“Aaaaaahhhhhh…” A sharp pain coursed through my body.The bruising around the sides of my stomach was beginning to worsen; it went from a light purple to a dark purple and light blue. The bruise expanded from the side of my stomach to my lower torso.I could feel the heat in my body rising as a fever spiked. I was lightheaded and the voices in the room were becoming distorted. I could feel beads of sweat falling on the sides of my face and landing on my chest, soaking into the blanket that covered me.I felt a cold cloth draped gently around my face; the liquid washed over my features and soothed away the heat attached to the fever.“Arina, just breathe,” Jonathan whispered from beside me.He’s been wonderful. He hasn’t left my bedside since the pain started a few hours ago. Dr. Emily was on the other side of my bed, she plugged an IV in, filling it with a clear liquid that kept me hydrated. I could feel the cold fluids running through my veins.“Is there anything we can do for her?” J
“Are you sure it’s okay if I stay here?” Ronnie asked, peering up at Erick through her dark lashes.She sat curled up on his living room couch; she came around the corner from his kitchen. His chest was bare and the sight of him made her cheeks and freckled nose go pink. She felt heat rising through her face as he came closer to her.Ronnie wanted to give Arina and Jonathan some time to themselves; especially considering Arina was so ill. However, she also didn’t want to return home to Ironclaw. She wasn’t sure if she could face her mother again and she certainly didn’t want to face Rock.“Of course, I’m sure, Ronnie,” Erick said, his voice low and almost seductive.It sent warmth through Ronnie’s body and tickled her features.“I’m actually really glad to be able to spend some time with you… alone,” Erick added, almost sheepishly. “We haven’t really gotten a chance to talk about…” his voice trailed off as his face grew red.Ronnie didn’t need him to finish that sentence, she knew what
Everything Jess had just explained to Jonathan was not something he was ever expecting. He felt as though his mind was in a complete whirlpool and he couldn’t get it out. He sat on the couch with his face in his hands, trying to maintain himself. He felt a mixture of anger, hurt, betrayal. They were emotions that were mainly directed at his mother.He wanted to understand her point of things and why she kept these secrets for so long, but he just couldn’t bring himself to do it. It was almost like everything he thought he knew in life, everything he was a wolf, was a complete lie.Right down to his own father’s death.Jess revealed to him how they come from the same bloodline as Benjamin Davis. She didn’t want to tell him, and it was something she was hoping to keep from him his entire life. But Sabrebite was in danger and Jonathan needed to understand how bad things were looking.Now he understood and he couldn’t help but feel disgusted.“I was really young,” Jess told him, “when my m
Confessing everything to Jonathan was the hardest thing she’s ever had to do. The way he looked at her, as though she was a complete stranger, crushed her heart. She never wanted this for him, and she was hoping to keep this from him for a lifetime. But she knew it would have to be a subject at some point since giving Graham that cufflink.That was the biggest mistake of her life, but she did it to protect her son. She would do anything to protect her family; even if it meant putting the pack, and all other packs, in danger.Jess didn’t think Jonathan would ever forgive her again, and he might not. But right now, his main concern was protecting the packs from Graham. She was really proud of that mindset. He reminded her of Regan every day, and it made her miss him that much more.After telling Jonathan everything, they came up with the plan to summon Naomi, the Witch of Perception, during the red moon ceremony. This was something she’s never done before, and she wasn’t sure when the la
I was trying my best to register everything being said to me. But I was also feeling a bit delusional after everything I’ve been going through with this pregnancy. I was well enough to get out of bed and walk around, not that I should be, but I certainly wasn’t well enough for what was about to come.Jonathan was telling me that he was some descendent of Benjamin Davis, the Overseer. Graham apparently had some kind of cufflink that allowed him to see and hear everything at any given time in any pack. Which meant he was probably listening in to their conversation as they spoke. There was a way to diminish the powers of the cufflink, but they had to summon a witch for that to work.None of that made sense.The things they were saying were almost laughable.There was no way any of that could be true, but Ronnie and Jonathan looked so serious as they spoke to me. There were no traces of humor on either of their faces and Ronnie wasn’t good at lying. She always gave it away because she coul
The morning of the red moon ceremony, merchants were setting up their shops on the sides of the town’s streets. Jonathan could already smell the street foods cooking and preparing for a day of fun before the grand feast later that night.Chief Miller already had deputies patrolling the streets and making sure everyone was safe. Jonathan had guards and the army patrolling the woodland forest and making sure no wolves enter or leave during the night. He was planning on spending the ceremony also patrolling the woods and preparing himself for any type of battle that may break out.He no longer trusted Graham and feared that there was going to be a territory war starting soon. He just hoped that his mother would be able to summon Naomi in time and diminish the powers to the cufflink.Jonathan still wasn’t sure how he was feeling towards his mother; even a few days later, he was still feeling a bit hurt but at the same time he needed to focus his attention on protecting Sabrebite and keepin
I had never seen somebody so beautiful in my entire life. Her body was the shade of milk chocolate; her figure thin and wrapped in a dark beaded gown that went down around her feet. Her hair was thick, dark, and braided down her back, landing around her waistline. She had a face of a goddess; eyes of a deep emerald with speckles of gold, which brought out the warm coloring of her skin.“Naomi…” I breathed. “She’s real.”The countdown began as the red haze made its way across the moon. Jess stood outside her white chalk circle. In the center of her circle was the sage, the pink rose, and a chunk of Jonathan’s fur. I watched as she took a match and lit the center of the circle, igniting it into a large flame. Taking the book in her hands, she spoke the summoning spell in Latin; I couldn’t understand what she was saying but as soon as she began speaking, the light orange and yellow flames began turning pink and then purple.Ronnie and I stood back as Jess continued speaking, the flames gr
At first, I could hear the flow of the river down the creek, and then I could feel the coldness of the water droplets caressing my features. Cool air filled my lungs with the sweet sensation of breath; I could smell the spring flowers blooming from the valley nearby.I dug my fingers into the leafy green grass that surrounded me; the softness and plush tickled my body. As I opened my eyes, I realized I was at the woodland forest river. When I was able to turn into my wolf self, during my hunts, I would come to this river and sit. Pondering life and the mysteries the world brings.It’s been months since I been here; it felt like I was finally home.In the distance of the river, there was a hazy fog; it formed above the water. Through the fog, there was a figure that stood. It reminded me of Naomi when she came through the light during the summoning.As the figure came into view, I was taken back by the beauty that stood in front of me. She was a slender woman; she wore a white gown that
Ronnie stood in the mirror, staring at her small figure as the white gown hugged her body perfectly. She wore a strapless wedding gown that had light pink flowers decaling the sides and wrapping around her waist. The dress flowed delicately around her legs and down to the ground, expanding its lacy fabrics around her feet.She wore her hair down but pinned back with a white barrette that had small pink flowers entwined in it; her hair also had the same pink flowers looped around her curly locks.Arina was in charge of doing her makeup and she did a perfect job; she made it seem like Ronnie wasn’t wearing any makeup at all, but it still highlighted her fair features, brightening them.As she finished getting ready, Jonathan and some of their other friends were setting up the wedding venue at the Oaktree. Ronnie wanted to get married somewhere that was meaningful to everyone. She figured the Oaktree would be perfect, that way she knew Emlin would also be attending and a part of the wedd
I’ve been scared. The last couple of weeks has been a little rough on me mentally and physically. Since we returned home from the Overseer manor, my body hadn’t wanted to cooperate with me. It started with my mood swings; I’ve been snapping at Jonathan for no reason. My body has been sore all over. I’ve had this migraine I couldn’t shake. I’m overly tired.I wasn’t sure what was wrong with me until this morning when I tried to change into my wolf form to go hunting and I realized I couldn’t.Pregnant?Could I really be pregnant? Were we ready to have another baby?Emee was still a lot to take care of and they were still so young. However, now that I was a full-fledged adult werewolf, that meant this round of pregnancy should be a lot easier and less painful. Hopeful I won’t almost die during this childbirth.“What’s wrong?” Jonathan asked as he came into our bedroom.I was standing in front of the mirror, staring at my body. I already had body dysmorphia and hated the way I looked; no
It was time.It was time he finally took on the role as Overseer; officially. The world needed an Overseer, and he couldn’t delay the process any longer. They’ve gone too long without any actual order and because of that, so many people had gotten hurt. A lot of packs have been overturned; Alpha’s are abusing their powers and hurting their lunas.Witches are being summoned and used for attack. It wasn’t fair to everybody to have to continue living in fear. Even when every obstacle that came their way was defeated, a lot of wolves still got hurt and killed because of everything that’s happened.Arina’s mom, Jonathan’s dad, Jessica, Spencer, Anderson, Nikini, and even Arina at times have had it so badly this past year. He could hardly imagine what the rest of the world was looking like without Jonathan by their side.He didn’t want to wait around to find out any longer. He needed to start being the Overseer that everybody deserved. He was ready to rise to the top.He called his mom over
Weeks had gone by since I spoke to Jessica about Spencer. From the sounds of the guest room not long afterward, it seems she took my advice and decided to give Spencer a try. I hadn’t mentioned to Jessica about being able to hear them because I didn’t want to embarrass either of them. But I was glad Jessica finally listened to her howling wolf and gave in to her desires.Since then, they’ve been closer than ever. Wherever Spencer goes, Jessica goes, and vice versa. It was nice to see her finally loosening up since Greggory and actually trusting another male wolf. They both had it rough in their lives; Jessica a little bit later in life, but what she went through was terrible and it nearly killed her.I couldn’t blame her for having these trust issues.When she had amnesia, she didn’t remember all the things she’s been through with Greggory. Sure, she had the evidence of the abuse and knew what happened, but she didn’t have those painful memories that came attached with them.Maybe wit
He was always around now; one minute he was a mystery guy in the town of Moon-Valley and now he was living in the room next to hers. Spencer. What kind of name is Spencer anyways? Why did he have to show up and turn everything around? Not that he did anything bad. Actually, he kind of saved her life and she would forever owe him that debt. But she didn’t want to owe anyone new a debt that couldn’t repay.He was always looking at her with this loving admiration bullshit and she just got her heart ripped out of her chest by a man she used to look at like that. She thought she knew what love was and she thought she finally found her mate but ended up being a complete lie. She would be stupid if she fell for that again. She couldn’t fall for that again.But Spencer didn’t seem like the kind of guy who would lie to her; then again, neither did Greggory. She knew Greggory her entire life and she thought he was someone she could trust. Sure, he was a flirt with the ladies around town and did
Jonathan seemed weird when they returned from Silverside. Well actually, he seemed weird after he returned from his night in the town with Boris. But she wasn’t sure if anyone else noticed, so she didn’t bring it up.Things were finally starting to be good again and she didn’t want to ruin that for anybody. In a couple of weeks, she was going to be celebrating her 17th birthday party. She was excited to be that much closer to adulthood where she can finally marry Erick and have him as her mate. She wanted more than anything to spend the rest of her life with her mate.Erick kept saying he had a surprise for her on her birthday; she already knew they were going to have a huge party in Ironclaw, but she didn’t’ know what the rest of the surprise was going to be. She had to admit that she was curious and excited all at the same time. She was happy to get together with her friends and family to finally have some fun and have no worries.Things were finally getting better.Jonathan and Ari
Arina, Emee, and the rest of the crew stayed back at the manor once the ceremony came to an end. Jonathan wasn’t planning on telling anybody, other than Boris where he was headed. He didn’t want to worry anybody, but there were questions he needed answered.He told everybody he was going out into the town with Boris to try and get his mind off Nikini’s death. Which he fully plans on doing, but he also needed to make a small stop somewhere first and speak with somebody.The prison waiting room was quiet; just the light tapping of the dispatcher typing away on his computer in the corner of the room. The television was turned off because of how late it was. Boris didn’t ask any questions as to why Jonathan wanted to see Rock. He was done asking questions about anything now.Jonathan followed Boris through the male wing of the prison; it was much like the female wing, except it smelled fouler. Like Willa, Boris was kept at the far end of the prison. Once they reached his door, Jonathan co
A few days had passed since Willa and Greggory were defeated and locked away. Ronnie and Erick finally felt safe enough to return to Ironclaw full-time and stay in the house they took from Rock. Jessica and Spencer stayed in our guestroom because Jessica didn’t feel comfortable returning to the home she shared with Greggory.She says there are too many painful memories that took place in that home in such a short time that she couldn’t bear going back there anytime soon. I couldn’t blame her. That was the house he was once married to Rachel in. That was the house where he nearly killed Jessica and she was trapped inside.Spencer was glad to be anywhere, as long as he got to be near Jessica. I think she was still conflicted and confused about her own relationship with Spencer. She doesn’t remember anything from when she lost her memory; so whatever connection she once had with him, was completely gone. Except for the connection, she felt when she first met him.She no longer trusted he
Spencer was waiting for us outside the bunker doorway; his features looked pale white. I saw some blood trickling from his knuckles from when he was punching the door in an attempt to get it open. As we approached him a flood of relief washed over him, and I could literally hear his heart rate lessening.“I brought some reinforcements,” I told him, motioning for my mom and Naomi.He stepped aside from the door to join me as we watched my mom and Naomi approach the door cautiously.“Were you able to hear and speak with them?” I asked, keeping my tone low.He shook his head; the grim look on his face returned.“No, I tried to link them, and I couldn’t get a hold of either of them,” Spencer said.That wasn’t sounding good; that heavy feeling in my stomach was returning.“With the enchantment, Willa put on the bunker, it seems she put a block on it as well. You won’t be able to communicate with them until we get it open,” Naomi answered, overhearing our conversation.I breathed out in rel