Louise’s POVAfter three grueling days spent in the woods where I was constantly tortured by two powerful vampires who were nothing more than bullies, we returned to their home. In all seriousness, I’d learnt a lot. There had been a lot of things they had instilled in me that the witches never would have. As thorough as my Aunt Lettie was, she wouldn’t have covered things like seduction skills as a way of wiggling myself out of certain situations.Considering that Caleb and Philippa used to be courtesans and their ruler now ran sex clubs all over the country, it only stood to reason that sex clubs were included in the syllabus of mandatory things I needed to know before going undercover.My time at Damien’s mansion had run out. I had to go back home so we could all put the next phase of our plan into motion. My first meeting with Ezekiel will be happening in a couple of days and I wasn’t as petrified as I should have been. Maybe my confidence came from feeling prepared, or it was an i
Louise’s POV “I’m going to ask you one more time, are you sure about this?” my father said, his gaze intense on my face. “Baby, if there is any part of you that doesn’t feel ready, all you gotta do is say the magic word. You don’t have to do this. Not at all.”There was something about my father’s love for me that always gave me a sense of protection and comfort. Even when he was far away from me, it was as though I could still feel it. It was a warm blanket wrapped around me in the dead of winter. It was something that gave me strength as well as confidence to barrel ahead in life no matter how tough things become. Right now, I could see the worry etched in his expression, how his bushy brows furrowed, and the lines that increased on his face. But I could also see the passion and confidence that burned in his brown gaze. He did believe in me. He was proud of me, and he did have faith in my ability to see this through.He was asking me this question right now because he needed to ma
Francesca’s POV I would be the first to admit that I wasn’t entirely sober when I kissed Bianca. Did I thoroughly enjoy it? Absolutely! Do I regret it even a tiny bit? Absolutely not! I stood by what I did even though I was drunk. I’m not even sure I needed the liquid courage to finally cross that line. I genuinely think I would have kissed Bianca that night either way. However, what happened after the kiss was a bit of a blur. We’d proceeded to the dance floor afterward. It was safe to assume we spent the rest of the night dancing and getting more fucked up on alcohol and weed than we already were. Maybe, we’d made out some more, maybe not, I couldn’t remember for the life of me. Things have been a bit awkward between Bianca and me ever since that night. It felt as though Patrick was caught between two people who fought in his absence and he’s missing the relevant information to dissolve the tension. Not to say Bianca and I were acting like two people who fought or anything extreme
Francesca’s POVI wasn’t sure why I spent such a long time agonizing over what to wear. Bianca might have called it a date but I doubt it was anything overly serious. We were literally just eating and hanging out in my bedroom. However, my nerves didn’t get the memo. Also, I didn’t think it would be the worst thing in the world to put some effort into my appearance. I was going to spend time with a girl I liked after all.The first order of business was underwear. I had a new lingerie set I’d been dying to wear for someone. And Bianca was as worthy as they come. As I hummed one of my favorite rock songs, I slipped on the flimsy red panties and secured the bra afterward. The lace felt nice on my skin, luxurious and expensive.My make-up was next. It was incredibly fast as all I applied was mascara and eye-shadow to make my eye color pop. The pink lip gloss wasn’t overdone either. After that, I wore a mini white dress and admired myself in the mirror.“Francesca, you don’t look half bad
Francesca’s POV It took a little while before Bianca said something. She was sitting opposite me, as it was, twiddling with her thumbs. I wasn’t the most patient person in the world, but I told myself to give her enough time to gather her thoughts and say what she needed to express. “Okay, full disclosure, I don’t regret what happened between us at the bonfire party,” she said, looking me in the eye. I nodded, feeling relief flood within me. “I wouldn’t have kissed you today if I regretted doing so five days ago,” Bianca said, clarifying her point. “So, what’s the problem here?” I asked. “I thought we were on the same wavelength, that we liked each other.” “We do,” Bianca affirmed. “At least I know I like you. And I believe you think you like me as well.” That gave me pause and I felt my feathers ruffling. “What do you mean?” I said, sounding offended even though I wanted to keep my cool. “Are you implying I don’t know my own feelings?” “That’s not what I’m saying Francesca,”
Francesca’s POV At some point, I lost count of how long Bianca and I were making out. My room was filled with the wet sounds of the smacking of lips and the occasional moans and groans we were letting out. I felt intoxicated, half out of my mind, because Bianca was so incredibly sweet. There was something about the way she handled me that communicated her hunger, her desire. I felt wanted and I didn’t know how badly that was something I needed after being rejected by my mate. She was still in my lap as we kissed. My hands itched to explore further so they slowly traveled down her back until I was touching her ass. She moaned loudly against my mouth when I squeezed both cheeks. They felt firm in my hands but soft at the same time. Goddess, I truly was going crazy. “That felt good,” she whispered against my mouth. “Your hands feel good on me.” “I like how you feel,” I confessed, kissing her some more. It wasn’t that difficult to clear my head of everything else and focus on Bianca.
Francesca’s POV My opportunity to go down on Bianca arrived a few days later. It had taken me a while to admit that I was an exhibitionist. This meant that I was always excited at the prospect of public sex, as long as I could get away with the consequences. The risk was always thrilling to me, and I would be lying if I said that when Dominic paired me and Bianca during our survival into the wild skill training, my mind didn’t start whirring at the endless possibilities.Bianca and I ran deep into the forest in our wolf form, howling and communicating in a way that was instinctual to who we were. I felt free, completely unencumbered, and connected to the girl running next to me. When we were deep into the middle of the woods, and I was sure nobody would stumble upon us, I shifted back into human.Bianca followed my lead, furrowing her brow in confusion. “Why did you just shift? We have a mission to complete.”I grinned at her, my gaze raking over her naked form with a predatory gleam
Francesca’s POV It took me a minute to process Alpha Ian’s words. I wasn’t sure how to react exactly. What was the appropriate thing to say in this situation? It remained a fact that I had fucked up because I’d spoken about a situation I knew nothing about. Dominic had every right to react the way he did. My comments were insensitive, and who knew what wound I’d added salt to?There was also a part of me that wasn’t particularly surprised that Damien was Dominic’s fated mate. It made sense. I remember the first time the Beta mentioned the vampire king. I could still see the expression on his face so vividly. It was one of awe, and something else hidden in the depths of his eyes. It was an emotion so profound but at the same time mysterious. I didn’t know how to place it, and because of that, my instincts warned me to not comment on the issue.Seeing them together at the wedding put things into perspective for me. It seemed as though Damien’s world narrowed down to a single focus and
Francesca’s POVThe coronation of the Alpha King and his chosen Luna is one of the most sacred events for any Pack. It’s one that is celebrated in a grand affair, and remembered for months after the fact. Every Pack had its own special way of going about it, the rituals they always made sure took place and all the flurry of activity and prayers that happen, taking advantage of the full moon and asking the Moon Goddess to bless us and grant our heart’s deepest desires.“Mother, you look absolutely stunning,” I said, my tone dripping with admiration as I stared at Alpha Jessica Reginald, where she sat dressed in a lovely golden gown, about to be crowned the Luna of the Sangria-Crescent Pack.“Thank you, darling,” Jessica replied, smiling, her blonde hair framing her gorgeous face like a halo. “Come sit with me.”The other women who’d been helping my mother get ready for the coronation excused themselves and walked out of the drawing room.I threw them a discreet smile as they exited the
Francesca’s POVAs we approached mid-September, the Fall weather really began to set in. The unbearable heat of the previous month was abating with every second that passed. The leaves of the trees were changing color, losing their life force and vividness, and falling to the ground in a melancholic but beautiful display of the wonders of nature.Our summer vacation was still very much ongoing. Bianca, Patrick and I had at least another two weeks before we were due to return to campus so we were definitely making the most of our last days of leisure. Although to define our days as leisure was subjective. Our training sessions were more intense than ever. Alpha Ian has been present and running most of them. Ever since his therapy sessions came to a fruitful conclusion, he has been more determined than ever to push us to our limits. There was an obvious shift in how he now regarded Ezekiel and the imminent war between us. His hatred was less personal. It was no longer the kind of acidi
Ezekiel’s POVI was standing back a considerable distance as training went on. As much as I had said I wanted to oversee it, my intention was not to interrupt it in any way whatsoever. I also didn’t want our warriors to feel under pressure or act as though they had to do anything different simply because I was present. I wanted to observe them as they always were during each session. And of course, I had the utmost trust in their tutors that they would do a good job today as they’ve been doing for as long as they’ve had the responsibility.So far, I was mighty pleased with everything I was seeing. Our warriors seemed to be disciplined, determined, unceasingly strong, and above all, they all had a killer instinct. From what they were showing, they would absolutely have no qualms in striking down any enemy they came into contact with, and those were the kind of warriors I needed on my side when I made my first calculated attack against the Crescent-Sangria Pack.Alexander and Eve were m
Ezekiel’s POVGreat Aunt Elizabeth’s sprawling estate has long ceased being hers. Not since the day I snuffed the life out of the stubbornly staunch old woman right after making her sign over the deeds. That was another lifetime ago, way before I grew into myself. Sixteen-year-old me wasn’t exactly the brightest. I can’t believe he tried to have it all, tried to hold onto Ian even when he knew there was no way the other boy was going to be accepting of the inevitable path I was going to choose.The path I was already on when we were merely thirteen-year-olds and I decided on animal sacrifice to summon the Moon Goddess. I didn’t even think twice about killing those helpless bunnies that I’d spent weeks raising. That should have been Ian’s warning shot, and maybe it was but he definitely did not heed it.But what made me hope, that I could bring him over to my side, even if I had to use lies and manipulation to aid me was how he reacted after he watched me commit cold blooded murder for
Alpha Ian’s POVThe idea of going to some cold and lifeless office of a therapist was enough to make me want to puke. If I was going to cut my skin open and bleed for a complete stranger, I had to do in a place I felt safe and comfortable in. The sessions had to take place in my Study and nowhere else. And this was how the therapist that had been chosen for me by Jessica found herself sitting on my high-backed chair facing me, as I reclined on the sofa. Her name was Valentina. She was a beta wolf, and the energy she gave off was of someone kind and capable at the same time. She had honey blonde hair that was cut in a bob and it framed her oval face in a flattering way. She wore red lipstick, and had a nose-ring.It was the nose-ring that threw me off when she arrived. It didn’t match the image I had of the look of a therapist in my head. But somehow, that injected this chill vibe into the atmosphere. And I could almost delude myself into thinking I was about to have a conversation w
Alpha Ian’s POVIt was a different kind of torture, having to narrate practically everything I told Francesca and the others to my wife the next day. She listened to me with the same empathy and compassion that I received from everyone who was present in my Study the night before. She didn’t cut me off necessarily, only asked questions when she felt that I had mentioned something too important to skim over.By the time I was done with my narration, Jessica let out a loud sigh and said, “I’m afraid Francesca is right on this one, Ian. You do need therapy.”I nodded, she took my hand in hers and squeezed it in comfort. We were sitting side by side on a sofa in our bedroom. I’d alerted her we needed to talk about something right before she turned in for bed. Jessica wasn’t one to dwindle when her specific time to sleep arrived.“I know, darling,” I said to her. “I’ve already accepted that this is something I need. It’s high time I dealt with this unfinished business so I could move forwa
Francesca’s POV“So, what’s the verdict?” Alpha Ian asked after I hadn’t uttered a word after his vulnerable confession. “Am I still in love with a monster?”I fixed him with an intense stare then, really looking at him. There was a vacant look in his eyes, it seemed as though he was bracing himself for the worst. It was kind of tragic, the entire situation was, if I was being entirely honest.And I couldn’t bring myself to feel any sort of jealousy toward Ezekiel. Maybe, it would hit me later and I would hate him even more for being my fated mate’s first love. But now, I was more concerned with helping Alpha Ian sort through his emotions and any lingering feelings he might still harbor for the king of the rogues.“Well?” Alpha Ian prompted. “Will you say something?”“I don’t know,” I finally said.“Excuse me?” Alpha Ian sat up then, and fixed me with a disbelieving stare. “What don’t you know?”I shrugged, breaking eye contact. “I don’t know if you’re still in love with him or not.”
Francesca’s POV“What did you just ask me?” Alpha Ian said in a dangerously low tone, his eyes narrowing as they gazed into mine.“You heard me very well,” I said, “But I can still repeat myself: are you still in love with Ezekiel?”This time, he seemed unable to form words. He opened his mouth several times but ended up closing it again. I guess one can say, he wasn’t expecting that kind of question from me, or from anyone for that matter.Even I wasn’t completely sure why I asked it. Okay, I did know why. The root cause wasn’t jealousy. It was a true desire to help him sort through any lingering feelings he might have had where Ezekiel was concerned because a love that intense doesn’t just disappear altogether. I wasn’t even sure I could decipher all the different kind of feelings and emotions that I experienced while listening to him go into depth about his relationship with Ezekiel, the bond they shared, their subsequent honeymoon in the penthouse, and ultimate rupture.At some
Alpha Ian's POV"So that was how it went down," Dominic said, looking like someone who's entire world has been tilted on its axis. "Man, you kept all of that inside you when you returned, and pretended as though you merely failed in convincing Ezekiel to come back with you and plead his case.""Yeah... pretty much. that's what happened.""I bet he was impossible to be around when he returned," Francesca wondered."Oh yes, he was was," Denise replied to her. "It was worse than when Ezekiel had just been banished. The Ian who returned was a completely different person.""He seemed to have shoved all his emotions in a box, locked them away and and threw them in a raging volcano," Dominic said."Hey, I wasn't that bad," I said, tone defensive."You so were," Dominic and Denise said at the same time and then they started laughing as they stared at each other."You were worse than bad, big brother," Dominic said. "You were frighteningly cold. It seemed as though the only emotions you allowe