[Mason’s POV]The sound of footsteps roaming much too close to the tree I was currently sleeping on woke me the next morning. Immediately, I was on alert due to how suspicious they sounded. Letting my eyes fly open, I went on alert, taking in the ground below me until I spotted someone dressed in a brown cloak that was pulled up over their heads."What are you doing?" I growled, jumping down and landing on the intruder. "Explain yourself now!""Woah there," a familiar voice chuckled. "I come in peace.""Killian?" I growled, pulling down his hood and taking in his amused expression. "What the hell are you doing?""I’d like to ask the same." He countered. "Why exactly are you hanging out in a tree? Did you do something to piss Danica off so she banished you out here?""Something like that." I grumbled.Satisfied that Killian wasn’t an intruder I got to my feet and held out a hand that he happily took. Once he was upright, his eyes began to really take me in while his expression changed
[Mason’s POV]"Do you think that old fool will be willing to help us?" My younger self demanded "He barely wants to help with simple matters, and now you want his help with something as big as a trial?""Are you actually shooting down my way of helping Danica prove her innocence?" I asked. "Nigel wouldn’t dare not agree."Even when I was younger, Nigel knew not to cross me. Even if he begrudgingly helped, he wouldn’t dare say no. That was the one good thing about that old bat."Only one way to find out." Killian announced, clapping his hands together. "You gonna drive my sweet nephew?"I bit back the laugh that wanted to escape as my younger self grimaced in disgust due to Killian’s way of addressing him. Served him right for always being such an ass.‘Pot meet kettle.’ Grendal huffed in amusement.Frowning, I didn’t bother responding to him. Instead, I stepped forward and threw an arm around Killian’s shoulders. Motioning for my younger self to follow, I headed towards the large blac
[Mason’s POV]I sat on the couch with a steaming mug of god knew what in my hand. After being ushered inside, Nigel insisted that I should drink this, since I knew the damned shaman was usually right about whatever he said.Lifting it to my lips, I grimaced as the tart liquid leaked into my mouth and down my throat. Ugh, whatever it was must have been made from one of the most sour plants on earth. Maybe this was just some damn trick."Drink it all." Nigel commanded, coming to sit down beside me."Where’s the others?" I asked, taking another sip of the god-awful concoction.The last I saw of my younger self and Killian, they were following both Nigel and Asher to Nigel’s office about some experiment that Asher was excited about. I had figured that they wouldn’t find it as interesting as Asher did, but I guess I was wrong."I asked Asher to keep them occupied." Nigel explained."Why?" I asked, going on the defense immediately. "Are you going to lay into me about time travelling and fuc
[Danica’s POV]I sat at the table with Bella and Chris while they nit-picked over my not eating. Since earlier, both Masons and Killian had been gone. Despite my asking what exactly they were up to, they wouldn’t say, and I was regretting trusting them enough to not push any further."Danica," Bella sighed, pushing some fruit my way. "You’re eating for two now. You’d do well to remember that. ""I know." I huffed, eyeing her offer. "But I’m really not hungry."Rolling her eyes, Bella shot Chris a look as if saying "help me here," but before he could even try, Mason’s manic energy slammed into me like a ton of bricks. "Mason!" I gasped, jumping to my feet and rushing out of the room and towards the grounds."Danica!" Bella yelled from behind me. "What’s going on?""You need to be careful!" Chris chimed. "If you get hurt, Mason is going to kill us all!""It’s Mason!" I explained, shoving the door that was keeping me from him wide open.Squinting through the daylight that suddenly assau
[Danica’s POV]I didn’t even have the chance to close the bathroom door behind me before Mason was tugging at my clothes. Shivering with delight, I lifted my arms as he pulled at my shirt, allowing him to remove it with ease. Once he threw it to the side, he began to work on my pants until I was left standing in nothing but my bra and thong."That was quite the switch." I pointed out.Licking my lips, I watched him pull his shirt over his head, mussing his golden blonde hair and revealing his perfect chest and torso. Dammit, he was sexy. Gasping, I found myself being lifted onto the sink as Mason’s hungry lips met mine."Less talking." He murmured, using his tongue to push my mouth apart. "More action."Giggling, I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him closer. Well, if that was what made him feel better, I supposed I could oblige.However, before we could go any further, a loud bang sounded from the door. Instead of stopping, Mason continued to push, letting his hands trail
[Mason’s POV]I kept my distance as Danica sobbed over her friend. I had to admit that, even though I had my doubts about Amy, especially after what she did, I was happy that she ended up not betraying Danica’s trust."Do Greg and Chase know that you’ve made your decision?" Danica asked, wiping away her tears."No," Amy admitted, "but I made this decision on my own."Nodding, Danica pulled Amy into a hug again and whispered something so low that I couldn’t hear it.Deciding to leave the two alone for a bit, I made my way out of the room to find Heather and Killian chatting in the hall beyond."Well, well," I smirked, taking in their close proximity. "What is going on here?"Snapping, his gaze away from Heather, Killian frowned before attempting to shoo me away. However, that motion alone was enough to keep me standing in place."Do you have something you want to tell me?" I continued, "Like maybe there might be a new member of the family soon."This whole ordeal was wild. Not only was
[Danica’s POV]I listened intently as both Masons and Killian made their way down the hall. Only when I was sure that they weren’t in earshot did I turn my full attention to Amy and Heather.To my surprise, both were watching me curiously, as if I had grown a second head."What?" I asked, beginning to feel slightly embarrassed. "Why are you looking at me like that?""How is it?" Amy asked simply, seeming to relax now that it was just us."What?""Being a wolf." She huffed in annoyance. Frowning, I considered how exactly I was supposed to answer this. I only just unlocked my wolf, so I didn’t have much to go off of. Not to mention that since discovering that I wasn’t human, all I had encountered was pain and sorrow."I don’t know," I responded slowly. "It’s…different."Nodding, Amy considered my words before leaning back in her seat. Despite her seeming to warm up to me again, I knew that there was still a large wedge between us."Did you always know?" I asked, voicing the one questio
[Danica’s POV]I rushed forward, attacking the first rogue I could find. Despite my draw to them earlier on, now that I had unlocked my wolf, I no longer felt it, at least not in the way I did before. Now, I could control my movements, and I didn't lose myself.Realizing that maybe it was due to my father’s side all this time, I bit down as hard as I could on the rogue’s shoulder, causing a loud snarl to escape it.I gave it a yank and dodged its claws before landing on my paws. Spitting out the skin I managed to tear, I went in for the kill, wrapping my jaws around the rogue’s throat until I could feel a pop from its spine cracking.Jumping aside, I watched as it fell to the ground and didn’t move. Only when I was sure that it was dead did I turn my attention to the fray all around me.‘Next.’ Lizbeth purred.Turning, I found my next victim and began to move while it was distracted by one of my pack members.Leaping forward, I dug my claws into its back, tackling it to the ground, an
[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