I woke up alone to memories of what happened only a few hours earlier. It seems as though the wolf had snuck out of bed leaving me to sleep peacefully, not that I was complaining. I had been tired, and he had a lot of things to attend to. It was his birthday and today he would become alpha, after all. A very fitting day. Naturally, there was to be a great celebration to the ascension/birthday of the new alpha. From what I had heard, it would be a grand event. I had no doubt in that, especially knowing what I knew. We would be having some event crashers in the form of a witch, a vampire, and an alpha wolf. Honestly, it seemed comical at this point. I could only imagine the looks on some of their faces. I know some would not be happy, some may be impassive, and others that cared for Alpha Ezekiel, like Luna Ximena, would probably be accepting of the situation. But I could care less what anyone thought, honestly, not even Alpha Ezekiel himself. I did what needed to be done, in my opinio
My chest heaved heavily as I struggled to catch my breath. I looked at the faces around me feeling the many eyes looking back at me in return. Never would I have ever imagined being in a room like this so conflicted on where my loyalties lie. Ezekiel lie still on the ground with Araya beside him. She looked frustrated and defeated emotions I rarely recognized on her. Luna Ximena was in the corner obviously upset. Acelin and Alpha Adrian leaned against the far wall with their brows furrowed seemingly in deep thought. I stood by Atlas attempting to calm him. He had a thin layer of sweat on his brow and his powerful aura that had once filled the room finally was starting to dissipate. Manix and Wolfe’s wounds had begun to heal. Their eyes darted from person to person but they still seemed to be confused. So much had happened in so little time. I should not be so surprised. This was not the thought-out plan it should have been. Although my feelings had seemed to change and perhaps, I was
Atlas’ POVHolding back my grin around her was becoming one of the hardest things I’ve had to do. She made me smile like no one else could. I knew I pushed her fucking buttons. It had become a favorite pastime of mine. She got worked up so easily and it was pretty entertaining, but somehow things had gotten easier between us, smoother. This was starting out to be the best damn birthday of my 26 years of life. I wasn’t sure what was to come after this, but I could only hope it would be one of many spent with her.Yeah, I took a big chance fucking with her in front of her people. Normally she was a bear you didn’t want to poke. But after the generous kiss we shared last night, I was feeling lucky. Even with everything happening around us, I couldn’t get that kiss off my mind. One that I didn’t have to steal, because she gave so willingly. Although there was so much more I wanted to do, I held back, needing to be patient and not willing to push her over the edge. Slowly but su
“Just the pair I was looking for,” Ezekiel’s face lit up when he saw me and the wolf walk into the room. My eyes darted to Luna Ximena who stood off to the side. Like her son, she wore her emotions on her sleeve, and it was very evident something was upsetting her. Now was not the time to be falling apart. Within a few minutes, the stooges would advance on us, and without knowing exactly what Ezekiel’s reaction would be, on top of not being able to calculate for all mishaps, we were treading in dangerous waters. Araya would be able to mask their presence, but once inside, once in the room, there was no telling how long it would take for her to fix this issue. How long would we have to hold others at bay? We had enough man power, two alphas, two vampires, one spat out straight from hell, a disheveled luna, and a witch, but still things never go quite as planned. Perhaps my negative outlook on life was tainting my perception. As much as I tried to calm the wolf, I was also on edge about
Somehow things had finally began to calm down in the room even though my heart still beat rapidly inside my chest. The space was solemn, quiet, a little too quiet for my liking. The wolf was obviously distressed. He sat on a chair with his elbows on his knees and face in his hands. Oh, how I missed his annoying and lighthearted humor at that moment. It seemed even he was not in any mood for pleasantries. Ezekiel still lied under the watchful eye of Araya even though she had completed her task. His affliction was no more. We all breathed a heavy breath of relief, but his body had sustained abuse, so we not so patiently waited for him to regain his strength and awaken. Acelin and Adrian eyed and glared between me, Manix and Wolfe, apparently still very unimpressed with the way their mate had been flung about so recklessly. I matched their glares unwilling to put up with their pettiness. But the confusion and question on their faces very evident. To put it simply: what exactly was I do
Atlas’ POVWhen an opportunity presented itself, I took it, because I was an avid believer that things happened for a reason. So when my beautiful headache of a mate stayed back to speak with her brother, after I got Dad settled in his room with Mom, I backtracked and caught up with Alpha Adrian and Araya. They were kind of funny, actually. He was a prick alpha, not much unlike me, and she was this small thing, yet she held so much power and it was pretty damn obvious she had her mates wrapped around her fingers. I should know, Onyx had me entrapped the same way. “Hey, wait up.” I called to them from behind eyeing some stragglers who looked their way curiously letting them know it was time to keep it moving without even saying a word. They quickly sped past me in submission. I wasn’t surprised that everyone might be a little on edge knowing a witch, an alpha from another pack, and even another vampire was in our presence. I’m sure some of them could even surmise as to who they were, b
“This one will look great on your ass.” I jerked my head to Araya as she dug into the closet pulling out dresses for tonight’s celebration. Why would she be looking at my ass?“I do not see why that is a concern of yours.” I retorted with narrowing eyes.“I’m just trying to help you out. Make sure you’re looking great for Atlas later.” She winked at me again. That was about the fifth time that day, and it had begun to grate on my nerves. She was fighting for the top spot of those who annoyed me, closely tying with the wolf. I sighed deeply realizing she had a point. It was obvious the attraction he felt for me, but even still, tonight was a night of great celebration. It very well could be my last with him, because I was unsure of what tomorrow would bring. So, yes. I did want to look good for him. I loathed the fact she was right.She laid the black revealing dress on my bed beside some other options she had chosen for me. For someone’s services who had not been requested, she was ver
How long had we stayed like that? I was unsure. Time and space seemed to stand still under his comforting warmth. The way he made me feel was inexplicable. Those emotions and the way my body yearned for his were foreign experiences, but in that moment where I had finally conceded and stopped fighting, I felt so free. Who knew letting go would be so exhilarating?I had always been the strong one, never needing another to protect or watch over me, never wanting it, but he offered all of those things and I believe I was willing to accept. He relieved me of a burden I never knew I carried. With him, I did not have to be strong. He had the strength for both of us. But he took nothing from me. I never felt like he wished to overpower me. No. He allowed me to be who I was. He accepted who I was completely, but I do not think I was that person anymore.Those deep blue eyes wanted to consume me like the sea. Perhaps drowning was not so bad…“What are you thinking about?” He asked curiously tilt
(FIVE YEARS LATER)Tiny voices of laughter and giggles filled the air, the most intoxicating sounds that I would never tire of. Little Atlas ran through the building chasing one of the other children. A spitting image of his father, with an attitude that was all me. I grinned at the thought. What an alpha he would grow up to be.“Mommy, he is mean to me.” A small voice spoke, tugging at the fabric on my waist. I bent down kissing Iliana on her forehead. My daughter, the sweetest and equally most manipulative little girl. Hmm. Perhaps she was also like me.“Tell me, little one, what has your brother done to upset you now?”“He did not tell me happy birthday.” She peered into my eyes with a pout on her lips. This game was one she played very well in a way that had everyone in the palm of her hands.“He did. We woke you up together this morning. Do you not remember, sleepy head?”“Well, I do not think he got me a gift then.”“He wrote you a card, a gift from the heart, which
(SIX MONTHS LATER)The sun shone down on us brightly as I basked in it while preparing for the upcoming celebration. So many were moving about frantically attempting to ensure everything was in place for tonight. Another joyous event to bring us all together.Six months had passed since the night me and Atlas began to plan for our future, and so far, everything had been going accordingly.A warm smile graced my face thinking about it all. Things had fallen into place so nicely. Everyone was in great spirits. The pack was thriving, happy, and its members were growing stronger. We were healthy, and thankful to be alive. Life was indeed enjoyable.For a time, I took over training our warriors, whipping them into shape before Arron was ready to take his place as head warrior while I fell into more luna duties.Manix and Wolfe also took their places as Atlas’ numbers one and two respectively. Admittedly, I had become quite close to those three, dare I say even friends?So many thin
The door had barely slammed closed before his lips were on mine as we fought to pull the clothes from our bodies, a race to who could get undressed first.His tongue lashed out against my neck making me throb with an explicit need. Him inside of me was the only thing I wanted in that moment.“There are a couple ways I want to see that body tonight.” He pulled back from the kiss with his fiery blue and predatorial eyes locked on me like a target.The way he looked at me with such desire and want… never had anyone made me feel so needed.“I want to hear about them.” I replied with a breathless whisper, eagerly waiting for him to tell me about the ways he would handle me.“First, I want these legs and arms wrapped around me.” His hand slid down my thighs pulling them against his naked waist firmly. I bit my bottom lip, looking between our bodies feeling him harden between my leg before my eyes slowly trailed back to his.“And then what?” “Then I’m going to lick every part of you.” He wa
Somehow, I allowed Araya to talk me into having a meeting of sorts with the females. She called it a “girls’ night.” Though, the reasoning behind it was unclear to me in the beginning, I realized later she meant to have “fun.” Unfortunately, her idea of fun tended to differ from my own, usually to include alcohol, and she was a horrible drunk.The boys were around the pack boundaries somewhere with explicit instructions not to intervene. It was very clear who ran things amongst these parts.Hours and many drinks later, we were speaking freely with loose lips.“I still can’t believe you’re with a wolf and you decided to stay here,” Lilith rolled her eyes, expressing her displeasure in my decision for the umpteenth time. “They are so very irritating. I’m unsure how you can cope.”“Oh, is that so? You seem to enjoy being irritated by one in particular.” I cocked a brow looking at her from across the table as a smirk formed on my lips.“No. That is… it is untrue. Take it back!” Her body
Atlas’ POV“Luna Onyx, good morning.” One of my wolves greeted the woman that damn near took my breath away everytime our eyes met as she walked beside me through the halls. That title sounded so good, and I would never get tired of hearing it knowing the meaning behind it.She was mine. She belonged to me, but not like some property. More like she was a part of me, a piece of my heart, like our souls were forever intertwined and I couldn’t live without her. She was the female leader of our pack and my equal, the one entrusted to give me guidance, with our safety, and someone I could lean on in every way.A real fucking queen. My queen. She replied back to him with words and a fucking cute smile of her own, a gesture that had become more frequent as the days went by. What she said, I had no clue, because like always, I was so caught up in her beauty everything else was a haze.It was hard to believe a couple of weeks had passed since that crazy night where I almost met my end and now
Atlas’ POVI’m pretty sure you’re not actually supposed to walk towards that white light, but how can you not when it’s so damn warm and welcoming?No. This wasn’t what I wanted. I didn’t want to die like some dickhead. I needed to get back to her.Something happened after I closed my eyes and allowed myself to relax. I was no longer in that dark cave lying on my back staring into the most beautiful eyes I’d ever seen as a strong weakness overcame me. So where exactly was I? Heaven or hell? My track record would indicate it should be hell, but it definitely wasn’t what I expected.Fuck. Was this really it? Did I actually die? I didn’t want to be dead. I was too handsome to die young, and there was so much unfinished business left, so many things for me to do.My family… my loved ones… my mate… I never got to spend the time with her I wanted. This wasn’t how it was supposed to be. We had so much more life to live and so much to look forward to. I had plans for us like han
“What have you done to him!?” My voice traveled through my own ears in a muffled tone as I pushed through the pain calling upon all of my strength. With blackened eyes that reflected complete hatred and disgust, I met the gaze of the three before me as I held the weakened body of the man that meant so much to me. He was all but limp within my arms, a realization that clenched my heart even tighter. Although he was still alive, he was fading fast.How could this be happening? The moment I begin to have a semblance of happiness, it is taken from me? Sno’s eyes had widened as she darted glances between the wolf I knew to be her father and the other woman who I had concluded was the witch, the very one that had inflicted this pain on me. It was still there, but I no longer cared. The only thing on my mind was saving him.“Answer me!”“So you’re still involved? Interesting.” The nameless wolf spoke. He smelled less than unpleasant, and I hated him.Ignoring his words, I stayed
Atlas’ POVMy eyes shot open, all sense of time and direction completely out of whack. I had passed out again. Was it day or night? What day even was it? It was obvious I was underground somewhere in a rocky cavern type place, and with the constant dripping and damp ground, seemed like the location was around some type of body of water.By this point, I’m sure it was known we’d been taken. Once again, I tried to link Arron and Wolfe, but nothing. Still, they seemed to be alive in some capacity since I hadn’t felt their death. Thank the gods for that at least. So far that much of what Sno said had been true.I found myself wondering if she would come back and help me, the intent to kill her somewhat dissipating. The way she left let me know she had been shaken up and I was sure a talk with her dusty dad was imminent. That fucker. He had been plotting all these years. Another power-hungry, selfish prick. I could never imagine sending my pup out to do my bidding, risking their safety in
Atlas’ POV Well, that fucking hurt. My neck was stiff, body weaker than before, and my senses were all discombobulated. What the hell was in that shit they put in my neck? It was way stronger than just pure wolfsbane. Someone was coming.Not that my vision was clear anyway, but my eyes nearly rolled into the back of my head from annoyance once they landed on the familiar approaching figure. Fucking Sno. She seriously didn’t get it. But I didn’t have much energy. Whatever they had me chained with seemed to be draining me, preventing me from using my power in addition to the injection that had just knocked me out like Tyson.She didn’t speak but her mere presence brought me back to reality. I had been captured and was being held there against my will. They wanted my power thinking it belonged to them. And that fucking bastard Anus or Ranus – oh yeah, Remus or some shit, but I didn’t really care – he insinuated he killed them, Wolfe and Arron. My warriors, my friends…Snap ou