The last few days have been a blur.
I have spent so much time on calls with The Great Council getting as up-to-speed on Isla’s dad as I could be. My wolf and I were still so angry at the thought of Isla being beaten almost to death.
Who does that to a child, their child, a child with no wolf to heal her? It does answer the question of her scarring. I get chills thinking of all those scars. Each scar was an everlasting reminder of a beating she took, the pain she had to bare.
Did it go on for years?
Did Alpha Damon know? Surely he didn’t.
What kind of sick fuck would let that go on in their pack? I have not yet had to hand down any severe punishments in my pack but I know that for certain I wouldn’t have stood by and let that happen.
I have Grayson reviewing all patrol schedules to ensure there are no week spots in the coming future. Alpha Garret said he would let us know the day of transport, but due to security measures he couldn’t give more advance notice. We were going to have to tell patrol, but in little few words as possible. I’m sure Isla wouldn't want to be seen as a weakness with being so new here.
Friday finally rolls around. Grayson took point and announced to patrol during this morning's training. I couldn’t take my eyes off Isla the entire time. It absolutely gutted me to think of the torture she's survived.
My wolf trying to come to the surface with the urge to console her? I hold him back, I’ve never felt so compelled to protect someone before, it must be my wolf response to the lack of sleep or runs, or both... I make a mental note to take get out for a run soon.
Later when Grayson and I get back to my office, I pour us each a glass of whiskey. “Thanks, boss,” he says as he takes the amber-colored liquor from my hand.
We keep refilling the glasses, and bullshitting for hours, it’s nice. We haven’t done this in a long time. Grayson is my oldest friend, hell he’s basically my brother. His dad was my father's Beta and we grew up beside each other.
“Well, I’m gonna head to bed, meeting my parents tomorrow for breakfast,” Grayson says as he runs a hand through his hair and stands. I nod, throwing back the last of my drink. He looks back as he opens the door, “you should too man.” “I won't be too far behind you,” I reply.
I set the glasses back with the whiskey and start towards the door. Just as I’m about to the door, it swings open.
“Fiona, what are you doing here?” I ask. She runs her hand up my arm, her voice a low whisper, “I know you didn't mean it when you said we were done.”
Fuck.
This is a bad idea, I know it, but there's just enough whiskey in me that I’m riding a strong buzz- One last time I tell myself.
She reaches back and locks the door. Her hands made their way to my waistband- she was not wasting time. Stepping out of my jeans, she grabs at my cock, it hardening in her hand as she strokes it. I trail my hands up her thighs, one continues up under her navy cotton sundress and finds her breast. I knead it in my fand, flicking her nipple as I feel it pebble up.
My other hand cups her warm pussy. Pushing her panties aside, I plunge my finger into her wet heat. A breathy gasp leaves her lips as I let out a moan, the desire to ram myself inside her peaks. I withdraw my hands, turn her around and bend her over the couch. I lift her dress and yank her panties down, she looks back over her shoulder at me licking her lips, and whispers, “Fuck me Alpha”.
Fisting my hard length, I rub it along her dripping slit as a quick tease before lining myself up at her opening. With one quick thrust, I’m buried inside her. She yelps from the sudden intrusion, there is no need to be slow with Fiona. It has always been hard and dirty, with no romance for us.
She pants as I grip her hips, hammering my cock into her repeatedly. It doesn't take long before I feel her walls start to tighten around my dick. She screams, “Oh Zac, Oh, Oh Fuu-uh-ckk” as she starts to whither, I fist my hand in her hair, and with one final thrust, I find my release too.
Once the wave has passed through me, I pull out. Fiona turns around with a sly smirk on her lips and says “Tell me you don’t want to keep doing this”.
I meet her gaze. Along with the rise of a potential threat, this has been on my mind. While the sex with Fiona is great, that's all it is, Sex. She isn’t my mate, I won’t take her as my chosen one and the hopeless romantic in me still wants to find my fated mate. I know fucking Fiona has to stop so I can focus on the security of the pack, and finding my mate.
I button my jeans and run a hand over my face. “This was it, Fiona, it was fun and all but you know this was never going to be more than physical. This was the last time. We have mates out there and we're not gonna find them while we're fucking each other.”
His smile fades and anger flashes in her eyes. “What the fuck Zac! The Mate thing? Seriously? You’re a real piece of work.” She fixes her dress, strides to the door, and leaves with a loud slam.
Scrubbing my hands on my face, I sigh. I should get to bed before she comes back. It needed to happen, I always made it clear to her that “us” would never be a thing.
*****
4:27 the alarm clock glows in red. Rolling to my back, I stare at the ceiling. I wasn’t sleeping well, to begin with, but now my wolf is pressing me to stay awake. I haven’t let him out to run yet, I guess now is a better time than any. Tossing back the comforter, I make my way to the walk-in closet, grab a pair of mesh shorts and pull them on over my boxers. I don’t even bother with shoes, I’ll shift on the back patio.
Quietly, I make my way downstairs and head out the sliding glass doors. I slip off the shorts and boxers and set them on a patio chair as I call my wolf forward. My bones start snapping and quickly re-arranging and then I’m on all fours.
Shifting doesn’t hurt, it did at first when I was 13 and started integrating with my wolf but now it's no different than cracking my knuckles. I take off to the tree line, the cool night breeze bringing instant comfort as it washes over me. I start to set back and let my wolf have full control when I smell it. That warm, delicious honey/cinnamon smell brings me back to the front. My wolf turns and darts off in search of it.
It is getting stronger but now I smell something else mixed in, something putrid, like rotting trash. What else? Is that blood? Something is not right. My paws slap the ground as I make my way to the South side of the tree line, back past the pack house.
I spot the source of the garbage smell, a rogue. I quickly mind link patrol and give them my location. I keep going toward the rogue as I hear a small whimper, my eyes darting to a small body, covered in blood, and my wolf goes crazy.
I lunge forward, locking my teeth around the rogue's neck, shaking my head, and ripping out his neck as the warm taste of copper floods my mouth. His body goes limp and I throw it aside. I hear the patrol guys thundering closer as my bones snap and my spine straightens. Adrenaline is raging through my body, when I see it, auburn hair.
My whole chest tightens and my wolf presses forward. “MATE”. The urgency to hold her, to take away the pain intensifies. I reach out and lift her head, that’s when I see the gash trickling blood onto the already blood-covered rock. I scoop her up and head straight to the infirmary.
I just found my mate, I can’t lose her on the same night.
Audrie and I continue to meet downtown at a quaint little coffee shop before our patrol shits. Luckily she is an even bigger caffeine addict than I am. It’s during these times when she has been spilling all the pack tea - it’s nice, even if it is gossip it makes me feel so much more connected here. I tried not to be so obvious about my interest in Beta Grayson or Alpha Zac, but Audrie saw right through me. Busted. Alpha Zac and Fiona are not mates, nor are they even dating. I guess he is a “nice” guy but tends to be a playboy. Shit, with the way he looks and the energy he oozes, I’m not surprised, hell he has been the starring role in my recent shower releases. Grayson is close to the same but much more discrete. However, Audrie has experience with Grayson. She tells me about a hot and steamy hook-up they had outside of this Club on the outskirts of Clear Creek. Audrie also tells me all about her and her family. They have been part of this pack for a few generations, her pare
“HAPPPY BIRTHDAAAAY” they yell out as we clink our shot glasses together. I throw back the tequila and feel it burn all the way down to my stomach. This has to be my sixth? Seventh? shot..I’ve lost track, but the buzz I’m riding is supreme. Audrie makes her way back to the dance floor with Connor and Liz. Paul and Anna go back to the shameless flirting they have been doing all night. “So how’s it feel birthday girl?” Tate says turning to rest his back on the bar. “Well right now I feel great!!” I giggle. “Haha, I think that might be the tequila talking,” He says. “Nah, I’m good, I feel free.This is the first birthday since my Grandma died I’ve even celebrated” I respond. I see a tinge of sadness dance across his eyes. I hate that, I hate pity. “Isla, I’m sor..” he started. “Nope, nope, nope! We are having fun and that sentence doesn’t sound fun” I interrupt him. “ I am going to grab some air, that tequila has got me sweating!” I say and I head toward the door. Steppi
I’m going crazy here. Ever since this little firecracker walked into training, I knew I needed to get to know her. I haven’t found my mate yet, and it's Isla's birthday and I know that I’m not her mate either. I had to take a shot, see if she felt anything towards me. I’d like a mate, and if she’d have me for a chosen one, I’d sure take her. She is so fierce, and it's fucking attractive as hell. I know there's a storm brewing behind those eyes, but she always seems happy. When she didn’t come back in for a while, my wolf wouldn’t let me not check on her. Yeah, she's a warrior too, but it's my nature to want to protect her. I see her looking angelic, her creamy skin glowing under the moonlight. I approach quietly not to catch her off guard. “Are you okay? You’ve been out here a while?” I ask. “I’m good” she replied, her eyes not leaving mine. She’s always good, she wouldn’t let you know if she wasn’t, this girl is guarded. I want to get closer to her though. I can scent her arous
That. Just. Happened. Tate is tracing soft circles on my back as we both calm our racing hearts. I never thought I’d lose my virginity on a patio chair outside of a club, but I also thought I’d wait for my mate. I’m not mad at it though. This was so blissful, Tate was so gentle, it was sweet. I take in a deep breath and push myself up stealing another peck on his soft lips. I go to stand, my legs mush beneath me but Tate’s strong arms find my waist steadying me. The stormy waves in his eyes ushered a calm to wash over me. There is a fondness in his eyes, no one has looked at me like this before. I don’t know what will happen between us, but it has been a birthday I will never forget. “So uh, ready to head back in?” Tate says as he runs a hand through his hair. “Mhmmmm” “Why don’t you head in first and I’ll catch up?” I respond. “You embarrassed to be seen with me now smalls?” he says as a smile dances across his face. Giving him a playful shove, I say, “ I’m not trying to be t
*A series of flashbacks* 11 years ago - Isla Age 8 Kicking off my shoes, I crawl to the middle of my bed, pulling the fluffy purple comforter around me as the tears trickle down my cheek. I can’t believe my mom is really gone. Every pack member was in tears at her service today, even Alpha Damon’s eyes were glassy. Alpha Damon promised the pack to up patrol numbers after the rogue attack. It wouldn’t bring my mom back, but it was a nice gesture. I wonder if I wouldn’t have been at the park that day if she’d been killed. I begged dad to let me go with my friends, he was too busy with his Beta duties to put up a fight so he just gave in and let me. There were a dozen rogues that made their way into the pack that day and three of them were coming for the pups at the park. If mom hadn’t spotted me crouched down by the slide, maybe she would have seen the other wolf stocking out of the tree line. She saved me though it cost her life. Dad was a complete wreck after that. They say when t
“Hey, boss…drink this” Gayson says handing me a to-go cup filled with hot coffee. “Thanks,” I say, taking the cup. I take a large swig of the hot liquid and it burns all the way down. The burn does little to distract me from the gut-wrenching site in front of me. “What’d the doctors have to say about Luna?” Grayson asks as he takes a seat near the door. My heart flutters at him calling her Luna, but then my chest tightens recalling the doctor's words. I rub my thumb softly over the creamy backside of her hand feeling the tiniest sparks of electricity dance on my skin. “She…uhm” I clear my throat and suck in a deep breath to get the words out. “She said that she has a skull fracture. That she should wake up, but they didn’t know when..” “That's good though right? With her wolf, she’ll heal right up and be back to being a tiny tormentor at training in no time” Grayson said with a playful hope. I shake my head, “ They have reason to believe she was...Uhm...raped.” The word was rep
Swaddled in the cloaking darkness, I wonder if the darkness is finally my death. It has been many years since the calming warmth of nothing surrounded me. How did I get here?As the restrictions of the darkness start to loosen, allowing awareness to creep back in, I realize I can’t be dead.A soft steady beeping hums a melody I can’t quite place. My wolf stirs as the smell of fresh rain and cedar starts invading me with each breath I draw in. My body feels heavy, my eyelids resist as I work to blink them open. As my eyes finally comply and softly open, I am greeted with the bright fluorescent glow of industrial lighting. A hospital?I see Audrie playing on her phone beside me… how hard did I party?I go to sit up, but the action comes too fast and my head throbs in agony. “Ahhrghh” but it comes out gravelly as my throat feels so dry.“ISLA!” Audrie screeches as she springs towards me. She grabs a cup from the side table and holds it positioning the straw to my lips. “The water will
“URGHHHH, my head,” I say through gritted teeth. Suddenly large corded arms are wrapped around me causing tiny electric sparks to dance across my skin. Alpha Zac is leading me to the sofa in his office. He sits me down, his large hands cupping my shoulders. His beautiful eyes are swimming with concern as they sweep me from head to toe. “Isla, are you okay?!” Zac asks. “Uh, yeah, I think so?” I say still trying to process. “MATE!!” my wolf is screaming at me. “Mate” I whisper. I close my eyes, Alpha Zac’s hands still holding my shoulders, the warmth is nice. Alpha Zac is my mate? Oh no, I legit just lost my virginity before finding him? I didn’t think I’d even find a mate and it's a freaking Alpha! Oh, gawd. This is a lot. Oh no, Tate, I think he was in here. Oh, goddess. What a mess. I take a deep breath, cedar and fresh rain flood my nose- he smells delicious. I can feel my palms sweating, I go to wipe them and that's when I realize, I’m not wearing pants. Oh, go
1-1/2 Years Later... Spreading the light-weight blue linen blanket out on the neatly kept grass, I drop the heavy diaper bag down before placing my precious son down and sitting beside him. Fall weather is just starting to fill the days. The air is fresh and crisp around us, and the breeze is light as it tussles his curls. Giggling as his tiny hand fists the lush green grass, his turquoise eyes sparkle as they meet mine. My heart can't help but swell at the sight of him. Pulling him onto my lap, "Mama," he babbles at me, squirming out of my hold to explore the new area. Drawing a deep breath, the smell of nature around us soothes me. "Hey, tater-tot, Mama wants to introduce you to someone." I push his chestnut ringlets away from his eyes, and he stills, gazing at me with so much wonder. So much innocence. I fully intend to let him live his life surrounded and encouraged by love, swaddled in unconditional promises to protect and support his every dream. "I.." my voice squeaks. I've
As I pulled it from the heat, the tea kettle's hissing slowly dwindled. "Ouch, fuck, mmmm." I mutter out as the steam scalds my hand. "Isla, are you okay? Why are you out of bed" An overly concerned Zac says as he tucks the towel around his waist. "I'm fine; I wanted a cup of tea, that's all." I try to hide the annoyance in my voice. "I would have made it for you once I got out of the shower." My eyes raked over his still-dripping body. The water droplets followed every hardline on his body, each glistening muscle rippling with his moves. Pushing back his wet ringlets with one hand, the other holding the towel that hung low on his hips. I sucked my bottom lip into my mouth, biting down on it as I admired the sight before me. I swear these pregnancy hormones have me squeezing my legs together at just the thought of Zac. "I know you would have, but I can't possibly lay in that bed all damn day." I sighed. Closing the distance between us, his scent, so much stronger these days,
"Fiona?" Her name was sour on my tongue. Her brown locks whipped the air as she turned in our direction; panic flashed in her eyes before they glazed over. She was mind-linking; the others must be close by. "GRAB HER!" Before I even finished, Audrie was behind her. Snatching her wrist, Audire twisted it behind her back and kicked behind her knees, dropping Fiona to the ground. Not even bothering with gloves, Audrie grabbed the silver cuffs from the pouch on her hip and restrained Fiona. Shrieking as Audrie pressed her head to the dirt and moved a knee to her back, Fiona lay there, tears glossing her eyes. "Where the fuck is Isla, you flimsy cunt?" "Ahh, stop it; you're hurting me!" Fiona whimpers. Threading a hand into Fiona's dark locks, Audries fists a handful of hair before yanking up and slamming her face forcefully back into the dirt. "Hurting you? How about how you helped hurt her!" "Ahhhh," Fiona coughs, spittle and blood drip into the dirt beneath her face. "Fine, FI
My muscles are rigid, the weight of my own body anchoring me to this mite palace of a mattress. I don't know how much time has passed since I've been in this musty crypt. Drifting in and out of restless sleep and bouts of consciousness, the days or weeks, whatever it's been, have bled together. They avoid me, leaving me alone...I'm not sure which is worse, alone with my thoughts and fears or in the presence of my captors and my father. It's been seven years since I've seen that face in person. His hair was buzzed short now, but there was enough to see how the grey hairs blended into the black. The stubble on his face was the same. His eyes...what used to be pale blue eyes, icy and cold, were dark and murky, showing his wolf was forward- just like the day in the cells when they took me away. They say when a mate bond breaks, it can make a wolf go crazy, feral even; it's even been known to kill. I think when that bond broke, the cracks in his soul bound with that of his wolf, and they m
Nothing. It’s been three days since I couldn’t protect my family. I’ve done nothing short of kicking myself for not kicking that cumwad Kyle out of the pack as soon as we knew he assaulted Isla. The search groups have been working these last two days relentlessly. I have been bouncing around from group to group, assisting with breaches of abandoned buildings. I want to be the one who saves her. I need to redeem myself; I feel like a real piece of shit for not being better. I always thought I was a fair Alpha, lenient even; maybe that was a mistake. The group I’m running with today will be hitting a patch of land between Red Rapids and Green Hill. It was mostly forest, but there were a few old factories that had piqued our interest. Mesmerized by the wisps of steam twisted up from the hot cup of coffee I was swirling, I didn’t hear the door of the Community Center we were crashing in click open. “Couldn’t sleep, Alpha?” Audrie asks. “Something like that,” taking a swig of the s
The darkness is so familiar. It used to be the thing that comforted me, but I want nothing more now than to escape it. Zac has become my safe place. Small glimpses of reality interrupt the darkness every now and then, but I know I haven't had a chance to regain consciousness fully. The burning sensations that accompany each new image, I'm guessing that they keep injecting me. I really hope it's not hurting the baby... The pain is the first thing to come back to me. I feel like I've been hit by a Mac truck, and then he threw it in reverse for good measure. Blinking my eyes open, I groan out in pain, my mouth no longer covered.It looks like a basement. There are no windows, concrete floors, and walls, each just as filthy as the other, and a door with a gap at the bottom letting light creep in. My muscles are so stiff I try to stretch, only to be met with the resistance and searing of the silver chains. How long have I been here? Where even is here? I don't have much time to dwell o
It's dark, so dark. Goddess, I really thought I'd never be here again. As I traipse through the silent void, I try to remember how I got here this time... The air around me seems to tremble steadily just as a thumping sound slowly grows around me. It's getting louder as I walk in its direction. The pulsations fill me; my head throbs in pain. The pain is so intense, unlike any I have felt before. With a glimmer of awareness, I find myself still in the darkness, but I can feel my body. My body feels heavy, but at the same time, like it's no longer connected. I try to blink my eyes open, but they won't or can't; I'm not sure. I try to feel for my wolf but can't find her. The veil that is usually between us feels more like a brick wall... Wolfsbane. There had to be wolfsbane in whatever they stabbed in my neck. They? The thumping and throbbing continue- it is debilitating. Pushing through, little fragments float past me, memories. Think, Isla, how did we get here? Why are we h
The overly bright rays of the morning sun penetrate through my eyelids, causing me to stir. Begrudgingly, I blinked open my eyes only to squeeze them shut again. The dull stabbing in my head was fighting the ringing in my ears for dominance. I swear my whole body was aching like I had spent the night in battle. What the fuck happened to me? Reality smashes back into me without warning, and my eyes fly open. The harsh light no longer slows me. My heart lodges into my throat; I look around and realize I'm still in my office. I stretch and draw in a deep breath. The faint stale stench of whisky and blood permeates the air around me, cocking an eyebrow and sitting up to find the source. I see the bar cart, and its contents have been knocked over, well mangled, actually. Once filled with different liquors, each glass decanter now covered the floor in pieces. Glass shards caught the light like a dangerous version of glitter. Trailing around the room, my eyes continue to take in the damage
Pinching the bridge of my nose, I toss the folder of contracts on the desk. All the legal jargon was starting to give me a headache. Acquisitions were great for the Ellis Group’s business but reading through all the negotiations was a real bitch. I’m glad my dad’s still around, I have six of these to get through and the second set of eyes is helping me get through them. Leaning back in my chair, I close my eyes to rest for a minute. Thinking back to this morning in the shower…the stress relief had been more than welcome for both of us. The council's shotty job and lack of advances on the search have been grating on my nerves even further. Maybe I’ll order some food and see if Audrie and Connor want to come over and hang out with Isla and me tonight. Food, drinks, good company….distractions, and a bit of calm amid this storm would be good for all of us. If we were lucky it could lead to a good night's sleep for Isla also. I could sure as hell use the sleep too. I would never say any