JAREK
Eleven o’clock drew near and there was no trace of Dante or Silver. Mom and dad went to bed an hour ago. It’s up to me to find Silver and bring her home safely. Under no circumstances would mom and dad let this one go unnoticed. She ventures out and thinks she’s freed from her curfew. I don’t think so. Xillon and Zane met up with me and we rushed to the city.
“Where the hell is she?” I growl, balling my fists.
We have been scouring the area for thirty minutes, and with no trace of Silver or Dante. The asshole will wish he had never been born when we find them. Silver is going to face severe consequences.
“I have no clue whatsoever, man. Dante’s scent went dormant in the parking lot of the restaurant we just left.” Xillon points out.
“We should shift and go into the woods. Silver takes cover out there often.” Zane suggested.
“Or we could bypass the hassle and surprise them back at the pack house,” I suggested.
“Sounds good to me,” Xillon muttered, and we slid into his Jeep.
ANNALISE
“What time is it, Annalise?” Dante queries as we approach the lodge.
“We made it with fifteen minutes to spare. You are certain my mom said midnight, correct?”
“Don’t worry about your pretty little head, Annalise. I wouldn’t have kept you otherwise.”
“Simply inquiring, since my curfew is ten thirty. I hope mother conveyed that message to father. I could be in a lot of trouble if she didn’t.”
“Have confidence in me, Annalise. I’ll see you inside and make sure you are safe before I depart."
“Okay. Thank you, Dante.”
“There’s no problem at all. No need to fret about me, either. I don’t have a curfew.”
“Jarek doesn’t either. It’s just because I’m a woman. It’s unbelievable since I’m not one to venture out, anyway. No one has ever asked me on a date. Jarek and his minions have intimidated guys that so much as approached me.”
“They’ll have to become accustomed to us being together. I’m not intending on abandoning you, Annalise.”
Dante parks his car in front of the mansion and leaves the engine running. He twists around and clutches my hand.
“Titan was infatuated with your wolf, Larissa. I wouldn’t be surprised if we were mates. I have been smitten by you since the first moment I saw you. You are stunning, inside and out.”
“That’s so sweet Dante. Thank you for tonight. I had a delightful time. We should take things slow. We could fall deeply for each other and then risk leaving somebody with a broken heart. I have grown to care for you in this short while and long for a connection between us.”
He grins and caresses my cheek.
“There’s a but in there somewhere, isn’t there?”
“Yes. I don’t think there is any profit to our delving into this rabbit hole. Thinking of the mate bond makes me cringe. Shouldn’t we be able to select who we wish to be with? Knowing my luck, my mate will end up being Xillon or Zane. If Selene wants to mess with me more, I’ll wind up with Jarek. I mean seriously, look at me.”
I reach up and run my fingers over the contours of my lupine ears and roll my eyes. Of course, they would appear when my heart was racing. I’ve been drawn to Dante since the start. He’s not like any of the other individuals in the pack. Dante acknowledges me for who I am as an individual. He doesn’t care that I am flawed.
"My birth parents discarded me at the pack border when I was only a newborn. Selene has it out for me. You should keep your distance from me, Dante."
“I’ll do no such thing, Annalise. We’ll have to chat more some other time. We should get you inside. I should have kissed you when I had a chance.”
If Dante kissed me, I would become a puddle on the floor. My pulse would speed up so quickly I’d have a coronary. It’s racing now, just thinking about Dante’s kiss. His embraces, which he gives often, are enough to make my thoughts waver and my heart palpitate. I can only imagine how it would surge once he kissed me.
He releases my hand, hits a button, and the doors of his automobile ascend. He scurries over to pull me from the vehicle and we approach the entranceway that leads inside.
I yelp when he yanks me behind him, shielding me with his arms.
“What is this? An intervention, or what?” Dante grunts.
“You have my sister home an hour and a half past curfew. It’s better to collaborate with us than the Alpha, wouldn’t you say Dante?”
“Luna said twelve. We have been sitting in the parking lot for ten minutes. Annalise was back before expected.”
Motion detector lights that surround the mansion flash, and Jarek, Xillon, and Zane approach Dante and me from the doorway.
“I don’t have the faintest idea what you consider yourself, but to my way of thinking, no one allowed you to date my sister. You are on my land, only out of kindness from the Alpha. We could send you and your family packing.”
I pushed past Dante, fuming and ready to draw blood.
“Listen here, asshole! You have crossed the line with Dante and me! I don’t know what the hell your problem is, but I’m done with you. Do you understand? I’m one step away from leaving you incapacitated! Leave us alone!” I holler, prodding Jarek in the chest.
He snarls, clutches my hand, and glowers. “Get your ass inside. Don’t think for a second you can spit orders at me, or harm me. You lack strength. Hell, you don’t even have a wolf. Why mom and dad insist on keeping you around is beyond me.”
“Take that back!” I scream, balling my fists. Tears threaten to pour, but I won’t allow him the satisfaction.
“What? That you are feeble, and lacking a wolf. Or that you don’t belong in this pack? The facts are simple.” Jarek states with a smirk.
Without another thought, I knee him in the balls and sucker punch him in the throat with my free hand. Jarek frees my hand as he falls to his knees, gasping for breath. I send a roundhouse kick to his cheek, making him fly back. He lies there unconscious, which sends a jolt of electricity through my body.
“Would you two like to join him?” I query Xillon and Zane while popping my knuckles.
The front door flies open and my father, the Alpha, forces his way through Xillon and Zane to reach Jarek.
“What’s the meaning of this?” Dad barks.
“In all due respect, Alpha. I cautioned him that if he refused to back away, I’d render him immobile. He kept going despite my cautioning him. I’ll fetch the doctor.”
I approach him, clutch Dante’s hand and pull him towards me.
“You are coming with me,” I order, and Dante tags along, grinning.
“That was sexy. I’m so turned on right now,” Dante whispers.
I laugh, shaking my head. “If he’s lucky, Trex will contribute to his recovery. Poor soul will be stuck in bed for a few days, most likely. Trex adores me so…”
“I hope Trex makes him gravel.”
“I am sure Trex will make him suffer for at least a day before he can’t handle Jarek’s pleading for help. You are right Dante, it was an opportune moment for me to take a stand. I won’t permit him to harass me any longer,” I state as we stroll next door to fetch Cadance, the pack’s head physician.
“You are fierce, Annalise. No matter what occurs, I want you to go to Scotland when that moment comes. This pack doesn’t deserve you. Annalise, you possess a wolf. You don’t need a wolf, though; you are powerful on your own. It would honor us to have you.”
“That would be in two years, Dante. A lot can occur in two years’ time.”
“We shall manage it one day at a time, then. As you suggested; I can’t hold off anymore. I’m sorry,” Dante says softly and pulls me close.
ANNALISEDante’s mouth meets mine and a surge of energy courses through me. Fireworks exploded beyond my shuttered eyes. I’m as light as a cloud. Nothing could separate me from Dante. My soul could explode any second, and I relish the sensation.He teases my lips, and I succumb to him. I find it hard to catch my breath because he kisses me with such intensity, but I don’t mind. I never desire this to cease. I shove my fingers through his locks, yanking the strands as I pull him closer to me, gyrating my clit along his erection. Thank goodness, I'm donning a dress. Moaning, I deepen the kiss as Dante massages my glutes. I'm certain to come if we keep this up. A fierce flame courses through my body and sweat breaks out on my skin. This is all far beyond remarkable to be true.A sound of throat clearing emanates from near us. He withdraws and we gasp for air.“I had greater expectations, Annalise. Join me before the Alpha catches you. Take a hike, Dante. You plastered your scent all over
ANNALISECuddling my body pillow, I lay my head down and do my best to shut my mind off. We filled this evening with excitement and wonder. I can’t help but presume I am so close to connecting with my wolf. For, three months I’ve sweat and toiled. If Larissa would join me in this struggle against Jarek, my life would be so much simpler.It’s crazy. I shouldn’t be, but beyond everything. I am concerned about Jarek. I don’t believe I’ll be able to relax until I confirm he is okay. He deserved every bit of what I gave him tonight. Wouldn’t feel bad doing it all over again if the opportunity presented itself. Nevertheless, I am aware Trex has left him, as he often does. I need to reach out to him and convince him to heal Jarek. Otherwise, there could be irreversible damage. I wasn't in my right mind when I booted him in the temple. His trachea was shattered. I have faith in Cadance, but still.Sitting up with a groan, I throw my legs over the side of the bed and jump down. Putting on a pa
DANTE“Father.”“Hello, son. It's late, what's wrong?”“I believe I have found her.”“The princess.”“Yes, sir. However, it’s hard to tell with the limited information we have gotten. She is unaware of who or what she is. She cannot bond with her wolf. Despite that, I put her under a hypnotic trance and Titan linked with her wolf, Larissa.”“Hum. Good job, son. You must bring her to me as soon as possible. You are not strong enough to help her. She's doomed if her wolf fails to manifest soon. Her human nature will oppose being three entities in one. I hope we are not too late.”“I apologize, sir. I gave it my best shot. As you said, I'm not powerful enough. An ancient Alpha like yourself is the only person who could assist her. ““Bring her to me promptly. There’s no time to waste.”“That might be hard for me to accomplish. One entity within her took over tonight, and she attacked the Alpha’s son. I have no knowledge of his condition, but he didn't appear to be in good shape when I wa
ZANEI said it before and I'll repeat it; Silver will be the Pack’s downfall. Our future alpha will remain confined to bed for a while because of her. It’s my job to get rid of the problem. If it weren’t for her, Jarek would have brothers and sisters to strengthen his line of succession. Like me, I have seven siblings, and Xillon has five. Silver came along and Luna Celestia became barren.Jarek has always pussy footed around the fact that we should torture her, so when she turns eighteen she’ll leave on her own. Now I’m leaning towards removing her in the present. Two years is much too long. I’ll be head over military tactics and guard. Protecting the Pack is in my blood, and that I will do. Disposing of Silver is of the utmost priority.‘You are insane. If you think for a second, I would let you touch her.’‘You’ve stayed loyal for the past twelve months. What’s changed now?’‘If you want to call not healing broken bones and not coming to your aid when a human virus attacks you, sta
XILLONI’m struggling to make sense of the little information I have. But I’m baffled by what I know so far. Selene’s daughter dwells inside Annalise’s subconscious. Jarek’s dream he had seemed to unfold before our very eyes. Just not in the way he described. Honestly, I’m afraid of what we are about to uncover once Gabriel and I tear down the walls that have her bound in darkness.“Annalise?” I yell into the dark abyss of Annalise’s mind. I can’t sense her, or anything, within the darkness.“She’s no longer here. Her soul has left her body. Quickly, we must go back,” Gabriel commands, and suddenly we are transported back to our bodies.ANNALISEFloating aimlessly above the scene unfolding before me, I feel a sense of peace and serenity. Which is something I’ve never felt from the day I was born. I would rather remain here than return to a life where I have been tortured and never loved. Not by whom I hoped to be loved by, anyway.I watch as Xillon and Gabriel fuss over my body. I hea
ANNALISE“You, my child, are the daughter born of my father, creator of all things, and my mother, creator of shifters. At one time, put in human terms, they knew you as the goddess Aphrodite. In time, you will recollect where your soul originates from. You hold the power of three powerful beings in one. Which is why my twin sister Zadrial inhabited you. You were the only one who could withstand her power and not perish before she could carry out her plan to seek her Twin Flame. I must go back and let mother know where Zadrial is located. I could only tap into her via our twin bond. Being inside her consciousness, I can see and feel everything she has planned.”“So what am I exactly? Has Zadrial always been inside me? Is that why I was born as a freak? My life has been hell because of her. I haven’t been able to manifest my wolf Larrisa because of her meddling with my life. And what exactly is a Twin Flame?”“No. Zadrial inhabited you just before you came of age to shift into your wol
XILLONStriding to the vacant space adjoining Annalise’s, I draw my mobile phone from my back pocket and send a brief message to Alpha Maxamillian. He and Luna Celestia are in meetings with the neighboring pack-leaders, so I know better than to call.I send a mind link to Jarek and Zane, then walk back to Annalise’s room. ‘Annalise is awake.’Upon arriving at Annalise’s room, I see Cadance was gone and Annalise appears to have fallen asleep once again. Sitting down, I caress her cheek and grip her hand in mine, hoping she would wake, but she didn’t.“Did you contact the Alpha?” Cadance asked as she walked into the room.“Yeah, but it appears Annalise has drifted off. Should I contact him and tell him it was a false alarm?”“Let me check her vitals and pupils first.”Cadance goes about her usual routine of checking Annalise’s vitals and gasps sadly when she looks into her eyes.“Her eyes are glazed over and her pupils are dilated. Message the Alpha and tell him she appears to have slip
JAREK“Everyone shift and fight for your lives,” Alpha Gabriel commands as he transforms into a massive midnight black wolf with grey streaks. I’ve never seen a werewolf so huge in my life. My father is an alpha, but still pales compared to Alpha Gabriel’s wolf. What the hell?‘Shift, damn it! Don’t just stand there!’ Alpha Gabriel commands me, his superior alpha tone making me shift on the spot without hesitation.The massive being from my dream has manifested itself into reality and is standing tall and proud before me. She’s yanking wolves up and throwing them around as if they were rag dolls. No one can get close to her.Sending a mind link to Alpha Gabriel, Trex and I round up children, elderly and other pack members who can’t fight and start escorting them to the emergency bunker. ‘This won’t do. We need to call in the heavy artillery. Xillon, take the alpha to the weapons shed.’I transform back into human skin so I can converse with Zane. “Get these people to the bunker. Guard