effort to enhance my appearance, refraining from wearing clothing that accentuated my figure and maintaining a simple hairstyle. Throughout my life, I carried a pervasive feeling that I needed to stay concealed, ready to withdraw if someone ever took notice of me.Yet, with Tony, all those anxieties seemed to evaporate. He created an environment where I felt safe being my authentic self. It was undeniably refreshing to have someone affirm my beauty and embrace who I truly was."Are you planning to kiss me, or will you keep gazing?" I playfully inquired.Tony responded with another playful growl as he leaped on top of me. The cot trembled and eventually gave way, causing us both to tumble to the floor. We rolled over, and now I found myself on top of him."I suppose it won't withstand both of us," he contempla
Tony adjusted and lifted my legs, making my hips turn upward and I gasped in surprise. “Oh my god.”He grinned. “That’s better, isn’t it?” He thrust again, slowly. My breath hitched. So this is what I was missing. “That feels amazing.”He picked up the pace and I started to moan, my body taking over, each thrust sending me closer to climax. Holy shit, I was wrong. This was better than foreplay.“Elisa, come for me,” he said.His words sent a thrilling tremor through me, and I couldn't help but respond. The mounting pleasure surged, and I let out a cry. He maintained his rhythm, and an endless cascade of orgasms rippled through me, one blending into the next like waves on water.Tony grunted as he reached his climax, his body trembling briefly before settling.
I was well aware that not everything I had learned was entirely accurate, but I had been instilled with the significance of the pack. It was a source of strength for shifters, providing them with bonds that reinforced their abilities. Moreover, it carried substantial weight in the eyes of our king. Packs could request resources, form alliances with other packs, and flourish as a community. Staying feral, as Tony's community did, left them in a weaker state. If they were a pack, they might have the means to establish permanent homes, schools, and infrastructure. Instead, they resided in tents."Don't lecture me about packs," he retorted."Get out of my tent," I demanded.To my surprise, he didn't argue. As he exited, I initially thought I'd be relieved to see him leave. Instead, I crumpled to the ground, my entire body trembling. I took deep breaths in an attempt to reg
We swam to the shore and did our best to shake off the water before we hurriedly slipped back into our clothes. My shorts and T-shirt clung to me, drenched from our impromptu swim, rendering my shirt almost completely transparent. At least returning to my mom's trailer had its advantages; I could pack a bag with fresh clothes. I had lost my best attire along with my bag wherever I had dropped it, but right now, I'd trade just about anything for a clean pair of underwear.Our journey back took us past Tony's dwelling. I hesitated, contemplating whether he might be there at this very moment. All the windows were dark, and I surmised there was a good chance he wasn't home, so I decided to continue walking. Danielle either didn't notice my distraction or chose to remain silent about it.By the time we reached the common area, I was shivering from the chill in the air. "Is there any chance you have an extra sh
"This can't wait," he declared."It's going to have to wait," I retorted, determined. He emitted a low growl. "Elisa..." Danielle nudged me with her elbow. "Unless someone's on their deathbed, I'm finishing my dinner." I yearned to speak with Tony, but his earlier behavior didn't fill me with confidence that our conversation would be any better than our earlier encounter.I took a bite of my hamburger. After my previous ordeal leaving Wolf Bay and going without food for several days, I wasn't about to waste a good meal. To my surprise, Tony settled onto the bench beside Danielle. The tension in the air was palpable, but I focused on my dinner, pretending his presence didn't bother me."I'm sorry," Tony finally said.All eyes turned to him, and I felt their collective gaze on me. My cheeks flushed. "You're sorry?"&nbs
"Okay," Tony said, "we have a plan. While you go there to retrieve whatever you can find, I’ll prepare what we need to break the bond. Is there a place we can meet that has strong community ties but isn’t too crowded?”“There’s an old barn on the south end of town. They have most of the ceremonies there, but it’s not used during the day,” I said.“Good, we’ll meet there once you find what you need,” he said.“How do we do it?” I asked. “Break the bond, I mean.”“Greta gave me some tips, things we can try while you’re closer to him.” He moved closer to me, and I held my breath. I could see him better out of the shadows of the trees. Even in the darkness, seeing him naked sent a wave of lust through me. I still wanted him.
As I uttered those words, a critical flaw in our plan became apparent."You can't get in," I pointed out. "The border is designed to keep outsiders out. You're not part of the pack. You can't cross it."Tony replied confidently, "I can with you."Doubt nagged at me, and I sought reassurance. "Are you sure?""You'll have to hold my hand as we pass through, but your connection should get me in without a problem," he assured me. The idea of returning to Wolf Bay hadn't crossed my mind, let alone bringing a visitor. However, it made sense that there might be a workaround.We continued our journey in silence. Tony turned onto a narrow, paved road, and despite the circumstances, the day was remarkably beautiful. The sun bathed everything in golden light, the vibrant green of the trees framed a pictures
As I finally arrived at the wretched trailer I had grown up in, a sense of foreboding washed over me. The exterior was adorned with layers of rust, and what little paint remained was chipped and peeling. The trailer seemed even more decrepit than I remembered. How was it possible that everything had deteriorated further in the mere week I had been away?With the thought that my approach mattered little, I decided to use the front door, hoping it would be less noisy and my mother might mistake me for a visitor. My plan was to reach my old bedroom down the hall before she even reached the living room.I turned the door handle cautiously and pushed open the aluminum door. It creaked, but not as loudly as the back door had when I last used it. Upon stepping inside, I was met with an unexpected sight. I was not alone."I told you never to come back," my mother's voice hisse
I rose to my tiptoes, enveloping Billy in an embrace. "You’re going to be an amazing alpha."Returning the hug, he urged, "Be careful, okay?""You too," I replied before stepping back. "I’ll be in touch soon.""I’ll be okay," he assured me."I know you will," I said with certainty."You will too, you know. You were born for this," he smiled warmly. Our bond, forged through trials, felt unbreakable, a connection that would last a lifetime.Billy rejoined his pack, and I walked over to my waiting entourage. "Malcom, would you stay with Billy for a few days? Just so he has someone loyal here.""Of course," Malcom agreed. "Now, go. See your mom. Billy’s got this, but just in case, he’s got me."The drive back to the house felt endless. Conversation attempts failed, leaving us engulfed in a heavy silence. Most of us were too drained or overwhelmed to speak."She’s going to be fine," Tony reassured me, squeezing my hand from the backseat.I glanced at him, grateful that it was just us in th
The shifters surged forward, enveloping us in cheers and exuberant shouts. Billy was hoisted onto shoulders and paraded around the field. Amidst this whirlwind of jubilation, I felt a wave of relief, joy, and peace emanating from the gathered shifters.Billy was about to face a challenging task, but if anyone could lead Wolf Bay to its rightful place, it was him.The entire household buzzed with activity as preparations for the Solstice celebration reached their climax. The longest night coinciding with a full moon promised an epic party.As I readied myself to greet the guests, a surge of nerves accompanied my anticipation. Tony grasped my hand reassuringly. "You’re going to be great. Nothing bad is going to happen. This is what you’ve been working so hard for the last year."He was right, and his unwavering support had been invaluable. Together, we had strived to mend pack relations and lay the groundwork for positive change among the shifters.Tonight was pivotal. Our efforts to re
Ace’s gasps punctuated the silence, his wide eyes reflecting sheer terror. The punishment I had delivered was the ultimate blow. He thrived on adoration and the capacity to instill fear in others. Stripped of his position of power, he was left with nothing. Executing him would only grant him martyrdom.Murmurs rippled among the gathered shifters as the sentence resonated among the crowd. Gradually, those murmurs evolved into applause.Billy, taking a step forward, approached Ace. I wasn’t privy to their exchange, but Billy sought closure here too. Whispering something to Ace, he withdrew, a smile gracing his lips. Though Ace appeared enraged, he didn’t retaliate.It wasn’t my place to know; Billy, like me, suffered under Wolf Bay's rule. He may have made mistakes but always sought to balance the good amidst adversity. What potential might he have realized without the constant struggle to please Ace for his sister’s sake while trying to do the right thing?"Well, this wasn’t what I exp
Ace’s punishment warranted a unique approach. Death seemed too lenient, risking his transformation into a martyr. I wasn’t oblivious to the entrenched mindset of males accustomed to unchecked authority; they wouldn't simply yield to a female monarch. Rectifying the injustices demanded extensive effort.For every tale akin to mine, numerous others remained untold. Danielle and Clara had been unjustly divested of their positions bestowed by the Moon Goddess herself. How many others suffered at the hands of feeble men intent on preserving power?Ace would serve as an exemplar. Stripped of strength, divested of authority. I required his survival to serve as a cautionary symbol, illustrating what lay ahead, rather than providing grounds for shifters to rebel against me.His punishment wasn’t solely for his sexism but for exploiting all members of his pack. I needed clarity on that point.My guards halted, creating space between our contingent and the leaders of my former pack. Ace and his
The four of us strode through the grand double doors, prompting the council members to rise from their seats arranged along a long wooden table, adorned with a dozen chairs. At one end sat a conspicuously larger chair, set against the backdrop of a crackling fireplace casting a warm glow in the room. The floor boasted dark wood, accentuated by a regal red and gold rug. Above, chandeliers crafted from antlers lent a distinctive touch, deviating from the crystal fixtures I had seen elsewhere in the estate."Thank you for your patience," I addressed them, endeavoring to convey a sense of composure and authority."Of course, your highness," one of the men responded.I made my way to the larger seat and settled into it. The men gathered around the table, one side occupied by my family and the other by the four males constituting my predecessor’s council. It was an unconventional arrangement, but if Harold deemed it necessary to hear their counsel, I was willing to entertain their perspect
Breakfast with my friends felt familiar and safe. Danielle, Malcolm, and Billy had mostly waited to eat until we arrived. The guards stood outside the room, and at my instance, the staff was willing to leave the food and let us serve ourselves.To my friends’ credit, they all steered the topic of conversation toward random things that were unrelated to our current situation. It was as if they knew I needed a little break before I had to figure out how to do the job I’d committed to when I took down the old king.We ate till we were all stuffed and laughed at Malcolm’s stories about trying to learn how to fix a car and accidentally setting it on fire. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I pictured Mario’s face. “I bet he never let you near his car again.”“Only if I’m trying to fix it. Driving I’m fine with. It’s when you give me tools that it causes an issue.”“I’ll keep that in mind,” I said.“Your highness,” a male voice said.I turned and saw one of my guards. Malaki, I think.He was
The group departed, leaving me surrounded by friends, guards, and a handful of staff. Turning my focus back to them, I reaffirmed, "For real, though. I keep my promises."An older woman with white hair nodded to her companions, affirming, "Told you Claire was telling the truth." She glanced at me. "If there's nothing more for us, we'll get back to work."I nodded in acknowledgment. "Find me if you need anything."With a smile, she guided the group away from me. As the extra people dispersed, I surveyed those who remained. The guards stood their ground, making this as private as it could get. My impatience surged—I needed answers. "Where's my mom? How's she doing?"Harold hesitated. "I'm not sure.""What do you mean? Weren't you with her last night?" I pressed."I was. She was in bad shape. Didn't even recognize me," he admitted, shaking his head.My chest tightened. "Where is she now?""Star's been with her all night," Malcom chimed in. "She prioritized helping your mom before the res
The other guards introduced themselves, a touch of ease evident in their demeanor. Spending ample time together, it felt comforting to begin to acquaint ourselves."James, Malaki, Ruben, and Cole," I acknowledged each, prompting smiles and nods in response."Shall we check in on the others?" I suggested."After you, Elisa," James replied.Summoning courage, I led the way. The ballroom burst with music, vibrant lights, and spirited revelry. Blue-uniformed shifters circulated trays of food while bartenders manned stations amid a dancing crowd.Amidst the party's vibrancy, I felt the fight's aftermath. Stiffness and soreness seeped in, reminders of the battle with my uncle.Making rounds among the guests, I sought a respite. James directed us to a guest suite, a refuge from the festivities.Stepping into the room, opulence surrounded me. A fireplace, plush furnishings, and lavish décor overwhelmed my senses. Wounded and exhausted, I yearned for solace.Stripping off my soiled clothes, I
His body tensed, signaling his intent, yet his position was flawed. Almost missed it, but my human side caught the subtle adjustment—he was about to feign an attack, aiming to turn my own game against me. I swiftly moved, anticipating his altered angle, and narrowly evaded his strike. Passing control to my wolf, she veered around, slashing her claws deep into his side as we darted past.His howls echoed, but my wolf pressed on, delivering another fierce blow to his face. The king, dazed and unprepared for our speed, struggled to match our agility. Each time he adjusted, we were there, ready to strike again with teeth or claws.Aware of our limitation in strength, we adopted a relentless and swift strategy, refraining from a power play or flashy moves. The king's wolf retaliated, pinning us a few times, yet we wriggled free, persistently attacking.Exhaustion began to slow us down, and the king, though limping, persisted. Unexpectedly, he charged, knocking my wolf down. The impact diso