-NIA’S POV-Damn him.I studied the dangerously handsome man in front of me and knew I had grounds to reject him.No one could blame me if I ended things right then and there, not even Lykoan. In fact, I thought he was expecting it— bracing himself for the final blow.His brows were high and drawn together with pure despair in his eyes, looking at me like I was sentencing him into a pit of loneliness. Curse those blasted lilacs that tend to suck my soul right in.Damn the mate bond. Damn this life. Damn the moon goddess too.Yet, I wanted him. It made that stubborn part of me that repudiated this bond agonize like hammering nails on my heart. I turned my head away to think.Kenzie had the bandage in one hand and rummaged through her medical bag, taking out a syringe that she dropped into her pocket. My eyes widened, and a bile rose in my throat as panic gripped me. After being injected with poison, another needle was the last thing I wanted to see. My stomach clenched and my deep-root
-NIA’S POV-Lykoan hummed and it vibrated against my chest. My hands strayed up to his hair and I marveled at how soft it was. His tongue intertwined with mine and I tugged on his hair gently.Liquid heat scorched through my veins. We got lost in the pleasure as something ignited in the silence before painfully separating. My cheeks bloomed like roses. I bit my lower lip and glimpsed at the tented bulge under the throw blanket.“Um,” I began, smiling shyly, "You're not like anyone I've ever known, Lykoan.”His face lit up with a beautiful smile. Not a broken smile, a real, lewd one. "And you, Nia, are the most beautiful person I've met. Your light has brought me to the surface of an ocean that I was drowning in."Blushing profusely, I struggled to hold his gaze. "Are you saying that I saved you?"His lilacs twinkled, and his smile grew, and he cupped the side of my face. "I'm saying that you brought me back to life." He cleared his throat. “Now repeat after me.”I nodded.“I, Nia Rava
-LYKOAN’S POV-Jacques has the shittiest timing. It’s fucking ridiculous.It took everything to leave Nia and crawl out of that bed. Her flushed, sexy, sprawled out image lingered in my mind, tugging at my heart to blow the Alpha off and resume our hot session.Knowing I had to take care of business, her plump lips pouted. Red, succulent, and full. Her sad eyes pleaded, clutching to an area of my soul that felt like a broken ceramic. All I wanted to do was stay in the medical room.But a very annoying and determined someone had to show up. After desperately longing to be alone with Nia and making plans to make up for her pain, this asshole had to come and darken my day.“Lykoan!” Jacques roared three times, outraged. “Old Pops, come out! Come out!”Jam-packed with fury, my wolf paced back and forth, huffing out hot puffs of breath. He wanted to permanently disable the uninvited visitor who was causing us to desert our mate. He did not like him raising his voice at us either. He saw it
-LYKOAN’S POV-“Shouldn’t we stop her, Lykoan? The brute might try to hurt her.” Sultan cautioned.“Absolutely not. I want to see where this is going and if she shows him that she’s not a pushover, he’ll have to let her be.” I reasoned, eyeing the man keenly.“I might not be an Alpha-female, but I’m somebody’s daughter and blood runs through my veins too.” Nia’s lush breasts were rising and falling, and she lifted her chin. I sensed some anger bubbling in her. “Without us bottom-feeders, you don’t have a pack to rule. So showing a little more courtesy might do you some good.”A warning echoed in my mind. Jacques’ nostrils flared and he began breathing heavily.To exert my dominance, I squared my shoulders and assumed a power pose in a wide stance, letting Jacques know that if he attacked my curvaceous woman, I would retaliate. He noticed and clenched his jaws as vertical lines formed between his brows.Determined to gain some respect, Nia held her ground and continued with a daring goi
-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
-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
-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-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-“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