A colossal pile of wood had been meticulously arranged, creating a towering centerpiece within the common area. All the tables and seating had been cleared away, leaving the grassy space open with the future bonfire at its heart. As Danielle playfully added her kindling to a small pile next to the wood, she emphasized the significance of the event. "I told you. It's kind of a big thing. Any excuse for a party, right?" I shared the meager details of my pack's full-moon ceremonies, which mainly involved solemn rituals for the newly minted nineteen-year-olds."Though," I admitted, "I'm sure there were parties I wasn't invited to."Danielle draped her arm over my shoulders, and I felt a warm sense of belonging that I hadn't experienced before. "Not anymore," she asserted, welcoming me into this unique family of feral shifters.It was a feeling I cherished as we exchanged smiles, a newfound hope for genuine belonging beginning to blossom.With excitement, Danielle disclosed her secret t
The shifters around me retreated from the blazing bonfire, their triumphant yells dissolving into primal howls. The atmosphere pulsated with electric energy, a shared sense of joy and exhilaration coursing through every one of us. It was a breathtaking spectacle, and I found myself immersed in the euphoria of the moment.Then, almost as if by an unspoken command, clothing began to be discarded. Shirts were flung aside, pants abandoned on the ground, and undergarments and bras took flight through the night air. There were no formal speeches or ceremonial proclamations; they simply embraced their natural state of undress. However, this fleeting display of nudity was short-lived, as they swiftly made their way toward the looming woods, their transformation commencing seamlessly while in motion.I stood there, my mouth agape, awestruck by their graceful metamorphosis. Not a single one appeared to convulse or struggle; the
I found myself uncertain whether the question originated from within me or my wolf. Nevertheless, it seemed inconsequential which part of me it stemmed from. We were supposed to be united, two halves forming a whole. However, I had yet to sense that profound connection, which led to my hesitation.Contemplating the prospect of shifting, I acknowledged the possibility of success. But what would follow? I remained ignorant of the process to return to my human form. My prior wolfish experiences were shrouded in amnesia. The unsettling thought crossed my mind: What if the wolf within me gained complete dominance and fled back to Wolf Bay?Such a risk was unacceptable. I needed to acquire the skill of shifting correctly, or not at all. This was my sole opportunity for guidance while in this place, and I couldn't afford to mishandle it. Once I achieved mastery, I would be left to my own devices.
He withdrew his hand out of my pants, then gripped me closer, pushing his lips onto mine again. The pressure was intense, and it was hurting me. I shoved him again, but he held me closer, forcing the kiss on me.I pulled away again. “Stop!”“Just give in, baby,” he said.“I’m going to make you feel so good.”“I said stop.” My mind wasn’t fuzzy anymore. I knew I didn’t want this. Growling came from behind me and the man holding me suddenly released his grip.“The lady said no.” Tony looked like he was ready to attack.I scrambled away, giving distance between
She had an espresso pot perched on a grate above a fire pit, so as long as she was willing to share, I didn't really care how she knew my name."Hi, I don't think we've met formally," I said."I'm Penny, Megan's mom," she smiled. "Thank you for what you did to help distract my girl. They told me that you got her away so she didn't have to see Justin in that state.""Megan's a great kid. I'm glad I could help. How is Justin?" I asked."He's going to pull through."I placed my hand on my chest, relieved to hear the news. "Thank the gods.""I've never seen anything so scary in my whole life," she admitted. "The toxin is scary stuff."My brow furrowed. "Toxin?""I thought you were from Wolf
Being the cherished pack of the wolf shifter king, the epitome of wolf packs, all of that became tiresome quickly. The constant boasting about our excellence, the isolation from outsiders, and the prohibition against exploring the wider world left me questioning what was reality and what had been concealed from me. Why had I never been informed about a toxin capable of robbing a wolf of its shifting ability? Did the rest of the pack possess this knowledge, or was it the exclusive domain of Ace and his gang?The existence of a toxin capable of inducing the same affliction that plagued me struck me as highly unusual. Were it not for the condition of being shot with it, I might have entertained the unsettling thought that it had been deployed against me in the past. However, the question that persisted was: why would anyone expend effort on someone like me?In the grand scheme of things, I was far from being a significant target for their malev
"I can't do that," I protested.Tony leaned in closer, his expression unwavering. "But you have to get close to him, just not too close."The mere thought of being near Ray made me shudder. "I don't want to go near him. What if..."I couldn't bring myself to finish the sentence, the fear of what might happen if I got too close to him was paralyzing.Tony, ever the realist, interjected with a hint of concern in his voice, "What if you start to feel things for him? Because that's going to happen, whether you like it or not. The more you resist the bond, the stronger it will become. Remember when you couldn't care less about keeping him alive after he left you for dead? Now, you're almost... vulnerable."His words hung in the air, like a warning of an impending storm. The idea of developing any feel
My head throbbed relentlessly as Tony departed, leaving me at Greta's tent. I vaguely recall mumbling a thank-you as he left, but my hangover's merciless grip made it difficult to recall."Is it glaringly bright out there, or did you indulge in one too many drinks last night?" Greta greeted me, parting her tent flap."Both," I confessed.She chuckled and gestured for me to enter. "Come on in, I have something to remedy that."I followed her into her cozy tent and settled into a chair beside a small table. Greta poured a mysterious concoction into a cup before approaching me."It tastes dreadful, but it's a hangover annihilator," she declared, placing a glass of brown liquid in front of me.I hesitantly lifted the cup. "Cheers." With a cautious sip, I nearly sprayed the liquid across the room. "You weren't kidding."Greta settled into a chair opposite me. "It goes down easier if you take it all at once."Summoning courage, I downed the entire drink, suppressing my urge to gag as I swal
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