The day passed in a blur of fear and anger. I tried to ignore the ache in my chest, the inexplicable pull towards him that grew stronger with each passing hour. The room felt like it was closing in on me, the walls suffocating.As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the room in a warm orange glow, the door opened again. Alex walked in, his eyes glowing faintly in the dusk. He looked at me with a mix of hunger and frustration, and something else I couldn't quite place. "You can't keep running from this," he said, his voice a low rumble that sent a shiver down my spine.I stood, my fists clenched at my sides. "I'm not running," I said, my voice stronger than I felt. "I'm fighting for my life."He took a step closer, his gaze intense. "Our life," he corrected, his voice a caress that sent heat pooling in my belly despite my anger.The air crackled with tension, and I could feel the bond pulsing between us. It was like a living entity, demanding to be acknowledged, demanding I give
Alex's grip on me tightened, his body vibrating with anger. "Then go," he shouted, his voice echoing through the cavernous hallway. "If you want to leave so badly, then leave."The challenge in his voice was like a slap in the face, jolting me out of my despair. "Fine," I spat, yanking myself out of his arms. "I will."I turned and ran, my bare feet pounding down the hallway, the chilly air of the mansion stinging my skin. The door to the outside world was just a few steps away, but the bond felt like a bungee cord, snapping me back to him. I could hear his footsteps behind me, the sound of his heavy boots like thunder in my ears.As I reached the door, I threw it open and stumbled into the night, the cool air slapping me in the face like a cold, hard reality. The moon bathed the grounds in a silvery glow, illuminating the path that led to freedom.Alex caught up to me, his hand grabbing my arm, spinning me around to face him. "You can't escape this," he growled, his eyes burning with
I led her to the back of the club, to a private room that was my domain. The walls were lined with various toys and instruments of pleasure and pain. I knew each one intimately, knew how to use them to coax out the sweetest of sounds from those who served me.In the center of the room was a large, four-poster bed, draped in velvet. It was the stage for our dance, the place where I would show her what it truly meant to submit."Strip," I said, my voice firm. She complied, her hands shaking as she removed her clothes. Her body was a canvas, waiting for me to paint my desires upon it.Once she was bare, I approached her, running my hands over her soft, trembling flesh. She was beautiful, a work of art waiting to be sculpted by a master's hand."On the bed," I instructed, pointing to the center.Sherry obeyed, her legs spreading automatically as she lay back, exposing herself to me.I climbed onto the bed, straddling her, my hands pinning her wrists to the mattress above her head. "You're
~Elysia~As I stalked towards the gates, I pounded the ground with my feet. Each step was painful, but I somehow found it soothing. The rage inside me was pure and true, and the rocks bruising the bottom of my feet were a distraction I needed. Otherwise the coiled rage within me would have blown the top of my head off. "Bastard!" I growled to myself. How dare he. How dare he think I would just bow over and let him stick his wants up my ass and say thank you afterward.With a glance over my shoulder, I peered down the drive behind me, suddenly finding myself irrationally pissed off that he hadn't followed me. My thoughts grew erratic and found my resolve not to give into him weakening. I reminded myself of the way he looked at me, the way he talked to me. He was acting like I was some sort of prize to be won, a trophy to be claimed.As I shored up my big-girl panties, and continued marching forward, the gravel of the driveway turned to asphalt. With one foot following the other, I cont
The next morning, I heard a squeaking coming from under my bed, and bending at the waist, I peered beneath it at Mac (my pet mouse)."Hey, little guy," I whispered, smiling as he scurried around. Pausing, Mac peered at me, his little nose and whiskers twitching.For a brief moment, his tiny eyes met mine, his presence comforting. It was a reminder of the life I had known before coming to New Orleans, the life I missed. The life where I wasn't the center of a love triangle and a rival werewolf playing a deadly game.My smile faded as my situation crashed back down on me. I had no idea how to break this bond between Alex and or if it was even possible. But as long as it existed, Hartwell was a threat. If circumstances were different. If there was not another woman involved, no Hartwell, and if Alex and I could have a real, human to human relationship, things might have turned out different between us. But as it stood, that could never be.With a small shake of my head, I threw back my c
I found myself agitated as my work day unfolded. The bond was still there, a constant, irritating reminder that my life was anything but normal. I felt it tugging at me, a persistent pull that was growing stronger by the minute.I knew I had to figure out what to do next. I couldn't stay away from Alex forever. The bond would drive me crazy if I did. And yet, the thought of going back to him, of being near him, filled me with dread and anticipation in equal measure.After work I headed back to my apartment. I had to decide if I was going to fight this bond or if I was going to give in. And if I was going to fight, I needed a plan.As I stepped into my small living room, the floorboards creaked under my weight as I paced, my mind racing with the implications of what I had learned. I had to find a way to break this bond, or at least to understand it better. I couldn't let it control me, couldn't let Alex dictate my life."What do you think, Mac?" I murmured, glancing over at the cage in
Chapter 51My words hung in the air as Lila stared at me, her eyes wide. "Voodoo?" she whispered.I nodded. "He said it isn't like what you see in the movies. He assured me she's the real deal. And if anyone can help me, it'll be her."The thought of delving into such a mystical world was terrifying, but where I was heading was more so. I had to break free of this—connection—with Alex. I had to take back control of my own destiny.Slowly, Lila nodded. "Okay," she said hesitantly. "If we're gonna do this thing, then let's do it!""Are you sure?" I asked. "You don't have to come with me, Lila. Remy said he would.""I'm sure," she replied, but I knew she wasn't. Not really.~~Minutes later, we left the apartment, the connection between me and Alex tugged at me with every step. The city streets were still busy, people milling about, talking, laughing. I wanted to feel the same emotions, to feel something other than this awful caged in sensation. The smell of spice floated in the air, bu
ALEXMy mind was racing as I paced the floor of my suite. I could feel Elysia's anger and fear through the bond, like a noose tightening around his throat. The ache of her absence was unbearable, a gaping wound that refused to heal. I had hoped that I could somehow get her to bond with me, but now it seemed like an insurmountable hope.The whispers of my ancestors grew louder, their voices a deluge of disappointment and warning. I had never felt such a desperate need for a woman. The bond was not just about power or procreation, it was about connection, about finding that one person who completed me in every way. And Elysia was that one person for me.With a roar of frustration, I punched the wall, my fist sinking into the plaster. The pain was a welcome distraction, grounding me in the present. I knew I had to explain, to somehow make her understand.Pulling myself together, I stormed out of the suite. The mansion was quiet, almost eerily so, as if it too was holding its breath, wait
I descended into the mansion's depths, where my daughter slept peacefully, oblivious to the battles being waged. Elysia looked up as I entered, her eyes shining with love and relief."Is it over?" she asked softly."For now," I said, taking her hand. "But we must always be ready."We stood there, looking down at Willow, feeling the weight of our new responsibilities. She was more than just our daughter; she was the future of our kind."We will teach her love and wisdom," Elysia murmured. "To know that power is not just about might, but about unity and protection."I nodded, feeling the warmth of her hand in mine. "Our love will be her greatest weapon, and our bond her shield."In the quiet after the battle, with the promise of a new day just beginning to break, we made a silent vow to protect Willow and our pack with every ounce of our being. For this was just the start of a new chapter in our story.~~Exhaustion weighed heavily on my shoulders, the exertion of the night’s battle etc
It seemed no sooner had Willow entered the world, than the quiet was shattered by a sudden commotion outside. The sound of snarling reached our ears, and I knew our peace was short-lived. Another enemy had found us.With a snarl of my own, I handed Willow to Elysia, my eyes never leaving hers. "You must go," I told her, my voice low and urgent. "Take Willow and hide. I’ll deal with this."She nodded, the fierce determination in her eyes matching my own. "We'll be waiting for you," she whispered, before disappearing out the bedroom door with our precious bundle.After watching them meld with the shadows, I stepped out into the corridor, my senses heightened.“Alpha, we are under attack,” Twix shouted through our mind link.“Where are they coming from?” I demanded, my hand already reaching for my sword that hung on the wall of my Den.“The east woods. It’s a small group, but they’re armed and moving fast!”“Sound the alarm. I’m on my way!” I retorted.As I sprinted through the corridors
The confrontation came swiftly, like a storm we hadn't seen brewing on the horizon.The battle was fierce, our pack united behind us as we faced the enemy pack.With the Bond of the Phoenix pulsing between us, we wove a dance of power and strategy, our moves perfectly synchronized. Elysia's fiery spirit and my steadfast resolve became a shield for the pack, a beacon in the chaos.The other pack was formidable, their eyes burning with malice as they struck at our lines. Their howls filled the air, their vocalization a testament to the darkness we had to face.Our pack fought valiantly, each member's strength bolstered by our bond. As we worked together, the prophecy's words echoed in my mind: "The Phoenix will rise from the ashes of the old, and in its flames, a new era will be born."Elysia and I, as one, charged the pack’s alpha, our combined power growing with each step. The creature howled in fury, with our attack, but it was no match for the bond we shared.The beast staggered, t
The following days were a whirlwind of whispers and hushed conversations that carried through the halls of the mansion. The pack was divided—some believed that Hartwell’s death had broken the prophecy’s hold, while others feared that we’d only hastened the inevitable.I felt a jolt of anger at their reactions, but it was quickly tempered by the realization that fear could bring unrest. The prophecy had held the dynamite, my killing Hartwell had lit the fuse.The next few weeks were filled with tension. The pack grew more divided, factions forming around those who believed in the prophecy and those who saw it as a curse. Elysia and I tried to keep the peace, but the whispers grew louder, the glances more accusatory.One evening, as we sat in our chambers, Elysia’s turned to me, her eyes filled with a sadness that pierced my heart. “What if this prophecy is more than just words? What if it’s a destiny we can’t escape?”I pulled her into an embrace, feeling the warmth of her body against
The days that followed the mating ritual were a whirlwind of activity and emotion. The pack had accepted our union, and with it, the prophecy that had been whispered about for so long. But the whispers had turned into shouts, and the shadows grew darker with each passing moment.Rumors of other shifters seeking to claim me, to break the prophecy before it could come to pass, had begun to circulate. We knew we had to be vigilant, had to train harder and prepare for the inevitable battles that lay ahead.Alex and I spent every moment we could together, our bond growing stronger with each passing day. We were not just mates; we were a united front, a symbol of hope and change. And as we worked alongside Kiley and the rest of the pack, I felt a sense of belonging that I had never experienced before.Yet, even as we trained and strategized, there were moments of tenderness, moments when the weight of our newfound responsibilities was lifted, and we were just two people in love. We would sn
As Alex groaned, his eyes closed in ecstasy. "Elysia," he whispered, his voice strained."Let me," I said, pushing him onto his back. I straddled him, lowering myself down onto his length. He filled me completely, and I felt our bond pulse with every inch he claimed.We moved together, our bodies in perfect sync, each stroke a declaration of our love and commitment. Our eyes locked, the blue of his irises swirling with gold. The passion between us was a living force, a testament to our bond that was now etched into our very souls.Our breaths grew ragged, our bodies slick with sweat, the sound of skin slapping against skin filling the quiet room. The air was charged with desire, the mating bond a living thing that grew stronger with every touch, every kiss, every thrust.As our climax approached, I leaned down, capturing his mouth in a deep, hungry kiss, tasting myself on his tongue. He growled, his hips bucking up into me, the intensity building until it was all we could do to hold o
The silence was deafening as I revealed the prophecy to them. The words hung in the air like a living entity, and I watched the emotions play across their faces. Some looked hopeful, others horrified.As the implications of my words sank in, the whispers grew louder, and then, one by one, the pack members began to shift, their wolf forms emerging in a display of solidarity. They were showing me that no matter what, they were with us. They were showing me that together, we could face whatever came next.And so, with the pack at our backs, we stood tall, ready to face the storm that was to come. The prophecy was no longer a whisper in the shadows; it was a roar that echoed through the night."We must be prepared," Kira announced, her voice strong and clear. "The prophecy speaks of challenges and trials. We cannot ignore its call. We must train, we must unite, and we must be ready to protect our new Alpha and his mate."Elysia’s hand tightened in mine, and I felt the weight of the respon
The following evening, after the pack had been informed and the dust had settled, I sat in my study. Kira had brought me everything she could find about the prophecy. The ancient texts and scrolls lay scattered across the desk, their pages yellowed with age, the ink faded but the words still legible. They spoke of a union that would end the wars between the packs, an Alpha and a human bonded by fate to bring peace.I read until my eyes stung with fatigue but my mind continued to race. The prophecy was more detailed than I had ever imagined, hinting at battles and sacrifices, love and betrayal. It was a story that had been whispered through the ages, a tale that had shaped the lives of shifters for centuries. And now, it had found us.Elysia and Kira entered the room, their faces drawn with concern. "What does it say?" Elysia asked, her voice trembling slightly.I looked up at her, the gravity of the situation weighing heavily on my shoulders. "It says we have a chance to change our fut
I knew Kira was right, but for now, I focused on the warmth of Elysia beside me, and the fact that both the women I loved were alive. During the hell of trying to find Elysia, and praying when I did that she would be okay, I had finally admitted to myself that I was in love with her. Still yet, the prophecy was a wild card, a force we hadn’t yet to fully understand and I didn’t know what it would do to the pack if it were real.But, as we stood outside, the whispers of the night surrounding us, I couldn’t help but feel a flicker of hope. With Kira back, we were stronger than we had been. Whatever the prophecy had in store for us, we’d face it as a family, as a pack. And maybe, just maybe, we’d find a way to rewrite the destiny it predicted.A rustling in the bushes made us freeze and a female voice called, “Elysia?”“Lila!” Elysia returned, shock in her voice. Seconds later, when the female wolf emerged, her eyes glowing with relief as she spotted us, she transformed into her human for