-LYKOAN’S POV-Sheer terror and panic overwhelmed her. Frantically, she scraped up the blue duvet sheet to wrap around her nude top. She shivered like a scared bunny. Tears trickled down, and she stared at me as though I was the demon imp, Blitzo.With a hoarse croaking voice, she hissed, “Get the hell away from me!”A pang of pain slashed my chest at her sadness and fear. I held my hand up in the air and took two steps backwards. I remained calm. “Hey, I’m not a monster.”Well, not anymore, but it’s not like she would know about my past.“Gossart. Where is he?” She cried, pressing herself into the tufted bedhead.Anger bubbled up from Sultan’s stomach. He was pissed that she was missing another guy. Howbeit, my heart was aching too.“I do not know who that person is,” I admitted, trying to keep the vexation down. “Don’t you remember what happened in the forest?”Controlling her weeping, she sniffed, wiped her eyes, and then shook her head. Seemingly in pain, her hand reached up to he
-NIA’S POV-Mate!My wolf's loud announcement jolted me out of my slumber.Mate! The blurry environment became moderately visible. Strange room.This wasn't my home.Where was I?As the light of the morning sun hit my eyes, I covered them with my hand and tried to sit up in the large bed. I turned my head to the shaded side of the room to open my eyes safely. Then the unfamiliar alluring scent hit me. This new inebriating aroma of snapdragon and lemon.Aside from that, memories began flooding my brain. Dalton, Brooke, Layton, Chase, Dad, and Mom. I gripped the sheet as grief and anger rolled over me. How did I end up here when I was chasing after Gossart? My Mom was in danger. At least, I prayed that she was alive.Sitting up in bed, an ache jabbed me right between my eyes. I brought up my hand to the spot and waited for it to subside. When it did, I surveyed the area.The large, elegant room had colored tones of light gray, blue, and black. There was an eye-catching starry night 3D c
-NIA’S POV-“Nia,” I muttered and pursed my lips with immediate regret. Maybe I should have given him a fake name.Taking up the pizza bread, I took my first bite. Delicious!“Call me Lykoan. This is your new home,” he remarked. Gosh. Despite his rugged appeal, he looked no more than a twenty-two-year-old.I choked on food and protested through three coughs. “Absolutely not.”“Is that so?” He chuckled tauntingly and gave me a hand towel.“Was the man you were talking to the Alpha?” I asked because he mentioned earlier that this was his pack.“Yes.” He sipped his coffee.I shifted uneasily in my seat and swallowed my food. “He does not want me here.”Lykoan shrugged. “Who cares?”“He's your alpha.” I cut into my bacon.“Do not worry about unimportant details like that.” He replied in a calm and collected tone.Confused at the disrespect, I inquired, “Are you his Beta?”He shook his head with eyes trained on me. He was evaluating my reactions with every small piece of information that l
-LYKOAN’S POV-“Boss, we’re here.” Tank marched into my home gym when the morning sun was hot and high in the sky. Its yellow glow flowed through the row of floor-to-ceiling glass windows with bright natural light occupying the space.“What’s on your mind, boss?” Hogan strolled in behind him.The relatively large room was equipped with every possible workout equipment that existed. Low, modern rock music played through the surround speakers. Eyes Closed by Imagine Dragons set the right ambiance as I burned muscles on the pull-up bar.Buzzing thoughts of Nia created tension in every fiber of my being. I could barely think straight through these wretchedly frustrating days.Just because Nia was angel-like and could pass for Jessanne’s twin, making my heart pound faster, I wasn't going to fall for her. Past experience taught me a hard lesson.But, the cloying memory of having Nia in my arms drew a desire so intense that an ache registered in my groin. My shaft hardened just imagining her
-NIA’S POV-The sunset blossomed in its boldest blaze of red and gold across the sky. The forest would be dark soon, and I was scouting for a cave or something to rest for the night. A twig snapped in the distance. My wolf’s whole body jerked around.We were no longer alone.Rogues.Starr dropped the clothes in her mouth on the grassy ground and assumed a protective stance. I was not too far from the main road and stopped by the stony brook to drink water. My wolf growled at the two strangers who emerged from behind the tall trees.The bigger brown wolf halted and shifted into a bald man, no more than in his mid-twenties with ear piercings. His body was toned with little muscles and his arms and chest were covered in tattoos. My heart pounded frantically, pulsing in my ears.“Hey beautiful, we won’t cause any trouble,” the man approached, sounding out of breath. “We were on a run and heard you.” His creole eyes admired my golden fur. “Your wolf is quite unique.”The pit in my stomach
-NIA’S POV-Ian took the next chair and explained, “This guy will help you to see The Mole. I know that I promised to take you to the informant today, but we have to keep a low profile until the rogues are gone.”“There’s a chain of communication before you can show up on his doorstep,” Woodie related, staring at me like I was his dream girl.“Will that delay us?” I only cared about making progress to find my missing Mom.“I already sent the word and a picture of you.” Woodie gazed at me, intently. His onyx eyes were practically undressing me.To show my disdain, I snorted and curled my upper lip.“Do you know which pack the rogues are planning to raid?” Tienna came to the table with two plate servings in her hands.“Word on the street is WhiteFire pack.” Ian saddened and took a plate from her. “One of the rogue’s sisters was captured by the Alpha, and they are going there to break her out.”Woodie got the second plate and set it down before me.Tienna shook her head and joined us with
-NIA’S“Um,” I cleared my throat and uttered the ridiculous entry code. “Rim-bim-bim-bim.”The slot in the door slammed shut. A series of locks clanked and clicked before the door squeaked open on rusty hinges. I swallowed thickly and stepped inside. The tubular wind chimes above my head sang as they brushed my high ponytail. Being heedful, my eyes scanned the habitat, checking for others.The cramped living room had a dim bulb in the ceiling, reeking of a rich dark dank smell with strong motor oil overtones and tobacco. Shelves covered the walls with car oils, spark plugs, and filters. Used car parts leaned against the wall in one corner. I felt dirty from just being in here.“You are an interesting one.” The gruff voice came from a gray-haired, sallow man from behind the kitchen peninsula.My stomach clenched as I swiveled around. I trod apprehensively towards him, crossing my arms on the laminated countertop. “I’m here about Gossart from the Trenchlands. How do I find him?” I went
-NIA'S POV-“As usual, we have the finest specimens for your harem.” Madam Cumberbatch announced, beckoning to the spikey brown-haired dude to send out the first three. “Billy Bob.”Following the woman’s orders, he retorted, “Get on up there!”The men roughly grabbed a fist full of our hair. My heart twisted in my chest. We wrestled against them as they dragged us into the spotlight despite our muffled screams and their cursing.Apparently, Madam Cumberbatch was in the business of sex trafficking hybrids to high-ranking gang members of the slums. Due to their dual species, they were declared to have more abilities than those with ordinary genes.It was my leaf-shaped ears that caused this big calamity. I wasn’t a hybrid but they believed otherwise. It was one huge misunderstanding.“Start the fucking auction!” An impatient man yelled and the rest of the room erupted in murmurs and complaints.Something wrenched inside of me and I drew in a rattling breath. I kept my head bowed slightl
NIA’S POV-Not even flinching, I sucked in a calming breath. Thinking quickly with the slyest smile, I beamed, “One of your favorites.”He halted his strides to swerve a dangerous look to the girls. “Which one of you told her that?”Panic flashed in Tameka’s and Kourtney’s eyes. Their bodies went into seizure mode, shaking their heads vigorously because they had nothing to do with it.“Lucidora,” Lykoan muttered in realization, cursing silently. He returned his stormy eyes to me, resuming his steps. “Then wear it only for me. You are not leaving here looking like you’re up for grabs. Please change into something more conservative.”I tried not to roll my eyes.“We are going to, um…” Kourtney trailed off, moving sideways towards the door with a firm grip on Tameka, dragging her along.The girls scurried out of the room to avoid his wrath, leaving me alone with this puffing beast. Kourtney made sure to close the door behind them.When I did not move, Lykoan’s patience wore thin. Stoppin
NIA’S POV“Tonight will surely be unforgettable,” Tameka muttered, roaming her dubious eyes up and down the risqué dress I had on, clearly not thrilled. She had a few dresses hanging over her arm that she thought were better options. “That one is going to come back to bite you.”With one hand on my hip, I glanced at my reflection in the mirror, doing a half-turn to the right and then to the left. I could barely recognize myself. What little amount of fabric there was in the outfit clung to me like a second skin.“Lucidora packed it, and I’m rocking it.” I chuckled, pushing at my bosom and wondering when my breasts got bigger.Tameka did not even crack a smile. She hummed, contemplative, with a finger tapping on her lips.The silver dress was slightly vulgar and incredibly sexy, very sexy. It was unlike anything I had ever worn. But my eyes lit up, and I knew it would be the second dress of the evening, as soon as I saw it on the rack of gowns in my bedroom at the Protostarlet hotel pe
DALTON’S POV-“Evangeline Volkes, by the will of the moon goddess, Selene, I pronounce you the new Luna of the Boulderfist Howlers Pack!” Elder Sixsmith announced with glee. “May the power of the night be with us. Let the union be the start of a stellar new life together with love to spread and power to hold.”The other Elders, in their long, gray, black, and white robes, rose from their chairs to bend in a low bow at us. They saluted in unison. “May the moon whisper her blessings on your union tonight.”Me, in a tuxedo suit of the same colors, returned an Alpha’s respect by bringing a firm fist to my chest and extending it out to them.All the wolves at the late function in the backyard of the packhouse began howling in celebration.Showing her appreciation, Evangeline turned to smile half-heartedly at the crowd. She wore the traditional gray gown with lace. It was backless with a deep V-neck, flowy style with several slits and knotted strings at the shoulders. Tiny silver floral bud
DALTON’S POVLost in my animalistic nature, fist after fist met my naked brother's face. He laid flat on his back, and I towered over him in the nude, pounding in rage. The afternoon sun's searing streaks whipped my back like it was on Pete’s side, hot and brutal.“Stop!” Evangeline shouted, being held back by her father among the crowd in the expansive backyard of the pack house.Roughly grabbing her shoulders, Haynes swung her around to face him. He shouted angrily, “Evangeline, this is unbecoming. Control yourself!”Pack members flocked the grounds. Several Alphas, with or without their Lunas, and the Elders sat pompously on the deck to watch the challenge for the Boulderfist Howlers Alpha title.Dad and Francine were among them. The expression on my stepmother’s face was unmistakable: pure, unfiltered rage and abhorrence.Not caring for appearances, Evangeline shoved her father’s large arms from her shoulders. She ran towards me, dropping to her knees on the lawn grass, and claspe
NIA’S POV“Nia,” Lykoan pleaded with a rise in his voice, hoping to center my focus on the present. “It's just me, baby. Talk to me."“What if you don't like what I have to say?" I inquired timidly, with fear veiling my voice.“Talk to me anyway. What did you steal?" Lykoan captured my chin between his thumb and forefinger, forcing me to look up at him.I swallowed hard, squeezing my eyes shut as if my throat was too dry to function. Here goes nothing. “Weloganite.”Lykoan released the grip on my face and went thoughtful for a second. “Aren't those the electric-powered stones Harrison has recently promoted for their power company?”Blinking at him, I nodded.Taking a deep breath, I contemplated my words carefully, aiming to convey my actions without causing misjudgment.It prompted Lykoan to gently caress my hand, offering comfort.Gathering courage, I delved into explanations. “One night, my parents went into the forest for a picnic. My Mom discovered an underground site where the we
NIA’S POVEvery shadow and shape, every unnatural silence that chased the birds away, was that massive, silver beast. With quiet, light paws, the big, sleek Lycan prowled towards me. The muscles on his furry chest and shoulders flexed with every step he took.Crickets and toads pounced away upon sensing the vibrations of his paws, and the crescent moon above was the only light source that never ceased to illuminate the path.Vulpine and alert, he fixed his glowing pairs of sharp, carnivorous eyes on me, his ears straight up on his gigantic head, and his white nose twitched as he sniffed around my scent. The golden hairs along my spine prickled with warning.Did he spot something?I can’t let him get to it first.Suddenly, Lykoan’s gleaming wolf lay still, down on his belly on the ground of the dark forest. Distracted, Starr scrambled on top of Sultan immediately, licking his face numerous times. Hot air blustered from his nostrils when he was satisfied with her affections.Wanting to
LYKOAN’S POVJacques’ mouth dropped in disbelief, and he picked on the tip of his nose. “You’re announcing yourself to the world?”“Nia's family,” I clipped, feeling done with this conversation.“How? She doesn't bear your mark, neither is she your mate.” Josh commented in place of his Alpha. The shot of whiskey has made him bolder towards me.“He's in love with her,” Jacques muttered like it was something that finally clicked.I shrugged.They could think whatever they want to.“She'll have to stay in Boulderfist until the trial ends. We can only keep her if she's mated to an Alpha here. Marking her is the most vital sign of that. It's the incontestable code that would make Dalton request reparations as an alternative,” T.K. declared, snatching the tumbler out of Josh’s hand and turning the glass to his mouth for a large drink.Jacques snickered at me and leaned back in his chair, diverting the topic. “Why hasn’t she shifted? Why haven’t I seen her wolf? I know she has one.”He thriv
LYKOAN’S POVBlam!I nearly kicked the door off the hinges as I barged into Jacques’ office and stood heaving, fist clenched, and growled, “You asshole!”Trepidation budded from the others as my hostile aura splurged out, creating a hair-raising atmosphere.Beta T.K. choked on his cereal, sitting in a chair in his boxers. Josh glanced up from his tablet. The device almost slipped from his hands as he jerked from fright, on the edge of his Alpha’s desk.“Morning sunshine,” Jacques snickered distastefully from his executive chair where he leaned back, pumping two dumbbells. He cocked his head to the side with brows raised, “Why the hell are you blowing a fuse?”"Get out," I snarled at the other two, whose eyes were wide with fear, as if I was death himself, and scrambled out of the room.Not going far, T.K. and Josh’s presence lingered in the passageway. Anger pulsed through my chest."Oh, for fuck's sake," Jacques rolled his eyes, tossing the dumbbells he was holding to the ground. "Is
-NIA’S POV“You can’t do that!” I exclaimed, experiencing their devastation. A swirling coil of dread tightened at the base of my spine.Conflict raged behind Lykoan’s gaze, and I physically felt its calefaction through our bond. My chest hurt at the intensity of it, extending for several long seconds. A dangerous, electrifying tension loitered over the terrace.“Look at them.” Lykoan retorted, flicking his head at the dismayed group. “They won't have the same loyalty to me when she dies. So my verdict goes to all of them, and anyone who opposes.”Stricken, the Sigmas’ fear and desperation washed over me in waves. It tugged at my heart. The guilt that their pain was because of me. Kenzie was meddlesome, but death?I rubbed my temples.“Not my baby, please.” Lucidora wailed, struggling to catch her breath between sobs. There's a pleading quality to her voice that just gutted me. The sheer, raw emotion laced every word as she poured her heart out.Scraping a hand through the hair at the