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
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
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
Three more weeks. Just three more agonizing weeks until Teddy could mark me and I could finally claim my mate.We'd managed not to cross the line, but the burning desire that had consumed me since we found each other was relentless. The only time he didn't stop me from touching him had intensified the need, making it the sole thing on my mind most of the time.It was impossible to forget the way his body responded, the way his eyes flashed with that wild hunger before he realized what was happening and jumped up to stop me.That fight afterward was epic, magnified by the fact that we were at my house when it happened. Only a few halls down from where my brothers were asleep. I realized that night it was entirely possible to have a screaming match while whispering.Still, we kept our promises to my family, keeping boundaries intact. But those promises felt like chains, holding me back from what I craved.What were three more weeks compared to the torturous ten months we'd endured?Eve
The truck rumbled along the dirt road. I glanced at Teddy, noting the pistol on his belt and the machete hanging from his hip."So, what's the plan tonight?" I asked. If he already had those things on him, tonight would be interesting.He shot me a sideways look as a grin spread across his face. "Gotta check the traps. Thought you might want to come along, you.""Of course I want to!" I beamed.I loved going out on the boats with him. Airboats weren't my favorite, but the regular ones? Those were always a blast.Life with the Bayou pack had its quirks, one being their lack of traditional income. Most of the time, they catch their food rather than buy it. Tonight's adventure involved checking the lines for fish and alligators.We pulled up to the pack house, a sprawling structure that seemed like twenty houses cobbled together into a never-ending shack. Some parts were two stories high, others three, all interconnected. Even so, most pack members just jumped onto their balconies inste
As we pulled up to the last snare, his posture changed. "It's big," he whispered. He was right. It was almost ten feet long and so thick I could hide behind it. Thankfully, it was too large for him to want to wrestle. After dispatching it with the pistol, he effortlessly flipped it up into the boat.Getting the alligator meant we caught it and several giant catfish, which had not happened since the last hurricane. Teddy was ecstatic, obviously proud he could provide the pack with a good meal tonight. He had already sent a mental message to everyone, getting them ready for a gator BBQ. Considering they'd been living on glorified roadkill, I knew this would quickly become a party.It always frustrated me that I couldn't hear him when he talked to the pack. "Will I be able to hear you once I'm marked?"He shrugged and grinned. "I think so, but no reason to worry about it, Mon Loup. After you're marked, we'll never be far enough apart to need it."We'd finally figured out how to create
I kept screaming in Teddy's head, desperate for his help. Finally, he snapped, "Stop! I can't connect with Phin with you yelling at me, Cassy!"I went silent, but my wolf pushed against my skin, eager to materialize. I had to fight her constantly.Shifting would be a disaster. Phin would shift and kill me instantly. He was stronger, and my wolf wasn't fully grown yet.Phin laughed as he growled in my face. "Your boyfriend says to get off you... I wonder how he knows? Another Monroe trick?" He licked my neck, making me gag and my stomach churn in total disgust.I screamed again mentally, "Teddy, where are you?!""I can see you. Close your eyes tight and roll into the impact. Don't panic or shift. I've got you."I braced myself, tensing every muscle and shutting my eyes tight. Seconds later, Teddy's wolf crashed into us. I flew off the porch and hit the creek. The water swallowed me, and I inhaled a mouthful. I fought to the surface, coughing and sputtering, my eyes still squeezed shu
I craved the only comfort I knew would mend me. Teddy knew, too. He wrapped me in his arms. His kisses, though gentle at first, quickly turned desperate.I let my hands wander down to his shorts, seeking the connection I craved more than anything. He growled, grabbing my hand before I could touch him. "Three more weeks, Loupy. Just three more weeks."I pulled away as I sat up. "I'm already eighteen. We are just waiting on the moon, and we aren't virgins. Our wolves know it. Mine may kill me in the next three weeks."Teddy sat up beside me, his breath hot against my neck as he kissed it softly. I felt where Phin had dragged his teeth against my skin under his lips, and it made me shiver. "I'm the macho male here. I'm supposed to be the one humping your leg."I huffed, glaring at him as he smirked at me. "Instead, you're Mr. Self-Control, and I can't even get you to touch me below the neck."He reached over and started tracing circles on my stomach. "You know what I mean," he whispered.
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