Xaden’s POV“Mine,” my wolf growled in my head as he fought for control. I struggled against him; he’d never been this feral before. I’ve made love to Anila plenty of times, but this was the first that my wolf fought for dominance. He was done waiting for our mate; he wanted to mark her as his, especially now that she was 19 and close to her first shift.He wasn’t going to take no for an answer. Seeing the struggle within my eyes, Anila knew just what to say to calm me. But my wolf was still feral and demanding that we mark her as ours. I didn’t want to take that step with her just yet; especially because I promised her, we would wait a while.She ran her fingers down my cheek, making warmth attack my flesh like I was in some kind of heater. Seeing her in that blue dress at the party was torture; especially when I could smell her desires for me. She wanted me just as badly as I wanted her for most of the night and I wanted to bury myself in her and I didn’t care who watched us.But I
Anila’s POVI looked in the mirror and gasped when I saw the bite mark on my neck; the bite mark that Xaden had left on me. I couldn’t believe he marked me; Xaden had claimed me as his. I should have been horrified by the idea of being claimed, but I wasn’t.It was like I had all these new emotions rushing through me that weren’t mine. I felt more connected to Xaden than I ever did and when I touched the mark with my fingertips, I felt its warmth expanding across my body.It was a bubbly feeling in my chest, but it only lasted a few moments. Once the thought of my other mates popped into my head, my entire heart fell deep into my stomach.How was I going to explain this? Maybe I don’t have to explain this; it’s not like it’s any of their business. Xaden is my boyfriend. I’m expected to mate and bond with him because he was the one that I chose. It’s not like Harley wants anything to do with me, Zach only wants to get me into bed, and Damien only thinks of me as a friend.I should be
Harley’s POVI didn’t need to see her to know that she was nearby. I always knew when Anila was close, and I tried my best to stay clear of her. I crossed a line in a class last week; I touched her, and I shouldn’t have done that. I knew it was wrong of me, but my bear was agitated that our mate was close to us and yet so out of reach. He has been hounding me to claim our mate ever since we met her weeks ago.I didn’t want to admit that it was a battle I was losing, and I wasn’t sure how long I’d be able to contain him. I hadn’t shifted in weeks because I wasn’t sure what he would do once I handed him control. I fought so hard to take control of my spirit animal so he wouldn’t control me, but it was all out the window because of one woman.One beautiful woman.Stop it, Harley, I scolded myself, hating that I was thinking about my best friend’s girlfriend that way.If he was still my best friend.We had hardly spoken these last few weeks because of how weird things have been between us
Anila’s POVHarley was trying desperately to look anywhere but me; he was fighting with his bear, and that much was clear.I stepped closer to him, reaching my hand out for him to touch, but he didn’t take it. He stared at it like it was a weapon aiming directly at him. I hated that he didn’t trust me; I hated that he was hurting this much, and it was because of me.I took a deep breath, trying to calm my rapidly beating heart.“It’s okay,” I told him, finally finding my voice.His gaze lifted and his eyes met mine, and I could see the questions in them, and I wanted to answer all of them, but I didn’t have the answers. I didn’t know what I was doing either, and I didn’t want to hurt anybody in the process.“It’s okay, Harley,” Xaden said from behind me. “Go with her and let her calm you.”Harley swallowed the lump in his throat, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he did so and then he nodded his head once, reaching his hand out and allowing his fingertips to brush across mine.It was as if
Xaden’s POVI sat in the student lounge, trying to focus on my studies. But the only thing I could think about was Anila, Harley, and that strange dream that I had. Something dark was coming and I could feel it; ever since that dream, I had a feeling something was brewing in this world and the Moon Queen was needed.If I had any doubts before, they were squashed the minute the Moon Queen came to me during the night and told me that Anila was going to need all her mates. It wasn’t something I wanted to believe; I had just marked her for crying out loud. I needed Anila more than I needed air to breathe; I loved her so much that it physically hurt.Why couldn’t things just be simple? Why couldn’t I have a mate all to myself; a future Luna to the Bloodmoon pack? The mother of my future children? I didn’t want to share her with others, but at the same time, Anila’s happiness was all I truly craved.When I thought of Anila and Harly together, I wasn’t jealous. I was more concerned than anyt
Anila’s POVSomething shifted in the air. When I met up with Xaden for dinner after my classes, he seemed… okay. He didn’t ask me about my time with Harley, but he did ask me if Harley was okay. He’s been worried about Harley, and I could see it in his eyes.I shouldn’t have been surprised because that was his best friend, but it was weird considering I am mated and bonded to Xaden. I would have thought he’d feel jealous after I spent alone time with another man.But he didn’t seem jealous at all.I felt a lightness in my chest as we ate and talked. He looked happy and content as we sat beside one another at the table in the dining hall. I don’t think I had laughed so hard in my life and others around me, including my friends, started to take notice.Xaden wrapped an arm around me and kissed me for the world to see and I was beaming beside him. It seemed that everyone had forgotten about earlier when I showed up at the dining hall fully marked and bound. Now everything was starting to
Xaden’s POVMy phone was ringing, and I frowned when I saw Penny’s name flash across the screen. Penny was Anila’s roommate and she never called me. My heart sank into my stomach and panic soon consumed me as I answered the phone.“Hello?”“Hi, Xaden?” Penny’s voice sounded on the other end.“Yes,” I replied, trying not to sound as panicked as I was.She had to be calling me because of Anila; had something happened?“It’s Penny,” she continued. “I’m calling because Anila isn’t really doing well. I know she’s supposed to shift tonight, but she’s looking incredibly weak and very sick.”My heart shattered hearing this, but I knew Penny was right. The first shift was the worst and took a huge toll on the human body. Her spirit animal is basically being born and a lot of the time that’ll make the human very sick.His bones were probably aching too. That was why I was desperate for her to strengthen her powers and her body. I knew I needed to get her into the forest. She needed to be surrou
Anila’s POVMy mates were standing in a circle staring at me with their mouths hanging open. The pain had finally settled, and I was feeling stronger than ever. I had never felt so energized in all of my life. I wasn’t expecting everything to be so heightened, but I could smell literally everything all at once; I could hear for miles, and I could see 10 times stronger than I ever saw before.I looked down at my body and saw nothing but black fur, which was strange because a moment ago, I saw nothing but white fur. I looked up at the moon and I went to howl again, but it came out a roar instead.What the hell? I thought to myself.When I looked up to see their confused faces, I knew something was very wrong. I wanted to ask them what had happened, but my voice came out as a huff. I obviously couldn’t speak in this form. I wanted to find a creek so I could see my reflection. For a second, I thought maybe my bones reformed wrong.I shuddered at the thought.Did I look like a freak or som
Jaxon’s POVI stared in amazement as Anila nurtured the baby dragon as if it were second nature. I knew Emily was impressed too; the only ones who were able to communicate and bond with dragons were dragon masters, but Anila wasn’t a dragon master. At least not yet, but the way she cared for Ember as if she was her own child, did something to my insides that I didn’t particularly like.I never wanted to have real feelings for Anila. I recognized her as my mate when I first saw her in the forest and despite the fact that she has other mates in the mix, I knew exactly what she was to me. I saw her as an opportunity
Anila’s POV“Dragons?” I asked, my eyes wide as I stared up at Jaxon.He cocked his head at me.“This is Dragon Valley,” he reminded me. “Of course, there are dragons here.”“Well, yeah. I guess I kind of assumed you allowed them to go free,” I confessed, biting my lower lip in embarrassment. But it was strange that they’d keep dragons locked away in stables like horses.
Anila’s POV “I’m sorry, I don’t think I heard you correctly,” I said, gawking at Jaxon, my jaw nearly hitting the ground. “Did you just say you want me to be your queen?”“That’s right,” he said, entwining his fingers together. “My people expect me to rule over them with a queen by my side. I assured them infinite protection since the last Dragon King screwed them over and the only way I can ensure that protection is if I give my people an heir.”“An heir
Anila’s POV“He’s here,” I whispered, staring at the shadows. They followed my gaze to the shadowy region; Zach furrowing his brows together.“In the shadows?” Zach asked, looking at me like I had just lost my mind.I nodded.“Yes,” I answered. “He’s hiding himself.”“He’s being a fucking coward is what he&rsq
Anila’s POV“What do you mean you know the dragon king?” Harley asked all their eyes on me completely now.My cheeks flushed.“He’s kind of my fifth mate…” I admitted, biting my lower lip and anticipating some lash-back. But they all just stared at me with their mouths hanging open.“Your 5(th) mate is the dragon king?” Damien asked, finally finding his mate. “Are you sure about that?”I nodded.“Yes,” I told him. “I’m sure about it just as sure as I am that the four of you are my mates.”Damien shuffled awkwardly in his shoes and glanced at the ground. Zach and Harley exchanged a look before looking at Xaden who appeared frozen in place as he stared at me.“And you’ve spoken to him?” Xaden asked, his voice coming out softly.I nodded again.“Yes,” I answered. Then I looked at Zach, meeting his eyes. “That baby dragon that I found. Jaxon came to retrieve her. That’s why she went missing.”He nodded in understanding.“What baby dragon?” Xaden asked, looking between Zach and me.“It’s a
Anila’s POVWhen I got back to the clinic, both Harley and Zach were watching me warily. I’m not sure what to say to them or how to explain to them what I was going to have to do. My stomach was in a complete knot but I was doing this for Xaden. They had to understand that.“Are you okay?” Harley asked, watching me carefully.“Yeah,” I lied, trying to force a smile as I sat back at Xaden’s bedside. “I just needed some air. I’m good now.”I was a coward for not coming out and telling them that I had to leave by sundown tonight with Jaxon. That was his request; that I go back home with him, and only then will he tell me what he wants me to do before he saves Xaden’s life.“You look like you’re about to puke,” Zach points out, his brows furrowed together.“And we can tell that something is wrong with your emotions, Anila,” Harley said, eyeing my face. “Just tell us what’s going on.”“Do you think maybe we can just talk later? I’m kind of tired and I think I just want to close m eyes for
Anila’s POV“It’s you…” I whispered, taking a step back, my heart hammering in my chest.“Like I said, I’m not here to hurt you.” Jaxon emerged from the tree line, and he was walking towards me. I held my breath as I watched him approach me, his hands raised to show that he wasn’t carrying anything. He was completely shirtless, and my mouth dropped at the sight of his body. He had tattoos across his chest and along his shoulders that looked as if they went down his back as well. I knew right away that the tattoos were of dragons, or maybe one really big dragon with little dragons inside of it.Regardless, I found myself drawn to them.He also had a long scar that went across his chest and down his torso, but that didn’t make him any less hot. In fact, it made him look more manly. I swallowed the lump in my throat as Jaxon Develson, the dragon King, stood only inches from me.He had the scent of limes and passionfruit, and it caused my senses to be on high alert. There was no doubt in
Anila’s POVAs soon as I felt Zach’s fangs dig into my soft flesh, it was like a wake-up call. But before I could react, I heard the deep throaty growl of a bear, and I knew Harley had just witnessed this. Zach quickly released me, blood dripping from his lips just as Harley attacked him.A scream escaped my lips as I watched the two fall to the ground. Harley was in his bear form, but Zach shifted back into his wolf form almost immediately and the two began to fight.My fingers shakily went to my neck, and I felt the spot that Zach marked.He actually marked. After he said he wouldn’t do that.I knew that I needed to get out of there. I didn’t stick around to see if the fighting continued; I trusted them to know when to stop. I was furious, and I was hurt, and I was scared. I was scared for Xaden, and I was scared for myself.Zach marked me… without my permission.Anger filled me at the very thought, but it was hard to maintain because my wolf was happy about this.I found my clothes
Zach’s POVThere had been a line that was immediately crossed, and I could see was fucking red. I wanted to rip Harley’s throat out for crossing that line, but I was completely glued to my spot, staring at them like they had both just struck me at the same time.I’m not an idiot, I knew Anila didn’t trust me and I also knew that she blamed me for what happened with Xaden. I knew she would even if it wasn’t my fault. I was the easiest one to blame. My vendetta against Xaden wasn’t a secret and his vendetta against me wasn’t one either. Xaden and I talked a lot during this battle though and we came together with a mutual respect.He made me promise that if anything were to happen to him, I would take care of Anila. He told me to mark her and keep her protected. I didn’t think Harley would swoop in and take her for himself though, especially without speaking to me about it first. He was so hurt and upset that Xaden went ahead and marked Anila without talking to us about it and then he we