Jane slowly closed the bathroom door and released a breath of relief when she noticed Rick was still out. The sun was slowly peeking over the horizon when she returned, and he was usually back by then. As if the universal was listening, the door to the room opened. She quickly ran to the bed and got under the covers. She counted in her head to help slow her breathing. She didn't want anything to set him off. Jane heard the door close and could hear him going to the bathroom. She could tell he was drunk by the dragging of his feet. Maybe this was her lucky day. Usually, if he was drunk coming from the graveyard shift, he would fall straight to sleep. She silently prayed that was the case today. She could use some peace. She waited until she heard the shower going before relaxing and drifting off to sleep. It only felt like a minute before his voice boomed in the room, waking her up. "I know you're not asleep, human." Well, of course, not now, you idiot, Jane thought. She quickly p
A rumble in the walls stirred Lillian out of her trance. She stared at the ceiling, wondering if it would break from the activity above her. She instantly regretted the decision to have her room below Mason's. Ever since he returned with Xenia, they have been fucking non-stop, with only small intermissions in between. Lillian grabbed something close to her and threw it at the ceiling before returning to the smoky, floor-length mirror. She grabbed the edges, willing Melania to show soon, and just like that, she did. Melania was lying in a field of flowers and only opened her eyes when the image of her filled the mirror. "Why are you calling me," Melania asked with a hint of irritation. "Every time you do, it costs me, Lillian." Lillian flinched at the tone in Melania's voice before pointing to the ceiling. Melania looked around and didn't see anything, so she listened and could hear the faint noises of sex. "What the hell kind of porno shit you're bringing me, Lillian?" "It's bee
Jane looked in the mirror at the bags under her eyes and the bruises that were slowly healing. She walked carefully to the closet to find a scarf to cover the bruises around her neck. Rick was still asleep, and she didn't want to wake him. Drake was long gone by now, so she had no defense. She was only human, after all, and not a strong one. She wasn't like Xenia, but maybe there was something she could do for herself. Something that could give her some sense of freedom. Starting right now. Jane scurried along to the kitchen and stopped before entering. She could hear Lacey and Frieda talking inside. She didn't want to spy on them, but she knew if she wanted information, they didn't trust her enough to tell her. She leaned ever so slightly on the cracked door. "I can't believe Luna would attack Celia like that," Frieda said. "Lillian I get, but innocent Celia. It makes no sense." "Yeah. I guess so." Lacey's voice sounded distant, Jane peeked through the door to see Lacey lazily sti
Rodin roared loudly, allowing his seed to fill Nova as she jerked against his body, finding her own release. Her body fell forward, but Rodin groped her breasts, pulling her back against him. He slowly lowered them both to the bed while pushing himself deeper into her. He wanted to make sure every fucking ounce of him stayed inside her so his scent could seep through her pores and everyone could smell him on her. After a minute, he laid to the side, pulling her close and feeling just how perfectly she fit in his arms. Their breathing was still erratic, in sync with their all-night lovemaking. No, more like fuckfest. Rodin smiled. The trek back to the packhouse took them a while since every few hundred feet, Nova's heat took over, causing them to stop and fuck enough to keep it at bay. When they finally returned to the packhouse, they showered and went another round before heading to bed. Rodin came so many times he became dizzy from his pleasure, but there was no way he was going
"I…brought you breakfast," Celia said in a voice so soft, it made Lillian shiver. Lillian stepped aside as Celia walked and placed the food on the nightstand. Celia stepped to the side and bowed her head to the floor. "If there isn't anything else, I will take my leave," Celia said, walking past Lillian.Lillian blocked the way with her arm. She moved Celia back into the room while closing her door. "Are you sure that's all you have for me, mate?" Celia stopped her movements and looked up at Lillian. Lillian smiled, knowing simple things like this pleased her little mate. It was pathetic, but Lillian would be lying if she said she didn't enjoy it, too. She could practically feel Celia's heartbeat racing as she walked by. She brushed her fingers across Celia before going over to the plate of food. Lillian plucked a piece of meat off the plate before turning to her mate. Celia hadn't moved from her spot, facing the door. Lillian moved behind her, caressing Celia's arms before curlin
Jane listened on the other end of the door for a response. When she heard none, she knocked again, and still nothing. She bit her lower lip, wondering if the room was really empty. Maybe he just doesn't want to answer, so I'll return later. Jane thought, turning to walk away, but she stopped. Maybe it really is empty, and this is my only chance to redeem myself. Jane took a deep breath and turned back towards the door. She checked the halls to make sure they were clear before sliding her hand across the door's lock. It only responded to the Alpha and Luna of the pack whenever the office was empty, but she knew the way around it. Thanks to Rick. He would talk about sneaking up here just to sit in the Alpha's chair when everyone was gone. He told her it made him feel powerful and safe. She laughed at how stupid that sounded. Rick was nothing but a coward in her eyes and the farthest thing from safe. Jane felt around the edge until she came across a dip on the back panel. She had t
Xenia stretched across the bed with a smile spreading across her face. Everything felt wonderful against her skin and that scent. The heady floral and citrusy scent surrounded her like a sweet and warm caress. It was something she wasn’t used to. She opened her eyes while moving across the bed, searching for something…or someone. Then she suddenly stopped.Everything that had happened last night came flooding back. Mason. Her body seemed to remember every touch of his hands, mouth, fingers, and other things. Xenia shook her head and jumped out the bed as if it was on fire. The movement was faster than she expected. She grabbed the bedpost to steady herself before looking around the room. She was alone, and for that she was grateful. She didn’t know how to act around Mason after last night, and hell, even early this morning. It was then she noticed how naked and sticky she was. She gagged a bit before going to the bathroom. She quickly bathed herself, starting slow at first. The soren
Mason threw everything on the mantle on the floor before gripping the edge. The thoughts of Xenia flooded his mind, and Rodin was no help. Mason didn't want to think of her. Every thought felt like a betrayal to Melania. It wasn't just the thoughts of Xenia driving him crazy but everything else that came with it. Their plan to bring Melania back was being questioned in his mind. Sacrificing Xenia was the only way to go, and he came to terms with that long ago. However, just the thought of something terrible happening to Xenia tightened his chest. He didn't want to hurt her, but at the same time, he wanted Melania back. Before, there was no complication, but after last night and this morning, Xenia has imprinted herself in his mind. His…heart? "Dammit!" He yelled, banging his fist into the wall, creating a fist-like hole. He ran his shaking hands over his head. "I need to calm down. It's just the bond talking. Get it together Mason." He took a deep breath and went over what needed
Lillian and Rick exchanged glances as Mason stormed into the dining room, his jaw clenched and fists, bloodied and balled at his sides. Lillian knew that meant he was in the dungeons with their shipwrecked guests. Still, she said nothing as he sat down at the head of the table with a force that rattled the silverware on the table. Normally, Lillian would offer him an alternate way to release his tension, but it looked as if even the sound of a fork scraping against a plate might set him off. So, to be safe she was careful with her movements and words.Lillian cleared her throat. “Everything is in place for tonight, Alpha,” she began. “The preparations are nearly complete. The altar has been set, and the ceremonial items are ready.”Mason didn’t respond immediately. His gaze was distant, lost in thought. He reached for a glass of water, his grip tight. Lillian glanced at Rick, who avoided eye contact and focused on his plate. He had seen Mason in these moods before–volatile, unpredicta
The morning of the Red Moon came quicker than Xenia had hoped. She had barely slept through the rest of the night after Mason practically dragged her from the dungeons. She had a bit of solace when something urgent came up and he left her for a while. It wasn’t until later when she felt him enter the room, smelling of earth and blood until he went into the bathroom.Xenia prayed he would leave but that went out the window the moment he climbed into the bed. She moved only for him to grab and pull her into his arms. Xenia pushed against him but he only tightened his hold.“I have to pee,” Xenia lied, preparing to bolt from the bed the moment he let her go.“You lie,” Mason grumbled, his voice drifting off as Xenia sighed into his hold.I’ll just wait until you’re asleep. She thought as she stared at the ceiling, waiting until the shadows in the room seemed to stretch long in the early light, wrapping around her like chains she couldn’t break. What was worse than having a psychotic kidn
Mason walked into the woods far from the packhouse. It was already late and he didn’t like being away from Xenia for too long. His instincts warned him that leaving Xenia alone was a mistake, even if the threats of her friends’ lives kept her in place for now. She was clever, and desperation could make her even more so.Mason paused in his steps, his eyes scanning the darkness ahead. He knew they were close. Lillian and Rick had found something important and refused to let him know until they got back to the packhouse, but Mason was impatient. It was too close to the Red Moon to be left out of the loop.A flicker of movement to his left caught his eye as Lillian emerged from the darkness like a phantom, her eyes blazing with fury. Rick trailed behind her, his expression stoic.“What are you doing here?” Lillain spat with irritation in her voice. “You left her alone.”Mason didn’t flinch under her glare, though her anger was palpable. He knew what she was really angry about. He expecte
Delilah hit the water hard, the icy shock of it stealing her breath. Panic surged within her, a flashback to the last time she had been submerged in the waters from an explosion–a time when death had nearly claimed her. The relentless grip of the ocean, the surrounding darkness, and the crushing weight of the water threatened to drown her in panic. I just have to swim up and I’ll reach the surface. She thought, but her body refused to move. The water was ready to drag her under. Then, in the midst of the chaos, she thought of Xenia. The image of her daughter’s face, strong and resolute, filled her mind, anchoring her in the present. She couldn’t give in to the fear. Not now. Not when they still had a chance to save her baby.Kicking furiously, Delilah forced her way to the surface, gasping for air as she broke through the waves. Her eyes darted around, searching for the others amidst the chaos. Pieces of the boat floated around, and she could barely make out the figures struggling ag
Xenia’s breath hitched as she took in the sight of Lacey, bruised and broken, barely clinging to consciousness. Next to Lacey, sat Frieda in the same condition. Xenia’s nails bit into her skin as her fist tightened from the fierce anger that had been burning inside her. She tried to look away but something wouldn’t let her. The air around her was thick with the scent of blood. She took one shaky step forward, keeping her gaze on Lillian, who had a sickening smile on her face. I want to kill her. I want her dead! Was on repeat inside Xenia’s mind as she got closer to the cell door. I could do it, she thought. I was fast enough to dig my nails into that pretty face of hers. Nova’s power flowed through Xenia and out into the room. She felt Nova pushing her, urging her to act, to tear Lillian apart limb by limb. Every muscle in her body tensed, ready to spring into action.Lillian’s smile was gone now, replaced by a wary glint in her eyes. She had felt the shift of power, the surge of e
The cannon ripped through the side, sending vibrations through the ship and rattling the planks and bolts.“What the hell!” Micah yelled over the noise. “Did you signal them to attack us?”“No,” Archie responded, looking just as confused as the panicked crew. “This is all wrong.”“Maybe they attacked because we’re onboard,” Eric suggested.“How would they know?” Archie asked. “This is a civilian ship with King Gerald’s flag colors.”Another cannon exploded above them. Gunpowder filled the air and like before Micah could taste the silver. Before he called out to Laurie, she already created a whirlwind to keep it away from the crew, especially the wolves.“I think your notion that they don’t know werewolves are on board is wrong Lieutenant,” Micah growled.“I don’t understand,” Archie said in disbelief.“It doesn’t matter what you don’t understand,” Laurie yelled. “Just know right now we are being attacked!”The crew sprang into action, each member knowing their role as Micah and his te
Lottie paused mid-pace, her glare sharp enough to peel paint. “Just great. Now we have two lovesick puppies on this boat.”“Better two puppies than one seasick alpha, amirite,” Spencer quipped, trying to lighten the mood. Silence greeted him like an old, unfriendly acquaintance. “Tough crowd,” he muttered, looking around for a lifeline, None came.The boat swayed gently as the crew exchanged uneasy glances. Delilah emerged from the cabin, stepping right into the middle of the Micah-Cris showdown brewing on deck. Micah, who swayed in perfect time with the boat, looked both determined and like he might hurl at any moment. Despite Eric steadying him like a weary mother holding up a toddler, Micah’s glare at Cris was unwavering.Cris’s laughter broke up the tension. “You can’t be serious, right?”His arms crossed, voice dripping with disbelief. “You realize we’re still together. Have been for a while now. You can’t think you can just come in and break up something as real as what we have.”
Micah stood at the edge of the pier, watching the water lap at the edge of the boat. Sweat was building across his forehead as he took a deep breath, steeling himself to walk across the plank leading up to the boat. The salty tang of the sea filled his nostrils, and the sound of the water was anything but comforting.“Alpha, we have to go!” Laurie’s voice rang out from the haul, carrying a note of urgency. Her usual calm was slipping. “Just pretend it’s a moving house!”Micah growled low in his throat, frustration evident in his tone. His usual bravado was faltering, replaced by a rare vulnerability. “Wow, thanks for that, Laurie. Super helpful. If I hurl, it’s going to be your fault.”“Can’t believe the big bad Alpha is afraid of boats,” Cris laughed, his amusement clear. “This is priceless.”Lottie, standing beside him, quickly hit him across the shoulder. “Said the guy who once jumped on Xenia’s back in the dead of night, screaming like a banshee,” Lottie shot back, a smirk playing
Xenia’s heart pounded as she narrowed her gaze, locking onto Mason’s intense expression. What are you playing at? Xenia wondered as she stared at Mason, searching for any signs of deception. But all she found was a raw mixture of lust and determination.“You can’t be serious,” she scoffed, hoping her laugh would push him back. But instead, Mason smiled, a slow, predatory grin that sent heat pooling low in her stomach.“I think you know me well enough to realize I’m very serious,”he replied, his gaze flickering down to her lips, making his intentions crystal clear. “You realize every time we’ve kissed it was Rodin who was in control. I can’t help but feel a bit…”“...jealous,” Xenia replied.“...left out,” he finished, his eyes darkening as he moved closer, closing the gap between them. She felt her pulse quicken, her body betraying her mind. His nearness was intoxicating, and that made her furious. She tried to fight the rush of heat flooding her, swallowing hard as she placed a hand