-LYKOAN’S POV-Regret torched me and my soul caught on fire, searing me from the inside out, and I dropped to my knees, trembling. This wasn’t right. My whole world was caving in. Letting out a lamenting breath, I put my hand over the wound and blood seeped through the cracks of my fingers.Nia’s orange eyes were wide, staring into mine with disbelief as she stuttered the words, “T-ell M-om…..I’m s-orry.”“You can tell her yourself. You’re going to be fine,” I said quietly, sniffing hard. Her irises rolled up as her lids fluttered nonstop, and her head leaned away from me. Using one hand, I grasped her chin tenderly, bringing her face to look back at me, pleading, “You have to hold on. You hear me? You can’t leave me.”Hail of gunfire, growls, and howls filled the air with death and sadness, stretching out like a rubber band, getting thinner and thinner by the second, but I couldn't focus on anything except Nia. I couldn't let go of her.Tears rolled from the corners of her eyes and my
-LYKOAN’S POV-Like a mountain lion ready to pounce, I kicked the door off the hinges, letting it crash to the ground. The scent of incense, milk, and honey greeted my nostrils, attempting to coax me into tranquility.Huffing and puffing with rage, I entered the room, roaring, “Mother! Where are you? Mother!”Mine and Sultan’s anger mingled into an unbearable control. My power leaked out of me like a hot volcanic eruption. She will feel the heat of my tongue today. My eyes darted around the large space. How typical of her to be too busy for me.The well-made bed with a fluffy teal comforter was empty as usual. My heavy feet stomped across the large, globe-like, creamy-white hydrangea flowers that decorated the hardwood floor, kicking them with my black boots, until I reached the tall white French windows that opened to a sea of white, wavy clouds.“My son, what is wrong with you?” A soft, perplexed voice came from behind me.Horn-mad, I whipped around to confront her beautiful face, a
-LYKOAN’S POV-Instead of showing remorse, Mom sniffed and turned her back to me, bowing her head to hide the reflection of her face in the mirror. She was appealing for my sympathy when she was the damn villain. Her sniveling grated on my nerves.Whenever she wanted me to relent my anger, she manipulated me with tears. Well, not today. Not when Nia’s life was hanging.Every cell that I am composed of wanted to rage, to become a monster she feared, and maybe then she would leave me alone or just tell me what the hell she did. What plans were she concocting and to what end?For I could never forgive her for letting me lose Jessanne. My heart was growing cold towards this woman since, because of her, I might never find happiness in this life. Not to mention, that she also stopped my death ritual.This was another reason why I was afraid to even love Nia. To relive the grief and feel the excruciating pain of losing another mate would kill us. Sultan and I only wanted to enjoy the mate we
-NIA’S POV-"Oh, Nia," the celestial woman pleasantly acknowledged me. She rose from the boulder with her warm eyes searching mine, extending her hands to me.Something was urging me to her and I found myself going into her arms, accepting her friendly embrace."So much pain.” She spoke quite motherly, patting my back soothingly. “I answered your call because your emotions cried out beyond the physical world, reaching out to the other realms, upsetting nature.”“Then you know that I don’t want to be here, wherever this place is,” I replied softly, over her shoulder.She heaved a sad sigh and released me from the hug, scanning her eyes up and down my frame. "It takes a toll to visit my workshop; your body is already so weak.”I furrowed my brows, struggling to understand what she meant. "Please tell me this is a dream?" I murmured, hoping it was."Hmm, something of the sort." She paused and tilted her head slightly. "Do you know who I am?" She asked, making a slow wave of her right han
-NIA’S POV-Thunderstruck, I began hyperventilating.Shivers sped down my back. My hands trembled uncontrollably, fingers twitching with nervous energy. The unexpected revelation had sent shockwaves through my entire being.I must have blinked a thousand times in this single moment as my mind struggled to reconcile reality with the shock.Jessanne.That name curdled my blood. Have I heard it before?“I don’t understand.” The words I uttered next were shaky and low.“What use would you have for your body if you are dead? I made you resemble Jessanne so that Lykoan would easily accept the mate bond.” Selene’s candor was shooting from both barrels, wounding me in many ways.But that made no sense. “But I was born this way and mated to Dalton at first.”“As I mentioned, eventually you would have met Lykoan and become his mate, too. Dalton would not have objected since he would have strong ties and power to Volkecrest Krowns.”I flushed and held up two fingers. “Two mates?” I pointed the sa
-NIA’S POV-My heavy eyelids blinked open to meet a plain white ceiling. My dry throat hurt so bad that whenever I swallowed, it was like a shrimp was stuck in my windpipe. I couldn’t even muster a groan.Dazed and weak, with leaden limbs, I couldn't feel anything from my waist down. I felt like death.“Technically, we died, Nia.” Starr huffed.Go figure.I took a long, shaky breath, hyperaware of the pain ricocheting against my ribcage as my lungs expanded, and finally hauled myself onto my elbows. My body groaned in protest.Seashell white blankets surrounded me like a blessed cocoon and a sheen of the moonlight passed through the open window, pooling on my skin.Managing to swivel my head, I vetted the surroundings. The room was dark and quiet with only the sound of slow, even breathing and light snoring cutting through the silence.Why was Gawain sound asleep beside me? He was lying shirtless in black sweatpants on his back with one arm folded behind his head and the other resting
-NIA’S POV-"You’re finally here," I rasped with a small smile, clearing my throat after hearing how foreign I sounded.Lykoan stepped forward, entering the room a little more and shutting the door. My eyes watched him carefully. His dull lilac hues stared skeptically.Using my abdominal muscles, I tried to sit up but was met with searing pain that radiated up my side. The sensation forced a heavy breath and a whimper as I fought against my own body, trying desperately to move.My side stung and sent a deep pain up my side near my ribs every time I inhaled. Yet I was determined to. I winced as I sat up in the bed, anxiously pulling my silk strands over my shoulders, awaiting him.The tension built minute by minute as this scenario corners us. My stomach grumbled, moaning in hunger. Then a heart-pounding silence descended.His lilacs were fixated on my orange orbs. Hurt flashed through his eyes. The outer ends of his eyebrows drooped, and his hands were shaking. He was nervous. Why?"I
-NIA’S POV-The doorknob rattled before it swung open to reveal Lucidora with a wooden tray in her hands. Her timing was totally shit, leaving me shaky and anxious.Our well-needed conversation was disrupted, but I perked up because my stomach rumbled for the food that she brought. Whatever was in that white bowl sure smelled damn good, making me drool.“There she is. My goodness, look at you!” She exclaimed, with a wide grin as she laid eyes on me. “It’s delightful to see you, Nia. I brought my special remedy.”"Sounds yummy. I miss your cooking and I can’t wait to get out of this bed. Feels like I’ve been in this room forever." I smiled back as I looked up at Lykoan who hadn't allowed me to leave this medic room. It was worse than being stuck in a safe house."Don’t worry. You’ll be good as new by the time I’m done taking care of you,” Lucidroa piped. “Just let me know what else I can get you.”"Bring any wine?" I laughed as she took a slow step forward, thinking I would need it aft
LYKOAN’S POV-“Seriously, Lykoan, get off me.” Nia chuffed out while elbowing me.Although I felt the minor jabs in my ribs, the little movements of her bare ass were stimulating my already rock-hard cock. If I dared to move, it would surely be to hoist up her ass and thrust my dick inside her appealing slick, coated cunt.“Grrr,” I growled in response with Sultan on the surface. I flex my jaws as my fangs elongated. “You're mine.”Every now and then, my bones cracked, beginning the agonizing transformation that I wrestled to intercept and stop to maintain my human form. She didn’t understand that the instant we saw her, Sultan had taken over.Now, as I pinned her soft body with mine on the moist grassy floor of the forest, audible labored breaths escaped me. It was taking everything within me to hold Sultan back.“Argh,” I grunted from my throat, chest heaving. I clamped my teeth together and stiffened my entire being so as not to grind on her.Because she was my mate, her body was r
NIA’S POV-Not this again.Please not this betrayal again.Lykoan spun to face me, wrenching away from the brunette beauty in the process. She nearly stumbled backward as his shoulder nudged her square in the chest.His body simmered with lust and white-hot possessiveness with eyes dilating to blood-red. His roar shook the ground. “Mine!”My heart tightened and I shook my head.It was too late. I'd already seen them together. The damage had been done.Wild desire shone in his eyes, and his mouth gaped open like he was attempting to explain. No sound came out of his treacherous throat. Even if he did, I wasn't sure I'd be able to hear him above the pounding in my ears.Kenzie moved around him to stand facing me with her back to him. “Jacques has been waiting for you.” Smirking evilly, she tucked her hair strands behind her ear. “Go to him so that Lykoan and I can finish up.”Pain, unlike anything I'd ever experienced before, pierced my chest. It tore through me, ripping away skin and c
NIA’S POV-Clutching my forehead, a strained groan left my lips. Heat pulsed through every inch of my body, especially between my thighs. My skin felt inflamed.When my eyes snapped open, I realized that sweat dampened my clothes. The night was incredibly hot and tormenting.I felt a searing pain in my heart and I jolted up in bed. Glancing around the room, I didn't see Lykoan anywhere. The gnawing at my heart intensified when I realized he was gone. A pang of loneliness swirled in my chest. Just when I wanted to turn my brain off and relax with him, yet he was not here.Remembering all that happened prior to falling asleep, including me telling him about what Layton and Chase had done, it dawned on me that he must be furious. He had probably gone to Boulderfist to crush their bones to dust.Oh no.Plus, he has yet to tell me how things unfolded in the Trenchlands. I assumed that they had not found Mom.Ignoring the aches, I launched out of the bed barefooted and ventured into the hal
LYKOAN’S POV-The achromatic streams of the rodisiac moon kept stroking the most erogenous spots on my body, like sapid kisses on my flesh.I rubbed the back of my neck to tamp down my rising anger as Kenzie rode out her orgasm, and Jacques’ mocking gaze locked on me.“Damn it Jacques, does this have to do with the all-points bulletin from Boulderfist?” I growled, grappling to keep my cool.Jacques hummed, pushing Kenzie off of him. She fell into a lump of sensual curves and glowing skin with splayed-out brunette hair, sated on the rug.“I changed my mind.” He tipped his head up, taking in the heavens with hands wide open, and declared, “The night is too ravenous to discuss sour topics.”Waves of pheromones rose.Groups of horny women huddled on our left and right, observing us, stroking and groping one another as they vied to be noticed and chosen as our next fuck buddy.Dragging my hand backwards through my hair, I seethed, “Stick to the matter at hand and refrain from involving me
LYKOAN’S POV-“Tonight's the rodisiac full moon,” Tameka announced, looking up at me as I slowly descended the curved stairs.Kourtney and Lucidora flanked her sides in the living room. All their faces were solemn with concern.I had a plan for retribution on Boulderfist. It was perfect to do it now, but the moon's allure started to wreak havoc on my body and mind, rendering me angry, hot, and dangerously distracted. My blood roared for blood.“Nia is sleeping, and I have two things to deal with,” I said, stopping right in front of them at ground level.Relieved, Kourtney clutched her chest and blew out a long breath. “That's good to hear. She's been locked in that bathroom all day. I'm glad you made her feel better.”“Do you know what else was on that flash drive?” My eyes bounced from one face to the other, analyzing them. “What did her ex do?”Tameka folded her arms. Unwillingness to spill settled in her expression when she replied, “It wasn't pretty, but it's her story to tell.”I
LYKOAN’S POV-“Upstairs.” Tameka pointed to the ceiling, without sparing me her eyes.“She's, um—” Lucidora began, but I was already sprinting up the stairs.Making my way toward the bedroom, I stared at the large, empty, unrumpled queen-sized bed and called for Nia again.“Lily-Bud?” My stomach clenched and roiled in anticipation.Turning the corner to the bathroom, her potent scent hit me. Thank the fuck. My glum heart quickened with anxiety. I inhaled the rich aroma and gently wandered to the locked door."Nia?" I called loudly as my knuckles knocked on the wooden frame."Just a minute." Nia's small voice echoed from inside. Her voice was raspy, and she was sniffling as if she had been crying.After reaching for the door handle, my stomach clenched again when I turned the knob and realized that it was locked from the inside. There was some rustling around, and I heard her light footsteps, but the door remained closed."Open up for me baby," I solicited against the door, feeling the
LYKOAN’S POV-All rifles were poised and aimed at the large bed. Taking calculated steps, I stared down at the hulk of a man lying in the bed, snoring disgustingly loudly. My lips snarled in repulsion as I pressed the barrel of my rifle on Gossart’s forehead.Gossart’s coal-black eyes shot open. He grunted in surprise once he registered the cool metal against his head.“Get up,” I hissed.“Lycan man,” Gossart growled. His eyes fixed on me as he propped up in the bed, sliding out.“Movement coming inside.” Hogan nodded at Ray-hart and Freeman. With their guns raised, they left to sweep the hallway and take out any arising threats.Downstairs the house was previously empty, but loud voices and the sound of loading and cocking of weapons were unmistakable.“Where is the she-elf?” I pushed Gossart to his knees on the floor.The oversized man grunted and looked up at me with no evidence of fear. “Don’t know.”“He doesn’t know.” Tank aped the man’s words with his rifle ready to shoot.“Yes,
NIA’S POV-“That's not what he thinks,” I riposted.“Don’t be fooled by the other Sigmas.” Tameka angled her head to gaze menacingly at me. “We’re letting you hang around until the boss comes to his senses.”I frowned and questioned, “Is it that, Tameka? Or are you afraid that I’ve taken your spot in Lykoan’s world—that you are being cast as a mere shadow in the back?”“What it is—is that you need to learn your goddamn place.” She sneered, eyes cold and full of malice. “You act innocent and naive. So disgusting.”“And what place is that? You know Lykoan and I are mates,” I responded breezily. “That makes me the most important person in his life.”She chuckled bitterly, short and forced. “At least I can afford my own, but what can you afford? Tears? Are they golden like your ears?”I shook my head, gritting down on my back teeth to resist saying something cruel. That one definitely hit me. Her words stung, but I acted unfazed and deterred.“Can we be civilized about this, Tameka? It's n
LYKOAN’S POV-“Hey, hey. Hey, hey,” Gawain chanted, bobbing his head. “Yes mama, shake it for me.”At a brothel in Mojave, Bakka, we booked a room to kill time. Barefooted on the Persian rug, three brunette dancers jutted and jiggled their hips in the middle to ‘Too Sweet’ by Hozier. We sat disguised like regular Trenchland slums on a fuchsia semicircular couch, supposedly charmed.The Sigmas made it look easy pretending to be so giddy over these women. The guys were duly entertained with their wanton eyes glued on the ladies, giving them compliments with laughter. Freeman flicked a coin at the girls whenever they gave him a booty shake.Ray-Hart was downstairs in the over-crowded, orgy lounge at one corner with prostitutes while keeping an eye out on everyone who entered the two-story end of terrace house.Red, orange, some shades of pink, and dark brown wood. The same colors were everywhere. Cigar, liquor, sweat, sex, and the faintest whiff of fried pickles were triggering my gag ref