DALTON'S POV-“Son, this is enough!” Harrison growled, slamming the CEO’s office door with a loud bang.Jolting up in my executive chair with fright, I slurped the drool from the corner of my mouth and rubbed my sleepy eyes. I felt like a ton of bricks were sitting on my chest and waves of nausea hit me.“Dad, is that you?” I thought I heard him. My damn head hurt, and I swear, if it was anybody else, I’d fucking kill them.A second slam was on my desk and a hard, burning slap registered on my left jaw, twisting it. My eyes shot out of my sockets. The anger roiling in my veins simmered when I gaped at the angry man with nostrils flaring at me. Coiling one fist, I brought up my hand to my chin, flexing the stinging tendons.“Look at this mess!” Dad flashed a hand across the desk, referring to the six empty whiskey bottles I chugged last night that were turned down on loose, scattered documents. “You have reports on the floor in this smelly skunk of an office.” He sniffed the air and wr
-NIA’S POV-How did we go from me asking ‘How’s your wound?’ to being pinned against the wall with Lykoan’s dress shirt ripped off his sculpted body?“Why don’t you check for yourself?” He taunted, taking my hands and guiding them around his bare torso to the firm ridges of his smooth back.My stomach rolled with little earthquakes that just would not quit, then they turned into a full-fledged roil when Lykoan began moving my hands up and down his skin. The sparks zinged under my fingertips with his face dipped. He stared into my soul while I was glancing up at him, dazed.I held his gaze for as long as possible, trying to prove to him that I could remain unaffected. Unlucky for me, the intensity of his eyes caused my cheeks to heat up. Motion, motion denied. I swung my eyes away.Damn, those raunchy lilac eyes!A sense of shame washed over me.There were no scar tissues on his back. He was completely healed. Realizing the awkwardly intimate position we were in and that he intended to
-LYKOAN’S POV-Saved by the Grande Valse ringtone, Nia’s eyes swung to the vibrating phone on my desk. Obviously, she expected me to take the call in order to evade my questions.Zeus was fuming. He wanted her to tell us about the son-of-a bitch who hurt her so that we could give him hell. Yet, she just sat there— protecting him!She was fiery, stubborn, insensitive, troublesome and argumentative. She was so damn—“Beautiful,” Sultan wolf commented. Of course, she was breathtaking, but I could think of a lot more irritating words to describe her. That’s exactly why she’s so—“Heavenly,” my wolf finished, choosing his own adjectives. Grunting in exasperation, I swung around and picked up my mobile. “Speak!”“Don’t fucking tell me that you still have that rogue in my pack!” Alpha Jacques blasted. “I have rogue vampires encroaching on my borders here to collect her!”Everything in me shifted. My breathing faltered. Sultan bristled.“Who are we talking about?” I responded with my tone e
-LYKOAN’S POV-Wait a fucking minute!“Why is the vampire dead?” I growled, looking at the amputated male head rolling towards my feet as blood spewed out of it to create red puddles on the rough gray floor.My angry voice bounced off the blood-stained walls of the windowless torture chamber in the large, dimly lit underground dungeon that stemmed from an old dome-shaped warehouse.Tightly secured by two scores of guards, it was a simple bluestone-tiled area that led to a long passageway between two rows of silver-barred cells. Thriving with molds and fungi, most of the cells were empty but a few contained law-breaking pack members and irremediable rogues.“He wasn’t talking.” Gamma Josh complained with his hands behind his back. His green eyes met mine and I did not miss the spots of blood that was in his apricot buzz cut hair. “He wouldn’t give me his name even after I gave him my name.”“He was just another knucklehead who was hired to make up their attacking numbers.” Jacques fill
-NIA’S POV-“Are we done here?” I asked impatiently, ripping my aching arm away from the woman who bit her tongue several times to not be rude to me.“The pack doctor should have arrived,” Kourtney stated with aquamarine eyes trained on me. She sat on the single couch to my right in the living room, acting as my guardian.Despite my lengthy objections, Lucidora insisted that I get checked over after Lykoan dashed off, and I was suddenly in pain. All of my joints hurt. A thumping pounded against my skull and I groaned quietly.Lucidora was alarmed and adamantly helped me to the long couch where I was slumped and hoity-toity Tameka rushed to my side, acting like a damn nurse.Although I could understand their concern, I couldn’t help but feel like a caged hamster under their watchful eyes. Plus, I was in a bad mood because I was still in Volkecrest Krowns. Day-oh! I groused internally. It was daylight and my own body was prohibiting me from going home. I hate this pack, but I loved this
-NIA’S POV-A threat hung in the air as Lykoan radiated with waves of anger. He did not even blink for a minute while he glared murderously at the doctor. He balled his fists. His knuckles cracked and ashen.Territorial Alpha mate, I scoffed internally.I was frozen on the couch, unable to look away for fear of what was coming next. A part of me felt sorry for the man who would be receiving the blow of his wrath. Poor Gawain.I wanted to be anywhere but in the middle of this.Gawain cleared his throat, shifted uncomfortably on his feet and rambled, "Boss, it appears that Nia is in good health. Based on my observations, there are no indications of a concussion or any physical injuries. She has healed nicely from the silver, but her wolf is restless and needs to shift. Her joints hurt because she’s not completely in her human form. Her wolf is involuntarily transforming."Phew!Easy fix. It was just a bad case of natural causes. Although, I wasn’t aware that not letting my wolf out could
-NIA’S POV-“They have guns!” Panicking, I cowered in the passenger seat, covering my ears and expecting impact. Dread prickled over my nape.Nonchalant, Lykoan accelerated the car as though nothing was happening. Bullets ricocheted off the car and then suddenly stopped. I peeked at the back and, to my surprise, the entire patrol team was on the ground. Standing amidst them were Gawain and Kourtney, and Tameka slapping her hands with her inch heel on a guy’s neck.In disbelief, I stared at him. “Why would they attack their own pack member―a Volkes, at that?”He deadpanned with a shrug, “The Alpha simply wants to remind me who has the power.”This guy was radical. Oh, goodness no. Lykoan played dangerously. How careless of him! My stomach lurched with horror. What have I gotten myself into?The Volkecrest Krowns Alpha with the iron mace fist, was known not to be crossed. Despite having alpha blood, Lykoan was ruled by his Alpha since his power outranked that of other members of the sam
-NIA’S POV-A breeze gushed over us as birds chirped all around the cool forest. Shimmering slots of sunshine broke through the interlocking sequoia branches above. I sucked in the deepest breath of nature’s ventilator to release the breath caught in my throat.“Miss me already, Lilly Bud?” He cooed with a predatory look in his hooded eyes.Why was he staring at me so much?His eyes danced violently with violet flames that were starving to ravish me―that wanted to devour me instantly. They were so intense that I could practically see his wolf wanting to lunge and pin me beneath him instantly. The bond fizzed.“I was just coming to find you. Did you get impatient to see me?” I hated the way his words made my heart flutter.“You wish,” I sassed. My 5'5 was nothing compared to his 6'6 wall of muscles that caged my small frame. What is this guy trying to do to me?Abruptly, I diverted my gaze from his, and I felt the touch of his fingers against my chin, pulling my attention back to him.
NIA’S POV-“We're not done yet, Alpha,” Caliste politely interjected, stopping the advancing footsteps that had made my golden ears perk up.Using my left hand, I gripped my right wrist, thrashing on my chair as I tugged and pulled, harder and harder. Yet nothing happened, only more coughing and more smoke that puffed out of my ears.My throat felt chafed, dry, and aching. Hissing from the shortness of breath, I clasped my neck, blinking my wet eyelids excessively, and I nearly passed out.My heart instantly ached for my mate. Wanting Lykoan to be at my side and make it stop. My first instinct was to scream for his assistance. However, my voice was lodged in my throat, as if some sort of imaginary block had been placed where my vocal cords were.I gripped the side of my head as a splitting headache ripped through it. The pressure built. Sweat stung my eyes like vipers. I yelped in agony. When will this terrible spell end?Then it happened.I was somewhere else, alone and petrified. I
NIA’S POV-“Nia, we invited Caliste, our pack witch.” Olsen addressed me in a cautious tone with his hazel eyes settling on mine. “To gain our trust, we require that you pass a minor test.”“Are you for real?” Lykoan scoffed. I groaned internally, reeling from the unexpected sting of that one word.“Okay.” I acquiesced with fake composure. Inside, I was freaking out. Test? What bloody test?"Excellent!" Olsen exclaimed with a nod. "I'm glad for your consent. It’s an amicable solution." He smiled, but it never touched his hazel eyes. He was hiding something.Alpha Jacques and his Beta exchanged snarky glances. He gave him a flick of the chin and T.K. moved from his spot, strolling down the table, and going towards the door. It was too late to back out without arousing more suspicion. For a piercing minute, I regretted my decision. Now, I had no choice but to see it through. To steady my heart, I forced myself to remember my initial motivation for doing this…to be acquitted of all the
-NIA’S POV-Lykoan began to grit his teeth, and I squeezed his hand gently. Starr was antsy, more agitated as these lycans spoke in opposition to our mate. It was absurd to deny Lykoan the natural right to open his heart to whomever he pleased and to wreck his life just because of his curse.Irritation wrapped itself around my throat. “Lykoan and I met under unforeseen circumstances that bound me here. The moon goddess herself bid that I become his Sigma Spade. To go against us is to go against our deity. So, all this hostility is extremely unnecessary and aggravating."“Impossible,” ejaculated from Agnes in a high-pitched raspy voice, disbelief cloaking her timeworn features.Korbeck snorted. Thebian raked a hand through his canescent brown hair.At the same time, Jacques threw his head back and laughed out loud. “You expect us to believe you spoke with the moon goddess.” He spat bitterly. “The gods don’t bother with your kind.”Low growls reverberated around the room, to which Lykoa
-LYKOAN’S POV-Dawn's honey-peach glow awakened me from my quiet slumber. A new freshness stoked within me as if the world had been enhanced to a higher plane. That’s because Nia has lit up my life in many ways.She was sleeping soundly and wrapped around me with her head on my chest, an arm thrown over my waist, and our legs entwined. I lay there, memorizing every detail of this moment.We were both naked, too tired last night to get any clothes on. Besides, the tingling feel of our skin-to-skin sated the physical need to be near her and to touch her, not necessarily in a sexual way, but in a way that just made me feel content.Feeling Nia starting to move and stretch against me, I caressed her side, making sure she knew I was still there as she became fully awake and aware.Her eyelids fluttered, making one of her dark lashes feathered against my skin, and my chest jolted at how much it tickled.Without lifting her head, she looked up at me. Her stunning orange eyes peeked through th
-NIA’S POV-Lykoan’s dark eyebrows furrowed and a small frown adorned his lips.Torment filled his lilacs when he uttered, “The Quintessa witches tried and most of the illusions stopped except that I see her at nights. I know she’s not real but, it’s kept me sane. Our nightly talks gave me something to look forward to. It was as though she was still around. So I haven’t slept in years because I couldn’t miss one night without her.”My chest tightened, and I squeezed my eyes shut. The pain in his voice lanced through my very own soul. But, I did not want him to stop talking to me. I opened my eyes and tilted my head up to find him solemnly gazing down at me.To console him, my fingers massaged the back of his neck, making him groan and roll his shoulders.Lykoan’s throat bobbed. Then he explained with a heartbreaking tenderness. “Although, all I feel is guilt when she visits. The guilt that I couldn’t save her. The guilt that I lived, and she died with my son.”Listening keenly, I inte
-NIA’S POV-With slow butterfly strokes, I swam towards Lykoan. The water moved around my body in swirls as a rippling eagerness to satisfy my curiosity surged forth.His sexy lips held that devilishly attractive smirk and his sinful eyes darkened with lust. Danger, my mind screamed, well aware that he was naked, and I was naked.It was clear our wolves desired to be mated. The threads of the bond strive to connect at all endpoints. Perhaps that’s what accounted for how I yearned to open up to him.Gliding through the water, my actions surprised even me as I held his raunchy lilacs—the silver light reflecting off his skin. For the first time, after a long while, I felt light and unburdened as the water refreshed both my mind and body.Once I was close enough, he snagged me around the waist and pulled me toward him. I wrapped my legs around his torso to keep myself above the water. My hands snaked around his neck with my breasts pressed against his taut chest. Our eyes locked, and the
-LYKOAN’S POV-Shuffling through my cards, I cursed under my breath. I was barely winning this Gin Rummy game against Nia.I was surprised I could concentrate right now, let alone win. I stole long glimpses of her over the top of my cards more than I managed to obtain these triple jacks.Nia had on a cerise pink cami shorts set. The curve of her chest flowing down into her small waist before billowing outward to her full hips was imprinted in my mind.The tiny, impractical, shorts showed off her smooth legs. At the same time, the frilled edge top bunched up her breasts into two mouth-drooling mounts that had me going almost feral in this chair.Oh my God. The things I would do to this woman if she would let me."You alright?" I asked her tightly as she took her time sifting through her cards.She appeared flustered as she shifted in the gray woven rope chair around the breakfast nook."The heat is maddening. It’s hard to function," she groaned, fanning herself with her hand.It wasn’t
-NIA’S POV-‘Continue the blood.’ A feathery voice played in my head. It was the moon goddess again.Lykoan’s blood was the key, but how? I still couldn’t understand what I was supposed to do.My eyes blinked as I racked my brain. I need a helping hand here, Selene. Like maybe some hints and tips for starters.Then I found Lykoan observing my facial expression from his chair. I immediately straightened my face. Acting nonchalant, I avoided his probing lilacs.“Hybrids feast on the DNA of other shifters,” Gawain explained, pulling the needle out of Lykoan’s flesh. “They think that mixing genes by cross-breeding and experiments make them unstoppable—that it’s supposed to gird them with additional abilities.” He sealed the tube with a blue cap. “The truth is combining more than three genes corrupts their DNA, and eventually they break out with diseases. Do you remember ebolipox?”“Yes,” I recalled that nasty disease that wiped out a large variety of people in the neutral territories.“Th
-NIA’S POV-“Why not today?” I asked Lykoan as he piggybacked with me through the neatly cut backyard of Arrondale.That’s the name of Lykoan's property where the mansion was located. He insisted that I ride him in this uncomfortable position. It was the only way he would let me accompany him to wherever he was going.Apart from that, he smelled so good. My hands rested on top of his broad shoulders, and I kept my nose close to his neck to keep the scent dominantly constant.“You can’t open that bank account until Jacques completes your filing. Your information will be uploaded as an official member on the pack’s server. The banks screen and do their know-your-customer diligence to ensure your membership is validated and approved by the Alpha. So, even though they’ll feel the pack link within you, it’s against protocol to go ahead without the verification,” he told me as he walked past the pool in long quick strides. “I’m sure that will be done after you meet with the Elders.”Similar