My heart broke writing this chapter. I love Tobias and Sage. Have faith that their stories aren't over yet. Thank you for reading! -JNS
DARIUS POV It’s been an entire day since the rogue attack. Daya has finally left the medical clinic to go home and shower. I made her leave. She didn’t want to leave Sage, who has yet to wake up. Tobias is still in his wolf form, laying on the foot of her bed now. I tried to talk to him through the mindlink and it’s no longer Tobias speaking. It’s his wolf spirit. Richard has tried talking to him and got the same response as I have. We are hoping when Sage wakes up, Tobias will come forward and take back control of his wolf. Richard is running some tests on Sage because her infection isn’t clearing up. On top of that, I have no answers as to who led the rogue attack. Daya said she saw something on one of the wolves she killed. I told her to wait until we are with Lucas and Emmy to talk about all this. So I’m just sitting in my office, staring at the couch, by my window, that Tobias normally sits in. Not having his presence in here is filling me with an empty feeling. He is alway
DAYA POV Today is a day with so many unanswered questions. We have no leads on Justin and Mara. We don’t know who is partnering with these rogue wolves. And now, we have some secret group, or something, that was part of this attack as well. As I wait in the medical clinic for Dr. Richard and Darius, I decide to talk to Sage. Just because she is asleep, doesn’t mean she can’t hear me- Mara probably did…crazy bitch. Tobias’ wolf hasn’t moved from the foot of her bed. He is resting his head on her legs. He is not talking much through the mindlink. “So Sage, and I guess Tobias, if either of you are listening…I accepted that Darius is my mate.” I grip Sage’s hand as I talk to her sleeping form. Tobias’ wolf continues to sleep atop her feet. “I know it’s crazy. But I’m done denying it. I’m not sure if I’m going to accept the mate bond, but Darius has been truthful and genuine with me this entire time. I’m the one who has been a liar and fraud. He knows most of my story, but he still do
DAYA POV Aurelian perks up as the three of them enter the room. I also sit more forward in my seat. Eager for any new information. “Hi Tobias.” Richard says, trying to stay calm and keep Aurelian calm. I was about to correct Richard and tell him this isn’t Tobias. Aurelian immediately mindlinks me before I can say anything. ‘Not time to tell yet. Sage is more important.’ Aurelian conveys this through our link. I gently nod my head to him. “Something you were going to tell us, Daya?” Darius asks me as my attention comes back to the room. I shake my head and re-grip Sage’s hand. “No. Just eager to find out what’s wrong with Sage. Please, Richard. Tell me you and Saph have figured this out.” I sound desperate and pained. I need to know that Sage will be okay. And it seems that Aurelian and Tobias need her to be okay for them to heal as well. “Okay. Let’s get right to it.” Richard begins to speak, getting all our attention. “We have Sage sedated because this infe
DAYA POV “You, Darius. I want you.” I have never been this certain about someone in my life. I know we should be thinking about the rogue attacks, or how we can help Sage and Tobias. But I want to be selfish right now. I feel like I can never truly relax around here; something is always happening, and I am more than willing to jump in and be the first to help. However, right now, at this moment, I don’t want to think. I don’t want to worry. I just know I want Darius. I wrap my arms around his neck, pulling my body flush with his. Our eyes trained on each other, never wavering. I’m nervous. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t. I have no sexual experience and I’m not sure how to get things started. It was so embarrassing while I was getting ready for this dinner date, and having all my sisters in my apartment, giving me sex advice. ***Flashback to an hour ago*** “Just jump his bones! No guy is going to deny you. And he’s your mate. He will know what to do. Just let him take the r
DARIUS POV “I want more…” She said in a breathy moan. Her body is coated in a glossy layer of sweat. Her thighs are glistening with her juices that I’m still tasting on my lips and tongue. She tastes amazing and I am more than happy to give her more. “Yes, madam,” I respond, as I begin to lean forward, my tongue sliding out of my mouth; ready to taste her again. She grips my hair, tugging me up so I’m looking into her lust-filled eyes. Her light brown orbs are alight with the golden hue of her wolf. “No. I want more of you, Darius. All of you.” She says, still trying to catch her breath, and her gaze shifts down to my hardened and throbbing shaft. I dip my gaze down and then look back into her eyes. I don’t see any hesitation or uncertainty on her face. My girl always knows what she wants. But I still want to make sure. “Are you sure?” She nods, pushing up so she is sitting completely upright. “I need words, Troublemaker.” I remind her as I kiss her knee. “Yes, Darius.
JUSTIN POV Sweat is dripping down the back of my neck, trickling down my back. I run my hands through my hair, which has grown out from my normally buzzed cut. I’m wearing a path in the ground from the pacing I’m doing between these two giant trees. This is our usual meeting spot. He’s running late. I get anxious when he’s late. The updates I have for him should make him pleased, dare I say happy? He took me under his wing years ago. He was my mentor. The closest thing to a father since I lost mine to the fucking plague. My father died when I was 13 years old. My mother got the plague first- that seemed to be how it happened to everyone. All the women got sick first. Their mates and children had to watch them slowly die, and then the men died. There were a few exceptions where the male mates got sick first, but it was almost always the women who died first. My father loved my mother. He didn’t have to die. He was selfish. I guess the pain of living without my mother was too pai
DAYA POV The last 12 hours have been indescribable. I lie. I can describe it all, but I will only make myself blush by replaying it in my head. I have never felt so connected to another person. I don’t regret spending the night…and parts of the morning, with Darius. I still get small shocks of tingles and sparks up my body when I think about him. The full moon is the day after tomorrow and I still don’t know what I want to do. I know I want Darius, but the fear of the plague has me hesitant to accept the actual mate bond. Darius and I spoke about it between our bouts in his bedroom and letting our wolves run together. ***The previous evening*** “What’s running through that beautiful head of yours, Troublemaker?” His nickname no longer frustrates me, the exact opposite. It excites me. I clench my thighs together at the sound of his deep voice, which rumbles from his chest. “Mmm, nothing that can’t wait,” I reply in a breathy whisper. I don’t want to kill the mood by bringing u
DARIUS POV Last night was amazing. Daya and I connected in ways I never imagined. We didn’t just have sex. We promised ourselves to each other. We spoke about our future. I haven’t thought about my future since Calvin died. Since losing him, I’ve lived day to day, checking boxes, completing tasks, and trying to hold myself together for the good of my pack. Now, with Daya, I feel like I have a purpose again. Not that my pack wasn’t a purpose to live, but over time, I resented my role as Alpha because I had to do it, it was never a choice for me to make, or a choice I had time to process. One minute, I was the carefree younger brother of Alpha Calvin Barnett, the next, my brother was dead, and I was the new Alpha. How can I love a role that was never mine to have, not in this way at least? But Daya, fuck. She sees me. I think as an alpha female and older sister, she understands the pressure I experience. She also doesn’t stroke my ego like other she-wolves. Daya calls me out on my
Sage POV I wake up with a throbbing headache again. I’ve been running through the forest for several days now. Part of me regrets leaving that small hospital. I never asked anyone where I was or how I got there. I assume that I was kidnapped since I didn’t recognize anything. Everything is a jumbled mess. I try to sleep at night, but flashes of what I can only assume are my memories, flicker through my mind. The sun is beginning to rise over the trees. As much as I’m afraid about being out in the forest all alone, there is a sense of calm from being in nature. I vaguely remember being younger and running through the woods. Why can’t I remember anything? Do I have family looking for me? No. Obviously not. Or else they would have been in that hospital room waiting for me to wake up. A part of me keeps saying to turn back, that there is something, or maybe someone, waiting for me. I just have to accept that I’m alone. I continue walking, enjoying the sound
DAYA POV I am speechless. I have no words. Not only is the ring gorgeous, but his words are extraordinary. Alpha Luna? Is that even a thing? Nobody has ever shared an Alpha title before. Just when I thought that Darius couldn’t be more perfect, he proves me wrong again. He is truly willing to share his title with me. I feel a little guilty for shoving him before, but what did he expect me to do? I thought he was making a mockery of me and our bond in front of the entire pack. What a sneaky guy. I’m going to have to teach him a lesson later for that. I realize that I have not said anything in some time and Darius is still down on one knee, waiting for my response. “It would be my honor, Alpha,” I say without hesitation. I extend my fingers on my left hand for him and, without taking his eyes off mine, he slides the beautiful ring onto my finger. A black diamond- he knows me well. Darius places a kiss on my ring finger and rises to his feet. The entire pack is cheering and sc
DARIUS POV I’m standing on the platform, overlooking the entire party. My pack members are all so happy and enjoying the evening. Lucas and Aurelian are standing next to me. I’m wringing my hands together, feeling them getting clammy. I try shaking them out to dry them. I don’t want Daya to touch my hands and feel how gross they are. “Relax, Alpha. Your mate is coming,” Lucas says reassuringly. I never asked him what his views are on finding a mate. I have seen him talking with some she-wolves here and there, but nothing serious. He and Emmy have been spending a lot of time together. I’ll have to ask him if there is anything going on there. They’re so similar, they would probably be a good fit. The chattering amongst the pack members quiets down and I look up and see her- my warrior goddess. The woman who slowly broke down my walls and has become a new pillar of strength for me. She is flanked by her sisters as they make their way through the crowd. She stops and greets diff
DARIUS POV Two Weeks Later The full moon came and went. We never celebrated with a festival. Too many of my pack members were fearful that the full moon has become a bad omen. Following the attack from the Forza Pack, and Lyle’s death, nobody wanted to celebrate. I was disappointed, but I understood everyone’s concern. We had a funeral for Lyle. Logan and Leslie were distraught. Especially Logan. He is filled with so much guilt. I wasn’t there, but Daya told me Logan snapped at Lyle before the Forza Pack attacked. He feels responsible for his brother’s death. As does Leslie. Lyle died saving her. I understand that guilt, having lost Calvin in the same way. Richard recommended a grief counselor, or even instating a pack therapist. We all have been through significant trauma. It’s werewolf nature to deal with pain and keep your head up and drive on. We forget that we are also part human. It makes sense that having someone to talk to during difficult times would be beneficial. Ri
DAYA POV The rest of us spring into action and shift, joining Lyle by the tree line. ‘I’m on my way! How many?’ Darius’ voice comes through the link. ‘I can’t tell! At least twenty! They don’t smell like rogues!’ I tell him. The attacking wolves don’t hesitate. They leap out from the trees and come at us. Logan and Leslie are the first to defend their brother. The rest of us are not far behind. Darius’ orders come through the mindlink. ‘Do your best not to kill! We take as many prisoners as we can!’ Fearing for my sisters’ safety, I focus on keeping them away from harm. ‘Amy get back!’ I yell to her through the link. ‘I can fight! Let me help!’ She shouts back angrily, her small, brown wolf shaking out her fur. It’s not helping her seem intimidating. ‘No! Go help bring silver chains so we can keep these wolves subdued!’ I order her. Her wolf storms off in the other direction. She is just not a skilled enough fighter. I refuse to put her a
DAYA POV One minute, I’m hitting a punching bag, imagining it’s Darius’ face. The next, I’m letting him mark me. I have no regrets. The moment Darius’ teeth connected with my skin I felt our bond snap together. I saw his entire life flash before my eyes. I saw all that he has lost. I felt all his pain. I finally understand why my parents never resented the Moon Goddess for the plague. I can feel every emotion Darius has. I know him. He knows me. Being this connected to another person is scary, and exhilarating. I haven’t heard anyone talk about these things with a chosen mate bond. Nobody has mentioned the sparks and tingles every time their chosen mate touches them…kisses them. And I’ve never heard anyone talk about absorbing their chosen mate’s memories when they complete their bond. I used to think werewolves were superior to humans because of our enhanced senses, our strength, and speed. And, yea, obviously, the whole shifting into a majestic animal is in
DARIUS POV As my pack members’ voices filled the outdoor space with cheers and applause, I could feel through the bond that Daya was not sharing in their feelings of excitement. I sensed her emotions were pinging between shock, annoyance, hesitation, uncertainty, and anger. Yea. I should have spoken to her about this beforehand. There wasn’t time. A few young kids ran up to us. One small girl took Daya’s hand. Little Phoebe is only five years old, with wavy black hair and big brown eyes that are almost too big for her head. She looks like a cartoon character. Daya looks down at this small girl. “I can’t wait to have a Luna. Especially one as pretty and brave as you. I’m going to be a warrior when I get older too!” Phoebe flexes her small arms, which are void of any muscle tone. And she grits her teeth together and lets out a growl, or what I think was supposed to be a growl. I can’t help but smile at her cuteness. I feel Daya’s emotions change through the bond. Gratitude
DAYA POV Justin’s trial created a ripple effect of change over the next week. Darius meant it when he told his pack things needed to change. He took a suggestion from me and Aurelian that all pack members should receive basic training in the event of future attacks. Of course, not everyone will be on the warrior squad, but Darius agreed that every pack member should have basic fighting skills for whenever Bram, or rogues, attack again. But that’s not all that has changed, Darius announced that he wants to increase security measures. He wants to create a tech team to bring Running River Pack into the twenty-first century. This pack is definitely more of a blue-collar, get-your-hands-dirty, type of pack. Which is great and all. But there is so much technology available that can better protect everyone and alleviate the strain on the warriors who run patrols. Warrior training has just wrapped up for the day and we are all making our way over to the packhouse for another all-p
DARIUS POV I’m buttoning up a black dress shirt as I hear the shower turn off. I peer into the bathroom and see Daya’s reflection in the mirror as she steps out of the shower. Her tan and muscular body is still wet. I catch a glimpse of her perfect ass before she wraps a towel around her naked form. Damn it! I look down and I’m already hard just from looking at her. I haven’t admitted this to Daya, but since she marked me, my desire to have sex, and bury myself deep inside her, has skyrocketed. We have been having plenty of sex now that she moved in, but I’m always hungry for more. It feels so good to have her next to me every night. It seems so natural for us. I don’t know what changed for Daya, but she has been more open with me. I’m hesitant to bring up the conversation of marking her. I don’t want to scare her and risk all the progress our relationship has made. She steps out of the bathroom and rakes her eyes over me. I don’t know if she did it on purpose, but she li