DEREK The man’s head tilted as his sharp gaze traveled up toward me. His expression was calm, unreadable, but there was a spark in his eyes as if he were observing something he found... interesting. Then, with a faint smile, he shifted his attention to Ava, and that subtle smile grew warmer, more curious. My jaw clenched.Taking a step back, the man addressed me directly, his voice polite yet measured. “I’m guessing you’re the future Alpha we were coming to meet?”Every instinct in me wanted to snap, to remind him where he stood. Instead, my father’s pointed throat-clearing from behind me brought me back to focus. Begrudgingly, I replied, “That’s right.”The man introduced himself, extending a hand up to me since I still stood a step above him on the staircase. “My name is Seth. I’m the Alpha of my pack.”Ava squeezed past him on her way down the steps. I didn’t miss the way his eyes lingered on her, following her movements as though he couldn’t help himself. A low growl stirred in m
“Excuse me,” I muttered, my voice clenched between my teeth. My heart pounded with an intensity that matched the heat rising in my chest. This wasn’t just some casual disruption in our lives. No, this was something far deeper, something more dangerous. I knew, in my gut, that if I didn’t get out of here now, if I didn’t take control of the situation—this situation—I would lose my mind. And maybe my life.The guy… he was gifted. I still didn’t know exactly what that meant, or how it worked, but the sharpness in my instincts told me he was dangerous. I had no idea how powerful he was, but from the way my wolf growled, I knew it wasn’t a threat to be taken lightly. And yet, I couldn’t shake the suffocating urge to confront him, to find out just how far I’d go to protect what was mine.“Mom,” I said, forcing the words past my gritted teeth. “I’ll be back for dinner. I just… I need to do something.” My voice faltered for a split second, betraying the chaos that whirled inside me.I glanced
AVA’ POVThe air in the dining room was thick with tension, each breath I took feeling heavier than the last. I could sense the weight of all their eyes on me, each person around the table waiting for something—an answer, an explanation, or perhaps a decision. It wasn’t just any ordinary conversation. This was about my future, my past, my choices. And, I knew, it was about Derek and Seth.As the tension in the dining room thickened, I took a deep breath and met the expectant gazes of those seated around the long oak table. I straightened my posture, trying to keep my nerves at bay, and cleared my throat. “We need to be honest with you all,” I said, my voice surprising me with its steadiness.Derek sat beside me, his posture relaxed yet firm, his presence grounding me even as my pulse raced. He had always been my anchor, but tonight, it felt as if we were at the edge of a cliff, looking down at the unknown.Across from us sat Alpha Marcus and Luna Evelyn, their expressions ,their faces
I turned to Derek, my heart heavy with the weight of everything happening around us. The tension in the air was thick, unspoken words hanging between us like a fog. Gently, I took his hand and pulled him to the side, away from Seth. Without hesitation, I pressed my lips to his, feeling his warmth ground me for just a moment.When I pulled away, I placed my hands on his chest and looked up at him. “Derek, I know how much you love me,” I whispered. “And I know you’re protective of me, but I need this time with Seth. Not as Ava, not as your mate, but as Nimue’s vessel. My wolf needs to speak with him—she understands him in a way that I can’t. And right now, I think she’s the only one who knows what to say to him.” Derek’s eyes darkened with concern. “Ava, I just want to be here for you. I don’t want you to go through this alone. I made the mistake of rejecting you once, of letting you believe I wouldn’t stand by you. I won’t do that again.”I cupped his face, feeling the strong, steady
DEREK The chill of the night air was heavy against my skin as I leaned against a tree, trying to collect my thoughts. The world around me seemed unusually quiet, the usual rustling of the forest muted by the weight of my frustration. I had just finished my patrol, and the quiet was a welcome change from the tension I was feeling, but that peace didn’t last long."How can I take you as my mate? My parents would never accept it." The words left my mouth before I could stop them. I had barely settled after my long shift when I noticed her. Selene. Of course, it had to be her.I didn’t mean for my words to come out so sharp, but I was already in a foul mood. The weight of my responsibilities pressed on me, and she had followed me, once again, pushing when I had nothing left to give.She had followed me once again, sneaking up behind me when I paused for a brief rest, her presence as irritating as ever. The woman never seemed to take a hint. It had been two days since the mess had started
Every inch of my body felt spent, sore, and completely satisfied in the most intoxicating way. A delicious ache thrummed through my muscles, a reminder of the passion that had consumed us last night. My skin still carried the phantom touch of Derek’s hands, his lips, the way he had claimed me so thoroughly, leaving no room for doubt about what we were to each other. There had been a tension in me before, an anxious, almost agitated state that made me feel like I was trapped inside my own skin. But now? That feeling was gone, replaced by a kind of relaxation that only Derek could bring. And yet, despite my body’s exhaustion, a restless energy lingered beneath my skin. It was a kind of agitation, like an unquenched thirst that only he could satisfy. My heart still beat too fast, my skin still tingled with awareness of him, even though our night together had already passed.Derek had used my body with a kind of raw, unchecked desire that set me ablaze, bending me to his will, taking wha
As we walked side by side, I noticed how effortlessly Seth carried himself—shoulders back, posture straight, as if the world had never weighed on him. It was a stark contrast to the way I moved, my steps careful, my body slightly hunched, as if expecting a blow at any moment.“I can’t really go into detail unless I show you in person,” Seth explained, glancing at me with a small chuckle. “Even then, not many people know about it. Only Vee and I, and Nimue back in the day, knew the exact location. I guess she could guide you there, but it’s hidden away—an island in the middle of the ocean. It’s small, but absolutely stunning. If it weren’t for the magic that conceals it, I’m sure humans would have found it by now. His words painted an image in my mind—lush greenery, hidden waterfalls, a secluded paradise untouched by greed. I could almost hear the waves lapping at the shore, feel the cool mist of cascading water against my skin.A rich businessman would probably turn it into a luxury
DEREK As I walked through the village, I heard Selene’s voice behind me, her tone laced with amusement.“Well, it’s being said that she was in the village looking really cozy with a tall, sexy man,” she taunted, her tone dripping with faux innocence. “So, just how confident are you that she’s on the same page as you?”I clenched my jaw, my footsteps heavy against the hardwood floor. I had already heard the whispers, felt the weight of unwanted eyes on me as pack members exchanged knowing looks. The rumors about Ava and Seth had spread like wildfire, each retelling twisting the knife a little deeper.“Leave me alone, Selene,” I growled, but she only quickened her pace, keeping stride with me.“How can she not want you?” she pressed, her voice curling around the edges of my patience like a snake coiling around its prey. “You and her don’t bear a mark yet, and she’s flaunting around with another man. How’s that going to look when you two come out as mates—if you do? Won’t it be the same
AVAWe stood in the bright sunlight, the sound of birds chirping and leaves rustling in the gentle breeze filling the air. The communal area was bustling with people, the smell of freshly cooked food wafting from the kitchen. "It's gone," I said, looking down at my hand where Seth had grasped mine just moments before. But now, I feel nothing. Looking up at Derek, I felt confused. "What do you mean, what's gone?" Derek asked through our link, his eyes narrowing slightly."The connection, I don't feel anything. No buzz, no nothing," I replied, shaking my head. Derek looked at Seth, who was standing off to the side, his expression strange. The Seth I had left just days before was a devastating mess, but today he almost looked robotic."How can it just go?" Derek asked, his voice low and serious, as Vee chattered on in the background. "I don't know," I said, feeling confused. I had to admit, it was a relief that the connection was gone, but still, it was a bit weird.Just then, Adrian bur
AVA Derek's fingers on my chin sent shivers down my spine, his eyes burning with an intensity that felt like it was scorching my very soul. He looked like a man who had been denied for a very long time, his wicked smirk promising me that this was not going to be a slow, easy ride. I didn't want it to be.If we were right – and Nimue believed we were – Seth wasn't our fated mate, neither of ours. Was Derek actually Nimue . Maybe he was, and this spell was just holding her back from feeling it like I did. Hopefully, I wanted her to feel this for herself, not just through me. Because it was a rush, a complete and utter cycle of hormones, nerves, and love.We had both chosen him. That had to mean something to her, right? The fact she was mated, but still chose another. Her reasoning was unselfish; she wanted me to have my shot at happiness. But maybe, somewhere deep down, she knew this was it – he was ours, and that's what made this decision easy for her.Who knows? All I could think abo
DEREK Ava had been missing all day and night, and I was getting anxious. But I had promised to trust her, so I kept searching for our bond, checking in constantly. Every time I did, she seemed okay, sometimes a little sad, but not scared or in danger.I met up with Shirer and asked her to check in on Ava. The image she conjured up showed wolves sleeping in the sun and moonlight. But even that peaceful scene sparked jealousy in me.I decided to give Ava some space and went back to studying the ancient mythology books I'd taken from Seth's house. I found them fascinating, and they helped from being jealous. But as I delved deeper into the books, I started to feel uneasy. Our bond was faltering, and I sensed Ava was scared. I called out to her, and when she responded, I knew she was in danger.I quickly gathered the others – Adrian, Vee, Shirer, and Blake. We needed to find Ava, and fast. Thanks to Shirer's location spell, we were able to track Ava down, but it took some time. When we
AVA Seth had proposed that we unleash our wolves for a run. To be honest, I wasn't enthusiastic about the idea. I feared that Nimue and Seth's wolf would get overly excited and we'd end up mating. However, Nimue was on her best behavior around him, exhibiting only playful nips and cuddling when they rested.As I observed their connection, I sensed an unusual bond between them. It was peculiar. I felt the same intense emotions I experienced when I was around Derek, but without the fierce passion.I really needed to discuss this with Seth and gain a deeper understanding. However, communicating with him in my wolf form was challenging."Nimue," I called out to her."Yes?" she responded."Why doesn't your mating bond with Seth feel the same as my bond with Derek?" I asked."This is how I've always known our mating to be - comfortable, calm, and dependable," she explained.That didn't sound like any mating bond I'd ever heard of. But then again, maybe we all couldn't be the same. Their bo
DEREK I trailed behind Seth, my mind reeling with the news Joshua had just shared. I needed to speak with my dad, to ensure everything was okay back home. As we walked, the sound of seagulls filled the air, and the salty scent of the ocean wafted through the village.Seth led me to his house, a cozy little cottage with a thatched roof and a garden full of vibrant flowers. He pushed open the door, revealing a warm and inviting interior. "Your dad found this old-fashioned way of communicating amusing," Seth explained, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "But it's effective. He's on frequency 45."He gestured to an ancient-looking machine in the corner of the room. I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What the hell is that?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me.Seth chuckled. "A radio transceiver. We use it to keep in touch with the council and the boat. Usually, we rely on magical messages, but since your pack doesn't have a witch, this is our backup plan."I nodded, taking in th
AVA As the boat carrying Joshua, Andrea and Celeste pulled back onto the shore, my stomach was in my throat. Celeste's presence was especially unnerving, given her history with our group. She had obviously gone to do the same to them as they had to us. Her eyes locked onto mine, and I sensed a mixture of curiosity and calculation behind her gaze.Derek's voice whispered in my ear, "Why are you nervous?" I turned to face him, my eyes meeting his concerned expression. Blake was standing at my side, his eyes fixed on Celeste's retreating form.I took a deep breath, trying to process the turmoil brewing inside me. "He's been back home while the fallout of me coming out to everyone was going down. We came here when we had made it, so we didn't see it. The last thing I saw when we left there was my dad apologizing for my mother, but where was she? I have a feeling he's here for a reason. Why would he just want to get up and come here? I guess I am just looking at it that maybe he's here to
DEREK As I gazed into Shira's eyes, I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off. Her lips, though soft and inviting, didn't stir the same passion as Ava's. The hands on my shoulders, though gentle, didn't hold the same warmth as Ava's touch. I was about to pull away, to put an end to this charade, when it hit me like a ton of bricks. I had no qualms about jumping into the deadly pool, but the thought of continuing this farce with Shira made my skin crawl.But I knew I had to see this through. I had to trust the pool's magic, even if it meant enduring this uncomfortable encounter. As Shira's lips moved against mine, I felt a sudden surge of visions and images, like a movie playing out in my mind. I saw Ava, her eyes sparkling with determination, her spirit unbroken. I saw the events of the day unfolding, like puzzle pieces clicking into place.When the visions finally subsided, I ripped my lips away from Shira's, gasping for air. I stared into the pool's crystal clear wate
The moon cast its silvery glow over the tranquil landscape as I stood before Shirer, her eyes piercing through the darkness. "Are you truly prepared to take this risk?" she asked, her voice low and mysterious, echoing through the stillness.I had burst into her house, the wooden door creaking shut behind me, and Shirer hadn't flinched. Instead, she listened intently, her expression unreadable, as I paced back and forth, my footsteps echoing off the stone walls. The air was thick with tension, and Shirer's question hung in the balance, waiting to be answered.Was I willing to risk everything by revealing the truth to Derek? The weight of my decision settled heavy on my shoulders. That's what I had been ranting about – how Nimue's mistakes had put everyone in danger, leaving a trail of secrets and lies in their wake. The trees outside seemed to lean in, their branches tangling together like skeletal fingers, as if listening to my inner turmoil.Derek's words echoed in my mind, his voice
AVA The night air was thick with magic, electric and alive, wrapping itself around me as I stood at the center of the room. My body hummed with an unfamiliar energy, a raw power that threatened to spill over. Ever since I had taken Shira’s blood—imbued with Nimue’s magic—something inside me had shifted. It wasn’t just strength or awareness; it was an entirely new existence.I moved to the window, staring at the darkened forest beyond. The shadows stretched unnaturally, bending toward me as if drawn by an unseen force. I raised a hand instinctively, and to my shock, the shadows followed. They rippled like ink across the grass, responding to my every motion. I clenched my fingers, and the darkness thickened, swirling into a tangible mist before dissolving as quickly as it had formed.I gasped. That wasn’t normal. That wasn’t just wolf magic.My heart started pounding, I turned to the mirror across the corridor . My reflection gazed back at me , but something was different. The golden