Adam
Deven’s voice, contentedly chattering away with our sister in the back seat, grated on my nerves. My knuckles were white from gripping the steering wheel, wishing it was his neck my hands were wrapped around instead. I hadn’t wanted to bring him. It was his idiotic scheming that had directly caused our mother’s death. The girls had been adamant that he not be left alone to deal with the consequences of his actions. My mind floated back to the confrontation in our mother’s living room.
“I don’t care what he’s done.” Annabelle hissed, stomping her foot. “Mom wouldn’t want us to leave him here.”
“But if he hadn’t tried to pull his cons, she would still be alive. He invited these hunters, fucking mobsters to boot, into our lives.” I bellowed.
“Your whole plan relies on me actually being this Alpha’s daughter.” Lizzy whispered, interrupting the argument. “I won’t go anywhere without Deven.”
I looked at her, dumbfounded. Deven sat on the couch beside her, hands in his lap, looking sufficiently guilty. If Lizzy refused to return to Dark Moon, she couldn’t take her rightful place as heir to the Alpha. None of us would be safe from the mess our brother had brought upon us.
“Fine.” I snarled, my need to protect my sisters overriding my desire to let my brother meet his own fate. “He can come, but that doesn’t mean I have to be happy about it.”
I had done my best to avoid my brother in the days leading up to our departure. Every cell in my body was urging me to tear him limb from limb. He deserved nothing less for the part he played in our mother’s death, but I needed him in one piece to get Lizzy to Dark Moon territory. The confined space of the car was making it more challenging to rein in my anger.
“Adam.” Annabelle’s voice called from behind me, startling me. “We should stop somewhere for the night. Lizzy is already asleep, and you need rest too since you won’t let anyone else drive.”
At Annabelle’s behest, I pulled into the next motel along our route. It was a rundown place, with outward-facing doors. The interior wasn’t much better, but the beds would be sufficient for the night. While the girls settled in for the night, I made my way into the ratty bathroom. The sink was rimmed with brown lines; though the water was clear, it was apparent some sediment made its way through the faucet. Quickly, I relieved myself before washing my hands and face. Stepping from the bathroom, I collided with Deven, who had been waiting outside the door.
“Please, Adam.” He begged quietly. “I just wanted to talk. If I had known who the guy was, I never would have messed with him.”
My jaw clenched, and my hands formed fists at my sides. I didn’t care what kind of excuses Deven made. Our mother had been too easy on him, picking up after each mess he made while he ran off to participate in some new scheme.
“I was getting out of the game.” He sobbed. “It was supposed to be my last con, just big enough to pay mom back and set her and Lizzy up somewhere nice.”
“Don’t you dare try to play the victim.” I snarled, my hand shooting out to wrap around his throat. “You should be the dead one, not mom. I should just finish the job for those hunters myself. You’re nothing more than a waste of oxygen.”
“Enough!” Lizzy’s voice boomed through the room. “You will let him go and not lay another finger on him, Adam.”
I felt my body bend to the will of her Alpha command. I had no choice but to obey my baby sister as she ordered me to leave our brother alone. Even through my rage at Deven, my heart swelled with pride for Lizzy. There was no doubt that she was meant to be an Alpha someday. The Alpha of the largest pack in Mercius, to be exact.
“Yes, Alpha.” I replied, bowing slightly to my sister to hide the smirk playing along my lips.
She snorted as she turned back toward the bed she and Annabelle were sharing. I climbed into the empty bed and begrudgingly tossed the spare blanket to Deven when I saw the girls were going to give him theirs. No matter how much anger I had toward my brother, I wouldn’t allow my sisters to suffer for it.
So, it went for the next few days. I would drive until Annabelle told me we needed to stop. We would check into the next motel along the route, the girls sharing a bed, Deven on the floor, me in the other bed. Deven had long given up pleading his case to me by the time we made it to Dark Moon territory.
“State your business, rogue.” Ordered the wolf at the pack’s border.
“We wish to speak with the Alpha about admittance into the pack.” I replied. “I would like to find a hotel in town first if that’s alright.”
The man gave me directions to one of the hotels in town, my vague recollection of our time as members told me the place was close to the packhouse. We had barely settled in before another warrior was at the door, instructing me to follow him to see the Alpha. Motioning for Lizzy to come with us, we followed him to a black SUV and piled into the back seat.
“Welcome, I’m Alpha Montgomery.” Lucas said, extending his hand from behind his desk once we were ushered into his office. “My warriors tell me you’re seeking admittance into the pack.”
“That’s correct.” I replied flatly as Lizzy and I took our seats across from him.
Lizzy shifted uncomfortably in her seat as Lucas stared at us, trying to figure out who we were. His demeanor told me that he recognized us and couldn’t place us.
“So, you grew up as rogues, is that correct?” He asked. “What made you decide to join a pack now, mister and miss?”
“Lizzy, my name is Lizzy. We came because our mother died.” My sister spoke before I could ask how he knew we had grown up as rogues.
“You know, Alpha Lucas, I would have thought you would recognize us. Your mate is the reason our mother is dead.” I snarled.
“What accusation are you trying to make, exactly?”
“Of course, the high and mighty Alpha would forget about us. Don’t you remember the she-wolf and her children that you took in? The unborn daughter you abandoned?” I pressed.
“Adam?” Lucas gasped.
“In the flesh, Alpha, and this is your daughter. Lizzy Devereaux, rightful Alpha of the Dark Moon pack.” I smirked, satisfied with the shock written across his face.
“I – We -You were dead.” He stammered. “We looked for you until the trail ran cold. The only thing that made sense was that you had been killed. I grieved for you.”
“I’m sure that’s what your assassin bitch told you. If you hadn’t chosen her over my mother, she would still be alive.”
“What happened to Maggie?” Lucas demanded.
“She was murdered by the hunter mob. A direct result of Deven’s poor choices, but if we hadn’t needed to run to be safe from your mate, he never would have been in the position to make those choices.”
“Oh, goddess no.” Lucas gasped. “Adam, I’m so sorry. You know I loved your mother. Selene wasn’t going to harm her. She grieved as hard as I did when we thought you had all died. You know you have a place here; we will get it right this time and keep all of you safe.”
“It’s not like you have much say in the matter, Lucas.” I snarled. “I’ve come to challenge you for the position of Alpha in Lizzy’s place. She’s not quite prepared to take you on, but I am, and I intend to act as her champion.”
Osiris It was clear that the she-wolves viewed me as a threat. It was worrisome that they didn’t know Tyler or Blood Moon pack. The world around me didn’t look different, and the women spoke my language, but something was still off. They had reacted as if they had never met a witch hybrid before. I shook my head; it was possible that I had opened a portal to another country where witches were still hidden. “If you don’t mind my asking, where are you taking me?” I asked. It hadn’t eluded me that the wolf leading me had ordered the other to stay at a distance. Better to step in if I were to attack. “I’m taking you to my husband, the Alpha. From there, we will see.”&nbs
Selene “So, what was the deal with the rogues?” I asked once Rory had lead Osiris away. “It’s Maggie’s kids.” Lucas sighed; his eyes downcast. “Oh, my goddess!” I gasped. “They’re alive? Where is Maggie? Is everyone alright? Where have they been all this time?” The sadness that flowed through our bond as I rapidly fired off my questions at my mate was overwhelming. I collapsed into the empty seat across from his desk under the weight of his emotions. “Maggie is dead.” He whispered. His voice only audible due to my wolf hearing. &
Lizzy Adam was beyond irritated and irrational as we made our way back to the hotel. I wanted to scream at him, have a tantrum in the middle of the street for the way he tore me away from my mate. More then that, I wanted to know why my mate hadn’t seemed to recognize me as his instantly. The man seemed indifferent to the bond, but I knew he was mine the moment I laid eyes on him. “I can’t believe the nerve of him.” Adam huffed. “He has some gall denying me the opportunity to be your champion. Does he expect you to face him in combat?” “Adam, you need to let it go.” I sighed. “He said it was the law, and what if I don’t want to be Alpha of a pack I don’t even know?”
Striker I sat in my VIP balcony overlooking the club. Bodies writhed below me, grinding together in time to the music pumping through the speakers. The strobe lighting gave off the appearance of a grotesque rave. I sipped my scotch and stole a glance at my watch. Riley was late. Riley was never late. I found the club business distasteful, but they were vital to laundering money for the family business. If anyone else had kept me waiting, they would be done. I didn’t tolerate tardiness. I especially didn’t tolerate it when the meeting occurred in the cesspool we called a night club. I couldn’t help feeling that I had been born to the wrong generation of Strikers. A few hundred years ago, we were revered for what we truly were, werewolf h
Selene Rory had practically tossed me out of the hospital on my ass after I delivered the blood bags. It was all I could do to get her agree to let Lucas stay behind. It was our responsibility to protect the pack after all. Lucas promised to keep me updated and sent me on my way. The boys had done their chores and were already settled in for the night when I returned home. I decided to see what I could find in fiction about vampires. They didn’t exist in our world, but Rory was positive that Osiris was one. It was nearing one in the morning when a knock sounded on the door. Damon stumbled through the hall as I switched on the lights, the incessant knocking waking him from his sleep. Two young she-wolves stood on my door
Rory As soon as Selene had retrieved the bagged blood I had asked for, I made her leave the hospital. She conceded so long as I allowed Lucas to stay. The Alpha wouldn’t interfere with my work the same way she would, so I agreed. Lucas kept to the waiting room, not bothering me as I fed the starving boy blood. “Feeling better?” I asked as he slurped down the last bag of blood. “Much. I’m sorry about that whole thing in the waiting area. I’ve never experienced anything like that before.” “Why don’t you tell me what you have experienced.” I replied. “I’m only half vampire, I h
Selene I sped toward the hospital, linking my entire elite warrior team to meet me there. Neither Rory nor Lucas was responding to my attempts to link with them, leading me to believe the situation they were in was dire. I slammed on the brakes and threw the car in park as I pulled up to the entrance. Victoria stood just outside with a handful of the team that had already arrived, pacing as she waited for my arrival. “Our mission is to subdue whatever is happening inside the hospital. I have no information about what we’re walking into so stay on guard.” I ordered before leading the way inside. What we found was absolute chaos. Wolves were tearing up anything they could get their hands on to use as a battering ram. A handful of me
Deven “Eat.” My mother said, sliding a plate loaded with lasagna toward me across the counter. “Ma, you really do too much.” “I just worry about you, Deven. I wish you would come back home, figure out what you really want to do with your life.” “Actually, I have some news.” I grinned at her. “I came to tell you I just finished a major deal. I’m going to pay you back everything I’ve ever borrowed, Ma. Set you and Lizzy up in a real nice place.” “Deven.” She said, narrowing her eyes at me. “Please tell me you’re not involved with drugs again. If you are, we can get you back into rehab. I really do think you should come back home.”&
Selene I sped toward the hospital, linking my entire elite warrior team to meet me there. Neither Rory nor Lucas was responding to my attempts to link with them, leading me to believe the situation they were in was dire. I slammed on the brakes and threw the car in park as I pulled up to the entrance. Victoria stood just outside with a handful of the team that had already arrived, pacing as she waited for my arrival. “Our mission is to subdue whatever is happening inside the hospital. I have no information about what we’re walking into so stay on guard.” I ordered before leading the way inside. What we found was absolute chaos. Wolves were tearing up anything they could get their hands on to use as a battering ram. A handful of me
Rory As soon as Selene had retrieved the bagged blood I had asked for, I made her leave the hospital. She conceded so long as I allowed Lucas to stay. The Alpha wouldn’t interfere with my work the same way she would, so I agreed. Lucas kept to the waiting room, not bothering me as I fed the starving boy blood. “Feeling better?” I asked as he slurped down the last bag of blood. “Much. I’m sorry about that whole thing in the waiting area. I’ve never experienced anything like that before.” “Why don’t you tell me what you have experienced.” I replied. “I’m only half vampire, I h
Selene Rory had practically tossed me out of the hospital on my ass after I delivered the blood bags. It was all I could do to get her agree to let Lucas stay behind. It was our responsibility to protect the pack after all. Lucas promised to keep me updated and sent me on my way. The boys had done their chores and were already settled in for the night when I returned home. I decided to see what I could find in fiction about vampires. They didn’t exist in our world, but Rory was positive that Osiris was one. It was nearing one in the morning when a knock sounded on the door. Damon stumbled through the hall as I switched on the lights, the incessant knocking waking him from his sleep. Two young she-wolves stood on my door
Striker I sat in my VIP balcony overlooking the club. Bodies writhed below me, grinding together in time to the music pumping through the speakers. The strobe lighting gave off the appearance of a grotesque rave. I sipped my scotch and stole a glance at my watch. Riley was late. Riley was never late. I found the club business distasteful, but they were vital to laundering money for the family business. If anyone else had kept me waiting, they would be done. I didn’t tolerate tardiness. I especially didn’t tolerate it when the meeting occurred in the cesspool we called a night club. I couldn’t help feeling that I had been born to the wrong generation of Strikers. A few hundred years ago, we were revered for what we truly were, werewolf h
Lizzy Adam was beyond irritated and irrational as we made our way back to the hotel. I wanted to scream at him, have a tantrum in the middle of the street for the way he tore me away from my mate. More then that, I wanted to know why my mate hadn’t seemed to recognize me as his instantly. The man seemed indifferent to the bond, but I knew he was mine the moment I laid eyes on him. “I can’t believe the nerve of him.” Adam huffed. “He has some gall denying me the opportunity to be your champion. Does he expect you to face him in combat?” “Adam, you need to let it go.” I sighed. “He said it was the law, and what if I don’t want to be Alpha of a pack I don’t even know?”
Selene “So, what was the deal with the rogues?” I asked once Rory had lead Osiris away. “It’s Maggie’s kids.” Lucas sighed; his eyes downcast. “Oh, my goddess!” I gasped. “They’re alive? Where is Maggie? Is everyone alright? Where have they been all this time?” The sadness that flowed through our bond as I rapidly fired off my questions at my mate was overwhelming. I collapsed into the empty seat across from his desk under the weight of his emotions. “Maggie is dead.” He whispered. His voice only audible due to my wolf hearing. &
Osiris It was clear that the she-wolves viewed me as a threat. It was worrisome that they didn’t know Tyler or Blood Moon pack. The world around me didn’t look different, and the women spoke my language, but something was still off. They had reacted as if they had never met a witch hybrid before. I shook my head; it was possible that I had opened a portal to another country where witches were still hidden. “If you don’t mind my asking, where are you taking me?” I asked. It hadn’t eluded me that the wolf leading me had ordered the other to stay at a distance. Better to step in if I were to attack. “I’m taking you to my husband, the Alpha. From there, we will see.”&nbs
Adam Deven’s voice, contentedly chattering away with our sister in the back seat, grated on my nerves. My knuckles were white from gripping the steering wheel, wishing it was his neck my hands were wrapped around instead. I hadn’t wanted to bring him. It was his idiotic scheming that had directly caused our mother’s death. The girls had been adamant that he not be left alone to deal with the consequences of his actions. My mind floated back to the confrontation in our mother’s living room. “I don’t care what he’s done.” Annabelle hissed, stomping her foot. “Mom wouldn’t want us to leave him here.” “But if he hadn’t tried to pull his cons, she would still be alive. He invited these hunters, fucking mobsters to boot, into our lives.” I bellowed. “Your whole plan relies
Lizzy “I’m so sorry about your momma, honey. Maggie was such a sweet lady.” “Thank you, Miss Betty.” I said through a forced smile as the older woman embraced me. I expertly removed myself from her grasp. The woman had been around since I was a baby and had been like a grandmother to me, but what I wanted was the comfort of my siblings. I made my way through the crowded house and the murmured condolences and comments on the service. My mother had been well-loved by the community, always willing to lend a hand or an ear in their time of need. I breathed a sigh of relief as I caught sight of my sister, Annabelle, making her way outside.