[Danica's POV]
I searched around the quickly crumbling building for the source of energy that was drawing me. I didn't know what it was or what I was looking for, but dammit, it was like a siren's call.
Extending my senses, I tried to determine the direction of the energy.
'That way.' I muttered, shooting past a falling piece of roof, easily dodging it before it came crashing into my back.
What I was looking for was just up ahead, and if I could just reach it, I could get the hell out of this crashing building.
[Danica's POV]I woke up to find myself in a strange room with a soft glow illuminating me. I was on a large white bed with fluffy pillows and a down comforter, but my wrists were cuffed to the headboard.There were barred windows on either side of me that allowed me to see figures roaming about."Hey!" I called, hoping one was close enough to hear. "Someone! Let me go!"Despite the urge to struggle, I remained calm. I needed to consider the innocent child in my stomach. Any wrong move could be detrimental to it.
[Mason's POV]All the lights were on when I arrived at Nigel’s shack in the middle of the forest. I didn’t bother knocking as I kicked in his door, startling both him and Ash."What?" Nigel huffed, beginning to stand."I need your help, old man." I growled, storming forward."What has gotten into you?" Nigel demanded, as I grabbed the neck of his shirt. "Where have your manners gone?""How do you locate someone when you don’t know where they are?" I demanded, ignoring his question.
[Danica’s POV]"How much longer?"A day had passed since I woke up in this strange room. A day wasted being a prisoner in a place that was claimed to be my very own. I didn’t have time for this. My daughter needed me, and I was wasting time."HELLO!"I knew that being annoying probably wasn’t the best solution to getting myself free sooner, but I was running out of options. The sooner they get the damn DNA results, the better.‘And if you are their future leader?’ A small v
[Danica’s POV]Many eyes found their way to me as I entered the small meeting room with Dax. Despite knowing that I should have felt insecure about their looks of distrust, I felt a small pull towards them, as if I had known them my whole life."Who is this?" A man with a buzzed head and blazing red eyes, set deep beneath a protruding forehead, asked Dax as we made our way towards the table. "Why have you brought an outsider with you?""There is no outsider here." Dax snapped, shooting the man a glare. "Clarence, this is my granddaughter..." For a moment, Dax paused, remembering that I currently didn’t have a name. "Her name is Xena."Xena… it had a good ring to it, but I couldn’t help wondering why he had chosen that name."Granddaughter?" Clarence repeated, letting a bark of laughter escape him. "Since when have you had a granddaughter?""Since we discovered that Xavier left an heir behind before he disappeared." Dax beamed. "And aside from that, I have nothing else to explain to yo
I fiddled with the irritating mask that sat on my face as Asher and Nigel spoke with a bored-looking guard at the entrance to the Black Forest packgrounds.Three days had passed. Three agonizing days of not having my child or my mate in my arms and finally it was the night of the ball.Despite myself, I was feeling nervous about this whole thing. Now that I was here, I wasn't sure how I would go about getting Danica to come home with me. As far as I knew, she still didn't remember me, and that meant she may not want to be with me. That thought alone sent shards of pain piercing into my heart. I couldn't and wouldn't let that happen, but I also didn't want to push her away.As I struggled internally, Ash and Nigel motioned through and we were off.Inside, the compound was decorated modestly with low glowing fairy lights and red ribbons, forming the venue area itself on the bare ground below.Two tables sat on either side of the grounds holding food and drinks for all the guests that w
[Mason's POV]Danica allowed me to lead her to the middle of the dance floor. As we moved, many eyes trailed us, and I could feel hostility trickling from the males of her father's pack who were clearly aiming to try to win her heart.Holding back my rage at another man even looking at my mate, I shot them a smirk. After all, I was the one she allowed to hold her hand for all to see."Having fun?" Danica sighed, catching me in the act. "If you want to cause trouble, you can leave.""No, no." I said quickly. "I only wish to dance with you."Stopping, I pulled her against me, letting my arms snake around her waist. Instantly I felt an overwhelming sense of relief as her warmth sank into me and my son's strong heartbeat drifted through the music that was filling my ears. "Too tight," Danica hissed, beginning to try to pull away."Whoops." Shit, I needed to remember that she didn't remember me. Otherwise, I feared I would push her away if I was too pushy."That's better." She sighed as
[Danica's POV]February 2nd, 1980A year has passed since we were brought to this forsaken island, and Rosette has disappeared entirely. The caretakers insist she ran away, but given how skiddish in nature she is, I don't believe them. I fear that she may have died due to the rejection of the goddesses blood that they have been injecting us with.I've spoken with a few orphans that have been here for a while, and they finally gave me an understanding of this island. It is a secret camp that scientists are using to create super wolves and that we were all brought here to be part of that experiment.At first I didn't believe it, but after feeling the effects of the blood in my system firsthand, I can't deny it.For now, I am only subjected to injections since they start training us when we turn twelve. That means that I still have a year before my battle training starts too.I can only hope that I can find a way to escape by then. Otherwise, I fear I will end up just like Rosette.Letti
[Mason's POV]Bright sunlight trickled into the small room around us, illuminating my love's serene sleeping face. Reaching out a hand, I touched her cheek, luxuriating in the warmth of her skin.As much as I wanted to stay like this, I needed to go.Today was the day. We would be traveling to the Arcadian Islands to retrieve Bryllie and bring her home where she belonged. After she was safe, we would deal with the traitorous harpies.Sitting up, I was careful to not jostle Danica awake. She needed all the sleep she could get. "Mmmm." Her warm voice murmured as her golden eyes fluttered open. "Mason?"A thrill rushed through me at my name on her lips. It still wasn't said quite the same as when she remembered me, but I was happy to have made it back to this point with her."Go back to sleep." I murmured, giving a smile. "I've got to go prepare my team."Danica and I had decided to go our separate ways with this, each taking one end of the island, so there was no chance for escape. Eve
[Bryllie’s POV]"I don’t want to hear that." I whispered, trying to contain the emotions that were rolling through me. "From you or from Armond.""Armond?" Desmond repeated, frowning. "Are you saying…""That’s right." I snapped, not caring if I drew attention to us anymore. "He said the same exact thing. It seems that I’m magically mated to both of you! I don't know if this is some kind of game between the two of you, but it isn't funny, and I'm not interested in being your target."Unable to control my emotions any longer, I stormed forward, shoving my way past Desmond and towards where my parents stood chatting with Grandpa and Uncle Killian, who must have just arrived."There she is!" Mom announced, motioning for me to come forward. "Come greet your uncle Killian."Nodding, I began to move but stopped as a hand wrapped around my wrist.Whirling around, I took in Desmond’s desperate expression."What?" I demanded, pulling myself free. "I don’t want to hear anything else you may have
[Bryllie’s POV]"Warned." I repeated, clenching and unclenching my fists. "Did you just say you warned me?"Nodding, Desmond let a smile spread across his ill-at-ease face, and I had to admit, that pissed me off even more."That’s correct." He responded easily.Nodding, I moved, slamming my fist into his cheek."You piece of shit!"Pulling back, I prepared for another attack as Desmond gave me a look of both shock and appreciation. Yuck. Did he actually enjoy getting hit or something?"I guess I deserved that." He chuckled, rubbing the spot I punched. "But it doesn’t change anything I said."Letting out a growl of warning, I reached for the door and pulled."Then you should just stay away from me." I sighed, yanking my bag from him and hefting it over my shoulder. "Consider our years of friendship the only reason I didn’t beat you black and blue."Giving Desmond one more look, I stormed out, this time not bothering to look back at all.I tried to avoid Desmond for the next few months,
[Bryllie’s POV]"Now boarding Flight 166."Frowning, I looked to where Armond sat sipping on his coffee."That’s your flight." I murmured, feeling my heart tug. "Shouldn’t you be getting up?"Nodding, he slowly got to his feet and then slung his bag over his shoulder."I guess this is see ya later." He announced, a sad smile on his face."Yeah," I agreed.Moving forward, I allowed myself to be wrapped in Armond’s strong arms and pressed against his chest. Letting out a sigh, I took in his warmth and smell while he plastered a kiss on the top of my hair."Don’t you dare forget me." He warned, pulling away. "And don’t you dare find someone new.""Don’t joke." I huffed, beginning to bristle. "Do I seem like that type of woman?""You never know."Letting out an indignant growl, I untangled myself and punched his shoulder while trying to stop the tears that were beginning to prick at my eyes.This was it. This was goodbye for at least two years.From what I knew about basic training for my
[Bryllie’s POV]I remained silent as my mind felt like it was shutting down due to my inability to process what just happened.Did Armond really just do what I thought he did, or did I imagine the whole thing?"You’re going to swallow a bug if your mouth continues to hang open like that." Armond sighed, brushing his fingertips from my cheek to my jaw before gently pushing my chin up. "And honestly, I’m feeling offended by your reaction to my kiss."Snapping back to my senses, I scurried backward before quickly looking around to see if anyone else had noticed. When I found that we weren’t being watched, I turned my gaze back to Armond."Why did you do that?" I rasped, trying to keep my voice low. "What if someone saw?""Let them see." Armond shrugged, "And if they didn’t see the first time I could always do it again."Gasping, I held up my hand and pressed it against Armond’s mouth as he attempted to kiss me a second time. What was this guy actually thinking? He had to be out of his mi
Three Years Later[Bryllie’s POV]I stood in front of the large full body mirror of my room staring at the woman in front of me. After hours of being dolled up, I barely recognized myself.Today was my sixteenth birthday, and my parents insisted on making it a grand event despite my insisting that it wasn’t necessary.However, in the end here we were. I looked like a damn debutante making her grand debut into high society while all my guests waited for me to appear.Letting out a huff, I took one last look at my reflection, taking in the light blue prom dress my mother insisted that I wear and my blonde hair that fell in ringlets down my chest and back.Turning, I made my way across the room just in time to sense my mother and auntie Bella just outside."Bryllie?" Mom called, slowly opening the door that separated us. "Are you…"No other words escaped my mother’s lips as she took me in with wide eyes that were quickly beginning to tear up."You look beautiful." She managed as Auntie B
[Mason’s POV]For the next few days, I spent my time going through physical therapy and then visiting Danica in the medical wing. Although she had healed up nicely, she had to stay for observation to make sure that there wasn’t any permanent damage.At first she fought tooth and nail to not have to do it, but in the end she caved and listened. Not without making sure everyone knew just how annoyed she was about it, of course.When I wasn’t training or with Danica, I was with Chris and Killian going over the list of prisoners from the battle between us and the harpies.Out of the many that attacked, only a few remained thanks to the valiant efforts of my pack, the hunters, and Black Forest. I had to admit that, despite my distrust of each group in the beginning, I now knew that if there ever came a time when we were in trouble again, they would be there for us. Likewise, we would be there for them too.After three days, our dead had been buried, and the remaining elders had managed to
[Mason’s POV]The last remnants of fighting drifted towards me, rousing me from the darkness that I am currently trapped in. ‘You need to get up.’ Grendal urged, attempting to help me wake. ‘Our mate needs us.’"Dan…" I manage as my eyelids slowly begin to lift. "What?"Prying my eyes open, I look around at the grounds, but I couldn’t see Danica or Bryllie anywhere in sight.‘Get up.’ Grendal growled. ‘In the packhouse.’Nodding, I began to sit up despite my body feeling like it weighed a ton. Once on my feet, I began to move."Just wait for me." I murmured, reaching the packhouse entrance.Bracing myself, I shoved open the door and gasped as the overpowering smell of blood reached my nose. "Alpha!" Bella yelped, drawing my attention to where she sat on the ground with Danica cradled in her arms.Immediately, my blood turned cold in my veins.The scene was too familiar, too similar. The only difference this time was that there were no signs of poisoning."No," I rasped, dropping dow
[Danica’s POV]I continued to exert strength as the harpie beneath me attempted to break free. By this point, over seventy percent of her body was burned by Bryllie’s white light, and her neck was dangerously close to snapping. Just a bit more and…Gasping, I jerked as pain shot through my abdomen."If I’m dying." Marie growled, a broad smile spreading across her face. "You’re going to die along with me."Confusion whirled as the pain I was feeling intensified and the smell of blood began to attack my senses.Slowly, I let my eyes trail down towards where the pain was coming from and found the hilt of a dagger sticking out of me."You…"Letting out a triumphant cackle, Marie twisted the blade in me and then pulled it free while I clutched at my now open wound in an attempt to staunch the bleeding."MOM!" Bryllie gasped, reminding me that she was still here."Run!" I yelled, attempting to hold Marie in place. "NOW!""No, I won’t leave you!" Bryllie argued, letting her inner light radia
[Mason’s POV]I stared up into Rebecca’s blazing eyes as a wicked smile spread across her face. "Do you know how long I’ve waited for this moment?"Did I? No, I didn't, and I truly didn’t give a damn."Sorry to disappoint." I huffed, "But you won’t be succeeding in whatever fucked-up plan you have in mind."At my words, a bark of laughter escaped Rebecca’s lips as she took in my current condition."Are you planning on stopping me?" She asked, pressing her foot against my chest. "How do you intend to do anything the way you are right now?"To prove her point, she began to press down harder until I could feel my bones beginning to give under her weight.Hissing, I reached up and dug my claws into her ankle, causing a yelp of shock to escape. Taking advantage of her distraction, I quickly scuttled from under her and scrambled to my feet. If I wanted to stand a chance, I needed to not be on the ground."You!" Rebecca growled, slashing a wing at me.Gasping, I braced myself as I flew back