Pippa's POVI couldn’t face going to church after what I did last night. The thought of looking Father Adrian in the eyes is just too much. Every time when I think about it, I burn with shame. What was I thinking, trying to seduce a priest?I get up at my usual time, but instead of changing into my church dress, I change into hiking gear, grab my backpack, and head out into the forest.The church property borders on a large national forest with beautiful hiking trails and streams so clear and clean that you can drink the water.Signs warn me to stay on the trails, but it’s one of the few rules I break. I often go off the trail, and in the two years I’ve lived on my own and allowed myself to do it, I’ve never gotten lost. It’s my superpower. No matter where I end up, I can always find my way back home.Singing softly to myself, I put the priest and the horror twins out of my head, and decide to enjoy the early morning quiet and the forest that I have all to myself today.I lose myself
*TRIGGER WARNING:* This chapter contains violence and some BDSM themes.Caspian's POV “What do you mean you couldn’t find her?” I ask Wyatt Stonefang. “She’s one little human girl. How difficult can it be?” I haven’t been this angry in a while. Two nights ago, when I came across the dark-haired girl, I knew that she is special. I don’t know how or why yet, I just know that I want her. “She wasn’t home Alpha,” Walter, his equally useless cunt of a brother says. I grab Walter’s arm, the right one, the one with the hideous tattoo on it, and twist it behind his back. I pull his arm upwards until I hear the satisfying pop of his shoulder dislocating. “You couldn’t track her?” “We- We couldn’t find her scent, Alpha,” Wyatt says. I let Walter go and kick Wyatt in the knee, shivering with excitement when his kneecap shatters. The wolf howls and goes down, clutching his leg. “Alpha! You are being unreasonable.” “Am I?” I hiss. I bring my boot down on the already obliterated knee and grind
Adrian's POVI went too far out into the woods, so it’s already sunrise by the time I make it back to the rectory and I'm late for my appointment with Pippa.The priests are still in their rooms, doing their morning prayers so my return goes unnoticed, but when I leave the bathroom after taking a shower, Father Abraham corners me in the hallway. “You’re back?”“Yes, Father,” I say. “An old parishioner texted me last night and asked if I’d go see them.”“Why?”I pull my phone with the fake text from Joseph out of my pocket and hand it to Father Abraham so he can read it. “His wife is dying, and he wants me to deliver her last rites.”Abraham’s eyes fly over the text. I have no idea why the man is so suspicious of me – I’ve never run into this problem before, but in a few hours this will all be in my past. He nods and gives me my phone. “How did you get back?”“The bus,” I lie smoothly. “And a very long walk.”This, for some reason, pleases the old priest. He smiles and nods. “You are v
Adrian's POV I take Pippa’s packed suitcase and carry it out to the car. I’m hyper-vigilant and on high alert, ready to run back to grab her and leave if I have to. I load her bag into the trunk of my beat-up old 4 x 4 and cover it with a blanket just in case someone comes by and looks inside. She’s dressed and ready to go by the time I’m back. She looks adorable and thorougly edible in her khaki shorts, an oversized black t-shirt and hiking boots. I tuck all my lustful thoughts away, and try to concentrate on the matter at hand. “Grab a sweater or something,” I say. “It’s cool outside.” “I’ll be fine.” “Do you always have to argue?” “No.” She sighs and pulls her long tresses back, tying them up in a high ponytail. My heart jumps in my throat and my mouth runs dry. I wonder if she has any idea what she’s doing to me. “I really don’t know why I’m doing it. I never used to be so…belligerent.” She fetches a jumper and returns with her keys dangling from her finger. “Where do I leav
Pippa's POVI must have dozed off at some point because the next thing I know, I’m in a dark room, lying on an uncomfortable bed that smells badly of dust. I am tucked into a sleeping bag, and my boots are gone. Groaning softly, I unzip the bag, and unwilling to put my feet bare feet on the filthy floor, I sit on my knees and lean over the edge of the bed, searching for my boots.Adrian put them right next to the bed. I slip my shoes on and finally allow myself to look around. I can’t see much in the dark, and there’s no moon tonight, so there's no light coming in from outside, but I can make out something that may or may not be a dresser, a single chair and an open door on the opposite side of the room.The bed, if you can even call it a bed, groans and squeaks loudly when I get up. I freeze. Holding my breath, I prick my ears, and wait to see if Adrian heard me, but no one shows up.Everything in this place is noisy though. The floorboards squeal with each step I take, and every tim
Pippa's POVAdrian made a fire and somehow managed to cook an entire breakfast on it: eggs, bacon, even toast. “When did you get supplies?” I ask when I sit down on a flat log that serves as a chair.“Joseph brought it last night.”“Oh. Where is he?”“He’s around.”“He’s not going back?”“No. I need him. His place is by my side now.”That’s a little arrogant. “He doesn't mind?”"No." Adrian hands me a tin plate with a big helping of everything and sits on the opposite side of the fire to eat his own food. “In our society, we have a hierarchy. Joseph has a lower rank than I do, and I told him to stay. He won't leave unless I give him permission."That explains why he bowed to Adrian last night. "And what is your rank?"“The highest there is. I am a king, but I'm a king without a kingdom, so it doesn't mean a whole lot.”“A king?” I ask in disbelief. “Seriously? You really have quite the opinion of yourself don’t you?”He just laughs. “It’s not my opinion, it is what I was born to be. M
Adrian's POV I lie on my sleeping bag, listening to Pippa’s even breathing and the rustling pages of the book she's reading. She’s adapting quickly to her new reality and keeping herself occupied. I asked Joseph to sneak into town to get her some books and magazines. Most days she’s out and about, exploring our surroundings, and at night she reads by the dim light of the oil lamp. When she's outside, I always stay close by, just in case she needs me or gets lost, but no matter how far out she goes, she always finds her way back. She’s one with nature, as her kind often are, and doesn’t need me at all while she’s out there. Joseph was wrong. She’s not a Halfling. She’s definitely half Lycan, but her other half is demon. Cambions we call them. Although I’m not even sure we can call Pippa a Cambion. As far as I know, a half-Lycan, half-demon Cambion has never existed. The old people called them changelings because they are so adaptable. Like chameleons, they can change their whole pe
Adrian's POV “We come in peace!” Wyatt shouts at me. “Don’t hurt us.” Oh, I don't believe that for one second. I stare at Wyatt's blue-black, and misshapen face, try to take in the multitude of silver burns across his neck and arms. Someone had given him a sound beating before they wrapped him in silver to prevent him from healing properly. I look over at Walter. The twin’s right arm dangles uselessly by his side, and he’s trying his best to hold it in place with his left hand – he has the same silver burns as his brother. Caspian really is a piece of shit. “What happened to you?” “Alpha Caspian…corrected us and bound us in silver on the full moon. We’re not healing as fast as we should. I don’t know why.” Walter says. “It’s because you didn’t shift on the full moon,” I say. “It slows down the healing process.” Not to mention that it tears the wolf apart if they can’t shift on the full moon. It’s a miracle they survived it at all. Behind me, Pippa gets up and stands closer, but
Dear Readers, And so we have reached the end of Adrian and Pippa's journey. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it - although this was a painful and difficult story to write at times. I am always short on words at the end of a book. I never know how to properly thank my dear readers for all your support and kindness. A 'thank you for reading' always seems inadequate to me, but please know that it means so, so much to my dark little heart. Your love for Adrian and Pippa brightened my days, and more than once your comments made me smile. Thank you for every gem, comment, review and word of support. Much love as always,Celice
Adrian’s POV In the weeks and months that followed Caspian’s death, the kingdom was in turmoil. No one knew what to expect from the new Lycan king, and everyone went on as if Caspian was still alive. They feared me as they feared him. After the execution of the traitors, Bryce and Terrance went back to their families and lives as pack Alphas. It was what they wanted and they deserved to live free and happy lives. Slowly, but surely, people started to realise that things are changing. One day, the Lycans started coming home. I thought the ones that were at the palace were all that was left of our kind, but I was wrong. Over the months, dozens showed up, including Thespian – Pippa’s father. They had been in hiding all this time, waiting for their true king's return so they could come home. We tracked down Denise’s family, and her sister came to fetch the Berger children. They asked for leave to change their names, which I granted, and they left. Their pack had been devastated like so
Pippa's POV For a long time, no one moves. It’s as if the world itself is holding its breath. I can scarcely believe it. After all these months of running and hiding, after all the years of torment Caspian wreaked upon the wolves, it’s over. Just like that it all comes to an end. I can't quite place myself in their shoes. I only had a glimpse of the suffering they have suffered, and that was bad enough. How immense their relief must be. How complete. Adrian gets to his feet and pulls back his aura. The terrified warriors don’t move. Even Bryce can’t seem to find the words, and simply stands there, staring at Caspian's lifeless, headless body. It's a fitting end for a man who kept two heads in a jar for more than a week, I suppose. Adrian looks up at me with eyes that are filled with tears. I can’t sense his emotions as strongly as he can sense mine, but I know that despite his remorse for killing Caspian, he’s relieved, overjoyed, and a little scared. I don’t know if he truly wants
Adrian's POVWith Ryker by my side, we sneak across the overgrown land bridge. Far below us, the ocean churns and smashes against the cliffs, signaling the incoming tide.We swing to the left, keeping to the palace walls until we reach a hole in the fence. We crawl through it into an unkempt garden. I suppose at one time it might have been beautiful, but the fountains are crumbling and ivy is growing out of control, strangling the rest of the garden to death.“Glad to see he took such good care of the place,” I say.“The last year or so, things started to unravel quickly. That’s why I left. He began to look at me in the same way he looked at the Stonefang twins.”“Yeah, that sucks,” I say. “Maybe you shouldn’t have helped him to kill his father, hm?”“Hindsight is a luxury many can't afford. The two of us included.”I decide it's better to shut up. He's right. As we make our way through the eerily quiet gardens, I ask, “Why did you do it?”“Carter was going to name Damien his heir. At
Pippa's POVI open the window and inhale deeply. I have never seen the ocean. The rising sun glitters on the deep blue water and the air smells fresh and clean. I lick my lips and taste salt on my skin. Smiling, I have to resist the urge to stick my head out of the window like a dog.The cold wind wakes Tammy and she scoots over to my side to look out of the window with me. “It’s so big,” she says in awe.Lucille looks over her shoulder at us. “Have you two never seen the ocean before?”“What yeh be talking about woman?” Monty asks with a smile. “I’ve never even seen the sea, have I? We lived where we was born, we did.”Beautiful as the ocean and the surrounding coastland are, I’m eager to get to Adrian. There's no time to slow down and enjoy it. Time is growing short, and for all we know he might have already invaded. “How much longer?” I ask.“Another hour or so.”I glance at the clock on the dashboard. It’s already seven. We’re not going to make it at this pace. "Can you speed up,
Adrian's POVWhile I’m busy talking to Pippa, the scouts I sent out to get the lay of the land return. As quickly as I can, I end our conversation so I can pay attention to my wolves. “There are no guards,” the first scout says."Are you sure?"“Yes,” another agrees. “It's strange. No guards, no children laughing, people talking, not even the scent of food cooking. There's nothing…the place looks deserted.”I don’t know if that’s a good or bad thing. When everyone told me that Caspian was alone, I didn’t think they meant that he is completely alone, but that seems to be the case. “What about lights?” Bryce asks.“One, Beta,” the scout says. “At the topmost tower overlooking the land bridge.”I side-eye Bryce. I can already see which way his head is turning. “He won’t be there. It’s like a beacon.”“A trap?” he asks.“Perhaps.” I answer. “Or maybe someone forgot to switch off the light before they left.” I turn back to the scouts. “Anything else?”“No, King.”“Thank you. You may go.”I
Pippa's POV “Who are you?” “I was a friend of your mother’s.” At that exact moment, Adrian decides that it’s a good time to stop blocking me. “Pippa? What’s wrong?” “Nothing,” I lie. There’s nothing he can do anyway. He’s too far away. I wish I knew how to block him so he wouldn't feel my emotions. There must be a way - if he can do it, so can I. “Tell him that you are fine,” Lucille says as if reading my mind. “I am not going to harm you.” “I already did,” I tell her, “but he won’t believe me.” Lucille gently squeezes my upper arm. “It’s true. You will be just fine.” “Pippa?” Adrian asks in my head. “You need to talk to me.” “I’m fine,” I reply. Even if I’m not, I get to talk to him one last time and just hearing his voice makes me a little less afraid of what's to come. “Where are you?” I decide to change the subject, and perhaps buy myself a little time so I can talk to my mate just a while longer. “On the border of Azuria. We invade tomorrow.” “Are you scared?” “Scared
Pippa's POVI didn’t think it was possible to feel this bad and live to talk about it.When I woke up, I thought I was just tired and not used to an all-night sex session, but I feel sicker and sicker as time moves on.At first, I try to ignore it so I can help the Omegas to break the camp, but after an hour, Tammy stops me. "Have you tried to shift? Maybe that will heal you."I haven't even thought of that. With Tammy by my side, we go back to tent where I attempt to shift, but I can't. I try to talk to River, but she doesn't answer me. I don't tell Tammy, but she's not stupid and I can see the concern on her face. "Maybe you just need some sleep," she says.“I can’t let you do everything by yourselves,” I disagree.“No offence, my queen,” Tammy replies, “but you are just in the way. We have enough hands. You are sick. You need to rest.”I don’t have it in me to keep fighting with her. I thought I had been sick before, but the monthly sniffles I used to get before my wolf woke are no
Adrian's POVFor once, no one bothers us, but I wish they would. It would make me feel better. I feel as if I failed these people. I should have done something sooner, instead of hiding in the church like a fucking coward.Tonight, the campfires are cold, the wolves are quiet, the children are softly sobbing in their tents. “Where are the Berger kids?” I ask Pippa.“Monty gave them their own tent. Brendan didn’t want to stay with us. He says he’s old enough to take care of his own sisters.”“He’ll be a good Alpha.”“Are you sure?” she asks. “Considering his…lineage.”“Do you think people are born cruel?” I ask as I unzip our tent flap and usher her inside. “Denise raised Brendan. He has his mother's kindness and his father's strenght. It's a good combination. With a little guidance, he'll make a great leader.”“A leader without a pack,” Pippa says, her voice reflecting all the sadness I feel.She’s not wrong. If everything the mage told us is to be believed, Caspian wiped out his own