~ Matteo ~"You know we could be back at home with our girl! Not here with these sleazy pricks and their one-dollar bills." Blaze fumed quietly. "Those sleazy one-dollar bills are what made me my fortune and kept us in the lifestyle we are accustomed to." I reminded my one-track-minded wolf. "I would be happier out in the woods with the pack! And you would, too!" He responded coldly. His mood darkened by the second."I like it here with the sin and..""Whores?" Blaze barked moodily. Standing at the door to my office, I watched the club through trained eyes; everything seemed in order. There was a dancer on the main stage doing her thing to a country song that had me smiling; despite my luxurious lifestyle, I loved a bit of country music! Even if Samuel insisted, it was for rednecks. "What's jumped up your ass!" I snapped, crossing my arms over my chest, feeling the anger rolling off me in waves from my damn wolf. I watched people glance over at the sound of someone new entering th
~Matteo ~ "Mr Ryan." I greeted my rather unwelcome guest as I sat back in my chair, the noise of the leather making Lula's body stiffen nervously. I watched Samuel note her unease and knew he was thinking the same thing as me, that we needed to get her this timid little thing from the room before she had a panic attack. "If you wouldn't mind letting Lula pass!" I remarked when Ryan's feet remained firmly planted on the floor, blocking the doorway."Firing her, were we?" Ryan asked with a nod to the thin male beside him; Lou was on my board and a pain in my ass, just like Ryan. "That's the tart that caused all this agro." He spat, crossing his arms over his chest in a move to intimidate her. "Pretty wee thing." Lou wheezed breathlessly; no doubt the walk from the car had his ailing heart pounding in his chest. Lou was of no physical threat to me, but he was the second richest male in my world and, unfortunately, Ryan's Father. "Samuel, please escort Lula home." I nodded as I stood
~ Emmy ~"I am starving!" I moaned with a pout that I knew from experience with my Pa would get me what I wanted... him, on his way to the kitchen, to make me a snack while I stayed put on my ass watching TV cosy and warm. "I have something you can eat!" My guard taunted me; raising my brow in response, I turned to eye him sideways, my lips curling into a smirk. "Do you ever stop!" I laughed, finally seeing his brows wiggle suggestively. "No." He laughed, his hand sliding over the back of the sofa to wind through my hair, tugging on it gently to pull a squeak from my lips. "Quiet!" He snapped, all serious suddenly, as he apparently activated work mode by grabbing the controller and pausing the TV. "Maybe Matteo is back." Raw squeaked excitedly, but given the look on my guard's faces, I doubted that was the case."I didn't say.." I tried to protest, but his eyes met mine sternly, causing my lips to cease."Quiet!" He commanded. Something urgent in his voice had me panicking and pa
~ Emmy ~ "Home?" I asked, my hands gripping the wall as a mix of emotions coursed through my body. Had my family sent these men to get me and bring me back to them? "No, Emmy!" Rae snapped, but I closed my eyes to shut out the voice inside my head. Not trusting her or rather myself right now, because no one knew I wasn't home but Matteo and I. "Emmy, think! How did your family know where to look? How did they manage to track you down here so fast? No, Emmy, these aren't from your family! He is lying!" Rae snapped, my eyes shooting open to look at the male who loomed. "What... what do you mean go home?" I asked, and I even heard how weak I sounded. My eyes darted between the male approaching and my guard behind me, who was wrestling a male off his back while the first male I saw him throw to the floor crawled over the floor in a pathetic attempt to help his comrade. "I mean, let's be honest, a girl like you doesn't belong here, does she?" He replied, motioning to the penthouse
~ Matteo ~"I have always liked dealing with you, Matteo. You have always been fair and just, but since the girl came into the picture, you have been erratic, making decisions without discussing them with the table. And that is not how things work in our world." Lou droned on my fingers, gripping the phone's edge until I could hear it squeak from the pressure. "I see," I replied coolly, my eyes briefly drifting to his son. "He crossed a line, Lou... If I came into your house and put my hands on your wife... I would expect some sort of repercussion. Now if I had not only put hands on your wife but had thrown her to the floor and threatened her like a fucking dog... I would be dead... we both know it! So your son got off lightly." I announced, looking back at the phone, waiting for something to happen."His hand... you took his fucking hand!" Lou screamed, spit flying across the table and landing on my new jacket; my eyes looked at it and then at him in disgust."I still have it if you
~ Matteo ~ "Do we know who is attacking and how many there are?" Samuel asked, bringing my focus back to the here and now and away from the downward spiral I was eyeing. I could hear the strain forming in Samuel's voice and fought to hide the tension on my brows from my guests. "I won't get there in time! Fuck! Alpha, I have called for reinforcements. They will be there before me." Samuel finally snapped, anger ripping through him. "How?" I asked, baffled; Samuel always travelled alone, claiming he needed space from the pack and its drama. Despite my inner trauma, I kept my eyes still glued to the screen and watched Emmy like a hawk as the guard fought people off. "She is fit and young. She will be pregnant in no time, Pa, and you will have those grandbabies you want!" Ryan announced, my jaw clenched so tightly, knowing he was desperate and clutching at straws to get a reaction from me. Instead, I focused my attention on the guard I had hired. He was Emmy's only chance at this mom
~ Emmy ~ "I might not be so white in a minute.." Rae laughed as the door crashed into the gym, sending wood and metal flying over the floor like it was fucking confetti. Snarling, I caught my prowler's face in the mirror, a mask of astonishment and fear settling on his features as he eyed me, pulling his mask off as if it was somehow causing his eyes to play tricks on him. "I guess if I had watched a girl disappear into a room only to get inside and come face to face with a beast instead, I would have been scared too!" I mused to my beautiful wolf in the mirror."Hey, less beast.. I was magnificent a minute ago!" Rae whined, and I chuckled at her neediness, finally grasping the personality I had sensed in my head. Now that I was seeing her, I understood more than had seemed possible."It was majestic." I corrected her. "AND... You can be majestic and beastly! Have you never seen a lion up close!" I reminded her with a charming chuckle. "Shit!" The male hissed, bringing my attention
~ Matteo ~ Staring at the screen, I watched the scenes unfold and knew my jaw was hanging open; not only had the camera panned around to show my girl kicking ass but in wolf form, no less. She was fucking breathtakingly beautiful, as pure as freshly fallen snow. I had never seen an entirely white wolf before, but she was magnificent; even her eyes shone brighter than any wolf I had seen. I couldn't wait to get back to the penthouse and see her in person and, of course, get an apology for her 'crazy' remark while I tanned her ass for being a brat last night! I watched her move with such grace and power I would never have guessed this was the first time she had shifted. She was a natural! I had to turn the volume down to stop Lou and his prick of a son from hearing the growl that left my girl's lips as she slid across the floor to chase her prey. "Mate!" I heard Blaze roar in my head, and I wanted to agree, but I couldn't help the nagging feeling eating at the back of my head, tell
~ Emmy ~I awoke with a start, my heart pounding in my chest, my body drenched in sweat. The darkness around me felt oppressive, the dream lingering like a heavy fog in my mind. I could still see my mother’s haunted eyes, and hear her desperate pleas. But what had she whispered? What was it that I wasn’t supposed to know?Rae stirred within me, sensing my turmoil. “What’s wrong?” she asked, her voice echoing softly in my mind.“I saw her, Rae,” I whispered, my voice shaking. “I saw my mother. She was running from something, a creature... and she handed me over to the Ma who raised me. She said I must never know what I am, that I am in danger. But she whispered something I couldn’t hear.” Rae was silent for a moment, processing my words. “Dreams can be powerful, Emmy. They can show us things from our past, our deepest fears, or even glimpses of the future. Whatever it is your mother whispered, it’s important. When we are out of this cave we will work it out, I promise.” I took a deep
~ Emmy ~My feet moved quickly, hoping to find shelter from the prying eyes I felt boring into my back. Eventually, I came to a grand staircase that spiralled down into what looked like a vast hall below. Taking a deep breath, I started down the stairs, avidly aware of the fact I was naked, filthy and smelt like arse. My mind raced with thoughts of what might await me. I had to stay focused and strong. "Emmy, you’ve got this," I told myself. This place, no matter how enchanting, would not break me.As I reached the bottom of the staircase, I found myself in a grand hall that was even more extravagant than the room I had started in. Massive chandeliers hung from the ceiling, their crystals sparkling in the candlelight. Marble floors gleamed beneath my feet, and towering columns lined the room, their surfaces carved with intricate patterns that seemed to tell a story of their own."Someone hasn't heard of the saying less is more." I marvelled aloud as I looked around the rather over-th
~ Emmy ~ Rae had exhausted herself running through the demonic realm and had finally given me control while she slept. We were hidden away in a dark cave, the air thick and heavy with the scent of sulphur and despair. She had commanded me to stay put, to rest, but sitting still had never been my strong suit. "It's just a while longer." I sighed as I looked around the cave. It was pitch black, and the silence was suffocating, I could hear the distant echoes of tortured souls, the cries of the damned: not exactly helping me relax. My heart ached with the weight of hopelessness, and I started to feel despair creeping into my soul."Ahhh, this is killing me." I moaned loudly. Unable to sit still any longer, I began to pace the cave. Every step felt like a rebellion against the darkness that threatened to swallow me whole. My eyes slowly adjusted to the inky blackness, but there was little to see beyond the jagged walls and the occasional scatter of bones. My mind raced with thoughts of
~ Matteo ~ "So, what's your plan?" I requested Evelyn, as I rejoined the group. Wyatt by my side a silent pact had been made between us, and it would stay silent until we had Emmy and Lula back. As if understanding the situation Levi and Hank nodded to Everlyn and the book she had pulled out of her bag."We need to infiltrate the wedding," Evelyn declared, her tone resolute. "We can use the gathering to our advantage. With so many supernatural beings in one place, it'll be chaotic. It'll give us a chance to find Emmy and Lula, and possibly stop Wyatt's father before he completes whatever ritual he's planning." I nodded slowly, the wheels in my mind turning. It was risky, but Evelyn was right. This could be our best chance to strike. "Alright," I said. "What do you need from us?""We need to sneak into the wedding," Evelyn began to outline her plan with a determined expression, her green eyes flickering with urgency. "With Wyatt's father demanding everyone come to hell to show loyalt
~Matteo ~I stood in the clubhouse, irritation boiling just beneath the surface. The door had been left unlocked—a careless mistake that could cost lives, especially since we had just been attacked. I was about to rip Levi a new one, despite Hank trying to defend his brother's idiocy, when I noticed Levi talking with a woman. I paused, listening to their conversation. "She is his mate, the witch?" I mouthed to Hank who nodded, a slight glimmer of jealousy shining in his eyes. Which I guessed was down to the fact that she was striking. Her rich, deep auburn hair fell in loose waves down to her shoulders, catching the dim light and adding a warmth to the otherwise grim room. Her piercing green eyes, sharp and intelligent, missed nothing as they darted around, assessing every detail. Except apparently the group of wolves behind her! Regardless they held a depth that spoke of experience and resilience, something that drew my attention.Her skin was fair, almost glowing, hinting at time s
~ Wyatt ~Levi and I travelled back to the club using my powers of teleportation. As we landed, I couldn’t help but smirk when he doubled over, retching onto the floor. It was a sight I had grown accustomed to, one that never failed to amuse me.“Magic doesn’t suit everyone,” I teased, clapping him on the back as he wiped his mouth. “You’d think dating a witch would toughen you up a bit, but here you are, still can’t stomach a simple teleportation spell.”Levi shot me a glare, but his usual retort was missing. He was too tense, too on edge to indulge in the back-and-forth banter battle that seemed to be 'our thing'. I understood why. The club was eerily quiet, a stark contrast to its usual hustle and bustle. Everyone had dispersed, off to complete their tasks, leaving the place feeling empty and hollow.I took a seat at the bar, leaning back as I watched Levi pace back and forth. "What's up squirrel?" I asked as he rounded to look at me."Squirrel?" He repeated his nose screwed up wi
~ Emmy ~ From out of the shadows, the winged beast emerged, its massive black wings unfurling and casting an ominous shadow over the already bleak landscape. Fear gripped me and Rae, our shared anxiety intensifying as the creature drew closer. This time, we could see it more clearly, and the sight was enough to make my blood run cold.The beast was monstrous, its eyes glowing with a malevolent fire. Its teeth were jagged and pointed, each one coated in the blood of its victims, gleaming sickeningly in the dim red light that permeated the realm. The talons on its feet were sharp and shining, looking like they could easily pierce through Rae’s fur and flesh.Rae’s instincts screamed at her to run, but she stood her ground, her body tense and ready to react. I could feel her muscles coiled like springs, prepared to leap or dodge at the slightest hint of an attack.“We have to stay calm,” I whispered to her, trying to steady my own racing heart. “We can’t outrun it, but maybe we can outs
~ Matteo ~ "And who do you think you are?" Mr White sneered, his smirk faltering, replaced by a flash of anger and fear. He leaned forward, trying to regain his composure. In the balcony door reflection, I watched as Samuel leaned in, matching his intensity. "The end of the line for you, I am afraid." He chortled, uncaring for his feelings. "Unless you can give me the information I need," I announced as I turned from the balcony, happy that my pack were doing their jobs. "I am afraid I am going to have to let Samuel here tear you apart..." "He will have to get in line.." Hank growled from the other side of me, a smile splitting my lips. "You all will," Blaze announced through the pack link. "So shall we.." I motioned for Mr White to give me what I needed. As I spoke, I felt Blaze, my wolf, stir within me, a growl rumbling in the depths of my mind. He was as repulsed by this place as I was, and his presence gave me the strength to confront the monster before us. This auction hous
~ Matteo ~Sighing I fought to keep Blaze's temper in check, which was a struggle given that I felt my body humming with his rage. Though I had once participated in these auctions, buying women from him, knowing that he was the cause of Emmy's painful journey into my world, gnawed at me."Matteo!" Mr. White exclaimed, his voice as oily as his appearance. He tried to mask his nervousness with a wide, insincere grin. "Welcome, welcome! And your friends, of course. How is Emmy doing? Serving you well, I hope?" I clenched my jaw, ready to respond, but Samuel stepped forward, cutting me off. "What are tonight's auctions?" he asked, his voice sharp and to the point. Mr. White blinked, taken aback for a moment before regaining his composure. "Ah, yes, the auctions," he conveyed, rubbing his hands together. "Tonight, we have three very special women up for bid." He gestured grandly, as if presenting fine art. "First, we have a young woman from the northern territories. Blonde, blue-eyed, v