John knelt in the soft grass, cradling his grandmother's in his arms. The once vibrant woman now lay pale and still, her lifeblood seeping through his trembling fingers. John's heart raced with panic as he rocked her back and forth, pressing a hand over one of her stab wounds, a futile attempt to halt the bleeding that threatened to steal her away. "My boy, right now you look just like your mother," Sera coughed looking up at him with unfocused eyes. Her words carried a weight of emotion that John could feel deep within his soul. Despite his super hearing, her voice was barely audible, but every word pierced through him. "I am so happy that fate brought you back to me and that you are safe within the pack," she continued, her hand trembling as she attempted to lift it before losing consciousness. Tears streamed down his face unchecked. "Please, please," he pleaded in a voice choked with emotion, his words barely audible amidst the chaos of his racing thoughts. "I only just met you,
John slowly stirred, feeling enveloped in warmth and comfort. He instinctively snuggled closer to the comforting warmth, emitting a soft purr while breathing in the familiar scent of his mate. As he opened his eyes, he discovered himself cradled in the protective embrace of his Alpha. Despite already being intimately close, every part of their bodies in contact, he attempted to move even nearer. Pressing his face against his mate's chest, a profound sense of contentment washed over him, mirrored by the satisfaction resonating in his lynx form.As the arm around his waist shifted, John leaned back slightly to gaze up at his mate's face. Darius's brown eyes held a mix of concern and relief as they scanned his features. "You're awake," the Alpha's voice came "How are you feeling?"John's confusion quickly turned to panic as the events of the day rushed back into his mind. He desperately tried to extricate himself from his mate's embrace, his heart racing with anxiety. "Where is my grandm
As they stepped through the door, Darius swiftly enveloped John in his arms, eliciting an embarrassed squeak from him. John instinctively wrapped his arms around Darius, feeling the warmth and safety of his embrace. The alpha carried him towards the sitting room, settling on the couch with John nestled against him. Darius buried his face into John's neck, inhaling deeply again and again, his breaths coming shallow. John gently cupped Darius's face, turning it to meet his gaze, concern etched into his features. "What's wrong? Talk to me," John whispered, sensing the turmoil brewing within his mate. "Everything and nothing," Darius replied with a heavy sigh, his voice laden with frustration and self-doubt. "It was too close a call with Carla and Sera today, and then I left my pack on edge because I wasn't thinking clearly. How am I supposed to be protecting you when I'm failing miserably at my basic Alpha duties?" "No," John interjected softly, shaking his head. "Don't think like that
Mason's voice cut through the heavy silence of Kali’s place like a knife as he recounted his unsettling past with Zion, the old warlock who had once played a crucial role in Mason's expulsion from the coven. The air was heavy with tension as Mason spoke about the sacrifice of one of his mates, an act that had propelled him into the realm of dark magic, a realm where death was the price to pay. Mason's voice, calm and detached, painted a horrifying picture of his transformation. He spoke of the sacrifice as casually as if he were discussing the mundane details of everyday life, his words weaving a chilling narrative. Arlo and Mia absorbed the weight of his words, their minds reeling with the realisation of the depths of Mason's depravity. Arlo, struggling to make sense of the situation, initiated a telepathic link with Lex, the Alpha, expressing his doubts and concerns. "Alpha, are you sure about all this?" he questioned, seeking guidance. Lex, however, remained silent, his contem
Annie sat on the edge of the bed, her posture tense, hands clenched tightly between her knees, her head bowed as if carrying the weight of the world. Her hair cascaded forward, a curtain veiling her troubled expression from the late afternoon sun filtering through the window.Sensing his mate's distress, Michael entered the room, his lion on edge at the sight of Annie's vulnerability. With each step closer, he felt the heaviness in the air, a palpable tension that threatened to suffocate them both. Kneeling in front of her, he placed his hands gently on her legs, "What's wrong, sweetheart?" Michael asked softly, his voice a soothing balm in the midst of Annie's turmoil. He met her gaze, his heart clenching at the fear he saw dancing in her eyes, a reflection of the storm raging within her.Annie hesitated, her voice barely a whisper as she struggled to articulate the overwhelming emotions weighing her down. "I... I..." she began but then, she shook her head, dismissing her own vulnera
The loud knock at the door jolts Darius awake, causing him to grunt and shift in his sleep-induced haze. Disoriented, he surveys his surroundings before his gaze settles on his mate, peacefully asleep in his arms. A soft smile graces his lips as he admires the relaxed features of his beloved while he slumbers. Memories of their earlier passionate encounter flicker in his mind, the intensity of their connection still lingering. They had fallen asleep spent on the couch.Now fully awake, Darius feels a presence pushing into his mind. He reluctantly lowers his mental barriers, and Prius's voice filters through."Alpha, it's me at the door. I'm sorry to bother you, but we have to talk," Prius's urgency is like a cold wake-up call, and Darius suddenly becomes alert. "Give me five minutes. Wait for me in the office," he replies through the link. He disentangles himself slowly from his mate's arms. John whimpers in his sleep at the loss, but Darius plants a soft kiss on his forehead. "Sleep
Kali sat in her softly lit room, her hand absentmindedly playing with the pages of her grimoire laid open on the table in front of her. Her mind was consumed with thoughts of retaliation against the arrogant, domineering figure known as Mason. She paced back and forth, plotting her next move, when suddenly, Mason appeared in the room, a satisfied grin on his face, his presence suffocating the air with tension, the smell of damp still lingering in his clothes. His black eyes were as dark as ever, yet there was something different to him. It was so subtle that Kali doubted the warlock had even realised it.Startled, Kali whipped around to face him, her heart pounding in her chest, a mix of fear and fury coursing through her veins. "What do you want, Mason?" she spat, her voice laced with defiance.Mason smirked, his eyes glinting with malice. "Call the Alpha dog," he ordered with a condescending tone."I am not your bitch, Mason. Call him yourself," Kali retorted, her jaw clenching.Bef
John stepped outside onto the patio at the back of the pack house with Darius, the scene before him bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun. The firepit crackled and flickered, casting a comforting warmth that cut through the chill of the evening air. The pack members bustled around, their laughter and chatter filling the air as they mingled and enjoyed each other's company. A sense of contentment washed over John as he took in the sight before him. These people, this pack, were more than just shifters of his mate’s pack—they felt like family. He lightly squeezed his mate's hand, his heart swelling with affection as he looked upon his handsome face, framed by long, styled hair and a neatly trimmed beard. A dark thought slithered into John's mind, the lynx within him hissing with discontent. How had someone as good-looking as his mate ended up with someone as average as him?What were the fates thinking? The thought gnawed at him, but before he could spiral into darker thoughts, his
Two months after it had served as a battleground, the square-like clearing now buzzed with life and activity. The pack was in high spirits as they prepared for the full moon celebration. Where there had once been quiet and sombre cleanup efforts following the battle, there was now joy and excitement. Members of the pack, young and old, were busy making final preparations for the evening. Large tables were set up under a gazebo on one side of the clearing, creating a communal space for dining. Nearby, some of the warriors were constructing a pile of logs and kindling, destined to become a roaring bonfire after sunset. The air was filled with laughter and chatter, and children’s playful screams echoed through the clearing as they ran around, immersed in games and chasing one another. The village, transformed by a spirit of camaraderie and celebration, was a stark contrast to its recent past. John walked alongside his grandmother, a sense of peace settling over him as he took in the liv
John hovered on the brink of consciousness, the persistent beep piercing through the fog of his mind, drawing him back from the depths of unconsciousness. Battling against heavy eyelids, he struggled to open them, confusion swirling within. With a determined effort, his eyelids fluttered apart, greeted by the glaring brightness of the room. The intense light assaulted his senses, compelling him to squint as he tried to orient himself. The walls gleamed with clinical whiteness, the scent of antiseptic triggering a sense of déjà vu. How did he end up here again? As his vision adjusted, he recognized the familiar sights of the infirmary—the neatly arranged medications on the nearby table, the incessant beeping was coming from the medical equipment attached to his chest. The more he took in his surroundings, the more reality flooded back, hitting him like a tidal wave: the attack, Mason, Darius! Darius was stabbed! Panicking, John attempted to move, urgency to find Darius consuming him
"Ah, my little pet," Mason said, pulling a handcuffed Desmond forward. "Looks like he's been used as entertainment for that werewolf pack," he laughed without emotion. "Too bad he's now my little pet, and I have no intention of returning him." "Darius," the man, Desmond, whispered with a broken voice. He sounded broken. "My family?" he asked, and Darius replied, "Prius and Carla are here, fighting against the scum that is threatening their Luna's life." John's gaze flickered between Darius and the captive, his confusion palpable. He was about to voice his inquiry when Mason's voice cut through, demanding attention once more. "Enough with the sob stuff," Mason sneered, redirecting John's focus back to him. "So, the little lamb thinks he can challenge the big bad 'wolf'," Mason taunted, a smirk playing on his lips. John's eyes narrowed, a glint of defiance shining within them. "I've faced bigger threats than you," he declared, though uncertainty lingered beneath his bravado. Mason
John felt a growing unease gnawing at him as he muttered to himself, "What's happening?" while scanning the area with a furrowed brow. Turning to Darius, he sought an update. Seeking information, Darius reached out to Fez. "What's the status?" he asked. Fez's response was swift. "The rogues are holding their position, as if they're waiting for orders. They seem to be alone." As the pack's Luna, John tuned into their mindlink conversation, raising an eyebrow. "How many are we talking about, Fez?" he piped in. "About seven on our side, Luna," Fez reported. "Only seven?" John's concern deepened. "And overall?" "Approximately sixty, as we have estimated," Fez confirmed. Though Fez couldn't see him, John nodded,sharing his feeling of unease and asking the tracker to keep his guard up. John couldn't quite put his finger on it, but something felt amiss. Prius had briefed him on the ruthless nature of the rogues, their disregard for life being well-known. However, this situation didn't
Desmond sat in his usual position, seated on the floor, his back against the cold stonewall of the cell. His arms were folded over his knees, and he rested his head on one of them, the dim light casting faint shadows across the room. It was a small comfort to him as the darkness was no longer as suffocating as it once was, courtesy of what he could only assume was the intervention of his mate. Though he still lacked the “luxuries” of the other cells, such as a bed or amenities, Desmond was no longer shackled like an animal. Instead, he had been granted small reprieves—a daily meal, the absence of chains—that served as a stark reminder of his newfound, albeit uncertain, freedom. Despite the lingering grime and tattered clothing, he felt a glimmer of strength returning to him, his body slowly healing from the wounds inflicted during his captivity. The scars would remain, a testament to his endurance and resilience in the face of adversity, but they no longer bore the weight of despair
Mason paced back and forth, his keen gaze sweeping over the crowd of shifters gathered before him. Low growls filled the air, a testament to the simmering anger and tension that emanated from the group of rogues standing before him. Their red eyes glinted with defiance, their dirty clothes and unkempt appearances serving as a stark contrast to the more polished warriors of the Feral Glen pack. Turning his attention to Arlo, Mason's expression was unreadable as he addressed him. "You are not as useless as I thought," he remarked with a hint of begrudging respect. "How many do we have now?" Arlo gritted his teeth, his patience wearing thin in the presence of the egocentric warlock. "59," he replied tersely, his voice tinged with irritation. "We are still short, but it's all we could do." Mason's lips curled into a smug smile as he dismissed Arlo's concerns with a wave of his hand. "They are more than enough," he declared confidently. "Ruthless and with no care for their pathetic lives
The day of the full moon had arrived, bringing with it a palpable tension that hung heavy in the air. If the predictions held true, Mason and his werewolves would launch their attack today. The uncertainty surrounding the exact timing of the assault only heightened the unease. Moonrise occurred at 21:14, with the peak of the full moon set for 12:48 AM. Would the enemy strike before, during, or after the peak? Without a spy among the enemy pack to help them with such information, there was no way to know for sure. This detail only added to the tension, casting a shadow over their anticipation of what was to come.Darius and John sat in the pack dining hall alongside their comrades. Despite attempts to maintain a façade of normalcy, the tension was evident in the subdued atmosphere. On a typical day when lunch was being served, the room would be bustling with laughter and the playful chaos of children. Darius glanced to his right, where his mate sat. He took in John's profile, his fair
As Darius and John arrived at the packhouse, they found Prius and Luke awaiting them on the front porch. John couldn't miss the subtle sniff Prius gave the air, nor the knowing smirk that crossed his lips. "Glad to see you made it back," Prius said with a wink, his words causing a blush to creep up John's cheeks. Ignoring the Beta's teasing, Darius draped an arm around John's shoulder and turned to Prius, asking, "Where are the rest of the elite?"Prius responded promptly, "We've been awaiting your return, Alpha. Your timelines weren't exactly clear."Darius nodded, his gaze steady as he addressed Prius. "We're here now. Mind-link everyone for a pack meeting; we have a lot to discuss.""Of course, boss," Prius said quietly behind his Alpha's back. John couldn't help but notice the Beta's mocking salute and muttered remark, which caused him to start giggling.Darius turned to John, raising an eyebrow. "Are you okay?" he asked quietly. John simply nodded enthusiastically to avoid furthe
Mason barged into Lex's office without bothering to knock, walking in as if he owned the place. Lex, accustomed to the warlock's brash demeanour, rose from his chair slowly, his movements deliberate and measured.He met Mason's gaze, refusing to be intimidated by the dark aura that surrounded the warlock.Mason's lips curled into a sneer as he addressed Lex, his tone dripping with disdain. "Time to get those losers that you call a pack together and get working," he spat.Lex's jaw clenched at the offensive remark, but he remained composed, his expression unreadable. With a nod, he gestured for Mason to follow him, his silence a subtle acknowledgment of the task at hand.As they walked, a palpable tension hung in the air between them, the nervous energy crackling like electricity between the two. Lex's movements were purposeful, each step a silent declaration of his determination to see their mission through to the end.Mason’s eyes, dark and piercing, bore into Lex's back, a silent re