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- The twilight crept steadily closer. A loud crashing sound came from the living room. The freshly washed white porcelain plate slipped from my hands to the hardwood floor, shattering as I bolted from the kitchen. I stared in horror at the scene. The front door of my condor was kicked off its hinges. Wood splinters flew over the living room and a fuming forty-five-year-old man appeared. Standing at the threshold is an unkempt, buff outline of a man. His chest heaved with fists clenched. Disheveled, he was attired in a beige Henley neck short-sleeve shirt and black jeans, his flaming blue eyes roamed inside my apartment. “Where is he?” He ruffled a hand through his black, layered, messy-flow hair, taking threatening steps towards me. “What do you mean? Why did you burst down my door like that?” I brushed a long, black strand behind my ears and pointed at the chips of wood. “Nia Ravanore, I know he’s here.” The older man retorted, peeking through the small passageway to
-NIA’S POV- “Come on, Nia. Get in the water.” Brooke encouraged as she came out of the Grecian pool with beads of water trickling down her curvaceous figure. Her perfectly toned and tanned 5’6 body was on full display in an olive bikini. We were in the backyard of my Mom’s Dutch colonial house having girl’s time. Her amber eyes regarded me with concern as her soft, slapping feet padded across the warm, traditional tessellated tiles. “I'm not in the mood.” I groaned, lying on the white lounge chair with my sunglasses on, baking in the afternoon sun. Brooke grabbed the yellow towel from the lounge chair beside me. “Stop moping over Dalton. He'll come around.” I glanced at her as she flipped the bulk of her wet, dripping blonde hair over her left shoulder to blot out the excess water. “He disappeared for a week and won't take my calls. He could be serious about me cutting off my Dad.” I sulked with hurt and sadness rippling in my heart. My inner wolf was also depressed and longing
-NIA’S POV-Those words were like a hard blow behind the knees. I buckled forward and loomed over the desk. My left palm slammed down on the hard surface to not fall flat.“Stop being such a pain in my ass.” Dalton gritted with a glare hoarding disgust. Not even the mate bond could calm the storm in his blue orbs.I stared at him in shock and perplexity. I breathed heavily as dread began crawling down my spine.“This is not you.” I countered, staring hard into his eyes to fight the gripping fear. I swallowed my panic and added, “It’s like you are someone else these days.”He blinked himself back to reality and released my hand. He sighed in exasperation and dragged both hands down his handsome face. Then he sank down in his large chair, watching me with a tinge of remorse as his features softened.I straightened, despite the tremors going through my body, and hugged myself. Dalton realized how mortified I was and came by my side. He turned me to face him and cupped my face.“I’m just
-NIA’S POV-“Open this damn door!” Dalton roared after banging down my apartment at eight in the night. “Nia!”Although my wolf growled at me, I decided to ignore Dalton as I lounged on my almond-linen, upholstered sleeper sofa in my small living room. I laid on my side with my head resting on my knuckles, and a light yellow corduroy cushion beside my chest while watching the latest episode of my favorite series ‘Dish the Dirt.’Being Alpha meant that he would get away with that ruckus. No one was going to call the police or ask us to be quiet because Alphas controlled the entire region. Instead, the nosy tenants will pretend to mind their business while eavesdropping.“I’m giving you one last chance, Nia!” He commanded with authority. The door handle rattled vigorously, and I heard a kick that swayed its hinges.I rolled my eyes and turned the television volume to the max. Dalton hasn’t figured out that his alpha tone won’t work on me.“I’ve had a really fucked-up day, Nia!” He boome
One week later………-NIA’S POV-“I'm so sorry for your loss.” Elder Eunice gave my hands a gentle squeeze. I looked down on the seventy-year-old, gray-haired woman who had previously given a heartfelt eulogy. The inner ends of her black eyebrows raise and pull together on her pale, slightly wrinkled face. Apparently, she had cried too.I sniffed and managed to pry one of my hands away from her to wipe my sore, red, burning eyes with the white handkerchief that was damped from my tears.On this sorrowful day, a bunch of mourners dressed in formal black attire flocked and moussed the entire lower floor of my parents’ home. I was standing in the living room, keeping close to my distraught and weeping Mom.“I wanted to recommend that you bring Kathryn to the community center for counseling sessions. Losing a mate is quite hard, and she’ll need our help for her wolf to recover.” Elder Eunice feebly suggested.“Yes.” I agreed, patting under my moist eyelashes with the tip of the handkerchief.
-NIA’S POV-All my insecurities started drumming up, and my anxiety flew through the roof. Every part of me began shaking, but I had to see it to truly believe it.Slowly, I ascended the other five steps that brought me to the closed attic door. Grunts and moans continued in a jamboree.“You've been riding this dick for ten minutes.” The man groaned. “Milk my fucking cock.”“Hmm.”My shaky hands reached for the door handle. I took in a deep breath before I turned the lever and gradually opened the door to my heartache.There he was.From a side view, Dalton sat on the couch naked, his head laid back on the backrest. He had his eyes closed as Brooke, my best friend and the Beta's sister, straddled him, grinding and rapidly bouncing her naked body on him.Slapping sounds accompanied her moans. On the floor was a bottle of Baileys and their black clothes and underwear scattered in several directions. I stumbled backwards trying to keep my footing.Although there were no chest pains in th
-NIA'S POV-Being the center of the commotion disturbed me, and I became nervous since everyone was gazing at me. My hands trembled at my sides.“I fucking warned you not to make a scene.” Dalton snarled, eyes blazing.“Dalton, explain this!” Alpha Harrison demanded.“She's obsessed with him.” Brooke coyly aired for everyone to hear. “He used to fuck her but since he found out I was his mate, he dumped her. But she can't get over him.”Degrading comments began to circulate. Everyone gaped at me, so surprised and disappointed.Luna Francine pursed her lipstick-encased lips. “Nia, you will meet your mate one day. You cannot interfere in their relationship.”“Young lady if you wish to live, I suggest you know your place. He is an Alpha and the likes of you will never have someone like him.” Harrison pointed to his son. “I don't understand why your cock has no standard.”“I'm his fated mate. I don’t know what’s going on here, but please believe me that I'm his Luna.” I argued, desperately
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
-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