Xenia was healing slower than usual but enough for Mason to put her back to work. She couldn't move as much with her injuries and the bandages but was glad to leave the room. Instead of one of the girls coming to get her, Mason sent two warriors in their place. Probably thought it best to send someone she couldn't easily knock out. Though if given a chance, Xenia wouldn't pass it up. She walked in front of them as they shared a hushed conversation behind her. Luckily, they paid her no mind, and she listened well. "Can't believe they stuck us with this human," one of them sneered. "I have better things to do than babysitting." "Tell me about it. I wish I had joined them when they killed all those bandits. It would've been fun getting a few kills under my belt." "I don't know, Bran. Rick said they had magic bombs that made the air taste like blood and dirt. They confiscated them so the Alpha could study them. I saw it in his office, but it didn't look impressive." "That's becaus
Xenia had to remind herself not to cry as she stared at Jane in the doorway. She knew she looked bad but Jane… Jane's eyes were lowered to the ground as silence blanketed the room. Lacey walked over and pulled Jane into a hug. Xenia was frozen, looking over Jane's face, which was heavily made up. Still, the bruises were plain as day. Her eyes were a deep purple, her lip was busted, and a light ring appeared around her neck. Xenia was surprised her face wasn't swollen. As Frieda and Celia walked over to Lacey and Jane, Xenia gripped the island to help her breathe. "I swear that hot bastard needs to be caged like the animal he is," Frieda said. "Fuck that," Lacey yelled. "Someone needs to beat his ass. Give him a taste of his own medicine." "Please," Jane begged softly. "I'm fine. I'm already healing." Jane moved around them until she came to Xenia. "Luna, I'm glad to see you moving around." "Jane..." Xenia could barely speak as Jane bowed and went to her station to prepar
Xenia pulled away from Jane and walked through the door. Lucky for her, Fred and Bran were chatting with the group as she hid the knives behind her back. They hadn't noticed her yet, so the element of surprise was on her side. She could hear Rick speaking to them as they laughed. "Did you see what I did to shut her up?" Rick asked, holding his hand up to demonstrate. That's when the first knife sliced through it like it was butter. It took them a second to realize what had happened before Rick growled and turned towards her. Xenia didn't wait as she threw the second knife, and he blocked with his hand like a dummy. The knife went through like butter, lodging itself in his shoulder. Xenia heard a scream from behind her, and it sounded like Jane. She turned to head back to the kitchen when she felt someone's hands on her shoulder. "How dare you!" Lillian growled as her claws dug into Xenia's skin, causing Xenia to scream out in pain. Without a weapon, Xenia did the only thing she coul
She is perfect, Rodin thought when Xenia stabbed him. He could tell she was scared, but still, she fought him, and that was the biggest turn-on for him. He couldn't help but pull her into a kiss. She was a beast, and he wanted to tame her. Her eyes widened when his lips found hers, and that was precisely what he was going for. She felt her heart pounding in her chest, a mix of surprise and vulnerability washing over her. Confusion clouded her thoughts, and for a second, she felt her body wanting to give in, but she refused. She struggled to escape his embrace, but he held her even tighter. Her hands moved up his side, finding the wounds she had made, and she dug in with her nails. Rodin growled in her mouth, holding her closer and biting her lip just a little in the process. She gasped, and he took this opportunity to plunge his tongue into her mouth. Rodin breathed a sigh against her lips. It was wonderful. The feel of her in his arms, the taste of her lips. At last, he felt at eas
Xenia was in a daze when she returned to the kitchen. "Gurl," Frieda started as soon as they returned to the kitchen, "that was the hottest and craziest scene I've ever seen. A fight and a makeout sesh all in one moment. And did you see what the Alpha's packin'? Pure entertainment..." "I'll say," Lacey laughed. "I've never seen anyone stand up to Rick and Lillian like you did. You're like a little badass human." Xenia saw the girls moving and talking around her. Still, she was oblivious to what they were saying. She sat in the corner, hugging her knees to her chest, rocking herself back and forth. The motion gave her time to analyze the situation. I can't believe he kissed me, Xenia thought, dragging her hands down her face. There was a whirlwind of emotions coursing through her - surprise, uncertainty, and a hint of an internal struggle. A thousand thoughts flooded through her mind, and they all led to the moment his lips met hers. At first, he was rough and dominant, and a sudde
Xenia paced in the kitchen, waiting for Jane to finish cleaning the tables. She was too eager to share the little present she made for Jane earlier. Hopefully, bringing Jane some semblance of happiness. The moment Jane entered the room, Xenia embraced her. It startled Jane slightly as her body remained slacked in Xenia's embrace. "Is everything okay, Luna? You're squeezing a bit tight," Jane said. Xenia let go, and before anything else was said, she went inside the walk-in freezer. Confused, the girls looked at each other before Xenia came out holding a pie. "I know I can do nothing to make up for the other day. I made this for you," Xenia placed the pie o
Trigger: Sexual AssaultThe door had the exact mechanism as her room. Xenia touched the entire door, trying to figure out how to open it. "Only the Alpha and the top warriors have access. Like Lillian, Kane, and Rick," Jane said. "What about you?" Xenia asked. "You're bound to Rick, right? Maybe the power transfers through you too." "I guess I never thought of that," Jane said, walking to the door. She hesitantly placed her hand on the mechanism. It glowed around her hand for a few seconds, then went out. The door remained locked. "Dammit," Xenia yelle
Mason woke up with his face covered in something incredibly soft and a weight on his arm. At first, he thought it was Lillian since she had a habit of showing up and lying next to him when she was on a mission. Mason inhaled deeply, filling his nostrils with a heavy winter blossom scent. He opened his eyes and noticed he was in his room, in his bed, with Xenia's back cuddled against him. His breath caught in his throat as he tried to stay still. Her sheer red nightgown didn't leave much to the imagination. How the hell did I get here, he wondered. "She is our mate, and she was in pain," Rodin answered him. "It's only natural I would want to be close to her, and seeing how cowardly you are, I
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