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
"Now that's a question," Darren smirked turning back to sit on the wooden cushion chair "What's that supposed to mean?" I asked, leaning on the wall behind me for physical support since my knees were too wobbly and no longer able to keep my weight up.Darren was a known name around the Were community and a major threat to Jace's pack. The Brookside pack.I remember hearing his name a lot in Jace, Beta Ian, and Nate's conversation."We need to increase our training time with the pack warriors if we want to stand a chance against Darren," Nate offered his candid suggestion as they continued with their discussion over breakfast."Darren isn't dumb enough to risk an attack in the Brookside pack. He wouldn't want to dare me." Jace had countered with visible anger clear in his eyes."These are the outlanders we're dealing with, Alpha. We're talking rouges. Everyone knows how vicious they can be." Beta Ian had supplied, putting Jace straight when he tried belittling his opponent.It was the
I froze in time lost in the most beautiful dark grey eyes I've ever seen in my entire life, the pillow dangling behind my back.The man before me was the real definition of dark, mysterious, and dangerous.He was almost as tall as Jace but Jace still had a few 5-6 inches on him, he had a mob of black hair that was combed into perfection, and thick and long lashes cast a shadow over his dark grey eyes which were cold and menacing as he glared me down. His lips had a pink tinge which had me wondering if he used men's makeup or if it was natural. He had sharp jawlines that could cut a paper and his face was on full display and free of facial hair, his nose was perfectly sculpted on his face and his lips were drawn into a thin disapproving line. He had broad shoulders that were covered in a black suit jacket that was tailored and made for him, the top three buttons on his black shirt were popped to reveal the swirls of tattoos that decorated his skin and I found myself imagining what his
Darkness.Gross darkness.Gross and intense darkness.That was all I saw when my eyes fluttered open. My head craned in all directions, eyes darting around trying to get a glimpse of light from any angle. Disappointed, I briefly shut my eyes in disappointment when there was no trace of light, not even from a cracked wall or a sip of light from the space in between the door and the floor or a window.At this point, even the dullest light in the history of light will be appreciated.Where am I?I thought, tuning into my other senses since my sights were disadvantaged at the moment. I strained my ears in the hope of picking up on a sound but everywhere was eerily quiet. Almost dead.A soft lavender fragrance tingled my nose from the pillowcase my head rested on. At least one sense organ was responding when needed even though the fragrance couldn't relate any vital information as to what my fate was in this unknown place. But it was sufficient enough to let me know I wasn't tied up in
Needless to say, the man was way stronger and he easily overpowered and shoved me against the sturdy tree trunk. Instinctively, I snapped my eyes shut as pains shot through my growing baby bump. His hands held mine in a firm grip that caused pains to shoot up my entire arm and shoulders."Not so tough now huh?" Paul whispered breathily into my ear his left hand draping around my mid-drift, restraining my body from further struggles.My breathing was heavy as hot tears escaped my closed eyelids from the intensity of the pains my body endured. I could feel my baby wiggle in his position as the man shoved his weight into me, his breath fanning the side of my face."I don't think so, princess. You're going to stay quiet and do as we say if you don't want me ripping that bastard out of you, yeah?" I whimpered in fear as his words settled in my head, bile rose from my throat as the hand he draped around my waist snuck under the grey sweatshirt I wore over its matching grey sweatpants. His
"Look what we have here." Lost in my thoughts, I didn't take notice of the two men in front of me, until I bumped into one of them.I stumbled backward in an attempt to put some distance between us. The man I bumped into had a mop of black hair that was gelled back perfectly without a single strand out of place and sharp blue eyes that pierced into my soul. His friend also had black hair but his was free of gel."A runaway pack member?" The second man said easily giving themselves away as rogue wolves. My heartbeat picked up speed at the realization of what doom I'd run into. I should've been more observant of my environment maybe I would've avoided crossing paths with them."A pregnant runaway human who happens to be mated to a wolf."Great! I thought sarcastically when the first man's blue eyes became glued to Jace's bite mark on my neck. "The devil's in the picture." The second man said in a sing-song voice that could be easily mistaken for amusement if not for the wicked glint
CARLY WOODS POV I couldn't believe walking away from all this would be this easy. I didn't know where to go from here but I had to figure something out before it was too late.I didn't want to be in the middle of nowhere when night washed over with the thick cloak of darkness. The decision to leave was great but right now it didn't seem too awesome to journey alone to an unknown destination."Being the Alpha's fiance does have its perks you know? I've taken care of the patrol team in the south and Southeast borders the decision on where to go is up to you." Addison had said when I told her escaping a pack as big as Brookside was a dumb move only an idiot would try considering.I went south, and I wasn't too surprised when I didn't come across any patrol guards anywhere by the borders. Addison was a woman that wasn't afraid to make demands from anyone and she knew how to use her soon-to-be Luna to her full advantage.Because of my pregnant state, I couldn't run far, so I settled for
JACE BALDWIN'S POV It was noon the following day yet, there was no trace of Carly anywhere in the pack, there was no report of rogues sited anywhere around the pack.Order then Ian and I spent our entire morning searching every possible place for the missing pregnant young woman, I had my trackers and a search team parading everywhere nook of the pack. "She was heading south when I saw her yesterday evening." "It's been a while since I saw Ms Woods.""Maybe she ran away with another man."The words from some people I questioned did nothing to ease the growing tension I felt neither did it ease the tightness in my chest. I didn't want to believe the worst."I think there'll be a clue in her room." I reasoned after six long unfruitful hours of a wild goose chase."You think she ran away?" Ian asked his tired voice doubtful yet there was a slight hope that he wished she didn't."I don't know what to think, man. I have a gut feeling she wasn't abducted, I don't know how, maybe it's an
ADDISON COBBLER POV As the night dragged on, I watched in silent amusement as Jace tried to figure out what was going on with Carly's sudden disappearance from the house. "Give it till the morning Alpha, I'm sure she'll come back from wherever she went." Nate tried to reason with Jace but he was too far gone in his anger. "Gemma Nate is right, Carly loves disappearing to unknown places whenever she wants to be on her own." The gentle voice of Carly's friend piped in making me smile inwardly because they were unknowingly buying me enough time to get the omega as far as possible from the Brookside pack. "Where is the most common place she visits during one of her 'I want to go M.I.A'?" Jace asks the young omega his eyes are the darkest shade of black I've ever seen on him. Jace had requested she come to the mansion as soon as possible. He needed all the information he could gather before deciding whether she was abducted or hiding out somewhere. I knew better. Another r
The study room grew unnaturally quiet as the raven-haired woman rushed back into the room with her report."Carly enjoys spending her evening in the movie room or library.""Yes Alpha, I'll be right back."She pivoted back out of the study and immediately, a light chitchat started between the other occupants of the space.Ian and I discussed quietly the possible outcome of these meetings, if indeed a rat was residing in the Brookside pack, we were about to find out.Addison relaxed into her seat, her arms crossed under her boobs effectively pushing the twins into her face with a blank look on her face. Looking at her closely, I could detect amusement in her demeanor even though she tried hiding it from everyone.Nate sat quietly not engaging anyone in a conversation. His eyes were trained on the door in anticipation.My eyes stayed glued on Julian as he talked with Stan and Jean. The slight chuckle he released annoyed me beyond words as I imagined him smiling at my Carly after making