Thomas POVSomething felt off after Quinn shifted. The air had an electric charge to it. I could not shake off the feeling that someone was watching us. After everyone went inside after cleaning up the deck area, I surveyed the area around the packhouse and came up empty handed. I mind linked the patrols to stay extra alert. A pair of warm, delicate hands wrapped around my stomach. I instantly relaxed as my mate’s scent enveloped me. I turned around in Kat’s arms and looked into her bright eyes. “What are you still doing out here Alpha?” Her voice was like music to my ears. I don’t know how I stayed away from her for so long. As if sensing my unease, she placed her palms on my chest. “What is it, Thomas?”I looked over her head towards the woods and then back down to her. “I don't know. Something feels off.” I wrapped my arms around her waist. “It is expected, my love. Quinn not only shifted, but her magic also manifested during the shift. The energy that came off of her when she
Quinn POVI woke up to the feeling of tingles all over my backside. My body felt like it was engulfed in a heated blanket; however instead of a blanket, it was a sleeping Derek. I tried to get out of his arms to no avail. He groaned, “Where are you going?” His voice was hoarse from sleep. If my bladder didn’t threaten to explode, I would take a moment to enjoy how cute he was when he slept. “I need to pee.” I tapped his arms showing the urgency. Reluctantly he let go. I quickly did my business and brushed my teeth. The events from last night played on repeat in my mind. I was so exhausted from shifting that Derek and I passed out in my bed in the clothes that I wore throughout the day. I wasn’t sure how to approach the subject with my three parents. But for now, I wanted to take in the beautiful specimen that lay on my bed with the sheet low on his waist. I quickly changed into some cotton shorts and a tank top. Leaning on the door trim of my closet, I bit my lower lip. Derek’s sh
Quinn POVThe bathroom was massive. A tile shower took up one wall that could easily fit 4 people in. On the far wall was a jetted tub. His and her sinks sat on a marble countertop. Everything in the bathroom screamed, elegance. I was afraid to touch anything. Derek tilted my chin up before he kissed me. The kiss started off slow, before it started to grow more intense. His tongue danced with mine, exploring each other's mouths. He tasted sweet, like sweet tarts.I wrapped my arms around his neck as I deepened the kiss. A growl escaped his lips in satisfaction. I felt his hands grip the hem of my shirt before swiftly taking it off. Everytime the kiss deepened, another article of clothing was taken off until we were both naked. I didn’t allow myself to look down at the lower half of Derek’s body until we got into the shower. Water fell from the waterfall shower head. I followed the beads of water as they cascaded down his chiseled body. I gasped when I looked at the appendage between
Derek POV I mindlinked Elan before going downstairs to the main training area. Instructing that all warriors in the facility be ready to meet their next Alpha. At this point I didn’t care if Alpha Thomas wanted the pack to know. Now that Quinn had her first shift, her alpha aura beamed off her like a beacon. As we entered the training room, Quinn gasped at the sight before her. Forty or more warriors stood in rows with their arms behind their backs, awaiting their next orders. I had the reputation of being a hard ass. I would accept nothing but excellence, as the pack needed it. Never again would I allow the pack to go through the carnage that I experienced as a child. I didn’t care what the warriors thought of me, as long as they respected me. I placed my palm at the base of Quinn’s spine guiding her in front of the group. Tingles igniting at the contact. I couldn’t help but touch her. My every instinct wanted to claim her over and over again. As much as I wanted to mark and m
Quinn POVA field of blood and death surrounds me. Wounded warriors scream in agony over lost loved ones and broken bonds. Atop a hill in the distance a tall figure wearing a black cloak stands. Bright emerald green eyes glow underneath the hood. Next to the figure stands an elderly female. Her gray hair blowing in the wind, her hands stretched out at her sides as she looks up at the sky. Thunder rumbles in the distance before a strike of lightning lights up the sky. A roar echoes through the storm. I know that roar. It belongs to my father. Not Thomas but the man who raised me. Turning my head to the sound I gasp as I see my father hold my mother’s limp body. A piercing pain shoots through my chest as the broken bond of my mother, the pack’s alpha, snaps. My body is stuck in its spot. My screams and yelling for my parents go unnoticed. Looking back at the hill, bright, glowing, red eyes glare at me before a wicked laugh escapes the woman. Pure evil emanating from the sound. Bef
Derek POVEmerald eyes filled with terror pierce into mine. She had fallen asleep on the couch after we ate while I went into my home office to get some reports done for Alpha Thomas. I pulled her onto my lap and cupped her face. The touch visibly gave both of us the relief we needed. “What do you mean Quinn? Tell me what you saw.” I kissed her forehead while wiping the stray tears on her cheeks with my thumbs. “I know it sounds crazy but, Alpha Rowan was there with this older woman. I know what he looks like from the memories I saw of my mother.” I wasn’t sure what Quinn meant, however I wanted to make sure she was able to tell me what she saw while it was still fresh. “We were on a field…there was so much blood and death.” A sob escaped her lips. My wolf Xander bristled under my skin. Wanting to take away any threat to our mate. “I saw him kill everyone. I think Rowan is back from the dead.” “Resurrection is impossible though. For him to have that kind of power, would make him
Quinn POV The man ran a bath for me. Gone was the broody, grumpy wolf. Instead a loving, gentle, caring wolf took its place. I let my mind get lost in the tingles that enveloped my body. Instead of allowing my nightmares to plague me. I just wanted to enjoy my mate and be a normal shifter. Derek trailed kisses down my neck and onto my shoulder. The sensation shooting down to my core. I now understood why mated wolves were always touching one another. The feeling of his touch was euphoric. I tipped my head so he had better access to my neck. I felt a nip where his mark would lay, making me moan. “Soon Little Wolf, my mark will lay right there on your pretty neck for the world to see that you are mine.” He growled while nipping me once more. I clenched my thighs trying to ease the lust that went through my body. “Why don’t you mark me now?” I asked. My voice sounded breathless. “Look at me Quinn.” His voice was stern in contrast to his loving tone before. I twisted myself on hi
Quinn POVWalking into the training area the next morning, I was greeted with a delighted squeal from Mandy before she crushed me in a hug. “You need to tell me everything!” She looked at me. An expression of confusion took over her features when she didn’t see a mark on my neck.“You haven’t marked each other?” The question was not holding any judgment. I shook my head. “We are working up to it.” I didn’t want to tell her that I was feeling a little disappointed that Derek hadn’t marked me yet. I knew he didn’t want to rush things and wanted to make sure I wasn’t trying to distract myself. However, what he didn’t understand was that I always felt like I didn’t belong and now I had been mated to the one person who was the other half to my soul. My mate, my other half. The person who would make me feel like I belonged. Picking up on my feelings, Mandy embraced me in another hug. “You belong here Quinn.” I hated that doubt was seeping into my mind. Especially after the conversation
EPILOGUE 8 YEARS LATER:“Momma, I want to go see uncle Ryan!” Ellie groaned. She stomped her pink-glitter converse into the gravel of the driveway. I continued to buckle Pryor into his car seat. I sighed and looked down at my baby boy who had a big gummy smile on his face. I kissed the tip of his nose before closing the car door. “Ellisse, how many times do I need to go over this with you?” She crossed her arms and looked so much like myself, I almost wanted to take a picture of it. Ellie groaned again and looked up at the sky. “I just don’t understand why I have to go with you to get grandpa.”’I squatted down in front of her. Trying to level with an eight year old was not easy. I straightened her jacket. “We will be quick honey. I know you are excited to see Uncle Ryan on his special day, but Great Grampa wants to be there too.” “I want to see uncle Ryan, but I want to see Rykerrrrr” She growled. Ryker was Mandy and Elan’s son who was a year younger than Ellisse. She was transfix
Six Weeks LaterQUINN POVFinally getting Ellie to sleep, I flopped down on the bed. I clutched my breasts and hissed as they were sore from my crotch goblin using them as her feeding bags.Derek walked out of the bathroom, a towel low on his hips. My eyes trailed down his toned abs down to his v line where the towel was. A clearing of the throat from Derek made me snap out of the day dreaming I was in. He scratched the back of his neck. “You know, Instead of looking at me like a snack, I can give you a treat,” a smirk went across his face.I blushed. My hormones were all over the place after having Ellie. One minute I wanted to fuck, the next I wanted to sleep or cry. I don’t know how Derek was keeping it together with my 17 personalities.I perched myself on my elbows and gave him a “come here” motion with my pointer finger. “Quinn don’t tease!” Derek pouted “I’m not teasing, come here,” I said with a small smile on my face. Without wasting another second Derek dropped his towel
9 MONTHS LATER:POV Quinn “One more push Quinn. She’s almost here.” The nurse encouraged me. I squeezed Derek’s hand once more, making him wince. He had been warned not to look over the curtain and sure enough, as our baby girl was getting pulled out of me, he looked and began to sway on his feet. “Will someone please bring our King a wet compress.” The nurse between my legs instructed. She looked up at me. “One more push Quinn.”I shook my head. “I can’t.” I cried. Derek was able to pull himself together and pressed a kiss to my sweaty temple. “You can do it, baby.” Derek encouraged me. I screamed as I gave my last push, giving everything I had left in me. The equipment and lights moved and flickered at my scream. No one in the room flinched when they heard my scream. Instead they carried on like I wasn’t an octave away from blowing eardrums out. I heard my baby girl’s wail as she entered this world. My body sagged from the immediate relief of being down with pushing. I looked
6 months Later:POV Quinn “Ryan, come on! Breakfast is ready!” I called up the stairs. I was beginning to lose my patience with this boy. My once fun, loving, well-behaved younger brother, was now going through a terrible rebellious stage. Ryan stomped his way down the main stair-case of the packhouse. I rolled my eyes at his overdramatized walking. “You’re going to be late for school.”“So?” Ryan grumbled as he walked to the kitchen. “SO… It doesn't look good for the future alpha to be missing school or being late. You need to show the pack that you are reliable.” I internally cringed at my words. Ryan simply rolled his eyes and continued to go into the kitchen and sit on one of the stools at the island. I placed a heaping stake of chocolate chip pancakes in front of him. “I made your favorite.” “Thanks,” Ryan grumbled as he shoved a large piece of pancake in his mouth. Currently we were staying in my childhood pack house with the Red Night Pack as my father took some time to t
Quinn POVDerek sensed something was amidst and followed me outside where we both shifted into our wolves. The full moon’s energy coursed through us, giving us heightened speed and senses. I heard howls in the distance accompanied by mind-link messages that they too were on their way to see the rise of Damien Pierce. As we approached the hospital, the voices that had quieted since receiving my necklace were now talking all at once. “Savior! Follow the power!” The tall slate brick building came into view. Seline pushed herself faster. Wanting nothing more than to get closer to the energy source that emanated from the tall building. As we approached the hospital, two nurses stood outside waiting for us with scrubs to change into. Derek and I quickly shifted back to our human forms. “My Queen.” The nurses bowed before handing us the clothing. I still didn’t know how to handle being called that. I certainly did not feel like a queen. I gave them a small smile before getting changed. “W
What the man didn’t tell me was that my grandfather was not only speaking in his sleep, but approximately around the time Rowan was killed, he roared loud enough to make the building tremble under its intensity. Reluctantly, I had sent a mind link to my father to let him know about the situation. To no surprise he didn’t respond. With Ryan with Thomas and Kat, Derek and I were now here at the hospital in my grandfather’s room. I felt the stone on my necklace heat as we got closer to my grandfather’s bed. The sensation made me gasp. Derek looked at me warily. “You okay?” I tugged on the string to push the stone off my skin. “Ye-yeah” I stammered. My grandfather began to stir in his bed. Maybe it was because of the full moon tonight. Everyone seemed to be antsy, which was normal for a full moon. I walked over to my grandfather and put my hand into his. His complexion had improved significantly since the last time I had visited. His cheeks were less gaunt and now had a pink hue to th
Quinn POV Amelia and the remaining members of her and Rowan’s army were nowhere to be found. I immersed myself in helping tend to any injured and to support the mourning families. I refused to acknowledge that now that the other services for the fallen had been commenced, it was now time for my mother’s. The impending storm that threatened to come held off for my mother’s service. Whispers and side glances plagued my senses as I stood next to my father and Ryan. Derek stood behind me, close enough to let me know that he was there, but also allowing me to mourn with my family. My black knee length dress felt like it was suffocating me. I tugged at the fabric, attempting to get more room but unsuccessful. My father stood as still as a statue in an all black bespoke suit. His hands rested in front of him as he continued to look at my mother’s dark cherry coffin. Thomas led the ceremony. His usually bright emerald green eyes were dull and filled with unshed tears. Everyone was dressed
Quinn POV Howls echoed in unison throughout the territory as we all felt the tether to my mother break. I focused my energy on the enemy in front of me. I could break after this bitch was destroyed. Something must have spooked Amelia because she extinguished her smoke spheres and looked at me with her blood shot eyes. “This is over Quinn. I will take all that you took from me!” Before I could move towards her, she vanished in a cloud of smoke along with Rowan’s body. I let out a growl. “I’ll be waiting!”As soon as Amelia was gone, I ran back over to my mother and father. I fell to my knees in front of my mother and wrapped my arms around my father’s torso. “Daddy, she’s gone.” His entire body trembled as the other half to his soul was taken from him. Members of the surrounding packs circled us. Some wounded, some missing limbs, but all giving their respect for one of their leaders. I heard the sound of feet hitting the ground quickly before I heard the sound of Kat gasp. She fel
QUINN POVI knew she was gone when I heard my father‘s roar. It echoed throughout the field making me wince from the pain in my ears. I looked up to see my dad‘s wolf running to my mother who was still cradled in my arms. He licked her face as if his kisses could help heal what was broken. Tears streamed down my face as I felt her tether to me vanish. I brushed some hair away from her pale lifeless face. I heard bones cracking and rearranging before the bloody hands of my father touched my mothers face. Extreme guilt filled me knowing she just sacrificed her life for me. I looked at my father who looked like he had seen a ghost.“Anna baby please wake up please wake up” he cried shaking her pepper in her face with kisses “please baby wake up wake up you can’t be gone” he looked at me and panic.“What have you done you bitch!” The woman screamed. In my despair I had almost forgotten that Amelia was still alive. I stood up and moved in between my parents and Amelia. Her eyes became a