-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-Wincing and grimacing, I gazed through the windscreen and the window from the passenger's seat. “Where are we going?”The muscles in Lykoan’s jaws tightened, and his knuckles wrapped around the steering wheel a little tighter.Lykoan was silent the entire time when he put me into the Porsche and sped off. He drove like a furious madman and there was no opportunity to jump out.We traveled for miles through woodlands and towns and hit a freeway. Not even stopping for the flashing police who blared their sirens, chasing us after he broke every road code and drove on the shoulder of the road. I covered my eyes with one hand when it became too much to bear.Talk about pure terror!At one point, the vehicle slowed down, and I removed my hands hoping we were at our destination. To my horror, he punched the gas pedal and my entire life flashed before my eyes when he pulled the old switcheroo and jumped back on the old freeway.“You do see that fuel tanker that we are about to sla
NIA’S POV-Before anyone else could react, I quickly maneuvered myself with a left roll, which positioned me on my back. With a hard tug on Vydon’s black tie, I dragged his upper body forward to loom over me just as the bullet pierced into his back.Thump.A murderous growl erupted from Lykoan. I glimpsed dark clouds in his eyes covering the burning lilacs. Clouds with thunder, dilating rapidly for that sonic boom and lightning strike.At the same time, Julius hooked his arm around the henchman and wrenched him away from the Overlord, while Beauchamp’s hands gripped down Vydon’s shoulders, veering him to sit back in his chair, and hindering him from moving.The henchman was quick to swing back, catching Julius with a cheap shot to his jaw before he drop-kicked the guy in the gut, sending him flying back. The henchman jumped on his feet, going hard at Julius.“How dare you!” Lykoan roared. It was a deep feral bellow from his partially ascended wolf.With fast movements, Julius went low
NIA’S POV-"I apologize, Lykoan. Perhaps I was out of line for assuming that you might share her with your new associate.” Vydon cockily referred to himself. “That’s what we do."Lykoan’s wolf bristled. I quickly adjusted myself on his lap and clutched him, stationing my hands on his lower back to calm Sultan down."I don't exist for your enjoyment, Vydon," I seethed through my teeth to set the record straight. “None of us do.”He waved his hand dismissively and smugly declared, "Hybrids that cross our borders are not free property. They know what it means to come to Idaho, and my pack members take full advantage of that."Horrified at the thought, my throat went dry. Why would hybrids intentionally subject themselves to the Trenchlands knowing what the Overlords would do to them?"That is a sick practice," I reproached, shaking my head as nausea crept up my throat and I squeezed Lykoan tighter."I’m blown away at how you have been hiding from us. It's so sad that I couldn't have foun
NIA’S POV-Lykoan's lilacs glowed lightly. The wolf within him sneered and snarled. He certainly did not appreciate Vydon’s eyes looming over me as his lips curled into a sinful smirk.Overlords like this one tend to flaunt their power to defend the worthiness of their positions, especially since the dominant realms frowned on their existence."Vydon, you and your man will come this way." Lykoan gestured toward the vineyard estate.Apparently, Lykoan had sniffed out that Vydon brought his henchman on the flight. A younger and bigger, blonde-haired man with silver teeth cracking through his mean scowl, jumped out of the Black Hawk chopper in black leather chaps and a gray vest.Beauchamp landed an aggressive slap on Vydon’s back so that he stumbled two steps forward, but did not fall. The Overlord ground his teeth and whipped his head to the side to glare at him.“Try it.” Beauchamp dared him, cocking a brow up with his broad form intimidating.Vydon exhaled slowly before averting his
Hello Lovelies,I though I would have been able to upload a chapter by now, but as it is, I can hardly find the time to do so.As mentioned some time ago, two relatives passed away in previous months. The first funeral will be this weekend and the second will be held the Saturday before Christmas. As such, there is a lot of preparations to do as well as to accomodate and entertain guest and visiting relatives.Therefore, I am here to apologize about the delay in chapters and kindly ask for your understanding because this month is not so merry for us.The story will resume soon.Thanks for your patience.#Much love!Virtually yours,O'Chantal.
NIA’S POV-Despite the horrific council meeting, it was a really nice day. The sun shone brightly, and the temperature was well above the average.Making our way down the stairs outside to the car, Lykoan put on his sunglasses to protect his eyes from the blinding sun. My eyebrows shot up in admiration. He appeared even cooler. I used my hand as shade as we walked under nature’s intense ball of fire."Please tell me you’re not going to become Mad Max today," I teased, and we stopped in front of the Skoda Sedan. His tall frame was large enough to block the sun currently blinding me, so I allowed my hand to come down from my eyes."I’d rather be a James Bond kind of guy, today," Lykoan replied sarcastically. He winked at me and his lips tugged upwards in a delightfully sinful smile.“Cool, because he’s my kind of guy,” I smiled, dragging my fingers along the shiny zenith gold paint job as I walked towards the passenger door."If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were more excited ab
LYKOAN’S POV-Nia chuckled nervously and asked through unsteady breaths, “What are you—are you trying to say I did magic? Because I can swear on my life that I’ve never so much as thought about it. I’m not even a witch.”“But you are elven,” Caliste strongly debated and exchanged a disturbing glance with me. “And you let her seal your powers. You owe her something. What did you trade to buy her spells?”“I-I don’t know that witch!” Nia practically screamed at her and there was a thick, death-like hush.Caliste peered at her curiously and restarted the feud.“Yet you have dealings with her. Don't you know who that nefarious witch is?”“No,” Nia averred firmly. She pursed her lips, her eyes sharpening.Jacques folded his arms, showing signs of irritation. “Neither do I, so for the love of all things holy, just be straight with us, Caliste.”The pack witch connected me with the line of her gaze. “Are you going to tell them or should I?”Too engulfed in my own analysis, I did not answer he
LYKOAN’S POV-“Well—I’ll be damned,” Tank muttered to Hogan, still in shock. “She's so scary,”“Let's not kill her momentum,” Hogan added in a low voice with his hand in the way to hamper Tank and Josh from advancing.Both of them did not move, but they were definitely pleased at the minor destruction that she had caused. In this case, Nia did not need our protection. Instead, she held the witch hostage with glowing palms burning her temples. My lips twitched, itching to smile.“Nia, let me take it from here,” I prompted for her eyes to meet mine.Still apprehensive, Nia’s messy mid-pony-haired head finally whipped up at me. Anger contorted her beautiful face into a Tasmanian devil. Her orange eyes seethed like embers, and she gritted, “The witch tried to kill me.”“Nonsense!” Jacques roared grotesquely, pointing his finger in accusation. “You attacked her.”Narrowing my eyes, I swung my head in his direction, unleashing a guttural growl in warning.“Even when she’s wrong you choose t
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