The wolves retraced their steps through the encroaching twilight, the fading sky yielding to the first hints of dawn. Their heightened senses accompanied them as they neared the spot where Arlo awaited them. Returning to Arlo with empty hands, the air thickened with anticipation. Arlo's narrowed eyes and disappointment transformed into anger.Addressing his men, Arlo's frustration echoed in his voice, "What happened? Where is he?"Lenny, a cocky grin on his face, retorted, "He won't survive out there, Arlo. We did you a favor."Arlo's temper flared, "How can you be so sure?"Lenny chuckled, "Trust me, he's as good as dead. Probably food for the wildlife by now."Consumed by rage and fearing Lex's reaction, Arlo couldn't contain himself. In a fit of unbridled fury, he seized Lenny by the collar, his face contorted with anger. The other men took a step back, sensing the impending storm."How can you be sure?" Arlo demanded, his grip tightening.Lenny's smirk faded, replaced by a nervous
The sun, in its early quest to dispel the night, cast a gentle glow upon the still, serene road, anticipating the imminent presence of both humans and shifters. Mindful of avoiding undue attention, Carla led John along the well-worn path, seeking a secluded spot. Upon reaching a sufficiently hidden clearing, Carla, as if it was a normal thing to do, began peeling off her clothes.Taken aback, John's face flushed crimson, and he instinctively averted his gaze. Amused by John's discomfort, Carla couldn't contain her laughter. "You're unquestionably the quirkiest shifter I've encountered," she teased. Cutting him some slack, with a playful grin, Carla retreated behind a tree, discarding the rest of her attire with an easygoing demeanor. "Turn around... you'll know when, and no more freak-outs, please!" Carla admonished John with a mix of command and amusement. With audible bone-snaps, she underwent a breathtaking transformation. As John turned around, his sight fell on the majestic bear
Darius stormed through the pack territory, a mix of emotions churning within him as he sensed Michael and Fez entering the pack. Abandoning his discussion with a lead warrior, he sprinted towards them, a knot forming in his stomach. Three figures stood at the border, but the third person felt off, and Darius couldn't shake the unsettling feeling.Approaching them, his eyes widened as he saw his best tracker, Fez, and his third in command coming towards him with a girl. She clung to Michael, and his possessive grip around her only intensified Darius's unease. The absence of John's usual presence hit Darius with disappointment and concern."Alpha," Michael began, taking a step forward, yet refusing to release the girl from his grasp."Not here," Darius interrupted, his voice firm. He turned on his heels and started fast-walking towards the pack house, the trio obediently trailing behind him. As they walked, Darius sent a mindlink to Prius, urgency echoing in his tone."In my office, now!
The car hummed steadily along the winding road, and John's gaze remained fixed on the passing scenery. His thoughts wandered into a realm of unanswered questions, the weight of curiosity evident in his unfocused eyes. As he repeatedly glanced at Carla, the woman sensed his inner turmoil and met his gaze with a questioning look.Interrupting the rhythmic hum of the journey, John finally voiced his uncertainty, "How much longer?" But Carla, perceptive to the unspoken queries lingering in his eyes, proposed an intriguing distraction. "Okay, we have one hour and a bit to go. I'm getting tired, so I need your help. Let's play a game – one question for one question. What do you say?"Caught off guard, John timidly asked, "Just one?" Carla's boisterous laughter filled the car cabin. "Let's start with one; we'll have time for the rest once you've settled in."John, mouth agape, stared at her incredulously. Did she really say "settled"? Carla reassured him with a warm smile, "Hey, I can't let
Arlo's gaze lingers on Mia's retreating form, the moonlight casting a silvery glow on her bare skin. The night air is charged with a mix of lingering desire and the raw energy of the wolf within them. Mia's confident stride, despite a subtle limp, hints at the passion they shared only moments ago.As Arlo stands there, a trace of a satisfied smile plays on his Beta wolf face. The intensity of their connection, the rough handling that seems to define their encounters—it's a dance they both know well. Nothing surprises him anymore about the depth of Mia's desire and the wildness she craves.Meanwhile, Mia, with a determined air, leans forward, her body shifting seamlessly as she takes off in a swift run towards her pack house. Her mind buzzes with a fresh resolve, focused not just on the journey back to her pack but on a strategic plan to claim her place in the Alpha's bed.The rustling of leaves and the muffled sounds of approaching paws snap Arlo out of his contemplation. He turns, ey
The air hung heavy in the room as the meeting concluded. Darius, his mind racing with the weight of decisions, dismissed his beta, Prius, and third in command. There were plans to be made, but they had to wait for now.Turning his attention to Michael, Darius's voice softened, "Ensure Annie's well-being. Food, clothing, and a check-up. She'll be officially welcomed into the pack tomorrow, but today, she needs care." Annie head shoots to the Alpha direction, gratitude in her eyes, as she took in all the Alpha said. Michael stood, taking his mate with him and setting her down. With a quick nod to his Alpha he walks towards the office door.With Michael and Annie leaving the office, Prius hesitated, lingering behind. Ready to voice his concerns, he caught Darius's eyes. But before a word left his lips, the alpha raised a hand, a silent plea for a moment's reprieve."Not now, please, Prius," Darius uttered, his tone laced with defeat. The Alpha stood, his back to Prius while looking out
Carla cruised her Mustang along the outskirts of town, slowing down as they approached what resembled a roadside grill and bar. The exterior of the place painted a picture of warmth and welcome, with a sprawling porch adorned with fairy lights, enticing patrons to step inside. The wooden panels of the building displayed a mix of age and character, hinting at the stories hidden within its walls.A weathered wooden sign swung gently in the breeze, proudly displaying the name of the place: The Howler. Carla's grin widened as she noticed John's quizzical expression."I know, right?" she chuckled, gesturing towards the interior. "Sometimes, I surprise myself with the crap I come up with." She smirked, referring to the establishment's unique name. John couldn't help but see the humour in it; it was almost a mocking nod at Carla’s shifter nature.Parking at the back of the building, Carla explained, "We're going in from the back since we aren't opening for another couple of hours." The sun h
The air in the infirmary grew thick with tension as Darius pushed open the door and stepped into the room. The sterile scent of disinfectants hung in the air as Darius entered, the familiar surroundings doing little to soothe the uneasy knot in his stomach. His eyes immediately sought out Michael, his third-in - command, a silent inquiry etched in the furrow of his brows. The atmosphere intensified as Michael held up a picture, and a sudden exclamation from Prius, who had just walked in, filled the room."What the fuck," Prius exclaimed loudly, his eyes zeroing in on the image in Michael's hands.Darius's hand shot forward, taking hold of the photograph, his fingers tracing the outline of the mysterious figure. His brow furrowed, a storm of conflicting emotions playing across his face. "What's the meaning of this, Alpha?" Sera's voice, tinged with nervousness, cut through the charged atmosphere.Darius tore his gaze from the picture to meet Sera's eyes."This person," he said, snatching
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