-NIA’S POV-Reporters and media people ran with their cameras and microphones, chanting his name. ‘Lykoan! Lykoan!’My lungs stopped working. My eyes bulged, and my mouth opened wider than a zombie’s in awe.The wild fandom created a big commotion as they excitedly occupied the street side, pavement, and steps of the hotel. Half of them had their phones high in the air. They blocked the road like Lykoan was a godsend that they hadn’t seen in decades.Even from here, I could feel his aura permeating as powerful as a hunter. So deadly and dangerous, piqued with irritation. The power he yielded, that he emanated through simply existing, was breathtaking, alluring, and most terrifying.That did not stop the anxious mob. Perhaps they were used to him by now.The growing clamor of the impenetrable flock seized his attention, hurling it in various directions. Several security guards from the hotel hurried to the scene to do crowd control.Now, my interest level in Lykoan has reached Uranus.
-NIA’S POV-My chest tightened painfully, and I looked down sadly at my feet. "Impossible. I'm not from here.""You're that pretty little thing the mighty general totes around with." The postman leaned a little closer, his smile laden with crooked teeth as he poked the tip of the knife into his jaw."Like I said, I'm just spending a few days." I conceded, tapping my foot impatiently. I'll admit anything to have him stop speaking to me. “My friend's across the street.”Something about him made me uneasy. I shifted on my feet and glanced at the beads at the doorway, hoping that Miss. Petrillo would come through it. How long does it take to find the moonflower? Jeez, she was taking so long."Don’t play dumb.” He asked mockingly. “Aren’t you friendly with everyone?""Not friendly," I terse, hating the discrimination.He used the knife to stroke the bristly skin of his jaw, never once lifting his languid leer from me, which unnerved me more."So you're just fucking him then? It's about the
-NIA’S POV-If I hurt this postman, the news would spread like wildfire, and charges would be laid against me. Undoubtedly, the shopkeeper would take his side. On that account, the major repercussion would be death by Alpha Jacques, and all my plans foiled."Fuck you," I growled, although my voice wavered. I raised my hand, turned into him, and struck his face down with my elbow and palm heel.The postman staggered sideways with a lopsided grin. "Apparently, you won't, but I’m going to strip you down and let you have it.""Are you stupid, Balzac? Are you stupid? What nonsense. Are you normal?" Miss. Petrillo argued, very disgruntled behind me as I spun around and ran.I burst out the door with tears burning in my eyes as much as the disgust and disappointment in the pit of my stomach.Stumbling out onto the plaza, I charged off in what could be the wrong direction, but my vision was too blurry to determine anything. I heard my name being distantly called.Moments later, warm strong ha
-NIA’S POV-Chaos unfolded with a ferocity that echoed the sound of battle across the afternoon skies. The air crackled with formidable tension as the clash of wolves reverberated, a symphony of growls, snarls, and the occasional yelp, cutting through the charged atmosphere.Lykoan was in trouble.Adrenaline laced with anxiety coursed through my veins as I chewed on my thumbnail, watching from inside the Porsche.Patrol lunged at him. Survive, Lykoan. Please survive. My breath caught in my throat as vicious snarls pervaded.One by one they charged at him, from behind, sideways, in front, and jumping through the air. Panic tangled up inside of me and a stab of fear assaulted my gut.I can’t lose him.What should I do? I wanted to help, but how? Where was Gawain or Julius when you needed them? I wished Tank had been here too.Sick with worry, my heart ricocheted in my chest. I couldn’t sit by and not do anything. Through the sharp, desperate uneasiness inside of me, an idea stirred.Gul
-NIA’S POV-Knowing what was next to come, I sidled behind Lykoan, peeking around his left side to watch everything. I noticed the Beta was behind us, keeping a cautious distance but observing the confrontation while the patrol wolves slowly limped away with the wounded."Keep your envy out of my business, Alpha Zeek," Lykoan rasped to the man who attacked me with his wolf before darting his gaze on the other. "What brought you here, Alpha Iscariot?"Alphas? I knew it, but two of them? My heart rate spiked anxiously and my temples throbbed as I got a good look at them. I must say that had I been on my own, I would not have been any Alpha's problem.This was exasperating.“The hell we will.” Iscariot retorted, standing to our left with his Appalachian brown eyes searching me. He swiped his thumb across his sweat-beaded forehead and the wind kicked up the fringes of his champagne hair.I gulped nervously and cast my eyes down at my twiddling thumbs."How out of touch you’ve been.” Zeek a
-NIA’S POV-“Move your damn feet, you sick perversion of nature,” Zeek growled at me with his strong arms around my waist after freeing my mouth.Despite my efforts, I couldn't break free from Alpha Zeek’s dragging hold.Desperation and fear clashed with raw determination as I clawed, punched, and kicked with all my might.“What level of idiot are you?” I cursed him, hoping to deter his foul ambitions. “You’re making a Volkes your enemy.”A regurgitating scream bubbled up in my throat as we reached the field. I squeezed my eyes shut to muster everything within my soul to call out to the only man who could save me. “Lykoan!”My mate’s focus snapped towards us. Scarlet wrath veiled Lykoan's orbs like a laser ready to inflict maximum damage, aiming for nothing but smoke as he watched Zeek bounding for the labyrinth of trees where more growling and snarls pervaded.Lykoan’s muscles coiled. He began half-shifting. Silver fur spouted through his pores and the air around him shimmered, making
-NIA’S POV-The day was a feral, crude, unspeakable horror.My flitting eyes flicked back and forth from Lykoan to the syringe.A trickle of cold sweat slithered down my nape. Dread gripped my heart like a frozen fist and I swallowed as my flesh erupted with painful chills.My lips parted to speak, and I suddenly realized that they were quivering with fear, along with my entire body. “What's in that?”“Death,” Zeek terse. “For you, of course.”“Wait. I….um,” I panicked, unable to think straight, smelling my own blood.“I wouldn't move if I were you.” He kept his cold eyes on Lykoan.My body shook uncontrollably, and my thoughts went haywire. My wolf was so distraught that she withdrew with a whine.Back on the field, Lykoan towered over Iscariot's bleeding body that lay on the grass. He dug his razor-sharp claws inside Iscariot's shoulder, using them as hooks to force him to stand on his feet.Blood spurted as Iscariot howled in pain. "Yaaaaaaa-hoo-hoo!"Good. The bastard was going do
-LYKOAN’S POV-Just by a shift of my thumb, I cracked the two Alpha’s windpipes and flung them to the ground. I instantly blocked out their painful grunts. Served them right.The wild smell of the forest retreated. Death reeked and blood stained the ground like a macabre river.Despite the five unclad Alpha Females that paraded in front of me, lining out horizontally and expecting a life-changing moment. My eyes sift through them to zero in on Nia.Any hopes of her getting out of Zeek’s grip dwindled drastically, since now she was poisoned and paralyzed, whimpering in pain. A deep ache radiated from my chest, sending ripples of anxiety and rage through my veins.Ten minutes. I had limited time to get her an antidote before her organs began damaging, or her recovery period would be agonizingly long and possibly detrimental.It had come to this. Victory demanded pain. Change demanded sacrifice. The truth felt like an anvil of lead down my bowels, blasted by my flames of fury. I clenched
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