There was a knock on our door, and for some reasons I couldn’t explain, I knew who it was.Thane."I don't want to see him, Axel."Axel nodded before heading for the door."Alpha... I am not sure she wants to see you right now.""Axel, let me in. I need to speak to her.""I'm sorry, I can't. I might be your friend, but I would say it to you when you act like a jerk. Just stop hurting her already; make your decision and stand on it," Axel said, and though I couldn't see them, I felt the tension in the air even from here."You know I had to." He says "Not in the same room you share with her, that is disrespectful... Alpha.""You are right. Could you let me make adjustments at least?" Thane asks, and I knew he didn't exactly need Axel's permission to walk in, but still he waited.Finally, Axel let him in, and I couldn't blame him; Thane was his Alpha."Riley, can we talk?" Thane says to me, but I couldn't even look him in the eyes. I don't bother responding. He walks to me, standing rig
"The wind ‘hazard’ left thirty injured, five of them in severe conditions, but no lives were lost. The healers have their hands full," Axel reported back to Thane."What exactly caused a wind that strong, it was not at all natural," Thane wondered aloud."Were you thinking an elemental did this?" Axel questioned."Something close. Elementals had long gone extinct, of course, except one.""The elders" A female voice suggested, and of course it was Bailey approaching, joining in on the conversation ."You think the elders did this?" Axel questioned."Not just any elder... Nyaos did this; he was an elemental.""That should be the one elder who escaped," Thane added. His mask was back on, but I knew more than anything that he was furious; he hated anything that came against his pack."He was sending a warning..." Bailey began, but Axel cut her off."More like a threat.""I would end what I began," Thane declares."No, is too dangerous." Bailey says"For me?" Thane asked with a hint of amu
"Are you okay?" Thane asks"Why are you here?" I questioned randomly."You kept on screaming out my name and crying; Axel had to call my attention.""I'm so sorry I woke you up.""Riley, that is the least of my worries. What was the dream about?""It was about you and these elders... you were being stripped of your wolf with the cursed weapon, and then he said he was coming for me next. It was so scary.""I am fine, Riley.""You don't understand; it felt so real. Promise me that you will keep me out of danger," I pleaded."I would try," he says, and I knew he was only saying that to keep me calm, but still I took the false reassurance.Now that I was back to my senses, I felt so embarrassed, I wondered how Axel would feel being woken up by the weirdo who cries in her sleep."Oh gosh, I'm so sorry, where is Axel?""He went to call for a healer.""I'm fine!" I said, eyes wide. That would be very embarrassing if he did call the healer. "I can see that now, and he would be back soon. You
“I am surprised,” Axel says to me when he finds me still in his room.“What?”“From Thane’s emotions, I didn’t think you would still be here, I’d have thought you were back in his room being... banged.”I gasped. "Axel!” I call out, reddening.“He usually has no restraints, but I guess he is indeed trying,” Axel went on with a wide smile.Something piqued my curiosity.“So Thane was like... turned on?” I asked, trying to hide my smile and failing.“Yeah, I guess you did play him.”"I did,” I admitted, “and I enjoyed every bit of it.”“Tsk. That was a dangerous thing to do. He would be back.”“He would be back for me?”“You keep repeating what I’ve already said.” Axel’s say, clearly enjoying this more than he should.“He won’t get me, I would be here in your room; he wouldn’t get to me in here, right?”Axel’s smile wasn’t very innocent. “And who is going to stop him?”“I thought you were on my side.”“He is my Alpha; there is only little I can do and you started it.”“So... what do I d
I had been on my way back to Axel’s room when I suddenly felt firm hands clamped around my mouth, restraining me from screaming.“Got you,” Thane whispered into my ears.The shiver had nothing to do with the cold.He led me into the closest room that turned out to be ‘unoccupied’. This was, of course, planned by him.Finally, he let me go.“What are you doing?” I asked, planning to act clueless. I was panicking in here.“What does it look like?” he asks, and I could see his fangs; the glow of his eyes seems too otherworldly to be natural.“It looks like you are kidnapping me; would you let me go?” I asked."Well, the door is right there.”“So you would actually let me go?” I questioned, not really trusting his words.“Only if you could get there faster than me,” he says.Maybe I could do that if I caught him unaware. I zipped off, heading for the door. I was so close, and just then, Thane who had been leaning against the wall a good distance behind me, was right before the door and me
Thane watched me as if etching every feature into memory.“That is very creepy you know” I say“I didn't realize how much I missed you. So… What do you say bout' returning back to our room?” Thane asked. “I don't know if I am ready for that yet,” I said to him, yet my heart and body yearned to be close to him. I missed having him so close; I hated the distance between us."Well, maybe we could make a... deal.”“I'm listening,” I say with a smile. I was giving in; it shouldn't be this easy, but after what he had done earlier today, I doubt I would be able to stay away from him any longer.“You would get to see me completely naked on my knees once more.”“Leave it up to you to create very enticing offers, but unfortunately I selfishly want more.”"Anything,” he promises. “I would only agree to your deal if there would be more touching involved... I want to be in control this time,” I say, already aroused by the thought of Thane naked, on his knees, and me in charge.“You are not very
“Do you need some help getting up?” Axel asked me with a falsely innocent smile.“I think I can manage that myself, thank you,” I said, rising to my feet. I did feel a dull ache between my legs.“Are you sure?”“Maybe a little help.” I finally admitted.He chuckled, sweeping me off my feet. He placed me gently on the couch, and he took a seat beside me.“I did warn you, but you are so stubborn.”“I didn't want him to have me back so easily,” I murmured silently to myself."Well, he did have you,” Axel said in a 'matter of fact’ tone.“Okay, you were right, I was wrong... and stubborn, are you happy now?”“He didn't hurt you badly though, right?” Axel inquired, and I knew deep down he cared about my safety.“No, he didn't, but even if he did, it would be all on me; I mean, I had been the one begging and pleading for it.” “He feels guilt, and he is worried too; that's why he sent me here.”“I'm not really as soft and breakable as you both imagine me to be.”“Oh, really?”“I mean, I am
The door burst open, and Bailey strode in, just as I had anticipated.“Are you familiar with the concept of knocking?” Axel questioned her.“Seeing as I am so ancient, it must have skipped my mind a century ago or there about.”“You shouldn’t be here, Elder, not after that little stunt you pulled,” Axel said, and I knew what he was referring to. Bailey had known I was on my way here, so she made sure I discovered what she and Thane had been doing while I was away. I didn’t want to think about it; the thought made me feel so angry.“Apologies Beta, if the Luna had responded to my message, I wouldn’t see the need of coming here unannounced.”Axel gaze met mine.“You didn’t actually think you could send me a crappy note and I’ll run along to find you, did you?”“I see, the Luna finally acting as the queen; there is so much you don’t know,” she says with a sinister smile, but what she doesn’t know is that Thane had told me the deal he made with her. He wasn’t planning on keeping to his pa
ALEXANDER’S POVMy blurred vision slowly cleared, and I realized I was in what looked like a small, empty room.The wall facing me was made of thick, transparent glass.I couldn’t tell how they managed to get me in here—there was no window or door, only a narrow slot likely meant for passing food and letting in just enough air to keep the ‘prisoner’ alive.I could only assume there was some kind of hidden entrance.My hands and ankles were bound with thick silver chains.The chains felt excessive—I could barely move a muscle.More wolfsbane than I’d ever consumed in my entire life had been pumped into my system, completely immobilizing me and filling me with this nauseating, sickly feeling. I hadn’t realized I was shivering until I noticed the tremble in my fingers.The room was chillingly cold, and with the wolfsbane suppressing my werewolf abilities, I was no exception to the cold. I tried to summon flames. Nothing.Maybe I was just too weak to summon the flames. The crushing feeli
1KADIA’S POVWhen I discovered the news of my pregnancy, I had been so happy. But I knew a lot would have to change.I had to be more cautious—for the baby. That meant I wouldn’t be able to keep training the pack soldiers for much longer. Of course, I’d have to give up that duty eventually and it had become a part of my life. I would have to watch my diet, too. And then there were other things. Like the fact that I would grow big, and I might not look the same. My toned stomach which I had spent years working on would be no more.This had been the type of life I once abhorred, but everything was different now—I wanted this. I could see a future with Alexander, filled with laughter and little kids running around, and the thought made me smile.Lara was the first person to find out I was pregnant.After I discovered the pregnancy test was unmistakably positive, I was as scared as I was excited.Lara happened to be visiting the pack, and we kind of bumped into each other. She was all s
KAIDA’S POVThe flesh-eaters were all gone. Packs that had been destroyed were slowly rebuilding; the chaos had finally settled. But there were still many things to attend to—like the few humans who now knew that dangerous supernatural beings lived among them.The human president had reached out to us; He was ready to pay whatever sum was needed to keep creatures like the ‘flesh-eaters’ away, as they could cause civil unrest among the people. He was willing to pay even more so things could return to the way they were when humans and supernatural beings lived separately.Alexander sent a letter back, assuring him that the ‘creatures’ were gone and that things would continue as usual. What they didn’t realize was that many werewolves and supernatural beings already lived among humans. They owned major companies and enterprises worldwide. From popular clothing brands to tech products, much of it was secretly controlled by the werewolf community.One constant worry lingered on my mind —
JADE POVEarlierI had chosen to spend my final hours in the little underground lair just beneath the small house I owned.At the other side of the room, trapped behind a magical wall, was a flesh-eater. I had captured it and brought it back here. If Aliyah does go through with her words, then the creature wouldn’t last until the next day.Hours passed, and the beast remained caged—still alive, still stupidly trying to push through the magical barrier I had created to contain it, no matter how many times it got scarred from trying.I wouldn’t blame the girl if she backed out; she had every right to make that decision. She was young and in love—it wasn’t easy to let go of everything for people who were mostly strangers.Beside me was a picture of Ralph. The only one I had, and the only thing that had accompanied me through the years. Many would say I lived a lonely life, but that was the only way I knew how to live—though it hadn’t always been that way.I thought back to when Ralph wa
DAEMONAliya was in the same silk white nightgown she’d slept in. A soft breeze blew through her silver hair. She looked surreal, like an angel. “I have to do this.” She said, and I could see the determination in her eyes.“No, you don’t have to do this. I told you I would find a way…”“There is no other way.” she said, cutting me off. “This is the only way. I can end the war, and this is what I have to do to end it.”I’d remember those words in the dream I had. She’d told me how she could “end the war.”Those eyes stared at me like she could read exactly what I was thinking.“Do you love me enough to let me go?” she whispered—and that’s when it hit me: it was never a dream. “The undead would be gone if Solene died. The war would end if I took my life—with this dagger.”“Tell me one thing, Aliyah. If you were in my place, would you let me go?” I asked. Tears spilled down her cheeks. She didn’t answer, maybe because we both knew what that answer was. “Why in the hell do you think
ALIYAHI stood watching the lake.The memory of what had happened here resurfaced, and I smiled. There were still so many things I had yet to do, so many adventures waiting out there.I looked down at the dazzling diamond on the engagement ring Daemon had given me. It must have cost a fortune, but that wasn’t why I thought it was beautiful. It would always be my most prized possession because of what it signified.Now I could see the truth—Daemon would have given up his title to be with me.I didn’t deserve his love. I didn’t deserve him. And yet, I wanted him.The best days of my life were the ones I spent with Daemon. Truly, he was the greatest gift life had given me, and I would always be grateful for that.But I had to make a decision.**FLASHBACK**“I need to speak to the girl alone,” Jade said, and I watched the others walk away, leaving me alone with the sorceress.“I remember it all,” I confessed. “I remember how many people died because of me… how many others I killed.”“That
“What did I taste like?” Aliyah asked.“Different… better.” If that was even possible.“That’s because I still have her powers. Even if she’s locked away, she’s still in there.”“You feel her?” I asked.“I hear her. She never stops reminding me that my time is ticking.” Aliyah said.“I will make her pay for what she did to you,” I promised.“She will pay.”…In moments like this, we truly see the vanities of life. Wealth, power, titles—none of them hold any true value. What truly matters are the small, fleeting moments shared with the people you love. Those are the things that endure.Time, too, is a precious thing. It belongs to no one, and no one can stop it. Aliyah walked out of the bathroom.“This is the best bath I’ve had in a really, really long time.”“Would have been better with me in there.”“Maybe, but I’m sore, and we both know you can’t keep your hands to yourself.”“You’re right about that. Now take a seat.”“Why?”"Or stand, if you prefer," I said, watching her raise an
DAEMON’S POVThis wasn’t a dream.It was real; Aliyah was back.All I wanted to do was apologize, over and over again, for every wrong I’d done to her. I wanted to beg for forgiveness, but we only had a single day, and I wasn’t going to waste a second of it. I just wanted to make her happy and give her something to hold onto.“Have I ever told you how beautiful you are?” I asked, and she smiled.“Yes, you have, but hearing it a few more times wouldn’t hurt.”I’d decided to take her away from this pack—to somewhere far from all the chaos and everything that had been happening these past few days.“How did it feel?” I asked, and I didn’t need to say more, she understood exactly what I meant.“Awful. I was there, and yet… not. I couldn’t see what was happening, couldn’t control anything—but I could hear. I heard everything.” She looked up at me. “I did hear when she tried seducing you. And I felt her embarrassment when you turned her down.”Her smile widened.“She might have your body, y
KADIA’S POVTwo packs had been attacked by the flesh-eaters; only a few survivors escaped.The other packs were strengthening their security to avoid being caught off guard. Humans weren’t exempted; many had reportedly gone ‘missing.’ Though their government was doing its best to cover things up, it wouldn’t be long before they could no longer dismiss it as a ‘serial killer attack,’ the work of ‘kidnappers,’ or even ‘wild animal attacks.’We continued to receive a flood of messages from packs allied with us, requesting aid and weapons. No matter how hard we tried, we couldn’t help them all. The Nightshade Pack was under curfew—only patrollers and soldiers were allowed outside after nightfall. It was a necessary safety measure, even though the flesh-eaters still lingered to the south.I watched as Alexander opened an envelope and pulled out a letter.“What’s that?” I asked.“A letter requesting aid. What’s the pack’s financial situation?” he asked, and I pulled out the file.“It’s the