-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
-NIA’S POV-The doctor saw this as an opportunity to lay the cards out. “We could contact the Quintessa Witches to help us find the gateway to the elf’s realm. You can enter their territory because you have their blood, and no werewolf would be able to cross the vale.”“Kenzie—” Lykoan pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes while his other hand fondled my right hand.However, Kenzie did not stop her smug rambling. “It might take some time, but guess what? We could make it happen.”I tilted my head, listening keenly with brows raised and my face void of emotions. I did not want her to know she was getting to me.With a hand on her waist, the other gesticulated as she spoke. “Rabastan’s RiftDregs Pack is a refuge for hybrids that Lykoan himself created. You could make life there.”“Kenzie—” Lykoan snarled her name, trying to get her to keep her forked tongue behind her teeth!“The point is if you stay here, the overlords will continue to attack this pack, which will make you
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