Clarissa's P.O.V. Time seemed to pass by slowly as I laid in the cell pondering the many ways I would kill them all. Especially my traitorous father. The council members came in now and again to admire the prize captured, and on more than one occasion, I heard them praising my father for catching the monster.If anyone was a monster, it was them. The unlocking of my cage sounded in the darkness, and a tiny bit of light gave way to the giant figure of a man I had come to name Tanto. I wasn't sure what his real name was because all he ever did was grunt his answers, but he was my jail keeper.Tantos's rough hands gripped my wrists as he unlocked the silver cuffs attached to the floor and place them on two different ones. He pulled on the new chain and dragged me from my cage towards the main door of the dungeon.Alyssa had once told me that they no longer used dungeons, and that was a lie; wait till I tell her that ours is getting renovated. Victor's face was the last I wanted to see,
Clarissa's P.O.V.The loud sirens and red flashing lights swirled around me. I wasn't sure what was going on or where I was even at anymore. Trying to focus my attention, I picked out the smallest of noises. It was the faint dripping of a sink somewhere in the room, and its simple sound helped me focus my mind. "Clarissa, wake up!" Staring up into a pair of green, familiar eyes, I couldn't begin to understand what was going on. So many questions were swirling in my head, and it was at that moment that I realized the man before I was Brantley. If Brantley was here, that must mean that Antonio was as well."Brantley?" My throat was raw from screaming caused my voice to come out in harsh whispers. He gently shushed me as he freed my hands from the shackles that held me in place. I was unsure how long I had been lying here, but by the way my head was spinning; I knew it must have been a while. "What's happening?"Brantley smiled as he lifted me, cradling me to his chest, making his way wi
Antonio's P.O.V~24 hours before~Calling upon my allies was the easy part of our plan, but once they arrived on my pack lands, I had the hard part of trying to convince them to join the fight. A few of my close allies, like Alpha Brantley of New York, Alpha Williams of St. Louis, and Alpha Phillip of Nashville, were the first to come to my aid without questions.They had my back on many occasions, as I had theirs. When they learned that the situation involved my mate being taken, they were angry. It didn't matter that my mate was not normal. The laws of the Moon Goddess prohibit werewolves from getting in between mates. Though, what was hard was convincing the others; there was a mix of emotions because no one wanted to cross the inner circle or council as they liked to call themselves.I never understood why some of the Alpha's were so scared of these older men. They were betas, for heaven's sake, and as an Alpha, we outpowered them. Perhaps tradition just made it hard for people to
Alyssa's P.O.V.~1 Hour Before~Peering across the hedge line, I watched guards walking along the walls, keeping an eye for intruders. I knew that with my distance, they wouldn't be able to sense me from where I was at now, but as soon as I got closer, they would know I was there.The massive building was a beautiful sight to see, but knowing that my best friend was being held captive inside broke me. I knew the others could see the pain in my eyes every time Clarissa's name was mentioned, but she was like my sister.How did everyone expect me to be okay with everything? Shaking my head, I whistled over at Antonio, grabbing his attention. His massive towering form crouched towards me and peered towards the building in front of us."The walls are heavily guarded, and I can tell that they have at least twenty men patrolling the grounds outside of the walls. It is going to be difficult to go unnoticed, but do you think you can handle it?"Antonio smirked at my remark before a look of dete
Clarissa's P.O.V.The dim light of morning shined through the open window, and as I opened my eyes, I watched the dust particles dancing within the ray of light that touched the wall. I couldn't help but lay within the safety of the blankets and think about everything that had transpired over the last few months.Pain radiated through my body as my body tried to rid itself of the toxins that had been pumped into me while I was captive. Brantley had been so sweet to take care of me until I could be united back with Antonio.Groaning, I managed to slowly sit up and sling my legs over the edge of the bed. My head spun as I steadied myself, slowly standing to my feet.Why couldn't I be normal?The question constantly plagued my thoughts, and I couldn't stop it. I wasn't like the rest of them. I was a quiet, reserved girl with a creative mind. I wasn't made for a world of blood and chaos, and I didn't know if I had it in me to be a leader.All the confidence I once held was shattered when m
Clarissa's P.O.V.Days began to turn into a week, and I had yet to hear anything from my mate. Antonio still had not come for me, and the worry within me was growing by the day.Brantley kept reassuring me that Antonio was okay, but that he was taking care of other issues, making things safe for me to come home. He said that Antonio found others that were part of the council's scheme to hurt me and that he wanted to rid them from our lives before allowing me back into our home.I could understand that, but what I didn't understand was why Antonio didn't tell me those things himself. It was all very frustrating, and part of me was hurt by Antonio's actions.For some reason, I had also still not completely healed. I moved around at an average pace, but physically I was drained and unable to reach out to Antonio in our bond. Not being able to sleep for the last two nights, I had awoken early this morning, intending to try to learn more about what I could do.Brantley had suggested we cou
Clarissa's P.O.V.Brantley kicked my ass with all the workouts he was putting me through. I couldn't begin to understand why squats were important in training, but if he had me do one more, I was pretty sure my legs would fall off.I stood in the shower for what seemed forever, allowing the hot water to run over my sore muscles. I couldn't remember the last time a shower had felt so amazing, and then again, I couldn't remember the last time I worked out. Shortly after our training session, Brantley ran to town to grab a few supplies, and I welcomed his leave to have time for myself to relax. The shower was the only way I knew to find solace and comfort, and man, this shower did the trick."Clarissa!" I heard my name being called from the other room, and I groaned in disapproval.Turning off the shower, I wrapped a towel around me. "What?" I hollered, unsure of why he would interrupt me during my meditation, a.k.a shower time. "When you finish, come out here. I have something for you.
Antonio's P.O.V.How does one's heart get over the loss of a loved one? How does one cope when the one their soul desires have been taken from them? I know that I am an Alpha, but how was I supposed to be an Alpha when the pain I felt made me weak?I couldn't sleep. I couldn't eat.Everywhere I turned, I saw her face, and when we returned from destroying the council, I wasn't the same man. How could I be the same man or Alpha? The one person I sought to bring home was gone, and the worst part of it was that my best friend was the one who took her.I didn't understand why Brantley would want her, and as soon as Alyssa found out, she left with Cassio to find where they went. They had been gone for a week and radio silent for two days. I was beginning to worry that the safety I had created for my people was diminishing by the day. How is my pack supposed to follow and trust in me when I questioned who I was?"Antonio." Joseph had been persistent in checking on me, and in my absence, was t
Antonio's P.O.V.Waking up, I couldn't help but smile as I thought of my beautiful mate. She was officially my Luna and the mother figure of the pack. She was beyond what I had ever dreamed of having for a mate and far more the woman anyone could have imagined her to be.Sure, she was different, but those differences were nothing that would change my opinion of her.Looking over to her side of the bed, I noticed the vacant spot and how cold the area felt. Knowing her, she probably had gone downstairs to get something to eat. Lord knows my mate loved Martha's cooking.Wasting no time, I quickly climbed from the bed and jumped in the shower. It would be a very long day, and there was so much that needed to be done.A knock came on my bedroom door as I was pulling on my shirt, and without being able to answer it, Joseph came barging into the room. I found myself shocked as to what would make him seem too frantic, "Joseph, what is the problem? You look pale, my friend." I chuckled and cont
Clarissa's P.O.V."As I will ever be, I guess." Taking a deep breath, I walked out of the library, ready for the next step of my life.The sun had set long ago, and within that setting, sunlight came the tiny twinkling lights along the grass that illuminated a small walkway. The girls stood behind me and ushered me to follow the path, and with a smile upon my face, I nodded. This was it.My feet moved slowly forward, and my eyes cast into the distance. I knew that Antonio was at the end of this walkway, and I was making my way towards him and our future. There was nothing more that I wanted than to spend the rest of my life with him. I couldn't stop thinking about everything that had happened over the past few months. From the first time I met him; to the first time he kissed me. The way his breath felt against my skin and the look in his eyes when he was staring at me. Nothing but utter happiness filled my soul when I was with Antonio. I felt safe; protected. I would love him for al
Clarissa's P.O.V."The child Maria Carmen was a human/fae hybrid, but she was murdered as a child, or so said the queen, who disappeared years after that."Alyssa's words rang in my ears, and I wasn't sure how to take what she was saying. Perhaps it was a different Maria Carmen. There was no way that any of that was true. "Maybe it's a different Maria Carmen.""Perhaps, but that is way too weird for words. Something that definitely needs to be checked into, eventually. If you are the child of Maria Carmen, there is a lot more that you need to be aware of." Alyssa looked at me with concern, and I was starting to wonder if my life was some ironic sitcom movie."Like what?" I groaned internally."Uh, like how the Fae world never approved of the hybrid notion being inflicted in their pure bloodline. That was why other Fae colonies tried to send hired assassins to murder Maria."My mouth formed an 'o' shape at hearing Alyssa, and I couldn't help but slowly nod. "Yeah, that can be seen as a
Clarissa's P.O.V.Antonio's playful nature was a godsend when recovering from everything. My feet graced the steps two at a time as I jogged down the stairs, coming face to face with Leah."Can I speak with you?"Raising a brow, I nodded out of curiosity. There wasn't much conversation that had ever happened between this girl and me, and I didn't understand what she would have to say to me now."What's up?""I wanted to apologize for everything. I shouldn't have acted as I did, and I feel horrible." Crossing my arms, I stared at her as she continued apologizing, "I was under the impression that Diana was my friend. We used to tell each other everything, and when she left, she said it was because Antonio was hurting her and that he was cruel. I never thought she would lie to me like that."Hearing that Diana had portrayed my mate as a man that hurt women boiled my blood. How dare she taint my mate's image? Listening to Leah, I began to realize that she was played, and even though she ha
Antonio's P.O.V.Sitting here watching Clarissa's beautiful face brought tears to my eyes; she seemed so carefree and joyful. Clarissa laughed with Alyssa and the others as if nothing terrible had ever happened to her, and I didn't know what it was to have such a carefree life. The whites of her teeth sparkling in the sunlight as Alyssa said something else, and the giggling fit would begin once again. Clarissa was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen, and there was nothing I wouldn't do for her. The sun shone down on her bare flesh as she warmed herself in the rays of light.Thomas and Leah kicking a ball back and forth to each other in the distance before Cassio scoops up a screaming Alyssa and drops her into our pool. Everything was falling into place, and yet I couldn't stop thinking about the truth.When we found Clarissa in her father's home, she changed.Clarissa was still the same woman, but she was so much different from the scared girl I once knew. Clarissa had grown into
Clarissa's P.O.VThere was nothing like being back in our bed. It didn't matter where a person could travel in the world; at the end of the day, being back in your bed was pure happiness. Antonio's strong arms wrapped around my waist and brought me closer to him as he inhaled the scent of my hair deeply. "Good Morning, beautiful."Smiling, I rolled over and looked at him, "Good Morning, sir." There was no use in trying to forget what had happened in Florida. My father and Brantley worked together to destroy my life and that of every other supernatural creature. Alyssa said that she had learned a lot going through Torrez's documents.It turns out Torrez had been working for years trying to turn the inner circle against us and anyone who wasn't a pure wolf. He was doing it for control. Infiltrate and take down the top from the inside. Antonio was adamant that, when we first got home, there would be no discussion of everything that happened, but Alyssa and I both knew that there needed t
Clarissa's P.O.V.My blades swung freely as I maneuvered through the array of bodies. The rush of adrenaline that coursed through me fueled my vengeful desires. My mind replayed the events of everything that had happened, and the one thing I was more sure of than anything was that Antonio was mine.Love was the emotion that overwhelmed me the most, and as the last specks of blood spattered against my skin, I saw him.Antonio stared at me with wide eyes, but love held him in place. A smile decorated his lips, and the stubble of worry that crossed his chin was enough to make a girl fluster. "Clarissa..." when he said my name, it was as if he couldn't believe I was before him. Before a word could leave my mouth, a cry escaped my lips as a searing pain rippled through me. Looking down, I saw the silver of a blade sticking from my body. It was quickly jerked back, and I looked up into the eyes of Antonio, who seemed paralyzed with panic before screaming out, "Clarissa! No!"I didn't die, l
Clarissa's P.O.V.Nadia had prepared my appearance, but no one could prepare me mentally for what I would be walking into. There was nothing that could prepare me for that. Imagine waking up one morning expected for your day to be as typical as it always was, and in the blink of an eye, it's something else.I always thought of destiny as something we created for ourselves, but I have learned that destiny is also something that others can help create for you. There was a time when I would have given anything to be that girl a man would do anything for. Right now, though, I wished I would have just been alone. I hated the fact that Antonio and the others were walking into a trap.There was no doubt in my mind that they were on their way or already here waiting to set me free. It was just a matter of time, and even though they were skilled warriors; no one is immune from death.Walking down the long white hallways, my eyes cast to the floor; I allowed the guard to lead me to where Brantl
Antonio's P.O.V.Torrez's property looked like something off of MTV's Cribs, and the luxury he had spent on the home was outrageous. I could feel a surge of emotions from the property in front of me, and I knew Clarissa was there.Alyssa and Cassio had set off moments ago to scope the outside of the property, and while I waited on their return, it took everything in me for Zeus not to run wild. Clarissa was my beautiful mate, and I felt guilty for not telling her enough; for not telling her that I loved her enough. I couldn't begin to imagine what it would be like if I got in there and she was dead. The thought of her death sent despair through my soul and made Zeus cry out in pain. "Antonio." Joseph's voice pulled me from my thoughts, and I turned around to see him standing with Alyssa and Cassio. "What did you find?""It looks like the south entrance will be the best way in. It's water access for the most part and is the least guarded. Probably because they don't think we would lo