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
~ELYSIA~I stared into the crystal ball with a mix of fascination and horror. The images swirled and shifted within its depths as Madame Okta held her hands near the ball. Inside I could see a world that was beautiful and terrifying at the same time.'You must face the darkness within,' Madam Okta had said. Her words now resonated within my mind. 'You must be willing to let go of what you fear most.' What was it I feared the most? Was I afraid of losing Alex? Afraid of becoming what he wanted me to be?As I glanced at Lila, her eyes reflected the same emotions as mine, and as we stared at the ball, its interior grew clearer and clearer. Inside, a woman suddenly emerged, dressed in flowing robes─her eyes burning with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine."This one can help you break the bond," Madame Okta whispered, the hushed tone only adding to the already creepy atmosphere.Eyes glued to the crystal, I watched as the robed woman raised a hand, and suddely the temperature in
PART 2TWO WEEKS LATERELYSIAThe quiet of the night was shattered by the sound of breaking glass, pulling me from my thoughts. My eyes snapped to the window and I watched a figure emerge from the alley, its silhouette unmistakable. Shit! I couldn't help thinking upon recognizing Alex. It had been two weeks since our bond had been broken, and up until now, I'dmanaged to avoid any encounter between us.As I peered closer at him, I realized he wasn't quite steady on his feet. I gave a shake of my head, the thought dancing through my mind, "What the hell, Alex, are you drunk?"Moving away from the window, I made my way over to the door, then stepping out onto the stairwell landing, I called, "What do you want?" The question echoing down toward him clearly revealed my annoyance.Alex stumbled forward, his eyes reflecting a mix of anger and something I couldn't quite place. "You've been hiding from me," he slurred.I raised an eyebrow. "I've been working, keeping my distance. What did you e
Elysia's rejection was a slap in the face, leaving me reeling as I stumbled back towards the mansion. The taste of the whiskey I had drank, still lingered on my tongue, momentarily numbing the pain she had caused. Yet, the ache in my chest remained, and it seemed it was growing with each step I took away from her. I didn't understand how she couldn't feel that the bond still existed. Every fiber of my being knew it was there. Weak, yes, but there.Changing into my wolf form, it didn't take me long to reach the mansion, but as I ran, my mind raced. I needed to get control of myself again, to take charge of the chaotic mess I had become.As I entered the backyard of the mansion, I changed back into my human shape, and moving forward, I peered into the shadows dancing in the light breeze, sensing a few members of our pack. A figure emerged, followed by several more and as they stepped into the moonlight, I could see their expressions were a mix of desperation and fear.One of them stepp
Within minutes of having made my decision, I'd picked up the phone and made a call, my voice firm and authoritative as I'd ordered, "Assemble the council. We have matters to discuss."It was done. The die was cast, and there was no going back.Now, as adrenaline surged through me, I realized I wouldn't sleep. The anger, the determination—were too strong. I needed a way to use up what I was feeling, and without another thought, I made my way to the door and towards the club.~~The sight of the writhing bodies, the flash of leather and steel, the cries of pleasure and pain, usually brought me a sense of homecoming. But tonight, I wasn't feeling it, and my eyes searched the faces in the crowd, looking for Analise. Finally, locating her across the room, I headed in her direction.As if sensing my approach, she looked up, and a flash of satisfaction flared in her eyes.Seconds later, as I came abreast of her, I offered her my hand, and without hesitation she took it, allowing me to lead h
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