JACE BALDWIN POV "We had plans today remember?" Addison quirks with a voice that does nothing but irritate my ears.I had a bunch of things to deal with. With Nate's sudden attraction to Carly and Carly being in the condition she's in at the moment.If Nate wanted her back, then he'd have to wait for that child to be born then he could do as he pleased with her.I guess that child was the reason I had the strange urge to protect her. I can't have Nate try to sabotage the plans we had on ground with his unwanted jealousy.Yes, he was her destined mate but he did reject her, the unwanted omega. Besides, it could've been any omega.If Nate wasn't comfortable with the plan he should've said something. So why was he now after? Was what Carly said true? Was Nate jealous of me?It can't be, we've been friends from childhood, he just needed his mate. Nothing biggie."I'm sorry my love but we'll have to take a raincheck on that." My voice was soft, trying to coax her into not making a fuss ov
CARLY WOODS POV The first thing my brain registered when I started regaining consciousness was pain. An excruciating pain that had me groaning. My hand shot up to clutch my head, in an attempt to relieve the pain even in the slightest bit.Slowly, the events crashed down on me as I remembered how horrible my morning was. To think my day started with a slight happiness.Nate had attacked me and then played it out to be my fault at his friend's arrival.The cold look Jace had sent my way probably was what made me pass out completely. Yes, I was injured and was losing more blood than could be considered medically safe and I felt dizzy yet I still fought to stay awake, I fought the hazy feelings but one cold look from that stormy sea-green orb made shivers run down my spine. I couldn't stand being on the receiving end of his anger so passing out was the safest thing my weak body could adopt to keep us safe.I tried opening my eyes but my lids seemed to be too heavy for me to manage. Gro
CARLY WOODS POV "Oh, come on I can't swallow another spoon of anything, I'm already stuffed up," I whine with a pout lowering my spoon in the wooded tray, stretching out my arms and body in an awkward position until I heard a few cracks. Hmm, that felt so good. As the doctor had explained I wasn't allowed to move around so my ankle could heal properly. But, me being me, tried getting up to prove that I was fine and ended up tumbling on the floor because of the pain that shot through me. Damn, I didn't know it was that bad. Since I wasn't blessed in the luck department, Jace had sauntered in a few seconds later to see me writhing in pain on the floor. To say he was furious would be the understatement of the century. He went all 'I told you to stay in bed' speech on me, telling me how I was trying to defy him which would only get me punished, and that he'd let this one slide since I was already damaged. "You either eat on your own or suffer through as I feed you." There was a warni
CARLY WOODS POV In the last 5 days, I was stuck in a room with nothing but my mind to keep me busy. I wanted to go out, oh, how I missed the feel of the fresh evening breeze on my skin as I sat in the garden.Thankfully, the pain in my head had slowly died out and my ankle was healing fast, thanks to whatever medication doctor Allen gave me.Well, now I could move around with a clutch. Even though I couldn't shift, I still healed faster than a regular human because of my werewolf blood but I was surprised at how quickly my injuries were healing."I want to go out," I murmured as Jace was about to step out of my room. Jace came a few minutes ago to check how I was doing and I was hoping he'd let me go out for even an hour, I needed to breathe fresh air, I needed to feel the heat of the sun on my skin again, to feel the wind clashing against me as it whips my hair in whichever direction it pleased.Jace halted his steps, hand on the doorknob, shoulders growing rigid."Run that again b
JACE BALDWIN POV I ran to Carly's room with Ian hot on my heel, he was equally as anxious as I was. Carly's son had to be okay, he was our only way out. He was my hope for a better future, for a stronger Brookside pack. I know it sounds crazy for a father to want to sacrifice their child to stay alive but it needed to be done. It had to be done. My pack needed me, my friends needed me, and Addison needed me. And Carly and her child don't need you? Your child? My wolf snorted at the back of my mind. It's either that or we lose all our power, now would you want to become a weak and pathetic wolf? Let me guess from a big bad Alpha wolf to a nonentity. Is that what you want, huh? Because I certainly don't wish that for myself." I snapped back before blocking him out. I could feel him push his irritation on me, I can't deal with him at the moment. I had more pressing issues. In Carly's room, I caught a glimpse of the broken plate of food and glass of milk on the floor, maybe Alic
CARLY WOODS POV Fear.That's what I felt as I lay curled up in a fetal position for the remainder of the day.When the morning rolled by, Alice brought a breakfast tray that contained a small stack of pancakes, fresh strawberries, maple syrup, and a glass of juice. Finishing my food, I said my thanks which she responded with a sad smile. After that incident, Alice tried being friendly with me which I didn't appreciate. I didn't want her pity or anyone else for that. I didn't quite understand why she was nice to me again after she spent the last five days giving me cold shoulders. I wondered if what happened yesterday was hot enough to warm her shoulders. I thought sarcastically and mentally rolling my eyes. She told me how I almost lost my baby. I couldn't help but cry at the near loss of my unborn child.My child was the only thing I had to call mine even though he wasn't here. He was mine to love and protect.I don't know what I'd do if something were to happen to him.If the eve
CARLY WOODS POV After about fifteen minutes of silence passed between us, I finally let out a heavy sigh as I passed Jace a side glace from my peripheral.Right now, I couldn't trust anyone that's why my mind was searching for a thousand meanings to what he meant by 'coming to a safe page.'Did he realize he was asking for me to trust him with my son's life even after knowing his very existence was a danger to not only my child but my peace of mind and sanity?He was a threat to my already broken and fragile heart. A threat I was fully ready to confront.The game in which I was the pawn started a long time ago without my knowledge, but, as of this moment, the rules had changed to my terms and I wouldn't mind playing dirty.Ooh, how had the table turned? I snorted mentally.But, I could try and play along and see where this goes. If his squad think they can play then I can also play with changes to the rules of the game though.They'll never know what's hitting them until it's too lat
CARLY WOODS POV "What does it feel like to shift into your wolf?"The second the question flew out of my mouth, I knew it was too late to take it back. I had to suffer through the taunting I was sure was coming. With a crestfallen expression, I looked down at my lap twitching my fingers.What was I thinking, asking Jace of all people? That'll make me seem more pathetic. Ugh! Carly, did you truly have to?"Refreshing." His voice whispered. I slowly glanced up to sneak a look at him, only to find him already gazing down at me with a genuine smile."Huh?" I was a little perplexed. I wasn't expecting such gentleness from the man. Jace's hands shot out and covered my hands which were still fidgeting on my lap."It feels refreshing and exhilarating when we shift into our wolf but, let me tell you, the first shift for every wolf hurts more than a bitch." He chuckled at his joke "If I'm to say, there's always this adrenaline rush and a sense of liberation, as if we're shaking off our human
The curly-haired man who introduced himself as Stan drove Stephanie, Mia, and me away from the coffee shop to a secluded neighborhood I never knew existed in the pack lands. Well, there were many places I didn't know of.I looked out the window trying to figure out my location but nothing was familiar as we were surrounded by bushes and tall trees."Where are we going?" I tried not to sound as nervous as I felt about Stephanie and Stan."We're going somewhere safe and away from the North.""Why are we going away from the North?" Mia asked, her hands trembling from fear of rogues ambushing us in the secluded part of town. "We have more warriors up North and where we're going right now looks to me like warriors would rather get to guard the prison than here.""You are right, kitten. That's why rogues would rather go where they'll feel fulfilled after killing a warrior than snapping the neck of a weak and defenseless wolf. An arrogant rogue leader will send his goons to take down the str
CARLY WOODS POV Mia and I walked into our favorite coffee shop with huge smiles on our faces. We usually visit here whenever we have enough time at our disposal, and today was one of those days we had nothing on our plates thanks to Julian who made sure Mia didn't slave herself around for anyone anymore."What is she doing here?" I whispered to Mia who was busy scanning the menu for what to order before the wait staff got to our table. That was going to be a while because they had just two people waiting at the tables.My eyes were trained on the woman who sat in the middle of the same men she usually hung out with. The raven-haired woman had a huge smile plastered on her face her face moving back and forth from the men talking."Who are you talking about? Who is here?" Mia's voice conveyed the confusion she felt, her head rotating around the room with curious eyes."Stephanie, Stephanie Lachlan," I whispered so her super wolf hearing wouldn't pick up on the sound of her name.I was
"It's not my fault I was outnumbered and you know it, anyone could be easily ambushed and swamped by the outlanders, skills, and strength notwithstanding." Addison snapped, pushing her dirt-stained hair behind her ear, her clothes muddy and rumpled due to how rough she was treated by those vile men. "If you had gone to the safe house you would never have been ambushed by a trio of perverted men who were ready to tear up every bit of your soul and sanity," I growled, the unconcerned expression on her face made me more furious at her. "Do you have any idea what those men were about to do? You don't look the least bit worried about what I interrupted." What the fuck was wrong with this woman? "Good thing you came when you did right? You're getting worked up over nothing babe, you came on time and nothing happened. I can't sink myself into the pit of depression over something that never happened." "You're unbelievable," I muttered walking away from her. Seven of my men had gone dow
Addison winced from the impact of their tight grips on her as they pushed her down against the hard ground. "Do y'all know who I am? You'll regret ever putting your hands on me.""Shut the fuck up bitch!" The man that stood by her right growled, his eyes darting back and forth between the buff man's lifeless body and my bloody hand. My face was void of any emotion as I started moving towards his fidgety men and a frightened Addison who was trying to put up a tough front. The fear in her eyes made my heart ache at the pain they inflicted on her. She wasn't strong enough to take on three well-trained rogue warriors on her own. I was both pained and pissed at the same time, my heart went out for her while my rage was channeled to the three men who had their filthy hands wrapped around her like a souvenir. I was also pissed at Addison but now wasn't the time to dwell on her senseless pride and foolishness. I gave a command for her to stay and protect the children and the elderly at t
"Rogues up North Alpha, you have to come fast." People were running around in search of safety from fear of the rogues that attacked the Northern part of the pack land.All the children, teenagers, omegas, the elderly men and women that dwelled in the pack house ran to the underground safe house we had as a precautionary measure to protect the weak and vulnerable during an impromptu attack.Tension covered the atmosphere like a fog of thick clothing, the cries of children as they were hurried away by panicking mothers and guidance."Send for Addison, Stephanie, and ten warriors to guard the safe house." I barked out my command to one of the men who stood on guard by the huge mahogany front door. "Yes, Alpha.""Track down Carly and make sure she's in the safe house, report to me or the Beta of anything that happens around her immediately." I commanded another guard, "You wouldn't want to know the consequences of anything happening to her or my pup under your watch." "On it Alpha."
JACE BALDWIN'S POV I leaned casually on my left shoulder on the wall, my right leg crossing over the left as I listened in on the loud agonizing groans that made my ears tingle.The number of rogues that were caught sniffing around my parameters was becoming annoying and my tolerance level for this game with the outlanders leader was rapidly nibbling on my last nerves.It's been two days after the revelation about Selena's prophecy, yet we had no idea what we should be looking out for. We just had to wait for the next blood moon and hope it's what we were waiting for.Yesterday, six rogues were caught roving around the local market, their scents were masked with chlorine but it wasn't strong enough to get past the sharp senses of our tracker who was out buying some fruits and vegetables with his girlfriend for a dinner party his family wanted to organize."He will find her! You can't hide her forever." The blonde man groaned in pain from his dangling position on the dungeon ceiling,
JACE BALDWIN'S POV "I FOUND IT MAN!" The following day, I was busy in my office when Ian busted in, a lottery-winning smile wide on his face."What are you talking about?" I asked, leaning back on the leather backrest of my office chair, a bit startled by his sudden outburst."You remember the encounter Carly had with those rogues?" Snatching the seat on the other end of the table, he plopped down on it, the seat squeaking under his weight."What about it?" I sat up immediately giving him my undivided attention at the mention of that disastrous night."She said those rogues were certain the earth wolf is in the Brookside pack, the other rogue said the same thing. He came to scout the territory hoping he got lucky.""I remember and from what I could gather, there's no specific sign for anyone to know who this mystery wolf is. She has no emblem on her. The goddess of fertility wasn't bothered enough to drop some hints." I ran a hand through my hair before slumping back into the chair.
Carly pushed her small frame into my large and muscular body, her hands holding mine behind her back, trapping her body into mine, her swelling stomach pressed into my hard six-packs.Her hair was pulled into a messy bun, and a few strands decided they were too prim to be held in such a bun."I'm sorry," she cried out, her tears instantly soaking up my round-neck T-shirt where her face was pressed on."Carly?" I tried to release my hand from her hold to check if she was alright but she cried harder, pushing her body to become one with mine."No, stop." Her grip on me was firm and I decided to keep my hands where she wanted."What's going on?" I was perplexed by her behavior which was a polar difference from the spite fire feisty woman that smacked me earlier."I'm sorry please don't hurt me, tell Lykos I said I'm sorry okay, that I was so mad and right now I don't even know what got me so worked up to the point of disrespecting you and him."What the fuck? She thought I came to punish
JACE BALDWIN'S POV When I approached Carly, I was hoping to have a casual conversation, I never expected to be slapped twice within 3 minutes by the same woman.Damn woman!Still in shock at the unexpected turn of events, I stayed rooted in place as I watched the angry woman blur away.Strangely, I wasn't offended by her actions in any way, if anything Lykos was cracking up at the back of my head."I didn't think this day would ever come." Lykos chortled."I'm honored to be the object of your entertainment," I grunted at him. Slowly, my hand touched the spot on my cheek that was already burning up from the impact of the assault. I could bet my wisdom teeth and her little fingers were duplicated on my face.A smile appeared on my face. That woman was something, why kiss a man when she was going to slap him for returning her kisses?That kiss, even though it was short was the kiss I'd never forget in a hurry. How could I when I received the first slap of my life after something as hot