PHIN With Viviana finally safe, the weight of the past few days dissolved in the quiet of the night. Marilee was spending the night with Morna, leaving Viviana and me alone for the first time. The house felt strangely still, with only the distant croaks of frogs and the gentle rustle of the bayou breaking the silence.She sat on the edge of the bed, her long chestnut hair flowing over her shoulders. The soft glow from the lamp bathed her in warm light, making her seem almost ethereal. I took a deep breath and joined her, my heart pounding with a mix of anticipation and fear.“Do you mind if I mark you, Viv?” I asked, the weight of the request heavy in my chest. “I need to know because... when we have sex, I might not be able to control myself. I need to do it right.”Her eyes widened briefly before she looked down, biting her lower lip. “You can,” she whispered, but I noticed the way she fidgeted, her shoulders tense at the mention of sex.I reached out and trailed my fingers along h
PHIN I entered her slowly, savoring the warmth that surrounded me. For a moment, I stayed still to let her adjust, appreciating the deep connection between us. Every subtle movement, every shift of her body, felt like a beautiful melody.I ran my hands along the curve of her waist, relishing the softness of her skin. She gripped the sheets and gasped softly but pulled me closer by wrapping her legs around my waist. The intensity of it all nearly overwhelmed me. The connection between us ignited something deep inside. Something so powerful I half-expected to see my skin glowing. Her body surrounded me, and every nerve in my body went on high alert, attuned to her every movement, every breath. As I grazed my teeth along her neck, ready to claim her, I felt her tense beneath me. She opened her eyes, and in them, I saw fear.A fear that cut through the haze of desire and struck me. Hard.I paused, tracing the spot where my teeth had been with my thumb, trying to reassure her. "Shh, Che
PHIN I moved between her legs, feeling the warmth of her body as I positioned myself closer. I gently pushed her legs up, bending them at the knees. As I kissed her ankle, the scars caught my attention. My chest tightened with anger. Intense anger that I had to bite away.The thought of her being treated that way, subjected to such brutality, filled me with a new rage I'd never experienced before.I couldn't let myself dwell on it, though. Not now. This moment wasn't about the past.It was about giving her something new, something that would start to heal those old wounds.I brushed my lips over the marks on her skin. "You deserve better," I murmured, trailing kisses up her leg. "You deserve to be cherished." Her body tensed slightly, and I paused, giving her a moment to adjust, to realize that this was different. I wasn't going to rush her, wasn't going to push beyond what she was ready for."Are you okay?" I asked, looking up at her. She nodded, her eyes wide, a hint of uncertai
PHINMy teeth sank into her flesh, and her body shuddered against me. Her breath caught as pain mingled with pleasure, binding us in a way beyond words. The muffled sound that escaped her blended both sensations, echoing in the quiet room and reverberating through me. The force of the bite sealed our bond, a connection forged in blood and flesh... Raw, real, and unbreakable.As I held her close, feeling the last waves of my release pulse through me, I knew this was different. This wasn't just sex. It wasn't about physical gratification or dominance. It was deeper, beyond anything I had ever known. The intensity left us breathless and spent, our bodies still intertwined. The bond we had just created was buzzing with energy.I kept my teeth on her neck for a moment longer, savoring the connection and the strange sense of completeness it brought. Finally, I released my grip and kissed the spot where I had bitten her. The mark was already forming, a permanent reminder that she was m
VIVIANA I lay there, worn out and content after being with him. I stared at the ceiling. Everything felt unreal. Like I was caught between reality and a dream.Phin moved beside me, and before I knew it, he was out of bed. "Where are you going?" I asked, turning to follow him.He gave me a soft smile, that boyish charm that somehow melted away years of fear and pain. "Just starting something for you," he replied, disappearing into the bathroom. The sound of running water filled the room, and I couldn't help but smile at the thought of him preparing a bath for me.He returned, his eyes dancing as he lifted me from the bed. "Phin, I can walk," I protested, though I didn't really mean it. I felt safe in his arms, his strength reminding me that I didn't have to do everything alone anymore.He shook his head as he laughed. "I want to carry you," he insisted. "Besides, you've earned it."I chuckled, leaning into him as he carried me to the bathroom. "I doubt Marilee's feet ever touch the
CASSY I woke up to Teddy snoring beside me, a steady rumble that seemed to vibrate through the mattress. The weight of his arm around my waist kept me in place. When I attempted to sit up, his grip tightened, drawing me closer as he slept.I sighed, knowing it was futile to fight against him when he was like this. Teddy was always so damn strong, even when he wasn't trying to be.I stared at the ceiling, listening to the rhythm of his breathing, and my mind started to wander. It felt like I'd been out for days, lost in a fog of exhaustion and recovery with Leila. I tried to piece together what had happened, but everything was still hazy.After a while, I couldn't take it anymore. I rolled over, kissing his temple. "If you don't let me up, I'm gonna pee on you."His lips curved into a sleepy smile as he released his hold on me. "Bien, bien." (Fine.)I laughed softly, slipping out of bed and making my way to the bathroom. The cool tile underfoot was a shock compared to the warmth of
CASSY The house was still, but as I rounded the corner, I spotted Ky sitting awake, his posture relaxed but alert. He noticed me and broke into a grin."Well, well, the little Alpha is finally awake," he teased, leaning back in his chair.I couldn't help but smile back. "Don't start with me, Ky." I crossed the room in a few quick strides and punched his arm. "Thank you for getting Viviana back. I mean it."He shrugged. "No sweat. Plus, it's nice not wanting to kill Phin constantly. I'll admit, he has grown on me since you took over."I snorted. "You and me both. It's been a long road, but it's good to see things coming together."Ky leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees as he looked at me. "So, how are you feeling? You were out for a while.""Like I've been hit by a truck," I admitted. "But I'm more worried about you. I heard you broke your hip?"He winced, rubbing the side of his leg. "Yeah, that was the boat crash. But don't worry, it wasn't anyone's fault. A fourteen-f
CASSYArranging another outdoor movie night for the entire Bayou pack seemed like the perfect way to welcome Marilee and Viviana home. Still, it wasn't just about them. It was about bringing everyone together, reminding them that family wasn't just about blood. It was about who we chose to stand with, especially when things got tough.As I walked through the pack's land, ensuring everything was set up, I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of satisfaction. The screen was up, the blankets were spread out, and the aroma of popcorn wafted through the air. This wasn't just any movie night. It was a night to remind everyone that we were united, no matter what had happened.I'd invited everyone, not just the Bayou pack but also my Monroe family. The triplets—Kael, Ky, and Knox—were all here, though Knox was still keeping his distance from Phin. There was tension between them, and I could see it in how they avoided each other and how Knox focused solely on Oxxy, who had just had his cleft l
KNOX - I pushed open the door to the house. Teddy followed behind, whistling some tune already stuck in my head. We'd left the twins with Phin. Koda and Marilee had been inseparable, and honestly, Phin seemed like he had things under control.I never thought I would say that, but it was true. He was doing pretty damn good handling this one. So far, anyway. Inside, the house was quiet. Too quiet.Teddy glanced around. "Where is everyone?"We stepped into the living room, and Cassy was lounging on the couch. She'd finally woken up, and I'm sure Mom had gotten all the kids out to give her some peace. I could barely register it before Teddy sprinted across the room and scooped her into his arms. He kissed her like the world might end if he didn't."Geez, get a room," I muttered, rolling my eyes as I leaned against the doorframe.Teddy shot me a grin over Cassy's shoulder. "Gladly," he quipped, lifting her effortlessly as she let out a playful laugh. He headed toward the hallway, carryi
PHIN - I walked along the edge of the bayou at daybreak. Koda and Kage trailed behind me, their steps careful as they took in the surroundings. I had to remember that they were essentially city boys. Cypress trees loomed above us, the Spanish moss draping down like nature's curtains. They were in awe."Today, I will show you boys some ways you can help out around here." I turned to face them. "There's always plenty to do, and it's a good way to get to know the land better."Kage grinned. "I've been waiting for this. What are we doing first?""We'll start by checking the crawfish traps," I replied. "Then maybe give Viv and Morna a hand with the feast."Koda glanced back toward the house. "Is Marilee coming too?""She'll join us later," I said. "Right now, she's helping her Mama in the kitchen."We made our way through the marsh, avoiding the softer mud. The air was thick with the scent of wildflowers and wet earth. As we reached the traps, I saw they were packed full of crawfish, thei
SKY - I stood in the kitchen, surveying the crazy mess of toys scattered across the floor. The twins, Nola and Huck, had transformed the entire house into their personal playground. They had an uncanny ability to find mischief in every corner at just a year old.I should have expected it just from watching their fathers. "Nola, that's not for chewing," I called out as she attempted to bite down on the remote control. She looked up with a cheeky grin, her tiny teeth flashing. They were teething and trying to chew the entire house up.Kyran chuckled beside me. "She's got your inquisitiveness, you know."I nudged him playfully. "And your knack for getting into trouble."Kael emerged from the hallway, carrying a laundry basket overflowing with tiny clothes. "Has anyone seen the other sock to this pair?" He held up a lone blue sock adorned with little wolves. Huck's favorite."Check under the couch," I suggested. "That's where Huck hides his treasures."As if on cue, Huckley waddled over
PHINWatching my daughter cling to Koda like her entire world depended on him tore me apart inside. She was too young for such an intense bond, and the worst part? It was my fault. My failures as an Alpha and as her father had pushed her toward this. I couldn't undo it, but the guilt was eating me alive.Knox cleared his throat. "Alright, time for us to head back," he announced as he looked at Viv and me. "The kids need to say their goodbyes."The moment he said it, the air shifted. Koda's grip on Marilee tightened, her tiny arms wrapping around him even more fiercely. Panic flared in their eyes, a sudden realization hitting them hard. It was like a switch had been flipped. It was sad they had not even thought about being seperated. This is why I wished Leila had waited a little longer. How will they handle it? They cannot be glued to one another forever. I wanted to be with my mate and had to wait. Teddy wanted to be with Cassy but had to wait. It was just a part of it. A part they
Finally, Kage took a few hesitant steps toward us. He crouched down, his face still uncertain, but then, with a quiet smile, he reached out and gave me a gentle shove, trying to pull me into the game. I barked and ran toward him, nipping playfully at his hand. He laughed softly, and for a second, it was like old times. Just the two of us, playing like we always had. But then he hesitated again, glancing over at Marilee, and the awkwardness settled back in. Kage tried to join in, tried to wrestle a little with us, but I could tell his heart wasn’t really in it. After a few more halfhearted attempts, he gave up, standing back up with a sigh. He watched us for a moment longer, then turned and walked back toward the adults, his shoulders slumped. I watched him go, feeling guilty. I should’ve been there for him, should’ve pulled him in, but it was so hard to focus on anything other than Marilee right now. She was everything in that moment—her laughter, her bright eyes, her hands running
KODA - Everything felt different. The moment I shifted, the world around me grew bigger, louder, more alive. It wasn’t just me anymore. It was my wolf and me, together. My senses sharpened, picking up every sound, every movement, every shift in the air around me. I could hear the soft rustle of leaves, the water flowing in the Bayou, and most of all, I could smell Marilee close by. Her scent was sweet, warm, and safe. She wasn’t scared at all. “Koda! You did it!” Marilee’s voice was full of excitement. When she ran over, her fingers slipped into my fur like it was the most natural thing in the world. I leaned into her touch, letting my wolf take over for a moment. I felt every stroke, every soft scratch along my neck, and it made my tail wag before I could stop it. I’d done it. I’d shifted. For her. For Marilee. Her hand moved gently through my fur, scratching in a way that made me want to lie down at her feet and never move again. I wanted to be her wolf, to protect her, to alwa
PHIN - Marilee clung to me, her little body still trembling from everything that had happened, but I could feel her relaxing. Finally, she pulled back just enough to look up at me, those big brown eyes wide and curious."Daddy, Koda said he got his wolf. Can I see it? Please?"My stomach dropped. Letting Koda shift in front of her made me nervous as hell. He was too young. Sure, the kid had shifted already, but that didn't mean he could control it. Wolves didn't just pop out on command like some damn party trick. Especially not when they were barely twelve.I opened my mouth to tell her no, that it wasn't safe, but those eyes. Damn it, how could I say no to those eyes? She had me wrapped around her finger, and she knew it."I don't know, sweetheart," I muttered. "Koda and I need to have a few conversations first, okay? It's a big deal, and he's still learning. But maybe."Marilee's face lit up. Koda was right there the second I put her down, taking her hand like it was the most natur
PHIN - I couldn't get enough of her. After all the shit I'd said, all the ways I'd made her feel small, the only way to make it right was to show her how much I needed her. Not as some quiet background presence but as my equal. My everything. So I worshipped her the way she deserved. Her every curve fit perfectly against my body. This was me making up for every stupid remark I'd ever said. Her chestnut hair spilled over the pillow as I traced her skin with reverence, trailing kisses over her neck and down. I could feel her surrender, but it wasn't submission It was trust. Trust I had to earn back. "Je t'adore," I whispered. "You're everything, mon cœur." (I adore you... my heart) She let out a breath, arching into me. This wasn't just about sex anymore. This was something primal that connected us on a level I couldn't explain. As we moved together, I felt her wolf. It was faint, like an echo, but she was there. Viv hadn't heard her in so long, but now... Now she was stirrin
TEDDY - We hadn't stood there long when a noise echoed through the trees. Crashing, banging, something big tearing through the brush. I tensed immediately, my instincts kicking in as I exchanged a look with Knox. Then, something streaked past us. A blur, fast and low to the ground. A white blur."What the hell was that?" Knox asked.I didn't wait to answer. My wolf surged, pushing me forward, and I took off after the white blur. Knox was right on my heels. Whatever it was, it was moving fast, darting through the trees like a flash of lightning.The chase lasted for miles. We ran hard, faster than I'd run in weeks, our wolves pushing to keep up. My muscles burned, and every sharp turn through the woods made my mind race. The scent it left behind was faint but undeniable. Wolf, but something else too. Something unfamiliar.It wasn't until we were halfway to the Bayou land that the thing finally slowed. We cornered it near a narrow clearing, and I shifted back to human, my lungs burnin