Rose’s POV The first thing that hits me is the smell. I don’t think I’ll ever find the words to describe it, but I can taste it in the back of my throat every time I breathe in. It’s cold and silent except for my panicked breaths and my pulse thundering in my ears .The last thing I remember is running down the beach, looking back at Phoenix and seeing wolves attacking, then a gunshot. Now, here I am, blindfolded and tied to a chair in a place that smells like a teenage boy’s gym bag.“You won’t get away with this.” I shout, sounding braver than I feel. I don’t even know why I said it. It’s the first thing that came to mind. Maybe I’ve seen one too many movies for my own good.Footsteps behind me have me turning my head as if I would be able to see who is there. They don’t say anything, but the smell of cigarettes adds to the stench of the place. “What do you want with me? I have no money, I’m not worth anything.” It’s a sad fact, but a fact all the same. Why would anyone kidnap me
Phoenix’ POV We have searched the entire pier, under it, the arcades, every coffee shop, nook and cranny, twice. Rose is nowhere to be found. Wherever she is, she is barely dressed and probably freezing and confused. Why did I have to drag her out of bed? I can’t think clearly around her, and it shows. She would have been safer locked in the house, not running down the beach half naked and scared. I could have kept them out. My brothers were close by. I should have known they would be there in moments to have my back, they always are, it’s what we do.“Let’s go back to the house and check again, we might have missed her,” Jackson suggests, most likely aware of all the attention I was drawing to us with my raised voice and the rumble emanating from my chest. My other brothers, Jackson and Braydon, joined the search after we couldn’t find her where I told her to wait, and they felt my panic over our link.“Where the fuck is she? I told her, hide under the pier. I couldn’t have been any
Rose’s POV “Smile sweetheart. You don’t want them to think you aren’t having fun, do you?” The boss man’s voice sounds so familiar. Having fun, what the hell is he talking about? It takes a second to remember he sent someone to get a camera, and my blood runs cold at the thought of him taking photos of me like this.“Here, Vin, you take the picture.” I listen, but don’t try to move. In my head I’ve gone from thoughts of fighting and trying to get away, to giving up and accepting my fate, to praying to a God I have never believed in that I make it out of here alive. That’s where I know his voice from. My mind flits to granny Gwynn, and I wonder if I’ll be seeing her again sooner than I thought. He was at her funeral. Mr Ant... something. I have never met him before today but I’m sure it’s him. Something about the way he said my name earlier was familiar, the way he rolled the R, just like the man at the funeral.Even through my blindfold I’m aware of a camera flash lighting up the ro
Phoenix’ POV The red neon sign for Angelo’s Gym comes into view, and my heart, which has been slamming away since I realised she was gone, slows down ever so slightly. She is in there. I’ll have her in my arms in minutes. Now is the time to slow down, think shit through and don’t fuck it up.“So, we will go in first and take down Antonellia and his men. You get Rose and get out. Do you hear me Phoenix. You can make him pay later, just get her out of there.” Jackson holds my head in both of his hands and gives it a shake. We have been over the rather loose plan a few times. I know my brothers can deal with whatever we are walking into, and all I have to do is get Rose out of there quickly and safely.“Yes, I hear you. Get her out.” I know why he is treating me like a wet behind the ears pup. When it comes to Rose, I seem to forget my training and act on instinct, which isn’t a good thing considering I’m a trained killer and my wolf seems to be teetering on the edge of feral.Our phone
Rose’s POV Sitting in his lap is nice. I’ve dreamed about being this close to him for the last three years. The experience is ruined when every bump in the road jolts my body and sends stabbing pains up through me from my very sore and swollen private area.When he asked where I hurt, I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me. As if being found tied up and naked wasn’t bad enough, I wasn’t about to tell him what that monster did to me. I’m not sure I could even form the words. It all feels so unreal, like maybe it didn’t really happen and I might wake up at any minute.I think he knows though. The look on his face and the anger I can feel rolling off him in waves tells me he at least has some idea. I should tell him what happened in case he is imagining the worst, thinking that I was raped. I don’t want him to see me like that, imagining me being damaged or soiled or broken beyond repair. Phoenix has always been my hero, but the thought of him seeing me as a victim makes my heart
Phoenix’ POV Well, here she is, at our place just like the guys wanted, especially Ranger. I can’t help feeling like maybe I’ve bitten off more than I can chew. After seeing that video, there is no way I or my wolf could bear the thought of letting her out of our sight, so bringing her home made perfect sense. Shit, I’m struggling to even think of putting her down. She feels so damn right, curled up in my arms, all soft and warm.We get to the bunker about ten minutes after the others. They ran ahead to get the lights on and fire going and check to make sure there hadn’t been any activity in the vicinity whilst we had been gone. Jackson has made up the guest room for her, fool that he is, really thinks I’m leaving her after what she has just been through. The only place she will sleep is my bed. I don’t care if I spend every night of the rest of my life sleeping in a chair. She belongs in my bed, nowhere else.You wouldn’t know our bunker is here unless you were really looking for it
Phoenix’ POV “I’m here, if you want to talk... about tonight... about anything.” I broach the subject delicately. I saw her embarrassment earlier, and even now, I feel her face heat against my chest, but the kind of trauma she has just endured shouldn’t be swept under the rug and left to fester.“He didn’t ra..” she swallows, “he didn’t rape me.” She forces the words out, her face mashed against my chest like she can’t bear to look at me.“Look at me, Rose.” I wait for her to comply. It takes her a moment, and I feel her take a deep breath before she lifts her head, and her swollen, tear streaked face looks up at me.“You have nothing to be ashamed of. What happened, whatever happened, is on him, not you. He has absolutely no right to be in your head, and you need to know you are stronger than him. You are stronger than anyone I know.” I try not to let on that I know exactly what happened. I saw the depraved act with my own eyes, and that shit will be burned into my memory for as lo
Rose’s POV I wake up in a bed that isn’t mine, and panic starts to creep in until I remember being carried through the forest by Phoenix. I recall him tucking me in, kissing my forehead and sweeping my hair off my face. I thought it was another one of my dreams, but when his fingers brushed my cheek, my body fizzed with something, not excitement but something like it. That feeling doesn’t happen in dreams. When I go to sit up, throbbing pain radiates between my legs, and I lay back down carefully. For just a second, I forgot all about last night. My giddiness about Phoenix and the way he has been with me had been on my mind even in my sleep.“Aaaah, jesus.” My hand goes straight between my legs, and the memories of everything that happened comes crashing back. My labia are sore and swollen, and everything down there feels bruised and tender.A rustling noise at the end of the bed startles me, and I stop feeling around to assess the damage and lay perfectly still. I’ve heard of being
Phoenix’ POV I’m itching to let Augustus loose to hunt Antonellia so my beast can sink his teeth into his dirty, rotten flesh and skin him alive. Knowing one of his minions draws breath on our island, within spitting distance of Rose, it makes my body pulse with rage. I hold in my instinctual urges. My attention needs to be with Rose and on everything Amarragh told us last night. Jackson is more than capable of making the piece of shit in the genny shed regret every beat of his heart.“Amarragh, can I ask you something?” Rose swallows another mouthful of the pancakes I’ve been absentmindedly feeding her whilst thinking about our next steps.“Anything, little witch.” He smiles over his giant mug of thick, tar coloured coffee. He takes his java so strong you could stand a spoon up in it. “How do I claim my gifts? You said I need to harness my powers, and I have no idea how to do that. Over the last couple of days, things have felt... different. Like there is something growing inside m
Rose’s POVMorning came quickly, and after Phoenix delivered on his promise, he barely got a few hours of sleep, and I lay awake watching the sky grow lighter. I lived most of my life at the edge of the ocean, and the sound of the waves rolling in is like a comfort blanket for me.The storm last night was exactly what I needed to feel recharged and ready to face what I have accepted to be my life now. My man, my mate, worships me with his words, body, and mind, but there is a threat out there that wants to take him from me. I refuse to lose anyone else.Amarragh sure had a lot to say about everything. His words about owning my gifts stuck with me. I’ve had all night to think about it, and I think he was being literal. I need to know how. How do I claim my gifts? What will they be? He seemed to think I have more than one, which I gather is unusual. I just hope whatever magic I have is useful for all of us.As I carefully lift Phoenix’ arm, which has me pinned to the mattress, he stirs
Phoenix’ POV“It’s been a long night, and this storm doesn’t look like it’s going to let up any. Let’s baton down the hatches and get some sleep. I think we all have a lot to process.” I‘m done with this for now, I can’t take any more in. I move my hand a little higher on Rose’s thigh, letting her know exactly what is on my mind right now.With all that’s going on, I just want to lose myself in her for a bit and put tonight to the back of my mind.Ranger, Ryder and Braydon all seem to agree and push their chairs back as they stand from the table.“I’ll join you shortly. I need to have a word with Amarragh.” Jackson still looks like his whole world has come crumbling down around his ears as he gives Amarragh a sideways look that asks him not to leave yet.I can’t even begin to imagine what is going through his head right now. The two of them have always been the closest and I imagine he is wondering if it was all real or just the bond that we now know is more than what we thought.“Com
Rose’s POVAgain, Amarragh has taken a side track in his explanation. This is all far more complicated and deeper than I had ever expected. Hearing one of the most hated names in history only makes me realise how messed up this is. The second world war was almost ninety years ago and still that name is renowned as pure evil.“What did he hold over you Amarragh? And what does that have to do with your bond to the guys?” I know this has got to be leading somewhere but I am anxious to get answers. Phoenix feels numb with shock, and I can’t say that is making me feel at ease. Shock isn’t in his nature, or his beast’s.“My blood was one of the main components of the gene therapies they engineered. Their knowledge of its regenerative effects and the control it would give them of their creations, was my undoing. If I had not stayed to maintain some control, the fallout would have been catastrophic. Mengele would give himself infusions of my blood, making himself almost immortal as far as he
Phoenix’ POVRose’s words echo in my head and Amarragh’s face pales. Our bond? Amarragh is like the unruly step brother of our group, but I always assumed that was because of the shit we constantly got into and out of together. Apparently that it not the case.“My bond with Alpha Team was forged in fire and blood. It isn’t what anyone could call a traditional or natural bond, but it is strong none the less. You are right Rose, and I had hoped to never have to speak about this for fear of gross misunderstanding, especially given what everyone here has just learned about my father and grandfather, but alas, secrets will out.” Amarragh confirms Rose’s accusation that there is more to it.“What do you mean old friend?” Jackson’s voice breaks as he looks at the vampire. The two of them have the closest relationship out of everyone at this table, and if we have been betrayed, he will feel it the worst.“I mean, the fires of war and all that we have survived together strengthened a bond that
Rose’s POV I’m right. I can tell by the look of shock on his face. I still think there is something else, something more that he doesn’t want to share yet. I can feel it in the marrow of my bones. There is something much, much deeper than shared trauma and war stories that ties him to the guys. “You have your mother’s intuition you know, and Gwynn’s fire. It looks like you have Sage’s foresight too.” Amarragh runs his tongue over his teeth, stopping at his sharp canine and pressing the soft flesh against it. A single drop of blood drips onto his lip, and the small puncture heals instantly.‘Do wolves heal like that?’ I ask over the link.‘Not that quickly.’ Braydon answers, taking a sip of his drink. All the guys have sat in stunned silence as Amarragh tells us about his family, and apparently mine too.“Who is Sage?” I’ve never heard that name before, but the way he says it makes a warm sensation trickle down my spine.Amarragh reaches across the table to the open book and points t
Phoenix’ POV “What did they want?” I ask as I lower my head and take a deep, calming breath of Rose’s sweet scent. She has such a calming effect on me, and my addiction to her grows more and more with every passing day. Sometimes, I wonder if I should be worried. I love her so completely, I would raze the earth to the ground for her. Of course, she would never ask such a thing, and that only makes me adore her even more. Augustus rumbles in appreciation. His head is still firmly back in bed now that he trusts Amarragh and his promise that he is no threat to our mate. My old friend only seems curious and perhaps impressed by her lineage, but that doesn’t do much to put my possessive nature at ease. In fact, Augustus doesn’t seem surprised in the slightest by Amarragh’s secret. All I felt from his little outburst was that he didn’t care for the vampire’s wandering eyes. It wouldn't surprise me to discover that my beast already knew Amarragh’s secret, or at least suspected what he w
Rose’s POV Phoenix leaves the link between him, the guys and myself open whilst Amarragh sits opposite Phoenix and I waiting to see if the men he has known, and lied to, for almost their whole live, are going to give him the chance to tell his story.‘There is something about him that I can’t put my finger on.’ I tell Phoenix, but everyone looks at me, and Jackson nods discreetly. He is Amarragh’s biggest fan from what I can gather, and this is likely to hit him the hardest.‘We have never been able to really figure him out. He is the best at what he does, that’s why he’s here, and I have learned a lot from him over the years... but... this. How could we have been so blind? I always thought perhaps he was some kind of wolf. There is a bond between us, so that is what made sense. I suppose now it makes sense why he never shifted.’ Jackson is struggling with this revelation as much as Phoenix but for different reasons entirely.“When I was born, the world was different. Disease was ri
Phoenix’ POV The fact that Amarragh, a man we have all known since childhood, is a vampire... an actual vampire... like from books and movies vampire... blows my god damned mind. Anyone would think I should have developed some kind of immunity to this shit by now.And... to top that off, Rose has just made everyone aware of the fact that she can see the past, or read minds, or some shit like that. Oh, and not forgetting that there is a long list in Gwynn’s book of powers she could possibly have. Not least amongst them.. something to do with fire. Amarragh sure seems to know a hell of a lot about witches. Actually, he seems to know too fucking much about the Llewellyns specifically. Did he know Gwynn? “How the fuck do you know anything about Gwynn and her ‘gifts’ or whatever the hell you call them? Just who or what, exactly are you?” Augustus still sits just beneath my skin, and the fact that this fucker, regardless of how many times over I owe him my life, knows anything about Ro