JacksonMy fingers clenched around the steering wheel as I drove to the prison. Iโd been anxious since Imani rejected me earlier when I proposed marking her, and my anxiety shot through the roof when Andrew swaggered into my office with his shit-eating grin.I hated Andrewโalways had. He offered nothing to bettering our society. If anything, he made it significantly worst by injecting his arrogance and cruelness like a noxious fume. Heโd been cruel since he was a child in Oasis. Some might say Oasis made him that way, but I knew better. He was born unapologetically evil and that evil festered like a puss-filled wound. Andrew was a coward and resigned to being a noble who could skate by and live his life untouched behind his gilded gates. I didnโt hold a disdain towards noblesโI came from the same noble bloodline as him; however, I looked down on those who felt the rules didnโt apply to them and that the world owed them for simply breathing. They dressed to the nines for their fancy
ImaniI clutched my stomach with one hand and held Jacksonโs hand with the other. My grip lacked firmness, but Jackson more than made up for it. Despite his crushing grip, his hold was comforting and gave me strength with every passing second. โTell me what to do,โ he whispered. His voice came out low and pleading and it made my rapidly beating heart tinge with sadness because I didnโt know how to help him. โIโm cold,โ I whispered. He pressed the back of his hand against my forehead and frowned. โYouโre burning up.โโI donโt feel like it.โโIโll get you some more blankets,โ he said, finally leaving my side. I closed my eyes and breathed steadily, praying to the Moon Goddess that relief wasnโt far off. Dr. Hemsworth had given me the shot, and it seemed to work almost immediately. My heat had receded and weโd went back to normal. Thirty minutes later, I had broken out in a sweat and was doubled over in pain. My vision blurred, and the next thing I knew, I was staring up at the glar
JacksonHer eyes widened cartoonishly after my declaration. She was shocked and hadnโt expected me to put my foot down in such a manner, but Dr. Hemsworth proved to me that he couldnโt be trusted. โB-but I like working at the prison. Wonโt you reconsider?โโYou can find employment elsewhere. In fact, I have an opening for a secretary.โNot really, butg she doesnโt need to know that.โYou just made that up.โโYou can either work as my secretary, or you can stay home, drink champagne and eat chocolates while watching racy television shows like your friend Mary. Thereโs no need to answer right now. You have 48 hours to decide. For now, we have more pressing matters to discuss.โโSuch as?โSuch as why you rejected me and stomped on my heart. Goddess, this woman is making me emotional. โYou expressed that you didnโt want to be marked; however, due to the recent events, I think you should reconsider.โโOkay.โโItโs in your bestโwaitโฆokay?โโOkay,โ she replied nonchalantly, raising my susp
ImaniโAre you hiding from me, Little Lamb? I strongly advise against it. You canโt hide whatโs mine.โHis words left me breathless and painfully aroused. MineโฆI like being his. His massive hands gripped my knees, and I licked my bottom lip in anticipation. He puts gentle pressure on them, and they part on his demands.โJustโฆlikeโฆthatโฆLittle Lamb,โ he whispered hoarsely from above. He teased me like I knew he would, skirting his fingers over my trembling flesh. I jolted when he grasped my right thigh painfully. My brows furrowed, and I squirmed anxiously as his thumb sank into the muscle. โJackโโโShhhh,โ he shushed. I clamped my mouth shut and waited for it all to be over. He removed his hand after a few seconds, leaving behind a bruise that was already forming. โRight there,โ he murmured, gently prodding the bruise. My breath caught when he lowered himself againโhis face eye level with my heat. I shuddered when he flattened his tongue against my inner thigh and gave it a lavish l
ImaniMy eyes widened from Maryโs revelation. Pregnant?โOhโฆMary,โ I whispered, bending down to embrace her in a hug. โWhen did you find out?โโThis morning, actually. We were so excited and then Max received a voice mail from Judge Jackson informing him that he needed to take his place on this mission.โโIโm so happy for you, Mary. When are you going to register your pregnancy?โAn uncomfortable feeling seeped into my bones when Maryโs face paled. She stood on shaky legs and pulled me to my walk in closet, closing the door behind us. โI have to tell you something. But you have to promise not to say anything. You canโt even tell Judge Jackson,โ she whispered. โCan you do that?โ I gulped around the large knot that formed in my throat, preparing myself for the worst. I licked my dry lips before nodding. โI need you to say it,โ she hissed.โI wonโt say anything,โ I rushed out.โNot even to Judge Jackson,โ Mary repeated.โI wonโt say anythingโฆnot even to Jackson.โShe glanced at me ster
JacksonMax gazed at me hopefully before asking, โYou will?โI nodded sullenly. โI will.โโWhy?โโYour mate is pregnant. Your instincts will want you to be near her at all times. Worst case scenario, youโll become distracted and make mistakes and you might not return. We canโt let that happen.โMax smirked. โYouโre not fooling me. With me gone, you wouldnโt have anyone to have your back.โโTwo things can be true at once,โ I insisted. โIโm at a lost, Max. Tell me why youโre willing to risk your livelihood and status?โHe snorted derisively. I observed him carefully as he swirled the whiskey in his glass gently. He looked like a man backed into a corner with no way to escapeโa man on a tall ledge, staring dow at the long drop in trepidation. โYour question is rhetorical; youโre asking questions you already know the answer to.โโI wish I had all the answers, but I donโt. You need to get to talking because as it stands, I am your superior, and keeping your secret would give the Elders
ImaniI woke to a pounding headache and Mary sitting in a chair beside my bed. โGoddess, youโre finally up,โ she rushed out, relocating to the edge of the bed. โHow long was I out?โโMaybe twenty minutes. How are you feeling?โโI have an headache,โ I admitted, touching the back of my head. I hissed when my fingers made contact and jerked my hand back.โIโll get you some aspirin,โ Mary said, leaving for the bathroom. She rummaged around the medicine cabinet before returning with a glass of water and two white pills. I took the painkillers and prayed theyโd have an immediate affect. โImaniโฆ Max didnโt mean to hurt you,โ she said almost pleadingly. I winced and settled further against the pillows as she continued to hurl apologies at me. โIโm sorry, Mary, but Iโm not in really in the mood for talking. I accept your apologies, but I wish to be alone.โI felt a sharp pang in my chest when Maryโs face fell. The guilt on her soft features was overwhelming. โHey,โ I said, reaching out to
JacksonโJ-Jackson, what are you doing?โ she stammered, pressing herself against the shower wall. She was scared to death, but so was I.I watched in horror as steam rose from her flesh. My worst nightmare had come true. I allowed myself to develop feelings for Imani against my better judgment, and now I had to put her down.How cruel of the Moon Goddess to curse us with this affliction. Havenโt we suffered enough?โYouโreโฆyouโre mutating,โ I whispered. I switched the gun to my opposite hand, hoping the shaking would stop, but it only worsened.โJacksonโฆput the gun awayโฆplease. Iโm not mutating. I think itโs my heat,โ she said, pleading for her life.โThatโs what you would say to stay alive.โShe closed her eyes, and I couldnโt tell if the liquid that rolled down her cheeks was tears or the water from the shower head.I tensed when I heard my wolfโs voice in my head.Rowan: Breed her.Jackson: Are you fucking mad?Rowan: Sheโs not mutating. Itโs as she said.Jackson: Itโs her heat?Ro
ImaniHe didnโt say what I think he saidโฆdid he? Please, Goddess, tell me he didnโt say that he marked me.โI-Iโm sorry. Can you repeat that?โโI marked you,โ he responded plainly.โWithout my consent? We talked about this.โโIt was in the heat of the moment,โ he tried explaining.โBut what about the ramifications?โ I asked, trying to break through to him.He leaned in and whispered in my ear, โHow is anyone going to know?โHis fingers trailed beneath the water and wrapped around my thigh. He propped my leg up, giving me a view of his mark. It was raised against my flesh, resembling a fang.โWhat do you think?โ he asked hesitantly as I traced the mark with a finger. I could hear the uncertainty in his voiceโa subtle fear that I would disapprove of his mark.โItโs unique,โ I whispered. He snorted, and I relaxed against his chest. โItโs a good thing,โ I insisted.โYouโre unique,โ he said, reminding me that we still needed to get to the bottom of what I was.โYou were going to shoot me,โ
ImaniI lay on the bed, soaking wet from the shower, yet Jackson didnโt seem to mind. His gaze roved over me hungrily, and mine did the same. Heโฆwasโฆglorious. And there wasnโt an inch of sculpted muscles that I didnโt want to touch and taste. I could still taste him on my tongueโrich, salty, and delicious.He climbed on the bed, hovering over me briefly before capturing my lips with his. The kiss was soft and delicate, and as much as I appreciated his care and gentleness, my heat was threatening to engulf me.โJack, I need you,โ I said, whimpering as another pulsing heat shot through me. He gazed into my eyes and it was then I realized the brilliant blue had shifted to black.He nodded and said, โForgive me now if I canโt control myself.โโWhat?โ I asked incredulously.โSay you forgive me,โ he pleaded, smoothing away the hair that clung to my forehead.โI-I forgive you.โHe kissed my forehead and wedged himself between my thighs. I felt him long and hard as he nudged at my entranced.
JacksonโJ-Jackson, what are you doing?โ she stammered, pressing herself against the shower wall. She was scared to death, but so was I.I watched in horror as steam rose from her flesh. My worst nightmare had come true. I allowed myself to develop feelings for Imani against my better judgment, and now I had to put her down.How cruel of the Moon Goddess to curse us with this affliction. Havenโt we suffered enough?โYouโreโฆyouโre mutating,โ I whispered. I switched the gun to my opposite hand, hoping the shaking would stop, but it only worsened.โJacksonโฆput the gun awayโฆplease. Iโm not mutating. I think itโs my heat,โ she said, pleading for her life.โThatโs what you would say to stay alive.โShe closed her eyes, and I couldnโt tell if the liquid that rolled down her cheeks was tears or the water from the shower head.I tensed when I heard my wolfโs voice in my head.Rowan: Breed her.Jackson: Are you fucking mad?Rowan: Sheโs not mutating. Itโs as she said.Jackson: Itโs her heat?Ro
ImaniI woke to a pounding headache and Mary sitting in a chair beside my bed. โGoddess, youโre finally up,โ she rushed out, relocating to the edge of the bed. โHow long was I out?โโMaybe twenty minutes. How are you feeling?โโI have an headache,โ I admitted, touching the back of my head. I hissed when my fingers made contact and jerked my hand back.โIโll get you some aspirin,โ Mary said, leaving for the bathroom. She rummaged around the medicine cabinet before returning with a glass of water and two white pills. I took the painkillers and prayed theyโd have an immediate affect. โImaniโฆ Max didnโt mean to hurt you,โ she said almost pleadingly. I winced and settled further against the pillows as she continued to hurl apologies at me. โIโm sorry, Mary, but Iโm not in really in the mood for talking. I accept your apologies, but I wish to be alone.โI felt a sharp pang in my chest when Maryโs face fell. The guilt on her soft features was overwhelming. โHey,โ I said, reaching out to
JacksonMax gazed at me hopefully before asking, โYou will?โI nodded sullenly. โI will.โโWhy?โโYour mate is pregnant. Your instincts will want you to be near her at all times. Worst case scenario, youโll become distracted and make mistakes and you might not return. We canโt let that happen.โMax smirked. โYouโre not fooling me. With me gone, you wouldnโt have anyone to have your back.โโTwo things can be true at once,โ I insisted. โIโm at a lost, Max. Tell me why youโre willing to risk your livelihood and status?โHe snorted derisively. I observed him carefully as he swirled the whiskey in his glass gently. He looked like a man backed into a corner with no way to escapeโa man on a tall ledge, staring dow at the long drop in trepidation. โYour question is rhetorical; youโre asking questions you already know the answer to.โโI wish I had all the answers, but I donโt. You need to get to talking because as it stands, I am your superior, and keeping your secret would give the Elders
ImaniMy eyes widened from Maryโs revelation. Pregnant?โOhโฆMary,โ I whispered, bending down to embrace her in a hug. โWhen did you find out?โโThis morning, actually. We were so excited and then Max received a voice mail from Judge Jackson informing him that he needed to take his place on this mission.โโIโm so happy for you, Mary. When are you going to register your pregnancy?โAn uncomfortable feeling seeped into my bones when Maryโs face paled. She stood on shaky legs and pulled me to my walk in closet, closing the door behind us. โI have to tell you something. But you have to promise not to say anything. You canโt even tell Judge Jackson,โ she whispered. โCan you do that?โ I gulped around the large knot that formed in my throat, preparing myself for the worst. I licked my dry lips before nodding. โI need you to say it,โ she hissed.โI wonโt say anything,โ I rushed out.โNot even to Judge Jackson,โ Mary repeated.โI wonโt say anythingโฆnot even to Jackson.โShe glanced at me ster
ImaniโAre you hiding from me, Little Lamb? I strongly advise against it. You canโt hide whatโs mine.โHis words left me breathless and painfully aroused. MineโฆI like being his. His massive hands gripped my knees, and I licked my bottom lip in anticipation. He puts gentle pressure on them, and they part on his demands.โJustโฆlikeโฆthatโฆLittle Lamb,โ he whispered hoarsely from above. He teased me like I knew he would, skirting his fingers over my trembling flesh. I jolted when he grasped my right thigh painfully. My brows furrowed, and I squirmed anxiously as his thumb sank into the muscle. โJackโโโShhhh,โ he shushed. I clamped my mouth shut and waited for it all to be over. He removed his hand after a few seconds, leaving behind a bruise that was already forming. โRight there,โ he murmured, gently prodding the bruise. My breath caught when he lowered himself againโhis face eye level with my heat. I shuddered when he flattened his tongue against my inner thigh and gave it a lavish l
JacksonHer eyes widened cartoonishly after my declaration. She was shocked and hadnโt expected me to put my foot down in such a manner, but Dr. Hemsworth proved to me that he couldnโt be trusted. โB-but I like working at the prison. Wonโt you reconsider?โโYou can find employment elsewhere. In fact, I have an opening for a secretary.โNot really, butg she doesnโt need to know that.โYou just made that up.โโYou can either work as my secretary, or you can stay home, drink champagne and eat chocolates while watching racy television shows like your friend Mary. Thereโs no need to answer right now. You have 48 hours to decide. For now, we have more pressing matters to discuss.โโSuch as?โSuch as why you rejected me and stomped on my heart. Goddess, this woman is making me emotional. โYou expressed that you didnโt want to be marked; however, due to the recent events, I think you should reconsider.โโOkay.โโItโs in your bestโwaitโฆokay?โโOkay,โ she replied nonchalantly, raising my susp
ImaniI clutched my stomach with one hand and held Jacksonโs hand with the other. My grip lacked firmness, but Jackson more than made up for it. Despite his crushing grip, his hold was comforting and gave me strength with every passing second. โTell me what to do,โ he whispered. His voice came out low and pleading and it made my rapidly beating heart tinge with sadness because I didnโt know how to help him. โIโm cold,โ I whispered. He pressed the back of his hand against my forehead and frowned. โYouโre burning up.โโI donโt feel like it.โโIโll get you some more blankets,โ he said, finally leaving my side. I closed my eyes and breathed steadily, praying to the Moon Goddess that relief wasnโt far off. Dr. Hemsworth had given me the shot, and it seemed to work almost immediately. My heat had receded and weโd went back to normal. Thirty minutes later, I had broken out in a sweat and was doubled over in pain. My vision blurred, and the next thing I knew, I was staring up at the glar