~ Matteo ~"Did you get him?" Hank asked from the doorway as he watched everyone pile out of the minivan, his face twisted with concern and a little jealousy, no doubt that he had to stay behind and was not part of the raiding party."We got him." Someone cheered, and I couldn't help the smile that twitched across my lips seeing Hank's face light up with excitement. "Where is he?" He asked, looking around for his friend and beta. Reaching the door way I slapped Hank on the shoulder and nodded to Samuel as he stepped off the minivan clearly battered and bruised but very much alive. "Any news?" I asked Hank stepping in his line of vision now he could see Samuel was ok. "On Emmy?" I added as if he didn't know. "None yet Alpha. We are exhausting all possibilities. Some you may not like." "Will it boost our chances of finding her?" I asked as people started to approach. "Well, it can't hurt." Hank sighed "But it's..""Then I don't care. Do it." With a nod Hank fidgetted from foot to f
~ Matteo~I watched Levi as he walked off to make a call, my instincts whispering that it was probably to the witch. My suspicion gnawed at me, but before I could ask about it further, I noticed Samuel approaching. Blaze growled protectively, the low rumble resonating deep within me. Blaze’s warning was clear: Don’t trust him.I tried to push Blaze’s concerns aside, focusing on Samuel as he drew nearer. It looked like Samuel, hell it walked like Samuel. Yet, I couldn’t completely block out Blaze’s insistent presence, something DID seem off. Blaze's voice was a constant murmur in the back of my mind, cautioning me against getting close to Samuel.“He smells different,” Blaze growled, the words echoing in my head. “I can’t sense his wolf.” It was a disturbing realisation. Samuel’s scent was off, and without the familiar sense of his wolf, there was an unsettling emptiness about him. Blaze’s instincts were rarely wrong, and the more I tried to ignore him, the more persistent he became."s
~ Matteo ~Wyatt stepped into the room, his eyes immediately locking onto Hank, who looked ready to charge. Hank's muscles tensed, but he paused when he saw Samuel step closer to Wyatt, who was wearing the same shocked expression that I was."Samuel?" Hank gasped, his feet slowly rewinding a few steps. The Samuel that stood beside Wyatt, looked at me head-on, his face twisted in a mixture of confusion and hurt. He obviously thought we would be happy to see him, but the look of horror on our faces must have tipped him off because bafflement swirled on his face no doubt matching mine as I turned to look at who was standing beside me: another Samuel. "What the fuck." I hissed, my heart hammering in my chest so loudly I was sure they could hear it, as I processed the pair of them. Two Samuels who were identical, down to the flickers of yellow in their hues and the freckles on their cheeks."Matteo?" The Samuel next to me spoke first, his voice tinged with confusion, anger, and pain. "Wha
~ Wyatt ~ "Don't play games with me, son. You said you had her." My father snapped, and my brows knitted together because my father might be an evil bastard, but he never lied, it wasn't in his nature. He had always preferred to upset people with the truth. Which meant, he didn't have Emmy; and if he didn't have her then who did? "The girl!" He added as confusion washed over his stark features, he had obviously taken my hesitation as a sign of misunderstanding. "the girl you were meant to collect, you told me you had her! Where is she?""Who?" Matteo yapped again but we all knew he knew exactly who my father was talking about, he simply didn't want to admit it. "Someone tell me dammit." The Alpha roared pathetically, I closed my eyes because if I wasn't careful, he would give away the fact that neither he nor I had Emmy. "It's ok, Alpha" The real Samuel, MY Samuel expressed, but I couldn't help but note how he looked both relieved and enraged as he looked over at Matteo, their bond
~ Wyatt ~ "Why are you here?" I asked my father. "And pretending to be Samuel of all people?" I laughed moving closer to his demonic form, leaning up the bar in the spot Matteo had just left. "Your friend needs sugar." I barked over my shoulder at the Alpha male, sensing Samuel's weariness and deciding to make the most of it. I wasn't trying to be an ass, I just needed him to move away from the explosion my father was likely to detonate in this fucking club."Curiosity." My father mocked as his form slowly shimmered with the colours of hell. "Over?" I laughed motioning to the strip club. "You want your cock sucked by a whore?" I asked with a laugh, glimpsing Lula from the corner of my eye as she moved swiftly trying to usher people out of the way of impending danger. "Don't be ridiculous. I wanted to meet the male who thought he could keep my property from me." My father indicated Matteo, my eyes closed in frustration."Pardon." I heard Matteo say from Samuels' side as he offered h
~ Emmy ~ I began to run, my heart pounding in my chest as the fear surged through me. The demonic world around me was a nightmare of shadows and despair, and the creature following me was the embodiment of terror itself. "Fuck off!" I screamed as Its large black wings blotted out the sky, casting everything beneath them in darkness. "Oh yes, that will tell him." Rae growled angrily as it zipped through the chains and the hanging bodies with chilling ease as if their lives meant nothing to it. Each flapping wingbeat was a harbinger of death, snuffing out lives without a second thought."I don't see you helping." I snapped back at my wolf as I glanced back, my breath catching in my throat as I saw it closing in. Its eyes glowed with a malevolent intensity, fixated on me. My legs burned with the effort of running, but I couldn't stop. The screams and moans of the damned echoed around me, adding to the cacophony of horror that filled this realm.Everywhere I looked, there were chains su
~ Matteo ~ I couldn't stay in the same room with Wyatt and Samuel for a minute longer. The fury boiling inside me was too intense, too consuming, I knew if I did I would say something I could not take back. Or do something I would later regret because the fact the pair of them seemed so close was grinding on me like nothing else. Samuel was my Beta, meant to be at my side and support me, not that fucking traitor who had put both our girls in harm's way. Yet he had pretty much licked the fucking demon's ass since arriving back."I need air." I snapped, not waiting for their answers I stormed towards the door, but seeing half the pack loitering around the exit, where Lula had guided them too I shook my head and headed for my office, not able to deal with their needy expressions. "I just need a minute." I barked."Alpha, what do we do now?" Someone asked and I couldn't help the snort that left my lips. "Ask your new hero." I muttered nodding to Wyatt who watched me and my tantrums with
~ Matteo ~ Walking up to Wyatt, I saw him sitting at the bar, talking with Samuel, Levi, and Hank. Harrison stood nearby, his body humming with unease as he watched closely as if was ready to step between Wyatt and the rest of the pack. Should he need to. Given the look on his face and the vibes he was giving off he thought that might be a real possibility. "They need to know you trust him" Blaze expressed, and I found myself agreeing with my outspoken and bold wolf. Taking a deep breath, I swallowed my pride and cleared my throat to get their attention. Wyatt turned to look at me, his expression guarded. I could see the surprise flicker across his face as I extended my hand, offering it as an olive branch. "I am sorry, I didn't handle myself well, but the shock of everything was just too much." I expressed. "I don't like that you lied to me, demon or not. If you knew she was in danger, I would have preferred you tell me.." Wyatt opened his mouth to speak but I arched a brow speak
~ 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