“Thanks for the afternoon and the dress, Mom”, I said as we gathered our purchases and headed toward the house.
“You’re going to look gorgeous, Lyse. Maybe you’ll even meet your mate there! It will be your birthday, you know.” She added the last part quietly.
“Is everything okay, Mom?”, I asked.
She glanced quickly up at me. “Yeah, hon. Just remembering you so little. I can hardly believe the years have gone by so fast.”
“I know”, I said. Feeling an unexpected pand of sadness. “I wish my father was here for it. It’s a big day.”
“He loved you more than anything in the world, Lyse. You were<
ChaseI sat in the treetop near her house, keeping watch. Keeping her safe.Watching as she cracked open her second floor window, I was struck again by her beauty in the dim glow of the light she kept on as she climbed into bed.I wondered what she thought about that brought a small smile to her lips as she closed her eyes.I was working on a way to get her to the castle as quickly as possible so I could be certain that she’d be safe. Something was out there and I had a feeling she was its target, though I had no idea why. No one knew that she was mine.Hours had passed when Havoc spoke urgently, ‘Protect her. We have to protect her.’
Sitting in the treetops watching her, three things hit me simultaneously:I knew for certain that she thought about me as much as I thought about her.I want her beyond madnessSomething within her called to something within me. I had to be with her.‘Holy Fuck, Havoc.’ I spoke to my lycan half, barely holding onto any frayed strands of control that I had remaining for this woman. Seeing her touch herself thinking of me had me rock hard and had pushed the hard line of my limits. The mate bond was screaming to go to her.‘I will not wait much longer, Chase.’, He responded, at the limits of his self control as well.
Hearing the worry and anxiousness in my son’s voice through the link had me up and out of bed in seconds. It was early, especially by Dylan’s standards, so I knew something was going on.The rogue problem was something my secret security team was working on. There was something different about this threat and I intended to find out what. It was reassuring to know my son found it equally as worrisome.The worry he displayed told me there was more.“I found my mate.”, he told me. I smiled, feeling truly happy for him and, as a ruler, relieved for all of our kind. His future queen would only add to his strength as a king and his will enhance hers as well.Upon asking who she was, he moved past being ner
AnnalyseThis week was really sucking for me. Big time. My parents were acting really strange and I couldn’t get either one of them to crack. On top of that, they were only allowing me out of the house to go to school and Dad was picking me up and bringing me straight home after. They kept telling me that I hadn’t done anything wrong, but I could tell something was up.Finally, Mom let it spill that the rogues had been in our territory and they were just making sure that I would be safe until the situation was handled.I missed Tranquility. My nightmares had started becoming more frequent and the lake was the one place I could go to quiet the noise in my head, but every time I asked, they said no. It wasn’t the kind of no that I could talk them out of, either. At l
I looked at my dad, both curious and worried at his expression.“What is it?”, I asked. “What’s wrong?”When he looked back up at me, it was like the previous look of shock had never been there.“Annalyse Mitchell?”, he asked again.“Yeah. Why?”, I returned.“We have a lot to talk about, Son.”, he bagan. “But first, we need to have the guest quarters prepared. She’s safest here with you, as your mate and future Queen.” he finished.I looked at him curiously. And with gratitude.“I’m glad you think so, Dad. I was going to ask, but you beat me
King ArvandI kept my composure (well, for the most part) until I heard Dylan head down the stairs down the hall from my quarters. I had to get in touch with Merrick immediately.I headed into my private office off of my living room and closed the door. No one would hear the call because the line in here was secure and the room soundproof once the door was closed. It was imperative that we get Annalyse here as soon as possible to ensure her safety.I took a deep breath, picked up the phone and dialed, hoping he was in his office near the secure line already.He picked up on the first ring. “Mitchell”, his deep voice answered with authority. Ever the Beta.“Merrick.&rdq
I walked out to the palace gardens, thinking over the conversation that I had with my father, feeling more confused than I had when I went to speak with him in the first place.The look on his face when I said Annalyse was my mate was telling. I had great instincts and they were all firing right now.He was shocked, but hid it well. But why? Was he shocked that I had found my Fated One or because it was her, a girl who wasn’t royalty? Or was it something else altogether?I’m not sure, but I’m going to find out.I decided to let Havoc out for a run. I could feel him clawing at me to be in control. I ran to the edge of the forest, shifting as I crossed into the dense trees.‘Something is go
King ArvandI was wearing a hole in front of the fireplace in my suite waiting for Merrick. He should be here any moment.There’s a knock now, but it’s not who I need to see. It’s Tilda with coffee and pastries. I motion for her to come in and get everything set up.I told Merrick to come on to the property the back way through an entrance not used in years and use the tunnel that leads to another inside the palace. He should come out through a small forgotten door down the hall.I didn’t need anyone knowing he was here or that we were meeting.I thanked Tilda as she smiled and left.I was pouring the coffee when I heard the knock I had
AnnalyseI sat there, ears straining to hear what was being said as I tried to reach out to Bella.‘Bells? Are you there? Please answer me.’, I pleaded.Still nothing. As I sat, I began to panic. What would happen if whatever they gave me killed her?I also felt sick again. And hot, like I was going into another heat. But it was way too soon for that.The talking stopped as the footsteps stalled outside the room we were in.I felt nervous and a little scared, especially without my wolf as the door opened slowly and a familiar scent hit my nose.“Well, look who we have here. A visitor for you, Annalyse.”I looked up, shocked to see what my brain already knew.Out of the shadows and into the light walked Cristabell. My other best friend.She looked at me, disgust written all over her face, jealousy blazing in her eyes.“Crista?! What are you doing here?”, I asked, genuinely confused at this point, hoping against hope that she wasn’t being held here too.“What am I doing here?”, she scof
AnnalyseI felt so groggy and I was worried. Really worried. I haven’t been able to talk to Bella since being taken.I slowly opened my eyes and looked around. I felt like I was underground, the walls around me made of stone that had long ago begun to crumble and mold from lack of upkeep.I was in a cell, lying on a dirty mattress that had been thrown down here. No sheet or blanket and despite the time of year, it was pretty cold down here. A single candle was the only light flickering through the darkened space outside of the cell.I sat up against the wall as I tried to reach out to Bella again.‘Bells? What happened? Where did you go? I’m worried.’Nothing. Not even a glimmer that she was there, though I could feel something stirring inside of me.I couldn’t seem to link Chase either.I wanted my mate. Surely he’d be coming for me.The last thing that I remembered was leaving him to go to the bathroom in the packhouse and hearing Asher crying for help.Then everything goes black.“
AnnalyseI came to with a terrible headache and filled with panic. Bella had gone quiet, almost as if she weren’t there at all.‘Bells?’, I reached out to her.Nothing. Not even a stirring.I tried to communicate through linking.Nothing there either.What had whoever grabbed me given me?I tried to clear the fog from my brain when I registered footsteps coming.I closed my eyes, still trying to gather my thoughts, but I didn’t want to hint to whoever was coming that I was awake.“Dammit, Zane! How much did you put on that cloth?”, I heard a deep voice demand. “Enough to knock her out and keep her from fighting me long enough to get her here.”, I heard another answer.“She should be awake by now. I need her alive.”, I heard the first say.“Everyone processes the mixture differently. It’s possible that her wolf is still working it out of her system.”, the second man answered.“That better be all that it is. We’re working on a minimal time frame at best here. He’s going to find her. Hi
ChaseI was beyond pissed. I had heard every word that that vile girl spoke to Lyse. Havoc was itching to get out and do some damage.As I walked through the trees, watching as the girl was about to hit my mate, fury surged through me. Ryker stepped in just in time, willing to allow it to go only so far.I knew that Lyse could handle herself, but it was my job to keep her safe.She was surprisingly calm and collected and handled the situation with as much poise and grace as one could while being called the King’s whore.I knew what she was doing when she said she’d have to think about a proper punishment. Normally, I would’ve just given one myself, but as much as I wanted to, it was her decision to make.The waiting alone would probably drive the girl a little nuts as it was, I thought with a small smile.Lyse confirmed it a moment later.“Waiting should be punishment enough.”, she said.I gave her a small chuckle. “I thought that’s what you were doing.”, I said.“Yeah, well. It proba
AnnalyseThe man at the back of the crowd watched the proceedings with interest, and quietly.No one noticed that he didn’t belong, or even that he was there for that matter. The following celebrations added to the distraction of the already confused crowd and gave him the opportunity to slip away unnoticed.I was walking around the celebration, smiling and nodding while also paying attention to the whispers that surrounded me when no one thought I was there. “The King sure seems awful close to Lyse. What’s going on?”, one girl asked another.“I don’t know, but were you there when he kissed her on his way up to the pack house before?”, the other asked back.I recognized them both from school. Mean girls who had nothing better to do than gossip and well, be mean. Bianca and Eloise.“I knew she was nothing but a little slut. First Jace, now the Lycan King.”, the first said.We had opted not to tell many about the fact that we’re fated mates yet. Mostly because the situation with the O
Annalyse“You are aware that by giving him your blood, you may also transfer some of your Astrydian ability to him as well?”, KIng Arvand asked.“Yes.”, I answered. “And what better man to give them to? He served my father faithfully, has loved my mother and kept me safe and protected all of these years. He should have been a born Astrydian as far as I’m concerned.” I said.My dad pulled me to him in a quick hug. “Thank you, Lyse. It’s been my honor and privilege.”, he said quietly.Chase and King Arvand looked on, Chase turning to his father.“They are both remarkable.”, he said with a small smile.“Yes. They are.”, King Arvand answered.“Alright then. Now that that’s settled, let’s get this show on the road!”, Chase said.“How do you feel, Dad? Are you ready?”, I asked my dad.“Fine and yes.”, he said with a wink as we headed out the door toward the back grounds of the pack house to begin the ceremony.Outside, the night was warm. It seemed as though everyone from the territory was
ChaseThis bastard was really pissing me off. How dare he speak to my mate the way he was. Kudos to her though; she was handling it all beautifully. Grace and dignity befitting the queen that she is was oozing out of her. Watching the confident woman in front of me with the calm demeanor and glowy eyes, I was beyond proud. She was going to be the perfect queen to our packs.When she flipped her hair back to reveal her mark, the shock in his eyes was worth the price of admission.“I… I”, he stuttered.“You what?”, Lyse asked him. “You were just going to apologize? Well, go ahead then.”, she finished, a hand on her hip, waiting.I looked at him, my Lycan command clearly causing him pain. “She’s waiting.”, I said.“I’m sorry.”, he said, hatred and disbelief flaring in his wolf’s brown depths as he worked to fight the command of another Alpha.“I’ve come not only as a guest tonight.”, I started, easing up on the command to make sure he wasn’t too uncomfortable to listen to my words.He s
AnnalyseI smiled as Chase winked and closed the office door behind him. I was trying to calm my anxiety, nervous for what I knew would be a pretty big confrontation.“I’m going to run to the bathroom real quick”, I said to my parents as I turned to head toward one of the packhouse bathrooms.“Are you alright? You look a little pale, Sweets.”, Dad said with concern.“I’m okay. I think it’s just the anxiety of everything that’s happening. I think it’s catching up with me. That’s all.”, I said, knowing that that had to be it. It’s been a whirlwind of the last few weeks.“I’ll be right back.”“Should I come with you?”, Mom asked, starting to stand.“No, don’t worry. I’m just going down the hall.”, I assured her, knowing that Chase wanted me safe, but figuring that I’d only be a couple of hundred feet away.I walked down the hall in a hurry. I could feel my stomach getting ready to revolt any second and I had to get there before it did.I closed the door and locked it just in time to turn
ChaseI gave Lyse a quick wink as Ryker entered and I closed the door behind us and stepped next to my father, giving him a nod.“Everything is ready, Your Majesties.”, Collin said, a smile of pride on his face. One that was about to come crashing down.“It is.”, I started. “However, I’m afraid that it’s not Jace who’s to become Alpha today.”, I finished, letting my words register.The office was silent as my words died away. I would wait for as long as it took him to grasp my meaning. He who speaks first loses, after all.Collin looked from me to my father and then back again, his face beginning to pale.“What are you saying?”, he asked slowly, as though waiting for the confirmation of his thoughts.I was happy to oblige. I tossed a file down onto his desk. All of the damning evidence against his son now available for him to see.He picked it up and began to thumb through it. My guys had been busy gathering statements of the girls he had been rough with, and in some cases forced unde