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
Stunned by the unexpected encounter, John's mind reeled with a whirlwind of questions. Who was this man? And why did he look so much like Zion? But as he searched for answers in the depths of the stranger's gaze, John knew one thing for certain: his escape had been thwarted, and he was now at the mercy of this mysterious newcomer."Let me go!" John growled lowly, his tone desperate as he shifted back into his human form. He wasn't about to resort to violence, but he needed to break free from the stranger's tight hold.Struggling against the man's grip, John's mind raced with questions. What did this stranger want from him? And why didn’t he exactly feel like a stranger? The confusion only intensified as he felt his lynx's own bewilderment echoing in his mind.Sensing John's agitation, the man relaxed his hold slightly, but he didn't release him completely. "What's going on? Calm down," the man urged, his voice filled with concern, but John couldn't afford to stay there any longer. Wi
It was as if a tornado had torn through Lex's office, leaving destruction in its wake. Arlo, who had borne the brunt of Mason's fury, was on the floor against the wall. The warlock had unleashed his powers in a fit of rage upon hearing the news of John's escape. The once orderly room was now a scene of chaos, with cracked walls, plaster dust coating every surface, and a suffocating aura of darkness lingering in the air. "Tell me what happened again," Mason's voice commanded, dark and menacing. Arlo swallowed hard from his place on the floor, his face cut and bruised, his clothes torn and revealing healing wounds on his body. "By the time we got there, he was going through a portal," Arlo explained, readjusting his broken nose. "I tried to grab him, but I only managed to slash his back." "Bloody Zion," Mason growled, his voice impressively low, as if he were a primal shifter. "But I will take care of it once I snatch his precious little thing before his eyes." He squeezed his fists ti
John slowly began to stir, the grogginess of sleep clinging to him as he gradually became aware of his surroundings. The scent of disinfectant filled his nose- what was he doing in the infirmary. Lying face down on the bed, he furrowed his brow in confusion, unsure of where he was. As he contemplated moving, the hushed whispers of familiar voices reached his ears, causing him to feign continued slumber. "What happened out there?" Sera's voice was laced with worry. "And more importantly, why was he out there alone, Alpha?". Darius's response was hesitant, his sheepish admission hanging in the air. "I have no idea. He said he was going to run with the pack, and...," his voice trailed off, unable to offer a clear explanation. Sera's concern mirrored Darius's uncertainty, their collective confusion palpable in the sterile room. John's attention shifted when Zion asked “And you? Can you tell us anything?” Another voice he didn't recognize at first, but then it clicked—his cousin, Magnus
Darius approached the infirmary room where John was, his heart heavy with remorse. From outside, he could hear John's voice, wavering with uncertainty as he spoke to Sera. "I'm okay, Grandma," John insisted, his tone pleading. "You're the doctor, and you said I'm healed. I wanna go please” he begged, but then paused “Can I... can I come stay with you, please?"As Darius entered the room, John's gaze lifted, locking onto his with a mixture of fear and anguish. The Alpha's expression remained unreadable, causing John's heart to twist with apprehension. What did Darius want now?Meanwhile, Sera, sensing the tension, attempted to intervene. "Darius," she began, her voice a gentle plea, hoping to prevent John from crumbling again after she had just managed to calm him down.Ignoring Sera's attempt to shield John, Darius stepped into the room, his gaze unwavering. "Out," he commanded, gesturing towards the door. Sera shook her head defiantly, unwilling to let John be hurt further. However
Darius stood tall, his presence commanding attention as he faced the assembled pack. The air crackled with tension, the scent of anticipation mingling with the ever-present musk of the forest. Beside him stood John, his feline gaze scanning the crowd with a mix of concern and determination. "Brothers and sisters," Darius's voice boomed, resonating through the area in front of the pack house, bathed in the warm afternoon sunlight. "Today, we face a danger that threatens us all."The murmurs among the pack ceased as they turned their attention to their leader, their eyes reflecting a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. They knew something grave was afoot; the urgency in Darius's voice was unmistakable."Last night during our run, my mate and our Luna, John was tricked to leave our midst," he continued, his words heavy with sorrow. "He was made to believe to be unwanted by those who seek to harm him.""Thankfully," Darius continued, his voice thick with emotion, "He was found by
The atmosphere in Magnus' room crackled with anticipation as Carla and Magnus walked through the portal, their figures shimmering into view. "Great trick!" Carla exclaimed, her eyes dancing with amusement as she took in the surroundings of Magnus' space. Recognition dawned on her; they were in one of the guest rooms at the packhouse. The room, like the rest of the place, oozed modern comfort, its sleek wooden flooring spreading seamlessly across the area. Each room had its own vibe dictated by the colour scheme - this one boasted a decidedly masculine palette. A bold burgundy feature wall dominated the space, while a plush sage green armchair cozied up in one corner, perfectly in tune with the overall aesthetic and complementing the modern country chic chest of drawers nearby. The drawer was slightly ajar, suggesting Magnus had been making himself at home. Facing the bed, a flat-screen TV hung on the wall, quietly playing an action movie. But it was the grand king-sized bed that s
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