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
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