"Looks like someone's life just got a plot twist worthy of a bestseller!" Carla snickered.Darius grunted in annoyance; his stoic expression made it clear he didn't find the comment amusing. "I'm going after him," he said abruptly, leaving the room before anyone could stop him."Well, that was awkward," Carla chuckled nervously, trying to lighten the mood. As everyone started leaving the room, Luke suggested, "I guess we should see if we can go find him," making a move toward the door. Prius, however, stopped him with a gentle touch on his arm. "Can you actually stay for a sec?" he requested, his tone serious.Carla sat back down, one leg crossing the other, and leaned back on the couch. She looked up at her brother, hearing him clear his throat. Her lips formed an 'O' as she realized she wasn't part of the stay package. Carla bounced up from the sofa. "See you later, loser," she said, waggling her brows at the Beta.As she crossed the threshold, she linked Prius. "You dare hurt him,
Lex leaned in, his eyes narrowing with a sinister gleam. "Where is he, Kali?" he demanded, his voice dripping with malice.Kali, with a wicked smile, leaned back in her dark chair. "In Wildwood Haven, Lex," she purred, relishing the anticipation in Lex's predatory stance. "But we need to act swiftly before the Blackmoon is fully risen. That's when his power will peak."Lex shot forward, his hand closing around the witch's neck. "How did you only find him now?" he growled, his deranged eyes shining red as his wolf came to the surface. "Have you been playing me all this time?"Kali grabbed his wrist with both hands in an attempt to get him to release her as she struggled to form words. "Just... appeared," she wheezed through.A current raised from the witch's hand shocked through Lex's arm, causing him to loosen his grip on her neck and eventually release her. He looked at the map that Kali had unrolled on the table. "You better be telling the truth," he said, a deadly warning in his
Darius's thumb gently stroked his mate's cheek, his fingers resting behind his right ear. The young lynx's sobs subsided, leaving him dazed and confused. He looked up at his mate, searching for answers in his eyes."What now?" his trembling voice asked as his eyes roamed over Darius's features. Darius's breath caught in his throat as he looked at his beautiful mate seated in his arms, gazing up at him as if the Alpha held the answers to the world's mysteries.Unconsciously, Darius's thumb moved down, starting to stroke John's bottom lip as their stares remained locked. John inhaled sharply at the gentle touch. The tingling sensation mixed with internal turmoil and his mate's strong scent, causing his head to spin."I think you should speak with Sera again," Darius said suddenly, continuing the slow touch, almost like torture.John's heart raced, pounding against his ribs, as the prospect of experiencing his first kiss with his mate loomed. Heat rose at the thought, and he was sure his
Annie stood before the wardrobe, her cascading chestnut brown hair framing her figure with loose waves, illuminated by the soft light filtering through the window, creating a semblance of light brown highlights. Her dark brown eyes focused on the options provided by Michael and the pack for the night, contemplating what to wear as her thoughts drifted to John's situation and the emotions he must have experienced upon the sudden revelation of his true past.Observing from the doorway, Michael, with his honey-coloured hair tied in a loose ponytail, watched Annie with intent. His eyes traced the graceful movements of her lean yet muscular body, appreciating the subtle beauty she exuded. Unbeknownst to Annie, his lion instincts stirred in silent admiration for his mate, creating a subtle tension in the air, an energy waiting to be acknowledged. The lion and the human both agreed, their room and their side is where their mate belonged.As Annie deliberated over her outfit, Michael's though
Prius's distant demeanour sharply contrasted with the animated conversation from Fez. As he sat across from the tracker, the Beta's usually focused eyes wandered, fixating on some elusive thought beyond their dialogue. Leaning back, he wore a subtle smile, but his absentminded tapping fingers betrayed a sense of restlessness, a facade of interest concealing an undercurrent of distraction.Fez, looking down at his tablet once again, pointed at something. "So, you're good with this schedule, Prius? This will give everyone the chance to enjoy the party, and for the mated members, it will give a chance to... you know," he said, looking up at the Beta, noticing that the man was not listening."Prius!" He shouted, effectively catching the Beta's attention; however, his response wasn't what he expected."See you tonight," Prius stood up, excusing himself, leaving Fez's unanswered inquiry hanging in the air and leaving the tracker staring at the door, his mouth hanging wide in shock.As he wa
John stood under the shower, feeling the warm water cascade over his head and down his body. His forehead pressed against the tiles as he yearned for the water to cleanse the turmoil of the past few hours. Seriously, had it only been a few hours? Life seemed determined to throw drama his way. Okay, he admitted, he was being a jerk. Amidst the chaos, he couldn't ignore the realization that he had found something he had longed for – a family.**FLASHBACK**Having left Darius at his house, John followed Sera back to her place. Her house exuded warmth and welcome, permeated by the delightful scents of cookies and coffee. She guided him towards a well-worn yet inviting couch, encouraging him to take a seat. Glancing around, he absorbed the room's sparse yet cozy decor and its overall welcoming atmosphere. Terracotta walls enveloped the space, converging at what appeared to be a comforting fireplace.As John was about to sit, something caught his attention. He walked over to a dresser table
Darius paced the corridor just outside John's door, bewildered by his impulsive actions. "What was that? Why did I have to barge in on him like that?" he murmured to himself, his hand running through his already dishevelled hair.Courtesy of his bear, vivid images of his naked mate flashed before his eyes, urging him to go back in there and complete the bond. Darius resisted the temptation, pushing his bear to the background and effectively locking those instincts away. Tonight was not the night for weakness, especially with the significant events ahead. Sera had informed him earlier over the link that John had taken the heat inhibitor jab, ruling out the possibility of his rut approaching.So why was Darius feeling out of control, overactive even? Was it the fear of losing him again? The idea that they could have grown up together, bypassing the current strangeness between them, weighed heavily on Darius's mind, casting a shadow over his emotions.**Flashback**Darius sat there, at
With one final glance in the mirror, John turned around to exit the room. According to Carla and Luke's explanation, although this event was a celebration, it didn't call for formal attire. It was more of a casual gathering to commemorate and honour their shifter origins.As he walked down the corridor, John's lynx started to stir in his mind, as if sensing something. Upon reaching the hall, John spotted his mate standing there, waiting for him and looking as stunning as ever. The young shifter lynx within John purred at the sight of the impressive Alpha bear specimen. They moved forward together, and John's lynx scanned his mate up and down while remaining unnoticed by Darius."Let's claim mate," his lynx urged mischievously, in John's mind. Trying to rein in his naughty feline instincts, John continued to admire his mate's physique. Darius was clad in black jeans that clung to his legs like a second skin, accentuating his defined muscles. The simple white T-shirt he wore stretched o
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