Share

Epilogue

Author: Aimee Riddell
last update Last Updated: 2024-12-17 18:22:34

"You need to shave," Nora remarked, raising an eyebrow as her brother wandered into the dining room.

Zach grunted in response, sinking into a chair and helping himself to the already-served breakfast in the centre of the table. "It's fine. Bo still avoiding me?"

After Zach had returned from arranging plans with the other Alphas at Owen’s, he’d had a long-overdue sit-down with Bo. The man had little to say, other than admitting that his talk of giving up on Lucille had been fuelled by anger—anger at having his own mate placed in danger. He regretted not stopping her, and Zach believed him. As punishment, Bo had been temporarily demoted to Gamma, with Cole stepping up as Beta in his place. Zach had needed someone he could trust to help enact the plan to rescue Lucille, and Cole, despite his usual grumbling, had proven himself reliable.

Now that Joseph was gone, Bo had been reinstated, much to Cole's relief—he'd never enjoyed the added workload—but things still weren’t the same.

It had b
Locked Chapter
Continue to read this book on the APP

Related chapters

  • Bound by Loyalty, Torn by Fate   Intel

    Lucille glanced at her reflection, her vibrant green eyes colder than the forest’s winter shadows. Her long chestnut hair had been pulled high into a sleek ponytail, with a few loose tendrils framing her face in an artful, yet controlled, cascade. She wore a fitted black turtleneck that hugged her shoulders and chest, tucked into a high-waisted red leather pencil skirt. The material clung to her like a second skin, each curve carefully outlined, a power and allure in the simplicity of her attire. Her fingers lingered on the silver choker around her neck—a "gift" from Joseph after her first shift, a marker as much as an accessory. This will have to do, she thought, casting a final look at herself before turning away.As she made her way through the dim, narrow corridors of the pack house, her heels echoed in the silence. Joseph had summoned her to the meeting room, and she could guess why. He must have received intel that would put her girls on patrol tonight, and the weight of that th

    Last Updated : 2024-11-26
  • Bound by Loyalty, Torn by Fate   She-wolves of the Rogue Pack

    “Right, ladies!” Serena called out. “Our Luna needs you out on patrol tonight, so report anything suspicious, anyone you don’t recognise.” Lucille sat back in her armchair, pinching the bridge of her nose as the beginnings of a headache tickled at the edges of her mind. “Luna, if you need to rest, I can handle things from here,” Serena suggested, her tone laced with concern. She sat at her Luna’s feet, her eyes flicking from Lucille’s gaze to the fresh mark on her shoulder and the surrounding bruises. Lucille placed a gentle finger under her friend’s chin, offering a subtle smile. I’m fine, she told her through the mind-link.The mind-link was a powerful tool within packs, enabling them to communicate telepathically, keeping conversations private and secure. Typically, rogues forfeited this ability, as it required the close-knit connection of a pack, which most rogues lacked as stray wolves roaming alone. Another benefit to the wolves in her pack thanks to Joseph bringing them togethe

    Last Updated : 2024-11-26
  • Bound by Loyalty, Torn by Fate   Time to Work

    Lucille lifted her glass to her lips, the cold water a fleeting refreshment, grounding her in the noise and chaos of the nightclub. She leaned back into the leather of the sofa, the material worn and slightly sticky, her gaze skimming the bodies moving in rhythmic chaos on the dance floor. The heavy throb of bass shook the floor beneath her feet, each beat vibrating through her chest. She hated this place—the air was stale and thick, saturated with the mingling scents of alcohol, sweat, and an undercurrent of lust that prickled uncomfortably at her senses. Yet if there was one place where outsider wolves might appear, it was here. If any locals were aware of brewing trouble, their lips might loosen over a drink or two, making this repugnant environment Lucille’s most likely source of information.Her girls, a handful of strong and capable packmates, sat nearby, chatting among themselves as though they had come simply to enjoy a night out. Lucille admired their resilience; though they

    Last Updated : 2024-11-26
  • Bound by Loyalty, Torn by Fate   Zachary

    The moment they stepped into rogue territory, Zach’s skin prickled with unease. There was something unsettling about this place—the volatile, untamed scent of wolves who lived outside the laws of the packs. It was wild and chaotic, a direct challenge to everything he stood for. His instincts bristled, his wolf pacing restlessly beneath the surface. He hated rogues.Wolves who couldn’t follow pack law or submit to a hierarchy were banished, deemed too dangerous to remain. Stripped of community, they often nursed bruised egos and burning resentment, driven to prove they were stronger without the order of a pack. It often led to sporadic attacks on established packs—his included.That’s how he’d lost his mother.The memory was like a fresh wound, even after all these years. A rogue raid had swept through their borders, leaving devastation in its wake. His mother had laid down her life to protect the pack, fighting until her last breath. By the time Zach and his father had reached her, it

    Last Updated : 2024-11-26
  • Bound by Loyalty, Torn by Fate   The Meeting

    Lucille examined the glass on the table, then looked back up at the man who’d put it there. Whoever he was, he smelt almost intoxicating, and she felt trapped under the gaze of his piercing blue eyes. There was something about this male that sparked a desire she hadn’t felt for anyone in a long time. His tousled dark hair, his defined jawline, his broad shoulders—he looked like a man who had trained his whole life and took care of his body. For a moment, Lucille found herself imagining what it would feel like to have the weight of this male on top of her. Snapping her thoughts back to the present, she picked up the drink he had set in front of her and took a sip. She was pleasantly surprised to find it was just water.“Here I thought you were going to try and get me drunk,” she teased, leaning back in her seat and looking him over, keeping her gaze cold and indifferent.“Now if you’re drunk, how am I supposed to have a decent conversation with you?” he asked.“A conversation with me?

    Last Updated : 2024-11-26
  • Bound by Loyalty, Torn by Fate   Private Room

    He couldn’t tear his eyes away from her. If this was what it felt like just dancing with the female, what would it feel like to have her in his bed, screaming his name? She truly was intoxicating, and he couldn’t help his arousal when he saw that she was leading them somewhere more private. The two minutes it took for her to lead Zach out the back felt too long, and it took all his willpower not to tear off her dress and take her then and there. But no, he wanted to savour this. The minute the door to the room clicked shut, he was on her. His lips hungrily ravished her own, his tongue desperate to taste every inch of her mouth. She wrapped her arms around his neck, her hands tangling in his hair, pulling him closer.She wrapped her leg around him, the split of her dress exposing her skin, allowing Zach to slide his hand under the fabric and reach around to grab her behind, his fingers digging in as he pulled her hips into him, grinding the bulge in his jeans against her. She let out a

    Last Updated : 2024-11-26
  • Bound by Loyalty, Torn by Fate   He's An Alpha

    Lucille led the way to the back exit of the building, the three males following close behind. As she opened the door, she looked back at them. “My friend Serena is causing a distraction for Cacey and Tristan as we speak,” she whispered. “Head north, past that treeline, and be quick. Our patrol group is due to check the area in ten minutes. Clear the border in three to give your scents time to thin out.” Two of the males ran past her, nodding in gratitude as they did. Zach went to follow, but found himself catching hold of her hand.“Thank you,” he said, his voice soft and filled with gratitude.“Thank me by not getting caught. Now, go!” she ordered, pulling her hand from his. The contact of his skin on hers caused a tingling sensation. She watched as the three males effortlessly shifted into their wolf forms. Her breath caught in her throat as she saw Zach’s wolf, pure black with those same piercing blue eyes. The wolves gathered the clothes they’d discarded from their human forms and,

    Last Updated : 2024-11-26
  • Bound by Loyalty, Torn by Fate   The Report

    As Lucille reached the door to Joseph’s room, the handle turned, and out stepped Cacey. Lucille rolled her eyes at the testosterone-filled male.“Ah, Lucille. Alpha was just about to request that you come and report to him. Perfect timing,” he smiled, though it didn’t reach the coldness and hatred shown in his eyes.“Yes, well, I first had to gather everything from my girls. I didn’t want to report to Joseph without all the information; that would be silly for anyone to do,” she replied coolly, a fake smile fixed on her face.“Of course, Luna. I’ve already told him that you saw to one of the intruders personally. You are very dedicated to your work.”“Everything I do is to protect my pack and serve our Alpha.”“How… loyal of you, my Luna. I just hope Alpha sees it that way,” he retorted, walking away from her. Goddess, that wolf made her skin crawl. He’d had it out for her since they first met. Joseph had always told her how Cacey occasionally mentioned that he’d love to have her in h

    Last Updated : 2024-12-03

Latest chapter

  • Bound by Loyalty, Torn by Fate   Epilogue

    "You need to shave," Nora remarked, raising an eyebrow as her brother wandered into the dining room.Zach grunted in response, sinking into a chair and helping himself to the already-served breakfast in the centre of the table. "It's fine. Bo still avoiding me?"After Zach had returned from arranging plans with the other Alphas at Owen’s, he’d had a long-overdue sit-down with Bo. The man had little to say, other than admitting that his talk of giving up on Lucille had been fuelled by anger—anger at having his own mate placed in danger. He regretted not stopping her, and Zach believed him. As punishment, Bo had been temporarily demoted to Gamma, with Cole stepping up as Beta in his place. Zach had needed someone he could trust to help enact the plan to rescue Lucille, and Cole, despite his usual grumbling, had proven himself reliable.Now that Joseph was gone, Bo had been reinstated, much to Cole's relief—he'd never enjoyed the added workload—but things still weren’t the same.It had b

  • Bound by Loyalty, Torn by Fate   You Found Me

    “Lucille!” Zach yelled, rushing over and gathering her into his arms, ignoring the pool of blood spreading across the floor beneath her. His heart thundered as he cradled her fragile form, her skin alarmingly cold against his.Lucille looked up at him, her eyes heavy-lidded, and reached a trembling hand to cup his cheek. He leaned into her touch, her warmth—faint though it was—sending a storm of conflicting emotions through him. Relief at finally holding her again clashed with a paralysing fear as he realised something was wrong. She wasn’t healing fast enough.His gaze fell to the silver choker still clasped around her neck. A low growl rumbled in his chest as he tore the jewellery away, the clasp snapping beneath his claws. The instant it was gone, Lucille’s body sagged in his arms, a soft sigh of relief escaping her lips.“Oh, Lucy,” Cole muttered, his voice breaking as he took in the extent of her injuries.“What are you doing just standing there?” Zach barked, his panic spilling

  • Bound by Loyalty, Torn by Fate   Mate Bond

    All she could do was sit there, paralysed, as she watched flesh collide with flesh, Zach and Joseph a blur of relentless movement. Punches were thrown, claws slashed through the air, and each strike narrowly evaded the other. Neither of them had shifted—yet. They had opted to stay in their human forms, testing their endurance, trying to wear the other out.Lucille didn’t even notice Cole approaching until he was at her side, a bloodied figure emerging from the chaos. He crouched next to her, hauling her up with surprising gentleness. She gasped, her eyes widening at the blood covering him.“Relax. It’s not all mine,” Cole quipped, a dry chuckle escaping him as he steadied her. “Well, most of it isn’t. Can you walk?”Lucille nodded weakly, her gaze sliding past him back to the fight. Zach had just landed a brutal blow to Joseph, sending the man doubling over. For a moment, blood gushed from Joseph’s side, but his Alpha healing kicked in almost immediately, sealing the wound. Alphas wer

  • Bound by Loyalty, Torn by Fate   Challenge

    Lucille thought she would feel different. As Joseph’s summons pulled her towards the great hall—a place that had only ever been the backdrop of her despair—her heart felt heavier with every step. The first thing she noticed was his scent, the one she’d once found intoxicating. Pine and earth, steady and grounding. But now, it seemed muted, distant, like a memory that no longer belonged to her.And then she saw him.Zach stood at the centre of the hall, his back to her, surrounded by a sea of shifters. His presence was as commanding as ever, but there was an edge of desperation in the way he carried himself. Her steps faltered, uncertainty gripping her. Was she a lost cause to him now? Did she disgust him, her body now claimed by another?She couldn't blame him if he did. She wasn't fond of herself, either.Since Cacey's attack, something inside her had broken. She'd clung to Joseph's protection, knowing it was wrong, hating herself for relying on the man who had destroyed so much of h

  • Bound by Loyalty, Torn by Fate   It All Comes Down To This

    Zach had to fight the urge to chuckle as the guards closed in around him. Their movements were swift and practised, forcing him onto his knees as they restrained his hands behind his back. He let them; their display of authority was almost amusing.The man standing in front of him—clearly the leader of the patrol—was linking back to his Alpha, the tell-tale glaze in his eyes betraying the silent telepathic exchange. Zach tilted his head slightly, watching the man’s expression shift from stern focus to something closer to unease as the link ended.“Untie him,” the commander ordered sharply.“What? But he’s an intruder!” one of the guards, a smaller man with a wiry frame, protested.“We are under strict instructions to escort Alpha Zachary Lochwood of the Crescent Moon Pack to the hall,” the commander replied, his tone leaving no room for debate.“How do we know he really is who he says he is?” the smaller man piped up again, suspicion flickering in his narrowed eyes.“That’s not for us

  • Bound by Loyalty, Torn by Fate   Joseph

    The sound of footsteps echoed faintly from the hall outside, these ones heavier and more clunky despite an obvious attempt at stealth. There was a brief scuffle at the door—muffled shuffling and the faint scrape of metal—before it creaked open with deliberate slowness.Lucille didn’t lift her head to greet her uninvited guest. She couldn’t. The scent that drifted into the room was enough to churn her stomach, making her glad she wasn’t facing whoever it was.Cacey.The name settled in her mind like a heavy stone. He stood above her, his lips curling into a cruel grin that stretched ear to ear, the menace behind it palpable. The way he had entered—unannounced and without caution—told her everything she needed to know. Joseph hadn’t sent him.“Look at the state of you,” Cacey sneered, his voice dripping with mockery as his tongue darted out to wet his lips. “Not so pretty now, are you?”“I suggest you leave,” Lucille said, her voice low but firm as she shifted towards the far side of th

  • Bound by Loyalty, Torn by Fate   Be Strong

    Zach took a deep breath as he made his way back down to the medical floor. He could only hope Serena would be in a more receptive mood this time, though her resistance so far didn’t give him much confidence. Still, this was about Lucille, and whatever Serena’s feelings towards him, Zach knew she would want to hear that they had a plan.The meeting with the other alphas had dragged on for hours. Many had been reluctant to act, but after hearing testimonies from Zach, Rita, and a handful of former rogue pack members, they had finally been convinced to take action. With that step behind him, Zach’s next task loomed: returning home with Cole to prepare his pack for the battles to come. He’d also need to sit down with Bo, explain everything, and address the rift his Beta’s actions had caused. But before all that, he had one more conversation to finish here—one Lucille would have expected of him.The sterile scent of disinfectant filled his nostrils as he walked across the pristine white fl

  • Bound by Loyalty, Torn by Fate   Numb

    She felt numb. How long had it been since she’d arrived? Days blurred into weeks, time losing all meaning in the suffocating fog of her existence. Back in this wretched excuse of a pack, Lucille was little more than a shadow of herself. Stripped of purpose, she was forbidden from resuming the duties she’d once taken pride in. Instead, she remained tethered to Joseph, either kept by his side or confined to their room. She wasn’t his mate—she was his possession. The collar and leash that bound her were tangible proof of that cruel reality.Yet, no matter how much she loathed him, Lucille couldn’t entirely shut out the insidious warmth of adoration seeping through the mate bond. It crawled into her mind like a disease, threading its way through her thoughts, weakening her resolve. She fought it with every ounce of strength she had, desperate not to yield, but each day the pull grew stronger. The untamed bond between them solidified, like chains tightening around her soul.Though Joseph t

  • Bound by Loyalty, Torn by Fate   We Need a Plan

    The sky was a canvas of grey, thick with overcast clouds, and the waves below crashed and roared against the cliffs with relentless ferocity. The once serene view of the ocean had turned hostile, its surface churning a dirtied, turbulent brown as the harsh wind whipped the water into chaos. Zach stood by the window, his sharp blue eyes scanning the angry seascape. The scene mirrored his inner turmoil, his restlessness growing with each passing moment.The Alpha meeting was set to take place today, and Zach had remained at Alpha Owen’s home, waiting for the arrival of the other Alphas. He knew many had travelled long distances, but he hoped they were prepared to sit down and hear him out immediately. At the very least, he wanted them to listen to his side of the story before they sought rest, giving them the night to mull over his words and begin to form a plan.Zach had spent much of his stay checking on Tristan, despite Serena’s visible discomfort with his presence. Though she allowe

DMCA.com Protection Status