I sat, stunned, in my parents’ room. This is so much to process. Mom looked at me with concern. “I know this is a lot, Lyse. Why don’t you start getting the things you want to take with you packed while you process.” “Wait, Mom. Is there more?” “Yes. There’s more. There always is. And we will talk about it. All of it. I’m so sorry that I’ve kept things from you. We thought we were keeping you safe and happy. But for you, there’s more to being Astrydian than just being a strong wolf. You’re the daughter of an Alpha Astrydian.” I balked a little. I was of the alpha line to a pack? No. I AM of an alpha line. “Okay. But why am I so special? My wolf is a tiny little thing, certainly not like that of an Alpha. The pack is apparently no longer together if the Mahogany Mountain pack now holds the territory. Did another Alpha challenge my father? What happened to the rest of the pack? Did they just stay with Mahogany Mountain? We’re in River Moon and have been for as long as I can remember.
Deep in the forest so as to remain hidden from detection (for now), the Olc hierarchy assembled in an enormous cave, the main cavern far from the entrance at the edge of a steep cliff surrounded in trees and rocky terrain. Doran, the Olc Alpha sat waiting for report on the One they were searching for. The One, if he could find and mate her before any other, would grant him all power over the world’s packs, was close. He could feel it.His deep red eyes glowed blood red in the light of the fire as he looked around his circle of most trusted.“Report.”, he all but snarled as he looked to his beta, Simeon.“I believe we’ve found her, Alpha.”, Simeon said to Doran, the gleam of the hunt in his eyes. There was nothing more exciting to the beta than a good hunt. If it was challenging, even better.Doran took in the development with satisfaction. She, and every other of their kind, were in his sights. He smiled, a wicked glint appearing in his scarlet gaze as he thought of the power he would
Chase I needed to run. Havoc needed to run. There was so much going through my head right now and I just needed some time to process. My mom died that night. My beautiful mate had lived. There was more to the story, but Dad said we’d talk after Lyse had time to settle in. He said that she needed to hear some things also.I shifted as I reached the forest floor, Havoc’s paws digging into the earth as he pushed us near to exhaustion. We ran for the better part of an hour, until we reached a mountaintop that I had never been to before. As I looked down, Tranquility came into view in the distance. With the sight of the peaceful lake, came thoughts of my mate.Havoc paced and became agitated as he thought of the danger she might be in and at the same time, the need to mark and mate her was getting stronger. ‘Almost time, Havoc. I want her too.’‘It’s almost unbearable the closer it gets to her birthday, Chase.’‘I know. She feels the bond too, Havoc. I can sense it when I’m close to her.’
AnnalyseI was beside myself with sorrow. I had to leave home to stay at the palace where my supposed Fated Mate, the Lycan Prince was. I just want Chase. I felt as though my soul was being ripped into pieces.Mom came in as I was mopping up my face. “Honey! What’s wrong?”, she asked, alarmed.“Nothing, Mom. I’m just nervous and don’t understand why I can’t just stay home.”, I answered, trying to hold back another flood of tears.She wrapped me into a hug as she purred, almost humming like she did when I was little and upset. It helped calm me. “Don’t worry, Lyse. Everything will work out as it should.”“I know. I don’t know why I’m feeling so emotional. I think it’s just nerves.”, I said, worrying my lip and taking a deep breath.She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small, ornately carved cedar box.“I have something for you, Sprite. It was your father’s mother’s.”, she said.“Your father insisted when you were a baby that you have it the week before your birthday. It will bo
ChaseHavoc was nearly beside himself with excitement and worry.‘I can feel her right behind the door. But she seems incredibly nervous and sad. If anyone hurt her…’‘Havoc. We’re taking her to the palace and away from her home for the first time. Both are normal feelings to have.’, I told him as I knocked.As the door opened, teal and violet eyes stared at me in surprise.“Chase! What are you doing here?”, she exclaimed, her joy at seeing me evident in her eyes.Havoc was nearly rejoicing.“I volunteered to come get you and bring you to the palace.”, I replied as Merrick began bringing her bags to the car.“So you’re a driver, then?”“I have lots of jobs, Lyse.”, I winked at her and my heart rate sped up at the answering flush that pinked her cheeks.I had to have her, and soon.She smiled at me and worried her bottom lip between her teeth, which she had to know drove me crazy on some level.‘This is torture, Chase.’, Havoc growled.‘I know. There’s only a couple of days left. She’l
ChaseI glanced down at Lyse, an intense wave of lust and protectiveness rolling over me.‘That’s new’, I said to Havoc.‘She is ours, Chase. The bond is only getting stronger. The more we’re with her, the stronger it gets. Her wolf feels it too. I can not just sense it, but her eyes flashed violet as she tried to push through.’, He answered.She looked up at me, cheeks rosy, a small gasp leaving her full lips. Yep, she was feeling it, too.Ryker was waiting on the top step.“Mrs. Mitchell, the King wishes to see you.”, he said, inclining his head beckoning her to follow him.“I’ll take good care of her.”, I started. “Ryker will bring you to Lyse when you’re finished.”I motioned for one of my guards to grab her bags and follow us.As we stepped through the front doors into the massive entry, I looked at Lyse, struck by her beauty as she seemed to look everywhere at once.“It’s stunning!”, she exclaimed as she looked at me with wide eyes. “Look at this banister!”, she said as she walk
Annalyse“Oh, wow!”, I sighed as I took in the massive four poster bed, carved from cedar and the gorgeous stone fireplace next to another wall of windows with a set of french doors that opened onto a balcony.“It’s something, isn’t it?”, Chase asked.“It’s incredible, Chase. If all of the guests have a room like this, it’s a wonder they ever leave. You may have to put up with me for awhile.”“Well, this floor is the floor that belongs to the King, Prince and their Betas as well as their private guard.”I gaped at him. “Whose room am I in now?”, I questioned, suddenly very nervous.“You’re in the Queen’s rooms, Lyse.”, Chase answered, almost reverently.“Oh but, there must be some mistake, Chase. I don’t belong in here.”, I said as I wandered.I explored the bathroom, internally doing a dance at the thought of soaking in the massive clawfoot soaker tub.I found the walk -in closet, which was as big as my bedroom and bathroom at home combined. If I wasn’t careful, I could get used to t
CarolinaI left Lyse with Dylan (he looked too much like his mother to be anyone else), and followed Ryker up two flights of stairs to Arvand’s office, if it was still in the same place it had been years ago.Ryker knocked twice to signal our arrival.“Enter”, the deep voice from the other side answered. No, commanded. Ever the King.He held the door open for me as I entered, looking at Arvand, a mixture of happiness at seeing him well and sadness at the memory of Mara.“You may wait outside, Ryker. Please close the door.”, He said with a small nod.Ryker bowed in return. “Of course, Your HIghness.”The moment the door was closed, Arvand came around the corner of his desk to envelope me in a tight hug.“Oh, Arvand! It’s so good to see you again.”, I began.He let me go and proceeded to gesture for me to join him in the armchairs on the visitor side of his office.“It’s wonderful to see you as well, Carolina. It’s been far too long.”“It has. And I’m sorry. After Mara, I just… didn’t k