ANNALISE
Cuddling 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 pair of dark leggings and a charcoal spaghetti-strap shirt, I stride over and force my window open. I already caused a stir on the stairs to start some laundry, so I knew it would be best to climb the tree rather than going out the front door.
A pebble smacks me on the brow.
“Ouch.” Wincing and massaging the pain from my brow, I glanced down at Xillon.
“Shhhh,” he hisses and ascends the tree outside my window.
He lends me his hand and assists me as I ascend through the window. Signaling for me to mount his back. Against better judgment, I comply with his demands. Xillon’s demeanor has changed over the last years since obtaining his wolf, Xavier. I feel at this point I can rely on him, not to hurt me, and bring us down more securely than I could alone.
Jumping down, I rested my hands on my hips and scowled at Xillon.
“I appreciate it, Xillon. But what the hell are you doing here, and why did you throw a rock at my head?” I whisper.
“Stay close to the building and not talk until we distance ourselves enough that no one can hear us.”
There are motion detector lights around the perimeter of the house, as well as guards posted throughout the grounds. What’s crazier is that Xillon’s room is across from mine. I'm not sure how he managed to escape the dwelling without anyone noticing. It’s easier for me because of my trusty tree, but Xillon doesn’t have that luxury. How he left the house unnoticed is beyond me? But here we are.
We army-crawled our way through the thick grass until we reached the forest that surrounds the property. Once secure and out of hearing, Xillon extended me his hand and helped me up.
“Okay, spill. What is all of this about?”
“I could ask you the same question, Annalise.”
Something’s up. No one addresses me as Annalise around here apart from my parents, Cadence, Dante and the pack elders. I furrow my brows, gaging his reaction. As much as possible, since there isn’t a moon out tonight and it’s pitch black outside.
“We need to venture deeper into the forest so that we may utilize a flashlight.”
“Xillon. I'm not concerned right now. I was on my way to look in on Jarek. It's getting late. I haven't got time for this. Just tell me what’s going on, so I can get to him, okay?”
“Jarek isn't worthy of you as a sister. He treats you like shit and still you care for him. I am here to apologize for the last decade and a half of your life. I’m not good with words, but know I am being genuine. What we have done to you through time… It’s inexcusable. I want to better the situation. I wish for peace between you and me. Will you let me protect you from those idiots henceforth?”
“Zane’s out here somewhere, isn’t he? You guys trying to one up me, or what?”
“What? No, Annalise. I’m being serious.”
“Right, and how am I supposed to believe you? Just yesterday, you stood by while he chased me on his motorcycle. Suddenly, you care what happens to me. I don’t think so, Xillon.”
"I'll make it clear to you if you grant me that opportunity, Annalise. I apologize for all the wrong I have caused you. I'm here to look out for you and keep you safe. Jarek and Zane have conflicting opinions. They are hellbent on making your life miserable. Both want you gone, as soon as you come of age.”
“They may get their wish. Dante has asked for me to go to Scotland with him and his family when they return. He seems to think that even without a wolf, I would be a remarkable asset to their military forces over there.”
Xillon sighs softly and clasps my shoulders.
“His scent blanketed you tonight. Xavier wanted to rip him to shreds. Did you… I mean… Did he touch you?”
Rolling my eyes, I shake my head and look away.
"No, absolutely not. If he did, what would it matter? None of you give two shits about me. We were late coming home, so he shifted and I rode on his back region. That’s why his scent was so strong. Don’t have a massive coronary on my account.”
No way in hell would I disclose our euphoric smooching session. If there is any veracity in what Xillon is claiming, as my defender, he would tear Dante apart. I don’t know if I can trust him as far as Dante's concerned. Wolves are dominant and possessive. Especially when their protective instincts are on full alert. I will need to be cautious while with him, as Cadance suggested.
Xillon traces my lupine ears with his fingers, then massages my cheek and a burst of heat streamed through my body to my center, dampening my underwear once more.
“You are so alluring, Annalise. I hope you understand that. Don’t grasp what the future holds, but I don’t mean to let you go anywhere. If you do, I will follow. Even if it means going to Scotland. You are at home here, Annalise. Things wouldn’t be the same around here if you were to leave.”
"I need to leave, Xillon. Jarek needs me. I'll grant you an opportunity to demonstrate to me what you are saying is accurate. If you hurt me, I’ll rip your member from your body and shove it down your throat. Do you understand? I'm so worn out by all the nonsense."
“I know. I’m sorry. I’ll follow you to Cadance’s making sure you arrive safely.”
“Thank you.”
XILLON
She doesn’t believe a single word that comes from my mouth, and I don’t blame her. If I were her, I wouldn’t either. Acquiring her trust will be difficult, yet I'm prepared to do anything necessary to get it.
I have only two years to convince her to stay. Due to my status as the future Beta of the pack, I am not authorized to leave. I can’t let her make a liar out of me. Can hardly believe I said I'll tag along with her. Come hell or high water, I would follow her, though. I would lose my wolf, but after everything I have done to her over the duration, that would be a small price to pay.
She had taken her contacts out. Thank the goddess for that. When I caressed her lupin ears with my fingertips, her gaze changed from blue to gold and held steady. A surge of electricity went straight to my cock and Xavier was prancing around like a horny canine wanting a piece.
The more I gazed into her eyes, the more I could detect an energy there. I attempted to figure out if it could be linked to a wolf. It’s almost as if there is something restraining her wolf. I know she must have one. Her ears and eyes demonstrate that her wolf is hiding within.
'Can you recognize her wolf, Xavier?’
‘Vaguely, but there’s an entity beyond her wolf. I am unable to tell you what it is.'
‘Hum. Okay. I’ll keep my mouth shut for now. I don’t want to alarm her.’
‘That would be best, yes.’
The silver glint in Annalise's eyes as she challenges my masculinity leaves me with a wave of inexplicable emotions. The sound of Annalise's voice shifted suddenly, and it was almost as if another person was talking through her. Then her voice returned to its usual state and her gaze glinted blue as she spoke.
‘Say nothing. Keep your mouth shut. We don’t want to alarm her. Just act natural.’
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
ANNALISE“Rise and shine, sweetheart. Today marks your sixteenth birthday and you know what that means.”“That I should be able to stay in bed for once, so I can conserve my energy for my transformation into my wolf.” I grumble.“It’s almost noon. We have much to do to get you ready for your party.”“News flash mom, I don’t have many friends, so it won't be a big gathering. On my end, anyway.”Groaning, I clutch my pillow and bury my head underneath it. Hoping my mother would leave me alone.“You aren’t the only one expected to shift tonight, sweetheart. Several families are coming to celebrate their children’s first shift. It is of the utmost importance that you assist me in prepareing for tonight.”“Jarek didn’t help you get ready for his, Xillon’s and Zane’s shift. In fact, they all disappeared until the moment arrived for them to shift. So why should my transformation party be any different?”“You caught me red-handed. You’re my daughter. I have already prepared everything. I want
JAREK‘Oh, hell no, Trex. There’s no way. I don’t feel the mate pull or scent her like you’re supposed to when you are in proximity to your mate. I’m not to connect with my mate for two years. If what you are saying is true, I’ll reject her. I’m not mating with a damn dragon-wolf shifter.’‘She is our mate, dumbass, and she’s not a dragon. Her wings are more of a bird than scaly like a dragon. If you reject her, I’ll see that you stay mateless, so you cannot rule over the pack. She’s the most exquisite being I’ve ever seen. Selene has blessed us beyond measure. We’re going to shift and hunt with her.’Silver’s wolf is flawed, just as she is. Her fur is the tone of her natural eye color; sky-blue. She’s huge for a shifter wolf and has silver wings that span out a couple of yards in each direction. A silver crescent moon shines brightly on her forehead between her orbs, which hold all three hues-blue, silver and gold.‘Even her wolf is an ugly freak of nature! Stand down, damn it! She’s