I only realize when we're all going through the warm-up rounds that Palus is here too. It surprises me because I thought Abrego and Palus aren't on good terms, but perhaps that's exactly why they have been invited. I notice Mira cozying up to the Palus Alpha, Kieran, much better.The girl I'm currently paired with is a fair match. A few months ago, and she would have handed my ass to me. But I take her down easily, holding her down in the sand until she finally stops squirming and taps out.We shake hands after, though she doesn't seem too happy to be beaten. None of the Palus Wolves do, though the Abregons are all too thrilled with me taking down another Wolf.Jayden picks me up and spins me around, "Fourth win! Alora, what the hell were you so nervous about?"I don't say anything, just pat her cheek and blush furiously. We watch as the final battles finish up. Ashenia is facing off one of the Solari females, and Hendrick is up against a Palus male.Jayden howls as Hendrick lands a p
"I was hoping we'd fight today."I turn to my opponent, George, and stiffen. It's one of the Palus Wolves from Washington-the one who had dragged me from my car and beaten the snot out of me. His teeth only show more as he realizes that recognize him."You've gotten a bit braver since we last met," He begins to circle me, even though the bell hasn't gone off, "Let's hope you don't need any Alphas saving you this time.""Wait-"He launches himself towards me, and I dive to the side. Shouts come from the Alphas but it's futile. I dodge his foot as it comes down where my head had been. I roll to my knees and swat away his next attack."The bell hasn't gone!" Alpha Kieran hollers as his Wolf's foot makes contact with my chest. "This is against the rules!""Alora!" Hendrick rushes forward but is held back by his Palus counterpart. I don't get much of a glimpse of their fight breaking out before George lifts me up.I'm thrown to the ground and George's body slams into mine before I can reco
I rip away from his hands. I hit the ground quicker than I can catch myself. Tears soak my cheeks and neck, and I pant unsteadily. So much pain...so much grief and terror consumes me.I look up and see her. The blond ghost. Cynbel."You saw me?" I whisper. She nods. A small, sad smile touching her lips. Her hands are on my cheeks and I let out a shaky breath. "Why did you see me before you died?""Alora..."I look over at Kennedy. He stares at me, confused and shaken up. Glancing from him to Cynbel, my entire being is consumed with a dull ache, like a faint reminiscent of the vision. I squeeze my eyes shut and sit up."Who are you...talking to?"His hands hover over my skin as I make my way to my feet again. He doesn't touch me.I lay a hand on my stomach, still reeling from the violent images that have plagued my mind. His mate had been murdered as well, in a cruel, horrific way. Eamonn narrowly survived the ordeal. He's all that Kennedy has left of his mate of Cynbel.I stare at Ken
I trace the lines of my hands as the final fight wraps up and everyone begins to pack up. Ashenia is the winner and is toted around on Hendrick and another Wolf's shoulders. Mira and Ilya howl for her, and soon the entire pack joins in.Her eyes brighten up, and Ashenia grins widely as her chest wells up with pride."Alora..."I look down at Jayden, but she's still fast asleep. With a hitched breath, I turn my eyes up. Ariella sits on the other side of the cot, worried and bug-eyed."Are you okay?" She grabs my hand, looking up at where I assume Kennedy is in the distance, "I-""I'm sorry," I whisper, "I'm sorry if I've been so busy with this pack, Ariella. I shouldn't have gotten distracted..."She squeezes my hand gently but disappears as Avianna walks through her. My eyes well up with tears of despair. I wipe them away when Avianna gives me a concerned look and shrug."I heard what happened during your last fight," She mixes a cupful of herbs together and waves them under Jayden no
It seems to be sufficient for him, because he relaxes a fraction. But his tone is stone-cold as he speaks, "Don't ever touch a Luna or Alpha like that, Alora. Not unless you want to lose your fucking hand.""I'm-""Don't," He runs a hand over his face, "For the love of The Moon-don't say 'I'm sorry!"My teeth grit together, and I look down before he can catch the gleam in my eyes. But apparently I'm not quick enough, because he's in my face again before I can step back to Jayden."What?" His eyes are amber. I look away quickly, unsettled as his wolf surges forward, "What?""Stop it," I try walking around him, but he grabs my arm. His yelling has drawn the attention of those around us, but everyone ignored us until he yanks me abruptly. I crash into his chest force, "Hendrick!"I press my palms against his shoulders and try to pry myself from him. He growls lowly his hand clamps down on the back of my neck. Pain blooms from the pressure point as he squeezes down, just like I've seen Ai
"What the hell happened to your car? Why are you all cut up?" Her dad asks when she comes home. He's a small man, barely taller than Alora, and has dark, peppered hair. "Alora-don't walk away from me--""Don't talk to me about walking away," Alora mutters as she walks through the entrance and up the stairs."Excuse me?" He asks but she continues to go up to the stairs. He follows her, even as she goes straight to Ariella's bedroom, "Young woman, you may think that you're all grown up but ""But nothing!" She turns around and I flinch away. She screams like Kiana does when Mac or Da have annoyed her.Her thoughts ring through my head even though I barely understand them. She's fed up with everyone telling her what is and isn't the fucking world. I scrunch my brow but can't make sense of that...Alora must be angry if she's swearing like Mac.She marches right up to her Da until she's in his face, "I'm so fed up with you acting like my dad when you're around. But where have you been, Dad
Kaizer's arms consume me. I sink into his arms as my parents hug his parents goodbye. We've just been over to discuss me participating in dance again, and thankfully they have decided to pull some strings for me. I'll lose my position as any future leads but I'm more than happy to dance ensemble."It's been great seeing you again," He smiles, "We only ever see each other in school now.""We'll hang out soon," I promise, "I've just been sorting out a lot of stuff.""Take your time. I'll be waiting."His cheeks are pink as we leave, waving as we pull out of their suburban driveway. My mom turns around and grins."He likes you, baby."I roll my eyes, "Ma-I have a boyfriend.""Who?" My dad asks sharply. "Is he the one who's been getting you up to no good?""No....Hendrick..." I says slowly, "Detective Claude introduced us at...Ariella's funeral. He goes to the same school as me.""Oh? Is he a senior too?" My mom smiles at me."He's a junior."My dad packs out laughing but says nothing mor
"Mac. Let her go." It's Kiana that has him hesitate. His claws are half in my throat, but he pauses when his mate speaks. She shakes her head, "This isn't how we do things. You know that because of what Leon did. So let her go."He does, though I'm not much better off. With the pressure released from my throat, I can breathe again but it feels like inhaling nails. I bow over and hack away. Eamonn huddles over me, his little face scrunch up in frightened tears. I try to tell him that it's fine, but I can barely see straight. And, honestly, I'm halfway crying myself.I'm quickly becoming well-versed with the look of someone who wants to kill.Kiana comes up beside me and inspects the damage, "Fuck it, Mac! You should have been gentler-she brought him back. What the-Where do you think you're goin'?"He's disappeared into the thick cover of the forest. I can't look away from the trees. I'm convinced that he's going to change his mind and come back. He wants me dead-I've never seen someone
She has his gaze. Orion's gaze. That same, sickening yellow pierces me as I meet her eyes. But she simply watches me. This woman who stands above me seems so familiar...yet I don't know her at all.All I know is her name. Kaltain.She and I look nothing alike, so I know that she isn't a reincarnation of Iphigenia's soul. She is one of Cecily's daughters. She is also one of Orion's.She extends her hand and they're webbed with black veins, like her skin is rotting or crumbling away like ashes of a burnt log. Flames dance off her fingertips like her nails are candlewicks. I flinch away and she tilts her head."You're newer than I thought," Her voice is deep and wispy. Those sharp eyes scrape over me in mild interest. And finally, a twisted, crooked grin takes over her face, "You and I will have much to talk about, Alora. Much to work on in the coming years.""Alora," I whisper, "You know who I am-""Of course. I have known about you long before you knew of me. We share more than just bl
"Congrats," I wave as the couple walks out of the clinic."Thanks, Alora," The pregnant female smiles back at me before taking her mate's hand."Hey Alora!" Addison comes running up beside me. Kiana and Eamonn are next to her.Eamonn sprints into me and wraps his arms around my legs, "Alora! Hey, nene."Addison looks at me with hopeful eyes, "Can you play with us?""What are you playing?""I was going to show Addison how to throw a rugby ball!" Eamonn bounces up and down, "Please come! I want to show you too!""He's really good," Kiana squeezes him tightly in her arms, "Taught by the best, obviously.""Yeah, Mac," Eamonn teases her."You little shite! Who do you think taught Mac, huh?" She grows quiet and glances up at me. I don't smile back at her and she cringes."I have a couple more things I need to do. But when I'm done, I'll come out for a little," I smile at the two pups. They cheer and run off together, but Kiana lingers, "Kiana...'m not angry with you so please stop looking”
Maybe I'm a lot more like Zemira than I have ever been willing to admit. It's a thought that crosses my mind as I watch Hendrick sleeping quietly in front of me. He's here...but I feel nothing. I'm callous, just like she was. The difference is that she craved Orion's love... only crave Hendrick in the most basic and primal ways. The Heat has completely lifted any fog or doubts I had over my feelings for him. I care for him deeply but not in the ways I had before.My trust and faith in what we had has been completely shattered.Which is why this can't go on.I crawl over him, rousing him from his sleep, and brush my fingers through his hair. He grins lazily and encircles my waist with his hands. Our kiss is slow and easy. But it doesn't feel right...out of place like a piano key that was tuned incorrectly."I need to go," I whisper against his lips and tug lightly on the ends of his spiky hair.He blinks, "Where?""I need to check on Kiana-she texted me just now and asked for me to go
I jolt upright at the sound of a loud bang. Immediately, I scramble for my athame and sprint towards the bedroom door. A large, black silhouette in the hallway has me snarling lowly."Alora, it's me!" Hendrick whispers before I can lob it at him."Wha-Hendrick, what the hell are you doing?" I lower the knife and tiptoe past Jayden's room. I can hear neither her nor Olivia breathing softly. They must be sleeping at Olivia's tonight. "I could have hurt you.”"Sorry-I just needed to go for a run," He slips out of his boots and sets them out on the porch. He gives my thigh a pat as he walks by me, "Sometimes, I feel like this apartment is going to suffocate me."I understand how he feels....ever since my Heat had come into full swing, being near him was almost unbearable. We could barely be in the same room alone for more than a few minutes without one of us having to stop the other from doing something stupid."We're nearly done," I lean against the sliding door and watch the Moon hang a
I keel over for a moment, hands on my knees and breathing deep. Nancy lays a hand on my back but she lets go when I smile at her. Throughout the day, my body periodically has cramped up like most of the females.The time for the pack's seasonal Heat has begun, and so have the fights between females too. Avianna has gone back to help Abrego with its Heat, which means that Nancy and I are left to deal with the waves of injuries and fights.After a long day, I sprawl out on the couch in the apartment and kick off my shoes. Jayden is out for the evening to meet Olivia's family- something I know she's really nervous about. I send her a quick text of encouragement.As I set my phone down, the door opens. Hendrick walks inside but doesn't make it a foot inside before he freezes. Our eyes lock onto one another. "Mi reina," His voice is deeper nowadays, and I can't believe how much he has changed in just a short amount of time. It makes me hope that he actually has changed....but I can't belie
"You can't go in there-”I push the meeting room doors with both hands. It's only Mac and Kiana inside, leaning over the center table and setting up a computer. Gracie is behind me with her eyes popping out of here skull."Lass? What is it?""Where's Kennedy?" I look around the room but he's not here. He was though-his scent is fresh here!""Right behind you."I turn around. He's not smiling but he's not unfriendly either. But Hendrick's words haunt me almost as much as the spirits that stalk my every move. Packs like Solari and Ameku take advantage of their connections to The Order to gain advantage over everyone else.Are you using me?I want to believe that he isn't. I've never felt that Kennedy has ulterior motives for helping me. But he also hid Orion's attacks on this pack from me. And he neglected to tell me the tension that existed between the Lycans and the Werewolves. He never lied...he just never told me the truth.His head tilts so innocently when I look away from him. Both
"I don't think this is a good idea, Alora."Jayden sets up a pillow for me as I set up my scrying bowl. We're in the backroom of Nancy's clinic, who was kind enough to not ask any questions. I, however, have plenty of questions to ask-all of which are in desperate need of answering."I have to find him, Jayden," I crush the last of the lupine I brought with me from Palawan. "Remind me to ask Avianna to bring some Kinkaid's Lupine next time she's-""Okay, but Alora-""You're not going to talk me out of it," I understand her concerns. Truth be told, I'm trembling in fear. Nothing good ever came out of seeking him...but I don't have much of a choice. Every other lead or clue I've had isn't panning out right now. "Stand outside the door. Make sure no one comes in...""Fine, but I don't think we should be doing this-I don't care if Kennedy knows-""What does Kennedy know about?" Hendrick walks into the backroom but stops the moment he takes in the scene in the room. Jayden holding a chest
What am I doing?I mix the two potions together in the scrying bowl. To my pleasure, they light up in a green mixture the moment they mix together. I yip in delight and clap my hands. At least I'm not messing up entirely on thisThe same cannot be said in regard to how I'm dealing with the personal feelings towards two certain men in my life. Again, I ask, what am I doing?Quickly, I pop a couple of the crystals I have been using lately into the green potion. It's supposed to help cleanse crystals and other tools quicker than just placing them in the sunlight, moonlight, and running water.Lying back on the wooden floor, I stare at the white, wooden paneling on the ceiling above. Today has been quiet and left me a lot of time to focus on practicing all that I had learnt from Avianna and Nancy.It's also given me a lot of time to reflect on my own feelings. I still can't forget the way Jayden glared at me when she saw Kennedy and I together in the hospital...and I can't get either Hend
"I can do it," I say as Hendrick tries pick me up from the car. Despite the mending ribs, I'm not tired. I feel strong and have to keep reminding myself to take it slowly."Just be careful," He steps back to give me some room, but not much. His eyes keep darting around at the Solari Wolves that have come over to see how I'm doing.He doesn't expect me to put my hand on his arm, "Hendrick, it's alright..."Just as I took him by surprise, he returns the favor by pushing me up against the car. I'm wide-eyed and stiff as a board when he cups my face. He searches my face but I'm not sure for what. Maybe he's still paranoid about any injuries I have, or maybe it's the fact I'm alive and breathing. Whatever his reasons, I can't fill my lungs up with a sufficient amount of air to keep from becoming lightheaded.His face is so close to my own. His lips brush against the corner of my mouth...and just when I think he's going to kiss me, he pulls away. My mind is buzzing while he pushes my hair f