-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
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
NIA’S POV “No, Alpha! Please!” Lucidora's desperate cry startled me, sending me into panic as I bolted down the stairs two at a time.My mind raced faster than my feet as I skidded to a halt and glanced all over the living room, dying to know what was going on, and how bad it was.“Where are they?” I panted, frantically.“The terrace,” Kourtney said, fraught with worry. She overtook me and dashed through the kitchen.My brows folded, and my jaw went slack. Bile crawled up in my throat as I remained by the doorway, taking in the scene.Out in the backyard, Lucidora and Julius were on their knees in front of the pool, whimpering in fright.Lykoan sat in a single chair around the table sheltered by the umbrella in the center. His fingers splayed on his thighs, eerily calm. He might not look ready to crack, but it unnerved me. The tension between them was laced with murderous intent.His cut-throat glare settled on Kenzie, who was also on her knees on the hot tiles in the center of the g
NIA’S POV"Did I overdo it? I'm sorry." Lykoan's voice was dripping with guilt as he spoke the words and I internally scolded myself for not being more specific with my words. “Was I too rough?”"Oh gosh no. Nothing like that. Everything you did was...amazing.” I admitted softly. I shifted on the bed, wincing as the sheet rubbed against my tender skin. “It’s about something that happened while you went to the Trenchlands."Lykoan's head tilted to the side and he sat up. He shook his head as if he was physically trying to wake himself and become more alert, fighting off his exhaustion so he could focus on my words.He moved to a seated position, reaching down and pulling me until I was basically in his lap with a serious expression on his face."Talk to me," he said with concern in his voice that was comforting and endearing.Lykoan's muscles tense beneath me as he set up a little straighter and a deep scowl settled on his face."Who? Who fucking messed with you?" He snapped, getting w