[Danica's POV]I moved silently through the forest around me, being sure not to step on any twigs or downed branches. So far, we were lucky enough to not run into anyone, and we were close enough to the mountains to see them through the trees.Sniffing the air, I managed to get a hint of a familiar scent. Flashes of Bryllie's smiling face popped into my mind, and then I knew it was her."Up ahead." I whispered to Dax, who was standing close beside me. "I can smell her.""Should we shift now?" One of the warriors accompanying us asked from behind."What do you think?" Dax asked, leaving all decisions to me."Yeah."It was best to make our move in our strongest of forms.Stepping behind a tree, I began to strip my clothes off and placed them in a pile on the ground for later.Getting on all fours, I began the shifting process, but stopped midway when I felt the dark presence that I had felt before in my wolf form."What?" I gasped as it began to claw at me, forcing me to continue the ch
[Mason's POV]By the time the ship that would be taking us back to the mainland arrived, the sun was already beginning to set. We had taken longer than needed to collect ourselves, thanks to Danica’s weakened state. Despite everyone’s insisting that we needed to go, I didn’t want to until I was sure that she was truly okay."Let’s go." I sighed, grabbing Desmond and Armond by the backs of their shirts. "I’m sure Rosalie and Ermella will give you both an earful when we return.""You didn’t tell our moms, did you?" Desmond demanded, shooting me a glare. "How could our great alpha be a snitch?""Mind your words." Chris huffed, smacking Desmond in the back of the head. "Do you have any idea how dangerous what you two did was?"For a moment, Desmond puffed out his cheeks and remained quiet, but by the time we were on the ship’s deck, he let out a long breath of air."We were worried about Bryllie." He said quietly."You what?" Bryllie chirped, appearing from behind Danica, who was already
[Mason's POV]When we arrived at the Black Forest packgrounds, our rooms were already set and ready. It felt weird being somewhere that wasn't the Cove pack, but I was sure to inform Chris of my current situation. For the time being, he would take over as alpha until we could figure out Danica's situation and help her master her wolf."This is where you will sleep." Dax murmured as he led us around the packhouse. "Here?" I repeated, eyeing the single bed that was within."Is there a problem?" Dax asked, narrowing his gaze on me. "I'm being kind enough to allow you to stay here. What more do you want? ""I'm not sleeping separately from my wife." I pointed out, wrapping a protective arm around Danica's waist as she let out a huff and rolled her eyes."W-wife?" Dax sputtered, eyeing us. "Did you say... ""That's right." I smirked. "We are not only Bryllie's parents, but we were married eight years ago."I felt a sense of satisfaction as Dax's expression fell into one of frustration. Ha
[Mason's POV]I shoved the door of our room open, all the while trying to remain calm as Danica nibbled at my neck while straddling me.Desire flared through me as I quickly made my way to the bed and gently laid down my queen. Standing, I watched as her voluptuous chest rose and fell with each breath she took."Fuck, you're beautiful." I growled, pulling off my shirt."No talking." Danica panted, propping her up on her elbows."Hm?" Raising my brow, I let a slow smile play across my lips.Kneeling down, I hooked my fingers into her pants and pulled, exposing her dripping vagina that was begging for me."Mason," she sighed, laying back and closing her eyes.Letting out a growl, I felt my dick twitch in my pants. Propping her legs on my shoulders, I dove in, slowly savoring the taste and feel of Danica."Mmmm," Danica purred, arching her back and pressing herself against my face. "More, I want more.""Whatever my queen commands." I chuckled, diving further between her folds and quicke
[Danica's POV]"Hey! Old man! " Mason called, banging on Dax's front door. "Open up!""Don't be so harsh." I hissed through a contraction.I still couldn't believe that Mason and I having sex had caused this, but the proof was here in the form of labor pains and leaking water."Old man!" Mason growled again, slamming his fist against the door once more."What is it?" Dax's annoyed voice called from the other side."Danica is in labor!" Mason responded. "We need a midwife!""Danica?" Dax repeated, opening the door and peering out at us. "Who is... Oh Xena!""Midwife." Mason repeated as irritation rolled through him."Right," Dax huffed, stepping aside so Mason could enter. "Take her to the guest room. I will go get Natalia."Nodding, Mason made his way to the room as instructed, while I remained quiet. "It hurts." I groaned as a particularly painful contraction struct."Just breath." Mason murmured, laying me on the bed.Nodding, I closed my eyes and did as instructed while flashes of
[Mason’s POV]"Careful." I murmured, stepping forward as a panicked expression began to play across Danica’s face.It was safe to say that she had managed to start tapping into her alpha energy and, until she learned to control it, extreme emotions would cause accidents like this."I didn’t..." she gasped, fixing her gaze on me. "I didn’t mean it.""It’s okay, baby." I murmured, reaching out and touching her cheek. "This is normal for newly acquired abilities.""But..." She continued."He’s right." Dax chimed in. "You have much to learn, and until then, we won’t hold things like this against you. For now, just focus on getting some sleep. ""O-okay."The room grew quiet as Dax and Natalia made their exit, leaving only Danica and I with our son."I really didn’t mean it," Danica tried once I looked at her."I know."I really did know. Hell, when I was a child, I had outbursts similar to this. It was normal, and it didn’t make me love her any less."Get some sleep, okay?""Alright."As
[Mason's POV]My heart began to slam in my chest as my eyes took in Danica's quickly darkening eyes. "I'll go..." I began, but stopped as a roar of rage escaped her."My pup!" She growled, quickly getting out of bed.I didn't have time to stop her as she ran towards the boarded window and flung herself through."Shit!" I hissed, looking towards where Xavier was still lying on the bed. I couldn't leave him here alone, but I also couldn't let Danica do anything rash.Moving forward, I scooped Xavier into my arms and ran out of the room just in time to see Dax making his way towards the front door."What's going on?" He demanded, shooting a glare at me. "Was that Bryllie I heard screaming?""Yes." I responded, quickly closing the distance between us. "Take him!"I didn't give Dax the opportunity to argue as I bolted out onto the grounds beyond.Just ahead, I noticed a crowd gathered around something in the pitch, and I knew it had to be Danica.'What's going on?' I called through mindli
[Danica's POV]My eyes stayed locked on my daughter as Natalia busied herself cleaning and dressing her wound. Though I was still pissed, I knew that I needed to calm down, otherwise the darkness would come again. Each time it erupted from me, I felt like I was losing a little more of myself. Of course, that was a secret that I kept to myself. Mason and the others already had enough to worry about and didn't need to add my problem to their lists.After the incident with that cocky bastard picking on a kid, I was beginning to contemplate leaving anyway. If there was one thing I wouldn't tolerate, it was putting my children in danger. No amount of wanting to know about my past would make me stay here if anything like this happened again."This should do it." Natalia announced, snapping me out of my brooding. "You were such a good patient.""Mhm." Bryllie beamed. "That's because I am not a baby."Rolling my eyes, I moved forward and placed a hand on Bryllie's head and let out the breath
[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