"Fiona!" I felt large hands on my back rubbing soothing circles. I opened my eyes and the burning sensation vanished at once. I breathed in deeply and placed my hands against the bark of the tree nearby to catch my breath. "What happened?" Lucas asked, searching my entire face with worry evident in his blue eyes."It was burning, everywhere was burning. It felt like I was on fire" Lucas nodded and wiped my face. "It can feel like that sometimes, but you have to remember that you're the one in control, you're in charge. You and your wolf are one. You can control the fire and make it all go away." "H- How?" The sensation was coming back in little waves and I closed my eyes instantly, trying to concentrate and push it further down"Just focus and connect with her, she's waiting to meet you"I closed my eyes and tried my hardest to reach into that warm and fuzzy feeling. At first it burned so hot that I almost flung myself onto a tree, but then I willed it to stop, and somehow it did.
I didn't see Lucas when I turned, neither did I see a fleck of that white mane but after a few minutes I felt large paws propel me forward and my legs began to run as though they had a mind of their own.Breeze fanned my hairy face as I dashed across the forest, I felt like laughing. the feeling was so exhilarating. Now that I was in sprint I could hear Lucas running side by side as I jumped through the trees and leaped across large expense of land. The feeling was inhumane, so exciting for a moment I thought I was flying then I decided to climb trees and see how high I could go. I jumped from branch to branch filled with the euphoria of a starving child who had just been given a meal, if I had my voice I would have screamed till the sun came down. Who knew being a wolf was this good, who knew it felt this good. Lucas was always somewhere behind me observing as I explored my new identity with euphoria like never before. I didn't stop to question or listen to him as I dashed around
The next morning I woke up feeling a lot better and more refreshed. Lucas and I trained nonstop, and I got more and more acquainted with my mate, but sadly the next day, we had to leave.I had missed too much schoolwork, and Lucas had an empire to run. Even though I was unsure whether or not I was ready to face the outside world and all that it brought along, Lucas assured me that Charles would not be far from me and he would protect me this time, and I trusted him. But it didn't make things any easier. I had been traumatized, and I couldn't help the knowledge that one of the first things he would do as soon as he got home was to make the people responsible for my pain pay dearly for it. It pleased me more than I was willing to admit. The end of our stay was gradually approaching, and finally, the day was here when Lucas was convinced that I was completely ready. "Are you sure you're okay?" Lucas asked for the fifth time that hour, One arm was holding onto the steering wheel, and th
I didn't know what Lucas told Charles, or what his specific orders were but since I came back he has been following me around like a fly. Also Lola has been making sure we spend as much time as possible, it was as though the duo had some secret agreement to never let me out of their sight and to be fair I couldn't complain. I waited for weeks, checking if they would go back to their routine and spend time without me but it rarely ever happened and it was becoming a drag quite frankly. The fact that the sexual tension they felt for each other still hung in the air while the three of us spent time together made me feel like I was intruding something ..... intimate. What was worse was that it even extended over night sometimes, Charles would spend the night in our room and I would force myself to not think about all the things they were doing on that bed, all the things I wanted to do with someone. I knew for a certain that Charles had figured out that I caught him yet we never spoke
As quickly as the crowd gathered, they soon dispersed. From the corner of my eyes, I could see Mac's men infiltrate the place, searching for what I imagined was the guy, and turning things back to normalcy, I glanced at the person still standing in front of me. His eyes were on me, and he looked angry, but when has he not been angry? This was the first time in months we were coming in contact, and It didn't hurt that much until I thought about it right now. He was supposed to be my mate, but what was he really? Did he even know that I was kidnapped? Did he notice my absence? Would anyone have come to save me if Lucas had not come? I shook my head; that was a hole I didn't want to sink into, not tonight anyway. we could pretend we were strangers just like we famously did all the while. I stepped aside to walk past him, and then I felt his stiff hands grip my arm. Electricity shock raged through my entire arm, lighting up in small sparkles that left tinges all the way down my body. I
Maybe someone had told him, or he heard it somehow, I mean it wouldn't be surprising to me. He was an Alpha all. I wanted to make excuses for him. I so badly wanted him to take back those words and not utter them again until I told him, then maybe feign ignorance, but it was too late for that now; he had said it, and all that could happen was for him to convince me that he knew this some other way. "How did you know?" My voice quivered. A wave of Shock came over his numb features quickly for a second, and then it was gone. "I heard my men whispering something about it a few days ago. I thought it was merely a joke. I didn't believe it because it was bullshit. Who would dare to lay hands on something that belonged to me? Not anyone who wants to live for sure." He brought his eyes up to meet mine, I searched them hastily looking for some atom of truth in his words, something to hold on to but I found nothing I was searching for. " But tonight, sensing your bruises and seeing how f
The thing about being in the middle of two powerful people is that you always have to choose one, and your choice most times determines the course of your life forever. After watching Mac's frightening display, it seemed my thoughts for him began to soften at the prospect that he cared for me. But he had been so violent, completely blanked out for a second, but could I judge him for that? The love of his life was kidnapped. Or at least his mate was, so he was bound to blackout, right? And just because I didn't see Lucas with bloody and bruised fingers batter his men and snap their necks didn't necessarily mean he was the lesser evil, right? I sighed as I climbed the stairs up to my dorm. I was still shaken from the things I had witnessed and knew I had to filter certain parts of the story because I didn't want to scare my only friend and roommate; Lola made things seem even more miserable. "Oh my goodness, I was so worried!" Lola rushed over to me at once the moment I stepped into
The ride was silent, smooth, and short. Everything I needed it to be, and by the time we pulled into the Ashen's Mansion, I was fairly ready for whatever I was going to meet. "Did you catch them? The people who kidnapped me?" I asked. Ever brooding, Mac nodded and led the way through the grand entrance. We followed a descending staircase which I had never seen despite my penchant for exploring the house and the numerous times I had done so and I made a mental image in my head of everywhere we got. When we got down, he led the way to the basement. It was dark, silent, and dusty, like no one had been down here in a while, and the thought gave me shivers because I was here with Mac, of all people. "In here." He motioned to a door that creaked open as he kicked it, and immediately, the metallic smell of blood filled my nostrils. I felt dizzy for a second, staring into the dark and wondering if I was supposed to be seeing anything other than pitch black. The switch on the wall was
After the very intense and romantic dinner, which mainly consisted of Lucas staring at me with his electric blue orbs and me trying not to puke everything that had entered my belly due to the intensity in his eyes, he led us quietly back into the room where I perched awkwardly at the edge of the bed. "Where is everyone?" I whispered. I couldn't help but note the differences between his and Mac's houses. No pack members were sprawling around here, and no slaves or workers were moving to do his bidding. I was curious: was this how he lived as an Alpha?"I dismissed them," Lucas replied, dispersing the chaos in my mind. That made sense, I thought. Lucas continued to stare at me with something like longing in his eyes, and I had no idea what to do. He had said nothing would happen tonight, so why did he stare at me like that?As if sensing my thoughts, his long fingers wrapped around my jaw smoothly. " Don't think too much, just stay here with me." "What attracted you to me?" I whisper
"Oh, my goodness! I've told you, Amanda, I'm not going for something extra and shiny; I want something simple and nice!" She smirked as she handed me yet another one of her extravagant dresses. "You mean something cute and sexy?" My face went up in flames. "Oh my god! Amanda! For the hundredth time, we are not doing anything tonight!" "Oh yeah, and that's why you are spending the night with him?" "Urghhhh," I whinnied, covering my face with my hands at her absolute morbidity. It was practically impossible to win with this girl. In her most innocent voice, she added, "Well, since you claim it is nothing sensual, then you probably wouldn't want to wear a dress like this." She held up a red dress, and I lost my breath. "That's it," I whispered, and with one final squeal, I ran into the bathroom to get changed. At exactly seven pm, the doorbell rang, and Amanda ran excitedly to open it while I finished up my outfit. Spritzing perfume and taking deep breaths. I walked out to
Two weeks later, there was no word from Lucas. If I had not seen the weary news and heard the whispered rumors I would have been scared, but now I was more upset than anything. His plans were already in motion. It was one downfall to the other of the Ashen subsidiaries, and the tabloid made sure everyone knew. Between clans, they could tell that things were looking bad for the Ashens. Even though they played all the cards they had, Lucas was smarter, strategically utilizing all his inside men to break down the very foundation of their business. Father kept us updated as he continued working there, despite the fresh rage I had seen in his eyes after that discussion and the hunger for revenge for Mom. He kept us updated on the incessant fights that kept happening while also trying to gather some men who were formally of our pack before they became slaves as a means of survival. I sighed for the fifth time, watching as the red mother broadcaster spoke about an outbreak of fire in the
When I got in, Father pulled me into a big, tight hug that left me both shocked and in awe, and I went to bed tipsy with happiness and the euphoria of everything that had happened. Finally, it felt like everything was all coming together, so for that night, I swallowed the questions I had for Father and basked in the sheer joy in the air, falling asleep with a huge smile on my face and a weight lifted from my chest. Soon, very soon, we will all witness the heavy downfall of Mac and the entire Ashen family. ****** The smell of pancakes and bacon that wafted through the air the next morning told me of my sister's arrival. Father must have called them over last night, and that could only mean that we were having a family meeting. I jumped down from the bed, excited to see them and eat delicious food after such a long time. "Fiona darling," Giselle's slender arms wrapped around me as I stepped into the kitchen, looking as ivory and as beautiful as ever with that flowery scent that ma
The ride home was silent and filled with the many words and thoughts running through our minds. I finally had enough time to process everything Lucas told me, which was a lot. The plan was for him to drop me off, but I knew I was going to tell my family the truth about everything that occurred many years ago and find out why Father hid so many things from me. Even if Lucas was fine with being the bad guy and being blamed for things he had no hand in, I wasn't okay with it, and I needed to get it out.I glanced at the brooding man on the wheel. Ever since we managed to pry ourselves apart and his almost confession, he had been unusually quiet and even more brooding, like he was lost in thought in a space of his own, and I had no idea how to reach him. "What's going on?" I asked, turning to face him and taking him in more; we had spent the past days together, yet he still looked handsome in a new way. I still couldn't get over how handsome he was. I didn't think it would ever be somet
Somehow the kiss transcended from my little kiss as Lucas took control, fighting with every urge in his body against his wold from ripping my clothes and taking me, and I could feel it in every strain as he deepened the kiss, picking me up from the floor, I wrapped my legs instinctively around his waist as I went in for more, grabbing a handful of his shirt. The desire I felt eroded my senses, but I knew it was nothing compared to the one a person with full access to his alpha wolf felt; all I got from my wolf was an intense need and constant purring, which rang out as moans as Lucas raked his hands hastily from my back to my waist repeatedly.Carefully and still deep in the kiss, he led me back into the room till I was dropped softly against the soft sheets and towered by him. My heart seized as I stared at his almost black-blue eyes now, electricity running up and down his blue orbs and desire fueling them so passionately I felt dizzy for a second. My own need propelled me to wrap m
"No," Lucas thundered, taking my soft fists in his large ones. I expected this, so I didn't budge. I added calmly, "I wasn't asking for your permission, Lucas. I was simply letting you know I am all in on this." "I don't want to drag you down this path. The Ashens are ruthless and very crafty. You are not ready, and I would hate for any harm to come to you on my account." "You think I don't know they are ruthless? Do you think I have no idea how crafty they can be when I have been a victim myself? I am well aware, and it is my knowledge that fuels my anger." I paused, inhaling deeply. "I, too, have been offended, and I am itching for my revenge, So train me or protect me. Whatever makes you feel better, but know that I will not sit and watch idly, and I will make Mac pay whether or not you let me in on this. I will beat him at his own game," I fought. He stared at me warily for a while before heaving a breath and nodding. "I will not put you in harm's way, but I will train you we
Lucas didn't come in for at least twenty minutes, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't stop thinking about the big bulge in his pants when he walked out of the room. I had felt it earlier when I laid down, and now it has become the most fascinating and most terrifying thing to me, but I just couldn't breathe my head to kick out the thought.I lay beneath the duvet, covering my red-coated face and my swollen lips from the past few minutes, my heart was still racing as though I had just run a marathon, and particles of the lightheadedness I felt when Lucas was kissing me still remained. I missed him immediately when he left, as he walked out of the door, as soon as his hands left my body. I came to the slow realization that my feelings for Lucas were rapidly changing into something big and beyond my control it was only a matter of time before they blew up in my face. The air in the room still smelled like him, like wood and soap and masculine sweat and for a second I imagined hi
Lucas caught up with me in no time, but I refused to give in when his large arms encircled me again. I thrashed against his body and bumped into trees hoping to scratch and loosen his death grip on me. "I'm sorry, Fiona, But listen, Hear me out first," He said, not sounding a minute breathless or like someone carrying a thrashing girl. "No, let me go!" I thrashed and kicked around the open air "You're only going to hurt yourself, Fiona," Lucas growled. " Stay put and listen to what I have to say for your own sake." "No, you listen to me, Let. Me. Go." I protested. Lucas sighed and wrapped his hand even firmer around my torso. "Why do you choose the wrong times to be stubborn and throw a tantrum? Do you have any idea how difficult it has been for me to watch you fawn over someone as horrible as Mactervish?" He scoffed, then continued in a ludicrous manner, "Or should I speak about how worried I have been every second that you have spent with him? dined with him, sat with him, a