That night, Ember woke from her evening nap, her face still damp from crying herself to sleep. The moonlight shone through the open window, casting a soft glow over her prone form. She looked at it and marveled. It’s so beautiful, she thought. Suddenly, she got the urge to run with her wolf. It had been a while since she’d freed her wolf. She still wanted to check on her friends in the camp, and she’d be damned if she let Thorne and his lackeys stand in her way. She refused to be held prisoner. Slipping quietly out of bed, she pulled on a thick, hooded dark coat. The house was quiet and almost empty, except for a few staff members still moving around. She stealthily avoided their path, keeping attention away from herself, and moved toward the back door. At the back door, she found a pile of concrete blocks left over from a formerly completed structure. She took off her coat and hid it behind the pile, so she could put it back on when she returned from her run. She stood in the back
Ember bounded through the woods, her paws barely touching the ground. Being a wolf was the best thing ever! She felt free and unburdened, open and in sync with the moon. She took short breaks to sniff around, enjoying the full experience. Once she got to the edge of the clearing that lead to the servant camp, she crouched in the bushes, watching the guards who now carried weapons after the last breach. The breach when she met Thorne. She shook her head, expelling any thoughts of him. He was a sick, evil man unworthy of her attention. She stalked the length of the clearing, waiting to see either Kaya or Raphael. Her patience was rewarded when she spotted Kaya coming out of the opposite end of the woods, with Raphael in his wolf form. Just as Ember was about to step out of the clearing, she heard a deep, low growl behind her. ***** Thorne had immediately known Ember had found a way to sneak out of the mansion’s premises. The look in her eyes when he refused her request was one of
Ember kept her eyes locked on Thorne’s, panting, waiting for him to make a move. Being a newly turned wolf, and coupled with the exhaustion from running, she lost her grasp on control. She turned back into her human form, naked and bleeding from her right side where the gate had scratched her on her way in. She raised one of her hands to cover her trembling chest, keeping her eyes low and avoiding Thorne’s gaze. The other hand covered her pubic area. She heard Thorne inhale sharply as his eyes roamed over her naked body, and heard the cracking of his bones as his fur receded, and he turned back to his human form. “Look at me,” he ordered, his voice carrying a strange, strained quality, and she couldn’t tell if he was angry or something else. Nervously, she raised her eyes, taking in his naked form. His skin was flushed from exertion, beads of sweat clinging to him. His hand cupped over his private area, covering his nakedness. “What you did was thoughtless,” he began, not taking h
The next morning, Ember was startled awake by noises in her room. She sat up suddenly and opened her eyes. A woman stood by her vanity table, holding brushes and cleaning supplies. The woman gasped at Ember’s sudden movement, pressing a hand to her chest as she caught her breath. “I’m sorry, Luna. It seems we startled each other,” the kindly, middle aged woman said, smiling respectfully. “My name is Dorothea. I’ve been assigned as your personal maid.” She shuffled over to the bed and bowed low. “Oh,” Ember said in surprise, momentarily at a loss for words. “Okay.” “I will clean for you, serve your meals, dress you, and attend to any errands you have. All you need to do is ask,” Dorothea said, wiping her hands on her dress. “Thank you. I may not need much attending, though, I do almost everything myself,” Ember replied, pulling the bedcover around her. “That is unacceptable, ma’am. You are our Luna. You must attend to your duties and leave the tending to me,” Dorothea insisted. “
Ember spent the day touring the mansion with Kaya, Raphael, and Dorothea. Kaya expressed an interest in cooking, and Ember asked Dorothea to tutor her as an assistant cook in the mansion. Raphael stuck to gardening, just as he had at the camps. After the eventful day, she lay in bed, reading a book after Dorothea had commandeered her evening bathe and dressing. She felt more relaxed and rested than she had in over four years. She had just propped her book on the nightstand as she prepared to sleep, tired from the day, when the door flew open. Thorne stood in the doorway, dressed in a white shirt and black pants, looking every bit the Alpha that he was. His dark hair was ruffled, though it suited him, and his face was set in his usual scowl. “Can’t you knock?” Ember asked, irritated, blinking against the hallway lights. Thorne clenched his jaw, running a hand through his hair as he took deep breaths to control his anger at her insolent tone. “I don’t have to knock on any doors wit
Thorne took her mouth in his, with a passion that shocked them both, their lips sucking and biting, fighting for dominance in a wet, sultry dance. He slid his hand into her hair, massaging her scalp solfty, I dare say even lovingly. Ember arched her back, pressing her chest into his as she wrapped her arms around his wide, muscular torso, leaning into him, Thorne pulled out of the kiss, staring her deeply in the eyes, he looked like he was about to say something, then he changed his mind. Placing his hand on the small of her back, he gently led her into the bed, following behind her as she lay on her back, flushed and staring at him. He took a moment to admire her again, the slope of her collar bones, her breasts, pale pink areolas, the slim lenght of her stomach. He settled on his knees before her, between her legs, with both arms on her knees. “This is an apology,” he said softly, his expression intense and apologetic. “What?”, Ember asked, confused. Without responding, T
*A week later* “Wake up, my lady,” Dorothea said softly, nudging Ember. Ember yawned and turned in her sleep, facing Dorothea, who cooed and said, “Oh my days, you’re so cute. But you need to wake up now.” She insisted, pulling the covers off Ember. Dorothea nudged her hard, which did the trick. Ember woke up, stretching, as her eyes adjusted to the room and Dorothea, who was standing beside a table with a selection of different breakfast options. “Good morning, Luna. You have a busy day ahead of you.” “Busy day?” Ember asked, hugging her knees as she peered at Dorothea in confusion. “Yes, Alpha Thorne has organized a small party in your honor,” Dorothea said, smiling happily. “A party?!” Ember asked, surprised. Why didn’t Thorne tell her? Dorothea, seeing her confusion, said, “It was a bit rushed, my lady. I guess he can’t wait to introduce you formally to the pack. It’s long overdue, I must say. So you must get up, and try out all the dresses I brought.” Ember groaned as she
Serene stumbled as she was dragged out of the carriage. After steadying herself, she glared at the guard and muttered something inaudible but clearly nasty. She steeled herself, holding her head high with pride and confidence, as though she hadn’t just been humiliated. Matteo stomped toward her, grabbed her by the arm, and yanked her forward toward Thorne. He shoved her the last few steps, nearly staggering himself. “You planted your nasty seed in my mate!” Matteo yelled. The crowd gasped. Whispers buzzed as everyone looked at Thorne, then at Matteo, and then, to Ember’s horror, at her. The crowd parted around Ember, drawing all attention to her. Matteo noticed and let out a harsh, mocking laugh. “What a beauty she is. Is that your mate, Thorne?” Matteo slurred, advancing drunkenly. “Shall I fuck your mate as my revenge?!” Thorne and his guards stepped forward, blocking Matteo’s path. “I don’t understand your claims, Matteo. Serene is cunning. You said so yourself,” Thorne said
Thorne’s massive black wolf clashed with the white one, their growls shaking the quiet woods as they snapped and scraped at each other. They broke apart, circling each other, both ready to kill.Before either of them could lunge again, a voice yelled out. “Ragnar!” Kaya shouted as she burst into the clearing with panic all over her face.Ember’s heart skipped and her eyes darted to the white wolf... realizing…“Wait…” she murmured, “That’s Ragnar…”She didn’t stop to think and she rushed toward them, throwing her arms out. “Stop! Both of you!”The black wolf that was Thorne skidded to a halt, baring his teeth. The white wolf growled, his chest rising and falling in heavy breaths.“He’s with us,” Ember said quickly, her eyes on Thorne. “Ragnar’s one of us. He’s not the enemy.”Ragnar growled through the mind-link, his voice rough and angry in her head.“He’s always been the enemy. I came here to kill him.”Thorne responded just as coldly.“You can try. Everyone who’s ever wanted a pie
“I’m going outside to get some air,” Ember muttered.Caden just nodded, already sinking back onto the edge of the bed, his eyes never leaving Stella’s face.Ember made her way down the stairs as the house buzzed with activity all around her. Hammers tapped, brushes sweeping, voices murmuring all around the house. She passed the workers, each one pausing to bow slightly or nod at her.The hallway no longer looked like abandonment. The cobwebs were gone, the heavy smell of dust had been replaced with clean air and the faint scent of polish. The faded wallpapers had been stripped and replaced with colors that glowed warmly under the light streaming through the lamps. It was becoming a home again. She was the Luna of Thorne Maddox’s pack. That truth echoed in her head with a weight she could finally carry, and she was carrying his child. And despite all his scars and all their disagreements, Thorne had ordered this house to be rebuilt and had stationed guards to protect her, he had exten
Ember watched from the far side of the room as Caden pressed his palm to Stella’s forehead. His expression was grim, and his shoulders dropped in sadness.“She’s not burning up,” he said, “she’s healing fine… just still out cold.”Probably from the trauma, Ember thought, but she didn’t say it out loud. Stella’s lashes twitched a little but her face was slack. Ragnar sat on one of the narrow beds with his legs spread and his hands clenched. The big room was starting to feel like a den, her mother’s corner armchair, Caden kneeling beside Stella sleeping, Ragnar barely holding it together, and her, watching it all. The builders hadn’t finished the left wing they started with so for now, the master bedroom was all they had.Ragnar’s voice broke the silence. “Where’s Kaya?”“She’s okay,” Ember said. “She’s healed completely. But she wasn’t here when we brought you two in. She probably went out for a run or something.”He didn’t say anything, he just gave her a stiff nod and stared down at
The night was silent, broken only by the soft rustling of leaves and the distant chirping of crickets. Moonlight slipped through the dense canopy of the trees above, casting shadows over the forest floor where the eight men moved like ghosts, silently and focused.Darius kept his eyes ahead and his senses sharp. Every step brought them closer to the edge of Thorne’s estate. The tall walls of stone loomed in the distance, partially covered by wild vines and the mist.Collin crouched ahead of them, and raised one hand as a signal.Darius stepped forward and joined him, crouching beside him in the bushes. Collin’s breath steamed slightly in the cool night as he leaned in towards him.“We can get in without much trouble,” he whispered. “Security is even more lighter than we expected.”Darius gave him a curt nod that confirmed that he’d heard. Bloodveil had drawn Thorne’s attention and he had left his home vulnerable.Collin looked over his shoulder at the men behind them, then turned back
Darius watched as Collin spat out a thick glob of blood, then he laughed… actually laughed, and slapped his thighs like it was all a joke.“I can’t believe she escaped before I ever got a taste,” Collin said like it was nothing. Stella had nearly died.Disgust crawled under Darius’s skin, but he kept his expression flat. He reminded himself for the hundredth time that he needed Collin. At least until Thorne was dead. After that, they’d never have to cross paths again.The air still smelled like blood, and the clearing was eerily silent now that the chaos had ended. Ragnar had fought like a possessed man, pummeling Collin to the edge of death before scooping his unconscious sister into his arms and walking away without a word. Back to Bloodveil, no doubt.Collin spat again then rolled his shoulders as his body continued the process of healing. Flesh stitched itself together where Ragnar’s claws had torn into his ribs.He’d taken damage, but he’d given it too. It had been a dirty fight
Luna Zyrah stood from her bed, her robe brushing against the stone floor as she walked over to Kaya’s corner. Kaya sat curled up by the window, staring blankly at the wall like it held all the answers to her pain.“How long do you plan to sulk?” Luna Zyrah asked with her arms crossed. “Shouldn’t you be preparing to meet your mate? The one who saved your life?”Kaya didn’t move or blink. “I asked you a question,” Zyrah said, her voice tight. “When I speak to you, you answer.”“I’m not one of your wolves,” Kaya said flatly. “You’re not my Luna. I don’t belong to anyone.”Luna Zyrah’s hand lifted like she meant to slap her across the face.“Mother,” Ember’s voice cut through the air, sharp and calm all at the same time.Zyrah froze mid-motion. She didn’t look back at Ember, she just exhaled sharply through her nose and stormed out of the room, robes flaring behind her.Ember crossed the room with slow, careful steps, like she wasn’t sure Kaya would even tolerate her presence.“You shoul
Raphael opened his eyes slowly, blinking up at the sky above. His vision was blurry at first, but when it cleared, all he could see were branches leaning over the edge of a pit. Cold air brushed against his skin, and his whole body felt like it had been hit by a truck.He tried to sit up and winced. His back ached, and his legs hurt even more. He glanced down and realized one ankle was swollen. Definitely twisted, maybe worse. The dirt beneath him was damp and cold, clinging to his clothes. He must’ve been lying there for a while.Right. The fall. He had been running. Everything came back in a slow, bitter wave.He had been running through the forest like a man with nowhere to go and everything to lose. Leaving Bloodveil, leaving Kaya, and Ember.Raphael let out a shaky breath and leaned his head back against the wall behind him. His heart didn’t ache like it had when he first saw Ragnar with Kaya, it burned. He hadn’t expected it. He’d always thought there was a chance, no matter how
Collin tilted his head towards Stella who was standing by the fire with her arms crossed, the glow danced across her soft features. “Have you ever seen anything finer than that?” he muttered, nudging Darius with his elbow, his eyes locked on her like he hadn’t eaten in days and she was the main course. “Sexy as hell, isn’t she?”Darius smiled but he didn’t say a word.Collin scoffed. “What a waste though. Mated to a scrawny teenage boy who has probably never even seen a woman naked.”Darius gave a lazy shrug and let his gaze wander to the trees. “When are you making your move?”Collin blinked. “On?”“Thorne,” Darius said plainly, his tone shifting. “Before he picks a beta. Once he does, his perimeter and security is going to get tighter. I’m running out of time.”That wiped the grin off Collin’s face. He straightened up, his shoulders rolling as his whole vibe turned serious. “What’s this really about? Why the obsession?”Darius didn’t answer right away. He rubbed the back of his nec
The room was quiet as Raphael, Ragnar, Caden, and Luna Zyrah all watched her, like the fate of the world depended on the words sitting heavy on her tongue. Ember swallowed, her throat was tight but she already knew the answer. She’d known it the second Ragnar helped them that night in the woods and from how he treated and protected his sister. But knowing didn’t make it easier.She didn’t want to hurt Raphael, not with the way his eyes were pleading and desperate and full of history she still didn’t understand. He was with Kaya when she had being taken to Thorne’s mansion and he no doubt protected her too.But this wasn’t about comfort or friendship, or even who came first. This was about who Kaya needed now.Ember shifted her gaze slowly, locking eyes with Raphael calmly despite the weight in her chest.“She’ll need someone strong,” she said quietly. “Someone who won’t hesitate in making decisions that’s best for her.”Then she turned to Ragnar.“It should be you. I’m trusting you to