-NIA’S POV“You can’t do that!” I exclaimed, experiencing their devastation. A swirling coil of dread tightened at the base of my spine.Conflict raged behind Lykoan’s gaze, and I physically felt its calefaction through our bond. My chest hurt at the intensity of it, extending for several long seconds. A dangerous, electrifying tension loitered over the terrace.“Look at them.” Lykoan retorted, flicking his head at the dismayed group. “They won't have the same loyalty to me when she dies. So my verdict goes to all of them, and anyone who opposes.”Stricken, the Sigmas’ fear and desperation washed over me in waves. It tugged at my heart. The guilt that their pain was because of me. Kenzie was meddlesome, but death?I rubbed my temples.“Not my baby, please.” Lucidora wailed, struggling to catch her breath between sobs. There's a pleading quality to her voice that just gutted me. The sheer, raw emotion laced every word as she poured her heart out.Scraping a hand through the hair at the
LYKOAN’S POVBlam!I nearly kicked the door off the hinges as I barged into Jacques’ office and stood heaving, fist clenched, and growled, “You asshole!”Trepidation budded from the others as my hostile aura splurged out, creating a hair-raising atmosphere.Beta T.K. choked on his cereal, sitting in a chair in his boxers. Josh glanced up from his tablet. The device almost slipped from his hands as he jerked from fright, on the edge of his Alpha’s desk.“Morning sunshine,” Jacques snickered distastefully from his executive chair where he leaned back, pumping two dumbbells. He cocked his head to the side with brows raised, “Why the hell are you blowing a fuse?”"Get out," I snarled at the other two, whose eyes were wide with fear, as if I was death himself, and scrambled out of the room.Not going far, T.K. and Josh’s presence lingered in the passageway. Anger pulsed through my chest."Oh, for fuck's sake," Jacques rolled his eyes, tossing the dumbbells he was holding to the ground. "Is
LYKOAN’S POVJacques’ mouth dropped in disbelief, and he picked on the tip of his nose. “You’re announcing yourself to the world?”“Nia's family,” I clipped, feeling done with this conversation.“How? She doesn't bear your mark, neither is she your mate.” Josh commented in place of his Alpha. The shot of whiskey has made him bolder towards me.“He's in love with her,” Jacques muttered like it was something that finally clicked.I shrugged.They could think whatever they want to.“She'll have to stay in Boulderfist until the trial ends. We can only keep her if she's mated to an Alpha here. Marking her is the most vital sign of that. It's the incontestable code that would make Dalton request reparations as an alternative,” T.K. declared, snatching the tumbler out of Josh’s hand and turning the glass to his mouth for a large drink.Jacques snickered at me and leaned back in his chair, diverting the topic. “Why hasn’t she shifted? Why haven’t I seen her wolf? I know she has one.”He thriv
-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.
LYKOAN’S POVJacques’ mouth dropped in disbelief, and he picked on the tip of his nose. “You’re announcing yourself to the world?”“Nia's family,” I clipped, feeling done with this conversation.“How? She doesn't bear your mark, neither is she your mate.” Josh commented in place of his Alpha. The shot of whiskey has made him bolder towards me.“He's in love with her,” Jacques muttered like it was something that finally clicked.I shrugged.They could think whatever they want to.“She'll have to stay in Boulderfist until the trial ends. We can only keep her if she's mated to an Alpha here. Marking her is the most vital sign of that. It's the incontestable code that would make Dalton request reparations as an alternative,” T.K. declared, snatching the tumbler out of Josh’s hand and turning the glass to his mouth for a large drink.Jacques snickered at me and leaned back in his chair, diverting the topic. “Why hasn’t she shifted? Why haven’t I seen her wolf? I know she has one.”He thriv
LYKOAN’S POVBlam!I nearly kicked the door off the hinges as I barged into Jacques’ office and stood heaving, fist clenched, and growled, “You asshole!”Trepidation budded from the others as my hostile aura splurged out, creating a hair-raising atmosphere.Beta T.K. choked on his cereal, sitting in a chair in his boxers. Josh glanced up from his tablet. The device almost slipped from his hands as he jerked from fright, on the edge of his Alpha’s desk.“Morning sunshine,” Jacques snickered distastefully from his executive chair where he leaned back, pumping two dumbbells. He cocked his head to the side with brows raised, “Why the hell are you blowing a fuse?”"Get out," I snarled at the other two, whose eyes were wide with fear, as if I was death himself, and scrambled out of the room.Not going far, T.K. and Josh’s presence lingered in the passageway. Anger pulsed through my chest."Oh, for fuck's sake," Jacques rolled his eyes, tossing the dumbbells he was holding to the ground. "Is
-NIA’S POV“You can’t do that!” I exclaimed, experiencing their devastation. A swirling coil of dread tightened at the base of my spine.Conflict raged behind Lykoan’s gaze, and I physically felt its calefaction through our bond. My chest hurt at the intensity of it, extending for several long seconds. A dangerous, electrifying tension loitered over the terrace.“Look at them.” Lykoan retorted, flicking his head at the dismayed group. “They won't have the same loyalty to me when she dies. So my verdict goes to all of them, and anyone who opposes.”Stricken, the Sigmas’ fear and desperation washed over me in waves. It tugged at my heart. The guilt that their pain was because of me. Kenzie was meddlesome, but death?I rubbed my temples.“Not my baby, please.” Lucidora wailed, struggling to catch her breath between sobs. There's a pleading quality to her voice that just gutted me. The sheer, raw emotion laced every word as she poured her heart out.Scraping a hand through the hair at the
NIA’S POV “No, Alpha! Please!” Lucidora's desperate cry startled me, sending me into panic as I bolted down the stairs two at a time.My mind raced faster than my feet as I skidded to a halt and glanced all over the living room, dying to know what was going on, and how bad it was.“Where are they?” I panted, frantically.“The terrace,” Kourtney said, fraught with worry. She overtook me and dashed through the kitchen.My brows folded, and my jaw went slack. Bile crawled up in my throat as I remained by the doorway, taking in the scene.Out in the backyard, Lucidora and Julius were on their knees in front of the pool, whimpering in fright.Lykoan sat in a single chair around the table sheltered by the umbrella in the center. His fingers splayed on his thighs, eerily calm. He might not look ready to crack, but it unnerved me. The tension between them was laced with murderous intent.His cut-throat glare settled on Kenzie, who was also on her knees on the hot tiles in the center of the g
NIA’S POV"Did I overdo it? I'm sorry." Lykoan's voice was dripping with guilt as he spoke the words and I internally scolded myself for not being more specific with my words. “Was I too rough?”"Oh gosh no. Nothing like that. Everything you did was...amazing.” I admitted softly. I shifted on the bed, wincing as the sheet rubbed against my tender skin. “It’s about something that happened while you went to the Trenchlands."Lykoan's head tilted to the side and he sat up. He shook his head as if he was physically trying to wake himself and become more alert, fighting off his exhaustion so he could focus on my words.He moved to a seated position, reaching down and pulling me until I was basically in his lap with a serious expression on his face."Talk to me," he said with concern in his voice that was comforting and endearing.Lykoan's muscles tense beneath me as he set up a little straighter and a deep scowl settled on his face."Who? Who fucking messed with you?" He snapped, getting w
NIA’S POV-Waking up with an experienced tongue licking my sore and spent core had me conflicted with whether I should writhe away from him, or press deeper against the silky, wet intrusion.The puddle of slick that released from my core was my body surrendering to Lykoan, encouraging him on. The sound of him lapping my folds sent shockwaves through my system, heightening my arousal, and thrumming my body awake. His rut was done yesterday and we still haven’t left the room.“Good morning beautiful.” His voice was muffled by the amount of clitoris he held between his lips. His hands had my thighs raised and widely spread, and he gazed at me with a mischievous grin. His eyes were molten and unyielding.A blush crept into my cheeks and my breathing grew uneven as he began working his tongue over my seam. My nipples tightened. My breasts grew heavy with need.“Someone’s in a good mood,” I moaned breathily, helplessly drawing out his name. “Lykoan.”“Very.” Raising his head to meet my bare
NIA’S POV-The cold night dew that fell on us contrasted with the inferno of heat between our bodies as Lykoan's pheromones swept me up into a lingering, lustful daze.I puffed out a deep breath and forced myself to nod to reassure Lykoan that I was okay. His hands pushed each of my arms to the side of my head, sliding along the length of them to intertwine his fingers with mine, pinning my wrists to the ground below me.I braced for impact."Forgive me if this hurts," he swallowed thickly and kissed my jaw before his lips found mine.Then, he began moving, sheathing himself inside of me with powerful thrusts. His drilling hips pushed me further into the grass and dirt with hard, long pumps that somehow seemed to hit new, stimulating spots deep in my center.My walls fluttered around him, and I cried out at the electrifying pulses his penetrations elicited. I couldn't stop the noises that escaped from my throat each time he plunged in, filling me fully."Mine," Lykoan growled possessi
NIA’S POVLykoan’s pupil dilated pitch black, pulsing with a glowing lilac ring. He went still on top of me with his jaw clamped like it took every ounce of strength to control himself. He angled his head and his eyes drifted down to my lips.“I trust you.” I lay a hand on his chest, hoping he could see the fierce determination in my eyes. "Tomorrow is tomorrow's problem."The sculpted muscles flexed. His heart was thundering like it might burst through his chest, and I felt his hardness throbbing against my slit. It was a hot, steel-like rod that had fully grown, ardently pulsing to enter my lady lake.“Hm..rrrr.” His guttural sounds were a turn on and his predatory gaze stimulated every inch of my skin where they roamed.An uncultivated aura expelled from his pores. His shoulders rose and fell, the movement jerky, a clear sign of his inner struggle with Sultan. Still, he didn't move, like he was talking to his wolf. Probably convincing him to take a step back.“I want this.” I cuppe
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