It’s Waylon, dressed smartly in a bow tie. He stares at Ariadne in open-mouthed horror.Ariadne has the good sense to let the Beta go, who immediately curls into a ball.“It’s nice to see you again,” Ariadne says, adjusting her dress.“What are you doing here?” Waylon stutters. “He’s not even here. We should—”Ariadne brushes past the Beta, the scent of daffodils permeating around her.“Wait-” Waylon says, trying to catch her shoulder but retracting upon reflecting. He doesn’t want to end up like the doorman.Ariadne trots downstairs to where the action’s happening. It’s a den of iniquity, an indoor hot tub going, filled with people for hire, card games, casino chips, pool games, and a piano with martini glasses atop it.The main event is about to start, the selling of bodies, makeup to paint over bruises, and glitter diamonds to cover up abuse.A few curious eyes rake over Ariadne’s body, making her instantly want to peel her skin off. She takes a seat at the bar, manned by a tall, s
The car ride back to the Park Estate is quiet. Waylon sits in the passenger's seat, and Kelly sits in the back, hands neatly folded. Ariadne flicks on the radio, a catchy tune clashing so harshly with the atmosphere that it defeats the purpose. After a moment, she turns it off, settling back into the silence. And that's when she notices that the car two paces behind her has been following her for the last few blocks. Waylon tenses immediately when Ariadne's expression changes, the Omega's hands on the wheel tightening ever so slightly. "What's wrong, boss— I mean, Ariadne?" "We're being followed," Ariadne hisses. "Don't react. I'm gonna lure them somewhere deserted. Waylon, are you still good of a shot as I remember." Waylon's eyes darken, and he whips out his Glock. "Yeah. I earned my colors as a long-range marksman once upon a time." "When I give you the signal, you shoot out one of his tires," Ariadne replies, keeping her speed steady, rounding a corner. The map of the distr
“Hey,” Victor says quickly. “Why are you calling? Are my babies okay?”“Everything’s fine. They’re just worried about you, and the mutinous creatures demanded one phone call, or they wouldn’t go to school.”Victor sighs with relief. “Put them on.”Kelly’s voice comes in first, loud, worried, rambunctious. “Daddy! Mama! It’s me. Are you dead?”“Baby,” Victor shouts. “Don’t say such things.”“I’m okay. Mama’s okay,” Ariadne answers.“I miss you,” Kelly says quickly. “When are you coming home? I think the dreamcatcher you made us isn’t working. You need to buy one from a witch doctor. It’s the—”Her voice cuts out.“Give Ashley a turn,” Anna says.The sound of something being shuffled around.“Come home,” says a voice that could only be their son, neither demanding nor a request.“Soon, Asheei,” Victor answers. “I found Mama, and she was alright.”“Come home,” Ashley says again, this time a little more urgent.“I promise, we’ll be back,” Ariadne whispers.“Come home before it’s too late,
The last few days of fishing pan out. Harry's sources bite. With Ariadne's appearance at the Auction House and the fluttering rumor that certain wolves of the night are planning to blow it away brick by brick, he's surfaced.Victor's packing a bag, getting ready for a stakeout with his Uncle, and Ariadne's making every attempt to slow him down under the guise of cooperation."Baby," Ariadne calls, holding out several different styles of jerky in her hands. "Which one do you want? Spicy or not spicy?""Just put them both in," Victor says, pulling on a Kevlar vest, smoothing out the velcro. "It's fine.""I wanted to eat one too," Ariadne stalls. "Just pick one."Victor indulges the Omega, very aware of the subtle changes in her scent, substantial and sweet, and calling. He doesn't look and points to the package on the very most left.And Ariadne frowns. "But you don't even like ginger."Victor sighs exasperatedly, gracing the Omega with his full attention. "Baby!"Ariadne shrinks back w
Victor's disgusted, another man's fluid spatter on his cheeks. He wipes it away with his fingertips before he silences Gordon with a quick jab to his good eye."You need to shut up, brother," Harry says, folding his arms.Gordon focuses on the man, squinting, tilting his head from side to side as if to add twenty years to the man's visage."Harry? Oh my god, so it really was you that night, at the bar. I thought it was because I skipped a pill. I almost killed you.""Yeah, it's me," the Cold Wolf casually answers. "Long time no see."Gordon does the math in his head, and he turns to the Black Wolf. "Is that you? Victor?"A jolt goes down Victor's spine, but he ignores it."Yea, it's me," he answers."I didn't recognize you with the new hair. It looks weird. You should go back to natural," the man offers.He seems so lucid that Victor has hope, just the barest, that they won't have to hurt him tonight. "Listen, you shot one of my friends."Gordon scrolls backward in his head. "Ah, I sh
Ariadne can’t breathe. All the air has evaporated from her lungs. After a pensive night of waiting, when the hospital called her, she already knew something was wrong.Her wolf had whispered it to her; her other half was in life-threatening danger. Hearing the news that he was shot in the head was merely confirmation.Waylon’s driving, gunning it down the line, street lights passing overhead, a siren wailing in the distance, tires gliding against the road. The Beta’s chillingly put together, streamlined, and steady.Ariadne can’t even figure out the turn signals in her state, hunched over, knees tucked into her chest, crying inconsolably.“He’s-” Waylon begins, voice breaking off into a choked sob. He inhales sharply, focusing on the street, white-knuckle grip on the wheel. “He’s going to be okay.”Ariadne can’t speak, not a single word. Although if she could, she’d simply say that it was her fault, that she should have never let Victor go, she’s not sure he’s going to make it. And th
Ariadne doesn't shrink back from it, eyes of blue fire as she watches her other half. "I'm no one's wh*re. I think you know that."Victor's frown is petulant like a child's as he watches Ariadne carefully, studying every fiber of her making like a jeweler would a sapphire."Waylon, you can go," Ariadne says without turning away from Victor's gaze, locked eyes like two mutual predators sizing one another up.The Beta drinks up the tension in the room and realizes he's not safe standing between these two titans. "I'll be right outside this door—""Go," Ariadne repeats, her voice cut like a knife's edge.Waylon exits, closing the door behind him, a soft gust of air fanning Victor's perfect scent over Ariadne's face.Then they're alone, save for the whirring of machines and the periodic clock ticks on the wall."Alright, tell me what's happened, Omega?" Victor speaks, cold and emotionless. "I know that look in your eyes. Did I kill your lover? Are you looking for revenge?""My name is Ari
Ariadne wakes up from a dream she can’t remember, storm clouds in the distant and screams that could only belong to her children.The Omega wipes the stray tears from her eyes, sitting up from the hotel bed on the side that she’s not used to.It’s Victor’s pillow, his part of the sheets, his scent still trapped in the cotton from the night he’d slept there. Ariadne never should’ve let him leave, and now she’s reduced to cuddling with Victor’s pillow just to fall asleep for a few hours.Orange-Amber eyes appear in the dim, curious and concerned.“I heard a sound,” Waylon asks, cheeks ablaze. “Are you alright, Ariadne?”How could the Omega be alright? She’d just lost her husband and the person wearing his skin; Ariadne has to see him in a few hours to hash out a Pack Alliance.No one in their right mind would be halfway okay with the circumstances.“I’m fine,” Ariadne grumbles. “What time is it?”The dark sky outside gives no clue to the hour, ceaseless rain that could be a dream or nig
Then the adults are alone, an awkwardness washing over them, carrying with it their history. It goes all quiet, and all that's left is the sound of soldiers marching in the distance, carrying about their morning routines. "I-" Ariadne and Nathan say at the same time before pausing. The Alpha's cheeks go red, and his apple scent spikes high, taking on a sour note. He's nervous, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. “Y-You go ahead, Ariadne.” Ariadne doesn't even know what to say. It's been approximately one eternity since they've seen each other. "Thanks for taking care of- You brought them here, my babies." "Yea, no- it's cool," Nathan manages. "And thanks for- for not dying. I mean, I'm glad you're alive." Anna slaps Nathan on the shoulder. "What he's trying to say is, it's good to see you." Ariadne laughs, and then she cries. Then she launches herself forward and gives the pair a great big hug. She squeezes them tight, one in each arm. "F*ck," Ariadne says. "I thought I'd
“Are we there yet?” Ariadne asks despite herself.She doesn’t even know where they are, which is saying something. They’d promised to put Victor into one of their best hospitals, but there’s nothing that remotely resembles a hospital.There’s no town, barely a road to drive through. It’s miles of trees on both sides and a dirt road that looks like it might give way at any moment.“Fifteen minutes,” the Commissioner answers, hand steady on the wheel. “Take it easy, dear. We’re almost there.”Easy for him to say. Everyone he loves is alive and well. His son is literally getting a medal.Ariadne’s not sure about Victor. The alive part has been confirmed, yes. But, she doesn’t know who she’ll be seeing in a quarter hour’s time.Is it going to be Victor Erickson, father, and husband, or will it be the Black Wolf, Victor regressed to some other bizarre time frame? She has no idea.No. Ariadne takes a deep breath. She’d talked to Victor on the phone for a few minutes before he had to go. He
It's perfect timing. They're at the control panel that opens up to solitary confinement. Gordon's just through there, safe and tucked away.Felix uses his thumbprint to unlock the door. It's a pressure chamber. The thing hisses as the metal lid unseals from the wall.It's all lead up to this. They step inside and-It's empty."Where-"Gordon's not in the cell. Though it does look like he's been there, the space was modified to be more comfortable. Stolen seats from the guards' lounge, a big screen t.v that's leaning haphazardly against the wall, it's nice.But why isn't he here?He's supposed to be here.It's then that the screen turns on, and a very familiar face appears. It's a man wearing milk glass eyes, smiling wide. Ariadne's confusion turns into fury."I knew you would come, Ariadne. You're a mouse caught in a trap," Gordon speaks. "You want to kill me? You can't even find me. And now you never will."Trap? What trap?The metal door starts moving. It's shutting, pushed in by a
Felix is dressed from head to toe in swat gear. His face is blank, an assault rifle shoved under his armpit. He's hunched over in the locker room, eyes wide. He's not doing anything, long since dressed, shoelaces neatly tied. But he doesn't move. He hasn't moved for five minutes."You okay, kid?" Ariadne asks, tightening the velcro on her Kevlar vest, the fabric stiff under her fingers."I don't know," Felix hums, half a ghost. "My whole world has turned upside down in the last twelve hours."Ariadne has half a mind to slap the Alpha in the face. They have a mission, and if Felix dies, the Commissioner isn't going to be pleased.The older takes a seat on the opposite bench, resting her elbows on her knees. The situation is much too urgent for her to play the dad in a feel-good t.v. Show, as hard as she tries to.“How dramatic,” Ariadne hums."Monday morning," Felix says quietly. "I thought I understood everything. There was order, good guys, bad guys, policemen, and criminals. Now eve
Ariadne doesn’t know how long she’s been asleep for, an ache in her ancient bones, shedding tears over a dream she can’t remember. It’s light out, just barely dawn or dusk, Ariadne’s not sure. Blue casts over them, lines on the wall, setting divisions that aren’t truly there. Victor’s asleep, eyelids fluttering, every breath he takes is a strain, followed by a whistle. It hurts Ariadne to her core. He’s not recovering, that time has long since past. He needs medical attention. F*ck the costs. So what if he’s Victor Erickson, legendary mythos surrounding him, a ruthless and terrible criminal. He’s also a father and the love of Ariadne’s life. Doesn’t he deserve to live too? Hasn’t his life been about doing more good than harm? And one thing can be said for sure, when Victor was on the throne, there was order. “A-Ariadne?” A voice cuts into the night. “Baby?” Ariadne replies, cupping Victor’s face. It’s not Victor though, still asleep, eyes closed in eternal slumber. He forgets
Ariadne sees in shades of red, her wolf blood pulsing hot through her veins. It's hard to focus through the screams and the stampede of people trying to get through the two exits.The smell of fear in the air it's intoxicating and inviting. Ariadne wants to bite, sink her teeth into something, tear through it, and drink the red.Her enemy is in front of her, a great dark, eyeless specter. Gordon seems more like a shadow than a wolf, smoke rising off him, still hot from his transformation. His eyelids are sealed shut, and pink scar lines cut into his flesh.He raises his nose and tastes the air. It doesn't matter that he's blind; Ariadne knows. The man can still see them. He knows exactly where they are.Victor growls from the back of his throat, flashing rows of razor-sharp teeth, drool dribbling down his chin. His eyes are like glowing coals. Ariadne's not sure how much of her mate is in there and how much is the terrible beast he keeps prisoner.The three of them are giants. People
Fuck, this guy is really smart. Victor's glad that Felix isn't higher on the food chain. Sh*t could actually get done. "What do you mean?" Victor asks noncommittally. "You said it yourself that he was, just this morning." Felix flushes, rubbing the back of his head. "Ah, no judgment, but... I was only saying that to impress Sansa. I didn't know you guys were dating. We don't get a lot of Omega security officers here. They're usually reserved for Omega prisons." A pang of worry twists in Victor's stomach. He hopes Ariadne is alright. "Oh," Victor replies, "No, it's alright." Felix smiles, patting him on the shoulder. "So, what do you think about my theory?" "Your theory?" Victor repeats. "That's not Victor Erickson," Felix says again. "If I had to guess, that's Victor's First Beta. He's taking the hit for him." Bingo. "Come on," Victor clicks his teeth. "That's crazy." Felix's eyes widen. "I think I'd know if I was looking at the Black Wolf! I told you, I did my whole dissert
Victor watches himself in the mirror, his skin crawling. His appearance it's out of an alternate universe. He's wearing the cop clown suit. It's tight at the neck, and there's barely any room for his—Someone squeezes his ass, causing him to jump. A soft gasp escapes his lips. It's Ariadne, sneaking behind him, a Cheshire grin on her face."Hey there, sexy," the Omega teases. "Are you gonna arrest me?"Victor's heart drums, cheeks turning pink. Ariadne's alarmingly good-looking in her uniform, blond locks, and pale skin contrasting the dark color of the material.The Alpha turns fully around, taking Ariadne's hands, using his fingers as makeshift handcuffs."I don't think this is the time for roleplaying," Victor chides. "But I promise I'll arrest you later, at least three times."Ariadne laughs, something effortless about the way she stands. It's happier than he's seen the Omega in a long time."I look forward to it," Ariadne answers, pulling him along to the living room so they can
They leave the helicopter on the beach, already half-buried by the sea. Ariadne knows they’re not coming back for it. The thing will probably be a home for the crabs before turning into rust and getting swallowed by the sea.Under the cover of night, the five of them set sail for the mainland. Ariadne watches with one eye open as the sea rocks them. All she’s thinking about is not throwing up. It’s not a calm night, storm clouds pouring on them, lightning lighting up the sky.“Are we there yet?”Victor pulls her close, pressing the Omega’s chest to his head. “Almost, baby.”Ariadne takes in deep, calming breaths, Victor’s coffee scent filling her lungs. It helps, allowing the Omega to focus on something else besides the churning of the sea. Edward plops down beside them with a smile.“Why do you look so happy?” Victor asks.The Silver Omega presses a finger to his lips. “Is a secret.”Ariadne sighs, turning ever so slightly so she can have a better view of the other. “How can you smi